Aayam, Zede, and Kylan moved into a room with a transparent roof that showcased the magnificent view of Ditivas's sky. As they looked up, Zede and Kylan were stunned by the sight of three natural satellites hanging in the sky. Aayam laughed, "This is nothing, my boys. Space has more beautiful places than this."
Diego, curious as always, asked, "But what is it?"
Aayam explained, "This planet is bigger than Earth and has two natural satellites. One of these satellites has another smaller satellite orbiting it. Isn't that interesting?"
Zede and Kylan, coming out of their fascination, turned their attention back to the mission. "Why are the Goblins and Sagittarius races fighting against humans?" Kylan asked.
Aayam's expression grew serious. "The Goblin and Sagittarius princesses came to visit the elder leader of the humans due to his deteriorating health. However, while they were walking in the garden, they disappeared. Nobody knows where they are, but it's highly likely that they were abducted by dragons. Additionally, a boy from this village named Jacob was also taken by the dragons. For some time now, dragons have been coming into the village and taking people."
Zede and Kylan listened carefully, their faces reflecting their determination to help.
Aayam continued, "So boys, tomorrow you two are going to Dragon Hills to rescue the princesses and Jacob. I will head to the battlefield to assist the humans in developing a better strategy against their enemies. Our mission is to protect the vulnerable humans on this planet and to bring peace to this region."
Kylan and Zede nodded in agreement, ready to take on the challenge that lay ahead. The weight of their task was heavy, but they were prepared to face the dangers of Dragon Hills to save those who had been taken.
In the dark, rocky expanse of Dragon Hills, Jacob was tied to a pole, his wrists chafed and raw from the rough rope that bound him. The young man had been shouting and pleading with the dragon guards for what felt like days, but his cries fell on deaf ears. The dragons, with their massive, armored bodies and cold, reptilian eyes, paid him no mind as they went about their duties, occasionally casting a disdainful glance in his direction.
One night, as the moons of Ditivas cast an eerie glow over the hills, the dragons gathered around a fire for a small feast. They drank from large, crude goblets, their laughter echoing off the stone walls of the valley. The air was thick with the smell of roasted meat and the pungent aroma of their fiery liquor. As the night wore on, the dragons became more raucous, their voices growing louder and their movements less coordinated.
At one point, one of the dragon guards, swaying slightly from the effects of the drink, flung his goblet carelessly in Jacob's direction. The goblet crashed against the rocks near him, and a few drops of the burning liquid splashed onto his hand. Jacob winced as the fiery drops seared his skin, leaving painful burns. But as the liquid touched the rope binding his wrists, it began to smolder and burn through the fibers.
Realizing what had happened, Jacob quickly suppressed any signs of pain or relief, forcing himself to remain still. He knew that the dragons, despite their drunken state, could still be dangerous if they suspected anything amiss. He continued to feign helplessness, slumping against the pole as if still securely tied.
Hours passed, and eventually, the dragons, now thoroughly inebriated, began to nod off one by one. Their deep, rumbling snores filled the valley as they lay sprawled around the dying fire. The night was quiet, save for the occasional crackling of the embers and the distant howl of some nocturnal creature.
When Jacob was certain that all the dragons were asleep, he cautiously tested the rope. It was weakened enough for him to slip his hands free. Moving as silently as possible, he eased himself off the pole and began to creep away from the camp. Every step was calculated, every rustle of leaves or crunch of gravel underfoot making his heart race with fear of being discovered.
Finally, he managed to slip out of the valley undetected. The cool night air was a welcome relief against his burned skin as he made his way deeper into the hills. But Jacob's ordeal was far from over. He was determined not just to escape but to find and rescue the Sagittarius and Goblin princesses and any other captives from his village.
The terrain was treacherous, with jagged rocks and steep cliffs, but Jacob pressed on, his senses heightened by the danger. He knew the dragons had taken the captives somewhere nearby; he just had to find them before it was too late. The thought of the princesses and his fellow villagers kept him moving forward, his mind focused on the mission at hand.
As Jacob cautiously made his way through the treacherous Dragon Hills, he suddenly spotted a small figure peeking out from behind a large rock. It was a kid dragon, her bright eyes wide with curiosity and fear. The moment she saw Jacob approaching, she let out a tiny squeal and tried to hide, curling up under her wings as if she could make herself disappear.
Jacob, despite his injuries and the dire situation, felt a pang of sympathy for the little dragon. She was clearly scared, and her innocent demeanor reminded him of a frightened child. Slowly, he approached her, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. When he was close enough, he reached out and gently tapped her on the shoulder. The kid dragon peeked out from under her wings and saw Jacob offering his hand.
Tentatively, she stood up and extended her own tiny clawed hand. Jacob smiled as he shook hands with the dragon, but as soon as their hands touched, a sharp pain shot through him. The burns from earlier flared up, and Jacob winced in agony. The young dragon, noticing his pain, immediately wanted to help. She leaned in and tried to blow air on Jacob's injured hand, but being a dragon, she inadvertently breathed out a small jet of fire instead.
Jacob yanked his hand away, crying out in pain as the fire only worsened the burns. He instinctively shouted at the kid dragon, his voice full of frustration and anger. But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized the danger of waking the other dragons. He quickly clamped his mouth shut, glancing around nervously to see if any of the adult dragons had stirred. Thankfully, the valley remained quiet.
The kid dragon, now even more nervous and ashamed of what she'd done, fidgeted anxiously. She wanted to make things right, but she didn't know how. After a moment of hesitation, she made a decision. Without warning, she grabbed Jacob by the collar of his shirt and, with surprising strength for her small size, lifted him into the air. Jacob gasped, terrified that she was taking him back to the dragon guards.