Chapter 47: The Meeting of Elders

The rain had stopped just before dawn, and the mist that followed wrapped the mountain like a cloak. The air was heavy with the scent of wet stone and fresh earth. High above the valley, nestled in a colossal cave carved into the side of the great mountain, the Elder Council of the Dragon Clan gathered.

This was Kong's cave, a place of great importance and deep respect. It was where Kong rested, where he watched the land, and where the most important decisions were now made. Though Kong was no longer an elder of the Dragon Clan, having willingly passed the mantle to one of our own, his wisdom, strength, and alliance still made him an essential voice.

I arrived first, landing softly at the entrance of the vast stone cavern. My wings folded at my sides, and my body—now massive and armored with tough scales—moved with power and confidence. Behind me, the five elders followed in silence.

First Elder: My eldest son, wise and fair, respected by all.

Second Elder: The clever stray who had taught us how to grow food, breed fish, and farm animals.

Third Elder: My strong grandson, a warrior through and through, unmatched in battle.

Fourth Elder: A brave stray, once nearly killed protecting younglings and the vulnerable; his loyalty was legendary.

Fifth Elder: My son, from my second batch of cubs, a brilliant and kind-hearted dragon who had helped revolutionize our farming systems. He was taught by Kong himself and earned his place with both heart and strength.

And of course, standing at the back of the cave, Kong himself waited. Towering at 337 feet, his massive frame blended with the shadows of the cave. His deep eyes watched us with calm focus, and when I bowed my head to him in respect, he nodded once—silent and powerful as always.

We gathered around the Stone Circle, a flat space in the center of the cave, smoothed by time and footsteps. The dragons curled their tails around themselves, wings tucked close, eyes watching, waiting.

I stepped forward and spoke first.

"The clan has grown stronger than ever," I said. "We now number 147 dragons, and our systems for food, shelter, and defense have never been more efficient. But with size comes responsibility. We must ensure we continue to grow wisely. That is why I called this meeting."

The Second Elder lifted his head. "The fish farms beneath the homes are at capacity. We've expanded them, but with the growing number of dragons, we must begin plans for even more space—deeper tunnels, new farms beyond the third pond."

The Fifth Elder nodded. "And we must prepare for seasonal shifts. Rain makes our ponds overflow, but during dry months, water can become scarce. I suggest building a canal system from the valley to the pond, to store extra water."

The Third Elder rumbled low. "And the young ones grow careless. They fly far without watching for threats. We may have defeated the skull crawlers, but there are always new predators. We need more patrols in the skies."

The Fourth Elder added quietly, "And more guardians for the hatchlings. We can begin training the older ones, let them serve before becoming warriors."

Kong grunted his agreement, the sound echoing through the cave. Then, with his massive finger, he pointed toward the valley beyond the mountain. We all turned to see where he pointed. A herd of wild animals grazed peacefully—our backup food reserve.

He was reminding us: protect it.

The meeting continued. We discussed new homes, dividing the hunting zones, and even expanding into nearby caves for more housing. Then I raised the final issue.

"We are no longer just a group. We are a civilization. The time has come to begin preparing the next generation—not just to survive, but to lead."

The elders all nodded.

"We will begin training a new group of young dragons—one from each elder's line. They will be taught by us, learn everything from flight and fire to leadership, farming, and protection. They will become the next guardians of the Dragon Clan."

Kong stepped forward now, slowly lowering himself to one knee. Then, with surprising gentleness, he placed something on the stone circle—a massive tooth, clean and ancient, from the largest skull crawler he ever killed. A gift. A symbol.

We all bowed our heads. Even the elders remained silent.

The meeting ended not with words, but with understanding. We were no longer survivors. We were builders, leaders, and protectors.

And with Kong by our side, we would shape not just the future of the Dragon Clan……but the future of Skull Island itself.

The Age of Dragons had truly begun.