The engine sputtered.

Captain Jack Rourke yanked the stick, but the P4

0E shuddered like it was done with him.

"This is it, huh?" he muttered.

The sky lit up in fire behind him.

He pulled the ripcord.

The parachute snapped open, yanking him hard int

o the cold unknown.

When he hit the ground, it wasn’t earth.

It was something softer, like moss under a sky t

hat pulsed with two suns.

Jack stood, dazed, hand on his sidearm.

No bullets. Just a jagged cut.

“You’re bleeding,” said a voice.

Female. Calm. Close.

Jack spun.

A woman in armor stood there, but not the kind h

e knew.

Her eyes glowed like embers.

“You fell from the Veil,” she said. “That means

you’re either a spy or a sacrifice.”

“I was just flying a mission,” Jack said.

“And now I’m somewhere that isn’t Kansas.”

She tilted her head.

“Kansas?”

“Home,” he said.

“Before the war.”

She studied him, then stepped closer.

“My name is Kaela. You’re in Aerathia, land of t

he Stormborn.”

Jack blinked.

“Stormborn?”

She nodded.

“A land at war. And you, pilot, may be the key t

o our survival.”

He looked around.

No planes. No radios. Just ruins and a sky that

sang.

“I don’t belong here,” Jack said.

“I crashed. I’m not your hero.”

Kaela’s gaze burned.

“But you are fated.”

Jack snorted.

“Fate didn’t do much for me back home.”

She crossed her arms.

“Tell me about it.”

He hesitated.

Then said, “I was shot down over France. My wing

man died. I didn’t. Command called me lucky. I c

alled myself cursed.”

Kaela’s voice softened.

“You carry guilt like armor.”

Jack looked away.

“I don’t need armor. I need a way back.”

She stepped closer.

“There is no way back. Only forward.”

He wanted to argue.

But the sky above pulsed again, and thunder roll

ed like a heartbeat.

They walked in silence.

Through a forest that whispered and trees that b

owed as they passed.

“You’re not like anyone I’ve met,” Jack said.

“You talk like you know things I don’t.”

Kaela smiled faintly.

“That’s because I do.”

He frowned.

“Like what?”

She paused.

“Like the truth about the crash. And the secret

you carry.”

Jack stiffened.

“What secret?”

She looked him dead in the eyes.

“You weren’t shot down. You were pulled through.

”

Jack’s breath caught.

“That’s not possible.”

Kaela turned.

“Welcome to Aerathia, Captain. The land of the i

mpossible.”

They reached a cliff.

Below, a city of floating towers rose like a dre

am.

“This is your second chance,” Kaela said.

“But it comes with a price.”

Jack stared at the city.

“I’m listening.”

She turned to him.

“You must become the Stormrider. And bond with t

he Dragon of the North.”

Jack blinked.

“A dragon?”

Kaela nodded.

“They are the last of their kind. And they choos

e their riders.”

Jack laughed, but it came out shaky.

“Great. Just what I needed. A dragon that judges

me.”

Kaela’s eyes glowed.

“He already has.”

Jack frowned.

“And?”

“He chose you.”

Jack looked at the sky again.

Something inside him shifted.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” he admitted.

“I’ve failed before.”

Kaela placed a hand on his arm.

“But you’re here now. That means you can still w

in.”

Jack took a breath.

Then another.

“Okay,” he said.

“Let’s fly.”

The wind rose.

And from the clouds, a shadow dropped — sleek, p

owerful, ancient.

Jack stepped forward.

The dragon landed before him, wings wide, eyes l

ike stars.

It roared.

Jack stood his ground.

The dragon lowered its head.

Jack reached out.

Their hands — claw and skin — touched.

Light exploded.

When it faded, Jack stood taller.

“I’m ready,” he said.

“For my second chance.”

Kaela smiled.

“Then the war begins.”

The dragon rose.

Jack climbed onto its back, heart pounding, sky

wide before him.

For the first time in years —

He felt alive.