Gray Heroics: Book 2

Kingdom of Noah's Arc 2 (Final Chapter)

[A Moment Ago...]

"You've certainly made some more than questionable decisions in recent times, but there's no doubt that Trivisty's bottomless brilliance runs through your tech savvy mind and bestows excellence to the craftsmanship that your hands produce, Galelith." Anathan praises nonchalantly as he stoically stares out to the endless body of gray clouds that continuously pass underneath the city vessel he stands upon.

"Even if I find the design more quaint than actually practical..." He adds while looking over to his left, where the mechanical small town resides just below the tall structure he's observing from. From the gentle and endlessly sounds of gears turning and grunting, to the high-pressure exhale of steam from a nexus of pipes all that the same time without fail, and even the sound of the wind caressing within its passing by.

"I am pleased that my vision does not necessarily disappoint you, Councilman Anathan. Your concerns are natural, but notions that I dare not brush off so callously either. I've placed a contingency layer in place underneath what you see now. They operate independently of one another, so should one fail, the other can easily fill the former's role." Galelith reassures with that same air of distantness as he monitors the condition of the City-ship on a hand-size device within his possession.

"Stability remains without fluctuations of any kind. Just a few more hours and the test will be complete." Galelith proceeds to announce.

"Great. I look forward to returning home and sharing the astounding review of your work here." Anathan responds. Just then, the entry door to the control room behind them opens and poking his upper body out is none other than Tonithy. 

"Hey, Galelith! A moment, if you will. I have an idea I wish to run by you." The fellow cryonean calls out with a beaming smile.

"Understood." Galelith responds to his friend and peer before briefly looking Anathan's way.

"Pardon me, Councilman Anathan. Work continues to call." He announces before heading inside with Tonithy to address whatever the latter has in mind.

"Of course. Do what you need." The nobleman responds without turning his head. Coincidentally, mere seconds after the door shuts behind Galelith, Anathan spots something that brings about a soft curious frown upon his blank face. A sudden beam of light that penetrates the gray clouds and gradually grows in radius. Observing what he can, it seems to be coming from what looks to be an infinite void of space high above that he cannot hope to see the source of. 

"What is this...?" The cryonean whispers in utter disbelief at what he sees. However, it's not the strangest occurrence to greet him. No. Right before his awe-struck eyes, a beast manifests from thin air. A dragon - a wyrm - a mythical adversary in the tales of countless Knight's endeavors to do the impossible. Its body is double the size of a yacht and 1/4th the size of the vessel he's aboard, but also translucent, as if made out of glass. Upon every inch completing bringing its imposing presence to realization, the creature flaps its wings and opens its mouth wide to release a bone-quaking roar into the sky. Both gestures bring a grimace to Anathan's face as he cups his ears and discomfort to his person, though he isn't given time to dwell on anything. The dragon quickly spots him and settles on a target decisively. It advances with certainty and a glare, ailing Anathan with a sensation of paralyzing fear. The man can only stare silently as the beast zeroes in on him. Contact finally comes, but instead of destruction or certain death, the dragon out right enters the cryonean's body until no trace of its existence remains in the sky.