Their laughter slowly faded into the warm atmosphere of the forge. Then Katherine suddenly clapped her hands together once more. " Alright."
Her eyes slid toward Starfania. " Your turn."
Starfania blinked. The nervousness hit instantly. " Wait…right now?"
Katherine raised a brow. " Unless you plan on fighting VulcanFire in pajamas."
Violet burst into giggles. Aeron smirked. " Honestly? She'd probably still win."
" AERON."
Katherine chuckled softly before gesturing toward the dressing room tucked deeper within the forge. " Go on, Dragon Savior."
" Let's see if I got it right."
Starfania stepped inside slowly. The door shut behind her with a soft click. Silence followed. Then—she saw it. Resting against the stand beneath the glow of forge-light…Her armor. Her breath caught instantly. Unlike Aeron's armor, this set carried an entirely distinct presence. Elegant. Powerful. Ancient.
Silver-white metal shimmered beneath the warm light, almost resembling moonlight frozen into steel. Intricate black accents curved across the armor like flowing dragon scales, elegant yet fierce. Deep sapphire lines pulsed faintly throughout the design, resembling streams of living energy. The chestplate bore a breathtaking emblem—a dragon with outstretched wings wrapped protectively around a burning star. Hope. Protection. Sacrifice.
The shoulder guards curved upward like dragon wings mid-flight, while the arm guards carried etched celestial symbols that glimmered whenever the light touched them. A long midnight cloak rested behind the armor, its inner lining threaded with silver embroidery resembling constellations scattered across the night sky. But the true centerpiece…was the helmet. Resting beside the armor like a sacred relic. It resembled a knight's helm—but refined into something almost mythical. Smooth silver plating curved into elegant draconic features, while black markings stretched outward like dragon fire frozen in motion.
Two sleek, horn-like fins swept backward from the sides, resembling Atlas's wings in flight. The visor was darkened enough to obscure her identity—yet thin glowing blue cracks pulsed faintly across its surface like veins of magic. At the center rested the symbol of the Dragon Savior. The dragon holding the flame-shaped heart. Her fingers trembled slightly as she touched it. " …Woah."
Behind the door, Katherine's voice carried through calmly. " The outer plating is forged from Moonsteel."
" Light enough for speed."
" Strong enough to survive dragonfire."
Starfania carefully lifted the chestplate. Surprisingly light.
" The blue crystal threading woven inside the armor helps regulate body strain and magical resonance." Katherine paused. " Which means Atlas energy won't overwhelm your body during combat."
Starfania froze slightly at the revelation. " You…thought about that?"
Katherine huffed softly. " Of course I did."
" You're not just a warrior."
" You fight beside a dragon unlike anything I've ever seen."
A beat. " Your armor needed to reflect that."
Starfania lifted the helmet carefully. The metal reflected her face faintly. Or perhaps…the person she was becoming. Katherine's voice softened. " And before you ask…"
" Yes."
" The helmet was intentional."
Starfania stared at it silently.
" It hides your identity." Katherine continued. " But not out of shame."
" Out of protection."
" The world may see the Dragon Savior…but they won't see the young girl behind it."
Her chest tightened immediately. Even hearing it out loud still hurts. Katherine continued gently. " A mask can do many things."
" Hide fear."
" Hide pain."
" Or…give someone the strength to become who they need to be."
Silence settled over Starfania. Then, slowly—she began putting the armor on. Piece by piece—the Dragon Savior emerged. The armor molded perfectly to her form. Not bulky. Not restrictive. Fluid. Elegant. Powerful.
Finally—she lifted the helmet. Took one steady breath. And placed it on. Softly, the sapphire lines on the armor immediately lit up. The visor glowed faintly. The room outside went completely silent. Then the door opened. Starfania stepped out slowly. And nobody spoke. Nobody could. Violet's jaw dropped. " WOAH."
Aeron completely froze. His brain genuinely stopped working for a second. Atlas immediately lifted his head outside the forge. His sapphire eyes widened slightly—then softened with unmistakable recognition.
Pride. His Dragon Savior. Even Drogo let out an impressive rumble. Katherine crossed her arms proudly. " Now that…"
" …looks like a legend."
Starfania looked down at herself slowly. The armor didn't feel foreign. Somehow…it felt right. Aeron finally found his voice.
" …Okay." He pointed at her dramatically. " This is NOT fair."
Violet laughed immediately. " She looks AMAZING!"
Starfania tilted her head slightly beneath the helmet. " …Too much?"
" No," Katherine said instantly. " Exactly enough."
But something still felt incomplete. Starfania felt it immediately. Her hand instinctively moved toward the side of the room—toward Cosmry. The ancient blade rested slightly against the forge wall. The moment her fingers wrapped around the hilt—the sword reacted. A pulse of silver-blue energy surged through the blade. The symbols carved along its surface illuminated one by one. The forge itself seemed to hum in response. Atlas lifted his head sharply. The air grew warmer. Then—Cosmry transformed. The blade extended fully, shimmering with celestial light as though awakening alongside its wielder. Starfania stared at it in stunned silence.
Starfania slowly removed the helmet. The cool air brushed against her face. Reflected in the polished steel of her helmet—she no longer saw the frightened girl from VulcanFire. She saw someone becoming something greater. For the first time since becoming the Dragon Savior…not because destiny forced her to be. But because she chose to stand. Against fear. Against grief. Fighting against the darkness. Aeron stepped beside her in his armor. Atlas and Drogo stood behind them. Violet smiled proudly from the sidelines. And Katherine—Katherine simply nodded quietly. Because at that moment—everyone in the forge understood the same thing. The battle for Avalon…had truly begun. Outside, far beyond Primara's peaceful skies—dark storm clouds gathered near the distant borders of VulcanFire. And somewhere beneath the shadow of the coming eclipse—war was already waiting for them.