I WHEEZE AS I break the surface. I fight to breathe through my coughs. Unfamiliar mountains surround me. Pale yellow light shines from above.
I drag myself to the thin stretch of stones along the water’s surface, shaking as I latch on to something solid. My throat burns as I cough, shooting water from my lungs onto the mountain stone.
Breathe, I command myself. Air has never tasted so sweet. I try to take it all in as I fight to think through the haze.
My mind spins in waves, but one thought breaks through the noise. Nâo was furthest from the blast. But the cave collapsed right above Roën’s head.
If he’s still alive, he needs my help!
Though I still choke, I inhale all the air I can. Another second is all I give myself before diving back into the water.
Ẹ tọnná agbára yin.
The moonstone’s marks glow along my skin, lighting my way through the darkness. Only one life pulses through the water’s depths.
One that grows dimmer by the second.
I’m coming!
My leg throbs. Crimson bleeds into the water with each kick. But the agony is a gift. It’s like air to my lungs, reminding me to fight on.
My heart clenches at the sight of Roën’s limp form. His lifeforce is faint, only centimeters from death. A cracked mask like the one we used to surf the blue whale hangs from his nose, giving him his last breaths of air.
I dive closer until I see the massive slab crushing his bicep, pinning him to the rocky floor. I brace my good leg against the stone, but it’s far too heavy to roll. No matter how I shift, his body won’t budge. We’re running out of time.
Roën reaches out and squeezes my wrist as the last few bubbles float from his lips. Though he can’t speak, I feel his command.
“Go.”
No! I shout to myself. How many times has he pulled me out from under? Dragged me back to the surface when I thrashed through water? I won’t let him drown. It’s my turn to rescue him.
Èmí òkú, gba ààyé nínú mi—
Purple shadows spread like ink through the water as Roën’s eyes roll back. My shadows push against the stone, but they’re too weak. Too slow.
Roën’s limbs start to float. There’s only one way to break him free.
My heart slams against my chest as my shadows shift, wrapping around his arm. Another shadow spreads through the water, creating a serrated blade. I send a prayer to Oya and close my eyes.
My shadow slices through his shoulder as I use up my last breath.