Chapter 39: Struggling on Air
High above the estate, the wind whipped violently at Axelius’s face as he dangled from the wyvern’s claws, its sharp talons digging painfully into his shoulders. Blood trickled down his arms, staining his clothes, and each flap of its massive wings sent powerful gusts that made it hard to breathe.
"Damn it! Let me go!" Axelius shouted, his voice hoarse as he twisted and squirmed, desperately trying to pry the Monsters claws from his body. He gritted his teeth against the pain and began punching and kicking at the wyvern’s scaly legs. His fists pounded against the rough, leathery skin, but it was like hitting solid rock—no reaction, not even a flinch.
"Ugh! Come on! Stupid lizard! Let go of me!" Axelius cursed, swinging his legs wildly, but the wyvern only tightened its grip, making him yelp in pain. "Arghh! Damn it! Why won’t this thing let go?!"
He heard distant shouts from below—Millie’s voice echoing desperately. "Help! Somebody help! Young Master Axelius is being taken!"
His shoulder burned with pain, and he could feel the wyvern’s claws digging deeper. "Shit, this hurts..."
Just as his vision started to blur from the pain, he saw something bright in the distance—a flash of red and gold, shimmering like fire against the sky. His eyes widened, blinking rapidly. "What the...?"
"Axelius!"
His head snapped up at the familiar voice. Through the haze of wind and pain, he saw her—Vivienne, riding atop a massive phoenix with wings blazing with flames that left trails of embers in the sky. The creature flapped its wings powerfully, the air shimmering with heat as it soared closer.
"Vivienne!" Axelius shouted back, relief flooding his face. The phoenix screeched loudly, its cry piercing through the roar of the wind. Flames crackled along its wings as it approached, the air around it shimmering with raw power.