As the clocks relentlessly ticked down, leaving only two days before VulcanFire would unleash their sinister poison. The weight of Starfania mission pressed heavy on her, that she would do stuff to try and keep her mind occupied. Every moment she got up and worked on her sword skills, pushing her body to its limit in body strength and speed. Starfania remembered how her father would make her get up every morning to get better. He would move his sword and tell her " The sword is just another extension of your body. Your body needs to flow like a river being able to make all invasive movements. "
Now to think that she would one day now have to go against him instead of standing side by side. Starfania knew that she had to stop her father and her nation from killing off the dragons. Otherwise Avalon would become a desolate land like VulcanFire itself. The training sessions blurred together, each swing of the sword cutting through doubt as much as the air. Starfania's muscles ached, but she welcomed the pain. It grounded her, reminded her of the stakes. She recalled the quiet moments with her father, the laughter echoing in the sunlit courtyard. Those memories felt far away now, shadows of a life that seemed increasingly unattainable.
The wind whipped through her hair. Valley whispered of the dragons that still thrived there, creatures of wisdom and grace. They didn't deserve to perish beneath her father's blade. She gripped her sword tighter, envisioning the clash that awaited her. Starfania closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She pictured the kingdom, vibrant and alive. Would it become just another pawn in her father's ruthless ambition? Torn between duty and love, she knew she had to act. The mission was not solely about saving the dragons; it was about saving her father from himself. In that moment, she vowed to stand against him, not just as a warrior but as a daughter who would fight for what was right, no matter the cost. Time was running out, and she had to prepare herself, body and soul, for a battle that would alter the fate of everything she held dear.
In those fleeting moments, her dragon Atlas was constantly by her side, never too far away from her. His unwavering presence, his quiet understanding, and his fierce determination was what kept her grounded. Atlas would practice his own skill alongside her, his fiery breath hitting every target with pinpoint precision. As Starfania swung her sword again, sweat slick on her skin, a voice suddenly called her name, cutting through the silence. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to see Violet, Aeron, and Drogo stepping into the training area. Aeron halted, his brows furrowing as he studied her. " Have you been here all morning? "
Starfania didn't take her eyes off the dummy and simply said. " Yes. "
"Why are you training so hard?" Violet asked, concerned about etching her features. Starfania finally turned to face them, her resolve hardening.
"I can't afford to be weak. Not now." Her voice was steady, but a quiver betrayed her inner turmoil. Drogo stepped forward, crossing his arms. "You should take a break. The fight isn't tomorrow."
"But it feels like it is," she replied, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "Every day brings us closer to whatever he's planning. I need to be ready."
Aeron nodded, a look of understanding passing between them. "We all do. It's not just your battle, Starfania. We're in this together."
He took a step closer, his eyes filled with a mix of admiration and worry. Violet joined her side, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You're not alone in this. We'll fight alongside you."
Starfania felt a warmth rise within her, a flicker of hope igniting beneath her heavy heart. A roar broke through their quiet moment, as Atlas soared overhead, casting a shadow over the group. They all looked up, their spirits lifting slightly at the sight. With each beat of his mighty wings, he reminded her of their bond, the strength they shared despite the looming darkness. She tightened her grip on her sword, determination flooding her veins once more.
"With Atlas, with all of you, I can face him," she affirmed. She could see her friends nodding in agreement, their loyalty evident in their eyes.
"Then let's train together," Aeron said. "We should prepare as a team."
Starfania exhaled slowly, finally allowing a small smile. "Alright. Together."