Diyan walked forward onto a platform of leveled rock, where the night sky and blustering wind indicated a high elevation compared to the rest of the compound. At the center of it was a flying craft unlike any Binara had set eyes on. Kinnaras whizzed about, running checks and packing in supplies.

It was essentially a small boat with huge wings and an open deck—a mechanical bird powered with fuel that eluded Binara's imagination. The wings lay folded on either side, with metal structures akin to feathers. The hull exhibited a complex mechanism with twin exhaust pipes, which suggested a propulsion system. The wood-and-metal bulk, which stood on wheels, was designed to resemble a peacock, with a beaked figurehead at the bow.

"This is the Monara," Diyan said, giving the craft a fond pat.

Binara found her voice. "Does this actually fly?"

"Do you think it's just for show, my lady?"

"How?" she demanded. "It looks heavy. And what are you using to fuel it?"

"So many questions." Diyan smiled.

Binara was momentarily distracted as she took in the effect the smile had on his face. The infernal dimples had appeared, and his hair blew in the wind, getting into his eyes. Argh.

A kinnari chirped in Diyan's ear, and they exchanged words that she had no clue about. Then he turned his attention to Raya, who stood patiently by his side.

"Is Raya coming with us?" Binara asked. "I was wondering if she can carry any messages my Yakadura partner Piumi might have for me."

"No, too much weight for the Monara to handle. I can get Raya to visit the human realm." Diyan bent down to give the big cat one last cuddle. "But sending her to a specific place is going to be tricky. Perhaps you can tell me where to find Piumi along the way."

That was when it occurred to Binara that she had no idea exactly where Piumi lived. She decided to tackle the problem later. Diyan straightened up and gestured to her.

"What?" Binara narrowed her eyes at him.

"Get aboard, my lady." He indicated the stepladder towards the front of the Monara. "We should get moving while the moon shines."

"The moon is always shining," Binara said, walking to the ladder.

"It's a figure of speech. When we get to Kurul, we can rest there for the night and continue beyond the mountains in the morning."

"Where?"

"You'll see when you get there."

"Fine." Binara carefully climbed onto the Monara, her hand marveling at the smooth, white wood. "You didn't answer my questions about this thing."

"Let us take to the skies, and then I will sate your curiosity." Diyan climbed up behind her, the smile still lingering on his face.

Binara opened her mouth and closed it on second thought. She sank down on the wooden seating, plonked her backpack on the deck and watched Diyan while he supervised the kinnaras.

When the last box of supplies found its home at the back of the Monara, Diyan positioned himself at the wheel. Three kinnaras flew aboard, making up the crew of this otherworldly craft. Then it was time to take off.

Diyan flicked a series of levers, his eyes fixed on two peculiar dials. The Monara hummed to life, and vibrations swept across the hull. The vehicle glided forward, picking up speed, while the wings unfurled—long and streamlined. Wind whipped Binara's hair and stole her breath away. As the edge drew closer with each second, she gripped her seat, half expecting to plummet hundreds of meters down the rock.

She gasped as the Monara lifted off the ground and flew off the edge.

Her stomach wobbled, and her heart went into a frenzy, pounding louder than the roar of the wind. The craft soared up into the night sky like a giant bird, wings making a slow flapping motion. Laid out below was the ghostly forest of deodar cedars, leaves gleaming under moonlight, while further away, Binara spotted fields and orchards that probably supplied food to the palace. Binara released her death grip on the seat. Exhilaration coursed through her, and she suppressed a laugh.

"Enjoying the ride?" Diyan asked, throwing a glance over his shoulder while his cloak billowed back.

"No." Binara crossed her arms, and it suddenly occurred to her that he hadn't so much as touched the wheel, which moved of its own accord. "How are you driving this thing?"

"Telekinesis."

"Oh. Right." She wondered how powerful he actually was, since even house ghosts could manage a low level of poltergeism. "You still haven't answered my questions."

He shook his head and smiled again. "The wood comes from a type of tree to the east of Himavan Forest. It's strong but light. The wings have been designed to mimic that of soaring birds—nothing beats the craftsmanship of nature."

"What about the fuel?"

"This prototype was specifically crafted for Holmanloke. It runs on geo-ectoplasm—energy that flows through the ground and powers much of this world."

"A type of ectoplasm as fuel?"

"I would have thought you were familiar with the concept." Diyan gazed into the distance. "After all, I see that people have learned to refine and use an ectoplasmic substance extracted from the ground—compacted and fused with normal matter over millennia. Although, on second thought, they might not know the true origin, which is leakage from portals, ghosts and demons."

Of course. Kaluon. She had grown so used to kaluon-powered vehicles and appliances in Hevana that for a moment, she had forgotten it. Yet again, she marveled at how much the two worlds had in common.

Lost in thought, Binara leaned to the side and watched the forest far below, which lay illuminated under the moon while tiny bursts of bioluminescence sparkled like stars. The palace on the rock receded into the distance—a gigantic landmark shooting up into the clouds. Towards the back, the kinnaras twittered among themselves.

As they rode a thermal and ascended higher into the firmament, Binara's spirits rose in tandem. She dwelled on how impossible this quest would have been if she had to traverse miles of alien forest on foot. Now that she was seated on his whimsical craft high above the clouds, accompanied by a demon and three tiny beings of legend, she experienced a warmth bloom inside—a flame of hope mingled with relief.

Binara gave her head a shake and asked, "How long would it take to get to this Kurul place?"

"A lot sooner than trekking through the forest," Diyan replied. "Which you were planning on doing."

Are you making fun of me, you demon beastie? She scowled. "I didn't know you had a fancy flying machine. Who built this anyways?"

"The kinnaras did—after I added my own touches to the design. The original design comes from a talented inventor."

"And who's that?"

"King Mayadunne."

"What?" Her eyes widened. "According to legend, he did have a flying vehicle. No one thinks it was real though."

"That's sad," Diyan said. "The Monara was first built for his trip to Mount Meru. Except, he couldn't use it to go all the way."

Binara's head whirled as she tried to visualize her ancestor flying on this very craft. "Why couldn't he go all the way?"

"For one thing, the distance the Monara can cover on a single trip is limited."

"Oh." She frowned. "So we will have to walk on foot eventually?"

Diyan's expression turned troubled. "Yes."

The very air suddenly felt heavier and colder. Binara hugged herself and withdrew to her inner world.

Almost an hour later, the rugged terrain underneath morphed to rocky hills—a ridge that marked the edge of the Tiamsava plateau. The Monara gradually lost altitude, and the land gained definition. The forest had thinned to grasses and scraggly trees—all taking on the characteristic colorlessness of Holmanloke. A herd of bovines grazed amid the vegetation, their grey coats blending into the environment.

"What's that?" Binara asked, pointing at circular holes she could just make out at the foot of a hill.

"Tunnels made by nagas," Diyan said. "Are you familiar with them?"

Binara scrutinized the tunnel openings, hoping to catch a glimpse of one. "Only from mythology."

"Naga clans are scattered around Tiamsava and beyond. They have intricate tunnel networks. They are generally hostile, especially when they encounter Garuda's people." He paused. "We're here."

Binara looked up. At the summit of a hill, strange dwellings inched into view, peeking through silk cotton trees. They were wattle and daub structures, their organic forms reminiscent of weaverbird nests, except for porthole-like windows made of glass. Bottle lamps hung from branches, emitting the same spectral glow as the lamps from Diyan's palace.

As they drew closer, she spied the inhabitants—humanoids with wings and beaks. They wore surprisingly colorful clothing, adorned with copper jewelry, which popped out from feathers that were various shades of brown.

"Garuda's people?" Binara asked, unable to wrest her eyes off them.

Diyan nodded, preoccupied with piloting the Monara.

A birdman flew up in the distance, encased in a kind of armor, and guided the Monara to a flattened rock that acted as a runway.

Within seconds, the craft eased to the ground, and vibrations scuttled up at touchdown. Diyan seemed to have activated a braking system, since the Monara slowed to a stop, wheels skidding on rock while the wings contracted.

In the sudden silence, sounds of activity reached her ears. Armored birdmen arrived and exchanged words of greeting with Diyan. The ground sloped up all around, marked with trees and boulders while silvery fireflies twinkled in the dark. Up ahead, Binara could see a paved footpath that doubtlessly led to the settlement.

The birdmen helped to unload a box from the back, which seemed to be a gift. Diyan swooped down to the ground, barely using the ladder. Then he offered a hand to Binara, who ignored it and climbed down.

"This is where Garuda lives?" Binara asked as all of them made for the footpath.

"No, this is an outpost," Diyan replied. "They will refuel the Monara and see us off in the morning."

"Why would they bother?"

"Mahasona's activities are concerning for all dwellers of Daval. His invasion of Hevana would grow his army, and his bold excursions to the Twilight Sands have stirred fears of attack."

"Has he attacked regions in Daval before?" Binara asked, frowning.

"There have been incursions into Daval, but they are few and far between." Diyan's face was clouded, his profile limned in the moonbeams that filtered down from the trees. "However, it's unclear who is responsible for them. There are only a few sources documenting events of the past."

"You mean, there were powerful demons from Raa—other than Mahasona?"

"Yes. We know next to nothing about Raa." He paused. "Serious demonic events happen in the human realm at any given time, even if those are not as dire as the Great Haunting. If all these demons of Raa collaborate, they could cause unimaginable destruction. But they don't."

"Fighting among themselves?"

"Or there's something holding them back—a force in the shadows governing them and their activities," he said darkly. "We simply don't know."

Before Binara could ponder what could possibly have power over a demon like Mahasona, a familiar birdman emerged into view.

For the first time, Binara could piece together the words of greeting that emanated from Garuda's beaked mouth, "Welcome to Kurul."