SSS Rank Dragon Tamer: Unleashed-Chapter 18

Chapter 18: The Spark of Rebellion

The fire crackled low in the cavern, casting flickering shadows on the walls as Zephyr sat cross-legged on the cool stone. Star had curled up beside him, still panting softly from his exertions earlier. The little dragon's wings fluttered every now and then as he adjusted to his growing power, each movement rippling with the faint glow of newly absorbed crystal energy.

Fenna, kneeling beside a small fire, stirred a pot of herbs, her hands steady and sure. The scent of medicinal herbs mingled with the faint sulfurous odor of the geothermal pool at the far end of the cave. Their temporary hideout was both a sanctuary and a reminder of their growing desperation. With each passing day, the Guild's grip on the surrounding lands tightened, their patrols growing more frequent, their searches more aggressive. It was only a matter of time before they found the cave—before they discovered the hidden power Zephyr and Star had begun to cultivate in secret.

Zephyr's mind raced as he thought back to the Guild's scouts. He had never seen them move so quickly before. The red flares, signaling their presence, had been a warning. He was no fool; the Guild's interest in him and his dragon was not out of curiosity. It was out of fear, or perhaps greed. Whatever it was, it didn't matter. Zephyr had made his decision.

He wasn't going to hide anymore.

"Fenna," Zephyr spoke softly, not wanting to disturb Star's calm slumber. "We need to go beyond the limits of Stonejaw. If we want to break free from the Guild's surveillance, we need to find the ancient ruins near the peaks. The ones they say hold dragon relics. I think the ruins might hold something—something that could help us unlock Star's true potential."

Fenna looked up from her task, her hazel eyes sharp as she regarded him. "You're serious, aren't you? You want to go after the ruins?"

Zephyr's gaze hardened with determination. "The Guild is too close now. Every day they circle around our hideout. If we don't move, they'll find us, and everything we've worked for—everything Star is—will be theirs. We need to act."

Star stirred at Zephyr's side, as if hearing his words. The little dragon let out a soft chirp, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light of the cave. He wasn't yet fully grown, but the fire within him burned with the intensity of something ancient, something destined.

Fenna stood and crossed the room, her fingers brushing the map she had drawn of the valley. "I've been tracking the Guild's movements. They haven't sent more than two squads up the mountain passes so far, but that will change once they catch wind of us. The ruins are dangerous, Zephyr. They're not just ruins; they're cursed."

"I know," Zephyr said, his voice steady. "But if we want to stand a chance, we need to risk it. The Guild can't follow us there. They won't have the manpower to search every crevice. And Star..." He paused, looking at the dragonling, his heart swelling with a strange combination of pride and fear. "I think Star needs to be tested. He needs to grow beyond what we've done so far. The ruins hold something—something important."

Fenna's gaze softened, and she nodded. "You're right. I've seen Star's power grow every day, and with the bond you share, his potential is limitless. But be careful, Zephyr. The ruins are old. And those that've gone after them before..."

"They've never returned," Zephyr finished for her, a hard edge creeping into his tone. "I know. But that's why we have to go. We'll be the first to survive them."

With resolve, Zephyr stood, walking toward the cave's entrance, where the wind howled outside, sending a chill through the stone walls. The snowstorm outside had intensified, but that wouldn't stop them. He had made up his mind. The ruins awaited, and the Guild was getting closer. The time for hiding was over.

Fenna came to stand beside him, her hand resting on the hilt of her short blade. "I'll stand by you, Zephyr. Always."

Zephyr turned to face her, his heart heavy with a newfound purpose. "Thank you."

Hours Later...

The storm had turned fierce, whipping snow through the air in blinding sheets. Zephyr and Fenna had packed what little gear they could carry, including supplies for Star. The dragonling, having grown used to the cold, now perched on Zephyr's shoulder, his tiny claws gripping tightly as they trudged through the snow. The trek up the valley would be difficult, but they had no choice.

The guild's presence was a shadow over their every step. Their hideout was no longer safe. Zephyr could feel the pulse of his own bloodline within him, stirring with an urgency he hadn't felt before. He wasn't just running from the Guild—he was running toward something greater.

The cold nipped at their faces as they climbed higher, past the cliff edges and into the mountains. The air grew thinner as they ascended, but Zephyr didn't falter. He couldn't afford to. Star's steady warmth was a constant reminder of what he was fighting for, and the echoes of his first awakening—the shame of being an F-rank, the mockery, the ridicule—were slowly being replaced with something new. A promise. A promise to himself that he would not remain the weak, forgotten boy forever.

The path was treacherous, but they pressed on. The further they traveled, the more Zephyr could feel the pull of the ruins. The mountains seemed to hum with an ancient energy, as if the very stones themselves remembered what had been lost. As they approached the entrance to the ruins, the air grew thick with a strange sense of foreboding.

Fenna, walking behind him, gave him a concerned look. "Zephyr... do you feel that?"

Zephyr nodded. "I do. It's like the mountains are alive, watching us."

Star chirped softly, his wings twitching as he perched on Zephyr's shoulder. Zephyr turned to him. "Stay close, little one. We're about to step into the unknown."

They continued forward until they reached the entrance to the ruins. The stone archway loomed before them, covered in moss and vines, the symbols carved into the stone barely visible in the dim light. Zephyr hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside.

As they entered, a wave of ancient energy washed over them, and Zephyr could feel the weight of centuries pressing down on him. The temperature inside was warmer than outside, but the air was thick with dust and age. The ruins stretched out before them, a labyrinth of stone and forgotten history.

Zephyr's heart raced as he moved deeper into the ruins, following the pull of his bloodline. He could feel it now—the connection between him and the egg he carried, the bond he had yet to fully comprehend. The egg was the key, and the ruins were the gateway.

They walked for what felt like hours, winding through the maze of stone. Finally, they arrived at a large chamber, its ceiling high and cracked, letting in faint beams of light. In the center of the room stood an altar, and on the altar was a pedestal. Zephyr could feel the power radiating from it, and instinctively, he stepped forward.

The moment he did, the egg he carried in his cloak began to pulse with a soft light. It was ready.