The fierce cold winds howled over the mountains, snowflakes swirling in the air like restless spirits in an endless ghostly dance. Each breath stabbed the lungs like needles of ice. Every step on the jagged, sharp rocks demanded utmost caution—one single misstep could hurl them into the boundless abyss below.
Rion and Noa walked side by side. Their footsteps echoed strangely among the peaks, drawing them ever closer to an unknown destination.
—Noa, stay alert, — Rion whispered, his voice low but firm. He placed a steady hand on Noa's shoulder.
Noa looked at him in surprise and asked,
—Why aren't we flying? You have wings.
Rion drew a deep breath, weary.
—I wish we could, but these mountains are sealed by an ancient spell. If you try to take off, you'll crash immediately.
In the narrow gorge, a massive black iron gate came into view—ancient, imposing, carved with runes buried under millennia of dust and frost. It seemed almost alive, yet it demanded far more than a simple key to open.
Noa's hand trembled as it reached the gate. He pricked his finger on a sharp stone. Crimson blood touched the runes—and the iron surface began to glow with a strange light.
Then the glow faded.
Noa looked at Rion.
—It... rejected me?
Rion's eyes widened, his voice dropping low.
—The gate accepted me, even though I am only half high dragon.
Noa stared at his bleeding hand.
—I possess high dragon blood. My parents are both pure high dragons. You told me that high dragon blood is the key.
Rion turned toward the gate.
—It accepted me before... something's wrong.
He bit his palm and smeared the blood across the runes.
A crimson beam pierced through the peaks. The gate groaned open with a grinding sound.
Noa gazed at the opened gate, his thoughts in turmoil.
—How can this be possible? If I'm not truly a high dragon... then who am I??
As they stepped inside—the walls intricately carved with complex reliefs, the damp cold air thick, snowflakes whispering like guides to another realm.
—Noa, to the side! — Rion hissed. The sound of grinding stone rang out. He yanked Noa back just in time. Light poured from within, illuminating every line on the walls as though they were speaking secrets.
The dark corridor swallowed them. Each footstep echoed, setting hearts pounding. The chill seeped into their skin, testing their resolve with every breath.
Rion raised his hand, palm upward. A small flame sparked to life—faint yet warm enough to pierce the gloom. They advanced slowly, Noa's eyes fixed on the fire.
At the end of the passage appeared a glowing circle. The light seemed to come from nowhere; the surrounding darkness only deepened around it. No other path—this circle beckoned from within.
—This... is a teleportation gate, — Rion said, his voice steady.
—Yes, — Noa replied, excitement threading through his tone. — Now we activate it.
Rion stepped into the circle and knelt. He pressed both palms to the runic patterns. His eyes burned with focus, his heart surging with arcane energy.
Power flowed from his hands. It started as a faint glow, then swelled, filling the circle with blue-white light. The beam shot upward, shattering the darkness.
Noa joined him, placing his hands beside Rion's. Courage and trust intertwined. The light enveloped them—and suddenly became blindingly bright.
In an instant the world shifted. The glow consumed them, then vanished, carrying away the cold, the darkness, the stillness with it.
---
Noa opened his eyes.
Narrow streets and towering walls drew him in—he stood in the heart of the Nuxtar Empire's capital, the homeland where he had once lived as a prince. Every wall, every alley stirred old memories: crumbling carvings, faded inscriptions, dust-covered doors... yet the city still clung to its fading grandeur.
Rion stood beside him. His gaze was cold and alert, yet a quiet warmth and reliability shone through. Noa looked at him—wonder, thrill, and a touch of exhaustion reflected in his eyes.
—This is my first time going through teleportation, — he asked softly, almost to himself.
—I've passed through many times, — Rion answered with certainty. His voice lent Noa strength.
Noa glanced around, then turned back.
—My head's spinning...
—You'll get used to it, — Rion said with a faint smile, placing his hand on Noa's shoulder. — I've gone through these gates many times. It's never gentle.
Noa looked at him with curiosity.
—So you're experienced.
Rion gave a slight nod.
—Perhaps... yes.
Noa took a deep breath, surveyed the city once more, then faced Rion.
—We need to change clothes, wash up, and eat. You have crystals or gold, right?
—Yes, — Rion replied. — Five gold coins, two mid-grade crystals, twenty silver.
Noa's voice was soft but firm.
—I'd expect nothing less from you. You always plan ahead.
They slipped into a shadowed alley for a brief rest, then headed to a small shop.
They changed: Noa into light, flexible yet protective gear beneath a cloak; Rion into a thick leather jacket and reinforced gloves. In the old city, every move was watched—one mistake could prove fatal.
Rion looked into Noa's eyes.
—Are you ready? — he said, gentle yet resolute.
Noa nodded. With every step, trust and harmony bound them together.
---
They moved through the city. The narrow streets were dark and silent. Walls rose cold and tall, as if watching. Water dripped from ancient trees, adding a mournful note to the paths. Every corner, every alley told a quiet story—the traces of the empire's former wealth and ancient power.
Some doors and windows were choked with dust, yet their intricate patterns still held faint traces of magic. Tattered banners hung from the walls, their colors faded but their shapes unmistakable.
Rion and Noa walked cautiously, fingers brushing the walls to stay oriented. Each step drew them closer to the palace—the heart of the capital, the last ember of imperial might.
---
Inside Noa, a thousand emotions churned: excitement, fear, nostalgia, courage—all tangled together. Here, he remembered his past life, his days as a prince of the empire. Every wall, every banner whispered of lost glory.
Noa looked up at the sky and whispered,
—I'm back, brother... how will you greet me?
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