Rebellion by J. D. Netto Read Free Book Online

of the well.
    “Since we have no other option.” She looked over her shoulder, setting her gaze on me. “I will see you on the other side, boys.” She lowered her head and jumped.
    “Well, if she can do it.” I gave Nathan one last look before I jumped inside.
    My eyes could not see anything around me. I felt suffocated while I plunged down. Not long after I had fallen, I heard Nathan follow me.
    After a couple of seconds, I felt my ankles touch the water. When I’d least expected it, I was submerged under frigid water. My wings slithered under my skin in a sign of defense.
    Though my eyes were open, the darkness of the water hindered me from seeing anything. I swam through the dark, struggling to bring my body to the surface.
    I gasped for air once I reached the surface. There was a dim light shining from what seemed to be the shores of an immense lagoon. I flapped my feet and arms, making my way toward the light. The water was so cold it felt as if my skin was being pierced by one hundred blades at once. It was not long until I caught sight of Sathees and Xylia standing next to a torch that burned against the walls of a cave.
    “Over here!” I heard Sathees’s strong voice as he beckoned me closer with a slight flick of his wrist.
    While I swam my way to them, I realized that no splash had followed mine. Alarmed, I surveyed the water, trying to find Nathan, but there was no sign of him.
    “Where is Nathan?” I asked, walking out of the frigid water.
    “Come stand close to the fire, it will warm you up,” Sathees gestured the way with his hand.
    “Where is Nathan?” I repeated in a stronger voice, approaching the blue flames of the torch.
    There was tension in the silence that had now settled.
    “We heard no other splashes after you—”
    Xylia was at a loss for words, when suddenly the sound of beating drums reverberated inside the cave. Guttural sounds and terrifying roars joined the repeated beatings.
    A cold shiver shot down my spine, and my heart accelerated inside of my chest.
    “I know what that is,” I wailed as I recalled the last time I had heard those roars.
    “What is it, Isaac?” Xylia asked. “What is making this sound?” There was a soft tremor coming from the ground beneath my feet.
    “Capios,” I answered, turning my gaze to Sathees. “Where are the dragons?”
    “They are not far.” Sathees stood as still as a statue.
    The roars were closing in, growing louder as the beating of the drums increased.
    “Lead us to them. We have to leave this place,” I said.
    Through the darkness we ran. I had the ability to run faster than all of them, but I was clueless as to where the dragons were. I also knew I could not leave them behind—not now.
    After my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, I saw that the roof of the underground cave was high; its dark walls dripped with water. The smell of mold lingered in the air.
    Ahead of us, a sudden flash of light broke through the darkness.
    “There they are!” Sathees cried in tone of relief.
    Suddenly, my body was tossed against the cold walls of the cave. A sharp pain spread through my back as I felt the tips of sharp rocks penetrate my skin as I thudded on the ground. A loud, terrifying roar echoed. Disoriented, I reached for my sword.
    “Isaac!” I heard Xylia’s fearful voice. To my left, I saw her body being dragged by an unseen creature. She tried to claw her way out of the creature’s grasp, but the Capios’ strength overcame her own.
    My wings sprung forth, ripping through my skin and clothes. At full speed, I followed Xylia and the Capios.
    “Help me!” She kept on screaming while the Capios let out a high-pitched screech. After a short while, the Capios pulled Xylia deep into the darkness, disappearing from my sight. Her screams faded into silence.
    “Xylia!” My breathing had grown shallow. I tightened my hands, squinting my eyes in an attempt to peer through the dark.
    I heard the echo of the Capios’ distant growls,