The sky grew ominously dark, clouds heavy and churning like a boiling cauldron. A sharp crack of yellow lightning illuminated the path ahead, casting eerie shadows across the rugged landscape. As the carriage rumbled forward, it crossed an invisible boundary, entering the fabled Dome of Wyverns.

The mountains that framed the road shifted in appearance, their jagged edges smoothing out into rounded slopes. Clusters of yawning caves dotted the mountainsides, like dark, hollow eyes watching their every move. These weren’t natural formations—they looked deliberately carved, like nests prepared for something ancient and terrible.

Emma leaned closer to her mother, her voice barely above a whisper. “Mom... why do we still pass through here if it’s so dangerous? Isn’t there another way?”

Vivian turned to her daughter, her face calm but her voice subdued. “No, dear, there’s no other way. This route is perilous, yes, but it is passable—so long as we don’t disturb the wyverns.” Her gaze drifted to the shadowed caves. “In ancient times, the wyverns in this forest were protectors of the Lands Between. That was before the war broke out among humans.”

Emma frowned, her curiosity piqued. “The Lands Between?” she echoed softly.

Her mother nodded. “Yes. This forest, all these mountains we’ve been passing through, were once part of the Lands Between—a vast region that connected different kingdoms. Windfield was part of it once, as were other towns nearby.”

Emma’s mind raced with questions, but one surfaced more urgently than the others. “What happened to the humans? The ones who fought the war?”

Vivian paused, her eyes flickering toward the caves as if ensuring their silence remained undisturbed. She whispered, “The war was started by humans—factions fighting over territory and power. The wyverns, protectors of the forest, were drawn into the conflict. They turned their wrath on the warring factions, destroying nearly all who fought that day. Only a handful of survivors escaped and fled far from this place, leaving behind the Dome of Wyverns. Now, the wyverns guard this land, ensuring their peace is not disturbed.”

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Emma nodded slowly, her mind painting vivid pictures of the ancient conflict. She glanced at her mother, admiration flickering in her silver eyes. “You really know a lot, Mom.”

Vivian smiled, her hand reaching out to ruffle Emma’s silver-white hair playfully. “Well, I read a lot. Just like you do now.”

The carriage continued its cautious journey through the valley, the wheels crunching against the gravel path. Emma leaned closer to the window, her head resting against the glass. Though the driver had warned her to stay inside, she couldn’t resist the urge to peer out, her eyes scanning the skies and mountainsides for any glimpse of the creatures that gave this place its name.

For a long while, there was nothing—only the oppressive silence of the forest and the faint rustle of wind through the trees. Then:

Flap.

The sound of massive wings cutting through the air echoed above the carriage. Emma’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She glanced at her mother, who raised a hand in a calming gesture, silently urging her to stay still.

Moments later, a deep, guttural roar rolled through the mountains, shaking the very ground beneath the carriage wheels. Emma dared a glance out of the window and caught a fleeting glimpse of the creature as it soared overhead. Its body was covered in shimmering blue scales, each one catching the faint light like polished gemstones. Sharp claws glinted at the ends of its powerful limbs, and its long, whip-like tail trailed behind it, tipped with a deadly spike. Small horns jutted from its head, framing eyes that burned with an intelligent, almost ancient glow.

Emma’s heart pounded as the wyvern disappeared toward the mountainside, its form melting into the shadows. She exhaled shakily, her voice barely audible as she turned to her mother. “Mom... why don’t they attack the horses?”

Vivian’s gaze remained calm. “They know these are carriage horses, trained for human transport. The wyverns are intelligent—they can sense the humans inside. As long as we remain quiet and don’t disturb them, they’ll allow us to pass.”

Emma nodded, the tension in her chest easing slightly. She sat back in her seat, her gaze lingering on the mountains outside. The silence felt heavier now, the knowledge of the wyverns’ proximity making every sound seem amplified.

Then, as suddenly as it had darkened, the sky began to brighten. The dense clouds thinned, allowing sunlight to filter through the canopy. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the forest seemed to breathe again.

The driver called back to them, his voice filled with relief. “We’ve left the Dome of Wyverns!”

Emma felt a surge of joy, though she kept it contained. Inside, she was leaping with relief, her heart lighter than it had been since they entered the wyverns’ territory.

For now, they were safe.