Page 36 of The Dragon King's Awakening

"Home," Zahraxis says simply, his voice thick with emotion."For now.Perhaps longer."

A figure emerges from the entrance—a woman in a simple white dress, her dark hair braided with gold threads.She bows deeply when she sees us."Welcome, Golden One," she says in accented English."I am Amara.We have awaited your return for generations.The sanctuary is prepared."

Zahraxis inclines his head, slipping effortlessly into the role of returning royalty.The gesture seems to come naturally to him, a remnant of the life he led before his imprisonment."You have our thanks."

She leads us through the massive doors into a central courtyard where a fountain plays, the sound of water creating instant coolness against the rising heat.I pause at the railing along one side, suddenly realizing our vantage point.

"We're on an island," I say, taking in the narrow channels of the Nile flowing on both sides of the sanctuary grounds."Right in the middle of the river."

Amara nods, a hint of pride in her smile."Yes.The sanctuary was built on the sacred island of Djeserit," she explains."It has always been a place of power, protected by the river itself."

Zahraxis moves to the railing, his expression distant."I remember this place.My royal court would come here for purification rituals before major ceremonies."His fingers trace the weathered stone."The island was believed to be the first land that emerged from the primordial waters at the beginning of creation."

Potted palms create islands of shade across the courtyard, and comfortable seating areas are arranged to catch the morning breeze.Amara guides us from the riverside view through the courtyard to a grand staircase.

"The upper chambers have been prepared," she explains."They offer lovely views of the surrounding landscape."She gestures to various doorways as we ascend."Bathing chambers, meditation rooms, the library with texts dating back to your era, Golden One."

Zahraxis pauses at this, his interest visibly piqued."My era?"

"Yes, my lord.The Court has preserved what could be saved."Her expression turns apologetic."Much was lost, but some remains.Many were returned to us by Nikhil, when he pledged his loyalty to the dragons again."I glance at Zahraxis whose expression remains neutral, but his aura pulses with recognition, and appreciation of the gesture.

We reach the upper level, where Amara shows us to a suite of rooms that takes my breath away.Floor-to-ceiling windows frame spectacular views of the Nile on either side and the temples of Karnak past the riverbank to the east.The furnishings blend modern comfort with ancient aesthetics—low divans covered in rich fabrics, tables of polished dark wood inlaid with gold, lamps that cast a warm glow reminiscent of lanternlight.Despite the traditional appearance, I spot climate controls discreetly built into the walls and modern fixtures in the adjoining bathing chamber.

That bathroom is particularly impressive, a massive space dominated by a shower large enough for three people (or one dragon), with multiple heads and a glass wall overlooking the river.A sunken tub that could double as a small pool occupies one corner, while the opposite wall features a vanity with twin basins carved from alabaster.

"This is incredible," I murmur, running my fingers along the cool stone of the vanity.

"The sanctuary was built to accommodate dragons in both forms," Amara explains."The floors are reinforced, the ceilings high enough for shifting, provided the dragon does not wish to stretch their wings."She turns to Zahraxis."Is there anything else you require, my lord?"

He shakes his head, visibly overwhelmed by the experience."No.Thank you."

After Amara leaves, promising to return with refreshments, we stand in silence, absorbing our surroundings.Finn moves to the windows, looking out at the temple complex now clearly visible in the morning light.

"We should visit before the tourists arrive," he suggests."The site opens to the public at six a.m., but the Court can arrange private access."

Zahraxis nods, his gaze fixed on the distant columns."Yes.I would see it...as it is now."

Through our bond, I feel his conflicting emotions—eagerness to reconnect with his past, fear of what has been lost, and beneath it all, a deep, aching nostalgia that makes my own chest tight.I move to his side, slipping my hand into his.

"Then let's go," I say softly."Let's see your temple."

The ancient stonesof Karnak Temple glow gold in the early morning light, massive columns rising toward the cloudless sky like silent sentinels.We walk through the Great Court, our footsteps echoing in the empty space.A few guards nod respectfully as we pass, clearly informed of our visit by the Court.

Zahraxis moves as if in a trance, his fingers trailing over hieroglyphs carved into stone pillars.Through our bond, I catch flashes of memory: these same courtyards filled with people, incense smoke curling toward the sky, chants rising in harmony with the flow of the Nile.The contrast between those vibrant memories and the quiet, partially ruined reality before us makes my heart ache.

"It was so much more," he murmurs, pausing before a massive statue of a seated figure."So much has been lost."

Finn nods, his expression somber."Time takes its toll, even on stone."

We continue through the complex, Zahraxis occasionally stopping to translate inscriptions or explain the purpose of various chambers.His knowledge is intimate, personal; these weren't just historical sites to him, but places he lived and served.When we reach the inner sanctuary, he falls silent, staring at the sacred space now open to the sky where a roof once gave shelter.

"This was my throne room," he says finally, gesturing to a spot near a fallen column."I ruled this region as king, serving Isis.During the high ceremonies, I would commune with the gods here."His voice drops lower."We would bring offerings at dawn, just as the sun touched the inner chamber.The light would strike the gold...it was blinding.

I activate my dragon sight again, curious what energies might remain.Golden threads still pulse through the stone, concentrated most heavily in this inner sanctuary."The magic is still here," I tell him."Faded, but present."

A small smile touches his lips."Of course.Some things even time cannot erase."

As we exit the inner sanctuary, a small group of early tourists enters the main courtyard, led by a guide speaking rapid-fire English.They point cameras at the towering columns, exclaiming over the scale of the architecture.One breaks away from the group, approaching a carved relief that Zahraxis had just been examining.

---