Episode 13: Blackout

The group of riders ascended into the turbulent clouds, their dragons navigated the swirling masses with practiced skill. Thunder rumbled ominously overhead, and flashes of lightning illuminated the dark sky as they sought refuge from the Yahunyen ships below.

As they soared higher into the storm, the Yahunyen ships pursued relentlessly, their advanced technology allowing them to track their targets through the dense fog. The sound of their engines reverberated through the clouds that reminded them of the danger that lurked just out of sight. With every passing moment, the tension in the air grew thicker, the group acutely aware of the looming threat behind them.

Sivera and Olemith flew side by side, their dragons moving in perfect synchrony as they navigated the treacherous terrain. Sivera glanced over at Olemith, concern etched into his features as he tried to make sense of their predicament. Despite the wind whipping around them, their eyes met, and there was a silent understanding between them.

"What happened?" Sivera shouted over the roar of the wind, but his words were lost in the tumultuous rush of air. Olemith strained to hear, his brow furrowed in concentration as he attempted to make himself heard above the din. But before he could respond, a sudden barrage of energy blasts erupted from the Yahunyen ships, forcing them to focus on evading the incoming fire.

The sky erupted in chaos as the energy blasts streaked through the clouds, their fiery trails lighting up the darkness. Sivera's heart pounded in his chest as he maneuvered his dragon through the onslaught, each blast coming perilously close to hitting its mark. Despite the danger, there was a steely determination in his eyes, he refused to back down in the face of trouble.

Dodging and weaving through the onslaught, the group pushed their dragons to their limits, their instincts guiding them through the chaos. With each near miss, a surge of adrenaline coursed through their veins.

Malaes soared through the storm with grace and precision, her dragon moving with effortless agility as they evaded the enemy's attacks as she had sworn to protect Griswa and Yesdar who were sitting back.

The dragons proved their worth in the heat of battle, their movements fluid and graceful as they danced through the storm. With each evasive maneuver, they deftly avoided the enemy's attacks, their bond with their riders evident in every coordinated movement. Despite the chaos around them, there was a sense of harmony between rider and dragon, to silently understand. This spoke volumes.

Blast after blast tore through the sky, the deafening roar of their weapons echoed through the clouds. Each near miss sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through their veins, their instincts honed by years of experience guiding them through the chaos. Despite these overwhelming odds, they kept flying on, their determination asked them to.

Finally, as the chaos subsided momentarily, Sivera and Olemith found themselves flying side by side once more. With a brief respite from the relentless assault, Olemith seized the opportunity to explain what had transpired in their absence. His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of disbelief and uncertainty, as Sivera struggled to process the enormity of the situation.

Olemith recounted the events that had led to the disappearance of the south reservoir, his voice tinged with frustration and disbelief. With each passing moment, the gravity of the situation became increasingly apparent, the implications of their discovery sent a chill down Sivera's spine. 

As they flew through the storm, Olemith's voice cut through the chaos, his words laced with urgency and disbelief. "Sivera," he began, his tone grave, "you need to know what happened with the south reservoir." Sivera turned to him, his brow furrowed in concern, and Olemith recounted the events with a sense of urgency.

"The reservoir... it vanished," Olemith explained, his voice tinged with incredulity. "Last few months back it was there, and today... gone. We searched the area, but there was nothing. No trace of it whatsoever." Sivera's eyes widened in shock, the implications of Olemith's words sinking in. "But how?" he demanded, his voice rising with frustration. "How could something like that just disappear?"

Olemith shook his head, his expression grim. "I wish I knew," he replied, his voice heavy with uncertainty. "But that's not all. The Yahunyen troops... they already knew our location. They were waiting for us, Sivera. Hundreds of ships, ready to bring us down." As the gravity of their situation became clear, Sivera felt a chill run down his spine. "We're in serious trouble," he muttered, his mind racing with the implications of Olemith's words.

Though Olemith's words were inaudible due to strong winds, Sivera, did understand whatever he was explaining.

"How can a whole damn reservoir be uprooted from the ground?!" Sivera exclaimed, his voice filled with incredulity. The sheer scale of the event was beyond anything he had ever imagined, and the implications sent a shiver down his spine. As they flew onward, the enormity of their situation weighed heavily on their minds, their thoughts consumed by the looming threat that awaited them.

Glancing back over his shoulder, Sivera searched for his companions, a sense of panic rising within him as he realized that they had been separated in the chaos. With each passing moment, his heartbeat quickened, his mind racing with fear and uncertainty. The sky stretched out before them, vast and unforgiving, as they continued their desperate flight from the enemy.

With the Yahunyen ships closing in from all sides, the group braced themselves for the inevitable confrontation that lay ahead.

In the heart of the raging storm-clouds, Malaes, Griswa, and Yesdar clung to their dragon's back, their senses attuned to the looming threat of the Yahunyen ships that pursued them relentlessly. With each deafening blast of energy, the air crackled with danger, and they maneuvered their dragon with skill and precision to evade the deadly attacks.

Griswa's furrowed brow betrayed his growing unease as he voiced his suspicions to his companions, the urgency in his tone barely audible over the roar of the wind. "There's something not right about this," he muttered, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he scanned the horizon for any sign of reprieve. "Why aren't they attacking? It doesn't make sense. By the looks of it, they can easily bring us down, why are they only hitting avoidable attacks?"

Yesdar nodded in agreement, his jaw set with the shit he understood. "It feels like we're being herded," he said, his voice tinged with apprehension. "But towards what? And why?"

Malaes, her heart pounding in her chest, couldn't shake the feeling of dread that gnawed at her insides. "Whatever it is, it can't be good," she murmured, her eyes darting nervously between the pursuing ships. "We need to stay alert."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the storm-clouds, Aelodor, Daryan, Risanji, Elemdar, Raazman, and Syran found themselves isolated and vulnerable, each one pursued by their own contingent of Yahunyen ships. Panic threatened to overwhelm them as they struggled to comprehend the gravity of their situation, their minds racing with unanswered questions.

With every passing moment, the tension in the air grew thicker, the ominous presence of the Yahunyen fleet casting a shadow over their hopes of escape. Yet amidst the chaos, they remained resolute, their determination unshaken by the looming threat that surrounded them. 

The Yahunyen fleet unleashed a relentless barrage of avoidable energy blasts, the group knew that retaliation would be futile. Engaging in combat would only draw the full wrath of the Yahunyens upon them, overwhelming them with sheer force because except Griswa, Yesdar and Malaes, no one else had understood the possibility of a trap. Thus, they opted for evasion over confrontation, aware of the risks posed by the enemy's superior numbers and firepower. Despite their instinctive urge to fight back, they remained steadfast in their resolve to evade rather than confront.

Their hearts raced with adrenaline-fueled anticipation, each beat a testament to the mounting tension that permeated the air. Beads of sweat trickled down their brows, mingling with the rush of wind as they navigated the uncertain skies.

With every passing moment, the pressure intensified, their senses heightened to the imminent threat that was imposed on them. 

As Sivera and Olemith descended through the storm-clouds, the city's borders loomed into view, the end was near. He kept looking back, again and again, until he noticed Malaes again, as Silyahun descended through the clouds and 

The sight of Malaes's dragon trailing behind sent a shiver down Sivera's spine, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

Regret washed over him as he recalled his decision to involve Malaes in this dangerous mission, he should have never let her come, he should have considered the possibilities of all the dangers, it was his fault, that's what he thought as his eyes glistened with unshed tears, fear and regret together, but as he watched her draw near he saw her trembling hand a silent plea for him to stay away.

"Don't come any closer! Keep moving forward!" Malaes's urgent cry pierced through the roar of the storm, her words a stark warning. "It's a trap, IT'S A TRAP!!!!! "

Sivera froze in his tracks, the gravity of Malaes's words sinking in as he surveyed their surroundings, his expressions confusingly dull.

The others were still spread out across the turbulent skies, each one vulnerable to the encroaching threat of the Yahunyen ships.

As the group too descended through the storm-clouds, the darkness of this night enveloped them, obscuring their surroundings and amplifying the sense of isolation that hung heavy in the air. Despite their proximity to one another, Aelodor, Daryan, Risanji, Elemdar, Raazman, and Syran were way too far way from each other, completely unnoticeable and out of vision.

Unbeknownst to them, they had unwittingly formed an oval, an oval for a certain midpoint they didn't knew about, a shape they formed according to how they were lured in the area by those ships.

Yet even as they forged ahead, their eyes and mind fixed on the end of the city to surpass the invisible barrier, they were completely oblivious to the fact that it was no problem if they anyways remained inside the borders of that particular elliptical area that they had formed.

In the distance, they didn't know what was waiting for them there. They felt scared and confused, not knowing what to expect. They just kept moving forward.

In the midst of chaos, Malaes approached Sivera with urgency in her eyes. Sivera, overwhelmed by the unfolding events, found himself at a loss for words. First, the baffling disappearance of the South Reservoir, then the menacing presence of the Yahunyen ships, and now the revelation of a trap? It was all too much to process—his mind was a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. "Chaos," he muttered under his breath, a single word to encapsulate the pandemonium surrounding them.

"RUSH!! There is no time to waste here!" Malaes shouted to bring Sivera back to his senses. He followed them with no questions as the situation demanded urgency. Sivera was confused what to do, his remaining companions' whereabouts were unknown in his knowledge, how could he leave them? He was completely confused between being emotional and practical. 

Meanwhile, here comes the entry of The Aurora Ascendant.

Walith Ehasor lounged comfortably, indulging in a burger while keeping a watchful eye on the unfolding spectacle. With a casual inquiry, he prompted the ship's AI system, "Is it time?" seeking confirmation that the opportune moment had arrived. The response came in the form of a calm, disembodied voice affirming, "You are in the perfect midpoint."

"The perfect midpoint? HELL YEAH!" Walith's voice echoed in the confines of his ship, tinged with anticipation and a hint of malice. His eyes gleamed with a fervor born of meticulous planning as he beheld the scene unfolding before him. From his lofty perch, he surveyed the sprawling expanse of the night sky, where the unwitting prey danced unknowingly into his trap.

(The Aurora Ascendant was in such a position in the air, where the group's people, even though at different distances and in an oval, were above that particular elevation of the ship. The ship was the midpoint of that oval. Now let me help you understand what I mean here in very-very simple words. Imagine yourself as Superman flying up in the sky in a straight vertical line, now as you are flying up, you can look down by tilting your head down, what you would notice from that point of view and angle is an oval formed by the dragons and scalps of their riders and it seems like a dotted circumference. Walith's ship is a midpoint of that oval, but the ship's elevation in the air is below the dragons' elevation that are flying above. It is hard to explain, but I hope you did get my point, lol, :)

In the air above, Sivera and his companions soared on the backs of their dragons, the wind whipping past them as they approached the end of the city. With Malaes, Griswa, Yesdar, and Olemith flying in close formation, Malaes with Silyahun in the lead, they formed a tight-knit group amidst the vast expanse of this darkness. But scattered across the sky, the rest of their party remained scattered and isolated, their positions forming the oval with them.

The positions were now perfect. The Aurora Ascendant was acting as the perfect midpoint. Now what? What was all that for?

Walith smiled, and the silence of the situation, shattered! 

"UNLEASH." the command heavy with a light voice.

In an instant, the sky erupted into chaos as the iridescent Infihermion energy wave expanded outward in all directions above and below with its destructive force. Below, hundreds of towering structures' peaks within the particular area, fell down in powders and dust and some melted down. People on the ground started escaping to save themselves from the devastation.

And within the same moment above the ship in the sky, the shockwave hit all the dragons.....

BLACKOUT...

Extra Information:

What kind of people were Rahl, Aelodor, Daryan, Olemith, Risanji, Elemdar, Raazman and Syran?

Rahl: Rahl was the embodiment of persistent loyalty and support. With a heart as vast as the starlit sky, he stood as a beacon of strength and compassion in a world shrouded in darkness. His gentle demeanor belied a fierce determination to protect those he held dear, serving as a steadfast ally and confidant to his companions. A skilled strategist and adept healer, Rahl's presence was a source of comfort and reassurance amidst the chaos of their perilous journey.

Aelodor: Aelodor was the epitome of resilience and fortitude. Born of fire and tempered by adversity, he embodied the spirit of defiance in the face of oppression. His fiery passion fueled his unwavering commitment to freedom, driving him to stand against injustice with unwavering resolve. A master of combat and tactics, Aelodor's cunning mind and unyielding determination made him a formidable force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Daryan: Daryan was the quintessential rogue, a charming scoundrel with a penchant for mischief and adventure. With a quick wit and a silver tongue, he navigated the treacherous waters of their journey with effortless grace and flair. Despite his roguish exterior, Daryan harbored a heart of gold, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His love for life and insatiable thirst for excitement made him a beloved companion and a steadfast friend.

Olemith: Olemith was a force of nature, a tempest unleashed upon the world with unbridled fury. His aggressive nature and fierce determination set him apart from his companions, driving him to push the boundaries of his own limitations with reckless abandon. Though his temper may have flared like a raging inferno, beneath the surface lay a heart of gold, fiercely loyal to those he called kin. With a primal instinct for survival and an unyielding spirit, Olemith stood as a towering pillar of strength amidst the chaos of their journey.

Risanji: Risanji was a harmonious blend of poet and warrior, his soul as melodious as it was fierce. With a voice that could move mountains and a blade that could cleave through steel, he stood as a testament to the power of artistry and strength combined. His verses sang of love and loss, hope and despair, weaving tales of heroism and adventure that stirred the hearts of all who heard them. Yet beneath his artistic exterior lay a warrior's heart, his resolve as unyielding as his spirit was free. With a song on his lips and a sword in his hand, Risanji danced through the battlefield with grace and precision, his every movement a testament to the power of music and might intertwined.

Elemdar: Elemdar was the embodiment of stoicism and discipline, a stalwart guardian standing vigil over his comrades with steadfast determination. His quiet strength and unwavering determination served as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of their journey, his steadfast presence a source of comfort and reassurance to those in need. With a keen eye and a steady hand, Elemdar navigated the trials and tribulations of their quest with poise and grace, his unwavering loyalty to his companions driving him ever forward.

Raazman: Raazman was a man of few words, his actions speaking volumes where words failed to convey. With a steely gaze and a heart of iron, he stood as a silent sentinel amidst the chaos of their journey, his unwavering dedication to duty driving him forward through the darkest of nights. Though his past may have been shrouded in mystery, his loyalty to his comrades was unwavering, his fierce determination to see their quest through to the end serving as a guiding light in the darkness.

Syran: Syran was a creature of the wild, a free spirit bound only by the winds of fate and the call of the open sky. With wings spread wide and eyes alight with the thrill of adventure, he soared through the heavens with reckless abandon, his untamed spirit a reflection of the untamed wilderness that surrounded them. Though his loyalty may have lain with his companions, his heart belonged to the skies, his soul forever yearning for the freedom of the open air.