As the commotion stirred within the airship, Kael grabbed Aeris's hand and pulled him in the opposite direction.
"Hey! Where are you taking me? The captain said we should stay in our rooms!" Aeris protested, his voice shaky.
"Just stop talking and follow me. I'll show you something interesting," Kael replied with a mischievous grin, his pace unrelenting.
Reluctantly, Aeris followed. Kael navigated the narrow hallways with the confidence of someone who had been aboard countless times. Finally, they reached a ladder leading upward.
"Climb," Kael instructed, gesturing to the ladder.
"What? Why?" Aeris hesitated, glancing around nervously.
Kael sighed and gave him a slight push. "Just go, already!"
With no other choice, Aeris began climbing. The cold metal rungs creaked slightly under his grip. Reaching the top, he pushed against a hatch, forcing it open to reveal a dimly lit storage room.
"What are we doing here?" Aeris asked, his nerves making his voice unsteady.
"I told you, I'm going to show you something interesting," Kael said, walking toward a rectangular window at the far end of the room. "Come over here, and you'll see."
Hesitant, Aeris approached. As he peered through the window, his eyes widened. At the front of the airship, Veliford stood firmly, completely unfazed by the shaking vessel or the looming threat.
"That's Sir Veliford! Why is he out there? It's too dangerous!" Aeris exclaimed, his anxiety spilling over.
Kael smirked. "Dangerous? For him? You really don't know anything yet, do you?"
"What are you talking about?" Aeris's brows furrowed. "The captain said we're under attack. Sir Veliford could get hurt!"
Kael leaned casually against the wall, an amused look on his face. "You're so naive. Let me tell you something, Aeris. The one you should be worried about isn't Sir Veliford—it's that wyvern."
Aeris blinked, confused. "...What?"
Before Kael could elaborate, the airship shook violently again. Aeris turned his attention back to the window, just in time to see a massive wyvern appear, its leathery wings cutting through the air as it roared ferociously.
"That's—Sir Veliford, that's dangerous!" Aeris shouted, his voice cracking.
Kael chuckled. "Watch closely. You're about to see what real power looks like."
Despite the wyvern's intimidating size and ferocity, Veliford didn't flinch. He stood with his arms crossed, his posture relaxed as if he were merely observing the scenery.
"What's he doing? He's not even defending himself!" Aeris cried, his heart racing.
Kael grinned. "Just wait."
The wyvern lunged forward, its massive jaws opening wide as it aimed directly for Veliford.
Veliford raised one hand lazily, and a spark of fire ignited in his palm. The spark grew rapidly into a swirling vortex of flames. With a simple flick of his wrist, he released the inferno.
A blazing wall of fire erupted in front of the wyvern, halting its advance. The heat was so intense that even from the safety of the room, Aeris could feel it. The wyvern roared in pain as the flames engulfed it, the fire coiling around its body like a serpent.
"Fire magic…" Aeris whispered, stunned.
Veliford extended his other hand, forming a massive spear of flame. With precision and grace, he hurled it at the wyvern. The fiery weapon struck true, piercing the creature's chest. A deafening screech echoed through the skies before the wyvern's lifeless body plummeted downward, disappearing into the thick clouds below.
Aeris stared, his jaw slack. "He… he destroyed it in seconds."
Kael clapped him on the back. "Welcome to the real world, kid. That's just a glimpse of the kind of power people hold in the Capital. You've got a lot to learn."
Still in shock, Aeris couldn't tear his eyes away from Veliford, who now calmly adjusted his gloves as if nothing had happened. Aeris realized that his life, and his understanding of the world, was about to change forever.
Kael leaned against the wall casually, his grin still plastered on his face as Aeris continued staring out the window in awe. "So, what do you think? Impressive, right?"
Aeris nodded slowly, his mind racing. "I've never seen anything like it… That kind of power—he didn't even break a sweat."
Kael chuckled. "That's Veliford for you. One of the best the Capital has to offer. If you're planning to survive in a place like that, you'll need to get used to seeing people like him."
Before Aeris could respond, the storage room's hatch creaked open behind them. Startled, Aeris turned around, only to see Veliford himself climbing inside, brushing off soot from his uniform.
"There you are," Veliford said, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable authority. His sharp eyes moved between Aeris and Kael. "I had a feeling you two would be here."
Kael smirked and gave a mock salute. "You know me too well, Sir Veliford."
Veliford sighed but didn't seem surprised. "Kael, how many times do I have to tell you not to drag passengers into restricted areas? You're supposed to be working, not leading tours."
"Hey, I thought the kid could use a bit of excitement," Kael said, gesturing to Aeris. "And besides, I knew you'd be fine out there. Figured it'd be a good learning experience for him."
Veliford turned his gaze to Aeris, who shrank slightly under his intense stare. "You're Aeris, right?"
"Yes, sir," Aeris replied quickly, standing up straight.
Veliford nodded. "Kael might be reckless, but he's not wrong. It's good for you to see what's out there and what kind of power exists beyond your village. But next time, stay in your room until I say it's safe. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Aeris said again, feeling a mix of awe and embarrassment.
Veliford turned back to Kael. "And you—try to set a better example. You're not just a passenger; you're an engineer on this airship. Act like it."
Aeris blinked in surprise. "You're… an engineer?"
Kael grinned, clearly enjoying Aeris's reaction. "Guilty as charged. I handle maintenance and the technical stuff around here. But hey, it doesn't mean I can't have a little fun along the way."
Veliford shook his head but didn't argue further. "We've neutralized the threat, so it's safe for now. Get back to your quarters and stay there until we reach the Capital. Kael, come with me. I need you to check on the engines."
Kael gave a playful salute. "Aye, aye, captain."
As Veliford turned to leave, he paused and glanced over his shoulder at Aeris. "You've got potential, kid. Keep your eyes open, and don't let fear hold you back."
Aeris nodded, his mind swirling with thoughts. As the two men left the room, he stood by the window for a moment longer, staring out at the vast skies and the faint glow of the Capital in the distance.
This journey was already more than he had expected, and he had a feeling it was only the beginning.
After Veliford and Kael left, Aeris returned to his assigned room. The earlier commotion had left him physically and mentally drained. He lay down on the small bed, his thoughts racing as he replayed the events he had witnessed—Veliford's power, the wyvern's defeat, and Kael's surprising role as an engineer.
As exhaustion overtook him, Aeris closed his eyes and drifted into a dreamless sleep, his body finally surrendering to the long day.
****
A loud chime echoed through the airship, followed by the captain's voice booming through the speaker system.
"Attention, passengers. We are now approaching the Capital. Please prepare for arrival and ensure all belongings are secured."
Aeris sat up abruptly, the announcement still ringing in his ears. His heart quickened as he realized they were close to his destination. He hurriedly grabbed his bag, making sure everything was in place, and stepped out of his room to join the other passengers heading toward the observation deck.
As he reached the large viewing windows, Aeris caught his first glimpse of the Capital.
It was nothing like his quiet village. The Capital spanned a massive floating island, bustling with activity even from afar. Towering structures made of polished stone and reinforced metal stretched high into the sky, connected by intricate networks of suspended bridges. Skyshards, both large and small, floated around the city, their soft glow illuminating the area like a natural light source.
Airships of various sizes glided in and out of docking platforms, which extended from the city like mechanical arms. The docks were crowded with workers, merchants, and soldiers, each moving with purpose.
At the center of the Capital stood a grand circular building, its design sleek and imposing. Aeris guessed it was some sort of headquarters or administrative center. Surrounding it were clusters of smaller buildings, including markets, inns, and residential areas, all bustling with life.
Unlike his village, where green fields stretched endlessly, the Capital was a city of innovation and technology, with hints of nature carefully integrated into its design. Small parks and gardens dotted the landscape, providing a balance to the otherwise industrial aesthetic.
Aeris stared in awe, unable to process the sheer scale of the city. He could feel the energy of the place even from the airship—lively, fast-paced, and completely unfamiliar.
"This… this is the Capital," he muttered to himself, gripping the edge of the railing tightly.
As the airship began its descent toward one of the massive docking platforms, Aeris's nerves returned. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. This was the beginning of a new chapter, and he knew it wouldn't be easy. But as he stared out at the sprawling city, he felt a strange mix of fear and excitement.
The Capital awaited.