Ignisia granted Ketal full freedom within her dragon’s lair, a gesture that was anything but casual. There was a reason behind her decision, one rooted in curiosity and calculation. She had already uncovered the fundamentals of Ketal’s existence: what he was, where he had come from, and the scale of his power.0

Yet, for all that, she remained in the dark about Ketal as a person. She did not know what drove him, what his values and philosophies were, or what he truly desired. Ketal had introduced himself as an ally to the world, but the true meaning behind those words remained unclear.0

Ignisia’s memories drifted to a recent conversation with the Tower Master, back when she had visited to discuss Nano from the Forest of Nothingness.0

Even the monsters of those empty woods had once claimed to be allies, at least in their own warped logic. She recalled the tales of Nano: beings who, under the purest intentions, sought to help the world by replacing it entirely. Its actions were monstrous, even if the motives were oddly innocent.0

Of course, Ketal had met the gods themselves, so such misunderstandings were less likely in his case. Still, Ignisia felt she needed to see the truth with her own eyes. It was part personal curiosity, part pragmatic...2