Mika soared through the dark skies, the wind tugging fiercely at her wings. Below, fields, forests, and rugged cliffs blurred past. The little girl clung to her tremblingly.
A knot of doubt coiled in Mika's chest—had she made the right choice? Or only made things worse?
"Up ahead," the girl whispered. "I see the mountain—through the twin peaks is the path. Beyond that is Taskura."
Mika nodded. Just a few more minutes.
Meanwhile, Keal's group raced through the forest atop the jackers. The wind's howl and the beasts' pounding hooves blended into one urgent roar.
They reached the riverbank; the jackers slowed. The barren plain lay beyond.
"This is too slow!" Keal shouted, tense. "We need to hurry!"
His shoulders were tight, his gaze jittery.
Nerion rode up alongside him, voice calm: "Mika's careful—and strong. We'll reach her in time." Yet worry flickered in his eyes.
"On the other side, the jackers will be faster," Jarul called over the rumbling. "That's where we'll gain speed!"
High above, Mika flew through the narrow valley between the twin peaks. The sky opened, revealing Taskura at last—a grim fortress half-dug into the earth, with a massive spiral shaft plunging downward.
She circled, surveying.
"In which building is your father?" Mika asked.
"I… I don't know," the girl murmured. "He was somewhere deep below. I saw him once—through bars."
Mika exhaled softly. "Okay. I'll drop you at the hill. Stay absolutely still. Got it?"
"What's your father's name?"
"Sador," the girl said.
Mika rose higher and gently set her down on a safe ledge, brushing a stray curl from her face before soaring back toward Taskura.
Keal's group thundered on—but they hadn't gone unnoticed. Royal patrols had spotted them. A small wave of soldiers intercepted their path.
"Enemies!" Kiro shouted, loosing an arrow mid-gallop. Elandra followed suit, felling several foes.
"We've got this! Ride on!" Torgul roared, leaping from his jacker. Unutay followed silently.
Keal glanced back, then nodded resolutely. "Move! No dawdling!"
He, Elandra, Kiro, Nerion, and Jarul surged forward while Torgul and Unutay held back the attackers.
"Head for the pass between the peaks!" Jarul called as he disappeared into the trees.
Torgul met Unutay's eyes. "Not much time."
Unutay grinned. "For this handful, we've got it."
They charged. Torgul's axe blazed and shattered stone with reverberating force like an earthquake unleashed. Meanwhile, Unutay moved like a shadow—silent, deadly—cutting down foes one by one.
"Incredible," Torgul shouted over the clash. "You're getting faster!"
"Just seems like it," Unutay teased. "But your axe? I feel it in my bones."
Laughing, they wiped out the remaining soldiers, then remounted and resumed pursuit.
On her hidden ledge, Mika set the girl down. "Hide here. I'll be right back," she whispered, stroking the girl's hair. Then she took to the air again—this time above Taskura, cloaked by drifting clouds.
She shifted—from eagle form into a tiny, unremarkable fly.
Thus began her stealth mission: building to building, corridor to corridor—seeking one name:
Sador.
As a minute fly, Mika entered the first prison wing. The air was thick—stale with sweat, blood, and dread. Her compound eyes registered the gaunt frames, bruised flesh, vacant stares. Some lay half-dead in shadowy corners, others seemed petrified in the gray light.
No guards in sight.
In a silent moment, she shifted back. A flash of light and soft hiss later, she stood in her true form among the cells.
Prisoners recoiled in fear—some cowered into shadows, others stared as if seeing a ghost.
"Don't be afraid," Mika said calmly. "I mean you no harm."
Her voice rang both gentle and resolute. "I'm looking for Sador—the father of Esmara."
A murmur passed through them, but no one spoke—mistrust hung heavy.
"Please," she continued softly. "It's important."
Finally, one hunched prisoner edged forward. Haggard, but eyes still sharp. "If we tell you where he is… will you get us out?"
Mika didn't hesitate. "I can't now. But if I find Sador and bring him out, I'll find a way to help all of you. I promise."
He studied her, skeptical yet hopeful. "You're small… and crazy enough to sneak in alone. If you can free Sador—and live—then I'll believe you. He's in Cell 79. Four doors down."
Mika's chest tightened with relief. He's alive.
"Thank you," she whispered, bowing her head. With a soft shimmer she became a fly again, disappearing down the corridor.
Cell 79 had heavy bars and patrolling guards. Mika hovered unseen near the ceiling. Waiting for a gap between guards' rounds, she dropped down and reverted to her human form.
The prisoners gasped. One large, scarred man stepped forward.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" he barked.
"I'm Mika," she answered quietly. "I'm here to rescue you. Your daughter—Esmara—is waiting. Let me lead you out."
He blinked, hope fighting fear. "Esmara… She lives?"
"She's safe, waiting at the mountain's base. We'll fly out together," she said.
He trembled, tears glistening. "Gods… I'd lost hope…"
"We must be quiet," Mika said. "I'll open the door. You climb on my back—then we fly out."
He stared at her in disbelief. "You want to fly me out? You're barely bigger than a child! What are you?"
"No time for questions. Trust me. I'm not alone. As soon as you're safe, my friends will come—they'll help everyone else," she assured.
Voices echoed from neighboring cells:
"Take us too!"
"Help us!"
"Please!"
Mika turned to them. "I'll come back. Once Sador's out safely. I swear it."
Sador placed a hand on her shoulder. "If you're really not alone—and your friends as brave… we might stand a chance."
Mika nodded, resolute, hand on the cell lock—ready to free him and begin the escape.
Back at the mountain pass, Keal's group pressed on. Jarul pulled his reins. "From here it's on foot. Guards patrol regularly—jackers would give us away."
Elandra looked to Kiro. "Wait for Unutay and Torgul?"
Keal shook his head. "If they spot the jackers, they know we went on foot. We move slowly—but we move."
Kiro shrugged. "Doubt Torgul would notice a mountain even if it stood in front of him."
Nerion smiled wryly. "I've left a magical trail; they'll know where we went."
A rustle came from nearby bushes. Elandra and Kiro nocked arrows; the rest drew blades.
"Step out!" Jarul barked.
Esmara emerged timidly.
"I'm… Esmara," she whispered.
"Esmara? Where's Mika?" Keal demanded.
"She dropped me here… flew off to Taskura to save my father."
Keal's head shook in disbelief. "What were you thinking? How could you fly into that fortress without a plan?!"
Jarul echoed, incredulous. "Are you mad? You know what's inside?"
Elandra intervened: "Enough! What's done is done. Esmara's safe—that's what matters. Now we find Mika."
Nerion darkened. "We don't need any magical note—she's found us."
Torgul and Unutay emerged, ground cracking under their steps.
Torgul snorted. "What are you all standing around for? Where's Mika?"
"Waiting on you," Keal said evenly. "You make enough noise for ten—maybe you can draw attention away."
Unutay looked to Esmara. "Are you okay? Where's Mika?"
"In Taskura," Keal replied grimly.
Nerion nodded. "She's managing. But we must hurry."
Kiro asked, "What's the plan?"
Keal turned to Jarul. "How many guards are at Taskura?"
Jarul sighed. "Maybe 500–600. The walls are heavy, tight security. Sneaking in is hard—getting out alive is harder."
"We don't have time." Elandra pressed.
"Let's storm it—smash everything in our path!" Torgul suggested.
"Rarely I'd agree," Kiro said with a rare smile, "but this time he's right."
Nerion cautioned: "We don't know the layout, troop strength, weak points, exits. Charging in blind isn't courage—it's foolishness."
"Afraid?" Kiro teased.
"Not at all. Just sane," Nerion answered.
"But we must do something," Elandra insisted.
At that moment, the fortress sirens wailed. Echoes rolled across the valley.
The group froze.
Keal's eyes widened. "Mika…"
Without another word, they sprinted forward, weapons drawn, hearts pounding with hope—and fear.