A Crown Made of Air

Part 1, Chapther 4

Sky

Two days dragged by seeming like a thousand years. Life in Cloud Castle dimmed like a dark cloud unravelling darkness upon its inhabitants. Hushed conversations became muted mutters as servants discussed the worsening state of the queen hiding from the princesses and king. No one dared express their minds and the corridors turned into this slumbering, waiting place where devastation ruled over

Sky felt as if a gust of wind had extinguish all her inner fire. She had lost all reasons to plaster a convincing smile and had stopped trying. Her mother was in a motionless slumber, at least that was how she put it whenever anyone asked. She couldn't help growing annoyed with all the snide comments she knew were directed at her. When she mustered an empty expression, the servants deemed her rude so the next time she saw them, she decided to ignore them all at once. Which only gained her scoffs or pitiful remarks. She couldn't decide which she loathed more.

But her mother wasn't her only worry. Moonlight had shut her out, like she did when something bothered her. In those times, Sky had learned to let her alone. Her sister needed her own time to process things. They all did. Even her father. She didn't know what to do about him. The king had never been a god for many words, always preferring to be absorbed in his work. But this was different. She had peeked at his study today, only to be send away. Her father was rummaging through parchments and old books, desperately searching for something. But when he noticed her, he had hunched in his table, concealing any glimpse Sky could take. Any other time, she might have raised an argument about how he shouldn't be keeping secrets from her. But with everything going on, Sky didn't care anymore.

She stood outside the Sun tower. Since she had powers of fire passed to her from her grandmother, the deceased daughter of the fire god, she was the only one who could bear to stay inside this room without any danger. She relished the feeling of heat tingling through her body. It was the same with fire. While others wouldn't dare to stay close, fearful of getting burn, she would sit right in front of the hearth, enraptured by the amount of power and danger such a small red form could grant. Her prickling fingers would dance and the flame would change colours, direction, create images...- the possibilities were endless for her magic.

"Only you to keep me company, Gaia." She sighed, catching her breath after climbing the stairs. A scratching sound filled the air, as the majestic griffin followed suit. Gaia was the protector of the sun, the keeper of Cloudiness' source of life. She was the only one entrusted with such responsibility and it was easy to see why. With her glorious eight talons protruding from her claws, eagle's beak and lion's tail that could kill a god with a mere thrash, not many ventured to this part of the castle. Fear was the best security.

But they all failed to see Gaia for what she truly was. A myth, to be sure, but so much more.

Gaia was the descendant one of the first generations of griffins. During the First God's rule, griffins had soared high into the sky as commonly as the clouds that encircled all its inhabitants. But now, Gaia was the only griffin whose existence was known throughout The Heavens.

"You are nothing but a misunderstood. Where the others can only grasp a dangerous beast, I see you for what you truly are." Sky stroked Gaia's ivory head. "The most loyal warrior I know."

Gaia stared at her. Her yellow eyes bored into her, pupils dilating. After some seconds, Gaia emitted a series of pipping notes. Having recognized her, the fiberglass gate creaked open.

This was the barest room in the whole castle. Since no natural material could withhold the scorching beams coming from the sun, the tower walls were covered by bulletproof resistant fiberglass. A favour from the Glassiel family, who had worked weeks with their gift for glass to enable the tower to be as heat resistant as possible. The sun was the main key to keep the kingdom healthy and thriving , so it was mandatory to have the highest security to protect it. A job Gaia took so seriously no accidents had taken place during her watch.