Aeryk ran through a narrow ravine at the base of the volcano. The walls on either side felt like they were closing in on him as he sprang from rock to rock, his eyes glued to the northern sky. A pillar of red and yellow fire lanced upward from a spot several miles away. Fuji was there, and Seirin. He needed to know what happened – if she was all right. A Searching would show him, but he didn’t dare cast one, not with Vissyus out there. The Fire Lord would expect him to do something that foolish and was probably looking for it.
Desperately, he swerved toward the nearest cliff and climbed. Knots formed in his stomach, tightening as he scaled inch after torturous inch. His chest heaved, both from exertion and tension. The earth was still slick from the rains and morning mist; how cruel the power he loved so much now conspired against him. He lost his footing halfway up and again near the top. Despair overwhelmed him as his body pitched back. How many delays would he suffer, how much time had he lost? Seirin: he prayed nothing had happened to her. He fell and was about to ignite his shield, when a hand – transparent and filled with what looked like swirling galaxies – shot down, seized his wrist, and hauled him out.
“My master thought you’d try something like this.” Gaiyern’s featureless face stared back at him, its body – now roughly his size – carefully positioned between him and the volcano.
“You shouldn’t be here, guardian.” Aeryk stepped to one side, but Gaiyern moved to block his path.
“Nor should you. You’re supposed to be in the thunderheads – where Vissyus expects you. Seirin went to a great deal of trouble to hide your descent, don’t throw that advantage away now, my lord. It’s too soon.”
“Out of my way, guardian! Now!”
“Forgive me, lord,” the guardian replied. “Lord Takeshi forbids it.”
“Takeshi can’t forbid me!” Cyclones swirled around Aeryk’s wrists. He brought them up and aimed at Gaiyern’s chest.
Perhaps he can make you listen to reason then. Takeshi’s calm voice bloomed in Aeryk’s head. He chuckled ironically. I see history repeats itself. At least this time I arrived before you did something foolish.
Aeryk lowered his head. Takeshi was right. Seirin volunteered for this. He remembered her hand on his cheek, her liquid eyes. Love as deep as the oceans had filled them. She did this for him, to help him. If he went after her now… He inhaled. I’m sorry, Takeshi. When I saw that… He pointed at Fuji’s shielded caldera.
I know, Takeshi agreed. I worry too. It’s the price we pay to love.
Aeryk ran a hand through his hair. I don’t know if I can do this.
You can, if you believe in her. The world demands harmony. Good and evil, sanity and madness, even the need to right past wrongs. Seirin confronts herself as much as she does Vissyus. She has to do it, Aeryk; she won’t find peace unless she does.
How can killing a friend bring peace?
Letting Vissyus live would bring a far greater guilt, I promise you. Be strong, Lord of Air, Takeshi said, his voice fading. For Seirin and for Vissyus. A part of him begs for release. Better to come at the hand of a friend.
“Friend,” Aeryk spat. “What kind of friend have I been to him?”
“The kind who shows mercy in justice,” Gaiyern said as its body dissipated.
Aeryk watched it go before gazing at the volcano. Justice, he thought. When was fratricide ever just? The guardian must know something he didn’t because this didn’t feel like justice. It felt like murder.
Ventyre burst from the thick clouds over Mount Fuji. Akuan’s shield floated a few thousand yards below, Fiyorok about the same, though farther to the right. Sparks from Ventyre’s earlier attack still crackled on the dragons’ shielding like dying stars, while behind them, Vissyus ringed the volcano’s summit with a wall of fire. It was a heartbreaking sight. Vissyus, Fiyorok – they’d been friends once.
Ventyre’s body – a body built to soar – felt suddenly leaden. Why did you do it, Vissyus? What was worth the risk? Shaking its head sadly, Ventyre cupped its wings and dove from the skies. Instantly, Searchings surged in, one from the south, another from the north.
Too late.
Ventyre fell between the twin guardians before they could fire. Wings snapped open to rake Akuan with lightning. Cold battered the left side of Ventyre’s shield, heat pounded the right. Akuan hissed as it passed and then, forming its battle shield, charged after. Farther back, Fiyorok followed, fire matching ice speed for speed.
Lake Sai lay five miles northwest, close enough, and yet, with the dragons in pursuit, seemingly a world away. Ventyre’s feathers bristled. This was madness. It shouldn’t have agreed.
A quick glance behind showed the dragons gaining. At least Ventyre hadn’t lost them. Satisfied, the guardian opened its mind to Lord Aeryk. I have them, my lord! Things did not turn out exactly as we planned, but I do have them… both of them.
Akuan roared out of the clouds, spraying the air with sleet. Fiyorok appeared moments later, burning battle shield searing away the gloom.
Good. How far is the lake?
I’m still a few miles out, but closing rapidly. I should be there within minutes. Forested treetops tickled Ventyre’s belly. Its passage snapped some branches, burned others.
No chances, Aeryk warned. We can’t back you up until you reach Lake Sai. Do you think you can stay alive until then?
White water appeared through a gap in the trees, only to disappear behind a range of short, blunted foothills.
Ventyre squawked back at him. We had our hands full with Fiyorok in Nepal. Imagine how much fun I’m having with the two of them. I hope you like roast poultry. The lake doesn’t provide too much cover. At least Seirin taught them how to lessen their Bond. If the dragons hurt it, its master wouldn’t suffer.
Try not to think about it.
Easy for you to say.
Ventyre rotated around a burst of icefire. The attack clipped its feet as it hurtled past and slammed into a far shore with a loud boom. Abandoned boats, violently wrenched from their moorings, lay tossed about like driftwood. The nearest froze instantly and then shattered from the concussion. Submerged roads turned to ice, and the few remaining buildings toppled.
Ventyre hoped Takeshi had cleared the area. Without shields, nothing could survive. Fortunately, the Spirit Lord prepared for everything. The people might not feel so lucky when they emerged from their sanctuaries and saw what Vissyus had done, though. Men created monuments so history wouldn’t forget them. It’s how they measured success. Likely, the loss of their cities would hurt as much as an actual wound.
Akuan fired again. Ventyre’s instincts overcame reason as the great bird beat its wings and climbed to avoid the strike. A mistake. Fiyorok had anticipated the move and hurled a stream of fireballs into the air above. Ventyre flew right into them. Its shield handled the first volley and even the second. The next barrage burned through layers too thin and damaged to stop. Scorched feathers left a trail of smoke behind, and the blasted chunks of flesh brought blinding pain. Remaining airborne became a struggle.
Ventyre limped past foothills and ruined hotels. The lake opened ahead, and with one final surge, Aeryk’s guardian heaved itself clear, scissored over, and worked its massive wings against the wind. At the far shore, the dragons closed. Immediately, Ventyre seized the warm surface air and fed the drafts into a rotating updraft. A massive cyclone sprang from the lake, Kirak’s blue shield sizzling to life within. Anger filled those wise eyes – made them deepen.
Ventyre saw the challenge in those bottomless pools, an ancient grudge rekindled, a gauntlet thrown down. It smiled grimly. Thus far, their plan was a resounding success.