Rida held onto Axis tightly as she effortlessly leaped onto the bird’s back. With a gleam in her eye, she commanded, "Into the skies!"

As if it had been waiting for those very words, the massive Zephyris let out a sharp screech, spreading its majestic wings. In an instant, it launched into the air, ascending rapidly. The wind howled in Axis’s ears as they soared higher and higher, the ground shrinking away beneath them.

The speed was breathtaking. The bird flew with incredible swiftness, cutting through the sky like an arrow. Axis's heart raced, a mix of excitement and sheer awe flooding through him. He had never experienced anything like this before.

The world below them became a blur as they shot through the clouds, the wind whipping past. The vast landscape stretched endlessly beneath them—forests, rivers, and mountains all becoming distant as the Zephyris carried them further and higher.

"Hold on tight!" Rida shouted over the roar of the wind, her voice filled with exhilaration.

Axis clung to her, his hands gripping the feathers of the Zephyris. His initial fear began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of wonder. The world seemed so much smaller from up here, and the feeling of freedom was intoxicating.

"Isn’t it amazing?" Rida called back, her laughter carried on the wind.

"It’s… incredible!" Axis shouted, his voice filled with awe. The rush of the wind, the endless sky—it was as if they had left all their worries behind.

The bird continued to fly, soaring effortlessly through the sky, its massive wings barely needing to flap. The flight was smoother than Axis had expected, almost as if they were gliding through the air. He relaxed a bit, taking in the breathtaking views.

As they flew, the dense forests below gave way to sprawling meadows and shimmering lakes, the landscape ever-changing beneath them. Axis’s gaze wandered to the horizon, where the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden hue over the world.

For the first time in what felt like ages, Axis allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment, the wind in his hair and the thrill of the flight filling his chest.

“ What's her name ? “

“ Hmm ? can u repeat that i didn't hear cause of the wind “

“ What's her name ? the Zephyris’s name “

Rida glanced back at Axis with a mix of surprise and amusement. For a moment, she simply stared at him, as though weighing whether to answer or not. Then, she smiled—a softer, more genuine smile than Axis was used to seeing from her.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"It’s not something I share lightly," she replied, her voice carrying through the wind. "Names hold power, especially for creatures like her."

‘not like many are interested in the creatures they just see them as tools to show off their power’

Axis raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So… are you going to tell me?"

Rida chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Her name is Lyra."

"Lyra…" Axis repeated softly, testing the name on his tongue. There was something soothing about it, something that matched the graceful, powerful creature they were riding.

Rida nodded. "She’s special. Not just because of her strength or speed, but because she’s one of the rarest types of Zephyris in the world. It took years to bond with her. But once I did…" She stroked Lyra's feathers gently. "She's been my most trusted companion ever since."

Axis looked at the massive bird with a newfound respect. "I can see why. She’s incredible."

Lyra let out a soft trill, almost as if acknowledging the compliment. The air around them seemed to shimmer slightly as they continued their smooth, soaring flight.

"She likes you," Rida said with a grin. "That’s not something she does with just anyone."

Axis smiled, feeling a strange connection with the bird. "I like her too."

Rida looked at Axis, her eyes softening with an expression of approval. “It’s rare for Lyra to take to someone so quickly. Usually, she’s much more… cautious.”

Axis smiled, feeling a warm sense of pride. "Maybe it’s because I’m not just anyone."

Rida laughed. "Oh, you’re definitely not just anyone. You’re trouble wrapped in mystery, that’s for sure."

The two of them shared a lighthearted moment, the tension from earlier slowly dissipating as the vast

They flew in comfortable silence for a while longer, the sky stretching endlessly before them.

Clouds beneath them.

As they flew comfortably.

“ Where is your estate ? “ axis asked realizing he didn't know the destination.

“ Have you seen the map of our kingdom ? “

“ yes… “

“ then it will be quick, our kingdom is surrounded by two mysterious zones one is the field of endless snow where we just came from and other is the forest of illusions and that's our destination and my responsibility “

Axis's eyes widened at Rida’s words. “The Forest of Illusions? Isn’t that place supposed to be… dangerous?”

Rida gave a nod, her expression turning more serious. “Dangerous? Yes, to those who don’t know its secrets. But to me, it’s home. The forest has been under my family’s protection for generations. It’s not just a forest of tricks and illusions; it’s alive, aware, and ancient.”

Axis’s curiosity piqued. “Alive? You mean the forest itself can think?”

“Not in the way you or I think,” Rida explained, her eyes scanning the horizon. “It’s more like it reacts to those who enter. It can be merciful to some and merciless to others. The key is respect, knowing how to listen to what it wants.”

Axis fell silent, the magnitude of Rida’s words sinking in. A living, sentient forest. His mind wandered, trying to imagine what it would be like. The name alone sent chills down his spine, but if Rida had lived there for so long, then perhaps it wasn’t impossible to navigate.

As they continued to soar over the landscape, the terrain below began to shift again. The sprawling meadows and lakes now gave way to a darker, more shadowed expanse. From above, Axis could make out the edge of an ominous forest, shrouded in thick mist. The towering trees seemed to stretch endlessly, their canopies so dense that little light penetrated through. This had to be the Forest of Illusions.

“Is that it?” Axis asked, his gaze fixed on the sprawling mass of trees below.

Rida nodded, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and caution. “That’s it. My estate is nestled deep within the forest. It’s well-hidden, even from those who know of it.”

Hi guys i made discord server for you guys and me to interact with each other if you guys interested join in.

Discord server link: https://discord.gg/htcCHBHjXd

see you guys in next chapter