Omega's Rebirth

"What is this place?" Neveah asked in a low whisper as they finally arrived at the highest range.

Where they now stood was high enough to be called a small mountain that was elevated far above ground level but not nearly as high as Dragon Keep or Mount Edar.

From this point, they were provided a clear view of a vast portion of Keep Skies.

Stretched out far before their eyes was a wide expanse of territory, beginning with district of Keep Skies and even beyond it.

Neveah could see the clusters of cottages and homes spread across the territory and she could hear the sounds of life coming from far below.

This territory stretched on for miles and far in sight was a high pillar rising up from the ground, the pillar stood tall, looking to pierce the sky.

Above the pillar, the sky was much different from what it used to be. It was a mix of different hues of red and grays.

And though Neveah could not tell what could cause such a strange phenomenon, she could not help staring in awe.

Neveah had never before witnessed a red sky and she had heard from a few older wolf shifters of rare phenomenons like blood moons and blue moons but she had never seen any of such.

But not once had Neveah heard of a red sky where even the clouds blended into the red shade.

It was a strange and unlikely yet beautiful sight and Neveah took it in slowly.

She had known the Asvarian stronghold and it’s seat of power, the Keep Skies was a place of many rare and strange intrigues, but she had not known it was this beautiful.

From this distance, it looked to be a peaceful paradise, where all beneath the reddish skies existed in perfect bliss and the pillar itself, so out of place in where it stood was unique and intriguing.

"This is North of Dragon Keep, what lies before your eyes is Tavern’s end, the fourth district of Keep Skies." Menarx explained as he came to stand beside Neveah.

Neveah listened to Menarx’s words with rapt attention, she had always been intrigued by the history and terrains of the Asvarian stronghold and hearing it said in person was indeed different from reading about it.

"Far beyond this lies the Dusk Castle bordered from Keep Skies by the Fodder grooves." "

"Fort Inferno stands beyond that in all it’s fiery might, built right into an active volcano." Menarx continued, watching Neveah’s awed expression in amusement.

"And right at the very edge, where the Asvarian Beacon of the North lies is North’s End...my home." Menarx revealed.

Neveah’s eyes widened in surprise as she turned to Menarx.

"Your home? You were not originally from Dragon Keep?" Neveah asked in surprise.

The five lords of the King’s guard and King Jian had seemed so closely bonded, Neveah had always assumed they were of the same clan...or at least had grown up together.

Otherwise, Neveah could not understand the trust and love they had for one another.

"Ah...but there was a time when there was no such thing as Dragon Keep, the Keep Skies or our Stronghold." Menarx recalled with a sad smile.

"For us dragons, there was a time we had no place we could call our own... before the stronghold was built, before the supreme empire gained it’s dominance...the beasts of Asvar were nothing." Menarx continued.

Neveah knew of this, though it was still difficult for her to comprehend how such powerful beasts had been chained and controlled by others,

The fact remained that it happened and the memories were as vivid as ever to the Asvarian beasts.

"You lived through those times?" Neveah asked Menarx slowly, mentally calculating just how many centuries ago that was.

Menarx shook his head slightly, crossing his arms behind his back.

"I witnessed the terrors but I did not know it as much as my kin did."

"I was born in the wake of such turbulent times, in a time that recorded the beginnings of the uprising. In a place far from here, a place that is now known to the stronghold as North’s End." Menarx replied.

"You originally were born in the North... how did you come to be..." Neveah trailed off, unsure of what she truly intended to ask.

"On the King’s guard? So far from home?" Menarx asked with a quiet chuckle.

Neveah nodded slowly, she knew nothing of the King’s guard and before this time, it was no concern of hers.

But things were different now, Neveah reminded herself that whatever concerned Menarx had to be her concern too.

"My clan...my family fought alongside Lord Agardan, leading the charge of the uprising as protectors of the North." Menarx replied.

"Agardan the vanquisher? The first dragon king?" Neveah recalled the name from the volumes she had studied.

"I see you know your history." Menarx said in approval, passing Neveah a glance.

"As much as the books tell..." Neveah replied with a casual shrug.

"Indeed. Lord Agardan sent a call to battle and the patriarchs of all tribes and clans answered to it...my father also." Menarx continued.

"I was just a child then and my father, a noble blooded dragon and clan lord was forced to serve as a mine dragon." Menarx revealed, his tone dark as his hands clenched into fists.

"A mine dragon?" Neveah repeated.

"The North dragons are known to breathe the hottest flames... amongst others, my father’s flames were the most brilliant and burned the fiercest. From his flames, dragon stones could be refined and forged into precious gems." Menarx explained.

Neveah winced slightly, picturing being chained and forced to breathe flames on command and forge treasures for your captors.

The taste of bondage, Neveah knew it better than most. Though she had not been bounded in chains, that was but as far as the mercy she had known back in the Eclipse Domain.

That bitter taste of bondage was still heavy on her tongue, how could Neveah forget it so easily?