Fantasy Skyheart - Little Feathers

[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica nodes at Valkyrie's comment.

"Yes, we do. But before I met my rider, I stayed away from people as much as I could."

She looked downtrodden for a second as she remembered an incident in her past.

"Taking that which doesnt belong to you... There are consequences behind it. Things don't take kindly to thieves taking what's theirs."

Her voice dropped low, quiet.

"Eventually they'll take what's important to you in return."

AncientBird
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[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Valkyrie looked at the wyvern... And she felt sadness radiating from the beast, even though she wasn't her bond like Serik. The stork drake was silent, unexpected to see the creature with such ferocious look letting out her feeling like that. She decided to keep going and continued her path...

The pasture finally made way for the wilderness. Desert and savanna began to dominate the land. The sun had finally risen high and hot air filled the sky. This was what Valkyrie had been waiting for, the thermal lift would make her journey much easier and less tiring from having to flap her wings all the way.

Suddenly, something joined both skybeasts in their path. A vulture, then more and more started to appear from everywhere. Valkyrie gave an interested look at the birds. Their congregation always means something worth looking at is near by. Soon, she saw more of them circling in the air far ahead. Many types, from regular lesser vultures, to the giant one as big as Valkyrie herself. The stork drake headed for the circle and joined them in the thermal ring. Her eyes looked around for what the vultures had been going after.

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica saw the vultures, letting the thermal lift take her higher. They always congregated around the dead or soon to be.

Staying out of the ring in order to get a better view, Spica looked down to see what they were circling down below.

AncientBird
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[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Soon Valkyrie noticed some movement under the shade of the great umbrella-liked trees that scattered around the land scape. A creature walked from under the cover into the open land. It looked like horse with its stocky body, thick neck, with mane and bushy, long tail, but its head possesses long, spear like horns that extend pass to its back. It's an oryx, a hoofed beast commonly found in Westerosian wilderness. Valkyrie never see beast like this before in Estendor, but that wasn't the point. She noticed the beast limping badly as it dragged its body across the sandy terrain. It was bleeding, probably attacked by something prior to her and Spica arrival.

This was what the vultures had been looking at... Valkyrie, along with other scavengers, followed the injured beast. The oryx seemed to know that it wasn't alone. It kept looking at the sky now and then and moved as fast as its injury could allow. It headed for a canyon up ahead, with large sand stone cliff that started to heat up in the sun. The oryx reached a narrow passage that led inside the canyon. There it scurried inside and disappeared from Valkyrie's eyes. She noticed the vultures began to land near the entrance and followed suit.

As the stork drake touched the ground, she looked at the blood trail leading inside the canyon. The passage was very narrow, only as wide as her wingspan fully stretches out, too narrow for large flying creature to enter by wing, not to mention many bushes and trees that grows on the side of the rocky canyon would prevent anything large like her from flying in and out directly as well.

Oddly enough, the smaller vultures that could probably fly in well, didn't follow. They waited near the entrance along with their gigantic brethren. Valkyrie also noticed a bunch of jackals, which probably had been following the oryx on foot. They too waited at the entrance, pacing back and forth impatiently. Valkyrie could see the blood trail leading inside well, the blood was getting thicker and thicker as it went... The injured prey would likely have no fight left in it, a very good opportunity... However, the behavior of other scavengers seemed a bit strange to her liking.

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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica landed next to Valkyrie, noting the creatures nearby and the blood trail inside.

"Valkyrie, we're not safe out here. The skeletons came from outside the walls." She whispered to her fellow companion.

"The scavengers dont seem keen to follow. Let's just return to the stables, before the others know of our absence. I'd rather one of us not have to carry the other away from those... things."

Spica sounded worried. Spica rarely ever sounded worried, unless it came to the Deathborn. What good are her lacerating scales if the enemy can't bleed? What use is her frightening appearance and power if the enemy knew no fear? The Deathborn defied logic to Spica, and they were a threat. It made her nervous, and she hated feeling unprepared.

AncientBird
EB6B56

 

[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Valkyrie hesitated. For the first time that she partly agreed with the wyvern beside her. However, something kept telling her to push forward. Her frustration began to rise and cloud her mind. The temptation, knowing that easy prey was only a bit further ahead... Eventually, she made her decision.

"Mine!" She screeched and galloped toward the entrance, entering it while turning deaf ears again whatever warning Spica would be giving her.

Valkyrie followed the blood trail trough the narrow passage, her eyes wide opened and her ears listened to anything that could go wrong. As she turned at a corner, he found the oryx. It was still alive, although unable to stand anymore and was lying down in a bush. It was panting and braying in distress. Surrounding it though, were a group of a very unexpected animal Valkyrie would hope to see in here... A bunch of monkeys.

Estendor has some monkey, but they mainly live in the wood area, away from stork drake, thus Valkyrie had barely seen ones around other than when she foraged near the forest edge. They were skittish and mostly feed on fruits and seed... However, there was something different about these Westerosian monkey. They have longer snout, almost like dog's muzzle. and they are quite muscular. There were two different appearance of them, one group were smaller, leaner monkey as big as any ordinary monkey Valkyrie had seen before, the others were larger and more muscular, growing almost as large as small woman like Marylka or Emmaline.

The monkeys curiously surrounded the oryx and started to close the gaps... While the hoofed beast brayed loudly, seemingly regretted its decision to go in there.

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica ran in after Valkyrie, her fear overriden as she sped through the caves. She stopped next to Valkyrie, watching the monkeys with surprise. She turned to her Storm Drake companion.

"Might not be yours after all."

AncientBird

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[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Valkyrie took time to processing her thought for a while... Then she looked at the oryx. This was the prize she suppose have, that she had been tracking for a long way... The prize that only her was bold enough to pursue into unknown territory... And it's going to be taken away by just a group of monkey???

"No... Mine!" She hissed and made a loud screech to announced herself to the monkey. The simians flinched and screamed as they saw the imposing beast walked toward them with sharp, pointy beak. They retreated but still linger around, hissing, screeching and gnawing their teeth. Many started barking at her. Valkyrie screeched again to shoo away the little creature as she finally stood over the oryx, who also brayed loudly in fear. At last, she found the solution to her frustration... This was what led her far from the stable... To relieve her primal behavior that she had been missing while cooping inside the stable...

With a single strike, she killed the oryx instantly and began to tear into the flesh and start a ravenous feast. The monkeys screamed louder and louder. More started to appear from the ledge on the side of the passage's wall. Some smaller monkeys tried to reach for the meat, but Valkyrie's big head swung at them, keeping them off her meal. Suddenly, a smallish monkey went in but couldn't get out in time. The enormous stork drake's bill crushed upon one of its back legs and tossed it across the passage. The monkey landed on the rocky wall and started squirming in pain, screeching for a while then went silent and limped out.

It was that moment that the entire valley echoed with the screech and scream of the simian troop. They bared their fangs and drummed on the rock with their feet. However, they still kept reasonably distance from Valkyrie. Valkyrie gulped down another piece of meat and looked around... Even though she knew she still got the upper hand... She couldn't help but started to feel unsafe...

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica saw Valkyrie fly forward and tear at the oryx, upsetting the monkeys around. At that point, she felt unnerved.

Then the corpse of a monkey flew away from the mess and the troop's screech shook the valley. Spica came up behind Valkyrie and looked around.

"Had your fill? Yes? Now let's go, these things might not let us leave if we don't go now!"

These things were all united in their hatred against Valkyrie right now, and Spica knew they needed to leave. Now.

AncientBird
EB6B56

 

[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Just as Spica told, Valkyrie began to stepped back from the carcass. All the screech started to make her boldness dwindled. The monkeys seemed to notice this as well and they began to close in. The smaller monkeys climbed up the rocks and disappeared into the ledge, leaving their larger counterparts to face the two skybeasts.

Suddenly, loud thud could be heard and Valkyrie looked after it. It was even larger monkey, almost the size of a bear... Not one but two! Their thick mane that cover their neck and shoulder made them looked like a lion more than a monkey. The two giants grunted and bare their fangs, each as large as a dagger, far larger than any fang of other beast Valkyrie had seen in her life. Their front limbs were very muscular and hand that gripped on the rock seemed like they could crush any stone at any moment. Their presence made the smaller monkeys even bolder and they intensified their screech and drumming.

The two giant monkeys looked at both skybeast with murderous sheen in their eyes. They huffed air for a bit and then made a loud, ear shattering roar...



And with that, the smaller monkeys rushed... Hundred upon hundred climbed and jumped down toward Valkyrie and Spica with surprising speed. Valkyrie seeched in fear and turned her back. The narrow passage made the skybeasts unable to fly, so they would need to get out of there by foot...

(You can control small monkeys, and one of the big one)
Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

"THIS IS WHY YOU DON'T STEAL FROM OTHERS!" Spica screeched, throwing a hailstorm of quills at the storm of simians wanting to tear their heads off. The quills met their marks, either impaling the monkeys and killing them or cutting them enough to make them unable to give chase. They still kept coming though, and Spica was running with Valkyrie.

"HAD ENOUGH FUN HUNTING DOWN THE INJURED ORYX?" Spica yelled as she caught up with Valkyrie. Luckily, she was more suited to defending their rear than Valkyrie was. Every so often, whenever the monkeys began to trail on their heels, Spica would either throw more to push them back or swipe at them with her tail.

AncientBird
EB6B56

 

[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Valkyrie ran as fast as her limps could allow, pushing through the passage with Spica followed suit. Her fright was overcoming that she didn’t really mind about what the wyvern yelled at her. The monkey troop gave chase in a swarm of fury and blood thirst. Even though Spica managed to put some down with her quills, they still kept pushing toward the 2 skybeasts relentlessly, their scream echoed through the canyon like thunder.

The skybeasts would have progress much faster, but the passage was full of obstracle and its narrow lane kept slowing them down. Suddenly, a heavy breathing could be heard from one side, and in a flash of second, one of the humongous monkey land in front of the fleeing skybeasts, blocking their escape. Its eyes shone with rage and its horrendous fangs bared. Valkyrie was going too fast to stoo and she crashed into the huge simian. The monkey grabbed around the base of her neck, and in a quick motion, it swung itself onto the stork drake’s back. The increased weight put the running stork drake to a stop and Valkyrie bucked around, trying to flee herself from the giant monkey.

The other huge one had been running and leaping along the canyon’s wall and as its partner put the intruders to a stop, it leaped from the wall, aiming to land atop Spica.

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica saw the large beast grapple onto Valkyrie and all of her scales and quills puffed out at once. She heard the second arriving, and instinctively roared as it jumped.

She swung her tail to intercept the simian mid air, hopefully to impale him on her dozens of quills she still had on the end.

After stopping that, Spica charged forward and slammed into the first one on Valkyrie, grabbing hold to its side with her claws and stabbing at its spine with her tail.

AncientBird
EB6B56

 

[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Intercepted mid-air by the swinging tail of the quilled wyvern, the giant monkey fell to the ground bleeding, but it barely put the beast out of its strength...

The one clinging on Valkyrie’s back tried to pull the stork drake to the ground, however the tall skybeast was much stronger than her fragile form seemed like, so the simian opened its jaws and crunched down on Valkyrie’s shoulder. The stork drake sceeched in pain and swayed to a side, just in the same time Spica charged in. Both skybeasts crushed the monkey between them, making it lost its grip on Valkyrie. Spica stabbed the primate on its back, making it howling in pain.

The other giant monkey rushed in, having recovered from the fall, and even though its chest was bleeding, it still had the strength to grapped a hold on Spica from behind. It’s rage was clouding its mind that it ignored the sharp scales pricking on its body, however the large and bushy mane of it helped protecting the vital spots from harm.

The troop had caught up and they rushed in to help both of their leaders with no hesitation. Valkyrie just only recovered from the crash a moment ago, looked up just to had a large numbers of primate leaped into her face. She screeched loudly and swung her head, bashing several off against the rock... Many more came in and leaped on both sky beasts while their giant leaders tried to hold the opponents still for their troop to swarm upon.

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica spun around violently, letting off another roar. She swung her tail around, bashing the troop around her.

She twisted around to glare at the leader holding her, her mouth opening and strands of saliva dripped from her mouth. Her tail shot forward, jabbing directly at the simian's face.

After she was free from her restrained position, Spica raked at the rocks above, hoping to cause a cave in to deter followers as she clawed at the monkeys on Valkyrie.

AncientBird
EB6B56

 

[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Again, Spica came to her aid and swiped the monkeys off her back... Valkyrie watched as her companion turned around and fought off the enemies alongside her... However, the stork drake didn't get to stay confuse about the wyvern's behavior for long.

One of the large monkey was jabbed in the face by Spica and it backed away to recover, the wyvern probably blinded one of its eyes. The other one, despite getting stabbed in the back, still had the fight left in it. It waited for its troop to distract the skybeasts and circled to find any opening to attack again. Suddenly, the giant simian roared and charged, aiming for Spica from behind the wyvern. Valkyrie noticed the upcoming beast and in that second, she did something that even she herself wouldn't believe so...

The stork drake put herself between Spica and the charging monkey. Her beak wide opened and snapped shut around the monkey's neck. The simian thrashed to flee itself. It manage to knocked the stork drake's bill open, just for Valkyrie to snapped at it again, this time holding its head from behind. Valkyrie tried to break the monkey's neck, but the beast was immensely powerful and it resisted her attempt. Both struggled, one aiming to kill and the other to get free. In their fight, Valkyrie finally managed to hold the monkey toward Spica, exposing its vulnerable belly while the ape was occupied trying to pry her bill open.

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica heard Valkyrie struggling behind her, turning to see Valkyrie holding the large beast vulnerable towards her. With a vicious cry, Spica tore into the belly of the creature, digging past bone and flesh to tear at its organs.

Tearing enough of its organs away, Spica let out a battle cry, the intestines dangling from her bloodied jaw. In sharp contrast with how she acted around her allies, Spica looked ready to mutilate everything in the caverns.

And she was going to, if they weren't going to back off. She'd hack them into pieces and rip the flesh from their bones if it meant both she and Valkyrie got out safely.

AncientBird
EB6B56

 

[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

The giant monkey roared in pain as it belly was attacked and disemboweled by the quilled wyvern. Its hands released its grips from Valkyrie's bill, who in turn, tightened her bills and with a quick jerk, snapped the monkey's neck. The giant simian was then let go, fell to the ground and lay there, broken.

Valkyrie then joined Spica, screeching on top of her lung at the monkey troop. The troop seeing one of their leader killed, began to lose their edge and backed away, however they still remained furious and waited for the reaction of the remaining leader.

The other large monkey seemed shocked by the death of its partner. It bared its fang and paced back and forth, albeit limpingly. As the troop backed away, the skybeasts' path were clear again. Valkyrie slowly stepped away from the carcass of the giant monkey. Its partner rushed toward the dead body, sniffed and touched, even shook the body, looking for any sign of life... Getting no reply back, it looked up at the 2 skybeasts, baring its huge fangs again but still not advancing forward.

Valkyrie saw a chance to escape, turned around and bolted for it, heading toward the entrance which wasn't much further away at that point. Seeing, its opponent fled, the monkey made a loud roar and its troop rushed forward, resuming their chase.

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica watched the remaining simians with panting breaths. It had been so long since she'd experienced being able to bleed another living creature. The large one investigated the corpse, and Valkyrie ran off. They began to give chase, and Spica roared in defiance.

As a parting gift to the second large one, Spica hurled her quills at its face, aiming directly for its eyes. It can't be much of a threat if it can't see.

Parting gift bestowed, Spica ran after Valkyrie, blood trailing from her tail and mouth. She looked back at the monkeys chasing, roaring a challenge to come and die.

At the entrance, Spica let Valkyrie exit before standing at the entrance, throwing out her wings and roaring.

AncientBird
EB6B56

 

[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Commotion from inside the canyon suddenly drew the attention of the waiting scavengers outside. Suddenly, the huge stork drake burst out of the passage, screeching, making the sacvengers scattered in fright. Valkyrie finally made it out of the passage. She stopped and looked back.

Inside the canyon, the giant monkey and its troop gave chase, however Spica's quills had flown right into its face, making it fell over mid sprint, dust kicked up everywhere. The troop immediately stopped and waited for the leader. To everyone's surprise, the giant monkey got up again. The sharp quills missed the remaining eye of the beast, but still cut some huge wounds on its face. The giant monkey saw Valkyrie ran off the canyon and Spica standing right next to the entrance. There was no point of chasing any more... The giant leader was gravely wounded and the simians seemed incline to follow their adversary out into the open.

The large simian made a loud roar once more and then it slowly limped away. The troop waited for a while but soon followed their wounded leader back inside their territory...

Seeing that their enemies had given up, Valkyrie turned away and dragged herself across the sandy terrain. The sun was already high up in the sky, and the savage heat of Westeros spread across the land. The stork drake limped toward a large umbrella tree nearby for shade and there, she collapsed to her exhaustion. The bite wounds of smaller monkeys all over her body and that of the large one on her shoulder seemed serious, but they didn't damage any vital spot and thus, didn't gravely wound her. Still, she could do nothing else but to rest...

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica saw the simians retreat, a victory for the duo. She roared and flew away, catching up with Valkyrie.

Dust kicked up around her as she landed, bits of monkey blood dripping onto the sand. She walked underneath the tree and sat near Valkyrie, flapping her wing a bit to cool her off.

"Where are you hurt?" Spica asked, looking at her companion. Her voice had returned to her calm, even tone, despite the blood still evident on her body. "Do you need me to carry you back?"

AncientBird
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[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Valkyrie was too tired for any more conversation. However, she still replied with a quick grunting noise. "Fine... Need... Rest..."

She dipped her head down and took some deep breath. Her body still vibrated and her heart still racing from her experience, but it would be back to normal in no time. She was so tired that she didn't mind Spica sitting right next to her anymore...

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica let out a sigh, staying next to Valkyrie as she rubbed some of the blood off her tail.

"You did a good job in there." Spica spoke softly. "You could have run. But you stayed until we could both get out."

Spica's scales and quills were back to being flat against her body, her energy returning as they rested.

"Thank you."

AncientBird
EB6B56

 

[AncientBird]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Valkyrie didn't say anything else and was completely silence, excluding her grunting from pain and her heavy breath every now and then. She seemed like she lost in her thought for a while and then brushed aside. The stork drake looked away from her companion, closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Noon turned afternoon. It was peaceful for the 2 skybeasts so far. Valkyrie eventually woke up. She slowly got up and looked to the sky. "Serik... Worry... Serik calls..." She grunted lowly. "Must answer..." She spoke, directing at Spica next to her. Then the stork drake shook some sand off herself. The wounds seemed like they're bothering her no more and they all started to dry up. Valkyrie walked out of the shade and launched herself to the sky, heading back to the west.

Featuring: kase9187
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[kase9187]

Location: To’bai academy
Time: Sometimes after Danube’s recue mission (subject to change)
Interaction (Skybeasts): Open

Spica stayed with Valkyrie for the whole time she was resting. She desperately wanted to return at Aldaf's call, but stayed with the Storm Drake.

"Right. Let's head home." Spica replied, launching off with Valkyrie, back towards the Academy.

AncientBird
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