Verago and Myra lie on their backs and next to each other. Limbs are sprawled and wings overlap one another. They're winded from exhaustion. Strenuous physical exertion is to blame, one that made their bodies fully connect and pushed them inside the love bubble. Now that they're out of that bubble, their bodies are left both hot and numb with their hearts pounding almost uncontrollably inside their chests.
While Verago is enjoying the moment now that his body is recuperating, Myra is in a state of ecstasy still. She's motionless with her eyes shut, solely focused on this overwhelming sensation. The white-and-blue jaquin can feel it in every fibre of her being. Even with their heavy breathing dying down, this powerful feeling lingers. This magical experience felt exactly the same as the first time she and Verago made love. That's why Myra is determined to relish it for as long as possible. After all, it's the best feeling she's ever experienced besides becoming a mother.
But even then, all things must come to an end and so does this sensation, eventually starting to subside. Myra slowly opens her eyes while the sensation fades. The first thought that springs to mind is whether Verago is experiencing the same. She turns her head. Her eyes immediately meet his emerald green ones. He'd been watching her for a short while without saying anything, utterly fixated on relishing the sight of his mate lying beside him. Even though their eyes make contact, no words are shared. None are needed for them to express their feelings right now: their twinkling eyes emanate security and pure love. Nothing can seem to burst this bubble.
"Just like last time…" Myra whispers in between her soft wheezing.
"Exactly like last time." Verago returns the whispering.
A faint smile finds its way across her face. He's right… "But back then, you were on top… I liked this time better." she comments teasingly.
"May I agree to disagree?"
"Hihi. You may but I am always right… Rule número uno." Myra replies and sends him a coy smile.
"You have rules now?"
"Only two…"
"What is the second one then? 'Verago is never right'?" he asks sarcastically and winks at her.
"Of course not, mi amor. 'When I am not right, rule number one kicks in'."
"But – that is practically the same…" Verago comments in a disenchanted manner as if feeling wronged.
The white-and-blue jaquin giggles heartily at how Verago realises her intent. Perhaps even the way how he interprets it. Myra then rolls on her side and against him. The moment their bodies connect, a tingling sensation immediately runs throughout them both. It feels as if they're pulled back into that love bubble again. Though suddenly, she gives his snout a lick. Verago turns away his head as he dislikes this. Myra knows but she's just teasing him. As he turns away his head she puts a paw on the black-and-green jaquin's chest and starts playing with his emerald green crest.
"You like playing with this crest…" Verago comments calmly.
"Mmm-hmm. There is a lot about you that I love playing with…"
Those words. It produces a smirk on Verago's face. Just as he's willing to woo her for a second time, a small yellow head rises from behind Myra's back. Slowly but surely, two curious-looking eyes start watching the black-and-green jaquin carefully.
"Boo!" Skylar yells and starts laughing.
Verago and Myra both startle from their son's presence. "Skylar… Have you… How long have you been here?" Verago asks in surprise and with a slight worry about what his son might've seen them do.
While Verago tries to figure out how to explain all of this to his son, Myra rolls over to her other side. Unlike Verago, she isn't worried about anything. Instead, she plays along with Skylar. "Ooh! You had me scared. We did not hear you come inside the nest, mijo.' she says calmly while taking her son in between her paws, 'How is your day so far?"
"I had divertido! Luna and Migs always play with me.' the yellow-and-blue cub says with sheer enthusiasm and then notices something interesting, 'Wow, mommy feel warm. Why?"
"Your papá and I were cuddling – intensely. Sometimes, we like doing this."
"Like we now?" Skylar asks curiously.
"Almost." Myra replies heartily and lets out a giggle.
While little Skylar is giggling with his mother, some leaves around their nest suddenly start rustling violently. Something is penetrating the canopy at high speed and without concern of hitting any vegetation. Frightened by the commotion, Skylar quickly burrows himself partially in Myra's fur. His father quickly jumps to all fours and observes the shaking leaves closely, his eyes fiercely watching for any potential threat to reach the nest…
Then, a purple-and-gold jaquin appears just above them, smashing his body into the final branches between it and the family of three. It causes leaves to whirl down into the nest and onto Myra, who's still lying on her side. Her gaze, however, is no longer directed at her yellow-and-blue son but is intensely fixated on the purple-and-gold intruder instead. Myra needs no words to describe her anger towards him for scaring her son: she has her eyes speak for her. The intruder can feel the fury emanating from her blue eyes, piercing his soul which makes him feel uncomfortable. The restlessness within which his eyes betray only intensifies. He quickly looks away to avoid further conflict with the white-and-blue mother and finds Verago. A sense of relief comes over him and with a commanding voice, he bellows: "There you are… We must go and see king Corona. Now!"
"Thunder… Always making a ruckus upon your entry.' Verago comments calmly to suss the situation for his family and goes to stand underneath his fellow general while asking, 'What is going on?"
"Quita Moz is inside the Palace. We must go there at once!"
"Ay-ay-ay. That never promises good news. Lead the way!' Verago states and turns to Myra before adding with a smirk, 'I will be back soon, sweetheart, because you and I were not done yet…"
Myra bites her lower lip, craving the love that she hopes to receive upon his return. Until then, the white-and-blue jaquin will care for their son who's still shaken and partially hidden from view…
A tad later, Verago reaches the Palace and is bewildered by the sight of many jaquins leaving it. "What is happening?" he commands to know from one leaving.
"Quita Moz is inside. King Corona ordered all of us to leave… I wonder what this is all about." the jaquin comments worryingly.
"That is none of your concern at the moment. If there is news, everyone gets to hear it." Verago states solemnly and flies into the Palace after Thunder.
Both generals arrive just after formalities are shared between the sunbird and the royal family of the jaquins. "So, Quita Moz. Tell me. What brings you here?" Corona asks curiously but with a sense of worry in his voice.
"I only come in here when the Flames want me to pass on an urgent mensaje."
"What message? Is it grave or hopeful? After our recent conversation, I dearly hope for the latter."
Quita Moz chuckles. He foresaw this enquiry. "I knew you would ask this. Alas, I can only bring grave news. During our last conversation, you shared a premonition with me. One that heeded caution. I consulted the Flames afterwards and you were right. A threat is indeed looming over the Palace. And this time, the visions were more clear: there is a creature willing to enter Vallestrella and poses a great threat to you all. This, I saw. But the Flames also told me its name… Kizin. It is coming."
Corona averts his eyes, pondering those words. No king wants to face the kind of challenges that threaten their very existence. "Hrm. This portent of yours sounds grave, indeed… What should we do?"
"That I cannot tell. I can only see el futuro, not alter it. You alone can shape your destiny, king. Although… I had foreseen a promising development also: you will receive aid from an unexpected source, one I could not see clearly. But you must grasp this opportunity to turn the tide to your advantage when the situation seems worst."
"Excuse me for the intrusion.' Zephyr says cautiously and turns to the sunbird, 'Quita Moz. You said this creature is entering our realm… Where and from what place?"
Quita Moz puts his tail feathers to his chin, resting his head on them for a brief moment to ponder the following words to say. He then receives an agreeing nod from Corona, who seems to understand the sunbird's reluctance. "The exact location where it enters… That is shrouded in mystery, unfortunately. But I clearly remember what the Flames told me about its place of origin: Vallescuro."
Gasps are heard… Bewilderment strikes the minds of both Miguella and Diestáy, and all three generals. Ears turn flat and gazes fill with dismay. Vallescuro, the so-called parallel dark side of the realm. It is said to house demented and foul creatures such as duendes and nightbirds, the latter being corrupted sunbirds. But it's also said to be but a fairytale location. Yet, the wise and all-knowing oracle sunbird speaks of that place as if it actually exists…
The king of the jaquins looks at all three generals sternly. He then confirms their fear: "You understand now why I had all other jaquins sent away. They must not know that such a vile place truly exists. To them, it is but a myth."
"So it was to me…' Verago whispers audibly with slight anxiety emanating from his eyes and adds in disbelief, 'Just a few days ago I – I told Skylar about nightbirds, teaching him not to venture out at night by himself through what I deemed but a fairytale…"
Corona once again averts his worrying gaze. This time, his eyes find his mate. "What is your view on all of this, Esperanza?"
The queen eyes him in a relaxing manner. She shrugs slowly. "You do know that all of your decisions are fine by me. But if you ask me, darling, then you should do well to consult with all three generals again. You need them with you on this matter. This looming threat that Quita Moz speaks of will surely affect all of us…"
"Well, that decision I will leave up to you. I must go now. There still is that devious forest sprite inside one of my jars that needs sealing away elsewhere… ¡Adiós!" Quita Moz comments excitedly.
The colourful sunbird swirls elegantly into the air and leaves the Palace through the open hatch at the very top of the throne room. Corona then lowers his gaze and looks at the floor, his eyebrows furrowed while pondering his next move. His mate's words seem to ring true. Despite having Verago and Thunder put Miguella in harm's way, she didn't get injured. This revelation has him eye his daughter and it produces a fond smile on his face. He looks back at Esperanza. "Maybe you are right, dear. Perhaps my grudge against Verago and Thunder is misplaced.' Corona opts slowly and continues with determination to his voice, 'It is in times like this that your place beside me proves invaluable. You never stop amazing me with your advice, Esperanza… Alright, I should move on. This threat is too big for Zephyr and me alone."
"So…' Diestáy starts slowly and adds with caution, 'If this creature, Kizin, can move into our realm… Does this mean that other monsters do too? You know, like duendes?"
"No, son. No one has ever reported such occurrences. A gateway between our realm and Vallescuro likely exists, but nothing has ever come through.' Corona comments reassuringly and he adds with a begrudging tone, 'Concerning Kizin, however… I believe that this monster is – pulled into this realm. By what or to what means, I cannot tell and neither can Quita Moz."
Miguella murmurs despicably: "I can think of someone: Chatana…"
Corona then gazes at all three generals standing before him. He sees them looking diligently at their king, eagerly awaiting his call. "As the three of you know, I recently shared insightful arguments with Quita Moz. They did not bode well for the future… Our future. That is why the oracle came here today. The message is clear. Always should we be wary of whatever threat could do us harm. Our watchful eyes should never rest for too long. We need to prepare ourselves for what is to come…" the teal-and-indigo jaquin king says with utmost concern in his voice.
Through his uniquely raspy voice, Zephyr asks calmly: "What are you suggesting, king Corona?"
Corona's look expresses trouble still. His eyes betray certain indecision at play. "To be honest – I am at a loss on how we should proceed. If something wielding destructive power is coming for us, we would do well going out of its way. Having all of us stay in one place will only increase the risk of being wiped out as a species. But… If this Kizin will come to threaten the Palace then–"
"¡Nunca!' Thunder roars in anger over the idea of losing the Palace and adds with fury, 'We will never give up our home…"
"How much we all hate that idea, Thunder, you never interrupt your king." Verago states firmly.
"Well said, both of you. Which means that I remain speaking!' Corona reprimands them and continues his plea, 'Our beloved Palace has stood for millennia, albeit seeing many alterations both great and small. Even so, it has been our home for all that time, and I am not willing to go down in history as the king who lost the Palace! But if we are all dead then that goal is utterly pointless. Therefore, I strongly believe we must split up this clan to spread our chances against, hrm, total annihilation. Thus we should move part of the clan elsewhere. Away from the Palace. I will need commitment from all three of you for this cause. Only then will we succeed… I realise that this is a drastic measure to take but it is one I deem necessary. Yet, so I must admit, I find myself standing at a crossroads… Hrm, this is why I now seek your counsel. Tell me now, how do you think we should proceed?"
Each of the generals is taken aback by this statement on annihilation. None would dare speak of a calamity like that, let alone think of such ill fate. After a brief moment of awkward silence and eyeing one another, Zephyr murmurs for the others to hear: "What a grim prospect…"
As if released from a trance by this mumbling, Thunder immediately asks: "To where?"
Zephyr understands immediately what Thunder means. He opts cautiously: "Outside of this realm, perhaps. Somewhere not too alien for us jaquins… Hmm. What about Avalor? Maybe we can find something outside of their city."
"Good call, Zephyr. I like this idea. And on our turn, we could allow people in here to savour the idea of us living beside them." Corona states diligently.
"And protect the humans and their city if need be. We have, after all, a strong Skyguard at our disposal." Thunder adds confidently.
"And a strong relationship with the Avaloran people. They will undoubtedly welcome us to live beside them, permanently if needed." Verago comments equally as confident.
Corona's eyes twinkle. This brainstorming session has been highly productive. With elation, he states: "Hah! This is why you three are a great team. You complement each other in both ideas and tactics."
"Agreed. Nevertheless, this is a lot to digest. I think I can speak for all generals if I say that we have to think this through carefully. Humans only set foot in our beloved realm on rare occasions. They might still be unable to grasp the full extent of its magic. And who will get to rule over our enclave in Avalor?" Zephyr asks curiously as there's much to discuss still.
"Good point. Let me think about this opportunity further. In the meantime, I will need you three to scout the realm in search of any signs of this Kizin."
"But we have no idea what this monster looks like." Thunder opts.
"That is your problem now. For now, scramble the Skyguard and make routine surveys of the land."
Using their paw, all three generals pound the ground twice and shout 'For the king!' before they set out, followed by a dozen of the Skyguard. They're being observed exiting the Palace by a pair of excited-looking eyes. They belong to little Luna who's sitting on top of the hill overlooking the Palace, something she's known to do occasionally.
As the generals fly out, determination emanates from everyone's eyes but Verago's. His gaze is distant as a thought of an earlier statement crosses his mind: *Well, Myra. I guess you and I will have to wait…*