When The Sky Bleeds ✔️

Chapter 24

Exhaustion finally overtook me, and I was lulled into a deep sleep, my mind at peace for the first time in days. Callum, who had been fidgeting restlessly before, seemed to also find solace in slumber and slept soundly beside me on the ship floor. When I finally stirred awake, my feet were still resting where I had left them - on Desmond's leg. Despite my earlier efforts to convince him to move so I could stretch out, he stubbornly refused, and so I relented. He was still immersed in his book, his brow furrowed in concentration. A strange feeling tugged at my gut as I observed him, sensing that something was amiss. But I pushed those thoughts aside, unwilling to spend another day trying to unravel the mysteries of Crusader Castiel's behavior. Instead, I let out an astonished gasp at the sight before me - a towering castle perched precariously on the middle of an island, its spires reaching toward the sky like fingers grasping for the stars. It seemed almost surreal, with its upside-down orientation, causing dizziness to wash over me when I stared at it for too long.

A resounding beep resonated from the ship as Desmond instructed me to brace myself. The next moment was a whirl of disorientation as the ship abruptly flipped, defying gravity and eliciting the sensation one would experience on a rollercoaster ride. As we disembarked from the vessel, we were greeted by the open expanse of the sky above us and the solid ground beneath our feet, as it should be.

As soon as my bare feet sunk into the warm sand, a rush of nostalgia overwhelmed my senses. Memories of childhood summers spent at the beach with Faith came flooding back. It was our silly tradition to kick off our shoes and race down the beach as soon as we arrived, running as far and fast as our legs could carry us, ignoring our parents' pleas to slow down.

"Do it." Callum urged with a resolute nod of his imposing head.

As Lily, Meradyth, and Nala appeared by my side, I took off running, my feet pounding against the hot sand and my hair whipping wildly behind me. The sun beat down as I raced towards our destination - the majestic castle surrounded by rolling sand dunes and lush green hills. Adjacent to it stood a stately square edifice, which I presumed served as lodging for our guards. My friend's laughter echoed behind me as we raced towards the towering castle ahead. Its walls were made of smooth stone, and its turrets reached towards the clear blue sky. "Looks like someone is feeling better," Lily gasped between breaths, her cheeks flushed with excitement. I could only laugh breathlessly in response, grateful for my friends' infectious joy.

As we walked through the castle's grand halls, Meradyth paused to admire a stunning tapestry. The intricate threads depicted a fearsome creature with scales and sharp teeth perched on a rocky cliff, exhaling flames.

"Is that a dragon?" I asked in awe.

Meradyth nodded, her chest still rising and falling from the exertion. "Drakonar. A type of demon. It's said that these creatures were where the folklore of dragons originated."

The thought sent shivers down my spine. "They breathe hellfire." I thought aloud.

"Do we have to fight them?"

"Thank God, no!" Meradyth exclaimed, relief evident in her tone. "They haven't been spotted since the dark ages."

Lily's impatient tug on my arm urged me forward through the grand hall.

As we entered the main hall, I was taken aback by its spaciousness and the bustling activity within. Servants hurried back and forth, their footsteps echoing on the polished stone floor. The scent of cooking filled the air as the sounds of pots and pans clattering in the bustling kitchen reached our ears.

Colorful rugs covered the floor, and torches lined the walls, casting a warm and flickering glow throughout. As we made our way through the hall, we passed rows upon rows of banquet tables adorned with lavish decorations.