The words Dome of the Wyverns echoed in Emma's mind, leaving an uneasy shudder in its wake. The name carried a weight, a sense of foreboding that settled deep in her chest. As the carriage wheels rolled forward, her thoughts swirled with questions and fears.

There are truly dangerous things in this world... she mused, her unease growing with every mile. The thought of her family—her mother, her father, her siblings—made her heart tighten. Will we be safe? Will this danger find us too? And if it does... what can I do to protect them?

Seeking comfort or perhaps clarity, Emma turned to her mother. “Mom,” she asked hesitantly, “what exactly are wyverns?”

Vivian adjusted her glasses, her gaze thoughtful. “Wyverns are reptilian creatures with two legs and two wings,” she explained. “They share some similarities with dragons—you know what dragons are, right?”

Emma nodded.

“In the records of history, wyverns began to inhabit this region after the battle between the gods and the otherworldly beings. They possess traits like dragons—strength, cunning, and resilience—but are lesser in stature and might. Still, they are formidable creatures.”

Emma’s brow furrowed as new questions formed. “But why this region?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do they live here for a reason? Are they... guarding something?”

Vivian gave a small smile but said nothing more, leaving Emma to her thoughts.

As she gazed out the carriage window, trying to dispel the lingering unease, her attention was caught by a flock of extraordinary birds. Their forms resembled doves, but they were larger, with long, elegant tail feathers and a pointed crest atop their heads. Magical blue dust trailed in their wake as they flew, their faintly glowing eyes shimmering in hues of white and silver.

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The birds’ melodic chirping filled the air, eerily reminiscent of human singing voices, harmonized in a way that seemed almost too perfect to be natural. Emma's tension eased as she became lost in their beauty.

“Wow,” she breathed.

Vivian smiled at her daughter’s wide-eyed wonder. “They’re called Fettocks,” she said. “Beautiful, aren’t they? They don’t just sing like humans—they can also talk. They’re intelligent creatures, known for their voices and their keen wit.”

Emma turned back to the flock, counting at least fifteen of the radiant birds. Each one bore intricate, colorful patterns that shimmered like the strokes of an artist’s brush.

Unable to resist, she leaned toward the open window and called out, “Hello there!”

The Fettocks all turned toward her in perfect unison, their glowing eyes locking onto her. Then, to her astonishment, they responded in clear, synchronized voices, “Hello! Hello there!”

Emma gasped, her excitement bubbling over into a broad smile. “They really can talk,” she murmured, her worries temporarily forgotten.

Suddenly, one of the Fettocks broke from the flock, its graceful flight bringing it closer to the carriage. With a gentle flutter, it slipped through the open window and landed lightly on her lap.

The bird was exquisite. Its feathers glowed a radiant red that seemed to shimmer with an inner light, each plume blending seamlessly into the next. Its glowing white eyes regarded Emma with curiosity, tilting its head as if studying her face.

“Hi,” Emma said softly. “What’s your name?”

The Fettock tilted its head further, almost quizzically. Its voice, soft and clear, carried an odd but endearing accent. “I... I don’t have a name.”

Emma blinked in surprise. “Oh, you don’t?” She tapped her chin thoughtfully before brightening. “Alright, let me think...”

After a moment of deliberation, she clapped her hands. “I’ve got it! I’ll call you Redi—since your feathers are such a glowing red.”

The bird’s head bobbed slightly, as if testing the name. “Redi... Redi,” it repeated, the word sounding musical in its voice. Then its glowing eyes fixed on her once more. “That is a wonderful name. And you... what is your name?”

“Emma,” she replied, her voice warm.

“Emma,” Redi echoed, as if savoring the sound. “A lovely name.”

For a moment, the bird seemed content to simply sit on her lap, its feathers shifting slightly in the soft light. Then, with a curious tilt of its head, it asked, “May I know where you are heading?”