SSS Rank Dragon Tamer: Unleashed
Chapter 57: Ash and Instinct

Chapter 57: Ash and Instinct

---

"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.

Maybe the universe had sent it to her on purpose. Either way, they had a new objective. Tomorrow, the chase continued. And next time, it wouldn’t escape.

A few hours later...

The sun had just begun to spill gold across the treetops when Star stirred. The drake’s nostrils twitched, sensitive to heat traces even in his sleep. A faint ember-scent lingered on the wind, mixed with something uniquely sweet and mischievous, just like the one from last night.

He lifted his head, eyes narrowing, and padded softly from the sleeping area. His claws barely made a sound as he followed the fading trail, nose low, tail swishing gently behind. The scent dipped and darted between trees, past fallen logs and over a small ridge.

He followed it for nearly half an hour, weaving through early mist and scorched branches until he reached a dark patch of stone warmed unnaturally beneath the soil. A rumble echoed faintly beneath the earth.

Star’s head tilted. Heat. Lava. Sulfur. It is the volcano for Emberwood forest. He turned around and bolted back through the forest.

Zephyr’s eyes fluttered open as a warm puff of air hit his cheek.

"Grr-hwrrp."

"Star?" he mumbled, groggy.

Star nuzzled him again and pawed his chest, then jerked his snout toward the forest. Zephyr sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"You found the trail?"

Star trilled and danced in place.

Zephyr grinned. "That’s great news. You picked up the scent?" He thinks, "But how? Last night you didn’t feel anything. Something is fishy."

Star’s tail wagged like a torch swaying in the wind. Zephyr called out, "Fenna! Wake up! We’ve got a lead!" Although he knew something wasn’t right. Yet, he wanted to find out about the fat bird.

From her sleeping roll, Fenna groaned. "Unless it’s breakfast or revenge, let me sleep."

"It’s both." She shot up.

Minutes later, with their packs light and weapons strapped, they followed Star into the woods. The trail wound through scorched thickets and obsidian crusted paths, weaving toward the smoldering horizon.

Hours passed as they trekked steadily uphill. The vegetation thinned, replaced by twisted trees and blackened shrubs. The air thickened, warmer with every step. The earth changed too. It became reddish ash clung to their boots, and faint tremors danced underfoot.

Eventually, the tree line ended.

Ahead, a broken ridgeline opened into a jagged volcanic slope. Steam hissed from distant cracks. Lava veins pulsed like red lightning beneath black stone.

And there, at the base of the mountain, nestled in the roots of the volcano’s side, was a small, shadow-choked cave.

Star stopped and sat, tail stiff and wings tucked in. Zephyr whistled softly. "So this is where the chicken lives."

Fenna took a step forward, her eyes wide. "Inside a volcano?"

Zephyr hesitated, eyeing the dark entrance. "That thing came from there. But we’re not ready. No gear, no maps, no backup. If there are bigger beasts inside—"

"I don’t care," Fenna snapped, fists clenched. "It ruined all my clothes. This ends now."

Zephyr blinked. "That’s a little extreme, even for ruined fashion."

She whirled on him. "You won’t understand! You won’t know the pain of a girl’s torn clothes! And the way it chewed my favorite boots! That beast has made an enemy for life!"

Zephyr raised both hands. "I’m not saying we don’t go after it. I’m saying we don’t rush in without a plan."

Fenna glared at the cave, her jaw tight. "I feel something in there."

Zephyr turned to Star. "Use your dragon sense. Tell me if there’s movement. Any signs of other beasts?"

Star crouched low, closed his eyes, and pressed his head to the hot ground. Seconds passed. Then his eyes snapped open. He whined softly and tilted his head.

Zephyr’s brows drew together. "Confused?"

Star gave a hesitant purr, then looked toward the cave. His wings trembled, unsure.

"That’s what I was afraid of," Zephyr murmured. "When that fat bird came to camp, you didn’t even notice it. If there are others like it—stealthy, fast, and elemental. Then we’re going to walk into trouble."

He turned to Fenna. "Let’s go back. Gather supplies. Make a proper plan. There could be lava pockets, gas vents—"

"No," Fenna said suddenly, her voice quiet but resolute.

Zephyr froze.

"I’m not leaving," she continued. "Something is calling me in there."

Zephyr frowned. "Calling you?"

She touched her chest, eyes locked on the cave mouth. "I don’t know what it is. But I feel it. Like a pull. Like... part of me is waiting inside."

"That could be dangerous," Zephyr warned. "A trap. Magic. Madness. Who knows what lurks in old volcanoes?"

"I know," she said firmly. "I know it’s not bad. It feels... familiar. Warm. As if it wants my help."

Zephyr studied her expression. She wasn’t joking. This wasn’t about revenge anymore. Her instincts had latched onto something deeper.

"I can’t explain it," she added. "But I trust it. A woman’s instinct is never wrong."

He sighed. Arguing would do no good. And if she ran in alone, he’d lose her in seconds. Zephyr stepped forward, took her hand in his.

"Then we go together," he said. "Whatever’s waiting for us inside... we face it side by side."