The next morning, I awoke, still shaken by the nightmare I had experienced. The words of the horned figure echoed in my mind, leaving behind a lingering feeling of unease.

I descended the stairs to join Frida in the kitchen. The enticing aroma of the hearty breakfast she had prepared filled the room. Colorful fresh fruits and delicious magical bread adorned the table. I did my best to appear fine and not worry Frida any further. But she, always attentive to my emotions, gave me an inquisitive look.

"Are you okay, Riko?" she asked softly.

I smiled at her, trying to conceal my worries. "Yes, don't worry. Let's go; we must see that old lady who might have witnessed the dragon's disappearance."

After savoring our breakfast, we headed to the old lady's place. When we arrived at her door, I insisted and knocked several times, but there was no response from inside. At that moment, a neighbor of the old lady, an elderly man dressed in a dark cloak, approached us.

"I see you're looking for Mrs. Mushroom, but she left early this morning. She went towards the Forbidden Woods, a dangerous and mysterious place," he warned us with a concerned voice.

The Forbidden Woods, those words echoed like echoes of legends. It was a feared place, known to be inhabited by countless evil and enchanted creatures. Frida shared her knowledge about this mysterious and dangerous place.

"Why on earth would she go there?" I wondered aloud.

The neighbor shrugged. "I have no idea. She just seemed very preoccupied this morning."

We thanked him for the information, but we faced a dilemma. Should we continue searching for the old lady in the Forbidden Woods, or should we look for other leads to solve the mystery of the dragon's disappearance?

Frida took a deep breath. "We must find her. If she has crucial information, we cannot leave her alone there. The Forbidden Woods are dangerous, but we can take precautions and face the dangers together."

Her courage and determination convinced me. "You're right, Frida. We are stronger together. Let's go quickly before it's too late."

Without wasting any time, we set off for the Forbidden Woods. As soon as we entered the forest, a sense of unease grew within me, like a sinister omen. The twisted trees seemed to scrutinize our every move, and the surrounding darkness threatened to engulf us.

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We proceeded cautiously, avoiding the most dangerous paths. After a while, we found fresh bloodstains on the ground. My heart raced, and we quickened our pace.

Finally, we reached the entrance of a cave hidden by dense vegetation. The bloodstains seemed to lead directly into the darkness of the cave. We exchanged a look, sharing our apprehension but determined to continue our quest.

With the help of Frida's light magic, our path gradually illuminated. The distant murmur we had heard earlier seemed to draw closer as we ventured deeper into the cave.

Suddenly, we discovered Mrs. Mushroom lying unconscious on the cave floor. She was gravely wounded, and signs of a struggle were evident around her. Traces of magic lingered in the air, indicating a powerful confrontation.

Frida examined her injuries with concern. "She was attacked by something powerful and malevolent. We must tend to her quickly."

Frida unleashed her healing magic to try and stabilize the old lady's condition, but despite our efforts, her injuries seemed too severe. However, she briefly regained consciousness.

"The dragon... moon... the shadows... the dragon moon..." she murmured weakly before slipping back into unconsciousness.

Sadness and frustration overwhelmed us. We knew we were searching for the dragon moon, but the shadows and mysteries surrounding this disappearance seemed to grow thicker.

Frida suggested leaving the cave to return to the Enchanted City, pay tribute to Mrs. Mushroom, and inform the other seekers of our discoveries. Her suggestion was sensible, but I felt there was something more, something connected to the creature from my nightmare.

"I'm sorry, Frida, but I can't leave now," I said firmly. "There's something else in this cave, I can feel it. I must uncover what happened here, what led to the disappearance of the dragon moon and the death of Mrs. Mushroom."

Frida looked at me with worry, but she understood the firmness of my decision. "Riko, I understand you want to find answers, but we also need to ensure your safety. This cave is full of mysteries and dangers. We could come back later, with a team of magicians to help us."

I shook my head. "No, Frida, I can't wait. Time is of the essence, and every moment counts. If something dark is at work here, we need to uncover it and stop it. Mrs. Mushroom guided us here for a reason, and I can't ignore that."

Frida hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, but I'm coming with you. We stay together, no matter what."

I thanked her with a grateful smile, knowing that I needed her support and her powerful magic in this situation. We decided to continue exploring the cave with caution and determination, hoping that our efforts would lead us to answers.

As we progressed, the atmosphere in the cave became more oppressive. Shadows seemed to dance on the rocky walls, and an aura of mystery thickened around us.

As we slowly advanced towards the dark abyss of the cave, we entered a vast chamber, where stalactites and stalagmites appeared to gnaw at the depths of the earth. Suddenly, a fleeting shudder caught our attention. Perched on a rocky promontory, we caught sight of a majestic and familiar silhouette: a genuine dragon.