Dragon Savior A New Beginning ( Update Version)

A Glimpse of Enigmatic Puzzle (67)

The feast carried on with forced laughter and tense conversation, but Ichini never stopped watching Starfania—sharp, perceptive, almost too observant for her age. She nudged Starfania again, but this time her voice lowered to a whisper meant for one ear only.

" Can I tell you a secret, Starfania?" Ichini asked, her tone strangely calm, almost sober. Starfania blinked. " ...Okay. "

Ichini's smile faded. " Your father's alliance isn't as united as he wants you to believe."

Starfania's breath hitched. Ichini continued, voice softer, eyes narrowing with a seriousness Starfania hadn't seen before: " Someone here is planning to betray him. And they're very close."

A chill raced down Starfania's spine.

" Who?" she whispered.

Ichini opened her mouth—but froze. Her eyes flicked to Felix...to Thanatos...to Lucian...and then she shook her head.

" Not here," she said. " Not yet."

Before Starfania could press further, a spark of pain flared behind her eyes. Light. Pressure. A shifting of the air—like reality folding. The room blurred. The chandeliers dimmed. The voices faded. Darkness surged. And then—a wave of moonlit water. A rocky shoreline under a storm-heavy sky. A streak of light carving through the heavens like a falling star—straight toward her.

Starfania gasped as she watched herself—another self—standing on a midnight beach. Then—Lyam. Tall. Fierce. Weathered by storms and battle. His silhouette cut through the mist as he approached her. But in the vision—they weren't enemies. They stood side by side. A united front. Starfania helped him. Running with him. Fighting with him. Against what? Her own kingdom. VulcanFire in flames. Her father's banners burning. Screams echoing behind them. Her heart pounded. No—why would she ever...? The vision shifted again—a dragon's roar split the air. A massive creature descended through swirling fog—white scales with black streaks, shimmering like bone and starlight. Midnight-blue eyes glowing with ancient intelligence.

The dragon lowered its head to her—to her. Starfania felt its breath, warm and familiar, as though she'd known it her entire life. The same ancient voice echoed through the vision, deeper this time, more urgent: " Your destiny brings you beyond the walls of VulcanFire. When the shadow rises, you will stand where the light and darkness meet. And he—Lyam—will not be your enemy."'

Starfania tried to speak, but her silhouette appeared again, her figure haloed by silver light.

" You will choose your own path," she whispered. " Even if it leads you against the home you love."

Starfania reached out—and the world snapped back. She jolted, her breath sharp and uneven. Her vision reformed into the banquet room. Cups clinking. Cesar speaking. All eyes moving–except her own, still shaking from what she'd seen. Ichini glanced at her, her voice barely audible: " ...Did you see something?'

Starfania swallowed hard. She needed air. Space. Time to think. The sword-pen in her pocket felt warm—almost pulsing. She stood abruptly.

" Father," she said, her voice steadier than she felt, " may I be excused?"

Cesar paused mid-sentence. His eyes narrowed, assessing her carefully—far too carefully.

" Is something the matter, Starfania?" he asked, tone deceptively calm. Starfania bowed her head slightly. " No, Father. I simply need a moment."

The room went quiet. The alliance members watched her—not with politeness, but with interest. Felix's gaze sharpened. Lucian tilted his head. Thanatos stared without blinking. Ichini bit her lips, worried for Starfania. Cesar regarded her for one long, tense second—then nodded once, curtly. " Very well. You are excused."

Starfania turned, walking towards the doors, heart pounding. She didn't see Ichini rise slightly from her seat. But she did. Eyes tracking Starfania with a look that said: You're in danger. And the truth is much bigger than you think.