The golden hues of the setting sun painted the horizon, bathing the land below in warm light. Violet greeted Starfania with a bright, breathless smile. Starfania lifted her with ease and set her gently on the ground.
Atlas immediately nuzzled against them, his warm, familiar presence filling her heart with joy. Aeron dismounted from Drogo with effortless grace, a triumphant smirk playing on his lips. But just as they turned their attention back to Atlas, the proud dragon—mid-preen and clearly enjoying himself—lost his footing and face-planted into the ground. For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then Drogo, ever the troublemaker, seized his chance. Clearly seeking revenge for being forced to fly at such breakneck speed, he swatted Atlas with his tail, a mischievous glint in his eyes. The unexpected smack sent Atlas scrambling upright with a startled yelp before bolting across the field.
Drogo took off immediately, wings flaring as he ran, while Atlas snapped playfully at his heels like an overexcited pup. Aeron, Violet and Starfania burst into laughter, while still walking through the forest. While Drogo gleefully tormented his companion. Atlas let out an exasperated growl, clearly annoyed, but Drogo answered with a smug, chuckling huff. Eventually, Atlas gave up the chase and collapsed onto the grass, panting heavily like a runner who had just finished a grueling race. Drogo, entirely too pleased with himself, trotted back toward them, wings flexing as if basking in his victory. Aeron gave him a proud pat on the neck, thoroughly entertained by his dragon's antics. Still catching her breath from laughing, Starfania grinned at Atlas and teased, " Looks like Drogo isn't too thrilled about being a personal arrow."
Atlas, still sprawled on the ground, shot Drogo an exaggerated glare—then stuck his tongue out in retaliation. Drogo merely rolled his eyes, as if to say, Grow up. That was all it took to set them off again, another wave of giggles rippling through the group.
" I think Atlas and Drogo have officially worn themselves out with all that high-speed flying, " Starfania said, shaking her head with a chuckle. Aeron sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. " And somehow, I'm exhausted too–even though I wasn't the one flying. "
Then, with a smirk, he added, " They say whatever goes up must eventually come crashing down."
Violet's face lit up with excitement. " That was amazing! It felt like a roller coaster–my heart was pounding the whole time!"
She practically bounced on her toes as she added, " I can't wait for the next ride!"
Starfania exchanged a knowing glance with Aeron. If Violet had anything to say about it, their dragons wouldn't be getting much rest anytime soon. Aeron chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You know, I think we might have created a monster."
Starfania smiled, recalling the first time they had taken Violet flying.
"Maybe just a little," she replied, glancing at Violet, who was already animatedly planning the next adventure. The girl's enthusiasm was infectious. "But it's good for her. We all need a little thrill now and then."
The laughter slowly faded as the weight of why they were here settled back into place. The wind shifted, carrying with it a sharp, coppery scent that did not belong to wild grass or stone. Starfania's smile fell first. She crouched, fingers brushing Avalon soil. Dark stains marred the soil—fresh enough that they hadn't yet dried completely. Her expression hardened as she followed the trail a few steps forward.
" Blood," she whispered. Aeron's posture changed instantly, all humor gone. He moved to her side, scanning the ground while Drogo lifted his head, nostrils flaring. Atlas pushed himself upright, pride forgotten, instincts fully engaged.
" He was here," Starfania continued, tracing the direction of the droplets. " And not long ago."
She followed the trail farther, eyes sharp. Then she stopped. Something was…wrong. Nearby, several plants had been torn free at the root—bitterleaf, embermoss, and a strip of bark shaved clean from a silverthorn tree. Not random damage. Intentional.
" He knew what to take," she murmured. " These are healing plants. Some of them stop bleeding. Others fight infection."
Aeron exhaled slowly. " So he's wounded—but trained. Or at least experienced."
Violet swallowed, her earlier excitement replaced with unease. " That means he is still alive."
Starfania nodded. " And moving."
Aeron suddenly straightened. " Star—over here."
They joined him a short distance away, where the ground was packed harder. Clear impressions marked the soil—large, clawed prints pressed deep into the earth. Dragon tracks. Starfania's breath caught. She knelt again, comparing the size, the stride.
" These aren't Atlas," she said immediately. " And they're not Drogo either."
Violet's fingers curled into the fabric of her sleeve. " So…Lyam has a dragon?"
Aeron frowned. " Or he was being followed."
Starfania stared at the tracks, her mind racing. The prints weren't chaotic. They were controlled. Protective.
" I don't think it was VulcanFire," she said at last. " Their dragons leave heavier marks—sloppier ones. These…look careful."
Aeron met her gaze. " Which means whoever it was stayed close to him."
Starfania rose slowly, resolve sharpening in her eyes.
" Then we're closer than we think," she said. " And whatever's hunting him—or protecting him—we're about to find out."
Atlas stepped forward, lowering his head as if urging her on. Drogo mirrored the motion, claws digging into Avalon ground. The trail of blood stretched onward into the rocks, fading—but not gone. And without another word, they followed it.