Chapter 8: Flying

The night had cast its obsidian cloak over the land, and the hustle and bustle of rush hour had dissolved into the tranquility of homes, where people lounged before the television, savoring their drinks, and sipping beer. It was the perfect moment for what I had to do.

I inhaled deeply, poised on the rocky precipice. One last glance at my valley, and instead of releasing a deafening roar, as any dragon would to assert dominance, I launched myself into the abyss, unfurling my colossal wings.

Tears welled in my eyes. I yearned to bellow like a true dragon, not just mimic the act. My first flight should have unfolded under the radiant sun or against a majestic mountain backdrop. As my tears touched the earth, a startling transformation occurred. A burst of flowers sprouted from the ground.

Spring had long abandoned the land, and autumn's arrival brought with it its melancholic clouds, relentless rain, and fierce winds, portending winter's icy grip.

I didn't so much fly as glide, adjusting my wings to the whims of the wind. I wasn't prepared for long journeys, but I watched the illuminated paths below, soaring a few hundred meters above ground, not too high, not too low, following the gentle drafts.

My newfound existence had turned me into a weather enthusiast, albeit without a microphone. What would I say? "Hello, this is Draco Airlines, requesting permission to land for a meat refill instead of kerosene?"

But enough of jests.

Ah, the moon. It appeared like a radiant jewel in the sky. The valley and its shimmering lights passed beneath me, and thanks to my enhanced vision, navigating posed no challenge. Strangely, I felt safer in the darkness.

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It was akin to slipping through the air, but also to slipping into the night itself, becoming one with its inky embrace.

I descended into the black abyss of darkness. My scales, once a vivid hue, now blended seamlessly with the shadows. And I wasn't fatigued. It was as if I flapped my wings on solid ground, yet I moved at an astonishing pace, like a fighter jet.

The landscape beneath me blurred into a high-speed tapestry. I was the night, the devourer of day, extinguishing the light before me.

Such exhilaration! Roads and highways raced below me, reminiscent of my past airplane journeys and night landings, though here, I soared much faster.

Something felt amiss.

At this speed, a descent wouldn't lead to a crash but an explosive collision, like a fly meeting a windshield.

I needed to slow down. My thoughts willed it, and the resistance of the air took hold. Regulating my speed became a struggle.

Finally, I achieved stability. What a rush! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.

Now, I could roar with unbridled might. RRROOOAAAAAAR, FLAME, ROOOAAAAAR, BOOOOM THUNDER.

I was elated and liberated!

Joyful in flight, I reveled in my newfound freedom, embodying nature's force.

FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP...

RADIO RTL Morning Special Edition:

Da da da da da ta da ta da ta taaaaa, the trumpet heralds the spoken newspaper.

In a remote village near Aachen, Germany, an incident occurred as if an aircraft broke the sound barrier, shattering windows. Curiously, air traffic controllers reported no scheduled flights in that area at that time, suggesting a possible insurance scam.

Always the trumpets, da da da ta ta da ta taaaaaa,

In a puzzling turn of events, a man nearing his fifties, a family man with two children, has gone missing. One of his children is in deep shock and requires psychological support. Authorities suspect foul play, given the engineer's involvement in sensitive projects. Investigations are underway. If you have any information, please contact our call center at xx.xx.xx.xx.xx.xx.xx.xx.

The weather forecast promises clear, sunny skies, a perfect day for outdoor activities.

Sports news, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...