A large dragon with scales of a gleaming gold soared through the sky at a low altitude, his scales caught the rays of the sun and reflected in the clouds, appearing as some marvelling display of colorful hues in the sky from down below.

If he flew high enough and at a greater speed than a steady pace, this sight was concealed by the clouds. But if he flew low, it was just slightly noticeable, but harder to understand.

Few who had somehow taken notice of it would think it to be a once in a lifetime cosmic mystery that could not be understood, they could not know that a great golden beast travelled through the sky.

Even now, in the dawn of dragon dynasty, the great beasts of Asvar were not a common sight as their world existed high up in the skies, far above the mundane life.

And there was none who was more detached from the world on the earth below than the dragon king.

His large orbs of a silver shade scanned the patch of green that stretched on for miles far below him, taking in the sights down to the most minute details with no difficulty whatsoever.

From his altitude, he could see as far as the end of the sea of green fields to the settlement that lay beyond it, and he could make out the silhouette of a few of his kin circling a terrain far up ahead.

These wide fields of green were the fodder grooves that surrounded Keep Skies on all sides, serving as the boundary separating keep skies from the two other great fortresses that stood at it’s East and West ends.

The golden scaled dragon banked to the side, rising to a higher altitude so his scales were fully concealed by the clouds and would not catch the sun rays.

The gleam of his golden scales soon dimmed and his form could not be made out amongst the clouds, displaying an astonishing ability of camouflage.

"My Liege, how far out?" The voice of Cassian sounded in King Jian’s mind.

The second squadron had taken flight to the outskirts of keep skies ahead of the dragon king, led by Lord Cassian of Sapphire scales and Lord Kaideon of the white dunes, and they awaited the landing of their king.

"In a moment." King Jian thought back as he flew at a steady pace.

"The second squadron is on standby, we await your orders." Cassian communicated.

"I would expect so." Was all King Jian said in response.

The camp of the second squadron had been set right beyond the fodder grooves, in three different positions.

The main camp was right beyond the fodder grooves while two temporary camps spanned out in both directions, creating a tight formation around a large forest right beyond Keep skies.

At this moment, King Jian headed towards the main camp where Cassian took command of closing in on the forest and tracking down the troll golem.

This was the very forest where Menarx’s attack had happened and the last known location of the troll golem, as such it was reasonably where the hunt would begin.

The main camp soon came into view and King Jian flew overhead it, a quiet growl of acknowledgement rumbled out of him as the two dragon lords circling the camp bowed in greeting before moving out of the path.

"My Liege?’ Cassian asked in King Jian’s mind when the golden scaled dragon flew past the camp and did not land as expected.

"What word?" King Jian thought back, as he flew over the camp and beyond it, heading for the forest.

"The Troll golem has not been sighted again since Lord Menarx’s report. Strange that a beast so large disappears completely in the span of a few days." Cassian immediately began his report.

"Kaideon commands the second camp and his report corresponds with mine. Teams have been dispatched to the deepest ravine and beyond from all three points and are closing in on the heart of the forest." Cassian added.

"Rauron and Mauldray?" King Jian asked as he flew over the forest, knowing the next camp of the second squadron was beyond the ridge.

Lords Rauron and Mauldray were the best trackers amongst the twelve squadrons and they two were the first dispatched out to the outskirts of Keep Skies as soon as Menarx’s report was received.

The presence of the troll golem was not something Menarx could be mistaken about, if the second squadron were yet to sight it, the trackers would certainly have news of it’s presence.

"The tracker dragons are out in the fields, they have confirmed signs repeatedly. Foot prints, carcasses of devoured animals and claw marks. Trees have been fell in a haphazard manner, all which tell of the presence of the troll golem, yet there is no sight of it." Cassian revealed. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Is this forest so large that it could conceal a danger in my own lands? I will not hear of it!" King Jian snarled back, displeased by the report.

"My Liege, I have no excuses. The second squadron will not relent till the beast is taken down." Cassian swore.

"You will not." King Jian concurred.

King Jian growled lowly as he flew lower so he was just above the height of the trees, he did not expect he would catch sight of the beast himself when even his best trackers had not caught as much as a sight of it.

But just as the dune lord had reported, a horrid stench hung low in the air, it was thick and intense. It was the stench of one of the most depraved arts of dark sorcery, necromancy.

And so King Jian knew without a doubt that the beast was out here, it was out here somewhere.

Another low growl rumbled out of King Jian as he scoured the forest, his dragon eyes narrowed.

"How long shall you be able to hide from me? I would like to see..." King Jian thought, dark rage reflected in his eyes.