(That's how Midnight looks, by the way. I know it's an albino, but still...)

Yawning, I stretched my wings, feeling the cool breeze brushing against my scales as I grabbed my notebook and walked out of the school building. Moon flitted alongside me, her wings shimmering in the morning sunlight, while Winter, Qibli, Kinkajou, and even Turtle followed closely behind. The last time I saw Turtle, he was quiet as usual, but I made sure to thank him for the beautiful stone slate he'd gifted me the day before—his thoughtful gesture not lost on me.

"So, where should we hunt?" Qibli asked, his tail flicking in the air as his eyes scanned the distant slopes that rolled out beneath us. He was always looking for something new, an adventure to chase, or something to make his day more exciting. I glanced over the terrain, the valley stretching out in front of us with the soft, hilly landscape below.

I shrugged my wings and without another word, I leapt into the air, the wind rushing through my scales as I rose high above the others. My wings beat steadily, pulling me higher and higher into the sky, the others following my lead. The thrill of flight was always exhilarating, the world below shrinking with each passing moment, leaving nothing but the sky and the sense of freedom.

Back at the school, in the grand hall, Darkstalker was making himself useful in his own way. He wasn't known for doing things the ordinary way, but today, he had found a way to mingle with the students, casually sharing small, gentle powers with the dragons around him. He'd been helping some of the younger dragons with abilities that could make their lives easier—powers to control the temperature of water, enhance senses, or minor elemental control—but nothing too dangerous or flashy. No mind reading, no animus magic, just simple enhancements. He believed this was a way to make up for the years of chaos his presence had caused in the past, a way to show he wasn't all darkness.

Winter, on the other hand, wasn't in the main hall to socialize. He was outside, sniffing the crisp air, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the surroundings. The cold wind seemed to tug at his feathers, and his icy scales glimmered in the sunlight. "How about near the base of the valley?" he suggested, his voice a low murmur that matched the chilly atmosphere. His tail flicked back and forth as he considered the terrain. "Plenty of prey there, and we'll be far enough from any trouble."

I barely heard Winter's suggestion, still high above the ground with Moon flying effortlessly beside me. I focused on the wide, open space before me, the soft crests of mountains in the distance, the trees below beginning to blur as we soared onward. My heart raced, my thoughts scattered—but there was something peaceful about this, something grounding in the freedom of flight. No prophecy, no troubles, just the vast sky stretching before us.

After a few moments of silent flight, I began to descend, choosing a soft spot near the base of the valley to land. The others followed suit, landing gracefully around me. Turtle touched down last, his movements slower but no less graceful, his presence as quiet and steady as always.

"Alright, let's see what we can find," I said, grinning at the group, my wings folding neatly behind me. The thrill of the hunt was always an adventure, and I could tell this was going to be a good one.

We soon found something—an opportunity to test our skills and instincts. I spotted a nest of rabbits nestled under a dense thicket, their tiny ears twitching nervously at every sound. I smiled to myself, excitement thrumming through my veins. With a swift flick of my wings, I launched into the air, casting a shadow over the ground that spooked the rabbits, sending them darting in all directions.

Moon was quick to respond, her sharp eyes catching the movement in the bushes. She darted forward like a streak of silver and helped flush the rabbits toward me. With a calculated dive, I swooped low and grabbed one in my claws. It struggled for a moment, but my grip was firm. The feeling of hunting, the rush of adrenaline, it was something I couldn't quite explain. It was primal and exhilarating.

Qibli and Winter had moved off to hunt on their own, each relying on their elemental skills to make the hunt more efficient. Qibli, with his SandWing powers, sent waves of heat across the ground, creating a shimmering haze that disoriented the smaller creatures. They didn't stand a chance as his claws flashed, capturing one of the rabbits with ease. Winter, ever the IceWing, stood still like a statue, his icy scales blending with the snow-touched landscape. With a subtle flick of his tail, the ground beneath him froze, creating slick patches that made it impossible for his prey to escape. He calmly picked off a rabbit as if it were a mere formality.

Turtle, ever the quiet one, had ventured off toward a nearby lake. His smooth, calm movements were perfect for his task. He dove beneath the water's surface with ease, his powerful tail propelling him through the cool depths. His eyes were sharp as he searched for the fish, and soon enough, he surfaced with a large, glistening trout wriggling in his claws. He gave me a small, satisfied nod, holding the fish up as if it were a rare treasure.

Meanwhile, Kinkajou had found something different entirely—a patch of blueberries, ripe and bursting with sweetness. She giggled as she plucked a handful of the vibrant blue berries and popped them into her mouth. "You guys should try these!" she called out, holding out a handful to us. The burst of flavor was as bright as her spirit, and we all gratefully took a few berries, savoring the sweetness amid the hunt.

I couldn't help but smile as I looked at the diverse group of dragons around me, each of us contributing to our little hunt in our own way. The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden light over our small, but successful foray into the wilderness. It was simple, and yet, it felt like a perfect moment—a brief escape from the weight of everything else pressing on our shoulders.

We hunted all afternoon, and by the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, we had gathered a generous amount of food to bring back to the prey center. My claws were heavy with the rabbits I'd caught, their bodies dangling from my grip. Kinkajou had her prize—juicy handfuls of plump blueberries, a colorful contrast to the other offerings. Winter, always efficient, had returned with a respectable haul: several rabbits and even a couple of foxes, their pelts gleaming in the fading light. Qibli, ever the resourceful one, had brought back an entire goat, its large form slung over his shoulder with the casual ease of someone who had done it many times before. Turtle had joined us by the lake, bringing back a fine catch of fish, their scales glittering like polished gems.

"Let's go back," I said, my wings already spreading to take flight. With a few quick beats, we lifted off into the air, the cool wind tugging at our scales as we made our way back toward Jade Mountain.

As we neared the entrance ledge, I saw Darkstalker waiting for me, perched on the rocky outcrop like some ancient guardian watching over the land. His eyes softened when he saw me, and I could feel the warmth in his gaze as I landed. "Midnight, there you are. I was worried," he said, his voice a low murmur of relief. He stretched his wings around me in a protective embrace, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort at the gesture, even though I was well aware of how others might view it.

From behind me, I heard a low growl. Winter. His icy eyes were narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. He didn't like seeing me close to Darkstalker, and I couldn't blame him. Things weren't exactly simple when it came to trust around here, especially with Darkstalker's past. But I was past the point of caring what others thought. I gave Winter a brief look, but my focus remained on Darkstalker.

I nudged him playfully with my wing and handed him part of the batch of rabbits. "Help me take this to the prey center," I said, offering him a reassuring smile. Darkstalker nodded, a quiet understanding passing between us. He took the offering from me, and we began to walk toward the center together, our wings brushing against each other in a comfortable, familiar rhythm. The others followed behind, chatting among themselves, but I knew that, for now, the tensions could wait.

Clay and Tsunami entered the prey center shortly after we landed, their eyes lighting up at the sight of our haul. Tsunami grinned, her scales shimmering in the dim light of the center. "Well done, you four," she said, her voice full of pride. "This will make for a great feast."

I smiled at her words, feeling the satisfaction of a successful hunt, but I was already thinking ahead. "We could get some cooks from the Rainforest to help with this," I suggested, tapping my claws together thoughtfully. "Maybe even some NightWings could cook too. It's a practical power, really."

Darkstalker, who had been standing beside me, gave a soft snort of amusement, his gaze flickering to me with a hint of fondness. "I'll ask someone tomorrow if they want that," he said with a casual shrug, though I could tell the idea intrigued him. He was always keen to help others find uses for their talents, and I appreciated that about him.

Tsunami, her eyes still twinkling, nodded in approval. "That would be fantastic. A little variety in cooking would do the school some good." She shot a quick glance at Clay, who was already grinning. "I'm sure Clay would appreciate a few new recipes," she added with a teasing smile.

Clay's broad grin widened, and he chuckled. "You know me too well, Tsunami," he said, patting his stomach. "I'm always up for trying something new. Just make sure they don't cook it too fancy. I like my food simple."

The laughter that followed filled the space, and for a moment, it felt like the school was just that—a school, full of dragons learning, growing, and sharing in the little things. The worries of prophecies and Darkstalker's past seemed far away, if only for a while.