Kraken Unleashed - Book 2 [Wings of Fire Fanfiction]

Chapter Six - Separation

This can't be happening. Why is this happening?

Kraken paced in front of a thick wad of vines, terrified. She grit her teeth as she fought the tears in her eyes. The grass below her claws were well torn-up.

After their fight with the huge Icewing, Stormbreaker, the group had retreated to the copse that they had camped in earlier. Swellow was carried on Scorpion's broad back, and they had to walk in case she fell. Even though Kraken's feet ached, she couldn't make herself stop.

On the other side of the vine curtain, with the aid of Essence's foresight, Ace was doing his best to "fix her up," as he had said. They had been there for over an hour and a half. The sun was beginning to set. Kraken stopped for a moment to watch it touch the horizon, then kept pacing.

After what seemed like an eternity, the vines rusted aside as Ace's head poked out. The sun was halfway behind the horizon. He looked exhausted, but Kraken didn't give him a chance to look around before she bombarded him with her questions and concerns.

"Is she okay? Please tell me she's okay!" Kraken said, panicked and almost hyperventilating.

"I've done all I can," Ace responded tiredly, giving the Seawing a glance. "With Essence's help I've managed to stabilize her condition, but... Swellow is not looking good."

"What do you mean, 'not looking good?' There has to be something!"

"Look, Kraken. I've done all I can and I'm thinking of anything to help her. I care deeply for her, you know. I'm really doing everything here." Here, Ace's voice turned slightly hoarse. "You should probably go talk to her, just in case."

Kraken was already pushing through the vines before he could finish talking. A small amount of light trickled its way in here and there, lighting everything up in red-orange spots. Swellow lay on a makeshift operating table consisting of two logs covered in a large amount of moss and soft twigs. When Kraken's eyes adjusted to the lower light, her stomach plummeted like a stone. She had only ever felt like this when she heard of the passing of her grandmother.

Walking up slowly, she placed her talons gently on the edge of the wood. Her beloved lay stiffly, breathing in shallow, raspy breaths through her mouth. Her entire body was covered in bandages, and some of the moss had smudges of red. Kraken's claws sank into the log as she tried to stop them from shaking. It's my fault. All my fault. The Seawing's eyes caught Swellow's talon, which was one of a few body parts not bandaged up. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched. It was covered in lightning-like scars, and some of the scales were shattered, showing the burned, red skin underneath. She clamped her jaw shut, somehow managing to keep the tears from spilling.

No, I'm not losing her.

She suddenly heard a quiet sniffle from Swellow's other side. Essence was still here, though it was almost impossible to see her dark scales against the dwindling light. She must have been saying a few words to the closest thing she ever had to a sister.

"Hey Kraken," Essence tried to say calmly, but with a slight quiver in her voice. Kraken did not need mind reading to know that Essence was just as rattled as she was. "I guess you want some privacy?"

Kraken swallowed. "Yes please." Essence said nothing as she brushed past the Seawing, exiting silently. The Seawing stood in silence in the now-dark for a few minutes, straining to hear Swellow's shallow breathing. Then she let out the sob that had been hiding in her throat all this time. The tears finally spilled.

"S-Swellow... wake up," Kraken whimpered through her sobs. She hated the way she sounded, so frail and pathetic. "Please w-wake up!" She lifted her shaking talons to wipe the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. Kraken let her scales glow, illuminating the area. Swellow looked lifeless in the dull light. Kraken let out a small laugh with a puff.