Universe - The Star Rings

Ring - 4th

Reality - Mortal Plane

Solar system - Origin

World - Vaustaris

Continent - Subcontinent (Zephyr Isles)

Main Continent Western Edge - Zephyrwood Outpost Territory - Whisperwind Haven Village.

AERIS POV

Skyhorn and I descended into the village center. Our eyes peeled for the edge of our fences where there was little to no goblin activity. Still, it would seem that the cause for the lack of reinforcements was obvious.

My Argannen stretched out wide and caught the wind to stop my descent, Skyhorn repeating my actions. Our feet touched the ground, and our Argannen curled up to our backs.

"Skyhorn, Aeris. Report to the Aego'arg'ha'nar."

"What. What's going on? We just got back and saw no one came to help!" Skyhorn asked angrily, facing the Argrar that just threw orders at us.

The Argo narrowed his eyes before they widened. "You made the Skyshriek?!" He seemed surprised. Turning, he conversed with his partner, an Argn who seemed perturbed for some reason before turning back to us.

"Even more reason to come with us. We apologize, but your call, while it came, couldn't be answered. The Aegon will explain why."

Sharing a look with Skyhorn and a shrug, we followed the two Argrarn heading for the center of the village. Even as we walked, I couldn't help but pick out something.

"Where are the Aegeon?" The Argn Argrar sighed before looking back at me.

"The cliffs."

Skyhorn and I withheld our gasps for a glance at the other. The cliffs were used to hold the weak Aegon, Argeon, and non-fighting Argalorn.

"We figured it was bad when I made the call since, well, we almost died. But this bad to use the cliffs," Skyhorn shook his head.

"Best to let the Aegon explain," the Argn spoke.

"Rif'farg Arg'myn ge'kann (Sorry for my lack of manners). Arg'ame Aeris Skylark, Arg'it Skyhorn Skyshriek. Ar'pis'reet'pa Argion (I am Aerial Skylark, this is Skyhorn Skyshriek. We are pleased to meet you."

"Skip the tones. No time for respect now. There are bigger problems than a lack of one. Arg'ame Talon Swiftwind. Argn't Seraphina Skyblade. Now follow."

Silence descended on us as we strolled with purpose through the village. There was no panic or chaos. All of those who could have created such havoc had been transported to the cliffs. I was certain the other villages had done the same as well.

'Would we fight? Could we fight? How strong were we now with these blessings? Where did these blessings come from? Who was Ozai? The Ser'Tuk'Itan. But what actually was a Ser'Tuk'Itan? I knew even the Aegons didn't know.'

'Does it matter?!'

A voice sounded in my head. I almost jumped if not for something holding me in place. My mouth wished to open but remained closed.

'What... who are you? How are you doing this?' I thought frantically while realizing my body was still working. I could feel and see, sense and smell, but I had no control.

'You already met me.' My sight seemed to blur as I found myself looking at the back of a familiar Argonne. 'You prayed to me.' I shivered. The scene split to him slaughtering the goblin raiders.

'And I answered.'

'Ser'Tuk'Itan.'

'Aware. Grants consciousness, and life. In a way. Indeed. You received the notification from the Akashic Records?'

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

'Yes?'

'Good. This would have hurt worse.'

'What?!'

'Heads up. We are here.'

****

THIRD PERSON POV

Whisperwind Haven was a village built in the trees at the edge of the Verdant Veil forest. Huts built into the treetops and a few at ground level both created an easy flight for the Argonnes, places of meeting, and also protection from land-based enemies.

With all the Argelon and non-fighting Argalorn gone, it would be easy for the fighters to defend with minimal casualties.

At the center of the village, built between a cluster of great trees and with various vine bridges and ropes coiling up both trees, was the Aego'arg'ha'nar. The Eldertree Grove.

Five seats made of logs formed a ring within the grove. A little stream flowed from the River to the east which formed a ring around the grove that both nourished the trees and let our people wash and clean without straying far.

"We're here. Follow. Seraphina stand watch." The Argn nodded and stood at the edge of the stream while the other threw Argons crossed over the stream on a bridge of wood and vines.

"Argannenad (flying or use of wings) is prohibited here," Talon warned with a stern voice. Both nodded and satisfied the Arg'rar led them on. There was no covering or shade in here as the trees did the work of breaking up rain, sunlight, and storm winds.

There were five Aegon on the log seats. Each one showed age beyond normal. Their feathers had lost most if not all colors, their wings near shriveled, and their once-vibrant eyes and beak now lusterless.

'Truly they are Arg'elno (ancient).'

"What brings you in here, Arg'rarn Swiftwind?" A softer and still-aged voice asked. Arg'rarn made a show of pulling his wings tighter behind his back and folding his arms across his chest. Standard Argonnean greeting.

"I bring the Skyshrieker and friend." He announced and turned to Aeris and Skyhorn, who took a step closer and made a swift furl up and arm fold.

"Aegon Arg'veth (greetings elders)." The greeting was simultaneous after which Skyhorn stepped forward to give a rundown of what happened. By the time they were halfway through, the clear disbelief on the Aegon faces was evident.

"What Aerondam nonsense is this?!" One screeched. Talon flinched a bit before glaring at the two who stared right back at him.

"You mean to tell me that you both met a Ser'Tuk'Itan? Impossible. Those are fake. Unreal. Theories."

"Unbelievable. The village is in grave danger, and this is what we have to listen to!" One of the Aegon rose and sat back just as quickly. The shaking feet he tapped not escaping eyes.

"I believe I can explain more on this." Aeris took a step forward. Skyhorn gave him a look that asked what he had to explain. His gaze was understandable as most of what Skyhorn had added he didn't know due to being unconscious.

Aeris just shook his head at Skyhorn and looked to the Aegons who watched him with a frown. He took a step closer. Talon shivered.

'Something is strange.' Argonnes were beings that ruled the Isles. Their only enemies being either each other or the red ones. And the red ones were a problem only when in large bands, which is the case now.

Argonnes didn't feel dread or fear for anyone but one name. The Aerondam, Aerondir. But even he had not brought up such a feeling as the one taking with his heart battling.

Aeris stopped at the center. All this while he and the Ser'Tuk'Itan in his head had been conversing. While his motion had been granted back to him, he still felt a bit of apprehension. One solved by a simple reassurance that if the Ser'Tuk'Itan was a danger, then it didn't matter. They would be dead either way.

Standing right at the edge of the circle, all five eyes on him, he finally spoke. But it wasn't his voice that filled the grove and made the trees shake.

"I am Ozai. But not the one you refer to as Ser'Tuk'Itan."

Silence.

Skyhorn took a step forward and set his hand on Aeris's shoulder. "What..." His words died as Aeris screamed out. His hands stretched, his legs followed. His wings grew larger. His forehead lengthened, his eyebrows creating space between it and his eyes. Two slits opened in that space, and golden-white light spilled from within them.

His wings spilled this light as well, and when he spoke again, it wasn't just the grove that shook, the entire village rattled.

"What you correctly refer to as one who grants awareness is something more than a god."

Aeris stood a good 8 feet taller. His wingspan almost touching both sides of the grove. Skyhorn was already two steps back in fright. Talon stood between the elders and Aeris while a whoosh came from behind. All eyes turned to spot Seraphina dropping like an arrow straight at Aeris.

"Violence is unneeded. But, probably necessary." His large right arm shot out faster than a blur and snagged the Argn from the dive. Turning back, he set her down to the ground, leaving her neck.

Argn panted with shock and surprise as she looked at the hand that had caught her without a strain.

"Don't move, Seraphina." Talon ordered, dragging the Argn behind him.

"I will speak now." Aeris turned and made a gesture at the ground. Light spilled from his palms, and the ground rose, shaping and forming a chair. Setting his ass on it while letting his wings splay out, he regarded everyone.

"I realize you have questions, confusions, curiosities, ask them." His gaze went to a wide-eyed and vicious-looking Seraphina. "Thoughts that are also not good. Don't act on them." He leaned back and watched.

"Well, ask away."