Back with my friends and my mother:
The whole auction hall was broken down into a mess. The chairs were thrown out, the walls were cracked, and wisps of shadows were seen in multiple places. It was truly a battlefield.
Alina, Elijah, and Rowan approached Lady Isolde with expressions that ranged from gratitude to curiosity. Lady Isolde stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, her presence commanding attention.
Alina, her sword still in hand, was the first to say, "Thank you for your assistance, Lady Isolde. We would have been in a dire situation without your intervention."
Elijah, though grateful, maintained a distant demeanor. "We appreciate the help, but I have questions. Why did you choose to assist us?"
Lady Isolde offered a subtle smile. "The enemy of my son is my enemy as well. Regulus poses a threat, and I couldn't let him harm you."
Alina, Elijah, and Rowan glanced, and they were shocked. Rowan came forward and asked, "What do you mean by son? Who is your son?"
Lady Isolde smiled and said, "I think you know my son." They were still confused.
Suddenly, it struck Alina. She shouted as she pointed to Lady Isolde, "Are you Duchess Thaddeus!?"
Lady Isolde snickered, "Yes, Alina. I am Magnus' mother." Everyone was speechless.
Rowan, still shocked, asked, "But your power—it felt different from Magnus's. Who are you?"
Lady Isolde sighed, her demeanor shifting slightly. "There are aspects of my existence that even Magnus is unaware of. I have my reasons for staying hidden."
Elijah, still skeptical, stated, "We're thankful for your help, but we need to find Magnus. Any idea where he might be?"
Lady Isolde put her finger on her chin and said, "Well, I asked my assistant to protect him. We should head to the room over there." She pointed to a distant room, which was protected from the wreckage.
Suddenly, Lyra teleported to them with Magnus' body floating in the air. Lumina, the baby dragon Magnus rescued, was beside her.
Lady Isolde, Alina, Elijah, and Rowan gathered around, concern etched on their faces.
Lady Isolde's eyes narrowed as she examined Magnus' astral form. "What happened to him? Those scars weren't there before."
Lyra faltered slightly from her calm composure and explained, "I don't know. He suddenly fainted. I thought it was because he was scared of the shadow monsters. But then these scars appeared."
Alina, worried, said, "He must have shifted to his astral form. However, how is his body hurt if he is injured in his astral form?
"Alina, your body is injured if your soul is wounded. But the astral realm leaves scars that run deeper than the physical. He needs time to heal." Lady Isolde said it with concern.
Elijah glanced at Magnus, his doubts briefly giving way to genuine concern. "He must have followed Regulus into the Astral Realm. We need to find him."
Lady Isolde, her gaze unwavering, declared, "We will. But Magnus needs rest first. Let's take him to a secure place, and I'll gather information on Regulus' whereabouts."
They followed Lady Isolde to the protected room, Lumina flying alongside them. As they laid Magnus on a bed, Lyra cast a spell to enhance his healing process.
Rowan, her eyes fixed on Magnus, voiced the concern shared by all: "We can't just wait here. Magnus risked everything for us, and now he's stuck in the Astral Realm."
Alina pointed out, "Technically, he's able to leave the realm on his own, but you know Magnus, he likes getting into trouble."
Everyone looked at each other and sighed.
Elijah, who is typically composed, nodded in agreement. "She's right. We need to do something. Dimwit will not come to us; we need to go to him."
Lady Isolde, her expression a mix of empathy and sadness, spoke, "I understand. Magnus always wants to save the world, but opening the gate to the Astral Realm is not a task to be taken lightly. You either need to be the gatekeeper or possess an enormous quantity of astral energy."
Rowan, feeling a sense of helplessness, said, "Then what can we do? We can't sit here while Magnus faces who knows what in that realm."
Lady Isolde placed a comforting hand on Rowan's shoulder and said, "We need a plan. Gathering information on Regulus is our priority. Once we have that, we can devise a strategy to save Magnus."
She continued, "But seeing that his body is fine, I think he is safe for now."
Alina, though still worried, acknowledged the logic in Lady Isolde's words. "But what if Regulus harms Magnus while we're waiting? We can't just assume he'll be safe."
Lyra, having finished the healing spell, approached them. "Lady Isolde is right. Opening the gate to the Astral Realm is risky and requires precision. We need to trust Magnus to navigate through the challenges."
Elijah, his concern for Magnus evident, reluctantly agreed, "Fine, we'll focus on gathering information for now. But the moment we have a lead, we act."
As the group deliberated on their next steps, Lumina, the baby dragon, fluttered her tiny wings and let out a series of adorable chirps. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and an attempt to communicate.
Alina, noticing Lumina's antics, couldn't help but smile. "Look at her, trying to get our attention. What's up, little one?"
"Looks like Lumina has something to say," Lyra remarked with a smile.
Elijah, raising an eyebrow, observed, "She's acting strangely. Is she trying to tell us something?"
In Lumina's mind's voice, a gentle and melodic tone echoed, I can enter the Astral Realm. I can help Magnus.
Lumina, however, carried on with her endearing performance for the group, twirling in the air and making silly noises.
Alina, leaning down to Lumina's eye level, spoke in a baby voice, "What are you trying to say, little buddy?"
Lyra chuckled. "Maybe she's just trying to lighten the mood. Dragons can be quite expressive, you know."
Elijah, though intrigued, remained skeptical: "Expressive or not, we have more pressing matters. Let's focus on finding a way to locate Regulus."
In Lumina's mind, the gentle voice persisted. I understand them. They don't know that I can help. Maybe I can find Magnus.
Alina, still smiling, picked up Lumina gently. "Alright, little one. We'll figure out what you're trying to tell us. For now, let's continue with Lady Isolde's plan."
With a sudden surge of energy, Lumina managed to escape Alina's soft grasp and hover above the ground. Her tiny wings fluttered as she stared intently at the space around her. The group watched, puzzled, as Lumina's behavior shifted from playful antics to something more purposeful.
Lumina's newfound resolve struck Alina, who questioned, "What has gotten into her? Is she alright?"
Lyra, observing closely, noted, "I think Lumina is trying to show us something. Dragons have a unique connection to magical energies. Maybe she senses something we don't."
A gentle, ethereal glow started to shimmer over Lumina's form as they looked at each other. Without warning, she vanished from their sight. Alina, Elijah, and Lyra stared at the space where Lumina had been, their confusion deepening.
The voice of Lumina's mind reverberated, and it sounded like I could enter the astral realm. I can help Magnus.
Elijah's eyes widened with realization. "Wait, could Lumina have just entered the Astral Realm?"
Alina, her smile widening, said, "It makes sense. Magnus is the gatekeeper of the Astral Realm. Lumina shares a connection with him."
Lyra nodded, acknowledging the revelation. "So, while we're figuring out how to locate Regulus, Lumina can guide us through the astral realm. Clever little dragon."
Alina pointed out, "So, Lumina is our eye."
Captivated by the notion, Elijah said, "Lumina could hold the key to locating Magnus if she can traverse the astral realm. But how do we communicate with her or understand what she sees?"
Lyra, the ever-resourceful assistant, suggested, "Perhaps there's a way to establish a mental link with Lumina. Dragons are known for their telepathic abilities. We might be able to share thoughts and images with her."
Alina nodded. "It's worth a try. Lumina, can you hear us?"
In the astral realm, Lumina's mind voice echoed, Yes, Alina. I can hear you.
Alina internally screamed, "Your voice is so cute."
Lumina's voice echoed, Thank you, Alina.
Elijah, amazed by the telepathic connection, grinned, "That's incredible! Lumina, can you guide us to Magnus? We need to know if he's safe."
Lumina's mental voice resonated: Follow me.
Lumina's visions were visible to them through a magically created projected screen. The group was thrilled to see the beauty of the astral realm.
Alina marveled at the Astral Realm's beauty; the colors were more vibrant, and the energy was more palpable. "It's breathtaking. Magnus spends a lot of time here, doesn't he?"
Elijah nodded. "Let's stay focused on finding him. Lumina, any signs of Magnus yet?"
Lumina's mental voice echoed, He's close. We need to follow this path.
The group continued to traverse the Astral Realm, the shimmering path guiding them through its ethereal beauty. Lumina's scales emitted a gentle glow, illuminating their way and adding to the surreal ambiance.
Skillfully, Lyra said, "Lumina's connection to the Astral Realm is unlike anything I have seen. It's as if the realm itself recognizes her presence."
As they moved forward, the atmosphere in the Astral Realm shifted. Lumina projected an image of a peculiar astral formation ahead.
Elijah pointed, "What's that, Lumina?"
Lumina's mental voice conveyed uncertainty; I'm not sure. It's unusual.