Chapter 6 (J) - Sunrise

An ear-splitting shriek pulls me out of a daze, followed by a loud crashing sound. I sit up and quickly scan my surroundings. I’m just below a shattered window, in a room filled with smoke. The roof appears to have collapsed, allowing much of the smoke to billow out. Flames still flicker across the walls and floor. I must be lucky to be unburnt. The memory of the draconic beast that left me in this state flashes abruptly in my mind. I climb out the window, wincing as I strain my bruised muscles to do so, and look around. A fair ways away, the beast lies still, sprawled on its back across the street, limbs askew. The sword still embedded in its eye glows faintly, though for what reason, I cannot say. The smell of burnt flesh fills the air. Somehow, the beast has been killed.

I look around again, but the streets are bare. The girl from before is nowhere in sight. Suddenly, a shadow flashes briefly across the pavement. Looking up, I see a winged figure, silhouetted against the rising sun. They appear to be holding a limp figure in their arms. Even from a distance, I can make out the unmistakable blue of the girl’s dyed hair. I can only hope I’m witnessing a rescue, and not an attempt that came too late.

...If that winged chimera looks my way, they’re likely to see me. After what happened here with the escaped beast, there’s little doubt the enemy will be investigating every inch of the area. I can’t afford to be found here. My supposed safe haven is little more than a cage now. As a temporary measure, I duck behind a building to plan my escape, the flames of which have already burnt out.

Something vibrates in my pocket. I pull out the small tablet within.

“Jay! What the hell’s going on?!”

“What’s it look like?”

“How should I know?! I can’t see anything! And you haven’t heard a thing I’ve been saying! All I know is what you and that girl said, and that there was a whole bunch of roaring!” I check my ear and collar. My equipment is missing. It must have been dislodged when I fell.

“Well, take a look around now.” I turn Calypso so she can see our surroundings.

“Oh, gods… What happened here…?!”

“One of their fire beasts must have broken free and escaped during our attack.”

“A fire beast?!”

“Yes. It’s dead now, at least. It can’t pose any more danger.”

“Oh. ...Well, at least it won’t suffer any more… But why did it come here?”

“I don’t know. And we don’t have time to find out.”

“They’re coming?”

“Probably.”

“Then get going! Why’re you just standing here?!”

I sigh. “We’re within the town’s walls. They’re too high to climb over, and the gate has likely been secured by knights at this point.”

“...So… why not just jump over the wall?”

“Not enough energy.”

“So? You charged up a bit from the firelight. And if that’s not enough, the sun’s out. Can’t you just charge enough to make the jump, and escape?”

I pause. “...That’s true. How much do I have now?”

“Enough for… 20 feet? Give or take.”

“...If there’s a house that hasn’t burned down near the wall, that should be enough. Let’s go.” Without another word from either of us, I slip her back into my pocket, and prepare to make our escape.