The village faded behind them, its warm noises swallowed by the open sky as Atlas lifted higher, the wind rushing past with renewed urgency.
Below, the river gleamed like a silver scar carved through the land, guiding them onward as promised. Drogo rose alongside them, powerful wings cutting through the air as Aeron kept pace, his posture tense but steady. Starfania's thoughts churned despite the cool rush of flight. Aeron's question echoed in her mind—What do you think your father was planning? She clenched her jaw, fingers tightening briefly in Atlas's scales.
" I don't know if I'm ready to face the answer," she admitted quietly, more to the wind than to her companions. Violet shifted closer behind her, resting her forehead lightly against Starfania's back.
" You don't have to face it alone," she whispered. " Whatever he's planning…we'll deal with it together."
Atlas rumbled beneath them, a low, resolute sound that vibrated through Starfania's bones. It steadied her. Aeron glanced over from Drogo's back.
" If Lyam's been striking encampments this efficiently, then your father's already losing patience," he said. " That usually means escalation."
Starfania nodded slowly.
" Which means dragons," she said. " Or something worse."
The terrain below darkens. Lush greens gave way to scorched patches of earth, the land bruised and sacred by fire and marching boots.
Columns of smoke rose faintly in the distance, thin and deliberate—controlled burns, not wild ones.
" There," Violet whispered, pointing ahead. Nestled against a ridge of blackened stone lay the VulcanFire encampment. Tents of hardened crimson fabric clustered in tight formation. The watchtower stood at rigid angles, banners snapping sharply in the wind. Even from the air, the place radiated hostility—order enforced by fear. Starfania swallowed. " That's where he's been hitting them."
" And where he might still be," Aeron replied grimly. Atlas slowed, circling higher as Starfania scanned the camp.
Her eyes caught on something subtle—supplies moved out of alignment, patrol routes broken, a watchtower burned just enough to weaken it without collapsing.
" He's nearby," she said with certainty. " Lyam doesn't leave messes like his unfinished."
Drogo let out a low growl, sensing the danger below. Aeron leaned forward, voice firm. " We need to be careful. If VulcanFire's on edge, they'll strike first and ask questions later."
Starfania exhaled slowly, forcing calm into her racing heart. " We don't charge in. We watch. We wait. And we trust that Cantina didn't send us here unprepared."
She glanced down at the Codex secured at her side. The faintest warmth pulsed through it, almost like a heartbeat. Atlas dipped one wing, descending toward a rocky outcrop overlooking the encampment. From there, they would have cover—and a choice. Below them, fires crackled. Shadows moved. And somewhere in the chaos, Lyam waited—whether as ally, adversary, or something far more complicated. The truth was close now.