From above, the island curled like a sleeping moon upon the sea. The eastern curve glows with emerald canopies and shimmering rivers that spiraled from the great Tree’s roots. This part was Elvenland.

The western arm rose into jagged gray peaks, where the Dwarves had carved their cities deep into the mountain’s ribs. This was Ortbon, the land of Dwarves. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Presently, an unprecedented storm waged through the whole island, it had began without any warning and was now the rain was pouring unceasingly all over. The mana that was thrumming in the air somehow reverberated even more as if charged up with more power.

"Oh, dear Lord of Dragons, please save me!" A Dwarf who hair short cropped deep orange hair and flowy orange beard shouted as he was high up in the air.

Among the seven Dwarves who were at the mountain, Thrain Ironbeard who was youngest of them was tasked with the responsibility of bringing the Dragon to the King of Dwarves.

Thrain clung to the fabric of Ocean’s coat to keep himself from looking down and also to shield himself from the sheets of rain that slapped against them.

"I’m right here, Thrain. Stop screaming, I won’t drop you." Ocean spoke over the stormy winds and chuckled as the old dwarf clung to him desperately despite being curled up securely in Ocean’s arms.

"Oh, why must I die so young?!" He wailed.

"How old are you?" Ocean asked keeping himself expertly airborne despite the wind and rain.

"I’m only 450 years old!" He shouted and Ocean couldn’t help but laugh.

"That’s actually very young, Thrain."

"I know! I don’t want to die so young!" He shouted.

Ocean shook his head, "Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Trust me."

Thrain still continued to cling to Ocean like a koala before Ocean spotted the large city in the bosom of the mountain foothills.

From above, the Dwarven capital appeared like a masterpiece chiseled into the mountain’s embrace — a city born from stone and fire. The mountain valleys seemed to converge toward its heart, guiding rivers and trade alike into this thriving fortress of craftsmanship.

The stonework gleamed under the rain, each building hewn with precision only dwarven hands could achieve. Roofs of dark slate shimmered as rivulets of water traced their way down to the moat that ringed the outer walls, spilling over in silvery streams. From chimneys, smoke coiled skyward, mingling with the mist — a union of forge heat and mountain rain.

At the city’s core, rising above the labyrinth of streets and workshops, stood the palace — not built atop the stone, but carved from it. Its towers rose like the mountain’s own crown, their peaks veiled in drifting clouds, a symbol of enduring strength amidst the storm.

"That’s the capital city of Emberforge." Thrain said.

"Emberforge." Ocean repeated before he tightened his grip over Thrain a bit.

"Hang on, we’re going down." Ocean warned before he dove towards the palace.

Thrain clung to him tightly feeling the dip for a moment before the pressure was lofted completely and he peeked out to see themselves hovering a few feet above the palace.

There were several soldiers on the walls of the palace ready with arrows and weapons. Thrain watched aghast as the soldiers were actually there to hurt the Dragon.

"I didn’t expect them to lay out a red carpet but I didn’t even picture anything like this." Ocean admitted, more amused than threatened.

"The-The-They must be wary of you." Thrain stuttered and Ocean hummed.

The thunder crackled over head, flashibg among the clouds.

Ocean flapped his wings once approaching the walls but instantly a wave of arrows were shot at once. Thrain yelped and hid his face into Ocean’s shoulder while the sheets of rain instantly became hard enough to block the arrows before they could reach them.

The Dwarves seemed shocked watching their attack fail and their Captain stepped ahead holding a huge axe.

"May I know why I’m being welcomed like this?" Ocean asked him.

"Ask yourself, who are you?" The mountain of a man bellowed and Ocean glanced at Thrain.

"You can feel my presence, can’t you?" Ocean asked Thrain.

"Ye-Yes!"

"Then how come he’s asking me who I am?" Ocean asked.

"I don’t know." Thrain whimpered.

"Unhand the Dwarf in your arms and surrender now!" The Dwarf Captain shouted and Ocean tilted his head.

"Maybe it’s because of the storm that I’ve created that they can’t feel my distinct mana." Ocean sighed looking at the soldiers who looked ready to jmpale.

"Are you sure you want to keep disrespecting me like this?" Ocean ajmpale

"You’re an intruder in Ortbon’s Royal Palace! You shall be dealt with as the intruders are!" The Captain announced.

"So, you won’t regret it?" Ocean asked and the Captain swung his arm throwing his huge axe straight at Ocean.

Thrain yelped and covered his face as the axe cut through the curve and Ocean grabbed the sharp edge of the blade with his bare hand.

The soldiers and the Captain watched with mild surprise as he did, the arm strength of the Dwarf Captain wad enough to cut through boulders in a single swing. But it had failed.

Ocean dug his fingers into the blade creating cracks and dents before he crushed the blade completely and flicked his wrist sending the axe flying back. The speed was too blinding for the soldiers to notice and before they knew it, the broken axe had gone and gotten embedded into one of the large pillars making the cracks run over it.

Some of them watched with slackened jaws while the Captain himself was bewildered. Never had they faced such a strong enemy in the past. Yet, the Captain didn’t let this break his morale as he glared at the blue haired intruder who was afloat above them.

"I demand to know who are you?!" The Captain shouted.

"I’m here to see your King and only he shall know who I am." Ocean announced.

The Captain didn’t seem to buy it as he raise his hand.

"Men, fire!" He shouted the order and Ocean sighed.

Ocean didn’t even need to move an inch as the rain hammered heavily enough to knock away the arrows headed for him. Thrain who was still in Ocean’s arms seemed like he was losing his patience.

He poked his head out, glaring at the Captain.

"Are you insane?! Can’t you sense who he is?!" He shouted.

"Be quiet, we’ll rescue you soon enough!" The Captain hollered back about to order the attack again.

"You dimwit! You’re going against a Dragon, it’s impossible to hurt him!" Thrain shouted but the Captain wasn’t listening.

This time they brought forth the canons and Thrain whimpered even more making Ocean pat his back.

"It’s fine, let me handle it." Ocean said before he activated his Dragon’s Presence.

"All canons fire!" The Captain shouted.

The instant the canons were fired they dropped straight to the ground as the pressure all around the palace increased. The stormy winds, the rain and the gravity itself seemed to have increased ten fold that the Dwarf soldiers fell on their knees.

The Captain watched in shock before he felt the strong pressure over his shoulders that pushed him down to his knees and he was confused now.

The Dragon’s Presence paired with the storm and the influence of the Yggdrasil had become an even formidable pressure on the ones who it was cast upon.

"What... What’s this pressure?!" The Captain tried his best to fight it but he couldn’t with each push against the pressure, he felt his body growing heavier.

Thrain sighed, "Why are these youngsters so dumb?"

Ocean watched with an icy gaze as the entire army was now kneeling on the palace walls before him neither capable of lifting their heads.

The common folk who were watching this were also now starting to gather around the palace to see what exactly was going on.

Ocean remained airborne with Thrain in his arms until the heavy doors of the high tower swung open. From within stepped a broad-shouldered Dwarf, his very presence commanding the storm’s attention. His black hair, streaked faintly with silver, was braided neatly behind his shoulders, and his beard — thick, regal, and well-kept — was clasped with golden rings engraved in runic patterns.

His skin bore the bronze warmth of the forge, kissed by years of labor and sunlight upon stone, while his eyes gleamed like polished obsidian, sharp and unyielding. Upon his brow rested a crown of hammered steel and embedded gems.

His attire was a fusion of royal and warrior, a mantle of deep crimson draped over ornate armor etched with veins of gold that pulsed faintly under the rain. Even from afar, he radiated the quiet pride of one who had shaped kingdoms from rock and flame — a king forged, not born.

Ocean moved his icy gaze on him and Thrain quickly recognised him.

"Tha-That is our King, His Majesty!"

Ocean kept looking at him with the same expression on his face, neither the storm, nor the Dragon’s Presence that was raging around him seemed to settle.

The Dwarf King seemed to notice it too as he stepped closer to the edge looking up at Ocean.

"I am Erisgrirlum Goldenheart, King of Ortbon and sovereign of the Dwarven kind. It has been long since the skies last bore the wings of your kind. Tell me then, Reverend Dragon, what brings your storm to my gates?"

Ocean observed him for a long moment before he spoke, "I came here heeding someone’s request. But since they couldn’t provide me with the information, I was told you might have it. I didn’t want to wage a storm but your men didn’t seem eager to welcome my presence. I understand showing up unnannounced is not right but showering your guest with arrows also doesn’t sound right."

Erisgrirlum looked down at his soldiers who were laying flat like pancakes against the ground before he heaved a heavy sigh.

"I request, the Great Dragon to pardon my people. I shall have an audience with you inside so, please come."

Ocean hummed a little and Thrain looked slightly uneasy.

"Fine," Ocean said after a moment and dropped right in front of the Captain before releasing his Dragon’s Presence.

The Captain and the soldiers managed to break free of the pressure and though some had passed out succumbing to the pressure, the others who were conscious scrambled to get their weapons and stay away from the approachibg Dragon.

Ocean let Thrain down who breathed a sigh a relief and then glared at the Captain.

"You fool! I was shouting at you that it’s a Dragon! Stop it, did you have wax in your ears or something?!" Thrian shouted.

"It’s fine now, Thrain, let’s go." Ocean said patting his shoulder as he moved ahead.

The Captain shuddered as Ocean brushed past him and Thrain followed close by.

Once inside, Ocean was greeted by several servants and maids along with Erisgrirlum.

"Please get freshened up, the change of clothes shall be arranged soon. We will talk once you’re settled." He said and gestured to his maids.

They bowed and walked over to Ocean and Thrain.

Ocean didn’t have time but, despite his water proof coat, all his other clothing was drenched so, he followed the maids to the guest chamber for a warm bath and change of clothes.

Thrain was led to another room simultaneously while King Erisgrirlum sat in his audience room apprehensive. Having a Dragon come at his doorstep could only mean one thing and he dreaded that.