018. 'You would never break the chain (never break the chain)'

                                    

                                          

.༻⊰✯⊱༺.

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
XVIII. THE AGE WHERE A FALLEN FRIEND IS WORSE
━━━━━━
"And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again"

         "LEO, WAKE UP!" THE SOUND of Kasturi, Piper, and Jason's screams reverberated through the air as they spiraled through the dark in a free fall, though they were still on the dragon's back... which was, honestly a big improvement in comparison to their last fall.
This was definitely not how their victory over Medea and her sun dragons was supposed to go. Just a heartbeat ago, they had been soaring through the air, the adrenaline of battle still coursing through their veins. Leo had finally gotten the chance to properly rest, especially after that stupid revelation about what happened to his mother and all back at that burning department store. Now, they were hurtling downward, plummeting like crazy. 
Was was worse was the fact that it seemed like Festus the dragon had run out of whatever energy he had been running on. Festus's hide was cold, letting the winter air take over them cruelly, his ruby eyes completely dimmed out of life.
"Wake him up!" Jason yelled, panic slicing through his voice.
"I am trying!" Kasturi shot back, her eyes darting from Leo to the dark expanse below. "This is the second time we're falling — you know, for being a son of Jupiter, shouldn't we get some bonus luck while flying?" 
"Take it up with my dad!" Jason shot back. "I wouldn't know!"
"Guys!" Piper shrieked. "This is not the time."
"Right — Leo, wake up. Please!" she cried, desperation lacing her voice. She shook Leo's shoulder vigorously, trying to rouse him from his slumber. The situation was dire, and they needed his piloting skills — or whatever skills that was needed to get Festus up and running again before they fall splat on the ground.
This was really not how she wanted to go down. They were on a freaking quest, for goodness sake. If they were about to die, they were supposed to die in an awesome, heroic way. Not by falling because Festus just so happen to have ran out of fuel. She didn't know what was better or worse at this rate: Having to confront Dirt Lady in her dreams or actually be consciously present when she's dying. 
Seriously, if they were going to fall to their death, why couldn't it be when she was dead asleep and wouldn't need to feel the pain of it?
"LEO!"
Finally, Leo's eyes shot open with immediacy, his senses jolted awake by the urgency in Kasturi's voice. As he regained consciousness and realized the dire situation they were in, panic surged through his veins. "Oh my gods — why didn't you wake me?!"