Chapter 15: The Judgment of the Elders

The Temple of Ancients was said to have been created as a tribute to the power and majesty of dragon tribes. Forged from the bones of Great Wyrms, which dominated the skies in olden times, its high walls seemed to glow with a light that resembled a shadow of ancient magic. Here, the Elders of the Dragon Tribes convene to deliberate on the fate of their world, of their people, and today-the fate of two dragons whose very existence would threaten the fragile balance of their traditions.

Deep within the grand hall of the temple, the Elders meditated, honing the mighty energies that flowed within their bodies. Each had a different strength, representative of their respective tribe and their peoples' unique ancestry. On each side of them swirled great lakes of gold energy as if made of glittering clouds of gold, filled with an otherworldly magic in drawing life from the wellspring of the Dragon Realm. That energy churned about them in colors that ebbed and flowed with every breath he took, reminding him of his enormous power.

At the head of the hall sat the head Elder, a giant hulk whose scales shone with an iridescent glow, the hallmark of power and mastery over the ancient techniques. He belonged to the tribe known as Celestial Dragon, that which was most revered and powerful from the line of dragons. Surrounding him were the other Elders: those of the Fire, Water, Earth, Storm, and Shadow Dragon Tribes, each differentiated by their intricately designed robes as well as the symbols of their tribes etched into the floor beneath them.

The elder of the Black Dragon Tribe, Kharon, sat at the far end of the hall, his eyes set intently upon the discussion at hand. His tribe were always known for their harshness and severity and long held that mercy was in actuality a sign of weakness. His sharp, black scales glinted dully in the dim light and his deep voice would soon carry the final judgment.

The waiting air was heavy with the import of that decision now that the Elders had finished their cultivations. It would be about the two dragons, parents to the young God of Dragons who, in its brazen arrogance, had committed something no dragon had done in millennia-the crime was so archaic that only a handful knew of it. And so, the Elders knew well that whatever they would be deciding on would echo throughout the dragon realm for eternity.

"The time has come," declared the head Elder. His voice has carried through the chamber. He opened his eyes; the silver light cut through the darkness like a blade. "We must decide the punishment of the two dragons who dared defy the laws of our people."

The Fire Dragon Elder, a fierce woman whose eyes burned with an eternal flame, first spoke, saying: "Arrogance-this is their crime. Trying to cross the lines between tribes is an abomination, making desecration of the purity of our bloodlines. They must be made examples so the young ones never forget the price of defiance."

The Earth Dragon Elder nodded seriously. His granite features did not yield an inch. "Agreed. There must be a lesson learned here, one that strikes fear into the hearts of any who would follow in their footsteps. We cannot let this breach pass unpunished.".

The Water Dragon Elder, ever the voice of reason, was the first to raise his hand. "I say we have the right to make an example of them, but I think we should take in the bigger picture here. These dragons are not like ordinary dragons. They have had one of their lot give birth to a child whose blood is that of two tribes, thus never before have we faced this kind of situation in our history. We mustn't be blind; our actions will surely provoke more anti-social tendencies.".

Kharon, Elder Black Dragon, narrowed his eyes, leaning forward. "Cautious? No, we must be swift in our judgment and merciless. It's already a little uncomfortable that this new young generation is already gaining restlessness. They begin questioning the rules that we've followed for millennia. If we're soft now, they'll think us weak. Eternal confinement, sure, but their wings must be clipped, and their horns shattered first.". Let them be a reminder of the price for breaking our holy laws.

Many of the Elders nodded in response but several still looked uncertain. The Shadow Dragon Elder wore dark robes, speaking so softly that it could barely be heard above a whisper. "Their child. the one they speak of as the God of Dragons. What of him? He has not yet been for them, but the prophecy speaks of his return. If we have been too severe, we face the possibility of provoking him. He may come to seek vengeance.".

As he sat back and read the words spoken by his brethren, the Head Elder let out a heavy sigh. "The child is a worry, of that I do not deny; but we cannot have fear rule what we do. The sentence stands, or we risk starting to unravel the very fabric of our tribes. Our young must learn that you are no better, no matter the power you wield, the laws of the dragons are not broken.".

"The child is nothing. He might be strong, but he hasn't been tried as yet. We are Elders, protectors of this land. Even the God of Dragons won't dare disobey us. Our might is absolute."

So the Elders debated, their voices booming up and falling with the weight of the crime against the consequences that would come of their doing. Some pleaded for a lighter sentence, fearing the wrath of the young God of Dragons; others, like Kharon, begged that the worst penalty must be given so that only through fear can we keep in hand the tribes.

At last, after what seemed to be hours of deliberation, the head Elder raised his hand to call for silence. "The decision has been reached," he declared in strong tones. "We shall submit ourselves to the judgment of the Black Dragon Tribe. The two dragons shall be imprisoned until eternity, their wings and horns sheared off as a token of shame.". Their punishment will be meted out in the presence of the young dragons so they'll know what happens when the laws we give them are disobeyed.

A heavy pause fell upon the shoulders of the Elders as they digested the decision. Satisfied that things would go the way he wanted them to go, Kharon leaned back in his seat and just smiled, and it sent the corners of his mouth playing the way up. "It is done, then," he said. "Let the young ones see what will happen when you go against the will of the tribes.".

The face of the Water Dragon Elder was still uncertain, but he nodded in agreement. "Very good. Let the gods take mercy upon them."

The head Elder stood, and his robes flew around him like the wings of a great dragon. "Call the Council. We will hold the public trial at dawn. The tribes must see this.".

And so, as the Elders went their ways, the decision hung there in the air for all to see. The two dragons' fate was sealed, but whose responsibility it would prove to be was yet to be told.

On a distant horizon, in the far-off skies, a great power was coming in from the far-off lands. It was the God of Dragons, and with him came a storm nobody knew.