Static Shores - Short Story Part 7

A burst of pink and purple engulfed us as Avisa pirouetted, yellow sparks exploding around us like fireworks. At first, I thought lightning had found us, but when I glanced back, I saw the truth—Avisa’s spiraling fins were launching small yellow spheres. Each one detonated midair, sending surging sparks straight into the Static Elderkaws’ heads.

Another volley. Another wave of explosions.

The Elderkaws dropped from the sky into the storm below.

Twenty became fifteen. Fifteen became ten.

Then none.

Avisa slowed her spin and climbed higher, stopping across from the massive Static Elderkaw gripping Meadow in its talons.

A frigid wind sliced across my skin, raising goosebumps and sending violet shivers down my arms. I tightened my hold on Avisa and scanned the sky.

Only one Elderkaw remained.

The largest.

Beyond it, the top of the piton rose from the clouds. Nests lined the cliff’s edge—some empty, others holding large yellow-and-white eggs. The Elderkaw screeched sharply, as if warning me away from them.

I wasn’t here for its young.

I just wanted Meadow back.

“Give her back!” I screamed, though the wind swallowed most of my voice.

Avisa answered with a sharp, furious click. She dipped her nose and launched forward.

The Elderkaw’s massive yellow-and-gray wings beat once—twice—and the storm below began to move. Dark clouds spiraled upward, drawn toward the beast. Lightning crackled inside the growing mass as thunder boomed around us.

I tried to pull Avisa back, but she ignored me and accelerated.

The lightning stopped striking randomly.

It turned toward us.

The Elderkaw kept its long beak fixed on Avisa as bolts formed and shot forward with terrifying precision.

A blinding flash split the air just inches from my face as Avisa snapped left. Thunder detonated behind us. Another bolt tore down from above. One surged from below. Another from the right.

Avisa twisted and dove, moving with violent grace, reading the Elderkaw’s attacks like she could see them before they formed.

I clung tighter, certain that if I slipped even once, I would plummet to my death.

The Elderkaw shrieked louder. Its wings beat harder. The storm intensified.

More lightning.

More strikes.

Then—just as Avisa closed the final distance—the Elderkaw locked its beak onto her.

Two massive bolts tore from the cloud, racing straight for Avisa’s head.

“NO!”

Time slowed.

The lightning barreled toward us.

The strike would kill us both.

I reached for Meadow—my loyal Bondu—one last time with my Aura. Avisa had risked everything for us, and I barely knew her. My lungs tightened. I wanted to close my eyes. To surrender.

But I didn’t.

I kept my gaze on Meadow.

This is it.

Suddenly, Meadow’s thin yellow eyes snapped open.

Her Aura surged toward mine.

The moment it collided with me, it carried through—into Avisa.

Green streaks erupted at my sides, faster than the lightning itself. With a violent crack, thick grass burst outward from the clifftop, exploding into the sky. Leaves and blades spun into a swirling shield around us.

The lightning struck—

Little bolts scattered harmlessly through a storm of green.

Meadow had saved us.

Using the very cliff as her weapon.

Avisa released a triumphant chirp and surged forward. She slammed into the Elderkaw at the base of its neck.

The impact shattered its grip.

Meadow fell.

Avisa corkscrewed into a brutal one-eighty, her tail firing at least twenty yellow sparks in rapid succession. Each detonated in perfect unison.

The Elderkaw dropped into the storm below, unconscious.

I barely registered our victory before searching the sky.

Meadow dangled safely in a cradle of woven grass, suspended from the cliff’s edge.

Avisa swept toward her.

I hurled myself from my Spirfin and wrapped my arms around Meadow.

“You’re safe.” I squeezed her tighter than I ever had. “You’re safe.”

A long breath escaped me.

We won.

To be continued…