The next day in the desert, Cartesian was leading the search party to find Albion, as they had recently just taken down Desert Crab.
"I hate all these creatures".
Asterion looked at her as he spoke. "Yeah, well; we got put in the desert".
Cartesian sighed as she spoke. "We better find the Prince here or".
"Look, there is someone there". Said a Blue Eye's Abyss Dragon.
They all went to, as they got a good look at the knocked-out person. She was a brown hair girl, she wore glasses and magic like robe, jacket and staff, that was made of wood, with the top having a rock-like crystal, next to her was her animal companion
[Insert Image Of Aussa The Earth Channeler]
Asterion looked at the girl as he spoke, as he tried to remember something from the Kingdom reports. "Hey isn't this one of the Charmer Girls?".
Cartesian narrowed her eyes as she approached, sand swirling faintly around her as her wings flared. "Yeah... she matches the description. Brown hair, staff with a crystal, and that weird little armadillo companion. That's definitely Aussa the Earth Channeler."
The Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon sniffed the air, tail flicking. "She's breathing. Looks like she passed out from heat exhaustion or something."
Asterion bent down, brushing some sand off her robe. "But why is she here? The Elemental Charmer girls are supposed to be in the Wildlands, not the middle of the damn desert."
Cartesian grunted, glancing at the horizon. "Whatever the reason, we're taking her. She might know where Albion is—or at the very least, why the Charmer girls are all scattering like leaves in a storm."
The Abyss Dragon flapped its wings. "Want me to carry her back to the shade?"
"Do it," Cartesian nodded. "And be gentle. If we're starting to find the Charmers in the same places we're looking for the Prince, then something's happening… something bigger."
Asterion glanced at the sun beating down mercilessly. "So what now?"
Cartesian looked at the trail of footprints barely etched in the sand. "Now? We follow the tracks. Someone else was here with her… and maybe, just maybe, they know where Albion is."
As the team started moving again, a faint rumble echoed under the sand… unnoticed by them all.
Something was waking up beneath.
After a while, they decide to take a rest, eat their food, and get their energy back. Asterion was looking at Aussa, and then he noticed something.
"Hey, She is waking Up, and her Animal Friend".
Aussa groaned softly, her eyes fluttering open as her armadillo companion nuzzled against her. She sat up slowly, blinking against the bright desert light, clearly disoriented.
"Ugh… where am I?" she muttered, rubbing her temples. "And why is it so hot…"
Asterion crouched nearby, his draconic features catching the sunlight. "You're in the middle of the desert. We found you passed out. Name's Asterion, and we're with the Dragon Nation."
Aussa's eyes widened, a hand immediately gripping her staff. Her companion growled protectively, but she paused, taking in their calm demeanour—and the Blue-Eyes Dragons resting nearby.
"…Dragon Nation?" she said slowly. "What is the Dragon Nation People doing in this side of the Kingdom?".
Cartesian looked at her as she spoke. "Great, she is out of the loop".
Aussa looked at them confused. "Loop?".
Asterion crossed his arms, letting out a tired sigh. "Yeah, the loop. Seems like a lot's been happening while you've been… wandering deserts alone with your fluffball."
Cartesian stepped forward, brushing sand off her armour as she gave Aussa a firm look. "Prince Albion, heir of the Dragon Nation, went missing. Vanished during flight training. We've been tracking signs of him, and somehow, we found you instead."
Aussa blinked. "Wait, Albion…? That name sounds familiar…" Her eyes narrowed as she glanced down at her companion, who chirped in concern.
She looked back at them. "I saw someone—three, actually—passing through the canyon just before I passed out. One had wings, the other two were girls. One had a little water lizard creature behind her."
Asterion and Cartesian froze.
Cartesian then muttered. "That matches Eria."
Asterion looked at Cartesian. "Then Albion is with the Charmers? That's unexpected, but it is something we thought was a possibility."
Aussa tilted her head. "You're telling me the missing prince is travelling with two Elemental Channelers… and one of them is Eria?"
Cartesian turned sharply to Aussa. "Can you lead us to that canyon? Or at least the direction they were going?"
Aussa stood, leaning on her staff as her armadillo companion climbed onto her shoulder. "If you give me some food and water, yeah. I'll show you the way."
Asterion smirked. "You got a deal. And maybe you'll finally get caught up on the 'loop' while we travel."
Cartesian sighed. "Let's hope we're not too late. If the Traptrix were already after them…"
Aussa's expression turned serious. "Wait—Traptrix?! Oh, this just got a lot worse."
And with that, the group began packing up, the desert winds swirling behind them as they prepared to move. A storm was brewing in the sands—and the fate of Albion was hanging in the balance.
Cartesian looked at Aussa as she spoke. "So, how long ago did you say the trio passed the canyon".
Aussa looked at her as she tried to remember her memory, and didn't remember much as she spoke. "2 days ago".
The moment she said that, the was enough quiet energy in the area that it would tick enough of cut with a Dragon Sword.
Asterion's eye twitched. Even the Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon in the back let out a low, rumbling growl.
"Two days?" Asterion echoed, his tone flat with disbelief.
Cartesian's face was already buried in her hand as she muttered, "We're two days behind the Prince…"
Aussa flinched at their reactions. "Hey! It's not my fault! I nearly died in that desert! I only remember bits and pieces!"
"Yeah, well, those bits and pieces might be the difference between a rescue and a funeral," Cartesian snapped, her patience wearing thin.
The Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon raised its head, eyes glowing as it gave a low, guttural roar—as if sensing the urgency in the air.
Asterion took a deep breath, his voice calmer but colder. "Then we move. Now. We'll ride at double pace."
Cartesian nodded. "Aussa, you're coming with us. You've seen them, and we need every detail. If you remember anything else—even the direction of a shadow—you tell us."
Aussa looked like she wanted to argue but saw the storm in their expressions and wisely chose not to.
"…Alright. I'll help. But if we run into sandworms or more of those desert crabs, you're dealing with them."
As they mounted their dragons and took off toward the canyon, a single thought passed through all their minds:
Please be safe, Albion.
Aussa looked at Asterion, as she looked at him. "So you said Something about the People from Traptrix being after the prince. Why is that?".
Asterion looked at her as he spoke. "We are not sure if they are actually after him, our border Patrol has said there has been unauthorised entry in the Dragon Nation, in many locations, with also the fact that the Traptrix Nation was the first nation to get Information that the Price is lost, before the other Nation, when it only has been 2 days".
Aussa furrowed her brow, her expression shifting from confusion to concern. "That's… not normal. The Traptrix aren't exactly known for sharing tea at the Council meetings, but they don't usually move without a reason."
She crossed her arms, her armadillo companion climbing onto her shoulder. "And if they knew before anyone else, that means someone's feeding them information. Maybe even from within the Dragon Nation."
Asterion gave her a sidelong glance. "Exactly what we're worried about."
Cartesian added grimly, "That's why time is against us. If they're already tracking Albion… they might not be looking to just capture him."
Aussa's hand tightened around her staff, the gravity of the situation finally settling in. "Then we better hurry. Because if they sent assassins like Myrmeleo, they're not messing around."
Asterion looked ahead, the desert wind blowing through his cloak as he muttered, "Let's just hope the Prince's instincts are as sharp as the rumours say."
As the group surged forward on dragonback, the sun began its slow descent—casting long shadows over the sand, as if foreshadowing the chaos to come.
The group then felt it again the ground shook, as they looked down at the ground, as they looked at it.
Cartesian was the first to speak. "This again".
The Blue Eyes Abyss Dragon Spoke. "Looks like whatever was trying to wake up finally".
Then the ground shook and moved, and everyone moved out of the way and took Attack mode as they saw the creature; it had 9 heads, with group scales, desert Colours and black eyes as it looked at the group.
Aussa looked in fear as she spoke. "A Desert Hydra"
The monstrous creature towered before them, its nine heads weaving through the air with eerie coordination. Each head let out a distorted screech, vibrating the very air around them. The sun gleamed off its cracked desert-toned scales, and sand poured off its massive body like a cloak of shifting dust.
Cartesian's eyes narrowed. "This thing must've been buried here for centuries… And now it wakes up today?"
The Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon growled low. "Coincidence or not, it's hostile."
Aussa held her staff close, backing up slowly. "I've only read about Desert Hydras in ancient bestiaries. They're supposed to be extinct… and extremely territorial."
Asterion spread his wings, already channelling power into his palms. "Everyone! Focus on defense first. Cartesian, take the left flank! Aussa, give us earth cover—buy us time!"
"Right!" Cartesian shouted, flames already igniting along her blade.
Aussa planted her staff into the ground, channelling her magic. "Terra Aegis—Earthen Wall!"
A wall of solid sandstone burst from the ground between them and one of the Hydra's snapping heads, blocking the first attack with a thunderous crash. Dust exploded outward, obscuring the battlefield for a moment.
The Desert Hydra roared in fury, and the sand beneath their feet began to tremble once more.
Asterion cursed under his breath. "This day just keeps getting better…"
As the hydra advanced, each of its nine heads preparing a different elemental breath, it became clear—this wasn't just a wild beast.
It was a guardian.
And someone—or something—had just triggered its awakening.
Cartesian looked at Asterion as she spoke. "Your commands are good, kid, but let me handle this ok".
Cartesian looked at the search part as she spoke. "Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragons, Stardust Dragons, Red-Eyes White Dragons, Amulet Dragons, half of the group take your Human from and fight with me in the ground, other half, attack from the sky".
Asterion looked at her as he spoke. "What about me?".
Cartesian looked at him and Aussa. "You two are kids, stay behind the group and Stay safe that is all".
Asterion scowled, clenching his fists. "Tch… I'm not a kid."
Aussa glanced at him, then nodded at Cartesian. "Understood. I'll provide support spells and terrain control from behind."
The sky roared with the beating of wings as dragons took to the air, shifting into half-human hybrid forms mid-flight—armour of scale and steel glinting in the desert sun. The Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragons lit the sky with beams of raw energy, while Red-Eyes and Stardust Dragons weaved between heads, drawing the Hydra's attention upward.
On the ground, Cartesian led the charge. Her blade crackled with red lightning as she sprinted forward, the sand parting around her with each step. "Focus your strikes! Don't let more than three heads act at once!"
The Hydra retaliated, slamming one of its heads into the sand like a wrecking ball, sending shockwaves outward. A Star Eater Dragon deflected the blow mid-air, spinning in a high-speed dive to strike at the Hydra's flanks.
Aussa channelled magic quickly. "Geo Seal!" Roots of hardened stone erupted around the Hydra's legs, trying to anchor it down. "Buy her time, buy her time…"
Asterion gritted his teeth. "I'm not just gonna stand here."
Aussa shot him a look. "Don't be stupid."
"I'm not." He raised his hand, energy starting to swirl as a mark glowed faintly on his chest. "I just refuse to be useless."
The Desert Hydra screeched, shaking off one of the flying dragons as it slammed into the cliffside.
Cartesian, now close enough, leapt high, her blade blazing as she slashed one of the Hydra's necks, sending a stream of black blood into the air. "Come on then! You want war, you got it!"
The Hydra screeched in pain as Cartesian's slash landed true, one of its nine heads whipping back with a guttural roar. But it wasn't down—not by a long shot. The remaining heads surged forward with fury, snapping like great serpents, forcing her to retreat with a swift backflip, her blade crackling with heat.
"Ground team, keep its attention on the left side!" Cartesian barked, her voice booming across the battlefield. "Abyss Dragons, tear through the centre! Stardust, cover the skies and disrupt its vision!"
Above, a Stardust Dragon roared and dove with cosmic energy trailing its claws, slamming into a head trying to lunge at the ground team. The impact sent sand spraying in all directions, blinding a few dragons for a second.
Asterion, meanwhile, was glowing faintly. The mark on his chest expanded slightly, shimmering with silver and blue light. Aussa noticed and narrowed her eyes. "That… isn't normal dragon magic."
He ignored her. "If I can just get close enough…"
Aussa stepped in front of him. "Don't even think about it. Whatever that power is, you're not in control of it yet, are you?"
Asterion winced. "I… I can handle it."
"Can you?" she snapped, eyes burning with intensity. "Because if you lose control, we'll be fighting more than just a Hydra!"
Before either could say more, a roar echoed—Cartesian had lost ground. Two heads struck her simultaneously, launching her back. She crashed through a sand dune, leaving a trail of scorched glass behind.
"Cartesian!" Asterion shouted.
But the captain was tougher than she looked. She rose slowly, blood on her lips, but still smirking. "That all you got, snake?"
Aussa didn't waste a second. "Stone Wall!" A magical barrier of earthen force erupted between Cartesian and the Hydra, buying her a moment to recover.
Meanwhile, in the sky, the Red-Eyes and Amulet Dragons began a synchronized assault—blasting burning arcs of magic into the Hydra's core body.
Still, it wasn't enough.
The Hydra's centre head—the largest—began to glow with a sickly gold light. Its mouth opened, and rumbling magic began to churn, forming a concentrated orb of destruction.
"Everyone, fall back!" Cartesian shouted. "It's about to use Desert Cataclysm!"
Asterion's instincts flared.
"No time!" he yelled—and dashed forward.
Aussa screamed, "Wait, don't—!"
Too late. Asterion's body surged with light, wings sprouting from his back—not draconic, but something else. Ethereal. Divine.
The symbol on his chest flared.
He soared into the air, directly at the Hydra's glowing mouth.
And then—
A flash.
A burst of silver light.
The Hydra's golden magic was shattered by a lance of radiant energy that pierced through the centre head. The blast erupted with such force that the Hydra recoiled, several heads collapsing limp for a moment, stunned.
Asterion dropped from the sky like a comet, landing hard in the sand as smoke rose from his arms.
Silence.
Then Cartesian, staring at him from the distance, muttered under her breath.
"…That wasn't dragon magic."
Aussa stared wide-eyed, heart racing.
"What are you, Asterion?"
Cartesian looked at Aussa as she spoke. "What is he, will I tell what he is he is the Heir to the Blue Eyes White Dragon Faction, and he just uses one of the Faction 7 Ancient Spells"
Aussa's eyes widened as she looked back at Asterion, who was still kneeling in the sand, his breath ragged, energy flickering around him like the final sparks of a dying storm.
"Wait—Heir to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon Faction?" she echoed, disbelief in her voice. "But I thought… the heir vanished during the War of Crystals!"
Cartesian looked at her as she spoke. "Lies, we all did cover up the Heir, mostly because of the Blue Eyes Dragon in the Dragon Nation"
Aussa looked at her as she spoke. "Are Outcasts from the Original Clan".
Blue Eyes Abyss Dragon Chuckled as he spoke. "The Original Blue Eyes White Dragon clans and Red Eyes Black Dragon Clan are still in Sky Striker Nation".
Cartesian gave a nod, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Exactly. After the War of Crystals, we split. The ones who didn't want to follow the new treaties—who believed in power over politics—came here to the Dragon Nation. We became 'Outcasts,' but we protected our legacy."
Aussa looked over at Asterion, who now stood slowly, his knees shaky, but his presence commanding. The fading traces of the spell still glimmered in his aura, etched with ancient draconic runes.
"I didn't know," she whispered. "That there were still… true heirs."
Cartesian crossed her arms. "We kept it that way for a reason. If the other nations knew, especially Sky Striker or Traptrix, they'd come hunting again. Not for war—no. For power."
Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon nodded. "And now that he's awakened one of the Seven Ancient Spells… they will come."
Asterion looked at them, voice quiet but resolute. "I don't want any of this. I didn't ask for it."
Cartesian stepped forward, resting a firm hand on his shoulder. "Doesn't matter, kid. Destiny picked you. And if you're not ready… we'll make you ready. The legacy of the Blue Eyes doesn't end in the sand."
Aussa's gaze softened. "Then you better be ready, Asterion. Because now the entire chessboard's going to shift. And you're right in the centre of it."
One for the Stardust Dragon then spoke. "Ok all of that is cool and everything, but we should get back to our mission to find the Prince and make sure he is not dead or else our head is cut off our body by the King, for not finding his son"
Cartesian let out a long sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Right… priorities."
She turned sharply toward the group. "Everyone, back in formation. We move east—toward the Wind Kingdom border. If the Prince passed the canyon two days ago, then that's where he's headed."
A Stardust Dragon in humanoid form gave a sharp salute. "We'll fly ahead and scan the skies. If he's traveling with anyone, we'll see the tracks from above."
Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon flexed his wings. "And if the Traptrix assassins are still in pursuit, we'll make sure they regret it."
Aussa, now fully alert and steady on her feet, held her staff with more confidence. "If you'll allow it… I'd like to help too. I may not be a dragon, but I'm a Charmer. And Earth magic can still be useful in tracking and scouting."
Cartesian gave her a glance, then a nod. "Fine. But stay near Asterion. You both move with the rear group."
As the squad reorganized and began their push across the desert once more, the tension in the air hadn't faded—but something else was there now too.
Purpose.
The race to find the Prince had taken on new meaning.
And as the stars began to shine overhead, somewhere out there… Albion continued his journey, unaware that half the Dragon Nation was tearing the land apart to bring him home.
To be continued