The Sky Riders’ Pact

The wind howled through the cliffs of the Empyrean Range, carrying with it the cries of dragons circling above. In the heart of this tumultuous terrain stood Lia Ravenstone, an untested rider, her hands trembling as she fastened the last buckle of her riding harness. Behind her loomed Obsidia, a black-scaled dragon with silver veining running like rivers of molten metal across her wings. The creature's piercing gaze locked with Lia's.

"Are you ready, Lia?" asked Vorek, the seasoned sky rider who had been her mentor for the last six moons. His own dragon, Vrykos, growled low in the distance. “The skies don’t forgive hesitation.”

She swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on the reins. This was the day she would ascend into the ferocious trials of the Wing Dominion, where success meant earning a place among the elite Sky Riders and failure meant plummeting to death—or worse, banishment into the canyon of shadows, where rogue dragons roamed wild.

Lia had always imagined this moment to feel heroic, like the ancient stories of her people. But now, standing on the precipice of the cliffs, the abyss stretching endlessly below, fear coiled around her like a serpent.

The Trial of Bond

Unlike most of the fledgling riders, Lia hadn't been born into power or privilege. She was the daughter of a shadowborn merchant, a lineage whispered about in secret and shunned in public. Yet despite her humble beginnings, she possessed something none of the others could claim: an unbreakable bond with Obsidia.

While other dragons had taken weeks, even months, to select their riders, Obsidia had chosen Lia instantly. The silver in her scales had burned brighter the moment Lia’s palm met her chest—a silent acknowledgment of their shared destiny.

And today, that bond would be tested.

The first trial was the Flame Course, a treacherous route through pillars of fire conjured by elder dragons. Riders were tasked with navigating the inferno while defending against air-born attacks from their competitors. Lia mounted Obsidia with a determined heart, her mind replaying Vorek’s advice.

"Trust her, Lia. Don’t fight for control—move as one."

With a thunderous roar, Obsidia launched from the cliff’s edge, her wings snapping open with an explosion of power. Lia leaned forward, her body pressed to the dragon’s warm, scaled back. The sky immediately erupted into chaos.

Flames surged around them, illuminating the air in bursts of gold and red. Obsidia twisted her serpentine body with impossible precision, dodging fireballs that scorched past them. Ahead, riders collided in midair, falling in spirals as their dragons roared in fury. Lia’s pulse raced, but she held firm, trusting Obsidia to carry them through.And then it came—a shadow streaking through the fire, aiming straight for them. A rival rider on a crimson beast wielded a spear of jagged bone. Lia barely had time to react before Obsidia tucked her wings and dove sharply, the spear missing by mere inches.

“Hold steady!” Lia shouted, her voice carrying over the wind. She reached for the knives at her belt and hurled one with practiced precision. The blade spun through the air and struck the rider’s shoulder, forcing him to retreat with a curse.

By the time Lia and Obsidia emerged from the Flame Course, sweat drenched her brow, and her chest heaved with exertion. But they were still airborne—and still together.

A Treacherous Alliance

The second trial demanded cunning rather than strength: the Sky Pact. Riders had to form temporary alliances to secure keystones hidden in the jagged peaks of the Empyrean Range. Only those who delivered their keystone to the high council would advance.

As Lia descended onto one of the spires, she spotted a figure she hadn’t expected: Arryn Valcor, a rival with piercing green eyes and a notorious reputation for betraying his own allies. His golden dragon, Maelstryx, radiated hostility, scales shimmering like sunlight on armor.

“Ravenstone,” he called, his voice smooth yet sharp. “Truce? We’ll get farther together than alone.”

Lia hesitated. She didn’t trust Arryn, but the trials were brutal, and keystones were scarce. Reluctantly, she nodded. “Fine. But try anything, and Obsidia won’t hesitate to bring you down.”

Together, they soared into the mist-covered peaks, scanning for the faint glow of a keystone. Their dragons flew in tandem, a tenuous harmony forming between their riders. But when they finally spotted a keystone embedded in the rock of a steep ridge, the alliance frayed.

Arryn made the first move, leaping from Maelstryx’s back with feline agility. Lia was only seconds behind him, climbing the slick stone as the wind howled around her. When her fingers closed around the glowing stone, she barely had time to cry out before Arryn seized her wrist.

“This is mine,” he snarled, his grip tightening.

“Over my dead body!” Lia spat, shoving him hard. The keystone slipped from her grasp, tumbling toward the jagged rocks below. Both riders froze, watching in horror—until Obsidia dived with lightning speed, catching the keystone midair.

Arryn’s eyes widened, but before he could react, Obsidia unleashed a roar so powerful it knocked him off balance. He scrambled back to his dragon, muttering curses, while Lia vaulted onto Obsidia’s back.

“Let’s finish this,” she whispered, clutching the keystone.

The Dawn of a Rider

By the trial’s end, Lia stood among the surviving riders, her hand gripping the keystone as the high council of dragons and riders loomed above. Obsidia roared in triumph, her silver-lined wings outstretched. Lia, bloodied but unbroken, gazed at the gathered crowd.

She was no longer the shadowborn outsider they’d doubted. She was a Sky Rider now. And with Obsidia by her side, there was no sky they couldn’t conquer.

Inspired by Fourth Wing

This tale of courage and determination was inspired by Fourth Wing (The Empyrean Book 1) by Rebecca Yarros. If you’re drawn to stories filled with fierce dragons, unyielding trials, and unforgettable bonds, this book is a must-read. Discover the world of The Empyrean and claim your copy today: Fourth Wing on Amazon.