Snippet #2099485

Cian was tired. He concluded that everyone else in the team was also feeling the fatigue, and kept a straight face, eyes on the stairs before him that seemed to stretch forever. Khet had run on ahead some time before, definitely excited about being so close to completing one part of the arduous yet rewarding journey. 

He made it up the unsettling, rumbling stairs in time to hear Khet speaking frantically. Before he could clearly make out what she said, a force he'd been unprepared for blew the room to bits, sending himself and the team flying through the air, and eventually falling into the sea below. He'd hit his shoulder pretty bad on the way out, but thought quickly through the pain nonetheless. 

Cian saw Sezu and Taiyo had landed relatively safely. It was Khet he was worried about. She'd gone right under. No sign of her. Ignoring the gnawing pain in his right shoulder, he angled himself in the direction she'd landed and put his arms out in front of him, hands pressed together. He took and held a deep breath and closed his eyes just before the impact. It would've been more painful, but his position allowed him to part the water rather than smack into it. 

Blinking a couple times to adjust his eyes as much as possible to the stinging salt, Cian immediately set his sights on his companion. Strongly and surely, he propelled himself down to her. She didn't appear to have any air left. With all his strength, he reached under her and hoisted her above him and pushed her out of the water first. Then, he followed, positioning her limp form on top of his back, burdened as well the the scabbards and his swords. Clenching his teeth to the insistent ache in his shoulder and focusing on the survival of his teammate, he gradually propelled himself and Khet to the shore, where others were waiting.

Upon reaching land, he deposited Khet as gently as he could and collapsed to his knees, catching his breath. His shoulder throbbed is berating of his actions as he gathered his bearings. He heard Taiyo speak, but he didn't trust himself to respond. Instead, he used his left hand to gently work his shoulder, shifting it slightly until... Pop!

Cian bit his lip as a sharp pain shot through his shoulder and down his arm as he snapped it back into place. After, he exhaled heavily and tried to stand again.