Soon the group was approached by a formidable woman clad in majestic purple armor, her presence radiating strength and discipline. Her piercing gaze swept over Starfania and Aeron before she spoke, her voice calm yet commanding.
" I am Commander Ardyn of the Primara Nation, " she said, her tone leaving no room for doubt or hesitation. She turned to Lyam and said, " Your dragon, Lutu, is ready and waiting for you. "
Without delay, Lyam nodded and made his way toward the magnificent beast, his every step filled with purpose. Lutu stood proudly, his scales shimmering like molten gold under the sun, wings shifting with a sense of restrained power. Commander Ardyn followed him for a few paces, then offered, " Lyam, I insist that you take a couple of my men to accompany you on this mission. We can not risk our leader's safety because of these inexperienced children. "
Lyam shook his head. " That won't be necessary. I will have the Dragon Savior and her companion. "
The Commander studied him for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly. "Are you certain? The journey ahead is treacherous, and I'd feel more at ease knowing you had additional support."
Her concern was genuine, but her tone remained firm.
"I appreciate your offer, Commander," Lyam replied, his resolve unyielding. "But I trust Starfania and Aeron implicitly. Together, we are more formidable than you might think."
Starfania felt a swell of pride at his words, while Aeron nodded vigorously, hoping to prove his own worth. Commander Ardyn sighed, a mixture of frustration and respect evident on her face.
"Very well," she conceded, stepping back with a slight wave of her hand. "But promise me you'll stay vigilant. My men will be on standby. If you encounter trouble, send up a signal, and we will come."
Lyam acknowledged her concerns with a nod. As he mounted Lutu, the dragon let out a powerful roar that echoed across the landscape. The ground seemed to tremble beneath him, a reminder of the beast's untamed strength. Lyam then turned to Aeron and Starfania. " Are you guys ready to depart? "
Aeron glanced toward the horizon, then said calmly, " We're just waiting for Maxmillian to arrive to take care of Violet, as planned. "
" Yes, " Starfania said, her voice soft. " We want to make sure she is safe while we're away. "
The silence between them was short-lived. Violet's voice broke through it, delicate and filled with sadness that caught them off guards. " Will you return? "
Her words, so simple yet heavy with fear, struck deep. Starfania turned to her, startled by the depth of emotions in her purple eyes. Aeron shifted uncomfortably, the weight of Violet's question hanging in the air.
"Of course, we will," he replied, his voice steady but lacking conviction. He tried to project reassurance, though a knot tightened in his stomach. Starfania knelt beside Violet, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"We'll be back before you know it," she promised, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
Violet's gaze fell to the ground, her fingers idly tracing patterns in the dirt.
"But what if something happens? What if you don't return?" she whispered, a tremor in her voice revealing her vulnerability.