Omega's Rebirth

"There are thousands of this in my study...more in my quarters! And what?! They are within reason?!" King Jian snarled.

"I spoke out of turn, My Liege." Lord Lodenworth was immediately apologetic knowing he was the one who had said the words that angered King Jian.

Lord Lodenworth was not wrong at all, but Neveah breathed a sigh of relief at King Jian’s reaction.

His reaction was enough to tell Neveah that King Jian would stand for Xenon without fail,

As long as Xenon would be safe, Neveah would not have to worry...if not, if Xenon was truly in danger, Neveah would not know what to do.

However, Neveah did not expect that her quiet sigh of relief would be misunderstood by a certain someone whose sharp gaze turned to her.

The atmosphere in the hall changed completely, as though there was suddenly a chill spreading across the walls, the temperature dropped noticeably.

Neveah had not realized it before this moment, and she also was not certain but somehow, it seemed as though the mood of the dragon king affected his immediate surroundings.

"The Lady Neveah must have something to say." King Jian confronted Neveah directly, his tone dangerously low.

Once again, all eyes moved to settle on Neveah.

Neveah was taken aback by the mention of her name and she turned to meet King Jian’s cross glare that were fixed on her.

His mismatched orbs glowed, but Neveah could not discern what exactly that complicated look in his eyes were.

Beside Neveah, Menarx tensed up, taking a hold of Neveah’s hand.

"My Liege..." Menarx began to interrupt but King Jian raised a hand to silence him.

Neveah shook her head at Menarx whose gaze narrowed slightly, she did not need Menarx confronting or defying King Jian for her...not yet, at the least.

Neveah was not certain exactly what she had done that triggered King Jian, but the look in his eyes were filled with rage and Neveah knew if she did not speak up, it would only escalate the situation.

"Well? Would you be willing to address the council? I am certain we all are eager to know of your opinion." King Jian insisted.

Neveah bit her lip slightly, she had already decided that she would never allow herself be intimidated by anyone regardless of who that person was.

It did not matter if it was the Dragon King or someone greater, Neveah’s resolve would not be shaken.

Menarx’s grip on Neveah’s hand tightened reassuringly, he did not speak but Neveah understood his message.

Menarx was neither restraining or urging, the decision to speak or otherwise was Neveah’s and Neveah knew Menarx would protect her from whatever the backlash was.

"If Your Grace commands, by all means, I will speak." Neveah finally replied.

"Lord Xenon is of the King’s guard, a pillar of the Asvarian stronghold. If the petitions say his existence is a great danger..."

"Well, then, what benefit would taking down Lord Xenon bring to the stronghold?" Neveah asked with a raised brow.

"The council is being asked to execute a protector of the stronghold...a kin. And here we stand, actually considering it while the rest of the world watches."

"Watches the undefeated dragons take down each other. What a joke." Neveah scoffed with a roll of her eyes.

"That is a little excessive, Lady Neveah. Are you asking the council to completely overlook the petitions?" Lord Lodenworth asked.

"Overlook... certainly not. The council’s duty is to protect the stronghold and the dragon lords are the heart of this stronghold."

"So do just that, protect the stronghold and protect it’s heart too. The world... the dragon lords, Lord Xenon, your protection encompasses all of that."

"But if an execution is the council’s way of protecting then your race will eventually die out by your own hands... and there will still be pen, ink, paper and rebels left to keep writing petitions for centuries to come."

"To harm your kin should never be a choice... until there is no choice but that left." Neveah concluded.

Neveah’s words stirred murmurs amongst the riders and dragon lords, King Jian also did not speak immediately.

"Lady Neveah is right...we cannot begin executing our own kind just because it is demanded of us. Lord Xenon’s wild haze has been managed just fine these decades." Rodvan, the right hand of the dune lord spoke up.

"Indeed." Lord Decaron agreed.

King Jian’s gaze lingered on Neveah for a moment longer before he returned his attention to the rest of the council.

"Xenon has requested to be cuffed. Till this wild haze passes, he will not leave Mount Edar and even afterwards, till he regains control." King Jian revealed, leaving the council in silent horror.

"Cuffed?! That is too brutal! Why would he request for such a thing? What is so different about this wild haze that he is willing to torture himself so?!" Kirgan exclaimed in horror.

Whatever being cuffed meant to the dragons, Neveah could see it was something terrible.

It was clear from the expression on the faces of the Lord Dragons.

"Must it be taken that far?" Rodvan again conveyed Lord Kaideon’s words. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"This is his own request and though I am unwilling, I will fulfill it. Lord Xenon will be remanded in Mount Edar till he learns to control the wild haze...be it days, months, years or even a century." King Jian decided in a heavy tone.

"Narx... what does it mean to be cuffed?" Neveah whispered to Menarx.

Menarx glanced down at her, a sad smile on his lips.

"You know our history... and the times we lived in chains..." Menarx said back to Neveah.

Neveah nodded quickly, she had read so much about that in the volumes Lord Rodrick had given her.

"To a dragon... Death is a kinder fate...than chains." Was all the explanation Menarx gave.

Again, Neveah’s heart sank right into the pit of her stomach because she knew better than anyone why this wild haze was different from others... why Xenon had made such a decision.

’Because...he hurt me...’ Neveah thought to herself in devastation.