~Chapter 2- Feathers~

Moonlight streamed across Lupine Lake. Beside the lake was a jubilant affair - the tribe of wolf riders residing there was in celebration for several reasons.

Corri's older brother, Aero, had been staying with the tribe for a few years now, and had truly become one of them. He even promised himself to the chief's daughter Oopa despite only being 15 years old.

The tribe celebrated Corri's cousin, Jirro, and his performance in the fighting tournament, in which he managed to earn 1st place. Aero earned 2nd place. She earned her way into the top 16 but wasn't being given any celebration. But that was okay.

The tribe hailed Aero and Jirro, as well as the return of their fathers. Corri's father, Razan, and her uncle, Lucar, sat around the bonfire, telling stories of the adventures they had gone on. Corri was sure most of the stories were false, but it intrigued the tribe all the same.

Corri looked at her father. He didn't have a worry in the world anymore now that the bounty on his head was gone.

...It made Corri angry. Her father had abandoned her when the authorities were closing in on him. He left without a word or explanation, and it was three years before she saw him again. He gave no apology and showed no remorse. What a terrible father! Despite that, Aero and Jirro used their prize money from the tournament to pay off their bounties. They didn't deserve it.

Corri left the tribe's celebration, stoking a smaller bonfire on the outskirts of the community and laying against a log serving as a bench. From the night sky emerged a great red sparrow. Corri's mount, Rojo. The large bird perched itself atop a nearby pine tree near the 13-year-old girl.

"What're you doing all alone?" Aero asked as he approached. Jirro, Temp, Nout, and Ruben followed behind him.

"I just needed some air," Corri shrugged.

They sat around the bonfire with her, and it brought back memories of when the six of them traveled across the Lands of Ralosia together. When the Phantine Nout sat down on the log nearest to him, it nearly cracked apart from his weight; he'd grown a lot. Instead, he sat on the ground next to Corri, wrapping his trunk around his neck like a scarf.

Temp ran his hands through the bonfire, the flickering light of it bouncing off his reflective flesh. The heat didn't bother the Mecarne. "Those tribe people sure know how to party," he remarked, "Can't believe you're already married though, Aero."

"It's not exactly married. Oopa and I are promised to each other," Aero explained.

"Yeah. Same thing."

"It was pretty silly of you to do something like that already, bro," Corri remarked.

"But I know we're going to be great together!" Aero said, his eyes gleamed as he thought of her.

Nout leaned in, "I think Aero and I are alike in that way. I have a girl waiting for me back in the Ralosian Isles, and I know we're perfect for each other. I'll probably propose to her when I get back."

Temp rolled his eyes, "You two are saps. I don't see myself ever settling down."

The Densius Ruben gave a rocky smile, "I miss days like this. When all of us were together."

"Yeah, me too," Jirro said, "What is everyone planning to do after this party? Aero and I are going to travel around the land with our dads. now that the bounty on their heads is gone. Maybe, we could all travel together, like the old days?"

Nout's eyes widened with excitement, "That'd be great! Temp and I were going to head to Titus Forest after this. We're going to help them brew up more potions. You could travel there with us!"

Temp narrowed his eyes, "I'm not fond of traveling with your dads. If they're going, I'll go separately. "

Aero scrunched his brow, "They're not bandits anymore."

"They used to be, and I'm never going to forget how they robbed my community blind when I was a little kid."

"You used to be a bandit too, Temp," Aero pointed out.

Temp glared, " I did what I had to when I was younger. I was nothing like them. I know they're your dads, but..."

"I get it. We might not be able to travel to Titus Forest together, but we can still drop by there," Aero said, a bit disappointed, "What about you, Ruben? Want to come with us?"

Ruben chuckled, "Honestly, I don't think I can keep up with all of you anymore. Besides, I should get Seraphi back to Platt Mountain. Maybe you could visit us there?"

Aero and Jirro glanced at one another and shrugged. Aero said, "That'll work. My dad, Uncle Lucar, Jirro, Corri, and I will visit all of you."

Corri snapped, "I didn't say I was going."

Aero stared blankly at his sister for a moment, "...But you are, right?"

"I have some things I need to take care of back in the Sky Lands. I can't go with you," Corri said sternly, her arms folded tightly in front of her.

"Can't it wait? Dad can finally travel freely. We'll all be together again!"

"I don't even want to look at dad right now. You should be angry at him too! He abandoned us! I was 10 years old then! He's been a bad father, and for some reason, you and Jirro still decided to bail them out. As if they did nothing wrong!" Corri seethed, struggling to contain herself.

Temp nodded in agreement, "I'm with her on this. You two really shouldn't be so forgiving with them. From what I heard, you two dropped 800,000 Ivases to bail them out. That's the kind of money that could set you up for life! They don't deserve that."

"They're our dads," Jirro said simply, "Sure they left us to fend for ourselves, but we were never ordinary kids. They knew we could handle ourselves. Of course I'm angry at them, but this trip is a chance to get some answers."

"I'm not coming," Corri said, averting her eyes from her brother and cousin.

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The next morning, Corri packed her things onto her sparrow, intent on heading out as soon as possible. The hunting wolves of the tribe hadn't even woken yet and the sun barely lifted over the horizon.

Corri tensed up when she heard footsteps approaching her. She turned and saw her father Razan, a shorter but muscular man with dark black hair and a beard. His hair color matched Aero's, but contrasted with Corri's bright red hair.

"Hello, sweetheart. I heard you were heading out," Razan said, "I was hoping you'd travel with me and your brother. It could be dangerous on your own."

Corri glared at him, "I've been able to fend for myself just fine alone. After you walked out on us."

Razan grimaced, but kept a cool composure, "Sweetheart, I know it looked bad, but if you come with us-"

"If you want me to stay, tell me about mom."

Razan's eyes widened, and he froze up. He was speechless. Corri rolled her eyes, jumped on top of Rojo, donned goggles, and signaled her bird to take flight. The great red sparrow spread its wings, and with a rush of wind, they shot into the sky.

Corri looked down and saw her father watching. She smirked. She was glad he saw her leave. She wanted him to feel the same way she did.

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Corri gripped the reins on Rojo tightly as they rocketed through the clouds. Levitating pieces of lands populated the sky around them. Each of the Sky Lands were bountiful and beautiful, and birds of varying size flew between them, some carrying sky riders like Corri. She heard that the Goddess lifted pieces of the earth into the sky so her most devout followers could join her in the heavens.

She leisurely traveled eastward through the Sky Lands, stopping at islands overnight. Both she and Rojo would feed off the fruits and vegetables growing naturally on each island.

After a few days' travel, she came upon one of the larger Sky Cities. Groups of sky riders came and went from the large landmass, populated with stone buildings. Corri flew to one of the perching towers with Rojo, jumped off her bird, and headed into the city.

She walked through the city to a familiar place - one of the schools where they taught children how to ride birds and become proper sky riders, the place she had learned herself.

She found Cielo, an aged avian-lover in the middle of lecturing a class of 10-year-olds. He was speaking about the temperament of various birds, praising how pelicans could be reliable mounts if treated well. Corri watched from the door of the class as he continued.

"Now, crows are massive black-winged birds that are known to be hostile and should generally be avoided," Cielo explained to the class, lifting a black feather into the air to show them what they looked like. He smiled as he saw Corri, "On the other hand sparrows are rather prim birds that most would have trouble to tame. Only the best can ride them."

Corri waited patiently for Cielo to finish up before entering the class.

"Hello, Cielo!" Corri said as she picked the bag off her back.

"Hello, Corri, what do you have for me?" Cielo sat behind his desk, eager for what she had.

Corri pulled out a folder from her bag. She laid it out in front of him and opened it, revealing several different colored feathers from various birds. Cielo was giddy at the sight. He was a collector and used these feathers to help better illustrate the appearance of various birds alongside his sketches of them.

He raised a large green feather into the air, "I can't believe it! You actually managed to pick the feather of one of the western vultures!"

Corri smiled, "Those vultures were the trickiest, but the rest were pretty easy."

Cielo pulled a satchel of coins from his desk and handed them to the red-haired girl, "I appreciate your help with this. I'd do it but I've been busy with these classes."

"I don't mind."

"I heard you did rather well in that tournament down at Challenger's Isle. You made it into the finals!" Cielo remarked.

"How did you hear about that?"

"Word carries fast. I wish I could've been there to see you compete."

"I wasn't that impressive. You should've seen my brother and cousin," Corri said humbly.

"Aero and... what did you say your cousin's name was?"

"Jirro."

"Jirro. I'll remember that. How did they do?"

"Aero earned second place, and Jirro won first."

Cielo's eyes widened, "My... you have quite the incredible family! I can only imagine what your parents are like."

Corri tensed up. She avoided mentioning her father around Cielo and wanted to keep it that way. She changed the subject, "I'm ready for another set of birds if you have more you want help with."

Cielo's eyes darted to one of his cabinets, "One moment."

The man trifled through his files and pulled out a few folders. He laid out a rough map in front of her, self-made. It was vague but good enough. He placed a few pins into the southern region of the map, the Sky Lands that resided over the desert.

"I have a few birds in this area I'd like you to fetch the feathers of. I'll pay you a bit more for each of these too," Cielo passed a few of the files to Corri so she would know what to look for, "There is a particular bird which may give you some trouble. I'm doubtful you'll be able to pull it off, but if you acquire a feather from a green phainopepla, that'd be amazing!"

Corri looked through the files until she came upon the sketch of the phainopepla, a round, long-tailed bird with a few feathers propped up from its head. There was a stick figure next to the bird, indicating its size compared to a typical Ralosian. It appeared to be nearly five times taller than a person.

"I'll get it done," Corri assured him confidently.