Back at Drac’s cave, the team finally regrouped, each bearing the fruits of their labor. The cave buzzed with a sense of accomplishment as they presented their findings.

Len was the first to arrive, setting down the Bramble fowl and its eggs with a weary but satisfied sigh. “Got the Bramble and the eggs. It took longer than I thought, but we managed.”

Drac inspected the fowl and eggs, his fiery eyes reflecting approval. “Excellent work, Len. This will make a fine addition to the feast.”

Next came Suli, her wings fluttering as she landed. “I’ve invited the Tiger and the Griffin to join us this evening. They’re bringing something special for Nyx.”

Drac’s expression softened into a smile. “Good. The more, the merrier. Nyx will be thrilled.”

Nabi arrived shortly after, his arms full of fresh vegetables and mushrooms. “I found some great veggies and mushrooms. They should add a nice variety to the feast,” he said, placing his bounty on a nearby table.

Drac’s eyes lit up with appreciation. “Perfect. These will add just the right touch to the meal.”

Finally, Guerim entered, carrying a bundle of materials. “I gathered everything needed to make clothes for Nyx. We’ve got Silken Fernweave, Verdant Leathersilk, Glimmerstrand, and Tendrilleather.” He carefully laid out the materials with a proud smile. “These should be enough to create something beautiful for her.”

Suli glanced at the materials with a grin. “Great! I’ll get started on something she can wear today.”

Drac, visibly pleased with the team’s efforts, clapped his hands together. “Everything looks fantastic. Let’s get to work.”

Drac’s massive size was put to good use. With his powerful claws, he tackled the larger tasks. His tail was used to stir a giant pot of vegetables and mushrooms, while his fiery breath roasted the Bramble fowl to perfection.

Len worked alongside Drac, carefully plucking feathers from the fowl. “I’ll handle the seasoning. Nabi, can you help with the chopping?”

Nabi nodded, his small hands deftly working on the vegetables. “Got it. I’ll make sure everything’s prepped and ready for cooking.”

The cave is filled with the delicious aroma of roasting fowl and seasoned vegetables. Drac’s controlled flames provided perfect heat for roasting, while his keen eyes ensured everything was cooking evenly.

Meanwhile, Suli and Guerim set up their crafting area for Nyx’s clothes.

Suli ran her fingers over the Silken Fernweave, admiring its softness. “We should start with the gown. This material is perfect for something elegant.”

Guerim examined the Verdant Leathersilk, nodding in agreement. “And for everyday wear, this will work well for boots and belts. The Glimmerstrand can add some nice decorative touches.”

Suli selected some Glimmerstrand with a sparkle in her eye. “We could use this for trim or headpieces. It’ll give a touch of magic.”

Guerim smiled as he cut the Tendrilleather. “And the Tendrilleather will be great for trousers or a jacket. We’ll make sure she has something versatile and stylish.”

Drac watched their progress with pride, his massive form casting a warm shadow over their work. “You all have done an excellent job. Nyx will be overjoyed.”

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As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the cave, the team admired their efforts. The feast was nearly ready, and Nyx’s clothes were taking shape. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and camaraderie, each member of the team eager to see Nyx’s reaction to their hard work.

At the silverheart tree

Nyx and Ryu were lounging beneath the Silverheart Tree, its branches casting a mosaic of shadows on the forest floor. Ryu’s task was to keep Nyx occupied until the others could prepare a special surprise for her. Nyx, blissfully unaware of the real reason for their outing, was excited to help out for Drac.

After a while of sitting in silence, Nyx turned to Ryu, who was also waiting patiently. “So, what exactly are we looking for?” she asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Ryu blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Uh, well…” He scrambled to recall what he was supposed to say. Drac hadn’t given him specific instructions, and now he was at a loss. He needed an excuse fast.

Nyx noticed his hesitation and asked again, “Ryu, are you okay? What are we supposed to do?”

Ryu, panicking, blurted out, “Drac said we should look for moon rocks.”

“Moon rocks?” Nyx repeated, her brow furrowing in confusion. “What are those?”

Desperate, Ryu invented a description. “They’re these transparent rocks with a silver magic essence around them. They’re about the size of a pebble and really pretty.”

“Wow, that sounds amazing!” Nyx said, her face lighting up with curiosity. “I’ve never heard of them before.”

Ryu felt a pang of guilt for fabricating the story, but he reassured himself it was for a good cause. Nyx’s excitement and the surprise planned for her were worth it. “Yeah, they’re pretty cool,” he agreed nonchalantly.

Nyx, intrigued, asked, “So, what does Drac need them for?”

Ryu paused, trying to come up with a plausible answer. “Well… maybe for decoration or something like that,” he said, feeling a bit smug. “Drac wants moon stones for decoration.”

Nyx looked skeptical. “Decoration? Are you sure?”

Ryu shrugged, trying to sound confident. “Yes, he’s a Dragon of few words.”

Nyx thought for a moment, then nodded. “Maybe you’re right. Where can I find these moon rocks?”

Ryu, relieved that Nyx seemed convinced, said, “They’re usually found in bushes or under tree trunks. Let’s start looking there.”

“Okay!” Nyx agreed eagerly. Together, they began their search for the non-existent moon rocks, with Nyx enthusiastically checking under bushes and around tree trunks, completely unaware of the surprise waiting for her back at the cave.

********************************************************

As the day wore on, Nyx's excitement to find the elusive moon rocks began to wane. She was deep in the underbrush, pushing aside branches and peering into shadowy nooks with increasing frustration. Her cheeks were flushed, not just from the exertion but from her desire to find the rocks for Drac. She wanted to make him happy, and every moment spent searching felt like a step closer to fulfilling that goal.

“I’m not sure I’m ever going to find these moon rocks,” Nyx said, her voice tinged with frustration. “I really want to get them for Drac.”

Ryu, who was trying his best to maintain his composure, replied, “It can take a while to find them since they’re so rare. Just keep looking—you might find them eventually.”

Nyx nodded and continued her search, though her enthusiasm was starting to wane.

Just then, Len appeared on the scene. He saw Nyx scrabbling through the bushes and made his way over to Ryu. “What’s going on? Why’s she digging around like that?”

“She’s looking for moon rocks,” Ryu said, trying to sound casual despite the fact that he was struggling to keep up the pretense.

Len raised an eyebrow. “Moon rocks? Those don’t actually exist.”

Ryu sighed, feeling a bit cornered. “I had to come up with something to keep her busy. She’s really determined.”

Len gave a knowing nod and walked over to Nyx, who was still focused on her search. “Any luck finding those rocks?”

Nyx looked up, her face a mix of hope and exasperation. “No, I haven’t found any yet. I really want to get them for Drac.”

“Let me give you a hand,” Len offered. “Maybe we’ll have better luck together.”

Nyx welcomed the help eagerly. “Thanks, Len. I’d appreciate it.”

Ryu pulled Len aside. “So, what’s the plan if we’re all ready?”

Len explained, “We’re getting things prepared, but we need to make sure she doesn’t arrive too early. We’ll be ready when the sun starts to set.”

Ryu nodded in understanding. As the three of them continued their search, the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows over the forest floor.

“It’s getting late,” Len said gently. “We should think about heading back to the cave.”

Nyx hesitated, her determination still burning bright. “But I haven’t found any moon rocks yet. I want to find them for Drac.”

They exchanged glances and gently persuaded her, “We can always come back another time. It’s getting late, and we don’t want to keep Drac waiting. He might be upset if we’re not there on time.”

Nyx considered their words, her shoulders sagging slightly as she realized they were right. With a reluctant nod, she agreed, “Okay, let’s go back.”

As they prepared to leave, Nyx was about to teleport them back to the cave, but Len suggested, “It’s been a while since you’ve walked. Why not enjoy the beauty of the path on the way back? It’s a lovely evening.”

Nyx thought for a moment and then smiled. “You’re right. It’ll be nice to take a walk.”

The three of them began their journey back to the cave, the air crisp and the path bathed in the soft glow of twilight. They walked in companionable silence, Nyx taking in the peaceful surroundings, and the sense of anticipation for what awaited them at the cave grew with every step.