Chapter Title: A Mission Beneath the Surface
Morning sunlight filtered through the high windows of the academy dormitory, catching on the dust dancing lazily in the air. Somewhere outside, birds sang, but inside one room—littered with scattered training scrolls, used plates, and a pair of half-burned boots—peace was being violently violated.
"Asher, I swear—if you burned my blanket again, I'm going to smother you with it," Nick groaned, sitting up and tossing the charred fabric aside.
"It was an accident!" Asher yawned dramatically, stretching as if he hadn't just caused a minor fire hazard. "I sneezed and—well, Blaze Fang flared a bit in my dreams. What can I say? The sword has attitude."
Ethan was already dressed, adjusting the straps of his twin Spellmirror Daggers with methodical precision. "Let's just get to the mission hall before Asher sets something else on fire."
"Agreed," Nick muttered, brushing ash off his sleeves. "Besides, today might be the day we get something interesting. A real mission."
"As long as it's not another 'clean the alchemy lab' assignment. I'm still coughing up fumes from the last one," Asher added, stepping into his boots and flashing a grin.
The trio left the dormitory, walking through the academy's main courtyard where banners bearing the sigil of the Dragon-Blooded flapped proudly in the wind. Students were already up, training, sparring, or running around completing errands. Their presence drew stares—some curious, some respectful... and some still laced with resentment.
"You'd think people would be used to us by now," Ethan murmured, eyes scanning the crowds.
"They're used to fearing what they don't understand," Nick replied softly.
"Or maybe they're just jealous I look this good with a flaming sword," Asher smirked.
"Right," Nick rolled his eyes. "That must be it."
They reached the mission hall—a grand structure carved from obsidian and marble, with dragon motifs etched into every column. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with activity. Students gathered around the large mission board at the center, while others stood in line to speak to the mission clerk.
And there she was—Elina, the chaos incarnate in a clerk's uniform.
With short, messy auburn hair and glasses that never quite stayed straight on her nose, Elina was practically bouncing behind the counter. She had a smirk that screamed "troublemaker" and an attitude that could give Asher a run for his money.
"Well, well, well," Elina drawled, eyes lighting up as the trio approached. "Look who decided to finally grace the mission hall with their dramatic dragon presence."
"Nice to see you too, Elina," Asher replied, giving a mock bow. "We figured today was the day to rescue the academy from boredom."
"Oh, how noble," she chuckled. "Good thing I've got something juicy for you three."
She waved a hand and pulled out a parchment scroll with a wax seal bearing the academy's crest. "Escort mission. A group of human explorers have been granted permission to investigate an ancient cave on the outskirts of the Bleakroot Forest."
"Sounds simple enough," Ethan said.
Elina snorted. "Simple? The cave is ancient, enchanted, and most likely cursed. Also... you'll be joined by another academy group. Humans."
The trio exchanged looks.
Nick raised an eyebrow. "Why both groups?"
"Politics," Elina said with a roll of her eyes. "The Council wants to keep things balanced. Can't have the Dragon-Blooded stealing the spotlight, after all."
"So they're sending a bunch of egotistical, dragon-hating humans to babysit the same people we're supposed to protect?" Asher scoffed. "This is going to be a disaster."
"Exactly," Elina said sweetly. "Which is why I picked you. Because I like watching chaos."
"You're a menace," Ethan said flatly.
"And you love me for it. Now off you go—cave's a few hours west. Try not to die."
With reluctant grumbles and tightened gear, the trio set off—through the gates of the academy, across open plains, past winding rivers and towering cliffs. The journey was peaceful enough... until they reached the cave entrance.
There, already waiting, stood the human group. Five students clad in polished gear, posing as if for a painting. One of them, tall and sharp-jawed with a long sword strapped across his back, sneered when he saw the trio approach.
"So these are the dragon-worshippers," he said loudly.
"Yup," Asher said, not missing a beat. "And we bite."
The explorers—three men and two women—looked between the groups, tension clear on their faces. They were scholars, not fighters, here for knowledge and discovery.
The human leader stepped forward again. "Let's get something straight. We're here to do the job right. You three just stay out of our way."
Nick frowned. "We're on the same side."
"Tell that to the ancestors you betrayed," the boy spat. "You gave up your humanity."
That struck deeper than any blade.
Asher's grip tightened on Blaze Fang's hilt. "We chose to be strong enough to protect people like you."
"Enough," Ethan cut in, stepping between them. "We have a job to do. Let's just focus on that."
The explorers clearly sensed the tension but said nothing. The cave loomed nearby, silent and dark, waiting.
One scholar approached them quietly. "We don't care about sides. We just want to finish this safely."
"You will," Ethan said, eyes steady. "As long as they don't get you killed trying to prove something."
With that, the party moved into the cave's shadowed mouth, swallowed by ancient stone and the weight of old grudges.