Chapter 16: Traveling
Chapter 16
"Still as energetic as always, I see," her father said, his voice warm and soft. A gentle smile gracing his lips as he chuckled lightly.
Phame puffed up her chest in response to his words, seemingly becoming smug. But considering her small stature and age, it only made her look cuter—like an arrogant little bunny. "Of course, my lord! After all, I am a thunder dragon! A dragon! that is known for her endless energy"
Yuki raised an eyebrow, unsure why the little girl named Phame had placed a saddle on her back and called herself a dragon. But She shrugged it off a second later, assuming it was some magical tradition of this world or perhaps a title she earned as a wyvern trainer. Maybe because Phame commanded and trained wyverns, it made her eligible for the title of a Dragon. Nonetheless, she is probably a personal driver, or more accurately, a personal rider, because they are riding a dragon instead of driving a car. But judging by the size of the saddle, whatever wyvern she would be riding must be enormous.
"Where is the wyvern we will be riding?" Yuki wondered, glancing around in curiosity. About a kilometer away, she spotted a green wyvern sitting on its haunches like a dog, its hindquarters resting on the ground while its front legs which is also a wing remained straight, its body upright and poised. To the east, around two kilometers away, she saw an azure-colored wyvern resembling a dragon—complete with specifically its face resembling a dragon—feasting on what appeared to be a whale-like creature.
Filled with excitement at the prospect of her ride, Yuki turned her head slightly toward her father, her curiosity evident. "Father, what wyvern—" Before she could finish her sentence, she caught a glimpse of movement from the corner of her eye and blinked in surprise. Phame's form was shifting and slowly changing before her eyes.
"What?" Yuki wondered, rubbing her eyes, hoping to clear her vision. But as she looked again, her breath caught in her throat. Phame was sprouting wings and horns, transforming right before her. She was no longer just a small girl; she had become a creature of legend, A massive dragon in her own right.
Yuki's heart raced. "D-Dad, is she—"
Her father chuckled, a playful glint in his eye. "Don't look so surprised, Yuki. She is, in fact, a dragon, or did you think she was bragging?"
Yuki stared at him in shock, her eyes wide open. "A DRAGON?"
Her father burst into laughter. "Ahahahah! It's true they don't like being treated like animals, but when faced with their better, even the proudest will bow their heads. That's why I keep telling you to train harder—it will allow you to do things you otherwise can't" he said. His laughter echoed in the sky, but as he spoke the last part, a bloodcurdling cold light flickered in the depth of his eyes. Despite this, the rest of his face and body language remained completely at peace, radiating confidence and kindness.
Nearby, Phame tilted her head, a question mark practically forming above it, as if she was wondering what he was talking about.
"Enough conversation. Let's go! Every second we spend talking here is time we could be using to enjoy ourselves" her father said. Afterward, he put his hand on Yuki's shoulder and teleported them on top of Phame, specifically on top of the saddle.
"Phame, full speed ahead!" her father shouted with a slight smile on his face while looking toward the sky. With one of his hands, he supported her back to both reassure her and prevent her from jumping in surprise, while Yuki just hugged his legs with all her strength while sitting down with her butt on the ground.
In response to his words, Phame began to lower her head, shifting her body angle until her head almost touched the ground, and blasted into the sky with such force that the ground was crushed, shockwave upon shockwave blasting into the surroundings.
The journey through the vast and untamed territory was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Phame soared through the open skies with the ease and grace of a seasoned flier, her thunderous wings cutting through the clouds like they were mere wisps of mist. The world below sprawled out like a living map—endless rolling hills, thick forests where ancient trees stretched toward the heavens, and rugged mountains towering in the distance, their snow-capped peaks glistening under the sun. From this height, the land seemed peaceful and serene.
The wind whipped at Yuki's face, its cool touch refreshing as it tousled her hair. The warmth of the sun on her skin, combined with the sheer exhilaration of flight, filled her with an intoxicating sense of freedom. Initially, she clutched her father tightly, her knuckles white with anxiety. However, as the hours passed and Phame's rhythmic wingbeats became as steady as her own heartbeat, Yuki's initial fear melted away, replaced by something unfamiliar—a deep, growing sense of wonder.
From time to time, Phame would dip low, skimming over the treetops before launching herself back into the sky, leaving a streak of lightning-like energy trailing behind her. The world below seemed to come alive, vibrant and full of movement. Yuki spotted deer grazing peacefully in a distant meadow, a massive river winding its way through the landscape like a shimmering ribbon, and once, a pack of wolves sprinting through the forest, their eyes glinting as they glanced upward in cautious curiosity at the massive creature soaring above them.
Her father, seated beside her on the saddle, remained perfectly calm and composed, his posture relaxed as if the speed they were going was a light jog—a slow and relaxing jog with headphones that you used to have in the morning. He seemed happy, his eyes mostly on her and what she was doing. His presence was steadying, a silent reassurance that they were in no danger.
As midday approached, Yuki's stomach growled softly, reminding her that they had been flying for hours without a break. She was about to ask Phame if they could land for a meal when her father's voice interrupted her thoughts. Without turning to face her, he raised one hand into the air, a faint glow surrounding his fingers. In an instant, an array of food materialized before them, suspended in the air as if weightless. The sight was magical—something she would have to get used to soon. It was filled with a veritable feast, complete with fresh fruits, thick slices of bread, succulent roasted meat, and delicate pastries dusted with sugar.
"Here," her father said with a gentle smile, handing her a plate of food. "No need to stop the journey for a simple food."
Yuki's eyes widened in surprise, her stomach rumbling in anticipation. She had seen her father perform a teleportation spell before, but it still fascinated her the same as the first one , there was something something fascinating about watching him conjure something out of thin air.
Phame let out a soft chuckle, her eyes glinting with amusement as she continued to fly. The floating meal, as if connected to her, flew at the same speed as her, appearing as if it were attached. "Enjoy your lunch, young miss! I've got plenty of energy to keep us going for days"
Yuki could hardly believe it—flying through the sky on the back of a dragon, eating a meal that had been teleported into existence. The experience felt almost surreal, like something out of a dream. She smiled, biting into a juicy piece of fruit, savoring the sweet taste as she glanced out over the endless horizon.
The day passed in a blur of wonder. They flew over sparkling lakes where the sun reflected off the surface like shards of glass, over sprawling valleys that seemed to go on forever, and past mountain ranges so high they appeared to touch the heavens. Phame's flight was smooth and unwavering, her small but powerful body carrying them effortlessly through the sky. Yuki marveled at her endurance—Phame seemed tireless, her energy as boundless as the sky itself.
By late afternoon, the sun began its slow descent, casting the sky in breathtaking shades of gold, pink, and deep violet. The world below was bathed in a warm, golden glow, the shadows growing longer as the day turned to dusk. Yuki found herself mesmerized by the sheer beauty of it all. The sunset seemed almost otherworldly, as if the heavens themselves were putting on a final display before nightfall.
"Look," her father said softly, pointing toward the horizon where the sun was sinking behind a distant mountain range. The sky was ablaze with color, fiery oranges and purples blending seamlessly together, streaks of gold cutting across the horizon like rivers of light. It was a sight so stunning that Yuki felt a lump rise in her throat. For a moment, she forgot to breathe, utterly captivated by the majesty of the scene. With a hidden sadness in the depths of her eyes, she thought, "If only Yuto could see this".
As the last slivers of sunlight disappeared beyond the mountains, Phame began to descend. Her wings folded gracefully, and with a gentle thud, she landed in a clearing surrounded by towering trees. The ground was soft beneath their feet as Yuki and her father dismounted, their journey for the day finally at an end.
Phame stretched her wings and tail, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "Not bad for a day's flight, wouldn't you agree?" she said, a wide grin spreading across her face. Despite the long journey, she looked as energetic as ever, her small frame buzzing with excitement.
Yuki smiled, still caught in the afterglow of the day's experiences. "That was… incredible," she said softly, her eyes still lingering on the fading colors of the sky.
Phame's tail flicked playfully as she shifted back into her humanoid form, her wings and tail slowly retracting. "Well, rest up, young miss. You will need rest to regain your energy."
As the stars began to twinkle overhead, Yuki felt a sense of peaceful exhaustion settle over her. The day had been filled with more adventure and beauty than she had ever imagined, and as she lay back in the soft grass, staring up at the vast expanse of stars, she felt at peace