Our chit-chat was beckoned back to the grand hall. A weighty silence pervaded the space, a stillness so profound that no one dared to breach it. The tension, thick enough to cut with a knife, was finally shattered by Akira's forthright query, "What are your decisions, masters?"

Taranis ceded the floor to his fellow guardian. "Erebus will convey our decision," he offered.

The other guardians echoed their agreement. "Indeed, let Erebus be the bearer of our collective will," one of them affirmed.

Erebus cleared his throat, his voice resonating with an unmistakable note of pride. "The specifics of our agreement are confidential. However, we have new directives for both of you. Raphael, you are hereby prohibited from leaving the city for your own protection. A new protected dwelling, in proximity to the temple, will be assigned to you. As for Akira, you are to act as Raphael’s guide henceforth. Ensure his powers are fully realized; they may be crucial if your visions and the prophecy materialize."

A tumult of emotions coursed through me. I found myself entrusted to someone I scarcely knew, yet there was comfort in having a defined role and a place to call home. While I remained silent, Akira voiced her concerns, "I must be informed about your confidential decisions as soon as possible."

Erebus responded, "We will disclose the information as soon as Raphael demonstrates progress. In the interim, he has a week to familiarize himself with his surroundings. You may assign aides to facilitate his transition, and it is your responsibility to orchestrate this process effectively. Consider this as a trial for potential promotion."

She exhaled deeply, conceding, "Very well, that seems reasonable."

Then Erebus turned to me, "We have faith in you, Raphael, but be careful. If you unearth any significant self-development, report it to Akira or us first. Do not make critical decisions alone. She will guide you for the time being. Is that clear?"

I nodded, replying, "Understood. Thank you."

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Erebus declared, "If there are any final words, let them be spoken now or remain forever unvoiced." Silence reigned, and he continued, "Very well. We’ve concluded for today. You are all dismissed. We shall reunite in a few days." With that, we vacated the temple.

Akira delegated an assistant to guide me to my new dwelling. As we exited, the temple was suddenly bustling with aides. I hadn't realized that each master had a team of assistants who would swarm in as soon as their services were required.

I trailed behind the assistant assigned to me, while Akira departed in a different direction. Left alone with a wyvern, my fear  resurfaced.

He remained silent until we reached our destination. "Welcome, sir. This will be your abode henceforth. Should you need assistance, you can find me at the city library or contact the relevant authorities. Have a good evening."

Before I could express my gratitude, he took flight, his wings stirring up a cloud of dust. During our journey, I noticed a square with a map and decided to examine it at my earliest convenience. Currently, however, my knowledge of the city's geography was limited. For the rest of the day, I decided to explore my new dwelling. It was far more spacious than necessary, with rooms so large that even a gathering of fifteen people would seem sparse.

The house was also equipped with a library and a workshop, among other amenities. However, the most striking feature was a room housing a fountain and a miniature landscape, a microcosm of the realm of the wind dragons, the "Whispering Mounts". Despite its beauty, I couldn't help but feel the limitations of my confined existence within the city walls. My freedom felt curtailed and my actions limited. For now, the "Whispering Mounts" would have to remain a distant dream.