After defeating the Fire Drake with embarssing ease the two companions blitzed their way through the rest of the valley of fire. Saddly however they found very little worth hunting, it seemed like they had already killed the two strongest creatures within this domain and all that was left was surprisingly weak lizards. They did run into a creature made out of fire which was pretty cool.. or hot? But it was only level 18 and died from a single ice bolt from Luna.
After half a day or exploration and lackluster fights Violet came to a conclusion which she shared with Luna. "We are too powerful for this area now. I think we will have to find somewhere new if we want to continue to grow stronger."
Luna could only agree. "Yeah we definitely are too powerful for this place, any preference on where we should go though?" Luna had no preference and was happy to do as Violet wanted, after all she had just followed her into a dangerous and long lasting adventure of revenge. "I-I would like to visit my clans home once more though, I would like to tell them about how this turned out." Her voice grew quiet as she said that last part.
Violet for her part walked up and bumped her shoulder into the moping leopardkin, but she did forget how her new size and strength had changed and ended up knocking Luna over. "Oops I'm sorry, didn't mean to do that… but yes we can stop by your village, I'd also like to revisit my cave, and maybe climb my mountain." Luna was thankfully able to feel the emotions of her dragon companion so knew she did feel genuinely sorry about knocking her over so just let out a soft snort.
"That sounds like a plan to me, but I have to ask… are you able to fly now? Would make the journey much faster if you can." Violet froze at that question then slowly turned her head to look back at her wings which she slowly extended and gave a experimental flap.
"I don't know… but I think I can yes!" Then with a fang filled grin she promptly leapt into the air and flapped her wings powerfully down sending a burst of wind that buffeted Luna. "I can flyyyy!!!" Violet shouted as she flapped madly to keep herself airborn before tilting her body forward just a touch too much and ended up flying straight into the ground with a resounding thud!
Luna blinked, paused then burst into laughter at her companions misfortune.
Several hours later and after numerous failed flight attempts a slightly battered dragon stood at the edge of the cliff looking off into the distance at a lone mountain in the distance. "And your sure that you won't crash when I get on?"
"Yes I am sure I can fly perfectly well thank you very much!" Replied a quite defensive Violet.
"I mean I'm just saying I have watched you crash around 20 times since you first tried to fly, I just don't want to be apart of any mishaps."
"It will be fine! Just hop on my back and all will be well! You'll love flying it's great fun!"
Sighing in resignation Luna hesitantly climbed up Violet's back and nestled herself at the base of her companions neck. Violet turned her head around to give Luna a toothy grin as she spoke. "Now hold on this is going to be fun!" Luna then looked about and was about to ask what she should hold onto when Violet lurched forwards and leapt off the cliff.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" A loud scream escaped from Luna as she leant forwards and wrapped her arms around the dragons neck as they plummeted towards the ground that was rapidly getting closer. "VIOLETTT! Start flying!" She screamed.
The two plummeted down gaining speed as they descended until they were around 50m above the ground, then Violet snapped out her wings which caught the air and the dive instantly turned into a controlled glide. It definitely hurt Violet's unused wing muscles on her back but she studiously refused to mention that to her companion.
The glide soon turned into a controlled flight as Violet began to steadily flap and the two speed into the air and above the trees. Luna who had shut her eyes during the fall eventually opened her eyes and let out a gasp of delight at the sight that awaited her.
The flew through the air and below them a ocean of green blurred past the wind racing past them would have made it hard to open her eyes for a regular low leveled person but thanks to her high stats the wind was only a slight annoyance. No instead she marveled at the experience of gliding through the air, she felt truly free in that moment and a giggle of childish joy burst out. "We are flying!" She shouted inbetween giggles.
"I told you it's amazing!" Violet replied with evident delight at how much her companion was enjoying herself. She had secretly worried that Luna might not enjoy flying but was released when that didn't turn out to be the case!
Together the two of them flew through the evening, although when the sun got close to the horrizon they decided that it would be wise to find a spot to land so they could rest for the night. Luna eventually spotted a clearing to one side and violet began to head in that direction by tilting her body and smoothly gliding over.
During the long flight Violet had gotten a much better grasp of how to fly and it now felt like second nature, Luna's healing presence skill was also great as it actively healed violet's acing back as they flew.
As the two circled the clearing Luna became concerned when Violet didn't land immediately, wondering if she maybe spotted some danger she leant over and feared down at the clearing in concern. Unable to spot anything in particular she asked her companion about it. "Hey Violet do you see anything dangerous down there?"
"Hmm no why?" Was her puzzled response.
This too puzzled Luna who replied. "Umm if it seems safe then how come you haven't landed yet?" She then felt a poorly concealed feeling of guilt and embarrassment radiating from the dragon and Luna suddenly had a very bad feeling about her companions response.
"Soo about that… I umm… I'm not quite sure how to land without crashing…"
"Goddess be damned Violet!"