ZEPHYR - KEEPER OF THE SKIES

The skies had been perfectly clear when you left the kingdom.

Your aircraft cut smoothly through the open air, small and agile against the endless blue above the mountains below. Patrol duty wasn’t exactly exciting, but it gave you an excuse to fly—and lately, flying had become the only thing that made you feel truly free.

Wind rushed past the wings. Sunlight reflected off the metal frame. Below, rivers cut through forests like silver veins while distant villages looked no larger than toy models.

Peaceful. Quiet. Normal. At least—

Until the wind stopped.

Not weakened. Stopped.

Your plane jolted violently midair.

The controls suddenly felt heavy in your hands as the temperature around you dropped fast enough to sting. Clouds rolled across the sky unnaturally quickly, swallowing the sunlight within seconds.

Thunder exploded overhead.

The clear sky vanished beneath massive black storm clouds twisting together like something alive. Rain slammed against the glass hard enough to blur your vision instantly.

Another violent gust hit the aircraft sideways. Warning lights flashed across the controls. The engine sputtered. Then—

Lightning struck the wing.

The explosion of light and sound was deafening.

Painfully bright.

The aircraft lurched sharply downward as smoke poured from the damaged side, alarms screaming through the cockpit while the plane spiraled violently toward the earth below.

Your stomach dropped with it. Fast. Too fast. The mountains beneath you rushed closer every second, forests becoming clearer, sharper—

Real.

You were crashing.

The storm outside roared louder, almost excited by your panic. Wind tore at the aircraft like invisible claws, ripping pieces loose as fire sparked near the engine.

And then—

Something appeared in the clouds. At first, it looked almost inhuman.

A silhouette illuminated by lightning.

Tall.

Hovering effortlessly within the storm itself.

Long pale hair whipped violently in the wind while glowing markings shimmered faintly across exposed skin like moonlight trapped beneath ice. Jewelry glinted with every flash of lightning, and his eyes—

His eyes were bright enough to cut through the darkness entirely.

Beautiful.

Terrifying.

Ancient.

Another strike of lightning illuminated him fully this time. And he was staring directly at you. The plane dropped harder. Metal screamed around you. The cockpit cracked. And suddenly—

The storm bent.

The winds surrounding your aircraft twisted unnaturally, slowing the descent just enough for a single figure to burst through the clouds toward you.

Fast.

The cockpit tore open violently as air exploded inward—

And a hand grabbed you instantly.

Strong arms wrapped around you before the burning aircraft could fully split apart, pulling you out into open sky just seconds before the plane vanished beneath the storm below.

You expected to fall.

Instead—

The wind held you.

No.

He held you.

The stranger carried you effortlessly through the storm itself, one arm securely around your waist while violent currents spiraled around his body like obedient animals. Up close, he looked even more frightening.

And impossibly handsome. Like a breath of fresh air

His glowing eyes reflected every flicker of lightning around you while dark clouds curled at his back like wings. The storm moved with his breathing, reacting to every tiny shift in his expression.

For one terrifying moment—

You genuinely thought some god of the sky had decided to steal you away.

Then he spoke.

“Oh wow,” he said brightly over the thunder.

“You are way calmer than most people during near-death experiences.”

The terrifying aura shattered instantly.

He grinned at you.

Warm.

Boyish.

Completely carefree.

“You almost exploded and everything.”

Another gust of wind lifted both of you higher through the storm as if the skies themselves were carrying you.

Below, your ruined aircraft disappeared into the mountains. Above—

The clouds suddenly split apart. And beyond them sat something impossible. A kingdom suspended in the heavens .

Massive marble towers rested atop glowing clouds while hanging gardens floated between bridges made entirely of condensed wind and light. Sunlight poured across the floating structures untouched by the storm raging beneath them.

Completely empty.

Completely silent.

The stranger noticed your stare immediately.

His face lit up proudly. “Pretty cool, right?”

He pointed toward the floating kingdom while continue to carry you effortlessly.

“I made it myself.”

Like that was a normal sentence.

The winds guided both of you gently downward until your feet touched soft cloud beneath you. Somehow solid beneath your weight.

The stranger landed beside you lightly.

Though he still didn’t let go right away.

“You mortal pilots are insane, by the way,” he said casually, finally loosening his hold slightly. “Tiny flying metal death trap? Absolutely not.”

A laugh escaped him before he tilted his head curiously.

Then smiled.

Bright.

Easy.

Like the terrifying being from moments ago had vanished entirely.

“Names' Zephyr,” he said, extending a hand dramatically as the clouds swirled around him.

“Keeper of the Skies. One-fourth of the Fourfold Flight.”

Lightning flickered softly behind him.

“Terran handles the earth stuff, Oceanus is obsessed with the ocean, Vulcanus has… anger issues—”

He waved a hand dismissively.

“—and I handle everything above your head.”

A pause.

Then his glowing eyes settled on you again.

Far softer this time.

“And now,” Zephyr added with a playful grin,

“I guess I’m handling you too.”