The landscape transformed as they ascended higher, the trees thinning out, revealing jagged cliffs and sheer drops alongside the road. The van's headlights cut through the darkness, revealing glimpses of sheer rock faces that seemed to reach for the stars.

James stole glances at the faces of his passengers through the rearview mirror. Some wore expressions of wonder, while others seemed gripped by a silent fear of the unknown. Despite his reservations, James felt a surge of determination to guide his group safely to their destination.

As the Mahindra Suprovan trudged on, the atmosphere inside the vehicle shifted. The chatter diminished, replaced by a contemplative silence. The rhythmic purr of the engine filled the void, interspersed with the occasional howl of the wind as they climbed higher.

With each passing mile, James's heart pounded louder in his chest. The gravity of their expedition weighed on him, amplified by the darkness enveloping the surroundings. Yet, a flicker of excitement danced in his eyes as the first hints of daybreak began to lighten the horizon behind the mountains.

Approaching their destination, James felt a mix of relief and awe. The Dragonspine Mountains stood majestically, their peaks kissed by the first light of dawn, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. A sense of accomplishment washed over James as he guided the van to a stop, his passengers quiet in reverence for the breathtaking sight unfolding before them. James finally pressed the brakes as they reached the Dragonspine Mountains. All four doors clicked open at the same time and all the drayers exited the car - some readying their weapons, some shrugging, and some just neutrally exiting.

As the van came to a halt at the base of the Dragonspine Mountains, the passengers, now a blend of apprehension and determination, began to disembark. Some cautiously lowered their heads, wary of the unknown, while others brandished their weapons, their resolve etched on their faces.

James emerged from the van, a silhouette of unwavering resolve against the dimly lit landscape. His gait was purposeful, a testament to the confidence that had been etched into his every step. The sword he carried was more than just a weapon; it was an extension of his determination, its tip carving a winding path in the dirt as he strode forward.

"Okay everyone:" James spoke as he grabbed the hilt of his dual-wielded sword and pulled it out of its sheath, "head near the unknown cave and find Terra. Remember to stay low. We want to return alive"

Each deliberate movement painted a rough, wiggling line behind the sword, a visual testament to the weight of responsibility he carried. His companions, now forming a loose formation behind him, mirrored his confidence, their earlier trepidation seemingly replaced by a collective resolve to face whatever lay ahead.

The night air was heavy with anticipation, each footfall accompanied by the faint rustle of leaves stirred by the gentle mountain breeze. James's posture remained resolute, his gaze fixed on the daunting ascent awaiting them. The sword's tip traced an erratic pattern in the earth, a silent declaration of their journey's purpose.

The faint glimmers of starlight cast fleeting shadows on the ground, the darkness veiling the contours of the path ahead. Yet, James led with unwavering determination, a beacon of strength guiding his companions toward the looming peaks that rose ominously against the night sky.

His sword, an instrument of protection and conviction, continued to etch its erratic path in the soil, symbolizing both the uncertainty of the terrain and the unyielding resolve of their mission. With each step, the line behind the sword grew, weaving a story of their ascent, a testament to their perseverance in the face of the unknown.

The group followed in his wake, their strides echoing the rhythm of James's purposeful steps. Their collective determination echoed through the night, a chorus of determination harmonizing with the nocturnal symphony of the mountains.

As they ventured deeper into the night-shrouded landscape, the air crackled with electric energy, a fusion of fear and courage that united them in their pursuit. Ahead lay the Dragonspine Mountains, and James, with his unwavering posture and the unyielding trail left by his sword, led the charge into the unknown.

"Stop everyone" Lailah spoke in the walkie-talkie. Everyone came to a halt. "I don't think Terra is at the DragonSpines" Everyone turned to her. She was walking at the end of the crowd with Max. James jerked his head towards her. Max's heart pounded against his ribs. What if James blamed him for giving a false location? Then he remembered that he was not the one who gave the location.

"I think she's at Willow Lake" She spoke loudly so that everyone could hear her voice, but not loud enough for the Dragons to hear her. Max glanced at her face - she wasn't playing around. James approached her and shifted his gaze to the tablet she was holding.

The screen of the tablet had the map of Shenezwa with Dragon Radiation concentrated at the Dragonspine Mountains. "The radiation at Willow Lake just appeared a few seconds ago" She explained. Max nodded but realised she wasn't talking to him. Max glanced at the Willow Lake in the map, with a dense radiation.

"It's Dense Red" James spoke, "It's an S-Ranked Dragon. We better head there as fast as possible" He glanced back at her, and then jerked his head to the crowd of Drayers, waiting for James' next command. "Get back in the car, everyone!"

Everyone rushed back to the van. They seated themselves comfortably, unlike the last time: when they had to get in the car in a hurry, with their weapons prickling them through the suit and sweat running down their dry hair. Now, could take their time.

*****

Diato exhaled softly, fire exiting from his mouth. The dragon jerked his head towards Terra, its neck curving like a spring bending from its side. His catlike pupils gazed at her fiercely. She immediately knew he'd get out of control. She threw her hand on the hilt of her urumi and uncoiled it out of her belt. She quickly figured out how she'd get on top of him and control him. He exhaled neutrally but fire came out of his mouth and flew towards her. He didn't want to harm her but he couldn't control the fire shooting out of his mouth every time he exhaled.

She didn't know Diato retained his consciousness. She dashed towards his bike and landed her foot in the bike's seat. She immediately jumped again before she had time to fall, and landed on the dragon's slanted wing. As soon as Diato felt something crawling on his wing he instantly lifted it as a reflex. She slid down the wing, on his back, and skillfully threw the urumi onto his neck in such a way that its shiny metallic blade reflecting the silver moonlight coiled around his neck and locked itself on it. She slightly pulled the hilt, to let him know that the blade was around his neck and his head could be sliced off anytime.

*****

They took their time to adjust to their seats. Lailah jumped behind Max on the Royal Enfield, as it ignited to light. With the bike's ignition, the Suprovan rushed forward to Willow Lake. Max followed it, sending puffs of dust in the air on the course terrain.

The van rumbled down from the daunting Dragonspine Mountains, a reluctant Max on his Royal Enfield, accompanied by Lailah, reluctantly trailing behind. James, determined to reach Willow Lake, led the way, oblivious to Max's lack of enthusiasm for the journey.

Max's dissatisfaction with the excursion was palpable. He begrudgingly navigated his motorcycle, his eyes occasionally flickering towards James' van with an air of resignation. Lailah, perched behind Max, divided her attention between her tablet and the passing scenery, seemingly indifferent to Max's discontent.

As they traversed the serene countryside, a sight beyond their usual encounters caught their attention imposing dragon gracefully gliding across the sky. While uncommon, their familiarity with the fantastical world suppressed any overt shock or surprise.

Max's scowl deepened at the sight of the dragon. He muttered under his breath, a mixture of frustration and annoyance evident in his demeanour. Lailah glanced up briefly, her reaction subdued, indicating a sense of familiarity with such creatures.

James, leading the way, remained oblivious to Max's reluctance and the unusual aerial spectacle. His determination to reach Willow Lake persisted, the van rolling steadily along the road, the passengers within engaged in muted conversations or lost in contemplation.

Max's Royal Enfield slowed down its reluctant pursuit, his distaste for the outing evident in his persistent reluctance to embrace the journey. Lailah, seemingly absorbed in her tablet, offered no reaction to the dragon's presence, maintaining a composed demeanour amid the unfolding scene.

The vehicles brakes screeched upon arrival, and all the fellow Drayers sprang out of the vehicles, drawing their weapons from their sheaths. They expected to find Terra and Diato but instead they found Terra and the dragon, Diato. That one that they knew would be hard to defeat. The Drayers stood in their place, waiting for James who stood there looking at Terra who seemed so comfortable on Diato's back.

From where they stood, they could clearly see Terra's urumi laid on its wing, locked in a conversation. James squared his shoulders, moving closer to them with sure steps, anger clearly seen from the tension on his back. When he was close enough that Terra could surely hear him, he frowned at her.

"That's what I thought," He said with enough venom.