Lasair was waiting. She did that a lot lately. She wanted to [PROMOTE] a new [LIEUTENANT], but although she would have enough energy to get a [FIRE-BIRD] to level five, she had nowhere near enough to do it all in one go. And Apollo, excited as he was to have some company, still needed to get some rest. He would likely sleep through the night, during which she planned to get the bird to level four, and save enough energy for level five. Plus a small detour to finally acquire [MINOR PYROMANCY]. She was entertaining herself by watching the bird. It was flying out the opening at the top of the room, coming back with some twigs, and piling them up on one of the higher ledges. Once it had a suitable pile, the twigs were arranged into the beginnings of a nest. At the rate the bird was going, the nest would likely take a few days. That was without adjusting for any size increase the levels might give it.
Lasair finally had enough energy to give the bird a fifth level, just as the sun was rising. She went to wake Apollo, who was excited to meet someone new. Even without being promoted, the bird seemed to have far more intelligence than a wisp. As the bird returned from another twig hunting session, she gave it the fifth level, and used [PROMOTE].
[PROMOTING...]
Hello little one.
"Wha-whats going on?"
I have made you a [LIEUTENANT]. That means we can talk now, and you're going to be a lot stronger.
Taking its cue, the screen appeared once more.
[PROMOTION FINISHING...]
[{UNNAMED} IS NOW A [LIEUTENANT]...]
[PLEASE PICK SKILL PATH.]:
[DEATH FROM ABOVE]: YOUR [FIRE-BIRD] GAINS STRENGTH AS IT GAINS ALTITUDE.
[IRON WINGS]: YOUR [FIRE-BIRD]'S WINGS BECOME AS SHARP AND STRONG AS SWORDS.
[THERMAL ACCELERATION]: YOUR [FIRE-BIRD] CAN TRANSFER ITS THERMAL ENERGY TO KINETIC, AND VICE VERSA.
The bird startled when the screen appeared, but then read it over with a thoughtful look. Then reread with a thoughtful look. Then began muttering to herself about what the best option would be. Then spend several minutes going over several 'but what if I need's. The bird was paranoid, wasn't she.
All the options seem fine, and i'm sure they'll all be useful.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
"That's the problem! What if I pick one and then need one of the others?"
Definitely paranoid.
Little one, any option will have its own benefits and drawbacks. You can't get them all. Just choose the one you like the most.
The bird gave the screen one last read, before resigning herself to only having one.
"[THERMAL ACCELERATION], for exploring."
Now that Lasair thought about it, the bird had seemed to take longer than necessary on her flights for twigs. Maybe she found exploring fun. She locked in the bird's choice, and added the [SCOUT] title for good measure.
[[THERMAL ACCELERATION] CHOSEN. FINISHING PROMOTION...]
As both the skill path and assignment settled, the bird's form began to change. Although her shape stayed that of a hummingbird, her size became that of a crow. The crimson feathers now also had taken over the tail feathers, and each patch flickered with sparks for a few moments. Her eyes were still black in the pupil, but were ringed by a fiery orange. Her wingspan also gained at least sixty percent more length. The haze that had before only surrounded her while flying, now draped over her wings and back like a cloak. Sticking with the theme of the heat haze, Lasair suggested the name Mirage. Her new [LIEUTENANT] accepted it, and took off to test her new speed.
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Mirage flew out of her nest, and then out of the stone nest that Mother called home. She rose above the treeline, and began a steady flight up the mountain. The mountain was massive, its peak breaching the clouds, and had an extensive forest down its side. Said forest housed the entrance to Mothers's nest. Her gaze had sharpened as a result of her new status, so Mirage resolved to get a more comprehensive look around. Using her new skill, she reached within and pulled. The sparks in her wings went out, the haze dissipated, and a deep chill set into her bones. But the next moment, Mirage was going fast. She gained altitude fast, and was soon higher up than she had ever been. Only the clouds and the mountain were above her now. To the north was said mountain, towering above all and covered in a lush forest. To the east, the forest continued even after the ground flattened out, a sea of green going past the horizon. To the west, another sea stretched on, although this one was of the more traditional sense. The water was beautiful under the glow of the moon, shifting and shimmering as the waves crashed. To the south, there was something new. A line of stone rose from the ground in a great ring, surrounding rows and rows of massive wooden boxes.
That's a town little one, and the thing surrounding it is a wall.
Mother was listening, and giving input. Good, Mirage didn't want to make any mistakes. This 'town' seemed interesting. A few dozen wooden boxes were contained within, along with one rather large stone one at the center. Some boxes had smoke rising from the top, and most had light pouring out holes in the sides. The 'wall' surrounding it also had lights at certain points along it, although these were on top of the wall, and being held by strange figures. They were tall, taller than her wingspan, but their own reach was abysmal. Their wings weren't even as tall as them!
Probably elves. They likely live in the village.
As she turned to return to Mother, Mirage noticed another light outside the walls. Swooping down to get a closer look, she saw more 'elves'. They carried lights, and were encased in metal. Most held rather dangerous looking metal claws, and the one in the center held a banner, showing a gold spear and ax crossing over a navy blue background. What was most concerning, was their probable destination. They were marching straight for the mountain. Straight for the forest. Straight for Mother.