Ruling as the Next Dragon Sage!

Jonah and I speculated earlier today that Chancellor Sultan might have some level of foresight, the ability to see in the future. We discussed, but the main point was that I didn't think further into it.

Only because one, the game never had this ability, not even. Not even coded into the files, wouldn't serve a point…and if now, by 10,000 years later, there was someway how to, I could only suspect one way how that's possible…but even then, that would be a hassle.

Still, I covered my mouth. There's no way he could see the future…even I'm amazed and shocked.

"It was easy for her to dethrone all three of us. Cloudjumper, if you as even move away and chase after that, you'll just fulfill another premonition I had." Chancellor Sultan warns her, and the Crimson Dragonkin winces just for a second.

She's become hesitant.

Her hands go for her head, rocking around, stepping away and forward multiple times. As if she's about to have a mental thrashing simply over this.

"It's…it's just a Dragon and a Elf, they can't be this powerful, can they?"

Koga shakes his head, "They are, that's the thing. We are already at a disadvantage, you think we should endanger ourselves and try to win a battle we can't?"

"So say it with your chest, that you are a waste of an admiral. Say we would lose. I wouldn't mind proving you wrong in a heartbeat."

Koga remained silent, his expression was monotone. But then, I wondered if he would entertain Cloudjumper longer than this. What more could she say? It's like she's become blinded by her own power and pride.

It's textbook Dragon psychology, when all other instincts fail, the last one to go for is dominance. Because while Cloudjumper may rebuke, and detest the myth and legend of Sovereigns actually existing…there's one thing that's still on her mind.

Vaniti.

It has to be.

Because, if someone like her isn't even a Sovereign, and you just fought the alleged Sovereign of Calamity not too long ago…

…then simply put, what the hell are you compared to us?

Not the strongest, nor powerful dragon you thought you were, I would think.

Sultan continued to keep the glyphs and sigils in check, both on the floor. Cloudjumper's anger leveled down to a considerable amount, her wings folding around her body in a natural state. I looked over towards Vaniti.

She's only looking ahead, and if I could see her eyes, maybe towards Sultan. Thing is, I rather not wait and jump at the last moment before things could get potentially worse.

Because if somehow, Sultan manages to summon something entirely above my pay grade—it would just be a whole lot messier. Not sure if Vaniti could handle it, but if I couldn't that automatically means she wouldn't at all.

Thing is, she's pretty adamant on proving her strength to me. Almost like a chip on her shoulder to prove why she deserves being Consort now. I have no one else to blame but myself for that. Say the wrong words and now all of a sudden she's willing to prove and do anything for that role.

Best case scenario? Try to end this fast. I'm not confident in Vaniti fighting Cloudjumper as well, even though she gave the dragonkin a good scare. She was able to stand toe-to-toe for me…briefly, so that means a lot.

Don't know how much Vaniti has progressed, but I don't want to put her in any bad situations. Maybe that's just my paranoia speaking.

I turn towards Vaniti, "Alright. We're heading down."

She nods, doesn't object. Of course, she's on the same boat. I drop down first with a heavy thud, and then, she arrives after. Not making a sound.

Sultan's not surprised to see us, though. He just continues to focus on the Sigil. Cloudjumper and Koga snap their heads towards us, one with an irritated look, the other weary.

"Don't you all think this has gone on longer than it should?" I ask, but deep down even I think Sultan has noticed it. There's no point in trying to run away from Sultan to disengage, he would expend every resource he has to come find Vaniti and I.

Not to mention anybody else who would just get pulled regardless if they had a connection to me or not. He's becoming desparate, and if he has to perform an entire summoning ritual in hopes that it could best me, it's clear.

Sultan's out of options.

With his futuresight, there's only one path that fate itself will keep showing him.

His demise.

Cloudjumper stepped forward, crimson armour shining brightly against the moonlight. She stared at me, and then towards Vaniti. A vicious snarl came about—in which she didn't even care to hide.

"You…" Venom laced within that very word. Vaniti didn't bother, her ears didn't twitch or anything, most likely ignored Cloudjumper and labeled her as redundant.

I shifted my focus towards Koga, there was simply no talking with that dragon over there. She's too lusted by the aspect of power alone to see anything straight. She sees any sign of disrespect as a invitation for a fight.

And here I thought Cloudjumper was a dragon that…if possible, could switch sides.

Each passing minute, I'm starting to entertain that idea less and less now.

Perhaps Koga would be different? Then again, I never understood his personal motivation aiding with Sultan. Jonah told me a story that the Admiral hasn't…but not once had it come off as blind loyalty or devotion.

What could it be?

Koga's eyes didn't carry any emotion. He wasn't cold…no, he was just—focused.

"I've never supported the Chancellor's methods," He said suddenly. His voice cut through the sound of magic being channeled by Sultan.

"But I believe in the necessity of evil if it maintains order. Sometimes the world needs blood to stay balanced."

My gaze sharpened immediately. "That doesn't sound like justice."

"It's not," He admitted.

"It's arithmetic."

Huh. What…what does that even mean? Such a big word…

So, that was it? Koga wasn't loyal to Sultan—but whatever word he uses practicallyimplies he wasn't moral either. Sounded like he believed in equilibrium. Balance. If evil tipped the scales toward peace, then so be it.

But what Sultan has done…and what he's going to do if he combines both the power of the Senate and the seat of the Chancellor won't just be peace. It'll be carnage.

I've seen this happen too many times for it not to be good.

Before I could respond, a crimson wing slapped the floor.

Cloudjumper stepped forward again, eyes narrowed, fangs bared, hatred radiating off her like static.

"You're all wasting time talking about sides and morals," She growled.

"I don't care who believes what. I don't need justification, or prophecy, or some twisted politician pretending to be God."

She pointed straight at me—not at Vaniti.

At me.

"I only need power. And it starts with…killing you first."

Vaniti's hand flicked, twitched. Almost ready to cast a spell instantly. But she didn't pursue, didn't move after that. Not yet.

I exhaled, slow and steady. There it was.

No mask. No pretense. No cracked pride pretending to be control.

Cloudjumper was done arguing. She didn't want to understand. She didn't want to win a war.

She wanted to kill me. If that wasn't already apparent enough. Because…I think in the back of her mind, no matter how much she detests the legacy and existence of Sovereigns.

That deep down, in her heart, she really hopes I am one.

Because if she can kill me, if she can kill the Sovereign of Calamity and Strife, then that in turn…

Would make her greater than the Sovereign, no?

She could care less about what Sultan and Koga think.

She may work with them, but all of them, their goals aren't aligned.

If she would sacrifice those two to win against me, Cloudjumper would.

She would.

So, as much as I tried to avoid this.

It's here.

A fight.

It's inevitable.