Zenithia knew what she was supposed to do, but she was reluctant to do it. The light dragons would not hide a city without a reason, especially if the reason was going to be a major problem for their mission to eat that reality.

It also made Zenithia think as she sat near Adeline, who was helping with Dracokin’s rebuilding. The werewolf came from a different continent and thought that the continent she now made her home in was just a theory and not fact. The light dragon knew she was also troubled by the situation at home, but try not to think about it and got her priorities straight. Seeing her trying her best to distract herself made Zenithia worry that she thought herself as useless without the light dragon. She only got her bestial nature as weapon, but no defense against Aetherium that almost took her life before. She took a great risk to slay a light dragon, and Zenithia could not expose the red-furred werewolf to that kind of danger again.

The light dragon cursed herself for being so weak, and to mess her own rebellion. If she did not do anything, maybe the world would end without too much suffering. Maybe she shouldn’t have followed his—

No! She thought while shaking her head. I made my decisions a very long time ago. I fought them through countless years! I can no longer turn back and give up now.

It was a good thing that she found someone so caring like Adeline. It gave her strength to continue her rebellion. She wanted to see it end with her winning.

Yet, she knew that wouldn’t work without more than just her barely powered self. She needed another light dragon ally. She needed Seraphor.

And she knew the light dragon could be found in Qeveriyt, the lost city that had become their mission ever since the Pol Hain pillar of light she inevitably caused. She must go on with the plan, even if she knew it was risky.

Her pondering did not escape someone’s attention, however. Adeline noticed Zenithia looking stressed and approached her after finishing up her job. She simply rubbed the dragon’s chin, trying to get her attention. She expected her to purr like a cat. To her disappointment, Zenithia only turned her head and looked at her with her blue eyes, a stark contrast to her bright white scales and horns.

“We shouldn’t keep any secrets between us, Zen. You know how disastrous that can be,” said Adeline. “So, tell me what’s on your mind.”

“I…was half hoping that we wouldn’t find out about Qeveriyt this soon. Anything involving my kind is nothing but disaster. Adeline, I am scared of what’s lurking behind the light. I am scared that it will make you lose your mind and we’ll all be—”

“Thus, I prepared myself for it. At this point, I always assume the worst when it comes to the light dragons. I mean, just look at it from my perspective. I am a Tragorian werewolf with no potential in magic and almost got killed by exposure to Aetherium. When I woke up a week later, I faced another light dragon and her hordes of the undead, only to come back and see the city of dragons in ruins. So, to tell you frankly, yes, I am bloody scared. I can’t see a light source without thinking that something is going to come out of it and maul me. I am supposed to be a wolf. A predator. Now, I feel like a prey. So, you see, Zen. I don’t want you to be scared. If you’re scared, then I’m scared. You know what we are up against, so please…don’t say that you’re scared.”

“Adeline….”

“This whole light dragon business, the uncertain fate of my family, it’s all a test. I have never been out here before, all alone, thinking I am going on a grand adventure to connect with civilized people beyond Ternor. Well, look at me now, coordinating disaster relief and working on properly using a sword. So, you see, Zen. There is no turning back for me. For all of us. Everyone, be it Hans, Ulster, Keeshar, the Blackjack crew…hell, even our bloody friends from this continent…has all changed.”

“I know what you’re thinking, Adeline, and I’m sorry.” Zenithia then lowered her head. “You’re right. I must stay strong. I am the only one who know how to deal with this. But to be fair, you must prepare yourself against anything, especially against any horrifying thing you might come upon.”

“So, what do you want me do?”

“Prepare, of course. Mentally and physically. You need a protection against Aetherium and you really need to work on your combat techniques. Swinging a sword is one thing, but being crafty with it is another.”

“I’ll work on that. How about you?”

“I know how to find Qeveriyt, but don’t get hasty. I am not sending you in until you are prepared. Knowing the urgency of time, we only get…half a week to prepare.”

“That short?”

“Can’t risk getting ambushed again. I will help you, of course. Now, your friends that goes to the forest might already had a taste of proper combat, so they know what to do. In the meantime…if you really mean what you just said earlier, I say we go together and get it done.”

“Right.”

Zenithia smiled as she hopped onto Adeline’s shoulder. Seeing the werewolf with a smile on her lupine face made Zenithia even more determined to not fail her and anyone else.

They had gotten to that point, and like Adeline said, there was no turning back. Qeveriyt would be an obstacle, but it wouldn’t be an impossible one.

She just hoped that Adeline’s declaration would not be for naught.

***

“Should we tell Ulster about the Cursed Forest?” asked Hans.

“What’s with that all of the sudden?” asked Azureath.

“He’s an anthropologist, right? Discovering the origin of Lycans could be a breakthrough he needs. I mean, sure, he already got some recognitions for working with the people of Main, but if he can put another entry in the history books, I’ll be glad to be the witness. Who knows? Maybe we will be immortalized by it.”

“Or end up damning yourselves,” said Fenrir. “Nobody wants to hear about Lycans being born out of black magic. You don’t want your tension with the humans to worsen, right? I know there are reasonable people out there, but reasonable or not, black magic is not something you can casually brag about.”

“It’s just a thought, Fenrir. Anyway, why did you decide to come with us? Aren’t you risking your body spreading the curse?”

“The satyrs of Bracken Woods and Val’seris made an arrangement to seal my body and the Cursed Forest, effectively protecting it. So, as a spirit, I can always go anywhere provided there is a Lycan as a tether.”

“So, you use my body as a tether. Talk about being a freeloader.”

“Hey! Is that how you say thanks after I gave you an imposing feral form and general protection against anti-magic? You lost a lot of your mana reserve after generations of living in a land scarce of mana. And also, I gave you a little insight on how to fight properly, which you clearly can’t do compared to your friends.”

“I can fight like a wolf.”

“Against hunters beyond our reality? You’ll be lucky to have part of your body left, Hans.”

Hans shrugged. “I understand. It still doesn’t justify you taking over one third of me.”

The others could only shake their heads as Hans argued with his disembodied companion. Unknown to him, they could only hear him talk to himself since Fenrir did not reveal himself.

After spending the night to rest after dealing with the Bracken Woods-Val’seris war, the group decided to return to Dracokin to regroup with their friends, flying the same route as they were before. Fritz, or rather Udvik, decided to stay. He had a lot to discuss with Elyse’s father. Despite everyone knowing his real name, Fritz kept using his disguised name. When asked, the satyr reasoned that the name ‘Udvik’ had become tainted by the actions of the rogue mage who impersonated him, and in Val’seris, it became synonymous with tyranny after five years since Fritz’s exile. Fritz himself also did not want to be considered as a prince, considering his disdain on royal titles. Thus, without hesitation, he abolished the monarchy of Val’seris and let a general election to choose a satyr to serve as their leader.

Fritz wanted to go and help Elyse and his newfound comrades but found that he was too out of his elements despite his plant control druidic magic. He reasoned that whatever enemy Elyse and the others faced would be something beyond plants, and he was weak beyond his control over plants.

Privately, however, he knew he would interfere with the budding romance between Hans and Elyse. He was aware of their bond ever since he met Elyse to try and convince her to go home. She cared for Hans and Hans did, too. Realizing that their love was over, Fritz decided to let Elyse go, while also became interested with the wolf-goat relationship. It would be amusing for him to see how it ended up. His only hope was that it did not end up with a disaster.

So, with Fritz deciding to stay, Azureath, Hans (with Fenrir’s spirit), Keeshar, and Elyse, renewed and prepared for things to come, decided to come home to Dracokin to find that some of their friends were already preparing themselves.

From the sky, Hans could see Richie and Ritik training with offensive magic in the outskirts of the city, with him surprised by Richie’s tenacity despite his injured form. Richie seemed to learn how to grasp his elements well, especially when he combined it with the movement of his body, along with his strong imagination. Ritik did not seem to do as well with offensive magic, though.

Azureath landed in the city’s landing pad, and everyone hopped off her back, wondering about what to do next. The present state of Dracokin did not help improve their mood. Some spires that decorated the city were damaged and some broke off while parts of the city were leveled to the ground. While reconstruction was already underway, it would take a while until Dracokin could return to the way it was before Ashaire’s attack.

Their arrival did not go unnoticed. After Hans jumped off Azureath’s back, Adeline and Zenithia approached them. Zenithia quickly noticed something different with Hans and pointed this out.

“You made a new friend in the forest, Hans?” asked Zenithia.

Hans was surprised that Zenithia quickly realized Fenrir’s presence, to the confusion of Adeline. Fenrir wasn’t one to make things more confusing, so he appeared to the others as a wolf spirit. This was the first time Hans had ever seen him do this and was similarly surprised by the spectral wolf.

“So, you noticed,” said Fenrir. “I am indeed a friend, white dragon. My name is Fenrir. How do you do?”

“Hans, how…?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later,” said Hans. He scratched the back of his head. “You are full of surprises, you know.”

“Not more surprising than your white dragon friend there.” Fenrir then turn to face Zenithia. “Your spirit is…disturbing. You’re not exactly a dragon, are you?”

“I am a light dragon,” said Zenithia. “Let’s keep it at that if you value your sanity. Even spirits can be affected by my presence.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

However, Fenrir was still disturbed by Zenithia. Clearly, he was missing out of many things, including the danger the world was facing. He learned a bit about it from Hans’ memories.

He never thought anti-magic existed and be easily wielded. The light dragon youngling who wasn’t exactly a youngling was one of those. He wanted to sate his curiosity, but decided that it was too dangerous.

Fenrir decided to stay in his spectral form as Hans inquired about the situation while he and his friends were gone. He didn’t miss much, but he became intrigued when Adeline mentioned Qeveriyt. When asked to elaborate on it, she promptly told Hans what Ritik told her.

“Qeveriyt is hidden behind a shroud of light?” said Hans. “So, it’s just disguised, then? Shouldn’t anyone be able to accidentally stumble upon it?”

“That’s what I thought when Ritik told me about it yesterday,” said Adeline. “However, given that we are dealing with light dragons, Zenithia had a better answer.”

“The whole city is out of phase with this reality,” said Zenithia. “It sounds very inconceivable, but we can do that with a little effort. This also causes everyone to forget the city as if it never existed.”

“So, how can it become a legend?”

“Altered Reality State is not perfect, especially if the subject is a city as big as Dracokin along with its inhabitants. Thus, we use this power only if it is very important for us to do so. Putting a whole city in Altered Reality is far too much work.”

“Which means they really did have something that is critical for their plan,” said Elyse. “And if we managed to find out about it…”

“We will be able to fight back,” said Adeline. “And stop this menace.”

“If only it’s that easy, however.” Zenithia lowered her head. “I’m afraid I can’t let you get to Qeveriyt until you are absolutely ready. I can’t let you go in and get yourselves killed by them.”

“So, you know how to get into the shrouded city,” said Fenrir, who had been listening.

“I just have to find the right wavelength that shows the cracks to the Altered Reality. Again, you don’t have that much time.”

Hans understood what she meant. The light dragons could attack at any time, not necessarily knowing about whether they had found out about their secret or not. The Pillars of Light were still seen all over the countryside and the outlook was grim for them.

Fortunately, Hans was already prepared after the incident in Bracken Woods. He wasn’t sure about the rest, but he knew they were already prepared for the worst.

“I am prepared,” said Hans confidently.

“As do I,” said Azureath.

“Count me in,” said Elyse.

“This whole thing is beyond what I thought, but nevertheless, it is very exciting,” said Keeshar.

Zenithia smiled, knowing that their confidence was real and they were prepared to tackle whatever was thrown at them.

“I believe your hearts are in the right place,” said Zenithia. “However, I cannot put all of you at risk of being exposed to Aetherium. This is especially important for the three among us. Adeline already has my protection, but I am not sure about you two.”

Hans and Keeshar looked at each other, unsure on the answer. It was clear that the two of them were Ternorians with zero magic potential, which not only was something peculiar in a land of magic, but it also almost proved to be fatal. They did not want that kind of experience again, especially not if they were going to fight the light dragons again.

Fortunately for them, after finishing their discussion, Hans and Keeshar separately found that they had the means to defend against Aetherium. Due to Fenrir’s possession within Hans, he already had innate mana potential that wasn’t his own, enabling him to have a certain protection against Aetherium, though he still had no potential to use magic.

Keeshar was not as straightforward, though it was due to his efforts during Ashaire’s attack that earned him thanks. The Raptor was walking through the slowly rebuilding city, thinking about what kind of object could provide him with the protection so that he could join the fight. As if answering his questions, his toe claw, in which he made a habit of tapping the floor when thinking, tapped something metallic, creating a clinking sound that took his attention. He promptly took the amulet and tried to open it, thinking it belonged to someone else. There wasn’t any identification; the amulet was blank. He noticed where the amulet was found; It was in front of a ruined store selling enchanted trinkets.

Could be on display when the building collapsed, he thought. Keeshar considered returning the amulet to the store when the store owner walked to him and said, “I know you.”

Keeshar turned towards the owner of the voice; an elderly human carrying several building materials. The Raptor wasn’t sure if he remembered the man.

“You’re the bird-lizard person who saved me,” he said. “I wasn’t really sure since I was concussed, but I won’t forget your striking appearance.”

Bird-lizard? Keeshar wasn’t sure if that’s the best way to describe him, especially since he was more lizard than bird. The name ‘Raptor’ was due to Azureath’s gift and the name stuck among Ternorians, who also compared his appearance to that of a bird of prey (even though he was still distinctively reptilian). Keeshar also wasn’t sure if he ever saved the human, though in his defense, he did try and save as many people from ruined buildings as possible.

Still, Keeshar simply nodded politely and said, “I am honored, even if I vaguely remember doing it.”

“No matter.” The human made a smile. “You didn’t stay for long and we barely talked to each other.”

“I see.” Keeshar then showed the amulet he found to the human. “I believe this belongs to the store.”

“That design’s a blank from our store, alright,” said the human as he closely examined the amulet. “Silver amulet with the store logo magically engraved as a trademark and beacon, just so everyone knows from where that amulet was bought. You can keep it. Consider it thanks for saving me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Why not? I give away blanks as promotion. That particular style’s not selling, so I was planning to give it away as a bonus purchase before everything happened. Kids these days don’t like something as bland as a circle and prefer something more…stylish, I guess? Anyway, I know calling you a bird-lizard doesn’t feel right. What do you call yourself?”

“I’m a Raptor,” said Keeshar with a chirp. “My name’s Keeshar.”

“Raptor? Lizard people of the south, I know, but Raptors are new.”

“I came from the west, beyond the sea,” said Keeshar.

The magic shop owner quickly realized what Keeshar said. “Oh! The ones travelling on a steel ship! I heard about it. It was quite a news for desert people like us. Nobody mentioned a Raptor. I thought they were humans and wolf people.”

“I was the only Raptor on the ship, so it’s understandable.” Keeshar then looked at the amulet, which was silver and reflected the light. “This is perfect, my friend. I was just going to find something for magic defense.”

“And you’re in luck. That amulet can store a decent amount of mana to supply whatever magic you’re going to use.”

“Ah, but…can it handle Aetherium?”

“Handle…oh, I see. Well, only if you’re not getting a direct, concentrated hit of Aetherium. I heard that’s the effect of the light pillars that popped up near the city. If it’s just lingering Aetherium particles, you should be fine.”

“That’s perfect. Thanks for the information.”

“Oh, and Keeshar? Good luck with whatever you’re planning to do. Just…be careful.”

Keeshar nodded and let out a chirp to thank the store owner. He only hoped the amulet could help him so he can support the others. Of the three Ternorians that were directly involved, only he had no protection against Aetherium. Hans had his tethered spirit, and Adeline had Zenithia.

Good thing he knew a bit about the mysticism and spirits thanks to his shaman training with Hrashiran. He was set to succeed the old Raptor upon death. Part of his journey to the new world was both to make sure Azureath, his village’s guardian, was doing well, and also as his rite of passage.

Keeshar would be the first shaman to have been given a wisdom beyond the island he was confined to, and both he and the old Raptor hoped that it would open their eyes to the world. He only hoped he could return safe and sound to tell the tales.

Whatever danger he would be facing would make more than just a story.