Serious Business (Blackwings vs. Lightsworn) Ch. 5 - Why The Caged Bird Sings!

[Lord Smeagle]

If you like this chapter, please comment on the main thread here!

 

The Raven tribe sailed on under a sky as black as Elphin’s mane. What else could they do? They could bury their dead, but it would be years before the forest recovered. The Black-Feathered Dragon was a spirit of revenge. It would exact only vengeance for their shed blood and fallen flock, and vengeance would never bring it back. Only vengeance, never justice. Is this to be my legacy? thought Elphin. An eye for an eye? A life for a life? Nothing good would ever come of it.

Elphin looked over at Zephyros; his finest, proudest soldier, now a battered wreck, but still leading the sorry formation alongside him. His face and arms were horribly burned, his crest ruined, his armor in a disgraceful state of disrepair. He had allowed himself to be trapped, he had failed his brothers the Talon Guard, and he had failed the entire tribe. And yet, he continued on, resolute as ever. What lay behind the inscrutable golden mask? he wondered. He wasn’t entirely sure he wished to know. All they could do was beg Silverwind for asylum.

 

~~

 

Fane opened an eye. He heard footsteps coming down to the wall of his cell. Perhaps, he mused, it was the monk again looking for a rematch – but alas, no such luck. He looked up and beheld the shadowed face of Garoth looming over him, grinning. “I have told you everything that I know,” said Fane patiently, as if speaking to a child. “Why do you continue to interrupt my meditations? Surely you have better things to do than this.” Garoth just kept his big, dumb grin.

“Oh, well,” he said, “there’s just something a friend of mine thought you might want to see.” From behind his back, Garoth retrieved a small glass orb and held it up so that Fane could clearly see it. Fane tilted his head slightly to the side, looking through the glass orb at Garoth’s face. “Sorry,” he said, “but your face doesn’t look any less stupid. It was worth a try though.” Garoth’s teeth clenched; he wouldn’t rise to the bird’s bait. “Really now? Look closer.”

Fane looked into the glass again, pretending to actually be looking for something, and saw his home ablaze. He saw birds scrambling from the treetops to get out. He saw hens and chicks burnt alive by the dancing flames of the firedogs and the slow-burning legions of the dragons. He felt hollow inside. “You recognize it?” asked Garoth. “What of it?” asked Fane. “I’ve no family there. It’s a job,” he said coldy. “There are others. So what if it burns?”

Garoth tossed the orb up in the air and caught it. “Mm-mm,” Garoth said, pretending to be shocked, “so…cold. Well then,” he continued, cruel eyes twinkling, “you seem like a practical sort of bird. Perhaps you’d be willing to consider…other employment opportunities?” he asked. “Lord Kristya’s vaults are overflowing, and I am quite generous.” Fane looked up at Garoth for several moments before he spoke. “Listen well, human. I would die a thousand deaths before I lifted even a finger at your command.” Garoth grinned even wider.

“That’s fine with me, bird,” he said, “but unfortunately, I can only guarantee you one execution. The monks don’t need your savages’ ‘training’ anyway, just a good solid shield, I say…” He started turning away, but Fane called out. “The monks,” he said sharply. “I will speak with the monks.” Garoth looked over his shoulder. “I’ll mention it. But I’d be more concerned about speaking with your maker, now. Hope he’s more forgiving than Lord Kristya,” he said, before vanishing into the dark.

 

~~

 

Well, this is a fine mess, thought Shura on the shoulders of a number of Silverwind’s guards. Her wings and arms were tied, and even if they weren’t, she was unarmed, and the guards wielded razor-sharp blades. She looked over at Bora, who was being carried alongside her. “You have any idea where they’re taking us?” she asked, but Bora did not respond. Sure, now he’s going to be quiet, she thought bitterly.

Fortunately, one of the guards was happy to answer for him. “Chief Silverwind has decreed,” he began most officially, “that all those who provide false information to the Chief are to be thrown into the swamp.” “That’s all?” asked Shura, then added hastily: “I mean, that’s a horrific punishment, just leaving someone there in a swamp! How could you possibly be so cruel?” The guard snorted. “Oh, it’s just a fantastic method of disposing of undesirables. We don’t have to do a thing, we just leave the Venom Boas to their work.” Shura shuddered; maybe it wouldn’t be quite so easy.

They were shuffled about for several more minutes before they reached a large bamboo platform on the edge of the swamp. Shura angled her head around and beheld the three-eyed head of a thick, blue serpent peeking out of the water. Each of its three leering eyes looked positively voracious.

The guards set Shura and Bora against bamboo poles near the edge of the swamp. One of the guards looked Bora in the eye. “Any last words?” Bora just glared back. “Didn’t think so,” said the guard, chuckling darkly. “I do,” said Shura angrily. “Silverwind’s a paranoid tyrant, and if you don’t listen, you’ll all die a far worse death than we!” The guard approached Shura. “Listen, we’re just doing our jobs,” said the guard, dropping his voice. “Great benefits, and Silverwind’s much less likely to have us executed this way. Nothin’ personal, but better you than me.”

There was a sound of flapping wings. Shura and the guard both looked up, and beheld a small, winged silhouette descending onto them. The guard stepped back; the bird landed with a loud, wooden clap as his wooden sandals hit the deck. The bird stood barely two feet tall, dressed in a black coat. His feathers were pale gold, save for the brilliant red crest of his forehead. He stood between the guard and Shura, though he obviously did not intend to fight.

“Move out of the way!” shouted the guard, reaching for his blade. “These birds are to be executed on Chief Silverwind’s orders!” The bird just shook his head. “Move or what, you hired goon? I suppose you’ll kill the Chief’s prized seer and explain to him that I was in your way?” The guard faltered, put away his sword, and stepped back, but the black-coated bird shook his head. “No, get it back out and cut them loose already. I assure you, do this and Silverwind will thank us all with a fine feast and much honor.” The guard was baffled. Had the seer gone mad?

The bird seemed to sense his uncertainty. “Go ahead, if you aren’t sure. After all, I’m less likely to kill you than the Chief. But the chick is not wrong.” He tilted his head to the side. “Silverwind’s fears have been…justified.” “What do you mean, seer?” demanded the guard. “Stop with the riddles, and speak straight!” “All will be explained. Cut them loose, and seek an audience with the Chief.” The guard nodded nervously, withdrew his blade and cut the ropes binding their hands and feet. Another guard ran back through the forest to consult with Silverwind. “Cut their wings loose, too,” added the bird. “They won’t fly away. Not if they know what’s good for them.”

 

~~

 

Kalut awoke from the best sleep of his life and found himself alone. He was in the bed in the small white room again, but the bed beside him was empty, and Breeze was nowhere to be found. He pushed the fur blankets back and climbed out of the bed. Odd sort of nest anyhow, he thought, but gosh if it wasn’t warm! “Hello? Breeze? Anyone?” No one answered. He went to the door and opened it, immediately feeling a blast of frigid air from outside.

Outside, a stark white bird with black-edged wings sat with his foot stuck in the ice. The bird looked up and waved as Kalut shut the door behind him. Kalut approached slowly, wary of the ice. “D-do you need some help, sir?” The bird raised an eyebrow. “Help? Not unless you know how to ice-fish, kid” he said, and pulled his foot cleanly out. Grasped in his talons was a shiny, blue fish, flapping its fins back and forth as if it were trying to fly out of the bird’s hand. He had to adjust his grip to keep it in his talons. “Huh, a nimble little sunfish, ain’t he?” He held the fish up with his foot.

“Uh, yeah, I guess he is,” said Kalut uneasily. “Uh…have you seen my brother around?” The bird looked down thoughtfully. “Ah, weeeel…about your height? Green and purple feathers? Funny little wings on his ears?” Kalut grinned. He had never lost his brother in a flock. “Yeah, that’s him,” he said. The bird looked towards the far end of the ice floe. “He went that way, across the water, to the northern floes near the Ice Barrier,” said the bird. “Thanks,” said Kalut hastily, and immediately took off before the bird had a chance to say anything.

“Ah well,” said the white bird, and tossed the fish back in the hole, then followed quickly after Kalut. It would live to swim another day. “Hey, kid!” shouted the bird, “You don’t need to go alone! What’s the hurry?” he said. Kalut looked back at him, surprised; the white bird caught up to him. “If you aren’t from around here, the air currents will wear you down fast!” Well, that certainly explained some things. He could barely gain any ground with the wind pushing him back this way. “The name’s Blizzard,” said the bird. “Try and keep up, will ya?” He dived to the right, and glided effortlessly through the wind. Kalut followed in a rush of black feathers, and pushed through.

 

~~

 

The huge body of a whale began to breach the surface of the water. “Steady now!” said a bird on the edge of the floe. “Don’t fire until you can see its flippers!” He and the other hunters – birds in black armor plating with masks – took to the sky, brandishing their harpoon guns while circling the creature as it surfaced for air. A Fortress Whale would make a feast for all four villages! Gale and Breeze watched from the far end of the floe, hiding behind a ridge in the ice to watch the hunters.

“This is the best part,” explained Breeze. “The timing of the Armed Wings is expert. As soon as it surfaces, they all hit the key spots with their harpoons, and then haul it up onto the ice. But they have to be careful of the guns.” “Guns?” asked Gale. “I thought you said they were hunting a big fish, er, thing.” Breeze laughed. “Obviously you’ve never seen a Fortress Whale,” she said, pointing.

Evidently, he wouldn’t see one today either, because the body that surfaced was not nearly so wide as a Fortress Whale, and the armor plating did not come standard. It sprang from the water, a great white plated serpent with wings, and lashed out at one of the hunters, quickly devouring him. He promptly rounded on another hunter and opened its mouth wide, letting out a fearsome roar and a burst of blue energy that sent the hunter reeling into the distance. Breeze looked on in horror.

“What is that?” asked Gale. “Brionac,” she whispered, visibly panicked. “the First Spear of the Ice Barrier. He shouldn’t be this far south, though!” She tugged on Gale’s wing. “We have to leave! He’s too dangerous!” “More dangerous than a giant fish with guns?” asked Gale, skeptical. “Yes,” shouted Breeze, “now come on!” Brionac looked up, apparently having heard the noise, roared, leapt from the water and plunged through the ice, plowing through the center of the floe as if it were foam. Breeze and Gale took wing as Brionac snapped furiously at them, to no avail.

“Don’t let him catch you with his airblast,” Breeze said, as she flapped furiously. “The wind will carry you for miles.” “Gotcha,” said Gale as he ascended well out of reach of the dragon. He looked down find that Brionac had extended great white wings, and was now gaining on them! He struggled to fly faster, but he wasn’t nearly strong enough yet. He felt the dragon’s breath colder than death on his back, and then heard the piteous roar of a wounded animal.

“Hyooorgh!” roared the Brionac, as a lone hunter attempted to hold it back with only a harpoon and chain stuck between its armored plates. The dragon inched forward, struggling furiously to get free, but the harpoon was stuck deeply between the plates. Gale was well out of reach by now, so the dragon rounded on the hunter, sinking his teeth deep into the armor plating of his arm. Gale looked up and saw Breeze diving straight towards the dragon. “Don’t do it!” he called out. Breeze landed hard on the dragon’s head and bounced right off. Brionac released the hunter’s arm and lunged upwards.

Seeing an opportunity, the hunter dodged left and swooped under the dragon’s wing, wrapping the chain of the harpoon around the dragon’s body and then its throat. The hunter now held the dragon so tightly, he was incapable of roaring or firing an airblast, but it didn’t stop him from thrashing about with its transparent wings, and the hunter had difficulty holding on. As Gale watched from a distance, it occurred to him that the dragon’s wings, while powerful, didn’t look very sturdy. They already had a number of fractures along the edges! No wonder he kept them retracted most of the time.

Gale flapped twice, took a deep breath, and dove straight in, tearing through the dragon’s wing like a thin sheet of ice. The dragon let out a strangled screech as it lost its resistance. The hunter looked up at Gale, then back to the task at hand. He reached forward and punched a hole in Brionac’s other wing. The dragon now thrashed about helplessly in the air, much heavier to lift, but powerless to resist the hunter. The hunter looked down and laughed heartily. Eight hunters couldn’t have brought down one of the Spears, but one hunter and two kids had? The village would never believe this particular legend…if he wasn’t carrying living proof.

 

~~

 

Night fell, and the Raven tribe roosted at last. Even those who cried themselves to sleep did find sleep at last, but Elphin could not even do this. Long after his watch was over, he stared sharp-eyed into the night, expecting some answer to simply come to him. But he was no seer, and Sirocco’s font of wisdom seemed to have run dry. He had only instinct, trial and error, and this had failed him. Perhaps some crisp night air would do him some good. (As if he hadn’t got enough air during that morning.)

Elphin took off and soared through the sky on silent wings, surveying the landscape, feeling the gentle wind beneath him. Clearing his mind did him little good; he only saw more clearly his failure. What if the survivors attempted a mutiny? Could he be assured of Zephyros’s loyalty? The Talon Guard were closer than brothers; Zephyros, then, had lost half of his family today. Mistral, of course, would never think of it…but the soldiers were more likely to rally around Zephyros.

He came in for a landing in a quiet clearing. No sooner did he touch the ground than he heard a rustle in the leaves behind him. “Who goes there?!” called a voice. Elphin turned around slowly. “I am Elphin the Raven, Chief of the Raven Tribe,” he said. More rustling. Some sort of ambush? How many were there? Elphin couldn’t tell, but he kept his guard up. “Well then, Chief…SHOW ME YOUR MOVES!” A dark figure shot out of the bushes to the side. Elphin looked up just in time to see a blood-red helmet with a mask, before the enemy was upon him.

The assailant’s arm shot out, holding a short blade; Elphin caught the assailant’s arm and twisted it. His attacker roared, then thrust a clawed fist into his stomach. Elphin kneed the assailant in the stomach and forced him off of him with a fearsome blow to the chest. His enemy staggered back; Elphin could clearly see him now. He was easily a head taller than Elphin, wearing finely crafted armor and a tasset. His opponent was winged, too – so why did he wait until he was on the ground?

The assailant came again, trying to get at Elphin’s throat with the knife. Elphin dodged under the blade and launched upwards, his shoulder plowing into his taller opponent’s stomach, and then lashed out with his talons to wound his leg. Now unbalanced, the assailant faltered; Elphin wrested the knife from his control, forced his opponent to the ground and stuck the point of the knife to his throat. To his shock, the attacker just laughed.

“Well played, Chief,” said the would-be assassin, visibly grinning, eyes inscrutable behind the mask. “Go on then, finish me off. To the victor go the spoils.”

Elphin held the blade steady. “I don’t want spoils, I want an explanation. Who are you? Why did you try to kill me?” he demanded. The soldier just grinned, and countered with a question of his own. “Why does fire burn, Chief? Why does the world turn?” He chuckled. “Call me Battlestorm.”

 

~~

 

The Hall of the Righteous Fists was lit by torchlight, but it seemed as bright as day. In shackles too heavy to dream of flight, Fane was escorted in, forcibly, to speak with the headmistress of the monks. As expected, it was the same woman – Ehren, according to the burly monks that flanked him. She carried a metal staff Fane briefly inclined his head in what might have passed for a bow.

“Ah, excellent. The prisoner comes,” she said. “You may wait outside,” she said, with a flapping hand gesture. The monks bowed and left silently, leaving the monk and the bird in chains. “Your name is Fane, yes?” she asked. “That is correct,” said the prisoner flatly. Ehren smiled. “Very good.” She walked back and forth; Fane’s eyes never left her staff.

“Your style…it is interesting to me. Your movements are so rigid, and yet they flow. Like a wave of stone, yes?” Fane raised an eyebrow. “I have never heard that analogy,” he said, frowning. “But I suppose it is adequate. Why?” She smiled. “Because,” smiled the monk, “I intend to learn it. Master it.” Fane’s eyes narrowed. “Why would I train you to help you better destroy my people?” he asked suspiciously. Ehren’s smile faded. “I have nothing against your people, bird. Aurkus says that it is Kristya’s will. I am not sure if I believe him,” she said.

Fane looked up and met Ehren’s gaze. “When I was in my country,” she continued, “I was taught that the Archlords were peaceful, benevolent rulers. His Majesty, Zerato, was a noble lord, who defended his people and righted wrongs wherever he went. That was a cause which I would serve. But when I came here to study at the Citadel of Kristya…” She looked away. “I did not find this justice. Kristya, it seems, is a harsh master. Cruel, even.” She thought for a moment.

“But I do not know if he is evil,” she said. “All that we hear of him is the words of the priests, understand?” Fane nodded slowly, unsure. “I need to know this,” Ehren breathed, her voice full of urgency. “I need to know for whom I fight. You understand this?” Fane did. Once, when he was younger, he had fought for causes, for ideals, for masters. Now he fought merely for food and a place to roost.

“I understand,” he said. “What would you have me do?” Ehren smiled wryly. “You will be my student, of course,” she said, “and my teacher, at once. This is the story you will tell the monks. And at first, this will be true. But soon, you will do more. You and I will uncover the truth of Kristya’s words,” she finished. “And then?” asked Fane. “Then,” said Ehren, “you will be freed. We will all be free.”

 

~~

 

In the bamboo hall of the Chief, Silverwind looked Shura and Bora over carefully. “Guards! I demand to know why these filthy lying prisoners are still in my hall…unchained…and breathing! Yes, why are they breathing?” Vayu stepped from behind the two prisoners, and stepped forward. “If you would kindly let me explain, Chief.” Silverwind beamed. “Ah yes,” he said cheerily, “Vayu. Please enlighten us.”

Vayu’s eyes narrowed; he looked up at Silverwind over the top of his coat’s collar. “Your lands are in danger, Silverwind,” he said flatly. “I have seen the Lightsworn Army on the move…” Vayu paused. “I suspect they will settle for nothing less than genocide.” Silverwind leaned forward. “This is a very serious accusation. Has Kristya really gone so far, Vayu?” He spun the handle of the sword at the side of his throne. “I trust your word above any other’s. Do not abuse it.”

“I swear to you,” said Vayu, “that I have seen this in my visions. If you trust them, then trust me.” He indicated Shura. “Now, this emissary has come to beg assistance for the Raven Tribe.” Silverwind nodded. “I am aware,” he intoned. “Do you believe that I should send this aid?” Vayu shook his head. “It would be meaningless, Chief Silverwind, for the Raven Tribe is no more.” Shura’s face was aghast. “Y-you don’t mean…” she started.

“Yes,” continued Vayu, “their home is in ashes, Chief Silverwind, and even now they flock to you for asylum.” Silverwind leaned back, soaking in this revelation. “Mmm…yes,” he mused. “If I may,” continued Vayu, “I suspect that you may be their next target.” Silverwind nodded, but said nothing. He took hold of his sword and stood up. “How long do we have, then?” Vayu hesitated. “I do not know,” he confessed. “I have seen little within the Citadel itself.

“Very well,” said Silverwind. “Let them come. We will accept the Raven Tribe. We will armor their warriors. And soon,” he said slowly, “soon, we will teach Kristya’s forces a very painful lesson!” He raised his sword in the air. “Isn’t that right?” Shouts went up from the guards on his left and right. Shura was pretty sure she had been spared – and yet somehow, she didn’t feel any better. The hollow feeling in her stomach just grew, and grew, a cold fire, burning her alive on the inside.

[Dr. Cakey]

Here goes:

Orb of Yasaka (?)

Venom Swamp

Venom Boa

Vayu - The Emblem of Awesome

Blizzard the Far North

Nimble Sunfish

Blizzard the Far North

Fortress Whale

Blackwing - Armed Wing

Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier

Battlestorm

Archlord Zerato

 

I lol'd @ Battlestorm as Captain Falcon. And I noticed - the first Blackwing Synchro was referenced! On the same subject, I hope Gungnir and Trishula have more bite to them. Especially Trishula. Yes, especially Trishula.

[Lord Smeagle]

Battlestorm totally has C. Falcon's helmet. :D I couldn't resist.

 

Should Trishula appear, he will be a massive beast. Lazers Lasers will be involved.

 

The orb was supposed to represent "Ominous Fortunetelling." I couldn't find a card that represented it better. I considered Fiend's Hand Mirror, but I figured the Lightsworns probably wouldn't have such a wicked artifact lying around.

 

Alas, Armed Wing was too nondescript to make him a singular character.

[Phantom Roxas]

Please don't post separate threads per chapter.