It had been two days since our battle with Vex, and the usual banter between Alden and Ember was conspicuously absent. Ember’s typical cocky demeanor had vanished, and Alden’s sarcastic remarks were no longer heard. The defeat had left a clear mark on our dynamic, casting a shadow over our once lively camaraderie.
I sat on the stairs of the ark, outside the ship, gently swinging my feet as they touched the clouds below. A soft smile played on my lips as I reached down and grabbed a small piece of cloud, pressing it to my face like a makeshift beard.
“Hey guys, I’m Santa,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. But instead of the usual laughter, I was met with silence. They both looked at me, their expressions unchanging. Not even a pity laugh.
The weight of our recent ordeal settled heavily on me. "That damned battle," I muttered, lying back and letting my feet swing against the clouds. "If only I knew how to fight instead of relying on the divine mode, I could’ve saved my friends."
I then remembered Sagea and closed my eyes, summoning her presence in my mind. A fleeting image of her appeared, and I growled, "You weren't much help out there, now were you?!"
{Apologies, Gaian,} she replied, her voice tinged with sorrow. {But you must understand, that chamber beneath the Aurora Springs is where we were all destroyed by the Shadow Flock. If I had known they also had vessels, I would have never let you go down there and find the ark!}
Her words were filled with regret. {You're right, I wasn't much help. I was too afraid, and as you saw earlier, you can understand why.} The weight of her fear and past trauma was palpable, resonating deeply within me. {When you were in divine mode, you used my martial art against Vex. It’s called the “Luminous Talon Technique.”}
Before I could ask for more, Alden's voice interrupted my thoughts. “Hey, Gaian! Ember just told me some important news!” he yelled. I opened my eyes, and Sagea's presence faded. I jumped up, landing on my feet, and walked over to Ember. “What is it?” I asked with a yawn.
Ember sighed, looking like she would rather face another battle than tell us this. “There is a place where we can rest and eat.”
“And you waited two days to tell us this? I had to rely on eating forest animals. Although, those green bears were pretty tasty,” I said, raising an eyebrow.
Alden scrunched his nose in disgust and clutched his stomach. “You ate raw bears?!” he groaned, visibly repulsed.
I shrugged and turned my attention back to Ember. “So where is this place? Shouldn’t we descend a bit?”
Ember grunted in response, and suddenly the ark accelerated, throwing Alden and me back against the wall. “Ember! What are you doing?! Where exactly is this place?!” Alden shouted, struggling to regain his footing.
Alden and I exchanged stunned glances, the realization sinking in. "Your birthplace?" I repeated, looking at Ember with newfound curiosity.
Ember nodded, her gaze distant. "Yes. It's been years since I've been here. I never thought I'd return under these circumstances."
As the ark descended toward the kingdom, the details became even clearer. The cloud structures were intricately woven, forming pathways and buildings that seemed to float effortlessly. The vibrant colors and bustling activity below filled me with a sense of awe and anticipation. This was a place of beauty and mystery.
As we landed on a mountain peak that looked down on the kingdom, we exited the ark, and Alden and I took in the breathtaking view. The cloud kingdom stretched out before us, shimmering in the sunlight, a testament to the marvels that awaited us in the Glimmerfen Kingdom.
“Let’s go!” I yelled, and Alden and I launched ourselves toward the kingdom. Suddenly, a barrier appeared, causing us to crash into it and fall back, groaning. I noticed that the barrier was made out of the same crystals from Ember's ark.
“Ember? What are you doing?” I asked while rubbing my head.
Ember walked over and perched on my shoulder. “Listen, you two. The king and queen do not tolerate disruptions, so you need to be on your best behavior,” she said firmly. “And by the way, Glimmerfen isn’t anything like Feathercrest. Glimmerfen is one of the three strongest kingdoms.” There was a hint of pride in her voice as she spoke.
Alden and I exchanged glances, realizing the importance of our conduct in this new and powerful kingdom.
Meanwhile, back under Aurora, Vex sat in the crystallized prison, his eyes narrowing as he noticed a figure approaching. A slow, sinister smile spread across his face. The figure shattered his prison with a swift motion and stepped closer.
“Hey, Ravyn,” Vex chuckled, only to be met with a sharp slap across his face. “Ow,” he muttered, rubbing his cheek.
As the light from the crystals illuminated the figure, her features came into sharp focus. She was a striking avian girl, clad in elegant green and white armor, standing at least two inches shorter than Vex. Her curvy figure and feathered brown hair were a vivid contrast to the stark, crystalline surroundings.
Her eyes blazed with intensity as she scowled at him. “How did you lose? Aren’t you supposed to be the leader of the Crimson Talons? And let’s not forget, you’re the vessel of the Shadow Owl.” Her tone dripped with frustration and disdain.
Vex cracked his back and knuckles with a dismissive grunt. “I didn’t lose. Gaian was just unusually adaptive, and that blasted striped owl threw me off with that ark!” He growled as they flew out of the chamber, landing just outside the Aurora Springs. “I didn’t anticipate Gaian unlocking his divine mode so quickly. That’s why the boss urged me to finish him off swiftly.”
Ravyn rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Excuses, excuses. I’m just a winged knight, yet I managed to break out of your prison. And now, thanks to you, we’ve lost track of them.” Her frustration peaked as she attempted to slap him again, but Vex’s avian weaving skillfully evaded her strikes every time.
“Don’t lecture me,” Vex snapped, rubbing his cheek where she had nearly connected. “If you had been quicker or more prepared, maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess. You’re not the only one who has to deal with the boss’s expectations.” He glared at her, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.
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Ravyn’s expression hardened, her patience wearing thin. “You think I’m here for your excuses? I’m here to clean up your mess and get things back on track. So unless you want to be left behind, you better start taking responsibility.”
With a resigned sigh, Vex straightened up. “Fine. What’s the plan then?”
Ravyn's eyes narrowed as she considered their next move. “First, we need to regroup and reassess. There’s no point chasing shadows. Let’s head to the last known location of Gaian and the others. If we find any clue as to where they went, we might still catch up with them.”
“Agreed,” Vex said begrudgingly. “But next time, try not to get in my way.”
Ravyn shot him a withering look before taking flight, her wings beating against the air as she led the way. Vex followed, his mind already working on their next strategy, the weight of their failure pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Meanwhile, in Glimmerfen, Ember, Alden, and I navigated the vibrant streets, weaving through a sea of bustling avian citizens. The sights and sounds of the kingdom were mesmerizing, captivating us with their dazzling energy and intricate beauty.
Brightly colored banners fluttered in the breeze, and the aroma of exotic foods from street vendors filled the air, mingling with the melodies of distant music. Majestic spires and floating walkways connected ornate buildings, their architecture a blend of elegance and practicality. Every corner seemed alive with activity—children darted between stalls, merchants called out their wares, and groups of friends gathered in lively taverns.
“Guys, we’re just here to eat and rest up. After that, we’ll be on our way,” Ember said, glancing back to make sure we were following. Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized we were nowhere in sight.
“Captain?! Darkness?! What am I standing on?!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with confusion. She looked down and saw, to her horror, that she was perched on the back of an elderly man who had been quietly reading a scroll. His eyes widened in shock, and he quickly tried to stand, looking both bewildered and slightly annoyed.
Ember flapped her wings, apologizing profusely as she awkwardly hopped off the old man and onto a nearby cloud. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize—” she began, but the old man waved her off with a gruff but understanding nod. “It’s fine, weird stuff has been happening all day.” He then looked at Ember and rubbed his eyes. “Wait! You’re-!” Before he could finish, Ember disappeared.
Meanwhile, Alden and I were in a bustling tavern, devouring an impressive array of dishes. “This is so much better than chewing through a dead bear!” I exclaimed, my mouth full of food. “And eating nothing but nuts and berries for two days? That would have driven me insane!” Alden agreed, licking the last remnants from his bowl.
“More, please!” we called out in unison, holding our empty bowls out to the bemused barkeep.
I glanced around, taking in the lively scene—the bustling patrons, the lively music, and the smell of freshly cooked meals. It was a much-needed respite, and for the first time in days, I felt a sense of normalcy. We were finally getting a chance to recharge, but the shadows of our recent battles still loomed over us.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the tavern, and the lively atmosphere was replaced by a palpable tension. I glanced up at the barkeep, whose face had drained of color, reflecting sheer terror. It was eerily reminiscent of my first encounter in the Aurora Forest when we faced Sir Korin. The sense of foreboding grew stronger as I heard multiple footsteps approaching from behind.
I couldn’t let the barkeep suffer the same fate as the last one. I shot a glance at Alden, who met my gaze with a determined nod. We both turned and, without a moment's hesitation, charged toward the source of the threat.
Meanwhile, Ember moved cautiously through the bustling streets, her wing partially obscuring her face as she tried to stay out of sight. Her frustration was palpable as she muttered, “Where are those two?” The sudden commotion ahead caught her attention—loud crashes and shouts reverberated through the air.
"Hey! Two mysterious men are fighting!" someone called from behind her.
“Damn it, those two!” Ember growled under her breath and sprinted toward the disturbance. As she rounded the corner, she saw Alden and me standing amid a sea of fallen winged knights, each defeated and sprawled on the ground around us.
"Who's next?!" I yelled with a sadistic grin, echoing Vex’s twisted pleasure.
Alden, foot planted firmly on the face of a dazed winged knight, shouted, "We’ll take on any winged knights who dare to harm Ember’s people!"
Ember’s eyes widened in horror as she surveyed the chaos before her. Her once peaceful hometown was now in ruins, the aftermath of the brawl between us and the winged knights.
The crowd's disapproval grew louder as people began to boo and shout angrily.
“Leave them alone!”
“They’re just trying to protect our town!”
We exchanged uneasy glances and offered sheepish bows. “No need to thank us,” I said with a forced grin, narrowly dodging a rock thrown in our direction. “We were just passing by!”
The crowd's reaction was immediate and intense. “We’re not thanking you!” a voice rang out. “Those winged knights have been our protectors! In their name, we will bring you to justice!” People surged forward, tending to the wounded knights with a fierce mix of anger and resolve.
Alden and I exchanged worried glances. “Uh oh,” I muttered, realizing that my assumption about all winged knights being evil might have been misguided.
Suddenly, a commanding voice cut through the commotion. “THAT’S ENOUGH!” The words echoed as three avian figures descended from the sky, their powerful wings creating gusts of wind. One of them looked down and gasped in surprise. “Ember?!”
As the figure’s shout echoed through the square, every head turned toward Ember. In an instant, the crowd’s anger transformed into reverence. “PRINCESS EMBER!” the patrons cried out in unison, bowing deeply before her.
“Princess?” Alden muttered, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. Before we could react, two of the men quickly approached us and fastened handcuffs around our wrists. “For the crime of attacking multiple Winged Knights, you two are to be executed!” one of them declared with a harsh edge in his voice.
Alden and I exchanged alarmed glances as we tried to protest, but our words were drowned out by the rising murmur of the crowd. Ember, her face a mixture of frustration and resignation, looked down at us.
The third man, his expression stern and unyielding, seized Ember by the neck and lifted her effortlessly. “The king’s going to want to see you,” he said, his sneer dripping with disdain. Ember’s eyes met ours one last time, filled with a complex mix of apology and determination as she was carried off.
In the grand hall of the castle, we were led into the King’s chamber. The regal room was dominated by two imposing thrones—one occupied by the King, the other by the Queen. The Queen's posture was elegant, her legs crossed in a display of composure, but as her gaze fell upon Ember, her expression shifted to one of sharp disgust. The King, initially seated with a sneer on his face, rose abruptly as his eyes settled on Ember.
“My forbidden daughter,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “Didn’t I instruct you never to show your face here again? And now, you dare to return adorned with golden feathers?” His tone was laced with both anger and incredulity, his eyes blazing with a mixture of betrayal and fury. “Orion, give her to me.”
The one who held Ember, Orion, vanished into thin air and reappeared before the king, delivering her with a contemptuous flourish. The queen’s gaze hardened as she took Ember from him, her expression twisting with disgust. “You dare return?” she spat. “You’re nothing more than a common striped owl. I nearly lost my life giving birth to you.”
She flung Ember to the floor with brutal force and began to stomp on her. Ember let out a pained squawk, her cries piercing the air as the queen’s boots continued their relentless assault.
Alden's face twisted with fury. Breaking free from the grip of the two other knights, he lunged at the king. “You’re just like my parents!” he roared, slashing with his talons in a desperate attack. Orion intercepted him with a swift, practiced move, seizing Alden’s arm and wrenching it into an arm bar, pinning him harshly to the ground. “Attacking my parents?” Orion sneered. “I detest it when people cross that line.”
“Like this?” I said, catching their attention. The queen turned her head, only to find me behind her, gripping her hair tightly. She winced as I tugged, and I leaned in, my voice low and mocking. “I hate it when people cross the line by attacking my friends.” I licked her cheek teasingly, making her cheeks turn red, the gesture both defiant and taunting. Vex had a huge influence on me than I thought.