Chương 20: Flightless Bird

Ghost leaped from the shrine, spreading his massive wings impressively.

"Later, loser!"

With a running start, Ghost beat his wings, throwing up a small gust of wind. His body soared forwards, gaining speed quickly.

Speed? It's not the only thing needed when flying.

"Ah, Shit!! How do I go up?!"

The undergrowth around the shrine wasn't tall, but Ghost was only a meter off the ground. He flapped his wings in a panic, hoping to clear the bushes. Unfortunately, the random movements only had the opposite effect, sending the bird tumbling into the forest.

Edol chuckled as he listened to the pained screeches of his friend.

"Hey buddy, need some help? Pretty sure I saw some bramble bushes pretty close to where you crashed. They looked pretty spikey!"

Edol wanted to keep making fun of his counterpart but knew that what the bird had said was probably true. His best bet at gaining knowledge of his surroundings was through Ghost- while the bird was still flightless, making him useless for scouting, he'd clearly recognized something in the shrine.

Sighing, Edol pulled a bramble to the side, carefully avoiding the nasty-looking spikes. Even after tunneling two meters into the undergrowth, Edol still couldn't see anything more than the fallen feathers of his friend.

The angry screeches of his friend had ceased, replaced by angry snapping noises. A few moments later, Edol was finally greeted with the sight of his friend.

Ghost had apparently decided to take out the anger of his failed flight on the surrounding bushes, cleaving away at their stems with his fierce talons.

Edol stepped back nervously, watching as Ghost's poor anger management got the bird tangled up in even more plants.

"Oi Ugly, let's make a trade. I'll get you out of your tangle, you tell me about where we're at. Sound good?"

A defeated Ghost thrashed out at the surrounding plants one last time before finally realizing he needed help.

"Fine then. We'll travel together for the time being."

"...huh?"

Edol shook his head in confusion, wondering how an information trade had turned into becoming travel buddies.

Ghost continued with his proposal, failing in his attempts to look majestic while tangled in the weeds.

"We'll set up some rules. First off, Don't call me ugly! Ghost, Master, or 'Your Magnificence' are all fine. Second! You have to talk for me. I'm pretty sure you're the only one who can hear me, since we seem to be talking into each other's minds. Third, You must always listen to me if there's danger."

"Listen to you? Why would I listen to an idiot chunni bird? Also, I'm calling you Ugly as long as you keep calling me goblin!"

Ghost surprisingly wasn't angered by Edol's words, and was serious for once.

"From what you've shared about your past world, you lived a life of peace. Clearly my beautiful armor somehow gave you the idea that I'm a fool, but if you go around like a peace-loving idiot around here, you might get killed! Sure, I died early in the war, but before that, I was an experienced relic hunter. I've stared down death countless times, and was rewarded with a legendary set of armor! Even if you're annoying, Gob- no, Edol, I'll keep you from doing anything that'll get you killed."

Realizing that this was probably a good idea, Edol decided to join Ghost in setting aside their differences and teaming up. It wouldn't be more than a few moments later that he quickly came to regret his decision, as an apparently unmentioned part of the agreement was Edol's shoulder serving as a seat for the massive bird. Edol's new fear of talons would surely be reaffirmed repeatedly in the following weeks.

To the southeast, in the north of the country of Miaan.

Four months had passed since the destruction of the northern villages, and the remaining villagers had begun spreading out through Miaan. Many of them had worked simple jobs in the villages- Fishing, hunting, and maintaining the gardens provided all the resources the villages needed, as pelts from hunted game could be sold at high prices to the few visiting merchants.

These merchants had been the cornerstone of the villagers' plans for revenge, plans that had quickly been scrambled when they discovered the disappearance of said merchants.

It refreshed their feelings of fear and hatred towards Easthill. Even after destroying their everything, Easthill was even extending their influence into neighboring countries in attempts to hunt them down.

However, determination was a scary thing. With Han's planning combined with Goerg's charisma, the duo managed to gather the more spirited villagers into an efficient organization.

Northell.

The remnants of the north would rain hell onto the betrayers, repaying the sudden attack on their homes.

The people of Northell quickly spread through Miaan, utilizing any of Han's contacts who'd managed to avoid the East's purge.

Now, only a few elders and a few children were left in the north. Regardless of gender or profession, everyone from the fallen villages was partaking in preparing their revenge.

In the river port city of Thorby, situated at the intersection of Miaan, Eashill, and Birka, a drunk Joff was chatting with a group of adventurers he'd encountered in a bar.

"So y'all are heading down to -hic- Birka for Relic hunting?"

Joff drunkenly pointed at one of the men, motioning at his light blonde hair.

"All of you look like you're from the east, I hear there're many unexplored tombs there too. Why head south?"

The group looked around nervously, trying to come up with a reason for their departure.

"We, ah, we just wanted an adventure! We've always wanted to see the beaches in the south, and since the borders are tightening, we figured we should take the trip while we still can!"

Joff's eyes subtly narrowed, and his drunkenness seemed to fade for a moment. The topic of conversation changed, but the young Northerner continued his chat with the traveling adventurers, his observing eyes disguised by his drunken actions.