In Search of a Leader (112)

Violet, who had been observing quietly, finally said. " You don't seem very… serious about someone delivering supposedly important information. "

Cantina grinned. " Oh, I'm plenty serious when I need to be. But let's be real–if I acted all cryptic and dramatic, you'd be rolling your eyes at me. "

She shot Violet a knowing look, earning a reluctant smirk in return. Just then, Drogo let out a low rumble, stepping closer and sniffing the air around Cantina. She raised a brow before reaching out, letting her fingers brush against the dragon's snout. " And you must be Drogo. Strong, stubborn, and apparently smarter than half the people I meet. "

She gave the dragon a playful wink. Drogo huffed, then nudged her slightly, as if testing her. Cantina only laughed. " Oh, I like you. "

She turned back to the group, placing her hand on her hips. " Now that we're all acquainted, let's get back to business. That book isn't going to read itself, and trust me–you're going to want to know what's in it. "

 Cantina gave a lazy wave, then vanished in a flicker of shadow and light, leaving them standing there with the weight of the unknown in their hands. She vanished without a trace, leaving only the book behind. As they gathered around it, their eyes falling upon its battered and nearly disintegrating form–a relic worn by time, its pages frayed and fragile, devoid of the brilliance one might expect from a mystical tome. Violet tilted her head, her brow furrowed in doubt. " Didn't she say this book was supposed to have magic? It just looks like an old, forgotten thing you'd find in any library. "

Aeron studied the book thoughtfully, his fingers grazing the worn leather cover. " Maybe it doesn't work the way we expect it. There could be a specific way to activate it. "

Starfania glanced at him, intrigued but still perplexed. " What do you mean? "

 He looked up and gestured as he said, " Think of it like a tool. Just because you have a hammer doesn't mean you can instantly build a house. You need to know how to use it first. "

Vi crossed her arms, eyeing the book with renewed curiosity. " Alright, then… how do we even open it? "

Aeron furrowed his brow, running a hand along the book's tattered cover.

" There has to be a trick to it, " he said. " Magic books usually don't just open like regular ones. "

He tapped his fingers against the leather-bound spine, lost in thought. Violet leaned closer, scrutinizing the worn edges. " Maybe there's a hidden clasp or a spell keeping it shut? "

She carefully traced the intricate patterns along the cover, only to pull her hand away when a faint warmth pulsed beneath her fingertips. " Okay… that was weird. "

 Starfania took a deep breath and reached for the book herself. The moment her hand made contact with an intricate silver dragon coiling around an engraved letter. The creature stirred. Its luminous eyes locked onto her, and in that instant, a surge of ancient energy pulsed through the air. Then, as if testing her resolve, the dragon detached itself from the page, slithering towards her outstretched hand. She barely had time to react before it bit down. A sharp sting shot through her finger, and a few crimson droplets welled up. Without hesitation, the dragon leaped from her hand and bit Atlas's ear. He let out a startled huff, shaking his head before examining the glowing sigil now etched into his scales. With a final flourish, the silver dragon returned to its place atop the book. It inhaled deeply, then exhaled a vibrant orange flame that bathed the book in a brilliant, ethereal glow. 

 Starfania felt her heart race, both from the shock of the encounter and the thrill of discovery. She glanced at Atlas, who now wore a look of bewilderment mixed with curiosity. His scales shimmered oddly in the light, a testament to the dragon's sudden magic. This was no ordinary book; it was a portal into a world she had only dreamed about. The air around them crackled, charged with possibility. As she turned to the cover, she noticed the embossed title shimmering under the dragon's light: "The Draconic Codex." 

A sense of urgency filled her. She had to understand what had just happened. Atlas rubbing his ear where the dragon had bitten him. His scales shifted colors, a sign of his emotions—he was excited, but cautious. The dragon perched on the book, its eyes narrowing in contemplation. Starfania leaned closer, her finger still tingling from the bite. She could feel a connection forming, as if the creature was waiting for her decision. It was more than just a guardian; it was a guide. He nodded slowly, his curiosity piqued. Together, they lifted the cover. The pages inside felt alive, fluttering slightly as if they were breathing. 

 Starfania was instantly captivated, an unshakable force urging her to uncover the secrets hidden within these ancient pages. With bated breath, she turned the next page–only to find it completely blank. Doubt flickered in her mind, but a strange sensation told her there was more to this book than met the eyes. Closing her eyes, she focused and was making her intent clear to the book. A whisper, distant yet intimate, curled around her ear: " The quest to bring balance to this world begins now–but beware, for the lost one walks Avalon's path, and shadows stir in his wake. "

A shiver ran down her spine. Her eyes snapped open and called out, " Aeron! Violet! You have to see this! " 

Aeron and Violet appeared almost immediately, curiosity piqued by her urgency. They crowded around as Starfania pointed to the blank page, excitement bubbling in her voice. "I just heard a voice! This book—it's telling me something important!" 

Aeron raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident on his face. 

"A voice? From a book?" He crossed his arms, glancing at Violet who seemed less doubtful. Violet leaned closer, her eyes narrowing as if trying to penetrate the mystery. "What did it say?" 

Starfania took a deep breath, the weight of the message settling in. 

"'The quest to bring balance to this world begins now,'" she repeated, feeling the gravity of each word. "And it mentioned a lost one and shadows—something dark is coming." 

Violet's expression shifted from curiosity to concern. "We need to find out more. If this is real, we can't ignore it." 

Aeron sighed, though the tension in the air had captivated him as well. "Fine. Let's explore further. If this book holds answers, we'd be fools not to seek them." 

Starfania nodded vigorously, adrenaline coursing through her veins.