Firefew Island: Unstable Atmosphere

Chapter Thirteen

They were off...Again.
This was the tenth time that Trollark had been thrown off Leopare's back mid-flight; and the Changewing hadn't cared; waiting till he was mere inches from the ground to snatch him up. "Leopare; stop..." Altostratus had dove underneath him; Carloa on her back. Neither looked amused. "You'll give him a heart attack!" Leopare chortled; craning his neck as he looked underneath himself; his gaze boring into the Storm Furies blue one. "I would never!" He raised his voice to be heard over Trollarks panicked screams; and tossed him over his head, where he landed on his back. "I'm just having a little fun! Lighten up, Alto." Altostratus's eyes narrowed; and she swerved to fly next to him; eyes glinting with an unspoken challenge. "Say that again."

The Changewing smirked; charging ahead with the Viking clinging to his back; knuckles white as sweat beaded on his face. Then, Altostratus shot after them, blocking out Carloa's panicked instructions; her own heart racing as the weight was removed from her back; her prosthetic flapping in the wind. Her eyes widened as she attempted to right herself. She was plummeting. Fast. Too fast. She spread her wings, she opened her eyes briefly, Carloa was...Wait. Was he diving?! He was diving! To her! Altostratus blinked slowly, gasping as her side caught on a branch, pain shooting through her. The ground was closing in now...Carloa wouldn't make it! The Storm Fury shut her eyes, the wind knocked from her lungs as the ground made impact.

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"Need some help?"

Altostratus blinked; not bothering to respond as she stared at the strange figure. What a strange accent... Altostratus thought; slowly lifting her head to stare at this strange creature. "Ah. Sorry. The names Riveraï!" Altostratus stiffened; jaws slightly agape. "W-what are you?" The Storm Fury choked out. "Me? I'm a Moon Elf, and uh—a not so talented Moon Elf, I might add." She chuckled nervously; pulling her hair back to reveal two horns...Er—more like one and a half? Who knew at this point.

Several patterns ran down her face; ending at her jawline.
Just great. Another creature can understand me. I'm so pleased...For the first time, I actually wish that Leopare would come back. Altostratus shook her head, giving up. "Fine—yes. I need help..." Surprisingly, the elf didn't seem to mind her grumpy attitude, instead grinning ear to pointed ear. "Great! I'll get meh tribe and we'll–" The elf yelped; falling to the ground; an odd, almost dart shaped object imbedded in her neck, and she pulled it out; legs trembling. "Erm—n-never mind...." Altostratus watched in pure astonishment as the elf went silent; flopping over.

Wow. Perfect timing...
She hoped it was Carloa, or Trollark. Leopare even! Instead; it was something she hoped she couldn't have seen. A nearly skeletal Dawn Screamer dropped into the clearing, sunken in eyes staring straight at the Storm Fury.

More Zombie dragons? Fun. Just my luck I suppose. I was hoping for this!

Altostratus scrambled to her feet; gasping as pain rocked her body.  "Definitely a busted rib! Carloa? Where are you?" She was alone, of course. With the elf out of commission, and Leopare, Trollark, and Carloa gods know where, she was on her own. If it bites me, it's over. These things are impossible!
Find the weak spot, she had to find the weak spot. Normally the underbelly and neck. She shuddered at the thought of her teeth sinking into the creatures stiff flesh.
I suppose this was how the Vipirus Drigomïs finds its victims.

Nevertheless, Altostratus had no choice. It was her, or the Dawn Screamer. And the odds were stacked against her.

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"This is the end for you—..."

Altostratus shook her head; narrowing her eyes as several others appeared, their heads tilted at unnatural angles, limbs twitching as if they had minds of their own. The voice seemed to come from nowhere in particular.

"How pleasant, first good meal I've had in decades..."
Of course! I am screwed. Screwed. Bloody hell!
Altostratus cursed, her tail lashing.
Get out of my head!
The corpses mouths moved in unison, as if programmed by an unknown force.

"You're mine now...Poor wittle dwagon, all awone...No reason to cry...It won't help you."

Get. OUT!

Altostratus gathered herself, she couldn't let it take over. It wanted her to snap. She couldn't afford to.

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Hey! Short chapter, I know, but I want to switch from short to long, and so on! I was on vacation, so my brain isn't working today/tonight!!! ^ ^