The eclipse was approaching fast. Above Avalon, the moon had already begun creeping over the sun, swallowing the sky piece by piece in unnatural darkness. The closer the eclipse came, the heavier the air became around them. Time was running out. This was their chance. Their only chance.
Hidden high above the VulcanFire encampment, the group gathered around the edge of the cliff while Lyam quietly outlined the plan one last time. Below them, the massive rocket towered over the camp like a weapon forged from fear itself. Thick pipes fed directly into its core, while guards patrolled every entrance. Torches burned across the fortress walls, their flames flickering violently beneath the growing shadow of the eclipse. Lyam pointed toward the structure.
" The poison chamber is inside the central control sector," he explained quietly. " If we can get the vial into the core system before launch…"
He lifted Maxmillian's cure slightly. " …then the poison will disperse harmlessly instead."
Aeron frowned. " And if we fail?"
Silence answered him first. Then Lyam spoke bluntly. " Then Avalon loses every dragon."
The words settled over them like ice. Starfania's grip tightened around Cosmry. She forced herself to breathe steadily. Wings up. Heart steady. Her father's words echoed in her mind again. Far below, movement stirred throughout the camp. VulcanFire soldiers quickly gathered into formation as Cesar stepped onto a raised platform overlooking the entire operation. His black armor reflected the dying sunlight, making him appear almost carved from the shadow itself. The camp immediately fell silent. All soldiers stood at attention. Every dragon chained within the camp lowered their heads uneasily. Cesar's sharp gaze swept across them all before he finally spoke. " The eclipse is almost upon us."
His voice carried effortlessly through the camp. Cold. Powerful. Unshaken. " Tonight…"
He slowly looked toward the rocket. " …we end the dragon threat once and for all."
Cheers erupted instantly from the soldiers below. Starfania felt her chest tighten painfully at the sound. Cesar continued. " For years, Avalon has suffered because of them. Kingdom and Nation divided."
" Lives destroyed. Families taken." His expression hardened further. " But we will be remembered as the generation that finally brought peace to this world."
The soldiers roared in agreement. Yet Starfania couldn't stop staring at him. At the exhaustion hidden beneath his eyes. At the grief he buried beneath power. Then Cesar turned toward the crimson dragon waiting behind them. Without hesitation, he mounted it smoothly before looking back at his soldiers one last time. " Do not fail me."
With a powerful beat of its wings, the dragon launched into the sky—disappearing into the growing darkness as Cesar returned toward VulcanFire Kingdom itself. Completely unaware…that his daughter was watching from only a short distance away.
Starfania didn't move for several seconds after he disappeared. Her heart ached in ways she couldn't explain. Part of her wanted to run after him. To scream the truth. To tell him that she was alive. But another part of her remembered the dragons trembling in chains below. The poison. The suffering. Fear. Cantina's voice echoed softly in her mind. This is where everything you've learned comes into play. Learn not only from your journey…but from the past that brought you here. Starfania slowly lowered her gaze. Then nodded once. Once they finalized the plan, they left their dragon hidden behind the cliffs to avoid detection. Atlas looked especially unhappy about it. He nudged Starfania repeatedly, as if protesting the decision entirely.
" I know," she whispered gently, resting her forehead against his. " Stay hidden for me."
Atlas reluctantly huffed before finally settling beside Drogo and Lutu. Then the three of them moved out. Just before advancing, Starfania secured her helmet into place. The dark visor slid down over her face completely, masking her identity from the world. She felt hidden for the first time since leaving VulcanFire. Protected. The eclipse's shadow stretched further overhead as they approached the outer fortress walls. Darkness slowly swallowed the camp in the shade of silver and black. Every second felt heavier than the last. Their path was blocked by towering steel walls lined with patrols. Guards marched along the perimeter with sharp vigilance while spotlights swept slowly across the ground below. Aeron grimaced quietly. " Yeah…we're definitely not getting through the front."
Lyam scanned the wall carefully before spotting something near the lower edge. A narrow maintenance opening. Barely large enough for a person to squeeze through. Relief flickered briefly across their faces. " Move."
One by one, they slipped through the gap unnoticed. Their route eventually led upward toward the ventilation system hidden above the compound. It wasn't ideal. The vents were cramped, suffocatingly hot, and echoed with every tiny movement. But it worked. Slowly, carefully, they crawled deeper into the compound. Every metallic creak made Starfania's heart jump. Yet they kept moving. Breath by breath. Inch by inch.
Eventually, a faint golden glow appeared through one of the vent grates. Aeron slowed immediately.
" Look," he whispered. " There's light coming from that room."
Lyam and Starfania crawled beside him before peering down through the vent. Below them stretched the central control room. Technicians hurried between blinking control panels while massive screens monitored the poison system and rocket pressure levels. The entire operation was already underway. Their eyes met instantly. This was it. One technician laughed smugly beneath them. " It's incredible how our scientists managed to create a poison capable of wiping out every dragon."
Another snorted. " Cesar must be thrilled. Especially after losing his daughter."
Starfania froze. The words hit harder than she expected. But she stayed silent. Calm. Focused. Like Cantina taught her. Control your emotions. Do not let them control you. Another technician leaned casually against the console. " Once the poison launches, dragons across Avalon won't stand a chance. Clean up will be easy after that."
Starfania felt rage flare violently in her chest. But instead of reacting—she observed. She listened. She learned. This was what Cantina had shown her. Just like Lyam had taught her. Just as her father taught her during training. Think before you strike. Lyam glanced toward her briefly. And for the first time—he saw it. She wasn't panicking anymore. She was thinking like a leader. Suddenly, a harsh voice exploded through the control room below. " HEY!"
Every technician jumped instantly. A furious overseer stormed into that room. " Who said you idiots could take a break?!"
He slammed a clipboard against one of the consoles. " We have less than ONE HOUR before the Eternal Sun reaches position!"
The entire room erupted back into frantic movement. " Get back to work! NOW!"
Above them, hidden within the vents, Starfania slowly tightened her grip around Cosmry.