Pecos (struggling to balance himself inside the swaying vehicle):
"Nerar, is this a vehicle or a fishing boat in a hurricane? I thought we bought speed, not sea-sickness! The mountain meat I ate yesterday is already planning its escape from my stomach!"
Nerar (tightening his grip on the wheel):
"Shut it, Pecos! The ground here is unstable, and the raw crystals in the engine are reacting to the mountain's magnetism. If you wanted a smooth ride, you should've stayed in Rakion's dungeon!"
Darius (looking through binoculars toward the peaks):
"Guys, stop bickering. Look at that cloud... it's not moving with the wind. It's... it's approaching us!"
Ortinus (sharply): "That's no cloud. Everyone, get ready!"
Suddenly, the mist parted to reveal a massive entity. It was a legendary bird, with wings spanning like the sails of a warship, feathers of an electric blue that glowed with a strange flicker, and eyes like embers of pure crystal. The bird let out a cry that shattered the silence of the plain, then lunged toward them with lightning speed.
Pecos (screaming while hiding under the seat):
"Whoa! Is that a bird or a flying fortress? It thinks our vehicle is a giant tin of sardines!"
Romelius (drawing his sword):
"It seems unstable; it's likely to attack us!"
The bird landed forcefully, its wing striking the side of the vehicle and causing it to swerve. It began drumming its metallic talons against the roof, trying to tear off the iron plating.
Darius (trying to aim his bow with difficulty):
"I can't hit it! Its feathers are as tough as armor; the arrows just bounce off like dry twigs!"
Miron (staring at the bird in a mix of terror and wonder):
"It's not attacking us for food... it senses something. Look at its eyes—it's looking at the chest Ortinus is hiding!"
Ortinus (standing in the middle of the shaking vehicle):
"The Feather! Miron, you're right. Nerar, keep the vehicle steady! Pecos, stop wailing and hold onto Nikos!"
Ortinus pulled out the "Blue Feather." The moment it appeared, something strange happened. The bird stopped its assault abruptly and hovered directly above them, creating a downdraft that nearly flipped the vehicle. The Feather in Ortinus's hand began to vibrate violently, emitting a blue light that perfectly harmonized with the color of the bird's plumage.
Nikos (his voice trembling with awe):
"Ortinus... lift it high. Don't resist the pulse; let it flow. This bird is no enemy; it is a servant of the Feather."
Ortinus (holding the Feather toward the sky):
"Guardian! We are not invaders! We carry the key... we carry hope!"
The bird descended again, but this time with an eerie calmness. It landed directly in front of the vehicle, forcing Nerar to a sudden stop. Its size was terrifying up close; its talons sank into the rock like hot knives through butter.
Pecos (whispering from behind Darius's arm):
"Should I ask it now if it likes cheese? Maybe if we feed it, it'll calm down completely..."
Darius: "Be quiet, Pecos! You're ruining a legendary moment!"
Ortinus approached the bird slowly, the Feather in his hand glowing intensely. He reached out, and incredibly, the massive bird lowered its head until its lethal beak touched Ortinus's forehead. The aura of rage vanished, replaced by a deep serenity.
Miron (in disbelief):
"It's closing its eyes... it's under control. The Feather isn't just a key to a gate; it's a scepter of command over the monsters of this world."
Ortinus (stroking the bird's feathers):
"It's in pain... there's a black crystal shard embedded in its left wing. Miron, Nerar, help me!"
Nerar: "Are you crazy? If we pull it out, it might tear us apart!"
Ortinus: "Trust me. The Feather keeps it calm."
With a collective effort and using Nerar's tools, they extracted the dark crystal shard that had been poisoning the bird's body. The bird let out one last cry, but it was a cry of relief. It shook its feathers and stood tall with renewed strength.
Pecos (standing up with sudden bravery):
"See? I told you it was a good bird! Darius, record in your journals that Pecos was the first to notice its nobility!"
Darius: "From your spot hiding under the seat? I'll be sure to do that!"
Romelius: "Ortinus, look... it's bowing its wing to us. Does it want us to...?"
Ortinus: "It wants us to follow it. It will guide us through the Storm Pass. The vehicle won't survive there, but with its help, we'll shorten the distance."
Nikos: "This is the ally we need. The journey to Achille will no longer be on foot."
Nerar (gathering his belongings):
"So we're abandoning the vehicle that cost me a fortune? Just my luck! But I admit, flying seems faster."
Pecos (in a panic):
"Wait! Flying? You mean we're going to ride on the back of that thing? What about gravity? What about my weak knees? Ortinus, I protest!"
Ortinus (with a confident smile):
"Your protest is overruled, Pecos. Get on, or stay here and explain to the royal patrols how to domesticate birds!"
The companions climbed onto the back of the great bird, clutching its powerful feathers. With a single beat of its wings, they soared into the heavens, leaving the earth and its troubles behind, heading toward the mysterious borders of Crystalis.
Darius (shouting over the wind): "Pecos! Open your eyes! The view is magnificent!"
Pecos (eyes squeezed shut): "I will not! I'm going to pretend I'm in a beautiful dream until we touch the ground again!"