"His direction is absolute!"

  Kryll took a step toward Alexx who replied, "Tell Senkazital that he's dumber than you for trusting me!"

  "Wretched human!"

  "Let's get going, Alexx!" Trandin said, raising his voice. He stood in front of Alexx brandishing his weapon at that moment Kryll lunged forward, closing the distance in seconds. As the claws and sword touched, Kryll recoiled in immense pain, "Wretched blade..." giving Trandin enough time to grab Alexx and fly away.

  The swordsman whistled through his fingers. He looked up expecting something to break through the clouds. With a resounding rush of air, a colossal yellow bird descended and settled directly behind them. Its body was as broad as a two story building and was tall with a wingspan fit for such a frame. Alexx stared in awe, forgetting his predicament for a moment.

  It's size suggest it could carry at least a dozen people on its back. It sheltered its master- Alexx included- and flexed its wings, causing a gust of wind to overpower the evil Kryll.

  "Capital work, Rush!" Trandin landed on its back. He set Alexx down next to him.

  The soft contours were soft to the touch, making it easy to grasp firmly anywhere. Kryll had again attacked, this time from above.

  With the flat of the blade, Trandin fanned a current, throwing Kryll's flight off balance. This only angered the Kagral further, to the point where he couldn't see Trandin whipping a chain around his wrist. The other end fashioned a special hook on the sword. He heaved, and the sword flew in an arc through the night sky. Its reach was now far enough to hit Kryll. He had no choice but to avoid it and fall back even further.

  Trandin clicked his tongue, and Rush took off with a huge gust in its wake. The wind against Alexx's skin was hard and growing cold. The pressure was pushing him back, he felt his strength being pushed as he held on to the large yellow feathers. With the mask on, Alexx didn't feel challenged, but Trandin stood with a valiant pose during the ascent, making it look easy. The ascent steadied, but Rush did not slow down. Alexx watched as Kryll and the ground became a blur in the distance. The island still had spots where the flames danced, but the rest was a blend of smoke, ashes, and darkness. Alexx looked for any ships or wreckage by the docks, and found plenty. His was probably there, but there was no way to distinguish anything. Then he looked to the Labyrinth ruins. He didn't see anyone, even though he was too far away, but he wondered if Senkazital was watching him leave. He would know sooner or later that Alexx wasn't returning.

  After a long night, the pirate was back over the open sea. His new aerial view let him see zero ships for miles. The mask continued showing the magical flow throughout the sea and sky, and he was growing accustomed to it. But he could also see his next obstacle. The sky still filled with flying serpents all looking to devour.

  "So what's your plan about them?" Alexx asked, shouting behind Trandin.

  "The same plan I have going out, is the same as I had going in; they die." Trandin replied, sounding serious.

  The two were already under attack, with some of the Kagral nipping or slashing at the carrier bird in vain. The further they came away from the island, the more serpents noticed them. It wasn't long until Trandin was delivering orders to his companion, and Alexx held on while he spun and flipped through the sky.

  "Alexx hold on to these," Trandin shouted, and passed Alexx the reins attached to Rush, "Wrap them around your arms, and let Rush do all the work. Just hold on."

  Before Alexx could say his witty retort, Trandin had taken off to unleash his sword on the Kagral. The way he flew and swung the sword through the air without the chain wrapping around his wings looked like a dance. Alexx didn't realize at first he was looking at tiny magic currents of air directing the blade in precise arches and curls. On the moment he noticed, Alexx looked carefully at Trandins hand, commanding the wind. With subtle finger and wrist flicks, the sword danced at the beckon of the magic. And there was more to see. The chain was enchanted as well. Alexx couldn't see it, but the magical instructions on the chain made it add links, and take them away. It was any wonder the chain seemed different sizes.

  The chains in his hands had no markings in them, but reached out to a leather collar around Rushs neck. Without any cues, the bird was swerving and ducking away from the Kagral. Every maneuver sent a roar of wind to his ears. Rush's wings beat an explosive rhythm across the sky. Its movements were fluid but unpredictable. Alexx was unsure, but he felt safe. Every Kagral Rush flew around would meet Trandins sword. Towards the end, Rush used a large loop, followed by a roll to finally get clear of the scourge. Alexx fell off while in mid loop, but his white knuckled grip on the chains saved him. Rush caught him just before the roll, and Alexx had to watch as the horizon muddled. The sky and the ocean were inseparable in appearance, until Alexx was right side up again. Now clear, Trandin returned to Rush, and took the reins back. They soared away, Lanrete a speck to them now.

  ———-*———-

  There was no sign of Kryll.

  Maybe he's given up the chase? The pirate thought.

  As the feelings of the previous hour began to wear down, Alexx was admiring how high they were flying. Rush did not fly as fast, so the breeze was pleasant against his face. The soft feathers made this surprise trip comfortable. This was stark against the dark cloudy skies, and the choppy waters.

  A few hours of solitude passed; Alexx looked behind them and could not see Lanrete in the distance. From his position, darkness overtook the entire sky and to the horizons. The mask lay on his lap,

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  Trandin broke the silence soon after, "All of the swordsmen and leaders of the kingdoms are being summoned to Croowne. Once there, they will make a plan to counter Senkazital's return."

  "Crowne! We're going to Frecedel?" Alexx shouted.

  "Is there a problem with that?"

  "I'm not going, you can drop me off in the ocean now, thanks."

  "I see," Trandin sighed as if he were expecting that answer, "You don't have any idea what you're involved in."

  "Huh?"

  "It's you. For generations we've fought every plan he could make up to get out. He finally did it, Senkazital is free, and the most important piece in his plan was you all along."

  "I beg your pardon, I'm no one's pawn."

  "It doesn't matter what you think. You've been played, we all have."

  "So.. what this guy has been watching me for years or something?"

  "Maybe," Trandin replied while intensely staring ahead, "There's no telling the extent of his knowledge. But regardless, since he didn't simply dispose of you, and you took the mask away from him, we must keep it away from him."

  "Oh, so you're saying I'm a hero right now?" Alexx smirked.

  "You also were the one responsible for letting Senkaital out, so you're about in the middle of the morality spectrum. Although I'm sure you took the mask for selfish reasons." Trandin didn't hear a reply.

  Alexx watched the water pass underneath for another hour, lost in his thoughts about how to get out of this mess. His options seemed limited at the moment. Getting away from Trandin was top priority, but staying with him meant a higher chance of living too, there weren't others to travel with. The chances of staying out of Frecedel were slimming, and crossing the border is as good as never getting out.

  During his thoughts, and after time continued to fly by, Trandin eventually landed Rush on a small island with nothing but a patch of trees.

  "We can rest here," said Trandin.

  "Precious, precious sleep!" Alexx fell to the sand and propped himself under a tree. He closed his eyes for a few minutes. The brush of the waves lulled him into a peaceful state. Trandin made commotion in the distance far enough to be muffled by the sea.

  A couple hours passed and the two were silently lying. Alexx couldn't fall asleep; his mind replayed everything over and over again. A slight noise bothered him, he opened his eyes and looked out, but he saw nothing. He noticed Rush stirring and realized he was awoken by the stupid bird. He tried to close his eyes again, when he heard a high-pitched shriek in the distance behind them.

  Kryll.

  It was Kryll again, and a host of Kai, tearing through the sky heading in one direction.

  "He followed us!" Alexx shouted, Trandin leaped to his feet.

  "Of course he was following, and with an army in tow!" Trandin replied, "He's already seen us too. Hurry onto Rush. We're close to the Holy Land.

  "Oh yeah, Attricot." Alexx said disappointingly.

  "Kryll doesn't know about it. We can trick them, and lose them easily."

  "Do you know how to break through the fog?"

  "I'm the Swordsman of the South," Trandin said bragging,

  The bird shifted its wings and began to swoop. Alexx looked back and could see Kryll and his company still gaining on them, following as they turned southward. The feeling of being completely out of control was unfamiliar to Alexx as was the anxiety and fear. But his sense of safety and hope dwindling were all too familiar.

  Flying was uneasy as time continued to pass, and their pursuers closed the distance. Trandin waved his arms to and fro, creating currents of wind to knock the Kagral away, but the enemy showed they were adept at flying through tough currents.

  "Hit them with harder magic!" Alexx shouted to Trandin, shaking his hands.

  "I'm doing all I can, Alexx, I don't see you helping!" Trending replied with heavy breaths.

  Alexx ignored what was said, and watched as the scenery changed below from black waters with white foam splashing against rocks to mushy pale green lands.

  'Marshes,' He thought. It wasn't long before the trees were now thin and dying the ground black.

  "Some of them are right on top of us!" Alexx shouted.

  "Then slash away!" Trandin replied.

  As he raised his hand to protest, he remembered the mask hanging around his belt. The magic that embraced his blade while he fought Kryll soared after he swung. Maybe he could do that again.

  Seeing the energy dancing again, Alexx gripped his sword better than he had before. The ring had continued to heal his body and restore his stamina. He felt able enough to kill some flying snakes. They bared their fangs, Alexx stepped forward and swung his gleaming blade in a wide arc. Like a paintbrush on the sky, the white magic trailed the sword's path. The searing slash managed to hit a few targets that went down on contact. Three Kagral dissolved into black ashes in the wind. Alexx paid no attention to the dust as he was already slicing another long streak of magic into the air. He slew a good number, and oftentimes almost hitting Kryll in the crossfire. But the amount of Kagral was overwhelming.

  "Trandin, help!" Alexx cried.

  "Grab the bird!" Trandin screamed back.

  Without hesitation, he snatched the reins. He watched Trandin flail his arms forward, and a vicious gust splashed forth. The Kagral dispersed with that fell blow, and the gust continued on past them into the distant clouds. The dark shroud was pushed away to reveal a dawn lit sky. For the moment before the gloomy overcast closed the heavenly window, a smile passed over Trandin. Alexx was amazed at the power he witnessed. But his smile immediately turned as he felt something quickly pass by his head and tore his shoulder. Trandin noticed the bolt of black energy pass by and looked back, "Are you alright?"

  He cupped his hand over his shoulder before discovering Kryll coming back.

  "He just won't give up!"

  "Don't worry, we're finally here!"

  Trandin returned to the reins. Alexx was so caught up in the attacks that he never noticed the fog gathering around them. The shroud did not stop the Kagral from following.

  Alexx watched Trandin intently as the birdman pulled a small object from his belt. It appeared to be an ornate lantern. Alexx had his suspicion confirmed as Trandin lit the fire as the gem was activated by the finely carved runes. He produced the lantern as it emitted a green light, the shroud did not stay in the light, and it withered as Trandin passed the light all around himself and Rush. The fog had disappeared and what remained was a thin veil around them, but aways from them another fog was moving slowly. The noises inside suggested Kryll and the Kagral were fighting to escape, but could not see anything around them. They passed on, while Trandin and Alexx safely watched them float farther and farther away.

  Alexx breathed a sigh of relief, "Not bad, your plan worked."

  "Of course it did," Trandin replied, breathing harder than before, "But that was the easy part."

  Trandin pulled for Rush to fly forward. He sat down as he held on, slumping slightly.

  "Tuckered out, Swordsmen?"

  "Only what happens using too much magic. You should feel it coming soon too, using all those sword slashes."

  Alexx let that slip his mind. Surely, he could feel the exhaustion from his body like he never felt before. His limbs felt leaden, trying to sit down was a struggle. His vision blurred and a headache was forming behind his eyes. He couldn't focus on what Trandin was saying right before he heard loud whooshing noises, followed by the sensation of slipping and falling.