Dragon Savior A New Beginning ( Update Version)

Into the Storm: The Last Stands Begin(179)

Her dragon, Atlas, stirred in his sleep but remained still, sensing his rider's unrest. Starfania reached out, running her fingers through Atlas's iridescent scales. The dragon opened one eye, a flicker of understanding passing between them. Sometimes, it seemed, Atlas understood her better than anyone else. As she gazed upward, the stars seemed to twinkle with encouragement, as if telling her she wasn't alone. Doubt crept in but so did a spark of determination. There had to be a way to protect her kingdom without destroying what she loved. She imagined a peaceful resolution, one that could bring harmony instead of conflict. The thought was daunting, yet she felt the stirrings of hope. The night was long, but maybe, just maybe, she would find a way to bridge the gap between love and duty. With that thought, she took a deep breath, feeling a flicker of courage ignite within her. It was a small flame, but enough to guide her through the darkness of uncertainty.

But at the first hints of dawn painted the sky, Starfania was stirred awake by a gentle shake on her shoulder. Blinking away the last traces of sleep, she rubbed her eyes and looked up to see Lyam standing over her, his expression calm, but his eyes sparking with urgency.

" It's time to rise and shine, " he said with a half-grin. " We have a big day ahead of us. "

Letting out a soft groan, she reluctantly crawled out of the warm cocoon of her sleeping bag. The chill of morning air greeted her skin, and she exhaled sharply to brace herself. Lyam's tone shifted slightly, laced with urgency. " Come on, we can't afford to dawdle. We must reach the VulcanFire camp before they unleash the poison during the Eternal Sun. "

Starfania nodded and turned to Atlas, who was lying on his back with his tongue hanging out and claws twitching in his sleep. Laughing quietly, she knelt beside him and ran a hand over his head. His eyes fluttered open, and a mischievous grin spread across his face. Not far off, Aeron was still sound asleep, accompanied by the soft, steady snores of Drogo. Shaking her head with a smile, as she moved to wake him.

"Hey, Aeron," she called softly, coaxing him awake. His eyes cracked open, squinting against the light. "We need to get moving."

Aeron groaned and stretched, the tendons in his arms popping audibly. Drogo seemed undisturbed, lost in his dreams.

"It's too early for this," Aeron mumbled, rubbing his face. "Can't we just have a few more minutes?"

"No, we can't," Lyam replied, pacing nearby, his impatience growing. "Every moment we waste is another chance for them to strike."

Aeron sighed, pushing himself up into a sitting position. He glanced over at Drogo, who had finally rolled over, taking up even more space. "You really think they'll strike during the Eternal Sun?"

"I wouldn't put it past them," Lyam said, his voice firm. "We've seen what they're capable of."

Starfania felt her heart quicken. The VulcanFire camp was notorious for its treachery.

"Let's just get packed up. We need to be smart about this," she suggested, glancing at Atlas, who had now sat up, looking alert. He wagged his tail, eager to start the day. Aeron pushed to his feet, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. "Alright, alright. I'm coming."

He grabbed his gear, and with a nod from Lyam, they all began to gather their things. The morning air was cool, carrying the hint of adventure and danger. They had to be ready for anything.