Nivaan and the others were lifted higher as the massive pillar rose endlessly into the sky. The air grew thinner with each passing moment, and a crushing force pressed down on their bodies as they ascended.
Dust swirled around their feet, and the wind whipped against their faces, tugging at their clothes and hair. Nivaan stood firm at first, expression calm and composed, as if the immense pressure around him meant little.
But when he noticed the others staring at him in shock, he quickly dropped to the ground like the rest, pretending to struggle under the weight. Triston and General Veldora gasped as the ground seemed to shift beneath them, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear.
The pillar continued to rise, a silent colossus stretching endlessly toward the heavens, until finally, it halted, suspended high above the clouds, far beyond anyone's reach.
The colossal structure was carved from an ancient, obsidian-like stone, its surface etched with glowing runes that pulsed softly with a faint light, similar to the markings on the artifact they had encountered earlier.
A strange warmth radiated from it, faint but noticeable, and the air around it shimmered slightly, as if reality itself were bending near its presence. Moments later, the top of the pillar began to transform. A mysterious garden emerged, spreading across its flat surface like an oasis. Lush green grass rolled gently underfoot, and radiant trees stretched toward the sky, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly glow, casting long, dancing shadows across the ground.
"What is this place?" Triston asked, glancing around in awe. His voice was quiet, almost reverent, as if speaking louder might disturb the delicate magic of the garden.
General Veldora and Elara also observed their surroundings, faces tense with confusion. Veldora's usual composure was strained; he had faced countless battlefields, yet this, this was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Meanwhile, still lying on the ground, Nivaan sighed inwardly. "I got the fragment, so why haven't I returned yet?" he thought, irritation barely masking itself beneath his calm exterior. "What a pain… this world."
Veldora narrowed his eyes as a dark shadow approached from the east. The sun, high in the sky, suddenly seemed dimmed as the enormous silhouette moved forward.
"What is that?" he muttered, the familiar calm in his voice giving way to a rare note of unease.
Triston followed his gaze, his voice tightening. "Is that… a giant beast?"
Soon, a colossal dragon came into view, its scales glinting like molten metal under the sun. Towering nearly 260 meters tall, its wings spanned so wide they could sweep away entire battalions with a single flap.
Its arrival was heralded by a thunderous roar that reverberated across the valley, shaking the ground beneath them. Chaos erupted below as citizens of the Jelo Kingdom looked up in terror, witnessing the dragon's shadow blot out the sun.
"Which one of you destroyed Vahrion?" the dragon's voice thundered, deep and resonant, shaking the very air. "I can still sense its essence on the three of you."
Its gaze swept over General Veldora, Triston, and Arthur (Nivaan), each of them once near the artifact. The words sent chills through everyone present. All trembled in fear… except Arthur, who remained perfectly still, expression unreadable, his mind calm and calculating.
"Is this for real? A dragon… I want him as my pet… heh. I'll never get a chance like this again," Nivaan thought, eyes fixed on the massive creature. He had always loved the idea of looking impressive, and having a dragon as his ally would elevate that image to an almost absurd degree. Secretly, he summoned a small sphere in his fist, preparing to catch the dragon.
"O great dragon, please… calm down. There's been a misunderstanding," Triston said, stepping forward with measured caution. He tried to pacify the beast, his tone firm yet respectful.
Nivaan looked at him with an annoyed glare for interfering, but Triston continued without hesitation. "I am Triston Eksus, Prince of the Jelo Kingdom. I will explain everything."
Everyone else dropped to their knees, bowing before the Guardian Dragon as Triston carefully recounted the events of the day, detailing the destruction of Vahrion and the presence of the artifact.
"Is that so," the dragon replied, though its massive eyes betrayed curiosity mingled with suspicion. In its mind, a question lingered: why was the connection to the artifact severed even after Vahrion's destruction? It should still feel its presence…
At that moment, a subtle, ethereal spirit drifted closer to the Guardian Dragon's mind. "Do you find that child strange?" it whispered, gesturing toward Arthur (Nivaan).
As the Guardian Dragon prepared to probe deeper into Arthur's soul, Triston's voice rose urgently, "O great Dragon, please spare him. He nearly gave his life for the kingdom."
Triston's heart pounded as the dragon's gaze began to glow, focusing on Arthur. Anxiety tightened around him like a vice. Would it blame the child for failing to protect the artifact?
Finally, the Guardian Dragon spoke, its voice calm but immense: "Very well. I shall converse with this child alone."
Suddenly, the pillar began its descent. Nivaan and the dragon remained suspended, floating gracefully atop a bed of glowing leaves, their shapes shifting in the faint light.
Below, the prince and princess screamed as they tumbled helplessly with the descending pillar. General Veldora's voice cracked with worry, calling out Arthur's name. Just as they were about to crash onto the hard ground, a mysterious stream of water appeared beneath them. It flowed like a gentle, living hand, cushioning their fall and lowering them safely to the ground.
Meanwhile, the Guardian Dragon activated a shimmering barrier, preventing anyone from seeing or hearing what was happening inside. Its gaze fixed intently on Arthur's form.
"Why did you fake your injuries?" the dragon asked, voice calm yet probing, as if seeking the truth from the boy's very soul.
As the question lingered, a mysterious sphere appeared before its eyes, suspended midair. In an instant, it expanded, growing larger than the dragon itself, encasing him completely. The Spirit, hovering nearby, cried out in shock, "What are you doing-!"