Meanwhile...
A Wind Dragon came flying into Lumis' temple, its bright feathers rustling with urgency. Wind and Cloud Dragons were the messengers of Draconia, often tasked with delivering news across the kingdom. Unfortunately for them, they frequently faced the wrath of the royals, especially when the news was unfavorable.
The Wind Dragon landed gracefully before Lumis and bowed deeply.
"Zephyrus. It's about time you arrived," Lumis said, his voice cold and impatient.
Zephyrus shifted nervously. "Well, you see, sire, the humans were shooting fire into the night for the past few weeks and—"
Lumis shot Zephyrus a glare that could freeze magma. Zephyrus swallowed hard, then cleared his throat.
"Tell me. What news do you bring?" Lumis asked.
Zephyrus took a deep breath, preparing himself. "Sire, the humans are on the move. It appears a small group, including a human and an Emberflare Dragon are seeking out the Gem of Power."
Lumis' eyes narrowed, his scales shimmering ominously. "The Gem of Power? Those fools. Do they think they can wield such power?"
Zephyrus hesitated before continuing. "Sire, there's more. The Forest of Despair is stirring. The shadow beasts are restless, and a Nightshade Dragon has been seen following the group. This quest could disrupt the balance of our kingdom."
Lumis stood, his towering form casting a long shadow over Zephyrus. "We cannot allow this. The Gem of Power must not fall into the wrong hands.” Lumis paused for a moment. “Send word to our allies. We will intercept this group before they reach the gem."
Zephyrus nodded, relieved that the worst of Lumis' anger seemed to have passed. "Yes, sire. I will deliver the message immediately."
As Zephyrus took off, Lumis watched him go, his mind racing with thoughts of strategy and power. The arrival of the humans and their quest for the Gem of Power could either be a threat or an opportunity, depending on how he handled it. He would need to act swiftly and decisively to ensure his claim to the throne remained unchallenged.
In the shadows of the temple, Lumis' allies, a mix of Stellarsong, Obsidian Veil, Frost, Snow, Earth, Lightning, and Magma Dragons, awaited his command. The battle for Draconia's future was just beginning, and Lumis intended to emerge victorious, no matter the cost.
Meanwhile, Solara was at her temple, living the life of a pampered princess. The elegant structure, adorned with precious stones and flowing banners, was a symbol of her royal status and power. She lounged on a plush chaise, sipping a nectar drink and eating the freshest of catches.
Nimbus, the Cloud Dragon, and Auretta, the Wind Dragon, landed gracefully before Solara and bowed deeply.
"Well?" Solara asked, her eyes flicking between the two messengers with mild interest.
Nimbus hesitated before speaking. "Do you want the good news or the bad news first?"
Solara sighed, handing her drink over to a tidewalker. "Hold that for me. I better not catch your slimy tongue in my drink."
Solara's attention shifted back to Nimbus and Auretta. "Alright. Start with the good news. I could use a bit of cheer."
Auretta stepped forward. "The good news, your Majesty, is that our spies have reported Lumis is facing unrest among his allies. It seems his plans for the throne are not as solid as he would like."
Solara smiled, pleased with this information. "Interesting. And the bad news?"
Nimbus exchanged a glance with Auretta before continuing. "The bad news is that a group of humans, along with an Emberflare Dragon, are searching for the Gem of Power."
Solara's smile faded, her eyes narrowing. "The Gem of Power? How did they even learn of its existence?"
The tidewalker hid behind Solara's throne. Auretta spoke up. "It seems they have been gathering information from various sources. What's more concerning is that the Forest of Despair is stirring. A Nightshade Dragon has been seen following them. This quest could pose a significant threat to your plans."
Solara quickly stood and picked Auretta up by the throat so that they were eye to eye. "We cannot allow them to reach the Gem of Power. If it falls into their hands, it could change the balance of power in Draconia. Do you understand?"
Auretta nodded vigorously, struggling to maintain composure under Solara's intense gaze.
"What are your orders, your Majesty?" Nimbus asked nervously, shifting his weight from one claw to the other.
Solara dropped Auretta, her expression cold and calculating. "Send word to our allies. We must intercept this group before they reach the Gem of Power. Lumis may have his own plans, but we will not let him take control of the Gem of Power."
Nimbus and Auretta nodded in unison, relieved to have clear instructions. They took off into the sky, their wings beating against the air as they flew off to deliver Solara's commands.
Alone in her temple, Solara tapped her claw on her throne, her mind whirling with thoughts of strategy and power. The humans' quest for the Gem of Power posed a threat, but it also presented an opportunity. If she could seize the artifact for herself, she would solidify her claim to the throne and ensure her reign as queen of Draconia.
But first, she would need to outmaneuver Lumis and his allies, as well as the unexpected interference of the Nightshade Dragon. With her wits and her loyal subjects by her side, Solara was determined to emerge victorious and secure her destiny as ruler of the kingdom.
"Coral! Where's my drink?" Solara called. Solara peeked over the side of her throne. "Coral I swear if you drank my nectar..." Solara muttered.
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Meanwhile..."
Can we take a break for a moment?" a voice asked, a little too loudly. The trio froze, their senses on high alert. Cole's hand instinctively went to his sword as he scanned their surroundings.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" he demanded.
From the shadows emerged a young Nightshade Dragon, his green eyes wide with nervousness. He hesitated, unsure of how the trio would react to his sudden appearance.
"I-I mean you no harm," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper now. "I've been following you, watching. I... I want to help."
Aurora stepped forward, her gaze intense but not hostile. "Why should we trust you? Your kind just tried to attack us."
The young dragon lowered his head, a hint of shame in his eyes. "I know what my kind did, b-but I'm different. I want to prove that not all Nightshade Dragons are the same. Please, let me help you."
Elanor studied him carefully. "What's your name?" she asked softly.
The young dragon hesitated before answering. "I... I don't have a name. My kind doesn't believe in names."
Cole exchanged a glance with his companions, weighing their options. Despite his initial distrust, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this dragon than met the eye.
"Fine," he finally said, his voice firm. "You can help us, but one wrong move, and we won't hesitate to defend ourselves."
The young Nightshade Dragon nodded eagerly, relief washing over him. "Thank you. I won't let you down."
With their unexpected ally now revealed, the trio resumed their journey through the Forest of Despair, their new companion trailing cautiously behind them.
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