The path to the Hall of Dragons climbed through the highest district of the hidden city.
Below them, the Dragon Society stretched across the valley like a living tapestry of lantern light and ancient stone. Pagodas rose like layered crowns above the streets, their crimson roofs catching the pale gold of the morning sun. Rivers cut through the city like veins of silver, crossed by elegant bridges carved with dragons twisting through clouds.
But the higher they walked, the quieter the world became.
Markets faded into silence.
The laughter of townsfolk disappeared.
Even the wind seemed to grow careful here.
Servants in long robes moved along the marble paths carrying scrolls, incense, and trays of tea meant for the upper halls. The moment they noticed Kai and the others approaching, they stopped.
Then bowed.
Deeply.
Some lowered themselves to one knee.
Others pressed their hands together and lowered their heads as if greeting divine figures.
Cameron whispered beside William.
"I swear… I still can't get used to that."
Jordan crossed her arms.
"They're acting like we're saints or something."
Maya adjusted the strap of her bag.
"Not saints," she said quietly.
"Symbols."
William glanced upward again.
At the very peak of the mountain stood the Hall of Dragons.
It didn't look like a palace.
It looked like something the world itself had built.
Massive stone pillars shaped like coiling dragons rose into the sky, their enormous claws gripping the roof of the structure as if they were holding it up. The walls were carved with scenes of ancient wars—dragons tearing through storms, warriors standing beneath their wings, flames swallowing entire armies.
The staircase leading to the entrance seemed endless.
Kai stopped at the bottom of it.
"Well," he said casually.
"This is the fun part."
Jordan raised an eyebrow.
"If your definition of fun involves getting judged by ancient dragon cult leaders, then sure."
Kai smiled slightly.
"Pretty much."
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They climbed.
Each step echoed across the vast courtyard like distant thunder.
At the top stood two enormous doors carved from black wood. Dragons spiraled across their surface, their bodies forming intricate patterns that almost seemed to move when the lantern light shifted.
The doors opened slowly.
The moment they stepped inside—
The air changed.
The hall was enormous.
Pillars stretched toward a ceiling lost in shadow. Lanterns hung in long rows above them, casting warm golden light across the polished stone floor. Ancient dragon crests were carved into the walls, each symbol representing generations of keepers who had lived and died under the society's rule.
At the far end of the chamber stood a long elevated platform.
Seated behind it were four figures.
The Dragon Officials.
Behind three of them stood warriors.
Tall.
Still.
Each wearing armor engraved with the crest of the dragon across their chest.
But each armor set carried its own color.
Behind the first official stood a warrior in deep indigo armor, faint ripples of distorted air surrounding him like invisible gravity bending the world around his body.
Behind the second stood a massive warrior clad in dark silver armor, the metal layered like overlapping dragon scales.
Behind the third stood a woman wearing emerald-green armor, leaf-like patterns etched across the plates like living vines.
William realized something immediately.
Only three stood behind the officials.
Because the fourth Dragon Watcher—
Was Kai.
Kai stepped forward calmly.
The others stopped several steps behind him.
The officials studied them in silence.
At the center sat Lord Akihara Renji.
His long silver hair fell over robes of deep gold embroidered with ancient dragons. His face carried the calm patience of someone who had lived long enough to watch generations rise and fall.
To his right sat Lady Kuronami Seika.
Her dark violet robes flowed across the stone like liquid shadow, and her cold eyes carried the sharpness of someone who had never tolerated weakness.
Behind her stood the warrior in indigo armor.
The Dragon Watcher of Gravity.
Ryuzen Kade.
The dragon crest across his chest spiraled inward like a collapsing star.
Next sat Master Daigo Tetsuro.
Broad shouldered and bearded, he looked more like a warlord than a council member.
Behind him stood the warrior in dark silver armor.
The Dragon Watcher of Iron.
Kaedoru Jin.
His armor reflected the lantern light like polished steel.
Finally sat Lady Mori Hanae.
Her green robes flowed across the floor like falling leaves, her calm eyes observing everything quietly.
Behind her stood the warrior in emerald armor.
The Dragon Watcher of Nature.
Aeris Valen.
The hall fell silent.
Then Lady Seika spoke.
"So."
Her voice echoed through the chamber like a blade sliding from its sheath.
"These are the children who revealed themselves."
William felt the weight of her gaze immediately.
She continued slowly.
"The first law of the Dragon Society has endured for centuries."
Her voice hardened.
"We do not exist."
Her eyes moved across the group.
"You fought openly."
She gestured toward them.
"In front of civilians."
Her gaze sharpened further.
"In front of cameras."
The air grew heavy.
"You allowed the existence of dragon keepers to become visible to the outside world."
Master Daigo folded his arms.
"That law was not made lightly."
His voice rumbled across the hall.
"History has shown us what happens when humanity learns about power it cannot control."
Seika leaned forward slightly.
"The punishment for exposing the society…"
Her voice dropped.
"…is death."
The word echoed like thunder.
Cameron went pale.
William's stomach twisted.
But Kai sighed.
Quietly.
"That feels a little extreme."
Every eye in the hall turned toward him.
Seika's voice sharpened.
"You argue with the law?"
Kai shrugged.
"I argue with stupidity."
A ripple of tension moved through the chamber.
He gestured toward the group behind him.
"They're kids."
"Untrained."
"And more importantly…"
He looked toward the officials.
"Useful."
Master Daigo stroked his beard thoughtfully.
Lady Hanae seemed to consider it.
But Seika's expression darkened.
"They broke the most sacred rule of the society."
That was when Jordan stepped forward.
"Oh please."
Her voice echoed sharply.
Everyone turned toward her.
William whispered urgently.
"Jordan—"
"No."
Her eyes burned with anger.
"We saved people."
She pointed toward the council.
"And now you're talking about executing us?"
Kaedoru Jin moved instantly.
The Iron Watcher stepped forward, his silver armor clanging softly as his hand moved toward the blade at his side.
His eyes burned.
"You dare raise your voice before the Dragon Officials?"
Jordan didn't move.
His voice turned deadly cold.
"Say another word."
"And I will remove your head where you stand."
The room froze.
Then—
Kai grabbed his arm.
His voice calm.
"That won't be necessary."
Jin glared down at him.
"She disrespected the council."
Kai shrugged.
"She's sixteen."
He leaned closer.
"Relax."
For a moment the tension hung like a blade over the room.
Then Jin stepped back.
Lord Renji finally raised his hand.
"Enough."
The hall fell silent.
His voice carried quiet authority.
"The punishment is decided."
His eyes fell on William and the others.
"You will be restricted from missions."
"Until further notice."
"Use this time to train."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"And prove you are worthy of the power you carry."
The officials rose.
The meeting was over.
As they turned to leave, Jordan muttered under her breath.
"I'm still not sorry."
Kai sighed.
"I know."
Then he glanced back toward the council.
"But next time…"
A small smirk crossed his face.
"Let's try not to start a war in the first five minutes
