**Chapter 22 - Thunderclash**
213 Words
Eira's pulse hammered as Lord Xanthos' warship loomed through the stormy mists ahead, blocking their path to Fulmen Isle. This cursed inevitable confrontation had come at last.
Even with arcane ballistae primed and trained on their sloop, Eira refused to signal surrender. They had not come so far, sacrificed so much, to kneel before tyranny now.
"I'll conjure a waterspout to circle behind and distract them," Vale said, hands raised as she focused on churning currents.
Eira nodded. "Arlo, take the wheel and wait for my signal. I will claim Fulmen's core." Whatever fates awaited, she would stare them down unflinching.
As Vale's spout heaved waves to encircle the warship, Eira called on her deepest well of wind magic and took flight straight upwards through chaotic clouds. Bursting into blinding sunlight, she caught her breath seeing the isle's emerald core hovering in a fixed cyclonic orbit, lightning arcing dangerously around it. Now for the daring part...
Drawing elemental runes, she plunged straight back down towards the core as a living air missile. Deftly dodging lightning, Eira unfurled a gust to set the core spinning on its axis away from the storm's eye. Winds aligning, she locked hands around it, sealing their bond. Core claimed, she dove in freefall towards the seaside battle below.
- Writer
