Before the Citadel's sudden destruction, life was quite different for Malzeno. He was a young dragon, living and learning within the safety of the Citadel's walls. As a place of knowledge, culture, and tradition for dragons, the Citadel was a thriving and bustling center where dragons from different tribes would come together to share their wisdom and coexist peacefully. Malzeno spent most of his days exploring the vast corridors and ancient libraries, learning the secrets and history of dragons. He particularly enjoyed studying the legends and myths of his people, which sometimes inspired his dreams of becoming a great and powerful leader one day. His close friend, Garangolm, was always by his side, and the two of them would spend hours imagining what it would be like to rule over their own kingdom. They would pretend to be kings, engaging in hypothetical battles and diplomatic negotiations to test their skills and wits. While dragons in the Citadel mostly lived in harmony, there were still tensions brewing between the tribes outside its walls. Queen Velkhana and Queen Lunastra were constantly at odds, leading their respective forces in battles that would shake the very core of the dragon world. This unrest and conflict gradually started spilling over into the Citadel's territory, putting its residents on edge. As tensions grew, the Citadel began increasing its defenses, preparing for the possibility of an attack. Some dragons within the Citadel began forming alliances and choosing sides in the ongoing conflict, further dividing and destabilizing the once-peaceful community. It was amidst this brewing chaos that tragedy struck. Though the exact cause of the Citadel's sudden destruction is still unclear, it completely devastated the community that called it home. In the aftermath, Malzeno barely managed to escape with his life, losing his friend Garangolm in the process and setting the stage for his journey and eventual rise to power alongside Peril in the Skywing kingdom.