Onboard the Worrior, Captain Gai was relentlessly trying to find Akio. Their searchlight swept the jungle floor, startling dryads and nature spirits. Wearily, the crew heaved ropes, peered from the viewing platform and tried to prevent their gradual decline. The moon hid behind the ominous clouds, casting an eerie light and elongating shadows. Dotted on the deck, oil lanterns rocked in the wind. Being their only source of light, it made the crew’s hearts race. On the horizon, a dim, golden light illuminated a clearing. With a jolt, all the lights crashed onto the floor, smashing beyond repair. Worried glances were exchanged from crew member to crew member. A few exhausted engineers thudded down the stairs for some sleep. Before any others could go, Captain Gai announced, “Look, over there. Head towards the light. Hazel, you need to make us go at full speed. Sam, Gem and Fox, use our emergency supply of coal. Sussy, turn off the search light. Amy and Tam, go and fix the deck. The rest of you, make yourself useful! Oh and no buts Sam or Fox, DO IT BEFORE I THROW YOU OVERBOARD MYSELF!” Every person scurried about, doing their tasks. The Worrior propelled herself forwards and soon, they were going at over 10 miles per hour (which was extremely fast for any sky ship!) 

Meanwhile, Marian had dozed off on a carpet of leaves while Akio kept watch over the blazing embers of their fire. The anty  –  or Ty, as they called him – suddenly gazed north and his ears pricked up. Throughout the night, Ty had protectively prowled around them, flinching at a twig snapping or a birdflap tacking off. Although, Akio had never seen the look in Ty’s eye – the look of sheer panic. Shaking Marian awake, Akio saw a glimmer of ruby scales and came to a horrifying conclusion of what animal was circling above them. Marian rubbed her eyes before they shot open, wider then ping-pong balls. Alone, they suddenly seemed highly vulnerable. Fire careened down to their right and the jungle was set ablaze. Marian stifled a yelp. Would they have to run for it? In all their time in the jungle, Akio had never been so shocked. Lost, they scrambled in any direction away from the fire, not really caring about where they had been heading before. Lightning cracked open the sky. Akio picked up Ty, pulled Marian behind her and dashed through burning foliage. How far could she go like this? 

At that moment, the fire sped up to meet them. With a deafening thud, an ignited tree fell in front of them, halting them. An amber eye stared down at them as they stared up. Akio, Marian and Ty felt their toes stiffen and then their ancles went numb. Akio remembered that if you stared at a sky serpent’s eye for too long then it would paralyse you. Would that happen to her? Taring her eyes away, Akio caught a glimpse of steel before it impaled itself in the sky serpent’s chest. The harpoon had hit its target and all the sky serpent’s fire all disappeared in an instant. To Akio, Ty felt like a statue of stone on her back – hopefully only aftereffects. Overhead, the hull of a ship loomed. About eleven rope ladders hung down from the deck and eleven of Akio’s crew mates rushed towards her. “Get Ty and Marian to the sick bay, alert Captain Gai to take us far away as I feel static electricity in the air and Sam, DO NOT RUN OFF OR I WILL DRAG YOU BACK MYSELF!” ordered Akio, a natural leader. Once up in the air, a lightning sky serpent hissed in front of them. Fortunately, Akio did serpenteece as part of her course and translated the hissing to, “You killed Sssssssssssssssss and I am angry.” The harpoon was aimed then all the lightning stopped. Then, the crew had some well-earned sleep and Akio guided the ship into the red sun. 

Stories have warned people far and wide of the dangers of the East. That is why no map has been completed of its mythical inhabitant’s home nor has anyone ventured there in an eon. Furthermore, that was what made Akio’s adventure there even more dangerous than some people would have liked – people like her sister, Marian... 

The sky ship soared over mountains where many unihorned-jackle grazed on the snow. Sunlight glistened on the ginormous waterfall that cascaded over the lip of a lake filled with tropical fish. Akio wished that she could be enjoying the view, but the Captain had just ordered every member of their crew to fix the deck. From where she was standing, it looked like a battered Zeplin was pulling burning driftwood. All the survivors were working furiously to keep the Worrior in the air even as the sweat rolled down their aching backs and they all needed rest. Another attack would finish them for sure. Just then, everyone’s hands shot to their ears as a roar that God could have sent vibrated in the air. When Marian uncovered her ears, her head rang and stars dotted her vision – not nice stars that guided you at night but big splotches of yellow that reminded her of mustard. Running as fast as her legs would take her, she darted into her cabin for Akio only to find a gaping hole in the wall and her bed, burning. 

Trying to dowse the flames with her water for the day, Marian shook violently with fear. Meanwhile, Akio had ordered the captain to land the ship. As the nose dipped into a reluctant nod, the dragons truly attacked. 

1. I would bring a curled rainbow that is a bridge to another world ( for the worst of emergencies ).
2. I would take a tensed secret that I could use in a perilous situation.
3. In my pocket, I would keep my shimmer of the North Star to guide the way.
4. For the stormiest nights, I would take a glimmer of hope.
5. I would bring a slither of the moon that would curl around me like a protective  shield.
6. Finally, I would bring a camera to see all the action whilst recovering in the sick bay!