Dragoncrest Cliffs Where the ocean meets the sky

astera, no! val's panicked voice cut above the clouds.

beyond him, the thunder of maleah's approaching stride. she flew past, dark body scything the waves.

immobilized by fear, val could do nothing. coward. his limbs would not cooperate. go! step forward! he wrestled the insubordination of his body -- he, who had always been in full command of it, was suddenly out of control.

maleah is closer to astera now. god, you useless piece of -- he cursed at himself, mustering one single step. a snarling wave rounded its rough shoulders from the surf. one more step, then another.

he was running headfirst behind maleah, a chill seizing his spine as he felt the first splash of moisture on his toes. ASTERA! he screamed as her head disappeared beneath the waves, his stomach knotting violently as bile suddenly forced its way from his stomach.