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As the group drew closer to the Vanagate Kingdom, they could see the desert gradually transform into a savanna, then into forests and grasslands. Rivers and lakes appeared, and the hot temperatures of the continent’s center faded, replaced by colder, more humid air.
This was because the area was closest to Vanaheim, a continent mostly composed of rainforests. The atmospheres of each continent could mingle when they were near enough, much like in Jotunheim, where the climate grew hotter near the beaches, with grasslands and forests, unlike the mostly snow-covered landscape they had seen before.
In the distance stood a gigantic wall and an enormous gate, and right behind it, a city with a massive castle built atop a colossal bridge leading to Vanaheim.
This bridge, constructed solely by the dwarves using their magic and technology, was a work of art that took over three hundred years to complete. It was the pride and joy of the Vanagate Kingdom, which had grown around this bridge and the gate to the continent, becoming the largest hub of comrce and trade for both Svartalfheim and Vanaheim. Even rchants from other continents occasionally visited, mostly representing large companies.
It was a beautiful place, but it seed to be facing problems. Drake and the others noticed large cracks in the sky above the bridge to Vanaheim, with massive buildings and fragnts of a modern human city from Earth hanging upside down in the air.
What’s more, these fragnts surrounded the bridge, so having rged directly with it, blocking passage for those wanting to travel to Vanaheim and vice versa.
"W-What’s going on?" Charlotte was awestruck. "Those cracks, is this the sa thing we’ve seen before? It happened in my ho too?! Ahh! Is my family okay?!"
She panicked, but Drake patted her shoulders to calm the young seafaring dwarven princess, who had grown worried.
"Calm down, Charlotte," Drake said. "Just like before, I believe we can handle this. I think I could fix it with my abilities, but we’d better learn what’s actually going on. Let’s go to the city first. Do we need anything to enter?"
"You usually have to pay a fee..." Charlotte said. "Of a few silver or gold coins, depending on how many people you bring with you and how much rchandise you bring too."
"Alright, nothing I can’t create." Drake had long forgotten about mortal currency, but he easily created coins of gold, silver, and bronze with his powers, storing them in a leather pouch.
"Alright, you two make sure to remain in your Dragonoid forms at all tis, okay?" Drake asked, glaring at Athyst and Triton. "We wouldn’t want to make a fuss by suddenly making a giant dragon appear out of nowhere. Your large sizes an you could end up destroying buildings and harming people by accident, so don’t do it unless you’re in the sky, and even then, only in a big ergency."
"Ok..." Athyst sighed. "But what do we say we are then? Are there beings like us?"
"I’ll say I’m a rman. I do look like one!" Triton said. "Athyst, you’re pretty much like a desert elf and a dwarf hybrid... why not say that?"
"Eh, because I have scales, duh? Maybe rn can get away with it, but not !" Athyst said.
"It doesn’t matter. You’ll be surprised by how many people don’t really care that you have wings or scales," Drake said. "And mostly, nobody knows this is how Dragons look in their Dragonoid forms either. They assu it’s so sort of lizard or winged lizard Beastn tribe."
"Makes sense..." Athyst nodded. "Okay, shall we get going then? Who’s coming along?"
"My family and Alma’s team," Drake said. "About Root, he doesn’t have a Dragonoid form due to his unique nature, but he can compact himself into a small Spiritual form that accompanies Alma, so he shouldn’t be a concern."
"Alright then," Athyst nodded.
"Yuki’s still resting with Yudra?" Benladann asked.
"Yeah, it’ll take a while for her to get better," Drake nodded. "So we’d better keep moving. I’m with her right now, so don’t worry."
"Okay," Miranda nodded. "That little girl is really cute though! I can’t believe how fluffy she is."
"She’s so fluffy! Yeah!" Benladra nodded. "Daddy, can we go pet her later? I promise we’ll be gentle."
"I want to caress her tail," Kate said.
"I can teach her how to bite better!" Drakda said, smiling and showing his sharp teeth.
"Haha, okay, okay, I know you’re all happy and excited about your new little sister, but you have to leave her so room to breathe, okay? She was just born, after all," Drake laughed. "Wait a few days, alright? Once she’s done readjusting and feeling better, I’m sure she’ll go around the castle like all three of you used to. And then you can play with her."
"Okay..." Drakda sighed.
"Fine," Benladra nodded.
"Ok," Kate said.
"Alright then," Drake said. "Let’s get going. We should walk for now. Fuyu, go invisible and float above the city for now."
"Alright then!" Fuyu quickly disappeared, lding with the blue skies, as Charlotte walked by Drake’s side, nervous.
"So what do we do once we get there though?" Charlotte asked.
"There are a few things I want to do. First, find out what’s going on over there," Drake said. "Second, find Celene, the Moonlight Dragon living here. That shouldn’t be too hard. I’ve got my Draconic Senses for that. Third, et your family and probably offer them my help so we can solve that issue over there. And also, you get to et your family and make ands."
"Eeeh..." Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Look, I ran away from here mostly because I didn’t want the life of a princess! I wanted to explore the world and stuff! And it’s been mostly thanks to you that my dream ca true... My parents probably hate though. They never wanted to beco a Captain... I don’t really know what to tell them or how to even communicate with them without them reacting angrily and trying to imprison or sothing."
"Hmm, well, we’ll be there for you, Charlotte," Benladann said. "We won’t let anybody touch you, dear."
"Don’t worry about that, girl. You’re well protected," Miranda said. "We’ll force them to talk if necessary."
"But nothing too violent either," Drake said. "We want to get along, after all. In fact, we want to help them."
"That’s... fine, I guess..." Charlotte nodded.
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