Frost woke up early, the pale light filtering through the thick jungle canopy above. The air was cool, a slight breeze rustling the leaves, but there was an unusual warmth beside her. She blinked, her sharp ice-blue eyes focusing as she noticed Glory's wings gently pressed against hers. It was a subtle, unspoken closeness that surprised Frost—Glory wasn't one for such physical contact. The sight caused Frost's brow to furrow for a moment, but she didn't move, allowing herself a quiet moment of reflection.

Before she could process much further, a groan came from behind her, breaking the stillness of the morning. "Ugh, my head," a familiar voice muttered. Frost turned, her sharp gaze landing on Starlight, who was sitting up, one claw pressed to his forehead as though trying to steady himself. He had been knocked out briefly, but he didn't look disoriented or dazed, which made Frost's frown deepen.

She rose to her feet slowly, her icy breath forming a faint mist in the humid air as she turned her full attention to him. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice low but laced with concern. There was something in the way he held his head, something that felt off, but she couldn't place it.

Starlight blinked, squinting at the light and shaking his head slowly as if trying to clear away the fog of a lingering headache. "I'm fine," he said, though there was a slight grogginess to his tone. "Just a little dizzy... but nothing serious."

Frost studied him for a moment longer, her blue eyes piercing. There was something about him that didn't seem quite right—his body language was stiff, and there was a trace of confusion in his expression, as if he didn't quite understand how he had gotten to this point. But Starlight was always a bit more on edge, wasn't he? Maybe it was just the effect of the journey, or the weight of everything they had been through recently.

Glory shifted beside Frost, stirring quietly from her slumber. Her wings twitched before she fully opened her eyes, blinking groggily at the two dragons. She seemed disoriented for a moment before she caught sight of Frost and Starlight. "What's going on?" Glory asked softly, her voice hoarse from sleep as she pushed herself up onto her feet, the faint redness still evident on her snout from the earlier conversation.

Frost didn't answer immediately, her gaze flicking to Starlight again, still scanning for any signs of injury or something more sinister. "We're fine," Frost said finally, her tone calm and firm, but she couldn't help the slight edge of caution in her voice. "But something's off. You sure you're okay?" she asked Starlight again, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. There was no mistaking that something was a little different, but it wasn't obvious enough yet for her to pinpoint exactly what.

Just as Frost was about to respond to Starlight's uncertainty, a flash of bright yellow scales appeared in the sky above them. Liana soared down gracefully, her wings slicing through the air with effortless ease. The light seemed to catch her scales in a way that made them gleam like golden rays, a striking contrast against the deep greens and browns of the jungle around them. She landed softly on the ground, a playful smile dancing across her face. "You're awake, good," she said, her tone light and almost teasing as she glanced over at Starlight. Her head tilted curiously as she studied him. "Are you alright? We didn't knock you out, so you shouldn't have any headache."

Starlight, still rubbing his head absently, shrugged nonchalantly. "I think it's maybe something else, but I'm fine," he said, his voice laced with uncertainty. Despite his words, there was a lingering discomfort in his expression, though he tried to mask it with a casual air.

Liana shrugged with a playful grin, clearly unconcerned. "Okay," she said, her voice breezy. Then, without missing a beat, she turned to Frost and Glory. "Come along, you two. The queen wants to see you." Her tone shifted to one of authority, the playful energy draining away as her wings flared slightly.

Frost's brows furrowed, a hint of skepticism crossing her face. She wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of seeing Queen Dazzle just yet, especially with the oddities of the situation still swirling in her mind. Before she could speak, however, Glory's voice cut through the air, sharp and demanding.

"Without your guidance, we'll end up in the wrong place," Glory sighed, her eyes narrowing as she flicked her wings back. "Sorry, but no." Her tone was firm, and there was a slight edge to it as she stood her ground. She wasn't one to be led without a clear understanding of where she was going, especially not in unfamiliar territory like this.

Liana's smile faltered slightly, and she let out a soft sigh, shaking her head in resignation. "Sorry, but you need to see Queen Dazzle before I can do anything," she said, her voice softer now, yet still firm in its insistence. "Now come along," she added, her wings flicking impatiently as she lifted herself into the air with a powerful flap.

Frost exchanged a quick glance with Glory, the tension between them palpable. They had agreed to meet with Queen Dazzle, but the way Liana was pushing them toward it felt more like an order than a choice. Still, the promise of answers—and the strange sense that they were being led toward something bigger—was enough to sway them.

With a resigned nod, Frost began to move, her ice-cold gaze unwavering as she followed Liana through the village. Her mind raced with questions, but she kept them to herself for now, knowing that they would have to face Queen Dazzle eventually. And perhaps, just maybe, the queen would offer them the answers they were seeking.

SCENEBREAK

Queen Dazzle, the RainWing queen, was lounging comfortably on a bed of soft, vibrant blue fur that almost seemed to shimmer. Her scales, a stunning mix of greens and yellows, caught the light as she relaxed with a mango in her talons, enjoying its sweet flavor. The peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of the tent flaps rustling, signaling someone's arrival.

Liana, the queen's trusted envoy, stepped in with two young dragonets in tow. Dazzle's eyes flicked toward them, her interest piqued as she recognized Frost and Glory. She put her mango down and greeted them warmly, her voice smooth and inviting. "Ah, what a pleasure it is to see you both," she said. "Your arrival has been eagerly awaited. Please, come closer."

The queen stood gracefully, despite being a little shorter than most RainWings. She gestured for the two to approach, her gaze focused on Frost. "You must be Frost," she said, a soft purr in her voice. "My RainWings have told me about you, but seeing you in person is truly a delight."

Frost felt a little self-conscious as the queen studied her. Dazzle's eyes narrowed as she took in the unusual markings on Frost's wings. "Your wings are quite peculiar," she murmured, clearly fascinated. "They remind me of the stars in the night sky. Are you a rare hybrid?"

Dazzle reached out gently to touch one of the black spots on Frost's wings. "Ah, I see," the queen continued thoughtfully. "You are an IceWing, but your pattern is truly unique, like the night has touched your wings."

Frost allowed the queen to continue her examination, feeling more at ease with the queen's calm touch. Then, Dazzle carefully lifted Frost's blindfold, revealing her icy blue eyes. The sudden exposure to light made Frost flinch and instinctively snap her teeth, an automatic reaction from years of being used to darkness.

Queen Dazzle stepped back slightly, surprised by the quick response. "Don't be alarmed," Frost said, her voice steady. "I'm just used to the darkness. Light can be overwhelming." She quickly adjusted her blindfold, securing it back in place.

The brief moment of tension passed quickly, and Queen Dazzle smiled knowingly. "I understand, dear," she said. "Light can be disorienting. But you are safe here."

Frost's sister, Glory, exchanged a concerned glance with her, but Frost remained composed, her blindfold secure. The queen, clearly intrigued by Frost's unique features, was eager to know more.

"Now, let's get comfortable," Queen Dazzle said, her voice warm. She gestured to the cushions scattered around the tent, inviting them to sit. "Liana, could you fetch us some refreshments?" she asked.

Liana nodded and left the tent, leaving Frost, Glory, and Queen Dazzle alone. The air inside was filled with the sweet smell of tropical fruits, and the soft sound of rain outside added to the calming atmosphere. It was a stark contrast to the cold, harsh lands Frost and Glory had traveled from, but Frost found herself oddly comforted by the warmth and tranquility of the RainWing kingdom.

Queen Dazzle's eyes never left Frost, her gaze sharp and inquisitive. After a moment, the queen spoke again. "So, tell me, Frost," she said smoothly. "What brings you and your friends to the Rainforest Kingdom?"

The question was simple, but it carried an air of anticipation. Frost took a deep breath, preparing to share the story of their journey—one that had been filled with danger, uncertainty, and mystery. It was a story that needed to be told, and as she began to speak, the soft rain outside provided a soothing backdrop to her words.

Frost and Glory exchanged a tense glance as the queen's voice hardened. Frost could feel the atmosphere shift dramatically, her heart hammering in her chest. The queen's previously gentle demeanor had evaporated, replaced with a biting edge that made the air feel colder despite the warmth of the rainforest around them.

Frost, still standing a few paces away from the queen, instinctively shifted her weight, the sting of the situation settling in. She could feel the queen's icy glare boring into her, but there was no turning back.

Frost spoke slowly, her voice steady, trying to maintain control over the growing unease. "Liana said she had taken us to the place where it smells rotten, where she found that death sloth."

Before she could even finish, Liana reappeared, her purple scales glinting under the soft lantern light, a tray of mango juice balanced in her talons. The sight of the tray—so innocuous—suddenly felt out of place in the tense silence that enveloped the tent.

The queen's eyes flickered from Frost to Liana, her sharp gaze narrowing like a predator sizing up its prey. The air around them grew thick with unspoken words, and Frost could almost feel the weight of the queen's attention, like a hand pressing down on her chest.

"Liana, dear," Queen Dazzle's voice dripped with calm menace, "Did you say to these two visitors that you'd taken them to the Forbidden Hollow?"

Liana froze, her bright eyes wide with fear, and before she could respond, the queen's claws shot out, pinching Liana's ear with a suddenness that made Frost flinch.

Liana yelped, a sharp cry that echoed through the tent, and the tray she had been carrying slipped from her grasp. It crashed to the floor with a loud thud, sending the mango juice splattering across the ground. Frost instinctively stepped back, her wings rustling, eyes wide beneath her blindfold as she processed the queen's actions.

The queen's grip on Liana's ear tightened as she hissed, her fangs gleaming in the dim light. "You ungrateful little whelp," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "You've gone too far."

In one swift motion, Queen Dazzle slammed Liana to the ground with a force that sent a shudder through the hut. Liana struggled, but the queen's power was unmistakable. The older green RainWing, standing by the entrance, moved quickly at the queen's command, grabbing Liana by the tail and pulling her away with grim efficiency.

Frost's heart raced, her mind scrambling to process the brutality of it all. She had never seen someone treated so roughly, not even in the IceWing palace where strictness was commonplace. It made her uneasy in a way that nothing had before.

As the door flaps closed behind Liana's muffled protests, the queen slowly rose from her crouched position. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she regained her composure. The tension in the air still lingered, but Queen Dazzle's demeanor softened—though only slightly.

She turned to Frost and Glory, the sharpness in her gaze now tempered by a cold authority. "I apologize for the disturbance," she said, her voice low but firm. "But that cannot happen, darlings. The Forbidden Hollow is a place of unimaginable danger. It reeks of death, and it is a place none should venture."

Frost's mind raced. The queen's words settled over her like a weight, and she felt the coldness of fear begin to creep into her bones. Something about this Forbidden Hollow was more than just a bad place to be—it was something far darker.

"Why is it forbidden?" Glory asked, her voice steady but betraying a hint of concern.

Queen Dazzle looked at them, the enigmatic gleam in her eyes now more pronounced. "It's a place where life and death have become entangled," she said softly, her tone grave. "Creatures that should have passed on still linger there, their presence tainting the land. The Hollow is a place where the line between the living and the dead becomes dangerously blurred. It's a place of curses, of darkness, and those who enter rarely return unchanged—if they return at all."

Frost felt a chill spread across her scales at the queen's words. There was something undeniably sinister about this Forbidden Hollow, and now she knew why Queen Dazzle was so protective of it.

"We have no business there," the queen concluded, her voice resolute. "And neither do you."

The weight of her statement settled heavily in the tent, and for a long moment, none of them spoke. The rain outside, once a soft patter, now seemed to drum louder, like the beating of an ominous heart in the distance.