Chapter 9

"A…what?" Lex asked, taking a seat on the bed and holding her head in her hands.

"A Tengu. A supposedly mythological bird known for having unbelievable power. You were unfortunate enough to come across one and have it live with you." Nomi answered slowly.

"I can't believe this…this has gotta be a mistake. Some deranged, very believable mistake."

"We saw it create a tornado of fire! I don't think you need anymore proof Lex!" Howard shouted, earning another fiery glare from Avian.

"Avian? A Tengu? How?"

"I don't know. The Eye of Eternities is meant to hold the Tengu…a Tengu that's supposed to be fully grown and much more dangerous."

"I have way too many questions right now."

"Ask away. You deserve to know, considering you've lived safely with one fore quite a while."

"What's the Eye of Eternities?"

"A yellowy-orange orb that holds a Tengu…THE Tengu and is the sole reason the Sorcerer is still imprisoned."

"How did Avian end up here?"

"I'm not entirely sure. It's also just as confusing as to why he was a chick and is maturing mostly like any other bird."

"Why hasn't he done anything to hurt me?"

"Again, I'm not sure, though I speculate it is a morality type of system."

"Huh?"

"Quite a few Tengu in history have been known to be very gracious to those who help them and often remember the individual's good deed. They've been known to repay people's modesty and kindness, as that is how they've always acted. You fixed his wing and he repaid you by not doing anything drastic…and he was a baby, so that helps too."

"What is he capable of? I mean, I know he just sent a whirling tornado of flames at us, but is there anything else is should know about?"

"Tengu are known to possess extraordinary abilities. A few are shapeshifting, teleportation, telepathy, incredible combat skills, and astounding intelligence. You're obviously aware of the fire summoning power."

"WHY is he here?"

"…now that, I may never be able to even guess."

"Is he gonna eventually hurt us?"

"I…don't know. Tengu are unpredictable." Avian cooed, hopping from his bed and gently walked over to Lex. She looked down at Avian, his large eyes staring at her innocently and slightly sadly. Almost apologetically.

"I would say get rid of him, though even that seems like a bad idea."

"I'm not getting rid of him!" Everyone's eyes became large as Lex wrapped her arms protectively around Avian with a teary look.

"I don't care what you say about how unpredictably dangerous he is! He's still my bird! I saved him and I'm not leaving him!"

"Lex, I don't think you understand–"

"No! You don't understand! Avian has been nothing but sweet and caring, so I see no proof that he's some sort of eminent threat! Avian is part of my family…families shouldn't abandon each other…I've lost my mom before…I'm not letting Avian deal with that." Avian looked sadly at Lex, tears threatening to fall from her tightly shut eyes.

"Lex…" Avian screeched loudly at Nomi and Randy as they tried to approach Lex, a fire flaring in his eyes as he spread his wings in front of Lex like a shield.

"E-V-I-L, evil." Howard muttered.

"Howard, that is enough! If we keep at it, Avian could burn the house down." Nomi said sternly.

"This thing possessed me!"

"What evidence do you have that says HE did it?"

"Are you saying these more than one?"

"There always have been in history! I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case." He sighed, looking at the floor.

"Even so, we aren't fully aware of what he can do. He may appear nice, Lex, but Tengu are known to be scarily powerful. A mischievous species that can go a bit far if their not careful."

"Read my lips! I. Don't. Care. The day he hurts me is the day that I believe you." Lex said, wiping the few fallen tears from her face and pointing to the door.

"Just…give me some time to myself. I'm not asking much, just time to take this all in properly. Please?"

"If…that's is what you wish. Come along guys." Nomi gestured to Randy and Howard, leaving the room with Howard shuffling along behind him. Randy still stood in front of Lex, his heart breaking at her tears streaming gently down her face.

"Lex–" Avian snapped at Randy when he tried to set a hand on Lex's shoulder, causing him to draw back and frown at the bird.

"Let me comfort her you little pigeon!" Avian's eyes widen before turning to a look of absolute offense and he snapped at Randy once more.

"Avian, calm down." He glanced at Lex, who stared at him with a pleading look, and backed off. Lex stood up and hugged Randy, pulling away to look him in the eyes.

"Just give me some time."

"But–"

"I'm serious, Cunningham. I need a bit of time to myself for now. I'll be fine."

"Lex–" "Randy, I've made up my mind." She gently pushed him out the door and, without another word, shut and locked it.

*Randy*

"She's trapped in her house with a Tengu and she wants us to LEAVE HER ALONE! She's crazy!" Howard ranted, running a hand through his hair as he paced back and forth in Randy's yard.

"We need to understand that it's her decision. She'll come around eventually if we leave her be." Nomi stated.

"No she won't. She said she made up her mind. I know for a fact that Avian is staying and someway somehow, we're gonna have to get use to it." Randy said.

"Randy, we all know that that Tengu has been freed somehow and it was for obvious sinister intent. If Avian becomes maniacal in even the slightest way…"

"It's not gonna come to that."

"How do you know that?"

"…because I trust Lex."

"This isn't about trust, Randy. It's about the wellbeing of both Lex and the rest of Norrisville. If Avian loses control, we may as well say goodbye, because a creature like that can set fire to Norrisville in seconds."

"Which why we have to return it to wherever it came from!" Howard said seriously.

"You and Lex need to see this from a realistic perspective."

"Plus, the bird doesn't like you anyway."

"That's another thing. You're going to have to stay away from Lex for a while."

"What? Why?! She needs me considering what she's dealing with!"

"Randy, Avian is, by the looks of it, overly protective of Lex. I'd assume he's jealous when her attention is turned to you instead of himself and would hurt you if she wasn't around to stop him. This puts both of you at risk. If a Tengu wants to harm you, it will without the slightest hesitation. For now, we respect Lex's wishes, but still keep an eye on her and you."

"Nomicon, you can't be serious right now!"

"I'm entirely serious. As the Ninja, you'll understand my decision."

"Nomi, that's wonk!"

"It's the wisest choice we have available to us right now! Until I figure out how Avian got out of the Eye of Eternities, we respect my decision as well as Lex's choice and go by the requests stated by us both. Until then, stay wary, stay alert, and stay away."

B-b-but Nomi! What about Lex and Randy?! Which is more important, the safety of hundreds upon thousands or Lex and Randy (and Avain)?! (I apologize for our shadow character, but I can't get rid of it now and it's gonna be important! :( Besides, it is the one who released a Tengu.) I sincerely feel like half of the chapters so far are pointless but I don't care! all of my author's notes are EXTREMELY pointless, but I also don't care! :D stay Bruce!