Chimera Ryder

Chapter 11 - Enter the Speed Zone

Jessa hops on top of Ryder! She secures her goggles and pulls her sleeves up. Yesterday's time trial has eliminated more than half of the contestants already. Some of the riders are already on their way back home, planning for next year's tryout in Mei.

"Watch out for that chimera's fire," says the merlion rider.

The hippocampus rider in position one nods back to the merlion rider. They are the only two water riders left in this competition.

"Oh! Don't worry. Papa and I forbid her to use her fire. When Ryder was still little, she got too close to the generator. And when she sneezed, she almost burned down our house."

The merlion rider and hippocampus rider look at each other. Is this girl for real? Jessa smiles back. She wants a fair race, and she's expecting that from the other riders, too. She believes the best rider and the most deserving beast should win, even if that means her and Ryder losing.

The flag drops and they are off!

Ryder sprints into the sand track, taking the lead right away! She hops on the rock and leaps towards the boulders. The hippocampus and merlion are right behind. They zigzag through the rocks and stones and head towards the open water! Behind them is the mutt pegasus. It is high in the air, avoiding all the traffic below.

All the riders are fast-approaching the crossroad between the shorter sea route and the longer tracks along the bay. Jessa taps Ryder's left shoulder! They make a hard turn towards the rocky path, leaving the shortcut of yesterday behind. Jessa believes in Rand's plan. He is her coach after all.

The merlion and hippocampus are now in first and second. They are free to accelerate in the open sea without anyone contesting.

The pegasus lands behind Ryder, galloping in fourth place. It is saving its wing strength for the crucial moments.

Ryder leads the rest of the land beasts along the peninsula. They are not that far from the water riders, but as the race goes on, the gap between the land beasts and the sea creatures will continue to grow, so the basilisk rider decides to take a chance. He steers his king serpent into the water! There are three riders in the sea now.

The catoblepas, a buffalo-boar with a set of heavy horns, breathes loudly behind the pegasus. It is steady in sixth. Its wide horns and long neck continue to block Angro and his cerberus behind. Angro is patiently waiting for his moment to pass.

Last is the race is the ammit, a hippopotamus with a crocodile head and a pair of lion legs. Its front lion legs are working overtime, trying to keep up with the rest of the riders. Its aerodynamic crocodile head is able to minimize the air drag, but its hippopotamus legs are still not warmed up yet. This is a late game beast, much like the airavata in the Prime League.

Jessa scans the course. She has a pretty good idea where all the riders are. As long as they can keep up with the water riders, she and Ryder should be able to pass the tryout.

Ryder leads the land beasts behind the hill. They are on their final turn before coming in for their first lap.

Suddenly, the cerberus charges forward! A sharp squeal from the catoblepas!

Jessa turns! The cerberus opens its mouth, releasing the catoblepas's thigh. The boar falls to the ground, hard! It is hurt and cannot get up. Its rider tumbles out of the tracks. He is badly injured, too. Jessa looks around! All the riders continue to run as if nothing happened.

The cerberus charges forward again; this time, at Jessa! The pegasus takes flight! Jessa leans in, hugging Ryder tight with her arms! Ryder runs like she's never run before! They try to distance themselves from Angro as fast as possible!