Chapter 61
Chapter
Sixty-One
The cliffs of Aeromir trembled with anticipation as the final clouds of twilight bled into the horizon.
Crimson light from the twin blood moons stained the sky in hues of omen.
Fires burned atop the Watcher Spires, not for warmth, but as signals.
Across the valley, the ridges were alive with motion, black-leather-clad soldiers tightening gear, dragons restless and pawing at the stone platforms, and ancient banners whispering in the wind that carried ash and prophecy alike.
Thaelyn stood beside Nyxariel, the dragon’s wings half-furled, her silver-blue scales catching the light like storm-washed steel.
Her expression was unreadable, but power churned under her skin, the sigil from the Watcher burning faintly across her spine.
The Aether within her thrummed like a second heartbeat.
She reached up, brushing her palm down Nyxariel’s neck.
"You feel it too," she whispered.
“The Veil is torn. Soon, the sky will split.”
Nearby, Thorne tightened the buckles of his flight leathers, silent, brooding. Vornokh stood behind him, his tail sweeping arcs into the dust. The flames that once slept beneath his obsidian scales now glimmered like rivers of lava. Thorne did not speak to anyone. His eyes never left Thaelyn.
Commander Dareth strode through the chaos, shouting orders as war banners unfurled. "Second battalion, take position on the southern ridge! Squad, coordinate the sky lancers with Razarok! Get those catapults tethered and ready. The eastern cliff must hold."
At the field, squads gathered. Brynnek stood with his helmet under one arm, eyes set in grim determination. He caught Thaelyn’s gaze and nodded. "You stay alive, Taranveil. You’re the storm we need. Wait until the exact time, or we will all perish."
Thaelyn smirked faintly, despite the weight in her chest. "Only if you don’t hog all the dramatic speeches."
Garric moved past, his green dragon Vaelion already armored. "We’re paired with the eastern ridge defenses. Ice lines are laid. If they breach the walls, we freeze the pass. No exceptions."
Iri and Skael circled above the field, sweeping low. She grinned as she passed Thaelyn, shouting, "We will be there with you, every step of the way. Besides, I need you to teach me that triple spiral dive!"
Feyra approached on foot, blades sheathed across her back, her bond with Razarok thrumming like wildfire. "Are you ready for this, Storm girl?"
Thaelyn turned, scanning her friends. So many lives gathered beneath a breaking sky. So many stories that may end today. She squared her shoulders. "Ready as I’ll ever be."
A short distance away, Sorren Vex stood with Mirra, the red dragon’s scales glowing like molten stone. Beside him, Vaeryn Malet murmured a strategy. Neither appeared nervous, yet beneath their calm, tension coiled tight, a string ready to snap.
Darian stood at Thorne’s side, Kaeroth already in the air, looping slow, watchful circles. Darian’s armor gleamed like a dying ember. He slapped Thorne on the shoulder. “You gonna give some great speech, Lieutenant, or do we all just follow your brooding?"
Thorne didn’t flinch. "You follow your orders."
"Touching."
Thorne finally looked up, eyes locking with Thaelyn’s. Something passed between them, silent and fierce.
Then his voice cut through the rising winds. "We are the last shield before the Rift. We hold this line not just for Aeromir, but for every piece of sky that hasn’t burned. Mount up."
Dragons lifted. Wings beat storms into the wind. The earth shuddered beneath them as the first legions took formation. High above, the crimson moons stared down, merciless and ancient.
From the mouth of the eastern pass, horns sounded, a signal from the Watchers.
They were out of time. Kaen was somewhere beyond the horizon, and he was already flying.