Astera buzzed like a disturbed hornet's nest. The guild had confirmed the impossible: the massive Elder Dragon, Zorah Magdaros, was moving toward the New World.
Orders flew like arrows. Smiths hammered day and night. Researchers pored over notes, drawing hurried diagrams of the colossal creature. The entire fleet prepared, and yet… there was unease in the air.
Hunnt stood in the shadows near the forge, watching the frantic energy. Pyro perched on a nearby crate, pawing at a dangling rope like none of it bothered him.
"Meow?" Pyro tilted his head, eyes narrowing as if to say, You're brooding again.
Hunnt sighed faintly, his sharp gaze fixed on the ocean horizon. "I'm just thinking. That thing… it's far bigger than what we've faced. Even for me."
Pyro flicked his tail, then hopped onto Hunnt's shoulder, curling around his neck like a scarf. "Mrow," he muttered softly, as if telling him not to overthink it.
---
Later, in the strategy hall, Arthur stood with Clove perched on the table beside him. Darric leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his great sword resting nearby.
The Admiral's booming voice filled the chamber. "We don't kill it. Not yet. We drive Zorah toward the Barrier, then use every cannon, binder, and ballista we have to push it off course. This will take every hand we have."
Arthur nodded firmly. "We'll be ready."
Darric smirked, glancing at Hunnt. "Still keeping that poker face, kid? Don't tell me you're scared."
Hunnt's lips twitched in the faintest smile. "Not scared. Just… cautious."
"Meow!" Pyro chirped loudly, slamming his tiny paw against the table like a dramatic declaration.
The hunters all blinked before bursting into laughter. Even the Admiral chuckled. "Looks like the felyne's more eager than the lot of you!"
Hunnt smirked, stroking Pyro's head. "He's always ready."
---
That night, Hunnt sat quietly outside the encampment, sharpening his gauntlets under the starlight. Pyro sat beside him, tail flicking lazily.
"We'll hold back," Hunnt murmured softly, more to himself than anyone. "Not the time to reveal everything. Not yet."
Pyro gave a quiet "Mrrrow," his eyes gleaming with trust.
Hunnt looked toward the dark horizon where Zorah loomed. A beast so massive it seemed to swallow the stars. For the first time in years, his chest tightened—not from fear, but from anticipation.