Nicholas is gone. Holenic, the legendary warrior.

“Who was that Lucidious?” I ask.

“He was Lord Titanic's loyal friend. No-one really knows his name,

Titanic was a name given. He has some crazy idea that by using Slaves, he can bring him back to life!”

“But how?”

“A time machine?” I ask.

Ethan replies.

“They say on the island, there's a portal. That portal can be the link to the past. That’s why the lands are at war. Each land has a piece that needs to be collected to activate it.”

“And?”

“You must complete a puzzle. That's why slaves are used.”

“How come you never told us?” I ask.

“I only thought of that once he said he needed Nicholas. He needed strong slaves.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? This is the cause.”

“Which way do we go?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“The sun’s death, which I would presume is where the sun sets. Which is the east… east?” Ethan began.

“West.” Linton corrected him.

“Yes, that. Anyway, first we should find shelter to rest.” replied Ethan.

“Let's keep flying,” I said, sniffing. “Nicholas was a friend of my father. We’re gonna do this. For everyone we have lost.”

“Are you sure these Arboc Owls exist?” Linton asks me.

“We have to believe they do. Who else have we got?” I replied.

We find a hollow that's empty and we agree to keep watch. As I drift asleep, flashes of the past haunt me….

5 years ago…

“Dad?” I ask.

“Sorry Nicholas, it's my daughter.”

The owl- Nicholas- nods and flies away.

“Amelia what is it?” my father asks me.

“Before you leave, I was wondering,” I ask, “could you tell me the story about the Arboc Owl again?”

“Sure. I have a copy of it somewhere…”

I laugh as I see him shifting through his many books looking for it.

“Ah, here it is. Ahem.”

I get comfortable. This will be fun.

“Hundreds of years ago, before the first rift between kings, even before the Birth of Holenic, there was an island called Arbonoc. The Arboc Owl could harness the power of the tree in shiny orbs known as the Orbs of Power. There were three types of orbs. Power, harnessed from the South. Protection, made from the North. Mobility, made from the East. And Healing, made from the West.

However, soon enough, the owls split. Arbonoc became a legend. The First Forest War was in effect. The Owl Kingdoms were split. The South was being led by The Grand High Owl otherwise known as Death Flier and his loyal servant, Lucidious. The war was getting tough. The South had taken over almost all the forests.

Arbonoc could no longer ignore the twisted experiments of the South. They sent their best knights into battle, sweeping through the armies of the South with Ease. When the King of Arbonoc killed Death Flier, Lucidious took the rest of his forces deep into the South, never to be heard from again.

Attempts to find him were unsuccessful with strange deaths and disappearance of Scouts.”

“Dad?”

“Yes, Amelia.”

“Are the Arboc Owls real?”

“As long as you believe, of course they are. Look at how we live. The battle fields. There are no greater fighters than them.”

“Sire! Sou…sou...sou…” said a messenger desperately as he ended.

“Spit it out. What is it.”

“Southern Owls! Approaching the Western Border!”

“Southern Owls?” he asks.

“Yes sir.”

“Take care of the kids. I’m leaving.”