The moon hung low over the northern fields as Ethan reviewed the day’s inspection notes by lantern light. Workers had gone home hours ago and the wind hummed softly across the half built track. Emberclaw slept near a stone outcrop with its wings folded tight and its breath sending tiny sparks drifting into the air. Ethan felt the calm of the night settle around him. But calm had become a rare gift in this project. Every day brought new challenges unexpected mana surges political interference and now sabotage

He checked the cracked mana stone again by lantern light. The break was clean as if someone had deliberately tapped it along a weak point. Mana stones did not crack on their own. He rubbed his forehead thinking through the possibilities. Someone out there feared what he was building. It could be a rival noble a jealous mage or a conservative faction that hated innovation. Whoever it was they were willing to risk lives to stop him

As he walked toward Emberclaw the drake opened one eye. The glowing red pupil narrowed as if sensing Ethan’s unease. Ethan sat beside the creature and leaned back against a warm stone. The air around Emberclaw felt like sitting beside a campfire. He spoke quietly saying that the project would move forward no matter what. Emberclaw rumbled softly in what sounded like agreement. The drake seemed to understand far more than anyone expected

A faint crackling sound broke the silence. Ethan stood and scanned the darkness. A second crack followed. It came from the supply crates near the edge of the site. Ethan moved cautiously with Emberclaw rising behind him. The drake’s steps shook the ground in a slow rhythmic pattern. When they reached the crates Ethan raised the lantern. Something had clawed through one of the wooden panels. Not an animal claw though. The marks were shaped like mana burns. Someone had used magic to dig through the boxes

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. He checked the contents. Several mana stones were missing

He quickly returned to Emberclaw and whistled a short sharp pattern. The drake tensed ready for danger. Ethan signaled the guards stationed at the farthest post. They came running and Ethan explained that someone had infiltrated the site again. The guards spread out searching the tall grass and open fields. Emberclaw sniffed the air then growled toward the east. Ethan followed the direction of the drake’s gaze. Faint footprints glowed in the dirt shimmering with residual mana

Someone was nearby

Ethan moved slowly along the trail. Emberclaw walked beside him its body low ready to strike. The footprints led toward a cluster of rocks. Ethan lifted the lantern revealing a figure crouched behind the stones. The stranger wore a dark hood and a scarf covering their face. Their hands glowed faintly as if holding charged mana stones. When they turned and saw Ethan their eyes widened

Ethan shouted for the guards. The stranger reacted instantly. They threw a mana stone that exploded in a burst of light. Emberclaw roared the air shaking with raw power. The stranger sprinted across the field and Ethan ran after them as fast as he could. Emberclaw leaped and cut off the path forcing the saboteur to dodge toward the ruined outer wall

The stranger climbed the stones with incredible speed. Ethan tried to follow but slipped halfway up. Emberclaw extended a wing shielding him from falling debris. The stranger reached the top of the wall then turned their head for a brief moment. Ethan caught a glimpse of their eyes. They were bright gold. Not human

A second burst of mana lit the night and the stranger vanished into the darkness beyond the wall

Ethan let out a slow breath as Emberclaw settled beside him. The guards arrived but it was too late. The saboteur had escaped. Ethan examined the glowing footprints and the blasted earth where the mana stones detonated. He had dealt with reckless guests dangerous mechanical failures storms and power outages back on Earth. But he had never dealt with magical sabotage carried out by someone with nonhuman eyes

He felt Emberclaw nudge him gently. The drake’s warmth grounded him. He whispered that they would not stop the project. He said that the only answer to sabotage was stronger planning and stronger unity. Emberclaw rumbled in agreement

The next morning Ethan met with the workers and the royal engineers. He openly explained what had happened. Instead of fear the workers reacted with determination. Some said they would guard the site. Others offered to patrol the supply crates. Ethan thanked them but said guards would handle safety. Their focus should stay on construction. He told them that every project faced obstacles and that overcoming them was part of building something new

Aradine arrived soon after and examined the sabotage marks. She frowned deeply. She said the golden eyes suggested a rogue faction known as the Ember Priests a cult that worshiped dragons and hated the idea of making them follow human guidance. Ethan finally understood why they were targeted. They believed dragons should remain untamed. Ethan wanted to use dragon power to bring joy and learning. To the cult his project was an insult

Aradine said the Conclave did not support the cult’s actions and she would assign mage guards for future protection. Ethan nodded grateful but still uneasy. The threat was growing. But so was progress

By evening the workers had rebuilt the damaged crates replaced the missing stones and reinforced the supply area with new barriers. Emberclaw remained alert watching the horizon as if expecting another attack. Ethan placed a hand on the drake’s warm flank and whispered that no matter how many enemies appeared they would finish the ride together. Emberclaw closed its eyes with a low rumble of trust

The night ended with an unspoken promise. They would not be intimidated. The project would continue. Because the first attraction of the magic theme park was already more than an idea. It had become a symbol. A spark that could change the entire kingdom