The silence in the throne room was deafening. The transformation Erend had undergone left the Dwarves in stunned disbelief. The air around him crackled with residual energy, the sheer power emanating from his form palpable.
The Dwarf king could not conceal the awe etched across his face. His advisors, previously skeptical and dismissive, now exchanged glances of shock and reverence. The bodyguards, who had stood ready for any threat, were rooted to the spot, their weapons lowered in amazement.
"By the gods," the king murmured, his voice breaking the stillness. "This is no mere tale. This... this is the power of legend."
One of the advisors, his earlier doubt replaced with wide-eyed wonder, stepped forward hesitantly. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "I... I believe we have gravely underestimated the gravity of this situation."
The king nodded, his eyes never leaving Erend. "Indeed. It appears we have much to reconsider."
Erend, feeling the tension in the room shift, allowed the transformation to reverse. The scales receded, his skin returning to its normal state, and the fiery glow in his eyes dimmed. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as the power settled back within him.
"As you can see," Erend said, his voice calm but firm, "we are not here to exploit your resources. We are here because we need your help. With the Starsteel, we can forge weapons powerful enough to face the Great Calamity. This is not just our fight; it is a battle for the survival of all."
The king stood, his regal bearing commanding the attention of everyone in the room. He looked at his advisors, then back at Erend.
"Your display has shown us the truth of your words. The power you wield is indeed formidable, and your cause is just."
Turning to Saeldir, the king continued, "We will grant you access to the Starsteel. However, the process will be closely monitored by our finest smiths to ensure its proper use and to protect our secrets."
Saeldir bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your trust will not be misplaced."
The king stepped down from his throne, walking towards Erend. He extended a hand, his expression one of respect and solemn agreement. "Let this be a symbol of our alliance.."
Erend grasped the king's hand firmly, a sense of relief washing over him. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
As the king and Erend shook hands, the room erupted in murmurs of approval. The skepticism that had lingered was now replaced with a newfound respect for the strangers in their midst. Well, they can't help but respect the stranger who turned out to be a Dragon.
The Dwarves, despite their initial hesitation, were now united in purpose with Erend and his companions.
As the group left the throne room, Saeldir, Adrien, and Billy walked alongside Erend, their spirits lifted by the king's decision.
Saeldir placed a hand on Erend's shoulder. "You did well, Erend."
Adrien nodded in agreement. "Now, we have the Starsteel. I don't really know how strong that metal is, but since you the one who felt it I have no doubt."
Billy grinned, a sense of triumph in his eyes. "You see the look on the king's face? Haha."
"Hey, don't be disrespectful," Saeldir glared at him. "We still inside his kingdom."
"Oops, my bad." Billy grimaced when realizing how his words could have a bad impact on them.
The three of them then went to the blacksmith to start looking at the process of forging the Starsteel.
In the labyrinthine depths of Khazadrim, far from the prying eyes of the kingdom's inhabitants, a Dwarf advisor moved with furtive haste through a hidden tunnel.
The air was damp and cool, the only sounds the soft echo of his hurried footsteps and the occasional drip of water from the ceiling. His heart raced as he continually glanced over his shoulder, anxiety etched on his features.
The advisor's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The path he walked was known to only a select few, and he had made sure to take every precaution to avoid being followed.
Shadows danced on the rough-hewn stone walls, cast by the dim, flickering torches that barely illuminated his way.
After what felt like an eternity he reached the appointed meeting place—a small, secluded chamber deep within the mountain. The advisor paused at the entrance, taking one last look back to ensure he was alone, before stepping inside.
In the dim light, a tall, imposing figure awaited him, cloaked in darkness. The figure's face was obscured by a hood. This was no Dwarf; the figure's height and the way they moved betrayed their origin.
The advisor swallowed hard, his throat dry as he approached the figure. He stopped a few paces away, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I have news. Important news about the outsiders."
The figure remained silent, their presence alone enough to compel the advisor to continue.
"The one called Erend," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "He possesses the power of the Dragon. I saw it with my own eyes. Flames, scales, a transformation that is beyond belief. It is no mere boast—his power is real!"
The figure shifted slightly, the dark cloak rustling softly. Though their face remained hidden, the advisor could feel the intensity of their gaze. "The Dragon's power, you say?" the figure's voice was a low whisper.
"Yes," the advisor confirmed. "He revealed it to the king and the council. It was enough to convince them to grant him access to the Starsteel. They intend to forge weapons with it to combat the Great Calamity."
A moment of silence followed, the weight of the advisor's words hanging heavy in the air.
"You have done well," the figure finally said. "Continue to watch them. Report any further developments to me. We must know their every move."
The advisor nodded quickly, eager to appease the dark figure. "Yes, of course. I will keep a close eye on them."
With that, the advisor turned and hurried back the way he had come, his heart pounding in his chest. As he disappeared into the shadows, the figure remained in the chamber with mind already plotting the next steps in their dark agenda.
"Finally another Dragon appeared."