The avian beast landed on a flat mountainside overlooking the entrance of the gorge, leaving amazed students disembarking from its back. Some used the broad feathers like slides, grinning as they jumped on flat ground after the hours-long travel. Others kept glancing at the beast, as if their clumsy dismount might offend it. They most likely believed they were too young to visit its stomach, even for free.
Adam didn't bother with playing or consideration, simply condensing a flight of mana stairs to the ground. Elliot followed, gripping the strap of his satchel, eyes darting to every corner of their landing spot for hidden threats.
Though the boy lacked experience, Adam came to learn that his mother had never been short on stories about terrifying creatures. Demons, werebeasts, intelligent species. You name it, and Elliot would answer that she had scarred him one night with a story that made him fake sleep to escape the retelling.
