They arrived before the towering structure Lyam had described. The laboratory. It stood with quiet authority—ancient stone walls etched by time, yet reinforced with purpose. Knowledge lived here. Secrets too. The massive wooden doors at the entrance loomed like sentinels, their iron reinforcements darkened with age. Flickering torches lined the pathway, their flames dancing in the breeze and casting long, shifting shadows across the stone. As Atlas and Drogo descended, their wings cut cleanly through the air before folding with controlled precision. The ground trembled softly beneath their landing.
Starfania slid down from Atlas first, her boots meeting the stone with a quiet thud. Aeron and Violet followed close behind. None of them moved for a moment. The weight of the place pressed in. Then they stepped forward. Two guards stood at the entrance, rigid and unmoving. Their armor gleamed faintly in the torchlight, eyes sharp as they tracked every movement. The moment the trio approached, one guard lifted his hand. A silent command to stop.
" Apologies, children," he said, voice firm, " but entry is restricted without direct authorization from our leader."
The words landed like a wall. Aeron and Violet exchanged a quick glance. Starfania didn't hesitate. She stepped forward, meeting the guard's gaze head on.
" Lyam gave us direct orders," she said, her voice steady despite the tension coiling in her chest. " We're to deliver a poison vial to your head scientist immediately."
The guards exchanged a look—skepticism flickering between them. One of them raised a brow, his gaze shifting between the three of them.
" And why," he asked slowly, " should we trust your word?"
Aeron didn't flinch. " Because it's the truth, sir."
Violet nodded, her voice calm but certain. " We were there. He gave the order himself."
Silence stretched. Heavy. Uncertain. The guard's grip tightened slightly on his weapon as he weighed their words—then—a soft chirping sound cut through the tension. All heads turned. From the sky, a small blur of blue swooped down and landed neatly on the railing beside the entrance. A tiny dragon. No bigger than a house-cat. Its sapphire scales shimmered brilliantly, and perched crookedly atop its head was a cracked eggshell—like a mismatched helmet. It puffed its chest proudly, chirping again as if announcing its arrival. Recognition flashed across the guard's face. He stepped forward, his stern demeanor softening immediately as he extended a hand.
" Well, now…" he murmured, gently stroking the creature's head. " What do we have here?"
The small dragon chirped happily, lifting one leg. Tied carefully around it—a message. The guard untied the note, unrolling it with practiced ease. His eyes scanned the contents quickly, expression shifting from curiosity…to understanding. Then, slowly, he looked up at them. The tension eased—just slightly.
" The note grants you passage," he said. Aeron exhaled under his breath. But the guard wasn't finished. His gaze landed squarely on Starfania. " But under one condition."
The air stilled again.
" The Dragon Savior herself," he continued, " will personally deliver the vial to the head scientist."
Aeron frowned slightly. " That's…oddly specific."
The guard simply folded the note, his expression unreadable. " Those were the instructions."
Violet glanced at Starfania. Atlas shifted behind her, his presence steady, grounding. For a moment, Starfania felt the weight of it again—the title. The responsibility. The eyes watching her…waiting. Then she stepped forward.
" Alright," she said. Her voice didn't waver. " I'll do it."
The guard studied her for a moment longer…then stepped aside. The massive doors creaked open slowly, revealing a dimly lit interior filled with the faint glow of lanterns and the distant hum of something…alive. Unknown. Waiting. Starfania took a breath. Then stepped inside.