The Five Realms

Chapter 21: Steven IV

The Arrival

As they traveled a couple more hours, Steven and company finally emerged from the dark tunnel, stepping into a world that felt almost like a dream. The air at the mouth of the cave was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the damp heat of the underground. His senses were immediately overwhelmed by the sight before him—a glade, tranquil and untouched, sprawled out in front of him like something out of a forgotten myth.

The glade was bathed in the soft light of late afternoon, the sun filtering through the canopy of towering trees that stood guard along the perimeter. It wasn't just the light that struck him, though; it was the purity of the scene. The grass was impossibly green, swaying gently with the breeze, and wildflowers of every color dotted the ground, their scent subtly mingling with the earthy smell of the forest. To the right, a crystal-clear stream babbled softly, weaving its way through the landscape, its sound a soothing contrast to the tension that had built during their journey through the tunnel.

For a moment, Steven allowed himself to breathe, his mind quieting in the presence of such natural beauty. The exhaustion of the past few days, the uncertainty, the fear—it all seemed to fade away, leaving only the simplicity of the glade. He wanted to sit, to rest, to take in the calm that surrounded him.

But his attention was pulled away by something far more imposing.

At the far end of the glade, near the base of a massive cliff, stood four enormous dragons, their scales shimmering in the fading sunlight like living gemstones. Steven's breath caught in his throat. He'd seen dragons before, sure—Ares had become his constant companion—but these were something else entirely. They were titanic, like creatures from an ancient age, larger and more powerful than anything he could have imagined.

The largest dragon, a deep, royal blue, stood with a regal grace. Its wings, folded neatly at its sides, looked powerful enough to block out the sun if spread. Its size was mind-boggling—easily sixty meters from snout to tail, with muscles rippling beneath its sleek, shimmering scales. Every movement it made was deliberate, like it knew exactly how much space it occupied in the world. There was an intelligence in its eyes that sent a shiver down Steven's spine.

Beside the blue dragon stood a red one, almost as large, its scales glowing with an internal fire that seemed barely contained. The heat radiating from it was palpable even from where Steven stood, a reminder that these creatures weren't just beautiful—they were deadly. The red dragon's presence was powerful, its gaze sweeping over the group like a predator assessing prey.

Next to the red one was a slightly smaller green dragon, its emerald scales reflecting the light in a way that made it seem as though the very earth had come to life. It had an air of majesty about it, the kind of quiet strength that didn't need to be flaunted to be recognized. And then there was the smallest of the group, a pink dragon, still massive compared to Ares, though much smaller than its companions. It was no less impressive, its scales catching the sunlight in shades of rose and gold, its wings delicate but strong.

"Holy...," Steven whispered, his voice barely audible as he took in the sight. His mind was struggling to comprehend the sheer scale of the dragons in front of him. They were so much larger than anything he had ever imagined, even after seeing Ares. He glanced down at the little red dragon by his feet, who was watching the scene with wide eyes.

"You're going to be that big someday, huh?" Steven muttered, half to himself, half to Ares.

Ares puffed out his tiny chest, trying to look imposing, but the effect was more endearing than intimidating. Steven couldn't help but smile, though the enormity of what he was seeing kept pulling his thoughts back. These dragons were legends come to life—mythical beings who seemed out of place in the quiet serenity of the glade, yet somehow perfectly at home.

Just as Steven was beginning to feel overwhelmed by it all, a figure stepped forward, descending gracefully from the back of the massive blue dragon. The man moved with a fluidity that caught Steven's attention, his stride confident yet unhurried, as though he had all the time in the world. He was tall, with broad shoulders and long brown hair that brushed against his back. His sharp, angular features marked him as something more than human—an elf, no doubt. But there was something else about him, something that made Steven pause.

It was the way he carried himself, as though the weight of centuries rested on his shoulders, yet he bore it with ease.

"Welcome," the man said, his voice warm and rich, filling the space between them. "I am Eragon."

Steven's heart skipped a beat. **Eragon.** He'd heard the name countless times, in stories and whispers, but he had never imagined he would meet the legendary dragon rider face to face. Eragon, the man who had defeated Galbatorix, who had changed the course of history, now stood before him. And not just him—this was the man who had tamed the great blue dragon that towered behind him, Saphira.

For a moment, Steven couldn't speak. The reality of the situation was too surreal. He was standing in a glade, surrounded by dragons, speaking with a man who was more myth than flesh and blood. What was he supposed to say? How was he supposed to act?

Before he could find the words, Joey's mother stepped forward, her face breaking into a warm smile. "It's been too long," she said, her tone soft but filled with affection. Without hesitation, she wrapped Eragon in a hug, and Steven blinked in surprise.

Eragon returned the embrace, a grin spreading across his face. "Far too long," he replied, his voice tinged with the warmth of old friendship.

Steven exchanged a glance with Joey, who looked just as bewildered as he felt. There was something going on here, something they hadn't been told. The way Joey's mother interacted with Eragon was far too familiar for this to be a simple meeting of old acquaintances.

And then, she dropped the bombshell.

"Hey, Dad," she said casually, as if those two words hadn't just shaken the entire foundation of Steven's understanding of reality.

For a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Steven's brain struggled to process what he had just heard. **Dad?**

"Dad?!" Joey, Chyna, and Steven all exclaimed at the same time, their voices overlapping in a stunned chorus.

Eragon chuckled softly, clearly amused by their reaction. "I see she didn't tell you," he said, glancing at Joey's mother with a playful smirk. "Yes, I am her father."

Steven's mind was reeling. Eragon—**the** Eragon—was Joey's grandfather? The implications of that were staggering. Joey was descended from one of the most powerful and legendary figures in history. He glanced over at Joey, who seemed just as shocked, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Joey's mother smiled sheepishly. "I figured we'd get to it eventually," she said, shrugging as if it was no big deal.

"No big deal?" Steven muttered under his breath. He glanced down at Ares, who looked just as confused as he felt. "This is insane," he whispered to the little dragon, who gave him a sympathetic nudge with his nose.

As if sensing the need to move things along, Eragon gestured toward the clearing near the stream. "Why don't we sit for a while?" he suggested, his tone calm and inviting. "We've all had a long journey, and there's much to discuss."

The group slowly moved toward the stream, finding places to sit near the water's edge. The dragons shifted behind them, their massive forms settling into more relaxed positions, though their presence was still overwhelming. The sound of the stream bubbling gently through the glade was soothing, and Steven found himself drawn to it, the peacefulness of the scene helping to calm the chaos in his mind.

He settled against a tree trunk, Ares curling up beside him. The little dragon was already dozing off, exhausted from the day's events. Steven glanced around at the others. Joey and Chyna were still deep in conversation with their mother, their voices low as they tried to wrap their minds around the revelation of their heritage. Fate and Beanca were sitting nearby, their expressions equally shocked, though they were handling it with a quiet dignity.

Steven let out a slow breath, his mind finally beginning to settle. There were still so many questions, so many unknowns. But for now, in this peaceful glade, surrounded by ancient dragons and legends, he allowed himself a moment of quiet. Whatever came next, they would face it together.

And with Ares by his side, he knew they would be ready.