Holding her breath, she turned toward the containment chamber. There, within the reinforced glass, the strange black substance withered and twisted like a living thing. A blast of searing heat stuck her like a wave, forcing her to shield her face. Then, without warning, a deafening roar tore through the sky. The rocket ignited. A column of fire erupted beneath it, propelling the massive structure upward in a storm of smoke and flame. The sheer force of the liftoff rocked the entire platform, nearly knocking off her feet. As the antidote falls from her hands, she desperately reaches for it. But because of the sheer force of the rocket lifting off, it nearly knocked her off her feet. Instinct kicked in–she lunged for a nearby handle and held on tight, her fingers locked with desperate strength.
The entire rocket trembled as it ascended, the engines' thunderous pulse rattling through every cell of Starfania's body. Her teeth clenched. Her muscles screamed. But she didn't let go. She was holding on for dear life–and she wasn't letting go. The rocket pierced through the glass dome above with startling ease, sending a storm of shattered fragments cascading around her. Starfania flinched as silvers of crystal sliced across her arms–sharp, fleeting pain blooming like fire–but the cuts were shallow, mere whispers compared to the roaring storm now unfolding. She was airborne, rocketing into the vast, uncharted sky. Panic set in. Starfania couldn't let this rocket carry her beyond the safety of the planet's embrace. She needed to get off–now. But how? Her eyes darted around the vessel, frantic. Starfania limbs shook from the tension–tensed muscles fumbling, heart hammering.
Then Starfania saw them. Through the rushing wind and fractured light, they came. Aeron and Lyam. Riding dragons. The sleek shapes cut through the clouds like shadows and flame, their scales glinting under the eclipsed sun. Their arrival wasn't just unexpected–it was salvation embodied. Their presence banished the chaos in her mind. For a heartbeat, time stood still. They had come for her. Hope surged in her chest, fierce and bright, burning away the fear that had nearly swallowed her whole. With her fingers clenched tightly around the railing, Starfania fought against the furious wind that threatened to rip her away. Every muscle in her body strained, the metal cold and unyielding beneath her grip. Her knuckles whitened, her arms burned, despite that, she held on. Aeron's voice.
Carried by the wind, urgent and full of desperation, it cut through the roar like lightning. He was calling her name, repeatedly, each shout laced with fear, hope, love. Starfania looked toward him–towards the dragons soaring just out of reach. Aeron and Lyam pushed their mounts to the limit, eyes locked on her, reaching, pleading to get closer. But she knew. The distance was too great. The wind was too violent. Her strength–fading. Her hands slipped. And then–she fell. The word inverted as she plunged into the open sky. Air tore past her like fire, her body twisting through the void. Her heart pounded, louder than wind, louder than thought. And as the ground rushed up to meet her, Starfania screamed with everything she had left. " Atlas!!! "
It was a cry of desperation, of faith–calling to the one dragon she trusted most, hoping against hope that he would come. She could feel the weight of the air pressing down on her, a frantic reminder of her impending fall. The world blurred around her, colors mixing, sounds fading; all that remained was the frantic beating of her heart and the echo of Aeron and Lyam's cries.
Somewhere in the chaos, she thought she might glimpse the glint of scales, the flash of wings. The loyal beast, Atlas, was fast and fierce. But would he be fast enough? Time seemed to stretch impossibly, each second elongating, teasing her with the fleeting possibility of rescue. She could see the ground now, rough and unforgiving, an unyielding slate of stone and danger. Panic clawed at her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to let despair creep in.
"Stay with me, Starfania," she whispered, unsure if it was meant for herself or a prayer to the skies. "You've faced worse."
Just then, a shadow swept beneath her, massive and dark. The rush of wind shifted, carrying with it the scent of fire and earth. She opened her eyes, heart leaping as a familiar roar echoed through the air, a sound that pushed through the despair like a beacon. Atlas. He had heard her. The white dragon surged upwards, wings beating with power, defying the very elements that pushed against him. In a heartbeat, he soared alongside her, his presence wrapping around her like a protective cloak. With a deft flick of his powerful tail, he altered his course, positioning himself below.
An unspoken bond passed between them, and she knew he would not falter. Starfania reached out, fingers desperately seeking the solid warmth of his scales. As her hand gripped a jutting ridge, a jolt of energy surged through her, pulling her from the edge of oblivion. With a triumphant roar, Atlas spiraled upward, the world reorienting itself as gravity lost its sting. She looked down at Aeron and Lyam, who had stayed near, worry etched on their faces. Relief washed over her as she steadied herself. With Atlas supporting her, nothing felt impossible. The sky opened wide again, and together they flew, breaking free from the clutches of fear, climbing higher, where the air was clear, and hope thrived once more.
" Thank you, Atlas, " she whispered, the words filled with gratitude. Then, more firmly, " But we're not done yet. We have to stop that rocket before it breaches the atmosphere. "