The Flux's Flower

Darkstone Rises

"Are we there yet? My wings are getting sore" Lalna complained.

"For the the 56th time no! Now stop ask-" Shadow stopped at a large hill, hovering above it. "Actually, we are."

"Finally!" Lalna collapsed onto the ground. As his wings dissolved to recharge faster, Shadow landed beside him. Raising an eyebrow, he spoke "You've never flown long distance before, I take it?"

"Never had to. Nano and I didn't really travel much"

"Huh" Shadow tapped a few keys on his gauntlet, and a trapdoor opened in the hill. He jumped in, beckoning Lalna to follow. The inside of the ship was significantly more impressive than the outside, with several consoles active and machines at work. However, amongst all the machines crammed into the space, Lalna's eyes were drawn to one thing in particular.

"Is that a sentient chest? That's forbidden magic!" Lalna looked over at Shadow, who quickly keyed a code into a nearby console without breaking eye contact. "He's a pet" Shadow said calmly as a nearby door slammed shut and locked.

"Most people keep dogs or cats, sometimes the occasional bird. But a sentient chest?"

"You reanimated dinosaurs"

Lalna had no rebuttal for that "fair enough. What was behind that door you just locked?"

"Nothing."

"You were awfully quick about locking it."

"It's nothing. Now stop asking so I can prepare for takeoff" Shadow casually rested his hand on his sword hilt, and after a few moments of tense silence, Lalna relented. "Fine, fine."

"Good." Shadow walked over to the column in the center of the ship and shot up into the bridge. Lalna craned his neck and saw Shadow insert the golden key from earlier into a socket, powering the ship up. Energy conduits lining the ship lit up and Lalna felt the hum of the engines. The ground shook as the fortress rose from the ground, loosing several hundred pounds of dirt from its hull. As the ship rose into the sky, Shadow called down "Impressed?"

"That this monster can get off the ground, yes" Lalna muttered. Out loud, he called back "Very! Where'd you get the inspiration for the design?"

"Later. First, I need the coordinates for your castle."

Lalna climbed up to the bridge, keying in the coordinates. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a bunch of blueprints of Blackrock, some he recognized, others with modifications. Shadow walked over, and Lalna turned his eyes back to the screen and plotted course, checking the time it would take.

"Three days?!"

"Unfortunately, I have yet to be able to build the engines needed for this ship to move any faster. Regardless, it's heavily armored, so you have nothing to worry about when we get there."

"...fine. Now, answer me, where did you get the inspiration to build this ship?

"From an old friend, years ago. He mentioned you, in fact. I believe his name was Rythian?"

~~~~~~

Nano.

Nano shifted and mumbled "I'm sleeping"

Wake up.

Nano sat up "What?" She snapped

The Key has become active. It is time for your coronation as the flux queen.