Chapter nine- The first rise
Ashwing didn't release her right away. Even after he set her gently back onto the stone platform, his massive foreclaw hovered protectively at her side, as if expecting her to collapse again.
His tail curled around her ankles, warm and heavy, anchoring her to the ground.
His golden eyes were wide and bright, pupils blown with adrenaline and fierce devotion.
Liora pressed both hands to his snout, breathless.
"I'm okay," she whispered. "I'm really okay."
Ashwing rumbled, nudging her chest, her shoulder, her cheek, checking her over like a frantic parent. Aiden jogged toward them, still pale from fear, scanning her quickly as if expecting to find broken bones.
"Liora—gods—are you hurt?"
She shook her head, still catching her breath.
"He caught me."
"I saw," Aiden said, letting out a shaky laugh. "I think my heart stopped."
Liora laughed too—weak, breathless, but real. Ashwing snorted, offended that either of them had doubted him. Aiden pointed out that she was shaking and asked if she wanted to sit, but she refused. Her pulse was still racing, her legs trembling, yet something inside her had shifted.
"I want to do it again."
Aiden stared at her like she'd grown wings herself.
"You... want to jump again?"
"No," she said, placing a hand on Ashwing's warm scales. "I want to ride."
Ashwing's wings snapped open so fast Aiden stumbled backward. Liora didn't look away from the dragon; She could feel his excitement vibrating through the air.
"He wants to try."
Ashwing chirped loudly, stamping one massive foot. Aiden hesitated, reminding her that flying was different from jumping—harder, scarier—and that she was still terrified. Liora admitted it, but she still wanted to try. Aiden finally nodded.
"Alright. Then we do this carefully."
Ashwing lowered himself instantly, flattening his body to the ground so she could climb on.
His wings folded neatly, but the tips trembled with excitement.
Liora placed her foot in the stirrup, hands still shaking, but she didn't hesitate.
She swung her leg over and settled into the saddle.
Aiden tightened the straps, reminding her of everything he'd taught her.
"Don't grip with your hands. Let your legs do the work."
"I know."
"Keep your back straight."
"I know."
"And breathe."
"I'm trying."
Aiden smiled softly.
"You're doing great."
Ashwing rose slowly, carefully, as if lifting something fragile.
His massive body shifted beneath her, muscles rolling like waves.
Liora steadied herself, adjusting her weight the way Aiden had taught her.
Aiden told her to let him walk, and Ashwing took a few slow, deliberate steps, testing her balance.
Liora swayed with him, her hips moving instinctively. Her fear loosened its grip.
"You're ready for wingbeats," Aiden said.
"Already?"
"You're more stable than yesterday. And he's... very eager."
Ashwing spread his wings, dimming the world beneath their shadow. Liora's heart leapt into her throat.
"Aiden—"
"I'm right here. He'll stay low."
Ashwing flapped once. The air shuddered beneath them. Liora gasped, gripping the saddle horn.
"Relax your legs!" Aiden called. "Let the movement travel through you!"
Ashwing flapped again.
They lifted.
Not far—just enough for Liora to feel the ground slip away. Her stomach flipped, her breath hitched, but she didn't scream or freeze or fall. Ashwing chirped triumphantly.
"See?" Aiden shouted. "You're doing it!"
Liora laughed, breathless.
"I'm not falling!"
"That's the idea!"
Ashwing flapped again. And again. And then—he got excited.
Liora tried to warn him, but it was too late.
He pushed harder, wings beating with real strength, and the ground dropped away.
Aiden shouted something, but the wind swallowed his voice.
Liora clutched the saddle, heart slamming against her ribs.
"Ashwing!"
But the dragon wasn't panicking. He wasn't flailing.
He wasn't losing control. He was flying—slowly, carefully, proudly.
Liora felt the shift in his muscles, the steady rhythm of his wings, the smooth rise and fall of his body.
He adjusted his weight to keep her balanced, every movement precise and protective.
He was holding her. He was carrying her. He was showing her what he could do.
The wind whipped her hair back, the world below blurred into shapes and colors, and she realized she wasn't afraid—not the way she had been. A memory flickered—Arin, her brother, running with his arms spread wide, pretending to fly.
If you could see me now...
Her throat tightened, but the ache didn't break her. It lifted her.
"Ashwing," she whispered. "Take us down."
Ashwing chirped and tilted his wings. The descent was gentle—smooth, controlled, almost graceful. The ground rose to meet them, and they landed with a soft thud. Aiden sprinted toward them, breathless.
"Liora! Are you—"
"I'm okay!" she laughed. "I'm okay!"
"You were ten meters up!"
"Was I?"
"At least."
Ashwing nudged her proudly. Aiden shook his head, half laughing, half scolding.
"You scared me to death."
"I scared myself to death!"
They both laughed, and Ashwing chirped, demanding praise. Liora wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You were amazing."
Aiden placed a hand on her boot, looking up at her with something warm in his eyes.
"You're ready for tomorrow."
For the first time since arriving at the Academy, she believed it.
But Ashwing wasn't done. The moment she slid off the saddle, he lowered himself again, wings twitching with impatience. He nudged her hip with his snout, nearly knocking her off balance. His excitement radiated off him in waves—warm, bright, impossible to ignore.
"He wants another round," Aiden said.
"He's unstoppable."
"He's proud. And he wants you to feel it."
Liora hesitated. Her legs trembled, her arms ached, her heart still raced from the adrenaline of the first flight. But Ashwing's eyes—bright, golden, full of fierce devotion—left her no room to refuse. She placed a hand on his snout.
"One more."
Ashwing practically vibrated with joy. Liora climbed back into the saddle, more confident this time. Ashwing rose smoothly, his movements steady and sure. Aiden stepped back.
"Let him lead."
Ashwing took a few steps, then spread his wings again. The wind caught them instantly. Liora steadied herself.
"Ready?" Aiden called.
"No!"
"Perfect!"
Ashwing flapped.
They rose—higher than before. Liora gasped, but she didn't panic.
She leaned forward slightly, letting her body follow the dragon's rhythm.
Ashwing rumbled approvingly, wings beating in strong, steady strokes.
The wind roared around them, the world shrank beneath them, the valley stretched out in a breathtaking sweep of green and silver.
"You're doing it!" Aiden shouted from below.
"I know!"
Ashwing chirped triumphantly.
For a moment—just a moment—Liora felt weightless.
Free. Alive in a way she hadn't felt since before the fire.
Arin's memory flickered again, but this time it warmed her instead of hurting.
Ashwing began to descend, wings tilting gracefully.
The wind softened. The ground rose to meet them. They landed with a soft thud.
"That was incredible!" Aiden said, breathless.
"I can't believe I did that."
"You didn't just do it. You nailed it."
Ashwing nudged her proudly. Liora laughed, breathless.
"Maybe I'm not completely hopeless."
"You never were."
They trained for another hour—short lifts, controlled descents, balance drills.
Nothing as dramatic as the first two flights, but enough to build confidence.
Enough to make her believe she could do this again tomorrow.
By the time the sun dipped lower in the sky, Liora was exhausted.
Her muscles burned. Her throat was dry. Her hair clung to her forehead. But she was smiling.
Ashwing curled beside her as she sat on a boulder, his massive body warm against her back. Aiden sat on the ground in front of them, leaning back on his hands.
"You did more today than most first-years do in a week."
"I just... trusted him."
"That's the hardest part."
Ashwing rumbled softly, pressing his head against her shoulder. Liora stroked his scales, feeling the warmth beneath her fingertips.
"Tomorrow is the Trial," she said quietly.
"And you're ready."
"Really?"
"Really."
Liora exhaled slowly. The fear was still there, but it no longer controlled her. Ashwing had lifted her out of it—literally. Aiden stood and offered her his hand.
"Come on. Let's get you both some rest."
Liora took his hand and rose to her feet. Ashwing followed, his tail brushing her leg protectively. As they walked back toward the Academy, Liora glanced at the sky one last time.
Tomorrow, she would fly again.
But this time—she wouldn't be afraid.