A short airship ride later, we arrive at the island town of Agart.
"What do we do now, Adrienne?" Cecil asks.
"Head for the well," I say. "We have to drop the key down the well."
"Why?" Cid asks.
"You'll see. Trust me."
"How do you know this?" Rosa asks.
"I have a feeling."
"If you're certain," Kain says. We walk into town and find a well in the center. Cecil hands me the key.
"Go ahead. I trust you," Cecil says. I nod to him, then drop the key into the well.
We wait.
CLINK!
Nothing happens. And then...
Up to the north, the mountains begin to break apart at the seams. We all drop to the ground. A massive hole opens up in the mountains. Memories of Mist flood my mind.
"C... Cecil... K-Kain..." I choke out. My vision blurs.
"Adrienne!" Rosa pulls me into a hug. I squeeze my eyes shut until the tremors subside. She lets go of me and we all stand and look at the mountains.
"Great job, Adrienne!" Rosa says.
"Shall we go?" I ask.
"Yes, let's!" Cid says. "To the Enterprise, everyone!"
We board the airship once more and descend into the hole in the earth. Upon entry, an intense heat hits us. Soon enough, we realize why: lava flows freely down here. As we glide through the dimness, Cecil notices something odd.
"What's that?" Cecil asks. We look. An armada of tanks and airships are gathered nearby. Just then, we realize what's going on.
"The Red Wings!" Kain exclaims. Before our eyes, the tanks and airships begin firing at each other.
We're caught in the middle of a battle!
"We are late!" Yang shouts.
"Who's fighting?" Cecil asks.
"We've got to get out of here! Hold on!" Cid shouts back, grabbing the wheel and piloting the Enterprise away from the battle.
"Look out!" I cry. Unfortunately, Yang is correct: we are too late. Despite Cid's best efforts, we are struck in the crossfire.
"Hold out, Enterprise!" Cid yells as the ship cracks and shakes.
"We're going down!" Cecil yells back. The Enterprise lurches and we all drop to the floor. The stress is enough to knock me unconscious...
***
"Adrienne?" a voice asks. "Are you okay?"
Head throbbing, I slowly open my eyes. Kain is holding me in his arms now.
"K... Kain?"
"Hey. You're here. You're all right," Kain says. He helps me stand.
"What happened?"
"We crash-landed after taking some heavy hits from the Red Wings and tanks," Cid says.
"Cecil!" Rosa says. She is kneeling beside him, stroking his silvery hair. Soon he, too, opens his eyes and sits up.
"Rosa!" Cecil said. She embraces him and helps him stand. He looks around at the others. "All okay?"
"Yeah, but the Enterprise isn't. It's dangerous to fly on," Cid says.
YOU ARE READING
A Paladin's Promise
ספרות חובבים[BOOK 1 OF THE ADRIENNE RAYNE SERIES] Adrienne Rayne lives a perfectly ordinary life in Ashbourne. She attends Monarch High, hangs out with her friends, and pursues her hobbies. All the while, she secretly wishes to experience a magical quest of her...
