The cunning, black dragon led the injured, pink dragoness through back alleys. Eventually, Viliant's claws shrieked to a stop. Here. Do you see that?

An eerie, green light flowed across the ground like a shimmering snake. It was so faint that Fia could hardly notice it through Viliant's magical haze. That's the healer's trap, he announced.

Oh no! Fia whined. The magic spell would prevent the dragons from proceeding beyond this point, lest their hunters should discover their precise location. The human guards would collapse on them—including the Dragon Slayer.

Her anxious claws tapped against the dirty street. What do we do?

Stay put, Viliant ordered. I'll trip it.

Immediately, her stomach wrenched at the daring prospect. We're not splitting up, are we?

Viliant curled his neck around so that he could narrow his eyes and scowl at her. What happened to trusting me?

Sorry, Fia murmured.

We'll only make it look like we split up, and I'm going this way, Viliant continued to explain. His attention focused on the magical security system in front of them. Remember how I fazed through the Dragon Slayer?

Yeah, she said.

Since my shadow magic allows me to disengage from the physical realm, I think I can mask my life essence—cross this boundary without them knowing.

The complexities of his element confused her. Fia appreciated the simplicity of her element and suggested her own solution. Or…. Fire burns plants! I could spit fire on that nature magic.

Fia…. Viliant curled up his talons and pressed the backs to his forehead. The mental projection of his voice was the perfect blend between disbelief and disappointment. Let me handle this.

Alright, Fia said in an elongated tone. When you need me to burn something up, let me know! She sat prim and proper against a building, tilting her nose up to the sky.

Viliant took a bold hop over the magical boundary in the alleyway. The light flickered like a heartbeat; his presence was acknowledged. On the other side of the line, he closed his eyes and focused on his magic.

Anxiety mounted in Fia's heart as she waited. She tried not to interrupt his concentration, but he was taking too long. The shouts of humans could be heard in the distance. Hurry up, Viliant!

I'm trying! he snapped. I can't seem to remember how…. Another useless minute passed. They should have practiced before putting their plan into action.

Fia got up and tapped her three, good claws in a little dance. We need to go! Just get back over here. It's fine.

No! he exclaimed, exasperated in her thoughts.

The humans would assume that Viliant had kept traveling towards the city walls. If he crossed over their trap again, they would know exactly where he was. There was no time to explain this rationale to Fia, so he gave simple orders.

Follow the line north. We'll meet up. Viliant bounded off and disappeared behind a building.

Fia's eyes widened. Despite the darkness, her slitted pupils tried to constrict out of fear. I said I'd trust him…. I'm sure I'll see Viliant again in no time!

Out of sight from Viliant, she left the alley the other way and traveled the direction that he had indicated. At the soonest opportunity, she made her way back towards the spell boundary.

Soon after she turned the corner, a commanding voice sounded on the main street.

"Establish a new perimeter," the Dragon Slayer's dark voice said. "I want to know where those snakes turn up next."

"Yes, Your Highness." The healer gathered up his robes as he trotted to keep up with the Dragon Slayer's long, angry strides. "It was only Umbra Caligo who crossed my first magic circle. He must've decided to leave the injured Favilla behind…."

Fia hurried to find Viliant so that would not happen. Before she even made it to the boundary, she ran into a hard object which she could not see in the darkness.

The way her foreleg was bound up, the back of her claws rammed against it. By extension, her shoulder was sent into excruciating pain. Her tail twacked against the ground as she fell onto her rear. By sheer willpower, she kept her jaws clamped shut and only a pathetic whine was audible. Instead, she funneled all her pain into her voice. I'm so glad to see you, Viliant!

You okay there? he asked in response. You still don't think I'd leave you, do you?

Of course not. I trust you! When she hopped back up, Fia leaned into his side and stifled her cries. I just hit my shoulder when I ran into you. More importantly, she gasped in Viliant's mind, the Dragon Slayer…. He's nearby!

Now that Viliant had successfully passed over the barrier with his shadow magic, the two dragons snuck back the way they came. Swathed in shadows, Viliant peered around the corner.

The Dragon Slayer and the healer crossed the street, heading towards Viliant's previous location. Once their enemies had disappeared down an alley, Fia and Viliant looked at each other and shared a brief nod. They pressed on.

Other guards passed them as they tried to move to the dragons' perceived position. Fia followed Viliant as he often changed their trajectory to avoid them. In another alley, she cowered beneath his wing, squeezing her eyes shut, and nestling her face into his scales. His shadows cloaked them while heavy boots passed on the main street.

Keep hanging in there, Viliant remarked. C'mon.

The dragons' claws halted when they came to a second line of nature magic, drawn across the stony street. The curvature of this line bowed inwards the opposite way. Fia and Viliant had made it to the other side of the perimeter.

I'll try to extend my shadow magic to you. I don't know if I can sneak you past in the same way…. Viliant closed his eyes and tried to focus. His breathing became more labored, but in the end, he released a big huff. His eyes reopened, slightly squinted in frustration. No…. Can't do it.

Thanks for trying, Fia cheered. Already, she was grateful how much he had done to get them this far. At some point, Viliant would become too fatigued to use magic altogether. If he pushed himself to the point of passing out like Fia had earlier, that would do no good for either of them.

Instead, he enveloped himself solely in shadows. His entire form became a murky haze. In shadow form, the dragon calmly walked over the magic circle. The green light beneath him did not respond.

Viliant returned to his normal, physical form on the other side. They'll still think I'm going the other way. You're going this way. Ready?

Here, the chase would truly begin. The dragons had a head start thanks to Viliant's efforts to misdirect their pursuers. A large breath swelled in Fia's chest, and she limped over the line.

The flicker of light below her was timed with her racing heartbeat. The humans would know her location. Without letting her thoughts dwell on her fear, Fia ran on three legs with Viliant sticking close to her injured side.