Defy (Dain Aetos Story): The Empyrean Series Fanfiction

Fourth Wing: Chapter 16 - The Threshing

Dain Aetos

Cath. I called out. Any updates?

My anxiety was building as the sun started to set on the horizon. I should be there.

No, you should not. There is nothing you can do. Cath replied, slightly irritated from my anxious state today. He showed me what he was seeing as he scanned the fields. From his vantage point I could see hints of the different dragon's colors peeking through the woods.

It was against the rules to interfere. Maybe sending Cath out to be my eyes could be considered an interference. I clenched my jaws and looked around the second and third years around me making bets on who would bond. I stepped away from the chatter into a quieter area.

Confusion stirred around me as I felt Cath making his way back. Did it happen? Did she bond?

She bonded with Tairn.

Wait, Tairn? I didn't know he was going to bond again. Especially since his last rider-

She bonded with Andarna.

Andarna? Cath, didn't you just say she bonded with-?

I said what I said. After a short pause, Cath spoke again. She bonded with Tairn and Andarna. There will be an Empyrean meeting.

I swallowed. The Empyrean meeting was a rare occurrence and there was never a rider who bonded with two dragons before. That couldn't be a coincidence.

I turned and headed for the clearing where Violet along with other new riders will be dismounting for the first time today.

❈ ❈ ❈

Violet.

She did it. My shoulders relaxed as I finally took a long exhale since the first years left this morning. My heart radiated with warmth. She was glowing in the crowd of other first years around her. I knew she would make it. I caught myself in my own thoughts. But did I? Painful memories from the last two years came rushing in, reminding me that no one was the exception. Not even the General's daughter.

I imagined the face of Malek, indifferent, heartless as he watched the souls of each dead first year from Threshing lined up at his door.

In long powerful strides, I walked through the crowd of celebrating first years and spun her body by the shoulders and pulled her into my chest.

Violet. I never wanted to let her go.

"Damn it. Violet. Just...damn." I squeeze her as tight as I can before pulling away to take a good look at her. She was covered in dried crimson splatters and it was heavily concentrated on her leg and arm. Was it the dragon? Heat radiated through my body as I thought of other possibilities. Fuck, if it was anyone else...

"You're hurt."

"I'm fine," she tries to assure me. Fine? She was covered in blood looking like a dragon tossed around with her for fun before bonding. Her face expression drops. "But we're all that's left of our squad's first-years."

I saw the sadness in her eyes and looked at the others. We were missing more than half the squad, but there was nothing new about that. It was Threshing. "Four out of nine. That's to be expected. The dragons are currently holding a meeting of the Empyrean - their leadership. Stay here until they return." I glanced over at Violet. "You come with me."