Following the ethereal figure, Sky's gemstone glowed brighter than ever, its pulsating rhythm matching the figure's movements. The light was guiding him, tethering him to the woman with each turn he made. He quickened his pace, ducking into alleyways and long corridors; yet each turn only deepened his predicament, losing him further in the maze of shadowy alleys.
He wasn't alone at night. Patrolling their designated areas, often in groups, the Elysian guard walked their nightly routes. One officer spotted Sky wandering out along with his group. He clutched his sword, adjusted his helmet, making sure he wasn't seeing things. But he was there. He summoned his squad to him as they followed behind.
Sky's pursuit of the ghosted woman through the twists and turns led him to an open area at the city's edge—the cemetery. Rows of dug graves dotted the landscape, shovels still resting beside them. Ornate tombstones marked some graves, while simple wooden crosses marked others. The mud beneath his feet was damp. The smell of the wet earth and grass permeated his senses. It was a desolate place, perched high above the ocean, offering a bleak view for the departed. Sky couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine, the eerie silence amplifying his frustration.
"Smoky, do you have any idea where we are?" Sky asked, watching as the pup wagged his tail, darting from one gravestone to another, oblivious to his owner's worries. "Hey! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Sky chuckled, shaking the red ball he pulled from his pocket. Smoky pounced, chasing it, his spirit undeterred.
Perhaps he was losing his mind. Just as Sky contemplated turning back, he turned to find the winged woman standing before him. With glowing robes, her pure white eyes seemed to pierce through him. With fierce intensity, the energy radiating from her body roared around him like the powerful gusts of a tornado. A haunting melody, whispered in an alien tongue, danced just beyond his comprehension, echoing in the air. Her hair, floating around her like wisps of smoke, created an energy that caused the air to hum like a roaring fire.
Before he could comprehend her presence, she vanished into a wisp of smoke, reappearing at a nearby grave. The transparent figure faded as she descended into steps that were never there.
Following the figure to where it disappeared, Sky found only empty ground. It didn't look like there'd be an entrance here until he tapped his foot that he felt a soft spot. He crouched down, his fingers felt through the stone until he could hold on to something covering over the ground and lifted it aside. It grind against the rock and dirt, revealing a nearby tomb had opened up revealing a flight of stairs leading underground.
The soldiers following behind caught sight of this from a distance. Suspecting they were onto something, an illegal operation perhaps? Or a practice of black magic? They clutched the grip of their swords.
As Sky approached the rock face blocking his way, he felt an inexplicable pull, as if the very stones were beckoning him closer. The gemstone around his neck glowed, a warm light radiating outward. He stopped, watching in awe as intricate patterns emerged on the surface of the rock.
A symbol appeared, glowing a brilliant blue against the dark stone, pulsing like a heartbeat. It shimmered with energy, illuminating the corridor before fading away into nothingness. That symbol was unprecedented to him. He felt an overwhelming urge to capture it. As Sky studied the glowing symbol, he noted its intricate design, reminiscent of ancient runes etched into the stone by a long-forgotten civilization. The symbol combined spirals and sharp angles, intertwining, almost as if it were alive. At its center, a radiant starburst pattern emanated outward, each point radiating with a soft glow, while delicate lines branched off in elegant curves, reminiscent of celestial pathways leading to the unknown.
Encircling the central motif were smaller glyphs, each one distinct yet connected, like the roots of a great tree reaching deep into the earth. These glyphs bore a sense of ancient wisdom, their meanings lost to time but filled with a palpable energy that resonated with the very air around him.
Sky's hand trembled as he sketched the symbol, feeling the weight of its significance. He could sense that this was not mere decoration; it held a purpose, a story buried within the stone, waiting to be unveiled. As he finished the last stroke, the blue glow faded, and the rock shifted, revealing a hidden entrance.
Darkness engulfed the pathway down, a darkness that seemed to swallow the light whole. Only the faint glow of the moon provided a sliver of illumination, casting eerie shadows along the damp walls. With Smoky by his side, they descended into the oppressive gloom. It was hard to see anything, but the sound of their footsteps echoed in the silence. He felt the damp rock walls, uncomfortable and claustrophobic, as the passage grew tighter.
At the end of the steps, he reached a level surface, but the air felt heavy, thick with secrets. Someone had constructed this place, he thought, as he noticed the corridor stretching on with a faint hint of light flickering in the distance. As he approached, a glass window revealed a small study room shrouded in shadows. The air was musty, filled with the smelling of mildew, and the room was littered with spiderwebs that glistened in the dim light. It was freezing enough that he could see the mist of his own breath.
To the side stood a large wooden chair, offering a sweeping view of the ocean through circular windows embedded in the rock walls. Smoky trotted ahead and settled in front of it, and Sky coughed as dust swirled in the air, revealing that no one had occupied this study for years.
As the moonlight shifted, it illuminated her—the winged woman—in much deeper clarity. Her form remained transparent, her back turned. Sky approached, and she turned around, gazing deep into his eyes. Her beauty struck him, unable to move. With a single, gentle motion, she placed her forefinger against his forehead. Sky's vision blurred; her touch resonated in his mind like the tolling of a church bell. He stumbled, appearing elsewhere.
It wasn't until he turned around that he realized he was in an unfamiliar landscape. Over a desert expanse, towering pyramid monoliths loomed, their shadows cast by dark clouds that obscured the sky. An echo of the orb's memory washed over him. Surrounding him were people clad in golden armor, worshiping the orb he had seen hover above the ground. Their voices chanted in dark monotones while others commanded invisible forces, lifting rocks to mold the pedestal upon which the orb floated. The orb itself pulsated with light, revealing the silhouette of a man. Images from the island's murals flooded his mind, and he recognized these moments captured in paint, brought to life in horror.
A deep rumble roared from behind him, reverberating through the air like the growl of a magnificent beast awakening from slumber. As Sky turned, the skies darkened, swirling clouds coiling like smoke around a smoldering fire. The temperature dropped, a chill seeping into his bones, making him shiver. A fiery rock broke through the cloud cover, streaking toward the earth with a trail of incandescent flames. It took the shape of a dragon, its massive wings unfurling to slow its descent. The sight was both magnificent and terrifying, a creature of myth crashing down from the heavens.
As the dragon plummeted, it sent a shockwave that rippled through the ground, a force so powerful it knocked Sky off his feet. The air pressure shifted, squeezing the breath from his lungs. He stumbled backward, ducking down and covering his face as a torrent of dust and debris erupted around him, swirling in chaotic eddies. The dust choked him, filling his nostrils with the acrid scent of earth and ash. He could taste the grit on his tongue. Each heartbeat thundered in his ears, a frantic drumbeat accompanying the roar of the dragon as it plummeted.
The ground rocked, and a wave of heat washed over him, as if the very essence of the dragon's fury had ignited the air. Sky's heart raced, adrenaline surging through him as he struggled to remain grounded amidst the tumult. As the dragon collided with the earth, a blinding flash of light erupted, illuminating the landscape in a surreal glow. Sky's eyes squinted against the brilliance, and he felt the shockwave wash over him like a tidal wave, knocking him back and sending him sprawling onto the ground.
Sky shielded his eyes, heart still racing from the spectacle he had just witnessed. The air crackled with energy, a charged pulse that resonated deep within him. He lowered his hand, his gaze drawn to the epicenter of the chaos where the dragon had struck.
From the smoldering ground, where fiery debris still flickered and crackled, a colossal tree rose, its emergence both awe-inspiring and surreal. It shot up from the earth like a titan awakening from a long slumber, roots twisting and breaking through the scorched soil as if reclaiming the land.
The tree's trunk was thick and sturdy, gnarled bark glistening with moisture, shimmering like liquid gold under the waning light. Its branches spread wide, reaching toward the heavens, adorned with vibrant leaves that shimmered in a spectrum of colors—emerald greens, fiery reds, and soft yellows, all dancing together in a mesmerizing display.
Sky felt a rush of wind whip around him as the tree continued to grow, its presence commanding the landscape. Flowers bloomed along its branches, petals unfurling in a burst of life and color, while the air filled with the sweet scent of blossoms mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil. The symphony of rustling leaves and distant bird calls seemed to harmonize with the very heartbeat of the world.
As the tree grew taller, a profound sense of peace enveloped the area, washing over Sky like a gentle wave. He stood transfixed, unable to tear his gaze away from the spectacle before him. This was no ordinary tree; it felt alive, pulsing with an ancient magic that resonated deep within his soul.
The questions swirled in his mind. What was this marvel?, but as the tree reached its full height, a serene stillness settled over the scene, silencing the chaos that had preceded it. The massive trunk seemed to pulse with a life of its own, and from its roots, shimmering streams of energy flowed outward, branching into the ground like veins of light. Sky took a tentative step forward, drawn closer to the majestic tree, feeling an inexplicable connection pulling at him. All of existence centered on this single point.
The ground beneath him rumbled like a beast awakening. Buildings seemed to sprout from the earth—spiral towers rising to form the city of Elysian. Roads materialized out of thin air. The scene morphed into chaos as he found himself in the city's heart. People around him looked up in horror as a dark cloud veered over the skies, and a powerful beam of shadow struck down upon the city. Shadows spiraled around, engulfing buildings and streets. People ran in terror, their screams piercing the air as the darkness claimed them. He watched shadows tear apparitions and their loved ones apart, reducing them to echoes of despair.
Amidst the chaos, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was the winged woman, her ethereal form glowing against the encroaching darkness. She turned to face him, a gentle smile gracing her lips. Then Sky felt profoundly connected, a beacon of hope.
Tears streamed down her face as a black, smoke-like substance overtook her form, collapsing and hardening into an orb, much like the one he had seen in the rituals. Her essence was encased forever. Voices and chants echoed through the forceful gusts of wind, yet only a single word pierced through:
"Farewell."
Sky gasped, recoiling. The dim study held only the orb's remnants where the woman had been. The room felt oppressive; faint, otherworldly energy lingered. Sky stumbled back, breathless and disoriented, his vision swirling as the weight of the visions pressed in his mind. Her winged smile, a gentle reminder, lingered; he felt connected to something immense.
His gaze drifted down to the orb in front of him. The room, once dim and quiet, seemed to hum with a perceptible vibration, a low frequency that resonated deep in his chest. As his eyes focused on the orb, Sky noticed something strange: faint, crystalline lines etched into the floor beneath it, glowing with an arcane light. They extended outward, resembling an ancient being's veins, interweaving and reaching the orb's core.
Each line seemed to pulse with a strange energy, the glow shifting and throbbing in sync with the orb's presence. The room seemed built to support it, feeding the orb power to sustain its existence. The air grew heavier, and Sky could feel the oppressive weight of the energy, the unmistakable feeling of something vast and unfathomable drawing on an immense, boundless power. He could no longer dismiss the orb as a mere object—it was the heart of something far larger, a vessel of untold forces demanding a cost.
Had the orb always been here? Sky wondered. He could no longer dismiss what he had seen as mere imagination.
Turning to curiosity, he approached the orb close enough to touch it. The cold, damp atmosphere of the cave sent a shiver down his spine. With hesitation, his hands settled on the orb. It felt smooth like polished glass, but despite his fear, there was no immediate reaction.
A group of soldiers closed in around him, swords drawn. "You there! Stand fast! What are you doing here?" one soldier shouted, his voice sharp with authority.
Sky froze, his hand still resting on the orb. "I knew something was off. I'll have you locked up for... whatever it is you're doing here!" the officer declared, striding toward him, ready to place him in cuffs.
A deep boom reverberated through the room, freezing everyone in place. Soldiers looked toward the orb, once quiet, now strangely still, as if something had removed the air.
A brilliant blue light exploded from the orb; intense energy seared the room. Its intense energy wave ripped the air from their lungs, plunging them into suffocating darkness. As the light from the orb intensified, its reflective shell melted, disintegrating into wisps of smoke that dissolved into the ether. The blinding glow revealed an unimaginable horror—a creature so ancient and vast that its mere existence seemed to stretch beyond human comprehension.
A being stood before them, cloaked in darkness. The massive cloak, made of shifting shadows and tattered remnants of forgotten realms, cascaded to the floor in waves. Beneath it, many arms writhed and twisted in grotesque, unnatural motions. Each limb seemed to move independently. The laws of nature could not contain far more than human in its form—. Its existence distorted reality; even powerful minds succumbed to madness.
A golden and blue mask obscured the creature's face, its surface inscribed with cryptic ancient hieroglyphs that shifted and shimmered with an unnatural light. Its mask held no eyes—only hollow sockets that revealed nothing but the deepest shadows concealing horrors beyond the edges of time and space. Airy, it seemed both present and absent, defying material reality.
The energy emanating from it was overwhelming, the oppressive weight of pure chaos itself. It was a faceless embodiment of destruction, a being who existed beyond reason, a creature that made even the air seem alive with terror. The creature instantly disappeared, returning to the orb's glow, leaving only heavy silence and darkness.
As the whispers of a thousand voices filled the air, a sense of dread washed over Sky. He felt something reach out for him, pulling him into the orb. He struggled, but his hand felt stuck, as if ensnared by an unseen force.
The soldiers, caught in the orb's corrupting energy, convulsed. Their skin darkened, turning to a sickly shade as shadows crawled up their limbs, transforming them into grotesque versions of themselves. Their armor peeled away like parchment, revealing flesh that twisted and writhed. Panic set in as one soldier screamed, "What's happening?!"
The gemstone around Sky's neck surged with energy, illuminating the room with a radiant glow. Sky felt the warmth of the light wash over him and Smoky, creating a barrier against the encroaching darkness. The gemstone's energy surged forth, responding to the threat, and he could sense its power growing stronger.
A massive shockwave erupted from the orb, sending rocks and debris flying. As the soldiers writhed in agony, their bodies overtaken by the void's influence, Sky clung to the gemstone, which pulsed with protective energy. The waves of darkness struck against the light, but the gemstone held firm, pushing back the shadows.
As the orb pulled him toward it, Sky, clutching Smoky, grabbed a protruding piece of rock. It became a swirling hole in space and time, attempting to devour everything in its path. The swirling hole pulled in the soldiers, who couldn't keep their footing, their screams echoing as the darkness snatched their bodies away.
When the orb shrank to the size of an atom, it exploded, releasing a wave of energy that sent everything crashing against the surrounding walls. Sky and Smoky hit the ground hard, coughing as dust enveloped them from the resulting explosion. The gemstone's light flickered, and for a moment, the shadows retreated, leaving only silence in their wake.
Sky coughed up dust as the debris settled and the rumbling stopped. The atmosphere was lit only by the sounds of Smoky barking, jumping up and down, licking his face in relief. "Hey, boy, you okay?" Sky asked, his heart swelling with gratitude.
He looked around; the chamber that had once burned with white fire now felt hollow. The vanishing essence left only faint remnants of black smoke dissolving in the air.
Sky rose, realizing that there was nothing else in the chamber. The collapsed rubble blocked any further passage. He couldn't afford to linger here; the night had already proven too dangerous, and he needed to return to the dock to share what he had found with Aleyn.
A metallic scraping nearby interrupted his thoughts. Sky turned, his heart racing as he saw the remnants of one soldier. Two remained from his following. Their bodies, now unrecognizable, twitched unnaturally. He had thought them dead, but he was wrong. Their limbs moved with a grotesque jerking, encased in an aura of bleeding shadows, like a cloud of blood from a shark bite. Their outlines shimmered in a burning black mist, and their swords dragged along the ground, sending sparks flying.
Sky backed away as the figures advanced, his instincts screaming danger. "Who are you? Stay back!" he yelled, but the corrupted soldier charged at him. It swung its sword with a wild, undisciplined technique, throwing its weight into the attack. Sky jumped aside, avoiding decapitation.
A shadow attacked him; he saw it just in time. Sky scrambled to regain his balance and dashed up the stairs, Smoky at his heels. They burst into the graveyard just as exploding the orb caused significant damage to the cave's foundations. With a last leap, he escaped as the entrance collapsed behind him, sealing whatever horrors lay within.
Sky crashed to the ground, breathless, but a sudden crash beneath him interrupted his rest. A sword pierced through the ground, missing his feet. He crawled back in terror, his heart racing as he watched the corrupted soldier burrow up through the earth, rising like a dark specter ready to strike.
Fueled by panic, Sky scrambled until his back hit the tombstones, the cold stone pressing against him. The soldier approached, its sword held high, ready to deliver a fatal blow. With unrelenting force, it struck down, shattering several graves in a single swipe.
A discarded shovel, presumably left by the caretaker, lay within reach. Without thinking, Sky grabbed it and swung the bladed end into the soldier's shadowy face.
To his surprise, the soldier's head budged, as if he had decapitated it. Blood spilled from the shadows wound as a black tar. It hit the ground and dissolved into the air. Sky's blow twisted its head to the side for a moment. It stood still for a moment, its body leaned over. Then it twitched violently, its head reforming, twisting back into shape, the sounds of broken bones shifting around its body and stood itself straight up again. The wound from the soldier's face closed up by black smoke.
Sky attempted to attack again, but the shadow simply stood there, taking the full brunt of the blow. The metal end of the shovel broke into pieces, the darkness melting the weapon away from wherever it had made contact. Stunned, he glimpsed the shattered blade; instantly, he witnessed the soldiers strike. He held up whatever flimsy weapon he had as a defense. With its own weapon lifted, it swung a powerful blow. Sky held up the wooden end to defend himself, but it was useless. Shattered into splinters, the stick lay broken; The blow sent him crashing to the ground. Blood poured from the deep sword gash in his arm as he fought to stay conscious, using only one arm while the other bled.
The shadow stood still, staring at the abandoned Sky. Then there was a bark. Smoky was growling and barking loudly to get its attention. The figure turned around to see the brave malamute getting ready to pounce.
The shadow paused, gazing at Smoky. It turned its body toward him and began walking, its sword grip tight. Smoky started backing away, still keeping with his ferocious calls. Its closer approach caused its barking to become whines. It raised its sword, about to kill. Smoky let out a last defiant bark. Then there was a crash. Smoky looked as Sky rammed the shadow off balance with a running shoulder ram. The shadow's head crashed through a tombstone, shattering it into rubble. Sky knew it wouldn't give him much time. He rose, called out to Smoky.
Sky had little time. He rose, calling out to Smoky. Let's go! He pressed his bleeding arm together as they both ran through the alleyways, desperately trying to lose the shadow. Behind them, the figure rose, its head fixed on him as it marched forward. To make matters worse, another corrupted soldier burrowed up from the ground. Now two shadows were pursuing him. A plume of smoke swirled around it, reinvigorating its form and granting it renewed strength. Its stature grew taller, empowered by its dark essence, ready to join the hunt.
He felt was in a nightmare. The seeping blood felt strangely comforting against his skin. He was drifting in and out of consciousness the longer they ran. A call of a hawk above caught his attention. With its wings spread, the hawk shadowed him in the moonlight.
They were almost out of the woods, and things were looking up. A deep rumbling sound reverberated through the alley, followed by the unmistakable crack of concrete. Before he could react, the soldier crashed through the wall beside him, its strength able to shatter the stone like glass. Dust and debris exploded into the air as it emerged, blocking their path with a menacing growl.
Sky and Smoky backed away, changing direction. As they turned to retreat, they saw the first shadow drawing closer. The shadows cut off both paths.
Sky felt the weight of despair pressing down on him as he and Smoky found themselves cornered. The corrupted soldiers advanced from both sides, their menacing forms closing in with a relentless hunger.
"Smoky, what do we do?" he said, glancing around frantically for an escape.
Smoky's ears perked up, and his nose twitched as he sniffed the air. Sky's heart pounded; the eager pup, tail wagging, zigged. Before Sky could register what was happening, Smoky began barking excitedly and scratching at a section of the wall that looked less stable than the rest.
Sky didn't hesitate. He ran, using all his strength, breaking through the wall.
"Good boy, Smoky!" Sky praised as they navigated through the tight passages.
They soon found an open area which led to a construction site. They discovered an old, unfinished building still under construction. The wall's white bricks were still being laid; scaffolding remained. He could escape pursuit within the city by climbing the wall to the other side. They were strong, but slow.
With the shadows right behind them, he resorted to one option. They began climbing up the scaffolding, helping Smoky up along the way. He could still feel the sting of his arm gnawing back at him, but he persisted. Glancing back, he noticed a shadow scaling the scaffolding, eager to capture him, while the other remained below in case Sky attempted to descend.
The shadow swung its weapon at Sky repeatedly, each strike missing him as he climbed higher. Soon, they reached the top of the wall, where a dark forest of thick trees awaited beyond. He hesitated before descending; meanwhile, the shadow loomed.
It lunged at him, swinging its sword with deadly intent. Sky ducked and lunged to the side, avoiding the blow. The sword struck the ground just in front of Smoky, causing the pup to leap back in panic. In the chaos, Smoky lost his footing and tumbled off the edge of the wall, descending through a steep, grassy hill bathed in moonlight.
Sky heard the dog's frightened whines as he fell. However, Smoky bounced back up onto his feet, wagging his tail, waiting for Sky to follow. "Smoky! Run! Get out of here!" Sky shouted, but the pup remained, barking wildly in concern.
Sky, not wanting to leave Smoky, took the red ball from his pocket and threw it into the forest. "Go on, boy!" he urged. Smoky dashed after it, disappearing into the darkness of the trees, seeking safety away from the chaos.
Sky had pushed the shadow over the edge on the city side. They crashed back on top of the scaffolding; the rope holding it together began buckling under the stress. Ropes snapped, the wooden foundations began shattering to splinters. The platform they stood upon collapsed. Sky fell through as the falling pieces of wood and metal hit him.
The scaffolding had all but collapsed, pieces of construction scattered throughout the area. Suffocating dust enveloped him; now alone, he gazed upward at an overhanging shadow. It held its sword up high, about to strike. Suddenly, a gunshot resonated, filling the night. Sky's head turned toward the sound to see Aleyn standing several rooftops away, a hawk soaring gracefully above him, its wings outstretched as if guiding Aleyn's aim. He fired his rifle at the shadows, determination etched on his face.
"Get your filthy hands off my lad!" he shouted, reloading and firing again. The rounds struck the shadows, causing white sparks to erupt, merely nudging them. It didn't even feel it.
"Aleyn" Sky called out.
"Lad! Ye better not have lost my dog or there'll be hell to pay!" Aleyn shouted.
Sky, while distracting the shadow, grabbed a piece of scaffold debris—a small metal pipe—and struck the shadow. A blow powerful enough to kill a man struck its head, yet it had no effect. It took a swing of its blade, easily cleaving off the pipe before kicking him. Although distant rifle fire bombarded the shadows, Aleyn knew he was running out of options. He saw Sky rise from his injury, looking for an escape. He couldn't run, he was bleeding out, surprised he had lasted so long. An enormous structure, a construction factory containing many tools and building equipment, stood behind him, its door secured by a simple padlock. He turned his rifle, took aim, and fired. The round struck the padlock open.
"Get in there, now!" Aleyn yelled out. Sky lunged for the door, unaware it led down a flight of stairs. He fell, falling down several steps before landing, hitting the back of his head on the concrete floor.
Dazed, he looked around and found himself in the dark chambers of the construction factory—a refinery. Scattered throughout the area were tools, carts, torches, and burning furnaces.
As he stood, the world felt muffled, his ears ringing. He grit his teeth, trying to shake off the disorientation. His gemstone glowed gold, pulsating like a lighthouse amidst the swirling black winds. He heard Aleyn, faintly, in the distance. He also heard Smoky barking loudly, calling out to him.
The thumping sounds of metal footsteps behind him brought him back to reality. He had forgotten about the pursuing shadows. One lunged at him with terrifying force, breaking through the mists of the void. Sky jumped out of the way just in time, the shadowed sword clashing against one of the furnace gates, unhinging it from its latches. Fine coal powder leaked from the opening, connecting with the flames and causing a catastrophic chain reaction.
As the first shadow burned away in a display of white sparks, the sounds of high-pitched screams filled the air, the shadow overwhelmed by the intense light before exploding into nothingness, leaving only dust and ash in its wake.
Sky, befuddled, had no time to think. The second shadow came following from behind. He decided that there was nothing for it. He grabbed a nearby torch, placed it into the furnace, allowing it to catch fire, and waved the torch in front of him like a madman to fend off the shadow. The fierce light from it ravished the shadow. It waved its arm around, blinded by the intense light and heat of the burning fire. White sparks began dissolving its form, its ink like outline began melting away. Behind the figure, he could hear a woman's scream and cries as it fought to get closer to him.
He was focusing on the shadow that he wasn't paying attention to what was happening around him. The explosion of the first furnace triggered a chain reaction, igniting the remaining furnaces. The excess coal powder was highly flammable and coalesced.
"Oh no, not good!" Sky uttered to himself.
The shadow was about to strike desperately when it suddenly realized its surroundings. A massive explosion erupted from the furnace. The sounds ringing in his ears, Sky ran in the opposite direction, looking for an exit. As he ran down the building corridors, he spotted the exit. The explosions following behind him right on his feet. He tried the door mechanism, but the door wouldn't open. There was no key nearby. Sky glimpsed unfinished furnaces moments before the end. He saw some detached lids piled up on the floor. Boarded windows flanked the doors. He grabbed one furnace lid, using it as a makeshift shield. The furnace exploded in front of him as he held it up.
The blast threw him out of the window, breaking through the bars. He landed with his back against the ground, the furnace lid flying away from his hand. The building exploded in mix coal and fireworks. It was loud enough to wake everyone in the city up. The explosion echoed throughout the city. Even in the farthest corners of the city, the sleeping residences could feel the ground shake beneath their bed as the explosions cascaded throughout the underground pipe lines that flowed around the city. The city block transformed into a hell scape, fireworks erupting all at once, with smoke reaching high into the night sky. As Sky came to, the world was a blur, his ears ringing painfully. For a moment, he caught sight of the hawk soaring through the smoke-filled sky, its wings spread wide, as if surveying the chaos below. He glanced back at the explosion, relieved to see the shadow had perished in the flames.
But as he took stock of his injuries, he felt splinters piercing his arms and a warm trickle of blood running down the side of his face. A familiar voice then called.
He turned to see Aleyn, who had made his way toward him, but the royal guard—soldiers armed to the teeth who investigated the commotion halted him. They gathered around Sky, towering over his unconscious form. The guards held Aleyn back as he fought and protested.
"Wait, no! Whit are ye doing? He's with me!" They pushed Sky onto his chest and cuffed his hands behind his back.
In the chaos, Smoky had navigated his way back to Aleyn, darting between the guards with a determined bark. Sky's heart swelled with relief as he saw Smoky rush to Aleyn's side, wagging his tail furiously, a beacon of loyalty amidst the turmoil. He no longer had the strength to fight and soon passed out from exhaustion, his last thoughts of Smoky and Aleyn as he slipped into unconsciousness.