One week had passed since Kong and Godzilla's visit, and life in the Hollow Earth had become more settled. The dragons had adapted to their new environment, and the valley was now alive with activity. New homes had been built, hunting grounds expanded, and the young ones were growing strong under the tutelage of the older dragons. It was a time of peace, but I knew well enough that such peace was never guaranteed forever. Still, for now, the clan thrived, and that was enough.
Today, however, I was focused on something different—a personal journey, a deep dive into the waters beneath our valley. The sea, ever abundant with life, had always fascinated me. In the past year, I had seen the dragons grow, their strength increasing, but I felt there was something more to be done—something deeper, something that could amplify their power even further.
The sun had just started its descent behind the massive mountains that surrounded the valley, casting an amber hue over the water. I spread my wings, took flight, and made my way down toward the sea. Below, I could see the silhouettes of a few baby dragons, their small bodies darting through the water as they hunted under the watchful eyes of a couple of the more seasoned adult dragons.
As I dove deeper, I marveled at how much the younger dragons had learned in such a short period. The water was their playground, and it was also where they had perfected their hunting. With the guidance of the adults, the baby dragons had become skilled at using the currents to their advantage, chasing smaller prey through the underbrush of coral and seaweed, their movements graceful and swift.
I circled them briefly, watching as they hunted in packs, working together to trap their prey. The older dragons, though not as fast, had become patient hunters. They stayed still in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike, their eyes gleaming with the wisdom of countless hunts. The younger dragons were improving, but there was still much they needed to learn.
After a while, I dove deeper, the water growing colder and darker the farther I went. The sounds of the underwater world became muffled, and only the occasional flicker of movement from fish or shifting currents broke the silence. It was here, in the depths, that I began to feel a presence—a faint pulse, a hum of energy resonating through the water.
As I swam further down, I saw it.
The Stone of Power—the very same stone Kong and Godzilla had gifted us, the one that pulsed with strange energy. It lay at the bottom of the sea, resting on the sandy floor like a forgotten relic. The faint glow from its surface illuminated the water around it, casting an ethereal light that seemed to attract the smaller creatures swimming nearby.
I paused before it, hovering in the water as I examined the stone more closely. The power emanating from it was undeniable. It was not overwhelming, not a force that could shake the world, but it was constant—steady and deep, like the very heartbeat of the Hollow Earth itself. I had always felt its energy since Kong had gifted it to us, but being here, underwater, I could feel it in a different way. The power felt more amplified beneath the surface of the water.
A thought struck me then.
What if the stone could do more than simply provide strength to those who wield it on land? What if I could harness this power and connect it to the very waters that sustained the dragon clan? I had been thinking about this for a while now, but seeing the stone here, in its natural resting place, cemented my decision.
I swam closer to the stone, its energy seeming to hum in response to my presence. Carefully, I positioned myself next to it, using my claws to gently lift it from the sandy floor. The stone was heavy, much heavier than it appeared, but I was strong enough to carry it without issue.
With the stone secured in my claws, I swam to a nearby outcrop of rocks, carefully setting it down on a flat surface. The water around it seemed to pulse, the currents shifting slightly in response to the stone's presence. I knew that this was no ordinary object—this was something ancient, something that carried the very essence of the Hollow Earth within it.
I thought for a moment, considering how I could best utilize this power for the dragons. After a while, it came to me. The valley's water had become a crucial part of the ecosystem for the dragons. The young ones, especially, often hunted and played in these waters, drinking from the pools that dotted the land. What if the energy from the stone could imbue the water with a constant flow of power? Every time a dragon drank from the water or ate from the sea, they would be gaining strength, becoming more powerful, faster, and sharper. It could amplify their growth and hunting abilities, making them stronger than ever before.
With that idea in mind, I set the stone down on a ledge, carefully wedging it between two larger rocks so that it would remain steady. As I did, I noticed something—the stone's glow seemed to intensify as it touched the water, almost as if it was reacting to its new surroundings.
I took a deep breath and dipped my head beneath the surface, letting the water flow around me. The energy from the stone pulsed through the water, and I could feel it—an undercurrent of strength, rising and ebbing with each passing moment. It was subtle, but it was there. I knew that this was the beginning of something that would change everything.
Over the next few hours, I spent time ensuring the stone was secure, repositioning it to maximize its effect on the water. I made sure that it was placed in the deepest part of the sea, where the dragons were most likely to hunt. As I worked, I could feel the energy of the stone seeping into the water, creating a subtle shift in the currents. The fish seemed more vibrant, the young dragons more energized as they swam past, and the feeling in the air was different—richer, more powerful.
I stayed in the water, savoring the newfound strength that coursed through the currents. It was a deep, subtle change, but I could feel it within my very bones. I knew the dragons would feel it too, especially when they came to drink or hunt in this sea.
After a while, I surfaced, taking a moment to breathe in the fresh air before diving again. I looked around, making sure the placement of the stone was just right. It was perfect. The power would flow through the water, and the dragons would benefit from it every time they came here to drink or hunt.
I swam back to the surface, feeling more energized than I had in a long time. The stone's power was now a part of the sea, and I could sense that it would grow stronger as time passed. I knew that, in time, the dragons would grow stronger, their abilities enhanced by the very water they swam in.
Satisfied with my work, I returned to the surface and took flight, heading back toward the valley. The dragons would be able to feel the difference soon, and when they did, they would know that the Hollow Earth, with all its mysteries and power, was becoming more and more their home.