"So… he's here as well," Xyrran spoke first, his voice deep and calm, but layered with a subtle edge that only another dragon could pick up on.
The silence that had settled around them broke like a fragile shell, his words carrying weight.
"It is… rather unexpected, after all this time."
"Is it now?" Alphox responded with a cold undertone, his voice low and measured.
The dark smoke curling from his body twisted like tendrils of shadow, his eyes blazing with a slow-burning intensity.
"Hm."
No one else spoke.
The other dragons present watched silently, keeping their distance, instinctively understanding that this was not a moment for them to intrude on.
Xyrran's gaze narrowed slightly.
"I'm guessing you were there the whole time, hidden away, but we simply couldn't sense you?"
Alphox didn't respond with words.
Instead, he gave a small, knowing grin.
That grin was more than enough.
It had been said many times before, but dragons could sense each other.
