As the dragon roars of excitement echoed within the dragon court, Garon paused his creation of the Mechanism Spirit and smiled.
As a member of the Dragon Pantheon, the advancement of the Metal Dragon God was a good thing for Garon. An overall increase in the pantheon's power meant tangible and intangible benefits for every dragon god involved.
Meanwhile, at Lunia Heaven in Heavenly Mountain, Garon selected some treasures as gifts and then left the Eternal Divine Kingdom. The Metal Dragon God's divine realm was right next to the Eternal Divine Kingdom. Currently, the gods of Heavenly Mountain, from lesser to powerful divine forces, were descending in person to Lunia Heaven. The divine radiance emitted by these gods gathered together, illuminating the entire Lunia with brilliant divine light.
In every corner of Lunia Heaven, celestial messengers like the Seraphim, the Holy Light Messengers, and the Apostles of the Stars, each showed respect and reverence. Half-kneeling, they saluted in the direction where the gods were gathering, expressing their homage.
The barriers of the Northern Wind Divine Kingdom were wide open, welcoming the visiting gods. The gods residing in Heavenly Mountain, apart from newcomers like Garon, had long-established connections, especially since they were the main force in the siege against the original Sun God.
Entering the Northern Wind Divine Kingdom, Garon noticed that the Metal Dragon God's realm was also bustling with activity. Numerous divine messengers were celebrating their lord's restoration, with true dragon messengers soaring across the sky, spreading the good news.
After a brief glance, Garon, surrounded by divine light, stepped into Bahamut Palace.
Inside, gods of not particularly imposing stature but who radiated an immense sense of grandeur were gathered, offering gifts to the Metal Dragon God.
Garon's arrival drew the attention of the gods of Heavenly Mountain. Although he was part of their ranks, his recent arrival meant he had little acquaintance with the other deities.
Garon also observed the gods, many of whom he was seeing in person for the first time. Among them were gods from Lunia Heaven and others from various levels of Heavenly Mountain—like the Feathered Serpent God from the second layer, Mochuria Heaven; the Eternal Fire God, and the Goddess Amaterasu. There were also the Halfling Pantheon's Chief God and the Guardian Goddess Yutandra from Viya Heaven, the Pearl Kingdom on the third layer; and Moradin, the Dwarven Father God from Solania Heaven, the Crystal Kingdom on the fourth layer, and the God of Light from the radiant kingdom in the seventh layer, Cronias Heaven.
These divine beings of strong and near-strong divine power represented the pinnacle of countless planes, all gathered in the Northern Wind Divine Kingdom. Even as they consciously contained their overwhelming divine auras, their mere presence was like fireflies in the dark, impossible to overlook.
The Metal Dragon God, now among several powerful divine beings, had his divine light flickering subtly. Though no words were heard, it was clear that these formidable beings were communicating.
Unlike many reclusive or irascible evil gods, the gods of Heavenly Mountain were generally sociable and allied within the Heavenly Mountain pact, ready to aid each other in times of need. Naturally, issues like the Glory War between the Dragon and Elf Pantheons were not matters for external deities to intervene in.
"Garon, you've come," the Metal Dragon God said as he waved a claw.
"Congratulations on regaining your mid-level divine power. I've brought gifts," Garon replied.
The Metal Dragon God laughed heartily. "No need for such formality among dragon gods," he said, though he gladly accepted Garon's treasures.
Garon looked towards a corner of Bahamut Palace, where gifts from various gods of Heavenly Mountain were piled high, sparking a bit of envy in him.
At that moment, the God of Light, dressed in a cream-white robe with benevolent features and golden hair, gave Garon a warm, welcoming smile. "Garon, the rising star of Heavenly Mountain and the Dragon of Eternity and Time, I'm glad you accepted my gift."
Nodding respectfully, Garon returned the smile. "The Sun Crown Stone is exquisite. I appreciate the gift, and I am honored to count you, a god of goodness and justice, as my neighbor."
This respectful exchange established a friendly rapport between Garon and the God of Light, crucial as Garon was not looking to make enemies of other powerful beings at this juncture. The Sun Crown Stone now floating in the skies of the Eternal Divine Kingdom symbolized a mending of any past grievances between them.
The God of Light nodded pleasantly. "Feel free to visit my divine realm in Lunia Heaven when you have the time."
Though currently at the peak of lesser divine power, Garon was treated as an equal by the God of Light, a
being of strong divine power, showing no signs of condescension—a respect mirrored by other powerful gods present.
"I will remember your invitation. Just don't turn me away at your door," Garon responded lightly.
Now a part of Heavenly Mountain's divine community, Garon intended to foster relationships like his fellow deities, knowing these connections would prove beneficial eventually. His potential was recognized, and despite his recent arrival, the Heavenly Mountain deities were eager to associate with him.
"Of course not," the God of Light replied with a slight smile.
Garon then brought up a topic of interest: "I've heard that after the original Sun God was severely wounded, Bahamut mentioned he hid away and then vanished. You know him well—any news about this fellow?"
The mention of his ancient adversary made the God of Light's expression turn serious. "I have been searching for him, hoping to end his existence for good. Unfortunately, he's hidden well and has cautiously withdrawn all his minions, even as his dark realms were purged."
"He is an ancient Primordial, alive since the creation of the cosmos, not easily killed," Garon remarked.
"If you hear anything about the original Sun God, let me know. As a fellow deity of Heavenly Mountain, I'm willing to lend you a hand."
The name of this primordial deity, Aeon, was prominently noted in Garon's ledger of grievances. Given a chance, Garon would gladly end Aeon himself, burying him in the ripples of the time stream.
After a lengthy conversation with the God of Light, Garon witnessed other gods coming and going within Bahamut Palace, not leaving immediately after presenting their gifts but engaging in discussions with fellow deities. Even gods need to network.
Soon, the Metal Dragon God and a human-like deity approached Garon and the God of Light. "As part of the Heavenly Mountain pantheon, it pleases me genuinely to see you two setting aside past differences," the Metal Dragon God commented with a hearty laugh.
Garon turned to the Metal Dragon God, whose divine aura, rich with extraordinary power, had visibly intensified. Coupled with his formidable divine presence, his raw power, if fully unleashed, would be hard for many present to withstand.
Feeling the Metal Dragon God's joy, Garon understood this was his first breakthrough since falling to lesser divine power after the Dragonfall War. While not yet back to his peak of strong divine power, it was a celebratory moment as it indicated an upturn in draconic faith and merely marked the beginning of a potential return to the summit.
Garon then turned to the other human-like deity, noted for his muscular build, wildly flowing white hair, and thick beard covering most of his face. What was particularly striking was his empty eye sockets and a missing right hand, signifying this god's physical trials.
Known by many titles—The Eyeless Lord, the Maimed God, the God of Justice, Tyr—his presence alone exuded an aura of righteousness, glory, fairness, and honesty.
"I should introduce myself," Tyr spoke, turning towards Garon. "I am Tyr, one of the gods of Heavenly Mountain, the God of Justice."
"You are well known to me, God of Justice Tyr. Your dedication to enacting justice through merciful strength and full armament is something I greatly respect," Garon replied.
Despite most powerful gods holding multiple divine portfolios, Tyr was unique in having just one: justice.
Tyr's brief smile hardened as he responded, "Justice resides in the heart of all beings. Fighting for one's kin during racial conflicts is also an act of justice. Garon, the Dragon of Eternity and Time, you are a partner in justice. I hope you continue on this path, always acting in the name of righteousness, never swayed by malevolent deities."
Partner in justice? Garon scratched at his neck, modestly replying, "You flatter me, it's merely my duty."
While he didn't see himself as a paragon of justice, when such recognition came from Tyr, known for his understanding of justice, Garon couldn't easily dismiss it.
Shortly afterward, powerful draconic presences tore through the spatial barriers into Lunia Heaven and then into the Northern Wind Divine Kingdom. One by one, dragon gods of the Dragon Pantheon arrived to celebrate the Metal Dragon God's ascension.
Garon was familiar with these newcomers, having seen many during the Starfall Battle: Randys, the Dragon of Arbitration with his Scales of Justice; Heru, the Dragon of Trickery and Runes; Estella, the Dragon of Wealth and Guardian of the Treasury; and Kroniphus, the Dragon of Death and Judgement, among others. Notably absent were the evil-aligned dragons like Karrakis, the Dragon of Destruction, and Pharazul, the Night Dragon of Decay and Fatigue, as well as the infamous Undying Dragon Queen. Heavenly Mountain held a strong aversion to evil
deities, and while these dragons had fought alongside the Metal Dragon God in the Glory War, it didn't imply a close bond with this benevolent dragon deity.
After their arrival, these dragon gods also presented their gifts. The assembly of various imposing dragons within Bahamut Palace drew much attention.
The elevation of the Metal Dragon God to mid-level divine power signified a collective enhancement in draconic faith, not just for him but for other dragon gods as well, all experiencing a noticeable increase in divine power since the Glory War.
As time silently passed, and with the dragon gods gathered, the other gods of Heavenly Mountain gradually departed, leaving only the members of the Dragon Pantheon.
"Garon Aurelian, the Dragon of Eternity and Time, may I ask you a few questions?" Heru, the Dragon of Trickery and Runes, approached Garon curiously.
Heru, known for his unpredictability, had Garon briefly pausing his conversation with the Metal Dragon God to address him. "What questions? Go ahead," Garon said, somewhat resigned.
Heru, taking a deep breath as if gearing up, bombarded Garon with a flurry of inquiries. "How were you born? Was it a union between a Time Dragon and a White Dragon? I know your mother was a White Dragon; was your father a Time Dragon? Have you ever met your father or your kin? As the only active Time Dragon, do you feel lonely? Was the ancient Time Dragon that appeared at the end of the Glory War your father or a future version of yourself? How does it feel to become the youngest dragon god in just over thirty years?"
Heru's curiosity about Garon seemed endless, and his rapid-fire questions, mixed with unintentional spittle, covered Garon.
Garon, unable to hide his helplessness, responded to Heru's relentless inquiries while hoping for an intervention from the other dragon gods. However, seeing their amused expressions, he realized they were quite content to see him squirm, offering no help.
Heru's incessant questions continued until Garon, exhausted and dry-mouthed, could barely respond. Realizing Garon's fatigue, Heru paused, his curiosity still apparent but momentarily sated.
"You're really good at answering questions. Few dragons bother to respond to me," Heru remarked, licking his lips.
"Garon, once we leave Bahamut Palace, may I visit your divine realm?" Heru asked, his tone bright and eager.
Garon's expression stiffened. "I'm quite busy constructing the Dragon-Magic Network, so it's a bit hectic right now."
"Dragon-Magic Network?" Heru's interest peaked again.
Before Heru could continue, the Metal Dragon God intervened. "Heru, let Garon be. Do you want to scare off our new dragon god?"
Heru stuck out his tongue at the Metal Dragon God, then turned to Garon, miming locking his mouth and throwing away the key—a gesture indicating his promise to remain silent.
"Congratulations on returning to mid-level divine power," Kroniphus, the Dragon of Death and Judgment, spoke up after a long silence, his stern and imposing figure contrasting with the lively surroundings.
"Kroniphus, it's rare to hear you speak. I was almost forgetting what your voice sounded like," the Metal Dragon God laughed, genuinely pleased by the presence of the normally reserved dragon god.
Kroniphus, known for his somber and detached demeanor, silently observed everything, deciding the fates of dragon souls upon their death, a stark contrast to Randys, who arbitrated among the living.
After his brief interjection, Kroniphus returned to his silent vigil, blending into the shadows of Bahamut Palace, watching the other dragon gods with his cold gaze.
Garon felt Kroniphus's eyes on him. Turning to face the shadowy parts of the palace, he saw no sign of Kroniphus, who had already moved silently behind him.
Garon, a bit unnerved by the elusive dragon god's behavior, turned his head swiftly in an attempt to catch a glimpse of Kroniphus, but the Dragon of Judgment continued to evade him, not wishing to be seen despite being perfectly aware of his surroundings.
The other dragon gods, gathered in Bahamut Palace, chatted among themselves, except for Kroniphus, who preferred to remain unseen, watching from the shadows.
After a while, the Metal Dragon God cleared his throat and addressed his kin with a serious tone, "My fellow kin, I'm sure you all can feel the resurgence of our draconic faith. This is both good and bad."
Pausing for effect, he continued, "I have spoken with the gods of Heavenly Mountain, and they have indirectly expressed their unwillingness to see our kind return to a position of dominance."
"This is despite my friendly relations with many of them. The attitudes of gods from other planes towards our kind are even less favorable."
Randys looked towards the Metal Dragon God
and asked, "Bahamut, are you intending for our kind to return to dominance?"
The Metal Dragon God shook his head seriously, "The issue is that even if I assure the gods that our kind has no intention of dominating other races, they won't believe it as long as our strength continues to recover."
Estella, the Dragon of Wealth, asked, "What are you suggesting then?"
"They've already decided we won't settle for our current state," the Metal Dragon God said solemnly. "Tell me, is their assumption correct? Are you content with our current status? Are you discontent with our kind's decline? Do you wish for us to return as the sole dominant divine system?"
The dragon gods remained silent, their eyes revealing their inner thoughts more clearly than words could.
The dragon race had always been under scrutiny. Many beings and deities did not want to see them regain their former glory. In countless planes, slaying a dragon was considered a mark of honor, and many dragons died before reaching maturity, a testament to the subtle encouragement of such acts.
Where did this notion originate? It was hard to pinpoint.
But the dragon gods were aware that this wasn't the case before the Dragonfall War.
Garon pondered this as well. The situation had changed. The Dragon Pantheon's strength was recovering, but to face the hostility of other deities, much more was needed.
Recent events had thrust the once-stable dragon race into the spotlight, facing a critical choice: either to rise with the storm or be shattered by it.
After a moment, the Metal Dragon God looked around and spoke in a low voice, "While I have gathered you here following my breakthrough to transmit a signal, there is something I hope to achieve with your help."
The dragon gods turned their attention to the Metal Dragon God.
Under their watchful eyes, he revealed a shocking ambition, "I have been trying to resurrect our chief deity, the Nine-Faced Dragon God, Io."
"Io may have passed, but his legend, deeds, and name still live on in the endless legacy of true dragons."
"He hasn't truly died."
"Now, I have found a way to resurrect our chief god."
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