The Sun's Awakening

Chapter Twenty

"After Oxin leads the charge against the southern invasion, I need you stuck to my side as we reign fire on the ships coming from the northeast. We'll fly in a parallel formation to avoid charring one another. Do you understand?"

These plans were laid out in advance and, yet, Anja felt compelled to reiterate them for her own assurance. Especially given the state Ele was in– Who numbly bobbed her head in response. The sight of white sails billowing in the wind, bearing ships teeming with enemies, sent a chill down her spine. Threats of war were one thing; witnessing its approach was another entirely.

Perched atop a cliff overlooking the vast ocean, Anja and her troops prepared for the impending assault. Ele remained at the edge, her eyes scanning the horizon for the familiar silhouette of black wings. She knew Kaanan would be at the forefront of the attack, likely expecting her presence there as well given the element of surprise the ships were meant to have.

The relentless waves crashing against the cliffside served as a reminder of a different time. A time when meeting Kaanan's friends and facing Sloane had been the extent of her worries. Back then, Roman seemed like a mere jokester, potentially harboring feelings of disdain for her very existence.

Now, as she stood on the brink of a battle that would determine their fates, it all felt profoundly surreal and somewhat frivolous. Their actions and the outcome of today... What might they write in the history books? 

One species versus another. 

Bodies piled high that once possessed beating hearts.

All this senseless death... And the 'why' of it all she still hadn't placed.

"Some of us will begin to shift now. I will wait by your side, until the beginning." Anja offered more than a shoulder to lean on. She offered her wisdom.

Eledorah turned to face her with all the questions plaguing her, trying to get them all out before they delved into battle. "Have you ever killed someone?"

Casually, as Anja always carried herself, she shrugged. "Mm, you heard my stories of invaders coming to our shores. We did what we must to protect our homes and our secret."

"And you said you've seen faenixes on your island before, what happened to them?"

"I see what you're doing. If you think we won't have the liberty of chatting after this battle because some ill fate will fall upon us, I assure you that I've consulted with our gods and today will be victorious." The dragonborn scanned the waters to witness the ships set loose their anchors.

What gods would listen to that half-formed beast?

Ele forced the voices back into the recesses of her mind. Not today. They could not interfere today.

"No, you're right." She shook her head free of all the unnerving thoughts. "After, will I get my answers?"

Anja hung her head, shame creeping into her features from the way she avoided eye contact and the corner of her mouth twitched. "You will not like what I have to say. I'd rather we move past all that and focus on rebuilding Sepulchre, together."

"Why won't I like–" 

Something crashed into Ele's side, knocking her off balance and onto the ground. She snapped her gaze up in time to see a dragon's tail trailing away from her, its owner running to leap off the cliffs. Anja jumped to her feet and pivoted to extend a hand to help Ele. That's when she was able to assess her surroundings and spotted the cannon shell that shot through where they once stood. 

More cannons were shot one after another. And the remaining dragons leapt from the cliffs without needing a command to attack. 

With a fierce cry, Anja shouted, "We've been spotted! Take out the ships!"