A melody echoed through the sky, eerie, yet soothing, almost like a lullaby. Coral froze, his webbed claws digging into the rocky terrain as the haunting melody filled the air. The sound sent a shiver down his spine, not from fear but from the weight of memories it carried. The other dragons exchanged puzzled glances, their ears twitching as they tried to place the source of the sound.
“What is that?” Tiny Wings whispered, her usually bold voice uncharacteristically hushed.
“It sounds... sad,” Shadow said softly, his sharp hearing picking up the nuances in the melody. “But also beautiful.”
Coral’s gaze turned distant. “It’s a Stellarsong melody,” he murmured.
“A Stellarsong?” Splash asked, tilting his head. “You mean the dragons of the night sky? The ones from the old stories?”
“They’re real?” Tiny Wings’s excitement bubbled up despite the somber tone of the moment. “Do they really sing under the moon?”
“Yes,” Coral replied, his voice tinged with both wonder and sorrow. “I’ve seen them once before, a long time ago. They don’t just sing—they whail. It’s not like anything else in the world. Their melodies were said to unite sea and sky dragons before...” He trailed off, his gaze clouding.
“Before the war,” Sable finished grimly.
The group fell silent, the weight of history pressing down on them. Even Tiny Wings stilled, her wings tucked close to her body.
“Do you think...” Aurora started hesitantly, “that they’re trying to communicate with us? Or warn us?”
Coral shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s been so long since their voices echoed like this. But if a Stellarsong is near, we must tread carefully. They’re gentle, yes, but they don’t take kindly to trespassers.”
Reef let out a small groan, slumping against a rock. “So now we’re adding another mysterious dragon species to the mix? Fantastic. Because climbing a freezing mountain wasn’t enough of a death sentence already.”
“Reef,” Elanor said gently, placing a calming hand on his fin. “This could be a sign. Maybe the Stellarsong dragons know something about the relic too.”
Sable growled low in his throat. “We don’t have time to chase another lead. The Blue Fire dragons are our priority.”
“But what if the Stellarsongs are trying to guide us?” Frostbite countered. “Ignoring them could cost us.”
Coral straightened. “They don’t sing without reason. If they’re here, we need to listen.”
The melody grew louder, its cadence shifting to something almost... inviting. It was as if the song was calling them forward, guiding them higher into the clouds.
“I don’t like this,” Sable muttered, his claws scraping against the rock as he climbed.
Aurora smirked, her amber eyes flickering with amusement. “You don’t like anything.”
Shadow darted up ahead, his voice echoing back. “There’s a clearing up here! I think we’re close to the source!”
The group quickened their pace, the haunting melody pulling them along. When they reached the clearing, they froze in awe.
A lone Stellarsong dragon stood perched on a jagged outcrop, its midnight blue scales shimmering under the moonlight. Its delicate white spots twinkled like stars, and its glowing eyes reflected the celestial sky. As it sang, the air seemed to shimmer with magic, the notes weaving a tapestry of sorrow and hope.
Coral stepped forward cautiously, bowing his head. “We mean no harm,” he said, his voice reverent. “We’re travelers seeking the truth about an ancient relic.”
The Stellarsong stopped singing, its moonlit eyes locking onto Coral’s. For a long moment, it simply stared, its presence both soothing and intimidating. Then, in a voice like a gentle breeze, it spoke.
“The relic you seek is tied to the song of the stars and the flames of wisdom. Your journey is far from over, Tidewalker.”
The group exchanged bewildered glances.
“What does that mean?” Tiny Wings asked, tilting her head.
The Stellarsong dragon spread its vast wings, the stars reflected in its shimmering span. “It means you must find balance between the sky and the earth, the frost and the flame. Only then will the path reveal itself.”
And with that, the Stellarsong leapt into the air, its melody fading into the night as it disappeared into the clouds.
“Well, that was cryptic,” Reef muttered, though there was a trace of awe in his voice.
“It was a sign,” Coral said firmly. “We’re on the right path. We just have to keep moving forward.”
Cole sighed, his breath visible in the cold air. “Forward, backward, sideways... Does it really matter anymore?”
“Yes,” Sable growled, his resolve hardening. “It does. And we’ll keep moving until we get answers.”
The group pressed on, their spirits bolstered by the Stellarsong’s words, even as questions lingered in their minds. The air grew colder, the climb steeper, and the stakes higher than ever.
Upon reaching the top of the mountain, Cole tripped over a rock, falling on his face. Aurora laughed, helping Cole stand.
Sable looked down at Frostbite. "Do you still have the Dragon's Heart?"
Frostbite nodded and took the relic out of his seaweed pouch. "Do you think the Blue Fire have that other relic we needed to purify the Dragon's Heart?"
"Or at least know where it is..." Reef grumbled.
Tiny Wings hopped off of Moss' back. "The Blue Fire dragons know everything in history. They're living archives!"
Sable nodded, his crimson scales catching the pale light filtering through the mist. "They’ve guarded ancient knowledge for centuries. If anyone knows about the second relic, it’s them. But remember—approach them with respect. They won’t take kindly to arrogance or foolishness."
Cole brushed the dirt from his tunic, muttering under his breath, "Respect, sure. I'll try not to trip on their sacred stones or something." Aurora smirked beside him, clearly enjoying his misfortune.
The group gathered near the mountain’s summit, a massive plateau veiled in shimmering fog. The air shimmered faintly with traces of magic, and a soft warmth replaced the biting cold. Frostbite seemed particularly uneasy, his icy breath more visible as he clutched the Dragon's Heart closer to his chest.
Coral raised his claw, signaling everyone to pause. "Look," he said, nodding toward the mist.
The fog parted, revealing towering blue-scaled figures. Their massive wings were folded elegantly against their sides, their lithe forms glowing faintly with an inner light. Their eyes, like molten sapphire, seemed to pierce straight through to the soul.
Tiny Wings gasped. "Blue Fire dragons... they’re even more magnificent than the stories!" Her voice trembled with awe.
One of the Blue Fire dragons stepped forward, larger than the rest. His scales shimmered with streaks of silver, and his gaze was steady, unreadable. "Why do you disturb the summit of the Blue Fire?" His voice was deep, resonating like a distant thunderclap.
Sable took a cautious step forward, bowing his head slightly. "We come seeking knowledge, Keeper of Flames. The Dragon's Heart relic has been tainted, and we need its counterpart to restore its purity. We were told the Blue Fire might have answers."
The dragon regarded him silently, his eyes narrowing as they fell upon the relic in Frostbite’s claws. "The Dragon's Heart," he rumbled. "An artifact of great power, created to balance the elements themselves. It was meant to be protected... yet here it is, tarnished in mortal hands."
Reef shifted uncomfortably, muttering, "This is going well."
Ignoring him, the dragon turned his attention to Frostbite. "You, young Frost dragon—why do you bear such a burden?"
Frostbite hesitated, his icy demeanor faltering under the dragon's gaze. "Because I’m the only one who can keep it safe... until we can fix it."
The elder dragon hummed, his gaze softening slightly. "A noble answer. But knowledge comes at a price. If you seek the second relic, you must prove your worth and your intentions."
Aurora frowned, stepping forward. "What kind of test are we talking about? We’ve already risked our lives getting here—spikes, traps, and cliffs. Do we really need more?"
The Blue Fire dragon's lips curled into what could have been a smirk. "Rest assured, young Emberflare. This test is not one of strength, but of unity. The relic you seek cannot be handled by one dragon—or even one species—alone. Show me that your group, so varied in origins and temperaments, can act as one."
Shadow’s green eyes brightened with curiosity. "How do we do that?"
The dragon gestured with a claw, and the mist swirled around them, forming a glowing labyrinth of light. "Enter the maze. At its center lies the truth you seek. But beware—only those who trust each other will find the way. Fail, and you may never emerge."
Cole gulped audibly, his usual humor replaced by genuine fear. "Great. A maze of magical fog. This day just keeps getting better."
Tiny Wings flapped her little wings eagerly. "Teamwork! We’ve got this!"
With that, the group stepped into the shimmering maze, the mist swallowing them whole. The test of unity had begun.
ns 15.158.61.16da2
