~Chapter 9- Corri's Descent~

A month had passed since the children first arrived in Titus Forest. All of them traveled to the top of Titus Mountain, knowing that Corri would return soon. Sure enough, the sky transport descended from above; a hummingbird with dozens of travelers on its back landed on the sky platform.

The travelers disembarked from the massive hummingbird. Aero watched and waited for his sister... but she wasn't there. Corri wasn't among the returning passengers!

An anxious Aero rushed to one of the sky riders, "Hey, do you know where my sister is? She's a red-headed girl. She went up to the sky with you last month."

The sky riders looked at Aero, "Yeah, I remember her. She didn't come back with us. But that's probably because she didn't need us for her to return to the surface."

"What do you mean by that?"

The sky riders smiled and motioned Aero to look up.

A red blur streaked through the blue sky, shooting around the clouds and towards the ground. It circled the Titus Forest at blistering speeds so all could see. As the red blur drew closer, Aero could make it out as a red sparrow with a girl riding atop it.

"Corri!?" Aero muttered as he watched it fly through the air with great ease.

The bird slowed as it came near the top of Titus Mount, gently descending to the ground. The red-haired girl riding it pulled off her goggles and jumped off of the saddled sparrow.

"Corri!" Aero, Jirro, Nout, and Ruben all shouted together, rushing up to her to give her a big hug.

"Hey, everyone!" She said through all of their hugs. Once they released her, she motioned to the red sparrow she rode in on, "This is Rojo. Say hi to everyone, Rojo!"

Rojo picked at its feathers and let out a caw.

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Weeks passed in Titus Forest. Aero, Jirro, and Nout continued their training. The boys had grown significantly stronger from Chief Theo's training; they had taken to timing themselves while climbing the cliff face next to a waterfall. Aero held the best record among them, which frustrated Jirro to no end.

Meanwhile, Ruben had become more proficient in the Densius ability to roll around. Corri had become a proficient sky rider.

Tourists traveled through the forest often to take in the sights. From them, Aero heard of a challenge issued by Tyro, the champion of Age 987's Tournament.

To any who can defeat us, I shall give the pink glowing orb I discovered in my travels. Come to Dama's Fighting Academy to challenge us!

- Tyro

"We should take this challenge!" Aero said to everyone.

Aero recalled the orb that was stolen from Oopa's village, a green one that they believed would grant their people good fortune. Perhaps this orb was of the same sort?

Nout curled his pink-tinted trunk, "You want to get that orb for your girlfriend?"

Aero shrugged.

"I'd love a chance to take on Tyro," Jirro added, "We've learned a lot while we've been here. This challenge would be a good test."

The Fighting Academy was to the south of Titus Forest, past miles of farmland. Corri wanted more ground to fly over, and Ruben wanted to test its newfound ability to roll.

Before they left, the boys made sure to meet with Theo.

"Thank you for your training," Nout knelt and bowed to the Phantine Chief. Aero and Jirro followed suit.

"You're very welcome! Put what I've taught you to good use," Theo bowed to Nout and the other boys, "You're welcome here any time."

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A single black crow descended from the sky. As soon as Corri left the Sky Lands, it followed her. The one known as Lunahreim rode the crow. One with ebon black limbs, a pale-spotted face and chest, and luminescent orange eyes. A Ranuulan. The only one in this world.

Ever since that girl entered the Sky Lands, Lunahreim had a sort of premonition. When the Sky Deity Ool intervened to protect her, it confirmed his suspicions. Ralosia's loyal pet had never intervened to save a single mortal before. Why now? Just when he nearly gave up hope, he had a feeling that she might be the one to help complete his mission.

Regardless, he had to watch the girl to ensure he was correct. Lunahreim didn't want to make any premature movements. But none were as patient as him.

So Lunahreim continued to watch the girl.