Chapter 16

# Chapter Sixteen: The Dragon Clans

Mount Pyre dominated the eastern horizon—a volcano that had been dormant for millennia, home to the Dragon Clans who had retreated from mortal affairs centuries ago.

They were the oldest power in Aetheria, older than the Astral Order, older than the kingdoms, perhaps older than humanity itself. Convincing them to join the alliance was widely considered impossible.

"They haven't involved themselves in mortal wars since the Shadow Wars," Lyra warned, as they approached the mountain's base. "What makes you think they'll listen now?"

"Because the stakes are higher," Kael replied. "And because I have something to offer that no one else can."

"What?"

He smiled. "Hope."

The ascent took two days. The path wound through lava fields and sulfurous vents, past ruins of ancient civilizations that had tried—and failed—to claim the mountain's power.

On the second evening, they reached the Dragon Gate—a massive archway carved from obsidian, guarded by two statues of dragons that were, disturbingly, not statues at all.

The dragons stirred as they approached, ancient eyes opening to regard them with centuries of boredom and disdain.

"Mortalssss," one hissed, smoke curling from its nostrils. "What bringsss you to the domain of the Ancient Ones?"

"I am Kael Starborn," Kael announced, projecting confidence he didn't entirely feel. "I seek audience with the Dragon Council."

"The Council does not grant audiencesss to mayflies. Turn back, or burn."

"I bring a gift." Kael reached into his pack and withdrew a crystal—one of Tessa's communication devices, but modified. "And a warning."

The dragons' interest was piqued. "What gift? What warning?"

"The gift: knowledge. Vexthorn has discovered ancient secrets—secrets that threaten even dragonkind. The warning: if we fall, you fall next."

Silence. Then the dragons exchanged glances—an almost human gesture that was deeply unsettling on their reptilian faces.

"You may enter," the second dragon decided. "But know this: if you waste the Council's time, you will not leave this mountain."

The Dragon Gate opened, revealing tunnels that led deep into the volcano's heart.

The Council Chamber was beyond anything Kael had imagined. A vast cavern, its ceiling lost in darkness, filled with dragons of every size and color. Some were small enough to fit in a room; others were larger than the Academy's central keep.

At the center of the chamber sat the eldest—a dragon so ancient its scales had turned translucent, revealing the fire that burned within its veins.

"Starborn," the Elder Dragon rumbled, its voice like distant thunder. "You have the stench of destiny upon you."

"Elder," Kael bowed. "I come seeking alliance."

"We know why you come. We have watched your war from afar." The Elder shifted, mountain trembling. "We have decided not to involve ourselves."

"With respect, Elder, that decision was made without full information."

The Elder laughed—a sound that shook loose stones from the cavern ceiling. "Bold. I will give you that. Speak your information, then. You have until my patience expires."

Kael spoke quickly but clearly. He described Vexthorn's true goal—not just conquest, but the extinguishing of all light. He explained how Shadow magic worked, corrupting everything it touched, including the ley lines that fed magical energy to the entire world.

"The ley lines are failing," Kael concluded. "Everywhere Vexthorn conquers, the magic dies. Including the volcanic energies that sustain this mountain."

Silence fell over the Council Chamber. Dragons stirred, exchanging glances, murmuring in languages older than human speech.

"You speak truth?" the Elder asked, and for the first time, there was uncertainty in its voice.

"I speak what I've observed. The Shadow is not just destroying—it is consuming. Every life it takes, every land it corrupts, makes it stronger. Given enough time, there will be no magic left in Aetheria. Including dragon fire."

The Elder was silent for a long moment. Then it rose, spreading wings that could have cast a village into shadow.

"Show me."

Kael produced the crystal—the modified communication device. He activated it, projecting an image from Tessa's surveillance network: a region of the Obsidian Wastes, where ley lines had been visibly corrupted.

The Elder studied the image with ancient eyes. "This is... disturbing."

"It's happening everywhere Vexthorn controls. And it's accelerating."

More murmuring from the assembled dragons. Kael could sense the shifting tide—skepticism giving way to concern, concern to fear.

"You ask us to fight," the Elder said. "To risk our lives, our young, our future in a mortal war. Why should we?"

"Because it's not just a mortal war. It's a war for the survival of magic itself. And without magic..." Kael paused, letting the implication sink in. "What are dragons?"

The Elder stared at him, ancient eyes meeting young ones. Then it laughed—genuine, appreciative.

"Clever. Very clever. You appeal not to our nobility, but to our self-interest."

"I'm being honest. The dragons who join us will be fighting for themselves as much as for anyone else."

The Elder turned to the Council. "Arguments?"

A red dragon rose—massive, scarred, clearly a warrior. "I say we burn this Vexthorn from existence. No one threatens our fire."

A blue dragon, slender and elegant, spoke next. "And if we fail? What then? Better to retreat to the depths, wait out the storm, preserve our kind."

"There will be no depths left," Kael interjected. "The Shadow consumes everything. Including the deep places."

Debate raged for hours. Kael answered questions, provided evidence, appealed to reason and emotion in equal measure. He was exhausted, running on adrenaline and determination, but he wouldn't give up.

Finally, the Elder raised a claw for silence.

"The Council has decided. We will join your alliance, Starborn—but conditionally."

"Name your terms."

"First: we fight as equals, not subordinates. No human commander orders dragonkind."

"Agreed."

"Second: when this war ends, the territories Vexthorn has corrupted will be cleansed and restored. We will not live in a poisoned world."

"I swear it."

"Third." The Elder's eyes gleamed. "You, Kael Starborn, will owe us a debt. A favor, to be named when the time comes."

Kael hesitated. A blank favor was dangerous—a potential trap that could cost him everything.

But without the dragons, the alliance would fail. And if the alliance failed, there would be no future to worry about.

"I agree."

The Elder smiled, showing teeth like swords. "Then let it be recorded. The Dragon Clans of Mount Pyre join the Alliance of Light. May our fire burn away the darkness."

Cheers—if dragons could be said to cheer—echoed through the chamber. The alliance had gained its most powerful members.

As they descended the mountain, Lyra shook her head in wonder. "You actually did it. You convinced dragons to join a human war."

"I gave them a reason to care. That's all anyone needs."

"And that blank favor?"

Kael's expression was grim. "A problem for the future. If we don't win this war, it won't matter. If we do..." He shrugged. "I'll deal with it when it comes."

The alliance was complete.

Sky Pirates, Forest Guardians, Dragon Clans, Astral Order, and kingdoms united. The greatest coalition in Aetheria's history, assembled to face the greatest threat.

The war could begin in earnest.