That evening, the sky above the city of Nocture radiated a golden twilight hue that had not been seen for the past three years. The gray clouds heavy with the miasma of decay had been swept clean, allowing the warmth of the late afternoon sun to touch the towering obsidian towers of the castle.
In the vast main garden courtyard of the castle, filled with blue-glowing nightshade flowers, a strong gust of wind swept across the ground as giant wingbeats parted the air.
Sol, the legendary golden dragon, landed with a grace that defied its massive weight. Its muscular legs touched the black stone paving without causing even the slightest crack, only spreading ripples of golden warmth that instantly made the flowers in the garden bloom with joy.
The moment Sol landed, another giant shadow dove down from the highest tower of the castle.
