Dragon Savior A New Beginning ( Update Version)

A Glimpse of Enigmatic Puzzle (63)

Ren's gaze drifted past Felix, lingering somewhere deeper in the hall, and her voice lowered as though she were about to share a forbidden tale.

" And Felix," she whispered, " is only the beginning."

Starfania swallowed, unsure whether to lean closer or brace herself. Something in Ren's tone warned her—these next instructions were not meant for the faint-hearted.

" Your father aligned VulcanFire with more than just strategists," Ren continued. Each member of this alliance brings a different kind of power...and a different kind of danger."

Starfania felt a prickle at the back of her neck, like someone was watching her. Ren didn't look toward the next figure immediately. Instead, she let the silence stretch—slow, suspenseful, deliberate—as if preparing Starfania's mind for the weight of the name she was about to hear.

" Before I tell you about the second ally," Ren murmured, " you should understand something."

Starfania tensed.

" These people are not merely friends of the kingdom. They are...ancient forces wearing mortal faces. Your father calls them allies. Others call them evil. "

An icy shiver ran down Starfania's spine.

" Lucian Grimwood," Ren said at last.

Starfania followed her gaze to a man seated in the shadows near the corner of the table. He was draped in forest-dark clothing, his posture relaxed but coiled—like a wolf conserving energy before a strike. His eyes, ‌muted silver, reflected torchlight like steel. He did not acknowledge her. He did not need to. Ren exhaled slowly. " Lucian commands the Tenebria Battalion. If Felix uses strategy to win wars...Lucian uses fear."

The ground seemed to shift beneath Starfania. But Ren continued before she could react. " And then, there's a third."

Her tone softened, but the gravity remained. " Thanatos Voidcaster."

The candle flames wavered as if stirred by someone exhaling near them. Starfania's eyes darted toward the tall, thin figure seated slightly apart from the others—shrouded in dark velvet robes decorated with faint, glowing sigils. His posture was unnervingly still, his eyes hidden beneath his hood. A faint purple aura shimmered around him, pulsing like a heartbeat. Ren's voice dropped to an intimate whisper. " Thanatos is a mage—one of the strongest left in Avalon. But he's not like the mages in your books, Starfania. His magic comes at a cost. And he never casts a spell without knowing exactly what the cost will be...for someone. He's also the ruler of Nethermoor Kingdom, a Kingdom built on deals."

Starfania's breath caught.

" And finally," Ren said, almost hesitating, " the fourth."

Her eyes moved to the farthest end of the table where a youthful figure sat completely at odds with the others—vibrant red hair, bright amber eyes, tapping her foot with an energy that made her seem alive in a room of phantoms. " Ichini Pyrestorm."

Starfania blinked. She expected something sinister—not...this. Ren smirked. " Don't be fooled by her age or size. Ichini is the prodigy of the Emberlyn Kingdom. Some say she was born with fire in her veins. Literally."

As if on cue, Ichini flicked her finger, and a spark—small but sharp—jumped between her fingertips before she quickly smothered it with her palm and glanced around to see if anyone noticed.

" She's unpredictable," Ren whispered. " But her loyalty to your father is absolute."

Ren finally turned to Starfania fully.

" These four," she said, " are the pillars of the VulcanFire alliance. They will shape the future of our kingdom. And now..."

Her eyes gleamed. " ...they will shape yours."

Starfania's heartbeat thundered in her ears. She could feel it—the shift. The weight. The destiny was tightening around her like a cloak she wasn't sure she wanted to wear. Ren placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

" Ready, my little star?" She asked softly. The hall seemed to darken, the candlelight flickering as if bracing for what came next. Starfania swallowed hard...but nodded.