First there was darkness, followed by a glow and a scream, everything suddenly shattered, like an image of a strange darkness without the slightest sleep, everything was suddenly illuminated by the glare of the morning sun and the room of a building called Lazaret, where there were a couple of beds and they were bustling around by each of them certain people in white.

Raya suddenly, knocked out of deep sleep, abruptly rose to see her friends and the chief of the city of Buelion, all of them were currently seated in their seats, and a few nurses made observations ranging from motor movements to observing the eyes and checking the movements and the labyrinth, Raya began to recall in her memories the day before. until suddenly she tried to grab her gun, but her belt was empty.

- where's my gun, where are we.

- you are safe, you are all in Lazareth, you have been put to sleep with a drug called Eerian, an anesthetic coming from the empire. Little Noi said standing by the bed with Tuk Tuk and Krun Win, staring at Raya and sitting near Lao Bin.

- wait, Irhabar has betrayed us!. She shouted Raya trying to get up, but her legs refused to cooperate, Raya fell back down and the bed looked at the confused Tong, furious Namaari clenching her fists tightly, Boun looking at everything from under his eye, and Nitor Hazin himself conducting an examination with his finger in front of his eyes.

- we were put to sleep, fortunately for us Irhabar did not use worse poison, he probably wanted to show us all his success. Nitor Hazin said.

- damn him, I thought he was one of us when I accepted him four months ago. Said Szan-Ka-Ran.

- and now he not only took the manipulated dragons with him, he also took my daughter. I have to keep him !. Szan-Ka-Ran shouted as he stood firmly on his feet.

- the guard, what do you know about the traitor.

- Lord, when we found out about the betrayal, we wanted to catch the traitor but he escaped, took one of the ships and sailed away, we could not chase him over the city on the same day a violent storm passed. One of the guards said.

- so he deceived us all, let the rats bite him. Said Namaai, she was more furious with the seed because she felt another failure in it.

- it's not our fault, he deceived us all. Tong said, trying to silence the fierce anger of his black-haired friend with a scar in front of his left ear a little.

- and what's worse, this rat, the Empress has been planning invasions for a long time, since she arrived only a week ago and Irhabar came to me six months ago, her spies have always been! how pathetic I am. Said Szan-Ka-Ran, furious with himself.

So he was running, Lao Bin asked.

- Actually, yes, but if it weren't for your little friend, we wouldn't have known about it to this day, she would have alerted everyone in the city. One of the guards said.

- you ?, child, I thought I was dealing with a small innocent child but now I see that I am dealing with someone really extraordinary, someday you will conquer the whole world. Szan-Ka-Ran said.

- thank you. Little Noi said proudly, folding her hands behind her.

- in every case you have to act, you have to do something, chase the traitor, he will definitely use our dragon friends and your daughter to get the second part of the scroll, we cannot allow it. Raya said getting out of bed as she finally regained full balance, putting on her hat and picking up her gun from the locker in front of the entrance.

- exactly you have to chase them, if the Empress gaining the scroll we will all be doomed. Lao Bin said as he straightened his lamellar armor and strapped his katana to his belt.

Szan-Ka-Ran nodded his bearded head, knowing his daughter's life was in danger, that he was on the verge of extinction, angry at the traitor and at himself that he stretched out his hand to him and Irhabar would use everything against him, but everything was to change again when he went to Lazaret one of the scale armor scouts burst in.

- Lord, we have bad news, the Empress's metal fortress has left, her legions have withdrawn, now it's headed straight for us! Said the guard.

Hearing the terrible news, Szan-Ka-Ran shuddered because he was torn between the good of his people, the good of the city and the good of his daughter, for a moment Szan-Ka-Ran thought intensely, looking out the window at the picture of his city, until he suddenly turned abruptly to everyone.

- so I have to stay in the city but you can help us all, the enemy is certainly far away, maybe the storm slowed him down but you have to stop them and I have an idea how you will do it, tell me if your Armadillo and millipede are fast. Szan-Ka-Ran asked, looking at the brown armadillo to the brown-red millipede, both Tuk Tuk and Krun Win grunted, making serious faces, ready for anything.

- clear Tuk Tuk is extremely fast. Raya said.

- Krun Win is also fast, even faster than your Armadillo. Said Lao Bin looking confidently at his companion.

- I doubt, Tuk Tuk is surely faster. Raya said

- probably in your dreams. Lao Bin said.

- this is not racing, it's about life!. Tong said, interrupting the unnecessary competition, which obviously disappointed Namaari who was curiously watching the exchange between the samurai and her friend.

- right, it's not the time, but I don't know if Tuk Tuk and Krun Win will accommodate us all. Lao Bin said.

- this is not a problem, I have something that will help you for me. Szan-Ka-Ran said.

- you are about to have some new unusual creatures. Asked Boun.

- some nice fluffy animal. Little Noi asked.

- something unusual, but it is not a fluffy animal, and the terrace behind me, I will show you and you, the guard, prepare a galley for our friends, it is to be ready for the cruise in a few minutes. Szan-Ka-Ran said.

The chief of the city of Buelion led everyone out of the Lazaret, leading Raya, Namari, Tong, Boun, Little Noi, Tuk Tuk, Lao Bin, Nitor Hazin and Krun Win to one of the main gates, where the workers and soldiers pulled out of the darkened building what had been give everyone a great advantage, an advantage over the treacherous Irhabar, as it turned out the soldiers pulled from the dark warehouse a three-wheeled vehicle called a tricycle, a steel structure made of silver steel standing firmly on three wheels, the front front and two rear wheels, with space for a driver and space for four passengers.

- the wounds are a Tricycle, something I saw in the south. Nitor Hazin said.

- me too. Namaari said angrily, recalling the day she lost her duel with Pelona and she escaped using just such a machine.

- but where did you find it. Raya asked, touching the steel structure.

- we found it in the forests of Gan-Ju, it was overturned and sank into the mud, probably some samurai of the Black Empress made a mistake and left us this machine when he heard the scouts coming. Szan-Ka-Ran said.

- we just don't know how it starts, and we preferred not to touch it. The chief added.

At the same time, Boun and Little Noi were the first to get into the cockpit, and Little Noi took the first two places, while the others were a bit tense to the reactions of two adolescents, both Boun and Little Noi were playing with small children and the reaction of a little schemer who could deceive and outsmart the traitor Irhabar authenticated that the machine found in the forests of Gan-Ju was not dangerous.

- young people know what they are doing. Nitor Hazin said as he took the driver's seat and pulled one of the levers, which activated the instant ignition.

One movement of the lever was enough and the Tricycle growled, the engines roared and the two nozzles ejected a small puff of black smoke, which quickly met with a nervous peek of the gathered people, all Raya, Namari, Tong, Tuk Tuk, Lao Bin, Krun Win, Szan-Ka- Ran and the guards and ordinary workers quickly took up arms, not sure of anything, after all, the Empress's machine could do anything, attack, get out of control and even explode, but a second, two and three passed and so far nothing happened, finally fear it began to give way a little until Nitor Hazin pulled another lever and the tricycle suddenly started to move.

No one was actually ready for what Nitor Hazin did, the machine bustled around everyone and practically everyone grabbed their weapons again but seeing a scientist in a black robe running the Empress's machine without any problems and the joy of Boun and Little Noi looking at the sight of how he gave im Tricycle the fear began to slowly fade away until lead Nitor Hazin stopped the Tricycle in place.

- Well, it's not that easy. It's like who's going with me. Nitor Hazin said.

- I!. Screamed Little Noi together with Boun not moving from the spot.

- I think you are growing, I will use it. Tong said, seeing it deal with his own fears.

- I will use the help of my friend. Raya said as she boarded her Armadillo.

- I will also use the help of my friend, but if someone wants to, I invite you, Krun Win can accommodate up to three people. Lao bin said.

A tricky idea emerged quickly in the mind of a fierce warrior, Namaari knew what to do and what to say to check the reactions and at the same time give another slick to her friend's nose.

- I will gladly take you with you, if it's not a problem. She told Namaari which immediately caused the first loud gasp and afterwards her friend's biting remark.

- Namaari what happened, do not pretend, you are afraid of this machine, what not. She said Raya and her clever and apt remark surprised all those who knew her, even Little Noi looked at her friend in a hat with wide eyes, admiring her effective attention seeing not the cause but the effect that followed after all.

Namaari actually expected every possibility, but not such, it was a real challenge, a test of her courage and it was stronger than another switch in the night, Namaari looked at Raya looking confidently from under her hat and crossed her eyebrows knowing that this time Raya gave her a bigger switch on the nose and today she lost, but she could not lose all the way, she had to take up the challenge and face it.

- I'm not afraid of this machine, look. Said Namaari as she boarded the last seat of the Tricycle.

- So let's go, time is urgent. Szan-Ka-Ran said, leading seven riders and their steeds, including one steel one.

Nitor Hazin fired the engines, which again met with great interest and a slight fear of the residents and employees watching in the harbor on the Nolan River, and the Krun Win Krocion g and the Armadillo Tuk Tuk, led by Raya and Lao Bin, who were following the steel machine Nitor Hazin driving leisurely.

- and why are they in such a hurry, I know that haste is needed today, but they exaggerate a bit. Tong said.

- exactly, everything can be overstated. Boun said.

- it seems to me that this is a specific competition on whom you bet. Little Noi said.

- Who are you for?. Asked Szan-Ka-Ran, holding the vehicle.

- Well Millipede is stronger but the Armadillo is also fierce, I like Tuk Tuk but I bet more on Krun Win unless they both cut a number, in the end they have their will and I don't think they want to compete with each other. Little Noi said.

- Em, does this look like one of those numbers to you?. Namaari asked, seeing as the Millipede and Armadillo suddenly accelerated to such a speed that both Lao Bin and Raya were more than surprised as their mounts approached the marina and the moored boat with increasing speed.

Both Krun Win and Tuk Tuk did as Little Noi had foreseen, the Million and the Armadillo stopped abruptly in front of the edge of the marina, and Raya and Lao Bin fell out of their seats and crashed into the water, everyone, seeing this, began to laugh and Raya became furious and annoyed Lao Bin emerged from below the surface of the water with a funny grimace on his face.

- Tuk Tuk what it was supposed to be. She asked Raya as she crawled out of the slushy earth and the water dripping from her head and soaked hat.

- Krun Win, was it on purpose what!. Asked Lao Bin as he entered the marina and looked at his friend.

- apparently your friends don't want to compete with each other, not what you do. Nitor Hazin said.

- besides, it is not necessary and necessary today, if you want to help you cannot fight each other. Szan-Ka-Ran said.

Both Raya and Lao Bon looked at each other with a slight sense of shame, because it was not the time for such disputes, but their guilt gave another weapon for Namaai wanting to repay her friend for the challenge she was burdened with, Namaari was not afraid of the Tricycle, the journey itself was a machine it was a great event for her, Namaari was as happy as her two children, and Tong nevertheless wanted to give her friend a little flick again for the night.

- Raya, Lao Bin, you are competing with each other, arguing who is better, as if I heard an old marriage. Namaari said.

Hearing this, Raya experienced a shock and with trembling eyes she ran away from everyone's eyes, trying with all her strength to conceal her condition and warming cheeks, while Lao Bin stuttered and to help Raya became very serious.

- it's not constructive, you're right, we should focus on our mission, enough competition, we need to cooperate, we need to quickly bring the Tricycle on board the boat and we are falling, and most importantly Mr. Szan-Ka-Ran, you have my word, we will do everything we can to find your daughter and stop the traitor. Lao Bin said.

- you only have to succeed in this way you will keep the Black Empress, my daughter's life, the existence of my city is in your hands, but if the Empress's fortress arrived earlier and crossed the river, I would be forced to withdraw my ice east to the port of Zanonius, look for me there when you succeed. Szan-Ka-Ran said, and his words cast aside all the jokes and biting remarks of Namaari.

Moments later, the Tricycle was introduced on board the ship, Raya, Namari, Tong, Boun, Little Noi, Tuk Tuk, Lao Bin, Nitor Hazin and Krun Win stretched their masts to unmoor, a small, capacious flight and fast people left the port of the city of Buelion, where Szan-Ka-Ran became hope and fear, mixed emotions.

Less than an hour later, the people were sailing across the slight tides of the Nolan River, racing with the fugitive and the traitor, but more with the time itself, it can be said that the few days that passed were just a great race against time to delay the inevitable, so Namaari, standing in the bow of the boat, watched both the end the horizon of a long and very straight river and the great coniferous forest of Gan-Ju bordering the river, in her observation of the forest and the horizon, she was not alone, except for the view of coniferous trees, she now had to endure the rather irritated face of her friend.

Raya was extremely irritated with her friend that day, and the previous day as well, and everything was focused on the few biting remarks Namaari was making, attacking her for some unknown reason.

- maybe you tell me something, Raya, and you don't look at me that way with that strange look, I know that you have a lot to say to me, so go ahead, I won't bite your head off, not like you did when I suggested a joint trip to Lao Bin. Namaari said, folding her hands behind her back, which again triggered a real wave of irritation in Raya, which is shown by the trembling of her right eyelid.

- why are you like that?. Raya asked, blinking her right eye nervously.

- I'm not malicious, but rather amused, you and our friend, and you know, I saw something, something very interesting. Namaari said as she approached the suddenly retreating Raya.

- What did you see, huh?. She asked Raya, feeling him touch the edge of the boat.

- and how you watch our friend, how you are jealous of him and how he pays attention to you and you know, while you were sleeping today in a deep sleep, I saw something more. Said Namaari as she walked away from Raya and walked to the rear of the ship on the way passing Tong, Boun, Little Noi, Tuk Tuk, Nitor Hazin, Krun Win and finally Lao Bin, catching his reactions and quick bonding as he tensed the rope looking at her following Raya.

- but what, what did you see?, tell me. She asked Raya, stopping behind the steering wheel.

- something. Namaari said, leaning against the edge of the ship looking at the way back where they left the city of Buelion behind.

- tell me what did you see?

- and yet you care.

- oh you, give it a rest, maybe I care and then please tell me what you saw. She asked Raya, taking off her hat and piercing her huge eyes.

- and this saw our mutual friend looking at you while you were sleeping, when he thought you were not breathing, he was afraid for you and it could be seen. Said Namaari, dismissing all the biting and malicious remarks, sounding only sincere.

- it really means. she asked Raya, quickly putting on her hat, feeling her cheeks begin to heat up.

- yeah, really, if you know what I mean. Namaari said, winking at her friend.

It was the only moment Raya had really forgotten all the wrong and when she looked back to surreptitiously see Lao Bin suddenly escaping sod with her butt, which meant he had an eye on her before and she quickly ran away from that momentary exchange of glances.

- You see, he probably likes you.

- Caution. Tong's scream interrupted all whispers and meditations, all of a sudden, everyone came to the edge of the sweet spot, seeing a shipwreck nearby.

- it's probably the ship on which the traitor and your friends sailed together with the chief's daughter. Nitor Hazin said.

Everyone saw the shipwreck broken in half which meant only one thing, a great and powerful storm actually shook the river and caused the boat accident, but the lack of dragons and people nearby also indicated that all the ship had managed to evacuate and they are certainly far away, maybe even beyond the forest on the edge of the great crater.

Seeing the shipwreck Tong immediately pulled on the ropes and dropped a small anchor which caused the boat to run aground immediately, when the ship stopped on the sandy surface Tong dropped the footbridge and quickly took her place in the Tricycle.

- well, what are we waiting for, our friends are certainly far away. We have to find them, and that's it. Tong said.

- wait, I'll check the tracks. Namaari said, jumping off the deck of the boat and checking the first trace.

When the tricycle was turned on and its engines thundered and the vehicle itself slid quickly down the footbridge entering the forest area, Namaari looked for the first traces, but did not find any on the riverside area, the first traces she found were traces of a few meters of dug litter, which meant only one thing.

- our friends were here maybe three hours ahead of us, it's not bad we have time, maybe we can catch up with them, traces of dragons and two people lead deeper.

- so what are we waiting for, Namaari quickly get in and you Nitor Hazin start the engines, I can't wait for you to start this machine with full force. Said Boun as he sat in his seat with Little Noi looking forward to the race.

- So let's not make this traitor wait, quickly. Lao Bin said as he sat on the back of a brownish-red millipede with Raya clinging to the rope and his armadillo.

- right, let's not make them wait. Namaari said as she hopped aboard a Tricycle between Boun and Tong.

- take care. Nitor Hazin said, pressing the levers and firing the full power of the Tricycle, shaking the forest and everything that stood in his way.

The tricycle fired the engines with full force and led the two mounts chasing him, Tuk Tuk and Krun Win.

Meanwhile, three dragons, a blue Sisu, a light purple Amba and a lime Pengu ran across the barren land, leading two people behind them, the chief's daughter in the green dress of Lan Wina and the man in the mopped Irhabar.

Five runners ran as fast as they could, racing against time, because hearing about the steel soldiers' patrols that could come at any moment, unable to waste time resting or waiting for friends left in the city, Buelion, Sisu, Amba, Pengu, Lana Wina and Irhabar rushed for the barren earth, seeing and feeling denser and denser fumes of heat, the heat itself seemed to feel more and more by Amba and Pengu, as water dragons of high temperatures, and all the more the flame reduced their own strength, made them weaker, while Perngu and Amba felt the resolute loss of endurance Sisu rushing ahead did not seem to feel that much tiredness until the moment her eyes saw the first sight of a crater rising from forty meters high.

- here, a few more meters, the crater will be punished with our eyes, and in its center, the seal stone closest to the liquid fires is the seal stone, and in it, I suppose, half of the prophecy you told me about. Irhabar said.

- so what are we waiting for quickly. Sisu shouted as she ran to the top of the crater.

- Sisu please wait. Pengu said as he chased his little sister this time.

- doesn't she know, it's full of flames and a guard, Sisu !. Amba shouted.

Despite the screams and requests from Sisu, she was racing along the barren and slightly shaky ground to the very top.

- why are you so afraid of her, it is a water dragon, I suppose. Lana Wina said.

- he is a water dragon just like us, but the mighty flames are dangerous for us. Pengu said as he ran to the top.

- so how do you want to fight the guardian !. Irhabar shouted looking back as if he was looking for something or someone.

- fighting the guardian, with the fire dragon in his area is the last option that we prefer to avoid, but he is a dragon like us, our rules forbid fighting between tribes like. Amba said, panting quite loudly.

- but it is the guardian who gives his word that he will guard the treasure, even from you, don't you see it. Irhabar said.

But no one answered the traitor's last words, instead Amba and Pengu continued to chase their sister Az to the very edge to see from Sisu the great crater and the protruding rocks from the liquid fire, and the last central stone where the great seal stone rested, at first glance looked like like everyone else, the difference is that everything around them is sedimentary rock and the seal stone was quartzite.

- you see how beautiful it is, you feel it, it's amazing. Sisu said taking a deep breath.

- I don't know what to be so fascinated about here, the air is heavy and the conditions are difficult. Pengu said.

- but admittedly, the view is amazing, look, there is fire everywhere, the rocks are fortunately high enough to jump over the flames and stand on the rocks, they are certainly not hotter than the ones under our feet. Said Lana Wina as she touched the warm rim of the crater with her hands.

- Wait, and where the guard is, he should be here somewhere. Irhabar said, looking at the great crater and the liquid fire.

- it must be somewhere nearby, it must be lurking in the flames. Pengu said, watching the liquid fire carefully.

- in flames, should it kill him?. Lana Wina asked.

- no, because he is a fire dragon, fire does not harm him, water can extinguish him but not kill him, unless he falls under the water and as far as I know, fire dragons cannot swim, unless this one does. Said Amba.

- but there is no water here except for you, so we probably won't drown it. Irhabar stated, sounding more irritated.

- anyway Sisu, listen to us. Amba said as she stood before Sisu with her brother.

- yes I'm listening, we're going to meet a fiery dragon, right, with a poor lonely dragon, as if we would give him our friendship, or another gift. Sisu suggested having her own plan.

- the court would not want to talk to us, of course, we will try, but you, please, have to stay here. Said Amba.

- what but for what. Sisu asked looking as big eyes as Lana Wina.

- we agreed with Prane and Jagan that we will not let you fight the fire dragon, you are not ready for it, you cannot, we will do everything to convince him and if there is no other option to outsmart him, but we cannot allow you to take part in the fight, please give us your word that you will not get involved in a fight, please!. Pengu shouted in the last words.

Sisu met the pleading glances of her siblings, on the one hand she did not understand why they wanted to defend her so much from the fire dragon, on the other hand, she could do nothing but nod her head slightly and listen to her siblings.

- I promise. Sisu whispered and a smile and a deep breath allowed Pengu and Amba to regain their composure at least until the sudden shock and loud growl of the fire dragon shook them all.

- is it?. asked Lana Wina, stepping back from beneath the rim of the crater.

- it's true. Irhabar asked, looking at the crater and behind him until his eyes twitched, showing only anger and rage.

- it's him, the fiery dragon. Pengu said.

- so what are you waiting for, fast patrols can arrive anytime now !. Irhabar shouted, not for fear of the patrols, but of what he saw at the edge of the horizon, of the riding Tricycle and the millipedes and the Armadillo chasing after him.

- Amba follow me, and be careful, Sisu, stay here. Said Pengu as he ran down the crater of materialized pieces of ice that broke so easily and quickly under the pressure of fire and heat.

L

The race to the burning mine is actually the beginning, soon everyone will know the power of the fire dragon, the second dragon tribe, but there is something else hidden in it all that will speak soon.