Reborn decided to spend the rest of the day resting in her cave, craving solitude after the intense events of the morning. She curled up in a quiet corner, letting the soft shadows of the cavern envelop her as she closed her eyes, her breathing slow and steady.

From time to time, her friends would visit, their presence warm and comforting, even if she didn't feel much like talking. Moon came in first, checking on her with a soft smile, bringing a few small fruits she'd gathered from the rainforest. She didn't stay long, sensing Reborn's need for rest, but left with a gentle brush of her wing—a silent promise of support.

Later, Kinkajou bounded in, her vibrant colors and endless energy filling the cave with a liveliness Reborn found herself appreciating. She chattered about the latest gossip around the rainforest, telling Reborn stories to keep her mind off things, and left a bunch of bright flowers near her nest before darting out with a cheerful wave.

Even Qibli and Winter stopped by, the unlikely duo exchanging an awkward but genuine look of concern. Qibli offered her a beautiful desert bloom he'd brought from the Sand Kingdom—a rare, fiery-red flower that looked almost alive. Winter, meanwhile, simply nodded in his stoic way, but there was a kindness in his eyes as he placed a few white blossoms beside Qibli's.

And so the day passed, filled with quiet moments of care from her friends, each one leaving behind small tokens of affection. Reborn lay there, surrounded by their gifts, feeling the strength of the bonds she shared with each of them. Though she stayed in her cave, she knew she was never alone.

Reborn was lounging in her cave, engrossed in a worn scroll, when she felt Darkstalker's presence slip into her mind, his voice smooth and honeyed.

Lovely Reborn, you're not mad at me, are you? He purred, his words a blend of mock sweetness and a hint of apprehension.

Reborn snorted softly, a wisp of smoke curling from her nostrils. Her wings shifted, their scales shimmering with a faint rainbow hue in response to her amusement. What do you expect, Darkstalker? she replied dryly, her tone edged with sarcasm.

I expect that you aren't mad at me, he countered, sounding almost wounded, though she could tell he was testing the waters, trying to gauge her mood.

Well, you thought wrong, she shot back, keeping her tone light but unyielding. You don't get to just walk in here and pretend everything's fine, especially after what you put us all through.

Darkstalker let out a dramatic sigh, his voice dripping with practiced charm. Oh, Reborn, don't be so harsh. I'm only here because I care... and I thought you, of all dragons, would understand.

Reborn rolled her eyes, the shimmering colors on her scales brightening as she repressed a smile. She wasn't one to be easily swayed by Darkstalker's charm, but his persistence was something to admire—if only for the spectacle. Keep trying, Darkstalker. Maybe one day you'll figure out how to actually apologize.

His voice grew softer, the charm fading slightly, replaced by something that almost felt sincere. Perhaps one day I will, Reborn.

With that, his presence faded, leaving Reborn alone in her cave once more. She let out a long breath, feeling a strange mix of relief and lingering amusement. Darkstalker's games were endless, but so was her resilience. And she wasn't about to let him, or anyone, break through her defenses easily.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Moon padded softly through the dim passages of the caves, her mind drifting as she picked up the faint threads of other dragonets' thoughts around her. Four of them were still awake, each cloistered in their own cave, but their minds were restless, swirling with worries and unease. She wondered briefly if one of them might be the mysterious voice that had been speaking to her, but it didn't feel like it. Each dragonet was absorbed in their own troubles, and none seemed to be thinking about her at all.

As she passed one of the caves, she recognized the mind inside—it was Sora, the quiet MudWing. Sora was going through a calming ritual, breathing deeply as she imagined mud pouring over her fears, burying them until they were nothing but faint ripples in her mind. The image of stillness and resolve made Moon pause, admiring her friend's strength.

Another dragonet nearby was reading, though his focus was shattered by anxious thoughts. His mind kept circling back to the same refrain, Everyone will know I don't belong here. The words repeated, casting shadows over his attempts to concentrate.

The sleeping dragonets weren't faring much better. Their dreams were filled with fragments of memories from the war—scenes of chaos and destruction, battles fought and friends lost. Some dreams were tangled nightmares, almost as haunting as her own. Moon took a deep breath, steadying herself against the lingering ache of shared grief.

As her thoughts wandered, they inevitably drifted to Reborn. She hadn't seen her friend much since the incident the day before when Reborn had been burned. Moon felt a pang of guilt. Was Reborn alright? She had been so brave, throwing herself into danger without a second thought. Moon wished she could go to her, to make sure she was truly healing.

Darkstalker's voice stirred faintly in her mind, almost as if he sensed her worry. Reborn is resilient, he had reassured her earlier. The AllWing needed rest today, but she'll be alright. She's stronger than most dragons know.

His voice was comforting, yet a part of Moon remained unsettled. Darkstalker knew so much about Reborn—almost too much. The AllWing's reluctance to attend classes had seemed normal to Moon at first, but now she wondered. What was keeping Reborn hidden away? And why did Darkstalker seem so keen to offer reassurances, as if he knew more than he was letting on?

Pushing aside her questions, Moon continued through the darkened passageways, hoping that she'd get a chance to speak with Reborn soon. They all had secrets, after all, but some were harder to keep than others.

As the commotion in the dining hall unfolded around Reborn, Moon slipped away quietly, her dark scales helping her blend into the shadows. She moved through the crowded corridors, her keen senses alert for any sign of disturbance.

Approaching a secluded alcove, Moon paused, her head cocked to one side as she detected a faint, rasping sound - the unmistakable echo of a voice, though its source was not immediately visible. Pressing her talons to her temples, she closed her eyes, focusing her mind's eye in the direction of the strange whispers.

Just come on, I know you're there already, little dragonet.

Moon's eyes snapped open, her breath catching in her throat at the presence that had manifested so effortlessly in her thoughts. With a shudder, she forced her way forward, entering a dimly lit cave where a massive dragon lay coiled - ancient scales glimmering with hidden power.

"Darkstalker," she breathed, the name falling from her lips like a prayer and a curse. The IceWing-NightWing hybrid regarded her with keen, predatory eyes, his talons flexing ever so slightly.

Ah, Moonwatcher. I've been expecting you. His voice caressed her mind, silky and seductive, belying the danger that radiated from his very being. It's been far too long since I've had the pleasure of a visitor. Come, sit with me a while. Let's get to know each other better.

Moon's entire body trembled, but she forced herself to take a step forward, her mind racing with possibilities and fears. What did the legendary Darkstalker want with her? And more importantly, how could she protect her friends from his machinations?

Moon sat down, crossing her talons defensively as she regarded the ancient dragon before her. "You want to know about Reborn, don't you?" she said, her voice surprisingly steady given the maelstrom of emotions swirling within her. "You told me to see if there had been any other AllWings in history - I found a scroll, and..." She traced a talontip along a broken shard of ancient limestone. "There hasn't been."

Darkstalker's lips curled into a smug smirk, and he reached out a massive wing to brush against Moon's scales. "Well then, I definitely know it's my long-lost love," he purred, his voice dripping with dark amusement.

Moon recoiled slightly at his touch, but she held her ground, her eyes narrowing. "What do you want with her?" she demanded, refusing to be cowed by Darkstalker's intimidating presence. "Reborn is my friend, and I won't let you hurt her."

The ancient dragon chuckled, his talons flexing against the cave floor. "Your friend, is she? How...interesting." His gaze bored into Moon, as if he could see the very depths of her mind. "You know, I've been alone for a very, very long time. Perhaps it's time I had some company again."

Moon's scales rippled with a wave of fear, but she steeled her resolve, meeting Darkstalker's unwavering stare. "Stay away from her," she warned, her voice low and deadly serious. "Reborn is not yours to claim."

Darkstalker's eyes glinted with amusement, and he settled back onto his haunches, his massive wings folding against his sides. "We'll see about that, little dragonet," he murmured, his tone laced with a threat that sent a shiver down Moon's spine. "We'll see."