Chapter 10: The Skybound Ascent

Kenji awoke to the sensation of wind tugging at his hair and clothes, the world around him swirling in a dizzying blend of sky and clouds. He stumbled to his feet on a platform made of translucent crystal, which floated high above a sea of roiling clouds that stretched as far as he could see. The sky above was a brilliant mosaic of blue and gold, split by rivers of air that shimmered with energy. Towering spires of white stone jutted out of the clouds, linked by bridges of pure light that pulsed like veins in a living being.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself as the crystal platform swayed slightly. His clothes had changed once more: a sky-blue tunic embroidered with symbols of flight, lightweight leather pants, and a belt adorned with small, metallic feathers. A pair of bracers, engraved with spiraling runes, encased his forearms, and he held a slender glaive that seemed designed for both elegance and lethality. The ache in his chest still pulsed, a constant reminder of his curse, but it felt distant here, muted by the thin, wind-swept air.

“Hold your balance, newcomer,” a voice called, sharp and commanding. Kenji turned to see a young woman standing on a nearby platform of crystal. Her hair, a cascade of platinum streaked with blue, floated around her in the wind, and her eyes were a stormy gray. She wore an outfit similar to his, but hers was adorned with silver threads that caught the sunlight. In her hand, she held a slender staff that crackled with energy.

“Where am I?” Kenji asked, adjusting his stance as the wind threatened to tip him over.

The woman’s gaze was calculating. “You stand in the Skybound Ascent, a domain for those who seek mastery over wind and flight,” she explained. “I am Elaris, a Windcaller. And you are...?” Her voice trailed off, her tone making it clear she expected an answer.

“Kenji,” he replied. “And I’m not here by choice. I—”

Elaris cut him off with a raised hand. “None of us arrive here by choice,” she said curtly. “But survival requires adaptation, not complaints. You’ll need to learn quickly, or you’ll be swept away into the clouds.” She tilted her head, studying him. “Can you fly?”

Kenji frowned. “Fly? No,” he said, bewildered. “I’ve never—”

She sighed, a mixture of exasperation and amusement crossing her face. “Of course not. Then your first task is simple: learn to control the wind, or fall.” She gestured toward a bridge of light that arced between two distant spires. “Cross that, and you may find your footing. Fail, and the clouds will claim you.”

Kenji’s grip on his glaive tightened. The bridge of light was narrow, no wider than a footpath, and it shimmered dangerously, as if it could vanish at any moment. But he had no choice. Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the bridge, feeling it flex beneath his weight. The wind tugged at him, playful yet menacing, and he struggled to maintain his balance.

“Focus!” Elaris called from behind him. “Feel the wind, don’t fight it!”

Kenji gritted his teeth, trying to calm his racing heart. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the currents of air around him. They were wild and unpredictable, but there was a rhythm to them, a pattern he could almost grasp. He shifted his stance, letting the wind guide him rather than resisting, and slowly, he began to move forward.

The bridge seemed to stretch on forever, but Kenji kept his focus, each step a battle against the elements. Finally, he reached the other side, his legs shaking from the effort. He turned back to see Elaris watching him, her expression unreadable.

“Not bad for a beginner,” she said, though there was no real praise in her voice. “But there’s more to learn.”

Kenji opened his mouth to respond, but a low, resonant hum interrupted him. He looked up to see a massive creature emerging from the clouds—a serpent made of wind and lightning, its eyes glowing with electric fury. The creature’s body twisted and coiled through the sky, leaving trails of crackling energy in its wake.

“Storm Serpent!” Elaris shouted, her staff flaring to life. “Defensive formations!”

Kenji’s heart leapt into his throat as other Windcallers appeared on nearby platforms, each one taking a stance and raising their weapons. The serpent roared, and a bolt of lightning split the sky, striking one of the spires and sending shards of white stone tumbling into the abyss.

Elaris spun her staff, the wind coiling around her in a protective shield. “Kenji!” she called. “Use your glaive—focus the wind through it and strike when the serpent draws near. You’ll have one chance, or none at all.”

Kenji swallowed his fear, gripping his weapon. He had no idea how to use wind magic, but he couldn’t afford to hesitate. The serpent dove toward them, its jaws wide and filled with crackling energy. The Windcallers launched streams of wind and lightning, but the creature was relentless, pushing through their defenses.

Kenji closed his eyes, feeling the wind around him. This time, he didn’t just sense the currents—he pulled them in, drawing the air into a focused stream that wrapped around his glaive. The runes on his bracers glowed, responding to the magic, and he felt the power surge through him.

The serpent lunged, and Kenji leapt forward, spinning his glaive in an arc. The wind exploded from the blade, slicing through the air with a force that met the serpent head-on. The creature howled, its form unraveling into ribbons of lightning and wind before dissolving into the clouds.

Kenji landed hard on the platform, gasping for breath. His body ached, but he was alive.

Elaris approached, her stormy eyes filled with something akin to approval. “You channeled the wind,” she said, her voice softer now. “Few can do that on their first try.”

Kenji’s hands trembled, the adrenaline still coursing through him. “I’m… still learning,” he managed.

Elaris nodded. “We all are. The Skybound Ascent tests us all, but if you wish to master the wind, you must be willing to fall.” She offered him her hand. “Come. There is more to teach, and time is never on our side.”

Kenji accepted her hand, pulling himself up. The Skybound Ascent was a world of unpredictable beauty and danger, but it was also a place of growth and possibility. If mastering the wind could help him understand his curse, he would give it everything he had.