Chapter 40 - Behemoth

"It won't bite you! I promise!"

"It's a behemoth size of a bird with claws! I'm not worried about its bite. I don't want those claws of that size anywhere near me!"

Raiyen had been arguing with Ysabeau for about two days now. This was the second time Ysabeau was trying to get the stubborn Time Boy onto Fluffy. Mavislin missed the argument the previous day so now she was witnessing the second episode. In the intervening period, the Valkyrie was experiencing the time of her life by stroking the beast's head.

The Time Boy cringed when Fluffy squealed in delight.

"It will be fine!"

"No, it will not!"

The beast had now flopped onto her back, wiggling around as if Fluffy was requesting someone to rub its belly.

"What's so difficult?"

"I dare not go remotely near it. By the power of the stars, what makes you think I would ride it?!"

At this time, Mavislin had tried sitting on the bird. The bird gently shrugged off the saddle, indicating she was not fond of the weird contraption. Well, who could blame the bird for rejecting something meant for another animal?

Raiyen had an eye on Fluffy and Mavislin, just in case the beast harms his partner in any way.

"I need it for safety, Fluffy. Please?" whispered Mavislin as she stroked Fluffy's feathered head once more.

The creature, nevertheless, refused. As an alternative, Fluffy plopped onto her rump, allowing Mavislin to sit on her back. Her beak tilted as if it's prompting the Valkyrie to go onboard. Mavislin expressed apprehension as the Valkyrie scooted closer. It seems that Fluffy sensed her hesitance and gently squawked, trying to reassure the worried Mage.

Raiyen was one of the rarest Mages in all of the Universe. A being made out of entirely Time, born out of the Streams of Time. He was dauntless when it came to combat and faced with First-rate Elemental spells.

In defiance of his origins, Raiyen had a preposterous fear of transportation. This made traveling impossibly difficult for the group unless Raiyen used his powers for the excursion. Baldwin was fairly annoyed with this matter, so Ysabeau decided to have Raiyen overcome his fear.

Right now, it doesn't seem like it would be working any time soon.

"I don't even like riding horseback!"

"You're the only one who can oppose a second in command, how defiant can you be?!" chided Ysabeau, placing her hands on her h.i.p.s.

"I'll oppose the Lord of the Universe if it means getting away from that…"

The frustrated Time Boy looked towards the creature and the Valkyrie. Mavislin looked shocked as she met the Raiyen's brown eyes with Ysabeau's confused look. Fluffy took off without warning, prompting Ysabeau to shout.

Raiyen then proceeded to chase at the duo using Glitch. Ysabeau pulled out her Emerald Wings, in an attempt to catch up on Mavislin and beast.

"How the hell is this behemoth so fast?!" yelled Raiyen, trying to keep up.

"It's not a behemoth. It's a Rukh!"

Simultaneously, Mavislin had problems of her own. In an attempt to steer Rukh, the Valkyrie flew Fluffy by gripping the back of the beast's neck. The moment was extremely intense for the young Valkyrie as she kept her eyes glued onto the beast. With a deep breath, Mavislin gained all the courage she acquired and opened her eyes.

It was sunset, and the sky was embellished with pink and orange, closing with the night sky's purple hue. The clouds were highlighted pink. Fluffy had finally slowed down to witness the sight as well. She squawked softly as if to say she had surpassed the flying test.

Ysabeau and Raiyen finally caught up to them, with enormous difficulty. It was to the point that Raiyen was teeming with electric shocks. He shattered the silence by yelling.

"Are you hurt?!"

"I'm fine, Fluffy didn't harm me," she replied, caressing the bird's head.

She flapped her wings as Mavislin ruffled her feathers.

"Why didn't you use the saddle?" questioned Ysabeau, flying in front of the duo.

Fluffy lowered her head in shame, trying to earn some pity point from the stern mother.

"It's okay, Ysabeau, Fluffy didn't seem comfortable using the saddle. As a consequence, I did not leave it on," explained Mavislin.

Ysabeau then lightly smacked Fluffy on the head.

"No supper!" The partners both laughed.

"As a conservative estimate, you have the guts to mount her. You are much braver than that pansy," complained Ysabeau as she pointed at Raiyen.

He pouted, crossing his arms.

"Still not going anywhere near it!"

With that, concluded the ordinary activity of the partners trying to complete riding lessons. For Mavislin, that is. And the second attempt at getting the Time Boy up onto Fluffy's back. They were having dinner as they were joined with Z, Gillian, and Baldwin.