Talos chimed in Ace's ear, his tone more panicked than ever before.
[ALERT ALERT ALERT! Powerful Grade 1 Creature detected in optical field!]
To match the chime, Volcan announced his concern with loud squawks. He looked back over his wing at Ace with eyes that displayed rather human-like emotion.
There, within the cloud formation directly ahead was a dark grey cloud. Illuminated by only moonlight, it held an eerie glow that separated it from the others.
Ace squinted his eyes.
The glow of the cloud was already concerning, but something else had caught his attention, making his heart sink. Deep within the glow was a writhing mass that was hundreds of feet long.
As they got closer Talos spoke once again.
[Entered Identification Range. Displaying relevant information now.]
---
Cloud Lurker (New Terran Species) (Apex Predator)
Highest Grade on Earth : Grade 3
Number Detected in Vicinity : 1x Grade 1
Typical Behavior
- Carnivore and extremely aggressive, it's rampage will only stop after its hunger has been sated
- Despite its name, this creature is more than an ambush predator, it has no qualms fighting other Apex Predators of the ecosystem
- Its true body is hidden deep within its tentacles and it will protect it at all cost
Special Abilities:
- This creature possesses the ability to alter the density of clouds without affecting their buoyancy thus allowing them to stay within them indefinitely (Starts at Grade 1)
- This creatures possess the ability to perform long range psionic attacks (Starts at Grade 3)
---
Ace looked at the guide entry and then back at the cloud. They were approaching it with rapidly. He sighed in frustration. There was nothing in the guide entry that could help him make a decision. He hadn't told Stellis about the Beast Guide and even if she knew, he doubted she would have been able to make anything of the information.
They had two options.
"We can turn away... maybe catch the flock after they pass this cloud formation. Only problem is, if we lose them, we will have to wait for another month in a completely new environment, maybe even less hospitable than the forest."
With the cloud less than a minute away he continued.
"Our second option is to stay with these guys. Whatever that thing is, I doubt the entire flock will perish. There are hundreds of birds... The only problem is that we risk being that thing's dinner. Thoughts?"
She responded instantly. "You know my answer. Hold strong..."
Ace sighed. "I feel the same way."
He patted Volcan to calm him down and turned around to cling to Stellis's back. Things were going to get rough.
As the birds approached the edge of the glowing cloud, something changed. The writing mass of what looked like a bunch of vines started to spasm uncontrollably. In the next instant, dozens upon dozens of tendrils shot out from the cloud. Their lengths were covered in foul smelling black mucus that Ace could smell even through the fresh nighttime air.
Before he could react, a tendril shot towards Volcan.
Tucking his wings into his body, Volcan lurched forward and dove under another Raven, leading the tendril to it instead. Having successfully evaded danger, he unfurled his wings and sped towards the front of the flock. It would do no good to be in the back. The stragglers were being picked off every second.
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The Cloud Lurker continued its assault, sending out waves of its shiny and mucus covered tendrils. Ace could only cling on for dear life. He had had placed his faith Volcan's outrageous aerial maneuvers and Stellis' grip on his feathers. Neither had let him down yet.
While they narrowly evaded danger, he looked at a screen displaying the number of ravens in his vicinity. The number was decreasing largely with each wave of tentacles.
1071...
The sound of Raven cries filled the air, their blood curdling screams digging their way into the recesses of Ace's brain.
802...
Another tentacle shoots towards Volcan, only for him to lead it into another Raven with a graceful maneuver.
Despite the fact that they had evaded death once again, Ace noticed that Volcan was starting to be targeted more often. The decreasing number of ravens only served to highlight his large size.
727...
Two tendrils came for Volcan. He dodged them.
503...
Three tendrils came for Volcan. He was unable to completely dodge, them suffering a wound to one of his wings.
"Dammit!" Ace yelled "Hang in there buddy! We're almost there!"
The large bird squawked back weakly.
Ace braced himself for another strike but it never came.
He looked down at the bird counter.
503...
They had done it, they had weathered the assault of the Cloud Lurker.
Turning around on Volcan, Ace could see the foul beast and its tendrils rapidly shrinking as they flew away. It's main body stayed within the boundaries of the glowing cloud, as if it was scared to leave it. Truthfully, Ace didn't care, he was just happy they survived.
He looked down at Volcan. While he was still moving fast, flying looked to be incredibly laborious for him.
Patting his friend, he silently pleaded for him to keep pushing. Their journey was almost over.
*** 8 Hours Later ***
Volcan had held strong. Thanks to his efforts, the walls of GQC-1 were visible, less than a mile away. Beneath the wall, multiple fires raged throughout various districts around the outskirts of the city. They had arrived during the middle of the wave.
As soon as they got close, the rest of the flock descended without hesitation. Their sudden aggressiveness surprised Ace because they had been left alone nearly the entire flight back. They now seemed bloodthirsty, letting out ravenous squawks as they descended.
Powerless to stop them, he could only watch from above as the flock fell on an unfortunate district.
It wasn't his. The city was massive, and his district was but one of many that lined its border. He kindly gestured for Volcan to fly along the perimeter of GQC-1. They made sure to stay well away from the space above The Wall. Stellis had warned him that they would be shot out of the sky or repelled in some other way if they got too close.
Before long, Ace spotted a familiar building.
It was one of the government supply depots responsible for feeding multiple districts. In fact, it was the same one that he and Icarus had raided just over a month ago. With his bearings gathered, he directed his Volcan to land on the roof of an inconspicuous slum building.
As soon as the trio touched ground, the two youths dismounted Volcan. He hunched over heavily and cawed lightly before tending to his wounded wing with his beak. He was clearly tired... and probably hungry as well.
Before Ace could properly tend to his wounded friend. The door leading to the roof burst open and over a two dozen rats rushed out. He and Stellis stepped forward.
They made short work of the rodent creatures.
Immediately after, a more vicious looking Beast with sharp teeth, pointed ears and a long snout appeared before the pair.
Talos identified the creature as a Timber Wolf, quickly showing him its characteristics. Unfortunately, he was unable to kill it before it howled for its pack.
As a result, its companions appeared promptly after, 12 strong. They all met the same fate, falling quickly to his crowbar and Stellis's sword.
Having earned a brief respite, Ace fed the remains of the wolves to Volcan, who greedily devoured them. Almost immediately, his demeanor changed and he gained energy. Strangely, his injured wing also seemed fine.
Growing excited, Volcan squawked loudly before hopping around and tilting his head at Ace.
With tears streaming down his face he gave his avian friend a one armed hug before pointing at the horizon off in the distance.
"Thank you for everything Volcan... But I don't think I can take you where I'm going. You belong out there! You should go out and be free!"
Almost as if he understood his words, the bird cooed in a low tone before nudging him with its beak repeatedly.
Wiping the tears from his eyes, Ace struggled to stay composed.
Suddenly, Volcan reached up into his plumage with his talons and pulled out a bundle of arm-length feathers. Talos then chimed in his ear.
[Alert! Bonded Companion Volcan (Grade 1 Raven) has offered you 20x adamantine feathers! Chisel Available!]
"Wh-what?"
Volcan moved quickly, dropping his feathers in a pile in front of Ace before preparing to take off. Before he could, Stellis stepped forward and also brought the creature into an embrace.
"Thank you... " She said.
Despite not having known Volcan for long, her debt to him was immeasurable.
Without much more deliberation, Volcan jumped into the air and took off towards the horizon. Watching his figure shrink with distance, Ace wiped his tears and put the feathers into his pack.
Then, with a heart full of determination, he jumped off the roof and into an alley down below. He knew where he was going and he didn't care how many beasts he would have to kill to get there. The dangers of the forest had more than prepared him to deal with simple rats and wolves.
Curiously, he heard the sound of Stellis dropping into the alley behind him.
Without looking back he spoke quietly.
"The gate to The Wall is in the opposite direction."
Matching his volume, she spoke only two words back.
"I know..."