Chapter 49 - The Hunt Begins

You had been relaxing in one of the Hidden World's hot pools, the warmth of the water soothing your wings and muscles after the long journey. The peaceful steam and quiet atmosphere helped you forget, for a while, the weight of returning home. But your moment of serenity was suddenly interrupted as Syl appeared before you.

"Is the human here to see you? We took him to the prison caves," she said, her wings fluttering with impatience.

You froze. Prison caves? The words didn't make sense at first, but then you realized who it could be. Your heart skipped a beat.

"What? Where?" you asked, a sudden unease curling in your chest.

Syl waved her wings dismissively and turned, signaling for you to follow her. Without thinking, you leapt from the pool and followed her through the dense, shadowed air of the Hidden World, your wings cutting through the misty haze. As you approached the darker part of the realm, the familiar shapes of the ancient stone caves loomed ahead, and there, standing amidst the shadows, was a figure you never thought you'd see again.

A human. A human with blonde hair. And a Rider outfit.

Felix?

You gasped, your voice a sharp shriek as you landed before him, your heart racing in your chest.

"Felix?!" You couldn't help the wide smile that spread across your face as you spun to Syl, confusion and excitement still in your eyes.

Without hesitation, you threw your arms around Felix, and he immediately embraced you, his strong arms wrapping around you like a lifeline.

"Oh, lovely Y/N, you're alive!" Felix exclaimed, his voice filled with relief. "Chan told me he hadn't heard about you—or if he had, the last we saw of you was when you were flying off!"

You pulled back slightly, letting him look you over. Felix's eyes searched your face as if to make sure you were really here, really in one piece. Then his hands gently cupped your face, his thumbs brushing over the bruises and marks that had been left from your time away.

"You're alright, right?" he asked, his voice soft but filled with concern.

You chuckled softly, the tension in your chest easing just a little. "I'm fine, Felix, really I am," you assured him, reaching up to place your hand over his.

Felix paused, his face softening as he let out a quiet purr of contentment, his hand gently brushing against your scent glands. He sniffed the air around you, a reassuring sign that he could sense you were telling the truth.

"I'm glad, love," he murmured, his voice full of warmth.

Behind you, Syl whistled, a sound of amusement that was echoed by the soft chuckle of your mother, who had arrived with her majestic wings spread wide. She was watching the two of you, her eyes full of fondness and knowing.

Felix gave you one last squeeze before pulling back slightly, his gaze never leaving you. There was still that same concern in his eyes, but there was also a glimmer of something else—relief, love, and perhaps, the promise of more to come.

You smiled at him, your heart finally settling. For a brief moment, the chaotic world around you seemed just a little bit quieter. You weren't as alone as you thought.

"I'm home now, Felix," you whispered, the words carrying the weight of everything you'd been through and everything that was yet to come.

You took Felix's hand in yours, the coolness of his skin grounding you in the moment, and for a fleeting instant, the world felt as if it had returned to a sense of balance. You squeezed his hand gently, a silent promise that you weren't alone anymore.

"Come, let me guide you through the Hidden World," you said, your voice full of warmth and excitement.

Without another word, you unfurled your wings and, with a graceful motion, transformed into your true form — the dragon that had once soared through these skies with ease. The shift was familiar, an old rhythm you could fall into without thought, the strength and power of your dragon body filling you as you rose into the air.

Felix watched in awe as your form took shape, his eyes wide with admiration and wonder. He had seen glimpses of this world before, but this was something entirely different. The wings that stretched wide were not just symbols of power, but of freedom, and it was clear that your bond was not confined by the boundaries of species.

Felix smiled up at you, that same radiant grin you had always loved, as he reached for his own Rider gear. His confidence was unwavering, his hands steady as he quickly adjusted himself to prepare for flight. It wasn't long before the two of you were soaring through the air, his smaller form beside you, the wind rushing past you both with every beat of your wings.

The Hidden World stretched out beneath you, an endless landscape of wild beauty — towering peaks, vast canyons, and lush, untouched forests. The air smelled of salt from the distant seas, mingling with the earthy scent of the caverns below. Together, the two of you glided effortlessly, your movements synchronized as if you had been flying together all along.

Felix's laughter, light and free, echoed in your ears as you looped around, showing him the beauty of the Hidden World from a dragon's perspective. You flew past the great waterfalls that cascaded from cliff edges, sending sparkling droplets into the air. You veered over the vast plains where dragons of all shapes and sizes roamed freely, their massive wings creating ripples in the air.

"This is incredible," Felix exclaimed, his voice carried by the wind as he glanced down at the sprawling world below. "I can't believe this place exists."

You smiled, the joy of flight filling your chest. "There's so much more to see. So much more for you to discover."

Together, you soared higher, the clouds surrounding you in a soft embrace. The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of purple, orange, and gold, and for a moment, everything seemed perfect. The world below seemed distant, a place full of noise and troubles, while here, high above the Hidden World, there was only freedom, the wind, and the bond between you and Felix — stronger than ever.

As you flew side by side, you realized that no matter what had brought you here, this moment felt like home. With Felix by your side, the skies seemed endless, and the future was filled with endless possibilities.

And together, you soared, the echoes of your laughter mingling with the wind.

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The dimly lit hideout of the League of Villains was as cold and foreboding as ever. Tomura Shigaraki sat on a barstool in the corner, nursing a glass of wine, his fingers absentmindedly tapping the rim. His crimson eyes glinted with irritation, his mood far from relaxed. The silence of the room was thick, broken only by the occasional clink of glass or the distant hum of the hideout's machinery.

Kurogiri, ever the loyal enforcer, stepped forward, his presence as imposing as his glowing purple eyes. "Boss," he began, his voice smooth and measured, "It's all set. We have determined where Class 1-A will be heading next."

Shigaraki didn't respond at first, his gaze lingering on the swirling wine in his glass, as though he could unravel the mysteries of the world with a single glance. When he finally spoke, his tone was sharp, cutting through the stillness like a blade. "Is Y/N with them?"

Kurogiri's response came without hesitation, though there was a touch of uncertainty in his voice. "No, we haven't seen her anywhere in Japan. It appears she has vanished, sir."

At those words, Shigaraki's demeanor shifted in an instant. His hand tightened around the stem of his glass, his jaw clenching as his eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "What?" he spat, his voice barely above a growl. "How could this happen?"

Kurogiri, ever the stoic presence, gave a small shake of his head, his gaze fixed on Shigaraki. "We are unsure, sir. Our contacts have not been able to reach us either. It seems she has... disappeared."

Shigaraki's frustration mounted, and in a swift, violent motion, he turned the wine glass in his hand to dust, the shards scattering across the floor like broken promises. His eyes flared with a combination of rage and disbelief. "Infernal little brat!" he hissed, his fists tightening as the rage surged within him. "We will retrieve her. It is the least we can do."

Kurogiri said nothing, but his expression was unreadable, as though he understood exactly what this meant. Shigaraki, however, seemed to lose himself in his thoughts, his mind racing with possibilities, strategies, and scenarios. "She will return to the mainland when she learns that we have her," he muttered darkly. "Those wretched little heroes... that dragon is far too benevolent towards them. She has always been their ally."

There was a pause, the air thick with tension as Shigaraki's mind continued to turn. He could feel the heat of his anger building, the need to reclaim control over Y/N, to bend her back to their cause. She's always been theirs, he thought bitterly. But it's time to remind her who truly holds power.

The League's plan, now set in motion, would be ruthless. There would be no room for hesitation. Shigaraki knew that retrieving Y/N from wherever she had gone was only the beginning. There would be no escaping the web of manipulation he planned to weave, no sanctuary for her to hide in. The dragon, the so-called ally, would fall in line, just like all the others.

And with that thought, Shigaraki turned to his comrades, his lips curling into a sinister grin. "Prepare for the next phase," he ordered. "We'll make sure Y/N understands exactly where her loyalties lie. And when she does... she'll wish she had never left."

Kurogiri, ever the shadow, simply nodded, his dark eyes unwavering as the plan unfolded before them. In the hidden depths of the League's lair, the game had already begun. And the stakes were higher than ever.