It was her first time seeing such a large assembly of humans.
They were all sitting in a very large room right beneath Zephyr's place. A man was standing alone before them, as if preaching something important. The young bat couldn't fully understand what they were saying, their speech weirdly low and slow.
The Silverwing still felt some hate towards them. They had taken her from her home, banded her! … But she was also strangely grateful as they were the ones to change her life, even if that change quickly became dangerous.
She was living in a whole new way and it was what she had been waiting for many a night.
Stella heard someone approach, roosting at her side. Goth didn't look at her, his gaze fixed on the humans below.
"They are pathetic," he murmured.
The female somehow felt uneasy, as if a demon had entered this place of peace.
"They aren't doing anything wrong right now," she replied with small amusement.
"Of course not. My comment was not aimed at their activity, but at their belief. … They adore a weak god."
"How can you know?"
The Vampyrum looked towards the ceiling, designating Zephyr in a way.
"Your albino told me."
"And you care about that stuff?"
Goth lightly chuckled: "Yes, everything about gods interests me, I guess I got that from my father's side. I like to know that there are multiple weak entities against the glory of Zotz!"
Stella sighed, knowing she couldn't expect less from his explication.
Then all the humans suddenly stood up.
They remained still, a loud sound soon emerging from the far end of the room. Both bats' fur bristled from surprise as the low and powerful melody continued, soon accompanied by a human choir.
The young Silverwing still couldn't understand a word, but the music soon enchanted her, reducing her fear.
Goth was now glaring at the scene with strange interest, understanding why this place attracted him when they first got to it. Its essence, its spirit; the veneration of a god was one of the strongest feeling the Vampyrum ever felt back in his colony. Zotz demanded more than mere chants. He was a lord of darkness and strength, demanding great acts of faith from his followers!
And all that power always tempted him…
Oh how he would love to possess it.
After two nights of recovering, Stella's wings were finally getting better, flying around Zephyr's tower to excercize herself.
It felt so great to be able to fly again! All those strong and refreshing wind currents were making her feel free again, released into a new life filled with a tremendous future!
But for a slight moment the young bat imagined herself surrounded by her people, participating in the great migration. Even if she knew most of them didn't care about her that much … she still missed them. Mostly Frieda, the elder, who had taught her so many things during her first migration.
Even Chinook, which was strange. He had done a terrible thing, but Stella couldn't help but still feel something for him. Maybe it was her Silverwing mating instincts rushing in. He was indeed strong and healthy; he would make a great partner.
But all this nonsense could only make the female laugh, knowing he would probably never have feelings for her.
Suddenly she felt pushed against the molding of a building, her whole self hidden by a large body and wings. Her eyes met Goth and she instantly growled.
"Why did you do that?"
"Silence," he quickly hushed.
Observing behind him, and letting Stella see at the same time, four owls flew by, as if they were searching something.
"Another squadron," murmured the Vampyrum as the night birds continued their way.
"Owls don't fly in large groups, this is inhabitual," added Stella.
"Indeed, and they're not the first group I've seen. Their presence are becoming more and more important as we speak. Ever since we've came into this city they have come and gone…"
The Silverwing frowned: "What? And you haven't told me?"
"You needed time to heal, tonto muchacha!" lightly snarled the giant. "They'll be following us when we'll get out of here and I need you in the best shape possible."
"… I wonder if they are following us because we have seen the sun?" wondered the female. "Or maybe because you killed one of them!" she added with an accusative tone.
Goth took the bottom of her jaw, forcing her to look at him. Both were now glaring at eachothers.
"Look at me, girl," he began in a dark tone. "Do you really think I give a damn if I killed a stupid animal or not? I protected you that night. Hell, even twice on another one! We're now in this together so now is not the time to put the blame on anybody."
Stella showed a fake smile, answering with sarcasm: "Oh thank you! Thank you for saving me. I'm such an innocent, stupid and weak bat. How could I survive all this time without you!"
The Vampyrum released her harshly, certainly not amused.
"This is no time for jokes. We have to leave. Now!"
He flew away form the young one, soon followed by her frantic pace to try to rejoin him.
"Now? But you said the owls will follow us if we get out the city. We need to think of a plan."
"It won't be necessary. I'm a hunter, don't you remember? I can easily track a prey as I can hide from it. … We need to get south as soon as possible. The nights are becoming colder, I can't stand it anymore!"
"Let me say goodbye to Zephyr first, please," demanded the female.
Goth sighed: "Alright, señorita. But you better make it quick."
After long and unfinishing farewells, the Vampyrum finally felt relief as he and the Silverwing were now flying out of this damned city.
His senses were constantly in alert, always expecting an owl to jump out of nowhere. But his attention soon shifted to Stella who was showing a concerned expression, as if regretting something.
"Don't tell me you're sad because we're leaving the city…," he began in an annoyed tone.
The Silverwing frowned, getting out of her thoughts.
"No! … Well, yes, but it isn't what I'm mostly thinking about."
"Then what?"
The female quirked an eyebrow, a smile appearing on her face.
"Since when you care about what I think?" she added.
"Since I have nothing better to do. Speak, señorita, before I lose complete interest."
Stella stayed silent for a moment. Did she really need to speak her mind to this cannibal?
He was right; there was nothing to do … and he was the only one who would listen.
"I'm thinking about what will happen next," she began with a sigh. "How will the others react when I'll get to Hibernaculum. With this weird band, they'll have a new reason to think I'm a freak. … I don't even know how I'll be able to go back to a normal life after all of this. It's all I've ever asked for!"
"Oh really? What you really asked for in this world was to get captured by humans and then guide a bat as remarkable as me?" replied Goth with a grin.
He almost said it with sarcasm, to which the female showed an amused smile, but she quickly returned to a neutral expression.
"Yeah, sure. … No, I think what I really longed for was adventure. This isn't the kind of adventure I hoped for, but I'm finally all by myself and I don't have to worry about all the others judging me and calling me a freak. Also I'm reconsiderating your offer…"
"My offer? Which one?" questionned the giant with surprise.
"To live a better life; to live in the jungle."
Stella waited some seconds before continuing, awaiting for the Vampyrum to nod as he finally remembered what he said on the first night they met.
"I… I think I want to get there after all."
Goth showed a large smile, lightly laughing.
"Would you look at that? The one who liked to call Vampyrums by many names now wants to follow one to a whole new world? My people don't disgust you that much now, señorita?"
"One Vampyrum is already enough for me, but that doesn't worry me much. There are probably more things to do in the jungle than here."
"Oh, sí, action is all what the jungle is about, muchacha!"
The Vampyrum brought his gaze back to the horizon and suddenly let out a small yelp of fear.
There was small white things floating in the air, slowly going to the ground. It was cold and kept falling on him too.
Quickly roosting on a tree's branch, he proceeded to wipe off some of those things from his muzzle. Stella came to his side, giggling.
"Have you never seen snow before?"
"Uh, what?"
"Snow! Frozen rain as it seems, some sort of ice cristals."
"May they be cursed by Zotz almighty!" Goth declared, throwing a fist to the still falling snow.
By their sudden break, the Silverwing's mind began to bring back to the surface an old question she had for a long time:
"Goth…"
"What?" answered the other in an arrogant tone, folding his wings together for more heat.
Stella rubbed her neck, unsure if it was a good thing to ask: "Who is Zotz exactly?"
The Vampyrum froze, surprised for a moment. He looked at the young female, starting a small laugh.
"Who is Zotz? WHO HE IS?"
Fury seemed to cross his eyes, his stance growing as he was towering the small bat and describing his lord: "He is the god of darkness, afterlife, the greatest of all! He lives in Earth's deepest core, waiting for his liberation so he can rule over every living creatures. Those who displease him are crushed. Those who defy him are exterminated! He is Cama Zotz, creator of the Vampyrum Spectrums."
The Silverwing was strangely shivering at that description, and especially at that god's name.
"Have you… have you ever seen him?" she asked in a timid tone.
"… No. But I could present him to you the way I was presented to him."
Stella seemed perplex, wondering what he meant by that. The giant approached her, putting both hands on her shoulders, closing his eyes, and began to chant some echolocation to her ear.
Terrible images suddenly rose into the young bat's mind. It was like when Frieda had sang her the migration's map last year. But this time, no pictures of places were shown; only a terrifying bat, older than time itself and big … really big! Powerful! He had long and pointy teeth and a horrifying red gaze that could pierce you, even in the most complete darkness.
The Silverwing stepped aside, breaking off the link. She was terrified, which only brought a satisfied smile on Goth's face.
"Here is what a real god look like. … Far more better than your miserable Nocturna."
"How do you know her? And she's not miserable!" quickly defended the female.
"Zephyr told me about her. … How can you prove she is worth something? Only a prayer can bring us Zotz's favor when Nocturna remains as silent as a tomb."
"At least she's not cruel like your god!"
"Zotz, cruel?!" exclaimed the other. "How can you say such things, girl, when you know nothing about him? He is generous! He gave me strength, agility and incredible senses. … When I look at you I see nothing worth talking about. You are weak, same as many other small bats of your kind. What did Nocturna gave you? Nothing. Nada."
Stella was furious.
"She also gave me strength," growled the Silverwing. "A strength far more better than yours which does not consist of reducing others for your own benifit, you selfless prick."
She flew away at the end of her words, not giving any more attention to the Vampyrum.
Goth's eyes were wide open, soon smiling at the small bat's audacity.
"Hmm, feisty, I see," he mumbled to himself before taking flight and following the young one through the falling snow.
He remembered, during his first migration, to have looked at Stella when snow was slowly falling, like this night. He had been tempted back then to go fly next to her and get to know her better, but the others' reactions and opinions had scared him at that time.
He sighed, feeling stupid.
Chinook really wanted to retrieve her…. Yes, even if he had mocked her, the sole reason being only not to be left behind by the others. He wanted to change that this year, until the humans got her.
Spotting Frieda at her habitual place in front of the colony, he flew next to her, getting her attention.
"Frieda," began the male. "I want to take part into the next expedition. I want to look out for her too."
The elder softly smiled : "Chinook … I know you probably want to redeem yourself for what you have done, but I can't accept this request. You are young, I can't take the risk to lose another member of the colony. Mercury and the other chosen adults can do this."
"They aren't looking hard enough!" slightly scolded Chinook. "I know I can find her. Please, Frieda, I beg of you…"
"Enough."
Her tone had been harsh, but her gaze was still tender.
"You are brave and generous," she added. "But I ask you to please stay out of trouble, for both you and Stella's sake. … If only she could hear you now."
"That's why I want to go look out for her. … I want her to know that's she's not alone anymore, that she counts to me."
The old female showed a smile. She guessed the male had feelings for Stella and couldn't completely blame him. She was beautiful, strong and quick; she had a little something different from all the other young females in the colony.
Chinook remembered when the humans got her, how her scream rang into his mind, echoing long after he was back to Tree Haven. He didn't plan for the joke to go this far and got angry at his friends.
He realized back there how much of a fool he was and realized how much she meant to him.
He wanted for her to become his mate at the beginning of spring…
The slow falling snow soon turned into a ravaging storm, giving Stella a hard time to see what was ahead of her. She changed her course to a nearby tree, opening her eyes just in time to see the Vampyrum fly by, continuing his way.
"GOTH, WAIT!" she cried over the wind.
The giant suddenly stopped, his wings creating a loud flapping sound because of the strong currents.
The Silverwing felt herself bombarded with echolocations, Goth finally roosting at her side, glaring at her.
"You could have warned me!"
"I just did," answered Stella with amusement.
The Vampyrum growled: "Why are we stopping?"
"I can't see a thing."
"And?"
"Well… I can't see if we're going north or south!" she answered with evidence.
"We could have continued our way."
Stella frowned: "And lose ourselves? No thanks."
"Flying keeps me heated," raged Goth. "I'm going to die if we stay like this. Stupid weather, stupid northern forest, stupid place, stupid snow!"
He suddenly grabbed the Silverwing in his arms, his teeth violently chattering. He was seeking heat, only finding a glimpse of it from the female's body.
Stella eyes were wide open, surprised from this sudden action. Her face was against his fur, feeling it colder than before, which was uncommon for this southern creature.
"Goth… you're ice cold," she commented with concern.
"N-nice observ-vation, muchacha," answered the Vampyrum the best he could with sarcasm.
"Maybe we should-…"
Her voice suddenly faded, abruptly falling asleep. Goth was surprised, shaking her a little. The Silverwing woke up with a startle: "WHAT?!"
"What the h-hell are you doing, señorita? Now is not the t-t-time to sleep!"
"I'm sorry it's because my…."
She was starting to fall back again, but the male stopped her, shaking her body again.
"BECAUSE my body is slooooowly starting to get ready to…-"
"TO?" roared Goth.
"Hibernate…"
"Hiber-what? … W-whatver this is y-y-you can't do that, señorita."
But the young one was already back to sleep.
Oh no it wouldn't go this way!
The giant slightly bit her shoulder, praying it would keep her awake this time.
The Silverwing woke up with a yelp of pain, suddenly slapping his face.
"What was that for, moron?" she asked, furious.
"Now is n-not the time to Hibernate!" he answered with the same rage.
"It's not my fault!"
"Fly and it will keep you awake."
"I CAN'T, this storm is blocking my view."
Goth growled, his embrace tightening.
"Tell me where the southern star is."
"Why?"
"TELL ME WHERE THE SOUTHERN STAR IS."
Stella was terrified, her body wanting to shrink in between his arms. Her eyes were glued to his, answering with a small voice:
"I- I don't know…, all I know is where the northern star is; it's the biggest one. I always look out to see if it's behind me. … Habitually I let my colony guide me.
The Vampyrum's fur spiked up from surprise and rage.
"… So during all that time you're not really sure if we're going south?" he tried to comprehend.
"NO! … Yes."
He suddenly exploded, swearing in his native language. He let go of Stella, trying his best to walk away from her and not hurt her in all his fury.
"You tricked me!" he exclaimed. "Since the beginning you're planning to kill me, I know it. You want to do this stupid hibernation thing? GOOD, go ahead, I don't give a damn. I'm going alone or else I could HURT YOU."
"Goth, no!" answered Stella in fear, getting near him once again and grabbing his arm. "Please don't do this, you'll kill yourself!"
"Isn't it what you want? Right now you're doing a great job!"
"Why would I want to kill you?" scolded the Silverwing. "You told me yourself; we're in this together now. And I believe you. I don't want to be alone, please, we can find a solution together!"
"Then do me a favor and fly, you pathetic snack! I don't care which way we're going, but right now I need to move or I'll be as frozen as this stupid snow."
His stance became more menacing.
"And when this hell will calm down, you will show me how to read your stars and, I swear to Zotz, I'll find another bat if it doesn't seem right."
Stella frowned, both of them next spreading their wings against the cold weather, braving it again.
She was feeling sick and nervous, not really sure of how she would be able to explain the stars to him, but it was all she could do in order to stay with him.
