Page 41 of The Timeless Vigilante

“Right,” Gen said. “So I make Emperor go with my mind…”

“Riding a dragon is about forming a connection,” Jack offered. “That’s part of the bond, which takes time.”

“So duck and roll when you fall off,” Clipper teased, doubling over on the ground with more laughter.

Gen did look over at the rider now, narrowing her eyes at her. “I’m not falling off.”

“Everyone falls off on their first ride,” she argued. “It’s called a rite of passage. You aren’t a rider unless you skin your knee on your first ride.” She pointed at Sully. “Or your face, in his case.”

“Blaze threw me out of spite,” Sully muttered, shaking his head.

Are you going to throw me? Gen asked her dragon.

Do you want me to?

Just don’t kill me, Gen replied. I’ll figure this out.

Emperor, much like a horse, but also much stronger and majestic, took off at a sprint. The thundering of his legs under Gen was a surprising display of grace, soundlessly running across the plains.

Holding on and bearing down low, Gen held her breath. When the dragon’s wings unfolded and started to beat, she released the tension in her chest, feeling a freedom start to blossom in her belly unlike she’d ever felt before.

When the pair launched into the air, Gen knew that this was the best moment of her entire life. They took off and into the sky immediately, rising higher. Everything that happened next was all instinct and a seamless communication between rider and dragon.

The flight was an exhilarating terror. Emperor had launched into the sky with a powerful leap, wind lashing at Gen as if trying to pluck her from her mount. She clung to him, her fingers threading through the reins, as they ascended above the mansion, Beverly Hills shrinking beneath them.

Emperor’s mind control steadied her nerves, syncing their actions until they moved as one. Yet, every gust felt like a gale, every turn a battle against the forces of nature. Her muscles screamed in protest, her grip faltering, but she held on, mastering the rhythm of flight through sheer will.

Using her intentions, not her words, Gen urged Emperor to land. However, she really didn’t want to since being in the air felt more natural than walking on two feet. To her surprise, the landing was quite hard and Gen wasn’t holding on tight enough. The jolt threw her to the side, and she ducked just in time to clear her head as she rolled onto the ground, landing hard on her back.

“I told you!” Clipper exclaimed. “We always fall off!”

“Got it,” Gen coughed, spitting out a mouthful of dirt as she rolled up and got to her feet.

“That was impressively smooth for your first time,” Sully said, sounding proud. “You even made that fall look pretty good.”

Gen brushed herself off. “I tried to fall with grace.”

“Okay, we’ll try that again a few times and then the final tasks if you’re ready,” Jack said, motioning for Emperor to come around beside Gen again.

They flew together several more times before Jack deemed that they could progress to the next tasks. The final trial was the running start. Emperor came around, standing beside Gen. The wind kicked up fiercely, as if challenging her to defy it once more. She positioned herself, watching Emperor start off at a trot. He moved ahead, then turned back to face her, his psychic push urging her to run.

She sprinted, heart racing, the ground blurring beneath her feet. As she neared Emperor, he surged forward. Gen leapt, aiming for his back. Too late, she realized her miscalculation. The world spun, the ground rushed up to meet her, and pain exploded in her shoulder as she hit the turf hard. Again, she ate dirt…

Whispers of doubt crept in. Laughter from the onlookers grew louder. The wind howled in derision. Yet, within the privacy of her mind, Emperor’s voice offered calm and focus.

Get up, he said in her head. We try again.

Nursing her injury, she rose, determination igniting her gaze. This time, when she ran, it was with a limping gait, but an unbreakable spirit. Emperor matched her pace, his own massive form a beacon of strength. At the perfect moment, he lowered, and with a Herculean effort, Gen launched herself onto him, her grip ironclad.

She swung her leg around as he launched into the air. While the wind rushed by, Gen secured herself into the saddle, hunching down low and holding onto her dragon with a new fierceness. She felt the movement of his wings as they took off, a surge of triumph as they ascended, leaving the jeers and the estate far below.

This time, the wind was an ally, lifting them higher, and Gen, despite her throbbing shoulder, laughed into the rush of air. She and Emperor, united in defiance and strength, soared over Beverly Hills, a testament to the power of perseverance and the unbreakable bond between rider and dragon.

When they landed, Gen was surprised to find Dwayne standing next to Clipper and her dragon, watching. She knew by the look on his face that he wasn’t cheering for her progress. Actually, he looked downright annoyed about it.

“That was really great!” Sully exclaimed, rushing up and holding up a hand to Gen as she clumsily slid off the side of her dragon.

She stared up at his hand and then gave him a look of uncertainty. “Thanks…”

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