After hours of restless thoughts and heavy sleep, Grace finally rose from her bed, determination tightening her chest. The palace walls felt suffocating, as though they were hiding secrets within their polished stones.
"There has to be an explanation for all of this," she muttered to herself while pacing her chamber. "The dreams… the visions… the sudden surge of my abilities. And Mother—she's been acting strangely. Perhaps she knows more than she lets on."
With that, she swept out of her room, her steps echoing through the grand corridors until she found the queen in the royal garden.
The queen stood among blooming lilies, sunlight crowning her in gold.
"Mother," Grace called softly.
The queen turned with a warm smile. "Crystal, my dear. You look well rested."
"Yes, Mother. I am… thank you." Grace hesitated. "But may I ask you something? It's been troubling me."
The queen's smile remained, though it stiffened slightly. "Go on, my princess."
Grace swallowed. "What truly happened between our kingdom and Zerathion? And… what does it have to do with me?"
At once, the air shifted.
"Why would you ask that?" the queen replied carefully. "What do you mean?"
"I've been having dreams," Grace continued, her voice trembling despite her effort to steady it. "They're unclear, but they feel real—like memories. They involve our bloodline… and Zerathion. I know we were once united. But what happened after? And what caused King Ignivar's death? Did we… have a hand in it?"
"Crystal!" the queen's composure faltered for a heartbeat before she regained it. "How could you think such things? Crossing the border must have unsettled you. Dreams are nothing unusual—especially with your temporary memory loss. Your mind is simply confused."
She stepped closer, her tone firm now. "King Ignivar's death is not a matter that concerns you. And it is not to be discussed again. No matter what you believe, you must obey the rules and stay away from Zerathion. Do you understand?"
Grace paused, searching her mother's face for reassurance—but found only guarded authority.
"Yes… Mother."
"Good." The queen turned away. "Take care of yourself."
As soon as the queen disappeared into the palace, Grace's heart sank deeper into suspicion.
Something isn't right.
She returned to her room and locked the door behind her, frustration bubbling over.
"I need answers," she whispered. "But how?"
The palace felt like a cage. She could hardly breathe.
"Well," she exhaled sharply, "I'm going out. I need air."
Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Zerathion, Prince Azrion was at the royal stables feeding the griffins—majestic creatures with the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle. His sharp eyes scanned the enclosure before narrowing.
"Where is Draco?" he demanded.
The attendants froze, suddenly aware of the absence of the small griffin.
Panic spread quickly as they searched the grounds, but the young creature was nowhere to be found.
Azrion clenched his jaw. "Careless fools. Search the city."
They obeyed, but the effort proved useless.
With a frustrated sigh, Azrion mounted an adult griffin and soared into the sky. "Never mind. I'll find him myself."
In the city of Aetherion, Grace wandered freely for the first time in days. A silky cloak of blue and purple concealed her from head to toe. She needed anonymity—needed to feel like herself again.
That was when she heard it.
A faint, frightened cry from a shadowed corner near the outskirts of the city.
Curious, she followed the sound—and gasped.
A baby griffin trembled beside a stack of crates.
"Oh my… is that really a griffin?" she whispered in awe. "You're adorable."
Slowly, gently, she approached. Though the creature was afraid, her calm presence soothed it. Soon, the small griffin nestled into her arms.
"How did you get here?" she murmured warmly. "Aren't you from Zerathion?"
It nuzzled closer.
She laughed softly. "I suppose we're both where we shouldn't be. You must miss your family. I'll take you near the border—but from there, you're on your own."
The griffin tugged into her cloak as if refusing to leave.
Unbeknownst to her, high above, Azrion felt a familiar presence.
Draco.
His eyes sharpened as he descended, spotting a cloaked figure holding the small creature.
"So that's where you are," he muttered coldly. "Stealing from me? I don't think so."
He swooped down swiftly. Grace barely had time to react before strong hands seized her and lifted her into the sky. Draco was pulled from her grasp.
"Let go of me!" she cried.
"A maiden?" Azrion scoffed. "Regardless, who do you think you are to steal from me?"
That voice…
Her heart pounded as wind rushed past her face.
"Let's see who hides beneath this cloak," he said.
They struggled midair until he finally pulled the hood back.
Their eyes met.
Shock froze them both.
"You again!" they exclaimed in unison.
Azrion smirked. "Well, well. First a trespasser. Now a thief. Have you no shame?"
Grace glared at him. "And I didn't think a prince could be foolish enough to accuse someone like me without proof."
"Oh? So you know who I am."
"You're impossible," she snapped. "Let me go."
"As you wish."
He released her.
For a split second, she didn't comprehend what had happened—until the ground began rushing up toward her.
"Aaah!" she screamed, terror overtaking her. "I have to do something..but I can't focus—help!!"
Draco chirped angrily at Azrion.
He groaned. "What? It was her wish. Fine."
Without hesitation, Azrion dove after her, flames surging around him as he harnessed his fire power. He caught her around the waist midair and teleported them instantly to solid ground.
"We're—"
Before he could finish, Grace clutched him tightly, burying her face into his chest. Her body trembled violently as sobs escaped her lips.
Azrion stiffened at first, caught off guard.
Then, slowly, his arms wrapped around her. He hesitated only a moment before gently patting her head.
"It's alright," he murmured softly. "You're safe now."
And for a brief moment beneath the divided sky, neither kingdom nor conflict mattered—only the warmth they pretended not to feel.