The first light of dawn slowly appeared on the horizon, a pale and weak glow that barely helped to lift the heavy darkness hanging over the village. The streets were eerily quiet, with no sign of the usual morning activity. Instead of the usual hustle and bustle, there was a strange and unsettling silence. The air smelled thick with smoke and decay, a constant reminder of the deadly plague that still controlled the village. The torches that had burned all night were now out, their ashes scattered by the chilly morning wind. The village had changed completely, now a ghost of what it once was—a place where life had once flourished, now empty and lifeless.

  Finn and Enzo stood at the edge of the village, their packs resting on their shoulders, their faces filled with determination. They had spent the night getting ready for their journey—gathering supplies and studying the few maps and scrolls that gave them clues about where the Exilium Pill might be found. Now, they were preparing to head to Drakthorin City, the next important stop on their journey. The weight of their mission was heavy on their minds, but they didn’t let it show. The village was depending on them, and they knew they couldn’t fail.

  Chief Arlen walked toward them, his face serious but steady. He carried a small, worn satchel, which he handed to Finn. Inside were a few important items: a compass, a vial of healing salve, and a small, carefully carved wooden box.

  "This box," Arlen said, his voice calm and serious, "holds a single lock of hair from the alchemist who is said to have created the Exilium Pill. It's the only thing we have that connects us to him. Use it wisely. It might help you when nothing else will."

  Finn nodded and carefully placed the box into his pack. "We won’t fail you, Chief."

  Chief Arlen put a hand on each of their shoulders, his grip strong and reassuring. "Remember, the journey ahead will be dangerous. Trust each other, and trust your instincts. The Exilium Pill is our last hope, but finding it won’t be easy. Stay alert, and may the stars guide you."

  The gates of the village creaked open slowly, revealing the empty road that lay ahead. A narrow dirt path wound its way through the rolling hills, bordered by the twisted, lifeless remains of trees that had once offered shade and shelter but now stood like silent guardians in the desolate landscape. The air was heavy with the smell of decay, the stench of the plague still hanging in the atmosphere like a constant, invisible danger. There were no birds singing, no animals rustling through the underbrush—everything was still, silenced by the unyielding grip of the disease.

  Finn and Enzo turned and began their journey down the winding path that led out of the village. The cobblestones beneath their feet were slick with dew, and the cold air made their breath visible in the morning light. They walked quietly, each lost in their own thoughts, until the village faded into the distance, becoming just a faint silhouette against the rising sun.

  The first part of their journey took them through dense forests, where the trees grew so close together that only a small amount of sunlight managed to break through the thick canopy. The underbrush was thick and tangled, making it difficult for them to move quickly. The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls, but there was an uneasy feeling in the air, as if the trees themselves were watching their every move.

  Enzo was the first to speak, breaking the silence. "Do you really think we'll find it? The Exilium Pill, I mean."

  Finn glanced at him, his face thoughtful. "I don’t know. But we have to try. If there's even a chance it exists, we can't just walk away from it."

  Enzo nodded, but his eyes showed doubt. "It’s just... the stories make it sound so impossible. A cure that can stop the plague in its tracks? It sounds like something out of a fairy tale."

  "Maybe it is," Finn agreed. "But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. We just have to keep going, no matter how impossible it seems."

  As they moved deeper into the forest, the ground grew more difficult to navigate. The path was uneven, full of tangled roots and hidden traps. The air grew colder with each passing hour, and the weight of their mission hung heavy between them. They stopped for a brief rest and ate, but the silence between them spoke volumes. The pressure of their task was ever-present, a reminder of how much was riding on their success.

  By midday, they emerged from the thick forest and found themselves at the base of a steep, rocky incline. The path ahead was narrow and dangerous, twisting up the side of a mountain. The air was thinner here, and the wind had a sharp, biting chill that cut through their clothes.

  Enzo groaned, staring up at the steep, intimidating climb. "You've got to be kidding me. We have to go up there?"

  Finn smirked, though his legs were already aching just thinking about it. "Looks like it. Unless you've got a better idea."

  Enzo muttered something under his breath but didn’t protest any further as Finn began the climb. The ascent was tough, each step demanding both balance and strength. The rocks were slippery with moisture, and they had to pause frequently to catch their breath or help each other over particularly tricky sections.

  As they climbed higher, the landscape began to change. The dense trees gave way to jagged rocks and sparse, hardy plants that clung to the mountainside. The air grew even colder, and the wind picked up, howling around them with a biting chill, carrying the faint scent of snow. By the time they reached the top, both were exhausted, their muscles trembling from the effort.

  But the view that greeted them made the hard climb worth it. From their vantage point, they could see for miles in every direction. Below them, the forest stretched out endlessly, a vast sea of green that seemed to go on forever. To the east, they could just make out the tiny outline of the village, barely a speck in the huge expanse of land. To the west, towering mountains rose sharply, their peaks hidden by a layer of clouds.

  Finn pulled out the map that Chief Arlen had given them and studied it closely. "According to this, we need to head west, toward those mountains. There's a valley between the peaks, hidden from view. That’s where the entrance to Drakthorin City is."

  Stolen story; please report.

  Enzo frowned, squinting at the distant mountains. "That’s days away. And who knows what we'll find when we get there?"

  Finn folded the map and slipped it back into his pack. "We’ll find out when we get there. Right now, we just need to keep moving."

  The days that followed blurred together in a mix of endless walking and climbing. They crossed rivers, navigated rocky plains, and trekked through thick forests. With each step, they drew closer to their goal. The journey was exhausting, and the weight of their mission never seemed to lift. But as they moved forward, they started to notice small changes in the landscape. The air grew fresher, filled with a crispness that hinted at higher altitudes and clearer skies. The terrain shifted into rolling hills and vibrant meadows, with patches of colorful wildflowers scattered across the ground. It felt like they were entering a place untouched by time—a land both peaceful and brimming with life.

  "Finally," Finn sighed deeply, taking in the fresh air of Drakthorin City. "Now we just have to cross that valley..."

  "Yeah, that valley," Enzo echoed sarcastically, his tone dripping with mock enthusiasm.

  On the third day, they reached the base of the mountains. The peaks towered above them, their jagged edges slicing into the sky like the teeth of some ancient beast. The entrance to the valley was concealed behind a narrow pass, barely wide enough for them to walk through single file. The pass walls were steep and smooth, as though carved by an unimaginable force.

  As they made their way through the pass, the air grew colder, and a faint, metallic scent lingered in the wind. The ground beneath their feet was scattered with loose rocks and gravel, making each step risky. But they pressed on, fueled by the knowledge that they were so close.

  After what felt like an eternity, they emerged from the pass and stood at the edge of a vast, desolate valley. The ground was covered in a fine layer of ash, and the air was thick with the pungent scent of sulfur. At the center of the valley stood a massive, ancient structure, its walls blackened and crumbling with age. Yet, it was the statue that captured their attention—a colossal dragon, perched majestically at the entrance, its wings spread wide as if guarding the secrets within.

  The dragon's stone scales were worn smooth by the passage of time, but the details of its fierce expression and commanding posture remained sharp. Its long, sinuous tail curled around a rocky pillar, and its muscular limbs were poised, as though it could leap to life at any moment. Its head was raised high, piercing eyes glowing with an otherworldly light, their gaze both intimidating and regal.

  In a surreal twist, the dragon's eyes were not empty sockets, but two perfectly carved recesses, each holding a key—the mechanism to enter Drakthorin City. The keys were crafted from an unknown, gleaming metal, shimmering in the pale light. Their intricate designs resembled ancient runes that seemed to hum softly, as though whispering forgotten words. Suspended within the dragon's gaze by some unseen force, the keys appeared to be the only way to unlock the city’s secrets.

  The dragon's horns arched back in dramatic curls, framing its face like a crown. Its mouth, slightly open, revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth, frozen in a perpetual snarl. Despite its immobility, there was an undeniable aura of power around the statue, as though it had stood for centuries, waiting for the right moment to grant access.

  The stone beneath the dragon’s massive feet was cracked, with ancient symbols etched into the ground, leading up to the statue. They glowed faintly, hinting at a long-lost magic that once powered the city's defenses. The air around the dragon seemed charged with an unsettling energy, reminding them that this guardian was not just a relic of the past but an active part of the mechanism holding Drakthorin’s gates closed.

  Finn and Enzo exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. This was it—the dragon’s lair.

  Finn took out the pass from his bag, feeling its cool jade surface, smooth and heavy in his hand. The ancient relic, etched with intricate symbols and runes that glowed faintly, hummed with an energy that felt otherworldly. This was no ordinary artifact—it was the key that would unlock the path to Drakthorin City, a treasure from a forgotten time, forged from jade by the city's original guardians.

  Enzo glanced at the pass, then looked ahead to the narrowing path. "This is it," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and anticipation. Finn nodded, slipping the pass back into his bag and stepping forward. As they continued deeper into the mountain pass, the air grew colder, and the sulfurous scent in the air became heavier. Jagged cliffs rose on either side of them, and the faint glow from the jade pass seemed to guide them onward.

  Eventually, they reached the end of the pass and found themselves standing on the edge of a vast chasm. In the distance, they saw the massive stone bridge stretching across the valley, a breathtaking sight that seemed to span the very fabric of the world itself. The bridge was old but sturdy, with intricate carvings running along its edges. It arched gracefully over the deep ravine, leading from the desolate mountain pass to the gates of Drakthorin City, which could be seen just beyond the far end.

  Without a word, Finn and Enzo stepped onto the bridge, their footsteps echoing in the stillness. As they crossed the immense expanse, the wind howled around them, but the jade pass in Finn's pocket steadied his resolve, guiding them forward. With each step, the city grew clearer—Drakthorin was a sprawling metropolis of gleaming towers and winding streets, its walls a blend of stone and silver that shimmered in the light, casting mesmerizing patterns across the land.

  Finn and Enzo approached the massive gates of Drakthorin City, their hearts racing with anticipation. Towering walls and spires loomed in the distance, casting long shadows as they neared. At the gates, two tall, armored guards stood at attention, their spears crossed in front of them, blocking the way. Their eyes narrowed as the travelers drew closer.

  "Halt!" one of the guards commanded, his voice strong and authoritative. "State your business and your identity."

  Finn, standing tall and calm, stepped forward, his voice steady. "We are students of the Arcane Academy of Elyndor," he explained. "We’ve come to Drakthorin on official business, under the academy’s directive."

  The guards exchanged a wary glance, their suspicion clear. "Prove it," the second guard grunted.

  Without hesitation, Finn reached into his bag and pulled out the folded parchment—the admission form from the academy. It was embossed with the academy’s unique seal: a silver-stamped emblem of a phoenix rising from an open book, its wings spread in the shape of a protective arc. Below the emblem, the words Arcane Academy of Elyndor were inscribed, and the seal itself shimmered softly, as though enchanted to ensure its authenticity.

  The first guard took the form and studied it carefully, his fingers tracing the phoenix’s intricate design. He scanned the contents of the document, then nodded, returning it to Finn.

  "The seal is genuine," he said, his voice now less harsh. "The academy’s approval is enough. You may pass."

  With a respectful nod, the guards stepped aside, allowing Finn and Enzo to enter the city. The gates creaked open slowly, revealing the bustling streets of Drakthorin City—an ancient yet vibrant metropolis, alive with people, strange creatures, and the hum of untold magic.

  "Thank you," Finn said, offering a final nod to the guards. They walked through the gates, the city’s grandeur unfolding before them, a world full of mysteries waiting to be explored.