Starfania smiled softly at Atlas's curious nature as he slowed, his massive wings folding while he descended into a wide, open expanse. When the group finally caught up, Atlas stood still, as if in quiet reverence, taking in the world before him.
Starfania reached up and gently petted the side of his neck, her fingers brushing over the cool, starlit scales. Then she looked forward—and her breath caught. Before them stretched a vast, open valley, alive with movement and sound. Dragons of countless shapes and colors roamed freely, soaring through the skies or resting along the cliffs and ridges like kings and queens in their own domain. It wasn't merely a sanctuary—it was a kingdom built for dragons. Aeron, Violet, and Starfania stood frozen in awe. The air vibrated with the thunderous beat of wings far below; the sound echoed through the valley walls like a living heartbeat.
Dragons danced through the sky in elegant spirals, their scales catching the sunlight and scattering it like shattered gemstones. Then, as if guided by an unspoken command, they descended. One by one, the dragons landed, forming a wide circle around the center of the valley. Reverence filled the air. At the heart of the circle, two dragons stood locked in a heated confrontation. One of them was unmistakable.
" Drogo…" Aeron breathed. Drogo let out a massive roar, his wings spreading wide in a display of dominance and defiance.
His stance was powerful, protective—ready to strike if needed. Opposite him stood a dragon unlike any Starfania had ever seen. Its scales shimmered in deep, hypnotic shades of violet, beautifully contrasted by rich, chocolate-brown eyes that burned with intelligence. With a wingspan stretching nearly twenty feet and a long, muscular body extending fifteen feet, the dragon radiated authority. Branch-like extensions wrapped around its powerful legs, seamlessly woven into its form, giving the impression that nature itself had shaped it. A long, graceful neck supported a sharp, curved jaw lined with gleaming, deadly teeth.
When the dragon exhaled, blue-violet flames spilled from its maw, bathing the ground in an ethereal glow. Its horns arched upward like ancient tree branches, regal and timeless. Despite its sheer size, its movements were fluid—almost balletic—each step deliberate, controlled, and precise. Starfania stood dumbfounded.
" What type of dragon is Drogo going against?" she whispered, barely able to pull her eyes away. Aeron swallowed hard. " I've…I've heard of them. We studied them briefly in lectures. But they're among the rarest dragons in all of Avalon."
Violet clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling.
" Seraphithorn," she said eagerly. " That's the species."
Atlas, meanwhile, was utterly captivated. His gaze remained fixed on the violet dragon, his body still, his presence calm yet attentive. Something about the creature stirred something deep within him—something ancient, familiar, and resonant. Lyam stepped forward, his voice filled with unmistakable pride and reverence.
" Behold," he said, " my partner—Lutu, the Seraphithorn Dragon. The cherished symbol of the Primara Nations."
" Wow…" Starfania murmured, awe softening her voice. " Lutu? That sounds like a name straight out of a bedtime story."
Lyam chuckled, though his attention soon shifted to Atlas. His eyes gleamed with intrigue as he studied the starlit dragon.
" I must admit, Starfania," he said thoughtfully, " I have never seen a dragon quite like Atlas. Do you know what his species is?"
She shook her head slowly. " I'm not sure. Maybe a type of wyvern? But…he's different. His scales shimmer in colors I've never seen before."
Atlas shifted slightly, as though acknowledging the discussion. His sapphire eyes sparkled with sharp intelligence, locking briefly with Lyam's.
" There's an old legend," Lyam said quietly, stepping closer, " about dragons who adapt to their surroundings—who embody traits of many breeds rather than one."
He leaned in, voice hushed with wonder. " Or perhaps Atlas is something else entirely. A dragon born of convergence. A bond between worlds."
Atlas lifted his head, wings rustling softly. And in that moment, Starfania couldn't help but feel that Lyam's words carried more truth than legend.