"You mean... in year X777, when our dragons disappeared simultaneously, it was because they all hid within our bodies at the same time?"
The three were equally shocked by this news.
Natsu was so agitated he even stood up from his wheelchair, ignoring his injuries.
"If that's really true, Igneel should have told us! Why hide it?!"
Wendy clutched her clothes, tears welling in her eyes. "It feels so good to know Grandeeney is still nearby. I thought she abandoned me..."
Unlike the other two who were emotionally overwhelmed, Gajeel questioned skeptically.
"Is this speculation really reliable? The idea that Dragon Slayer Mages can turn into dragons—isn't that just a legend too? Maybe you're reading too much into it."
"Whether it's true or not, why don't we just verify it?"
Ankh crossed his hands over his chest, and a soft, holy silver light bloomed forth from his body.
"By connecting our life energies, I can venture into the depths of your Magic Source and see for myself."
The three exchanged glances.
After a moment of hesitation, they nodded firmly at Ankh.
To find the dragons who raised them, they were willing to try anything.
It was well known that Mages possessed a Magic Source that housed their Magic Power.
The Magic Source was like a small, self-sustaining ecosystem—a miniature world where life couldn't be born or survive, a place dedicated solely to the "existence" of Magic Power.
Legend had it that in ancient times, certain races could use special methods to transform themselves into soul-like entities made of pure magical particles, allowing them to infiltrate human Magic Sources.
Even the modern Council had developed weapons based on this theory—internal Magic-destroying weapons that forced Mages to inhale toxic magical particles to kill them.
For Ankh, who could freely alter his own composition using Life God Power, entering the world of the Magic Source was no difficult task, as long as the other party consented.
Natsu extended his hand, channeling his Magic Power into the sphere of light Ankh had formed, and said with a serious expression:
"Ankh, if you really see Igneel, tell him... I'm doing well now, and he doesn't need to worry. But tell him to come out!"
Wendy couldn't hold back either. "I... I feel the same. Please tell her I miss Grandeeney so much!"
Gajeel remained silent, his face sullen.
He quietly infused his Magic Power into the light sphere without a word.
With the three streams of Magic Power connected to Ankh's Life Divine Power, the worlds of their Magic Sources became interconnected. Ankh smiled gently and said.
"Don't worry, I'll convey your messages to them."
With that, Ankh activated his Divine Power throughout his body.
A silvery-white radiance instantly filled him, and his entire form transformed into a stream of pure Magic Power, surging into the light sphere.
Ankh felt as if he had entered a vast cosmos—nebulae, galaxies, black holes... countless illusory scenes constructed from Magic Power flashed before his eyes one after another.
And then, everything went dark.
The space seemed to grow scorching hot.
This burning sensation intensified until Ankh's journey through the Magic Power reached its deepest point.
He arrived.
Dark, reddish-brown mountain ranges stretched endlessly, with golden-red magma flowing slowly like rivers, carrying a terrifying high heat.
A nearby volcano roared like an angry dragon, spewing ash.
Though he knew these were merely illusions formed by the Magic Source reflecting the user's nature, Ankh still felt a phantom heat on his skin.
Ankh turned his gaze toward the base of the volcanic mountain nearby.
There, a scorching Magic Power existed that even the current Ankh found slightly unsettling.
"You're not human. How do you know about us?"
A draconic roar, fierce enough to make the magma erupt, suddenly echoed from beneath the volcano.
Ankh's body, formed of Magic Power, gradually solidified into his human shape.
Instead of answering the question immediately, he casually greeted the voice.
"You must be Igneel. Natsu said he's doing well."
The being beneath the volcano fell silent for a moment.
Rumble...
A tremor shook the entire mountain range.
Then, a ferocious giant beast appeared before him.
He was nearly twice the size of the Fire Dragon form Natsu had transformed into during the festival.
With dark red Dragon Scale skin and a body as solid as rock, he was essentially a super-enhanced, majestic version of Natsu's dragon form.
"You likely harbor no ill will toward Natsu, and I must thank you for taking care of him all these years."
Igneel raised his massive head and let out a long roar that echoed through the mental landscape.
In the distance, two exceptionally powerful Magic Power signatures rapidly approached in response to the call.
As the magical energy condensed, the two colossal figures flying toward them revealed their true forms—like Igneel, they were two massive dragons with enormous physiques.
The one on the left resembled a large, white feathered Archaeopteryx dinosaur.
Though lacking Igneel's imposing musculature, her feathery coat gave her a gentler, more elegant appearance.
The dragon on the right looked fierce, its body seemingly forged from smooth, seamless steel.
Like the others, it bore no scales, appearing as if clad in heavy armor, with a glare in its eyes that mirrored Gajeel's ferocity perfectly.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Igneel," the Fire Dragon spoke. "These two are Grandeeney, the 'Sky Dragon,' and Metalicana, the 'Iron Dragon.' May I ask how you came to know of us, how you arrived here, and... who exactly are you?"
Just as Natsu had described, Igneel was dignified yet gentle—far exceeding Ankh's expectations of a crude old dragon.
Respect begets respect and Ankh politely bowed and introduced himself.
"My name is Ankh Seram. For now, I am merely someone striving to become a god. I wonder if you've heard this name before?"
"My abilities allow me to sense and alter life force. When I first met Natsu, I faintly sensed your presence, which is why I've come specifically to visit you."
Ankh made no effort to conceal his identity.
The name Ankhseram might hold some legendary status in ancient lore—perhaps Igneel was aware of it.
He wasn't arrogant enough to claim he was a true god yet, even though the voice of Seram was already causing an uproar in his mind at the mention of the name...
After speaking, Ankh clearly noticed a flicker of fear and vigilance in Igneel's golden draconic eyes.
"The legendary God of Life and Death, God Ankhseram..." Igneel rumbled, stepping back slightly.
"A name I'd rather not recall..."
Grandeeney and Metalicana seemed restless, shifting their weight as if wanting to speak, but Igneel stopped them with a look.
His eyes fixed intently on Ankh as he asked.
"In that case, do you share the same goal as that calamity-bringer, Acnologia?"
Ankh was taken aback. "Acnologia? The Black Dragon? What do you mean?"
Seeing that Ankh seemed genuinely unaware, Igneel's voice thundered as he explained.
"I know of a tale from an era even more distant, one that was merely a legend even when dragons ruled the world..."
Ankh crossed his arms, realizing this would be about his own story and prepared to listen attentively.
"Legend says..." Igneel's voice dropped to a whisper. "The gods are gone."
Ankh: "..."
'Huh?'
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