---
"I've never seen that species before, it's not a chicken" Zephyr muttered. "It's not just elemental… there was something intelligent about it."
"It had smug energy," Fenna agreed, arms folded.
Star groaned and curled up beside them. His training had exhausted him, and he nuzzled into Zephyr's leg with a low puff of smoke.
Fenna leaned back against a crate. "It's mocking us."
Zephyr nodded. "We'll see who mocks who tomorrow."
But deep inside, he was curious. That burst of fire. The disappearance. And that scent of smoke and sweetness and that heat.
He was starting to suspect they weren't dealing with just an ordinary rogue beast. They were dealing with a rare kind. And if it was a rare beast fledgling… then it wasn't just mischievous. It was priceless.
He glanced toward Fenna, who was now mumbling angrily to herself about dress theft and public revenge.
