Meanwhile at Lumis' temple...
Zephyrus flew in and bowed deeply before Lumis. "What a surprise, you're actually early this time," Lumis muttered, throwing a catfish at Zephyrus. Zephyrus looked at the big catfish before him. His eyes darted up and down between Lumis and the fish.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kLng8DtDe
"Take it before I change my mind," Lumis growled.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf5GyCazAW
Zephyrus nodded quickly. "Y-yes sire. Thank you, sire."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HBsOR40xl
Lumis watched as Zephyrus quickly grabbed the catfish and began eating. "What news do you bring?" Lumis demanded, his eyes narrowing.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QrDTPZi3s
Zephyrus swallowed a mouthful of fish and straightened up. "Winter has delivered the message to Solara," he began, his voice steady. "The travelers have been captured and are being held by the Snow and Frost Dragons. Winter is on his way back to ensure everything is in order."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtJKvDJ5fM
Lumis's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Excellent."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR0lWbfj18
Zephyrus nodded, though his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the captured travelers. "What should we do next, sire? Should we prepare for the final phase of our plan?"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xh5wYxkzw
Lumis's expression turned contemplative. "Yes, but we must be cautious. The Dragon's Heart is within our grasp, but we cannot afford any mistakes. We must ensure that Solara does not disrupt our plans."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvUTQIviO7
Zephyrus hesitated for a moment, then spoke up. "Sire, if I may suggest, perhaps we should send additional scouts to monitor the travelers' movements. Just in case they manage to escape."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvXjbwHzfl
Lumis considered this for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Send the scouts."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiL83z3E3P
Zephyrus bowed deeply again. "At once, sire," he said, and with a final glance at Lumis, he turned and swiftly departed the temple.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9voBw7De0
Lumis watched him go, his mind filled with thoughts of power and conquest. He knew the path ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but the prize was worth the risk. The Dragon's Heart would make him unstoppable, and Solara's reign would end. The throne would be his.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiZjeTmcKJ
In the silence of Lumis's temple, the embers of the hearth cast flickering shadows on the walls. Lumis paced, his mind racing with thoughts of conquest and strategy. Solara's underestimation of his cunning would be her downfall.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwc7mY5ivB
Meanwhile, Zephyrus flew back to his post, his heart heavy with the knowledge of the travelers' capture. He knew Lumis's plans were dangerous, and if they succeeded, Draconia would be plunged into darkness.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLMSoIHyIu
Back on the boat, the travelers and their dragon companions huddled together for warmth. Moss and Tiny Wings remained alert, their eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDJybKnwxS
Reef and Splash took turns at the helm, their eyes fixed on the Dragon's Tail constellation. The night wore on and the boat sailed steadily towards its destination. The stars overhead seemed to shine brighter, as if guiding the travelers on their quest.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ59vjXara
In the darkness, the sound of flapping wings echoed faintly. Unbeknownst to the travelers, Lumis's scouts were already on their trail, watching their every move with keen eyes.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ687crbIvfJ
Moss's senses tingled, and she turned to Tiny Wings. "We need to stay alert. I have a feeling we're being watched."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37l20u4Aq8
Tiny Wings nodded, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. "But we'll be ready for anything."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbjXK6LP6w
The boat continued its journey through the night, each dragon and traveler holding onto their hopes and dreams. The Dragon's Heart awaited them, and with it, the power to change their fates. But as they sailed into the unknown, they knew that the true test of their strength and unity was yet to come.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OIN9vlk7n
The next morning, the sun rose gently over the horizon, casting a warm, golden light across the ocean. The travelers began to stir, yawning and stretching as they emerged from their makeshift sleeping arrangements. Frostbite accidentally whacked Aurora in the face with his wing.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy0svRSaaE
Aurora flared at Frostbite. "You did that on purpose!"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlAaPXYbLg
"I did what on purpose?" Frostbite asked in confusion.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJuZ41NywF
Cole, still half-asleep, stumbled over a loose plank and nearly fell into the water. "Wha! Why does everything on this boat want to trip me?" he grumbled, steadying himself with a hand on the railing.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xBAOg3oUR
Aurora chuckled, shaking her head. "Maybe it's just you, Coal."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGaRmRpnlc
Tiny Wings fluttered over to Cole and perched on his shoulder. "Good morning, Coal! Did you have nice dreams?"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKU7XNjAFk
Cole smiled, his mood brightening. "Yeah, I dreamt I was floating on a cload. No tripping involved."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10Rg4SajB2
The others laughed, and Frostbite, who had taken to drying off on deck, added, "Maybe you should stick to dreaming, Coal. You're much safer there."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc6WHuooZv
As the boat continued its journey, the group gathered for a quick breakfast. Reef and Splash had managed to catch some fresh fish, which they cooked over a small fire on the deck. Cole, attempting to help, nearly set his own sleeve on fire, but Elanor quickly put it out with a splash of water from her canteen.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mxj8heQlW
"Thanks, Elanor," Cole said sheepishly. "Maybe I'll just stick to eating."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEW3hV8Q8O
Reef looked up at the sky, then back at the horizon. "We should be getting close to the Crystal Caves. If we keep heading this way, we should see the entrance by midday."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tHgYe55ma
Tiny Wings flitted around the boat, her excitement palpable. "I can't wait to see the Crystal Caves! I've heard they're so beautiful."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7BbJtFSnX
Moss smiled, watching her young friend. "They are. The crystals are said to glow with an inner light, making the whole cave sparkle."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT061e0soZF
Shadow, who had been keeping a silent watch, turned to the group. "We need to stay alery. Remember, we're not the only ones looking for the Dragon's Heart."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2R1ILjUEd
The sun climbed higher in the sky, the boat sailed steadily towards its destination and the sea sparkled under the bright light.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYK4tmb5Wg
Eventually, they spotted a glimmer on the horizon. Reef pointed excitedly. "There! The entrance to the Crystal Caves!"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8AznDveqE
The boat approached the shore, and the travelers prepared to disembark. Cole, eager to get on solid ground, jumped off the boat too quickly and landed face-first in the sand.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgEtZBMtGw
Everyone laughed as Cole sat up, spitting out a mouthful of sand. "I'm okay! Just testing the softness of the beach."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DuvB7hXl1
Reef extended a fin to help Cole up. "Come on, Coal. Let's go find that Dragon's Heart."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQQXCaquly
The group moved towards the cave entrance, the crystals sparkling invitingly in the sunlight. They were ready for the next leg of their adventure, united by their shared goals and the bonds they had formed along the way.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbPJq0btt2
