Page 5 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

“It’s a bit late for that.” Aerion gestured to the fading shoreline as they sailed away from Mistros City.

“Get off and swim,” Raiden pushed, his grip tightening so much that the railing cracked. Aryn’s quick eyes darted to Raiden’s tense stance and his mouth tightened as he shuffled back, still crouched on the railing like a strange feline.

“In this outfit? I think not.” Skylar waved to the flight suit as she tossed her silvery braid over her shoulder. Two pairs of doe-like brown eyes bore into Raiden as Aerion and Skylar stood side by side, their brows lifting in unison. Despite being years apart, they had always been mistaken for twins.

“You know you can’t do this without me. As our general, I’m the most equipped for this mission, and the senior lead on combat.” Skylar’s hand rested on the hilt of her sword, as if to prove her point.

Raiden shook his head. “No. I’m not losing anyone else again. You can stay on the ship instead.”

Skylar huffed, folding her arms. “I’m not fragile, Rai. You’ve got one shot to do this, and if you fail, you die. That’s not happening on my watch.”

“I don’t care what happens to me,” he barked back. “This is about Kordelia.”

“She isn’t Kordelia anymore!” Skylar motioned to Aryn. “Ask him. He’s spent enough time with her to know. Or are you too afraid of the answer?” Raiden remained silent, his jaw ticking at Skylar’s incessant resolve. “I’ll help you rescue her. No one deserves being at the mercy of Barron. But you’re not dying for her. Just remember, she’s a stranger to you now.”

Aryn slowly blinked, observing the interaction. He ground his jaw and cast his stare out to the ocean, taking a moment before answering. “She’s still in there. I’ve seen it.”

“I’m listening to the skildaj,” Raiden affirmed, and Aryn winced at his sharp tone.

A current of air circled them, as if Haizea’s winds agreed with Raiden. His determination, his desire, his gods-damned need to fill the hole in his heart had kept him going the past month, leading to this point.

There was no turning back now.

Aerion twirled his tattooed fingers, summoning a small gust of wind to propel the ship forward, and they raced through the Mist. Leto materialised behind the group, Mara squawking to announce his silent arrival.

“I’ll keep us hidden as long as possible,” he signed slowly. “Hector will no doubt realise we’re missing come dawn, and send for your father.”

“Zephyr is the last of our worries,” Aerion signed back.

“We’re going to be so dead,” Skylar muttered.

“We’ll be there within the week,” Leto continued. “Try to remain within the boundaries of my magic.” His iridescent eyes flashed as he waved his hand, and the aura shrouding the deck expanded until it formed a perfect matching iridescent bubble around the decaying vessel, as though the shimmer of his irises swallowed them whole.

“This always gives me the creeps,” Aerion spoke quietly as Leto returned to the quarterdeck, his eyes burning with the might of his magic.

“It’s a valuable power, no one will be able to detect us,” Raiden replied as the Mist slowly thinned and the twinkle of the stars speckled the sky. Leto had inherited power from the illusion faction, with the ability to hide in plain sight. “He’s known as the Lord of Ghosts for a reason.”

Aryn shifted, tucking growing strands of floppy brown hair behind his ears. “I’m going up to the nest to keep a lookout.” As he climbed the shroud, Aerion mumbled something incoherently and Aryn flinched, before racing to the top, his movements rapid. Raiden exhaled as his siblings stood either side of him, and they all looked out towards the calm ocean, preparing themselves for the fight ahead.

“Whatever happens, neither of you are dying,” Skylar repeated. The memories of previous deaths within the Windward family washed over them and the siblings huddled closer.

“Same to you,” Aerion placed a hand on Raiden’s shoulder. “This plan better work, Brother.”

“It has to.” Raiden’s power crested, causing the calm ocean’s surface to ripple as sparkling winds wove from his core, creating a complex web. The tension and anxiety choking him threatened to submerge him into a waking nightmare, and he continued releasing his power, brushing it over the cool water as if he could reach Kordelia through her gift. “If not for me, then for the islands. For Devania. We all need her.”

He hoped to Haizea that she was alright. That Barron hadn’t gotten to her again.

“I’m coming, hold on,” he pushed the thought out, and a shimmering current rose through the air, towards the void of his lost love.

2

Kora

Falling.

Falling through the air—no, the sky.

Laughter bubbled out of her, the sound escaping her lips and carrying on the current of the winds.