At the end of the fifth week, the repairs to the Blue Sky were completed. As Theo climbed up the ladder and set his feet on the deck, a strange ache welled up in his chest. Though he hadn't spent very long on this craft in the grand scheme of things, he couldn't help but feel like he was returning home.
He swept his gaze across the deck, marveling at how it practically sparkled under the sun. Not a trace remained of the holes and scorch marks from the battle, to say nothing of the gouge carved by the Himmelsfestung's ramp.
Amaro stood at the wheel, a huge grin on his face. His fingers curled around the handles with a gentleness that made Theo's heart hurt. If he was happy to be back, he couldn't imagine what Amaro must be feeling.
"All aboard!" Kress hollered next to Amaro. "Last call before we take off!"
A quick glance around revealed everyone accounted for. Only Nevy wasn't on the deck, and that was because she'd gone down to the engine room.
"We're ready, Nevy," Darian shouted into the horn-shaped pipe protruding from the wall of the cabin. A network of these ran around the craft, allowing them to communicate from deck to deck.
Right on cue, the propellers started with a familiar low thrum. As the deck vibrated beneath Theo's feet, the glow from Blue's bell brightened. Looking up, he saw soft light flowing from Eulyn's body, pulsing at a regular rhythm like a heartbeat.
On the ground, the repair crew backed away to avoid the wind from the propellers. Even so, they didn't stop waving as the Blue Sky rose into the air. Theo eagerly joined the others leaning over the railing and waving back.
Ryllis didn't count among their number; she was already looking more than a little green. Yeah, she might've been perfectly happy if they stayed in Hub longer.
But now Hub was shrinking beneath them, the imposing tower no bigger than a child's toy. As for the village itself, its houses had become a collection of tiny squares like stamps, with larger green squares marking the fields to the north. All of it seemed so small and fragile compared to the surrounding wasteland.
Yet the sky was even vaster than the wasteland. Theo stared into its cloudless expanse, the blue so clear it hurt his eyes. The wind grew stronger, tugging at his robes like flags, filling his lungs with wonderfully cool air.
Somehow it all seemed so small – not just Hub, but everything. His own worries and fears, his half-baked theories about Mom. Even the prospect of fighting the Infernal Legion again. Or completing the Star.
When light flared inside him, bright and stark, Theo realized he wasn't the only one who felt this way. He turned toward Zenith, who smiled back at him. Though the wind blew his hair all over his face, Theo could still make out his eyes, just as clear and calm as the sky.
"It's good to be back up here, huh?" Theo said.
Zenith blinked, then nodded solemnly. "Yes. It is."
Theo didn't have to think – he reached out and grabbed Zenith's hand. The armor pressed against his palm, pleasingly hard and cool.
When Zenith stiffened, Theo almost let go, only for Zenith to wrap his fingers around Theo's. His grip was tight, almost crushingly so, but Theo didn't mind.
Hand in hand, they watched the sky together.
~*~
As the sunset washed the wasteland in fiery light, Theo was still staring at the sky. No, he hadn't been out here all afternoon; instead, he'd just come up from dinner. He'd have liked to linger over their first meal in the mess hall in over a month, but Fia had other ideas. Before he knew it, they'd dragged him up to the deck.
Now Theo saw why. It wasn't just because of the sunset, pretty as it might be. Instead, he couldn't tear his eyes from the creatures flying alongside the Blue Sky.
The colors of the sunset rippled through their translucent bodies, orange and gold like they were made of fire. They were long and slender, maybe twice the length of an average sedan, and shaped vaguely like oarfish though they lacked any sort of fins as far as Theo could tell. Their snouts tapered into spear-like points, so sharp they glinted at the edges.
"They're sky-lances!" Fia chirped. "It's their migration season. We're following them actually, to the southern islands where they have their babies. It's a good time to collect their eggs and stuff, they're a lot of use in potions."
"Wow, wow, wow, wow." Sam leaned so far over the railing Ryllis had to grab her shirt to keep her from falling. "They're so pretty!"
"Whatever, it's just a bunch of flying fish," Ryllis grunted, though she didn't look away.
"Bet it'd be fun to ride one," Ryan said, which caused Avia to turn toward him in concern.
Their chatter washed over Theo's ears as he took in the beautiful sight. The sky-lances spread like shimmering curtains all the way to the edge of the horizon. They soared with swift purpose, holding themselves ramrod straight, though on occasion they'd wriggle their entire bodies and propel forward in a sudden burst of speed.
An unbearable ache swelled in Theo's chest, causing his heart to pound furiously. He'd felt like this before, hadn't he? In his dreams, while flying toward the Fortress. More than awe, it was almost...almost like nostalgia?
Before he could muse further about it, Ryan's obnoxious voice scattered his thoughts. "Man, times like this I could really use my phone. That's gotta be the worst thing about Tielos by far."
"Your 'fone'?" Fia tilted their head, blinking innocent eyes at Ryan. "Oh, you mean that thing Nevy's doing experiments on? I think she's trying to figure out how to make it work, so maybe you'll get to use it after all!"
Ryan blanched. "No fucking way is she coming anywhere near my phone."
"You needn't worry," Zenith said pleasantly. "She is experimenting on mine."
"You have a – " Ryan sputtered. "Shit, why didn't I think of – soon as we're back on Earth, we're getting you the latest iPhone, Avia!"
Theo pressed a fist to his mouth, struggling to hold in his giggles. Good old Ryan, simple as ever.
As the sun crept beneath the horizon, darkness blanketed the sky. But the sky-lances didn't disappear from view; instead, Theo gasped as their bodies began to pulse with waves of greenish-blue light.
"They're bioluminescent," Fia explained. "It's super pretty, isn't it?"
Theo couldn't have agreed more. He thought he could stay here like this forever, watching the sky-lances painting brilliant trails across the night. Even as the wind grew colder, he didn't move an inch. Seemed the others felt the same; even Ryan stopped blathering for a change.
After a while, Theo picked out something new amidst the gliding sky-lances – a tiny dark shape swooping back and forth, almost frantic in its movements. And it seemed to be...heading toward them?
No mistaking it. As it grew larger, alarm sparked in Theo's veins. He stepped back, nodding at Zenith.
Just as Zenith reached for his sword, something hit the Blue Sky's railing with a dull thump and burst of feathers. It flapped long, slender wings – a bird, like a gull. Except it sported a scarlet crest on the top of its head, and its mouth was full of sharp little teeth.
"A monster?" Ryan tensed. "Avia, let's go!"
"Wait!" Fia's shout startled Theo. He'd never heard the sprite so distraught before. They ran forward, reaching for the bird, and to Theo's surprise the bird lifted its leg.
Something was tied to the leg – a battered scroll. With shaking fingers, Fia grabbed it and unrolled it.
As they swept their eyes across the message, their face paled. They stumbled backward, quivering from head to toe.
"Fia?" Sam ran for Fia, grabbing their arm to hold them steady. "What's wrong?"
Fia moved their lips. At first, no sound came out, but finally their voice escaped in a hoarse whisper.
"It's...from my hometown. The – the Infernal Legion's attacked. And they've taken over."