Felix blinked, staring at what had been a tree. All around him were bits of splinters. His ears rang, deafened by the loud explosion. And yet, somehow, he seemed perfectly fine otherwise.

Felix! Zira shouted, panicking within his mind. She wasn't the only one, though. Eri and Kyrith were suddenly present as well.

I'm…fine. I think. He pulled his gaze from the stump that was left and slowly checked himself for any wounds. There were none. I'm fine, he repeated, more confidently this time.

W-what happened? Eri asked nervously. The entire clearing heard that.

He gave them a mental smile. Sorry, I was trying out my sword and it… Well, there was a tree–

Eri interrupted him. I told you to be careful with that thing!

His smile faltered. I was! I'm perfectly fine… I just hadn't expected the tree to explode! Now that I know, I will be much more careful.

I think you are done experimenting with your gear, not until we get someone to look at the enchantments properly, Zira added as she appeared behind him.

Zira's right, clearly Fea has heavily modified it– Wait, is it possible that she left a note behind? Eri pondered.

Felix froze, realizing he had only checked the ritual circle and the armor stands that had held both his and Eri's armor. I… I don't know? Maybe? She did leave one for me to find when I first discovered the sanctuary.

I think it would be wise to see if she did then, Eri suggested. But until then, you shouldn't continue messing around with your armor and sword.

He let out an annoyed sigh. I know, I know… I already said–

Listen, we're just worried. Especially me, I still have a bad feeling about that crystal… Felix felt Eri's tense knot of emotions.

He winced. Okay, I promise not to screw around with any of my gear.

Thank you…

With that she sent him a mental hug and he returned the gesture before she and Kyrith pulled away, leaving only him and Zira left.

Carefully putting his sword back into his scabbard, he dismissed his equipment with a thought. So… Shall we relax? he asked, turning around to face Zira.

I would like that, yes, she answered, her own emotions finally settling down.

He gestured back to the glade behind her. Lead the way. We'll rest and then head back to the manor. That is, unless Yarnel comes looking for me first…

She let out a frustrated snort. I'd like to see him try. I want to spend some time with you since I won't have my pillow tonight.

That made Felix crack a smile. Of course, you can use me as a pillow for our nap at least.

Oh, I planned to… Now come on, we're wasting time! She didn't wait for him to reply and immediately set off back to the small natural clearing, Felix hurrying to catch up.

***

Felix stared up into the sky. In truth, he wasn't all that tired. No, he was the complete opposite. The changes made to his equipment excited him and he wondered just what their limits were.

But I made a promise… I won't go against my word, not until I know more at least…

Meanwhile, as he pondered that, Zira was lightly snoring. Her snout rested peacefully upon his chest, a sight he always found rather adorable.

A memory played for him, of the first night after she hatched. He had awoken with her laying entirely on him. Gods, she was so small then… Hard to believe that wasn't so long ago. It hasn't even been a year!

But it was memories like that that he lived for. He wanted more, more like that, more like… He closed his eyes, recalling the night he and Eri had accidentally drank that dwarven ale. He remembered how different she'd been after that. How wild she had appeared…

He loved it.

He loved their first kiss too.

Their first night together, alone in his room.

He was thankful to have her and Zira in his life. And Kyrith was a massive bright spot too. The ember-colored dragon always knew how to make anyone smile and laugh.

I'm thankful for all my friends… Images of Aluin, Lorem, Noria, Solanna, and Yedril popped into his mind. The kobolds were there as well alongside the little jewels. Even the elves of Bernel…

There's Oralyn and Calinna– Calinna… Her death made his smile fade. That… That was one dark spot, along with the attack on the rest of the clearing. Calsen will stand before his victims– The ones that lived, that is. That will have to suffice as closure.

But, even in those dark moments there was hope and light. Calinna may have died, but now she is something more, something powerful. Her soul will stand guard, protecting our promised future.

The future…

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That always felt so far away, yet he would soon be a father. There is still one last trial we must overcome too, he conceded. But we will prevail, we have to.

That thought, too, might have been dark, but he felt confident. Perhaps too confident…

We will prepare, we will do what we can and be ready. The Holy Triumphant will not destroy what I have sought to build here. I will not let them destroy my home, my family, my friends… My legacy.

I will create this mana well that Yarnel needs. And with it, we will have another tool in our arsenal to defeat the coming invaders.

If they played this right, the militia they would soon be training wouldn't be needed. That was his hope, but he wasn't going to bank on it either. With his memories of the war now back, he knew the High Prophet was a cunning man. A dangerous man.

They would need more than a bit of luck for things to go perfectly.

Zira suddenly lifted her head up, her eyes narrowing as she looked up to the sky.

What is it?

he asked, following her gaze as he got into a sitting position.

I hear wing beats– A dragon is approaching, she answered confidently.

Felix frowned. Ithea? It was the only dragon he could think of, Kyrith and Eri were still over at the manor.

I…don't think so. It sounds labored, like they are exhausted.

Felix decided to stand up and shielded his eyes from the sun as he scanned the sky. I don't hear or see anything–

A distant roar sounded.

That's definitely not Ithea, Zira said, confirming what he already suspected. I wonder who it could be…

Or why they are here, he added. None of them are allowed near the manor, if I recall correctly. Fea gave them orders to stand guard around the coast…

Hop on, I have a feeling we should go and greet them, whoever they are.

Felix was already climbing up as she finished speaking, settling down right in his usual spot. Ready! I'll warn Eri as well.

Zira gave him a mental nod as she set off. Meanwhile, he reached through the bond to the others.

We have company coming in, a dragon that is definitely not Ithea.

We heard the roar. Any idea who it is? Eri questioned.

No– Before he could finish responding, a brilliant blue, almost sapphire, dragon streaked overhead. His eyes widened, there could be only one dragon that looked like that.

Pick it up Zira! he called out to his partner before switching back to Eri. It's Lorenzen! He's coming in now!

Zira bolted ahead as if attempting to race the ancient dragon above…

They bounded through the forest, trees whipping past them. If this had been their first time, Felix might have felt nervous, but it wasn't. He and Zira moved instinctually, even without melding their minds together and their bodies shifted in time with one another.

Up above them, they could hear the flapping of large wings indicating that they were keeping up with the sapphire dragon. Soon they would be back to the manor and, hopefully, waiting as Lorenzen made his landing.

Ducking one final time, Felix felt Zira leap into the air to clear a particularly dense set of brush. She landed on the other side, popping out of the forest and into the clearing. Already, people were rushing to and fro, preparing for this unexpected visit.

As his partner came to a halt, Felix sat up and craned his neck. He spotted the other dragon circling and slowing down enough to land.

Whoa, he's big… The thought came from Zira but Felix was thinking the same thing, worried that Lorenzen might be too large for their 'little' runway.

Do you think he'll fit? His wingspan alone… He trailed off as something peculiar happened. The sapphire dragon began to shrink.

At first it was barely noticeable, a trick of the eye or perhaps the angle Felix was watching from. However, the process accelerated and became unmistakable. Lorenzen was getting smaller…

Zira grumbled mentally, her feelings at seeing the older dragon do something she was forbidden to do frustrating her. If only they would show me how to do that…

It's okay, Zira, Felix said, in an attempt to calm her down. You may be young but once you're older, no one will be able to stand in your way.

Her mood immediately improved. You're right, even Ithea will not be able to withstand me!

Felix cracked a wry smile. Careful, we don't want you becoming a tyrant!

Before she could respond, Lorenzen made one final, wide turn. He dove at a sharp angle, his legs barely missing the tops of the sky trees. His shadow passed over Zira before he came in for landing.

Felix watched as the sapphire-colored dragon hit the dirt, his talons digging in deep and leaving long rents in the ground as he slowed. Even in his shrunken form, Lorenzen was still three times as large as Zira.

He barely fits, Felix commented, noticing the dragon's outstretched wings covered most of the distance between the manor and the hatchery. I wonder if he could've made himself smaller or if that is as small as he can go?

His question was quickly forgotten, though, as Lorenzen began to fold his wings. It was only after he did that he decided to turn around and face him and Zira.

Their eyes met and locked onto one another.

"Lorenzen," Felix said calmly. There was still a good bit of distance between them but the dragon gave him a draconic smile.

"Felix. I see it in your eyes, you remember me," Lorenzen commented and began to make his way to them.

"I do. I regained my memories the other day while reading the journal Fea left for me. I remember it all," he added.

The dragon's smile faded and his expression hardened. "Is that so? Then that makes things easier…"

Felix furrowed his brows, not liking the ominous words. "What do you mean by that– Actually, weren't you with Ithea? I was told you were helping her to look for our…mastermind."

Lorenzen came to a stop before them and gave a nod. "I was and we did find him. Unfortunately, he got away…"

A chill ran down his spine. Managed to get away from Ithea and Lorenzen? "I-I see… What happened?"

"The short answer? He surprised us. I thought we were dealing with a simple crafty human, but no, we weren't. I will discuss it more once I meet with the Sages, they will want to hear all this and besides…" The dragon slumped to the ground. "I am…quite exhausted…"

Felix focused on the crystal embedded into Lorenzen's chest, it was dull and faintly beating. Just like back then… "I understand, I will go and let Master Realgar know. Unfortunately, Aluin– Master Aluin and Master Josephel are currently away."

The dragon gave him a shaky nod. "Thank you… There is good news, however. We know where they are going and Ithea went out ahead to stop them."

They? "Where is that?" he asked.

Lorenzen summoned the last of his strength to stare him in the eye. "They are heading for the barrier."

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