I soared through the skies, the familiar winds of Skull Island replaced by an unfamiliar air that bit at my scales. I had passed through the portal from Earth, but the land beneath me felt foreign. This was no longer Skull Island. No, I had flown into the Hollow Earth—a place I had only begun to understand.
The landscape around me was vast and uncharted. Strange mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks reaching high into the mist. The vegetation here was unlike anything I had seen before—lush and vibrant, yet almost otherworldly. The air was thick with the scent of the unknown, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had flown into a part of the Hollow Earth that even the dragons had yet to explore.
I landed, folding my wings tightly against my back. This place... I didn't know where I was. The valley where the dragons had settled was still far from here, and I had no idea which direction to go. The vastness of the Hollow Earth stretched out before me, like a labyrinth that didn't care whether I was lost or not.
I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion. I couldn't waste time here. I needed to find the valley, find my clan, and make sure the dragons were safe. The Hollow Earth was large, but I had come here for a reason—to establish a new home for the clan.
Before I could gather my bearings, I sensed movement around me. My heightened senses picked up on something—dragons, approaching.
The 3rd Elder, one of my most trusted, led a small hunting squad that had been scouting the area. They were quick, efficient, and skilled in navigating the Hollow Earth's terrain. As I watched, I saw them emerge from the dense foliage, their eyes wide as they spotted me.
"Clan Leader," the 3rd Elder called out, bowing respectfully. "We've been searching for you. You've arrived in an unfamiliar area. Are you all right?"
I nodded, though the confusion was still present in my mind. "I've arrived... but I don't know where I am. This place is different. I need to find the valley, where the others are."
The 3rd Elder's eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of determination flickering in them. "We will help you. We've mapped out some of the land here, but much of it remains unexplored. I've sent the others back to the valley to report. I will guide you."
I nodded, relieved to have the 3rd Elder's guidance. Together, we set off, leaving the unfamiliar area behind us. The journey was slow, the landscape stretching out endlessly before us. I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the world around me—the strange creatures, the twisted plants, and the impossibly tall trees. The Hollow Earth was as beautiful as it was dangerous.
As we walked, I could feel the weight of responsibility pressing on me. The dragons needed a safe place to call home, but the dangers of this land were beyond anything I had expected. The valley had been a sanctuary, but I wasn't sure what lay beyond it.
Finally, after what seemed like hours of walking, the terrain began to change. The ground became more familiar, and I felt the presence of the valley not far ahead.
"We're close," the 3rd Elder said, his voice steady as ever. "The others are waiting for you."
As we reached the edge of the valley, I saw the dragons in the distance, their figures silhouetted against the sun. The valley stretched out before me, a place of peace amidst the chaos of the Hollow Earth. The water, the mountains, and the prey—everything was in place.
I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. We were safe—for now. But there was still much to do.
"Thank you, 3rd Elder," I said, my voice full of gratitude. "Now, we move forward. We have a new home, but we must protect it. Let's gather the clan."
The 3rd Elder nodded and took a step back, signaling the others to join us. The dragons were waiting, and I knew that our work was far from over. But for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of hope. The Hollow Earth was vast, and there was much to explore. But it was ours now.