Rebirth as a Time Dragon

Under the bright moonlight, Luna, though aged, remained graceful as she lifted her gaze towards the majestic dragon that seemed to eclipse the night sky, an otherworldly presence.

"Why aren't you overseeing Dragon Court? How do you have time to visit the material world?" Luna inquired softly.

"The Noah Continent has caught the attention of a Wild God. I can't just watch my birthplace fall into ruin," Garon responded candidly.

Luna nodded in understanding. "So that's why."

Having lived through both the Glorious War and the Giants' Extermination War, Luna, now an elder dragon, had a broad perspective on the cosmic order and the threats to it. Her awareness of the upper dragon gods' concerns meant she understood the danger posed by the Wild Gods.

Yet, despite hearing about the Wild Gods targeting Noah Continent from Garon, Luna remained composed, showing neither fear nor tension.

She knew that Garon's presence signified a plan to address and counter the Wild Gods.

In matters as dire as dealing with the Wild Gods, there was no point in her worrying, as she could offer no significant assistance. 

A faint smile graced Luna's face. She added, "I thought you came just to catch up with an old friend."

Garon folded his wings and descended slowly onto the beach of Dragon Isle, drawing the curious gazes of many young metallic dragons. His fifty-meter-long body gleamed under the moonlight, with silver-gray scales that seemed as deep as the starry sky, making him appear like a silver mountain.

"Well, you could say that," Garon replied warmly. "I sensed your presence and decided to visit Dragon Isle."

Meanwhile, a group of young metallic dragons fluttered their immature wings clumsily, gathering around Luna. They peeked at Garon, whispering to Luna about his identity.

"Luna, Luna, is this magnificent and powerful dragon an old flame of yours?" a mischievous brass dragon tugged at Luna's tail, grinning cheekily. 

Other young metallic dragons chimed in, buzzing with questions around Luna.

"You little rascals, go play somewhere else," Luna chided them with mock annoyance, shooing away the giggling metallic dragons.

As they scampered off, Luna and Garon strolled along the beach, reminiscing about past adventures.

The dragons' unhurried steps felt the gentle touch of the sand beneath their feet. In the serene night, they listened to the soothing, natural music of the waves gently lapping against the shore.

Garon savored these moments.

His friendship with Luna was purely platonic. He sensed no romantic feelings from Luna towards him, and he, too, had never harbored any mating desires, despite finding her beautiful and elegant when they first met.

Ultimately, friendship was fine, but Garon had high standards for a mate. Inherently proud, like all legendary dragons, he had specific expectations.

"Do you remember Lilith and Amos?" Luna suddenly mentioned two names from Garon's past.

Garon nodded. "Of course, I have an excellent memory."

Given the dragons' remarkable memory, even events from millennia ago would remain vivid. Two hundred years were merely a blink.

"Amos was stuck at the level of a ninth-ring archmage. After several failed attempts to become a legend, he eventually gave up on magic and decided to rebuild his kingdom here," Luna recounted calmly. "He died of natural causes a few years ago."

In a flash of light, Luna transformed into her preferred human form—a form she had adopted when she first met Garon. Barefoot, she delicately stepped onto the beach, her jade-like ankles catching grains of sand, sparkling like tiny jewels.

"Bound by talent and lifespan, death is inevitable," Garon remarked indifferently.

"And Lilith? I remember that girl had better magical talent than her brother."

Luna walked gracefully, her silver gown fluttering in the breeze, and replied, "Lilith's talent was indeed remarkable. After becoming a legend, she left the Noah Continent to explore different planes as a traveling mage."

"She sometimes returns to Noah Continent, bringing me trinkets from other worlds."

Legendary mages might not impress Garon anymore, but they commanded great respect in any realm. Garon's current status put him at a level where he could influence the fate of the multiverse and all its beings.

"A traveling mage? It's a bit risky but a worthwhile pursuit," Garon commented.

Many dragon mages loved wandering through different planes as traveling mages.

Garon had once harbored similar ambitions.

In a way, Garon was a traveler himself, moving through different timelines rather than merely different planes.

Had it not been for the looming threat of the Wild Gods, Garon might have already lost himself in exploring other eras. But with his stronghold preparing for war, he couldn't afford such luxuries.

The environment on the Metallic Dragon Isle was idyllic.

A gentle sea breeze, tinged with a hint of salt, wafted from the distant ocean.

Under the moonlight, the vast sea shimmered, with occasional fish leaping from the water, creating ripples that spread like faint patterns.

Luna and Garon wandered leisurely around the island, chatting and laughing about the past and present, while time flowed by like a gentle stream.

Gradually, the sky began to lighten.

A sliver of dawn crept over the horizon, the rising sun peeking shyly like a pearl, casting a soft glow across the ocean.

Finally, night yielded to day.

The first rays of morning light fell upon the Metallic Dragon Isle, adding a subtle golden edge to the dragons' scales, enhancing their majesty.

Garon gazed into the sky, his platinum eyes reflecting the rising sun.

After a moment of thought, he said, "Noah Continent will soon become unsafe. I plan to set up a portal here to the Kara world and gather the local dragons. Luna, you should prepare to leave too."

The imminent arrival of a Wild God in its true form was far more threatening than any avatar previously seen on Noah Continent.

Under the material world's rules, Garon couldn't guarantee he could contain the fallout of his battle with a Wild God.

Each Wild God was ancient, wielding unique primal forces, and none should be underestimated.

Garon had no intention of risking his hard-earned reputation by suffering a defeat on the material plane. As a dragon, he had a measure of pride and cared about his renown.

"If only the Nine-Faced Dragon God could reshape the material world's rules to allow dragon gods to wield their full power here," Garon mused internally.

Unfortunately, the material plane, balanced with all types of elemental energies and perfectly harmonious, was the hardest to reshape, making it more challenging than the outer planes.

Only if the Nine-Faced Dragon God was willing to risk the upheaval and decay of the material plane, causing natural disasters and cycles of destruction, could they forcibly alter the plane's rules.

However, given the material plane's vastness, even the Nine-Faced Dragon God would find this a taxing endeavor.

Moreover, even if the Nine-Faced Dragon God agreed, the other gods wouldn't stand by idly as their followers and believers perished. Even in the face of the dragon gods' dominance, they would fiercely resist.

The existing rules of the material plane, where gods and beings of god-like power couldn't exert their full might, were not crafted by the Nine-Faced Dragon God.

These rules predated the Nine-Faced Dragon God's creation of the multiverse, having existed since the material plane's emergence from primordial chaos.

Many deities believed this was a restriction imposed by a higher deity upon the gods and god-like beings.

It was only in the material world that mortals could maintain their dignity in the face of divine power, though the cost was high and victory often belonged to the gods.

Meanwhile.

Hearing Garon's grave words, Luna nodded seriously. "I understand."

She paused, looking up at the imposing and dignified silver dragon, and softly asked, "Garon, after the war, the Noah Continent will still exist, right?"

The silver dragon nodded, his gaze steady. "It will. My wings will always shield this land."

With that, Garon spread his wings, his dragon might carrying his will across the land, summoning the dragons of Noah Continent to gather on Metallic Dragon Isle.

Under the overwhelming presence of his dragon aura, every true dragon felt a jolt, instinctively lifting their heads towards Metallic Dragon Isle before flying swiftly towards it.

For a time, dragons from across Noah Continent migrated through the sky, their wings darkening the heavens, and the sound of their wingbeats reverberating through the clouds.

This caused confusion and anxiety among countless intelligent creatures.

They didn't know exactly what was happening, but seeing the dragons' movement, anyone with sense realized that something significant was looming. However, for the weak and powerless, there was little to be done but to pray and brace for whatever might come.

After constructing the portal on Metallic Dragon Isle, Garon bid farewell to Luna and returned to the Great Northern Tundra.

Arriving in the darkened tundra, Garon moved quietly to his familiar cliff territory.

At the top of the steep and rugged cliff, a fortress carved from ice and cold iron still stood firm amidst the swirling snow. Below, packs of winter wolves and large-scale communities of ice elementals, the North Ice Spirits, and sturdy ogre guards thrived.

Though Garon had long left this territory to reside in Dragon Court, his followers continued to defend and prosper in this land.

Within the icy fortress, the silhouette of a giant was faintly visible.

The dark frost giant remained embedded in the fortress wall, ready to awaken as a formidable weapon of war if the territory was attacked.

Besides the dark frost giant, a legendary savage tiger

 and two legendary northern bears also stood guard.

Even in Garon's absence, with four legendary creatures guarding the land, few dared to encroach upon the Great Northern Tundra, especially with the presence of three legendary white dragons. It had become a sanctuary for the largest gathering of legendary beings on Noah Continent.

The powers of Noah Continent generally regarded the Great Northern Tundra as a forbidden zone.

At the base of the cliff, a massive white tiger, forty meters long, was licking its paw pads. Its sleek fur hid a layer of fine scales and two sharp horns on its head. Despite its tiger form, it exuded a dragon's presence, surpassing that of most adult dragons.

Sensing a familiar aura, the frost tiger blinked and raised its head.

Roar?

The moonlit snow seemed darker, as if a colossal presence obscured the light.

The mighty form of the silver dragon, appearing like an ancient entity, filled the tiger's eyes.

For a moment, it stood in stunned silence before erupting in excitement.

Roar!

The tiger's thunderous roar echoed, drawing the attention of Garon's followers.

Following the tiger's gaze, the generations of Garon's followers saw their revered lord.

"O radiant master, great and glorious dragon of eternity and time, please accept your humble followers' praise."

"Shine upon us, hear our voices, and let us follow your steps."

"…"

In an instant, the exultant cries of Garon's followers resonated through the sky.

The frost tiger, with wings formed from misty frost, leaped into the air, galloping through the clouds towards Garon.

Its tongue lolled out, panting with excitement as it raced towards him.

The tiger eagerly licked Garon's scales upon reaching him, as enthusiastic as ever. Despite being a legendary creature now, it retained its primal instincts, showing the same affection towards Garon.

After reassuring his followers and playing with the frost tiger for a while, Garon withdrew into the icy fortress.

With the Wild God's arrival expected in six months, Garon decided to stay in the Great Northern Tundra and revisit its harsh beauty.

During this time, Garon's other two brothers learned of his visit and came to greet him. Following Garon's instructions, they took the white dragoness back to Dragon Court.

Meanwhile.

In the Abyss, at the Shadow Sea, deep within the dark abyssal trenches.

In the turbulent underwater world, an ancient sea god, hidden in the murky depths, conveyed its will to the other Wild Gods lurking in the trenches.

[Begin. Let the insignificant mortals once again feel the terror of our primal powers.]

[The Second Dawn War will herald the rise of our primordial forces!]

Having returned, the Wild Gods were no longer content to endure the gods' relentless suppression.

They aimed to overthrow the divine rule.

To this end, the higher echelons of the Wild Gods had decided to wage war, choosing to make the material world the battlefield. They planned to drag the gods from the outer planes into the material plane, initiating the Second Dawn War on an even footing.

Previously, establishing cults and spreading doctrines of freedom had been a mere facade. The resurrected Wild Gods had used these activities to familiarize themselves with the current state of the material world, preparing for future conflict.

Currently, the gods held a strategic advantage.

However, by waging war on the material plane, the Wild Gods could level the playing field to their favor.

In the material plane, Wild Gods could unleash their full destructive power without restraint, aiming even to destroy the material world itself. Each material world they destroyed would undermine the gods' foundations.

Massive destruction would also foster widespread terror and despair, bolstering the power of the Lord of Terror.

Conversely, the gods could not afford to ignore this threat.

Even knowing that a war in the material world would be disadvantageous, they had no choice but to engage.

The faith derived from the material world was the gods' primary source of extraordinary power.

At this moment, the Wild Gods prepared for action, selecting material worlds with divine worship to launch their assault against the gods.

The primordial sun god, resembling a grotesque black sphere, opened its eyes towards Noah Continent, shrouded in dark mist.

It longed to go to Noah Continent and obliterate that despised world.

Yet, though it refused to admit it, it was somewhat wary of Garon Aurelian, born from that world, and was reluctant to confront him directly on the material plane.

"Athun, you're targeting such a small material world? Afraid of drawing too much attention from the stronger gods?" mocked Akaluen, a Wild God of medium divine power.

Wild Gods were capricious and obstinate. Even knowing the other's strength, they often provoked one another bluntly.

The primordial sun god's eyes swiveled. "Akaluen, you've just been resurrected and might not understand. This small world is far more dangerous than you think."

Newly revived and still anchored in its primordial understanding, Akaluen scoffed. "Such a tiny world, dangerous?"

It clung to its contempt for the gods, a remnant of the era when the Wild Gods indeed overshadowed them.

But it ignored the fact that the multiverse now belonged to the gods, not the Wild Gods.

The primordial sun god's dark smile widened, its many mouths grinning in unison. "You don't seem to believe me. Why don't you try destroying that little world? I await your good news."

Reluctant to take the risk itself, it sought to manipulate other Wild Gods into going, deflecting the danger.

"Fine, Athun, prepare to celebrate my triumph."

With those words, a wisp of sand drifted into the material plane.

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