Chapter 1904 1689: Training her pet
The sun hung high in the sky, an unforgiving golden disc casting its scorching gaze upon the endless dunes of the desert. Waves of heat shimmered across the vast, barren land, distorting the horizon like a mirage. The wind howled, kicking up loose sand that swirled in chaotic patterns, a dance of nature's raw power.
In the sky above, cutting through the currents of hot air with effortless grace, flew a majestic creature—a Wyvern with scales of deep azure, shimmering with streaks of silver. Its massive wings stretched wide, each beat sending gusts of wind rippling through the desert below. Atop this magnificent beast sat a lone rider, her golden hair whipping behind her like a flag of war.
Luna, the Saintess of Light, gripped the reins of her companion—the Wyvern King—with practiced ease. Though the reins were mostly for formality, as the bond between them was deeper than simple commands. They moved as one, an unspoken understanding dictating their flight.
"Alright, my friend," Luna murmured, patting the powerful muscles beneath her. "Time to put your new strength to the test."
The Wyvern King let out a thunderous roar, its breath sending a wave of cold mist through the dry air—an unnatural sight in such a scorching environment. Ice.
This was its newfound power.
As its level increased, it had gained control over a secondary element—Ice, complementing its natural Wind affinity. It was time to master it.
Luna guided the Wyvern King toward their destination—a low-level Berserk Dungeon buried within the sands. The dungeon's entrance was a massive, jagged crack in the earth, as if a great beast had once slashed at the ground, splitting it open. Dark energy seeped from within, warping the air around it.
Luna dismounted in a single fluid motion, her boots sinking slightly into the sand. She turned to her Wyvern, a smirk playing on her lips.
"You're free to do as you please. Devour, hunt, tear them apart," she said, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Just don't let them land a hit on you."
The Wyvern King's eyes glowed with fierce intelligence, and with a single powerful flap of its wings, it descended into the dungeon with a deafening roar, announcing its presence to all within.
Luna followed, stepping into the abyss.
The dungeon was vast, an underground cavern filled with jagged rock formations and dimly glowing crystals. The temperature was unnaturally high, the air thick with an oppressive heat. Lava bubbled in pools scattered across the dungeon floor, casting an eerie crimson glow.
And then, the monsters came.
The first to appear were Lava Hounds, their bodies wreathed in flames, molten rock dripping from their jaws. Their glowing eyes locked onto the Wyvern King, recognizing it as a threat.
A pack of them charged forward.
The Wyvern King didn't hesitate. It opened its maw, and instead of a gust of wind, a storm of ice erupted forth.
The sudden clash of elements was violent. The freezing breath engulfed the charging beasts, turning their flames into hissing steam. Ice crystallized over their bodies, spreading like vines until they were encased in frozen prisons. With a single swipe of its tail, the Wyvern King shattered them into glittering shards.
Luna chuckled, watching proudly.
"Not bad," she muttered, crossing her arms.
"Let's see how well you handle something bigger."
As if answering her challenge, the ground trembled. A deep, guttural growl reverberated through the cavern. From the shadows, a Berserk Sand Wyrm emerged—a colossal, serpentine beast, its scales blending perfectly with the environment. It had no eyes, relying on vibrations to detect its prey.
The Sand Wyrm lunged.
The Wyvern King roared in defiance, launching into the air just as the beast's massive jaws snapped shut where it once stood.
Luna watched intently, analyzing the battle.
"Don't just dodge," she called out. "Use your elements! Wind and Ice together!"
The Wyvern King beat its wings, summoning a howling tempest, sending shards of ice spiraling toward the Wyrm. The ice blades sliced through the creature's tough hide, drawing deep wounds, but the monster was relentless.
It coiled and struck again, faster this time.
The Wyvern King flapped its wings hard, launching itself higher, then dove—spinning like a drill, gathering both wind and ice around its body.
And then—it struck.
Like a lance of frozen fury, the Wyvern King pierced through the Sand Wyrm's skull, its icy energy freezing the monster from the inside out. The beast let out a final, deafening screech before its massive body collapsed, lifeless.
Silence filled the dungeon.
Then, Luna smirked. "That's what I'm talking about."
The Wyvern King let out a victorious roar, standing proudly over its fallen prey. The dungeon had been a perfect training ground, allowing it to master its newfound Ice element while refining its Wind techniques.
Luna approached, placing a hand on its scales. "You did well."
The Wyvern King lowered its massive head, allowing Luna to climb onto its back once more. With a single powerful beat of its wings, they ascended, shooting out of the dungeon and into the open sky once more.
The desert stretched below them, the golden sands endless and unchanging. But Luna knew—her companion had changed.
The Wyvern King was stronger now, deadlier. And this was only the beginning.
With the dungeon conquered and the thrill of battle still lingering in the air, Luna leaned forward, patting the Wyvern King's powerful neck. Its deep azure scales shimmered beneath the golden sunlight, a stark contrast against the endless blue sky stretching above them.
"You did well," she murmured, her voice filled with pride and satisfaction. "Now… let's take it higher."
The Wyvern King let out a deep, rumbling growl of agreement. With a powerful beat of its wings, it shot upward, cutting through the air like a spear. The wind howled around them, whipping Luna's golden hair wildly as they ascended higher and higher, leaving the scorching desert behind.
Above the Clouds. As they soared past the first layer of clouds, the world below became a vast sea of white. The once harsh desert now looked like a painting—distant, almost unreal. The sun bathed everything in a warm, golden glow, creating a dreamlike scenery that few ever had the privilege of witnessing.
Luna stretched her arms out, closing her eyes for a moment as she felt the pure freedom of the skies.
"This is incredible," she whispered, feeling weightless, like she was part of the wind itself.
The Wyvern King let out a contented rumble, adjusting its wings slightly to glide effortlessly. Up here, there was only silence, only peace. No battles, no responsibilities—just the endless sky and the thrill of flight.
Luna opened her eyes and gazed at the horizon. From this height, she could see everything. Distant mountains, rolling green fields, the shimmering blue of faraway seas. The world felt vast, full of mysteries and adventures yet to be discovered.
She leaned forward, whispering to her companion. "Faster."
The Wyvern King obeyed without hesitation. With a single mighty flap, it broke through the cloud layers, soaring into the upper atmosphere.
Luna's heartbeat quickened. The sky darkened slightly, shifting into a deeper shade of blue as they neared the very edge of the breathable atmosphere. The temperature dropped, but the cold didn't bother her. Instead, she embraced it, laughing freely as the wind roared past her ears.
She stood slightly on the saddle, balancing effortlessly, her arms wide open. She was weightless. She was free.
Then, with a grin, she commanded, "Dive!"
The Wyvern King folded its wings and plummeted.
Luna's stomach flipped as they fell like a meteor, cutting through the sky at insane speeds. The wind screamed around them, tearing at her clothes and hair, yet she felt no fear—only pure exhilaration.
Clouds rushed past in an instant, their damp mist barely touching her skin before being left behind. Below, the desert came back into view, growing larger by the second.
Then, just before they could reach the ground—
WHOOSH!
The Wyvern King snapped its wings open, catching the air and pulling them into a smooth glide.
Luna let out a breathless laugh, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. "That… was amazing."
The Wyvern King rumbled in amusement, as if it too had enjoyed the sheer thrill of it all.
As they soared lazily across the desert once more, Luna relaxed against her companion, a satisfied smile on her lips.
"Let's do this again soon," she murmured.
The Wyvern King let out a low, contented growl in agreement.
With the sun beginning its descent in the horizon, they turned back toward the Floating Fortress.
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