Crystal clutched the reins of her golden-feathered griffin as the plateau below came into view. Azrion's griffin landed smoothly beside her, and Sir Herold guided his own dark-winged companion to a nearby ledge. The training mountain was breathtaking up close: terraces glimmered with faint runes, waterfalls sparkled like liquid crystal, and mist swirled in soft, glowing currents.
After dismounting, Sir Herold led them to a small building carved into the mountainside. "This is where you'll rest tonight," he explained. "Separate rooms. Privacy is important, but so is discipline. Training begins at dawn."
Crystal's stomach tightened slightly. She and Azrion had spent the whole day soaring on Griffins together, but now… they were supposed to be apart.
Azrion glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like we'll be sleeping in separate rooms," he said quietly, teasing. "It's a shame… I was hoping we'd stay in the same room."
Crystal's cheeks warmed, though she tried to keep her tone cool. "Thinking?..Of course we're not supposed to be in the same room," she replied with a small smirk. "After all… we're not that close."
Azrion chuckled softly, eyes twinkling. "Not that close… yet?"
Crystal rolled her eyes, hiding her blush as she turned toward her room. "Don't get any ideas."
Sir Herold's voice cut through the tension. "Doors are on the other side. Rest well, and don't wander. The mountain is… alive, and it tests those who are careless."
After a brief bow, he left them alone.
Crystal stepped inside her modest chamber, the walls lined with glowing runes that shimmered faintly. Across the hall, Azrion's lantern cast a warm glow through the crack beneath his door. For a moment, she imagined leaning across the hall to speak to him, but the rules—and her pride—kept her in place.
Sitting on her bed, she closed her eyes and tried to focus on the magical energy flowing through the room instead of the warmth she still felt from Azrion's presence. Meanwhile, in the room across the hall, Azrion did the same—thinking of her, replaying their flight, the mountain, and the quiet connection they shared.
Though separated by walls, the tension lingered—a quiet reminder that their destinies were tied together, even when they had to follow the rules.
Far below, Leah worked carefully over her bubbling potion, using a strand of Azrion's hair and a piece of crystal scale, following Rhaegor's guidance from within the orb.
"Leah… steady now," Rhaegor whispered. "Your intention must be true. Channel the energy… the hair, the scale, your magic… together. Slowly… carefully… and the chains will weaken."
Silver threads of magic twined around Leah's fingers and into the potion. "It's… so powerful," she murmured.
"Yes… let it guide you," Rhaegor said. "Step by step. One careful motion at a time."
The potion pulsed faintly as the orb trembled, showing the first signs of progress toward freeing Rhaegor.
Meanwhile, back at the academy, Maria and Arnold approached Ronan, curiosity written on their faces.
"Ronan," Maria said, frowning slightly, "we haven't seen Crystal at the academy for a while… is she alright? Where has she been?"
Ronan's expression softened as he thought of his sister. "She's fine. She's been away for special training, that's why she hasn't been around."
Arnold tilted his head. "Special training? She's always doing something amazing."
"She is," Ronan said quietly, pride faint in his voice. "She's strong, smart, and brave… just like you've probably know. She can take care of herself. Don't worry."
Maria nodded slowly, relief softening her expression. "I hope we get to see her soon, Even though we couldn't see her off."
Ronan smiled faintly. "You will… in time," he said, though in his heart he knew she was far away on the mountain, preparing for the challenges ahead.