Okay! Jeez, we're coming," Reef grumbled. Aldra flicked her tail, sending a small gust of wind toward Reef, who stumbled slightly. “Less grumbling, more walking,” she snapped. “Or would you prefer I carry you there?”
Reef huffed but kept his mouth shut, glaring at Splash, who was doing his best to suppress a snort of laughter. Tiny Wings buzzed behind Moss, her small wings fluttering rapidly. “Do you think she’ll tell us anything about the elder?” she whispered.
Moss shrugged, her earthy scales gleaming in the faint light. “Maybe, but she doesn’t seem like the chatty type.”
Aldra glanced back over her shoulder, her glowing eyes narrowing. “I *can* hear you, you know,” she said coolly. “And you’re right—I’m not chatty. But I am effective, which is more than I can say for the lot of you.”
Sable bristled, puffing himself up as he marched along. “We’re plenty effective!” he protested, his voice firm. “We’ve made it this far, haven’t we?”
Aldra gave him a withering look, her lips curling into a faint smirk. “You took the wrong door, got enchanted by helium, and caused a scene loud enough to disturb the entire realm. Yes, truly impressive.”
Aurora couldn’t help but giggle, her tail swishing behind her. “She’s got a point, Sable.”
Sable growled under his breath, muttering something about "ungrateful rescuers" as the group trudged along the cloud path.
Elanor walked beside Cole, glancing at Aldra’s ancient book. “Excuse me,” she said hesitantly, “but what’s in the book you’re carrying? It looks important.”
Aldra’s expression softened slightly, though her tone remained clipped. “It contains incantations and records of past trials. Every trial is different, but there are patterns—clues to what you might face.” She paused, then added, “Not that you’ll find the answers simply handed to you.”
Cole, who had been quietly marveling at the cloudy surroundings, suddenly tripped over his own feet. “Oops—ah!” He flailed but managed to catch himself. Aldra didn’t even bother to look back. “Keep up, clumsy human, or you’ll find yourself floating again,” she said, her voice dripping with exasperation.
Coral stepped forward, his serious demeanor unwavering. “Thank you for your assistance, Aldra. We’re grateful, truly.”
Aldra raised a brow, tilting her head. “Grateful, hmm? We’ll see how long that lasts,” she said, her tone almost teasing. Then, spreading her wings, she gestured toward the horizon. “The elder waits. Try not to embarrass yourselves further.”
With that, she leapt into the air, gliding gracefully ahead. The group exchanged glances before following, muttering about grumpy dragons and the trials yet to come.
The group walked forward, immediately recognizing the elder Blue Fire dragon from when they first arrived this morning. His gaze scanned the group, calm yet piercing, holding a weight of wisdom that silenced even the most restless among them. He had been waiting patiently, his massive claws resting on a smooth stone tablet carved with ancient runes.
“So,” Eryndor began, his voice resonating like thunder softened by distance, “you’ve returned—albeit through an... unexpected route.” His gaze flicked briefly to Aldra, who landed smoothly beside him with a slight bow of her head.
“They took the wrong door,” Aldra reported, her tone neutral but laced with subtle annoyance. “Made quite the scene.”
Eryndor's eyes softened, and he chuckled. “Young ones often stray from the path, Aldra. It is how they learn.”
Reef cleared his throat, shuffling awkwardly. “Uh, yeah. Sorry about that. The wrong door thing wasn’t exactly... intentional.”
“Nor is it uncommon,” Eryndor replied with a faint smile. “Even the most seasoned travelers falter when faced with choices. What matters is that you are here now, and you have passed the test."
The group exchanged confused glances. “Test?” Coral asked, stepping forward. “With all due respect, Elder, we didn’t realize we were being tested at the end of the maze too. We only wandered through a door by mistake.”
Eryndor’s eyes gleamed with a knowing light. “Precisely,” he said. “The test was not one of purpose but of response. When faced with unexpected challenges—floating on enchanted clouds, encountering Aldra’s... temperament—how you choose to act speaks volumes about your character.”
The group stood silent, Eryndor's words sinking in. Even Sable, usually quick to assert himself, remained still as the weight of Eryndor's gaze seemed to pin him in place. The ancient dragon’s calm yet commanding presence demanded respect, and it was impossible not to feel small in his shadow.
“So,” Tiny Wings buzzed hesitantly, breaking the silence, “does that mean we passed? Even with... uh... everything?” She glanced nervously at Aldra, who gave her a sharp look but said nothing.
The elder chuckled again. “You have passed, little one. Though not without missteps, you demonstrated perseverance, camaraderie, and adaptability. Traits necessary for what lies ahead.”
Moss nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Elder. But... what exactly lies ahead? We have the Dragon’s Heart, but it’s corrupted. We need to know how to purify it.”
At the mention of the Dragon’s Heart, Eryndor's expression grew serious. His glowing eyes swept over the group, lingering briefly on the heart-shaped relic held carefully in Coral's claws. The once-brilliant gem now pulsed with a dark, sickly light, its corrupted energy palpable even at a distance.
“To purify the Dragon’s Heart,” Eryndor began, “you must take it to the Font of Origins, the place where dragonkind first drew breath. Only there can its corruption be undone.” He paused, his gaze heavy with caution. “But the path to the Font is perilous, and its power comes at a price.”
Aurora tilted her head, her eyes wide with curiosity. “A price? What kind of price?”
Eryndor's eyes darkened, and the soft glow of his scales dimmed slightly. “The Font requires sacrifice. Not of blood or life,” he added quickly, sensing their alarm, “but of will. It will test you, as all great powers do. Only those who hold steadfast to their purpose and unity can emerge unscathed.”
Reef shifted uncomfortably. “Great. More tests,” he muttered, earning a sharp swish of Aldra’s tail near his snout.
“The trials will be unlike anything you’ve faced before,” Eryndor continued, ignoring Reef’s comment. “And you will need more than strength or cleverness to succeed. You will need each other.”
Coral stepped forward, his expression as firm as ever. “We’ll do whatever it takes, Elder. The war between Solara and Lumis must end. The Dragon’s Heart was meant to bring peace, and we won’t stop until it can fulfill its purpose.”
Eryndor regarded him with quiet approval. “Spoken like a true leader, Coral,” he said. “I see now why the Heart chose to come into your possession.”
Coral blinked in surprise. “Chose us? But... we found it after it fell into the Crimson Fang leader’s talons.”
“Did you?” Eryndor's eyes twinkled with a knowing light. “Or did it find you, knowing you would seek to restore it?”
The group exchanged uncertain glances, Eryndor's words stirring questions none of them could yet answer. Finally, Sable broke the silence, his voice steady. “Where is the Font of Origins? How do we get there?”
Eryndor gestured toward the horizon with a claw, where the clouds thinned and the faint outline of a towering mountain loomed in the distance. “Beyond the Veil of Mists lies the Eternal Spire. The Font rests at its summit, hidden from unworthy eyes. Aldra will guide you to the Veil, but beyond that, your path is your own.”
Aldra sighed, picking up the ancient book and tucking it under one wing. “Lovely,” she muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Babysitting duty again.”
Tiny Wings giggled softly, earning a raised brow from Aldra. The elder gave her a fond, almost amused look. “Be patient with them, Aldra. They are young, yes, but there is strength in their hearts.”
Aldra muttered something inaudible but gave a reluctant nod. “Fine. But if they get stuck in another helium trap, it’s on them.”
Eryndor smiled faintly, turning back to the group. “Go now. Time is of the essence. And remember—together, you are strong."
With that, he spread his massive wings, the wind from their movement sending shimmering ripples through the clouds. As the group turned to follow Aldra, a sense of both anticipation and trepidation settled over them. The path ahead was uncertain, but their resolve burned brighter than ever.
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