I Only Tame Dragons

Von continued, pointing toward the colossal spires. "We\'re in the first region — Sky Talons. Those massive, vertical rocks rise over a thousand feet, with patches of grass and trees clinging to their sides. They dominate the landscape and are a proving ground for the brave."

Horizon raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Crystals," Von explained. "Beautiful, colorful ones can be found at the highest peaks. Anyone who scales those heights and returns with one is seen as a hero, proof of their courage and ability. But it\'s not as simple as climbing and picking gems."

"What\'s the catch?"

Von\'s expression turned grim. "Harpies. The Sky Talons are their hunting grounds. They nest among the tallest rocks, watching for anyone foolish enough to wander into their territory. They\'re sadistic, luring people into traps — falling rocks, deadly snares. And if you survive that, they\'ll swoop down, snatch you, and drag you to their aeries.

Once you\'re up there? Escape is pretty much impossible."

Horizon glanced at the distant peaks, now far more sinister in his mind. "Charming. So, what\'s the story behind them?"

Von sighed, his gaze darkening. "The legends say that this land once belonged to winged elves, cursed by the gods for their greed and arrogance. They were transformed into harpies, doomed to live out their days as savage monsters, driven only by hunger and a twisted sense of survival. The ruins of their old civilization still linger along the rocks, but no one dares to venture there."

Horizon stared at the towering spires, their tops hidden in the mist, a faint rustling and flapping sound drifting down from above. Even the beasts of the forest seemed to take cover, avoiding the open skies, for the dragons still roamed, swooping down to snatch any unfortunate creature they could take back to Drakha.

"Are we still in Sky Talons right now?" Horizon asked, eyes scanning the treetops as the distant flap of wings echoed in the air.

Von nodded. "Yeah, we are. But we can head to the next area — Mirror Fall Rapids. It\'s the second region of the grove and a little more manageable . . .

or at least it seems that way at first."

They pressed on, the distant roar of rushing water growing louder with each step.

Von explained as they walked, "The central area of Singing Grove is fed by rivers — massive ones that create these incredible waterfalls and rapids. It\'s a rich, vibrant place, full of wildlife. You\'ll find everything from flying beasts singing in the trees to reptiles lurking by the water\'s edge. But like everywhere in the grove, it\'s only peaceful at a glance."

Horizon gave him a sideways glance. "Let me guess — more dangers?"

Von grinned. "Lizardfolk. They\'ve made their homes along the riverbanks and the edges of the waterfalls. Protected by the roar of rushing water, they\'ve managed to avoid the harpies\' songs for generations. These tribes keep to themselves mostly, but cross their paths at the wrong time, and you\'ll wish you hadn\'t."

"They\'re that dangerous?"

"They\'re fiercely territorial. And, they\'ve lived here for so long, they know every inch of the land. Outsiders don\'t stand a chance unless they know what they\'re doing."

Horizon\'s gaze drifted ahead, the shimmering reflection of water now visible through the trees. The air grew thicker, more humid, and the sound of rushing water filled the air. Another deceptively peaceful part of the Singing Grove lay ahead — one where danger lurked beneath every ripple.

"Most tribes live in harmony with the nature around them, only showing aggression toward those who disrespect the forest or disturb its delicate balance," Von explained as they navigated the winding forest paths. "But some are different — fanatical, violent. These tribes are led by vicious leaders, and their members will attack and devour any trespasser without hesitation."

"You sure know a lot," Horizon remarked, recalling his studies back in the ARK. Even those hadn\'t gone this deep into the lore.

Von grinned, a hint of pride in his eyes. "That\'s because I\'ve roamed across Eternia more times than I can count."

"More like you\'re ancient enough to know all this," Cappy interjected with a chuckle.

"Shut up, you," Von shot back, shaking his head.

"So, are there treasures around here?" Nyx asked, her eyes glowing with excitement. Her head twisted unnaturally, rotating a full 360 degrees as she scanned the surroundings, the bones in her neck snapping audibly.

Horizon had to remind himself that Nyx was undead. Snapping her neck wasn\'t going to kill her.

"I can\'t say for sure," Von replied. "But this is Eternia, after all. The whole land is a treasure trove. It\'s constantly expanding, new places being discovered all the time. There could be ancient artifacts hidden somewhere deep in this forest, waiting for someone brave enough to find them."

"OoOoh~, just like Drakha then!" Nyx chimed in with a grin.

Horizon looked ahead, his curiosity growing. "What about the last area in the Singing Grove? You mentioned there were three regions."

Von\'s expression darkened, his voice lowering. "The Gloomy Woods. That\'s the last area here. Sunlight barely touches those parts of the grove. The mountains and thick treetops cast deep shadows over the land, turning it into a realm of eternal twilight."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. "The darkness attracts all manner of strange beings. It\'s a place filled with haunted ruins, eerie legends, and creatures no one dares speak of. Some say there are gateways to the Shadow Plane hidden within the gloom."

Horizon frowned. "And are those just stories? Or is there truth behind them?"

Von shrugged. "Hard to say. Some of the tales could be mere fables meant to scare off travelers, but others . . . well, let\'s just say I wouldn\'t want to find out the hard way.

What\'s certain is that anyone who enters the Gloomy Woods should be ready for anything."

Nyx\'s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Sounds like my kind of place!"