Felix loosened his grip upon Zira's neck as they leveled off in flight. The air was noticeably colder, yet its chill hardly affected him. It was refreshing and inviting, especially after he realized how long it had been since he flew.

Ahead of them were the seemingly distant mountains, east of the Sanctuary. That, apparently, was Yarnel's home and their destination…

Glancing over to his left, he saw the draconic form of Zephyria. She was at least two or three times larger than Zira and Kyrith. Despite that, she was lean and thin, more so than his partner. Her ruby-red scales were brilliant and glistening from the sun, causing her to almost sparkle.

She looks both similar and different to Tzarin, Felix thought, comparing her to Lorem's partner. Outside of physical size, there was a slight difference in tone and sheen but mostly it came from her lithe frame.

Tzarin was stockier and already filled with powerful muscles at his age. Much like Kyrith, come to think of it… Indeed, it seemed to be a common trait for the male dragons to look more muscular. Meanwhile, female dragons seemed to take on a more sleek and slender build.

Though, that doesn't mean the females are weaker. They are certainly more agile and faster. He remembered their little game and how Zira was able to out fly Kyrith, if only for a short period of time. The ember-colored dragon had more stamina though.

All in all, I'd say both genders have their weaknesses and strengths… He turned his attention over to his right, where Kyrith and Eri were.

Kyrith was beaming and clearly filled with excitement, the dragon's emotions leaking through the bond. It was infectious, of course, as it slowly seeped into everyone else. It brought a smile to Felix's face.

His wife– a word he was still getting used to –laid herself against her partner's neck, wrapping her hands tightly around it. She too was smiling, and even giggling occasionally. Kyrith must be telling some kind of joke…

Whatever it was, he decided to not interfere. He wished to simply burn this memory into his mind. And, after a few moments, he brought his gaze back down to Zira.

After their talk, he made the decision to fly with her instead of with Kyrith and Eri. She was…needy. It was because of Zeph's presence, he knew, that was causing it. Much like how she first reacted with Ithea and Yarnel, she detested any dragon who got near him.

And, it was understandable. After everything she went through just yesterday, he could not blame her.

Slowly, he reached down to her neck, towards a particular sensitive spot, and began to scratch it. She let out a deep, rumbling purr that shook him and her tension began to melt.

Don't stop… A little to the left– Ah, that feels good.

He held back a chuckle as he shifted his hand, feeling her smooth scales underneath. They might've been hard but she could still feel through them.

Feeling better? he asked.

Yes– But keep going…

This time he did chuckle. My arm is getting tired.

She turned her head to get a look at him. Well, that's just too bad. We still have a few hours of flight.

Felix rolled his eyes. How about this then? He pushed his consciousness through their bond and into hers.

She immediately pulled him closer, letting their minds touch and–

Two became one…

***

Something pricked the back of Felix's mind, drawing him back into his own body. The sensation was new and bothersome, like someone trying hard to get his attention. It took him a moment to realize that was exactly what was happening.

Reaching for the messaging stone, he pulled it out and inspected it.

Night soon. I know spot. Follow.

He looked up and only then noticed how low the sun had gotten. It was already sinking over the edge of the horizon and would soon disappear for good. The mountains, however, appeared far closer…

Zeph wants us to follow her, she knows a spot where we can land, he said, passing on the message.

He waited for acknowledgments from the others before focusing on the stone once again, picturing both Zeph and his response.

Okay

A splitting headache wracked his mind as mana poured out into the messaging stone. It worked but it left him heaving for air as exhaustion took hold of him.

A few minutes passed before Zeph began to lead the group of dragons downward. Up ahead of them was a large clearing, nearly perfectly round.

Look at that, he commented warily. That can't be natural.

Eri was the one who responded, instantly recognizing the spot. That's where Sages like to meet. But, I didn't know the dragons also used it.

He turned lazily in her direction. Really? Seems like an odd place to meet. Are you sure?

I am. I've been there before– Though Master Aluin always teleported us, so I never knew where it was exactly. Just that it was close to these mountains.

He raised an eyebrow, his headache slowly letting up. Speaking of the mountains, is that where the dwarves live?

No. There are two mountain ranges on the island. This one, which is close to the center of the island and one far north of the manor. That is where the dwarves and gnomes live.

Interesting… And it's just more forest on the other side? Does anyone live out there?

Eri gave a mental shrug. Unfortunately, I don't really know. Getting around the mountains isn't easy and even the few maps we have don't really show much. As far as I'm aware everyone lives on this side of the island.

He frowned at that. We should really explore more of that region then. After everything settles down of course.

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Yeah, that wouldn't be a bad idea. Who knows, maybe there are a few lost tribes out there?

Yeah… He let himself trail off as the three dragons came in for a landing.

With Zeph in the lead, she was the first to touch down. She came in fast, flaring her wings and creating a mighty gust that caused her to hover for only a moment. Using that, her draconic form vanished, leaving her human one to fall gracefully to the ground.

Next up was Zira, and seeing how Zeph landed, she decided to try something similar.

Hold on, she warned, before swooping down and throwing out her wings. It worked…mostly, allowing her land without much need for additional space to slow down. The only problem was the landing was hard, jarring both her and Felix.

Shaking her head, she quickly got out of the way as Kyrith too tried his luck. Unfortunately for him, he was a bit overeager and misjudged his speed and the distance to the ground…

"KYRITH!" Felix cried out, watching the poor dragon slam belly first. Zira was already racing back to him.

"I-I'm okay," the ember-colored dragon muttered, letting out a whimper in the process. There was a groan from on top as Eri sat up and held her head.

"Owe…"

They came to a stop before him and Felix slid off, rushing to Kyrith's side. "Eri!"

"I'm…fine… I think," she responded, shaking her head. She immediately turned her attention to her partner. "I TOLD YOU TO SLOW DOWN!"

Another whimper was Kyrith's response.

She let out a huff before worry took over. "Are you sure you're okay? You didn't break any bones did you?"

"No…" He shifted his arms and legs before getting them back under him. A moment later, he was back onto unsteady feet.

Felix took the opportunity to peer under Kyrith's side before breathing a sigh of relief. "I don't see anything sticking out that shouldn't… But, maybe we should inspect you further with–"

"He'll be fine, just bruising," Zeph said from out of nowhere, startling him. She was next to the dragon's arm, her hand planted softly against it.

"That's…good," Eri said as she slowly clambered down. She landed on her feet before turning back to her partner. "Kyrith?"

The dragon slowly turned his drooping head their way. "Y-yes?"

"I'm glad you are okay but… Next time, slow down."

"Okay…" The poor dragon looked dejected and Eri couldn't stay mad at him for long. However, Felix put a hand on her.

"Maybe you should let Zeph check you too?" he suggested, glancing pointedly toward her bare stomach.

She reached a subtle hand to it and nodded. "You're probably right–"

Zeph cut her off by suddenly touching her head. "Hmm… Fascinating…" she let go and gave an approving nod. "Everything looks good."

Felix breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the Gods… Anyway, let's find a place for you and Kyrith to sit and I'll work on getting everything unloaded."

Eri looked ready to object but he quickly gestured to Zeph. "I'll have her help me." Besides, I want to talk with her, he added over the bond.

Zeph perked up. "I wouldn't mind helping!"

Eri relented. "Fine, but don't bother with unloading everything, just the basic kit I brought."

"I wasn't planning too, though I might ease some of Kyrith's burden."

"Fair enough I suppose… Anyway, we'll set up camp right in the middle." She pointed to the exact spot and started making her way over to it. The others soon followed…

***

"So… Can I ask you a few questions?" Felix said, setting down one of the trunks that was tied to Kyrith.

"Sure! So long as I know the answers of course," Zephyria responded, dropping a crate as if it weighed nothing. She put on a bright smile for him.

"You said you knew other bonded pairs. What were they like?"

She cocked her head, putting a finger to her chin in thought. "Let's see… They varied wildly. Most were very sweet and nice. Another pair sorta had a break up– But they re-bonded eventually. And–"

He stopped her right there. "They broke their bond? What happened?"

"Stubbornness. Both were a bit…boneheaded. Neither one wanted to compromise and instead they decided to split."

Felix looked flabbergasted at that. "Really? That… That seems so…"

"Childish? I know. I told him that myself. Eventually they saw reason and desperately missed each other's company so… They re-bonded. It did take a while…"

"Is it that easy? I can't imagine me or Zira willing breaking our bond. I mean, sure we've had our moments but… But we never thought about doing that."

She let out a sigh. "I can't speak to how easy it is or not but those two were prideful in their ways. It was only after they ended things that they realized how silly they were being. And yet, they still chose to suffer for so long…"

Felix pondered that for several long moments, wondering how a bonded pair could so easily lose sight of one another. In the end though, he decided to put that worried thought away as a new question came to mind.

"What happened to them after that?"

"Well, they traveled for a while before vanishing with a lot of the others."

She mentioned that the first time I spoke with her, and Chief Herrin also said something about that too. "Why? What happened?"

"Well… You're familiar with the First Empire, Elmorra, are you not?" she asked, swinging herself side to side anxiously.

"A bit. I know it fell and humanity entered a dark age," he answered, recounting his old memories and knowledge.

"Close enough," she said with a relieved sigh. Apparently she was concerned with having to give a broader history lesson… "You see, most of the bonded pairs disappeared not long before the fall of the Empire. Most saw the writing on the wall and the increasing need for their services. And by that I mean forcefully.

"It was such a shame too. You pairs tend to be such peace-loving people, yet you are cursed with powerful abilities…" Zeph fell silent as she stared somberly at the ground, leaving Felix with even more questions.

"What sort of abilities?" he asked, after what he felt was an appropriate amount of time. "Me and Zira can combine our minds and apparently channel each other's magic. Is there anything else?"

She looked back up at him in surprise. "Wait! You don't know?! I mean… I suppose you wouldn't…" She furrowed her brow and seemed to consider something.

"What? What is it that I don't know?" he pushed, taking a step closer to her.

"Felix." Zephyria suddenly became serious, planting her hands upon his shoulder. "Listen to me closely, very closely, bonded pairs–"

He sucked in a deep breath.

"–can live indefinitely."

Felix blinked. "Oh."

"Oh?" She looked floored. "What do you mean, oh?! Do you not understand what that means?!"

"No, I do. It's just… Well, someone already mentioned that–"

"WHAT?!"

He would've stumbled back if not for her holding onto him. "Well… You see… I met someone whose ancestor was supposedly bonded to a dragon. They mentioned that but I didn't know how much truth there was to it."

Zeph stared at him, her jaw hanging open. "Who– Oh! You must've spoken to that elven Chief! What was his name again?" she let go and peered up at the sky as if the answer was there.

"Chief Herrin," he answered. "And wait a second, you've spoken to him?"

"That's it! Chief Herrin. Yep, I spoke with him! An interesting elf… Turns out I knew his ancestor, Juliara. She and Kazivel were the ones who I was just talking about."

Huh. Now I really want to speak to Herrin…

She continued, "It was funny, actually. He had this personal mission to seek out more knowledge about dragons in general, something about wanting to fill in gaps of his family's history. He trekked for weeks till he arrived at the coast and just so happened to bump into me. Needless to say our conversation lasted for hours."

"I see…" He shook his head. "Thank you– Oh, one last question."

She raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

"Do you know where all those bonded pairs went?"

Her exciteful expression turned somber once again. "Unfortunately I don't. I can only hope they are finally living that peaceful life they all sought."

He looked away, disappointed. "Yeah, me too…"

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