Dragon Realm
Episode 32

A betrayal! Bronze and Iron have paid their folly! Let this be a lesson to those who will seize my power! I will be obeyed!”

Gold stands. The other, who was sitting in front of him, nodded in agreement. Each knew that a new distribution of the kingdom was imminent; there were too many rulers who died, and the royal children would take too long to grow into adults. Coupled with the knowledge that Gold planned to take the Blue and Green lands, and any of his servants who remained loyal would be well rewarded.

Red, most importantly, awaits change. Gold will undoubtedly divide the Iron and Bronze kingdom between itself and Silver. That would leave Irillian by the Sea for Storms and, most importantly, the dense and lush Dagora Forest would belong to Red himself. It would make a welcome change from the Plains of Hell. That such a change in power structure meant the downfall of his brothers did not bother him in the least.

There was a fifth figure in the room, hidden by its shadow and shadow or, quite possibly, its thick hood and robe. That it wasn't a firedrake was the only thing Gold's friends knew as fact. It was something they could feel. The spectral visitor only spoke to the emperor, and it was for this reason that the three were summoned.

Curiosity is not limited to the human race.

Through his helmet, Gold studied the people he was with. He knew very well what thoughts were on their minds. They are his. They will serve him well. Greed is the perfect motivational tool.

“We found ourselves in a new war. The Gryphon seeks to recreate the Masters. Our own brothers have turned into traitors. Nathan Bedlam's son came out of hiding and dared to make a sound of conquest!” He clenched his fists on the table. “For countless years, this land has been ours! They will still be ours!”

I heard screaming in agreement.

“I have received information about the witch Azran. He lives among us! He lives, yes, he lives in the territory of our brother Red!”

The Lord of the Plains of Hell began. Both of his friends looked at him suspiciously. He stared back at them.

Gold smile. “Peace, Red! I'm accusing you of not betraying. The witch lives in a castle hidden from the sight of humans, firedrakes, or wild beasts. Until now."

The emperor snapped his finger. The dark figure stepped out, his face still hidden behind the folds of his hood. From inside the robe came a large, rolled parchment. It was placed on a table in the middle of the Dragon Monarch. If it was opened, it proved to be an accurate map of the Land of Dragons.

"There!" The Golden Dragon placed his finger somewhere at the bottom of the Hell's Plains. Others learned it, especially Red.

"There's nothing there! Me and many of my clansmen have been there quite often! ” King crimson pretty hairy. "It's just volcanic soil!"

"This is the castle of the old race."

That voice made each Dragon King tremble, even Gold. It was the sound of a grave, a touch of wind from the underworld. No one was watching the stranger for more than a moment.

The emperor was the first to recover. “This Madrak. You don't need to know anymore except that he has a little love for our enemies, because they won't treat him better than we do. His studies reveal the secrets of the castle, and he urges us to hurry. You know, with one strike, we can break away from the last Bedlam!”

"Son and grandson are both within the wall of satisfaction"

Red bared his teeth with a smile of satisfaction that was very inhumane. Not only would honor be returned to him, his achievements would be told from generation to generation. All of this could only give him the help of his emperor. Undoubtedly, the Dagora Forest would soon be his.

The faceless Madrac spoke again. “You will need considerable strength, My Lord Red. Azran counted the Seekers among his servants. Although they were reluctant slaves, they were deadly warriors.”

“I look forward to the battle. I will summon my greatest clan and destroy it!”

Gold looked at his brother. “Bring the body to me. They should be burned in front of us all. Only then can we rest with the knowledge that Bedlam no longer exists!” He rolled up the map and returned it to the witch. Madrac floated back into the shadows.

“Black has begun its assault on the City of Knowledge, with the hope, of course, to take it upon itself. He's stupid! The Gryphon, he who is half a breed, is still more than a match for him! While the two weaken each other, Kyrg will stay behind, pretending to wait for Toma. If Black somehow succeeds, Kirg will make sure that my legions occupy the city and the library. At that time, the mad horde of Black brothers will be depleted and the strength of his clan reduced.”

“How about Toma?” Storm, partly gray, partly yellow—currently—asked with curiosity.

“Mito Pica is a city that protects children from Nathan Bedlam during its growth. For that reason alone, he had lost his right to live. Toma will tear down the city!”

Something that should never have been born screamed from the bottom of Kivan Grath's heart. Gold kept his face expressionless, but cursed himself. The other three Dragon Kings looked around, openly startled by the frightening sounds. Madrac, half-hidden, did not reveal any emotions at all.

The emperor improvised quickly. He leaned toward his brothers. “Know and remember this; I am the ruler of the Dragon King! Disobeying me means bearing the consequences! Betraying me means dying! The Iron and Bronze Legion found it!”

They look trembling. Gold nodded, pleased. Let them wonder about their unknown master's servant. This will help to keep them under tight control.

“You're dismissed! Red Brother. Make sure you don't fail! Great Gifts await you if you succeed, but great pain will be your only reward if you fail!”

"I understand, My Lord!" The ruler of the Plains of Hell left the last of the three, his mind contemplating the rich life in the Dagora Forest and what he would do when it belonged to him.

Gold is alone. Alone, except for the Madrac witch.

The emperor looked at his ghost friend. In his mind, the witch was the only one he could truly trust. Madrac spoke as if destruction and death were sustenance to him. They are the same spirit in many ways.

"I haven't forgotten you, Madrac."

"I'm just waiting for your pleasure, King of Kings."

"You'll be well appreciated for your service." Gold did not mention that the witch would be rewarded with death as soon as the current crisis ended. The same spirit, perhaps, but it also makes Madrac dangerous once the current crisis is over.

“Destruction of this new Gryphon and Master is enough.”

The dragon lord nodded. His mind moved on to something else. “Much I should think about. You are dismissed for now. ”

Madrac bent down and floated into the darkness. The terrifying cries of Gold's most loyal servant sounded once again. Immersed in thought, the emperor went to feed his pet. Some torches in the room went out. Soon there will be complete darkness.

In the remaining bit of light, a shadow formed. The shadow took the form of a cloaked and hooded figure. Madrak. Although the Dragon Emperor's servants lurked in the hidden recesses of the room, none of them detected the presence of intruders. The witch laughed, the laughter of death and horror, and, for the first time, pulled the veil from her face. What he has from his face, that is.

He might be smiling. It's hard to figure it out with Shade's fuzzy features.