Chapter 30 #2
Along our way to the head scribe, I see Kissa standing next to her large Chimera.
The beast looks similar to the one she had shifted into the night before.
Its fur is of teal and midnight indigo, with a mane of mauve and an onyx cobra for a tail.
Long horns spiral from its head, mirroring her rider’s tall feline ears.
Seafoam green eyes with slits at the center mirror Kissa’s but lack her vibrance.
It makes sense that a Beastshifter would bond a creature that is not one but many. Its wings flare out wide, veins tracking through the translucent membrane, glimmering in sunset colors.
Next, we pass Juniper and her Dahlia Hypnosis Draco.
Mesmerizing colors move through the petals of the frill that cascade around its head: black plum, pine, garnet, dark harbor.
Its eyes change colors, matching the rhythmic beat of its tail of vine-like tendrils.
I struggle pulling my gaze away from its hypnotic trance.
We find Vex spoiling her Wyvern with chin pets as its purr rumbles the ground.
Its head appears like a lion but with a much longer snout, almost like it’s combined with a wolf.
It perches on two hind legs, which belong to a bear.
At the apex of its wings are paws with razor-sharp claws.
Its colors are warm reds, reminding me of the heat of summer, blending well with Vex’s vermillion skin.
Instead of curved horns like its rider, it has two long, straight ones that jut out behind its bat-like, serrated ears.
Its head is bowed low, enjoying the scratches of Vex’s long black nails, snarling to reveal long, curved canines.
Plummeting down from the sky and scorching the earth as it lands is an onyx phoenix, the tips of its wings marked with amber eyes.
The beast seems as dark and broody as our resident Pyro.
Cinder causally slides off the creature as if he didn’t just come close to incinerating us.
He gives us a sly smirk as I make a lewd gesture in return at his ludicrous landing.
Lastly, we pause before a great black dragon, whose face appears to have emerged out of a midnight barn owl.
I immediately know it belongs to S?las from the essence of night that clings to its form like a mist. Its raven-black snout is narrow, leading into a wide, rounded face.
Its eyes the color of white snow, surrounded by a second set of owl eyes.
No, it’s feathers that surround its face, mimicking that of a midnight barn owl with feathered eyes.
The dragon’s face seeming to have split the owl’s face down the middle, emerging from within.
Its head is surrounded by needle-like quills swaying subtly up and down with each breath.
The dragon’s body and wings are covered with feathers of iridescent, raven black.
It splays its wings out wide at the sight of S?las, revealing a dappling of white, like a clear night sky dusted with stars.
The beast is only slightly smaller than Calais, and the sight of him steals my breath away.
His wings flap gently; I can feel the wind on my face but hear no sound.
They’ll be a silent and deadly match, the pair of them.
I try thinking back to class and to all the beasts Sully told me about; not a single one meets the description of the dragon before me.
I can feel the power radiating from him, old and ancient, vows and promises, stories lost to time.
I move on, finding my way to the head scribe, face masked by the shadows of a large golden cloak.
“Name of your bonded creature and species?” Her voice is soft like a secret.
“Calais Lauoona Kaosa. Moonstorm Dragon.” Power crackles beneath my skin just speaking her full name aloud.
The scribe’s silver globes flit up to meet mine, topped by a brow bunched in disbelief. At my silence, a subtle tremble ripples through her cloak, likely fear setting in based on the rumor of Moonstorm Dragons devouring anyone on sight.
I give her a confident nod, signaling to her I’m not mistaken, nor will I repeat myself.
She dips her head, scratching her name down on the parchment with a shaky hand, clenching the quill like her life depends on it.
I think about telling her that I’ll make sure not to let her be eaten just so she can finish writing Calais’ name legibly, but a voice sharp as daggers interrupts my thought.
“Making promises you cannot keep is unwise.”
I huff loudly as I turn away from the scribe, heading back to my clearly hungry dragon.
A tall, gruff female with a long scar down the right side of her face, slashing through her ghostly grey eye, takes the stage. She’s built like an ox, with dark, tawny skin that reminds me of molten chocolate, so at odds with the stern strength that emanates from her.
She’s clad in white armor with deep golden embellishments at the edge of each plate of metal. Her hair is weathered grey clouds, hanging heavy around her head. Her eyes flare silver as she looks out at the crowd before us. The color of her eyes tell me she’s an Airria, Elarian, and air Pixie mix.
A giant black tiger arises behind her, adorned with golden stripes.
Elongated, black, curved canines decorate its maw with silver eyes to match its rider.
Quills skewer out from its shoulders and tail, matching the color of its gold stripes.
Since Airria can fly by their control of wind magic, they often bond with powerful ground-bound creatures, making them a deadly air-ground combination.
As the sun sneaks past the horizon, casting the sky in pink and cinnamon, she begins to speak. “I am Fleet Admiral Genesis Ragnara. I’m here to extend congratulations to the newest generation of Ellian Knights. May the Celestials bless you.”
The crowd cheers into a roar. I remember Sully telling me how Fleet Admiral Ragnara can manipulate air into powerful shields, one time shielding an entire royal escort of the queen, saving her and many others from a surprise Wuvon attack.
Her Arcane Glyph gives her the ability to wield blades of air, severing her victims from great distances.
She can even take the air from someone’s lungs, leaving a variety of death in her wake.
She occupies the highest rank of the Golden Legion, spending most of her time in the war room of the queen.
Airria Ellian Knights are known to have wind tunneling abilities to transport them and their beast over great distances across Cascara for battle.
Some even claim the winds whisper to them.
Allowing them the ability to discern movement of enemies nearby on the battle front.
She raises her hand and silence falls over the crowd.
“Learn from your professors. Master your skills. Be the strength of your Wings. For the darkness threatens our most sacred holds. The Wuvon grow bolder by the day, testing new tactics never seen before. We need all of your power to destroy the darkness coming. May their blood pool at your feet.” Her voice is as sharp as a whetted blade.
She raises her fist, pounding it across her chest.
The crowd returns the gesture in solitude. It’s how we honor accepting an order from a superior officer, known as a Golden Salute. We all bow as she leaves the stage.
Professor Yuri takes the dais for ending remarks.
“Please, take your place in front of your magical creatures to secure your bond. We will see you on Monday for flight training. Now, let the Dawning Festivities begin!”
We all cheer in response, then there’s a soft hum of movement as we take our positions in front of our various creatures.
The Dawning Festivities is a grand celebration followed by a weekend of freedom.
The beginning of the celebration is marked by our magical creature imprinting their bond upon us.
Depending on your creature, it may be a burn, a bite, or a scratch.
With this act, an Arcane Glyph marks our skin, taking various glittering markings as our powers combine, imbuing us with a new magical gift.
I can hear the crackle of light brewing in Calais' mouth. I steady my body, reminding myself this pain will forge me anew. Blue light blinds my senses as lightning weaves through my marrow, searing my flesh. Yet it’s not painful.
The power is… awakening.