Aria stood in the middle of the grand chamber, eyes wide as the small dragon hovered in front of her, wings gently flapping.
"So, Drakos didn't tell you I'd be coming, huh?" the dragon said, voice smooth with a hint of smugness.
Aria blinked. "No, he did tell me… I just didn't expect it to be a—"
"A what?" the dragon narrowed its eyes.
Aria hesitated, then muttered, "To be you."
The dragon huffed. "Hmm. I'll be your guide while you're staying in the Fifth Gate. For now, arrange your things and make yourself comfortable."
"Alright…" Aria nodded, placing her bag on the bed and unpacking clothes into the wardrobe.
"What's your name ?" she asked, glancing back.
"It's Syrix," it said with a proud puff of smoke.
"Okay, Syrix," Aria chuckled.
As she folded her last shirt, she turned. "Can I ask a question?"
"Ask away."
"Why is everything about the Fifth Gate related to dragons? Even the people here are Draconoids."
Syrix looked offended. "Are you just dumb, or are you pretending?"
"What's that supposed to mean!?"
"The Fifth Gate is a nation of dragons. Lord Dragos is the King of Dragons. It's in his name."
Aria blinked. "I didn't know that… Counted."
"You mean this is a nation of dragons?"
Syrix nodded. "Yes."
"That's… actually kind of cool. So, where's the 'hell' part of this place?"
"The Fifth Gate is made of five underground levels. The 'Hell' you're referring to is the fifth floor."
"You all just made it the fifth floor to match the name of the gate, didn't you?" Aria asked, narrowing her eyes.
"You can call it what you like."
"So, where's Lord Dragos?"
"He's in a meeting with the Dragon Elders."
"Wait—you even have Elders? Wow, this really is a nation."
Syrix flew in a circle around her. "You came here to train, didn't you? Show me your flames."
"Huh? Oh, sure…" Aria extended her palm and summoned her holy pink flames.
Syrix's eyes widened. Its mouth started to drool. "Holy flames…"
"Why are you staring like that?" Aria narrowed her eyes. "If you're hungry, go find something to eat."
Suddenly, Syrix pounced and devoured the flames right off her hand. It licked her fingers with its warm tongue.
"YUCK!" Aria jumped back, waving her hand. "You nasty thing!"
She dashed to the restroom and turned on the faucet. "Ugh! My hand is covered in dragon goo!"
"What's the fuss about?" Syrix called from outside.
"Mrs, you have no Manners!" she snapped as she came back out.
"Point of correction," the dragon said, flicking its tail. "It's Miss, not Mrs. Didn't you go to school? 'Mrs' is for married dragons, you moron."
"I know that," Aria said with a mischievous smile, "I just think it's a shame you're still single. I bet all your friends are married with kids."
Syrix's eyes narrowed. "You little—!"
It suddenly breathed out a burst of flames. Aria barely dodged, crouching under it.
"ARE YOU TRYING TO COOK ME?! What if I didn't move in time!?"
"You came here to train," Syrix said calmly. "I was testing your reaction. You've got potential, after all."
"Liar!" Aria snapped. "You dishonest dragon! You belong in hell!"
"We're already in hell," Syrix replied with a smirk.
"Oh… right." She turned away, muttering to herself, "I came here to investigate… and train. But where do I even begin?"
She stepped outside, looking left and right before walking out.
---
Dragon Hall – Elders' Meeting
The hall was immense, raised by pillars carved with the markings of ancient dragons. At the highest seat sat Lord Dragos, towering and silent. Below him were five other thrones, each holding a Draconoid Elder.
Elder Zyronax, his red eyes glowing, spoke first. "The Infernals are evolving. They're becoming more of a threat."
Elder Vaelith, a pale, serpent-like dracoinoid, added, "If this continues, fear and doubt will spread… not just through Hell, but here too."
Elder Krazmyr, heavy and stone-scaled, growled, "Zephyra's report said some families are afraid to even leave their homes."
Elder Nythrala, the only female elder, with mist swirling around her, sighed. "This situation grows more dire by the day. Lord Dragos, your thoughts?"
Lord Dragos opened his eyes slowly. "Lord Azreal and I, along with the other Pillars, are investigating. Thanks to the Hell Archivist, Orvath, we've made progress."
"But…" his gaze turned sharp. "What I don't agree with is Lord Azreal's lack of caution—especially when it comes to her. That girl. Aria. And her mark."
Elder Zyronax sat up. "Did you just say… the God's Mark?"
"Yes," Dragos replied. "And now… she has holy flames."
Elder Vaelith's voice slithered. "Could this be… divine interference?"
"That's what we're considering—"
Suddenly, the doors creaked open.
Aria stepped in, looking around, confused. "Where is this place?"
She stumbled—trip—falling straight onto Dragos. Her chest landed squarely on his feet.
Elder Nythrala's eyes widened. "Who is this girl?!"
Elder Xaryndor, black-scaled and sharp-eyed, growled, "How dare she interrupt this meeting?! She should be punished!"
The Elders all looked to Dragos for a response.
But Dragos… was frozen.
Aria tried to push herself up, only to fall again, her chest pressing once more into his foot.
"L-Lord Dragos!!" Elder Vaelith yelled, snapping him out of it.
Two guards picked Aria up. Dragos cleared his throat.
"She's the one I mentioned… Aria. Lord Azreal sent her here to train."
Elder Vaelith stood. "That's preposterous. You want to train her?!"
"That was the Pillars' decision," Dragos said, standing. "This meeting is over."
The Elders grumbled and left, whispering amongst themselves.
The guards released Aria. She looked up at Dragos, flustered.
"Good day… Lord Dragos."
He turned. "Follow me."
Aria scrambled to her feet and walked behind him. "Time for training already…? I haven't even found any leads yet."
They walked for a while until they emerged aboveground.
A giant gate loomed in the distance, marked by the head of a massive dragon.
A voice echoed, "Good day, Lord Dragos."
Dragos didn't respond. He kept walking.
Aria stood behind him, staring at the scenery. "We're finally on the surface…"
Then, Dragos suddenly stopped. Heat radiated off him like a wave.
"Wha—? Lord Dragos?" Aria winced. "You're heating up… Are you okay?"
But he didn't speak. His eyes were burning with rage.
"Because of you, I was humiliated in that meeting," he said coldly. "That entrance you made… what was your motive?"
"I tripped! You stretched your legs out!" Aria shouted.
"You weren't supposed to be there," Dragos growled. "How could someone as sinful as you bear the God's Mark?"
He raised his hand, summoning a fireball.
"You will pay for that… a thousand times over."
Aria stepped back, eyes wide.
"You… sinful being."