I sat cross-legged in the center of the pure white room, trying once again to enter the Dreamwalking state. I always thought it was some kind of folklore until I learned during Navigator training that it was one of our lost skills. According to the elders, Dreamwalking allows us to delve into the other side of the world, stripping away all deceptive illusions, seeing the truth, and understanding everything.

However, my attempts at Dreamwalking had never been successful, whether at the Zeus outpost or after returning. To be honest, I couldn't see how these effects would help me now. The fact that I decided to keep practicing this mystical art probably indicated how bored I was.

Around me, various instruments emitted steady sounds. The central ceiling light was adjusted to a wavelength that supposedly had a calming effect, but these well-meaning efforts, like the green Augira crystal by my bed, only had the opposite effect. Why were so many highly educated professionals so superstitious?

But I wasn't the kind of hatchling to lose control over a little thing like temporarily losing my freedom. A month of safety quarantine checks couldn't compare to a two-year solo colonization mission or a childhood full of neglect and exclusion. Besides, I had visitors.

"Someone's being flashy," Serene's voice came through the speaker on the wall, the distortion not diminishing the unique melody of her voice.

"How could I dare?" I opened my eyes and said, looking at her through the only transparent window. "Humility is a virtue."

"Spare me," she said with a laugh, showing her golden teeth. "I have no interest in men who play cute." She pressed her palm against the transparent barrier.

Blue-green eyes, predominantly green feathers, and those dark blue scales glowing faintly in the dark—truly beautiful.

I got up and walked to the barrier, placing my hand over hers. "What if it's a genuinely cute man?" I raised my gaze to meet hers. I wouldn't say something so shy in front of others, but a bit of flirtation when we were alone was fine.

I was met with a meaningful hum, Serene tilting her head as if considering something interesting. We enjoyed a brief moment of silence.

"I'm here to inform you that the biosafety team has also approved your release. Congratulations, the quarantine is over." She broke the silence first, tapping her terminal screen. "I wanted to be the first to talk to you face-to-face, but..." Her hesitation made me fear a change of plans. "...the Elder has summoned you, now."

I sighed in relief; at least it wasn't bad news. But... to be summoned by the Elder, I never thought I'd have such an honor.

"Has this cycle's deep sleep ended?" I asked, searching my memory while reading the detailed explanation on the wall display.

"No, it seems something woke him," Serene crossed her arms, a habit when she was uneasy. "The actual situation might be clear only to higher ranks."

I nodded, understanding that I could go directly from the isolation pod to the Elder's resting chamber, as the channel structure was designed for this.

"Be careful, Fearless," Serene said after opening a secret door in the floor. "People who meet the Elder... they never come back the same."

"It'll be fine," I smiled at her, trying to inspire confidence. "He's just an ancient dragon over two thousand years old, what's there to worry about?"

Serene nodded, but I could detect signs of concern. Since I first asked her to exchange breeding feathers, I had learned to interpret her small gestures.

"May your song endure, in harmony with all things," I said, making a little joke as I bid farewell.

"May your song endure, in harmony with all things," she replied, catching my humor.