The tremors beneath them ceased, the oppressive heat dissipated, and an overwhelming silence followed.
The beast beneath them released one final, long, guttural sound—a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction—before it slumped against the floating island, completely still.
Its massive body heaved as it began to relax, the vibrant, fiery glow of its feathers dimming back to their usual majestic iridescence.
At first, no one moved.
The soldiers, still gripping onto the feathers or curled into protective positions, remained frozen, their faces pale and drenched in sweat.
The sheer chaos and intensity of the ordeal had left them too stunned to speak.
The acrid smell that had filled the air began to fade, replaced by the crisp scent of the floating island's strange flora, and slowly but surely, they began to stir.
