Fatebreaker

61

The morning of the attack dawns unceremoniously. The past two days have been spent fixing the airship and studying battle tactics, and they both went by rather quickly. Tommy supposed that something mystical would coincide with the soonest available date to attack Leviathan, but as Tommy stares up at the morning sky still tinged with the inky remnants of night, he realizes that today feels like any other day. The real difference is the adrenaline thrumming in his stomach, but even that can be attributed to a multitude of plans that might preoccupy his average day. There is nothing special about today, nothing to mark it as special. Though Tommy suspects that once they arrive at Acherusia, everything will change.

Crow leads the group heading for Drywaters to the airship, carrying a ceremonial torch in his hand that holds some significance Tommy didn't pay attention to. Obviously, it must involve Aeor in some fashion, and Tommy only cares about the god to the extent of his final words.

Crow stops when he reaches the side of the airship. He turns back to look at all of them, his face half-hidden in shadow by the torchlight. He analyzes them in the space of a second before bowing his head, one hand coming to press against his chest where his heart should be. "I wish you all luck. If that should fail, I pray that Aeor will protect you, both your mortal forms and your spirits should they be set free."

Crow steps to the side, getting out of their way. He swings the torch outwards, stretching his arm as far as it will go towards the airship. The firelight splashes across the hull of the flying ship, further illuminating the area in a metallic light. It is unnatural as it dances across the blades of grass, but the rest of the group around Tommy presses onward. False climbs up the ladder, opening the hatch for everyone following behind her. They fall into a semi-organized line as they enter into the airship, some of the group members a little more excited than the others— though Tommy isn't sure if that's because it's their first time in the airship or because they are ready for this fight.

Tommy lingers behind the group, remaining in the grass even when they have all clambered inside. He hears the engine begin to rev, an almost animalistic growl coming from the front. The balloon starts to rise upward, pulling the strings taut. As the airship is getting acquainted with the air, Tommy stands beside Crow, ignoring the way the firelight makes his eyes hurt. "We will be back soon, but if we do not return by three dawns, I request that you send a letter to the imperial family explaining our whereabouts and objectives."

"Do not fret, Imperial Prince. An appropriate letter has already been written in preparation," Crow reassures Tommy, though the prince finds that thought more morbid than comforting. Crow nods toward the entrance, and Tommy gets the message. He takes a deep breath, hoping this isn't the last time he will ever be in Alfheim. Even though Chromia's inhabitants have rejected him, he doesn't hate them nor does he dislike the city. It is a place in the empire, after all, and this land is his home.

Tommy climbs up the ladder to the entrance. Niki is standing at the doorway, her hand outstretched towards Tommy. He grabs onto her hand, letting her pull him all the way onto the platform. Tommy looks over his shoulder at Crow, but the elf is looking into the distance, towards Drywaters. Crow bows his head, some sort of prayer, Tommy suspects, and Tommy idly wonders if he should be doing the same thing. If only he had someone he could pray to.

Niki closes the latch once Tommy is safely inside the compartment. Tommy moves into the main room. Almost everyone else is here save for the captain of this vessel, False, and her first mate, Jimmy. They are in the operating room, but Tommy knows that they, like everyone in this room, are looking outside the window as the airship rises into the air. Tommy presses his hand against the cold glass, putting one knee on the cushioned bench to look towards the ground. His vision roams around as they gain altitude, and he sees what Chromia looks like from the eyes of a bird. He thinks, momentarily, that he sees L'Manberg in the distance, but Tommy doubts he's actually seeing the capital considering how far away it is from Alfheim. Still, the idea of home brings Tommy some much needed comfort.