Nussudle lay stretched along a broad branch near Home Tree, one arm folded behind his head, the other resting against Nova's warm neck. The ikran was half-asleep, tail flicking now and then, eyes closing but never fully shutting. Below them, the clan moved through its usual rhythms. Voices drifted up. Tools tapped. Life carried on.
For once, Nussudle wasn't thinking about patrols, toruk shadows, or council arguments.
Then the system pulsed.
It wasn't loud or dramatic. Just a familiar pressure behind his eyes, followed by translucent shapes forming in the air only he could see.
New Feature Available: Advanced Crafting
Nussudle blinked. "What?"
He sat up slowly, careful not to startle Nova. The panel expanded on its own, lines of text arranging themselves into clean columns.
Available Crafting Categories:
– Weapons– Ammunition– Gear– Mount Equipment
Mount equipment?
Curiosity replaced his relaxed mood. He reached out and selected it.
The panel shifted again.
Mount Equipment – Ikran
– Reinforced Saddle– Control Harness– Flight Balance Straps– Neural Sync Enhancers (Locked)
Nussudle leaned forward.
"Nova," he muttered, more to himself than the ikran. "You're going to like this."
He selected Reinforced Saddle.
A breakdown appeared instantly, including Stats, modifiers, and requirements.
Reinforced Saddle (Ikran-Compatible)– Increased rider stability– Improved turn response– Reduced stamina loss during combat manoeuvres– Minor increase to aerial attack precision
Below it, a list began to scroll.
Required Materials:
– Home Tree Bark (Flexible Grade)– Teylu Fibre (High Tensile)– Cloud Pine Resin– Skimwing Leather Strips– Metkayina Coral Weave– Spirit Shell Binding Thread
Nussudle frowned.
"That's… a lot."
Nova opened one eye, sensing his shift in mood.
'I know, ' Nussudle thought, rubbing the ikran's neck. But imagine flying tighter turns. Faster dives. These thoughts were transferred through their bond.
Interest flickered back through the bond as Nova's tail flicked a bit faster.
He dismissed the panel and pulled a small piece of bark closer, scratching marks into it with a dull blade.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Let's make a list."
Home Tree bark was easy. Teylu fibre too. Cloud Pine resin would take permission, but it was doable.
Then there was the rest.
Skimwing leather. Metkayina coral weave.
That meant travel. Long travel.
The sea clans.
Nussudle sat back, staring out over the forest canopy. The idea didn't scare him. If anything, it felt right. He'd always known his path wouldn't stay within the branches of Home Tree forever.
Nova shifted, fully awake now.
"This isn't just for you," Nussudle said softly. "It's for us."
The system flickered again.
Crafting Path Selected. Progress: 0%
Nussudle smiled faintly.
Nayat'i found him near the edge of the platforms later that evening, Nova perched nearby and watching the forest below. Nussudle was mid-sentence before he even realised she was there.
"I'll need to go south first," he said, then stopped. "Oh. You're here."
She raised an eyebrow. "I was looking for you."
"Good," he replied, then hesitated. "Actually… that makes this easier."
That alone made her suspicious.
They sat together on the edge, legs dangling, the glow of the forest rising beneath them.
"I've got a plan," Nussudle said. "A proper one."
Nayat'i listened as he explained. The saddle. The materials. The idea of needing to travel beyond Omatikaya lands.
By the time he finished, she was deadly quiet.
"You're talking about leaving," she said.
"For a while," he answered quickly. "Not forever."
She turned to face him. "You didn't say we."
Nussudle hesitated. "That's because—"
"You don't want me to come," she finished.
"It's not that," he said immediately. "Nayat'i, listen. Your position here matters. Your mother, the clan, the hunters—"
"So does yours," she snapped.
He exhaled sharply. "I'm not really tied to anything right now. You are."
"That doesn't mean I belong here more than you do."
"That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?" she asked, voice tight.
Nussudle looked away. "If something goes wrong… if this causes problems between clans… It's better if it's just me."
Her expression hardened. "You think protecting me means leaving me behind."
"I think protecting you means not dragging you into something uncertain."
She stood abruptly. "You don't get to decide that for me."
"Nayat'i—"
"No," she said. "You don't get to decide what risks I take."
The silence that followed was heavy and deep on Nussudle's chest.
Nova shifted uneasily, feeling the emotions through their bond.
Nussudle spoke more quietly. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Well, you did." She turned away, arms crossed, shoulders tense.
"I need time," she said. "So do you."
She left without looking back.
Nussudle stayed where he was, chest tight, feeling the bond between them strain in a way it never had before.
Night had fully settled by the time Nussudle climbed down toward the inner platforms.
His mood hadn't lifted.
Ilara noticed immediately.
"You're walking like someone carrying a burden," she said, setting aside what she was working on.
Kamun sat nearby, quieter than usual, listening.
Nussudle sat across from them. "I might be leaving for a while."
That got their full attention.
He explained everything. The saddle. The materials. The idea of needing. No, wanting to travel to other clans, possibly the Metkayina.
When he finished, Kamun leaned back slightly.
"You're not running," Kamun said. "You're preparing."
"Yes," Nussudle replied. "For what's coming. I don't know what it is yet, but I can feel it."
Ilara studied him. "And Nayat'i?"
Nussudle looked down. "She wants to come. I told her she shouldn't."
Ilara sighed softly. "You tried to protect her by choosing for her."
"I know," he said. "I realise that now."
Kamun nodded. "You've grown strong. But strength isn't only knowing when to stand alone."
Nussudle swallowed. "I don't want to lose her."
"Then don't," Ilara said gently. "But understand that walking separate paths, even briefly, always leaves marks."
Silence settled over them.
Kamun spoke again. "If you go, you go as Omatikaya. You carry our name."
"I know," Nussudle said.
"And if you stay," Ilara added, "you stay with honesty."
Nussudle nodded slowly.
Outside, the forest hummed on, unaware of the choices forming beneath its leaves.
And somewhere deep within him, the system waited—quiet, patient—knowing that the next step would shape far more than a saddle.