The sanctuary skies darkened beneath the massive shadow moving through the clouds.
Luke stood frozen beside the library windows while every Luminal in the chamber gathered quietly around him, their lights flickering with nervous excitement.
Outside, the welcoming bells continued ringing across the floating city.
Slow.
Ancient.
Reverent.
Not even during the arrival of kings did the sanctuary sound like this.
The shadow circled once above the city.
Then the clouds parted.
And something magnificent descended from the heavens.
Luke's breath caught instantly.
A dragon.
But unlike the Spirit Guide, this creature looked impossibly ancient.
Its scales shimmered with deep silver and faded gold, worn by time itself. Massive wings stretched across the sanctuary skyline while countless glowing runes moved slowly beneath its skin like living constellations.
The moment it appeared fully,every guardian across the sanctuary stopped what they were doing.
Some bowed immediately.
Others simply stared in stunned disbelief. Because creatures like this no longer existed.
At least…
that was what history claimed.
The colossal dragon landed upon the sanctuary's central platform with enough force to shake the floating city gently.
Yet somehow the landing felt careful.
Controlled and Regally respectful.
Luke could feel the creature's age immediately.
It carried the same overwhelming ancient presence as the Father of All.
Maybe older in certain ways.
The Spirit Guide slowly lowered its head beside the library windows.
It cannot be…
Lucien narrowed his eyes carefully.
"You know this creature?"
The silver dragon remained completely still for several seconds before answering quietly:
I know of him.
Luke blinked.
"Him?"
The Spirit Guide's voice carried something Luke had never heard before.
Respect.
That… is Aurelion.
The name itself seemed to ripple through the sanctuary strangely.
The Father of All exhaled softly beside them.
"The Last Celestial Keeper."
Luke looked back toward the massive dragon in awe.
"But I thought the Keepers went extinct before the First War."
"They did," the Father of All answered quietly.
"Or so we believed."
Far below them, the enormous dragon slowly lifted its head toward the sanctuary palace.
Its eyes glowed softly like ancient moons.
Then unexpectedly,the creature spoke.
Its voice echoed across the entire sanctuary. Not loud.Simply vast.
"I SEEK THE CHILD OF THE HEART."
Every Luminal in the library instantly hid behind Luke.
Lucien stepped forward immediately.
"No."
The refusal came without hesitation.
Luke blinked.
"Dad—"
"No ancient sky lizard is taking you anywhere."
The Spirit Guide looked offended.
That description insults both dragonkind and history itself.
"I said what I said."
The Father of All pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly.
Far below, Aurelion remained perfectly calm despite Lucien's hostility radiating visibly through the sanctuary.
The ancient dragon slowly closed its eyes.
"THE HEIR OF HELL STILL BARKS BEFORE THINKING."
Silence.
Luke slowly looked toward Lucien.
Lucien looked murderous.
The Spirit Guide made another suspicious sound that definitely resembled laughter this time.
Minutes later, the sanctuary's central platform became crowded with ancient beings and wary guardians.
Luke stood between Lucien and the Father of All while Luminals hovered nervously around his shoulders.
Across from them, Aurelion rested peacefully upon the platform like a living mountain made from stars and silver fire.
Up close, the dragon felt even older somehow.
Its scales carried scars from forgotten wars.
Its eyes carried entire ages inside them.
And yet…
Luke did not feel fear from it.
Only sadness.
Loneliness.
The same ancient loneliness he once sensed inside Vaelthoros.
Aurelion slowly lowered its massive head toward the child.
The sanctuary winds quieted instantly.
"SO."
Its glowing eyes studied Luke carefully.
"THE HEART CHOSE YOU."
Luke shifted awkwardly beneath the attention.
"Uh… I guess?"
Lucien immediately stepped slightly in front of him.
The dragon looked unimpressed.
"YOU GLARE AS THOUGH I PLAN TO EAT HIM."
"You are a giant dragon."
"FAIR."
Luke almost laughed.
The Father of All stepped forward carefully afterward.
"Aurelion… why reveal yourself now?"
The ancient dragon became quiet.
For several moments, only the sanctuary wind moved between them.
Then softly:
"BECAUSE THE VOID IS MOVING AGAIN."
Every expression immediately hardened.
Aurelion's gaze shifted toward the distant skies.
"THE PRIMORDIALS ARE NO LONGER DREAMING."
The Luminals dimmed nervously around Luke.
Lucien folded his arms tightly.
"We already know this."
The dragon's massive eyes slowly returned toward Luke.
"NO."
Its voice deepened.
"YOU KNOW THEY HAVE AWAKENED."
The sanctuary platform became deathly silent afterward.
Then Aurelion spoke words that chilled even the Father of All.
"I KNOW THEY HAVE STARTED GATHERING."
Luke felt his stomach drop instantly.
The ancient dragon shifted slowly, enormous wings folding tighter against its body.
"For ages," the Father of All murmured carefully, "the Primordials remained divided by endless hunger."
Aurelion nodded once.
"UNTIL NOW."
Lucien's expression darkened immediately.
"What changed?"
The dragon looked directly at Luke.
"HOPE."
Silence followed.
Luke blinked in confusion.
"…What?"
Aurelion's eyes glowed softly.
"THE VOID BELIEVES THE HEART HAS FINALLY RETURNED WEAK."
The realization spread slowly across everyone present.
The Primordials were not simply hunting Luke out of hatred.
They believed a child wielding the Heart made creation vulnerable.
Vulnerable enough to finally conquer.
Then unexpectedly, Aurelion lowered itself fully before Luke.
The massive dragon's ancient voice softened.
"THAT IS WHY I HAVE COME."
Luke stared quietly.
Aurelion continued:
"THE HEART CHILD MUST LEARN WHAT THE FIRST KEEPERS ONCE GUARDED."
Lucien immediately frowned.
"And what exactly is that?"
The dragon's eyes narrowed toward the horizon beyond the sanctuary.
Toward somewhere ancient.
Forgotten.
Hidden from the realms for ages.
Then softly:
"THE WOUNDED PLACES OF CREATION."