Talon landed with a heavy thud on the floating island, his wings aching from the flight. The ground beneath his claws was firm but strangely light, a mix of stone and soil, suspended high above the endless ocean. The wind howled through the sky, making the entire place feel wild and untamed. Lyra landed beside him, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. She was clearly exhausted, but her determination hadn’t faltered.
The Mother of All Dragons stood before them, her towering form casting a shadow over the landscape. She surveyed the island, her gaze sweeping across the jagged cliffs, the dense patches of wild vegetation, and the distant waterfalls cascading into the sky from neighbouring floating islands. It was a beautiful yet harsh place, and it felt like anything could happen here.
“This is your proving ground,” the Mother said, her deep, resonant voice commanding their attention. “From this moment on, you are no longer hatchlings. You are juveniles, dragons in training. Your survival here will determine whether you are worthy of growing into true dragons.”
Talon swallowed hard. The word survival echoed in his mind. He had known this was coming, but the reality of it was sinking in now. They were being left to fend for themselves, with no help, no guidance, and no safety net. It was dragon tradition to leave the young to survive on their own once they reached the juvenile stage. Only by proving their strength and resourcefulness could they grow into powerful adults.
“How long will we be here?” Lyra asked, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
The Mother glanced down at her, eyes softening briefly. “As long as it takes. Time means nothing to dragons. You will remain here until you have proven yourselves.”
Talon felt the weight of the words. It wasn’t just about physical strength or endurance—it was about mastering their instincts, unlocking their abilities, and surviving the elements. It was about becoming something greater than they were now.
“I will not return until you are ready,” the Mother continued, her tone final. “Remember what I’ve taught you. Hunt, fight, and grow. Trust your instincts. Trust each other. And most importantly, trust the power that lies within you. There is far more to being a dragon than brute strength.”
Talon nodded, and beside him, Lyra did the same. He felt a flicker of pride. They had trained hard with her for weeks, learning to hunt, fight, and fly. They had learned the basics of survival, but now they had to put it all to the test—alone.
The Mother stepped back, spreading her immense wings wide. “You are ready,” she said. “The rest is up to you.”
With a powerful thrust, she launched herself into the air. Talon and Lyra watched as her massive form disappeared into the sky, becoming nothing more than a distant speck against the horizon.
And then, they were alone.
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For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence of the island was overwhelming, broken only by the sound of the wind whipping through the cliffs and the occasional distant cry of a bird.
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Lyra took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “So… what do we do first?”
Talon considered their options. The island was vast and unfamiliar, with dense patches of forest, rocky outcrops, and a distant freshwater spring visible in the distance. They had everything they needed to survive here, but they had to be smart about it.
“First, we need to find shelter,” he said, his voice steady. “A place we can defend if we’re attacked.”
Lyra nodded, glancing around. “Good idea. And food. We’ll need to hunt soon.”
Talon smiled slightly. “You’re starting to sound like a real dragon.”
Lyra laughed, though there was a hint of nervousness behind it. “I guess I’m trying to fake confidence until I really feel it.”
“We’ll be fine,” Talon said, more to reassure her than himself. “We just need to stay calm and think things through.”
They began to explore the island together, keeping close as they navigated the rough terrain. The landscape was beautiful but harsh—jagged rocks and steep cliffs bordered thick forests that seemed to stretch endlessly. It was clear this place was untouched by civilization, wild and teeming with life. Small creatures scurried through the underbrush, and Talon could smell the presence of larger animals nearby.
After a while, they came across a series of caves nestled into the cliffs. One, in particular, seemed large enough to provide shelter but small enough to defend if needed. Talon led the way inside, inspecting the space. It was cool and dark, with enough room for both of them to sleep comfortably.
“This could work,” he said, glancing around. “It’s sheltered from the wind, and we can see anyone approaching from the outside.”
Lyra stepped in behind him, nodding. “Yeah, this feels safe.”
They spent the next few hours clearing out the cave, gathering soft leaves and moss to create makeshift bedding. It wasn’t much, but it would do for now.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of red and orange, Talon and Lyra sat at the entrance of the cave, watching the last rays of light dip below the horizon.
“Do you think we’ll make it?” Lyra asked quietly.
Talon glanced at her, seeing the uncertainty in her eyes. He understood her fear. The reality of their situation was daunting, and the weight of it pressed heavily on both of them.
“We have to,” he replied. “We’ll get stronger. We’ll survive. That’s what we’re here for, right?”
Lyra smiled faintly, though the doubt didn’t leave her entirely. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
They sat in silence for a while longer, watching as the stars began to dot the sky, one by one. The island was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant call of a nocturnal bird.
Talon felt the tension in his muscles slowly ease. This was it. This was where they would grow stronger, where they would become the dragons they were meant to be. He could feel the potential inside him, the elemental power that he had only just begun to understand. It was locked away for now, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed.
But for now, survival was their first priority.
“We should sleep,” Talon said, standing up and stretching his wings. “Tomorrow, we’ll hunt. We’ll need our strength.”
Lyra nodded and followed him inside the cave. They curled up on their makeshift beds, the cool air of the night filtering in through the entrance. Talon closed his eyes, letting the sound of the wind lull him to sleep.
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That night, Talon dreamt of the void.
He was floating again, just as he had when he first died as Titus Tanner. The vast darkness stretched endlessly around him, and the familiar hunger gnawed at his soul. But this time, there were no orbs, no fragments of dragon souls to consume.
Instead, there was a voice. Faint, distant, but unmistakably powerful.
“You are more than you know, Talon. The power you seek lies within. But beware—power comes at a cost.”
Talon tried to respond, but the words stuck in his throat. The voice faded, leaving only the crushing silence of the void.
And then he woke up.
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End of Chapter 4.