Lucia's Point of View

Outskirts of the Magical Squall

Arthur stood at the front of the airship as the storm approached. Many of us watched and waited for the signal. We'd been instructed to make sure we held on to something with magic or something else. I had the Vithari Queen in my magical grip while Ziah and Alwin were with the two boys. Elves stood at the ready for the Captain's signal.

Everyone on deck watched as Arthur slowly moved off the front of the ship and floated out just slightly above it. He moved away slightly before he seemed to focus, and we felt the airship shift beneath our feet. Arthur then looked to the Captain before giving him a nod.

"Cut the magic generators and hold on!" Captain Adam bellowed.

It was slow at first, but Arthur flew off, and we were dragged behind him just as he said. The whipping of the winds and cracks of lightning increased as we got closer. Rain began to pour down on us for a moment before the barriers were erected. Rain, wind, lightning, and other weather was kept at bay while we were safe inside. All of us, but one.

Our speed began to increase rapidly as we shot into the storm. Many held onto the railings, walls, ropes, masts, or anything that was within reach. The ship launched forward even faster as it followed behind Arthur. It almost felt like we were on a violent river with the course already set but invisible to us. Invisible to everyone except Arthur.

"Brace yourselves!" The Captain called out again as lightning started to strike the shield.

Waterspouts were revealed through the heavy rain that poured as if dripping from an ocean above us as lightning danced around the skies. Arthur lit up as he reached out with his sword to intercept some of the lightning but ignored it as if he was never struck. He continued to pull and weave us through hail that was far larger than anything I had ever seen.

Waves from the oceans below seemed to grow even more violent as they swelled to unbelievable heights. Thousands of feet into the air, they slammed and crashed into one another before spraying us from below. If not for the shield, the rained, and ocean would've washed several of us away. Yet, one man held strong as he led us through the storm without ever slowing down.

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Lightning began to fuse with the tornados that danced around us as they began to continually strike out with their electrical charge. One even formed right before us. Many of us screamed and shouted in horror, while others gasped. Arthur merely headed straight for it before launching a wave of his magic forward through the waterspout to destroy it. No one spoke as we watched nervously as our fates all hung on the power of one man.

We continued to do this for what felt like hours. While I had no idea how long it had actually taken, there was no doubt in my mind it was likely longer than we knew. These storms were massive, and we had likely covered days of our journey from the sheer speed Arthur was pulling us along.

Cheers quickly erupted as the storm started to fade and the rain began to teeter out. Eventually, the sun could be seen once more, and the waterspouts were nowhere to be seen. Many hugged each other as they were thankful the experience was over. However, all of us nearly toppled over when we slowed down rapidly. I was able to keep my feet with the help of Alwin, but many others tumbled onto one another.

"Are you okay?" Alwin asked me.

I nodded. "Thank you." My grateful tone and smile earned me a smile in return. "How is the Queen?"

Alwin glanced at her. "She seems fine. Asleep, but still fine." He then looked back towards where Arthur floated as we came to a stop. "What do you suppose he is doing? Think he wants us to start the ship back up?"

I was about to call back to him but stopped when I saw him draw his sword once more and move back towards the ship in a more protective manner. The Captain and Alwin both realized it immediately as well. Others soon followed as we looked around nervously.

"Keep those shields up." I whispered to the group of Elves.

Many of us group together as Arthur watched the surrounding area carefully as the sun shone through. Looking past him, I saw that the sun was really just a giant hole in the clouds. The storm surrounded us on all fronts, and we were merely in a break before heading back in. My eyes snapped back to Arthur and thought that he was perhaps too tired to do the same again.

That was, until my eyes flickered to his sword. "What do you think is happening?" I asked the Captain.

He leaned over to me. "There's something out there."

"What do you mean something is out there?" Alwin questioned. "Nothing could survive in this storm."

"We did." Sergeant Allen replied before looking back out the barrier. "But this is the first time I've seen the General wary. Something is hiding in this storm, and I have no idea what it is."

"Maybe some Skelds made their way to the center of the storm as well?" Ziah offered as she comforted the boys.

I shook my head. "Doubtful. I have a feeling Sir Arthur would have cut them down before stopping, and the stop itself was urgent. If 'something' is out there, then it is something that is far more dangerous than regular Demons." My statement was met with nervousness as all our eyes focused on Arthur.

Arthur's Point of View

Outskirts of the Magical Squall

My entire field of vision was filled with red and black. From the ocean below to the clouds above, everything was covered in demonic magic.

"Fuck…"