Gale descended toward the Northern Watchtower with wings beating in controlled rhythm but Evan could feel the wyvern’s tension every time a shadow shifted below. The watchtower sat on a massive rock pedestal that rose from the land like a pillar carved by ancient storms. At its base dark shapes moved in synchronized patterns. Shadow beasts surrounded the tower. Some clawed at the rock with slow scraping motions. Others swayed in eerie rhythm as if pulled by an unseen pulse.
The watchtower’s upper platform flickered with fading blue light. The barrier around it weakened with each pulse. Mages on the platform held their staffs upward to keep the shield alive but the glow dimmed with every second.
Evan tightened his grip on the core strapped to Gale’s harness. “We cannot land on the lower platforms. We go straight to the top”
Gale shifted its wings to catch a rising draft and surged upward. The air around the tower vibrated with corrupted mana. Evan felt his hair rise from static pressure. The Rootstorm’s influence was strong here.
As they rose above the middle level a shadow beast launched itself off the cliff wall with unnatural strength. Its body twisted midair and its claws stretched toward Gale. Gale roared and banked sharply right. The creature missed but grazed the rear harness bar. Evan felt the jolt through the saddle.
Crest would have been useful here but Evan had left the gryphon at camp. He had Gale and no backup.
Another beast climbed the tower wall using claws like hooked blades. Evan tapped Gale’s neck twice. “Rise fast. Do not engage”
Gale climbed again. The upper platform came into view. Two mages stood near the edge waving desperately.
“Hurry. The barrier is collapsing” one shouted
Gale landed with a heavy thud. Evan dismounted and unstrapped the core. The platform shook. Dark shapes slammed against the barrier below.
The senior mage stepped forward with trembling hands. His robes were covered in dust and glowing cracks. “Place the core into the channel quickly”
Evan carried the core to a circular stone slot near the tower’s center. Light flickered around it. The stone hummed with fading magic.
He lowered the core into the channel. The moment it touched the inner ring the air vibrated. A surge of purple light burst outward. The barrier around the tower flared upward in a dome of shimmering energy. The beasts below shrieked as the blast pushed them away from the walls.
The senior mage sagged with relief. “You did it. The barrier will hold for now”
Evan stepped back watching the light spread across the tower’s runes. It was stronger than before but still unstable. The Rootstorm’s pressure had grown too powerful.
Another mage approached Evan. “You came through the canyon surge. That is impossible even for battle riders”
Evan brushed dust from his coat. “It was turbulent but manageable. Gale knows the sky well”
Gale lowered its head proudly.
The senior mage lifted his staff and studied Evan. “The council will want to speak with you. They do not often rely on wyvern couriers but your skill may decide whether the frontier survives the next surge”
Evan shook his head. “My company is small. Only a few beasts. I cannot fight a Rootstorm”
The mage looked at him with steady eyes. “You do not need to fight it. You only need to stay ahead of it. Movement is the key. Deliver cores. Carry messages. Bring supplies. If the frontier falls each town must prepare evacuation routes. No caravan can handle this. Only the sky can”
Evan felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Dragon Freight was supposed to be a logistics company not the lifeline of a continent.
He looked over the edge of the platform. The beasts regrouped below and moved in slow circles as if reorganizing. The Rootstorm’s influence guided them.
“We cannot stay long” Evan said “Once they regroup they will find a way to climb again”
The mages nodded. “You should leave before night. The pulses worsen after sunset”
Evan returned to Gale and checked the harness. The wyvern flared its wings ready to fly. But before they lifted off a loud crack echoed across the sky.
Evan spun toward the sound. A section of the barrier flickered and collapsed then recovered weakly.
One mage paled. “The core is not enough. Something in the canyon is pushing harder than before”
Evan looked at the horizon. The canyon from which he escaped glowed with faint red lines. They stretched outward like veins across the land.
“We need more cores” the senior mage whispered
“And faster delivery”
Evan mounted Gale again. “I will contact the council. But they must prepare resources and routes. My beasts can only carry so much at once”
The senior mage bowed. “Even one flight can change the fate of this tower. Fly safe Evan Drakemarch. The sky depends on you now”
Evan tapped Gale’s neck. The wyvern launched into the air rising above the tower as the barrier pulsed below.
The Rootstorm gathered in the distance like a living storm of red shadows.
Evan felt the chill of its approach.
“We need a stronger fleet” he murmured
“And we need it now”