I Received System to Become Dragonborn

Chapter 699 Above The Clouds

The air inside Saeldir's chamber was heavy with silence, broken only by the occasional clink of Eccar's teacup against its saucer.

Aurdis remained seated in a chair with her piercing gaze fixed on the glowing orb before her. She was waiting but also hoping, for anything to change for the better.

The swirling light within it pulsed faintly as always, offering no new insight, or any more clue to Laston's next move except for his Magic that was detected in various places.

Meanwhile, Erend sat by the window, his chin resting against his knuckles as he stared outside.

The view was peaceful — too peaceful and too quiet. Not something that should happen when a war is looming not far away.

The sprawling city of the Elf Palace stretched below, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns and moonlight. But it felt wrong. His instincts screamed at him that something should be happening right now, yet nothing happen.

He can only assume now that something would happen when he least expecting it.

So here he was. Just sitting and keep waiting for that moment.

Eccar exhaled through his nose, lazily swirling the tea in his cup before taking another sip.

His expression was looking bored though Erend knew better. Just like him, Eccar hated being forced to sit idle.

The Dragonborn were warriors and protectors. To be told not to fight and be forbidden from helping of the danger, was infuriating.

King Gulben had been firm. They were not to intervene. At least not yet. Though Erend sure that later, he and Eccar would be needed to step up.

Erend clenched his jaw, almost feeling useless. Doing nothing was worse than being in battle. At least if not in a battle, he could do something to help. But now, all he could do was watch and wait.

Then, a long, exhausted sigh pulled him from his thoughts. Aurdis slumped forward, pressing her hands to her face, frustration clear in the way her shoulders tensed.

Erend was on his feet before he even realized it. He crossed the room and standing beside her before gently placing a hand on her shoulder. He could feel the tension in her body, the quiet stress she tried so hard to contain.

He didn't need to ask what she was thinking. He already knew.

She was worried. Not just about Laston, but about what she didn't know. About what he could be planning. About the when and where of his next move. The uncertainty gnawed at her just as much as it did him.

Erend gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"It's going to be alright," he murmured. His voice was steady, even though he wasn't entirely sure if he believed his own words. But right now, Aurdis needed to hear them.

She lowered her hands slowly then turning her head just enough to meet his eyes. There was doubt and frustration theree, but also a small hint of appreciation. She knew Erend was trying.

She took a breath and nodding slightly. "...I hope so."

Eccar let out a scoff from behind them, setting his cup down with a dull clink.

"If it isn't alright, then we should at least be allowed to do something about it," he muttered. "Sitting here like caged animals isn't helping anyone."

Erend glanced back at him. "You think I don't know that?"

Pushing forward, he pierced through the dense clouds, the cool air brushing against his face.

He exhaled in contentment with a small grin forming on his face.

"Why didn't I think of this sooner?"

He had spent so much time trapped in that room just drinking tea and waiting, when he could've just come out here to fly. Even if King Gulben had forbidden their involvement, would he really complain if Eccar just wanted to stretch his wings and enjoy the air?

"Doubt it," he chuckled to himself. "No one would try to stop me from flying, anyway."

Eccar let his mind drift while flew without much thought to direction. He picked one at random and kept going to that one direction. The cool air refreshing his senses.

The world below was mostly obscured by the thick clouds, but that didn't concern him. There was nothing unusual for now.

Then he saw them.

He saw a flicker of movement there. A shadow within the clouds.

His instincts sharpened instantly.

Eccar slowed and narrowing his eyes as he focused. Whatever was hidden in the could was not natural. Only his Dragonborn eyes could have picked it up through the thick veil of clouds, and the fact that he could barely see it meant it was deliberately staying hidden.

His heart pounded once when a rush of worry filling his veins as he adjusted his flight path. Slowly and carefully, he approached that things.

As he got closer, the shapes became clearer. It was dark and unnatural figures, gleaming faintly even through the mist reflecting the moonlight.

Then, as he emerged from the edge of the cloud cover, his eyes widened in shock.

"What the hell..."

They were metal constructs.

Huge, sleek figures hovered in the sky, their forms eerily similar to the metal birds Erend had fought before. Their wings did not flap like a living creature's but remained stiff and he heard its humming with energy that keep them afloat, their forms blending into the clouds as if they were using them as cover.

Eccar cursed under his breath, his easygoing attitude vanishing in an instant. He didn't need to get closer to know these weren't some ordinary machines.

These things maybe get ready for scouting. Or maybe attacking.

"They're preparing for something while hidden here."

He could see their formation now. Dozens of them, positioned high above the clouds in silent.

Eccar clenched his fists. This was bad.

Without wasting another second, he turned sharply, diving back toward the Elf Palace.

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