Episode 11 — Cloudbound Chaos
The shard had been defeated. The shadows were gone, scattered and harmless, leaving Clover's chest heaving and his mind spinning. He looked around the training hall, exhausted, only to find Nyx stretching atop a pedestal, tail flicking lazily as if nothing had happened.
Clover groaned. I survived? Finally. And you— He pointed at Nyx. "You are completely ridiculous."
Nyx yawned, curling her silver-furred body into a perfect loaf. Her eyes glinted mischievously, almost as if she knew exactly what she was doing.
Aurora's voice chimed teasingly inside Aetherfang. "Ridiculous? Oh, Clover, I'd call it majestic. And perfectly timed comic relief.
"Majestic? Really? You are encouraging this?" Clover muttered.
Before anyone could argue further, Ryker stepped forward, calm and commanding, though a faint grin tugged at the corner of his lips. He unfurled a large, ancient scroll, and with a swift motion, the paper glowed and shifted. A massive eagle materialized, wings spreading wide, eyes gleaming like molten gold.
Clover's eyes widened. "Oh, no. Not this again.Ryker's voice was calm, almost regal. "We have a short window before dusk. Aetherfang, Aurora, Nyx, and Clover—mount up. We ride."
Clover froze. "Mount up? I already rode a giant eagle yesterday! And it was terrifying! Do you guys like traumatizing me?!"
Nyx blinked slowly, ears flicking. Her tail gave a single, deliberate lash across the pedestal, as if to say: Do it or stay behind, human.Aurora floated beside Aetherfang, her golden-blue light sparkling with amusement. "Oh, Clover… you're so dramatic. But I do like how you scream. Makes the ride more fun.
Clover groaned and climbed onto the eagle's back, clutching Ryker's broad shoulders for dear life. Nyx leapt elegantly onto the eagle as well, sitting like a small, judgmental queen, while Aurora hovered just above Aetherfang, her light flickering playfully.
"Hold on tight," Ryker said, settling himself at the front, hand resting lightly on the eagle's massive beak. "This will be smooth…ish."
"'Smooth-ish'?! What does that even mean?!" Clover shrieked as the eagle spread its wings, lifting them off the ground in a graceful, thunderous flap.
The city fell away beneath them, invisible to the unsuspecting civilians below. The wind whipped past Clover's face, tugging at his hair and clothes. His legs flailed slightly, Nyx flicked her tail with quiet judgment, and Aurora giggled inside his mind.
"Oh, Clover…" Aurora teased, "your screams are musical, like a wind instrument. You might be the only human to make me laugh mid-flight.
"I hate all of you!" Clover shouted, voice nearly drowned out by the eagle's wings cutting through the air. "I hate you, I hate this, and I hate flying!"
Nyx tilted her head, her silver eyes gleaming with amusement. Then, in a move that was perfectly synchronized, she raised a paw and formed a simple gesture—one that clearly meant: You'll live. Maybe. Clover caught it, though he had no idea what she'd just signed.
Aurora chimed in, floating above the sword's tip, light flickering mischievously: "Even she thinks you're ridiculous. I approve. Very funny."
Clover groaned, burying his face in his arms. "I swear, I'm done with magical flying animals, floating swords, and talking lynxes. Done!"
Ryker let out a quiet laugh, something rare and soft, before adding, "You'll get used to it… eventually."
"Eventually?!" Clover sputtered. "I'm almost sixteen and you're telling me eventually?
The eagle banked gracefully, lifting them toward the clouds. Sunlight glanced off its feathers, casting silver-gold reflections over Clover, Nyx, and Aurora. The day was drawing to a close, the sky turning orange and pink, streaked with violet shadows. For a moment, even Clover paused, letting the beauty wash over him.
Aurora's voice softened in his mind. "See? It's not all screaming and terror. There are quiet moments too."
Nyx let out a soft trill, tail flicking gently, clearly agreeing. Clover glanced at her, surprised to see the lynx's eyes glinting with contentment rather than judgment.
Even Ryker's usual stern expression softened as he guided the eagle higher. "The view is better from above," he said quietly. "And the air… there's clarity here. Moments like these are rare, even for us.
Clover blinked, holding onto the eagle, his panic easing slightly. "I… it's… kinda… nice," he muttered. Then, louder, "But don't get used to me saying that
Aurora's laugh rang softly, golden light flickering around him. "Oh, I'll savor it. One quiet compliment from you is worth months of annoyance."Nyx purred faintly, tail flicking in contentment as the eagle glided smoothly above the clouds. The wind was warm, soft, and the city below was invisible, as if they existed in their own little bubble of chaos and serenity combined.
Minutes passed, quiet except for the sound of feathers slicing through air and Clover's occasional muttered complaints.
Then, Ryker sighed. "It's almost time to descend. Brace yourself."
Clover groaned audibly. "No, I'm not ready! You can't just—ugh—oh no… not again
The eagle swooped down with grace, heading for the area near Clover's home. Clover tensed, gripping tightly as the wind whipped past his face. Nyx, ever composed, crouched lightly on the eagle, tail flicking and ears twitching as though silently judging his panicked grip. Aurora's light danced playfully along the sword, teasing Clover from above.With a swift, controlled motion, Ryker leaned forward and flung Clover gently but firmly from the eagle's back.
"Ahhhh! What the—Ryker! I hate you!" Clover yelled, hitting the ground with a grumble. "I hate you, the eagle, the lynx, the sword, the—everything!"
Nyx leapt gracefully to the ground beside him, tail flicking in amusement, clearly delighted by the human's theatrics. Aurora hovered above Aetherfang, giggling softly.Ryker settled on the eagle's back, patting its neck as the massive bird lifted him, Nyx, and Aurora back into the sky. "Time for me to go on a deep sleep this evening. No interruptions. The shard, the shadows, the city… all can wait.
Clover, arms crossed and grumbling, muttered under his breath, "Yeah, lucky you. I've got to deal with everything else, apparently.
Nyx let out a soft, amused trill, tail flicking as if to say: Humans are entertaining. Aurora's light pulsed in playful agreement. Clover groaned dramatically, but couldn't help noticing that, for all the chaos, there was comfort in their presence.
The eagle lifted into the clouds, carrying Ryker, Nyx, and Aetherfang with Aurora's glow shimmering alongside, leaving Clover on the ground, muttering and shaking his fists at the fading spectacle above. The sky darkened, streaked with twilight hues, and a quiet calm settled over the city.
Clover muttered one last time, glaring skyward, "Next time… I'm taking a car."
Nyx flicked her tail. Aurora floated above the sword, golden light flickering. Ryker's laughter echoed faintly from the clouds, a soft reminder that even in chaos, there was order… and a touch of humor.And so, the day ended with the shard defeated, the sky painted with twilight, and the small, absurdly brave group soaring high above, invisible to the world below—but very much alive, and very much together.
Clover climbed through his bedroom window, silent as a shadow, landing on the floor with the grace of… well, not much grace at all. He froze, whispering to himself:"Thank God… nobody knows I'm not home. Perfect. Sneaky, flawless… genius-level stealth.
He crept toward the bed, imagining a quiet, uneventful evening of sleep, when suddenly a soft, familiar voice broke the silence.
"You're late.
Clover's heart stopped. He spun around. There, sitting cross-legged on his bed, was Akira arms folded, smirking, calm as ever.
"Wha—how…?!" Clover stammered, hands up defensively. "I I thought—nobody—
Akira tilted her head. "Apparently, someone knew you'd try sneaking in through the window." She gestured to the ceiling. "Do you want me to turn on the light, or are you planning to stay in the dark and talk to yourself?"
Clover groaned and flopped dramatically onto the bed, burying his face in the pillow. "Of course! Of course you're here. Why am I never allowed stealth missions?
Akira laughed softly, flipping the light on. The room filled with a warm glow, revealing the familiar comforts of his bedroom: books stacked neatly, posters slightly askew, and the tiny chaos of his life perfectly preserved.
"Mission failed," Clover muttered. "Completely. Total failure. And I had perfect excuses lined up…"
Akira smirked, eyes flicking to the window. "Nice try, Shadow Warrior. But apparently, the city—or at least your room—has its own guardian."
Just then, Clover's mother called from the kitchen. "Clover? Are you home? Dinner is—"
Clover froze, whispering frantically. "No! She can't see me! She she doesn't—wait, Clara!"
From the corner of the room, his blind sister Clara spoke softly. "I know you're home. You snuck in, didn't you? I heard the window."
Clover groaned, sinking deeper into the bed. "Of course. Of course they all know. Fantastic.Akira laughed again. "You're a mess. Honestly, for someone trained by Ryker, you're surprisingly… human."
Nyx, Ryker, Aurora, and the eagle were long gone, leaving Clover to deal with the hilarious—and slightly terrifying—reality of his home life.
Clover peeked over the pillow, muttering: "I swear, I just want a quiet night for once…Akira's eyes glimmered mischievously. "Quiet? With your life? Don't make me laugh. But… I'll let you off… this time."
Clover exhaled, relieved… and then his heart skipped. A faint, cold whisper—almost inaudible—curling like smoke around the edges of his mind:
…we are the same…"He froze.
Akira tilted her head, noticing the change. "Uh… Clover? What was that?"
Clover gulped, gripping Aetherfang beside him, pulse racing. "I… I don't know… but I have a feeling this isn't over."
And somewhere, beyond the window, as the last rays of sun dipped below the horizon, a shadow flickered—not part of the city, not part of the training hall.
Something was watching.
Clover's stomach tightened. "Oh… no. Not again.Akira raised an eyebrow, calm and ready. "Well… looks like tomorrow's going to be interesting."
The room fell into tense, quiet darkness, except for the faint hum of Aetherfang and the echo of that chilling whisper.
To be continued