The Cave of Secrets
Emma strode through the forest with unwavering purpose, her tails swaying gracefully. Dani trailed behind her, his mind still grappling with the events of the previous night. The forest seemed to darken the further they went, the dense canopy blocking out the sunlight.
Suddenly, a sharp chime echoed in Dani's head.
[System Notification: Danger! Danger!]
Dani froze, his heart racing. He scanned his surroundings, his hand instinctively reaching for the small dagger Arya had given him before their parting.
"What now?" he muttered, his eyes darting toward Emma. She didn't seem alarmed, continuing her steady pace until she stopped in front of a massive cave entrance.
The mouth of the cave loomed before them, dark and foreboding. Dani took a step back, but another system notification flashed before his eyes.
[System Notification: Emma wants you to enter the cave.]
"You've got to be kidding me," Dani said, glancing at Emma. She turned her head, her golden eyes locking onto his as if urging him forward.
With a deep breath, Dani steeled his nerves and followed her inside.
A Dragon's Final Moments
The cave was massive, its walls lined with jagged rocks that glittered faintly in the dim light. As they ventured deeper, a low, rumbling sound reached Dani's ears. It was rhythmic and strained, like the labored breathing of a giant creature.
The sight that greeted them at the heart of the cave left Dani speechless.
A colossal dragon lay sprawled across the cavern floor, its scales dull and cracked, its massive body heaving with shallow breaths. Its once-mighty wings were tattered, and its eyes, dim and weary, flickered as it noticed their presence.
Dani's Mind's Eye activated without his command.
[Target: Ancient Dragon]
[Rank: S (Degraded)]
[Status: Severely Injured / Dying]
[Potential: Extinct Bloodline – Last of Its Kind]
Dani's breath hitched. "An ancient dragon... It's dying," he whispered.
Emma stepped closer, her demeanor calm yet respectful. The dragon's gaze shifted to her, and for a moment, an understanding seemed to pass between them. Dani could only watch, his mind racing with questions.