Elaris and Sylvaine both looked up as Zephyron soared into the sky.
Elaris shaded her eyes with one hand. "So… that's how it tests aerial affinity?"
Sylvaine nodded. "It seems so."
Elaris glanced sideways. "Mother… do you think big sister can handle it?"
Sylvaine didn't answer right away.
Her eyes remained fixed on the fading silhouette above.
"She's never flown before," she said finally.
"Not once. And that height—it's not sothing you ease into."
Elaris stayed quiet for a mont.
Then she spoke again. "Will she fail?"
Sylvaine's arms folded slowly. "I don't know."
She inhaled once through her nose, then added, "But your sister… she's brave."
"Different from both of us. Always tried to outpace everyone. Never slowed down, even when she should've."
Elaris kept watching the sky. "You really know her that well?"
"Of course I do," Sylvaine replied.
"She's my daughter. And so are you."
Elaris glanced back, a small smile forming. "Yeah. I know."
She dropped her arm and looked toward the path leading deeper into the estate.
"Mother, actually… I wanted to talk to you about sothing else."
Sylvaine's gaze narrowed instantly. "You didn't buy another beast, did you?"
Elaris grinned. "Hehe… not exactly."
Sylvaine's eyes narrowed more. "Elaris."
"I just want your help," Elaris said quickly.
"Not money. Just… guidance."
Sylvaine didn't move. "With what?"
"About them. The others. I need you to look at a few things for ," Elaris said.
Sylvaine sighed, then turned toward the inner path. "Fine. We'll talk inside."
Elaris followed after her, grinning. "You'll like it, I promise. Maybe."
"I already don't," Sylvaine muttered.
---
High above the sky, Velmara's body jolted as Zephyron surged through another gust of wind.
She gripped one of its feathers with both hands, legs braced, boots sliding slightly across its back.
Her brow tightened. "Damn you, Zephyron—what the hell are you doing?"
Zephyron didn't respond with sound.
But its head turned slightly, one glowing eye watching her.
It smirked.
This one was holding on better than expected.
Let's see if she can keep up.
Without warning, Zephyron tilted into a sharp spiral.
The sudden twist ripped the air apart around them.
Wind roared past Velmara's ears as the entire world flipped sideways.
She gritted her teeth, clamping her mouth shut to keep from losing breath—or cursing louder.
Zephyron dipped into a nosedive.
Velmara dropped lower on its back, keeping her body tight to the beast.
The pressure slamd down on her spine, her eyes tearing from the speed.
"You bastard!" she shouted through clenched teeth.
"You're doing this on purpose!"
Zephyron climbed again.
It rolled left, spinning into a barrel arc, wings tucking then flaring out.
It then shifted into a fast, circling drift that sliced through a flock of wild skybeasts.
Velmara held her breath.
Her arms trembled, not from fear—but the sheer force pressing into her.
She bit down on her lip, refused to let go, and shouted again.
"Is this the test?! Trying to throw off?!"
Zephyron dipped and rose again, now weaving between tall storm clouds.
It flattened its body and entered a speed-glide, the wind humming around its form.
Velmara pressed closer, eyes narrowed. Her hair whipped behind her like a banner.
"Alright," she muttered.
"You want to fly wild? I'll ride it wild."
Zephyron's body rumbled beneath her.
It heard her.
And approved.
It shifted into a dive-snap, wings folding tight before shooting upward again in a perfect S-curve.
Velmara didn't flinch this ti.
She moved with the rhythm, knees bent, fingers adjusting grip, breath tid with the turns.
But minutes passed.
The altitude climbed. The spins got tighter.
And her stomach turned.
"Damn… it…" she muttered.
Her grip loosened. Her vision blurred. Her body swayed, unbalanced.
She hunched forward—then choked.
In one violent heave, she vomited.
Her head dropped. Her body went limp. Breath shallow.
She blacked out.
The second she slipped from its back, the wind caught her.
Her body tumbled toward the forest far below.
Zephyron's eyes sharpened.
It snapped into a vertical dive, wings streamlined as it shot downward like a missile.
In seconds, it closed the distance and tilted mid-air, catching her gently across its upper spine.
Its wing wrapped around to steady her, holding her in place.
She didn't wake.
But she breathed.
Zephyron looked forward, then slowed its speed and began to descend in a wide, steady glide.
A smirk curled across its beak-like face.
"For a first flight… brave," it thought, flicking its tail.
Still alive. Still riding. Still worthy.
It wasn't perfect.
But with a few more tries, this one could soar.
For now? It passed.
---
Inside Sylvaine's private room, vines curled around the ceiling, glowing dimly under the sunlight.
Sylvaine stood with her arms folded, watching Elaris closely.
"Show ," she said.
Elaris nodded. She raised one hand and began to summon her beasts.
Three massive beasts appeared from the portal she summoned.
Each one stood over two ters tall—sleek, powerful, and unmistakably forged from gleaming steel.
Liger-shaped bodies, plated tails, reinforced joints. Their eyes scanned the room, silent and controlled.
Sylvaine's face tightened the second they appeared.
Her gaze snapped to Elaris. "What the hell are you doing?"
Elaris blinked, casually stepping beside the nearest Vornis. "Presenting my collection?"
"I told you," Sylvaine hissed, stepping forward.
"How many tis? We are a nature family. Our beasts breathe with the forest."
Sylvaine pointed at the Vornis angrily.
"Why—why would you bring these steel abominations into my ho?"
Elaris waved off her tone with a slight smirk.
"Relax. I didn't buy them just to break your rules."
She turned toward the trio of Vornis. "I bought them for a reason."
Sylvaine's eyes narrowed. "Which is?"
Elaris gestured at the war beasts.
"These are modifiable. Their elent isn't fixed. With the right resources, I can turn them into nature-aligned beasts."
Sylvaine stared at her. "What?"
"I'm serious," Elaris said.
"Luxoria Castle gave the specifications."
"One of the core abilities built into these Vornis allows them to restructure their foundation."
"As long as I have the materials, we can easily change them."
Sylvaine folded her arms.
"That's absurd. These are forged war beasts. What kind of resources would even allow a shift that extre?"
Elaris continued, "As long as I have the materials, I can change them."
Sylvaine's expression tightened. "What kind of materials?"
Elaris stepped closer to one of the Vornis, placing a hand on its steel shoulder.
"Ore. But not just any. I need tal that carries natural conductivity."
"Sothing grown in sync with forest domains. Ores that still resonate with life."
Sylvaine went quiet. Her fingers drumd against her forearm.
The three Vornises stood still, silent, watching both of them.
Finally, Sylvaine asked, "Are you sure they didn't scam you?"
Elaris looked at her, a small grin forming. "There's only one way to find out."
Sylvaine frowned. She didn't reply imdiately.
Instead, she turned back toward the beasts and stared at them, eyes narrowing.
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