Coppelia slung a quiver obtained from the knights over her shoulder and carried Amos's Bow on her back.
She gently adjusted the straps to ensure they wouldn't loosen during movement, then signaled to Columbina beside her.
"Let's go."
The two figures promptly left the increasingly bustling edge of the city, heading southwest.
Columbina lightly tapped the ground with her toes, her body floating ethereally upward, hovering about a dozen centimeters off the ground, "flying" to Coppelia's right rear.
She was carefully controlling her newly acquired ability of free flight, feeling the wind flow through her skirt hems, a light curve unconsciously forming at the corners of her lips.
Coppelia turned her head and caught the spark of novel delight in Columbina's eyes.
"How does it feel, flying on your own?" she asked.
"Very comfortable." Columbina was fully immersed in this brand-new experience.
"Then from now on, I'll have to rely on you to carry me." Coppelia said half-jokingly, half-seriously.
"Okay."
Before long, a nearly vertical towering cliff face loomed before them, blocking their path.
Columbina floated forward, positioning herself to Coppelia's right, and with a subtle shift of will, a gentle and stable force lifted Coppelia.
The next moment, both left the ground simultaneously, ascending swiftly along the sheer rock wall, their garments flapping loudly in the wind.
In mere moments, they stood steadily atop the cliff.
They turned back in unison to gaze at the scene below. The city at their feet had shrunk in their view, like an anthill, with tiny figures bustling about in preparation for the new era.
Without much sentiment or reluctance, they turned away, leaving the city behind as they flew toward the unknown mountains and rivers in the distance.
Below the cliff, rocks shattered by the Archon's demise had cratered the vast grasslands densely, a testament to the battle's lingering might.
Further ahead, the terrain dipped, revealing azure waves spreading out, rippling with flecks of gold under the rising sun's glow.
At that moment, Columbina suddenly reached out her left hand and gently grasped Coppelia's right.
Under Coppelia's slightly puzzled sidelong glance, she curved her lips and plunged sharply downward!
The altitude dropped abruptly as they skimmed mere inches above the shimmering water surface.
"Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—," the rushing wind tore at their ears, splashing water that instantly shattered into a cool, misty fog, bringing a refreshing chill to their faces.
At the water route's end, land rose once more.
First came golden sandy shores, followed by green grasses swaying leisurely in the breeze.
Further on, clusters of shrubs dotted the grasslands, where a few boars foraged with heads buried.
Higher up, low shrubs gave way to tall trees, forming a dense forest. As their figures passed over the canopy, the thick green leaves rustled chaotically, startled birds crying out as they scattered to both sides.
Crossing the sea of trees, a towering mountain ridge blocked their path.
Columbina not only didn't slow down but tightened her grip on Coppelia's hand. Just before colliding with the slope, she ascended sharply, skimming diagonally up the steep incline. Below, dense turf alternated with exposed gray-white rock.
At the instant they neared the peak, Columbina swiftly braked, and the two finally hovered a dozen meters above the mountaintop.
Coppelia couldn't help but widen her eyes. Columbina also drew a deep breath, awestruck by the vista unfolding before them.
Morning mist, like shredded clouds, wreathed the continuous mountains. Ash-gray peaks pierced the haze, crowned with vast emerald expanses. At the foothills, clusters of red maples dotted the scene.
A verdant river wound through the valleys, flanked by terraced fields carved into the slopes. Along the ridges stood simple white walls topped with serene blue tiles.
The rising sun spilled over the ridges, bathing the swirling mists in a honeyed, warm golden hue. In the distance, tiny figures could be faintly seen strolling leisurely across a stone bridge spanning the river, traveling between village and fields.
The scenery was like a painting, serene and timeless.
"Chenyu Vale..." Coppelia murmured inwardly.
Recovering slightly from her awe, she gently shook her right hand, still tightly held by Columbina.
"Let's go down first."
The girl beside her didn't respond. Coppelia turned to see Columbina breathing a bit rapidly, her fair cheeks faintly flushed, still immersed in the dual thrill of the flight and the breathtaking view, her emotions hard to calm.
Coppelia shook her hand again, a bit more firmly.
"Columbina?"
"Hm?" The white-clad girl snapped back, following Coppelia's left hand's direction to the flat clearing atop the mountain below.
She guided her companion in a slow descent.
Coppelia's feet touched solid ground, and she released her hand, then swept her toes through the knee-high grass nearby, brushing off the glistening dew on the blades.
But Columbina didn't land, still hovering ethereally half a meter off the ground.
Coppelia couldn't help but chuckle: "Not done flying yet?"
"I want to fly a bit more." Columbina's voice held a hint of delight as she mimicked a wind sprite, circling Coppelia once, her skirt swirling into a pure white arc.
"I'm a bit tired and want to sunbathe first." Coppelia's tone was gentle. "Go play, but don't go too far. Run if there's danger, don't eat unknown things, don't greet strangers casually..."
Her instructions weren't even finished when Columbina had already fluttered toward the dense forest they'd passed earlier, leaving only a laughing reply drifting faintly on the wind into Coppelia's ears: "Got it."
Watching the white figure vanish above the treeline, Coppelia shook her head slightly.
She summoned a trace of Dendro power, evaporating the moisture from the surrounding grass to create a drier patch. She unslung the quiver from her back, placing it gently on the grass beside her, then relaxed her body and lay down.
Beneath her was soft turf, warmed by the sun; an east wind at just the right temperature brushed her cheeks, carrying scents of distant mountains and earth.
The morning's high-stakes clash with the Archon, risking being torn into thousands of pieces, had kept her nerves on edge.
"Micro-managing really taxes the brain..." she sighed.
Now, atop this serene valley, basking in warm sunlight and listening to the faint rustle of leaves on the wind, she could finally fully relax, letting her thoughts drift empty as she closed her eyes, savoring this rare tranquility.
___
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