Kael stroud sat on the top of an old airship, watching the sky changes colors. The sun was going down, painting the clouds orange and gold, up here, above the small town of Brinrock, the air was cold, and the wind never stayed quiet, Kael liked it that way .
In his hands, he held a small,worn out map, He found it two days ago inside the wing of a broken plane he was fixing at jorren's junkyard.The map showed a trial going far into the sky, beyond the clouds.At the end of the trial was a mark a strange symbol shaped like a star.
Beside it, a few words were Witten: "Treasure waits where the sky never ends."
Kael's heart beat faster every time he read those words.
He didn't know where the map came from. But he knew one thing it was calling him. And he was ready to follow.
Behinds him, an old voice called out, "You'll catch a cold sitting up there, boy"
Kael turned to see Old jorren standing with a cup in his hands. The man always grumpy, but tonight he looked serious.
You found it, didn't you? Jorren asked
Kael nodded, jorren sighed. " That treasure,,,,, it's not just gold, kael. It's danger Death. Men stronger than you have gone after it and never came back." Kael stood up. " Then I'll fly higher than they ever did."
Jorren shook his head " you've got fire, boy. That fire can light your way,,,, or burn you alive."
Kael smiled a little. I'd rather burn chasing the sky than rot fixing scraps on the ground
He claimed down from the shop and walked into the small workshop.Tools hung on the walls,wires coiled like snakes on the tables,and the Snell of oil filled the air. In the corner sat his old plane the Emberwing. She wasn't perfect, but she was his .
He ran his hand along her side. "One more fight,girl.This time,we go beyond the clouds."
He spent the rest of the night checking the engine, tightening loose bollts , and packing what little he had goggles a compass, dried food, and the Map. Before dawn, he rolled the plane out to the open ground behind the workshop.
Jorren was there, waiting, holding something wrapped in cloth.
" This belonged to your father," he said, handing it over.
Kael unwrapped it slowly. It was a small silver compass, scratched and old, but still working. The needle pointed steady north, but somehow... It felt like more than that.
"He believed in the treasure too," jorren said. "Died chasing it."
Kael looked at the sky. Clouds were gathering. The wind was loud.
"I'll find it,", he said. " For him....For me."
He claimed into the cockpit, strapped himself in, and pulled down his goggles. The engine roared to life, loud and proud.
"Go!" Jorren shouted over the noice. "And don't look back!"
The Emberwing sped forward, wheels bouncing off the dirt. Then, with a strong lift, it look to the sky.
Kael leaned into the wind, The clouds opened ahead like gates. And behind them.... the unknown waited.