Deep within the compound, just as Starfania, Aeron, and Lyam finally neared the main poison distribution pipe, a dark mist suddenly spiraled through the fortress halls. The temperature dropped instantly. VulcanFire soldiers stopped in confusion as smoke gathered near the center of the chamber.
Then a figure emerged from it. Tall. Terrifying. The Castle Keeper. Or rather—a projection of him formed entirely from swirling black smoke. Several guards immediately stumbled backward in shock. One dropped his weapon entirely. The Castle Keeper smiled calmly, almost amused by their fear.
" Why so startled?" he asked smoothly. " Surely the mighty soldiers of VulcanFire are not frightened by shadows."
The guards quickly lowered themselves respectfully.
" Castle Keeper," one muttered nervously. His glowing eyes shifted toward the upper levels of the fortress. Toward Starfania. Toward Lyam. Toward the Dragon Savior.
" Your enemies have arrived," he announced coldly. " The Dragon Savior walks among you alongside Lyam of Primara."
Silence. Complete silence. Several guards stared at him in disbelief.
" The…Dragon Savior?" one whispered shakily. Another laughed nervously. " That's impossible."
" The Dragon Savior is only a legend."
The Castle Keeper's smile widened further.
" Legends," he whispered. " have a terrible habit of returning when the world needs them most."
Then the smoke vanished. Leaving the guards frozen in stunned terror. Unaware of the warning spreading through the fortress below, Starfania and the others finally reached the central poison pipeline. Massive steel tubes stretched across the chamber walls, glowing faintly with toxic black liquid flowing through them. The main line connected directly to the rocket outside. Aeron exhaled sharply. " That has to be it."
Lyam nodded immediately. " Once we inject the cure there, it'll spread through the entire system."
Lyam carefully removed the vial from his pouch. The small glass container suddenly felt impossibly fragile in her hands. One chance. One mission. Avalon and disaster were separated by a moment.
Then—they froze. Footsteps. Heavy footsteps. Dozens of them. The sound echoed from every corridor surrounding the chamber. Slowly, dread crawled down Starfania's spine as she turned her head toward the shadows. Guards emerged from every direction. Some descended from the upper platform. Others blocked the exit below. Armor clinked sharply as weapons were drawn in unison. They had been surrounded completely. Aeron instinctively reached for his sword. Lyam cursed quietly beneath his breath. " This wasn't part of the plan."
One soldier stepped forward confidently, a smug grin stretching across his face.
" Let me guess," he mocked. " Is this the part where you try to stop the launch?"
Starfania remained silent. Calm. Watching. Measuring. The soldier slowly nodded.
" You had your chance to run."
" Now…" He gestured toward the rocket towering beyond the chamber walls. " …you'll witness the future you tried to prevent."
The guards raised their weapons together. Steel surrounded them from every direction. No opening. No escape routes. Only enemies. But Starfania did not flinch. Instead—she stepped forward. Slowly. Deliberately. Her posture straightened instinctively, almost identical to the way Cesar addressed his kingdom during speeches.
Chin lifted. Shoulders steady. Eyes sharp enough to make even soldiers hesitate. The eclipse light spilled through the chamber windows at just the right angle. It struck her armor directly. The Dragon Savior insignia engraved into her chestplate suddenly gleamed brilliantly in the darkness. Cosmry's sapphire hilt reflected beside it like living fire. The soldiers froze instantly. Their confidence shattered. One guard visibly paled.
" …That symbol…" Another took a slow step backward. " No…"
" The Dragon Savior…"
" I thought they were myths."
Starfania's voice cut through the chamber calmly. Steady. Powerful.
" Myth or not…" She tightened her grip around Cosmry. " …I am here."
The silence afterward felt suffocating. Even the guards looked uncertain now. Fear slowly replacing arrogance. Then—THWIP! Something sliced violently through the air. Starfania barely had time to react before an arrow shot across the chamber, fast enough to spark against the metal walls. The projectile grazed her helmet hard enough to crack through part of the outer plating near the visor. Pain burned sharply beneath the mask. Starfania's eyes widened in horror. The force alone nearly knocked her backward. Silence consumed the chamber instantly. Slowly—Starfania turned toward the direction the arrow came from.
Standing high above the chamber entrance was a lone figure cloaked in darkness. Golden armor reflected the eclipse light like cursed treasure. A helmet concealed their faces completely. In their hands rested another arrow, already prepared to fire. Behind him, perched upon the upper platform like a predator waiting to strike, stood their dragon. Massive. Gold with streaks of glowing green pulsing beneath its scales like poison hidden beneath false beauty. The creature's glowing eyes locked directly onto Starfania. So did its rider. The Golden Hunter had arrived.