Talon seized my arm and pulled me forward, urgency driving every step.
I knew we had to leave—but he was still bleeding, still hurt, and panic clawed at my chest.
"Talon, please," I pleaded as he dragged me along. "We have to go, I know—but at least let me heal you first."
"Not now, Sienna," he snapped, his voice low and grave. "The bats are closing in. I have to get you somewhere safer."
Before I could argue, his body shifted—light exploding outward as feathers burst from skin.
In a heartbeat, he became a massive white eagle.
His talons wrapped around me, firm but careful, and we were airborne.
I'd never truly seen this world from above.
Rolling green lands stretched endlessly beneath us. Vast oceans shimmered like molten glass. Jagged mountains cut through the clouds, and open plains breathed with life. No cities. No humans. Just beasts—wild, ancient, and free.
Talon glided effortlessly, riding the wind as if it belonged to him. This flight was nothing like when he first took me—this was smooth, controlled, almost tender.
For a moment, I forgot to be afraid.
Cold air brushed my skin. The stillness felt unreal.
Then—
Shrill laughter pierced the sky.
Wings flapped violently. High-pitched clicks echoed from every direction.
Talon surged forward, speed increasing sharply.
"Found you, King of Avion!" a voice screeched. "Ooooh—and what do we have here?"
I opened my eyes.
Five—no, more—enormous bats swarmed around us, their leathery wings blotting out the sky.
I shut my eyes instantly. I hate bats.
"Vera will be very pleased if we bring her the vessel of the Goddess of Abundance," one hissed. "Why not hand her over, King?"
Talon didn't answer.
He flew harder.
The bats attacked.
Talon dodged, struck with his beak, tore through the air with brutal precision—but I could feel it. He couldn't fight like this while holding me.
"Talon," I shouted over the chaos, "I'll help you. I'm sorry if I burn you—I'll try not to!"
I focused.
Deep breath in. Out.
Heat surged through my veins.
My hands ignited.
Flames bloomed, wild and bright. I flung my arm forward, fire streaking through the sky—barely missing one bat but scorching his wing.
"What is that power?!" it shrieked. "It burns!"
"We need her!" another screeched.
I kept firing—wild, unsteady blasts—anything to keep them away from Talon. My lungs burned. My arms shook. My energy drained fast.
Why won't they stop?
"Don't make this harder!" one taunted. "Surrender, vessel! Think of your King and his flock!"
"Even if Talon handed me over," I screamed back, "I'd rather die than let filthy creatures like you touch me!"
They laughed.
We were outnumbered. Outmatched.
And suddenly, the guilt hit me.
Why does everyone who gets close to me suffer?
Was the Oracle right? Am I a curse?
If I'm the problem—do I have to die to make this stop?
"Sienna, hold tight!" Talon shouted, flying higher. "I won't let them lay a hand on you—even if it costs my life!"
Tears streamed down my face.
"No!" I cried. "Don't say that! You will not die for me!"
He climbed higher. Some bats fell behind—but not all.
Then—
A blow slammed into him.
Another followed.
His body jolted violently.
He shifted back into his human form.
And let go.
I screamed as gravity ripped me downward.
A bat lunged for me—but Talon struck it aside and pulled me into his arms mid-fall, wrapping himself around me protectively.
The ground rushed closer.
"I will never let you go," he vowed, holding me tight. "I will protect you—even if it kills me."
I clung to him, sobbing.
"Why?" I cried. "Why would you give your life for me?"
"Because," he whispered, "you are worth it."
Then—
The bats tore us apart.
Talon went limp.
"No—Talon!" I screamed.
A bat seized me as I struggled wildly.
"Stop fighting!" it snarled. "Unless you want to die!"
"Where are you taking him?!" I screamed. "Where are you taking Talon?!"
"You are very costly, Goddess," it sneered. "Vera will reward us well."
Goddess?
"What? No!" I shouted. "You have the wrong girl!"
Rage surged through me.
Fire erupted again.
I burned the bat's wing, and it shrieked, releasing me.
As I fell, I saw them carrying Talon toward the mountain peak.
I crashed through dense shrubs, rolling hard across the ground. Pain exploded—but I crawled, hid, vanished into the greenery.
Above me, the bats circled.
"Come out, vessel!" one called. "If you want your King to live—show yourself!"
They argued among themselves, bickering, bragging, pointing fingers—until finally, they stopped.
"We'll wait," they laughed. "We know you'll come."
Then they flew off, cackling into the distance.
I pressed my hand to the earth, breath shaking.
I won't abandon him.
If they want me, they can have me.
But I won't surrender.
If this is war—
then they picked the wrong girl.