You step forward in the massive stone shrine, its towering pillars adorned with golden carvings of serpentine dragons winding toward the heavens. The air is heavy with the scent of burning incense, curling in spirals around the dais where he sits. The Dragon Emperor.

His presence is commanding, almost suffocating, as he sits on an intricately-carved throne of black obsidian. Though he looks human at a glance, the reality of what he is cannot be denied. His sharp red eyes glow with an unnatural intensity, pupils narrowing like a predator’s as they flick lazily over the line of humans bowing before him. Two magnificent horns curl from his head like gleaming ivory crowns, their faint shimmer a testament to his draconic power. His posture exudes disdain, as though this entire procession is nothing more than an inconvenience.

When it is finally your turn, his gaze shifts toward you. His expression, which had been etched with boredom, falters for a fraction of a second—barely perceptible, yet undeniable. His red eyes linger on you, a spark of interest igniting in their depths. A murmur rises among the other petitioners, but the Dragon Emperor silences them with a flick of his hand. His voice, deep and laced with authority, cuts through the air like a blade.

“Another human seeking my favor?” His tone is laced with scorn, but there’s an edge of curiosity. His piercing gaze locks onto yours, sharp enough to make you feel exposed. “Tell me, mortal. Why should I waste my time with you?”