The final preparations moved quickly after that. Soldiers secured the last supply crates while dragon riders performed final equipment checks beneath Primara's towering cliffs. The sky had slowly begun dimming into shades of amber and gold as afternoon drifted toward evening. Time was running out. Near the center of the meeting grounds, Maxmillian approached Lyam carrying a small reinforced case beneath his arms. His expression lacked its usual theatrical amusement. For once—he looked genuinely serious.
" Before you leave," Maxmillian said firmly, " take this."
He opened the case carefully, revealing a small silver vial filled with glowing pale-silver liquid. The contents shimmered softly beneath the fading sunlight. Lyam's expression hardened immediately. " The suppressant?"
Maxmillian nodded.
" Not a cure," he clarified quickly. " But if administered quickly enough, it should slow the poison's spread long enough to buy infected dragons more time."
Starfania stared at the vial quietly. More time. That was all they had. Time. Lyam carefully accepted the vial, securing it within a pouch attached to his belt. " You've done more than enough already, Maxmillian."
The scientist scoffed lightly. " Don't sound grateful yet."
His gaze shifted toward the distant horizon. " Save Avalon first."
Nearby, Violet had remained unusually quiet during the final preparations. Far quieter than normal. She stood beside Katherine and Elira, clutching the edge of her sleeves tightly while watching everyone prepare to leave.
Watching Aeron tighten his armor straps. Watching Starfania secure Cosmry at her side. Atlas and Drogo are getting ready for battle. And suddenly—it became real. They were actually leaving. They were actually going into danger. Without warning, Violet broke into a run. " WAIT!"
Aeron barely had time to react before Violet crashed straight into him, wrapping both arms tightly around his waist. Starfania instinctively crouched beside them just as Violet buried her face against both of them, trying—and failing—not to cry.
" You can't get hurt," Violet whispered shakily. " You just can't."
The vulnerability in her voice hit everyone nearby harder than expected. Aeron's expression softened immediately. He knelt properly beside her, pulling her gently closer.
" Hey," he said softly, " look at me."
Violet reluctantly lifted her watery eyes toward him. Aeron smiled gently despite the tension weighing on him. " You know me."
He tapped his chest dramatically. " I'm way too stubborn to die."
Violet let out a small laugh through her tears. " That's not comforting."
" It should be."
Starfania smiled softly beside them before carefully brushing a strand of hair from Violet's face.
" We're coming back," she promised quietly. Her voice carried far more certainty than she actually felt. But for Violet's sake—she needed to believe it too.
" And when we do," Starfania continued, " we'll tell you every single detail about this mission."
Aeron nodded immediately. " The heroic version."
" Not the embarrassing version," Starfania added quietly.
" Especially not the embarrassing version," Aeron agreed. Violet sniffled before managing a small smile.
Atlas slowly lowered his massive head beside Violet next. The great white dragon nudged her shoulder gently with his snout, letting out a soft rumble. Drogo joined seconds later, pressing his head against her other side dramatically enough that she nearly tripped over. Violet laughed weakly through her tears. " Okay, okay—"
Drogo huffed proudly afterward as if he had personally solved the emotional crisis. Atlas responded by wrapping part of his tail carefully around Violet protectively. Even Lutu nearby watched the scene quietly, his sharp gaze softer than usual. Without another word, Starfania pulled Violet fully into a hug. Aeron immediately joined.
And before long, the four of them stood tangled together while two dragons hovered protectively around them like oversized emotional support guardians. For a moment, the mission didn't matter. The war didn't matter. It was just them. A strange little family formed through grief, dragons, and impossible circumstances. Eventually, reality returned. Lyam mounted Lutu first, the Seraphithorn spreading his enormous wings powerfully. Atlas crouched low enough for Starfania to climb onto his back while Aeron vaulted easily onto Drogo moments later. Wind swept across the meeting grounds as the dragon prepared for flight. Violet stepped back beside Katherine reluctantly, waving shakily toward them.
" Be careful!" she shouted.
" Always!" Aeron called back.
Atlas leapt skyward first. Drogo followed seconds later while Lutu ascended behind them with regal precision. The crowd below watched silently as the three dragons climbed higher into Primara's skies. Violet's tiny figure slowly became smaller beneath them. Still waving. Still trying not to cry. Then, suddenly—Atlas slowed midair. Starfania looked downward toward Violet one final time. Something inside her chest tightened painfully. And before she could second-guess herself—she reached for Cosmry. The legendary blade slid free with a brilliant silver gleam.
Starfania raised it high above her head as Atlas hovered against the golden sky. Her voice rang out clearly across the valley. " WINGS UP!"
The words echoed powerfully through Primara. Starfania's eyes locked onto Violet's below as she continued firmly: " HEART STEADY!"
For a brief second, silence overtook the entire valley. Then Aeron grinned suddenly. He raised his own sword beside her. " WINGS UP!"
Drogo roared loudly afterward. Atlas lifted his head proudly beside them. Even Lutu let out a deep, resonating cry that shook the skies themselves.
Below them, confusion spread throughout Primara's people. The phrase felt unfamiliar…yet strangely powerful. Emotional. Ancient. None of them realized those words once belonged to VulcanFire long before it became a kingdom ruled by fear. Back when it had still been a nation. Back when its people and dragons stood together instead of apart. And as Starfania lowered Cosmry beneath the darkening sky—somewhere deep within Avalon itself…history stirred.