The grand council hall was silent, and the heavy atmosphere was thick with tension. The high stone walls of the palace seemed to reverberate with the murmurs of the elders, seated in a semicircle around the Chief’s throne. The soft, flickering light from bioluminescent plants cast long, eerie shadows, revealing their stern faces in the dim glow.
Koda stood before them, tall and unwavering, but the weight of their eyes pressed down on him. At his side, Ryden, the stoic knight, remained silent as ever. Queen Althea sat beside her husband, Chief Arlan, her regal presence calm, yet alert. Prince Kaelan and Princess Kira sat beside their parents, their gazes focused on Koda. The prince, a mirror of his father, wise beyond his years, yet bound by tradition. The princess, however, seemed to understand Koda in a way that no one else did.
Chief Arlan’s deep voice broke the silence.
“Koda Dragonheart,” he began, his tone heavy with the weight of tradition, “You’ve caused quite a stir among the tribe.” He glanced briefly at Elder Torin, who crossed his arms, a scowl etched on his face. “You’ve crashed fliers, snuck into the city, and... tested the boundaries of our customs. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Koda stood tall but didn’t speak immediately. He knew that every word he said would be carefully measured.
Elder Torin’s voice rumbled like distant thunder, full of disapproval. “This mischief cannot be ignored. You break tradition at every turn, disrespecting the very ways that have kept us strong.”
Elder Varek, ever the manipulator, nodded in agreement. “A boy like him has no place here. It’s a wonder we’re even discussing his future.”
Koda held his ground, briefly glancing at Queen Althea, whose steady gaze met his in silent encouragement. “I’ve never meant to disrespect,” Koda said, his voice steady. “I’ve only sought to understand. I came from a place where survival was all we knew. Here, I seek more than survival. I seek my place.”
Elder Jarek, wise and measured, added in his calm tone, “Koda speaks truth. He may be an outsider, but he shows promise. He has fought, learned, and grown stronger with every challenge. He is not like the others.”
Queen Althea’s voice was soft but filled with authority. “Koda’s actions may seem rash to some, but they are the actions of a boy trying to find his way. He has potential, and we would do well to nurture it rather than crush it.”
Koda briefly glanced at Princess Kira, who, despite her calm demeanor, seemed to understand him in a way no one else did. She gave him a slight nod—a silent reassurance. His heart quickened, but he remained focused.
“I’m not yet ready for what’s expected of me,” Koda admitted, his voice steady. “But I will be.”
Chief Arlan’s gaze sharpened, though his voice softened slightly. “You are not far behind, Koda. You’ve made progress. The others, the orphans, they are not far ahead of you. But you will have to prove yourself worthy of becoming a true Mokari.”
The room fell silent as the weight of Arlan’s words hung in the air. Koda stood, waiting for the next move. The council had spoken, but there was more yet to come.
“The coming-of-age ceremony is soon,” Arlan continued after a pause, his voice firm. “During the ceremonial combat with the wyverns, you will have to prove your worth. You must defeat the wyvern of your destined bride if you wish to claim her. If you do not, you will not be able to marry. Do you understand?”
Koda’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Princess Kira again, and the silent understanding between them was clear. But still, his mind raced.
“I do,” Koda replied, his voice strong despite the pounding in his chest.
A brief, almost imperceptible smile played on Queen Althea’s lips—a knowing smile. Chief Arlan, however, remained stoic, his eyes never leaving Koda’s face.
“You may go now,” Chief Arlan dismissed, his voice final.
As Koda turned to leave, Prince Kaelan fell in step beside him and Ryden, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Once they were far enough from his father’s earshot, Kaelan grinned. “Race me home, Koda. Let’s see if you can keep up with the heir to the throne.”
Koda and Kaelan exchanged a glance—challenging yet friendly. Kira rose to her feet, her eyes sparkling with amusement. But as she met Koda’s gaze, her smile quickly faded, and she returned her attention to her parents. The tension between the young warrior and the royal family was only just beginning.
“I will be in my quarters, Father,” Kira said, her voice steady.
“Of course, baby,” Arlan responded absently, never meeting her eyes, as he stared ahead, deep in thought. He exchanged a subtle nod with ShadowClaw.
Kira left the room, relieved to escape the pressure. Without another word, she jumped out of a nearby window, taking a shortcut to catch up to Koda, Ryden, and Kaelan.
Koda was already running ahead of them through the marble halls of the grand Moakari Palace.
“Y’all eatin’ enough of my dust yet?” Koda called his voice a challenge as they approached the bridge to the grand Moakari Palace.
Kaelan, ahead of him, called back. “Hey, Koda.” Koda looked ahead, seeing Kaelan balanced on the rails of the bridge to the Grand Moakari City. “Looks like a little got in your eye. Wipe them so you can see straight, maybe.”
“Excuse me.” Kira’s voice rang out as she flipped over Kaelan’s head, moving with gymnastic grace. “Too slow, boy! Come on, speed up.”
“Kira?” Koda growled.
“Hey, Koda!” Ryden’s voice came from ahead of him as he ran backward with his hands behind his head.
“Ryden...how...?” Koda stared, amazed.
“Not gonna take that, are you?” Ryden grinned.
Koda smirked. “I’m just gettin’ started!” With that, he dove off the side of the bridge, and Ryden stopped in his tracks, gasping. Koda landed on a SkyVine.
The SkyVine, an organic dragon flier crafted from Aeloria’s vibrant natural materials, pulsed with life. Its body was sleek and covered in bark-like textures, pulsing with emerald and turquoise veins. Its head features were gem-like, bioluminescent eyes, and its antennae sensed its surroundings. It was intelligent, otherworldly, with wide, leaf-like wings lined with Syrillum veins, feathered with crystal scales that shimmered in sunlight. Its long, vine-like tail and slender legs, tipped with crystal claws, made it exceptionally agile in flight.
Koda soared through the air, leaving the others behind. He looked down at the Mokari city, his heart swelling with admiration. The Mokari city, nestled high in the treetops of Aeloria’s vast forest, was a masterpiece—an elegant blend of primal beauty and advanced, organic technology. The buildings were woven from bioluminescent vines, glowing softly in greens, blues, and purples, casting a mystical ambiance across the city. Pathways connected the buildings, suspended in the air, and covered in glowing moss that lit up the night. At the heart of the city lay the Solara, the primary temple—a grand, living structure formed from interwoven wood and bioluminescent petals.
Koda, however, was not allowed to enter just yet. He had only been allowed in the castle to check on his tribal acceptance status. As an orphan, an outcast, he could only imagine what it would be like to live here, among the Mokari, when his acceptance was granted. He smiled at the thought, eagerly awaiting the day he would see it all up close.
After what seemed like hours of running through jungles and forestry, he arrived at Awaniki, the orphan city. Awaniki, rugged yet alive, stood at the edge of the jungle—a city of resilience and quiet strength. The buildings were simple, made from salvaged wood and scrap metal, leaning together for support. The streets hummed with life, children darting between market stalls, while elders gathered to share stories of lost tribes. Lanterns filled with glowing Syrillum hung along the main paths, casting a soft light over the city. Despite its worn exterior, Awaniki had a strange, haunting beauty, a refuge for those cast aside by fate.
Koda lowered the SkyVine, jumping off just as it turned back toward Moakari. Soon after, Kaelan, Kira, and Ryden arrived on fliers, hovering just above him.
“How do you think it went?” Koda asked, looking up at them.
Kaelan grinned. “Father didn’t yell, so I’d say it went as well as it could. Just be on your best behavior. Everything will be fine.”
Ryden looked down, worry in his eyes.
“Ryden?” Koda asked, noticing his friend’s unease.
“Nothing,” Ryden muttered, “Just thinking about all the work I have to do when I get back.”
Koda stood for a moment, watching the others prepare to leave, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he exchanged one last look with Ryden.
“Aye, if I could help you, I would,” he said with a teasing grin. “But you can show me the ropes when I get to be a Moakari knight, like you, right?”
Ryden gave a reluctant chuckle, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Yeah, guess we should go before the chief checks out Kira’s room.” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial tone, as though the very thought of it could cause trouble.
Kira’s soft laugh followed, a sound like a melody as she leaned forward on her flier, her eyes sparkling. “Good luck, Koda, May Iraivan be with you,” she said, her voice carrying an air of genuine warmth. She crossed her wrists in the air, resting her head gently upon them in a bow—an ancient gesture of respect. Koda mimicked the movement, his own gaze softening as he met her eyes.
“May Iraivan be with you too,” Koda responded, his voice steady but carrying a layer of meaning.
With a final glance exchanged between them, they turned and flew away.
Koda watched them disappear, the moment lingering in his chest like a forgotten dream. He then turned toward his humble home—the quiet, organic structure nestled deep within the heart of Awaniki. The entrance, made from woven vines and glowing crystal, stood open, inviting him in.
He stepped inside, and with a soft sigh, he sank onto the thick, soft giant flower that formed the center of his dwelling. The petals wrapped gently around him, like the embrace of an old friend. He yawned, the fatigue of the day’s trials catching up to him, and curled himself into a fetal position. The flower pulsed with a soft, rhythmic glow—its bioluminescent petals bathing him in the warm, soothing light of the sun’s remnants. The colors shifted from a soft golden hue to a deeper, tranquil blue, wrapping him in a cocoon of warmth.
Outside, his silhouette could be seen through the glowing petals, a faint shadow of him against the soft pulse of the flower’s glow. The warmth from the sun’s lingering light seeped into his bones, easing the tension from his muscles as he drifted into a peaceful sleep, the gentle hum of Aeloria’s wild beauty lulling him into rest.
ns 15.158.61.12da2
