The wind swept across the plains of Ashen, still charged with the electricity left by the retreat of the Divine Army. The horizon seemed calm, but Ryo knew this calm was only temporary.
Turning to the Demon Kings present, he asked:
> "Why did you and the other Demon Kings attack Ashen? What was the true reason behind your actions?"
Azrakel and Morvath exchanged a grave look:
> "Lord Ryo… there is an ancient secret that very few know. Every ten thousand years, a Dragon Orb forms at the heart of Ashen. Whoever merges with it gains colossal power. All the Demon Kings are aware of it, as is the Divine Realm."
Ryo frowned, a trace of anger in his voice:
> "And the Draconic Council… they never told me about this Orb!"
Morvath answered calmly:
> "We did not know that the Council had kept it from you, Lord. It does not concern our decisions, but the Orb is real and powerful."
Ryo straightened, his golden eyes blazing with authority:
> "Then this Orb… it will become my weapon."
Azrakel nodded:
> "It is possible, Lord. But you must fully merge with the Orb. Without this fusion, the weapon would be unstable and impossible to control. Only its true master could wield it."
Ryo clenched his fists, determined:
> "Very well. Ashen and I will prepare. When the war comes, this weapon will make the Divine Realm tremble."
Morvath added, in a grave tone:
> "Lord… the Divine Realm also knows about the Orb's existence. They will seek to seize Ashen to claim this power. The upcoming war could decide the fate of the entire kingdom and its dragons."
A shiver ran across the plains. The Divine Army had retreated beyond the horizon, but the real trial for Ashen and the Orb was about to begin. Only a few beings knew the secret… the rest of the kingdom would soon discover the full scope of the danger.