Chapter 54 – The Hovering Bastion

The warm glow of the setting sun bathed the sky in hues of deep orange and soft purple as the evening slowly descended upon. As Shawn stirred and opened his eyes, his body felt heavy and his mind foggy from exhaustion. A soft, rhythmic sensation brushed against his face, as if wings were beating steadily around him. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the golden light flooding his vision.

As his surroundings came into focus, Shawn realised he was soaring high above the ground. The wind rushed past him, cool and soothing, while beneath him, a majestic owl spread its enormous wings, carrying them through the open sky. The steady rise and fall of its wing-beats felt calming, like a gentle rhythm that lulled him back into a fragile sense of peace. Selena and Makara were nearby, their figures silhouetted against the dying light of the sun.

“Shawn? You’re awake,” Selena’s soft voice reached him, filled with quiet relief as she leaned in slightly, her eyes both soft and watchful. Makara, who sat just ahead of him, turned around and flashed a grin, though Shawn could see the worry lingering behind it.

“Took you long enough,” Makara teased lightly, though his tone was laced with concern. “Thought you were going to sleep through the whole ride.”

Shawn rubbed his eyes, still groggy. “What… happened? And where are we?” His voice was hoarse, the confusion evident in every word.

Selena and Makara exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Selena sighed and took a breath before explaining. “You collapsed after trying to fuse the fragments. Then things got… strange. The fragments turned into smoke and entered your body. After that, you started burning up, and your breathing became erratic. We didn’t know what to do.”

Shawn blinked in disbelief. Selena continued, “Before we could even react, your pendant on your neck started glowing. It looked like it was resonating with you, singing almost… like a lullaby. A pink aura surrounded you, and whatever was happening—it calmed you down. After that, you fell into a deep sleep.”

“This pendant?” Shawn murmured as his hand instinctively reached up to touch the pendant that hung around his neck. His fingers brushed over its surface, and he had nearly forgotten it was there.

Makara, never one for lingering on mysteries too long, interrupted. “Yeah, no idea what that’s all about. When your body calmed down, we were left guessing about what’s next.” His hand waved toward the sky. “Since we don’t have the luxury of time on our side, we decided the best choice is to move towards the next location of the fragments, but we were not sure in which direction it is.”

He gave the massive owl beneath them a pat on its side. “Then, this owl—smart bird figured that out somehow. It knew we were searching for the prince’s siblings, and it looks like it knows where we’re headed, and it’s been flying us towards the east for hours now.”

Shawn squinted at the horizon, trying to process the flood of information. “East? And you’re sure the owl knows where we’re going?”

Selena nodded. “We’ve been flying in this direction for a while now. From the looks of it, we’re heading toward the ocean.”

Shawn frowned, his mind still swirling with fragments of memories, pieces that didn’t quite fit together. He stared at the horizon, then back at the pendant around his neck, trying to make sense of it all. “And the throne room? What happened between me and Prince Aerion?”

Selena’s face darkened slightly, and Makara’s light-hearted demeanour faltered. They both shook their heads. “We don’t know,” Selena admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “When we entered, we found you… and him… but we don’t know what happened before.”

Makara took a chug from his sake gourd, and his gaze softened as he met Shawn’s eyes. “Look, Shawn. Whatever happened back there, you’re not alone in this. Power like yours—it’s tied with your emotion.” He paused, his voice low and serious. “Trust me, carrying that weight by yourself is too much of a burden, but we are here also, so you can lean on us.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, resonating deeply with Shawn. The memory of Prince Aerion’s final moments still weighed heavily on his heart, the grief and guilt intertwining in ways he could hardly bear. But Makara’s words, simple and true, brought a measure of clarity. He didn’t have to carry this alone.

Before Shawn could respond, the owl screeched, and their destination emerged on the horizon, bathed in the last glow of the setting sun. His eyes widened as he took in the sight—a massive floating castle, suspended in the sky among rocky outcrops, hovering as if held by invisible strings. It gleamed faintly in the twilight, casting long shadows across the landscape below the ocean.

The landscape before them was unlike anything they had ever seen. Floating islands drifted gracefully in the air, each a marvel in its own right. Some were lush with dense forests, their verdant canopies brushing against one another as if exchanging whispers on the wind. Others were bare and smooth, their surfaces polished by time, hovering with a quiet, imposing presence. A few were linked by thick, swaying vines, forming natural bridges between the rocks. One island boasted a wide, mist-shrouded waterfall, its water tumbling endlessly over the edge before vanishing into the air long before it could reach the sea below.

Atop the colossal floating rock, the castle spread out in the shape of a great cross, its design aligned with the four winds. Each arm of this vast structure held its own character, yet together they formed a seamless whole.

To the north lay the grand entrance: immense double doors of dark wood bound with iron, framed by massive side walls that defined the breadth of the northern extension. They stood solemn and unyielding, marking the threshold into the domain.

At the centre, the castle itself rose — a three-tiered stronghold, each level stacked above the other with sweeping roofs that cast long shadows across the courtyards below. Its layered form gave the impression of strength rising toward the sky, the heart around which the rest of the structure revolved.

Extending toward the east and west, long open corridors stretched gracefully outward, supported by carved beams and lined with polished wood. These passageways bordered expansive gardens, where flowing water wound between smooth stones, ponds glimmered with darting fish, and bamboo trees rose in careful clusters. Bridges of wood arched over the streams, linking one pavilion to another in quiet harmony. Sunlight filtered through wide panels that could be drawn aside, softening the air within the halls and offering unobstructed views of the vast gardens. Both wings reached further than the northern gate itself, ending only at the sheer cliffs of the rock with the barrier wall.

The South was different. There, the ground curved inward upon itself, forming a vast hollow whose floor shimmered with deep crimson sand. From afar, it was difficult to discern its full nature — an open stretch carved into the rock, sloping down and vanishing toward the ocean’s edge. It looked like a training ground, but veiled by distance and the haze of sunlight.

Together, the castle and its grounds appeared less like something crafted by mortal hands and more like a vision of the divine — serene, vast, and untouchable, suspended between sea and sky.

Selena narrowed her eyes at the sight, a mixture of awe and caution creeping into her expression. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

As the trio glided towards the majestic floating castle on the back of the giant owl, the scene grew more otherworldly with every passing moment. Surrounding them were floating islands, some covered in dense forests and others adorned with waterfalls that cascaded down into the vast ocean below. The setting sun cast a deep red-orange glow across the sky, illuminating the water with its fiery reflection. The whole scene seemed like something from a dream, where reality was a distant memory and magic wove the very fabric of the landscape.

As they neared the castle, its immense structure loomed larger and more intimidating. Tall spires jutted out at impossible angles, and arches lined with ancient runes pulsed faintly with an energy that Shawn could feel even from afar. Makara leaned forward, tapping the owl’s head gently, guiding it to circle the rocky isles at a safe distance. “Unlike last time, let’s think this through,” Makara muttered, his voice low. “Let’s leave Shawn and the bird nearby so the prince won’t detect the sword fragments. Maybe we can actually get through this part of the mission without bloodshed.”

He took a swig from his flask, glancing over at Selena, who nodded in agreement. Shawn, too, gave a firm nod, his face serious. “You’re right. I should stay back. I have no idea how far the resonance range might go now that I’m carrying two fragments.” He took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Better safe than sorry.”

With a silent agreement among them, the owl continued its approach, keeping just far enough away from the castle to avoid detection. As they drew closer, Shawn’s senses sharpened—he could feel the pull of another fragment, its presence becoming unmistakable. The energy resonated deep within him, coming from the heart of the castle.

“It’s here,” Shawn murmured, his voice laced with certainty. “I can sense the fragment inside the castle. The owl knew exactly where to bring us.”

Selena leaned over to get a better look at the castle, her eyes narrowing as she assessed their options. “Look, there,” she said, pointing to a small, dense forest perched atop a nearby floating rock. “If we drop you there, you’ll have a clear view of the entire castle. You can stay hidden and close enough if we need you.”

Makara grinned, nodding approvingly. “Good call. It’s the perfect vantage point, and the resonance might not be as noticeable from that distance. Plus, if things get messy, you’re close enough to jump in.”

Shawn looked toward the floating island Selena had pointed out, its leafy canopy casting shadows against the dimming sky. He gave a resolute nod, trusting their plan. “Alright. I’ll stay there and keep watch. … Be careful in there.”

With Makara tapping the owl to signal it, the creature circled back, heading toward the floating rock crowned with the dense forest. As it landed, Shawn slipped off its back, steadying himself as his feet sank slightly into the soft, damp earth. He glanced around, taking in the surroundings—the forest was thick yet compact, its shadows providing ample cover, while the castle remained clearly visible beyond the treetops.

Selena and Makara gave him one last look before the owl lifted back into the air, carrying them towards the castle’s main entrance. Shawn watched as they flew off, his heart racing as he prepared himself to wait patiently and be ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Once Selena and Makara left him in the cover of the forest, Shawn immediately moved through the trees, seeking a high vantage point. He surveyed the area until he spotted a sturdy tree near the edge of the floating island. Its branches stretched out towards the open sky, providing both a perfect view of the castle and ample cover for staying concealed. With nimble, fluid movements, he climbed to the upper branches, nestling himself in the shadows to observe the castle below.

The castle rose at the heart of the floating rock, its tiered roofs and long corridors giving it a sense of quiet authority. From where Shawn took his vantage point, he could see the sides of the great northern gates, the sweeping walkways stretching east and west, and the central stronghold towering above them all. The design felt balanced and purposeful, a place shaped as much by harmony as by power.

An expansive courtyard stretched around the hallways in sections, a carefully arranged raked sand and stone enclosure surrounding a small pond filled with still water and a scattering of lilies. Then, towards the southern side, another section of the castle caught Shawn’s attention—a big, long, semicircular arena marked by pillars along its edge, as if to stand witness to past battles. The arena floor was a striking crimson sand pit, stark against the surrounding stone. At one end, an ornate viewing platform, sheltered by a wooden roof, overlooked the arena with silent authority. Beneath the platform, a gated entrance led into the pit, while on the opposite side, a sudden drop plunged into open space, a dangerous edge for anyone unlucky enough to fall.

As Shawn continued to survey the area, he noticed faint movement in the red sand pit, though the low, slanting sunlight cast long shadows that hid any details. He tensed slightly, narrowing his eyes to catch a clearer glimpse of what was happening. Meanwhile, Makara and Selena moved toward the castle gates.