Dark clouds filled the horizon.

“I don’t care for that,” the captain said.

“Can we go around?” Dellen asked.

“No need yet, they’re just clouds. We’ll keep an eye on them.”

Dellen eyed the ships ahead of them, the Phoenix’s Flight was near the back of the fleet, he could see a dozen captains at their helms maintaining course behind The Windward Mark.

“All of you, get below, secure hatches, and make sure everything is tied down that should be,” Aurora said, “Nothing to be alarmed about, it’s good practice.”

Dellen slid open the hatch leading below, his feet thudding on the stairs in his haste. He ducked into the cabin he shared with Finnegan and Eliza.

Located on the port side of the airship, it was compact, it contained two sets of bunk beds, one stacked above the other, with sturdy metal frames and new mattresses. The bunks were a new addition installed for the trip. The bolts holding them down looked fresh and recent next to the ship.

Dellen checked that his bags were stowed, with drawers latched. “What are we going to do with you if there’s bad weather in here? Will you jostle around, or could you get shoved straight through the walls?” He asked even as he closed the windows, latching them as well.

“Who are you talking to?” Eliza said.

Dellen stiffened and stood up straight.

“I’ll be fine in a storm,” Gilgamesh said, “You probably need to do some fast talking right now though.”

Dellen turned, “I, ah, speak aloud to myself like I’m journalling,” he shrugged, “Old habit, I’m not used to sharing quarters.”

Eliza rolled her eyes, “Nobles, you’re all a bit odd, aren’t you?” She tapped the wall, “There is no chance you’ll fall through this in a storm, none.”

Dellen laughed, “This is the longest I’ve ever been on an airship this small.”

“Me too, we’ll be fine.”

Finnegan poked his head in, “Lord Northcote, thank you again for inviting me on this expedition. I still don’t know how you knew I wanted to explore under the city.”

Dellen held back a shudder, “You don’t, there’s a lot of hostile fauna in the depths. Trust me, I’ve seen it. I don’t ever need to see a steam squid again.”

“Still, just to see it.” Finnegan’s eyes were distant.

“Steam squid eat people, even Aetherforged. Some things are better in books.”

“I don’t know that I believe you have firsthand experience of this,” Eliza said.

Dellen shrugged, “Believe what you will, now, we need to attend to our jobs,” he let himself be amused by their station, a cross between passenger and crew, “I want to watch that those clouds come in.”

“So do I!” Said Gilgamesh, “Actually, I’m going to go above now. I’ve never seen rain before! This is exciting.”

Excited by rain, Dellen thought with a smile.

Moving through the airship, they carefully navigated the tight spaces, their shoulders occasionally brushing against the metal walls. Dellen, Eliza, and Finnegan made their way to the storage compartments. They checked the contents of each compartment, ensuring that everything was properly stowed and secured. Boxes, crates, and barrels were inspected and arranged to minimize the risk of shifting during the turbulent conditions they would soon face.

“Should we check in the crew quarters?” Finnegan asked.

“No, I’m sure the crew and the captain have adequately prepared their own belongings,” Dellen said.

Next, they proceeded to the small galley with just enough space to cook for eight. They checked the shelves and cabinets, making sure that pots, pans, and utensils were securely stored.

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Dellen trotted back up the stairs, taking him topside.

The grey clouds were closer. The previously warm breeze was chill, and the air felt wet.

Winds whipped through the air, growing stronger by the moment, carrying with them the scent of rain and the distant rumble of thunder. The previously calm atmosphere grew charged with electricity, setting the stage for a powerful tempest.

Dellen looked to Aurora, whose hair whipped in the wind, “Should we be concerned now, captain?”

“Not yet,” turbulence shook the ship, “But you would be wise to keep your hands on a line.”

A cold drop of rain splattered on Dellen’s forehead. Scattered droplets became a drizzle, and the drizzle turned into a downpour.

The rain hammered against the metallic surface of The Phoenix's Flight, creating harsh percussive noises.

“That stings,” Finnegan said, flinching.

Dellen could feel the droplets on his face and cheeks, but they were irritating rather than painful.

“Passengers below!” Aurora yelled.

Dellen helped Finnegan and Eliza below, and slid the hatch closed behind them, the elements might hurt them, but he was the only Aetherforged aboard, even if he had not reached First Trinity yet.

Looking out across the fleet, he could see the other airships battling the elements. The rain veiled their structures, turning them into ethereal silhouettes in the midst of the tempest. He braced himself against the breeze. Each vessel fought against the gusts of wind. Dellen could see how they lurched in the air, swinging about but still headed in approximately the same direction as before.

The rain intensified, obscuring the visibility, making it difficult to discern the other ships in the fleet. The relentless water made it feel as though they sailed the ocean rather than the sky.

“This is fantastic!” Gilgamesh yelled.

A flare of light lit the gloom, briefly illuminating the fleet. Then came the crack of thunder. For those brief, well-lit moments, Dellen caught sight of the other airships, crews on deck, working to keep their vessels stable in the sea of rain.

Thunder rumbled again, a deep growl that reverberated through the air, sending shivers down Dellen's spine.

Fingers tight around a rope, Dellen called to Aurora, “What should I do?”

“Keep the hatch closed and hold on tight!”

The wind howled, whipping across the ship’s deck, trying to push him overboard.

The Phoenix's Flight listed and swayed with each gust. Dellen saw Stevens scurrying across the deck, moving from clip to clip for safety. The weather made even the simplest tasks more challenging.

“Hold on, we’re going to climb above it!” Aurora yelled.

Dellen saw the prow rise as the captain sought to escape the storm.

Aurora held on to the helm, immovable as a statue, coat whipping in the air around her.

Rain battered their faces, and wind lashed their skin. The airship pitched and swayed, threatening to throw them off balance at any moment.

Amidst the chaos, Captain Aurora's voice rang out above the roar of the storm. "Hold on, hold on!” She yelled, her words made faint by the howling wind. Determination blazed in her eyes as she clutched onto the helm, her grip unyielding.

With each gust of wind, The Phoenix's Flight shook harder and harder. Dellen could see Aurora fighting the wheel. The rain poured relentlessly, forming rivulets that cascaded over the deck. Lightning streaked across the sky, releasing peal after peal of thunder.

The airship climbed higher, and the storm intensified its assault. Winds howled and threatened to tear the airship apart. Rain battered against the hull, Dellen felt his feet trying to slip out from beneath him. The Phoenix’s Flight groaned, shuddering under the strain, its structure groaning with each gust of wind.

Dellen, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and resolve, looked out across the expanse.

As the storm's fury intensified, The Phoenix's Flight struggled to maintain its course amidst the turbulent winds. The airship pitched and rolled. The deck fell away almost at right angles to the ground. Dellen’s knuckles went white around the line in his hand, and another arm lashed out to grab Gilgamesh.

“Unhand me!” Gilgamesh yelled, “Never mind, hold on to me!”

The Phoenix’s Flight returned to level, then overcorrected in the other direction.

A body whipped across the deck, and hung over the edge, line in hand the only thing separating the crewman from plummeting.

“Get back aboard, Mr. Westlake!”

“If I could tie you down, I could go after him,” Dellen said.

The prow dipped down, swinging Westlake onto the surface of the deck.

“Don’t let go of me!” Gilgamesh said.

Dellen saw Westlake get a hold of the deck and looked over to the captain, trying to pull them closer to horizontal. They kept plunging toward the ground below.

Aurora’s face was a mask of determination despite the impending disaster. With a firm grip on the helm, she fought against the airship's descent, desperately attempting to regain control.

The crew members clung to any available handhold, their faces etched with both fear and resolve. The deafening roar of the storm drowned out their voices, leaving only the chaotic symphony of wind and rain. They struggled to maintain their footing as The Phoenix's Flight plummeted towards an uncertain fate.

Through the downpour, Dellen caught glimpses of the other airships in the fleet, each flickering silhouette moving at an odd angle.

Time seemed to slow as The Phoenix's Flight continued its descent, plunging closer to the ground.

Amidst the chaos, Captain Aurora's voice pierced through the noise. "Brace yourselves!" she shouted. Dellen tightened his grip, body tensing in anticipation of the inevitable impact.

“Let go of me!” Gilgamesh yelled.

Dellen released him, and the ship shot past.

The ground rushed up to meet them with terrifying speed. The airship crashed with a bone-jarring impact, its frame buckling under the force of the collision.