5 Chapter 3 - Leaving for Dawn

Sunday was my last day on Earth for all I was certain of, as I had no idea if we would even return in one piece. Even if we managed to return to Earth, there was no telling when we would do it. Prior to this, I had finally told my parents about it. They were most certainly confused but were also surprisingly supportive, and so we treasured our time together left on Earth before I left for Dawn.

My new friends and I decided to meet up at a park near our homes so we could go through the portal to Dawn. We stood in a circle at the back of the park, where we were concealed by the bushes as we waited for the portal to appear.

"What is taking the portal so-mmfph!," Valerie started to whine but was cut off by Elena covering her mouth. As if on cue, a portal appeared in the middle of the circle.

Everyone jumped in one by one. I hesitated, knowing that it could potentially be my last time on earth, but was pulled into the portal as well.

"AAAAAAAAH-oof!" I heard a squeal, followed by a thud. I looked to my left just in time to see Aella landing right next to me. More screams and thuds followed and all my friends landed close by.

I sat up and the scenery instantly took my breath away. It was the most magnificent place I had ever been in - a clearing surrounded with woods. Despite knowing that Dawn was at war, everything just felt calm and serene at that moment. It felt almost as if the world was at peace as we started walking into the forest to our next destination - Ignis, the Fire Empire.

"Duck !" Elena whisper-yelled as she pulled me into a bush on the edge of the clearing just as a large creature with bristled fur charged past. A deafening roar came soon after, and what came chasing after that was the most majestic creature I had ever seen - A red-scaled dragon, with massive wings that thundered with every flap.

"GET BACK HERE, YOU GOBLIN THIEF!" the dragon boomed. The escaping creature was, in no doubt, not inexperienced, but still, it was no match for the dragon. She flew down in a swoop and pinned it to the ground with her sharp talons.

A rustle came from the bushes to my right.

The dragon turned, eyes narrowing as she spotted Ashley and Valerie.