Tournament (5)

POV Valorian

"It is over" the elder said from atop the platform, I was shocked that sister had actually killed her opponent. For a good portion of the fight it seemed almost even, then Apollonia completely destroyed her opponent like it was nothing.

Soon enough she flew up to our spot on the floating platform and quickly made her way over to me seemingly not bothered at all my the fact that she had just killed a fellow dragon. Well to be honest this would probably be considered normal behavior as it was a staple of dragon society that if you are to weak it is only your own fault. After all the creator himself blessed us with near god level abilities compared to the other creatures that inhabited our world.

"Brother what do you think? Look how much stronger I have become!" Apollonia exclaimed as she approached.

"you did well sister, but did you mean to kill Yulia at the end?" I replied.

"No, I just didnt think that love tap would kill her, ha ha" She said

I nodded to her then motioned her to my side as we awaited for the last three battles to begin.

In all three of the last battles one of the younglings fighting had a clear superiority. One even resulted in the death of yet another dragon, which to me was a tragic loss no matter how the others reacted as if it was a normal occurrence. In my mind we should be focusing our bloodshed on those who have massacred our kind simply for existing. NOT each other.

We were only inadvertently aiding our current enemies by allowing dragons to kill each other left and right. Yes it was important to ensure that each dragon that made it to adulthood was of the highest caliber but the thousands of young dragons lost due to us killing each other could be the difference between extinction and prosperity.

With this on my mind as I watched the last fighting pair make their way back up to our platform the elder shifted his massive body to face all of the remaining younglings, including the ones that had been injured as the elder had applied a healing magic of sort. I say healing but really all it did was speed up our natural healing process.

As we dragons naturally can heal from any non fatal wounds it just sped up that process by adding more of the energy that we used for that process to the body.

Once the dragons that were on the platform had been healed we all headed down to the arena floor and all of the injured were healed as well so that they would be able to participate in the final ceremony.

With us all standing before the elder and my sisters standing at my side I looked down at Corentine and said "You did well sister, I would say that out of all of the battles yours was the hardest fought."

She gazed up at me with what seemed to be a glint of happiness in her eyes, looking forward once more I saw that Apollonia was looking at me expectantly so I said to her "You did good as well sister."

To which she lifted her head proudly and looked forward, I looked up at the elder at our front and as he slowly turned his massive neck to look directly at our group he looked over all of us though it felt as if he lingered on me for a little longer that the others.

Once having accounted for the remaining younglings he spoke, "You have all passed the first trial after much tribulation, but as with all groups to pass through this trial before you, one of you will be given a special honor. They will be granted the right to see his majesty for their talent that was unmatched by others, as well as their resolve to keep their own and others honor as a dragon unsullied."

With this we all straightened our posture in hopes of being chosen.

"I have already made up my mind on who I think should receive this honor but it is not my decision alone." The elder said while looking straight at me.

As if on cue the other adult and elder dragons that had been watching the entire trial so far from various observation platforms landed at the elders side.

In total there where six of them one of which was Grandmother. Making there seven voting members, I could feel the piercing gazes of the massive dragons in front of us as they gauged our reactions.

"Now then if you would all be so kind as to voice your opinion." The elder who conducted the trial commanded.

Immediately Grandmother spoke up, "For his actions in protecting one of our kind and showing mercy as well as the control that is necessary to due so I believe Valorian should receive the honor.

The adult green dragon to her right then spoke up saying "I agree with Ria, my blood was judged unfit at this trial but I believe that he is worthy."

It seemed that the green dragon standing before us was related to one of the younglings that failed the trial, I was surprised that they did not even show a hint of emotion seeing that one of their family members had been killed.

Next the Elder who conducted the trial spoke, "For the cleverness and ingenuity as well as raw strength I too choose Valorian."

Next the snow white elder dragon to the left of Grandmother spoke up, "For her tenacity in battle and willingness to do whatever it takes to win I vote for Janara."

I could guess from her appearance that she was related to Janara but I wouldn't judge as my own grandmother voted for me as well, of course it is natural to want the honor to go to one of your own.

The last three votes also went to Janara, after which she was asked to step forward. The elder who conducted the trial spoke "Congratulations young Janara once the others are dismissed you will join me to meet with his majesty."

In response she bowed her head then took a place at the elders side. We stared at each other for a moment, but I did not feel any jealousy and only lowered my head in congratulations to which a look of surprise fluttered across her face which was quickly replaced with a nod of her own.

"Now then as you have all passed the trial I now pronounce you no longer younglings but as adolescents, in five years time you will be told where to gather for your next trial where you will ascend to adulthood. With that you are all dismissed return with the one who brought you here, and remember those who failed here and their sacrifice so that our bloodline remains strong."

Then one of the other elder dragons spoke up causing the rest of the adult and elder dragons to repeat in unison.

"For the strength and honor of our bloodline!"

"For the Strength and honor of our bloodline!"

I then made my way up to Grandmother as we approached she nodded then took flight, my sisters and I followed suit.