The Lost Crystal

Every morning in Glimmer Vale, the Heart Crystal hummed a note so soft that only the birds could hear it. This morning, the birds were silent. Rowan knew something was wrong before the bells even started ringing.

The crystal's pedestal was empty. All that remained was a trail of frost leading into the Whispering Forest, where the trees talk in their sleep and the paths rearrange themselves when nobody is looking.

Rowan packed three things: a lantern, a map that was mostly scribbles, and a pocket full of glowberries. A sneeze came from the pocket. Then a puff of smoke. Then a dragon the size of a teacup climbed out and introduced itself as Ember.

"I'm coming," said Ember. "I'm very brave. I just happen to be small." Together they followed the frost between the sleeping trees, collecting the silver leaves that marked the safe path.