Next morning…
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the silent hallway, growing louder with each passing second.
"Axis! Your aunt is here to pick you up! Are you ready yet?" Mathrilda's voice carried from outside, and before Axis could even respond, the door flung open, and she invited herself in without bothering to knock.
Axis, sitting calmly by the window with a book in his hands, didn't even flinch. He sighed, barely lifting his eyes from the pages. "Why are you making so much ruckus so early in the morning, Aunt Mathrilda?"
Mathrilda placed her hands on her hips, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "I told you to call me Rida. Cut it with the 'aunt' part, sweetie."
Axis raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "I'll consider it... if you teach me a bunch of spells that I want."
Mathrilda narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh, I see what you're doing. Fine, spells it is. But don't think you're getting away with just lounging around while I'm doing all the work!"
Closing the book in his lap, Axis stood up, stretching as the morning sun cast a warm glow through the window. "Deal. Though, I should warn you—I'll probably ask for more than just a few."
Mathrilda rolled her eyes but laughed. "Of course you will. Now get ready, we've got a long day ahead, and my estate isn't exactly around the corner."
Axis nodded, though his mind lingered on the events of the previous night—the door, the strange mirror world. It all felt like a dream, yet the unease gnawed at him. He knew it had been real. But for now, he shoved the thoughts aside. There would be time to dwell on that mystery later.
He slipped on his coat, flashing a mischievous glint at Mathrilda. "Alright, Rida. Let's get going before you start another round of complaints."
Together, they made their way down the hallway. As they approached the entrance, Axis instinctively looked for the carriage that had been waiting for him the last time. To his surprise, it wasn't there.
"Rida," Axis began, his brows furrowing. "Why is there no carriage this time?"
Mathrilda grinned, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Because we're not traveling by carriage today."
Axis blinked in confusion. "Then what are we—"
His question was abruptly cut off as a massive shadow swept over them. A powerful gust of wind followed, stirring his hair. Axis looked up and froze. Behind Mathrilda, a colossal bird appeared, its vast wings spreading wide, casting a dark silhouette over the courtyard.
"Rida," Axis muttered softly, trying not to agitate the bird. "There's... a bird behind you."
Mathrilda chuckled, unfazed. "Oh, don't worry about her."
"How can I not?" Axis hissed. "She's the size of a two-story house!"
The bird was massive, easily towering over any building nearby. Its feathers were a brilliant shade of light blue, and its eyes—white and piercing—seemed to glow with a mystical intensity. Axis could feel the sheer power radiating from the creature, its presence alone enough to make anyone nervous.
Mathrilda calmly stroked the bird's feathers, which ruffled under her touch. "Have you forgotten what my official profession is, Axis?"
Axis wracked his brain, thinking back to their conversation. What had she said yesterday?
"Wait... you're a tamer, aren't you?" Axis finally recalled.
"That's right," Mathrilda confirmed with a smile, continuing to pet the massive bird as it cooed softly under her hand. "And this little one here is one of my newer familiars."
Axis gawked at the creature. "Little?! She's bigger than half the houses I've seen!"
Mathrilda laughed. "She's gentle, trust me. And yes, we'll be riding her to my estate."
Axis stared at the bird, still in disbelief. "We're going to ride her? All the way to your estate?"
"Indeed," Mathrilda said, her tone light as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Much faster than a carriage, don't you think?"
"I... see..." Axis murmured, still wrapping his head around the idea.
He examined the bird more closely. Her wings, a mesmerizing light blue, shimmered slightly in the morning light. Her eyes, though unsettlingly white, held an intelligent gleam. There was an ethereal quality to her, as though she belonged to a world far beyond the one he knew.
"What... exactly is she?" Axis asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"She's a Zephyris," Mathrilda replied with a proud grin. "A wind elemental beast. Not many of her kind left in the world, but they're known for their unmatched speed and ability to navigate through any storm."
Axis's eyes widened. "A wind elemental beast? I've read about them... but I've never seen one in person."
Mathrilda nodded. "Few have. You're in for a treat."
The Zephyris lowered her massive head, her white eyes locking onto Axis with an almost curious expression. Axis took a cautious step forward, unsure of what to do.
"Go on," Mathrilda encouraged. "She won't bite."
Axis hesitated but eventually reached out, placing his hand gently on the Zephyris's soft feathers. The bird let out a low, soothing coo, her breath warm and oddly comforting.
"She's... magnificent," Axis muttered, still in awe.
"She is," Mathrilda agreed. "And she'll get us to my estate in no time. Ready for your first flight, Axis?"
Axis looked up at the enormous creature, then back at Mathrilda. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Mathrilda grinned and mounted the Zephyris with practiced ease, offering Axis a hand. "Come on, then. Let's take to the skies."