---
Elva: (Murmurs) Stop him—before he fully transforms.
Alf: What do—?
Without hesitation, Elva charges forward, firing arrows infused with Energy. Each one rebounds, forcing her to twist and evade midair. She rises higher, readying another shot—
Then, through the rolling mist, the Aglad-Lókë slowly lifts its furious head. Elva freezes in shock. Seizing its chance, the Aglad-Lókë lashes out—claws flashing—sending a violent slash toward her...
Luckily, she blocks her face with crossed forearms, leaving only shallow scratches.
Aglad-Lókë: (ROARS!)
The Aglad-Lókë spins, its tail whipping through the air and hurling the other Dragon Successors away. Darkness crashes over everything. Rumbles. Muffles. Then, silence and decorum settle over the land.
---
Inside a cave.
The silence breaks as Elva bolts upright.
Elva: 👐 Whoo-hoo, I'm alive! (Cackles, checking her forearms) Just a few scratches. (Laughs loudly)
A weak moan echoes. She turns left and sees Raina gasping faintly.
Elva: Raina.
She crawls over and touches Raina's skin—burning hot and drenched in sweat.
Elva: (Retracts finger) You're burning up. You need more air.
Elva rises, trying to summon air to cool her, but nothing happens. She tries again, attempting to create her own air—but still nothing.
Elva: (Hands drop) My Essence hasn't recovered yet.
She tries supporting Raina by the elbows, but her heat stings Elva's hands. So she uses Air Energy instead, lifting Raina gently and leaning her against the cave wall.
Elva: (Genuflects) What do I do? I'm not the Water Dragon. If I embrace you, I might make it worse. I just need water… that's all. (Stands) Water! Yes—wait here, I'll find some! (Hurries off)
But she returns empty-handed.
Elva: (Sighs) I can't find water anywhere. Strange cave… its foundation feels like it should be a water source. (Kneels beside Raina) I did find the way out, though. But you can't walk now.
Raina's eyelids begin to fall, but Elva snaps a slap to her cheek.
Elva: Stay with me—I won't let you die here! (Looks around) Where is His Majesty? He's the only one who can help. (Glances at Raina) Don't worry. I won't leave you.
---
Elsewhere in the cave.
Alf, exhausted from trying to bore through the blocked entrance, kneels in defeat. Eyes shut. Fingers clenched. Forehead resting against the cold stones.
Alf: (Mutters) My army… why?
His body trembles. Then he rises, shoulders heavy with responsibility, and begins searching for the two ælfens.
Back with Elva—she places cold pebbles on Raina's skin while recounting tales from her adventurous teenage years.
Elva: So I decided to go with the flow, thinking I'd pass freely. Thinking of how to answer their questions, I remembered what my Pa once said… (She pauses).
A tear drops. She lowers her head.
Elva: Raina… please don't die. I've lost too many kins. I don't want anyone dying in front of me again. [Even if I've been in bloodshed before.]
Princess Raina: (Silent).
Elva: (Wipes her tears) Shame upon me… I've become more emotional.
Alf's steady footsteps approach. Elva sighs in relief when she sees him. She arises and his gaze falls on Raina.
Elva: Her condition has become… (Closes eyes)
Alf looks down at his palms.
Elva: (Sighs) I'll get more pebbles.
She turns, but freezes when she hears a shifting sound. She looks back to find Alf seated behind Raina—gently pulling her into his arms. He breathes in and out slowly, and his skin releases a soothing coolness. Raina sighs in relief as Alf rests his chin on her shoulder.
Elva: 😌🙂 Now… where was I? Oh! So I told the gatekeepers that—
Minutes later, Raina regains just enough strength to breathe normally.
But then—Totutūks enter the cave.
They react instantly and run toward the exit, but the creatures are catching up. Alf quickly hands Raina to Elva, staying behind to fend them off despite his weakening Energy.
Elva and Raina reach the Hile River—an ancient river—along with Alf, who can barely stand after the fight. With no other choice, Elva jumps into the river with Rai
na. Shimmers flash—glimmers ripple—
and their legs shift into tails.
---