Elias and Kristen stood on the deck as the ship ascended. The rain began to fall, but they escaped the clouds just before it got bad. A gust of freezing air struck them all as the sky cleared. Sounds of rain, wind, and the ocean all went blank. The ship was now above the clouds. Once again all that could be heard were the moans of the ship.
From the looks of it, it seemed like the airship was floating on the clouds like it was water. Elias and Kristen looked down, marveling at the view. Kristen reached out her arm in an attempt to touch those clouds.
"Alright, Cleavers! Keep an Eye out!" Captain Rae announced while standing at the very front of the ship. He had his own scope made of brass. He was looking intently over what looked like an empty sky.
Elias was still in shock. Adrenaline was pumping throughout him, though he seemed to be calming down in a weird way; his body was fatigued, like it has given up. He felt as if he just wanted to sleep forever. Elias stood at his post with Kristen and almost toppled over, Kristen helping him stay sturdy by supporting him by the chest.
"Woah.. You okay, man?" Kristen asked him quietly
"Im just... A little tired.." He said, pulling himself together
Kristen looked him a little longer to try and read if he was lying or whatnot. But eventually left him alone.
Soon after, Flecks fluttered over to them with a massive satchel hanging from his hands.
"Here. You need to protect yourselves" Flecks said as he opened the satchel
Elias and Kristen looked in, seeing massive boomrods, swords and other machinery of war. Once again Elias was hit with the reality that he was going into a battle. His gut churned and burned with fear and regret.
"Go on!" Flecks urged
Kristen grabbed two swords, knowing that Elias wouldn't take one for himself.
"I-I have to use the restrooms..." Elias hurried off the deck into the restrooms to relieve himself. Kristen and Flecks were left together.
"Kristen. Elias has to get it together before we run into these guys- or else he might become a huge hindrance. Hear me?" Flecks told her sternly
Kristen nodded, but she was worried too now. Again, an ounce of regret grew in her and her face showed it. Flecks left the area and Elias returned promptly, still shivering in his boots. Kristen removed that look of regret from her face to hide it from Elias as best she could.
"Here's your weapon, dude" Kristen said as she handed over the short sword.
Elias gripped it. To his surprise, it fit him perfectly. It wasn't too heavy, and it wasn't too light. He'd be able to swing it around if he had too, or wear it just so it seemed that he could use it. All in all, it ended up making him feel just a little safer.
Kristen began swinging hers around- another rusty looking short sword. Slightly longer, and heavier looking than Elias's.
"Hya! Hwuah!" She made vocals for every swing.
Elias lifted his up as well and slowly began swinging. As they both clanked each other's weapons about, a smirk ended up forming on Elias's face. Both of them were completely unskilled, but they had fun.
"You two! stop that! They aren't toys!" Someone said from across the deck. Elias and Kristen laughed as they held the swords down.
Kristen stopped and smiled at him "That's better" She said.
Hours end up passing, and the sun began to rise over the horizon. Red rays of light scattered across the ship. Still no sign of the Dragonfin. Chatter began on the ship. Elias and Kristen did what they were told and listened in. They would patrol the deck and take in any information.
"They're tricking them"
"They'll find them eventually"
"They are beneath"
All were a little suspicious, but nothing damning. It was the thought process of everyone at the moment. If they weren't above the clouds, of course they were beneath. This is what they said until Elias overheard another conversation.
"They'll come up from below, and that's when we strike- okay?" It was Dum'Lo and the freckled Spiran from the Hyphian Isles. They were scheming.
Without hesitation, Elias tattled. He scurried over to the captain's quarters, only to find Adira and Flecks there as well.
"What? did you hear something too?" Captain Rae asked as Elias came in.
"Uh.. yea" he replied
Captain Rae leaned back in his seat
"These guys aren't the smartest bunch.. I already know their plan."
"What is it?" Elias asked
"They're going to tell us to descend below the clouds once the enemy is below us- to surprise us!" Rae continued. "But ill surprise them!" A maniacal grin spread across his face as he prepared to reveal his own plan.
"Elias, go get Kristen and grab onto the Balloon controls! Wait for my order... Adira, come with me, and Flecks, keep the crew distracted in the dining room.." Captain Rae ordered.
Everyone stumbled out to get to their positions.
Elias and Kristen arrived at the two ropes that released air from the balloon. There was another crew member there. A purple skinned Grolobb, standing there waiting for commands.
"Captain said its our turn to handle the ropes" Kristen announced to him. Her hands on her hips.
The Grolobb gave them both a dirty look. As he stared them down, Elias started panicking again.
"Well? Move along! Captains orders!" Kristen waved her hand and urged him to leave.
The Grolobb grunted and stomped off.
Elias walked over to the rope
"You think he's on to us?" He asked quietly.
"Nah.. he just has a rude face..." Kristen said- though it looked like she was pondering the same question.
In the distance, Captain Rae could be seen standing above his quarters. How he got up there was beyond them. As Elias and Kristen stared, Rae gave them a quick nod before turning around. They nodded back.
What? What was that about? Elias thought to himself. He looked over to Kristen to ask her.
"Uh.. was that the sig-"
"YES! PULL!" She yelled.
Elias tugged hard on the rope, he could feel the pressure within the balloon relieving. Kristen hopped over to the other rope and began to pull as well.
The ship began descending. The rope was rough and felt like it was tearing at Elias's soft hands, but he kept tugging.
"Almost there dude!" Kristen shouted
Suddenly Dum'lo ran up the stairs. His heavy feet shaking the deck.
"What are you two doing!?"
Kristen and Elias remained silent and kept tugging. They were now getting pelted by cold hail and raindrops. They fell so hard it almost stung.
Dom'lo pulls out a boomrod and aims it at them both.
That instant, Elias let go. He covered his head and curled up.
"You too, city girl!" He shouted
"ELIAS GET UP HE'S BLUFFING!"
Elias disregarded her. He was too racked with fear.
*BANG*
A shot was fired. All the sounds seemed to pause for a moment- and all the worse outcomes flew through Elias's head. But he stayed curled up.
Comments (0)
See all