Chapter 36

He was afraid of what the future held, but he knew he had to be strong and face it head on. He may have been brave, but now he needed to find true courage.

As he sent the note to the Drakonian kingdom, he tried to prepare himself for whatever was to come.

As Scales stretched her wings, Markus couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. She was such a majestic and powerful creature, and she would be his companion and ally on this journey.

When Fiona arrived, Markus could tell that she was a force to be reckoned with. Her words were sharp and her demeanor was intense, but he couldn't help but wonder about her true feelings for Leo. She seemed to hold him in contempt, but there was also a hint of something deeper.

Her sudden appearance made Markus wonder about her true intentions.

"Leo is busy caring for the animals," Fiona explained, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "He's been holed up in his study, researching some obscure text on animal husbandry. He says it's important, but I think he's just avoiding facing the world."

"I know Leo is passionate about his work, but I can't help but feel like he's using it as an excuse to hide from reality," Markus said, wondering how much Fiona truly knew about her fiancé.

"We must act quickly to stop the god killers," Fiona said, her voice full of urgency. "They're a dangerous and destructive force, and we can't let them wreak havoc on the world."

"I'm with you," Markus said, determined to help Fiona in her quest. "We'll do whatever it takes to stop them."

"And I'll be there every step of the way," Celeste said, taking her husband's hand.

"And I'm not letting you go without me," Cedric said, his voice gruff but determined.

"You'd be fools to leave me behind," Wyatt said, his deep voice rumbling like thunder. He set down his bag of weapons with a thud, and it was clear that he meant business. "These weapons are the finest I've ever made, and they'll be put to good use in the fight against the god killers."

Fiona eyed the weapons with interest, admiring the craftsmanship. "Wyatt, these are impressive."

Wyatt's gruff voice was tinged with sarcasm as he spoke to Markus. "It's nice to be appreciated for my craftsmanship, instead of just being seen as a big, dumb troll."

Markus let out a chuckle, amused by Wyatt's sense of humor.

Fiona rolled her eyes, but there was an affectionate smile on her face. She knew that Markus was a capable leader, but she also knew that he was only human and could make mistakes. She respected him for his honesty and humility.

Markus felt the weight of the group's expectations, but he also knew that he couldn't let that get to him. He was determined to do his best, even if he wasn't perfect.

Celeste looked at Fiona and Wyatt with a smile on her face, glad to have them on board. She knew that they were strong and capable allies, and she was grateful for their support. She felt a sense of relief, knowing that they would be there to help her and Markus. Even if they had their differences, she knew that they would all be working towards the same goal.

Fiona and Nora were both strong, independent women who were used to being in control. But when they met, they found themselves out of their depth. They tried to be friendly, but Fiona's dismissive attitude made it difficult. Nora tried to keep her pride intact, but inside, she felt a sense of sadness. Even though they were from different worlds, she had hoped they could find common ground.

With the wind whipping through his hair and the sun shining down on him, Markus felt a sense of freedom as he rode on Scales. He knew they had a long journey ahead, but he was determined to see it through. He looked over his shoulder to see Wyatt the troll following close behind, his expression serious but resolute. Despite their differences, they were a team, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"I don't mind walking, but I must say, flying is not my favorite mode of transportation," Wyatt admitted, looking a bit queasy as they soared through the sky. "It's a bit too much like being on a rollercoaster for my liking. But I'll do what I must to help." He looked at Markus with a determined expression, ready to face whatever came their way.

"Are you sure you're okay back there, Wyatt?" Markus called out over his shoulder.

Wyatt tried to sound brave, but his voice trembled slightly as he replied, "I'm fine, just a little nervous about flying. I've never been on a dragon before!"

Scales, the majestic dragon, rumbled softly in her throat, almost as if she was purring. Though she couldn't speak like a human, Markus and Wyatt could sense that she was trying to reassure them. She was a true friend, and they knew they could trust her to keep them safe.

As Scales spiraled downward, Wyatt's heart pounded in his chest. He knew something was wrong, but he didn't want to believe it.

Markus was keeping quiet, which only made things more confusing.

And Fiona appeared on a winged horse appeared in the sky.

"What on earth is going on?" Fiona demanded, her eyes wide as she surveyed the scene. She could see that something was very wrong with Scales, and she could sense the tension between the two men below.

"It's a long story," Markus said, his voice trembling slightly. He wasn't sure how to explain the situation, or if he even should.

Scales came to a shaky landing in a dense forest. She was exhausted, her wings heavy with fatigue. Markus suggested that the group take a rest, and everyone reluctantly agreed.

As they sat by a babbling brook, Fiona couldn't help but notice the unusual color of Wyatt's eyes. She had never seen a troll with blue eyes before. "Is that normal for trolls?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.

Wyatt's heart skipped a beat. He knew he couldn't keep this secret for much longer.

Fiona's gaze burned into Wyatt like a hot poker. She was clearly not buying his story about the recessive gene, and she wanted answers.

Wyatt shifted nervously, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he couldn't keep up the charade for much longer.

"Enough of this nonsense," Fiona snapped, her patience wearing thin. "Tell me the truth. Are you really a troll?"