War for the Skies (completed) (Book 1 of the Heroes of the Realms series)

Chapter 27

We explained to Spark about how this all started, with the gateways at camp, then all the way to Rome, through the Hall of Pandora and to here.

He listened carefully, but his eyes still darted around, as if he had eaten ten pounds of sugar a second ago.

He didn't seem surprised of our story.

"Well, as you can see, they are attacking us, and have taken over a few Realms before this one. I'm just afraid this one will end the same..." he looked outside a window. "Anyway, I don't know where the door back to the Hall of Pandora is, but it is somewhere in the capital," he pointed outside to the huge city.

"Like in Rome, you should feel its presence," Brad added.

Spark nodded. "You should be on your way now. I don't want you to be here if the Cursed succeed-"

"Dad, I can help you," Lukas interrupted him. "I have been studying engineering and technology since I was two! I love machines! Just let me help."

Spark chuckled. "Son, I know you do, but this is dangerous."

"What about when Theo fought Glacia, or when Leon fought Death?" he pointed at me. "Those were dangerous too! I want a chance to prove myself, dad."

"Son-"

Lukas turned to us. "Guys, you go. There is no way I will leave this Realm without closing those gateways."

"Enough!" Spark yelled, electricity swirling around him. "Son, I am a Legend, not a mortal, you cannot give me instructions."

"And I am your son! This is the only time I've ever seen you, and you want me to leave?" Lukas screamed.

Spark shot us a look. "Did you teach him this?"

I shook my head in fear.

"Spark that's enough," Brad stuck out his hand. "You don't need to be an idiot."

The electricity died down. "Son, even if you could-"

"I can."

"- help me, there is way too much to fix. We're doomed, with no time."

Brad looked at Theo, Amiko, Aurora and I. "You guys go, I'll stay here to make sure the situation doesn't get out of hand. Wait outside."

I didn't want to leave Lukas, but staying with Spark sent so many chills down my back, it beat Glacia's record. Spark seemed unstable, and quick to think, just like electricity, making him even more threatening. I was anxious to leave the room.

We walked out a set of sliding glass doors and into a balcony. The wind picked up, making me shiver. Noticing the problem, Theo lit a small fire in his hand, enough to keep my body warm, but I was still slightly shivering.

I felt a soft coat cover me from behind. "Here."

I turned to see Amiko had taken off her thick jacket, and wasn't exactly how I expected she was. I expected her to be slightly chubby, but she was pretty slim under that coat. She was wearing a light blue sleeveless t-shirt.

"Thanks, but you don't need to," I told her.

She smiled and so many flashbacks returned to me, it felt like I had just learned the secret of the universe.

She reminded me so much of my sister, and all of the times we had when she tilted her head, closed her eyes and smiled. That was the exact way my sister used to smile at me when I won at competitions.

Amiko reminded me of her so much, for a second, in my head, her face shifted to my sister's.

I stumbled back, leaning on the rail.

"You okay?" Theo asked.

"I'm... I'm fine..." I muttered, still weirded out by the situation. "Sorry, um, sudden headache."

Each of them looked worried, and I was grateful Amiko wasn't smiling. Not that I didn't want her happy, it was just really strange to look at someone like a twin of my sister.

I was so deep into thought that I didn't hear the giant plane from behind me.

"Watch out!" Aurora screamed.

Before I could turn around to watch, a rocket exploded the balcony into tiny pieces and I was sent flying toward the ground.

When my eyes fluttered open, the plane was in wrecks all around me. Aurora and Theo were huddled into a ball, and seemed alive enough.

I didn't understand how I was still alive, but when I realized I was on my back, it hit me.

"No," I muttered. "No, no, no."

I looked around for Amiko, who's jacket had saved my life.

"Amiko!" I screamed into the distance.

The smoke from the wreckage filled my lungs, making it combust inside itself.

I took off the jacket, the burning of the explosion and the heat of the ruins of the aircraft warming my body up enough. I screamed her name again. I didn't know why I was searching for her, I barely even knew her, but she reminded me so much of my sister, I felt as if she was my sister.

I shook the thought away, and continued wandering.

Theo and Aurora helped me out, with no luck. I couldn't see Lukas, or the palace from all of the smoke rising into the sky, which made me worry.

I saw a blue boot sticking out from behind some of the remains of the plain.

"Amiko!" I pointed.

We all ran over to it, but then the world shifted. The sky was dark black, and we were standing on dark rock. I looked around, and sure enough, Amiko lay lifeless in front of us. A few miles past her, was a giant mountain that stretched into the sky. I first slightly remembered where we were, then the memories came flooding in.

I was back where I started.

I grabbed a pebble and tried to carve an 'X' to where the gateway was. I proved successfully in marking the floor, but my symbol looked more like an excited stick man.

Aurora and Theo seemed clueless, and scared of our new surroundings.

I smiled at them. I don't exactly know why, but this place made me feel comfortable. The place where my adventure started.

"Why the heck are you smiling?" Theo asked.

"Welcome my friends," I gestured around me. "To the Mountains of Despair, where I set out on this adventure in the first place."