The Golden Hunter stood motionless beneath the eclipse sky, watching the rocket ascend higher and higher into the darkness. His mission was complete. He had delayed the Dragon Savior. He had observed her strength. The fears she has. Her instincts. Her weaknesses.
Slowly, he turned his head toward Starfania one final time. The cracked visor of her helmet reflected the eclipse light as she stared upward helplessly. Then, without saying a single word, the Golden Hunter stepped backward onto his dragon. The false-gold creature spread its massive wings, emerald fire curling from its jaws as it launched into the air. Within seconds, both rider and dragon vanished into the eclipse darkness—returning to VulcanFire. Far away inside the obsidian halls of VulcanFire, the Castle Keeper stood before his glowing orbs. Shadows curled around the chamber walls like living smoke.
His silver eyes gleamed as the image of Starfania reflected within the crystal surface. Then the Golden Hunter landed before him, kneeling silently beside his dragon.
" Well?" the Castle Keeper asked calmly. The Golden Hunter removed his weapon from his back before answering with cold precision.
" She's emotional." A pause. " Protective."
Another pause. " Dangerous when cornered."
The Castle Keeper smiled slowly. " And?"
The Hunter lifted his head slightly. " She still hesitates."
That answer pleased the Castle Keeper greatly. His smile widened into something almost monstrous. " Excellent."
His fingers brushed against the glowing orb gently.
" That hesitation…"
" Will either save Avalon…"
" …or destroy it."
Back at the launch site, the rocket continued ascending rapidly into the eclipse sky. The platform still trembled violently beneath everyone's feet. Aeron looked upward in horror. " Starfania…"
Lyam clenched his jaw tightly, already realizing what she was thinking before she even moved. Starfania slowly lowered her gaze from the disappearing Hunter. Her fists tightened around the vial. She turned toward Atlas. Determination burned behind the cracks of her visor. " It's not over yet."
Atlas immediately understood. Without hesitation, the dragon lowered himself. Starfania sprinted forward and leapt onto his back in one fluid motion.
" STARFANIA!" Aeron shouted. But she was already gone. Atlas exploded upward into the eclipse sky like a shooting star. Wind roared violently around them as they tore through the clouds at impossible speed. Faster. Faster. Faster.
Below them, Avalon disappeared beneath darkness and storm clouds. Ahead of them, the rocket burned through the heavens, surrounded by violet fire. Atlas pushed himself harder. His wings cut through the air with terrifying force. Blue flames streamed behind him like comet tails. Starfania held tightly onto his scales as tears burned behind her eyes. Please…Please let this work. They finally caught up close enough for Starfania to see it clearly. Through a reinforced glass chamber built into the rocket, the poison churned violently inside. Black. Thick. Alive!
The substance twisted unnaturally against the containment walls like it were breathing. Like it hungered. Atlas flew closer despite the violence turbulence threatening to throw them away.
" Closer!" Starfania shouted over the roaring wind. Atlas obeyed instantly. The moment they were close enough—Starfania jumped. Her boots slammed against the side of the rocket violently. Instantly the wind tried ripping her away. She nearly slipped. Her fingers clawed desperately against the metal plating before finally finding purchase. Atlas stayed beside her the entire time, roaring anxiously while matching the rocket's speed.
Starfania forced herself upward inch by inch. Every gust threatened to send her plummeting into the darkness below. Her armor groaned under the pressure. Her muscles screamed. But she kept climbing. Because failure wasn't an option anymore. Finally—she found it. A small emergency hatch hidden near the containment chamber. Starfania forced it open with shaking hands. The eclipse's darkness swallowed everything around her. Only the poison glowed now. Pulsing black beneath the glass. She reached into her armor pouch frantically and grabbed the antidote vial. Their final hope. Her fingers trembled as she twisted the lid open. " Please…"
Then she poured it inside. Silver liquid streamed into the poison chamber beautifully. The antidote fought back for one moment. Silver light spread through the black substance like stars against the night sky. The poison twisted violently. Shrieked silently against the glass. Fighting itself. Starfania's eyes widened with hope. " It's working…"
But then—the blackness consumed it. Completely. The silver light vanished. Snuffled out. Like it had never existed at all. The poison stabilized once more. Stronger than before. Starfania starred in horror as their last hope died right in front of her eyes. The antidote…had failed.
Her breathing became uneven. Her hand slowly slipped from the chamber window.
" No…" her voice cracked softly beneath the eclipse light. " No…no, no…"
Tears blurred her vision as reality finally crashed down around her. They had lost.