Angel Falls 

I headed to Upover and was immediately met with detest. Greygnarl, Hero of the Heavens, was not impressed with my visit and demanded I leave right away. Luckily, he informed that I was the first Celestrian to visit within three centuries so Phoenix had not been here so I head to Angel Falls. 

My previous territory and flock. When I walked into the small village, it was nothing like I expected. The people were happy and getting on with their lives even with the damage inflicted upon them by the earthquake caused by the lights concocted by darkness.

Mortals are such fickle beings who can overcome any incident in either a positive light or a negative one. But this just seems too quick so I focus on the people who were helping to repair the church.

"Is this enough wood?" Tyler inquires as he deposits another block of wood next to the church.

"Yes, it is more than enough," Michael, the Priest, assures excitedly.

"Alright, men. Heave!" Tyler, Hank and farmer Pat grab a piece of rope before tugging with all their might to send the wood to Hugo who was fixing the roof of the church.

"How's it looking, Hugo?" The Mayor questions, yelling to ensure he is heard.

"Great! I think I can fix the bell on by the end of the day!" Hugo responds just as ecstatic. The villagers began to cheer, celebrate and dance. I shake my head in despondence, with all this excitement of the church it is highly unlikely that I'll hear anything of Phoenix.

"Hey, Ivor! Have you heard from Erinn or Phoenix yet?" Sebastian queries, running up to the teen.

Spoke too soon. Immediately, I focus back onto the conversation.

"Hah? How would I know?" Ivor snapped.

"I heard that both girls have become famous," Kathy gossiped.

"I heard that too," Margaret, a rather portly woman, responds, "Phoenix apparently defeated a wretched knight that plagued Stornway which brought Erinn many customers simply because they are friends."

"Ooh, ooh! Also the town of Coffinwell which was suffering from a wicked plague has miraculously recovered after Phoenix had assisted a doctor to discover a cure," Hugo adds, nearly slipping off the roof due to his excitement. 

"Wow, Phoenix is amazing!" Questelle exclaims.

"Undeniably so," I couldn't help, but agree.

Phoenix, you are phenomenal. It seems as if I have been worrying over nothing, you shall make an excellent Guardian without me watching your every move. However, that does not mean I shall stop my search, not until I find you and know you are truly safe and uninjured.

To Coffinwell.

Coffinwell

I furiously calcitrate a stone away which shoots across the fields and shatters a large stone sitting innocently within the field. I pace outside the town of Coffinwell in suppressed rage though I knew I should pacify myself so I could rationalise my thoughts, I just could not.

I missed Phoenix once again. My lead had vanished as she had already left a few days ago. Now, I know nothing of her location. As I passed Stornway, I sensed Pavo and after a brief yet appreciative reunion she told me that Phoenix had been searching for a way to return to the Observatory, but sensed she had returned to the Protectorate a few days ago.

Unfortunately, Pavo could not identify the location of my student so, once again, I am left searching without an inkling of where she could be. Knowing I would get no answers here, I attempt to fly to the next continent only to land back on the ground in an undignified manner. My wings ached as they begged for rest and it is then I remember I have been flying around the land nonstop for weeks on end. I begin to realise that the sun is starting to set.

Seeing no other alternative, I travel to the east where a large tree stood and rest against its base. I close my eyes and listen to my surroundings, I heed the leaves swaying above me, the scuttering of monsters and the whispers of the wind. Slowly yet suddenly, I welcome the sweet embrace of sleep.

Observatory

Here I am. Standing with my teacher alongside Mighty Yggdrasil, questioning him for his unorthodox behaviour.

"You still visit that village, Corvus? Why do you favour the mortals so?" I question him, agitated, before reminding him of what we have been taught, "do you forget that the teachings speak of the Almighty's great displeasure with His creation?"

"It is not for us to know the ways of the Almighty. But I trust in the mortals," Corvus tells me, but this still does satisfy my confusion.

"I understand now that our duty as Celestrians is to believe in them, and to guide them on the path of righteousness. But I also understand that there are those who believe we should have no more to do with them than absolutely necessary," Corvus contests before placing his hand on top my shoulder, "you must decide for yourself what you believe, Aquila," he advises before flying off.

"B-Corvus!" I call out after him, but he is already too far. Still to this day you confuse me, Corvus. Why do you love mortals so?

"E-Excuse me," an unfamiliar voice timidly calls out.

"Hm?" I turn around to see a stranger behind me, she is so clear yet I cannot comprehend her face. Even without being able to comprehend her face, I knew she was very beautiful. "You are... mortal..? How does a mortal come to be in such a place as this?" She has neither wings nor a halo and is clad in mortal armour yet she is able to perceive my existence and has entered the Observatory, what sorcery is this?

"But were you truly mortal, you would not be able to see me. Is this... a dream..?" It must be for such a situation is much absurd to be reality, but no matter, it appears she has something to say, "Hm. Be this illusion or actuality, it would seem that you have business with me. Pray, how may I be of assistance?" No matter the occasion, I have a duty of assisting lost souls whether they be a delusion or true.

"This is for you," she offers me a resplendent and prized necklace with a transparent pearl tinted a light blush.

"For me? But it is too beautiful. I cannot accept," I attempt to reject the gift graciously so as not to offend the stranger.

"But you have to," the stranger insists, desperately, "should you take the Prayer Pearl it can change your destiny."

"Hm? You say it has the power to change one's destiny? Ha, so this some manner of jest? I see. Very amusing," I tell her, to think that I would dream of such a humorous prank. But the look on her face showed no amusement rather sorrow and desperation. My stomach began to churn uncomfortably so I clear my throat and rectify my mistake, "very well. Since you have gone to such lengths, I accept your mysterious gift. I will keep it with me always. Thank you."

I humbly accept the gift before turning away and informing the stranger of my thoughts, "... Corvus is not an easy master to follow. I do not know if I am able to abide by his every teaching. There is no other in the Observatory who consorts so freely with mortal kind." I stop and face the stranger once again, "Should the day come for me to take a pupil of my own, I shall instil in them first and foremost the ways of the Observatory."

"I cannot wait for that day to come," the stranger nods, smiling fondly, and before I could question her any further she ceases to exist.

Eastern Coffinwell

My eyes snap open and I shoot up, sitting straight, before surveying my surroundings. I am still in Coffinwell where dawn was beginning to rise.

My hand goes to my neck to pull out the necklace given to me so long ago. How could I have forgotten that day? Who was that divine stranger? Certainly not an illusion as I previously believed. 

I stare at the precious gem which glistens in the light of the sun. The stranger told me that it can change the course of destiny so I prayed and prayed for Corvus to return but my prayers were left unheeded. To this day I know not why I still kept it. Maybe... it wasn't meant to be used at that time... perhaps, this can return Phoenix.

'Please. I beseech you to bring Phoenix to me. All I want is my student safe and sound. I can't lose her, not like my master.'

I open my eyes and look around. No Phoenix.

'The power to change one's destiny?' I scoff, nearly growling. I brought the pearl above my head and was about to hurl it far away when I remember the desperation on the stranger's face when I first rejected it, she was so hurt... so terrified.

I can't destroy the pearl. With my newfound conviction, I place the pearl back around my neck and float up before heading east across the sea. I won't find Phoenix if I simply stay here.