~Tyron's P.O.V~

I landed on the wall, looking warily at the magic enhanced weapons that were turned toward me as I did. I kept my wings open, ready to make a break for it if they attacked. I could feel the energy from their weapons rippling through the air, emanating from crystals lodged in the blade. I looked pointedly at Coelum and tilted my head, showing my dislike for his soldier's threatening stance.

"At ease men," came the commander's gruff voice, "If he was going to do something then he would have done it by now."

The soldiers took a step back, lowering their spears but not pointing them away. If I was going to do something, they would be ready for it. I rumbled softly and nodded my head in appreciation. This was a delicate situation, but I was here to gain their trust, and to do so I would need to trust them.

"Are you ready?" asked the old man.

"Yes," I said with a slight grumble, still not quite comfortable being surrounded by men with magic weapons.

"Good. Then follow me," He turned and began to walk.

I followed behind him, the men in front and behind me in order to guard their commander and attack if I did end up a threat. I pulled my wings close to my back and tried to remain as passive as possible, but it was incredibly difficult to do so when every instinct in my body was screaming at me to snarl at these people to point their spears somewhere else.

"You know, it isn't everyday where we get an envoy instead of an army," said Coelum.

"This is the first one we've sent out," I responded as calmly as I could, "With the demon armies ravaging the world it was only now we deemed it safe enough."

"What made you come here?"

"We knew how difficult it is to get into this city. It is likely the most defensible in the entire world. It's reasonable to assume that if one place is still standing it's this one."

"Well you are correct. With no lack of trying from the enemy either."

"Has Garagain himself attacked this place yet?" I asked apprehensively, "Or Gabriel?"

"Garagain himself has not, thankfully. I have no idea who this Gabriel character is."

"A black dragon," I responded, "Not the same shape as me... but the usual shape for one."

"No, I do not believe so," the man frowned worriedly, "I take it you have met this dragon?"

"Oh... we've knocked heads once or twice," I growled softly at the sour memories, which of course lead to me remembering the overheard conversation with Blu and that monster.

We walked down a flight of stairs and down the other side of the wall to the streets below. There were not many civilians I could see, but there were a lot of soldiers, all lined up and watching me vehemently. They did not seem to like the idea of an inhuman, red-scaled dragon like me in their precious city. I couldn't really blame them though. They had been attacked by demons and the like a lot lately, and I wasn't exactly the friendliest looking creature. The thought didn't make it any easier to bare those prying eyes.

"In here," Coelum gestured toward a large building to the side.

The building resembled a rectangular barracks, with the doors and walls made from iron, and weapon racks filled to the brim with enchanted spears. I wondered why they had such a fascination with the weapons. Spears were useful of course, but when it came to close combat they were unwieldy and annoying.

"What are those crystals?" I asked.

"I can't give you that information. Until you are cleared and are a trusted ally, we won't share you sensitive information."

I snorted. Even if he did tell me I couldn't think of anything I would do with that information. The iron doors opened with a loud screech, causing me to growl in discomfort. Some of the guards raised their spears at the sound. I glared at them, before turning my attention to the barracks. I was forced to duck under the door so I wouldn't hit my head, which wasn't exactly something I was pleased about.

Coelum regarded me with amusement, "I apologise. We've never had a visitor as big as you before so please excuse the tight space."

I merely grunted in reply, crouching as we made our way into the metal hall of the fortress. Part of me appreciated the craftsmanship. With the entire building made from metal it would definitely be difficult to bash down if it came to it. Part of me wondered why the walls weren't made the same way.

After a couple of minutes of walking we reached the place where we were supposed to be. Thankfully it was a rather large room and I was able to rise to my full height once again. I made a point to glare down at Coelum, which again caused him to raise his eyebrow humorously. We both knew that if I did try anything in here, it would be me that would be in trouble. I had no idea what those spears could do, but I was willing to bet they worked very well against scales.

"Now...please have a seat while we get situated and then we can get started."

I carefully sat down on a chair in the middle of the room, curling my tail uncomfortably around it. This was the first time I had really done anything in my anthropomorphic state. I had never realized how annoying a tail could be. The hardness of the chair didn't really help either, as like with everything else, it was made from metal.

Two men holding a mirror walked in from the opposite side of the room. The mirror looked expensive, with gold rims covered in engravings of a language I couldn't read. It stood taller than even me, and at the very top was a red gem radiating some magical power much like the weapons. This felt much different however, as it was more similar to the living magic beings like Garagain, Gabriel and even Blu sometimes radiated. Unlike them this magic seemed entirely neutral, almost unnervingly so.

The men carrying it set it down on a stand in front of me, leaving me staring at my reflection in the glassy surface, "So.. what happens now?"

"You stare it at and the mirror does the rest," Coelum replied rather crypticly.

I shrugged and peered into it. For a minute or two nothing seemed to be happening, though it did give me the opportunity to get a good look at my new body. The robes I was wearing did seem rather cool. As I was beginning to admire the way the light reflected off my ruby scales, the mirror began to change.

It was like dark shadows began to seep out from my head and the mirror itself began to grow dark. I frowned, upward concerned, but there was nothing there. I did notice the guards surround me grip their spears tighter with angry looks. I gulped and turned toward the mirror, wondering what the dark mist represented.

In my reflection, the mist had been slowly spreading downwards, enveloping my body in darkness. Coelum took a step forward as though he were about to speak, when another shade entered the reflection. It was like liquid light had begun to spread upwards from my heart, the mirror instantly brightening at its presence. It fought back the darkness, as if trying to force it back into my head. At the same time however, that dark mist fought as well, and the mirror continued to sway back and forth between the light and dark as though neither could fully snuff the other out.

"Well... this is interesting," Coelum muttered, though he didn't seem as worried as before.

"What does it mean?" I asked concerned.

"I'm not entirely sure. It's never done this before. It's like it is you are both fully evil and fully good... at the same time. It doesn't make sense."

"But I'm not evil," I growled, "I hate Garagain and all that he stands for."

"I'm sure you do," he replied sounding rather unconvinced.

I narrowed my eyes. I had no idea what this mirror was doing, but it was incorrect. I had no allegiance to Garagain whatsoever, and I certainly wasn't evil. Yes, something had happened to me a couple of months ago. I knew of some darkness, but I kept it under control. It wasn't at all as bad as the mirror suggested.

"He hurt the one I love most! Why would I stand by that bastard!?" I snarled.

Coelum frowned at me, "Before we make the verdict, I would like to discuss with my leading officers. You will stay here."

Before I could reply turned his back on me and walked out of the room. I crossed my arms, glaring at the fluctuation mirror. I really wished it would just shatter, but I doubted that would in any way benefit me. The guards around me seemed relaxed, but I knew they would be ready at any command or any sign of aggression.

I was worried to say the least. If they did indeed decide I was a threat then they would likely kill me on the spot, and I wouldn't be able to stop them. But if I tried to escape now then I would certainly be attacked. I gritted my teeth, hating the fact that my fate rested in the hands of someone who didn't seem to like me very much. I couldn't afford to die here.

Round and round the thoughts went around my head for what seemed like hours. Eventually Coelum returned, seeming to have regained his composure from the surprise of before.

"We'll be testing the others to see if you're the only one... affected," he said, "But for now we will be keeping you detained. I hope you understand."

I growled at the thought, but forced myself not to react. If they tested the others they would see that I was not a threat and would release me. It was better than getting killed here and now. I nodded my head and got up from my chair to follow the guards into another room. This one was smaller, but I was still able to stand up straight. They slammed the door behind me, and I heard the handle turn with an audible screech, causing me to flinch.

With a grumble I looked around the rather feeble cell, wondering if I turned fully dragon I would be able to break out, though either way I would probably be able to melt through the walls with my fire. It was rather hot. I sighed and sat down, seeing nothing better than to wait for my inevitable release.

As I sat my mind began to wonder, and as it usually did when I was alone it made its way back to when I saw Blu and Gabriel alone in the forest. Thinking to that always made me angry, and it also evoked another emotion that I hadn't experienced much before. It was a pang of jealousy, which of course made no sense as Blu and I were as close as two people in love could be. But it was like some deep dark part of me hated the idea of them being together.

My thoughts darkened as I continued to think. Of course, Blu had immediately told me what had happened. That was how we found out we were having children. But still apart of me wondered if he hadn't told me everything. It was like a nagging suspicion one that couldn't shake. It didn't help that it matched perfectly with the idea that the two of them had actually been together before. Something that I was almost certain was a lie Gabriel told to break us apart. Almost.

A bang on the door caused me to break out of my steadily declining thought process. I quickly jumped to my feet as the door squealed open revealing a guard. I rumbled slightly as he regarded me with suspicion.

"The others have passed the test. You are free to go," he said, "Follow me."

I walked out of the door to be met with a squadron of guards, and I followed them out of the metallic barracks and once again found myself in the sprawling city of Venetia. The others were waiting near the gate and as I walked out I saw Tabitha give a relieved breath and run up to me. Much to my surprise she pushed herself into my arms with a hug.

"Thank goodness you're alright," she said, "I don't know what they were thinking. You could never be evil."

"I don't know what they were on about either," I rumbled with a snarl, "That mirror thing of theirs is broken."

"I know," she huffed, "That or it just reads dragons incorrectly."

"I wouldn't be surprised," I snorted, glaring at Coelum as I did.

The leader of the guard didn't react, and instead raised his voice to get our groups attention, "Now that you have been permitted into the city, I'm guessing you would like to deliver your message to our Lord Admiral?"

"Yes," Jordan said, "This is of great urgency."

"Very well, follow me."