Chapter 4

After many hours, the skyship’s engines still paced slowly and silently as the sails flapped gracefully side to side. The ship’s passengers, who were questioning Kad for his reasons to leave the island, were starting to get frustrated as their questions remained unanswered. But, there was still the golden sun and the glistening blue ocean accompanying them;  no clouds to be seen for miles. The skyship was smiling through the breeze as it voyaged to the distant lands. As the people wondered why Kad insisted for them to leave, the crew loaded the cannons and readied their own weapons. 

When they thought they were clear from danger, the biggest cloud to be seen in miles hovered over the skyship. It was thick and dark. Many of the crew members thought it was a coincidence but they were unsure of what was going to happen. Suddenly, mighty flesh-eating birds flew from out of the clouds. It was like a swarm of stinging wasps angrier than a soldier fighting for its life. The wings were large, larger than anything they have seen before. Its flight-granters were like chains made of molten rock (obsidian). The chains would imprison you on the bird’s slimy velvet stomach. While its  beak just stared at you until it had a chance to nibble your flesh.The beach was long and sharp it had to have been a bread of the ancient Therizinosaurus dinosaur.

As the vicious man eating beasts soared towards the ship. Captain barked “ Everyone prepare for battle!”,

“Captain, they are  stronger than us, what do we do ?” Sierra yelled.

“ The cannons, there loaded, blow them tresspassers to smithereens!” Ordered Zalika. The birds of hell rained down on the balloon and skyships precious lumber. Boom! The cannons fired at the foe as they squawked down to the deep depths of mother nature. As the crew vaulted over the railings to save one another from imminent death. But only one team was destined to live. Their lifes at stake and the enemies at their peak. Kad’s heart was oozing with fear as he ran and hid under a staircase – his mind overcame his heart – he realised that if he didn’t help they would not finish this mission and go home. There were too many responsibilities rushing through his mind such as:  the depressing thought that he might not make it home to his family ; the fact he could be know as a dangerous explorer to venture further than any man before; and the way he wanted to live up to the dream of becoming as great as explorer Mr. Lethertander.

Then it came to him the letter that the kind bear gave to him before they left. 

It was still unopened so he grasped it out of his pocket, as he unravelled it a small tube of what seemed to be electricity. It surged powerfully in and out of his veins; it was the strangest feeling he’s ever felt. Taking a chance to read the letter it advised throwing at something that’s not easily damaged by the bolts in the tube. Even though his fear still conquered him, he plucked up the courage to launch it at the rubber floating balloon and then…

CRASH! The glass shattered into pieces, shards stabbed the enemies and the lightning burned their wings. It was like a boiling hot tub of water bubbling on its skin. Then most of the intruders fell to the deep depths of mother nature. But as some remained flightless on the Skyship Sapowla they were easy finishes for the crew to take care of. After all of that was dealt with there was still one thing that remained.

The skyship was torn to bits. It was like walking on broken glass, as the team started to bring out the lumber,nails,hammer,sewing kit and a few things to celebrate the huge win against the worst of all known to man. Then the captain came out to congratulate us on the victory that she doubted the crew to come out victorious. “ Ay Captain, how do you feel about the fact we defeated the monsters and came out in one piece ?” Asked Kad proudly.

“ You did well, young adventurer, but still more awaits the treacherous missions that still await. But on the whole it was a team job and came out alive.” Stated Zalika ( captain)

Then they continued to adventure, celebrating the major achievement throughout the expeditions. Will they make it home ?

Chapter 3

As the wind howled, Captain Zalika had made her requests for who does what and who goes where. Then Kad’s worst nightmare happened when he woke up seeing people running around.Captain from at the top of her lungs shouted,

“Oi you, yeah you on the ship get out here right this instance!”Thundered Zalika

“Umm… What’s going on? I Thought we were resting today?” Kad said, confused.

“ No, get out here now and find some fuel, it should be in the forest. Chop chop!” Roared Captain.

Sluggishly, he tumbled into the small plantation like a turtle trying to get over to the ocean. His eyes awakened and he could finally see properly. Now the hunt for fuel had started. His eyes were like metal detectors scanning for aluminium. This task was the easiest but most boring of all. Then something was running through his mind. Does the ancient explorer Mr. Lethertander still live?

An odour rushed through the air like a bird racing in the currents of O2, But this smell was like any other smell it was sweet, sour, pongy and strong. The sand was departing.The ground shook. Then a large, mighty sand-bear danced through the air. But then Handed him a letter with the letters S.L.

“Young explorer you are in grave danger something, stronger, bigger is coming than you could ever imagine. You must take this advice wisely as it could end you for good. I am not one to talk as I have survived many times but the size of you might make the thing hungry. I shall go now but DO NOT mention me to anyone or I will not see you again.Goodbye.” The thing from the bushes advised. Then it was gone in a blink of an eye.”EVERYONE GATHER ROUND!” Yelled Kad.

All of them scurried over. “ I have been informed that on our journey we may not survive, This thing is apparently unkillable. But there is still hope that we must prepare for the fight of our lives!” Gasping in need of air. They all cheered.

“Captain, we must be off. I beg for your agreement on my request, but we must get our supplies and go. We don’t have a lot of time!” Begged Kad.

Okay,Okay I shall do as you asked.” Answered Captain. “Alright, everyone grab what you can and load it on board. We are leaving at 12 hundred hours.”

The time Passed the engines were ready, the crew were on board, the sails were tall and proud. Then they were off… 

Chapter 2

Over the next few months, Skyship Sapowla put up a fight against the weather at its worst. Thunder rumbled and the sails were scratched to what seemed like pieces. The next morning the clouds settled and the ships sails had won but over the side of the decks was a small speck of what seemed to be land looking like a soldier’s rifle. It was far but looked very close. Using binoculars  it looked to have a forest, piles of wood and barely any shelter.

As they voyaged closer and closer to the island, they could see the damaged wreckage of a skyship.There were letters imprinted on the mainsail; it spelt S.L. It was hard to know what it meant, but captain Zalika had chosen this mission for a reason.

“What do you think this means kad?” Curiously Sierra asked.

“I’m not too sure but it’s probably the name of the ship or what’s left of it.” Answered kad.

The shipwreck they were looking at would have been beautiful: the golden railing shimmering in the sun; and the expensive sail material just laid there but there was no-one to be seen. It had to be guarded by something. Were they making a mistake?

While the hours passed, they came closer to the island, but there was an odour of death, fatality and the strange feeling that someone or something lurked in the vegetation. The atmosphere was like hell; it had roaring clouds, withered skies and most dangerously mighty bolts of lightning. the waves flowed to shore.They had finally started to land the sky ship.The engines were near there rest.Crew held on as the rough descent wasn’t friendly. Suddenly the atmosphere took a catastrophic change. They all felt queasy and some even vomited.This island had something else on it. Butt on Close view of the rubble, there seemed to be an old tea stained map with arrows pointing somewhere. 

The blackened sky roared at the rolling waves, the murky blue water withheld fear As the lightning wasn’t there. they watched the growling bolts and lighten the trees; the Ashes lifted into the air the light was like a mini earthquake.

Cat and Sierra explored the damaged skyship bones laid on the floor ,cobwebs infested every dark space.Then they came across a capsule half open it seemed to be a map. As they were about to unravel it’s something made loud rustling in the trees, it alerted the crew they ran outside and launched the capsule into the skyship.

The tree snapped light light dots appeared everywhere the trees were battered and the leaves floated to the floor. This something was not friendly, eyes were staring at them, the shuddering of the crew made Zalika nervous that someone or something was getting closer and closer.The someone or something was getting closer and then…

Oliver. C

Prologue

You’ve probably made family memories on several skyships. In summer, you would have soarn over glistening oceans, your neighbourhood, maybe over places you could only dream of. When you flew, there would have been clear sky’s, a warm sun and that sense that you’re becoming more attached to nature. When you flew, there would’ve been children playing joyfully in the sunset, coral reefs flourished with free roaming fish and the clouds were on vacation. You probably got taken to a few of the best breath-taking islands for your picnic and lovely day out. Travelling in warm terms is just like this.

But travelling on adventures to abandoned islands ( or so they say ) is a whole other challenge. You should try a sky-ship venture when the sky’s grey and the thunder rumbles like an empty stomach. You should try fighting back sky-criers from popping the ship’s inflated balloon. Except for the fact their daggered nails engraving your flesh.

You should try surviving when food runs out and the only drop of water you’ll get is ocean 

water but that’s only if you kill the fang-horses. Few people would wish that on anyone.

Even experienced flyers think about it twice before joining one of our expeditions. No one knows what its residents are involving creatures, plants , even humans.

Chapter 1

The town cheered the crew and the mighty skyship Sapowla puffed its way into the clouds and floated for a length of time until the engines spluttered into action. Captain Zalika stood honoured at the charge of the ship’s bowsprit, you could see the glory and determination in her adventurous eyes. And they had started their expedition.

Kad and Sierra glanced down as the ship uplifted even higher every time she blinked. The only sound ringing in their ears was the deafening wind infinitely blowing through. They could see what looked like ants shouting and cheering them on. Sapowla Went beyond the sight of Piddletown, overlooking plain fields, which was like a patched dress handmade by a sewing machine.They headed into the black clouds.

They can hear the swashes of the waves clashing with the docks, birds ice skating on the breeze while humming a harmonic song.

Shivering in fear and regret of the life choices they’ve made up until this very moment. Captain Zalika is very pleased to be on the Sky-ship once again, her stomach rumbles with terror as the opponents they might come up against are somewhat stronger than her helpless crew. Will they survive?

After about a couple of hours, they were clear of land. The only things to be seen were the distant but never-ending oasis, the clouds thickening and darkening like something bad was close, and the waves crashing into one another. “ Where do you reckon we are going, Kad ? ” questioned Sierra , confidently glaring into the horizon prepared for battle.

Kad trudged towards her and responded, “ It for sure can’t be anywhere safe as everywhere you look on deck there are weapons at the ready for anyone who needs it.”

At the dead of night, the wind howled and the clouds growled with thunder. The skyship bobbed side to side while the ocean erupted with water from the deadly bolts of lightning that struck the sea floor. The night sky’s stars spoke like your regrets telling you to turn back. Sierra could just visualise a lonely harbour with not a single boat tied to the ropes; It’s only company was the water dampening its threads.Will they survive?

Dear Captain Culpepper,

I am writing to you to take on the place in your crew, on the Skyship Aurora. I hope the position for the team is still available for a heroic boy like me who can bring the skyship to its peak.

Firstly, I have  completed my MCR ( Mechanic Car refixtions ).

So I’m highly trained for repairing the engine to its finest form.

This concludes that I can keep the ship healthy and shiny. Stopping the dirty looks and turn them into glares of glory.

Secondly, I am strong and enduring ; this shall help us when crates need transporting. I can carry it to its destination, I can also last one month without water and food. I am rapidly fast so if there’s  trouble I will be there for assistance. My strength can also work to climb into the bubble of gas to switch the engine on.

In addition, I am accomplished at coordinates meaning i can sail the ship on night shifts or on the behalf of your troubles. This also means an extra pair of hands to reassure  where we are going is where the true treasure lies homeless. However, I am gifted at maths and my angles are worth the world. This concludes that I am as good as any member you have hired.

Thank you for your time and consideration on my appliance for this very honourable job. I hope to hear from you, but best let you get back to what needs to be done.

Yours sincerely,

Oliver Curtis.