Book 4 | Agent 34 and the Last Gem

Chapter 44 | The City by the Sea

Agent 34 and Grime had managed to get Venon to pick them up as they searched for the city by the sea. They flew above the continent, thunder roaring behind them. The storm was soon to start again, but none of them were afraid because they had clothes covering every inch of their skin.

"What does he mean by city by the sea," Ismara asked. "He can't mean it literally. The closest city that's on the shore is Sehope and there is no way my father could've traveled there and back in a few hours,"

"Should we start searching along the coast?" Grime suggested.

"No," Venon told them. "I can find it. Just give me a minute,"

They were rammed into once again. This time, the group was more annoyed than surprised because they already knew who it was.

Deathbringer's cackle overpowered their sighs of annoyance. He threw a giant punch right into Venon's scales, knocking him back a bit. The dragon retaliated by roaring greatly at the man, grabbing him with his claws and scraping them across his chest. It ripped his cloak in two but somehow managed to still stay on him.

The red-semi-cloaked man launched at the dragon again, pushing him back. The dragon flew forwards and pushed against him, small sparks of fire coming out of his snout. Venon quickly shoved him back, using his roar as a warning for him to back off.

When Deathbringer didn't do as told, he slammed into the dragon again. The passengers on his back bumped around, Agent 34 nearly sliding off. He grabbed ahold of the spike on his back, dangling off the edge. Before Ismara or Grime came to his aid, their opponent threw a blow to Venon's head, sending them spinning.

Agent 34 lost his grip on the spike, falling off the dragon and down towards the water below.

"Agent 34!" Ismara shouted, reaching towards the edge for him. Before she could jump after him, Grime pulled her back and locked his arms around her, preventing her from doing anything stupid. She struggled to get him to let go, her wails not convincing him otherwise.

Agent 34 looked at the water below him, growing bigger and bigger at increasing speeds. This is how it ends, he thought to himself. I faked my death this exact same way, falling into the ocean and never emerging back out.

He shut his eyes, letting his body fall limply. Death had tried for him countless times, and this was the time that it had finally won. The unkillable had finally been killed.

~ ~ ~

Venon roared at Deathbringer. "You hellspawn!" He cries as Agent 34 fell. The dragon prepared to go after him, but was stopped abruptly when Deathbringer held him back. The Black Magic user grabbed his tail and held him there as he flapped his wings, trying to pull himself away.

Venon's anger grew ever so quickly. He whipped around, throwing his tail out of his foe's hands. He opened his mouth, directing it towards Deathbringer. With all his power and his might, he pushed the fire out of his body and onto his opponent, scorching his body and clothing.

Deathbringer didn't dare attack back. He silently flew back southwest and away from the dragon.

By the time they had scared off Deathbringer, it was too late to save Agent 34. He had for sure hit the water by now. Everyone aboard the dragon's back was hoping he had managed to survive and swim to shore.

~ ~ ~

The elf coughed, spitting up water with a mixture of blood. He pulled the rest of his body out of the water, the waves slapping against the sand rhythmically. Agent 34 rolled over onto his back, looking up at the sky. His eyes flickered to the right where a sand sculpture sat. Intrigued, he pulled himself up and looked at it with wonderment in his eyes.

It was a city made out of sand. It looked unique, but was definitely a bit rushed. Some sand seemed to be just slopped on there and others looked like it had taken genuine time to construct.

Agent 34 clicked the puzzle pieces together slowly. This was the city by the sea that Fáolar was talking about. The gem was here.