The Sun's Awakening

Chapter Twenty-One

Charles.

Standing amidst fallen sails, barely visible through the plumes of smoke, the sight of him spurred her into action. Diving with precision, she dodged bursts of fire and abandoned the safety of flying parallel with the dragons; taking the chance to save Roman's father. Wings pressed tight to her back, one hand outstretched– She almost had him. Just as she was within reach, a dragon above –unaware of her position– unleashed a ferocious ball of fire that hurdled towards the ship. 

A perfect strike. 

It crashed through the wooden planks, making the ship bow in the middle. Charles managed to avoid the worst of the impact, though his charred skin told a different story. Ele felt the scorching heat on her back as flyaway sparks from the fireball singed her wings, sending a searing pain throughout her body. 

With a cry, she lost control and plummeted into the water. The cold shock of the ocean engulfed her, extinguishing the flames but rendering her wings useless. She struggled to stay afloat, the weight of her sodden clothes dragging her down. 

Only two enemy ships remained and Jehvani, who was meant to carry out the attack on the battlefront after the ships were finished, witnessed her fall from the cliffs. He abandoned the other dragons awaiting his command without a second thought, recklessly going after her. 

His powerful dragon form sliced through the smoke-filled air, his massive wings beating with urgency. As he neared the water; a sudden, deafening roar filled the sky. Through the haze of battle, a cannonball hurtled towards him, its trajectory hidden by the billowing smoke.

The cannonball struck Jehvani's flank, the force of the impact causing him to hurtle into the ocean. He seemed to bounce upon the water, like a rock skipping the surface. The collision sent shockwaves through his massive body, his scales splintering under the sheer force. His roars of pain were lost as his majestic form began to sink. 

Ele, struggling against the currents, tried to reach him. The impact created a towering wave, lifting her momentarily before sucking her back into the churning depths. Saltwater stung her eyes and filled her mouth, as she screamed for anyone, someone, to help. Above her, the sky seemed to crackle with fire and fury, as if the gods themselves were waging war.

Only, no gods walked the mortal realm... 

Anja.

Ele clenched her teeth and fought the waves to reach Jehvani. She reached out with desperate hands, her fingertips grazing his scales to pull herself closer to assess his wound. Suddenly, Charles was by her side. Offering his strength to keep the dragon's head up. 

The dragon's golden eyes, once so full of vitality, now clouded with pain and confusion. His powerful limbs thrashed weakly against the water, creating turbulence that threatened to pull them all under. Charles clung to him, fighting to keep both their heads above the surface. All their efforts in vain once Anja grabbed ahold of his back legs in her mighty talons to drag him ashore.

One ship remained. 

If there was any struggle to pull him to land, it did not show. She remained focused and ignored all else around her. Just as she beached his massive form, the last cannon fire rang out before the ship sunk with all its crew clinging to it. 

Given his sheer vampiric strength, Charles reached the shallows not long after and he turned to grasp Ele, gripping her forearm to steady her. 

"I didn't–" Whatever he tried to get out was silenced by an abrupt hug. She slung her arms around him, just thankful to see him alive. He buried his head in her obsidian hair, smelling the sunlight on her skin despite the dark skies.