The weather took a turn for the worst. The waters grew choppier and the storm clouds blocked out the stars. The Candidates stepped out of the drop ships and the civilian crew surprised them.

The engineers raised their left hands, and their wristbands projected holographic monitors. They scanned the drop ships and logged the results in their holographic clipboards.

The three-metre-tall Candidates nodded, before they walked cautiously to the cargo lifts. They stared in awe at the thousands of men and women working tirelessly at their respective stations.

“A colony?” “They entrusted a Candidate, with a colony?” “How close to Ascension is he?” “Are all three of them this powerful?” “I heard the youngest brother cleared a dungeon on his own.” “Why didn’t he bring his ship?” “Did he think his wouldn’t be needed or is he keeping it a secret?”

“Arrogance. They think they are above the other Clans.” “Isn’t Moonglow Meadows the Dragon Guard’s headquarters?” “I heard their parents are in the Dragon Guard.” “Of course. They were born with power.” “Then the trial is just a formality for them.” “Did they even suffer during their evolution?” the Candidates whispered amongst themselves.

“They are awfully loud.” Gloria said with a giggle and a one-horned man, with orange eyes, scoffed. “You should know better than to mock them. Their whispers will breed resentment and infighting.” Regius scolded, and Gloria giggled again. “Good. They deserve a good wallop. They better not bring those attitudes onto my ship.” She rumbled threateningly and the whispering died down. The Candidates, in the bowels of the ship, closed the private channels and exited the lift.

“Some of us still remember the Old World and its petty problems. Greed, bigotry, violence and secrecy. These things corrupted humanity and now they will corrupt us.” Regius rumbled sorrowfully.

“No, my friend. It is precisely those things that drive our society. We protect weaker species, because we hold ourselves above them. We claimed the Milky Way, and every galaxy beyond its shores. And The Council cemented their reign in the shadows, where we laid our enemies to rest.” Gloria rumbled proudly and her voice drowned out the wind and rain.

“Weaker? But not weak enough to sire or carry their children? There weren’t any great battles when we conquered the stars. No wars or enemies. We are a budding flower. An empire of empty colonies, pompous explorers and silent star systems. And now an enemy has challenged The Council in the light. However, you and many others would have our people cling to the shadows.” Regius rumbled, and the Candidates felt his disappointment. Jane laughed and the two-horned magician’s orange eyes flared.

“Cling? No, you are to embrace the darkness within you. The Void is our birthright. Oh, then again, most of you are half breeds and experiments. A true Dragon is born from the Dark Womb.” Jane rumbled confidently and the Candidates felt ashamed. “Enough. Enough.” Duke rumbled stoically and the Candidates breathed a sigh of relief.

“You all have your jealousy, immaturity and ignorance to blame. The Council only dolls out responsibilities to those that have proved themselves worthy. Blood has nothing to do with it. Take my oaf of a brother, for example.” Kagiso rumbled jovially, before he vanished and appeared behind Duke playfully.

The two-horned man towered over every candidate. His armour was well decorated, and he had shut his eyes tightly. Kagiso cleared his throat and Duke growled.

“He was born with only one horn, and by the Universe he memorised a few spells and became a new man.” The two-horned man said playfully, and his eyes glowed blue.

Kagiso studied the runes and seals carved into Duke’s power armour. The stoic candidate swung at his brother’s head. Kagiso ducked and narrowly dodged the backhand. He laughed hysterically and his speed surprised Duke. Jane laughed again.

“Then show them your abilities. Share every experience that you have spent years drilling into your heads with a stranger. No? That is what I thought.” The two-horned woman rumbled confidently. “Some of you should have rejected this quest. Now you will die, before your awakening.” Jane rumbled and her contempt.

“See what you’ve done now? This argument started with your remark.” A tall and slender man rumbled. Laurence filled his soft voice and disapproving tone, with as much love and compassion as he could muster.

The Candidates felt a moment of empathy. They felt each other’s distrust, apathy and frustration. Suddenly, a wave of fear surged from beneath their feet. The Candidates lowered their heads and the thousands of terrified crew members let out a collective sigh of relief.

“So, you have finally noticed? The strong rarely notice the struggles of the weak. Similarly, the weak do not understand the struggles of the strong. How does a society made from both evolve? You were right, Kagiso. This experiment will be fun. Where are my manners? My name is Priya. Priya of the Moon Cities and I look forward to working and learning with you.” The one-horned woman rumbled humbly and her eyes glowed blue.

“I see now why you wanted her to come along.” Raymond whispered. “Aye. I would not be here if it were not for her. Priya has become a good friend, and she is another who understands what it means to be a Dragon.” Kagiso replied proudly. “Excuse me if I do not heed the words of an off-worlder-“Kenpachi smacked the back of Clyde’s head. He grabbed his dreadlocks, shoved his head down and bowed humbly.

“I apologize on my behalf of brother. Welcome Priya of the Moon Cities. I am Kepachi of the Emerald Isles. I have heard many tales of the Moon people and their technology. I too, look forward to learning with you.” The imposing one-horned man said humbly and Clyde tried to break free from his grasp.

Kenpachi tightened his grip and the gangly one-horned man glared at his brother, out of the corner of his eyes. He saw the emotionless stare and stopped struggling.

“My apologies. Forgive me.” Clyde rumbled sincerely. A few of the Candidates snickered and giggled. The rest were all humbled by the imposing warrior’s humility and respect. Mdu sighed and Kenpachi let go of his brother. The Candidates looked around, before they introduced themselves to one another.

Kagiso chuckled and patted Priya on the back. The Candidates raised their head in unison. A debilitating fear coursed through their veins, and their instincts told them to run.

“Take refuge inside of the ship. Sound the alarm and prepare to submerge.” Raymond instructed to the Candidates before he opened a private channel and addressed the bridge crew.

“Hide? What happened to your sense of adventure? Who wants to hunt a monster?” Kagiso asked eagerly and a siren blared. The lights on the deck of the ship flashed red and the doors to the cargo lift opened automatically.

“Hunting a sea monster is not the same as fighting a wild beast. Do not risk your lives unnecessarily. This is a problem we can avoid.” Raymond instructed, and his eyes glowed purple. The three-horned man lowered his head and turned around. Most of the Candidates followed him to the cargo lift, and the rest stayed with Kagiso.

“A sea monster that travels through the sky?” Mei asked curiously. “Aye. A remnant of the experiments conducted during the First Invasion.” Kagiso replied and the surrounding Candidates exchanged looks, before they ran towards the cargo lift. Jane laughed hysterically. “What is it doing this close to our shores? Do they not prefer deeper waters?” Mei asked, and her golden eyes flashed.

“They do, and they usually only leave the water at night.” Kagiso replied, and he scanned the stormy horizon. “An anomalous one. Its head will make a fine trophy.” Jane said eagerly and her eyes flared. “No, we need to capture it. Could you imagine the commendations we would receive for any discoveries?” Mei asked and a few Candidates stopped in their tracks.

“If we can capture it. I do not like how close it is to our coast.” Kagiso said ominously. He took a brief run up, leapt over the taffrail and rocketed into the stormy night sky.

The eight Candidates flew for a few minutes and they spotted the glittery flashes of light in the distance. Lightning flashed, and the sea monster cast a colossal shadow on the clouds.