Fantasy Battle of the Gods

[xXArcticThunderXx]

Chirstabella seemed confused by the power the girl had. She didn't decide to question. She smiled,"Is there anything else I can get you?" She asked, her head tilting to the side. She had never been in a conversation with a dragon before, nor had she met one so nice. When she was young, her mother would tell her stories of the dragons and vampires, even the werewolf she came to be today. She hadn't imagined that she would ever get into a conversation with one.

 

[XxRoseAlchemistxX]

"No, thank you. I should be fine. My wounds will heal much more quickly now." she told her. She took a quick look around. She was in a large home from the looks of it. This was probably where their pack stayed. She hadn't come across many packs, let alone gotten the chance to talk to a wolf. Most of the time they silently assisted one another. This time she had been outwardly helped. She pulled on the blanket thinking back to the battle. She had arrived in the middle of it all. Unsure how it all started she to turned to Chris. "That battle. It should not have happened the way it did. How did it come to turn into what it was?"

 

[xXArcticThunderXx]

Chris shook her head, unsure of how to answer."I think things just got a little out of hand you see. To many things in one place at the wrong time." That's how the fight went down in her eyes. She just thought that too many things had happened and some sort of anger was led out into the fight, making it more powerful with the dragons than it should've been. After all, dragons were the powerfullest during that fight since some homes were destroyed and the towns people took off every where.

 

[XxRoseAlchemistxX]

Suiren closed her eyes, "I pray that no one has been horribly injured." she said allowed. She looked back to Chris, "I also pray your alpha has a safe return." As she spoke these words a sudden feeling of dread washed over here. Something was not right...something dark awaited in the future. She quickly attempted to recover from this feeling.


Lucas came back to the mansion after sometime, he had run the perimeter several times and there was still no sign of Caraline returning. He was beginning to worry. He wanted to go after her, and bring her home. However he also remembered how she had told him and Chris to leave. Being a member of her pack it was starting to become instinct to listen to her words. He walked through the doors to the room where he had left Chris and the dragon girl. "Hey, the coast is clear for now." He said to Chris, taking a quick glance at the dragon girl who was no covered in a blanket and from the looks of her her wounds bandaged well. "No sign of Caraline yet though."

 

[xXArcticThunderXx]

Chris couldn't believe there still wasn't a sign of the alpha returning. She began to to worry. "Should we go back? I mean I had smelled vampire there as well. And there was about 3-4 dragons?" She stood up and began to pace. If the alpha had gotten hurt, she didn't know what they would do. She bit her lip, a habit she had in situations like these. She paced back and forth behind the couch, trying to decide to go and check the alpha or await for her return home.

 

[XxRoseAlchemistxX]

Lucas watched Chris pace. He walked over and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's ok. She'll be fine." He told her, a smile on his face. He was attempting to cover up his own worry. However with Caraline gone somebody needed to be the level head one. Even though he was the youngest Lucas felt some responsibility. "Let's get something to eat." He looked over at the dragon girl. "She's probably hungry too. If Caraline doesn't come back after that then we can go looking ok?"

 

[xXArcticThunderXx]

Sighing softly, Chris nodded. She headed for the kitchen and began cooking. In her own opinion her food wasn't bad yet wasn't the bsst in the world, but she could make mean spaghetti. It didn't take her but a few minutes to make the food and serve it onto plates for everyone.

 

[XxRoseAlchemistxX]

Once Chris was done making the food Lucas went to guide the dragon to the table. Till he realized she was still in nothing but a blanket. He quickly walked over to Chris, "Uh, hey Chris..." He began. His cheeks a little red from blush. "Do you think, maybe you have some clothes that could fit her?"


Suiren stood next to the table holding the blanket around herself. It wasn't until she smelled the food did she realize how hungry she was. It had been awhile since she had eaten. However she wasn't accustomed to eating human food, considering the fact she was almost never in human form. It smelled amazing though.

 

[xXArcticThunderXx]

Chris nodded and headed up stairs to her room where she dug out some clothes that she thought would fit. She came back down with a tank, and some shorts. She handed them over and looked at Lucas." Your blushing still." She smiled and fixed the food, sitting it on plates.


((@XxRoseAlchemistxX should we wait for others to reply?lol))

 

[Elegy]

Garentius


Garentius cocked his massive head as he listened to the words of the Alpha. Garentius did not respect her as a superior being or as an embodiment of authority. Garentius was not and never would be a wolf, he was a unique being unto himself and simply wore the facade of a werewolf in appearance. The logical mind that Garentius fostered, however, was distinctly human. Once could say that Garentius was more human than anything else.


The Alpha's tones of superiority and enforcement of will were distinct, but these did not anger Garentius, no, they amused him. Garentius was curious, and a curiosity stoked was something that did not diminish easily. Garentius wanted to learn about these beings that Garentius only had faint memories of. What Garentius most wanted to learn was their state of minds; their emotions and how they saw the world around them.


Truly Garentius understood that he has an odd one out in terms of his masochistic and sadistic view of the worthiness of life, as the mere terms sadistic and masochistic had deviant undertones beneath them.


"I do not need a .... Pack. I am not you. Or the others. I am myself. You do not understand, and that is expected. I shall go with you to see and learn, not to obey and conform." Said Garentius with a slight smile, baring his countless razor sharp fangs all subtly curved to be able to pierce through vital points -Every inch of Garentius was a perfected killing tool that summed up to an ever changing walking disaster.


Garentius then began to assume his human form, as it was much easier to move around in and facilitated energy conservation.


Garentius's massive frame began to convulse and contract upon itself, diminishing in frame rapidly. The plated armor crumbled and retracted within Garentius's body as he shrunk. With the armor, so Garentius's coarse black fur and musculature also began to recede.


In the end, Garentius was left as an incredibly thin and emaciated fifteen year old boy with ghostly pale skin and crimson red eyes. All of Garentius's ribs protruded from his body as his loose skin barely clung to them. Garentius's frame was incredibly thin and seemed to be quite frail. His disheveled white hair fluttered in the wind as Garentius pointed towards the direction he had heard the younger wolves go towards.


"I presume that we shall traverse across forested terrain towards the temporary abode of your younger brethren am I not correct?"


Said Garentius in a low, meek voice. In his human form, he could articulate words much more efficiently and eloquently, but these were largely empty words. Garentius did not truly appreciate the vocabulary he used in his sentences and simply did this because he had learned his English off of archaic texts that were filled with florid prose.


"I shall follow you, so lead the way..... Alpha" said Garentius, with a very slight emphasis on the word Alpha, as if relishing the term.

​

 

[ConverseGhost]

Caraline winced at the way he said Alpha. She didn't know exactly what he wanted. He said he didn't want to be Pack; he wanted to learn. But his vocabulary was extreme. His fighting stance was incredible and he seemed to be able to kill anything and everything he wanted. Why stay and learn. She felt slightly hurt that he refused her offer. It was a rare thing for Cari to lend a hand to a mere stranger. And his human form is what scared her even more. The beast that once went against a dragon was now a tiny boy, easily breakable by the seams. She resisted the urge to fluff his hair; he was slightly adorable until her eyes settled upon his. She felt as if there was little intelligence behind it yet there was the curiosity for it. And she knew this killing machine was showing his trust for her through his human form; there seemed to still be that aura of pure bloodlust around him. Could she actually take this boy home? He looked like he needed one. "I don't understand. To follow an Alpha is to obey. You may learn but through the ranks of the Pack. I will not bring in a Wolf that will not obey. I want to help you learn but if you will not obey, the others will find it...disagreeable and by the way you fight, I would hate for someone to be hurt. I will take you in but, as I see in your eyes, you do not see me as you should. I am Alpha. My word is law. That is your first lesson," she stood straight, daring him to disobey. Cari would rather die fighting then have a stranger walk into her home lead by her without him respecting her law.

 

[xxDragonEater95xx]

Duragon was impressed at the spirit of this vampire and almost found it laughable as she began to throw an onslaught of punches at his face, but he quickly began to scowl as she ripped off his eye-ptach, scratching his face in the process. He wiped the trails of blood from his face with a grimace and glared at the girl. "Well, I was going to play nice," heat began to emit from his body as steam began to slowly rise from him, "Now you've pissed me off!" he bared his teeth at her. He knew he wasn't going to leave this fight unscathed due to her having the speed advantage, but he was going to teach this little vampire the gap in power between the two of them. "A parasite should know its place."

 

[Elegy]

Garentius


Garentius heard what the Alpha had to say. And he was amused.


Garentius laughed into the air in his human form, revealing several rows of curved, sinister fangs. Garentius was not fully human nor was he fully beast.


Composing himself, Garentius smiled in his human form. It was a wide grin, impossibly wide and loaded with not happiness, but curiosity. And curiosity of a nature many would consider quite sinister. It was the type of curiosity a torturer had when he anticipated his victim's weaknesses. A pure form of curiosity of course, but one that was remote and distinct, far reserved from the bounds of compassion or humanity. The grin revealed the shining rows of blade like teeth, a sight so unnatural when one saw them upon the gums of a fifteen year old boy that it was quite disconcerting to say the least.


"Alpha. Alpha. Alpha" Said Garentius, his eyes widening with each repeat of the word.


"No need to cover up your concerns with such speech Alpha. You are concerned for your kin, and that is only natural."


Garentius said this but he did not know the concept of kin that this Alpha possessed, and for this he was also curious to understand how this system of bonds worked.


Garentius eyed the Alpha before him, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed every single aspect of her physical capabilities. Needless to say, she was not a being that could trifle with larger game such as dragons and Garentius himself. But her face had unique aspects about them. Her features stood firm against Garentius and she emitted an air of authority as if it were natural.


"Nevermind my previous statement Alpha, it seems that your form of speech has been bred unto you. It is a part of you. I understand very well how deep aspects of a being can influence actions and thoughts. Your word is law. It always has been. To follow an Alpha is to obey. And you have been obeyed. Truly wonderful it is to see how endowed you are with such authority. And I sense that you are one quite worthy of such power yes?" said Garentius with a pleasant, toothy smile. The smile had no meaning behind it. It held no cordiality or consideration in its curves. It was simply an expression pasted onto Garentius's face, and any keen observer would tell that the smile was a cold, mechanical movement that had no warmth beneath it. It was simply just there. An unnatural smile.


"If I am to join the pack, then I am to become under you. Now I understand so VERY well. Intriguing a premise indeed. To learn is to join the pack, to join the pack is to submit. I desire to learn, and thus I shall join the pack, and of course, I shall submit to you. It is only natural after all, and your birthright" said Garentius as he stared directly at the Alpha with his piercing, understanding eyes that matched the color of fresh blood.


"So, as I stand before you, I can firmly state that my subservience toward you is complete and without artful intent. But that is me, not you. I am interested as to how you would choose to yoke me with your natural authority.... Alpha."

​

 

[XxRoseAlchemistxX]

Suiren took the clothes that Chris had provided her and went to change. The tank top was short but loose and the pair of shorts were small revealing her thin slender legs. It was actually surprisingly comfortable. She spun around as she looked at herself in the mirror that stood infront of her. She liked this outfit, and after doing her long hair in a quick loose braid she walked back out to join the others sitting down shyly at the table.

Spoiler

 

[X3 Infernal Infinity]

Kurenai growled, her displeasure making the mountain tremble. Curved talons dug gouges deep into the stone that to her felt soft as clay. The dragoness was brooding, this much was clear. Heavy plumes of smoke curled from her nostrils, as when her temper rose so did the heat inside her. It was taking all of her control not to release the roar that had been building in her chest since she had first cast her glance upon the city. But looking down on the sleeping form of the dragons of her thunder she knew she could not. But she also knew she could not remain still. She would pace a hole into the mountain if she did so. Uncoiling her lean form she moved to the precipice of the cliff. With one smooth motion she slipped forth and over the edge, plummeting earthward. She relished the rush of air along her scales, though she was acutely aware of the faint stinging were talons had scratched across her hide. As she came close to contacting the ground her wings spread and she curved her body upwards, rocketing into the air.


She flew upwards until she broke the cover of the clouds and could see plainly the beautiful night sky that stretched out for miles and miles. Still her mind was troubled. What she had witnessed today had been abomination in many forms. First there had been the presence of the vampire. The though of the world almost made her want to spit. They were disgusting creatures, but not worth the bother in most cases. The wolves also, were of no consequence to her. She had interfered on their behalf to further her own ends and they in turn had not attacked her. No what really was rankling her hide was the other dragons. There had been three of them, all in one place, though only one had seemed inclined to keep to human form.


The other two had not been so wise. Her mind went briefly to the female dragon who had seemed intent on pleading for the violence to stop. She had appeared to be a water dragon, a perfect explanation for what to Kurenai was akin to cowardice. The water dragons had always been a peaceful breed, so it went to follow that they were not fond of warfare, especially between to of their own kin. She had felt the slightest of pangs upon seeing the other dragoness so savagely attacked by what had appeared to be the wolf Alpha, but it had passed quickly. Any dragon capable of being caught of guard and then responding to attack with pleading was not a dragon at all in her eyes. But that was not what truly troubled her. She could care less what her other dragon kin did as she had renounced their way long ago.


Folding her wings she swooped down, coming to glide over a ridge of trees that stood at the top of a small crest of mountains. Where the trees broke a large stone structure could be seen. It was towards this that she headed, folding her wings to come in even lower. When she reached the top level of what turned out to be an ancient fortress she closed her wings fully. Dropping form the sky she shifted, taking on her human form for a moment. Standing at the edge of the buildings parapet she was able to look out over the quiet woods. The night breeze stirred her crimson locks, sending them flowing slightly across the patch that covered her other eye. She folded her hands behind her, continuing to brood.


What had bothered her was the Old One, the ash dragon. He had been bothersome, to the extreme, and would undoubtedly prove troublesome again in the future. Ancient though he may be to attack a human city unprovoked was the epitome of idiocy. It was not a desire to protect the humans that spawned this thought, rather it was the thought of the Elder dragon moving so foolishly. Times had changed and such old an outdated beast should remain in memory, where they belonged. He would cause problems if he came after the dragons like he had came after the city, and she would die before she bowed to a rustic totem of times long since past.

 

[ConverseGhost]

Caraline was surprised he didn't lunge at her. "Yoke you? I have no idea what Pack you used to consist of...but I treat my Pack with respect and love. That may sound strange and you may say it's easier to break a horse than to gain its love but that's the route I take," she looked down to him with soft eyes. She looked past the row of shark teeth and the blank eyes. "I know you're much older than your human form, so I shall not treat you like a child. I respect you as a strong adult that may become a huge aspect in the Pack," Cari nodded. "And, if you find it more comfortable, you don't have to call me Alpha. My name is Caraline or Cari. What is yours?" she smiled back.

 

[Elegy]

Garentius


The Alpha had misunderstood the term yoke. It did not refer strictly to authoritarian rule or force, but simply the concept of authority itself. Garentius was simply curious as to how this Alpha was to go about enforcing her rule as an alpha, but her extended response gave him an answer anyway. She would rule with "respect" and "love" apparently, but concepts alien to Garentius and probably unable to be perceived in the perspective of the Alpha or any other normal being.


Garentius was also quite tired of this talk. He had analyzed the words and movements of the Alpha before him, and he had deduced all facets of her existence in his own way. To do this would require Garentius to understand a significant portion of what the Alpha's psyche was made up of, and Garentius was rather confident that he already knew. As such, Garentius was starting to feel quite flighty, as when his logical mind was not being put to use his innate desire to kill and be harmed grew instead.


Nonetheless, Garentius understood the concept of "politeness" and "cordiality" strictly in terms of how they specified courteous action and not the possible warm emotions behind them. The polite tone that Garentius adopted was just that, one that was adopted and one that had no significance other than that.


"I understand, I understand. You are an outgoing and approachable being who is held up in view by others due to your strong will and character. Thus you have extra obligation to carry on your duties as an Alpha, and, so as not to sully the respect given to you that holds your pack order together, you act responsibly with both authority and consideration." Said Garentius, now with a completely emotionless face. His tone was monotone and cold, a sign that his mind was now beginning to connect with the natural psyche of Garentius.


Garentius would not go berserk, he had already progressed his mind to the point where he could maintain his humanly thinking as long as he was not injured. An injury that drew blood would excite Garentius to the breaking point and cause him to return to his beastly state; a natural defense mechanism. Instead, Garentius would lose interest in what was happening as well as what little emotion he exuded.


"Your younger pack members must be waiting for you and possibly worrying, you would not want that yes? So for their sake, I shall accept your invitation to thrive within your pack as another elderly presence, which I sense you are lacking. Now then, let us hurry; I instinctively noted the general direction they went to during my battle with the dragon. I do not know exactly where they are, but their general location. As for calling your by your given name, I shall refuse that offer Alpha. This suits you far better than your given name. In response to your query of knowing my name, I shall say this; I do not have a name given to me by a paternal presence. However, Werewolf captors that kept me coined me Garentius. So use that if you will." Said Garentius as he began to walk towards the direction he had sensed the younger ones go.


"Now then, let us go, they are waiting".


Garentius began to walk with a slight limp, a consequence of regenerating excessively was that Garentius would be drained of much of his stamina for a day or two. It was a small price to pay for practically avoiding death, and as Garentius felt a bare minimum of pain anyway, his withdrawal from regeneration was a minor nuisance.

​

 

[ConverseGhost]

Caraline nodded, seeing in his eyes boredom. She would have to keep on her toes around him. Of course he would be a part of the Pack but she still didn't what would happen if he lost it like he did before. She had just barely been able to call him back. If he decided to overcome her Alpha Voice and instead challenge her, she was afraid of what would become of the younger Wolves. She didn't care if she died, just only what would become of her Pack. "If you prefer," Cari bobbed her head at his request to call her Alpha. She didn't know, though, what to make of his comment about the title suiting her more than her name. "Garentius?" she cocked her head, voice soft. She had noticed his limp and felt a maternal need to help overcome her need to be cautious. Others had told her it would be the death of her but she didn't care; before she had wanted a child but her boyfriend had died in the car crash that had her get caught and sent to jail. She could never forgive herself none the less bring herself to have a child. But the want was still there. "Are you hurt?" she crouched to his level, taking his arm gently. Her eyes glowed with concern. "Do you want me to carry you there?" Cari offered, momentarily forgetting his true age.

 

[Elegy]

Garentius


Garentius's eyes widened at the sudden movement of the Alpha. In instinctive response, he shifted his body away from hers and began to curl his lips and tense his muscles to counter attack. However, this was simply instinct and quickly checked by Garentius's mind.


Easing his muscles and mellowing his face back out to its emotionless state, Garentius responded to the Alpha,


"I understand your offer. However, I shall refuse it. You have no need to concern yourself about my physical state. I know that as an Alpha you may think it be a duty to do so, but for me, it is a burden. Physical impairment is nothing to me, it is part of what I am; A beast. This limp is not indicative of my health, I am prefectly fine. It is simply a consequence of withholding my cells exerting and repairing themselves for battle. No pain nor harm is done to me."


Garentius grasped her arm and placed it by her side. He then placed his arms upon her shoulder and raised her back to a standing position. Staring into her face with his dull, blood colored eyes, Garentius said,


"I would surmise it unfitting of an Alpha to lower herself to an underling. Raise your spirits and discard any care or concern about me. I am not one whose mind is understandable, your sentiments will not be received by me through a scope that can fully understand them, so I advise you to not attempt to place emotional care on me. Do as your kind had done before, treat of me as an object or perhaps a tool. I am more used to it that way."


That said, Garentius turned around and began to once again walk towards the younger ones.


In the brief glance where he viewed her eyes, Garentius saw something that he did not recognize. It was obviously an emotion or drive that had "care" at its core, but Garentius's innate coldness prevented him from fully being able to understand what this was. Maternal instinct was something completely foreign to Garentius. He knew that it involved the concern of another's well being, but nothing deeper than that.


Garentius's interest was once again stoked. All these drives and emotions that Garentius had never felt himself or been the target of were interesting. They were new things, and novelty always have an allure to it. Garentius's logical mind also innately focused on them for reasons that Garentius himself could not quite place. Uncovering the intricacies of the psyches of beings that were "normal" was something Garentius looked forward to, particularly in witnessing emotions and drives that held "care' in their root.


As he walked, Garentius made a small comment towards the Alpha,


"Throughout our conversation, I saw in your eyes that you recognized me as a threat, and that is natural. I am a threat simply because of our differences. However, even as a threat, why would you attempt to place value unto me? It seemed that you knew that there was a lethal risk in attempting to care for me. Yet you did so. Why, might I ask, .... Alpha?"


Said Garentius in a curious tone.

​

 

[ConverseGhost]

Caraline allowed herself to be placed back on her feet. She didn't understand; she saw a hurt pup and yet he was the one placing her back to her feet. It was simply dumbfounding. But she shook it out of her head, not wanting to seem confused or distracted. She winced at his instructions to treat him as a tool. Nobody was a tool; she would not treat him as one but she would abide by his wish to not be concerned. Of course she would still worry for him but she would try to pull back and not show it towards him. She could see interest in his eyes and heard curiosity in his voice at his comment. Cari bit her lip, not exactly knowing why she could risk lowering her head to him and to reach for him. "I wanted a child before I was changed. And, when I saw you hurt, something just felt compelled to help you. No matter how threatening you may seem in your other form, and no matter what your past may be, you are still valuable. And whether that means as a war dog or a child, you will be valuable to me. An Alpha would throw herself in front of bullet for even the Omega of the Pack."

 

[ConverseGhost]

Guardia updated Battle of the Gods with a new update entry:


Dragons and Vampires

Guys, our Dragon and Vampire leaders are kinda missing. There needs to be a coven leader for the Vampires and a Head Dragon for the Dragon species. I understand there's a Dragon from the beginning of time but that's as close as we have to being a Leader. And he never wanted it. So step up! Take a new character! There needs to be afflictions and conflicts between the Alpha Wolf, Head Dragon and Coven Leader for there to be a complete war!...

Read the rest of this update entry...

 

[Plums]

Nezera was shocked by the things the dragon said.


"You're pissed? You're pissed!? Because I took your eyepatch and made a mark on your perfect face!? I'm the one who should be angry here! You know what, I am angry. You dragons took my father away from me, you killed him! He didn't do anything, he was actually trying to stop this war, and I was going to help him. But when you just flied down and ripped his body apart, I knew that this war was impossible to stop. Haven't you a father you love? What would you think if I was a hundred times bigger and killed him!?!" She took a deep breath, but she wasn't finished yet.


"Dragons started this war, because we " hurt the humans". Do you think we have a choice? We are predators, if we don't kill we die. The humans are predators to, but they obviously aren't parasites! Your kind are the real parasites, killing vampires who are just trying to survive like everybody else."

 

[xxDragonEater95xx]

Duragon narrowed his eyes. "You talk as if I personally killed your father. It sucks that he is gone but don't think that you'll get any pity from me with that sob story, we've all lost people important to us. That's what happens in war, and it was naive of your father to think that he could stop it, and even dumber of you to have considered following in his footsteps," he placed his hands in his pockets as he looked at the vampire, "All of you are parasites to me; Humans, Vampires, and wolves included. None of you have what it takes to be the dominant race and therefore, even in this form, I stand above you." He wasn't speaking harshly but in a rather cold manner that said that he believed what he said. "I'm not really planning on playing any real part in this war, I will do as I please, and maybe help out where I deem it necessary. I don't care that you need to kill humans, they mean nothing to me, but in this war you and your kind are at a clear disadvantage, from what I can see." Duragon had all but lost his willingness to fight this vampire, she seemed to be racked with the pain of loss, he almost missed that monster of a wolf that nearly squeezed his head off his shoulders. He figured that after this encounter he'd go find out exactly where they had taken the dragon off to, because he was sure he'd meet that Alpha and that behemoth again.

 

[Plums]

The anger bubbled inside of her. What a selfish and arrogant dragon. He doesn't deserve your attention, Nezera. She thought to herself. She didn't have more words to express herself, so she grabbed his wrist and bit it, sucked out a mouthfull of dragonblood. She was temted to swallow the delicious liqouid, but spat it out on his chest.


She turned around and walked away, no idea were she was going.

 

[xxDragonEater95xx]

Duragon was taken aback by her actions, but made no effort to pull away. He raised an eyebrow as she latched onto his wrist, curious about what exactly she was planning to do next, but when she spat his own blood on him and attempted to walk away he became a little upset. Such an unrefined manner in this one, I'm surprised she actually has lasted this long he thought as he glared at her while she began to walk off. He decided that his time would be better spent tracking down that useless dragon from earlier, and after quickly turning to dragon form and sending a tail-whip at his latest acquaintance, he took to the sky as he made his way in the direction he last saw those pups heading while using the taste and scent of the fallen dragon's blood as a tracker in case he gets himself lost. I bet this reunion will prove to be a little more interesting...I wonder who that other Shadowscale was though, I haven't met or seen another one like me in quite some time he thought as he breezed through the air effortlessly.