Far from the Grand Hall—beyond the borders of Primara…a figure stood atop a jagged cliff overlooking the vast expanse of Avalon. Silent. Still. Watching. Encased in armor that gleamed like burnished gold, the figure's face remained completely hidden behind a smooth, expressionless helmet. Not a single feature is visible. Not a hint of identity. Only intention. Beside him stood his dragon. Massive. Unnatural. Its scales shimmered gold—but not the warm, living gold sunlight.
This was colder. Sharper. Almost metallic…threaded with faint streaks of green that pulsed subtly beneath the surface. Like something forged. Not born. The dragon exhaled slowly, a faint, eerie glow slipping between its teeth. The Golden Hunter tilted his head slightly—as if listening to something only he could hear. Then, in a low, measured voice — " Soon."
The dragon's wings shifted, scraping against a stone with a hollow, almost unnatural sound. And together—they watched the horizon. Waiting. Back in the Grand Hall—the silence didn't last.
" You're asking us to gamble everything on containment?" one leader snapped. " What if we fail?"
" And splitting our forces?" another added. " That weakens us!"
" She doesn't understand the scale of this—"
The tension rose again—sharp. But this time—before it could spiral — " Enough."
Lyam's voice cut through the room. Firm. Unyielding. All eyes turned to him. He stepped forward, positioning himself beside Starfania—not in front of her. Not above her. Beside her. " I agree with her."
That landed. Harder than anything else. Murmurs spread instantly. Lyam didn't waver.
" Our priority is no longer just strategy," he continued. " It is survival."
His gaze swept across the room. " If the dragons fall—Avalon falls with them."
Silence followed. Heavy. Decisive.
" We do whatever it takes to protect the dragons before that poison is released," Lyam said firmly. " No hesitation. No delay."
He turned slightly, his voice sharpening. " We buy time—no matter the cost."
" You," Lyam called, his gaze locking onto the spy who had delivered the warning. The man straightened immediately.
" You've seen their operations. Their movements." A pause. " Find where they plan to release it."
The weight of the command was unmistakable. " Before the eclipse."
The spy placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply. " It will be done."
Without another word, he turned and left—already moving. Already risking everything. The room shifted—not calm. But focused. Purpose replacing panic. Lyam turned back to Starfania. For a moment, the surrounding noise faded.
" This is where it begins," he whispered. Not as a warning. As truth. " You need to prepare."
Starfania held his gaze, her heart steadying despite everything.
" As soon as we find that location," he continued, " we move."
A brief pause.
" We stop them." His expression hardened. " And we buy enough time to get everyone—dragons included—out of danger."
Starfania nodded. This was it. No more waiting. No more watching. Somewhere in the distance—the Golden Hunter's dragon spread its wings. A low, metallic roar echoed across the horizon. And for the first time—two forces began moving toward the same point. The Dragon Savior. And the one sent to hurt her.