Mathea's journey to the Mountain of Magic wasn't easy. The forest grew wilder the farther she traveled, the trees thick with leaves and the air cool and damp. Her necklace glowed softly, guiding her every step.
One afternoon, while walking through a dense thicket, Mathea heard a strange, sad cry. It was small but full of longing, and it made her stop in her tracks. She followed the sound until she found a cage, meant for trapping bears, but inside was her tiny pet dragon. Janna. Its shimmering green scales sparkled in the dim light, and its wings were too small for its body. It looked weak and tired, its big eyes full of fear.
Mathea's heart went out to the creature. "Goodness me! Janna, what's happened to you?" she whispered, kneeling by the cage. The small dragon nudged the bars with its nose, as if asking for help.
With a soft smile, Mathea used her magic to melt the lock. The cage door creaked open, and the dragon stumbled out, weak from being trapped for so long. It nearly toppled over into Mathea's arms.
"Careful there," she chuckled, gently helping it stand. "I've been looking for you for ages. Why the heck did you leave me?"
The dragon chirped, seemingly pleased with its mistress, and nuzzled against Mathea.
Just as she was about to continue on her way, the ground suddenly gave way beneath them. Before she could react, Mathea and Janna both fell into a deep hole in the earth.
Mathea groaned as she sat up. They were safe, though the pit was steep and full of broken, old stakes. "This is just great," she muttered.
Then a familiar voice echoed from above. "Mathea? You okay down there?"
Looking up, she saw her cousin, Andrei, standing at the edge of the pit. His dark cloak fluttered as he peered down at her.
"Andrei!" Mathea shouted, relieved but frustrated. "You've got to stop setting these traps!"
Andrei chuckled and knelt down, offering his hand. "I didn't mean for you to fall in, but I knew you'd be here. You've always been good at getting yourself into trouble."
"Help me already."
"You know what? This is getting out of hand. First my rescue from King's Jay palace and now here in the mountain?"
"You are dramatic."
"Welcome by the way…and please don't just leave me again without saying goodbye."
"Yeah yeah!" Mathea took his hand and climbed up with Janna following behind her. Once she was out of the pit, she dusted herself off.
Andrie frowned, "So where are you going now?"
"I'm just trying to get to the Mountain of Magic. The elders said it's where I need to go to learn more about my magic."
Andrei smiled softly. "I know. I've been following your path."
"What?"
"I am your official guardian princess, I'll know everything about your little adventure in the mystic cavern."
"Why am I not surprised?" she rolled her eyes.
"I don't know much about this prophecy, but I do know that you'll need help on this journey. I'm here to guide you."
Mathea raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You? Help me?"
"Of course," Andrei said. "I may not fully understand it, but I've been through my own training. I'm not going to let you face everything alone." He paused, then added, "Besides, you're my cousin. You know I've got your back."
Mathea felt a wave of gratitude. Andrei wasn't just the annoying cousin she'd always known—he was someone who genuinely cared about her, even if he had his own way of showing it.
"I'm glad you're with me," Mathea said, her voice softening. "But there's a lot ahead, and I'm not sure I'm ready for it."
Andrei gave her a reassuring smile. "You'll be ready. You've got more strength in you than you realize. Now, let's get moving. The Mountain isn't going to climb itself."
With Janna happily waddling beside them, the two cousins set off together, the path ahead still uncertain, but now a little easier with Andrei's support.
The forest grew darker as Mathea and Andrei trudged forward, the thick canopy above letting in only slivers of light. Janna waddled alongside them, her tiny wings flapping uselessly now and then, as if she was trying to figure out how they worked. The dragon's chirps filled the silence, and Mathea couldn't help but smile despite the rough journey.
"You know," Mathea said, breaking the quiet, "I always thought my journey to the Mountain of Magic would be... I don't know, more epic. Less falling into pits and getting scratched up by brambles."
Andrei laughed, a deep, warm sound that echoed through the forest. "Well, cousin, if you wanted a royal escort, you should've asked. I would've brought a whole army."
Mathea rolled her eyes. "Oh, sure. Because nothing says 'subtle magical training' like a parade of knights crashing through the forest."
Andrei smirked. "Hey, don't underestimate the intimidation factor. Even magical mountains might think twice."
Janna chirped in agreement—or so it seemed—and Mathea chuckled, reaching down to pat the dragon's head. "Looks like Janna's on your side."
"She's clearly the smarter one," Andrei teased, giving the dragon a wink.
Mathea gave him a playful shove. "Smarter than you, maybe. You still haven't explained why you're out here setting traps like some forest bandit."
Andrei's face turned mock serious. "Ah, my dear cousin, those traps are for real threats. You're just clumsy enough to fall into one."
"Oh, please," Mathea shot back. "If I'm clumsy, what does that make you? The guy who keeps getting roped into my messes?"
"A dedicated protector," Andrei said with a mock bow. "Your very own knight in slightly tarnished armor."
Janna chirped again, waddling ahead as if to lead the way. The cousins followed, their banter lightening the mood.
After a while, the forest opened up slightly, and they came across a stream. Andrei knelt to fill his flask while Mathea leaned against a tree, watching Janna splash in the water.
"So," Andrei said, his tone softer now, "you're really doing this. Going all the way to the Mountain of Magic."
Mathea nodded, her expression turning serious. "I have to. If I don't learn to control my magic, I'll never be able to fulfill the prophecy—or even protect myself."
Andrei looked at her thoughtfully. "You've got more courage than I ever gave you credit for, Mathea."
"Don't get mushy on me now," she teased, though there was warmth in her voice.
"And you don't have to do it alone," he added, standing up. "Whatever this prophecy is, whatever you're meant to do, I'm here. Even if it means more pit traps."
She smiled at him, the gratitude in her eyes unspoken but clear. "Thanks, Andrei. I mean it."
They set off again, following the glow of Mathea's necklace as it guided them through the dense forest.
"So," Andrei said after a while, "what's the deal with your scaly little friend? You didn't tell me you had a dragon."
Mathea grinned. "Her name's Janna, and she's... well, let's just say she's a work in progress. Not exactly the fiercest dragon in the world."
"Hey, don't sell her short," Andrei said, watching as Janna tried—and failed—to catch a butterfly. "She's got spirit."
"Yeah, and a knack for trouble," Mathea said fondly. "She's perfect for me."
The two cousins laughed, their voices blending with the forest sounds as they continued toward the Mountain of Magic. With Andrei's steady presence and Janna's cheerful antics, the journey didn't seem so daunting anymore. They were still far from their destination, but for the first time in a while, Mathea felt like she might actually make it.