Deathbringer's usual smirk faltered for a moment, his dark eyes flicking toward the shadowy depths of the tunnel as if expecting the queen herself to emerge at any second. He shifted his weight from one talon to the other, his tail twitching uneasily. It was a rare sight—Deathbringer, the confident, unflappable assassin, looking genuinely nervous. Icemoon couldn't help but find it intriguing.

"Are you nervous, Deathbringer, about your queen finding me?" she asked, her voice cool and measured, though there was a faint edge of curiosity beneath the ice. She tilted her head, her glacier-blue eyes studying him intently. "Why?"

Deathbringer let out a low chuckle, though it lacked his usual ease. "Let's just say Queen Battlewinner isn't exactly... forgiving," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "And she has a particular dislike for IceWings. If she finds out you've been snooping around her island, well..." He trailed off, his gaze darting back toward the tunnel again. "Let's just say it wouldn't end well for either of us."

Icemoon's brow arched higher, her expression unimpressed. "And yet you brought me here anyway," she said, her tone sharp. "Why take the risk?"

Deathbringer's grin returned, though it was tighter now, less carefree. "Call it a gesture of goodwill," he said, shrugging one shoulder. "Or maybe I just like living dangerously. Either way, you got what you came for, didn't you?"

Icemoon didn't respond immediately, her gaze lingering on him as she weighed his words. There was more to it than he was letting on—she could sense it. But now wasn't the time to press him. The tension in the air was palpable, and the longer they lingered, the greater the risk of being discovered.

Finally, she gave a curt nod. "Fine," she said, her voice low. "But this isn't over. I still have questions, and you owe me answers."

Deathbringer's grin widened, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Looking forward to it, pretty one," he said, his tone light but his gaze serious. "Now go. Before someone notices you're here."

Icemoon didn't need to be told twice. She turned and stepped into the tunnel, her pale scales glinting faintly in the dim light. The cool, damp air of the passage was a welcome relief after the oppressive heat of the island, and she moved quickly, her talons clicking softly against the stone floor. As she walked, her mind raced, replaying everything she'd seen and heard. The prison caves, the RainWing captives, the cryptic words of Starflight's father—it was all pieces of a puzzle she was determined to solve.

Behind her, Deathbringer watched her go, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he stood there, his tail flicking restlessly, before he turned and melted back into the shadows, his form disappearing as if he'd never been there at all.

Icemoon emerged from the tunnel into the lush, vibrant embrace of the rainforest. The contrast between the two worlds was stark, and she took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the sweet, earthy scent of the jungle. Her wings stretched slightly, the tension in her shoulders easing as the oppressive heat of the island faded behind her.

But her mind was far from at ease. The encounter with Deathbringer, the glimpse into the NightWing island's dark secrets—it had only deepened the mystery. And as she spread her wings and took to the air, soaring back toward the safety of the rainforest village, she knew one thing for certain: this was far from over. The NightWings were hiding something, and Icemoon was determined to uncover the truth—no matter the cost.

SCENEBREAK

Icemoon reached the edge of the rainforest, her talons brushing against the soft, moss-covered ground as she landed. She paused, glancing over her shoulder one last time, her sharp, glacier-blue eyes scanning the shadows of the tunnel entrance. But Deathbringer was nowhere to be seen. The space where he had stood moments ago was empty, the only movement the faint rustle of leaves in the warm breeze. She sighed, a flicker of something unfamiliar tugging at her chest—concern, perhaps, though she wouldn't admit it, even to herself.

She shook her head, her star-speckled wings ruffling slightly as if to dispel the thought. He's a NightWing, she reminded herself. A trained assassin. He can handle himself. Still, the image of his nervous expression lingered in her mind, a rare crack in his usual confident facade. She didn't like it.

With a final glance toward the tunnel, Icemoon spread her wings and leapt into the air, the humid rainforest breeze catching beneath her as she soared upward. The canopy stretched out below her, a sea of green and gold, alive with the sounds of life—chattering monkeys, the distant calls of birds, and the rustle of leaves as dragons moved through the trees. It was a stark contrast to the oppressive, fiery hell of the NightWing island, and she welcomed it.

As she flew, her mind wandered back to Deathbringer. That rogue, that infuriatingly handsome NightWing with his sharp grin and sharper tongue. She didn't trust him—not entirely—but there was something about him that intrigued her, something she couldn't quite put her talon on. And despite herself, she found herself hoping he hadn't gotten into more trouble on her account.

Stop it, she scolded herself, her wings beating harder as if to outpace her thoughts. He's not your problem. Focus on what matters.

But the thought lingered, stubborn and persistent, like a thorn in her side. She shook her head again, forcing her attention back to the task at hand. There was still so much to do, so many questions left unanswered. The RainWing prisoners, the NightWing's secrets, the prophecy—it was all connected, and she was determined to unravel it.

As the rainforest village came into view, its treetop platforms and woven structures glowing softly in the fading light, Icemoon felt a flicker of relief. She wasn't alone in this. She had Orchid, Sunny, Starflight, and the others. They were her allies, her friends, and together, they would find a way to make things right.

But as she landed gracefully on a sunlit platform, her icy gaze sweeping over the village, she couldn't help one last thought slipping through her defenses. Be careful, Deathbringer. You're too clever to get caught, but... just be careful.

And with that, she pushed the thought aside, her expression hardening once more as she stepped into the heart of the rainforest village, ready to face whatever came next.