Southwest of the Elven Kingdom of Forest City lay a vast valley known as Thunder Dragon Ravine. According to legend, the Thunder Whip Dragon, an Arcane-Beast, had made its home there two thousand years ago. After several great wars, however, the creature disappeared, and no trace of it had ever been found again.
Blackie carried Marcus and Emily through the sky. Emily sat in front of him with her back against his chest, his arm resting securely around her waist as they traveled. She was close enough for him to catch her familiar scent, and the intimacy of having her in his arms made it difficult for him to focus on anything else.
Emily was equally comfortable in his embrace. She leaned against him and held onto his arm, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked out over the landscape below. She had always been openly affectionate with Marcus, and the trust between them came naturally after everything they had been through together.
