Wings of Fire: A Ruined Dream (Book 4)

Chapter 22

Step one; save the world.

Fate is fate.

That was very brave of you, but please never do that again, Stratus.

Do it better.

Resilience. Resurrection.

You want a chance to change something? Here it is!

I love you.

I still love you.

I know who to choose.

The world is in shambles.

But when they threaten the safety of the future of Pyrrhia, I will never let them get away with it.

I don't want to be alone.

Then don't be.

Don't you want the world to see who you are?

If you really think this is something I can't handle, you're wrong.

Nothing lasts forever.

Stratus's eyes were closed as he transcended. The space around him fell away, replaced by a dim collage of colors. When he opened his eyes, he could see his friends faced, blood on talons, his mother, Otdra, and HiveWings with no eyes and green RainWings tinkering on a false wing. They were all visions- of the past, present, and future.

The future that wouldn't come if he didn't get his head in the game.

In this realm of existence, he had both eyes. It felt weird- no weirder than literally falling through realities- but almost like a blessing.

And suddenly, as if he fell from a great height, he was back in his physical state, on the balcony.

Cold water splashed over his snout, from a canteen someone carried.

"Wow, hey, I'm awake." Stratus said, sitting up, a new strength in his bones.

"Moons above, Stratus," Iodine said.

"How long was I out for?" Stratus asked.

"Like, ten seconds. Tops." Jasmine said. "Are you okay to fight?"

"Yes. Where is Aconi?" Stratus said.

"We don't know," Cloudy said.

"We need to find her, now." Stratus said.

"What?" Jellyfish said.

Stratus looked straight at Jeweldreamer. "I was sent a vision."

Jeweldreamer's eyes widened. "Nobody leave here, we can't get separated."

"What did you see?" Cloudy said.

"Otdra. She told we needed to stop Aocni at all costs. If she reached the Apex, all will be lost." Stratus said.

"The Apex? What the hell is that?" Jellyfish said.

"I don't know. I don't know if Aconi knows either." Stratus said. Wind whistled in his ears, almost deafening.

"Jeweldreamer, can you find her mind?" Iodine asked.

"I can try, but it'll hurt," Jeweldreamer said. Cloudy hovered his talon by Jeweldreamer's.

Everyone held their breath. Jeweldreamer's face twitched, and his ears swiveled around, when suddenly, he gasped in pain. His talon clamped around Cloudy's.