Morning had arrived. Atlas, the four of you would set on an exploit to find the halflings stolen. You roused from slumber first, changing into your new gear to make the journey a little easier on yourself. A brown leather chest plate over a green long-sleeve shirt, a brown corset belt, leather pants, and thigh-high boots with the ends folded. Shoving your necklace under the chest plate, you adjusted your sleeves.

You tied leather wrist bracers around your arms and buckled your over-shoulder sword holster. Picking up your sword, you twirled the blade, hearing the steeling as you sheathed it in the holster. As for the pouch carrying the dragon stone gems, you stashed them in a small pouch attached to your belt, leaving space for your ground healing herbs. 

Picking up your cloak, you throw it around your shoulders before you clip it together. Walking out of your tent, you walked over to the boy's tent, moving the opening aside. You held in a chuckle when spotted Kirishima's body sleeping diagonally in the middle of the other two. His large tail sat on top of Iida's leg, preventing him from moving in his sleep and his right arm was pushed against Bakugou's back, keeping him on his side. Crouching down to their level, you tapped on Bakugou's shoulder, calling out his name. 

You hate disturbing the calm look on his face as he sleeps but you need him to wake up. Shaking him, Bakugou peeped one eye open seeing you whisper 'Good morning,'. The blonde groaned sitting up on his elbows and scratching his head then dramatically pushed Kirishima's hand away. "How long have we overslept?" 

"Not long. Only a couple of hours after sunrise," You answered, rising from your crouch position. You showed him your sword holstered and your pouch belt stuffed. "I'm already prepared for today's search," 

"Okay, okay, just give us a few minutes to sort our shit out," Bakugou tells you to which you nod your head in compliance. You left the trio alone and sat on a large rock that sat beside the tent, where you could hear what was going on inside. You hear tired voices groan in retaliation to Bakugou's bark. 

"Get your ass up NOW!" The man shouts, ushering a giggle from your lips. 

The Dragon Legion states in their reports important information about the first location. It's the closest to the borders and lies in the ruins of an abandoned town. To human eyes, you'd miss it at first glance but if you take a second peek, you'll spot it. 

Following the map, the atmosphere would drop drastically. Kirishima's scales jolt as the change in temperature startled him. Bakugou would feel the change as well despite him wearing the shirt you've bought for him and the gloves—Bakugou grew cold, dreadfully cold. 

"It's cold," He says, trailing behind as his breath becomes smoke. 

"We've entered the runic territory. Destroying it will fix the climate," You explained shivering, your breathing turned to vapour at every new breath. Stopping, you turned to Bakugou and Kirishima "You two will feel its effects most as your dragon half is not immune to the spell," 

"And you didn't think to mention this before!" Bakugou growled, wrapping himself in his cloak. 

"S-so that's why," Kirishima shivered, rubbing his arms. You quickly feel bad for the two, taking your cloak off of your shoulders. 

"I'm so sorry Kirishima. Here-" You forced your own cloak into Kirishima's arms until he wrapped it around himself. You ripped a bit of the cloak, causing Bakugou to grumble. 

"Idiot! you'll get cold as well," Bakugou scolds you.

"Don't worry, I'm making something to help you both," You held out your palm where a ball of fire blazes. Looking all over, you bent down for a stick and wrapped the cloth around the end before lighting it on fire. You passed the torch to Bakugou. "This will help you for a bit. Me and Iida can stick to a fireball," 

The two halflings accepted the torch, both held the torch with one hand so the torch was shared equally with each other. You held the fireball closer to Iida.

"Will we find the rune in this state, M-milady?" Asked Iida, his teeth chattering and cuddling his arms together. If only he had come prepared for these drastic changes in the weather. Being the only one able to destroy them, you'd find the rune easily before the others. You nod your head, pointing in a direction straight ahead with your free hand. 

"I can sense the magic coming from that way. It's faint but it's there," You replied, leading the way. Iida stayed by your side as your fire provided heat for you both. You'd quicken your pace as the halflings behind you slowed down. Imagining the other dragons imprisoned in these territories, tugged at your heartstrings. 

As the reports had warned, the four of you found yourselves at the entrance of an abandoned town, the silence broken only by the sound of the wind whistling through the empty streets. The homes that were once standing are now gone, leaving behind only piles of debris and a sense of ruin, with no sign of the lively townsfolk that once called them home. Walking between the ruined townhouses, you felt the magic you had been sensing surge through the air. 

"It's here! The orb should be nearby," You announced. At the same time, Bakugou and Kirishima's condition caused them to stumble, causing them to trip and fall to the ground. 

"Guys!" Iida cried out. 

"Gods—it's so cold," Kirishima whined, wings unravelled dramatically. Kirishima wrapped himself like a cacoon to preserve the warmth. Bakugou finds something to lean against, showing off his wings like Kiri.

"Shut up—you're too loud," Bakugou complains, his voice fading and body weak from the cold. Iida removed his cloak for Bakugou as a thought appeared in your head. 

"The closer they are to the rune, the colder it gets," You said to yourself internally, turning on your heel caused you to hasten towards the strong magical connection, leading you through the ruins until you found the town centre. Standing at the town centre you'd find a purple spherical-shaped crystal hovering over a stone pedestal—runic rings belonging to the spell circling the orb and sparks shot out between the cracks, signalling that the spell was still active.

The town centre is bathed in a bright purple light, which emanates from the pulsating rune, as soon as you step into it. As you approach the orb, you can feel the waves of pulsations vibrating through your body, tempting you to get closer. With a sharp metallic sound, you unsheathed your sword, feeling the weight of it in your hands. 

"One out of seven-" Raising the sword over your head, you chant the disenchantment spell. "By the gods, I hope this works, Tetsu," 

As your blade sliced through the rune, you felt the resistance give way, like cutting through butter. The orb pieces shattered into tiny, glittering fragments. As if time slowed down the territory burst like a bubble, welcoming the warm climate back and revealing what had been hidden. A wide grin spread on your lips, your beaming face watched and waited for the smoke to die down, standing in defence in case a poacher randomly appeared. 

"Y/n!" You hear Iida's voice. "Are you okay?" 

"Yes, Iida!" Coughing away the smoke, you respond. "I'm alright!" 

However, tucked away under the smog would have you dropping your sword out of shock. A loud startled scream from your trembling lips alerts your comrades to quickly recover. Taking a step back, you covered your mouth, eyes bulging unable to blink and rendering you speechless. Trembling from head to toe, your body tumbles to the ground. The scent of death invades your sense of smell.

"Y/n!" Grabbing a hold of your arm is Bakugou, kneeling down beside you. Equally horrified by the sight, he opted to move your eyes away. It's then you realise the tears running down your face, your lips blubbering nothing but nonsense. 

oohhhh cliffhangers

btw after this book is done I'm going to publish the fantasy au book I have in the making called 'Noble Blood'