They were going to die here.

  The thought had barely formed when something unexpected happened.

  A massive surge of water erupted from above the canyon rim, shaped like an enormous serpent that could easily swallow a battering ram whole. It struck both four-eyed titanspawn with tremendous force, lifting them off their feet and hurling them backward. Perhaps if the titanspawn had not been caught unaware, they would have had a chance to resist. Yet this attack caught them entirely off guard, sending the creatures tumbling through the air.

  Though the creatures had been separated before—each attacking their respective target—the water serpent forced them together. It flowed with the same serpentine grace as the shape it had taken, almost as though it were truly alive and moving with intelligence. It coiled around them both, slamming them toward each other despite their thrashing resistance.

  The water carefully avoided the sisters, flowing around them as if guided by an invisible hand.

  The two four-eyed shrieked as the water serpent swirled around and bit its own tail, suddenly churning into a sphere of water that trapped them inside. One managed to activate its crude bronze shimmer across its arms—enhanced strength flaring as it tried to tear through the liquid prison.

  But the water responded immediately. The sphere suddenly shot the titanspawn out of its watery body with violent force. The creature had a moment of visible confusion before tendrils of water quickly wrapped around it and yanked it back. It slammed into the sphere’s hardened surface with a sickening thud, like a body flopping against stone. The creature felt dazed, caught completely off guard once more.

  The second titanspawn’s hide began to gleam with enhancement when—

  A crack of thunder split the air.

  Lightning struck the water sphere dead center, branching through the liquid in brilliant white veins. Both titanspawn convulsed violently, their muscles seizing as electricity coursed through their bodies. The partially-formed enhancement on the second creature flickered and died as its concentration shattered. Their shrieks became strangled gurgles. Gray skin blackened and cracked where the current burned hottest.

  The first titanspawn—the one that had managed to activate its strength—recovered its focus and tried desperately to push through, enhanced muscles straining. But its body betrayed it. Electrical current moved through the water like smaller, thinner snakes, biting onto its limbs and forcing them into spasming rigidity. Four arms froze mid-struggle. Its own strength failed it; the violent spasms forced its muscles to fire out of sync, fighting each other instead of obeying its will.

  The canyon filled with the awful reek of charred flesh and charged air.

  The lightning lasted only seconds. Both titanspawn were still alive, and they quickly focused their remaining strength. They let out a mighty roar and burst through the watery prison with every last ounce of strength their bodies could muster.

  However, before they had time to rejoice, a second water serpent came crashing down from above. This time, two figures rode atop the rushing water, surfing down the liquid column as it slammed into the weakened titanspawn. The impact drove the creatures into the stone floor, crushing what little life force remained.

  The four-eyed titanspawn that the sisters had struggled against were dead.

  The water serpent dispersed, depositing its passengers smoothly onto the canyon floor. The first figure straightened with a cocky grin, brushing bright yellow hair back from his face. Thin copper wires were woven through the golden strands, still pulsing with faint crackling currents that hadn’t fully faded after helping channel those majestic storm serpents.

  Copper bangles adorned both wrists, sparking with tiny arcs of electricity. He wore practical fighting clothes in yellows and golds—loose pants tucked into sturdy boots, a sleeveless vest that left his arms free for movement. His eyes were an electric blue that seemed to crackle with the same energy as his Stormquill.

  “Never fear for Volt is here!” he said, his voice carrying easy confidence.

  Beside him, his companion stepped forward with much more composure. Whereas Volt was flash and energetic in his greeting, she moved with the calm steadiness of deep water, much like many of the Aquaquill tribes. Her dark blue hair was pulled back in a braid, and she wore simple gray and blue traveling clothes—reinforced and slightly padded for combat but designed to keep movements flexible and free. A water-skin hung at her belt alongside a curved knife. Her gray eyes swept the canyon once before focusing on the exhausted sisters.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “I’m here too, I suppose, dragged out of bed by Volt.” She sighed as she walked closer to the sisters.

  “You two alright?” she asked, her voice soft but steady.

  Howling Badger pushed herself upright, wincing as her broken ribs protested. “We’ve been better. Who—”

  “Volt,” the yellow-haired youth said with a slight bow, copper bangles jangling. “Crackling Tribe. Stormquill."

  Howling Badger lifted a hand up to stop him as she interrupted. “I know who you are, everyone does. You always announce your name when you go anywhere. I doubt anyone on the Isles doesn’t know who you are. I meant her.”

  He shrugged and, with a laugh, gestured to his companion. “This is Softwaves. She’s from a smaller tribe, but don’t let that fool you—she’s the reason I’m still alive. Good at healing, fighting, combination tactics. She’s good at everything except getting out of bed... and cooking... oh, and being energetic.”

  Softwaves gave another soft sigh, then a small nod of acknowledgment. “We’re on the same trial as you. Searching for the Eye of Algorto.”

  Bursting Melody straightened despite her exhaustion, recognition dawning in her amber eyes. “The Crackling Tribe... I heard about your tribe at the gathering. As for you, Volt, they say you’re talented but reckless. Softwaves, on the other hand, I never heard of. Oh wait, is she the one engaged to you?”

  “Oh, you mean the woman who always drags him out of trouble? I’ve heard of her, but I guess since she doesn’t announce her name like he does all the time, it doesn’t spread.” Howling Badger nodded.

  “Reckless?” Volt grinned wider, not minding the rumors. “I prefer ‘bold.’ And heroic.”

  “Hate to break up this moment, not really. We used a lot of power on those attacks,” Softwaves cut in. “We should leave. Now. Before—”

  The sisters hesitated for only a heartbeat. Then Badger nodded, cradling her injured ribs. “Agreed. Let’s—”

  A shriek erupted from deeper in the canyon.

  Six three-eyed titanspawn burst from the cave mouth, charging forward on all fours. Behind them, two more four-eyed emerged.

  “Damn,” Volt breathed, already raising his hands. Electricity began to crackle between his fingers. “Softwaves, get ready to—”

  “Already on it,” she replied, water beginning to pool around her feet.

  The six three-eyed charged with reckless abandon, shrieking as they closed the distance. The two four-eyed hung back, observing, waiting.

  Volt’s eyes blazed with electric blue light. “Everyone get behind me!”

  He thrust both hands forward, and the air itself seemed to tear apart. Lightning erupted from his palms in a massive barrage, dozens of bolts flared out, moving like crackling serpents, branching and splitting toward their enemies. The canyon lit up a brilliant white as electricity screamed through the air.

  The six three-eyed titanspawn didn’t stand a chance. Lightning struck them mid-charge, sending their bodies flying backward in smoking heaps.

  But the two four-eyed were in no rush; they stood there still waiting, one shrieked in small mocking bursts as if amused by the display. Bronze energy flooded across their arms and legs in thick layers. When the lightning reached them, they crossed their enhanced limbs in front of their bodies. The electricity hit like a hammer, and even with their supernatural protection, the force drove them backward. Their feet carved deep furrows in the stone as they slid, claws digging in for purchase.

  But they held their ground.

  Volt dropped to one knee, sweat pouring down his face. His breathing came in ragged gasps. “That’s... all I’ve got...”

  “Enough,” Softwaves said firmly. Water surged upward around all four of them, forming a protective sphere. “We’re leaving. Now.”

  The water began to move, carrying them toward the canyon exit in a rushing current. The two four-eyed titanspawn recovered their footing, preparing to give chase—

  A sound froze them in place.

  It was a shriek that quickly ended and seamlessly transitioned into a deep, broken voice—like someone speaking through a throat made of granite and fury. The words were clear, unmistakable, but carried an edge of something primal underneath.

  “Leaving so soon, little quills?”

  From the cave mouth, a new figure emerged. Like its brethren, it was eight feet of gray-skinned nightmare—four powerful arms, segmented tail—but with five glowing eyes arranged across its elongated skull. Pulsing red veins coursed through its body, visible beneath the gray hide.

  The five-eyed titanspawn tilted its head, studying the fleeing group with what could only be described as amusement. It didn’t charge. Didn’t attack. Simply stood there, radiating an aura of power.

  Even from this distance, they could all feel it. The sheer presence. The certainty that if it wanted them dead, they would die.

  Softwaves’ water moved faster, urgency overriding caution. No one spoke. No one needed to.

  They had just encountered something far beyond their ability to handle.

  The five-eyed watched them flee, making no move to follow. It simply stood there as the canyon faded behind them, five eyes glowing like amber coals in the gathering darkness.