The sun had barely risen when Kael, Dwaho, and Aeralion left the forest city of Elarwyn.
Queen Elyndra stood among the ancient trees as they prepared to depart.
"The road ahead grows more dangerous," she warned.
"The Emperor now knows exactly where you are."
Kael sighed.
"Yeah… he also knows his son is traveling with me."
Dwaho looked uncomfortable but said nothing.
Queen Elyndra placed a small glowing stone in Kael's hand.
"This is a Forest Core."
"If the power of the Seven Thrones awakens again, this stone will guide you."
Kael nodded.
"Thank you."
Aeralion lowered his massive body.
"Climb on."
Moments later the great griffin leaped into the sky, carrying them once again across the clouds.
The golden forest slowly disappeared behind them.
Ahead, the land began to change.
Green fields faded into rocky hills.
Then the hills turned into mountains.
Huge mountains.
Smoke rose from cracks in the earth, and rivers of glowing lava flowed like fire through the valleys.
Kael stared down in disbelief.
"This place looks like the inside of a volcano."
Dwaho nodded.
"It basically is."
Aeralion's wings beat slowly as he descended.
"This is Drakmor."
"The Kingdom of Fire and Stone."
As they flew deeper into the mountains, a loud roar shook the sky.
Kael froze.
"That… sounded big."
Dwaho smirked slightly.
"Welcome to dragon country."
Suddenly a massive shadow passed over them.
Kael looked up.
A gigantic dragon flew above the mountains.
Its scales were deep red like burning coals, and flames escaped from its mouth as it roared again.
Then another dragon appeared.
And another.
Soon Kael realized something unbelievable.
There were dozens of dragons flying across the sky.
He grabbed Aeralion's feathers tightly.
"Please tell me they're friendly."
Aeralion replied calmly.
"They respect strength."
Kael blinked.
"That is not the same thing."
They landed on a massive stone platform carved into the side of a mountain.
Huge pillars surrounded the area, each decorated with ancient dragon carvings.
From the far end of the platform, a group of warriors approached.
Their armor was dark iron, shaped like dragon scales.
At the center of them walked a tall man with long black hair and glowing amber eyes.
A massive dragon followed behind him like a loyal companion.
The man stopped a few steps away from Kael.
"So," he said slowly.
"The rumors were true."
His gaze moved to the glowing symbol faintly visible beneath Kael's shirt.
"The Gatewalker has returned."
Kael gave a small wave.
"Hi."
Dwaho leaned toward him.
"That's King Draven."
"The Dragon King of Drakmor."
Kael straightened quickly.
"Oh… sorry."
King Draven's eyes moved toward Dwaho.
Then they narrowed.
"The Emperor's son."
The warriors behind him tightened their grips on their weapons.
The dragon behind the king growled deeply.
Dwaho stepped forward.
"I'm not here for the Emperor."
King Draven studied him for a long moment.
"Perhaps."
Then he looked toward Aeralion.
"Sky Guardian."
Aeralion bowed his head slightly.
"Dragon King."
The tension in the air was thick.
Finally Draven spoke again.
"If the Gatewalker travels with you…"
"Then the prophecy truly moves again."
Kael folded his arms.
"Everyone keeps mentioning this prophecy but no one explains it clearly."
King Draven turned and pointed toward the highest mountain.
At the top stood an enormous ancient temple carved directly into the rock.
Inside the temple, something glowed faintly.
"The Stone of Thrones lies within that temple," Draven said.
"One of the seven ancient powers."
Kael's eyes widened.
"So that thing helps unlock my power?"
Draven nodded.
"Yes."
"But there is a problem."
The ground suddenly trembled.
A loud roar echoed across the mountains.
But this roar was different.
It was darker.
Angrier.
Aeralion's wings shifted uneasily.
"That sound…"
Another roar shook the sky.
From the far side of the mountains, a gigantic black dragon burst from a volcanic crater.
Its wings were enormous.
Dark smoke poured from its mouth.
But something even worse was riding on its back.
A warrior in black armor.
Carrying a massive spear of darkness.
Dwaho's face went pale.
"No…"
Kael looked at him.
"What now?"
Dwaho whispered.
"That's General Korvath."
"The Emperor's strongest war commander."
The black dragon roared again as it flew toward the city.
King Draven turned toward his warriors.
"Prepare the dragon riders!"
All across Drakmor, dragons lifted into the sky.
Aeralion spread his wings.
"This battle will decide if the Gatewalker reaches the Stone of Thrones."
Kael looked up at the incoming army.
"…I'm starting to think this journey is going to be very long."
High above the mountains, the black dragon army approached.
And at the center of it—
General Korvath raised his dark spear.
"Bring me the Gatewalker."