Ezra was sitting on the Cloudbike. The large man behind him held the end to make sure the vehicle stayed upright. Anabelle stayed to the side. The swordsman was ready to take his turn at riding.

“Alright. I’m gonna let go. Remember, the left trigger to go, and the right is to brake. The red button is for the clouds. Pressing it will let you ride on clouds in the air.” The man explained to Ezra, his last line making him excited.

“Hey I never got your name.” Ezra asked the man.

“Oh. Name’s Sera!” The delivery man smiled at the young man.

“Alright Sera. Let’s do this!” The swordsman excitement showed in his voice. Sera let go and pushed the young man onward. Ezra pushed the left trigger on the handle bar strongly, making him dash through the free path off and off the side of the upper village . For a small second he witnessed the lower layer full scale. He was taken by it just for a little, yet remembered to press the red button to summon the clouds so he didn’t fall from such a height.

The red haired swordsman was riding through the air. Anabelle ran over to the side and saw her companion riding around and laughing like a child being held in the air by a parent. The mare began to laugh along with him. Sera watched along. Ezra then began to descend from the sight of his observers. He started to drive underneath the village's layer.

Anabelle watched as he disappeared underneath. She was unaware of the swordsman's attempt to surprise her by coming from behind.

Ezra smiled maliciously. His plan was going smoothly, or so he believed so. Clouds were above his head, completely hiding the upper layer. The swordsman rose his hand and felt the wet clouds on his hands. Yet something about them was changing. He had made it to the center of the under belly, and the clouds were changing color. They changed into a red resembling the young man’s hair. A lightning bolt came from the scarlet clouds and struck Ezra.

The Cloudbike was also hit and it immediately stopped working. Ezra began to fall from the sky. His hands stayed tightly gripped on the handlebars.

“This is not happening again!” Ezra screamed as he started to surge lightning from his hands into the bike. He could hear it’s engine starting up again. A sigh of relief came as the thought of falling such a great height was gone. He pressed the red button once more to allow him to keep afloat. However, he wandered over the red clouds and the lightning that struck him. Why was it so spontaneous? He emerged on the other end of the village and flew over its entirety. Soon he came to the Crimson Mare from behind. “Hey.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Anabelle turned her head and saw Ezra behind her. He let the vehicle down and stepped off. Anabelle ran over and started to rub her snout all over his face.

“Don’t scare me like that?” She cried.

‘Wait you get scared?” Ezra said before he burst out laughing at the mare. “Hey man thanks for letting me ride!”

“Any time, kid. Alright. Guess I better head back to the office and get this thing juiced up for tomorrow. If you feel like riding again, come by the office and i’ll get you a fresh one.” Sera lifted the cloudbike with one hand and started to walk away. Ezra waved goodbye to the delivery man.

“So now what?” Anabelle asked.

“Let’s go see what else this village has to offer. I wonder what other weird shit this place has!” Ezra said, making Anabelle excited to spend more time with him. They left to explore more of the village.

“So how will this empire of magic and technology come to be?” Nicholai asked Benneb.

“Simple. First we will ally ourselves with the other well known villages across the Freelands. Out of the 4 continents. This one is the smallest, so traversing it with a few good horses or vehicles will be easy.” Benneb answered. He was ready to put his plan into motion, and set forth the new future.

“Wait a minute. This Culion, where did he come from. He must of had some base of operations if he had the power to start a rebellion.” Nicholai questioned.

“Oh...you’re quite perceptive. Culion lived in the village Fernal. It’s on the opposite edge of the Freelands.Grimm. You been there, tell him.” Benneb turned to his large friend. Grimm sighed and put his drink down.

“Look before the old man gives you a thousand page history lesson let me just simplify it. The knights are coming to take something from Ben. We need to drive them away while also looking for some other things that will make this thing reality.” Grimm put down.

“And I’m guessing these other things were looking for are connected to this Empire of Magic and Technology?” Nicholai asked.

“Yep. So what do you want in? We could use some fighters?” Benneb counter questioned.

“Hold on little one. You know what we have to do.” Grimm said, shocking the mayor.

“Oh. You’re really gonna put them into your little test?” Benneb asked.

“Its just to see how strong they are. Not really much of a test.” Grimm said standing up. “You, green one. You’re fighting too.”

Katreena flinched after hearing Grimm’s words.” But-”

“No buts. I know your father. There’s no way he sent you and expected you not to fight. Let’s go.” Grimm said before getting ready to walk out of the door.

“Hey. What’s the point of this?” Nicholai asked.

“We don’t need fighters who don’t know what they’re doing or what they’re fighting for.” Grimm walked out of the restaurant. Nicholai grabbed his staff and bag and followed. Katreena hesitated for a little. Benneb looked over and saw the tall girl almost let out a small tear. She slowly stood up and dragged herself out of the door.

All of them prepared to go to the elevator. However they noticed Ezra and Anabelle. Who have been around the village and gathered numerous items and souvenirs.

“What?”