"We can't fly any faster," said Theo, looking over the railing towards a flotilla of ships slowly but steadily closing the gap between them.

Celia nodded. She knew that because when it came to Percy, she was aware of all her strengths and weaknesses. All improved weapons and other gadgets worked very well to protect the ship, but they also weighed loads, forcing the engines to work harder, burning more coal. They could try flying faster, but it would not be sustainable. They would never see the other side if they ran out of fuel while crossing the mountains.

She turned to look towards the Thundering Massive. Faithful to their name, the mountains were surrounded by thick dark clouds, with low rumbling thunders warding any intruders off. They were so close and, once again, still too far away to make it.

"We'll have to keep them at a distance until we reach the mountains."

Theo cocked his head. "And then what? Even if we somehow manage to keep five hostile ships at bay, what do you expect to happen? If the dragons come, we'll be between the hammer and the anvil. It will be─"

"─chaos? Yes, I'm counting on it. We can't fight those ships alone. But even though they are state of the art, we have one advantage over them."

"And that is?" Theo raised a brow.

Celia raised her hand towards the mountains. "We've been there several times already. We faced the Sky Guardians, and we survived." She turned back to face their pursuers. "Them? They might know all about the dragons and how to fight them. But knowing things and facing the monsters are two different things."

Theo rubbed his brow, looking at the ships with a frown. "I still don't like our chances here."

Celia smirked and nudged him with her elbow. "Hey, don't forget that surviving against all odds is my speciality. I'm Lady Luck's favourite, remember?"

"I do hope your luck won't run out today." Theo shook his head and then pulled her into a tight hug. "See you on the other side," he whispered, and before she could take a lungful of his familiar scent, he walked away.

Celia took a moment to compose herself. She didn't like that Theo's words sounded like a goodbye. The situation might be dire, but she still believed they had a chance to come out of this alive. A slight chance, yes, but it was still there.

"Everyone to the battle stations!" she bellowed. "Those ships will catch up with us soon. Don't let them get close. We want to keep them at a safe distance till we get close enough to the mountains."

"And then what?" Abner asked, loading his rifle.

"And then, let's hope that all hell breaks loose once dragons see so many intruders."

The crew members exchanged worried glances.

Celia clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Hey! I know it's not an ideal situation, alright? I would rather sail over those mountains without a tail too. But we can only play with a hand given to us. And you know what? Our hand is bloody amazing!" She walked across the deck, looking at all her crew members. "We are the first sky pirates! We claimed the skies, and this is our element now. Those soldiers pursuing us?" She waved her hands towards the ships that were almost upon them. "They are amateurs. They think they can board the flying ship, which'll be the same as sailing." She laughed. "They have no idea what's coming for them."

Celia stopped at the main mast and stroked the wood lovingly. "We've been flying together more than anyone else in this world. We've faced death enough times to make friends with them." She turned back to her crew and grinned. "We will show them what real flying pirates can do. Let's show them what the end of the world looks like!"

As if on cue, another thunder rumbled, and a distant roar shook the clouds ahead.

"It's not a party if there's no one trying to kill you, no?" Abner said, rolling his moustache. "We'll make them dance like they've never danced before!"

"That's a horrible analogy." Lyra rolled her eyes, and her mouth quirked with a lopsided smile. "But I do want to see all those stuffy soldiers shit themselves when dragons come at them."

"Let's hope there are plenty of them waiting for us." Celia nodded and raised a flare gun. "Are you ready to dance?" When the crew roared with agreement, she pulled the trigger. A bright red flare lightened the dark sky above them. "Come on, you overgrown lizards. We are waiting," she added quietly.

As the crew dispersed to get all the weapons ready, Zed walked out from under the deck, towing the Stranger. After a short rest, the man looked significantly better, though walking alone tired him quickly. But as Celia looked at him now, wearing borrowed clothes, he could easily be one of her crew. Only his dark eyes betrayed him. They were looking around with the ferocity of a wild beast trapped in a cage.

He was not aggressive towards any of her crew during their short journey, and he seemed to understand that they were now temporary allies. He was still guarded, though, his muscles tense and jaw clenched. But as his eyes found hers, he seemed more at ease, as if she was the only thing familiar to him in this strange new world.

Celia waved Zed over, and when they joined her at the railing, she waved towards the mountains. "Look, we are almost there."

The Stranger looked ahead, his eyes brightened, and he seemed slightly taller. He rested his hands on the railing and closed his eyes. The strong wind messed with his long dark hair, and for a brief second, he looked at peace. Celia could only imagine what being kept in a suffocating small cell could do to someone used to soaring free through the sky. But as much as she'd like to give this strange man time to recover, she had none to give.

She gingerly put her hand on his arm, and to her surprise, he did not wince or back away. Instead, he turned his head to her and opened his eyes. Once again, she was flooded with a wave of another conscience. Pain, longing, shame, hope... all those feelings swirled in those dark eyes. It was almost like they were her own.

Celia focused on those uncanny eyes, focusing on her feelings. "I know you can't understand me. You don't trust me and have no reason to. But right now, we are your only way home."

The man looked at her without a word as if he were considering. It was surprisingly hard to channel her thoughts into specific feelings, but it seemed to work. She turned slightly and gestured toward incoming ships. "They want to get you back. To drag both of us and close back into that dark and cold place. I will not let them have you, but..." She shook her head. "There are too many of them. We can't face all of them alone. If there's something you can do to help... anything... please do it."

The Stranger took his eyes off her and looked towards their pursuers. His face darkened, and his mouth raised in a low growl. When he turned back to her, she was flooded with hatred, anger, and fear.

"We can still make it. I know we can," Celia said, putting in those words as much confidence as she could. "When the time comes.... I hope your Sky Guardians can focus on those guys behind us."

A crack of explosion filled the air.

"They are firing at us!" Lyra reported from the crow's nest.

"Idiots. They are wasting their ammunition while they're not even in range." Celia scoffed. "Fine, let's show them how you fight in the air." She started walking towards the helm, but on second thought, she stopped and turned back to look at the Stranger still standing at the railing. She grabbed a harpoon thrower tucked at the mast and threw it at him.

The man caught the weapon, gave it a bewildered glance, and then looked back at Celia.

"It's easy to use. You'll figure it out." She turned on her heel and returned to her position at the helm.

They were out of time, and there was nowhere to run now. All they could do was face the music and hope they were still Lady Luck's favourites.