NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: First flight
Ethan's POV
After the bath, I returned to my room, the soothing warmth of the hot spring still lingering on my skin. I had barely settled under the soft covers when I felt a familiar hand slip around me. Without even needing to turn, I knew who it was.
"Missed me, baby?" came her gentle voice, carrying the soothing tone only a mother could have. I nodded silently, expressing my unspoken yearning. My melancholic demeanour must have been evident, as she immediately climbed under the covers and enveloped me in a warm embrace. Her soft arms pulled me close to her chest, and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat filled the void within me, offering a solace I hadn't realized I needed.
"Everything will be fine," she whispered, running her fingers gently through my hair. The warmth of her love and the tenderness of her gesture wrapped around me like a cocoon. I sighed deeply, sinking into the comfort of her presence. In that moment, I silently gave thanks to whatever divine power or cosmic law had granted me this second chance , a life where I could bask in the love of a family and, most importantly, a mother's boundless affection.
Just as I was drifting off to sleep, her voice broke the tranquil silence with an announcement that instantly jolted me awake.
"Tomorrow, you'll be going to Dark North City with your grandfather," she said, a soft smile playing on her lips.
My eyes widened with excitement. For the first time, I would be venturing beyond the castle walls and witnessing the vast world that lay beyond. The thought of exploring new places, seeing bustling streets, and encountering the unknown filled me with exhilaration. Dark North City was a name I had heard countless times in passing. It was a place teeming with life, opportunity, and adventure. Now, the chance to experience it first hand was finally here.
I had always been confined to the safety of the castle due to my young age and the numerous dangers lurking in the surrounding wilderness. From ferocious magical beasts to marauding bandits, the Aurora Frost Mountain Range was no place for a child to wander freely. Even on rare outings to the valley, I was under the constant watch of my grandmother or grandfather.
The prospect of leaving the castle and seeing the wider world sent my mind racing. In my previous life, I had been an adventurous, thrill-seeking individual, constantly craving the adrenaline rush of danger. As a member of the para forces, I had been used to diving headfirst into perilous situations. The past few years in this life, though filled with familial love and security, had been somewhat stifling for my adventurous spirit. But now, it seemed like the dull and uneventful days were finally coming to an end.
My excitement was palpable, making it nearly impossible for me to fall asleep. My mind was filled with vivid images of what awaited me outside the walls of the castle.
------------------------------------------
On the next day Mama dressed me properly in well fitting navy blue clothes and left my shoulder length hair unruffled as I had slight curls and it looked nice on me. Holding me in front of the mirror she smiled at me and knelt down to kiss me on the lips and commented,
"My baby is so handsome. You have to be careful of the girls outside sweetie", she wore a concerned expression on her face when she said this. I couldn't help but roll my eyes on hearing this but when I saw my reflection I couldn't help but marvel on my exquisite features and captivating crimson eyes. Ahh, narcissism is bad, I couldn't help but remind myself as this face is the gift from my parents and not something I gained with my ability.
But soon an evil glint flashed in my eyes as I considered the advantage I would gain with my good looks and the boost I will inevitably gain to fulfil my dark desires. One of the hardest truths of life I realised long ago was that good looking people were subconsciously treated better everywhere, so I resolved to make proper use of this in this life. Thinking of this an evil smile formed on my mouth obscured by the shadows of the castle as we made out through the corridors.
Outside, a majestic bluish-white eagle stood tall, its sheer size both awe-inspiring and intimidating at least 10 meters in length and 4 meters tall, with piercing dark eyes that seemed to see straight through me. My grandfather stood by its side, gently petting the bird's powerful beak as though it were an ordinary pet. When he turned around to greet us, his booming voice carried a hint of pride.
"You've dressed him properly, haven't you, Eleanor? This is his first visit to the Stormborne family, after all," he remarked with a hearty laugh.
I froze in place, stunned. The Stormborne family, weren't we going to the Dark North City?. The Stormborne family invoked some of my memories of few months ago when the the little girl Aurelia who tried to act as my elder sister had visited our castle with her grandfather.
My mind raced. I'd heard enough in my time exploring the library to know that official visits to mage families were no trifling matter. They were pivotal, often marking the start of alliances, apprenticeships, or negotiations. Why hadn't I been informed earlier? It felt like I was being thrown into the middle of a grand stage without a script.
Suppressing my apprehension, I followed my grandfather. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and before I could ask any questions, the world blurred. In an instant, I found myself atop the eagle's broad, feathered back, its sheer size now even more breath taking. This was my first experience with teleportation, and the sensation left me momentarily stunned.
As the eagle stretched its enormous wings, the air around us seemed to ripple with power. My gaze shifted toward the distant mountains, and a flicker of anticipation stirred within me. This was a new step toward the future I had been waiting for, and the thought of my tenth birthday and the beginning of my magic journey filled me with renewed determination.
Suddenly, a deafening clap of thunder boomed through the skies, and the eagle beneath us flashed with dazzling arcs of electricity that crackled along its bluish-white feathers. The sound left me momentarily dazed, my ears ringing. My grandfather, ever attentive, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder before conjuring a glowing blue barrier with a simple wave of his hand. The shield wrapped around us, muffling the roar of the wind and the thunder, while shielding me from the frigid gusts of air.
I blinked in amazement and tilted my head to look up at him. "Grandfather, what's the name of this incredible beast?"
A proud smile tugged at his lips as he glanced at the magnificent creature. "Her name is Hunter," he said, his voice steady and filled with admiration. "She's a grade 2 Storm Eagle, a beast as powerful as an Elemental Sea mage or perhaps even more."
I listened, captivated, and a bold idea sparked in my mind. "Can I have one too, Grandfather? When I start my magic journey?"
I braced myself for disappointment. Surely, acquiring such a majestic and powerful creature for someone just beginning their magical path would be an impossible request. But to my surprise, his response left me stunned.
"Yes," he said, his tone casual, as if he'd been expecting the question. "In fact, it's already planned. Your grandmother and I prepared Hunter's next egg as your gift to mark the start of your magic journey. You see, it's not hard for us. Your grandmother has Hunter's male counterpart as her bonded partner. When they mate and lay eggs, one of them will be yours."
My eyes widened, excitement bubbling within me. The thought of soaring through the skies on such a majestic creature was beyond exhilarating.
As we soared past the towering peaks of the mountains, a vivid and bustling city unfolded before my eyes. Its massive walls, standing an impressive 70 to 80 meters tall, encircled the city like a fortress, with dark, imposing gates guarded by vigilant sentries patrolling every corner. The sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the city and glinting off its high walls, momentarily dazzling me. My heart quickened with anticipation, curiosity bubbling within me as I eagerly looked forward to the visit.