The further through the dark they marched, the more did the noise increase.

The dragonette had formed a circle around Demadara, Timae and Parsae, who themselves flanked their leader as they marched. They came across more and more groups of slaves who were digging into the hard rock for little scraps, under the watchful eyes of their wardens.

Eventually they reached a large gateway cut into the edge of the fissure, leading deeper into the earth. Here and beyond the stone was smooth and polished, the fires of their dragonette guides illuminated masterfully carved symbols across the walls.

While it was hard to see just what laid beyond the next step, their destination was anything but shrouded in dark. At the end of the tunnel they could see bright red light, a shine that blinded them as they stepped out.

Into chaos.

The tunnel had ended on a steep cliff, with several wide bridges leading across the chasm to large structures cut out of the black stone. From the edge they could see further down, to a great lake of fire at the bottom, with several layers of structure connected by a dense web of bridges.

And the noise was deafening. The howling of great beasts kept in pens, hammer striking metal, chittering cries of dragonette as they ran past their group, climbed up and down the walls to the other levels, or flew through the air on golden wing. And above it all the constant, bellowing sound of drums.

They walked over the central bridge, where the heat from below enveloped them completely. The air was dry and parched their throats, they hurried across and into the looming structure ahead.

The thick stone walls did a little to ward off the heat, enough that they could halt and take in their surroundings. Whoever had built this place, it was not the dragonette, of this Demadara was sure.

Long ago this hall would have made the great palaces of the empire look like farmer´s huts. Not anymore. A great statue had stood in the centre of the hall, now only it´s feet remained, with the torso laying in a corner, it´s head nearby. Both had been trashed by weapon and claw as to be beyond recognition, with a host of dratonette laying on it, idly staring off into the distance. Many of the walls that once separated the different halls had been torn down or punched holes through to make space for individual rooms.

Only a few tattered straps of cloth remained, it was void of any decoration, even furniture. The dragonette either laid down somewhere, or hung from the ceiling with the claws on their feet leaving holes in the ceiling.

This picture repeated everywhere they went. What had been was in ruin and a state of careless disrepair, through which the dragonette presided. Void of everything but wealth, and food.

Were they not racing somewhere else, they found the dragonette resting atop piles of precious goods: coins, jewels, valuable suits of armour. Or they were devouring meat. As they crossed another bridge, a howl pierced the cacophony of sound as a great worm was being dragged out of an opening further down. Twenty dragonettes were pulling the massive creature, and with howling laughter had it plummeted down to another layer where it landed with a cry of agony, writhin as the other dragonette descended upon it, carving chunks of flesh out even as it thrashed and fought.

By the time they had passed the bridge, it had been ripped asunder, it´s organs spilling out on the ground, eaten by the smallest of the dragonette while the larger ones carved piece after piece.

As the cries of pain crew dim, the sound of hammers increased. Their path lead them downward a spiral staircase, giving view to a singular room still intact, a massive forge. While this place too was crawling with the dragonette, they were not the main workers. Instead it was operated by slaves, all of a similar look, pale skin, wide bodies. Men and women stood in rows, each performing a single action before handing the piece metal to the worker at their left, until the finished piece, be it a weapon, armour or trinket, was handed to an inspector. Unlike their kin, these were allowed proper clothes, and they maintained a posture of grace and dignity.

They had now reached the lowest layer of the city, and the heat was becoming near unbearable. A last wide bridge lead to an expansive round chamber which extended far upward, with a large ball of fire illuminating the ground.

There were no guards, none that stood watch. On the ground sat perhaps twenty dragonette, all wingless. While a few jumped to their feet and hissed as they entered the room, most kept their eyes on the one in their middle.

This dragonette was short, not more than half of Demadara´s height, yet from her head sprouted a massive pair of horns twice as wide as she was. The armour she wore hardly covered her body more than her scales did, and were a patchwork of different metals, styles of craft and culture, not a single piece looked alike.

She was leaning against a sword three times her length and twice her width, burried deep within the ground. When she opened her mouth, the room fell silent.

"Why are unchained scaleless entering MY lair." Her voice, bright and loud, caused her kin to scatter, even their guides were quick to put distance between themselves and their leader.

Demadara stepped forward, despite Timae´s pleading look. "Well, I forced them to, it is not their fault. I am Demadara, and I have come to speak with you."

The dragonette was scratching through her hair and gritted her teeth. "No dragonette obey a scaless little human, nor do they listen to what they have to say." She got onto her feet.

"It would be better for all of us if you did, I'm not here to fight." Demadara rose a hand, while the other was reaching for the Eye. "I think we have a common enemy that we could strike together."

"I am dragonette, human!" She leapt backward into the air, landing in a crouched position on the hilt of her sword. "You are our enemy, all scaleless are if they do not kneel and make themselves useful."

Demadara let out a sigh and rested her hand on the Eye. "Well, so much for that." With a pulse the Eye began to glow in it´s familiar light.

And her ears almost burst.

"First enemy!"

The cry of their leader echoed through the ranks, and upward through the city, only to return as an echo by a thousand voices. The air filled with the beating of wings and scraping of claws as hundreds of dragonette burst into the room, encircling them within moments.

"You bear the life of the first enemy, and you speak of deals!" The dragonette´s voice was torn between anger and laughter, she was shaking. "Juun will tear you limb from limb, human, and if it is the last thing I do!"

She leapt from the blade and towards Demadara, just as the crowd parted to their left. A winged dragonette stepped into the circle, wielding a metal staff. She rose it high, and slammed it down on Juun´s head.

"Are you stupid, blind, hungering, or all three?" She hissed.

Juun held her head, looking at the other dragonette in surprise. "Rhythe, what do you think you're doing!"

"Stopping you from killing all of us, you idiot. Did you not see, did none of you see?" Rhythe turned to the chittering crowd around them, and hit the ground with her staff. It caused a small tremor, with the smooth rock breaking under the force of the thrust.

"You speak, gaze on a child of the great lady, so show more respect, Juun!" Rhythe´s words silenced the crowd around them, all eyes were now on Demadara as Rhythe walked towards her.

"My kin have not seen your kind in too long, Seraphite. All these centuries in the dark were no good for their eyes I fear." Rhythe lowered her head, her hands clinging tightly to her staff.

And the world slowed around Demadara, until it all stood still.

She looked around, eyes shot wide open.

"It was quite the gamble to descend all this way, my child."

Demadara looked up. At the end of the room now stood a large throne carved out of pristine marble, and on it sat the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Dressed in pure white, and with dead eyes, Seraph looked down upon her.

"It's you." Demadara let out a gasp, her body beginning to tremble. She took a step forward, but found herself not able to.

"It is early, that our paths cross. You have come far, my child." She smiled, and the view made Demadara tear up with joy. "And here you are, seeking out my wayward grandchildren all on your own."

She rose from her throne, it disappeared. "What a heartwarming reunion. Worthy of me tipping the scales just a little. Far be it from me to interfere in your decisions, but." She laid a hand on her chest. "Please try keeping them around? Given your inclination to discarding things."

Demadara struggled to breathe, unable to move.

Seraph was already turning to leave. "I would hate to diminish your journey, and I fear there are very unruly pieces needing my attention. Best of luck, my child."

"Please, do not go!" Demadara managed to reach out her hand towards her. "Please, don't leave me again!"

Seraph turned her head back, and her smiled burned itself into Demadara´s waking eye. "We will meet again. When you are whole again. But you must reach that step yourself."

From a moment to the next, she was gone. Demadara pulled her hand back, gasping for air.

Rhythe came closer, and laid a hand on Demadara´s shoulder. "She was here, was she not? The excitement made her voice tremble.

Demadara gave a short nod, and Rhythe stepped back, rising her hands into the air. "We are no longer alone, our great lady has returned to the stage!"

Her words set off a howl that rang through the hall and the entire city itself, chanting a single phrase, over and over. Every dragonette who heard it joined into the chorus, while the slaves that knew it´s meaning fell to their knees in abject terror.

"The dragons are returning, to turn their world to ash. Earth, Moon and Sun will tremble, remembering Seraph´s lash."