The Stormbringer (Starlight #1) - Kim Taehyung/ BTS Fanfic (#SerendipityAwards)

26.1

                                  Neva

“So exactly how are we going to get there? Though I don’t see any other options besides riding,” I pointed out as we rode our horses to a vast clearing situated in the heart of the Brine Forest.

Towering trees encircled us as I dismounted my stallion, my eyes blinking against the sunlight. The breeze was a soothing brush against my face as I eyed Leigth, who was already in the process of tethering his horse to one of the trees.

I had bidden Jimin and Taehyung a brief farewell before departing, their existence serving as my anchor. While the former had embraced me tightly, wishing me good luck, the latter had been a little more difficult to part with.

Taehyung had, until the end, insisted that I take him with me, which had earned him quite a few smacks from Yoongi who plainly stated that he would only hold me down. We had all laughed, including Taehyung, but the worry in his eyes haunted me, even now as we prepared to leave for Ellura.

Leigth grinned as he approached me, but the look in his eyes was solemn. “Who said anything about riding?”

I raised an eyebrow and he inclined his head towards my locket cloaked beneath the many layers of my clothes. I had dressed with extra precaution, mindful of what might be waiting for me in Ellura.

“Do you remember the Ice Dragons? You loved riding them as a child even when everyone else was scared out of their wits whenever one was spotted flying overhead.”

I did remember. Ice Dragons were extraordinary creatures who breathed ice, and they had thrived in Ellura. Though I couldn’t recollect the exact details, I still felt the exhilaration that had throbbed in my veins at the sight of them.

I frowned as I met his gaze. “What about them?” Leigth smirked and my eyes widened as understanding dawned on me. “You don’t seriously think we’re going to ride dragons. How would we even find them? I thought they were extinct.”

Leigth shook his head, his lips curling into a small smile. “After the surge, the beasts relocated to the Ragged Caves as Ellura was no longer fit to function as their grotto. And they still exist, contrary to what is believed of their fate.”

I remained rooted to the spot as my fingers fiddled with my locket. The idea of dragons had always fascinated me. And to think that they still existed... It was nothing short of a miracle. “And you think my stone can summon them?”

“Ice calls to ice, Lady,” he folded his arms over his chest as he studied me. “Why don’t you give that stone a little prod? It’s about time you learned how to wield the magic within it don’t you think?”

The stone burned in my palm, as if in response to Leigth’s words. I examined the blue light flaring within it, my blood going cold. Was that an effect of the magic? I had never found the confidence to explore its properties, but with everything that had happened, now was as good a time as any.

I inhaled deeply as my fingers closed over the stone, my eyes pinched shut as I concentrated. Leigth’s voice was a steady beat in my ears as he guided me, his words forming a clear picture in my mind.

“Think about them, channel your strength into the stone and it will do the same to you. Visualize the dragons, and focus. Hard.”

I did. A few minutes passed, but they felt like hours. I was beginning to grow drowsy, my feet twitching in exhaustion from my endeavors.

But just when I was about to let go of the stone, I heard a flutter in the distance. At first, it sounded like a whoosh of the wind, but as the sound grew louder, my eyes shot open and I raised my head. The sight before me was unbelievable.