Chapter 113: Settling the Dragons

The heavy atmosphere inside the Old Valley held its breath as the titanic black gates of the Dragon’s Pit slowly ground open.

Dozens of newly stationed dragon keepers, armored guards, and the two steel-clad knights stood at a strict, awe-struck distance along the upper iron walkways.

Not a single mortal soul remained on the main ground floor; every human had cleared out, leaving the colossal stone hall completely vacant for the arrival of its apex residents.

The primary entrance was gargantuan—looming over forty meters high and wide enough to easily accommodate twice the massive frame of Chaosbringer without forcing the 5th-Tier beast to tuck his wings.

Craig walked smoothly across the threshold, his black coat fluttering against the warm, geothermal draft rising from within the building. Directly behind his heels, the three dragons fell into single file with magnificent, quiet discipline.

The heavy, rhythmic crunch of their massive talons against the polished basalt floor echoed through the cavernous interior.

Sunlight streamed through high, iron-reinforced skylights, illuminating the architectural marvel of the main hub: a vast, circular central amphitheater flanked by ten monumental, subterranean cave entrances carved deep into the mountain rock.

Halting at the center of the grand hub, Craig turned back to face his three companions.

His golden-crimson eyes glinted with pride as he raised his hand, his voice carrying the smooth, resonant melody of the ancient tongue across the high stone vaults.

"Monga’ris, ! Kael-tor drakon-lair, moran valaris!"

(Choose your sanctuaries, Claim your new dragon lair as you see fit!)

The moment the decree left his lips, Dark Sister was the first to act.

The slender, dark violet-green Child of the Abyss let out a sharp, eager screech that vibrated off the stone pillars.

She flicked her spiky tail, turning toward the third cave entrance on the left.

The moment her nostrils caught the heavy, pungent stench of raw blood and fresh Abomination meat wafting from the dark tunnel, Dark Sister glided forward with terrifying speed.

She disappeared into the depths of her chosen cave, her heavy talons clicking against the stone floor until she reached the subterranean feeding bay.

There, scattered across a wide basalt platform, lay dozens of preserved 1st-Tier Abomination carcasses piled high.

Without a second of hesitation, Dark Sister unleashed a low, visceral roar and plunged into a savage feeding frenzy.

Standing back in the main hub, Craig offered a faint, amused smile as the distant, echoes of tearing flesh, crushing bone, and dark flame reached his ears.

He then turned his attention back to Soul Dreamer and Chaosbringer.

Neither of the two 5th-Tier beasts had moved an inch. Chaosbringer stood like a red mountain, his golden eyes watching his master with patient reverence, while Soul Dreamer kept her long, elegant neck lowered, her large lilac pupils fixated entirely on the padded leather bag strapped securely against Craig’s chest.

Craig knew precisely why she hesitated.

Carrying her unborn children in his arms, Soul Dreamer would never choose a sanctuary on her own accord—she would only claim a home that her master personally sanctioned and prepared for her brood.

Looking at the remaining nine cave entrances, Craig made his decision.

He had personally overseen the blueprints for this facility, specifically ordering the fifth and sixth caves to be interconnected through a high, subterranean archway deep underground.

A dual sanctuary designed to allow Soul Dreamer and Chaosbringer to stay adjacent to one another while maintaining absolute privacy for her nest.

Craig raised his hand toward Chaosbringer first, speaking in a firm, gentle cadence.

"Vael’ith, Chaosbringer. Koran kael-tor."

(Stand down for a moment, Chaosbringer. Wait for my sign.)

The massive crimson dragon gave a low, obedient huff of hot steam, resting his heavy jaw against the stone floor in absolute submission.

Craig then turned his eyes to Soul Dreamer, offering her a warm, reassuring smile as he gestured toward the wide entrance of the fifth cave.

"Vael’is ves kael-lair, Soul Dreamer. Moran drakon-infantis."

(Follow me to your special lair, Soul Dreamer. We shall settle your dragon babies.)

Soul Dreamer let out a high, melodious warble of absolute trust.

She immediately fell into step behind Craig, her enormous purple-scaled body glided through the cavernous entrance with breathtaking, quiet grace.

Her long, spiky tail waved gently back and forth in excitement, the heavy thumps brushing against the dark basalt walls as she snorted out warm clouds of ozone-scented air.

Together, they descended deep into the sloping subterranean tunnel.

Though the cave plummeted straight toward the geothermal roots of the valley, the architectural engineering was flawless—wide, sweeping spiral inclines ensured that even a fully grown dragon could move, fight, or launch themselves toward the surface without a single restriction to their massive wingspan.

After descending nearly two hundred meters, the dark tunnel opened up into a monumental, subterranean cavern illuminated by the natural, crimson glow of a contained magma river flowing behind an adamantine-reinforced grate.

The chamber was immense, warm, and perfectly insulated.

And right at the center of the feeding floor lay nearly forty fresh, preserved 1st-Tier Abomination carcasses, provided specifically to nourish the mother dragon after her long journey.

Craig stopped at the edge of the cavern, looking back into Soul Dreamer’s glowing lilac eyes.

"Aethis mazari, Soul Dreamer. Mearan valar-meat."

(Eat and regain your strength, Soul Dreamer. You have earned this feast.)

Soul Dreamer, who had neglected her own hunger for weeks out of sheer, protective anxiety over her unhatched eggs in the Temple of Dragons, let out a deep, grateful rumble.

She stepped forward and immediately began devouring the Abomination carcasses with eager, ravenous enthusiasm, her sharp translucent fangs tearing through the dark hide and meat with effortless power.

While Soul Dreamer satisfied her long-deprived appetite, Craig turned away and walked toward the raised, secluded stone dais carved into the back wall of the cavern—a pristine, dry hollow filled with a thick layer of fine, heat-retaining volcanic ash and smooth river stones.

Unslung the heavy leather bag from his shoulder, Craig knelt down on one knee within the warm ash.

With absolute care and steady, reverent hands, he unbuckled the iron clasps and drew open the velvet lining.

One by one, Craig gently lifted the four shimmering violet dragon eggs from the padded compartment.

He laid them down within the warm, ash-lined nest, arranging them in a perfect, balanced circle where the ambient geothermal heat of the cavern could envelop them completely.

The translucent shells pulsed with soft, rhythmic waves of ethereal light, the delicate life forces within thrumming in harmony with the warm stone.

When the fourth egg was safely nestled in the ash, Craig stood up, gently brushing the gray dust from his knees.

Soul Dreamer, having finished a significant portion of her feast, quietly approached the dais.

She lowered her massive, elegant head level with the nest, her warm breath washing over the four shimmering eggs.

She let out a soft, purring warble of immense peace and relief, before gently curling her massive purple-scaled body in a protective ring around the dais, resting her snout right next to Craig’s leg.

Craig gently rested his hand against her warm cheek, looking down at the unhatched eggs with a cold, unshakeable promise burning in his eyes.

"Kael’ith cyra ketoris. Mezido Hutar des Darkstar Xerox, Makasa eik volu’x" Craig whispered softly in High Darkstarian.

(Sleep peacefully, my little ones. Under the shadow of House Darkstar, no one will ever touch you)