"Demarcus has been regarded as a rogue dragon by the ministry of dragons, and he is sentenced to death for the rampage in the dragon barracks and for the murder of devouring a human."

Artemis felt like the world around her had suddenly froze, trapping her in a suffocating bubble of disbelief. She couldn't comprehend the words that had just left Ciel's lips. "What?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to acknowledge the horrifying reality of the situation.

Her mind raced, desperately trying to process the shocking revelation. Demarcus, a rogue dragon? Sentenced to death? It was inconceivable. She had left him in the care of Elisaria, believing he would be safe there. How could things have gone so horribly wrong in her absence?

Homura mirrored Artemis stunned expression. His sharp amber eyes widened in disbelief, betraying the shock and uncertainty swirling within him. Despite his disdain for dragons, even he couldn't deny the gravity of the news.

"What do you mean, sentenced to death?" She finally managed to force her words out, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anger. Every fibre of her being rebelled against the idea of Demarcus facing such a fate. The thought of losing him sent a shiver of dread down her spine.

Ciel's expression remained sombre, his gaze heavy with the weight of the news he had delivered but his eyes betrayed him. "It's because of you," Ciel's voice cuts through the silence, sharp and accusatory. "Your connection to the dragons, your inability to control it... That's what led to this."

As Ciel's words reverberate in her mind, a chilling realisation takes hold: Demarcus's fate is intertwined with hers. The weight of his accusation crushes Artemis like a boulder, leaving her paralysed with shock and disbelief. His words land like a blow to the chest, each syllable laced with blame and condemnation.

Her mind races, grasping for a defence, but all she can summon is a feeble protest. "But I didn't mean for this to happen," she stammers once again, her voice trembling with emotion. "I never wanted... I never thought..."

The truth of his accusation hangs heavy in the air, a bitter pill she was forced to swallow. It was her plea, her desperation to go to Ventus, that triggered the chain of events leading to his downfall. The dragon power coursing through her veins, a force she can't fully comprehend or control, has brought nothing but suffering to those around her.

Homura's eyes bore into Artemis, his usual indifference replaced by a flicker of something resembling sympathy. "You brought this upon yourself," he says, his voice tinged with resignation. "And now we're all paying the price."

She wanted to argue, to protest that it wasn't her intention to cause harm. But in the depths of her heart, the Assassin knew the truth. Demarcus's blood is on her hands, a burden she will carry for the rest of her days.

As the weight of Ciel's words settled over her, Artemis felt herself slip away from reality. Everything around her fades into the background, the sounds of the forest melting into a distant hum. Her thoughts swirl in a tumultuous whirlwind of guilt and regret, drowning out all else.

She was consumed by a sense of overwhelming selfishness, a bitter realisation that her actions have brought nothing but pain and suffering to those she cared about. If only she had heeded her own warnings, if only she had kept her distance from others, perhaps none of this would have happened.

She find herself trapped in a suffocating haze of ifs and maybes, unable to break free from the grip of her own remorse. Her body remained frozen in place, her limbs heavy and unresponsive as she tried to process the enormity of what she has done.

In that moment, everything else fades into insignificance. The journey to the real world, the presence of Edmond lurking in the shadows – none of it matters anymore. All that exists is the crushing weight of her own mistakes, pressing down on her like a leaden blanket.

For the first time the assassin was lost in a sea of self-recrimination, unable to find a way out. If only... if only things had been different. But there are no second chances, no doovers in life. All she can do is stand there, paralysed by her own regrets, as the consequences of her actions come crashing down around her.

"I should have tried harder," Ciel's voice is thick with emotion, his words strained through gritted teeth. "I should have been there for Demarcus when he needed me. I failed him... I failed them all."

It wasn't just Demarcus who was going to die but his brother and his friend. They were in chains because of him too, he brought them along knowing too well they will be punished for going against the ministry.

"I... I felt so useless," he admits, his voice barely audible above the rustle of leaves. "I looked into his eyes... and all I could see was his plea for help and I all could do was watch as he was clawed apart."

Artemis raises her head and gazes at Ciel.

His frustration and anger boiled over, manifesting in clenched fists and a trembling jaw. He struggled to contain the overwhelming emotions welling up inside him, his eyes burning with unshed tears. His voice trembling with raw intensity as he spoke, each word laced with self-blame and regret.

His gaze drops to the ground, his fists trembling at his sides. The weight of his guilt bears down on him like a heavy burden, threatening to crush him under its unbearable weight. He blames himself for not being able to save Demarcus, for not being there in time to prevent the tragedy that has unfolded.

"It's my fault," Ciel's voice cracks, his breath hitching in his throat. "I let him down. And now he's paying the price for my failures."

His words hang heavy in the air, a tangible reminder of the pain and regret that consume him. He knows that he cannot undo the past, cannot erase the mistakes that have been made. But still, the weight of his guilt bears down on him, a constant reminder of his own shortcomings.

Ciel's blue eyes gazes up and he locks eyes with her icy blue eyes. The plea in his eyes, glossed with tears, Artemis could see where this was going and she felt herself sink deep.

"I can't do this alone," Ciel's voice is barely above a whisper, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "But I can't bring myself to involve the other dragon keepers. They don't need to be dragged into this mess..." Ciel won't make the mistake of involving his friends into another mess.

With a heavy heart, Ciel stands in silence, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Ciel's voice breaks the heavy silence that hangs in the air, his tone desperate yet determined.

"Artemis, I need your help," he says, his words carrying a weight of urgency. "I want to save Demarcus, but I can't do it alone. I need you to save him."

Artemis remains silent, her mind still reeling from the shock of Ciel's revelation. She feels a pang of guilt gnawing at her heart, knowing that she played a role in the events that led to Demarcus's current predicament.

"I know it's a lot to ask," Ciel continues, his voice wavering slightly. "But Elisaria said that you're the only one who can save him."

Still unable to find her voice, Artemis remains silent, her eyes fixed on Ciel. She feels a surge of conflicting emotions coursing through her veins – guilt and regret.

Meanwhile, Jackal watches the exchange with confusion etched on his face. Having arrived after the events involving Demarcus, he struggles to make sense of the situation unfolding before him.

"What's going on?" he asks, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Homura, sensing the weight of the moment, looks up at Artemis with a sombre expression. Despite his usual brash demeanour, even he understands the gravity of the situation they find themselves in.

For a moment the assassin stayed quite, she didn't answer Ciel nor Jackal.

Like the passing of the wind, Artemis's heart felt like a block of ice as she turned away from Ciel, her voice barely a whisper as she offered a cold, heartless apology. "I'm sorry," she says, the words tasting bitter on her tongue. She knows she should feel something – sympathy, remorse, anything – but all she can muster is a hollow sense of detachment.

As she walks away, her thoughts once again swirl in a tumult of self-recrimination and disillusionment. This world, this fantasy realm filled with dragons and magic, feels increasingly unreal to her. None of it matters – not the dragons, not the quests, not even the people she's met along the way. They're all just ink on paper, characters in a story that will fade into nothingness when she leaves.

She recalls the countless agents she's lost on missions, their faces blurring together in her memory. They were sacrificed in order for the mission to be completed, just like Demarcus is being sacrificed now. It's the way of the world, the way of her world – cold, unforgiving, and indifferent to the suffering of individuals.

Ciel's shock and confusion wash over her like a distant echo as she continues to walk, her footsteps echoing in the silent forest. Anger simmers beneath the surface, a seething resentment at the hand fate has dealt her. She refuses to return to Aureum, to the life of Diana's that she left behind, no matter the reason. She's done playing with time, done with pretending to care about a world that means nothing to her.

The realisation settles over her like a heavy cloak, weighing her down with its oppressive finality. She's alone in this world, as she's always been, and nothing – not even the plight of a dragon – can change that.

There was no point.

There never was.

Homura's amber eyes widen in shock as he gazes at Artemis's retreating figure. He never knew that side of her existed – the cold, indifferent facade that now seems to envelop her. In all their time together, he had always believed that Artemis would do anything to save people from death, regardless of the risks or the sacrifices involved.

He recalls the time she saved the human cub, despite not knowing him, and how she risked the thought of getting caught by the people she tried so hard to avoid. He remembers how she did the same for him when he was hurt, she could have left him but she didn't. And he knows how much she cared for Demarcus, the dragon who had become a trusted companion on their journey before they had to leave him.

So why, he wonders, did she suddenly become so cold and distant? What could have caused this change in her, this rejection of everything she once stood for?

Artemis would never leave Demarcus. She loved that dragon.

"Artemis you can't be serious" Homura said, his voice filled with shock and uncertainty. He didn't understand why Artemis would just leave Demarcus like that.

Artemis didn't respond to Homura but only stared back with her indifferent cold eyes. The fox tried to read her but her eyes held nothing and he was lost.

Jackal watched Artemis with a mixture of sadness and confusion. He may not fully understand the situation with Demarcus, but he can sense the heaviness in the air, the weight of something gone terribly wrong. He didn't know what to do or say.

As Artemis turns away, Ciel's shock slowly morphs into anger, boiling within him until it bursts forth in a torrent of frustration and emotion.

"Artemis, you can't just walk away from this!" he shouts, his voice laced with desperation and anger. "Demarcus brought you here against his wishes, and now he's paying the price for it! He's going to be killed because of you!"

Artemis pauses, her back still turned to him, but she doesn't respond. She feels the weight of his words like a heavy burden, but she can't bring herself to acknowledge them.

"You have to help him," Ciel continues, his voice trembling with emotion. "You're the only one who can. Elisaria said so herself. You have the power to save him, Artemis. You can't just turn your back on him now."

Still, Artemis remains silent, her jaw clenched tight as she fights to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

"Please, Artemis," Ciel pleads, his voice cracking with emotion. "Don't leave Demarcus to die because of something he didn't do."

Artemis finally turns to face him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I can't," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the rustle of the leaves. "I can't go back to Aureum. Not for him, not for anyone."

Ciel's heart sinks at her words, the weight of her refusal crushing him like a ton of bricks. He had hoped, prayed even, that she would see reason, that she would understand the urgency of the situation. But now, faced with her cold rejection, he feels a sense of hopelessness creeping in.

"Artemis, please," he pleads one last time, reaching out to her with trembling hands. "This is Demarcus we are talking about."

Artemis stands her ground, her gaze fixed firmly on the forest floor as Ciel's words wash over her like a relentless tide.

"You have to help him, Artemis," Ciel insists, his voice pleading. "You can't just abandon him like that once you're done using him."

Artemis clenches her fists at her sides, her jaw set in a stubborn line. "I've already told you, I can't," she replies, her voice strained with emotion. "I won't go back to Aureum. Not for Demarcus, not for anyone."

Ciel's frustration mounts with each passing moment, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Why won't you understand," he says, his voice tinged with desperation. "If you don't help him, he'll die. Is that what you want? To let him die because you're too afraid to go back?"

Artemis flinches at his words, a pang of guilt twisting in her chest. She knows he's right, knows that her refusal could mean the end for Demarcus. But she can't bring herself to move, to take that first step back into that place she dreads so much.

"I'm sorry, Ciel," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "But you have to find someone else to help you."

Ciel's shoulders slump in defeat, his fists unclenching at his sides. He knows that time is running out for Demarcus, that without Artemis's help, there is defiantly no hope for him.

"No! I won't! You put him in that mess and you will take him out it!"

Artemis feels a surge of frustration boiling within her. "I told you I won't go back!" she shouts back, her voice echoing through the silent forest. "There is nothing I can do to save him!"

"Yes, there is and you know it." Ciel retorted back with anger.

Akame went dead silent and her angry frown deepened. She knew that she was the only one that can save him but it had too many risks and she had no time. Artemis has to go back to her world before the events of the book start happening.

It's already been 2 months.

"Artemis." the assassin turns to Homura and for the first time sees a painful look inside those amber eyes of the fox. His voice was soft yet laced with sadness. "The pretty human is right, it's our fault. I know you hate that place more than anything but you have to go save him. Demarcus is a good dragon and he doesn't deserve what's happening to him because of us. He saved us once. Remember. We were falling from the sky and he wrapped his wings around us to shield us from the impact of the fall instead of flapping to safety. " Homura continues, his voice trembling slightly. "Now it's our turn to save him."

Artemis's heart clenches at the memory, guilt washing over her like a tidal wave. She had forgotten that moment, forgotten the sacrifice Demarcus had made to protect them both.

She takes a moment to absorb the emotions swirling around her. Homura's plea, Jackal's concern, and Ciel's mixture of anger and sadness all weigh heavily on her.

Artemis eyes wonder off to the little thief. He was standing there, gazing at her with such worry in his eyes. Those silver eyes of his glowing with concern and confusion. She didn't want to put the kid in danger but... she didn't Demarcus to die as well.

"I..." Artemis begins, her voice faltering as she struggles to articulate her thoughts. "Even if we manage to get there, we'll be too late. Argentum is months away. By the time we arrive, Demarcus..."

Ciel's words pierce through the heavy atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention as he produces a small, glowing crystal from his pocket. Its vibrant pink hue casts an otherworldly glow in his hand as he holds it up for all to see.

"This is why Elisaria gave me this," Ciel declares, his voice resolute. "It's how I got here to you."

Artemis's eyes widen recognising the crystal in his hands. It was one those teleporting crystals that she had used to get to Ventus. But there was only problem with using those crystals. In realisation as she looks from the crystal to Ciel. "You do realize you can only use that crystal once," she points out, her tone tinged with concern.

"I know," he replies confidently. A smirk plays across Ciel's lips as he glances over at Jackal.

Jackal's tilts his head in confusion. "What?"

"You're the one who's going to use it." Ciel explained.

Jackal blinks in astonishment, his silver eyes reflecting the flickering light of the crystal. "Me?" he stammers, unable to hide his disbelief as he points to himself.

Homura's eyes roll dramatically as he lets out a sarcastic snort. "Oh, fantastic," he remarks with a sardonic tone. "Let's entrust our safe teleportation travels to the brilliant mind of our dear dumb human here. I'm sure he'll whisk us away to Fairy Land in no time." His words drip with sarcasm, and he shoots Jackal a pointed look, clearly not convinced of the kid's abilities.

Although no one except for Artemis and Sereia understood, he still managed to get his point across.

Jackal's curious eyes begins to examine the crystal, his curiosity piqued. "What am I supposed to do with that?" he asks, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"How do you think I got here?" said Ciel with raised brows, letting the boy decipher the riddle.

Jackal stares blankly at Ciel for a second. He blinks. His little brain running around but not being able to land anyway for an answer. "I don't get it."

Homura huffs in annoyance. "That's it we are doomed. Let the moron teleport us to a pit of flaming lava or mouth of a hungry beast."

"Is he serious?" Ciel whispers to Artemis in which she exhales a sigh of annoyance.

"What an idiot." Artemis mumbles

Jackal looks between Artemis and Ciel, clearly confused by their dumbfounded expression. "So, uh, what exactly does the crystal do?" he asks again, but this time a little agitated that no one is telling him and putting him on the spot.

Artemis rolls her eyes, shooting Jackal a deadpan look. "Supposedly, it's a one-time teleportation device," she explains, her tone matter of fact. "Use it once, and poof, you're wherever you want to be. Use it twice and your floating in a midst of darkness forever."

At that, Jackal felt a shiver run up his spine.

"Understand now or do you want me to simplify it further for you?" Artemis said bluntly.

"No, I understand." Jackal shook his head.

"Here kid" Ciel tosses the crystal to Jackal, who catches it with wide-eyed wonder. "Be careful with that, kid," Ciel warns, his voice tinged with seriousness. "It's fragile."

Jackal nods eagerly, his eyes still fixated on the shimmering crystal in his hands. He marvels at its beauty, turning it over to examine it from every angle. His eyes widen in awe, reflecting the vibrant pink hue dancing within the gem's depths. Its surface gleams under the sunlight filtering through the forest canopy, casting a soft glow around the area where they stand. He gingerly cradles the crystal in his hands, marvelling at its delicate beauty, as if holding a precious treasure. The crystal itself seems to pulse with a faint energy, as if imbued with a magical power waiting to be unleashed.

Ciel's expression softens as he watches Jackal admire the crystal.

Turning to Artemis, Ciel's eyes convey a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Artemis," he says earnestly, his eyes reflecting his appreciation.

Artemis merely gives him any respond, stepping past him her shoulder hitting his as she says a cold Whatever.

"But if this plan fails and I get caught by those ass holes, I'll make sure to pay you a visit in your dreams, Ciel."

Her words carry a hint of warning, and she turns away from him, her mind already preoccupied with thoughts of the potential consequences of their actions. She doesn't want to deal with the Duke or Damon, nor does she want anyone to know that Diana has returned to Aureum. The last thing she needs is to cause a fuss and draw unwanted attention to herself.

As Artemis stands beside Jackal, her presence exudes a quiet strength, her eyes scanning their surroundings with a vigilant gaze. Her demeanour is calm yet alert, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. She wonder's what Edmond is thinking now, what he heard and what he saw.

She had underestimated Edmonds tracking skill. She may have been good in her previous life but in this world where magic existed and not technology it kind of made it easier for these guys to sense stuff with earth magic, it's what Edmond had probably used.

However, the knowledge that Edmond was lurking nearby weighed heavily on Artemis's mind. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, of every word spoken being scrutinized by his keen eyes and sharp ears. She knew that he would report back to Damon with whatever information he gleaned, and that thought sent a chill down her spine.

Artemis's thoughts raced as she considered the implications of Edmond's presence. He knew too much already; her secret identity even if she had made sure to make it seem like it was a fake one, her true power that Ciel had mentioned, everything she had fought so hard to conceal. If he revealed her secrets to Damon, it could spell disaster for her and everyone she cared about.

But for now, Artemis pushed aside her concerns, focusing instead on the immediate task of saving Demarcus. She couldn't afford to be distracted by Edmond's presence, not when so much was at stake. With a steely resolve, she steeled herself against the looming threat and prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

It still made her feel uneasy to the one question that lingered around.

Why hadn't he revealed himself earlier when he had the chance to, use his magic to trap her or something and then forcefully take her to Aureum. There was something going on she could feel and she didn't like it.

Homura followed suit, his sleek orange fur rippling in the gentle breeze as he pads over to join the group.

Meanwhile, Ciel's gaze lingers on Artemis, captivated by her presence amidst the tranquil forest backdrop. Her features are illuminated by dappled sunlight filtering through the foliage, casting an ethereal glow around her. For a fleeting moment, he finds himself lost in the depths of her icy blue eyes, a silent testament to her mesmerizing allure.

However, his reverie is interrupted by a faint tickle beside him, and he turns to see Sereia, the diminutive water fairy, hovering nearby. Despite her small stature, there's an air of grace and elegance about her, her delicate wings shimmering with a faint iridescence. She flushes red under Ciel's gaze, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue as he offers her a friendly smile.

With a gentle pat on his shoulder, Ciel gestures for Sereia to sit on it , and she flutters over to perch beside him, her presence adding a touch of whimsy to the solemn gathering. As she settles in, Ciel turns his attention back to the others, his expression a mix of determination and resolve.

"Let's go" he declares, his voice firm yet tinged with a note of urgency.

Artemis nods in agreement, her demeanour resolute as she braces herself for the challenges that lie ahead.

Jackal held the glowing crystal delicately in his small palm, its vibrant pink hue casting a soft glow on his youthful face. He looked up at Artemis and Ciel, who stood tall and imposing above him, their expressions a mix of anticipation and impatience.

"Okay, so what do I do now?" Jackal asked, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty as he looked between the crystal and the two adults. Artemis sighed, exchanging a brief glance with Ciel before speaking.

"You need to focus on the destination," she explained, her tone laced with a touch of exasperation. "Think about Argentum, visualize it in your mind and crush the crystal in your hands"

"I don't know how that looks" Jackal said.

"Just think of a big golden and white castle or something I don't know" Artemis said.

Jackal furrowed his brow in concentration, his lips moving silently as he attempted to conjure an image of the distant city in his mind. After a moment, he looked up again, a perplexed expression on his face.

"I think it's broken," Jackal declared, his voice tinged with confusion.

Artemis and Ciel exchanged a weary glance, their patience wearing thin. "Did you crush the crystal like I told you too?" Artemis asked, her tone tinged with irritation.

Jackal's eyes widened in realisation, a sheepish expression crossing his face. "Oh, uh, no, I forgot," he admitted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Artemis let out a long-suffering sigh, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Just crush the crystal, Jackal," she instructed, her voice tinged with annoyance. "And pay attention next time."

"God your going to kill me" Artemis mumbled under breath.

Jackal nodded eagerly, quickly closing his fist around the crystal and applying pressure until it shattered into countless sparkling fragments.

Light radiated out of from between his fingers and there was burst of brilliant explosion of pink light, engulfing everyone in its radiant glow. The vibrant hue illuminated the surrounding forest, casting long shadows that danced in the dazzling display.

Artemis shielded her eyes momentarily, the intensity of the light momentarily blinding her. She felt a strange warmth washing over her, accompanied by a tingling sensation that prickled her skin. It was as if the very air around her was charged with energy, pulsating with an otherworldly power.

Jackal's eyes widened in shock as he was engulfed by the shimmering light.

Within seconds the light engulfed everyone and then disappeared.

As the pink light subsided, it left behind a trail of shimmering dust particles that hung in the air like a sparkling mist. Each particle glimmered with a soft iridescence, casting a surreal glow over the scene where they once were.

The forest was quiet, the only sound the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze and the occasional chirp of a distant bird. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor below. All was still, save for a lone figure emerging from the depths of the woods.

His very presence seemed to disturb the tranquillity of the forest.

As Edmond emerged from the shadows, his dark cloak billowed behind him, blending seamlessly with the swirling shadows of the forest. His eyes gleamed with a cold intensity as he watched the remnants of the pink particles fade into nothingness, leaving behind only the quiet stillness of the forest. The hood of his cloak fell back from his head, revealing his dark oak coloured hair and the plain mask on his face.

For a moment, he stood there, a solitary figure in the heart of the forest, his gaze fixed on the spot where Artemis and her companions had vanished.

"So that was you're doing at the Dragon Barracks" Edmond whispered, his voice trailing with the wind. He stood there for a slight second before his lips pursed into a frown. "What did that commoner mean by control?"

The only person who knew that had some control of dragons was the dragon prince but not Diana.

His frown deepened. He heard their conversation; he heard what the orange haired commoner spoke about. Was it because of that, that his dragon wasn't waking up. Did Diana or Artemis have something to do with it.

Was it that control power thing that commoner spoke of?

He had heard something similar to that from his history teacher. The legend of the once Great King of Alphyria who had such power to control dragons unlike Lykos' power that was only a remnant of it.

Barely as powerful as the Great King.

His mind began to wonder. Could this be the reason why the Dark users are coming back.

Is it because of her?

No, it can't be there had to be something else. It can't because of this Diana or whoever she was.

Edmond knelt down to touch the ground; his handsome features contorted into a frown of annoyance from behind his mask. His emerald, green eyes narrowed as he examined the pink dust that lingered on his fingertips, disappearing into wisps as quickly as it had appeared.

But as he pondered further, a deeper sense of confusion and concern began to settle within him. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, but the picture they painted was far from clear.

"Diana," he muttered under his breath, his gaze drifting to the spot where the pink dust had vanished. "Or whoever you are now..."

The idea that the woman before him was not the Diana he once knew nagged at him incessantly. Her movements, her skills—they were unlike anything he had seen from her before. It was as if she had been replaced by someone else entirely, someone more cunning, more dangerous.

"And this power Ciel spoke of..." Edmond mused, his brow furrowing in thought. "What could it be? And why do you possess it? and how?"

Dark magic?

His mind raced with questions, each one leading him further down the rabbit hole of uncertainty. Was it possible that Damon's suspicions were correct? Had someone—or something—taken control of Diana's body, using her as a vessel for their own nefarious purposes?

As he stood there, grappling with the implications of what he had witnessed, a sense of urgency washed over him. Whatever was happening, it was clear that Diana—or the entity masquerading as her—posed a threat that could not be ignored.

He didn't understand but he knew one thing, that was not Diana.

It explains a lot about her sudden change of behaviour.

Edmond's gaze drifted upward to the expanse of the sky above, he felt a surge of anticipation coursing through him. With a subtle pursing of his lips, he released a breath that seemed to carry a silent summons—a command that only the keenest ears could decipher.

In response, the air stirred with a low, resonant rumble, building gradually in intensity until it crescendoed into a thunderous roar. And then, like a shadow emerging from the depths of the night, a majestic dragon soared into view, its massive wings slicing through the air with effortless grace.

The dragon's scales gleamed like polished blades in the dappled sunlight, reflecting the myriad hues of the forest below. Its emerald eyes glinted with intelligence as it circled overhead, its presence commanding reverence and awe.

Edmond watched in silent admiration as the dragon descended from the heavens, its powerful form casting a shadow over the forest floor below. With a graceful swoop, it landed before him, its gaze locking with his in a silent exchange of understanding.

"Lets get back to Aureum".