Starfania walked only a few steps out of the cave before something tugged inside her—a pulse, faint and rhythmic, like a heartbeat that did not belong to her. The sword vibrated. Softly at first…then stronger. She froze.
" Aeron…Violet…" she murmured, her voice trembling. " Something's…happening."
Before either could respond, the sword flashed blinding white. The cave behind her groaned—stone grinding against stone as if the mountain itself were waking. A low hum filled the air. A whisper. The voice was made of echoes and ancient breath. Press the jewel again, Starfania…
Her pulse spiked. She swallowed hard, but her fingers moved on their own, gripping the sword. Click. Light exploded outward, cracking like lightning striking water. While the blade blazed a white flame. Then—the cave screamed. Wind slammed into them from inside the cavern, pulling at their clothes and hair, dragging dust into spiraling vortexes. Shadows seeped from the corners of the cave walls—thin at first, then thickening like smoke coming alive. They slithered upward, crawling across the ceiling like a living night. Violet grabbed Aeron's sleeve. " What's happening?!"
Aeron pushed her behind him, eyes locked on the sword. " Starfania—do something!"
" I'm trying!" she yelled back, though the sword felt more like it was wielding her.
The shadows twisted faster, converging into a swirling shape. A face formed inside the mass—gaunt, hollow-eyed, broken between existence and nothingness. And then it spoke. A voice like cracking ice and venom: The first enigma opens. The shadow rises. VulcanFire prepares the poison. The dragons shall fall. Starfania's breath caught in her throat.
" No…" she whispered. Aeron's eyes widened. " What poison? Who's making it?"
The shadowy figure flickered—like a flame struggling against the wind. The brew simmers in secrecy. Forged from blood, root, and hatred. A kingdom's hand guides its making. VulcanFire will burn what it fears. Starfania staggered back, rocking her head. " No, my father would never—"
But the shadow cut her off. What's already in motion cannot be stopped by fire's daughter. The scales will fall. The sky will bleed. Unless the Savior rises. The ground heaving beneath them—dust raining from the ceiling. Drogo roared, wings flaring wide as if he could shield them from the vision itself. Violet grabbed onto his leg, trembling. Aeron stepped in front of Starfania, gripping her arms, grounding her. " Star…look at me. You're okay. Focus."
But she barely heard him. She stared at the shadow, her stomach twisting, heart pounding like a war drum.
" My father wouldn't kill dragons," she whispered weakly. " He wouldn't…"
The shadow leaned forward, hollow eyes locking onto hers. The king does not need to hold the dagger. To cause the wound. Starfania's breath shattered. The shadow sank back into itself, fading like dying embers as the cave absorbed it. The swirling darkness collapsed inward until nothing remained but dust and the faint glow of the sword. Silence. A cold, crushing silence. Starfania swayed—and Aeron caught her just before her knees buckled. Her heart pounded painfully, her breaths sharp and uneven.
Against his shoulder, she whispered, "I'm terrified…", her voice cracking. " I don't want this. I don't understand any of it. And if VulcanFire is making something to kill dragons…then everything I've ever known is wrong."
Drogo lowered his head, letting out a deep, mournful rumble that felt like an ancient condolence. The sword dimmed, shrinking, reforming back into the pen. Its gleaming surface and intricate design remained untouched, but its transformation left them speechless. Violet was the first to break the silence. " Did… did it just turn into a pen? "
Aeron gently grabbed it from Starfania, hands shining it in the light, inspecting it from all angles. Then he said with a grin, " Well, I guess that solves our problems. "
She slipped it into her pocket with trembling fingers. Aeron touched her back gently. " Let me walk you home."
But she shook her head, forcing a fragile smile.
" I'll be okay… I just need time to think." She swallowed hard. " I need to know what my father is up to."
Aeron didn't push further. He simply nodded. Violet reached out and squeezed Starfania's hand before climbing onto Drogo's back. Starfania stepped out of the cave, the sword-pen heavy in her pocket, the vision echoing relentlessly in her mind. Each step toward the kingdom felt like a step toward a truth she wasn't ready to face. But she kept walking. Because now she had no choice.