Welcome to Gaia! ::

As David took off from the balcony, so did dozens of others from below. Riding on the gusts of hot air they quickly encircled him, falling into a makeshift circular formation around him. All of the kids in the temple idolized him, the best glider around. They had always followed him, wanting to attain his skill, and they would follow him to the limits of the temple grounds and see him off.

David smiled at the boys around him, they were his friends, and some had been his rivals, and now they were giving him the sendoff of a lifetime. Letting out a great cheer, he flipped a switch on his glider’s handle, activating the engine. Instantly he began to pick up speed, passing all of the gliders around as he passed the perimeter of the temple, and unlike countless times before, he didn’t sink at all, and it was a glorious feeling.

The boys following him echoed his cheer, some shouting their goodbyes, others wishing good luck, and still more simply cheering. They followed him beyond the perimeter, and instantly began to sink, but they persevered. It would be a long hike back, but it was worth it. It would have been a wondrous sight, were anyone standing below, as if a flock of great birds were in flight. But then one separated from the flock, and flew off alone, to places and things unknown. They would all miss him, their leader in the skies, but they wished him well, as they fell to the earth. Once they landed they would stand there, waving until they could no longer even imagine a speck that was David.