Chapter 19 The Dragon's Gate
ARC IV THE FIRE MOUNTAIN
The Dragon had awakened. Its roar rolled across the Ashfang Mountains like thunder. Volcanoes trembled. Lava rivers shook. Entire cliffs cracked beneath the force of the sound. Silence followed.
Toivo slowly lowered Frostfang.
"That was a dragon."
Gret stared at him.
"What gave it away?"
Toivo ignored him.
Kev, meanwhile, had transformed back into his human form. The pale steward stood beside Moon with arms crossed. Short red hair danced in the hot volcanic wind.
His expression was unusually serious.
"I haven't heard that idiot in over three hundred years."
Toivo blinked.
"You know the dragon?"
Kev snorted.
"I knew him when he was small enough to fit inside a wagon."
"Dragons fit inside wagons?"
"No."
Kev sighed.
"He simply ignored the concept of personal space."
Moon's lips twitched slightly.
A smile.
The sight surprised Toivo.
Moon seemed happier here.
Lighter somehow. The sadness that had followed him since meeting the Blood Wraith seemed distant.
For now. The next morning the journey resumed. The volcanic region became increasingly hostile. The travelers climbed narrow obsidian paths carved into mountainsides. Lava flowed beneath them. Ash fell constantly from the sky. Sometimes enormous winged creatures circled high above the clouds. Wyverns. Fire drakes. Predators.
None approached. As though they knew something greater ruled these mountains. By afternoon they found the first sign.
A gate. Not a gate built by men. A gate built for dragons.
Toivo stopped walking.
Everyone did.
The structure was colossal. Two enormous black pillars rose from the mountainside. Each towered hundreds of feet into the sky. Ancient runes burned across their surfaces. Molten gold flowed through cracks in the stone. Between them stretched a vast archway large enough for castles to pass through. Dragon claws had carved symbols across its surface.The stone itself looked melted. As though shaped by fire. As though forged rather than built.
Toivo felt tiny.
Even Gret looked impressed.
"Now that's a gate."
Kev rolled his eyes.
"Northmen."
"What?"
"You people see giant dangerous things and immediately become excited."
"It is a very impressive gate."
Moon quietly walked forward.
The runes immediately began glowing brighter.
One by one.
Ancient symbols awakened across the stone. The mountains responded. A deep vibration traveled through the earth. The gate recognized him.
Toivo felt goosebumps.
Moon stopped before the archway.
Silver eyes lifted toward the ancient symbols.
Then he softly spoke.
"I have returned."
The mountains answered. The gate slowly opened. Stone ground against stone. The sound echoed for miles. Beyond the gate lay another world. A hidden valley. Vast. Beautiful. Terrifying. Volcanoes surrounded it on every side. Rivers of lava glowed like golden veins across black stone. Ancient forests of crimson trees grew from volcanic soil. Massive ruins stood among the mountains. Dragon ruins. Older than kingdoms. Older than nations. Older than recorded history.
Toivo stared speechlessly.
"Nobody knows this place exists."
Moon nodded.
"Very few."
The group entered. The gate slowly closed behind them. And for the first time since Nebelheim Toivo felt truly hidden from the world.
Hours later they reached the center of the valley. There stood a mountain unlike any other. It rose from the heart of the valley like a throne. The largest volcano Toivo had ever seen. Its peak vanished into the clouds. Its sides glowed with rivers of molten fire. Smoke poured endlessly from its summit. The mountain looked alive. Watching. Waiting.
Then Toivo noticed something strange. Gold. Everywhere. Gold scattered across the mountainside. Coins. Jewels. Weapons. Armor. Treasures from countless ages. Entire hills made of treasure.
Toivo slowly turned.
"Moon."
"Yes?"
"Why is there enough gold here to buy kingdoms?"
Moon considered the question.
"Dragon."
"...Right."
That explained everything.
A shadow suddenly passed overhead. The valley darkened. The temperature rose. The wind changed. Everyone froze. Even Gret.
Something enormous moved above them. Bigger than any creature Toivo had ever imagined. The clouds parted. And the Dragon descended. Its wings blotted out the sky. Black scales shimmered like polished obsidian. Gold glowed between the scales like molten metal. Ancient horns curved backward from its head. Its eyes resembled twin suns. Each larger than a wagon. Its claws could crush houses. Its tail stretched across half the valley. The dragon landed. The impact shook the mountains. Lava splashed from nearby rivers. Ash exploded into the air.
Toivo nearly fell over. The creature lowered its massive head. Golden eyes focused upon Moon. For several moments nobody moved. Nobody breathed. Then the dragon spoke. Its voice rolled through the valley like distant thunder.
"Little Moon."
Moon smiled. A real smile. Warm. Affectionate.
One that Toivo rarely saw.
"Hello, Ashkar."
The dragon's enormous eyes softened. For a moment the ancient monster looked almost happy. Then it laughed. The mountains shook.
"You vanished for centuries."
Moon nodded.
"I was busy."
The dragon stared.
Then burst into another thunderous laugh.
Even Kev laughed.
Toivo exchanged a glance with Gret.
Neither understood how a creature capable of destroying kingdoms had somehow become Moon's friend.
But clearly they were very old friends.
And as the sun began setting behind the mountains, the Dragon of Fire lowered his head toward the travelers.
Ancient. Powerful. Wise. And smiling. The true lord of the Fire Mountain had finally revealed himself.
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