There was still some time for the dawn to break when Ocean reached his destination. He landed on the steep edge of the cliff that overlooked the thick, endless green treetops that went on like the emerald seas before merging into the brilliant blue of the ocean beyond.

He watched with a faint sigh as he had flown all night to reach here but he couldn’t just barge in. This place was quite different from he had imagined. Some aspects like the trees and the strong hum of mana in the air was just as he had thought but there was something else that made him think twice before entering. It was the tree.

The humongous tree that seemed to be more like a mountain in itself which seemed to be the heart of the Elvenland. Its top went all the way into the clouds and the berth was enough to encompass a kingdom or two.

There was mana coming from that tree which reminded Ocean of the usual World Tree that he would read about when there was a mention of Elves. To think the same thing would be here.

He presently stood on the mountains which were more a part of the Dwarves’ territory than the Elven territory. The Dwarves must already have been notified that someone had intruded into their territory and they must already be arriving.

"Now, where shall I start?" Ocean wondered and then smiled. His coat and hair blew with the wind and he couldn’t help but feel refreshed despite the sleepless night. The pure mana in the air was making him feel good. Rather, he was eager to go near the tree.

Nox hooted on his shoulder and he brushed his finger over his feathery chest.

Ocean gently patted the bag that he was carrying, its heavy part resting over his hip.

"What do you say, Nox? Will this new plan of action work?"

Nox hooted, flapping his wings and Ocean sighed. There was a faint hum in the air that somehow was trying to influence Ocean’s mana as if something about that Tree was trying to reach out to him. He usually felt this kind of sensation when someone was praying to him. It would be unheard of for a Tree to pray but it might as well be trying to attract Ocean since he was a Dragon.

The bright golden sunrays started spilling from the eastern horizon enveloping everything in its warm embrace. The flock of birds rose from the forest and flew up high into the sky that was the canvas of breathtaking hues of golden pink and blues.

As soon as the sunrays hit the huge Tree, Ocean felt a strange sensation of a tug in his chest as if he was being attracted by that Tree. A gust of strong wind and mana emanated from the Tree and its waves spread all around. It was as if the Tree had released a Breath of Life.

The Tree was brimming with mana, it was as if it was providing life to the entire large island. And the obvious area of influence was the Elvenland which also seemed to have a barrier with the Tree at its center.

"The tree will let them know of me, if I’m not wrong. And it’s probably where most of the pure mana Elves would be." Ocean mumbled.

Within a few minutes, just as Ocean had expected, the presences appeared behind him.

He turned slightly and saw the mops of different heads scattered about, hiding behind the rocks.

"Dragon?"

"One of those seven..."

"Is he here to help us?"

"Did he come here because the Elves are being a nuisance?"

Ocean couldn’t hear them discussing among themselves in the Dwarvian language.

"Will you all keep hiding there or get out here and talk to me?" Ocean spoke up making the seven mopheads flinch.

One by one, they all stepped out, their weapons in hands. Ocean had thought Warth- the Dwarf whom he had under his wing was the oldest Dwarf he had seen but these seven seemed older than him and stronger.

"A-Are you really one of the seven Great Dragons?" One of them asked.

"I’m the scion of one of them." Ocean corrected and then glanced back at the Tree.

"My name is Ocean Ryujin, I’m the Scion of the Supreme Aqua Dragon." He introduced himself.

"I was approached by the King of Nelius Kingdom regarding the unrest in Elvenland. He requested that I step in to stop the war but, since he couldn’t provide me with the information on what exactly is going wrong here, I had to come down myself." Ocean explained.

The seven Dwarves gasped hearing the name of the one who had gotten the Dragon involved and they glanced at each other. The hesitation and wariness was clear on their wrinkled faces.

"What’s wrong? Is the situation so dire that even I can’t intervene now?" Ocean asked and Nox tilted his head before he flapped his wings taking off in the direction of the woods.

"Nox, don’t go too far and return quickly." Ocean hollered at the black owl before he faced the Dwarves.

"Are you going to answer me or not?" He asked.

"We-We don’t know what you have heard, Lord Dragon but... the situation is... pitiful for the Elves right now. They have forbidden us from entering their lands so, even we can’t tell you much." One of the Dwarves who had deep brown hair with the streaks of white said said.

"The last we heard of was that the Elf King had gotten several injured because of the attack of the Dark Elf King. Since then, it’s like the war can break out anytime." One of the Dwarves who had a long scar over his wrinkled forehead said.

"When was this?" Ocean asked.

The scarred Dwarf scratched his beard and said, "Around last week. We heard this huge explosion and some of the Elves who had come to get weapons later told us that their King was injured and that the full blown war was close."

"Are you close to those who come to take the weapons?" Ocean asked and the Dwarves exchanged a glance.

"We... are the ones who live on this mountain and have been producing the weapons for some of the Elves who live in the western part of the Yggdrasil." The brunette explained.

Ocean then glanced at the large Tree which he pointed as Yggdrasil which was indeed the World Tree as he had thought.

"I need extensive information about the Elves. I plan of putting an end to this war and also..." Ocean glanced once more at the direction of the Yggdrasil.

"I need to find out why this war is happening in the first place."

The Dwarves bowed before Ocean and said.

"We lack the knowledge you seek, Great Dragon. If you will please give us some time-"

"Sadly, I don’t have enough time, I need to return by day after tomorrow. This time I’m solely here for gathering information. After a couple of weeks, I’ll return and put an end to it all." Ocean said and the Dwarves looked at him.

"So, since you don’t know, I guess I’ll have to bother the other Dwarves till I know everything." Ocean smiled.

The Dwarves stared at the young Dragon whose form was illuminated by the golden sunlight. He looked more ethereal and divine, just as how they had learned of in stories.

They felt the presence on their mountain and that’s why they rushed thinking maybe an injured Elf had escaped to their mountain but what they found was completely different.

The unrest in Elvenland was growing since the last couple of months but if a Dragon had now descended to help them then, their problems were as good as over.

"If you’re in such a hurry," The oldest Dwarf among the group spoke.

"Then, I suggest you talk to our King. He might be able to give you all the information that you require."

Ocean looked at him as he kneeled on the ground and walked up to him before sitting down on his knee before the old Dwarf making not only him but also all the other Dwarves gasp.

"Good idea," Ocean smiled, "Now, how far is your King’s palace?"

Just then, Ocean felt a shill run down his spine and he turned around feeling the wave come from the Tree. The Dwarves also gasped and clutched at their chests.

"We... don’t have time, Great Dragon... The war between the Elves must be agonizing for the Yggdrasil as well." The old Dwarf said.

"It’s a life giving Tree for both your kingdoms, right?" Ocean asked.

"Yes,"

Ocean rose back to his feet before he looked up at the sky and snapped his fingers using his gift to create storms. He further created a huge water ball in the air and sent it high up in the air towards the dark clouds that started gathering in the sky.

"This should do as a temporary measure. Let’s hurry." Ocean said as the clouds crackled overhead and Nox returned before the drizzle began.