The cavern shook.
Dust fell from the ceiling as another deep laugh rolled through the darkness beneath the enormous dragon.
Nobody moved.
John stared toward the two red eyes below.
They were enormous.
Far too large to belong to an ordinary creature.
Yet the ancient dragon in front of them didn't attack.
It simply watched.
Waiting.
John tightened his grip around the metal key.
"What is that?"
The dragon's golden eye shifted toward him.
"The reason I remained here."
Its voice was quieter now.
"How long?"
John asked.
The dragon didn't answer immediately.
"Long enough to forget the taste of the sky."
There was something strangely sad in those words.
John looked at the chains surrounding the dragon.
"Why are you imprisoned?"
The dragon looked down at them.
"I am not imprisoned."
It lifted one massive claw.
"I am holding something imprisoned."
Another tremor shook the cavern.
The red eyes below moved.
John finally understood.
