Crystalline Pursuit

WHAT AM I?

~Kael's POV~

I sat in my small cabin, the gentle creaking of the Skystrider providing a rhythmic background to my thoughts. The ship's subtle sway was comforting, a reminder of our steady flight above the clouds. The evening had settled in, casting a golden hue across the wooden walls. I took out my worn leather journal and opened it to a fresh page, ready to document the day's events. My mind wandered back to the events of yesterday, the retrieval of the Air Aeon stone.

''Today was one for the books. I managed to reach the top of the mountain and put the Skystrider on autopilot, leaving Zephyr to guard the ship. The moment I entered the cave, I could feel the intense magical energy emanating from deep within. The place was filled with a luminescent mist, and the walls were adorned with vines and lavender. Pushing deeper into the cave, the mist grew thicker, making it harder to see.

I found a staircase and climbed up carefully, the cool air giving me a bit of a boost. At the top, there it was—the Air Aeon Stone. It was a stunning, translucent crystal with hues of blue and white, floating in a vortex of mist and light. Just as I was about to take it, a powerful magic blast came out of nowhere, almost knocking me off the platform. I grabbed onto a vine, saving myself from a painful fall.

A voice commanded me to step away from the stone, but I wasn't about to back down. The attacks came faster and harder. My combat skills were really put to the test, and I was clearly outmatched. Despite my injuries and exhaustion, I was determined not to leave without the stone.

In a moment of desperation, I pretended to surrender. I whistled a signal for Zephyr, who swooped in and grabbed the Aeon Stone. The attacker, a girl with dark blue-black hair and storm-grey eyes, panicked. She tried to stop me, but I managed to trick her and fell from the platform, using the Aeon Stone's power to slow my descent.

After the chaos, I introduced myself as Kael Windrider. She revealed her name was Elara Stormborn, an Elementalist on a mission to gather Aeon Stones. She explained that each Aeon Stone has a protector, and the beast we encountered must have damaged my ship.

Our conversation quickly turned into an argument. Then, out of nowhere, a giant hawk-like creature called a Geráki appeared. Elara used her magic staff to float above the ground, while I struggled to control the Aeon Stone's power to keep from falling. Despite our animosity, we had to work together to escape the Geráki. I managed to harness the Aeon Stone's energy to slow my fall and joined Elara in mid-air.

This mission is proving to be more dangerous and unpredictable than I anticipated. Elara's presence complicates things, but I can't let my guard down. I need to stay focused and vigilant if I'm to succeed and find my father.''

I couldn't get Elara out of my mind today, so I decided to sketch her. Her image kept appearing in my thoughts, her dark blue-black hair cascading down her shoulders, framing her storm-grey eyes. Those eyes—they hold such intensity, a mix of determination and mystery. I found myself adding details to her features: the delicate curve of her jaw, the way her hair catches the light, and the almost ethereal aura she carries. I sketched the lines of her staff, the intricate patterns etched into it, and the flowing, slightly tattered robes she wore. Each stroke of my pencil brought her more vividly to life on the page, capturing the essence of her presence. As I was finishing the sketch, lost in the intricacies of her appearance, I suddenly snapped back to reality. I realised just how much time I had spent drawing her, and a wave of embarrassment washed over me. What was I doing? This wasn't the time for distractions. Flustered, I closed the journal abruptly, my heart racing a bit faster than I'd like to admit. Why was I thinking about Elara so much? I've only just met her. It's strange, unsettling even, how she occupies my thoughts. She's a complication I hadn't anticipated, and I needed to stay focused on my mission. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not now. There's too much at stake.