Chapter 36: CH. 36 | A Companion from the Sky

Hearing that clearly caught Theo off guard. He’d only just met Avara, yet Amar, the girl’s own father, was already suggesting Theo take her along on his adventures.

"Forgive me, it’s not that I doubt her abilities, but Lady Avara and I have literally just met," Theo answered, "And I’m sure it’s fair to say our first meeting wasn’t exactly a good one."

"I’m worried that if this actually happens, Avara might feel uncomfortable around me and my friends," Theo added.

It wasn’t just him either, Avara turned and looked at Amar too, adding her own thoughts to the conversation. Theo listened closely.

"I need to stay here to make sure you’re able to run things and protect the village properly," Avara answered.

"The people of this village and I are more than capable of protecting this place. I’m suggesting this precisely because it matters for your sake," Amar answered.

"He’s proven to be an heir to the Authority’s power. That’s a forbidden strength, one even the Dark Legion fears," he added.

"I’m certain that if you go with him, you’ll gain plenty of experience and valuable knowledge."

"B-But I can learn everything from you, Father. I don’t need to go out there!"

"What I can teach you has its limits, but the experiences you go through yourself are the best teacher there is for gaining real knowledge," Amar answered.

Amar stood up and walked closer to Avara, gently resting both hands on her shoulders. The two of them locked eyes.

"Listen! You’re the heir to the next tribal chief title. But I don’t want your abilities held back by those beneath you," Amar said, "I still have decades left to live. Your path is still long and wide open ahead of you. I want you to grow and become stronger!"

Avara looked visibly moved by what Amar had said. Theo watched her eyes well up with tears, and then she threw her arms around Amar, burying her face against her father’s chest.

"I don’t want to leave, Father!"

"I want to stay here, with you, to help you."

Amar smiled, then glanced briefly at Theo, "Could you give us a moment, Theo?"

Theo didn’t want to make things awkward between them. He got up, put his clothes back on, and stepped out of the house.

He arrived at the edge of the village square, watching the villagers still going about their activities ahead of him, even though he felt certain it was already very late at night, judging by the moon sitting fully at its peak in the sky.

Do I really have to take her along? She’s a member of the birdfolk race, I don’t think this is a good idea.

A few people glanced over at Theo as he sat on a fallen log, staring ahead while holding the wound salve in his hand. He tried greeting them, but their responses were too indifferent to bother with.

After waiting more than ten minutes, the door to the house opened again, the sound clear enough to catch Theo’s attention.

He stood and turned around. Avara stepped outside, followed by Amar. But Theo could see Avara’s eyes were red and swollen, as if she’d been crying for a long while inside the house.

The girl walked down the steps and stood beside Theo, glancing at him briefly before turning her gaze back toward Amar.

"I’m entrusting her safety to you, Theo."

"She’ll be a great help to you in many ways. Let Avara learn plenty about the human world," Amar said.

"About that... I’m not sure I can actually take her along," Theo said.

Amar’s eyes narrowed sharply, and he thrust his hand forward, sending dozens of sharp black feathers flying, stopping just short of Theo’s body. Theo froze in shock, swallowing hard.

"You’re rejecting my proposal?!" Amar shouted.

"T-That’s not it, Chief. I mean, I don’t intend any disrespect to you all, but she’s a member of the birdfolk race," Theo answered, "I’m worried... her identity alone could put her at risk among humans. They’re not exactly welcoming toward other races."

"That’s clearly not my concern," Amar said firmly, "You’re free to refuse my proposal, but don’t expect to walk out of here alive!"

Theo went quiet for a moment, reaching out to touch the sharp tip of one of the black feathers, and his hand came away with a small cut.

His attention shifted to the side, where Avara stood beside him, though she immediately turned her face away, as if unwilling to meet Theo’s eyes.

"What’s your answer?"

I don’t have any other choice!

"My answer is... taking Lady Avara with me actually seems like a great idea for me."

Amar gave a small smile and pulled the sharp black feathers back into the wing structure on his arms. He walked closer to Avara to say goodbye, a tight embrace and warm words to send the girl off.

"Take good care of yourself. Always remember what I told you earlier," Amar said.

"Of course, Father," Avara said, "I’ll never let you down."

The two of them released their embrace. Avara wiped away her tears and swung her arm to the side, instantly transforming into a black crow, taking flight and beating its wings steadily.

So it’s true... they really are the crow birdfolk race.

Amar turned and told Theo that Avara would stay in her crow form most of the time, to avoid raising suspicion among humans. But at certain moments, she’d shift back into her half crow human form.

"Take care of her for me, Theo."

"Yeah," Theo answered, "I’ll let her know about the human world."

PECK!

A crow swooped down and pecked Theo’s forehead. Amar laughed softly and waved them off. Theo had no choice but to start leaving the village.

He walked along the village’s dirt path with Avara flying ahead of him, as if assigned to escort him out. Since the wounds on his body kept him from walking as fast as Avara could fly.

The two of them eventually left the village behind, following the trail until they arrived back at the waterfall pool. Theo’s steps paused for a moment as he looked at the pool of water.

"This place is unfamiliar to me. I have no idea how to get back to Tulu Village."

Avara flew back toward Theo and, to his surprise, pecked his forehead again, making him flinch and wince in pain.

"Ow!"

"Could you just tell me without pecking my forehead? This is a forehead, not a wooden log!"

Without warning, Avara shifted back into her human form within a swirl of black crow feathers. She stood in front of Theo, hands planted firmly on her hips.

"I’m right here, why are you making such a fuss?!" Avara complained.

"I know this hill far better than you do. I know the safe route to get to that human village!"

Avara raised her hand and pointed forward, "Stop whining and just follow me!"

"O-Okay..."

Avara let out a soft sigh, then swung her arm again, wrapping her body in black feathers until the transformation completed and she’d fully returned to her crow form.

She’s right here... true, there’s no good reason for her to lead me astray.

I should just follow wherever she goes, that’s probably the best way for me to actually get back.