Chapter 14: The dragon prince is Vayren’s buddy
Previously ~
Sophie knelt beside them both, brushing Hazel's hair back from her face. "...Foolish boy," she whispered. "But maybe you're your father's son after all." Leon smiled faintly, hugging his little sister close. And as the wind picked up, Orrenys lifted her gaze toward the skies. "They're coming," she said. "We need to move. Now."
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Scene: Skies Above Duskrane County – Near the Veilspire Mountains
The dragons flew low now, mist clinging to their wings like ghostly shrouds. Below them, the land twisted into unnatural shapes—dark forests, jagged cliffs, and valleys that swallowed light. It felt as though they were gliding over the spine of some ancient beast, coiled and waiting.
Amelia's armor gleamed dully in the faint light filtering through the fog. She narrowed her eyes, surveying the land below. Beside her, Vincent guided Vyrrhala with a calm focus, though the dragon's wings beat more cautiously than before.
"We're nearing Duskrane's borders," Amelia said. "Where's the stone gate?"
"There." Vincent pointed toward a narrow cleft at the foot of the mountain—barely visible through the veil of fog. A stone arch loomed ahead, ancient and moss-covered, like the mouth of a sleeping god.
"That's the only entrance," he said. "But no one passes through it without facing the fog... or worse."
Behind them, Caelvyrn let out a low growl. Ilyra and the Wolf Squad had drawn weapons instinctively.
Then they saw it.