The wind in Zephyros was alive. Not just a force of nature, but a sentinel—restless and deliberate, as if the realm itself sought to challenge her resolve. Koina Meris tightened her grip on the chakrams holstered at her sides as she stood on the edge of a floating platform, the endless sky stretching out before her. A path of fragmented islands wavered in the turbulent air currents, daring her to cross.
Elder Vardis’s voice echoed in her mind: “You’re ready, Koina. Zephyros’s chaos needs balance, and I believe you’re the one to bring it.”
Ready? She wasn’t so sure. But there was no time for hesitation. The ley line instability here was worsening, and if left unchecked, Zephyros—and the realms connected to it—could face devastation.
Koina steadied herself, her long braid whipping in the wind, and stepped onto the first platform. It swayed underfoot, the gusts testing her balance. She focused her energy, letting the hum of the ley lines guide her movements.
Somewhere above, a shadow lingered among the swirling clouds. A figure, cloaked and motionless, watched her progress. A faint shimmer of a throwing knife glinted at their side before they vanished into the storm.
The first attack came suddenly. A serpentine wind construct emerged from the storm, its glowing form twisting as it lunged toward her. Koina reacted instinctively, her chakrams spinning outward in a perfect arc. They sliced through the construct, its form dispersing into harmless currents.
But the attack wasn’t over. More constructs appeared, their forms solidifying from the storm. Koina pressed forward, the chakrams returning to her hands as she leapt onto the next platform.
“Need some help?”
The voice, light and teasing, came from behind. Before Koina could respond, a streak of blue darted past her. Aeris Skylark, with her compact crossbow in hand, loosed a glowing bolt that pierced one of the constructs, shattering it instantly.
“You must be the balance expert,” Aeris said with a grin, landing gracefully on the same platform as Koina. Her teal scarf fluttered dramatically, even as she loaded another bolt into her weapon.
“And you must be the…reckless one?” Koina replied, her tone half-joking but wary.
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“Reckless? Try resourceful.” Aeris fired another shot, her movements fluid as she leapt to a higher platform. “Let me guess—you’re here to stabilize the ley lines. The big, glowing storm everyone keeps blaming for the chaos.”
Koina dodged a construct’s strike, her chakrams tearing through its core. “That’s the idea. And I assume you’re here because…?”
“Let’s call it personal interest.” Aeris smirked, her tone evasive. “This is my home, after all. Don’t want some stranger ruining its charm.”
The duo pressed forward, their battle with the constructs intensifying. Koina’s movements were precise, each chakram strike calming the erratic energy of the platforms. Aeris, in contrast, danced through the chaos, her bolts finding their marks with an almost instinctive precision.
“Not bad for someone who likes rules,” Aeris teased, watching Koina stabilize a collapsing platform.
“And not bad for someone who ignores them,” Koina shot back, her tone sharper than intended.
The banter was interrupted by an ominous shift in the storm. The platforms ahead began to crumble and reform at an alarming pace, the gaps between them widening.
“Looks like we’ve got a choice,” Aeris said, glancing at the unstable path. “Follow the wind and hope for the best, or sit here and wait for the storm to swallow us.”
“Neither.” Koina focused, her chakrams glowing faintly as she sent them spinning outward. The energy they emitted created a momentary bridge of calm, stabilizing the platforms just enough to cross. “We move together. Quickly.”
Aeris arched a brow but followed without argument.
As they neared the next section of the floating maze, Koina paused, her gaze sweeping the storm. Something felt…off.
“What is it?” Aeris asked, her tone quieter now.
Koina hesitated. “I think we’re being watched.”
Aeris grinned. “By the storm? It’s always watching.”
Koina didn’t respond. The feeling of being observed was sharp and persistent, but she couldn’t pinpoint its source. Somewhere, hidden in the swirling clouds, the shadowed figure watched them move, a faint smile tugging at their lips.
The storm constructs thinned as the duo reached a large, semi-stable platform. Koina exhaled, momentarily steadying herself. Aeris, however, was already scanning the horizon.
“So, balance expert,” Aeris said, leaning casually on her crossbow, “what’s the plan? Fix the ley lines and call it a day?”
Koina frowned. “Stabilizing the core won’t be that simple. The ley lines aren’t just unstable—they’re…resisting. Like they don’t want to be controlled.”
Aeris chuckled. “Sounds about right. Zephyros doesn’t do ‘control.’”
“Then how do you live here?” Koina asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.
Aeris’s expression softened, just for a moment. “You don’t ‘live’ here. You survive. You ride the winds, and you don’t let them break you.”
Before Koina could respond, the storm surged again, stronger this time. The platform beneath them shook violently, and new constructs began to form.
Koina raised her chakrams, readying herself. Aeris smirked, her crossbow glowing faintly.
“Guess we’ll save the deep talks for later,” Aeris said, her voice tinged with excitement.
Together, they prepared for the next wave. Above them, the shadowed figure disappeared into the storm, silently ensuring their path remained clear.