I feel something tapping at my shoulder and face, persistent and unrelenting. I try to swat it away, groaning, but the tapping continues. Reluctantly, I open my eyes and see Nikko standing over me, her tail swishing with curiosity. Her large blue eyes stare at me with a mix of impatience and excitement. Startled, I sit up quickly, causing Nikko to jump back.

  "We're leaving," she says before darting away, her tail flicking back and forth.

  I rub my eyes, taking in my surroundings. The cave is dimly lit by the morning sun, casting long shadows on the rough, stone walls. Talia and Nikko are at the back, packing away various cooking equipment with practiced efficiency. Ryu is outside with Apollo and IG-22, organizing and loading what appear to be weapons and tools into a strange-looking carriage.

  As I stretch and get up, I watch them work. The weapons have triggers like crossbows but are sleeker, made entirely of metal. The carriage they are loading them into catches my eye—it's like nothing I've ever seen before. It has a streamlined design, with a shiny metallic surface and an open compartment in the back. The front seats look designed for two people, and there's a wider seat at the back. It hovers slightly off the ground, seemingly defying gravity.

  "Sleep well?" Talia asks as she passes me, placing various pouches of holding into an open compartment of the strange carriage.

  "I did," I respond, still groggy. "What is that?" I ask, pointing at the vehicle.

  "That is called a speeder," Ryu says, climbing into the driver seat and fiddling with various glowing buttons and switches.

  "And what is a speeder?" I ask, stepping closer to get a better look.

  "A vehicle that can move at very fast speeds," Ryu explains before getting out of the strange looking carriage.

  Apollo and IG-22 finish placing the weapons and tools into the back compartment. "Everything has been stowed away," Apollo states.

  "Same with the food and cooking equipment," Nikko chimes in happily. Ryu pats her on the head, making her ears twitch and her tail swish faster.

  "Still want to tag along?" Talia asks me, her tone friendly and inviting.

  Though I'm a bit concerned about the strange-looking vehicle, I nod with a faint smile. "I do," I say.

  "Great, then gather your things," Talia says, returning the smile.

  DP-7 touches down gracefully behind the passenger area, its landing smooth and quiet. Talia and Nikko head toward the passenger seat, with Nikko sitting comfortably on Talia's lap, her small hands gripping the seat. Ryu slides into the driver's seat, the subtle hum of the speeder signaling it's ready to go.

  I quickly gather my belongings—grabbing my satchel, rolling up my sleeping canvas, and shoving it into another bag—before hurrying to climb into the back. Once seated, I realize just how cramped it feels with IG-22 and Apollo sitting beside me. Their bulky frames make me feel even more squished, and IG-22's imposing presence doesn't help ease my nerves.

  Ryu taps a few buttons on the control panel, and the speeder roars to life, the deep hum of the engine vibrating beneath us. A glass panel slides into place overhead, sealing us inside as the speeder begins to lift off the ground. My hands instinctively fly to the edge of my seat, gripping tightly as the sensation of hovering unsettles me.

  Ryu glances back, his voice steady as he says, "Before we get going, everyone needs to put on their safety belts. Don't want anyone flying out if we hit turbulence." He secures his own belt with practiced ease, the strap crossing over his chest.

  Talia mirrors his action, securing herself and wrapping a belt around Nikko to keep her safe. Apollo and IG-22 follow suit with precise movements, and I quickly fumble with the unfamiliar belt, finally managing to fasten it across my chest. The tension eases slightly once I'm secure, though I still can't help but feel a bit anxious with IG-22 so close.

  "Everything set, DP-7?" Ryu asks, and a series of beeps echo through the compartment.

  "Hold on tight," Ryu says, gripping the steering controls.

  The vehicle practically launches out of the cave, and I feel my stomach drop as we speed forward. I grip the belt even tighter, my knuckles turning white. The sensation of hovering and then accelerating so rapidly is overwhelming. I try to focus on breathing steadily, but the speed and the unfamiliarity of the situation make it difficult.

  Nikko, on the other hand, seems to enjoy the ride, giggling and pointing at the rapidly passing scenery. Talia, I notice, doesn't seem to be enjoying it much either, her face slightly pale. Apollo and IG-22 remain silent, their expressions—or lack thereof—unreadable.

  We leave the forest behind in a matter of moments, the dense trees giving way to a vast open field. The grass below us blurs into a green sea as we zoom across the landscape. The rising sun casts a golden hue over everything, making the scene almost surreal.

  As the speeder flies across the open landscape, I turn to take in the passing scenery. The fields stretch out endlessly, with patches of forest interspersed, their canopies swaying gently in the wind. Suddenly, something in the sky catches my attention. It's difficult to make out exactly what it is at first, but it's definitely a winged creature. As we zip past a small forest and reach another open field, I see that the single winged creature has become many. They are getting closer, and I finally recognize them—wyverns. Lots of them.

  Beeping suddenly interrupts my thoughts. "We've got large, winged creatures heading our way," Ryu says, glancing at the approaching wyverns before stopping the vehicle abruptly. The sudden stop jolts everyone forward, and I grip the edge of my seat tightly, my heart racing.

  "Should we turn back?" Talia asks, her voice tinged with concern.

  "No. We've wasted enough time. We will fight," Ryu replies, his tone resolute.

  "Are you insane?" I shout, leaning forward between Ryu and Talia. "Those are Wyverns! They're nasty, powerful creatures. Their hides are tougher than scale mail, and their teeth are like daggers!"

  Ryu looks over at me, a hint of excitement in his tone. "Don't worry," he says. "Those wyverns may bite, but this speeder bites harder. DP-7, convert to fighter mode."

  The speeder begins to hum, and I notice wings extending on each side. A loud whirring sound starts up, an ominous noise that sends shivers down my spine. The speeder slowly lifts into the sky, and I feel my stomach drop as the ground gets smaller and smaller.

  "I'm terrified of heights, by the way!" I shout, my voice shaking. I notice Talia is equally scared, gripping her seat tightly. Nikko, however, is mesmerized by the view, her hands pressed against the glass as she peers out.

  "Nikko, sweetie, please sit down and hold tight," Ryu instructs.

  "Sorry, Papa," Nikko says, leaning back and holding on tightly.

  The Wyverns are now close enough to be easily visible. Their leathery wings beat powerfully, their muscular bodies covered in thick, dark scales that glint menacingly in the light. Their eyes are beady and predatory, and their jaws, filled with razor-sharp teeth, snap at the air. There are about a dozen of them, one twice as large as the others, leading the charge.

  The speeder remains still as the wyverns get closer. "Ryu," Talia says, concern etched in her voice.

  "Hold on," Ryu says calmly, the speeder turning to face the approaching Wyverns.

  "Ryu," Talia says again, louder and more worried.

  "Not yet." The wyverns are so close now I can see the glint in their eyes.

  "Ryu!" Talia shouts as the largest wyvern lunges forward, jaws wide open. Ryu pulls the controls, and the speeder suddenly dips down, narrowly avoiding the massive jaws. Talia and I scream as the speeder flies over the landscape, dodging the other wyverns. Each creature snaps its jaws or strikes with its tail, but Ryu maneuvers the speeder with expert precision, avoiding each attack.

  We dive down, then sharply up, the force pushing me back into my seat. We spin to the left, then to the right, evading the snapping jaws and whipping tails. The speed and sudden movements make my head spin, and my heart feels like it's going to leap out of my chest. Ryu takes the speeder higher into the sky, the ground far below us now a blur. Nikko watches with delight, while Talia and I cling to our seats, terrified.

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  Suddenly, Ryu stops the speeder, and we all lurch forward again. The speeder turns slowly, facing the ground. In the distance, I can see the wyverns approaching. Ryu pulls a trigger on the controls, and that loud whirring sound intensifies. A series of blue energy bolts fire from the speeder, streaking towards the wyverns.

  The largest wyvern and several others are hit, scattering them. Some fall to the ground, dead, while others manage to evade the shots and continue their pursuit. Ryu pulls back on the controls, and the speeder stops falling, hovering in the sky once more. For a brief moment, I get a grand view of the beautiful landscapes around us. Far off, I can just make out the elven capital, its spires and towers gleaming in the distance.

  The moment is short-lived, as the speeder suddenly veers to the left, narrowly dodging a wyvern that swoops in from the side. I scream at the sudden motion, clutching my seat tighter. The landscape below blurs as we zigzag through the air, Ryu expertly dodging the relentless wyverns.

  "Hang on!" Ryu shouts, pulling the speeder into a steep climb. The force presses me into my seat, making it hard to breathe. We crest the climb and dive back down. The wyverns are still hot on our tail, but Ryu's skillful maneuvers keep us just out of their reach.

  I manage to look back and see the wyverns, the larger one leading them, closing in fast. There are seven of them left, and they look furious. My heart leaps into my throat as the larger wyvern accelerates, snapping its massive jaws just inches from the speeder. Ryu jerks the speeder to the right, narrowly avoiding the deadly bite, and I get thrown against my seat by the sudden maneuver.

  The wyverns are gaining on us, their wings beating furiously as they pick up speed. But Ryu pushes a lever forward, and the speeder surges ahead, leaving the wyverns behind. The acceleration slams me back into my seat. I glance over and see Talia holding Nikko tightly, her knuckles white. My stomach twists with the speed, but I barely have time to process it before the speeder jolts again, spinning around to face the oncoming wyverns.

  "DP-7, switch to heavy cannons," Ryu commands. A series of beeps fills the compartment, followed by a loud whirring sound from the speeder. The wyverns close in, but before they can reach us, larger, red energy bolts fire from beneath the speeder, each shot accompanied by a high-pitched noise that I can feel reverberate through my chest. It's so loud that I cover my ears, and I see Talia and Nikko doing the same.

  I watch in awe and terror as the energy bolts slam into the wyverns, sending them flying back with smoldering holes in their chests and wings. The larger wyvern takes a hit but remains airborne, its eyes glaring at us. The smaller wyverns fall, dead or dying, and the speeder stops firing. The large wyvern, seemingly realizing it's outmatched, turns and flies away, though I can tell it is injured.

  ?????

  Talia and I let out a combined sigh of relief. My body is still trembling with fear and adrenaline. My heart races, and I feel light-headed, my breaths coming in quick gasps.

  "Is everyone okay?" Ryu asks, looking back.

  "We're fine," Talia replies, though her voice is shaky.

  Nikko, on the other hand, is bubbling with excitement. "Papa, that was amazing! The way we went up and down, left and right! And how you fought of those scary wyvern!" she boasts, her tail swishing back and forth.

  I manage a weak thumbs-up. "Can we please land now?" I ask, my voice wavering.

  Ryu nods and begins the descent. The speeder's movement still makes my stomach churn, but soon we land within a small canopy of trees. As soon as the glass panel slides back, I unbuckle the safety belt and practically leap out of the speeder. The moment my feet touch the ground, a wave of relief washes over me, and I take a deep breath of the cool, fresh air. Talia, however, is leaning heavily against the speeder, breathing hard.

  "Not a fan of flying either?" Ryu asks with a chuckle.

  "No," Talia says, shaking her head. "I hate flying now far more than just riding that speeder."

  Nikko and Ryu share a laugh as Apollo and IG-22 step out of the speeder next. Apollo remains silent, standing by a tree with his shield and spear ready. IG-22's movements are stiff and precise, its small red eyes scanning the surroundings.

  "Let's rest here for a bit," Ryu says as DP-7 leaves its compartment in the speeder and flies away.

  "What is DP-7 going to do?" I ask, watching the small droid zoom off.

  "Provide reconnaissance. DP-7 is my eyes and ears and will keep an eye on our surroundings while Apollo and IG-22 patrol the area. We'll be safe while we rest," Ryu assures me.

  I nod, the whirlwind in my stomach slowly dying down. I sit down on the ground, grateful for the stability. Talia and Nikko join me. I watch as IG-22 and Apollo head into the trees, Apollo moving with a quiet, deliberate grace despite his size.

  Doesn't Apollo need to eat too? I wonder as Ryu sits down and hands out loaves of bread and chunks of cheese from his pouch. I take a bite of the bread, savoring the simple yet comforting taste. As I chew, I watch Apollo disappear into the tree line, his figure blending into the shadows. IG-22 is already out of sight, its unsettling presence no longer haunting me.

  I take another deep breath, letting the fresh air fill my lungs. Despite everything, a sense of calm begins to settle over me. I turn to Nikko, noticing how calm she appears as she sits on her father's lap, nibbling on bread. "Hey, Nikko," I say, catching her attention. "How come you weren't scared of the flying or the wyverns?"

  She looks up at me with a cheerful expression. "Because of Papa," she replies, her tail swishing happily. "He is very strong and very capable. I'm not afraid around him."

  "But the flying?" I ask, still puzzled by her calm demeanor.

  Nikko shakes her head. "Where I come from, my people always climb large trees and navigate across great heights," she explains. "Flying was so much fun, though. I hope next time we won't get attacked."

  "That's what's been bothering me," Ryu says, drawing our attention.

  "About the wyverns, you mean?" Talia asks, and Ryu nods.

  "They attacked the moment we left the cave. It's as if they were waiting for us," Ryu continues.

  "You don't think that wyvern attack is this Shadowfell's doing?" Talia asks.

  "Wyverns are hunters. They hunt in packs. I don't think it was this Shadowfell's doing," I say.

  "Do wyverns frequent this area?" Ryu asks.

  I shake my head. "No. They prefer canyons, deserts. Places that are arid and hot. But that doesn't mean they were under some dark influence just because they were not in their usual hunting grounds."

  Ryu shakes his head, his voice firm. "No, Rebecca, I disagree. The animal attacks in Eldoria—they're already attributed to the influence of the Shadowfell. Talia's seen it herself; the creatures are acting unnaturally aggressive, venturing far from their usual habitats to attack villages and travelers. I don't think this wyvern pack is any different."

  Talia nods, glancing at me with concern. "Ryu's right. The Shadowfell warps everything it touches—creatures that once stuck to their territories suddenly seem bent on destruction. It's more than just a coincidence that a wyvern pack, of all things, attacked us in a place they'd normally avoid."

  I hesitate, considering his words. "But wyverns are usually territorial and attack only for food or defense. It seems strange that—"

  "It's strange because it isn't normal," Ryu insists, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "The Shadowfell changes creatures, manipulates their instincts until they act on twisted, unnatural urges. This isn't a random encounter; it's part of something larger."

  Suddenly, Ryu's glove starts to beep and all eyes are on him. "What do you mean smoke on the horizon?" Ryu asks into his glove. More series of beeps follow.

  I turn to Talia, hoping she can translate but she just shrugs, clearly not understanding its beeps like me. Nikko stops eating and watches her father with a worried expression. "Show me," Ryu commands. A small square on his glove retracts, and blue light casts a bird's-eye view of the entire landscape. I'm astonished by what I see. The canopy, the speeder, us—all visible from above.

  Whatever is watching us moves, leaving the canopy and tilting upwards to reveal the broader landscape. In the distance, where a larger forest lies, I can make out thick, black smoke rising into the sky.

  "What is in that direction?" Talia asks.

  Ryu manipulates his glove, and the view shifts until it halts over an elven village. As I peer at the projection from Ryu's glove, I take in the sight of the elven village. The buildings are beautiful, with elegant arches and intricate designs, but they are engulfed in flames, their splendor being reduced to ashes. The streets are chaotic, filled with panicked villagers running in every direction. The scene is heart-wrenching—women and children are being dragged out of their homes by soldiers with the emblem of Eldoria on their chest plate, who laugh and jeer as they ransack the village. The air is thick with smoke, and the sound of screams and cries for help is deafening.

  The soldiers move with ruthless efficiency, kicking down doors and pulling out anyone they find. I see dead villagers lying in the streets, their bodies a stark reminder of the brutality taking place. Elven soldiers who had tried to defend their village now lay lifeless, their blood staining the cobblestones. The soldiers of Eldoria, armed with torches and swords, show no mercy. One soldier grabs an elderly elf by the hair and drags her across the ground, her cries for help piercing through the chaos.

  "Is that...?" Talia's voice trails off, filled with horror and disbelief.

  "Lindórinan," Ryu responds, his voice heavy with a mix of sorrow and anger. "That explains why it has been so quiet for so long. They didn't give up looking for us." He clenches his fist, and the display disappears back into his glove. The air around us feels charged, almost as if the ground itself is vibrating with Ryu's anger.

  Ryu stands up abruptly, leaving his untouched bread and cheese on the ground. He strides towards the speeder with purpose, Talia and Nikko quickly following suit. I hesitate for a moment, the terror of what we are about to face gripping me.

  "Wait, what will you do?" I ask, standing up and watching Ryu climb onto his speeder, with Nikko and Talia following suit.

  "Save them, of course," Ryu says, his determination clear. "Apollo, IG-22, DP-7, return to the speeder now," he orders into his glove.

  I hesitate, the memory of the wyvern attack fresh in my mind. Now we're rushing to an elven village under attack. I saw how many soldiers there were—too many. Ryu notices my hesitation and climbs back out, approaching me.

  "You don't have to come with us," he says gently. "I can tell you are afraid which is competently normal," he says to me. "It is alright if you wish to stay he-"

  "It's not that I don't want to come," I say, my voice trembling. "But I'm terrified. First time I have ever flown or run into a pack of wyvern. Yesterday I was nearly beheaded, today nearly devoured. I'm not a fighter, Ryu. I'm an explorer. I research old civilizations, old texts, old ruins. I don't fight. I won't be useful in a fight."

  "That won't be a problem," Ryu says. "I promise you, I won't let any harm fall upon you."

  I look into the shadowy void that hides his face. Despite the darkness, I can sense the sincerity in his tone. I nod, a faint smile on my face. "I'll have IG-22 protect you," he adds.

  "Oh no," I say, chuckling. "Please, not him."

  Ryu chuckles softly.

  "Thank you" I say to him, feeling a little better. He nods and I follow him back to the speeder. Apollo, IG-22, and DP-7 arrive shortly after. Everyone straps in, and the glass panel slides shut. I hold on to the safety belt and close my eyes as I feel the speeder lift off and fly away. The sensation is still a bit overwhelming, but as I open my eyes, my fear isn't as strong as before. The view is breathtaking, and I even enjoy the sensation of flying for just a moment. But that enjoyment quickly fades when the speeder turns, and I see the giant trail of smoke in the distance. Though far away, it's still an ominous sight. Despite Ryu's words of comfort, I can't shake the fear that grips me.