While the Grand Council waged their battle against the ancient terror, far from the battlefield, deep within the fog-laden forest, Sylveras and Elara moved cautiously along the winding cliff path. The mist clung thick to the air, each breath damp and cold, every step a careful gamble along the narrow edge of the gorge.
Then suddenly—Elara stumbled.
A wave of dread surged through her chest, so sharp and unexplainable that it made her legs give out. Her foot slipped off the edge, and the world tilted beneath her.
"Elara!" Sylveras shouted, lunging forward.
With a swift, desperate movement, he caught her wrist just in time. His feet braced against the rock, he pulled her back with all his strength. They both collapsed onto solid ground, breathless.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Elara asked, voice trembling.
Sylveras nodded, still panting. "Yeah... Something's wrong. Something dark was released just now. I don't know what, but... it's not natural."
Elara gripped his sleeve tightly. "What could cause something like that?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he stood and offered her his hand. "I don't know. But whatever it is... I'll protect you."
They exchanged a brief look before continuing forward, the ominous energy gradually fading behind them.
Eventually, they reached the end of the forest and came upon a crystal-clear river gleaming under the midday sun. The air was calmer here, the tension easing from their shoulders.
But then A flash of white.
A majestic shape soared across the sky, enormous wings casting a shadow over the trees. Scales like polished pearl shimmered in the sunlight. A divine presence.
Sylveras froze. "Did... did you see that?"
Elara's eyes widened. "Was that a dragon?"
"DRAGON?!" he exclaimed. "That thing was huge! What if it attacks us?! We need to tell Gorion right away! That crazy old man what was he thinking sending us into a place with dragons?!"
Elara frowned, but said nothing. She stared at the fading silhouette in the sky, lips pressed together. In her heart, there was no fear only calm.
"That dragon… felt kind."
They continue their journey along the riverbank, the light of the white dragon slowly fading behind the mountain mist.