The dragon swept the sky in an arc and spiraled downwards in jets of braided fire.
Somehow, Aleister scrambled to the rivershore where the shuttle awaited.
"Get in, hurry!" a girl shouted.
He collapsed onto the shuttle floor as the craft lifted into the air.
“You're alive” said Lhasa standing above him.
“You sound surprised," he said. "It was your laser that saved me, after all.”
“Laser? Lasers are illegal? But if you’re interested my sister knows a guy.”
"I know two!" the sister shouted from cockpit and laughed.
"But if it wasn't you then-"
He didn't finish the sentence as Fogo crashed into the cargo bay in a ball of smoke and fire. Lhasa ran towards him and raised her staff, which shimmered in purples, reds, and blues. The familiar closed his eyes and remained still. When the flames died out, he fell into a deep slumber with wispy tendrils of smoke.
"Name's Katrina, btw. Pilot and tour guide. You tell me where you want to go and I'll take care of the details... for a reasonable price. So what will be your pleasure?"
"Jaguar's Den," he said. "But I need to take a detour at the far side of Eden... The Orchard...I have some business to attend to..."
"No need for an explanation, my good freeman, your sins are your business. I'm just the pilot. My little sister here will take care of the details. If she gives you a hassle about the terms and conditions, just come talk to me. Now buckle up, buttercups."
The shuttle accelerated and blasted towards the sky.
***
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