Blessed lights.
The bloodshed had already started.
The waterfall curved from the center of the Starfelliel Mountains, and through an ivory cave lit up with chromatic light. I rushed through, taking in bits of the beauty. Ivory rock stacked atop each other, while the water flowed down each step like a rushing river. At the center was a rocky step way that led all the way to the top. At the base of each step, the rock was also lit with chromatic light. In here, the trees were ivory with golden leaves and iridescent colored fruit. It was a magical sight.
I quickly looked away and pushed through the water. The waterfall curved again. Angling my body, I chose to fly. Swimming was too slow. Not with Tharic gaining on my heels.
I took the bend of the upcoming curve, thrusting myself toward the next air pocket. I snapped my wings, the sound like a thunderclap. Loud and jarring, a wave of water rushed down as the motion propelled me upward.
Now it was a straight shot. I’d reached the part of the waterfall that rose into the clouds. Here was where the Ouanaviel Island joined to the the islet above where Temple Efysis was rooted. I repeated the motion, needing to create more distance between me and Tharic.
I navigated through a new rush of water, begging for this infernal stretch of the Ascent to end. With another thrust of my wings through hardened water, I saw the shining edge of the Goldstone Bridge. Propelling myself upward, I raced for the bridge, desperate to be free of this hèllish waterfall. Then:
“Gotcha, little prey.”
No.
I whipped around just as Tharic slammed his wings into my spine. I went hurling through and out of the waterfall. I barreled onto the platform of the Goldstone Bridge, rolling over three times before coming to a stop. I screamed, agonizing pain flooding my water-logged body.
Focus, Safah.
I opened my eyes, breathing through my teeth past the stinging heat licking my bones. I’d made it onto the bridge.
MOVE.
I rolled to my stomach, pushed to my feet, andran.
“For Infinite’s sake! Justdie!” Tharic roared, coming up behind me, running after me at full speed.
“How about you piss off, first,” I called back, racing across the bridge.
If I wasn’t trying to avoid certain death, I would take time to admire the beauty of the Goldstone Bridge. It was long, elongating across a pathway cut straight through the clouds.
On either side, all you could see were the billows. There was no telling just how high we were. There were no rails on the bridge, and each golden brick was three times the size of my head.
I swallowed past the beating drums in my chest. I pushed Tharic to the recesses of my mind. I needed to concentrate. One foot in front of the other.Run.
Up ahead were two females. They looked like sisters. As I neared them, I couldn’t help but feel sorry. One of them had slipped. The other was trying to pull her up over the side of the bridge.
Both were losing the battle.
Where the one was pulling, it looked like the bricks beneath her sandals werelifting. If they pushed up any further, she’d go sliding off the side of the bridge, too. I stormed past, screaming at them breathless.
“Tharic…behind me…hates females. He’ll kill you…RUN!”
I didn’t look back once I passed them. They could do with my warning what they wanted. As for me, I was crossing this bridgealive.
I ran until I neared a layer of brick that rose up like steps. I ran up the steps without a thought. Only to find a dead end on the other side. And a wide chasm across to the other side. To cross, I’d have to jump.
Merciful Infinite, help me.
I didn’t dare slow down. I raced across at full speed. And jumped.
For a moment, I was weightless. Then my body began hurling towards the bridge floor. When I landed, I rolled twice, pushed to my feet, and kept running. I kept my wings snapped into my spine so I could go faster. Behind me, I heard endless screaming.
Then asnap. Acrunch. Another set of screaming.
Something whizzed past my head, landing several paces ahead. When I ran past the object, I saw it was three talons, ripped from the jointed points of wings.
