The evening in Aurelia was peaceful.
Golden sunlight stretched across the ancient city, illuminating crystal bridges and the enormous trees surrounding Aurelion's homeland.
Inside a small restaurant, Kael Veyris sat across from his old friend.
Aurelion was enjoying his third plate of food.
Kael watched him.
"How much are you planning to eat?"
Aurelion paused.
"That's an interesting question."
"That wasn't an answer."
"Then I'll have another plate."
Kael shook his head.
For someone who had known him across countless ages, Aurelion could still be remarkably ridiculous.
Then
BOOOOOOM!
A distant explosion shook the city.
The restaurant fell silent.
Several customers looked toward the windows.
Aurelion slowly put down his fork.
"That sounds expensive."
Kael calmly sipped his tea.
"Should we investigate?"
"You're asking me?"
"You live here."
"And you're the one who can cross an infinite distance before someone finishes blinking."
Kael smiled.
"Fair point."
He stood.
"Let's go."
Outside the city, an enormous crater had appeared in an empty field.
Standing in its center was a woman.
She was tall, standing at 189 centimeters, with long orange hair that flowed behind her like flames dancing in the wind.
Her eyes were a brilliant blue, sharp and observant.
Two elegant dragon horns emerged from her hair, and faint scales shimmered along her arms whenever the sunlight touched her skin.
She wore a dark-red traveling coat over a black outfit, with golden ornaments attached to her belt. A long dragon tail moved behind her.
Her presence was unmistakable.
She was a Dragon Goddess.
But unlike the rulers of many dragon civilizations, she carried no crown and displayed no royal insignia.
She stood independently.
Answering to no kingdom.
Serving no emperor.
And bowing to no throne.
The woman examined the crater beneath her feet.
"...My landing needs work."
Aurelion stared at her.
"You call that a landing?"
She turned toward him.
"Would you prefer that I landed on your house?"
"No!"
"Then you're welcome."
Kael laughed quietly.
The Dragon Goddess finally noticed him.
Her blue eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're Kael Veyris."
Kael nodded.
"I am."
She studied him for several seconds.
Then she folded her arms.
"I expected you to look more intimidating."
Aurelion immediately began laughing.
Kael glanced at his friend.
"Enjoying yourself?"
"Immensely."
The Dragon Goddess ignored them both.
"My name is Aurelia Dravaryn. I'm an independent Dragon Goddess from the Emberfall Dominion."
She pointed toward the distant horizon.
"I was investigating an unstable passage between realities. Unfortunately, the passage collapsed while I was traveling through it."
Kael glanced at the crater.
"And you fell out of it?"
"At considerable speed."
"I see."
Aurelia Dravaryn looked directly at him.
"I have no intention of joining your Empire, if that's what you're wondering."
Kael smiled.
"I wasn't going to ask."
That answer caught her attention.
"You're not?"
"No. You're entitled to your independence."
For the first time, Aurelia looked genuinely surprised.
She had encountered emperors who wanted her allegiance, gods who wanted her power, and dragon kings who considered her existence a challenge to their authority.
She had not expected the Architect of Existence to accept her independence without argument.
After a moment, she nodded.
"Good. Perhaps we'll get along."
They returned to Aurelia's city together.
During the walk, Aurelion asked the Dragon Goddess about her journey.
"So, what brings you this far from the Emberfall Dominion?"
"Research."
"What kind?"
"Ancient passages, forgotten dragon civilizations, and places that disappeared from recorded history."
Kael became interested.
"You're studying forgotten civilizations?"
"Yes. Someone should remember them."
Her answer was simple, but Kael recognized the conviction behind it.
Aurelia continued.
"Dragons are always talking about strength, territory, and ancient bloodlines. I'm more interested in discovering what our ancestors actually accomplished."
"And what do you hope to find?" Kael asked.
She looked toward the evening sky.
"A lost city called Vael'Thar. According to old records, it was built by dragons who believed knowledge should be shared rather than hoarded."
Aurelion nodded thoughtfully.
"An admirable goal."
"It's my goal," Aurelia replied. "I'll decide what to do when I find it."
Kael smiled.
He liked that answer.
She wasn't searching for someone to give her purpose.
She already had one.
That evening, the three sat on a balcony overlooking Aurelia.
Aurelion poured tea while Aurelia examined a map containing several ancient locations.
Kael glanced at the markings.
"Some of these places are difficult to reach."
"I know."
"Some no longer exist in ordinary space."
"I know that too."
"And a few may be protected by ancient guardians."
Aurelia looked up.
"Are you trying to discourage me?"
"No. I'm offering to help if you need it."
She considered his offer.
"Perhaps I'll take you up on that someday."
"You're welcome to visit the Veyris Empire whenever you wish."
Aurelia rolled up her map.
"I might. I hear your Empire has an enormous library."
"The Infinite Library."
Her blue eyes brightened.
"An infinite collection of historical records?"
"Among other things."
For the first time that evening, Aurelia looked genuinely excited.
"I'll definitely visit."
Aurelion laughed.
"Congratulations, Kael. You've found someone who might spend more time in your library than you do."
"That would be an achievement."
Aurelia stood and stretched.
"I should continue my journey tomorrow. I have my own work to do."
Kael nodded.
"Then I won't keep you."
She extended her hand.
"Until next time, Architect."
Kael shook it.
"Until next time, Aurelia."
She departed beneath the evening sky, her orange hair glowing in the last rays of sunlight.
She had not sworn allegiance to the Veyris Empire.
She had not become one of Kael's followers.
And she had not abandoned her own ambitions.
Instead, she had gained something simpler.
A potential friend.
As Aurelia disappeared into the distance, Aurelion turned toward Kael.
"You know, she's interesting."
Kael smiled.
"Yes, she is."
"Do you think she'll return?"
Kael looked toward the horizon.
"She has a mystery to solve, and we have a library full of answers."
Aurelion grinned.
"Then I suspect we'll see her again."
Far away, Aurelia Dravaryn continued toward her next destination.
Her search for Vael'Thar remained unfinished.
Her questions about the ancient dragon civilizations remained unanswered.
But now, somewhere across the countless realities, she knew of a place where she could seek knowledge without surrendering her independence.
And that was enough for a beginning.