Chapter 28: Sperate Path’s!
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Blankets spread on dry ledges, aromatic steam easing lungs. Star bounded across warm rocks, wings shaking droplets free. Mira slipped into quiet sleep while Fenna checked, her fever already dropping.
Luke sat by a shallow pool, still clutching his spear. "I owe you." From a pouch he offered three thumb-sized healer crystals, the last of his cargo. "One for your... Hollowback."
Zephyr accepted a shard with solemn thanks. It felt cool, alive.
He chipped a sliver and offered it to Star. The dragonling gulped; light washed violet scales. Life Attribute +1. Zephyr felt a tingling echo in his own veins, bloodline feedback like early spring sap.
Steam curled around them, veiling cave walls in shimmering curtains. Fenna laid fresh salve across Zephyr's shoulder. "The Guild is pushing deeper. We'll need more than one VeilStone soon."
Zephyr opened the System pane. Stage-4 objectives glowed: reach Level E, 35 % bloodline, 5 km circuit. He closed it, while saying. "Tomorrow, we will train flight in these updrafts. Star rides steam columns, first taste of true hovering. I'll meditate to refine my bloodline."
"And I'll brew stronger tonics," Fenna added, eyes bright with challenge. "We'll outrun the Guild and anybody else."
Luke listened, silent admiration in his gaze. He thought they were helping him and his sister to avoid the guild members.