[** Lancelot's group – a few hours ago **]

They already overcame many miles, but Lancelot wasn't happy with it. He was still too far away from his wife. Galahad was now taking Aalis, holding her in the air. She was still in her crystalline form as only then she could feel her blood father presence.

They got closer to steep mountains known for harsh weather and narrow pass thru it. As they were entering it a stream of fire flew towards them.

"What's this?!" shouted Lancelot taking his sword out prepared to fight any enemy.

"Is that a dragon?" asked Galahad.

The beige creature was big, but it hardly resembled a traditional dragon. It had a long neck with an owl head and antlers, it's mane was green and flowers were blooming on it. The body had a long serpent-like feel, it had a pair of dragonfly-bird-shaped wings and it had only hinder legs, on it's back a moss was growing and its tail looked like it was chopped from a fish.

It opened its beak and flames come out of it... and that was the only reason it could be called a dragon. The creature blocked the entrance to the pass and their attempts to go around were all thwarted.

"Let's just kill it!" growled Lancelot.

"No, let's ask in that town if they know anything about it!" suggested Galahad, dragging his father away.

Thankfully the hybrid creature didn't pursue them and returned to the mountains. The town was a few minutes away... at least for them, and the townspeople were surprised to see flying knights. Aalis rather hid her form beforehand to not scare them.

"I'm the head chief," greeted them elder looking gnome in brown clothes. "How can I assist you?"

"I'm Lancelot, the Knight of the Round table, I wish to get to the other side of the mountains but there is strange dragon-like-creature attacking us for no reason. Do you know anything about it?"

The people around the chief were whispering. It seemed they had a chance to notice this strange creature as well. The head chief nodded. "Yes, its name is Alkamira. It's a guardian of this land, it brings rain and good weather to us. Usually, it's very kind being and it eats nothing but fishes and fruits."

"Guess this time it started to crave for some hedgehogs," mumbled grumpy Lancelot.

"Do you have any idea why it attacked us?" asked quickly Galahad.

The chief was thinking for a while, but ultimately he shook his head. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but this is the first time it acts like this."

"So it's back to the let's-kill-it plan," grumbled Lancelot heading back.

"No, you can't!" shouted the head chief.

"I can and I will if it will stand in my way!" the ebony hedgehog shouted over his shoulder, skating away.

"Don't worry, I'll try to stop my father from harming it... too much," Galahad tried to ensure them before picking Aalis and following his angry father. They soon reached the place it first attacked them.

"Okay, Aalis, listen," said Lancelot, "I and Galahad will keep it busy. You will sneak past it as far as you can." He looked at his son. "Once she is at a safe distance, you will take her and fly away. I'll make sure that creature won't go after you."

"But father, you will be fighting it alone! And I can fight too!" argued Aalis.

"I know, but you are the only one who can get us to Eclipse and Mephiles. We can't risk you will be hurt." He had on his mind a different word, but he refused to say it aloud to not jinx anything. She nodded, understanding. "Good, let's go."

Galahad and Lancelot went first while Aalis kept about ten meters distance. Soon they heard a shriek that mixed hooting and growl. It was their signal the dragon is near. It leaped at them from overhang spitting fireballs. The silver knight avoided them while Lancelot ran along the wall, cutting the nearest one.

Aalis dashed forward, jumping over charred ground feeling the heat. She wasn't sure if she would survive a hit even if she was in her Crystallian form. She tried not to look at them as the sound of a battle was deafening.

The ebony knight roared, cutting the dragon along the stomach but only sparks reflected from the tip as he couldn't pierce it. He landed on the opposite wall, jumping back, not letting the creature to shift its attention to running Aalis. Galahad used his six bigger daggers, he got prior to Eclipse's kidnapping, to keep his head occupied. He actually preferred them than one sword as he could attack from more than one direction.

But even his attempts didn't bring any results. The skin was just too thick despite its look. He avoided its sharp beak, calling his daggers back. "This is so frustrating!"

"Keep attacking! We don't need to kill it to proceed," noted Lancelot who landed near him.

"I know, but I would feel better about leaving you behind if our attacks had any effect on it."

The ebony hedgehog smirked. "Don't worry about me, I survived worst battles."

The owl dragon looked at them... no, behind them as its eyes shown great rage.

"Oh, shit!" barked Lancelot. "It noticed Aalis!"