A white dragon, named Albaris, bounded after Seraph with gleeful energy, its massive frame moving with surprising agility for a creature the size of a truck. Its tongue lolled out as it pounced, playfully trying to nudge Seraph with its snout.

“No, no, no—ahhh!” Seraph shrieked, clutching her long robes in both hands to keep from tripping as she dashed away, her legs pumping furiously. Her breath came in panicked gasps, and her face was a mixture of terror and sheer exasperation.

“Come back here!” Lorian shouted, chasing after the dragon with arms flailing. His voice cracked with urgency, but the dragon was too caught up in the game to pay him any mind.

The stables buzzed with life, dragons of every hue and size scattered around. Crimson reds, deep purples, forest greens, and sleek blacks shimmered under the late afternoon sun. Their scales gleamed like polished gemstones, and their tails swished lazily or thumped rhythmically against the ground.

“Help meeee!” Seraph whined, her voice high-pitched as her stamina gave out. She stumbled but caught herself, her gaze darting desperately for assistance.

Magnus, ever composed, stepped forward with deliberate calm. His shoulders carried an air of quiet authority as he reached for the lead dangling from the white dragon’s neck. With a firm tug, he halted the dragon mid-stride. The massive creature turned its head to him, its playful energy subsiding as it sniffed at Magnus’s outstretched hand.

The dragon’s snout wrinkled in curiosity, and its large, expressive eyes softened. Magnus patted its head with a firm yet gentle hand, his voice gentle and steady. “Easy now, there you go.”

Seraph and Lorian staggered to a stop, panting heavily. Seraph clutched at a stitch in her side, her face flushed. “Thanks,” she wheezed, shooting Magnus a grateful look. “I owe you one.”

Magnus extended the lead back to Lorian, who accepted it with an exasperated sigh, his shoulders slumping as he grasped the worn leather reins. Albaris, the sleek and playful white creature, let out a soft, rumbling huff, its nostrils flaring as it tilted its head toward Lorian. Its shimmering scales caught the sunlight, the pearly sheen accentuated by the faint streaks of gold along its ridges.

The dragon’s tail swished behind it, a deliberate and almost mischievous wag, as if it were proud of its antics. Its eyes gleamed with a playful intelligence, watching Lorian with a look that seemed to say, That was fun, wasn’t it?

Lorian gave Albaris a pointed glare, though the corners of his mouth twitched as if fighting a reluctant smile. “You’re lucky you’re adorable,” he muttered under his breath, tugging gently on the lead as the dragon gave an indignant snort, puffing warm air over his face. The creature trotted obediently beside him now, though its tail continued to flick back and forth with a playful energy, as if ready for the next adventure.

“Wooooaaah!” A shout tore through the air, snapping everyone’s attention toward the far side of the enclosure.

Caelus clung desperately to the back of a massive, blue dragon that was easily twice the size of the others. Its scales shimmered like deep ocean waves under the sun, and its wings spread wide, casting an imposing shadow over the training grounds. The beast thrashed wildly, trying to dislodge him. Its muscular tail whipped back and forth with enough force to uproot a small tree, and its low growls rumbled like distant thunder.

“Hold onto the lead! The lead!” Darius bellowed from below, his hands cupped around his mouth to amplify his voice. One hand rested on his hip as he watched with a mix of amusement and mild concern.

This dragon wasn’t just larger—it was fiercer, more menacing, with sharp ridges along its spine and glowing eyes that seemed to hold a molten fire. It was clear this creature was the leader among the group, a beast that demanded respect.

Caelus gritted his teeth, his arms straining as he tightened his grip on the thick leather lead. The dragon bucked again, and for a moment, it felt as if the world tilted. But Caelus yanked the lead hard, his muscles burning with effort. The dragon froze mid-buck, snorting loudly before lowering its body to the ground in reluctant submission.

Caelus slid off the dragon’s back, his legs wobbling as he steadied himself. Darius approached with a booming laugh, clapping him on the back. “Not bad for your first ride!” he said, his grin wide. “Though don’t feel bad—this one’s a tough nut to crack. Azurath doesn’t trust easily.”

Caelus wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing back at the dragon. It lay on the ground, its bright topaz eyes watching him with an unreadable expression. Its eyelids blinked sideways first, a translucent layer sliding across its gaze, followed by a vertical blink. Its pupils, thin and diamond-shaped, contracted sharply, and its gaze seemed to sharpen, locking onto him with an intensity that felt almost uncanny. For a fleeting moment, the creature's eyes widened ever so slightly, betraying a flicker of recognition—an echo of familiarity, as if it saw something in him that transcended the moment.

"Seven thousand health?!" Caelus hissed under his breath, his voice teetering between disbelief and a strained whisper as his eyes locked onto Azurath's glowing health bar. The number seemed to mock him, bold and unwavering, sitting like an impossible mountain above its head. I only have like 1000 HP!

His mind raced, comparing it to his own, far humbler health pool. How is that even fair? The sheer disparity gnawed at him, a mix of awe and frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Nearby, Darius smirked, clearly overhearing. "Jealous?" he teased, arms crossed as his own health bar shimmered prominently.

Caelus shot him a glare, muttering under his breath, "Not jealous, just... amazed. Who needs that much health anyway?"

Darius chuckled, the sound low and rumbling. "Someone who plans to survive."

“You’re incredible,” Caelus whispered, his voice tinged with awe as he extended a tentative hand toward the dragon’s snout. Its smooth, iridescent scales shimmered beneath his fingers, warm and alive. The creature huffed softly, a deep rumble reverberating through its chest like distant thunder, and it closed its brilliant topaz eyes for a brief moment, as if accepting his gesture. The subtle display of trust stirred something within Caelus, and a grin spread across his face, unbidden and genuine. The bond felt fragile yet profound, a connection bridging two worlds.This is so freaking cool.

“Wooo-hooo!” Elira’s jubilant cry rang out as she soared high above, her brilliant red dragon slicing through the air with breathtaking grace. The sunlight danced off its gleaming scales, painting streaks of fiery gold and crimson as it spiralled effortlessly against the deep blue sky. Each powerful beat of its wings reverberated like distant thunder, propelling them forward with exhilarating speed.

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“Faster!” Elira urged, leaning into the wind, her hair whipping wildly behind her. The dragon, Ignis, let out a resonant roar, its muscular body surging with raw power as it obeyed her command. Together, they streaked through the heavens, executing a daring, fluid loop that left her breathless with laughter. Her joyous peals echoed through the air, a perfect harmony with the dragon’s own fierce energy.

Lorian sat astride the white dragon that had chased Seraph earlier. The playful beast lowered its massive head, its nostrils flaring as it sniffed curiously at Cheese. The little slime froze, trembling so violently that faint ripples coursed across its gelatinous form.

A soft, pale purple glow pulsed from Cheese, mirroring the fear that seemed to paralyse it. Its wide, watery eyes shimmered with unshed tears, staring helplessly at the dragon's enormous snout, which loomed mere inches away. The dragon huffed, a warm gust of air ruffling the slime’s quivering surface, and Cheese let out a tiny, pitiful squeak, shrinking back in sheer terror.

Meanwhile, Magnus stood beside a serene green dragon, Verdan, its massive head lowered as it pressed against his hand with surprising gentleness. The beast’s scales shimmered like polished jade in the sunlight, and its deep emerald eyes softened, half-lidded with contentment. “There, there,” Magnus murmured, his voice calm and steady, as though speaking to an old friend. The dragon let out a low, rumbling purr, nudging its snout against his palm with an almost dog-like affection, seeking comfort in his touch.

Seraph approached her sleek, purple dragon, Lunara with deliberate care, each step slow and measured. The dragon’s scales shimmered with a mesmerising iridescence, shifting between deep violet and midnight black as the light danced across its form. Its sharp, green eyes followed her intently, the tension in its powerful frame evident in the way its tail twitched and claws flexed lightly against the ground.

She stopped a few feet away, her heart pounding but her hand steady as she extended it toward the wary creature. “Easy, Lunara…” she murmured, her voice soft and soothing, barely above a whisper. The dragon’s nostrils flared as it took in her scent, its head lowering slightly but still poised to pull back at the slightest misstep.

When her hand finally touched its snout, its scales were cool and smooth under her fingertips. The dragon blinked slowly, its sharp gaze softening as a low, resonant rumble echoed from deep within its chest—a sound of guarded curiosity rather than hostility. Its head tilted ever so slightly, as if puzzled by the gesture, and the tension in its frame began to ease. Seraph let out a quiet breath she hadn’t realised she was holding, a tentative smile tugging at her lips.

Finally, Riven stood next to the massive black dragon named Noctis, its dark, glossy scales nearly blending into the shadows cast by the sun. The dragon lay sprawled lazily on the ground, its long tail coiled loosely around its feet, and its head resting gently on one large claw. The air around it seemed thick with its indifference, and when it cracked open a single purple eye to glance at Riven, it did so with a kind of bored curiosity. After a moment, the eye closed with a slow, dismissive blink, followed by a soft huff of breath.

Riven crossed her arms and scowled, irritation creeping into her voice as she kicked the dirt near the dragon's tail. "Come on, you oversized lizard," she muttered under her breath. "Do something."

Darius, standing nearby, burst into laughter, his hearty chuckles ringing through the air. "I picked dragons I thought suited you best," he called, wiping a tear from his eye. "Give it time—they’ll warm up to you."

Riven turned to him, deadpan. "Get me a new one."

"No can do!" Darius bellowed, still grinning. "Trust me, they’ll come around. It just takes a little patience."

Riven let out a long sigh, casting one last irritated glance at the dragon. "Fine," she muttered, "but if it doesn’t start doing something other than breathing, I might just leave it in the woods."

As the afternoon wore on, the group bonded with their dragons in their own ways. Caelus couldn’t help but marvel at how seamlessly the beasts moved, their sheer power and elegance an awe-inspiring sight.

Finally, Darius raised his hand to his mouth and let out a sharp, ear-piercing whistle, fingers pressed firmly between his lips. The sound was high-pitched, cutting through the air like a blade, and echoed across the enclosure. Instantly, the dragons snapped to attention, their heads swivelling toward him in perfect synchrony. Even Riven’s lethargic black dragon, which had been sprawled lazily on the ground, stirred with a low grumble. It reluctantly uncoiled itself, its heavy limbs thumping softly against the dirt as it padded over to Darius with an almost begrudging obedience. The dragons were now all fixed on him, their eyes bright with alertness, as if every one of them recognized the command in the sharp whistle.

“Traitor,” Riven muttered, crossing her arms as the dragon sauntered past her.

Elira’s red dragon descended from the sky in a breathtaking arc, its wings slicing through the air with a powerful grace. It landed with a dramatic flourish, its claws digging into the earth with a resounding thud that sent a small cloud of dust rising into the air. “Woooooo!” she yelled, her exhilaration infectious.

Caelus looked to Azurath. Maybe one day.

The rest of the dragons slowly circled around Darius, their eyes locked on him with an air of attentive anticipation. Their powerful forms seemed to hum with energy, the tension in the air palpable as they awaited his next command. Even the more stubborn ones, like Riven’s black dragon, had straightened, drawn in by Darius’s commanding presence. The dragons’ varied colours and sizes created a stunning contrast against the backdrop of the clearing, each creature standing poised and ready for whatever came next.

Darius clapped his hands sharply, cutting through the murmurs of the group. The sound echoed in the still evening air, drawing everyone's attention toward him. His expression was serious now, the familiar levity gone as he focused on the task at hand. “Alright, enough chatter,” he said, his voice carrying with quiet authority. “Let’s go over the plan for tomorrow.”

Caelus stepped forward, his stance steady and sure, a quiet confidence radiating from him as he accepted a scroll from Lorian. With a swift motion, he unrolled the map, the parchment crackling softly in the cool evening air. The edges, worn from frequent use, fluttered slightly in the breeze, drawing the eyes of the group. His gaze swept over the map, pinpointing their course with a steady finger.

“Tomorrow, at first light, we head to the Withered Woods on dragonback,” Caelus announced, his voice firm, but with a certain weight to it that conveyed the importance of the mission ahead. His tone was that of a leader, settling into the role more comfortably with each passing day.

Lorian’s eyes focused on the map with a furrowed brow. “That’s going to be a long ride,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. “I can’t teleport us far enough to make it in a single jump.”

Caelus continued, his finger tracing the route along the map, moving from the bustling kingdom’s outskirts to the ominous expanse of the Withered Woods. “We’ll stop in the nearby village of Ashenbrook for the night. It’s a good place to rest and resupply before we venture deeper into the woods. After that, we continue our search for Myrkos.” He let the map roll up again, securing it with a quick motion.

Darius, who had been leaning against one of the dragons with his arms crossed, gave a low whistle, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. “We’ll need to stay vigilant. The woods are dangerous, and we don’t know what kind of resistance Myrkos might have in there.”

Magnus looked up at Caelus, adding, “I’ll make sure we’re well-prepared. We don’t want to be caught off guard.”

Nodding, Seraph adjusted her robes, brushing off some imaginary dust before speaking with a wry smile. “We’ll just have to hope we’re faster than whatever Myrkos has waiting for us.” Her purple dragon, resting nearby, perked up its head, as if sensing the anticipation in the air.

Caelus met her gaze, a determined look in his eyes. “We’ll be ready. Let’s make sure we’re well-rested tonight. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

Standing near her lazy black dragon, Riven kicked at the dirt again in slight annoyance. “I’m not sure about this dragon bonding business, but if it means getting us closer to Myrkos, I’ll put up with it.”