CHAPTER TWO: THE WORLD THAT SHOULD NOT BE

Kael's eyes snapped open to a sky that defied reason.

Above him, jagged islands of rock floated in the air, suspended by some unseen force, their undersides glowing with veins of luminous crystal. Waterfalls spilled from their edges, cascading into mist before vanishing into the abyss below. The grass beneath him shimmered like crushed emeralds, and the air itself hummed with energy—thick with the scent of ozone and something wild, something alive in a way Earth had never been.

"What the hell…?" He pushed himself up, his muscles aching, his head spinning. The last thing he remembered was the void swallowing him, Riley's outstretched hand, and the creature's shriek—

A rustle in the bushes.

Kael froze.

The foliage trembled—once, twice—before exploding outward in a blur of silver fur. A panther, sleek and massive, lunged at him with a snarl, its eyes burning like molten mercury. Kael barely had time to raise his arms before the beast slammed into him, knocking him flat on his back, its claws pricking his shoulders.

"Lirya, DOWN!"

The command rang out, sharp as a whip crack. The panther's ears twitched, and with a disgruntled chuff, it backed off, though its gaze never left Kael's throat.

A woman stepped into the clearing.

Tall and lithe, she moved like the wind itself had shaped her—her skin a deep umber, her hair a cascade of midnight braids threaded with silver charms. A bow was slung across her back, and the tattoos curling up her arms pulsed faintly as if reacting to Kael's presence.

"You're lucky she listens," the woman said, eyeing him with a mix of wariness and curiosity. "Lirya doesn't usually hesitate with intruders."

Kael swallowed, his throat dry. "Intruder? Lady, I didn't exactly ask to be here."

Her head is tilted. "You're not from Eldryth." It wasn't a question.

"Unless 'Eldryth' is a new theme park in Chicago, no."

A flicker of amusement crossed her face. "You're a long way from home, then." She extended a hand, pulling him to his feet with surprising strength. "I'm Nyssa of the Veilwardens. And this," she gestured to the panther, who now sat regally beside her, "is Lirya. She's… my shadow."

Lirya yawned, revealing fangs longer than Kael's fingers.

"Right," Kael muttered. "So, uh. Friendly shadow."

Nyssa smirked. "She likes you. Otherwise, you'd be missing an arm by now." She studied him again, her gaze lingering on the Aether Mark glowing faintly on his wrist. "You're marked. That's why the Veil spat you out here."

"Marked? Spat out—?" Kael shook his head. "Look, I just want to know how to get back. My friend—"

"It is probably safer where they are than you are here," Nyssa interrupted. "The Black Knight's hunters are everywhere. And a stranger with no magic, no armor, and no sense?" She snorted. "You'd last five minutes in the Wilds alone."

Kael bristled. "I can handle myself."

Lirya let out a sound suspiciously like a laugh.

Nyssa arched a brow. "Prove it. Keep up." Without another word, she turned and strode toward the tree line.

"Wait—where are we going?"

"To Aerilon," she called over her shoulder. "The City of Skyborn. If you want answers, that's where you'll find them."

Kael hesitated—then jogged after her, Lirya falling into step beside him with a predator's grace.

"So," he ventured, "this Aerilon place. Got, uh… food there?"

Nyssa's laughter was bright against the hum of the floating islands. "Oh, stranger. You're in for a very long day."

The City of Aerilon—The Skyborn Jewel—was nothing like Kael had ever seen.

Towers of white stone spiraled into the clouds, their peaks crowned with floating gardens where blossoms shimmered like stained glass. Bridges of woven light connected the districts, and above it all, skyships glided on currents of enchanted wind, their sails billowing with iridescent hues. The air buzzed with laughter, the clatter of market stalls, and the distant hum of spells being cast.

Kael couldn't stop staring.

Nyssa smirked beside him. "Try not to gawk. You look like a lost puppy."

Kael (grinning): "Yeah, well, where I'm from, buildings don't float unless they're about to collapse."

She snorted and nudged him forward.

 Stalls sold levitating fruit, self-stirring potions, and jewelry that changed color with the wearer's mood. Kael nearly choked when a tiny dragon (more of a lizard, really) perched on his shoulder and demanded a cracker.

 Massive vessels, some with sails made of captured lightning, others with hulls carved from ancient trees, bobbed in the air. Nyssa explained they traded with floating islands and even other realms.

A public square where musicians played instruments that responded to emotion. When Kael hesitated near one, the strings thrummed a low, homesick melody. Nyssa's gaze lingered on him a beat too long.

They stopped at a rooftop tavern where the tables hovered just above the edge, giving a dizzying view of the city below. The food? Unreal.

"Starspice stew"—warm, rich, and somehow familiar, like something Kael's mom might've made (if his mom hadn't vanished when he was four).

"Moonberry wine"—a single sip made his fingertips tingle.

Lirya stole an entire roast bird when no one was looking.

Nyssa (leaning in): "So. You want to go back?"

Kael (poking his stew): "I have to. My friend—Riley—they're probably losing their mind right now."

Nyssa (frowning): "The Veil doesn't open easily. And with the Black Knight's corruption spreading…" She sighed. "But I can help you. Train you. Your Aether Mark isn't just a ticket here—it's a weapon. And right now, you're swinging it like a club."

Kael (raising a brow): "So you're saying I'm magically incompetent?"

Lirya (licking her chops): "Chuff." (Translation: "Obviously.")

Nyssa grinned. "Come on. Let's get you home."

The house was nestled in a quieter district, its walls covered in climbing starflowers. Inside, it was warm—lived-in. A fire crackled in the hearth, and the scent of herbs hung in the air.

A boy, no older than twelve, looked up from a book. "Nys! You brought a stray?"

Nyssa (rolling her eyes): "Kael, meet Talin, my annoying little brother. Tal, this is the guy who fell through the Veil."

Talin (immediately fascinated): "Whoa. Did you see the other side? Was it all metal and smokestacks like in the stories?"

Kael (laughing): "Uh. More like concrete and traffic jams."

A woman emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a patterned apron. Her eyes—the same gold-flecked green as Nyssa's—softened when she saw Kael.

Nyssa's Mother (Mira): "Ah. The lost one." She didn't sound surprised. "Sit. Eat. Then we'll talk about how to get you unlost."

Over honeyed tea, Mira studied Kael's mark.

Mira: "This is old magic. Gatekeeper magic. The last person who bore it…" She exchanged a glance with Nyssa. "Well. Let's just say Veythus didn't take kindly to them either."

Kael (tense): "So I'm a target."

Nyssa (leaning forward): "You're a key. And right now, the Black Knight's hunting every door you might open."

Talin (blunt): "You're gonna die if you don't learn to fight."

Mira (smacking his arm lightly): "Talin."

Kael (grim smile): "Kid's not wrong." He looked at Nyssa. "So. Training?"

Nyssa (grinning): "Dawn tomorrow. Try not to scream when Lirya pins you."

Lirya (licking her teeth): "Grrrn." (Translation: "Can't wait.")

As the firelight flickered, Kael stared out the window—at the floating city, the foreign stars.

Riley, hold on. I'm coming back.