XII LEO

Leo enters the dark woods alone, using a small flame for light despite guilt over his fire powers. He finds an elaborate trap baited for the rogue bronze dragon but no release mechanism. A tremor announces the dragon’s arrival; it fixates on Leo’s fire, revealing itself as a massive, wingless bronze construct.

When Leo warns of the trap, the dragon blasts him with fire, which does not harm Leo. The dragon charges, triggering the net and pinning both monster and boy with a vat of oily chili burning around them. Leo wriggles free and, speaking calmly, promises to help if the dragon holds still.

Working at the control panel behind its head, Leo diagnoses a corroded control disk impairing the dragon’s higher functions. He removes and cleans the disk and wiring, though he knows a perfect replacement is needed. Restored enough to function, the dragon reactivates. Leo frees it from the net and names it Festus, noting the continued problem: no wings.

Festus invites Leo aboard and carries him deep into the forest to a sheer limestone cliff. When Leo touches the rock, his fire traces ignite the outline of a perfectly balanced, hidden door. Inside, lights reveal a vast, dust-choked workshop: Bunker 9, abandoned for generations, filled with tools, machinery, unfinished weapons, and old battle plans.

Leo discovers a faded blueprint of a Greek flying ship labeled with notes about a prophecy and flight, featuring a dragon masthead that matches Festus. Realizing this place holds the key to flight, Festus nudges Leo a leather tool belt and spotlights components above. Leo understands the opportunity and resolves, “We’ve got work to do.”