Heads Above the Clouds

It was my second day inside the cave with Lae. He had left to find food, and the solitude pressed around me like the weight of the stone walls. The low hum of wind echoed from the entrance, carrying the scent of damp earth and decay. My head still ached, though not as intensely as before. When I tried to stand, a sharp throb shot through my skull, but I steadied myself, breathing deeply until the dizziness passed.

The air felt heavy with silence. Shadows danced across the uneven walls, shaped by the flicker of dying embers. As I moved gingerly, something in the corner caught my eye-faint lines etched into the stone.

Curiosity stirred within me. I limped closer, running my fingers over the markings. They were rough, deliberate. Hundreds of tiny slashes formed an intricate web of days and nights. A chronicle of time. My fingertips traced the scars of loneliness embedded in the rock, each stroke a whisper of a moment endured.

I began to count, but a sudden noise snapped me from my trance-the beat of wings, strong and rhythmic, filled the cave.

I turned quickly.

Lae was there.

He stood at the entrance, silhouetted against the pale light filtering in from outside. His tall, lean frame carried an effortless grace, but my eyes were drawn to the creature slung over his shoulders-a monstrous, mutated boar. Its massive body was covered in white fur tipped with a glowing purple hue, its six silver eyes dull and lifeless. Strange, bioluminescent mushrooms grew along its spine, pulsing faintly like breathing stars. Its tusks were long and sharp, gleaming like polished metal.

Lae shifted under the weight as his evergreen eyes locked onto mine. He said nothing, his expression unreadable.

"You're back," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He hummed softly, a sound that vibrated low in his throat. Without a word, he knelt and set the boar down with practiced ease. His right hand-corrupted, darkened with an otherworldly taint-extended a single claw. It gleamed like obsidian as he sliced through the thick hide. The precision of his movements was mesmerizing, his strokes fluid and efficient.

The air soon filled with the rich, savory aroma of roasting meat. The spices-sharp and earthy-made my mouth water. I edged closer, sitting cross-legged before him, watching the firelight dance across his sharp features.

My gaze drifted to his hands. His right hand, twisted and monstrous, held a strange beauty in its sinuous lines and razor-sharp nails. His left hand remained human, steady and scarred. There was something both comforting and terrifying in the contrast.

When he handed me a bowl, I hesitated before accepting it. The meat was dark, glistening with juices. I took a cautious bite.

The flavors exploded on my tongue-savory, smoky, with a hint of wild spice. It was unlike anything I had tasted before, both strange and exquisite.

As I bite into my portion, I Lae saw had a pair of fangs.

"How long have you been here?" The question slipped from my lips unbidden, carried by curiosity and the need to fill the quiet.

Lae's eyes flicked toward the wall, where the countless marks stretched endlessly. He didn't speak for a long time, and I thought he might ignore me. The fire crackled, the wind sighed, and the shadows lengthened. Then his wings shifted, a whisper of movement.

"Six years," he said finally. His voice was soft but weighted. "I have been here for six years."

The words settled over me like a heavy cloak. Six years in this place. Six years of shadows, silence, and survival.

"you settled here after the great disaster," I murmured.

He nodded slowly, his expression distant.

We sat in stillness, the fire casting warmth between us. The wood popped and sizzled. Outside, the wind howled through the empty world.

Lae moved close to me, his wings folding close as he crouched beside me. His hands brushed against my head, his touch as light as a whisper.

"Where did you find bandages?" I asked.

"In the abandoned cities," he replied simply.

His fingers were deft as he removed the old, bloodstained wrappings. His care was unexpected-each movement precise, deliberate, and gentle, as if I were something fragile. I closed my eyes, feeling the steady rhythm of his breath, the faint warmth of his hand.

"Too tight?"

"No," I whispered. "It's fine."

He stood without a word and walked to the mouth of the cave. His wings unfurled, their dark expanse filling the space like a shadow come to life. He paused, glancing back.

"I'll be back."

I nodded, my heart a strange, steady drum as he vanished into the sky.

Time stretched endlessly in his absence. I paced the cave, my thoughts drifting to home-my mother, her worried eyes; Joeress and my teammates, their laughter now distant memories. How far had they traveled? Were they searching for me, or had they passed by, unaware of my fate?

I lost track of the hours. The weight of silence pressed on my chest, each breath a reminder of how alone I was.

Then I heard it-the beat of wings.

Relief flooded me, and I turned, expecting to see Lae.

But it wasn't him.

The humanoid that stepped into the cave was twisted, monstrous. Its skin was a patchwork of red and black, its wings massive and leathery. Where eyes should have been, there was only smooth, featureless flesh. Its mouth stretched wide, rows of jagged teeth glistening with saliva.

It screeched, a sound so piercing it drove needles into my skull. I clamped my hands over my ears, heart hammering as I backed into the far corner.

It moved with jerky, predatory grace, its nostrils flaring as it sniffed the air.

I held my breath, pressing my body into the stone, willing myself to disappear.

It moved closer, inches away from my face.

Its breath was hot and foul against my face.

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears falling silently down my cheeks.

The screech came again, louder, a burst of agony that shattered the stillness.

And then-

Another beat of wings.

I opened my eyes as Lae entered, his presence filling the space with an unshakable calm.

The creature twisted faced neal, snarling, but Lae didn't hesitate. His right hand shot forward, gripping its head in a vice-like hold.

The creature writhed, limbs flailing. Its claws scraped against Lae's chest, drawing deep lines.

With a swift, brutal motion, Lae slammed its head into the ground crushing it's skull with his hands. Bone cracked, and violet ichor splattered across the cave floor.

Silence.

I lowered my trembling hands. My eyes fell to the blood dripping from Lae's chest. Without thinking, I stepped forward, my fingers brushing the torn flesh.

"Are you hurt?" his gaze met mine, weary but calm. He swayed, then sank to his knees.

"Lae!"

I caught him as he collapsed, his head resting heavily against my shoulder.

I lowered him gently, my heart racing. I let his head rest on my thighs, tears streaming down my face. My trembling hand rose as I placed it on Lae's chest. His heartbeat was slow, his breathing shallow.

Suddenly a purplish light appeared beneath my hand, and I quickly pulled it away. I watched as new flesh began to cover his wounds, and his skin started to mend.