Page 98 of Eluvonia
Chapter 41
AERIS
We look back towards the cliffs, and my heart sinks. The Dragons that had retreated are now regrouping, and they’ve brought reinforcements. Their dark shapes blot out the sky as they rise higher, their wings beating in perfect unison. The formation is even larger now—at least two dozen of them, reds, greens, browns—flying toward us like a storm, an unstoppable force determined to bring us down.
Kaida’s powerful wings beat harder, pushing us faster across the sky, but the weight of the approaching horde bears down on us.
We need to fly faster,Kaida says, his voice strained,If we don’t make it to the portal, we’re done for.The sea stretches endlessly before us, shimmering like molten glass under the harsh glare of the sun, a cold, unforgiving horizon. The wind tears at my face, sharp and stinging, but it’s not enough to drown out the roars and snarls from behind us.
“They’re gaining!” I shout, my voice raw, adrenaline and fear burning through every word.
I glance back, my heart sinking further as the Dragons close in, their shadows growing darker against the sky. My grip tightens on Kaida’s scales, but my breath comes in shallow gasps, dread creeping over me.
Kaida’s voice cuts through my panic, tight with strain.We can’t outrun them. Not for long.
Declan’s golden form dips low beside Kaida, his blood-streaked scales shimmering in the fading light. He casts a grim glance back at the oncoming swarm, his expression hardening.I’ll draw them off. Buy you time to get across the sea.
No!Kaida snarls,that’s not happening.
You’ll never make it if we don’t split up!Declan roars back, his voice a mix of frustration and desperation.
“We’re not leaving you!” I shout, my voice cracking with emotion as I turn to him, tear-streaked face pleading. “Don’t even think about it, Declan!”
But the Dragons leave us no more time for argument. The first wave crashes into us with a thunderous impact. A red Dragon dives straight at Declan, claws outstretched, eyes blazing with fury. He roars, meeting the beast head-on. Their bodies collide, the air filled with the sound of snapping jaws and beating wings.
The red Dragon’s jaws clamp onto Declan’s neck with brutal force, its sharp, glinting teeth sinking deep into his golden scales. Blood pours from the wound, a sickening crimson river flowing freely down his broad chest.
“Declan!” I scream, my hands trembling as I draw my vine bow. The tension in my muscles is unbearable as I notch athorn-tipped arrow. The shaft hums faintly with magic before I release it, sending it whistling through the air. The arrow buries itself deep into the red Dragon’s eye.
The creature screeches in pain, its grip faltering, just enough for Declan to tear himself free. His wings falter for a moment, and he tilts unevenly, his flight shaky as blood continues to pour from his neck.
I’m fine!Declan growls, but the blood streaming from his neck tells a different story. His breath comes in ragged gasps, his golden scales glistening with the dark red of his own blood, but he fights to stay aloft, his focus unyielding.
Another Dragon—a massive brown—dives toward Kaida, its claws raking at his wing. With a furious roar, Kaida twists midair, slamming into the Dragon with all his strength. The two spiral downward in a chaotic tangle of teeth and talons. Kaida’s jaws snap around the Dragon’s wing, shredding it, but the force of the attack sends us plummeting.
I scream as we slam into the water, the impact jolting me violently. For a terrifying moment, I’m submerged, the icy saltwater filling my mouth and blurring my vision. Kaida surges upward, his massive wings propelling us back into the air. I’m drenched and gasping for breath, my heart hammering wildly.
More Dragons are coming. There’s no end to them.
Declan hovers above us, his massive golden form casting a protective shadow.You have to go. I’ll draw their attention,he growls, his voice laced with a mix of determination and sorrow that clenches around my heart like a vice.
I glare up at him, the tears in my eyes turning molten with anger. “As if,” I snap, my voice cracking. The very idea of leaving him behind makes my stomach churn.
Declan’s golden eyes meet mine, fierce and unwavering, though I see the torment flickering behind them. His massive wings beat steadily against the air as we glide above the sparkling waves, but there’s a new heaviness to his movements—a weight he’s carrying beyond the blood dripping from his torn neck.
Don’t be foolish,he growls, his voice thick with frustration and sorrow.If you stay, we all die. If you go, you can live. You can save Eluvonia. That’s what matters.
Tears stream down my face, hot and blinding. My hands clench into fists as I pound them against Kaida’s scales. “I’m not leaving you!” My voice cracks, the words wrenched from my throat. “Don’t ask me to do this, Declan! Please!”
Kaida growls low, his wings cutting through the air in a steady rhythm.She’s right,he rumbles, glancing back at Declan.We don’t leave our own behind.
Declan lets out a deep, guttural snarl, his massive head snapping toward Kaida.Damn it, Kaida! This isn’t a debate!
You need to live. She—his gaze locks on me, and something in his expression shatters,she needs to live.
I can barely breathe through the tears choking me. “Declan, no. Don’t you dare do this. We can fight together—we can—”
We can’t!His roar cuts me off, the finality in his tone striking me like a blow.You don’t see what I see, Aeris. More are coming. We’ll be surrounded in minutes.He glances over his shoulder, and even I can hear the steady thunder of Dragon wings growing louder in the surrounding darkness.
