The throne room felt like the inside of a lantern. The ancient and mysterious lamps in this room hadn't gone off since the start and they didn't plan to anytime soon, always keeping this place illuminated.
Two of the six ancient chairs were kindling. The golden tiles were cratered in three places. Four of the Seven pillars had partial fractures running from floor to midpoint, the structural stone groaning under the weight of cracks.
The room that was once pristine had turned to a wreck.
Covered in glistering golden blood that glowed faintly in the warm light, the dragon rose.
Slowly, with deliberateness. Two of his four wings were gone and the stumps where they had been were wet with golden blood that ran down his back and dripped steadily onto the ruined floor.
His golden eyes found Ishiki across the wreckage.
