novelraw Chapter 56: The Lost Island (2)
Chapter 56: The Lost Island (2)
As Verso stepped through the shimmering blue rift, he felt a violent pull.
It was as if his entire body was being stretched through a straw for a split second before the pressure on his body vanished, replaced by a calm cold wind that whipped against his face.
He blinked his eyes open and immediately went silent.
’...’
They were not on a beach. They were not even near a body of water. They were standing on the jagged peak of a massive mountain that seemed to serve as the entrance for The Lost Island.
Around them, the sky was a deep orange almost if it time was locked on a perpetual sunset, and the air carried the sharp scent of salt.
"I don’t really think Sirens live on mountains." Xavier said before he let out a short genuine chuckle.
Verso froze on the spot, staring at the blonde boy’s face in disbelief.
’Since when did this guy know how to make jokes?’
This was the first time since their first encounter that he had heard Xavier laugh genuinely or even attempt to make an actual joke.
The usual arrogant elite brat was showing cracks of humanity, and strangely enough, Moon Bloodveil seemed to appreciate it.
"Mr. Brighton, I think they live down there." Moon said, laughing along with Xavier.
The red eyed boy pointed his pale finger downward.
Verso stepped toward the edge of the mountain as his gaze followed the finger.
Below them, sprawling out from the base of the central mountain, was a dense jungle that gave way to a massive cove on the eastern side of the island.
The water within the cove was a dark turquoise, surrounded by jagged white cliffs that looked like teeth.
"Mhm. It would only make sense that Sirens lived in coves." Lua added.
She didn’t scoff or insult her brother this time, instead she just nodded in agreement with a smile.
Verso watched the interaction, his mind reeling in confusion.
’What the hell? Are you telling me that you guys made up already?’
The shift from their murderous, bloodlust filled behavior at the venue was insane.
This was a testament to Han’s tactical brilliance as by forcing them into roles and building that initial momentum, he had created a flow that the group was now riding.
The common goal of the top 100 ranking was successfully suppressing their petty grievances, at least for now.
"Wait a moment." Han said, stepping forward.
He flicked his hand upward, and a brown tear appeared in air, just then something erupted from it with a screech.
A massive eagle, its wingspan easily twelve feet across, soared out and circled the peak before landing heavily on the rocks. Its feathers were like polished bronze, and its eyes held a sharp intelligent glow.
"My summoned beast can carry you down one by one." Han said, turning to the group.
None of them moved.
There was no way that the elites of the group were about to wait for a shuttle service.
Moon stepped toward the ledge, flicking his wrist in a casual motion as a crimson tear split the air and a massive bat with glowing red eyes and tattered wings manifested from thin air.
Moon stepped onto the creature’s back as if he was boarding a luxury carriage.
"I will be waiting for you guys on the beach." Moon called out over his shoulder before the bat dived off the cliff, disappearing into the mist below.
The remaining four looked at each other. Lua stepped forward next, her own mana flaring as she summoned a second red eyed bat, identical to her brother’s.
"One of you can fly with me." She said, her voice cool as she looked at Han.
Han nodded and gestured for Xavier to join him.
"Xavier and I will take the eagle."
Xavier didn’t argue as he quietly climbed onto the bronze eagle behind Han, and with a powerful flap of wings, they took off into the cold wind.
Verso stood alone on the peak for a second, watching them go.
’But... I have a summon that can fly.’
He thought about his Stone Gargoyle, but he quickly bit his tongue.
He did not fully trust everyone in the group so revealing his summons right now would be a tactical mistake.
He needed to keep his cards hidden in case Xavier or Moon had any ideas of going after him.
He looked back at Lua, who was already settled on the back of the massive bat.
"What are you waiting for?" she asked, glancing back at him with those piercing red eyes.
’I guess... I will ride with her?’
Verso moved forward, feeling the sheer absurdity of the situation.
He was about to share a ride with a girl whose brother called him a scum for not having a surname.
He climbed onto the leathery back of the beast, settling in behind her. As he sat down, a faint delicate scent hit his nose, it smelt like something floral.
’Her hair smells nice.’ The thought caught him off guard.
Up close, he realized he had misjudged her presence. She carried herself with such cold authority that she seemed taller, but sitting right behind her, he saw she was actually quite short, standing at barely five and a half feet tall.
"What do I hold-"
Before he could finish the question, the bat suddenly shrieked and folded its wings, dropping straight off the mountain peak in a freefall.
The wind hit Verso like a physical wall, threatening to rip him right off the creature’s back. His stomach did a violent flip as the world turned into a blur of grey rock and green jungle.
In a blind, instinctive panic, he reached out for the only solid thing in his reach. He squeezed his eyes shut and grabbed on tight.
After what felt like an eternity, the sensation of falling stopped as it was replaced by the heavy thud of feet hitting wet sand.
The sound of clashing waves filled his ears.
From somewhere nearby, a loud laugh erupted.
Verso opened his eyes and saw Moon Bloodveil standing a few feet away, clutching his stomach and laughing so hard he looked like he might collapse.
Han and Xavier were standing nearby, looking on with awkward expressions.
"What’s wron-"
"You can let go now."
The voice was cold, vibrating with a very specific kind of irritation.
Verso turned his head and realized with a jolt of horror that he was still sitting on the bat, his arms wrapped tightly around Lua’s waist as he was pulling her right against him.
’Oh no...’
Verso’s head practically short circuited. The blood rushed to his face so fast it made his vision blurry.
He instantly recoiled, pulling his hands back as if her skin were made of molten lava and tumbled sideways off the bat, landing ungracefully on the sand.
"I am sorry! I didn’t mean to do that! The wind-"