Dragon Savior A New Beginning ( Update Version)

Shattered Serenity (34)

As the tunnel opened into the light, the first rays of sunlight spilled across their faces. Starfania raised her hand, signaling the dragons to slow their descent. Bone's wings unfurled wide, gliding them into a gentle landing, while Drogo followed with equal grace, his talons barely disturbing the shimmering air around them. The moment their claws touched down, a delicate mist rippled across the surface below—not quite land, not quite sea.

Starfania slid down from Bone's side, her boots sinking slightly in the soft, damp surface. Aeron and Violet dismounted next, still keeping their eyes shut as Starfania had instructed. She chuckled quietly to herself, taking both of their hands and guiding them forward. The soft splash of their footsteps echoing like music in the stillness.

" Careful," she murmured, squeezing their hand. " One more step."

They obeyed, trusting her completely. The sound of water lapping against the shoes drew puzzled smiles to their faces.

" Alright," Starfania said, taking a few steps back, her voice trembling slightly with excitement. " You can open your eyes now."

As Aeron and Violet's eyes fluttered open, their breath caught. Before them stretched a crystalline expanse of turquoise water, so clear that even the smallest pebble at the bottom shimmered like a gem. The sun's reflection danced across the surface, creating a mosaic of light that scattered into brilliant patterns—like stars cast into the sea. Softly rolling against the glowing shore, the waves moved in rhythm. The sand was a marvel of its own: golden with hints of rose and opal, each grain catching the light as though dusted with starlight. It was as if the heavens themselves had spilled onto this untouched paradise.

Overhead, translucent vines hung from the limestone cliff, their tips glowing faintly with bioluminescent blossoms. A waterfall in the distance cascaded down from unseen heights, its spray glinting like liquid silver as it merged into the luminous lagoon. A faint hum filled the air—a sound that wasn't just wind or water, but something alive, ancient, and peaceful. Even Bone and Drogo seemed transfixed, their heads bowed low, eyes reflecting the glow of the hidden sanctuary. Violet gasped, her small hands clutching at her brother's sleeve.

" This place is like a whole new world, Starry," she whispered in awe, her voice echoing faintly against the cliffs.

Starfania smiled softly, stepping forward so the warm light illuminated her features.

" It feels that way every time I come here, " she said, her tone tender, almost nostalgic. " It's one of the few places that haven't changed."

Aeron turned toward her, still taking in the breathtaking scene.

" How did you find it?" He asked quietly, genuine wonder in his voice. Starfania's eyes drifted toward the horizon.

" It was an accident, actually," she admitted with a wistful laugh. " One day, after another argument with my father, I just...kept flying. I didn't care where I was going. I just needed to breathe. Then, out of nowhere, Bone started following a current—like something was calling us here."

Her gaze softened as she crouched to run her hand through the glimmering water, watching the ripples spread outward. " I guess fate has a strange way of leading us where we need to be."

Aeron watched her closely, noting the flicker of melancholy that crossed her face. Her voice grew quieter, touched with vulnerability.

" You know, every time I step out of this paradise, it's like walking straight back into a nightmare. Life out there—" she gesture vaguely toward the horizon, " —can be chaos, confusion, and hurt. But this place reminds me that there's still beauty. That even in all the brokenness, there are moments that make it all worth living."

Violet, sitting cross-legged in the sand, listened intently, her inexperienced eyes wide with understanding beyond her years.

" The contrast between them," she said softly, " it feels almost like a mirage. Like the bad stuff's so heavy it makes this feel unreal."

Starfania smiled faintly, then turned to face both Aeron and Violet. " Maybe that's what makes life beautiful, Vi. The balance. The storm and the calm. Without it, I wouldn't have learned who I really am. Every scar, every loss—it's what gave me strength."

She stood taller now, her voice steady with conviction. " That's why I live by my motto."

She raised a hand over her chest, eyes bright with emotion. " Wings up..."

Aeron and Violet shared a look, their lips curving into matching smiles as they joined in unison. " Heart steady."

For a moment, the three of them stood together beneath the golden light, their voices echoing softly into the still air—a quiet vow beneath kindred souls.

The dragons rumbled approvingly, wings stretching wide as if sealing the moment. Above them, the sunlight dimmed just enough for a faint shimmer to appear in the sky—a strange flicker of energy, unnoticed by the trio, that pulsed once before fading. Far beyond the horizon, in the shadowed halls of the castle, the Keeper stirred.