Arlian Angel: Origins

Chapter 3: Ponzil's Flight

The next morning, Eden was up bright and early to the sound of what seemed to be a deep horn. Was that Ponzil? She was mentioned that she was going to see him today, after all.

Ponzil was the Goddess of Speed and Light, and Eden had seen her multiple times when travelling through The Valley, her large white wings on her back being the most prominent feature he remembered about her, at least when she was slow enough to actually see. Most of the time she would be able to cross The Valley in a matter of seconds. She was the fastest of the Arlian Goddesses, and no-one, Arlian Angel or goddess alike, could really argue against that – if they did, chances are Ponzil would have embarrassed them with her speed in a race, or something of the nature. So perhaps he was going to be trained by her today? Eden wondered what the goddess would have to offer him.

After getting himself prepared, he stepped out into the open air of The Valley, where Ponzil was waiting for him, idly flapping her wings slowly as she saw him approach. She got out of her casual pose as she walked up to him, clapping her hands together.

"Alright, kid, it's time for you to get those wings working!" She opened heartily, spreading her wings as she stepped alongside the child. "If you're going to be saving that world below, you're going to have to be up to speed!" Eden looked up at her in wonder, cupping his hands together as he took it in.

"I suppose I'm going to be taught how to fly properly?" Eden asked.

"Better than that – you're going to be pushed to the best of your ability!" Ponzil responded. "I know those wings of yours are capable of flying..." At which point she put her thumb and finger on the wings either side of Eden's head. "And it's going to be my job to get you flying at high speed! So come on! Up into the air!" And with that, she flapped her wings, bringing herself up into the air. Eden similarly crouched down and flew up into the air, coming to a stop at Ponzil's side.

"How are we going to practice this?" He asked.

"Just follow my lead." Ponzil instructed. "I'll try not to leave you in the dust." And with that, she took off across the wide plains of The Valley. Eden took off as well, following behind Ponzil and trying to mimic her flight patterns. They flew across most of The Valley as they approached the mountain region. Ponzil turned to look at Eden.

"You've done well to keep track so far. Now you've got to learn how to be agile! Try and follow!" Ponzil shouted back as she surged ahead, swooping close to the peaks of the mountains. Eden tried his best to follow as he repeated the movements. They flew close to the rocky grounds and between the peaks as they then began to fly through the canyon, now more rapidly than earlier. They flew between rocks and over hills. Ponzil then took an unusual path in the canyon and flew through a narrow structure in the rocks. Eden attempted to follow suit...

...and slammed face first into the stone in a pretty nasty collision.

Eden stayed embedded in the stone for a few seconds before he fell down unconscious, his face battered and bruised, and a bunch of dirt on his Life Band. Ponzil continued to fly, unaware that Eden had fallen behind her. She continued her elaborate patterns through the canyon and flew back out on the other side.

"That was some work-out, huh Eden?" She asked, turning around. Only this time, she couldn't see him anywhere. She looked around frantically before flying back into the canyon in search of him, checking each place for where he was. She then saw the structure she flew through before, with cracks on the side. She flew over and saw Eden lying face down on the ground.

"Oh no..." she mumbled through her clasped hands as she scooped the battered Eden off the floor and got him out of the canyon, ready for the flight back to Arlia. She was going to have a lot of explaining to do...

"Look, I didn't want to bring him to harm... honest!" Ponzil pleaded to Arlia, whom of which was assessing the damage done to Eden, tending to his wounds carefully. She had been concerned of Eden's condition, and Ponzil was all the more concerned, not just of Eden's condition, but of what Arlia would do to her if things went south. Arlia sighed.

"I will take your word for it, and I'll try my best to get him in a good enough condition ready for his session with Gaiana tomorrow." She explained, reaching for some bandages and wrapping them carefully around Eden's forehead, before she turned to Ponzil with a stern look on her face. "But I hope this is a reminder that the next time you and him train, you tone it down. And stay clear of the mountains."

"Y-yes, Lady Arlia, I'll try and remember. Thank you for being understanding." Ponzil was able to stammer before she left Arlia's house, leaving the goddess with her child in peace. Having calmed down a little now, Arlia patched up the last of Eden's facial wounds before picking the angel up and carrying him to bed. Just as he was tucked under the sheets, Eden opened his eyes weakly as his mother looked down on him. She let out a faint smile as she patted his head.

"You had quite a bad collision while training with Ponzil, didn't you?" she asked, stroking the side of his patched-up face. "I suggest you take the remainder of the day to rest. I'll make sure Gaiana knows to take it easy on you tomorrow." Eden stared up at her, barely able to hear what she said clearly.

"O-okay..." Eden murmured through his injuries before closing his eyes again. Arlia smiled, kissed him on the cheek and left him on his own for the rest of the day. He was going to need to be in as good of a condition as possible before his training with Gaiana tomorrow. But until then, Eden rolled on his side and fell asleep, aiming to just sleep the collision off.