One month later…

The morning sun greeted the world with the last weeks of summer. However, life around the manor was already in full swing.

Four elves stood and watched with various expressions as each of their bonded partners began to play. Yedril and Lorem were laughing as Tzarin and Zarrina took turns pouncing on each other. Truly, it was a ferocious display of power.

Then there was Solanna and Noria, they watched with more trepidation as their partners began sneaking up on the first two. Falzon and Azelea waited, hunched down, and prepared to launch their terrifying assault.

The moment came as Tzarin and Zarrina ended up rolling in their fight for dominance. Azelea struck first, but Falzon was only a moment behind.

The two groups collided, in a vicious, snarling fight to the death…

Felix shook his head, listening to the cute, if a bit pathetic, cries of the young dragons. They are quite rowdy this morning. He thought, chuckling. Kneeling, he finished checking his last bag, giving it a light tap after cinching it shut.

Got to be careful with this one. It’s the most important…

“You have everything?” He heard from behind him. It was Eri and she was looking over his shoulder. Just like him and Zira, she and Kyrith were getting ready.

Both groups would be taking their first real flights today. However, there was only one problem…

“I think so,” Felix answered and stood up. “Just a little nervous, if I’m being honest.”

“About flying or–”

He quickly interrupted her. “The other part. Do you think Yorlen will hear me out?”

“Why wouldn’t he? Chief Yorlen seemed to like you.”

“I know, but… Well, Aluin is missing and it's just going to be me and Zira. I’m worried about what they might say about me.” He admitted sheepishly.

“Wasn’t this your idea?”

“Yeah… It was. I want you to come along, but one of us needs to stay here. Besides, me and Zira do need to build more trust with the villagers. I’m just hoping I can get Chief Yorlen to agree, we’re going to need him if we want to build the dormitory.”

Eri stepped closer and wrapped her around him. “You’ll do fine, I just know it. Chief Yorlen isn’t a fool and… You do have the perfect bribe,” she teased, glancing down to the bag at their feet.

Felix chuckled and returned the hug.

As all this was happening, however, Zira was growing more and more impatient. She made sure he was aware of this…

“Thanks…” Him and Eri separated, both smiling at each other.

“Anyway, I think I should hurry up. Zira is getting annoyed with me… And I don’t know about you, but I really want to get into the sky.”

She laughed, “Kyrith is pestering me as well… He keeps asking if I’m ready–”

“Are you?!" the ember-colored dragon suddenly butted in. "I can’t wa–”

“Kyrith…” Eri warned, much like a mother would an unruly child.

Felix ignored the byplay between the two, instead turning his attention towards Zira. Almost done, he promised. Just need to strap this bag to your side and I’ll be ready.

Finally, I was getting tired just standing here. She let out an agitated snort.

Felix picked up the last bag and, with some rope, began tying it to her side. You know, you’re acting a lot like–

Don’t say it, or else I will make this experience horrible for you.

Rolling his eyes, he tightened the knot and stepped back. How’s that? Nothing snagging or restricting movement?

Zira shifted and took a few steps, flaring her wings in the process. Everything’s fine.

He gave her side a pat before turning around and focusing on Kyrith and Eri. They were still going back and forth…

He cleared his throat to get their attention. “Alright, Eri. I think me and Zira are ready. Are you sure you will–”

“We’ll be fine. Go, and take your time. Enjoy yourselves, I know me and Kyrith will,” Eri said, cutting him off.

“Right…” He turned his attention to the other elves. They were in the process of breaking up a fight as their dragons became a little too rowdy.

“You all take care as well!” he called out, giving them a wave.

Solanna looked up and waved back. “You have our letter?!”

Felix patted the pocket in which it laid, ensuring it was still there. “I do, I’ll make sure it goes out!”

“T-thank– Ow! Thank you!” Yedril shouted out, prying Zarrina off of Tzarin.

Felix shook his head again. Those four dragons are pretty rowdy…

Indeed, Zira snorted. Doesn’t help that they know I will be gone. But, I wouldn’t worry too much, Ithea seems to think it’s pretty normal.

That caught him slightly off guard, but Zira and her mother had started thawing their relationship somewhat…

Right, anyway. He approached her and waited until she lowered herself down before hopping onto her back.

“Alright, good luck everyone! Me and Zira are heading out!”

“Bye– Oh! Bring us back some gifts!” Kyrith shouted. The ember-colored dragon had been miffed about not being able to go with them.

Felix gave him a reassuring nod. “Don’t worry, if everything goes to plan, then I will bring back more than a few gifts!”

The dragon perked up at that.

Are you done yet?! Gods, let’s get a move on already! Zira complained.

He ignored her for a moment as the elves waved and shouted their good-byes. “Alright, Zira,” he said out loud. “Let’s–”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence as Zira suddenly took off at a dead sprint…

Fierce and powerful, over the last month she began putting on muscle. No longer did she have the appearance of a lanky, youthful dragon. No, now she had a certain beauty and grace that commanded respect and reverence from all that looked upon her.

Unfurling her mighty wings, Zira proudly beat them. The currents kicked up dust and dirt, scattering it in her wake. Felix could only hug his arms tightly around her neck, feeling the thundering reverberation through her.

He blinked and found them lifting off the ground. Letting out a whoop, Felix nearly let go and only managed to stop himself at the last moment.

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They began to climb, slowly at first, but with each successful beat of her wings, Zira picked up speed. Soon, they were above the treetops that surrounded the clearing.

Looking down, he swore he saw a mass of purple watching them from one of the branches…

I think I just saw Ithea! He shouted by accident, his excitement controlling him.

Humph, good for you. Zira responded, clearly not happy about the mentioning of her mother.

I guess there’s still some work to be done between those two, he thought to himself. He pushed the thought from his mind, and decided to focus on the scenery before them…

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Eri gulped as she settled down upon Kyrith’s back. Felix and Zira were gone and now it was their turn. However, unlike the other two, they would be returning back to the manor…

Are you ready yet?! Kyrith demanded, the dragon was already shivering with excitement.

Almost… Eri shifted in her seat, making sure she wouldn’t easily slide or fall off. Satisfied, she threw a quick glance to the other elves.

They were watching from a safe distance. At their feet were the young dragons, looking on with intense curiosity. Tzarin let out a mighty, if squeaky, roar as Eri’s eyes met his.

The sight made her let out a laugh, calming her nerves for a brief moment.

Ready, Eri said. It was now or never.

Kyrith unfurled his wings in an impressive display. Definitely showing off, she thought with a smirk.

Her partner took a single step, flapping his wings once as if dusting them off. Then, he took another step, and another… It wasn’t long before the ember-colored dragon was practically sprinting.

The wind swept past her, blowing her hair and clothes as they picked up speed. Behind her, and through the noise of Kyrith’s massive wings beating, she could hear the faint shouts of encouragement mixed with tiny roars…

In the blink of an eye, Eri suddenly felt her weight shift. Looking down, it took her mind a moment to realize what was happening.

They were lifting off.

The thrill and excitement suddenly gripped her, replacing her worries. On the other side of their bond, Kyrith was beyond restraint. The dragon had only one thing on his mind, Climb!

Climb they did. Higher and higher, the two soon were above the treetops, then they were aiming for the height of the clouds…

The scenery below them turned into a blur of green. They were high, so very high. She could no longer make out any details. A chill like none she ever felt before ran through her.

Kyrith… Eri tried, fighting her own exhilaration. He continued to climb…

Kyrith! She shouted this time, she was starting to feel light headed…

Kyrith… P-please… Her vision was starting to dim, her tight grip was starting to slip…

For an fleeting moment, Eri thought she saw the world curve–

Her grip failed.

Eri began to fall away.

She did not scream…

With a jolt Eri gasped and began to panic. She was falling to her death– Strange, I don’t feel like I’m falling. She blinked, realizing she was still on Kyrith’s back. In fact, they were on the ground.

Eri! Oh gods… Eri! Please, are you alright?!

It was Kyrith’s voice and he was absolutely terrified.

Catching her breath, she shakily patted his neck. I’m…fine.

He let out a whimper. Eri… I’m so sorry. I–

I know. She leaned forward and gently wrapped her arms around his neck. I’m fine… Just exhausted. Will you help me down?

Kyrith responded by lowering his body to the ground. After several tries, Eri was able to slide down. She landed on her knees, her legs too weak to hold her.

A moment later, Kyrith’s head was in her face. Looking up, she saw the fear in his eyes.

Still shaky, she reached a hand up and rubbed the ridge of his snout. There, there, she comforted him. I’m alright.

He let out another whine. Through their bond, Eri could feel he was beating himself up over his mistake. The self-inflicted punishment was too much for her.

She ‘reached out’ for him, letting their minds bump into each other. Kyrith froze, before quickly embracing hers in a mental hug.

For a moment, their minds came together…

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Evening was approaching and with it, Felix and Zira began looking for a place to land. Their trip, so far, had been made in silence.

For Felix, he was enjoying the moment. This was the first time in– Has there been a moment like this? He couldn’t think of one. Still, it was just him and Zira, flying through the sky.

They were alone.

They were free.

Their worries were left on the ground. Sure, they were technically on a mission, and it was true that people were counting on them. But there was no expediency required. They could, and did, take their time…

Meanwhile, for Zira, things were a little different. This was the first time she truly felt relieved, at peace. Between the visions and nightmares they both had, she now had the power to pluck Felix up and fly away.

She would do anything to keep him alive.

Even if it went against his wishes.

With the relief flowing through her, she let out a purr. It reverberated, catching Felix’s attention.

Feeling good? he asked.

Yes.

He let out a chuckle. This is nice, just the two of us.

It is.

If he couldn’t tell how she was feeling, he would have thought something was wrong. However, he could, and Zira was like him, drinking in the peaceful moment…

A few minutes later, they both became more serious about finding a place to land. The evening sun cast the sky in brilliant hues of orange and red; it wouldn’t be too long before darkness fell.

See anything? Felix asked, leaning over Zira’s right side and doing his best to search.

Nothing yet, at least, nothing I want to try. She answered. They were mostly reliant on her vision, she could see much further away than he could.

Yeah… But we might have to–

Zira cut him off. I think I found something… Strange.

What is it? He shifted and squinted in the direction she was looking.

I’m…not sure, but it’s large.

A few moments later, he could just make out what she was seeing. A circular area, devoid of any trees. What the… Felix trailed off.

As they came closer, the circle grew in depth. It wasn’t just a clearing, it was–

A crater?! he shouted in disbelief.

They flew over it, seeing the massive depression made into the ground. The perimeter was nearly a perfect circle and the sheer size of it left Felix in shock.

It must be hundreds of yards wide…

Zira snorted in agreement. It looks pretty deep too.

What could have caused this? he wondered.

I…don’t know. Should we land? There’s plenty of space around the edge… She asked, feeling just as confused as him.

Felix chewed on her question. I guess we don’t have much of a choice right now. Either we land on the edge of this crater, or we attempt a more risky landing in one of the smaller clearings.

Then I’m going to land, she said, already banking towards the ground. Felix tightened his grip around her neck as she did so…

They landed with a soft, thud. Zira folded her wings while Felix slid off her back and onto the ground.

Allowing a moment to stretch his cramped legs, he cautiously approached the crater. With the daylight fading, and the dark colored earth, it was difficult for him to tell just how deep it was. However, he could make out how steep it was, at least around the edge.

That wasn’t all however, he did make out a few patches of grass here and there. They looked to have been there for a little bit, but considering that it was patchy at best, this crater couldn’t have been that old.

What in the hells could have caused this? he asked again.

I’m going to taste the mana, Zira said. She approached and stared down the pit. The air grew colder as she–

Felix noticed her going still. What is it? What did you find?

His partner shook her head and backed away, letting out a curse.

What did you find? he repeated.

Turning her head towards him, she narrowed her eyes.

Void magic.