The portal shimmered as Yara and the dragon stepped through, leaving the chaos of the confrontation with Kellan behind. Yara blinked, her eyes adjusting to the new surroundings. The air here felt softer, cooler, and the distant hum of voices from the Mirage Market had faded away. They were in a quiet corner of the market, far removed from the chaos they'd left behind. It almost seemed like they were back in the city of chains, but the layout was completely different.
Yara's breath came in short, uneven gasps as she tried to calm the adrenaline from their escape still thrumming in her veins. Beside her, the dragon stumbled with exhaustion etched on his features. His dark hair fell loosely around his face, damp with sweat from his earlier battle. His focus, however, was entirely on the egg cradled in his arms. He held it close, his grip firm yet tender, as though it were the most precious thing in the world.
It probably was for him.
