Descent of a God

Deployed

"I'm sure Officer Julor informed you of the situation so let me quickly introduce you to the two mages I've chosen to support you at the Wall. "This is Callum Hembril. He's young, barely past thirty, but already an accomplished fire conjurer in the solid-yellow core stage."

The chestnut-haired mage stepped forward, his long coiled bangs covering his forehead. He had an inquisitive look on him that he quickly covered with an amiable smile. "Callum, as introduced by the commander. Pleasure."

Virion stuck a thumb back at the figure a few feet behind Callum. "This big lug here is a dark-yellow core augmenter, but he's been out on the fields of the Beast Glades for over forty years."

The barrel-chested man that stood almost a foot over me and twice my girth was covered from the neck down in heavy plate armour that glowed dully. He had short hair and his lower face was dark with stubbles. With a piercing gaze that seemed to be assessing every inch of my body, he stretched out a hand toward me. "Gavik Lund."

I shook his hand that seemed almost as wide as Boo's paws, before turning back to Virion. "So, what's the plan?" By those mounts getting ready, I'm assuming we're traveling by air?"

"Mhmm. Those are Callum's and Gavin's mounts," Virion informed. "The closest teleportation gate is in Blackbend City and the train hasn't yet been fully finished. It's fortunate that the Castle's location is relatively close to the Wall."

"I'll fly myself, my sister and Boo," I said curtly.

Virion's expression was laced in worry, but he didn't comment on Ellie going with me. 

The large bifold doors that took up an entire wall opened, letting in a constant rush of air as the floor below us slowly slid out toward the large exit. I motioned for  my sister to follow as I made my way toward the edge of the castle. 

I relished the beautiful sight of the sky below us. "I forget sometimes how high up the Castle is in the sky!"

"Tell me about it! At least we can't see how far up we are because of the clouds below," my sister shouted over the sound of the wind.

The sight of Callum and Gavik on their mounts whizzed by. The tamed mana beasts dove off the edge of the dock before reappearing into view with wings spread out.

"Let's go!" I shouted as I ran toward the edge.

Several hours had passed since our departure and besides the gorgeous views of the sky and clouds, it was a boring journey. We had settled into a comfortable speed heading southeast with Callum and Gavik leading just a few dozen yards ahead. After my sister's initial excitement—and Boo's terror—of flying had died down, the two had fallen asleep while still being flown by me.

Ahead, Callum conjured a bright flare and signalled that we were descending. The two mages then led their avian steeds below the sea of clouds, both disappearing from view.

Looks like we're almost there. 

The shroud of wind I had cast over my body kept all of the moisture from the clouds away from me but Ellie wasn't as fortunate. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of my sister awake, drenched and grumpy. Boo's thick fur was drench and matted down to his skin, making him look scrawnier than what I had imagined.

I shot a smirk at my sister, but her gaze was glued below, jaw agape.

I peered down, the layer of mist thin enough for me to finally see through. And what I saw was truly a sight to behold.

I could only describe it as a sea. A sea of black and grey that was made up of what could only be the corrupted beasts. We were several miles above ground and the beast horde was still more than a day away, at the least, but already my chest clenched in suspense.