In Twilight Hollow—a city steeped in eerie legend and shadowed history—the dim streets held the remnants of the Salem witch trials. Known more for its haunted past than anything else, Twilight Hollow was a place where the fog clung to cobblestone alleys, and the air was thick with an unsettling quiet. Old houses with creaking wooden doors leaned close to the narrow streets, as though whispering secrets. The occasional flickering lantern cast a ghostly glow, and worn statues of past judges and townsfolk stood like silent sentinels, reminders of a time when accusations alone could seal one's fate.
A group of Crimson Talon members stood by the edge of a dark, mist-laden lake, its surface undisturbed except for the faint, pulsing glow beneath the water. One of them glanced over his shoulder uneasily. "Let's just get on with what Vex ordered us to do."
They produced several smooth stones, each throbbing with a strange blue light, and began dropping them one by one into the lake. The stones vanished below with soft plunks, and an eerie groan rose from the depths as ripples of blue energy spread across the water's surface.
"So, what's the story behind her?" one of them asked, casting a wary glance at the lake as it pulsed with unnatural life.
Another member knelt at the water's edge, pulling a bowl from his satchel. With careful hands, he mixed lake water with one of Vex's crimson feathers, swirling the concoction as he spoke. "It goes back to the Salem witch trials in Avalon. It's said she was just a teenage girl—a nobody named Esath Rebocoww, a quiet outcast in her village, ignored by everyone except her tutor, the village mayor. He was a man respected by all, but he did… unspeakable things to her. Esath told people, but no one believed her—her word against his, the face of authority."
He dipped the feather into the mixture, the water thickening with an unnatural energy. "To silence her, the mayor turned the village against her, branding her a witch. They shoved her into an iron casket, sealed it tight, and dumped her into this very lake to drown. But he didn't stop there."
The other members leaned in, the pulsing water casting a faint, unholy glow across their faces. "The mayor went to a real witch, a hidden one. He demanded she make Esath immortal, so he could trap her in eternal suffering. And she did. But what the mayor didn't know," he paused, voice dropping lower, "was that this witch didn't just grant immortality. She bound Esath's soul to Abyssal, the Black Phoenix—one of the members of the shadow flock. Esath didn't just survive the drowning; she became something else entirely."
The lake seemed to pulse in response, and a chill filled the air. "She spent decades bringing plague, death, and despair to the village from the depths of the lake, taking her revenge. Only the strongest dared to learn the truth, and most of them never spoke of it again."
They exchanged uneasy glances as they completed the ritual, the water now glowing fiercely as if awakening an ancient wrath from beneath. The water stilled, the rumbling ceasing abruptly. One of the men frowned, standing up and brushing off his knees. "What…that's it?" He sighed in frustration. "Couldn't have just been a myth, right?"
"Maybe we needed more of Vex's feathers," another suggested, scratching his head. Just then, the lake's surface erupted with strange, glowing symbols, rippling as a fierce light emanated from below. A distorted face emerged in the water, its mouth stretched in a silent growl, and suddenly, something shot out, crashing onto the shore before them.
They staggered back, wide-eyed, as the figure came into focus: a massive iron tomb, rusted and scarred with claw marks, as if something had torn its way out. A gaping hole yawned in its center, jagged and dark.
"Uhh…take a look inside," one of them whispered, nudging the man closest to it.
"Why me?" he hissed, but curiosity—and the ominous quiet—got the better of him. He leaned over the edge of the tomb and peered into the darkness.
Nothing. Just emptiness. He stepped back, his face pale.
The men's hands began to tremble, an uneasy chill settling over the ancient tomb. "Did she escape… or was she never really here?" one of them whispered, voice barely audible.
"What are you all staring at?"
The sudden voice made them jump, turning to see a young woman, no older than nineteen, standing in the shadows. She wore a torn, bloodstained white collared shirt and tie, her skirt raggedly frayed at the knees. Her eyes held a strange calm that made their skin crawl.
With a strangled gasp, one of the men clutched his chest, the others stumbling back. "D-don't sneak up on us like that, kid!" one stammered.
Another man sneered, though fear lingered in his eyes. "Where's your mommy, little girl?"
She chuckled, crouching down to their level. "What are you all doing?"
"We're looking for someone," one of them replied dismissively. "Run along."
Ignoring them, she pointed casually at the tomb. "Five hundred years cramped in there really does a number on your back." She stretched, and a loud crack echoed through the air, followed by a satisfied sigh. "Ahh, that's the spot." She shook out her arms and flexed her joints, each movement as unsettling as her grin.
"Hey, we told you to scram, kid!" another snapped, irritated.
But she merely shrugged, leaned forward, and lifted the tomb lid effortlessly, revealing its dark interior. The men's eyes widened in disbelief—they'd struggled just to move it. "Unbelievable! She lifted it by herself?" one whispered in shock.
She examined the inscription carved into the stone. "Figures. They misspelled my name," she muttered, tracing her fingers over the letters that read Esbath.
The men gasped, gripping their swords. "You're saying… you're her?"
She turned, her expression unreadable. "Esath Rebocoww." Her words hung in the air, chilling them to the bone.
With a desperate yell, one of them shouted, "We have to bring her to Vex!" They rushed forward, weapons raised. Esath simply raised her hands, half-amused. "Hey, calm down!"
One of the men unleashed his magic, black lightning crackling around his fists. "Lightning Jet!" he roared, and a surge of dark energy arced toward her.
Esath's hand shot up, catching the lightning midair. The current ran through her body, illuminating her eerie grin. "Ouch. That stings a bit," she murmured, eyes gleaming with a strange delight as she absorbed the energy.
Another man crept up behind her, sword drawn, and swung with all his might.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," she warned without turning. But he continued, his blade making contact—only for him to drop lifelessly to the ground.
"What the—what just happened?!" one of the others cried, horror flashing in his eyes.
She yawned, flicking her gaze toward him as if he were merely an inconvenience. "Death," she replied casually, inspecting her nails.
"But… he didn't even scream!" the man stammered, his face draining of color.
"It was instant," she said with a shrug, cracking her neck with a careless grin. "Quick and painless. I'm considerate like that."
"You have to go to Vex," one of the men urged, his voice trembling. "He's the vessel of the Shadow Owl, Umbra. He's summoning you and the other shadow vessels to join him… to take over the world."
She tilted her head, giving him a blank look. "And why would I want to do that? Sounds a bit… evil." Her eyebrows shot up in mock surprise.
The men exchanged baffled glances, whispering in confusion. "But… you're the vessel of Abyssal, the Black Phoenix! You're supposed to be evil."
She rolled her eyes. "Ohhh, that guy. Yeah, I tamed him ages ago." Their eyes widened as her words sank in. "I'm not evil. Sure, I got revenge on a village once—created a nasty little plague, nothing major." She flashed a casual smile. "But now? I think I'll just wander Avalon for a bit. World domination sounds exhausting."
"Oh right," she mused with a grin. "Can't just leave you villains running around causing chaos, can I?"
The men exchanged looks of pure terror. "A-are you… gonna kill us?" one of them stammered, voice shaking.
She raised a casual hand. "Nah. Just making sure you don't do any more 'bad stuff.'" With a swift motion, she yanked the power-infused feathers of Vex right from their bodies. The men screamed, collapsing to the ground as if they'd lost a vital organ, writhing in agony.
"Tell Vex—or whatever his name is," she called over her shoulder, scratching her feathered ear, "that if he comes looking for me, I'll pluck him clean. Feather by feather." With that, she strolled off, completely at ease.
Back in Skam Square, I wandered through the heart of the city, my steps echoing against the cobblestone streets. In the distance, I spotted Zira, Alden, and Ember sitting by the fountain, their expressions weary yet contemplative.
Zira let out a heavy sigh as she flicked a quarter into the water, watching the ripples distort her reflection. "I wish we could find the Ark," she murmured, scratching idly at her fur, her voice laced with half-hearted hope.
I stepped forward, tossing a coin of my own into the fountain. "I wish we could find the rest of the vessels," I said, my gaze drifting across the cityscape. The remnants of Sable's corruption still clung to Skam Square like a fading shadow, a stark reminder of the growing threat of the Shadow Flock.
Beside me, Alden wiped his forehead, his face noticeably pale.
"What's wrong?" I asked, concern tightening my voice.
He shook his head, exhaling sharply. "It's… nothing. Just feels like something inside me woke up—like a part of Nocturne, ya know?"
I reached out, pressing the back of my hand against his neck. "You don't feel warm. You'll probably be fine."
Alden gave a small nod, but the unease in his eyes lingered.
Ember took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. "My Ark is gone… but I have you guys. And this body." She paused, glancing down at her hands before letting out a quiet sigh. "I think I'm calm now."
I nodded and sat beside her on the fountain's edge. "That's good, because I've been thinking about us—the Celestial Vessels. There are still two missing: Seraphina, the Swan of Serenity, and Pyra, the Phoenix of Rebirth." I ran a hand through my hair, frustration gnawing at me. "I asked around, but no one's heard of them—not even Sable. I even searched through his old tower, top to bottom, hoping for a lead, but I came up with nothing."
I let out a yawn, stretching my arms before slumping back slightly. "I don't know… things feel different now. I still want to build a kingdom free of corruption, but with so many enemies running loose, it feels impossible."
Zira nodded, silent but understanding.
Suddenly, I looked up—a massive boulder came crashing down from the sky. Before I could react, Zira blurred past me, and with a flash of movement, shattered it mid-air in a blink strike.
But behind the rubble, a man lunged out of the dust cloud and threw a punch straight at me. I crossed my arms just in time—the blow slammed into me like a meteor. The shockwave tore through the street, shattering buildings and sending the citizens of Skam Square screaming for cover.
"At first, I thought some random lunatic chucked that boulder," I said through clenched teeth, a nervous grin tugging at my lips. "But your punches aren't half bad."
His fiery red, feather-like hair whipped in the wind. He gave me a manic smile, eyes hollow as an abyss. "Don't joke," he hissed. "I can tell this is already driving you mad."
He struck again—this time, his talons raked across my stomach.
"Ah!" I cried out, staggering back before kicking him away.
Alden came from behind and slashed across the man's back with a gleaming feather-shaped sword. But the man only snarled, headbutting Alden and driving a blade into his iliac artery. Alden dropped to a knee, clutching his bleeding leg, gritting his teeth as he summoned healing energy.
The man raised his foot to crush Alden's skull—
—but Zira swooped in, snatching Alden away in a blink. She threw him over her shoulder and glared at the attacker. "Who the hell is this guy?"
The man twirled a switchblade between his fingers and licked the blood off the edge. "Men's blood is so disgusting," he sneered, locking eyes with Zira.
"That's Jack the Ripper!" Ember shouted. "He's a notorious serial killer in Avalon—he's killed queens, princesses, and all woman all together! He must've escaped prison!"
In a blink, he was in front of her, gripping her jaw with clawed fingers.
"A pretty one," he whispered. "I wonder what sound you make when you scream."
Before he could find out, I slammed his head into the pavement.
He staggered back, chuckling. "You must be Gaian. Malachar told me you vessels were interesting." He slashed at my chest, aiming for an artery, but I dodged and he retreated.
"I'm here to kill you," he said coldly. "Then Vex and his crew. I've got my own team of killers now—we're going to tear this country apart."
Two red, ethereal wings burst from his back as he raised his hands.
"Time to die."
Out of nowhere, a feathery metal hammer crashed into his chin, launching him skyward. Lightning tore down from the clouds and struck him mid-air in a blinding flash.
We all looked at the figure who threw the hammer. He descended from the storm clouds like a wrathful god, feathers crackling with static, wings spread wide against the roar of thunder. His body was sculpted like a warrior—broad-chested, with arms thick as tree trunks, and talons that could shred steel. His plumage shimmered with stormy hues—dark gray, cobalt, and flashes of electric blue.
He raised his hand and his hammer came back to him, he then threw another lightning strike at Jack. Jack guarded with his hands. "What is he doing here?" He muttered and turned around flying. "Gotta retreat." He thought and flew incredibly fast.
We all stared at the towering man as he caught his breath, chest rising like thunderclouds. Slowly, he turned to us.
"Are you all alright?" he asked, voice deep and calm.
Ember nodded, dazed. "Y-Yeah… muscles…" she muttered, her eyes stuck on him like glue.
Zira tilted her head. "Who even is this guy?"
Alden, limping as he forced himself upright, shook his head. "No idea…"
The man stepped forward, noble and proud. "I am Thor Featherson. I hail from an elite team of warriors who—"
Crunch.
Everyone turned to me. I shrugged, holding a bag of chips. "Sorry. Go on."
He blinked, then cleared his throat. "As I was saying… an elite team of warriors—"
Crunch.
I licked my fingers and picked my teeth. "Sorry," I muttered.
Thor spun his hammer, unfazed. "An elite team of warriors that guard the realms from darkness, chaos, and cosmic threats far beyond your comprehension."
He struck a pose—lightning flashed behind him for dramatic effect.
Zira blinked. "Did… did he cue that lightning?"
"Pretty sure he did," I mumbled, still chewing.
Thor ignored us, letting his cape billow in the wind that didn't exist two seconds ago. "We are chosen by the Skyfather himself. Trained in storms. Forged in battle. Feathered by fate."
Ember leaned in close to me and whispered, "Did he just say feathered by fate?"
"I'm letting it slide," I whispered back.
Thor began spinning his hammer, the wind picking up around us. "I need all celestial vessels—including archangels," he said, pointing at Ember, "to come with me to the Molten Nest. A land once home to many great Avian warriors."
With that, he shot into the air like a missile, wings spread wide.
A moment later, he circled back and landed in front of us again.
"I noticed… none of you followed."
Alden crossed his arms. "Who are you to give us orders?"
Thor sighed like a tired dad. "You must be the leader, Alden, right? I can tell. Aspiring type. The kind who double-checks for traps before leading his team into battle. But trust me—this mission is safe."
Alden tapped his still-bloodied leg. "I'm not the leader."
Thor blinked. "Oh. Well then…" He turned to Zira. "You! The tiger. Strong, fearless, fierce—definitely the vessel of the Divine Owl."
He went to pat her shoulder, but Zira slapped his hand away. "Wrong. I'm the vessel of Zephyra, the Falcon of Speed. Alden's got Nocturne, the Raven of Shadows. And he's the Divine Owl," she said, pointing toward me.
I was still picking my teeth with a sharpened feather. "Name's Gaian," I said with a smirk. "Vessel of the Divine Owl, Sagea. Team leader. Nice to meet you."
Thor stared for a moment, then let out a booming laugh. "You? You're kind of… short."
I leaned back as he loomed over me. "I'm taller than Ember," I muttered, suddenly self-conscious.
Thor squinted. "And you were losing to Jack the Ripper."
"I didn't want that undivine creep touching me," I snapped, ruffling my feathers.
He tilted his head. "You don't look very strong."
I flexed. My arm was pretty toned, thank you very much. "You're making me really insecure right now," I mumbled, covering my chest.
Alden groaned. "Okay, enough. What do you even want from us, Thor?"
Thor pulled out a parchment and unrolled it, revealing a crudely drawn map and some symbols. "In the Molten Nest, we can hide you from your hunters. More importantly—we know where your ark is."
That got everyone's attention. Ember jumped. "We're going!" I frowned. "Wait, how do we even know this guy's legit? He has a beard."
Thor raised an eyebrow. "What does my beard have to do with anything?"
I gestured vaguely at his face. "Beards usually mean lies. Or wisdom. Or you're trying to overcompensate for something."
Thor rolled his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "Fine. If proof is what you want…"
He slammed the butt of his hammer to the ground.
The clouds above us parted instantly, revealing a radiant circle of light. A glowing feather—silver, burning with celestial energy—floated down and hovered in front of me. It pulsed with power.
"This is the Seal of Skyfather," Thor said. "A blessing given only to the most trusted among the Stormbound Elite. It can't be faked, and it doesn't show itself unless the mission is real."
The feather pulsed again—then sank into my chest.
I gasped as a surge of warmth and clarity shot through me. I saw flashes—images of the Molten Nest, ruins covered in lava, giant avian statues cracked by time, shadows lurking in the smoke.
I stumbled back, blinking. "Okay… that wasn't a fake."
"Yeah," Zira muttered. "That was definitely some divine-level stuff."
Thor gave a slight smirk. "Now do you believe me?"
I exhaled slowly. "Still don't trust your beard… but I trust the feather." Ember grinned. "That's a yes." Thor lifted his hammer again, spinning it until the winds howled. "Then let's not waste time. The Molten Nest won't stay hidden forever—and your enemies are closer than you think."
I adjusted my feathers, sighed, and stepped forward. "Alright. But if you lead us into a trap…"
"I won't," Thor said with a grin.
Moments later, we finally reached the Molten nest which was in an upside down volcano underwater. I rode on Zira's back and Ember rode on Alden's back as they followed Thor. I looked down at Zira and she side eyed me. "What?" she asked and I rubbed her fur. "Your fur is nice." I said and Zira's eyes knitted together. "Shut up." She began dive bombing as soon as Thor and Alden did and they landed in the volcano.
"Here we are," Thor said, his voice low and reverberating in the cavernous space.
We all looked around, taking in the Molten Nest in its full, breathtaking glory. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and heat, but beneath it, there was an undeniable, almost otherworldly fragrance—like the sharp tang of ozone mixed with the sweetness of burning amber. The sky above us was a shimmering orange-red haze, casting an eerie glow on the jagged black stone pillars that formed the structure of this vast underground realm.
The walls were lined with nests—massive, intricately woven homes built from obsidian, bone, and feathers, rising up like spirals of dark architecture. In every direction, there were avian people—some with brilliant, shimmering plumage, others with darker, more somber hues—gliding gracefully through the air, their wings cutting through the heated currents of wind that swirled around the cavern. Their eyes followed us, curious, but wary.
Ember and I slid off Alden and Zira's backs, my feet hitting the ground with a soft thud. "I miss my wings," I sighed, watching the others glide gracefully through the air.
Ember leaned her head on my shoulder, her voice soft. "I wish I could fly," she muttered, her eyes glancing enviously at the avian warriors around us.
I crossed my arms, staring at the sky. "Yeah, it's like we're missing half of ourselves."
Alden stepped up beside me, his tone serious but low. "If anything feels off, we bail. Fight first, ask questions later—just like in Glimmerfen."
I leaned closer, raising an eyebrow. "You mean when we got kidnapped for defeating those knights for no reason at all?"
Alden paused, thinking it over. "…Never mind. Just fight if someone tries to kill us," he muttered, shaking his head.
I nodded in agreement, but before I could add anything, Thor swung his hammer with a sharp whistle, cutting through the tension.
"C'mon now, everyone. Let's meet the team," Thor called, striding forward, his presence radiating purpose.
I looked back at Zira, raising an eyebrow. "Zira, can I get on your back again?"
She growled, her eyes narrowing. "Not unless you want teeth marks on your neck."
I smirked. "I'll pass on that, thanks."
Alden shot us both an exasperated look. "You're embarrassing me in front of the lightning man," he hissed, his voice full of mock indignation as he shushed us.