Unsinkable Heirs

By Morgan J. Manns

April 14, 1912

North Atlantic Ocean

“Isolde, listen to me!” My older brother’s grip on my arm tightens as he pulls me toward the staircase. “The lifeboats are our only chance. This ship is sinking, and we both know it’s not because of a blasted iceberg!”

I halt, making him turn. “Alaric, the passengers… They’re going to die because of us.”

His eyes, the same blue as the icy water rushing into this unsinkable ship, bore into my own. I think he’s going to say I’m being absurd­. Ridiculous, even. Instead, he pulls me into an embrace and says, “We had no choice.”

The ship shudders and I muffle a sob. We did this. We brought doom upon the people of Earth.

He breathes out a long, low sigh as if he’s read my thoughts. “I’m sorry my portal brought us here. It all happened so fast, I—”

“Don’t apologize,” I quickly say as a wave of painful memories resurfaces. After the assassins killed Mother and Father, we had to leave our world. “You got us here. You saved us.” I won’t let him feel this burden alone.

“But their wretched creatures followed.” He growls out the words. “Maybe if we get to the lifeboats, we’ll survive this attack, get away…” The lanterns on the wall flicker ominously as he tries to convince me that his cloaking shields will protect those with us. That we’ll get them to safety. But I already know the plan won’t work. That beast will continue chasing us, killing whoever gets in its way.

“No.” I turn my chin upward, wiping away stray tears. “Enough running. We need to fight.”

Alaric pauses before running a hand wearily down his face. “We can’t. Our magic is unstable here. If we unleash our full power, we could burn out… It’s too dangerous.”

“We have to try anyways, for the people of Earth.” I straighten, taking a step back. “They deserve our help.”

I summon the slumbering power within me. Fiery heat erupts through my veins. It feels different, like slow-moving magma instead of a raging flame, but it doesn’t matter. I feel powerful.

“Isolde…”

My consciousness widens. The agonized screams of passengers beyond the corridor pierce my psyche like daggers. I squeeze my eyes shut, seeking forgiveness as I block out their cries.

Steadying my breath, I guide my consciousness beyond myself. Below, I sense where unrelenting water floods through the breached hull. Studying the gaping hole, goose bumps rise upon my flesh. The beast that tore this ship open must be a hundred feet long.

Swallowing my fear, my essence drifts into the ocean waters. My heart jolts as I capture a glimpse of the dark serpentine creature. It circles like a shark, its jagged tail twirling behind.

It waits for our demise, but I vow to leave it disappointed. I’m the heir to the Golden Throne and I refuse to die.

“They’ve sent a water dragon after us?” Alaric bombards me with questions as we sprint toward the deck, and I recount what I’ve seen.

A deep groan resonates through the ship. I run faster, refusing to let fear paralyze me. If we fail at distracting the dragon, there’s a good chance it will devour the lifeboats as they enter the water. I can’t allow that to happen.

We emerge on the ship’s deck, breathless. The canopy of stars blends into the glassy surface of the ocean. The disorienting illusion makes it appear we’re adrift in the sky.

I’m brought back to reality as crew members frantically direct terrified passengers toward lifeboats. Knots form in my stomach as officers pull families apart, the men being left behind. There’s not enough space for everyone.

I tear my eyes away, noticing the lifeboats. They remain suspended.

A kernel of hope blooms within my chest as I realize there’s still time.

“Are you ready, Alaric?”

He presses his hands together and they flare golden.

Mother always told us I’m the sword and Alaric the shield—and together we’re invincible. Tonight, I hope to honor her words.

We race to the stern, finding it deserted.

“I’ll draw the dragon to the surface,” I say, determined. “Then it’s up to you.”

He nods, stretching a hand above his head. A transparent dome ripples across the water. From it, an invisibility shield materializes, ensuring we remain concealed.

I concentrate on the ocean, glimpsing floating ice dotting the water’s surface. My mouth turns up in a grin. That could be useful.

As I gather ice shards with my mind, it becomes apparent my power is dulled. Instead of the artful practice I’m used to, it feels like forcing opposite ends of a magnet together. The ice barely holds its weaponized shape.

Taking careful aim, I hurl the shaky ice spear toward the dragon. The weapon flies through the water like lightning and shatters against its side. It turns its head as if merely curious.

I collapse, and my consciousness slams back into my body.

The scales of a water dragon are impenetrable, but I now have its attention. My forehead aches as the cold night air shimmers around us. That took more energy than it should have.

“Did you hit it?” Alaric asks through clenched teeth. The light of his shield wavers. It won’t last much longer.

“Yes, now get ready because—”

The obsidian-scaled beast erupts through the water’s surface. With its fangs bared, it soars toward us, spiked tail whipping in its wake.

“Now!” I scream.

Maintaining his invisibility shield, Alaric extends his other hand.

My eyes widen as a colossal gateway materializes between us and the dragon, engulfing it. The portal swallows the beast whole, then winks out.

“Let’s see how that oversized serpent fares in the Sahara Desert.” Blood trickles from Alaric’s nose as he slumps against the railing.

I merely nod, refocusing my attention on the lifeboats behind us. “Good, now let’s help where we can.”

The ship lurches, and I pray we aren’t too late.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Morgan J. Manns is a speculative fiction writer who firmly believes that the world needs more stories filled with magic and wonder. Captivated by the realm of intricate world-building since composing her first fantasy tale at the age of ten, she now ventures beneath the endless Canadian prairie sky with her supportive husband and two hobbit children, all while eagerly contemplating her next literary creation. While her current occupation is that of an elementary school teacher, her dream job will always be dragon rider, soaring through the skies of her imaginings.

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