Aether Beasts

When Aneva had said we'd appear next to her, I'd assumed that was what she meant. Next to her. Not on top of her. Sandra let out a yelp as I hit her, and a moment later, so did Tilly who landed on top of me.

"Aiden?"

"Yeah, I'm here," I said. "Tilly?"

"I'm fine, mostly."

Tilly rolled off me, and I got to my feet quickly or tired too, but my head hit something. I looked around and rolled my eyes. We were in a cage and surrounded by stunned guards. Of course, we were because nothing was easy for me. I glanced at Sandra whose body was now encased in shadows. "Enemies, I'm assuming?"

Her smile was grim. "Yes, all of them."

That was all I needed to hear. I focused and pulled solar aether up to my hands. I let out thin beams of solar energy, aiming them at the chains binding Sandra. After that, darkness engulfed us as shouting arose from around us. I felt Sandra form a technique and heard the bending of metal.

"Tilly, stay close," I said as there was a snap, and a whoosh followed by a bang. The darkness around us, faded, and I saw that Sandra had broken the bars, then pushed the top half of the cage off.

"Well, that was—" My words were cut off as an arrow whizzed by, followed by several more. A few hit me but just bounced off. They were normal and at my level, couldn't scratch me. However, I imagined they quickly turn to more deadly forms of attacks.

"We need some time," I said, thinking of a plan.

I jumped from the cage and pressed a hand to the earth. We were in an open area, but I could see tents, and others quickly put together structures. We were in some sort of camp. I could also make out a large wall nearby. I formed a technique, and let it loose. Roots sprouted from the ground, creating a dome around us.

I pushed aether into it to strengthen it, then wrapped another layer around it. It took more aether than I wanted to use, but there were a lot of armed people around and I'd spotted a few robed individuals, so no reason to take chances.

The shouting of the men around us became muffled, and I turned to the others. "Which way?"

"That was the wall of the capital," Tilly said in a rush. "If we get to the city, then we can recoup in one of my properties."

"Who is this?" Sandra asked, staring at Tilly who looked stared back. "And what did she say?"

I smacked my forehead. Of course, Sandra couldn't speak the language of these people. "We need to get to the wall. As for her, she's a friend and can help us. Do you think you can get all three of us into the air, and to the wall?"

"A friend?" Sandra said, her eyes flashing.

"Yes," I said. "Can we not do this now?"

"Fine," Sandra said slowly. "But I want answers later, and yes I can, just stay close."

"Alright, I'll drop the dome in ten seconds," I said as I felt several impacts hit it, strong impacts. They'd switched to more powerful weaponry, or maybe had a few casters now. I turned to Tilly. "Stay next to her, and don't panic, ok?"

She nodded, confused and clearly a bit frightened. However, I'd warned her, so she had no one to blame but herself for being in this situation. I counted to ten as Sandra formed her technique, then dropped the dome. Darkness engulfed us, followed seconds later by a feeling of weightlessness.

We rose into the air quickly, and I pulled more aether from my core to create wooden constructs to defend us from projectiles. Fireballs, bolts of lighting, and even large spikes of metal flew at us. The people below were scrambling like ants.

Tilly was latched onto me, her eyes wide and mouth agape.

"To the wall," I said, shooting a blast of solar energy at a large spike, and blocking a bolt of lighting with a wooden shield. Tilly also helped, raising a hand and creating a dome around us. Serval attacks hit it, and cracks appeared but it lasted long enough for us to get out of range.

We kept on rising for a few more minutes before we stopped, and I felt weight return for only a moment before we were pulled in the direction of the wall. It was odd because it was less like flying and more like falling in a chosen direction. Our speed increased and soon we left the camp behind. I looked down as we did, and gaped.

It was large and next to other camps, each with different colored tents and banners waving in the wind.

I wanted to ask Tilly what was happening, but she looked far too shocked to answer anything. As we moved closer to the wall, I couldn't help but smile, looking over to Sandra who had a look of concentration on her face. She noticed my look, and though she glanced in annoyance at Tilly, she did return my smile.

"I love you," I said.

She blinked, but her smile grew. "Love you too, now don't say anything else. I need to focus so we don't splatter against the wall." She turned away, but her smile remained and her shoulder loosened.

I shut my mouth and just relaxed. I had made it to Sandra and got her out. She'd been in a bad situation it seemed. In a cage, and it triggered a surge of anger, but I pushed it away. She seemed fine, and I'd get my answers soon enough as would she. Now all that was left were Misty and Zirani both of which hadn't moved much.

But, I'd gotten Sandra and I would get to them as well. No matter what it took.

One down, two to go.

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