Back on the road, after finding a new one to follow, the sight of the capital was soon behind them as the group of six, including the horse, gradually made their way toward the distant peaks in the horizon, Black Talon. A name, thanks to Izuku's knowledge, was named after a fierce ancient black dragon had carved its large claws through the highest peak, leaving it in distinct, three talons of rock. If myths were to be believe, the impact caused tremors the whole continent could feel.

"Ciana?" Izuku nudged to her left while he sketched out the horizon in his journal. "Did you managed to find what you were looking for before running into Prince - ah, Shoto?" He kept catching himself, though Shoto didn't seem to mind, listening to Iida discuss a topic out of range while Uraraka worked on a small spell with her staff.

"Hm?" Now glancing at Izuku, she frowned in disappointment. Shaking her head. "Kinda… but I didn't have enough money for it so I couldn't get what I needed." She shrugged, maybe she will have to pawn in something if she finds anything interesting along the way. "But it's okay, we found big crystals before so I'm sure we can find others things to pawn in during our travels."

"I suppose... how expensive was this thing you were after?" Izuku questioned, if her 40 Gold, which was already a lot more than Izuku carried, even after giving away the mana crystal, wasn't enough, then what was?

"It was over a 100 gold coins…" she smiled sheepishly. "I have 40 so I just need to save up a little more, I'll figure something out so I'm not too worried." Ciana tries to look on the positive, keeping her eyes forward. "I'll work hard to earn it, hopefully everything will pay off in the end…" Ciana was determined to make up for everything what she's done to this Izuku… his happiness is always her top priority as well as her friends.

"100... Ciana," He wanted to ask more, but this seemed important to her. Whatever it was - it might even concern him to which he'd wait until he had more information from her. "Well, we've got a lot ahead of us, who knows, maybe we'll strike gold... maybe literally,"

She giggled at that, smiling a little more. "We sure hit the jackpot if we ever did, you be golden." Ciana makes a pun, even if it might sound lame. But now started to frown as she stared up at the sky. "I'm guessing your looking forward to seeing your girlfriend in the next town we enter…?"

"P-please don't t-take after Zorah and Echo, I-I thought I was free o-of that," He stuttered, blushing a bit at the insinuation while biting the corner of his lip. "...I'm... really anxious, a-actually - she's, w-well, you and Ochaco m-met her surprisingly, s-she's... different,"

She nodded in response, now glancing away. "Well no matter how different, she must be quite special to have captured your heart… she seems pretty nice to me." She smiles a little, at least not hating her. "Plus if your close enough to write to each other then i can tell you formed a close bond…"

"It was h-her idea, given how much she travels, s-so if not for that, I-I'd have never gotten her request," Izuku pointed out, running a hand through his hair in worry. "I just wonder what made her travel to the capital and back?"

"Well… you say she's a traveling performer right? Maybe she's been booked for some shows." She shrugs, her heart clenched but still wanted to support her friend. Now placing her hand on her chin in thought. "Though when I ran into her, she was being chased by some guards… I assumed from her devil traits she likes to get into a bit of mischief, do you know what she does exactly for fun?"

"Performing is basically her hobby, though she's a licenced adventurer, I think two ranks higher than me," Izuku murmured, trying to recall everything she's written to him about, most of it just her wanting to ramble as he does. "Her demon traits are more common than you'd believe, b-but she has this tendency to get caught up in trouble, s-so that may be why,"

"You must be a bit rebellious to fall for a girl like that…" she raised her brow playfully, giggling. "Say how did you both meet anyways?" Ciana now asks with a curious tilt of her head.

That made him smile a little nervously. "Well, t-that ties into me eventually meeting my teacher. But you already know that part; one day, a few travelling merchants had come through our village like usual to trade having made their way from the road nearest the shores. It was then I heard a lute playing at the back of one of the wagons, she was playing for a few kids from the village, smiling as she sang softly to them, her music inscribed in the air with her magic, just being close to her made you relax... despite her looks, she was similar to a gentle current but with a fire behind her eyes,"

"I-I ended up... tripping when I approached, much to her a-amusement, but then we... talked, the first person I-I've ever been able to talk to about... anything; that was the f-first time I've ever spoken more than a few words outside my house - n-not to mention her sister was there, s-so that made two people, hehe..." Scratching the back of his head, Izuku's face was stitched with a small grin.

Cianas gaze stayed on him as she listened, this girl despite having demon traits sounded more like an angel to her… Ciana smiled sadly, understanding how Izuku was able to fall for this kind of girl. "She really sounds amazing…" the girl looked down sadly, someone with that kind of a kind heart would have any guy like Izuku fall for her.

"Now I see why you like her so much… I'm really happy to know she makes you feel that way…" What mostly hurt her is that she is nothing compared to her, her beauty and her compassionate heart with a talent for music, Ciana felt ugly… she's a monster who causes problems and messes with this Izukus mind… she really didn't deserve him, maybe not even the other too…

"I'm certain how I described Kiara is how your Partner feels about you; you radiate this aura of tenderness and warmth, you have an amazing talent for singing too - he's lucky to have someone like you who cares and would put themselves through all of this just for his sake," Izuku smiled to her, nudging her shoulder softly. "I can see why he fell for you,"

"Huh?" She lifted her gaze and blinked at him in confusion. "Well… that's who I was before, not anymore…" now looking at her hands sadly. "I'm just a monster who could one day go crazy and hurt people… that's not worthy of anyones heart, not even yours…" Ciana expressed sadly. "You don't have to say all that just to make me feel better… I appreciate it but you don't have to lie…" after what she did to Izuku this morning, she didn't think he actually completely mean it.

"Ciana, if he didn't care about you, then why would he put himself through all those days trying to help you? No one needs to put themselves in that risky situation, but he did for you, so you could feel good about your own body, to be the normal girl you want to be," He reinforced, giving her a thoughtful smile. "He loves you, that much I can tell, and I know you feel the same way - you'd do anything to help him, no matter how difficult it may be,"

"I know he cares, he expressed that enough…" her gaze stays on her hands, conflicted by other things. "But… I'm starting to wonder if my power made him fall for me, like how you think you are with me when my other side makes you intimate… could it possibly be that way due to how I wanted it to be…?" Ciana recalled when she first kissed Izuku… her eyes glowed and he said he realized his feelings when they did that experiment…

"...magic can't force miracles, nor can it be used to bring a person back from the dead, or make someone fall in love with another - there are so many things power alone can't force," Shaking his head, Izuku gave her an honest look. "Ciana, is that really all you see his feelings toward you as? Nothing can falsify that... if you can't accept that then... I really don't know how to argue otherwise," He sighed a bit, this was a wall he couldn't pull down. If she believed that, then what can he do? "I'll give you some time to think about that..." Then he moved a bit to the side, giving her some space.

Seeing that, now she thought she was becoming annoying. "I should have just kept my big mouth shut…" Ciana frowned to herself as she turned her gaze down sadly, feeling her heart crack more. "I got to get the money as soon as I can, the sooner I earn it the sooner Izuku will no longer have to put up with me…" her fists clenched, she really wished she had her notebook to write her thoughts in instead… best to keep her distance from Izuku now.

Midday was passing by, and now the group had stopped to eat and rest. Iida happened to be a great cook, and so, offered to make food for everyone. Shoto got acquainted with helping around given his inexperience; so he tended to his horse and checked over their supplies to either restock with things in the wilderness or to ensure they hadn't lost anything. Ciana was helping in that regard while Uraraka helped Iida and Izuku went foraging.

"Hey-" Shoto drew Ciana from her thousand yard stare. "-you've been looking into your bag for a while, is everything okay?"

"Hm? Oh yes! Sorry just spacing out." Ciana smiled anxiously and waved her hands, she really didn't want to press her thoughts on Shoto next… knowing when she did in UA he got frustrated. "How about you? Everything okay?" She tried to turn the question around to avoid her problems.

"...your deflection aside... it's strange being so far from the capital - the castle itself," He ran his hand over his blue crested vest shirt, thinking to himself about acquiring actual protection in the near future. "But this is new, and... I feel free to dictate my own life now, my choices matter, what I say is within my control,"

"Your not wrong about that, I always wondered what castle life is like but must feel good to feel more free." She offered her usual kind smiles. "I admit there are times I feel pretty trapped myself due to a curse i happen to have thanks to a dark wizard…" Ciana shrugs, taking out another apple to offer his horse. Thinking he's probably hungry too.

"Izuku mentioned that; you're a dragon shifter, but its your instincts you haven't got control over," Shoto replied, it seems everyone in this group has some personal issue they're trying to overcome, like himself. Watching her feed his horse, he added. "Nala was brought beyond the walls of the capital prior to my escape thanks to Remiru, she had planned out almost every step for me that I couldn't."

"I see…" keeping her gaze on his horse while petting his head again, she always had a soft spot for animals. "I heard from some tales she's quite a fine warrior… that's how I knew her name before." Ciana explains in case Shoto wondered about that before. "But yeah… I'm a dragon shifter apparently, I been scared how much the change is effecting me and I panic whenever I see myself look different… but that's why I'm here with them, I'm hoping to seek a dragon somewhere to learn how to overcome my form."

"I see..." He returned to sorting the saddlebags for Nala, distributing the weight. "Then may you find those answers, hopefully - but what happens if you can't find one?"

"I'm not sure…" she responds sadly while looking down now, shrugging. "For now I'm saving up to get a magical spell before I part ways, it's pretty important so I can't leave the group yet without it." Taking out the water dispenser from her bag, Ciana walls over to the lake to fill her water as she bends down to the stream.

"How about you? Did you want to achieve something besides escaping the castle?" Ciana glanced back at the prince with a curious smile.

"I'm not sure yet... I guess, I want to find that out along the way, the person I want to be before the title I was given; not just what I was born to be," Shoto replied, staring at his left hand. "My affinity for fire and ice magic, combined with my swordsmanship were drilled into me, but I want to know more beyond what I've been told behind four walls."

"I'm sure you'll seek those answers with us, especially with Izuku at your side." Now having her dispenser filled up, she ended up sitting by the stream. "Izuku is very intelligent and studied a lot when it comes to magic and people so I'm sure he can help you figure something out along with Tenya and Ochaco. But with those kinds of magic and skills you have I'm sure you would even be an amazing knight if you wanted to be."

The girl smiled more at that, knowing the other Shoto made a great hero to look up to, now looking out at the lake. "I'm pretty conflicted with myself too… and I've been too open about how I feel lately which is getting on one of my friends' nerves…" She embarrassingly rubs the back of her neck.

"I usually write my thoughts down in my journal but I forget it after I left…" Now glancing back at the prince. "I left my loved ones behind due to what my dragon side has been doing to me and I thought I would keep them safe this way if I went away… Another reason why I'm here is that the sooner I find a dragon or another dragon shifter that can help me stay in control of myself then the sooner I can go back to them, my power isn't something I was ever born with."

Now looking at the sky with her arms crossed. "I'm afraid to be viewed and act like a monster… I want to continue remaining who I am so I can be somebody my mom would be proud of. I haven't done a good job living up to her but I hope I can turn that around… I came this far so I refuse to give up, I don't want to run from myself anymore…"

"I see," Shoto stared at her back for a while, then felt his right hand twitch as he summoned a small ice-blue glyph, staring at it before dispelling the seal to look at his right, summoning a fiery orange seal atop the palm but it vanished faster in his fist. "I guess we're trying to find similar reasons to move forward,"

"Hey, you guys, lunch is ready!" Uraraka waved to them. "Tenya says we should eat quickly if we're to make it to the next down before nightfall!"

That's when Ciana gets up, perking up again. "Great I'm starving!" Stretching her arms now before heading over. "With all the running I been doing, I deserve a good meal…" she replied playfully as she now sits down with her other friends, though kept her distance from Izuku and sat more next to Shoto.

Shoto stared at the bowl of what appeared to be a soup or broth with vegetables cut up tiny. He took a spoonful, tasting it for a moment before silently eating more; compared to the food he was used to being prepped back at the castle, this was... how would Yuuki put it? Warmer. It was strange, since it was piping hot, but he did have unfamiliar company now. "...it's good,"

"I'm glad you think so," Iida replied graciously, feeling elated the Prince liked something worked up in such barbarian conditions without complaint.

"It's funny when you realize meals taste better when you eat in a group, it's more enjoyable that way after all." Ciana beaned cheerfully while taking a bowl and already eating as well. "Have you ever tried fishing Shoto? During our next meal I could try spearing fish and you can try it out with me if your up for it." Ciana had to admit she missed Shoto deep down, he had always been interesting to hang around with.

He looked up from his bowl, giving her a strange look. "...'spear fishing', normally people use rods for that, don't they?"

"Most people do, but there are various ways to hunt - spear fishing, some use large nets, others cages," Izuku replied briefly between bites.

"Would there be anything to fish near the mountains though?" Uraraka asked curiously with Iida holding up a finger.

"Yes, the base of Black Talon would have several streams and small lakes, it would certainly help if we end up staying on the road longer than expected up on the mountains," He added.

"Plus it's kinda fun as long as you keep an eye out for your foot…" taking a sip of her water from the dispenser. "Better than waiting around to reel in a fish too, I always hate doing that…" she chuckled.

"I guess I could try," Shoto replied, not entirely sold on this activity but it would be useful to learn more skills for dealing with travel that a book can't teach. He could defend himself, that much was obvious, but there are always inconsistences to be wary of. "Izuku, why is it we're heading for this specific location? I can see you are all adventurers, bar Ciana due to her lack of a tag, so is this to do with a request?"

"Erm... yes and no; it's been officially signed by the Pathfinders as a legitimate request we're partaking in; but originally, a friend of mine asked for my help personally, something in the mountains is making people ill though she never specified as to what; my guess is that it's bad since Ciana spotted her in the capital a day ago," The greenette explained, feeling his hand around the bowl tense. "I just hope we're not too late to help..."

"We'll definitely be on time, count on it!" Uraraka encouraged. "Besides, now you have all of us to back you guys up!"

"She's correct, this quest is now our own too," Iida replied, an adventurer or knight would do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of innocent lives, this was just one of many steps in that goal.

Ciana nodded along in agreement and encouragement, but glanced down at her bowl in a frustrating expression… keeping her eyes off Izuku but glanced back up still averting her gaze from him. "Whatever is going on I know we will be able to help, it's never to late to help someone in need." Ciana had a lot of faith in her friends knowing they are hero's no matter what world their from.

Though Ciana narrowed her brows in thought after that… Ciana knew she relied on Izuku too much, knowing he has his heart set on someone else upset her… but could guess that's the dragon side that's becoming possessive, she then sighed. "He probably very annoyed with me by now… I can't rely on him anymore, I need to handle things myself for now on and just stay away to make sure things don't become worse between us."

[Transition]

A few hours passed, and the land started to shift, the road was on a slight incline at times, passing through a cooler climate than before, and the forests they walked through became dotted with darker coniferous evergreen trees. During the trip, Shoto helped Iida and Izuku with their swordsmanship, being a relatively good teacher in just improving on their basics since he much preferred casting.

Ciana continued to take in the sights around her, the smell of the forest soothing as well as the sounds. It didn't clear her head of thoughts, but it did help. That's when Uraraka nudged her side with her staff, using the wooden polearm to help her up the steeper inclines. "Say, is everything alright with you and Izuku? You guys seem... distant, more than what I've seen you two act,"

Ciana was hoping she wouldn't cause any concern… but it turned out to be unavoidable, the girl just shrugged. "Well we decided to give each other a break… rather not get in the way of anything he wants to focus on." Seeing a nearby flower field, Ciana goes to approach the field. Smiling as she bend down to smell them.

"Besides I'm sure he wants to have some guy time anyways." She replied without looking at the gravity wizard, keeping her focus on the flowers.

"Those are Amaryllis, pretty nice to see," Uraraka pointed out to the bright red flowers blooming as she leaned on her staff to look at Ciana's distant expression. "I don't think Izuku ever focuses on one thing, it's always two or more things; right now, it's this request, his friends, you, but he always looks so calm, like he has it all down pat in his head," The witch giggled. "Tenya can be much the same, so I know how it is to feel like you're getting in the way, but trust me, that's never the case with boys like them,"

She glanced at the girl now with a smile again. "I know what you mean, but Izuku wants to stay focus on aiding the girl he likes so I just don't want to distract him. I figured by now Izuku has a lot of question for the new member of our group when it comes to his royal title."

She giggled, plucking some of the flowers to fiddle around with them. "Izuku has always been so curious and excited when it comes to people and their magic."

They continued to walk and talk now with Uraraka nodding, fiddling with her staff. "I was always taught magic exists in everything, even if there's only a slither, it's part of what I focus on as well as regaining my full strength someday, there's nothing wrong with having other focuses, everyone has them, even people who have simpler lives than us, they have things important to them, it's natural, like magic," She emphasized by drawing a small circle with her staff, causing a ball of light to appear as it drifted ahead of them.

"You make it sound simple and easy." Her smile becomes more amused, now staring at the ball of light that floats in front. "But I just been too open how I feel to Izuku lately and it's starting to annoy him… which is basically why I'm keeping away from him for the time being, he deserves a break." She frowned now, right now she didn't feel very loved anymore… trying her best to keep everything in now.

"I think he's more worried than annoyed..." Uraraka frowned herself, the guys were a few paces back so she leaned over to whisper, looking at the raven-brunette. "No offense to Izuku, but I don't think he's ever seen the state that you're going through before face-to-face. I... have a better understanding... more than I'd like to admit, but it's true, I've seen what this does to people," She bit her cheek nervously. "I just don't want this to destroy you too,"

"Hm? You think so?" She glanced at Izuku behind her in wonder for a few seconds before looking back at her gravity wizard friend. "Well… even if he isn't I still want to make sure I'm not pushing anything stressful on him, I kinda relay on him too much anyways…" she admits rubbing the back of her head with a sheepish smile. "But I don't want to show any of that around Shoto ether since he's new with us, rather not cause any tension…"

Uraraka smiled, though it was obvious she was worried, "Alright... just... talk to me, if you just want something off your chest,"

"I'll keep that in mind." She smiled thankfully before looking forward again with her hands behind her back. "I'll be fine, I just need to focus on where I can find a dragon…" her brows knitted in wonder where one could be. "Got to learn where I can understand them better."

"Yeah... um, dragons aren't, like, super rare, but most really don't like people... at all," Uraraka winced at the hard truth. "T-the one that gave the mountain we're heading to the name 'Black Talon'? It's... p-probably the most terrifying dragon in history, n-no one wants to know if it's even alive - Calamitas," Even the name made the witch shiver. "B-but here's hoping! Hehe..."

"Wait… there's one there?!" Ciana really perked up from this. "That's great! I-I mean sound dangerous… but exactly where I need to check out!" Ciana had her fists in the air, already seeing some hope for her. "Oh, but… I can go see the dragon on my own if you guys are too anxious to get involved there." She of course things of her friends first before doing anything risky.

"N-no, what Ochaco means is, t-that dragon is a legend, n-no one knows if it even existed," Izuku pipped up, sheathing his sword again. "A-and besides, i-if it was alive, and that a big 'if', t-there's no one in the world that would ever w-want to encounter it,"

"I have heard rumours in text before," Shoto added in his bit, staring at his reflection in his silver longsword. "Calamitas the Black Dragon, according to legends, he could boil the seas, cause the skies to tremble with a roar, its very presence nearly doomed the old kingdoms,"

"While it may not be around anymore, if it even existed to begin with, people say the places it's touched are tainted with darkness," Uraraka finished off with a tight grip on her staff. "Black Talon is one of those places,"

"I see…" staring at the group as she took in all this info… it really sounded dangerous, but… it's the only lead she's got. Her eyes become serious as she now clenched her fist and raised it in determination. "Well if the legend is true or not… it's still where I want to go, I'm not going to let a scary tale stop me from seeking one out." Ciana was already set in this quest, she wasn't afraid.

"I'll even go on my own if I have to, and besides…" the girl now smiled proudly, clenching her fist tighter as it still is raised. "Your talking to a light wizard here, if it's as dark as you say then I'll light up the way so sounds no problem for me."

"I dunno if you're brave or insane..." Uraraka smiled a little. "B-but really, there's been no sign of this dragon for centuries, but if you want proof... I guess we're not far from it," As they approached the peak of their incline, the road levelled out, and the trees parted enough for them to see the mountains in the distance, still a good day's travel but the sheer size of the range was much more defined. Clouds hung around the tallest peak, but the edges of what appeared to be two large cracks were faintly visible by the darkened stone.

"Ah, is that the village you spoke of, Izuku?" Iida asked, pointing down the winding road to a walled off town ahead, some smoke leaving the tops of buildings as a few people moved around the exterior in farmland.

"Y-yeah, that's Blackrock!" He beamed, then shrank back a bit. "...n-not far now..."

"We shouldn't waste time standing around, it'll be nightfall soon," Shoto reminded them to start moving again.

Ciana could see Izuku was excited to get to the village, she sighed… knowing who he is looking forward to seeing. "Yeah better to find sleep in a comfy bed again than on the ground." She replied, though stares up at the peak in thought. "I wonder what the dragon is actually like in person… I'm kinda surprised a knight hasn't tried to go and slay one."

Her head tilted in more wonder. "No doubt Izuku is excited to see his girlfriend again… wonder if I should go on ahead to find the dragon to avoid my friends getting hurt?" Last thing she wants is to drive them into danger again… it might be something only a dragon girl can do.

Ciana didn't have a chance to test that as they made their way towards the entrance, the two guards didn't question them, simply nodding as they passed inside. Blackrock was bigger than Hunter's Seclude, several roads leading up and around the walled off town to homes and a few establishments. They passed a market square with a fountain in the middle, shaped like a beautiful woman holding a vase as water gushed out.

"I'll ask for directions to the inn," Iida stopped them, approaching a guard stationed at the fountain. "Excuse me, sir, may you point us towards an inn or tavern?"

"Hm, yeah, head down that street-" He pointed ahead of him where the road rose slightly. "-follow it until you reach the end, the largest building in front of you will be the Iron Glove, has an inn attached to it so no need to look elsewhere - oh, and there's some performers in town if you're interested, really great at lighting the mood as of late,"

"Why's that?" Izuku asked the man as he looked around briefly then sighed.

"A few from the village through the highlands, bordering with the Black Talon have come seeking medicines, a lot have come down with an awful illness, saps the energy from your body, leaves some sleeping for days, I'd say if you plan to head there, be wary of the vines, bunch have cropped up along the way," He informed them.

"We will, thank you, sir," Iida bowed his head to the man.

"My gosh that sounds horrible!" Ciana shivered at the news, reminding her a bit what her power does to her when she heals Izuku too much. Now continuing the walk to the inn. "Wait… vines? Didn't Izuku and I come across something like that during our travels?" She recalled the vines with thorns before that Izuku pointed out, crossing her arms while looking down in more thought.

"This kinda sounds like a sleeping beauty curse like in the fairytale… only there's no princess needing to be kissed awake and the dragon is up at the peek possibly." Ciana giggled a bit recalling on of the fairytales she read when she was little.

"Ciana... you don't think it's the same vines we saw at the cave entrance?" Izuku apparently came to the same conclusion, looking to her worryingly.

"It's possible…" she replied as she now looked to him. "Didn't you write and drew what they looked like in your journal when we tripped over them?" She asked, noticing he's been sketching some interesting things he seen during their discoveries.

"Yeah, here," Now everyone looked to Izuku who flicked back through his journal to a page with a large boulder and vines shaded black with white curved thorns. "I think... those are the vines the guard mentioned, and if there's a whole infestation of them... then I know why Kiara is here, she's trying to solve this too but might be overwhelmed,"

"Then we better find her and ask her more," Uraraka confirmed.

"With more information, we can better strategize how to combat this infestation," Shoto nodded.

"By the way these vines sound, it actually sounds almost similar to a story my mom read to me when I was little." The girl mentions, it wasn't completely the same but had similarities, shrugging but still very concerning.

Now glancing towards Iida as they moved. "Well in the story it involves a princess who was cursed by a witch when she was a baby, and she would be put to sleep when she reaches the age of 16 and will pluck her finger on the needle of a spinning wheel, the curse would break if she is kissed by her true love." Now placing her hand on her chin in thought of the details.

"The witch surrounded the castle with lots of vines with thorns to prevent the prince from reaching the castle, only the princess was put to sleep by a curse rather than the actual sharp thorn vines themselves." She shrugged, smiling a little amusingly. "Also the witch would turn into a dragon to guard the castle and the dragon you guys told me about is somewhere on the mountain."

"Something tells me the dragon from your story is much less terrifying than Calamitas," Izuku sweat dropped. "Maybe the thorns are its doing after all."

"We can probably discover more once we're inside," Shoto noted, nodding to the largest building as pointed out to them.

It was much like the rest of the town, grey brick walls with a dark wood frame, only it had a wider first floor while the second appeared a little narrower and rectangular with a v-shaped roof and lanterns hanging from the extended lip of the tiles. The doors were kept closed but from the open windows, the chorus of cheers and stomp of feet resounded like an anthem.

Heading inside eagerly, the interior was lined with long table and benches at either side, the path cleared say for people milling about, the bar at the back with a side door to the left that must lead to the rooms for the inn. Standing on the table set ahead of the bar, the group found the source of the noise, two people to be exact. Both recognizable to two in the group the most.

The one playing a violin, sat down at the edge smiled with her eyes closed, but her short purple hair and earlobes with long cable jacks was a dead giveaway as her hands moved across the instrument with grace. Her clothing was a dark purple corset with platemetal around her waist, stomach, and shoulders, her collarbone exposed. A pair of cream trousers under purple thigh-high boots, a pair of metal braces for her forearms too.

But the one that stood out boldly was the demon girl with a black tail tipped with crimson, her deep red horns bent straight down by her cheeks, and burning ember eyes that looked over the crowd with a smouldering gaze that had a few whistling as she opened her lips, revealing her fangs.

"There once was a girl who could blend into the night. Her speed was like lightning her step as if in flight. And before she slipped away he tried to call her with a plea. 'Please my firecracker come back and dance with me'~!" The angelic voice sang loud and proudly with a stomp in tune with the crowd as she spun around with a lute in hand, magic radiating from her body. "Come and dance now firecracker. Stomp your feet to the rhythm. Come and dance now firecracker - Won't you now heed our anthem~!?"

The crowd repeated her words to her as she raised her voice higher, a glow like flames dancing in the air around her form. "Set all the world into a mighty blaze! And dance the night away! Light up the night with your fiery gaze! He won't forget your faaaaace~!" That's when her eyes crossed with Izuku's, it was brief, but her flame grew brighter with a wide grin, her cheeks a little pink.

"It was then that the girl came into his sight. Shining brighter than any star in the sky. Spinning round her feet kick the ground into a spark. Setting fire ablaze inside his heart~!" She then leapt and bound over the tables, dancing around plates and mugs until she landed before the new arrivals, her eyes locked to Izuku's with a smirk. "With her dance she began to warm his world again... And he knew he would love her until the end..~" With a wink, she jumped to the left, moving back toward her 'stage' beside Jiro who rolled her eyes but chuckled, playing in tune until the song ended, and the whole tavern erupted into a mighty roar as both girls bowed their heads, fist bumping one another.

Seeing the music and cheers people were displaying looked a lot of fun when she entered the tavern, but taking notice of the girl again and hearing her voice and the way she dances… Ciana remembered her from before and she's amazing how she performed in person and stood in amazement. But… Ciana took notice of the way the girl eyed Izuku, and how he eyed her… her heart cracked at the sight, raising her hands to her heart in sadness.

"R-remember he's not your Izuku… but this is definitely the kind of girl that would win anyones heart…" what mostly bothered her is again, she felt ugly… she doesn't compared to beautiful and amazing people like this. "Wow, that… was quite a performances…" Ciana faked a smile, almost obvious she looked bothered.

"Bravo! Truly remarkable!" Iida was basically in tears while Uraraka's eyes sparkled with delight.

"She was amazing, even her back up musician was... I haven't got enough words for it!" She squealed, shaking Iida back and forth.

"I've heard many performers, but she was... a refreshing sight," Shoto even found it great, which spoke volumes as he was quite quiet all things considered. But he didn't miss the look Ciana made, but given their environment, he opted against bringing it up now.

"Wow..." Izuku was breathless... maybe lightheaded? Or maybe just very warm? He wasn't sure anymore as the bards waved and thanked everyone, though Kiara did most of that, Jiro just kept an aloof gaze forward as they broke through the audience that got back to their conversations until the next performance.

"Hahaha, I haven't had a crowd like that in a while - I've got chills~!" She sang, hugging Jiro from the side. "You were so cool too! I saw that smile you had, you loved it!"

"...bit obvious, aren't you?" Jiro raised a brow at her, smirking. "I was more thankful you didn't break several things with that stunt again,"

"Hey, I've improved my balance I'll have you know," Kiara pouted.

"Sure, after you fell through a rooftop-" Jiro began but a tail plugged her mouth.

"That was faulty construction and you know it," She tisked, then paused in her step as she removed her tail from Jiro's lips to stare at the group, more specifically, Izuku. "Hey there, you're the two girls from the capital... figures you were with... him," She smiled softer this time, "Been a while, Izuku, guess you got my letter? Well, of course you did, y-you're here, haha... I'm terrible at this stuff..."

"Ye-yeah, I did... and I had help getting here t-too," Izuku smiled at his friends, then to her. "H-hey, Kyoka."

"Yo," She waved a jack at him, hand on her hip. "Right, now, will you two quit with the awkward crap before I puke, seriously,"

"Hey!" They yelled at Jiro who smirked, pointing a jack at the free table near the bar.

"Come on, saved you guys a seat," She offered, waving them over.

Ciana had her arms crossed in annoyance, she admits she is jealous how everyone is wowed by this girl, especially Izuku… Ciana looked down in aggravation but perked up when noticing Jiro is here. "Right… Kiara mentioned these two are sisters, I wonder if Jiro actually has a sister back in UA?" Ciana asks herself while glancing at fantasy Jiro.

"I had a bigger audience with the whole world in UA… but what she performed was more amazing than I could do…" Ciana hated seeing how this beautiful girl was so dazzling to others… but didn't want to be rude as she tried to smile more. "I heard a lot about you… it's nice to see you again." Ciana greets her with a wave.

While they made their way over to the table, Kiara spun on her heel to walk backwards with a grin. "Same here! Grah, if I knew you were with Izuku I'd have looped back around to talk, but those guards were so persistent..." She grumbled, then blinked as she stared at Shoto who copied her, then she glanced down at his attire and instantly paled. "Oh crap - uh, h-h-hey there, P-Prince... please don't tell the guards who I am," She begged, her hands together quickly.

"...I don't have any authority now, even if I did, I have no reason to detain you," Shoto replied calmly.

"Oh thank Gods..." Taking a breath, she sat down next to Kyoka by walking over the table and hopping down with a sigh. "Slight heart attack aside - name's Kiara Jiro, and my sis here, Kyoka,"

"Um... are you two half siblings...?" Uraraka tilted her head a little. "You two... don't really have a resemblance?"

"Adopted," Jiro pointed to the demon girl who smiled softly, her eyes flickering with a distant stare briefly. Jiro seemed to sense this without looking, using one of her jacks to pull Kiara closer to her with a small smile. "But she's still my sister regardless,"

"...thanks, Kyo," Kiara murmured.

"Really? From how you dressed last time I saw you I thought you two looked very similar enough to be sisters." Ciana replied with a little smile, sitting down at a table now with both of her hands holding her face up. "Plus from the color of your hair and same bangs I say you almost look identical." Ciana remembered she thought she was Jiro at first due to the look and love of music, it was kinda surprising though they weren't sisters. But frowned when she glanced at Izuku seeing how bashful he looked with Kira's presence.

"He really does like her… there's no mistaking that look." Now slumping back, her gaze going to her lap. "This girl comes off pretty nice and full of beautiful talent better than me… and I just gave myself a bad impression with this Izuku just from acting like a scared clingy little girl…" Ciana covered her face in shame realizing this further.

"I'm so pathetic! Why did I have to be so straightforward with my depressing thoughts to him?! This girl just proves he deserves so much better…" Ciana felt her heart crack farther, the idea of Izuku not seeing her this way anymore stings worse than a blade stabbing you. "Maybe I should have just traveled alone…" The sad jealous girl mumbled while looking back down at her lap again.

"Ahaha, yeah, that's my usual look when I'm not performing, this dress-" She motioned to her black dress with her collarbone and shoulders bare, a pair of matching sleeves for her arms detached from the piece. "-is just to add to my performance - though, Kyoka is resistant on the idea, though I don't blame her for wanting to keep her 'tough girl' persona,"

Clearing her throat, Kiara then pointed her tail at Izuku. "Now spill, Izuku, what's with the group, how'd you meet these guys?"

"I'm curious too, thought you'd be solo - ah, no offense," Jiro waved quickly to the greenette.

"None taken - actually, we've only been working together recently, S-Shoto's our newest member," Izuku gestured to the Prince as Kyoka blinked widely.

"Crap, you weren't lying about him being... you know who," The purplette whispered to not cause an uproar.

"It's an honour," He bowed his head to them. "I prefer to keep my identity close to the chest for now,"

"I'm Ochaco Uraraka, a witch with some... issues, but me and Tenya here have been travelling together for a while to help restore my magic," She admitted as the knight sat up straight.

"Yes, I am Tenya Iida, a pleasure - and again, a stunning performance," He praised, swinging his arm again.

"Liked it that much, huh? Well, won't be long 'till we're performing again, have us booked until the next crowd arrives," Kyoka replied, twirling one of her jacks. Then she eyed the downtrodden Ciana. "And what's your story?"

"Hm? Oh, well… first off I'm Ciana Finley, pleasure to meet you." The girl put her negative thoughts aside for now and smiled. "Izuku and I ran into each other when I was trying to escape some bad people…" she explains so far, looking up at the ceiling to think how else to explain her situation.

"I'm kinda a light wizard that I mostly prefer to call myself…" now poking at her cheek shyly. "I'm… kinda cursed and just tagging along until I find help how to control my powers."

"You're not cursed," Kiara pointed out as she sipped on a drink one of the bar maids put down for her. "Trust me, demonic stuff's kinda a normal thing for demons, and you ain't cursed,"

"It's more complicated than that," Izuku answered for Ciana. "Her power isn't a 'curse' but the reasons and situations revolving around her magic she considers sinister,"

"...right, getcha," Kiara winked, sipping on her drink again rolling her eyes a bit.

"Thanks Izuku…" she smiled thankfully towards him before eyeing the group again. "I was cursed by a warlock to possess traits of a dragon he wanted to use me for a ritual, I managed to escape, but…" She stares down at her hands.

"Now I'm dealing with mood swings and scary traits I… can't really handle seeing on myself…" her dragon side has been causing her problems… clearly not liking what it does to her.

"So... a runaway, half-a-witch, knight in literal shining armour, and an emotionally unstable girl..." Kiara processed all this new information, then snorted a laugh. "Man, you really got yourself quite the team, Izuku,"

"I... don't know if that's a compliment? Thanks?" Izuku made a confused face, causing the demon girl to chuckle a little more as Jiro shrugged and fiddled with her violin.

"In any case, if you want to chat about the reason you're here, gotta wait until later tonight, we've got a job to do and all that," The purplette replied, finishing her tuning. "Be ready in five?"

"It's a date," Kiara winked as Jiro moved toward the bar to discuss something with the barman while Kiara leaned on one hand. "...it's crazy seeing you've become an adventurer and all, Izuku, that teacher of yours has to be something to see the kind of guy you are, heh,"

"Y-you think so?" He smiled bashfully. "I'm j-just trying my best... to live up to everything he's done for me,"

"...you dork..." Kiara sighed, shaking her head. "You made it this far, haven't you? I think that's already pretty impressive,"

"Your swordsmanship needs work, but... you are capable," Shoto offered, improving the greenette's mood further.

"Commitment and intellect are qualities you possess, so don't doubt your abilities," Iida reminded him firmly but smiled all the same.

"An emotional unstable girl…?" Ciana was offended by that scowled at the girl a little for that comment. "I see now why she has devil traits…" she murmured and scoffed, crossing her arms and glancing her gaze away. "Even if it's true she didn't have to point it out that way…"

Ciana ended up sighing, she felt like she might blow a fuse. Now getting up as she tried to show her usual smile. "Excuse me… I need some air." Ciana needed to think… so she ended up going to step outside…

Once she was out she just swung the door open closed it behind her, leaning next to door of the building and huffed in frustration. "I know she's Izukus girlfriend but why did she have to look down on me like that…" she crossed her arms again. "Already everyone's taking a fast liking to her…" Ciana sighed, staring out at the mountain. "A dragon is said to be somewhere on the mountain… just what kind could it really be in person?"

Ciana spent a while staring up at the dark sky and clouds that smothered Black Talon's peak, if a dragon did live up there, would it even let her close before burning her alive? And if that legend existed, she'd stand no chance at reasoning with something that could bring ruin to civilization.

The door to the tavern swung open again, revealing Shoto as he shut it quick to keep the loud voices from travelling far. "You looked agitated in there... the others wanted to give you your space, I think only I and Izuku saw through it though," He leaned against the wall next to her, looking straight ahead.

Ciana straighten up as she kept staring at the peak in thought. "Looks like a bit of a climb… but maybe I should try heading there." Her brows narrowed, debating if she should head there soon… or wait for her friends to decide what to do as a group.

Surprised to see Shoto come to check up on her, she frowned as she hope she wouldn't drag him into her problems. "I'm sorry about that… I was hoping i wouldn't get you involved with my problems since your new with us and all…"

She crossed her arms, staring down at her feet. "I just needed to cool off… hope I didn't cause too much of a scene in there."

"Like I said, only the two of us saw it, Kiana was too busy chatting with Ochaco and Tenya," Shoto replied in the silence that followed. "I thought it was normal to vent about these things to people you trust? That's what Remiru taught me that is, and my sister,"

"It is usually." She response, looking up at him as she perked up a little sad smile. "But I just didn't want to vent too much like I did with Izuku… I usually bring light to anyone I meet but now I'm just bringing them down… and I want to avoid that."

Ciana tries not to vent too much but only a little. "The girl in there made me feel kinda weak from how she commented on me… I felt kinda pathetic more, but I know I just need to prove her wrong." She glanced back to the peek of the mountain. "But also I'm think of maybe heading towards the mountain… by the way it looks, it might be the cause what's going on. Plus… I need to seek out a dragon who could help me understand my other side."

"Wanting solutions is a good way to stay focused, but convincing yourself to tackle perilous acts alone is foolish and desperate. I don't think you have anything to 'prove' to anyone; Kiara seems to speak without much consideration for judgement, so it probably isn't to be taken to heart what she said," Shoto advised.

"Yeah I guess…" rubbing the back of her head embarrassingly. "I just thought if I go on my own then I won't drag any of you in danger, I guess I always been kinda a risk taker…" she shrugs with a little amusing smile.

"Though by the way the peak looks, it might also be what's the cause of these vines everyone's talking about." In stories dark clouds over a place is usually a sign where danger lies.

"I think we'll learn the real reason behind the vines from Kiara after their performance for the night, but you should be patient," Shoto eyed her carefully. "We have no evidence to say what's at the peak is the cause, and a myth can't be the basis to go off of, give it some time,"

"Alright… I'll take your word for it." Shoto has always been so wise so there's no reason for her to doubt his words. "I just hope I'll still keep it together until then… don't most knights charge to slay a dragon if they spot one…?" Ciana was afraid at the possibility of anyone spotted her dragon traits they drive her away towards death…

"In the old age, yes, but any dragons people encounter are often avoided or left to the environments they claimed; they only attack when provoked or have a bad history with people, such is the myth behind Calamitas, a dragon that hated humanity," Shoto replied grimly, opening the door. "Do you want more time alone?"

Cianas knitted her brows again at the information… that dragon sounds ruthless, but if it hated humanity wouldn't he fly around wiping people out? She still had a lot to decide… but she didn't want a story to scare her away.

"I'll hang back for a few moments, I still need to figure something out." Ciana at least smiled more to show she's doing better now.

"Right," With a nod, Shoto headed back inside, leaving Ciana on her lonesome again say for the random person walking by to either the inn or the houses nearby.

As soon as he's inside, Ciana looked back at the peak in thought. "Hm… even if it's risky it's still best to check some areas out… won't go far and rather not watch Izuku looking at that girl all lovey dovey again…"

Straightening up, the girl decides to just check the cause of the vines, thinking maybe she can get idea where they are coming from and then report back…

Author note

Song | Firecracker- A Dungeons and Dragons inspired Song - /_AQvXd-4tD0