Dragon Savior: A New Beginning ( Update Version)

Waking in the Light of Primara (198)

The celebration's laughter still echoed through the glowing streets of Primara, but not all dragons shared the same sense of peace. Beyond the lantern lit-square, Atlas sat upon the stone ledge overlooking the nation below, his midnight-and-white scales reflecting the dancing light. His tail flicked lazily against the stone as he watched Drogo spiral recklessly through the air. Drogo roared proudly, diving low over the crowd before blasting a stream of fire high into the night sky. The gathered dragons answered with approving growls and excited wingbeats.

" Show off," Atlas seemed to sigh internally, lowering his head.

Lutu, however, looked far more entertained. The purple Seraphithorn landed beside Atlas with a heavy thud, folding his massive wings carefully while never once taking his eyes off him. Atlas noticed immediately. And ignored him immediately. Below them, another roar erupted as Drogo attempted an overly dramatic aerial spin. The result was...less graceful than intended. He clipped the edge of a banner pole, spiraled awkwardly, then barely corrected himself before crashing into a fruit cart. The crowd burst into laughter. Atlas physically lowered his head into his claws. Lutu let out what could only be described as dragon laughter.

Drogo popped back up proudly anyway, fruit rolling around his paws as though none of that had happened. He puffed smoke from his nostrils and roared triumphantly like he had meant to do that all along. Atlas stared at him with deep disappointment. Lutu nudged Atlas with his shoulder, rumbling teasingly before spreading his wings wide and summoning swirling currents of wind around himself. The nearby dragons let out ‌impressed growls. Now it became obvious. Lutu was trying to impress Atlas. Atlas blinked slowly. Then looked away again. The purple dragon's eyes narrowed slightly.

Determined now, Lutu launched himself skyward and unleashed a spiraling storm current through the clouds, lightning dancing between his wings. The crowd below gasped in awe. Drogo immediately took this as a challenge.

" Oh no," Atlas thought. Drogo blasted upward after him, releasing bursts of fire while trying to imitate the aerial patterns. Unfortunately, his version involved far less grace and far more accidental explosions. One particular large blast startled several smaller dragons into scattering. Atlas shut his eyes. " I'm not saving you if you fall."

Lutu landed again beside Atlas afterward, clearly expecting some sort of reaction. Atlas simply stared at Drogo, who was now tangled halfway through decorative festival ribbons. Lutu followed his gaze. Then even he looked disappointed.

Far from Primara's warmth and celebration, deep beneath the burning foundation of VulcanFire Kingdoms...the atmosphere was suffocating. Molten rivers glowed beneath the dark stone pathways leading toward the throne chamber hidden beneath the kingdom itself. Massive pillars carved with ancient dragon bones stretched upward into darkness, while shadows flickered against the walls like restless spirits. The enormous doors slammed open. Cesar strode inside like a storm given form. His crimson cape whipped violently behind him, fury radiating from every step.

" The GreekCosmo was supposed to be a legend!" Cesar thundered. His voice echoed throughout the chamber like an eruption. " They vanished centuries ago! How in Avalon did one appear?!"

The Castle Keeper sat at the far end of the chamber upon his obsidian throne. Motionless. Calm. Completely unfazed. Beside him stood the Golden Hunter, golden armor gleaming faintly beneath the firelight. The warrior's hand instinctively drifted toward his blade the moment Cesar advanced. But then—the Castle Keeper simply glanced toward him. That was enough. The Golden Hunter stepped back instantly. Silent obedience. Cesar stopped only a few feet before the throne, breathing hard.

" Explain yourself," he demanded. " You told me the Dragon Savior was weak. Unprepared."

The Castle Keeper rested his chin lightly against clasped fingers.

" And yet..." he murmured smoothly, " they awakened the creator of dragons itself. Fascinating, isn't it?"

Cesar's jaw tightened. " Do not play games with me."

The Castle Keeper tilted his head slightly, voice lowering into something almost thoughtful.

" Tell me, Cesar..."

The room quieted completely.

" You once mentioned finding evidence that someone had entered your private chambers the night Starfania disappeared."

Cesar froze slightly. The Castle Keeper continued carefully, like a serpent coiling around its prey.

" A masked figure." Another pause. " And wasn't her headband in their hand?"

Cesar's expression darkened. " Yes."

" Curious, isn't it?" the Castle Keeper whispered. " The Dragon Savior appears shortly after your daughter vanishes. A mysterious figure infiltrates your kingdom. Your daughter disappears without a trace...yet the Dragon Savior somehow knows VulcanFire's inner workings."

The room suddenly felt colder. Cesar's fists clenched. The Castle Keeper slowly rose from his throne, descending the steps with deliberate calm.

" Have you ever considered..." he breathed, " that the Dragon Savior may have taken your daughter from you?"

Silence. Heavy. Dangerous silence. Cesar stared at him, conflict flashing behind his eyes.

" No..." he muttered instinctively. " Starfania would never willingly leave VulcanFire."

" Wouldn't she?" The Castle Keeper circled slowly around him now. " You said yourself she questioned your methods. She cared for dragons. She doubted the kingdom's path."

Each word landed carefully. Precisely. Manipulation woven into truth.

" Imagine what the Dragon Savior could have whispered to her," the Castle Keeper continued. " Imagine how easy it would be to convince a frightened young girl that her father had become the villain."

Cesar's breathing grew uneven. The Castle Keeper watched the doubt begin to spread. Exactly as intended.

" The Dragon Savior stole many things from Avalon, Cesar," he whispered. " Imagine how easy it would be to convince a frightened young girl that her father had become the villain."

Cesar's breathing grew uneven. The Castle Keeper watched the doubt begin to spread. Exactly intended.

" The Dragon Savior stole many things from Avalon, Cesar," he whispered. " Perhaps your daughter was simply one more."

Cesar hesitated for the first time since entering the chamber. And the Castle Keeper smiled.