Fey'rath led Owen and Yuki through corridors as other dragons in humanoid form watched them pass, some with curiosity, others with barely concealed hostility.
"You'll rest here" Fey'rath announced, stopping before a door carved with draconic symbols. She pushed it open to reveal a spacious room with two beds, a large window overlooking the floating islands, and what appeared to be a bath filled with glowing water.
"Mana-infused spring water" Fey'rath explained, noticing Yuki's confused look. "It'll help you recover and prepare for tomorrow" she paused, her expression unusually serious, "The tower is not forgiving. Even to those of royal blood."
She looked at Owen. "Get some rest, brat. You'll need it."
With that, she left, closing the door behind her.
Yuki collapsed onto one of the beds, exhaustion finally catching up with her. "Owen... are we making a mistake?"
Owen flew to the window, staring out at the impossible landscape of Drak'thar. Dragons soared through the twilight sky, their scales shining like stars. "Maybe. But what choice do we have? If we don't do this, they'll never trust us. And without their help, we might never figure out this Story."
"The missing Dragon King..." Yuki murmured. "The stolen egg. The three kingdoms at war. It's all connected somehow."
"Yeah." Owen turned to face her. "And apparently, I'm connected to it too...Chronara acted like she knew something. Like she was expecting me."
Yuki sat up. "But...this... is just a dungeon, Do you think... do you think you might actually be connected to the Dragon King? Like, really connected?"
Owen's golden eyes reflected the ethereal light. "I don't know. But I'm going to find out."
They spent the rest of the evening in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Yuki eventually tested the mana-infused spring water and found it incredibly soothing, like her muscles were being massaged from the inside. Owen practiced his [Sovereignty of Space-Time], slowing down individual water droplets, trying to push his mastery higher.
As the twin moons rose over Drak'thar, they finally slept.
And Morning came with a knock on the door.
Fey'rath entered without waiting for permission, "Time to go, brats. The tower is waiting."
Yuki dressed quickly in her black leather armor, strapping her katana to her waist. Owen stretched his wings, feeling the nervous energy coursing through his body.
They followed Fey'rath through the palace and out onto another platform. But instead of flying, she led them down a bridge that connected to a separate floating island.
And there it stood.
The Tower of Royals.
It was tall, stretching so high that its peak disappeared into the clouds above. The structure was made of black obsidian and gold, with runes glowing along its surface.
The other four Greater Dragons were already there, waiting.
Glacius stood with arms crossed, his ice-blue eyes cold as ever. Veridra's serpentine gaze was unreadable. Zephron grinned like he was about to watch a good show. And Chronara... Chronara simply stared at Owen with those violet eyes that seemed to see through everything.
"The Tower of Royals..." Chronara said, her voice echoing despite speaking normally. "Each floor will test you in ways you cannot predict. Combat. Wisdom. Willpower. And most importantly..." she tapped her staff, "...truth."
"Truth?" Owen asked.
"The tower will show you what you need to see. Whether you want to see it or not." Chronara's violet eyes glowed. "It will teach you what dragons are. What we were meant to be. And what you are meant to become."
Glacius stepped forward. "Once you enter, you cannot leave until you either reach the end or die trying. There is no escape. No surrender."
"Comforting..." Owen muttered.
Zephron laughed. "Oh, I like this kid."
Veridra's expression remained neutral. "If you survive, you will have our respect. If you don't..." she shrugged, "...at least you tried."
"So encouraging..." Yuki said dryly.
Fey'rath placed a hand on Owen's head, ruffling his scales. "Don't die, brat. You're entertaining."
Owen looked up at the tower, then at Yuki. "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be" she replied telepathically.
Together, they walked toward the massive entrance, a doorway fifty feet tall, carved with scenes of dragons in battle against both divine and demonic creatures.
As they approached, the doors began to open on their own, revealing a swirling vortex of golden light.
Owen glanced back one last time at the Greater Dragons.
Chronara nodded once.
Then Owen and Yuki stepped through the light.
And when Owen's vision cleared, he was standing in a massive circular arena. Stone walls rose around him, torches burning with blue flame. The ceiling was lost in darkness above.
He looked around.
Yuki was gone.
"Yuki?!" he called telepathically.
No response.
"YUKI!"
Still nothing.
Panic surged through him. They'd entered together. She'd been right beside him.
A voice echoed through the arena. It wasn't spoken aloud, it came from everywhere and nowhere at once, resonating directly in Owen's mind.
[The Tower of Royals acknowledges the one who carries the Blood of Kings]
Owen spun around, trying to locate the source.
[The human bonded to you has been separated. She faces her own trials, in her own tower. You cannot reach her. You cannot help her. This is your trial. And yours alone]
"What?! No! That wasn't the deal!" Owen roared, flames sparking from his mouth. "Chronara said if we were truly bonded, the tower would accept us both!"
[And it has. You will both climb. But separately. For the tower reveals each person's truth to themselves and themselves alone, For It must be earned solely by one's prowess]
The voice paused.
[She faces her demons. You will face yours. If you both survive, you will reunite at the summit. If you fail...]
The implication hung heavy in the air.
Owen's claws dug into the stone floor. "Yuki. Wherever you are. Survive. Please."
Then he steeled himself, wings spreading wide.
"Fine. Let's do this."
[Floor One begins]