Akira Dracorider's Arc

Chapter 9 of 12

The Alicornriders left after three days, taking Nova with them in the orb once her wings had healed enough for travel. The girl promised to return, and Akira believed her. But the healing structure stood empty now, and the sanctuary felt quieter than before. That afternoon, a different family arrived. They introduced themselves quickly—their daughter was Princess Bella, and they needed someone to watch her while they traveled to the nearest settlement for supplies. Akira hesitated. He wasn't running a daycare. But the parents looked desperate, and Bella was already wandering toward the golden couch the Alicornriders had left near the gazebo. She climbed onto it and stared at Takashi, who watched her from across the snow. Akira agreed to one hour. The parents left before he could change his mind. Bella sat perfectly still on the couch for maybe three minutes. Then she spotted something glinting near the ice sculpture—a crystal orb that Alaric had been using to practice catch with Trace. She slid off the couch and picked it up, turning it over in her hands. The facets caught the light and threw rainbows across the snow. Bella gasped, enchanted. But when she looked up, she saw Cascade watching her from the edge of the gazebo. The dragon's blue scales gleamed, and his eyes were fixed on the orb. Bella froze. Cascade moved closer, step by deliberate step, and Bella's grip tightened. Akira saw the fear building in her face—she thought Cascade wanted to take it from her. He started to intervene, but then Cascade lowered his head and nudged a wand forward with his snout. It was carved with an ice dragon that spiraled along its length, delicate and intricate. Cascade stepped back and settled onto the snow, leaving the wand between them. Bella's fear dissolved. She set the orb down carefully and picked up the wand instead, running her fingers along the dragon's carved scales. She looked at Cascade, then back at the wand, and smiled. When her parents returned an hour later, Bella was sitting cross-legged on the snow next to Cascade, the wand resting in her lap. She didn't want to leave. Her mother had to coax her up, and Bella only agreed after Cascade dipped his head in what looked like a promise. Akira watched them go, then turned to Cascade. The dragon had chosen to reassure her instead of letting her stay afraid. It wasn't something Akira had asked for or planned. But it was exactly what the sanctuary needed—proof that the creatures here could decide for themselves how to build trust. Akira didn't need to orchestrate every moment. His companions already knew what mattered.