Chapter One: Whispers in the Wind

The broadened wings of the heaven-bound raptor coated the crystal gleam of the Gombe River, flowing from the waterfall a rock throw away from their civilisation. Gliding amid the infinite blue, one with the freedom it promised. Each wing pocketing the streams of air that carried the colossus predator over the enriched lands, to a new realm awaiting adventure and tales of legend.

From the decks below, the young heir to the Mendesa tribe leant leisurely against the wooden guardrail of the bending bridge extending over the fresh, pellucid river. He peered up at the silhouette of the mighty eagle penetrating through the canopies of the vurdurous evergreen, musing over the travels of the feathered beast. He was envious of it's inherited autonomy. A being of the skies, gifted with the wind between billowing primaries. To unify with the zephyr was its liberation, its calling.

Calling...

He inhaled, closing his eyes in meditation. The air gathering within him, he paid deep regard to the breeze that swayed passed him. Crisp against azure fur, a welcomed temperature to the scorching heat. It would embrace him, encircle around his adolescent form, tingling against his fine hair as the cool breeze warmed to him would equally raise his body heat.

Soft was it's touch as much as it's whisper. Words embellished with petal-brushed tenderness. The caller in the wind, her voice so soothing, he instilled his faith into it alone. He would chase the winds to the ends of the world if it meant eternal enrapture with her silk-like undertones.

I can feel the race in your heart, ni aioté. Say it beats for me.

"Yes," he breathed out. His body adrift in the ethereal state of mind, he opened his dwam inflicted eyes to the embodiment of the figure that joined his dreams upon every dusk.

Evanesce the silhouette of her body formed. Shrouded in the mist of the wind, too vague to observe any of her features, he could just make out the hue she possessed. Striking vibrancy he had only witnessed in forms of flowers and fruit the forest would offer. And just like these floral bounties of the forest, the gentleness she conveyed was still ever prominent.

For seven years she had accompanied him, befriended him, and eventually, the two were enamoured to the ties that patched their souls into binding tapestry.

He was in love with the whisperer within the wind, unknowing of her appearance or even her name.

" aioté anak," he muttered to the breeze.

The airy figure hovered over to him and placed her weightless arms around his shoulders. In return, he validated her touch by leaning into her affection, supporting himself with both hands squeezing with tension against the wooden guardrail.

Her scent consumed him. Breathing in the fragrance of the sacred hannukka flower from her, he fell into a deeper enchantment. Sighing with fulfilled satisfaction, the adolescent boy bowed his head, placing his forehead against the faint force embodying her own.

As delicate as her nectar speech, she released a hushed giggle and tickled the strands of hair covering his head by nuzzling against him. Her translucent hands brushing against his heat-storing cheeks as they passed and into his quills. She brought his gaze to meet dimmed jadeite. The two mysterious orbs drifting down to his parting lips, she drew closer, mimicking his wanting yearn and submitting to the haze of desire.

From his world to hers, they would bridge their distance through the zephyr.

"Sonar?" called a puzzled voice.

"-Uck," the boy gasped.

Instinctively turning to the skulking observer, he gawped at the young fox staring back at him. Tokala, his trusted companion and confidant. A cursed child at the age of seven many have acclaimed him to be. Born with the abnormality of two tails, he was branded an innecessity, an aberrant when he turned his mutation into an advantage. Blessed to fly, those who oppressed him were made to eat their words as the boy became a leading ranger.

The power of knowledge was also possessed by the boy. Innovative and strategic, he was pronounced Kaaron Kāne by the Jora, Julteniere. Lead Ranger.

From first glance, the youthful fox was hardly imposing. With the black-dyed, leather bracers strapped to his forearms and shins in contrast to his red headband and matching sash around his waist, he was a limited warrior. His advantages however were unexpected to his foes, an advantageous ability in itself.

His chest hammering violently, Sonar gulped down his nauseating shock and composed himself. "Tokala," he greeted his friend, confidence leaving him from being caught.

Though his friend's reaction had promptly vanished, replacing his confusion with a relieved, then positive, smile. This transition made him wonder whether he had witnessed the formation of the wind floating above the water. To answer his own mind, he turned back to the whisperer. Uttering an astonished gasp, he was surprised, moreso disappointed, to see the figuration had already evapourated.

"Slacking again, I see?" Tokala questioned. "Your head's always in the clouds. You'll end up floating away if you can't stay grounded."

Sonar chuckled, freeing himself from the awkwardness and disheartment he experienced moments prior. "You know me, away with the wind every chance I get."

"Kin o Makani," he declared. Performing the traditional greeting to his friend, he placed his right hand over his heart and bowed his head. "Jora wishes for your attendance. You might want to stay on the ground long enough to hear his wishes."

The elder boy let out a half-hearted groan and turned towards the water. Climbing sluggishly onto the guardrail, he held out his arms and prepared himself to drop into the river. "Sudros, take me," he pleaded, wobbling forward precariously.

"Hey, wait!" his friend cried, flying over to his aid. "You can't forfeit your life! You're a Jora Vein!"

"Don't remind me," the heir complained, frowning monotonously to the boy that held him back.

Successful in pulling his friend back onto the decks of the bridge, Tokala gestured to the village, aspiring to convince the Jora Vein to abide by his responsibility. "Come. I'll accompany you back to Rigvian Halls. That way, I'll know you made it there without sidetracking."

"Which one of us is the elder again?" Sonar jested. Walking back onto turfed lands, he grinned back at the younger male, youthful mischief making it's sparse appearance before he would need to suppress the notion in front of his parents. "Race you there!"

Renown throughout the village as the most agile habitant, a race on land against Sonar was indisputably a predicted losing endeavour. Swift as a warrior's vitality, yet second to the hunting, wild cheetah.

Tokala scoffed, bouncing off the ground and levitating beside his friend by the flick of his tails. "Alright, ground-walker, you're on!" He grinned.

Settling their agreement with a brief clap of their hands colliding, the pair lined up on the first deck of the bridge and together, took off towards the village.

Through the arching entrance they would rush across the terrain towards the bending stairs leading to the tree house community. Residing on both interior and exterior of the most ancient, fortified, grand oak tree within the vibrant, dense Kaba Forest; Gawande. Said to be planted by Gaia herself. The village consisted of multiple wood cabins, connected by the sturdy bridges and bending stairways to the peak.

Bouncing off of every stride, Sonar passed his father's subjects with rushed greetings. Leaping and somersaulting over the villagers and their lives' work, he looked over his shoulder to see the fox merely inches behind him. Momentarily astounded by his skill, he soon smirked, determined to also improve his own speed.

"I see you have been training, Kala," Sonar pointed out.

"I am not lead ranger for nothing." Answered the young boy. "Explain your pace, Jora Vein. Why do you slow yourself? Gone with the wind again?"

The taunts of the fox were triumphant in their affect on him. His brows naturally lowering to such tarnish, he drove himself to run faster. Power resounding beneath bare feet, his arms were swept back by the wind as he pushed himself against the air currents.

"Sonar..." Tokala gasped, gawping at the phenomenon. Radiating around the hair's body, surges of lightning sparked. Crackling and snapping away from his royal blue fur, the bolts of energy faded into the streak of light in his wake.

Oblivious to the energy he was conducting, Sonar raced up the steps and onto the next level. At his unmeasurable speed, he became inaccurate to his sense of direction. He kept moving forward, unaware of any obstacles ahead.

"Sonar, Sonar, watch out!" the fox cried, his hand reaching out towards the inevitable collision.

"Huh?"

Having heard his friend, Sonar's eyes shortly widened as the figure before him became clear. Kalima, the cream pelted rabbit, came into view. "Whoa!" he yelped. By instinct, he jumped over her. Unable to slow himself down while on his feet, Sonar flew over the girl and fell gracelessly into the crates stacked beside her home.

"Sonar!" Tokala called out, landing in front of the fallen crates. "Are you okay?"

Grunting and groaning from the infliction of his landing, Sonar inertly pulled himself up. "I'm fine." he said, holding his head. Shaking away his lethargic condition, he rose from the crates where he was met with a concerned Kalima.

"Oh, Uro Sonar! Please forgive me!" she pleaded, placing her right hand on her heart and bowing her head.

Kalima was the sweet daughter of the village baker and herbalist, Valen. Naïve and curious in her child nature, there was a glint of determination awaiting to mature.

She stared intensely, her eyes glossing with her tears at the thought of harming the village sovereign. Her compassion had always been admired by the teenaged warrior, if not overwhelming. "Eh-heh..." he stuttered, urging the girl to find reassurance in his dismissive hand wave, "I'm okay, Kalima, really. Ni Ahora. I wasn't watching where I was going."

"You were going pretty fast," Tokala stated, "I've never seen anything like it."

"Huh?"-Sonar tilted his head.-"I don't follow..."

"You ran faster than the Peregrine Falcon rides the winds. The charge of the storm came from you, Sonar. As you ran, the storm's fury discharged from you and emitted this light of blue. It was almost like..."-he looked around to ensure they were out of range of eavesdroppers prior to whispering the forbidden potentiality,-"sakilo."

"Oh!"

Alarmed by the feminine voice appearing out of thin air, the trio looked towards the owner of the voice. Valen stood at her doorstep, peering down at them in considerable thought. She glanced over at her disordered crates scattered across the bridge. Displaying the same consideration as her daughter had, Valen stepped out of her home and placed her hand on the teen's shoulder, as well as Kalima's.

"Is everything okay?" she questioned. "None of you were hurt, were you?"

Sonar shook his head. "We're fine, Valen. Ahora to the destruction."

"Hm-mm." - She shook her head back at him, paying little mind to her delivery. "Nanda. They're all but flowers, sent from Visyn. They're the only place to grow hannukka flowers."

The particular scent waded towards him, awakening his senses. The scent of the whisperer. "Hannukka flowers?"

"Ja. They're said to have healing properties. Smell nice too."

Eyes and heart set on the crates and their contents, Sonar pushed the objective to meet with his father aside and prioritised his need to breathe in the scent of the wind whisperer. "I-I'll help you carry them in. It's the least I can do after I crashed into them."

"Sonar..."-the fox stepped forward.-"Remember you are expected by the Jora."

"I'll be quick," he assured the lead ranger. "It's like you said. I'm as fast as the Peregrine Falcon." He winked, running off to perform his noble deed.

He expected no less from the Jora Vein. Answering to the call of those in need, rather than want. It was as the children stories foretold. A warrior's heart answered to those that truly needed saving. The love he held for his father was paramount, but in the ways of the hero, he would come second.

Or, that's how he believed Sonar saw things. He had been particularly interested in these hannukka flowers...

"Hey, Henkei!"

Tokala was aroused out of thought by the insulting greeting. Grievous with wrinkled features, he balled his jittering fists and span back on his exposed heels. "Pheone..." he addressed her bitterly.

A scornful scoff responded to his rancorous countenance. "Is that anyway to address the woman you once idolised?"

Taunted by the memory her words had triggered, the boy turned his body away from her and clicked his tongue. She spoke truth, much to his regret. His emotions for her had blinded his senses upon her joining to their tribe. Having found her weakened, abandoned and lonesome in the surrounding forests, he had taken her under his sheltering succour. Offering her a home, a purpose and belonging, he had also offered his heart. While she accepted his love, she had been licentious in her attempts to seduce his best friend and Jora Vein, Sonar. Ignorant to her advances, Sonar had unintentionally exposed her actions through his warning to Tokala.

Though she had caused a great deal of trouble in her short stay, she had not been shunned. Taking pity on her soul, the Jora stripped her of her name. No longer would she be considered one of them. She was but a vagabond within their tribe. A lost one.

There was a sanctimonious emanation from the auburn furred fox. How she stood with her hand resting on her hip, one exposed leg displayed beguilingly through the slit in her orange, patterned dress, in front of the other. This arrogance was also portrayed through her use of gold embellishments around her waist and neck. Such finery was preserved for the Jora and their offspring. This, she knew.

The particular piece of jewellery around her neck had intrigued his otherwise disdainful eyes. It's gem; small but ever still as mesmerising, shimmered a radiant green. It was familiar. Eerily familiar.

"Le ceia anak." The fox growled back at her, bearing his fangs for her to see.

"You see," She sighed, "it's things like that that drove us apart."

The boy scoffed. "You hold all accountability to our unfavoured history, Pheone."

Pheone shrugged, indifferent to his disgruntlement. "What choice did you give me? A life bearing children to a henkei and serving his equally henkei progenies?"

Hiding his pain behind rattling teeth, Tokala held back his rage with every stand of will he could muster. Breathing heavily through his bearing lips, he squeezed his fists harshly at his sides.

His reaction only sprouted twisted delight on her bewitching features. She let out a taunting laughter, irking him further. With every boundary overstepped, she stood back and watched the turmoil she had planted grow increasingly venomous.

But her enjoyment would not last long. Stepping out onto the doorstep, Sonar gave an impassive, cold stare towards the girl, imminently shutting down her torment to the two-tailed fox and revealing a look of horror.

"Jora Vein." The female fox gasped, taking a step back from the hedgehog. Hesitant in her actions, she promptly bowed her head and signaled the appropriate greeting before him.

"Don't call him by that name again." he ordered, ignoring her gesture. "If it were not for him, your life would have ceased long ago. Be grateful you still breathe."

Her gaze lingered on the planks beneath her feet, impotent to meet his direct leer. "O-of course, Uro," she stammered, ripped of her spite.

The chief's son deepened his leering glare, refusing to be lenient to the lost one who disgraced his best friend. "Make use of yourself, Nameless. I do not wish to see you tormenting Tokala, or anyone else, again."

"Yes, Jora Vein..."

"And have off with your gold enhancements. You shame me with your ignorance." Sonar spat vindictively, holding out his right hand before her.

The humiliation held her head down, too burdensome to uphold. Humbled by his authoritative stature, Pheone removed the gold from her attire. Her arms were hesitant in their journey to her necklace. Fear glistening in her otherwise dejected, aqua eyes as her hands worked steadily to unfasten the chain. She dared to look at the hand of the chief's son. Unwavering, solid with his assertion and magisterial might, he could shatter her mortality at the snap of his power.

This knowledge caused her to tingle within, the goosebumps arising discreetly beneath her red-touched fur. The strength he bore was beyond compare in the premises of the Kaba Forest, by his side, she would find solace in his strength.

"Pheone."

Waking from her fanatic thoughts, the fox met his gaze. With his eyes striking the smite of thunder, Pheone unburdened her neck and placed the jewellery reluctantly in the palm of his hand.

She gulped the smothering mass of tension built up in her throat from watching the heir inspect the jewel embedded into the metal. He remained stoic, head down in his thorough investigation. Surely enough, he would question the origin of this accessory; how she had made it, where she had gotten the resources. An unofficial member of the tribe possessing the ingredients to create such lavish decoration was suspicious alone.

However he responded outside of her imagination. He moved the necklace to his back quills, confiscating it until further notice.

Her eyes widened. What would become of her without that necklace? What was he to do with it? What was her status to become when they discovered it's origins?

"Jora-"

"It is as I have spoken. Begone with you." he ordered, dismissing her with his hand shunning her away.

His callous words penetrated through flesh like the sharpened twin blades he often sported. Her hand clasping her heaving chest that contained her agonised heart, She slipped a breath through her gritting teeth to steady herself. She stepped back, apprehensive and uncertain. Her only belonging taken, her worth held in the chains concealed from her grasp.

Dread choked her.

Bowing her head before the hedgehog, she held her hands up, paying her respects before obliging to his command and walking away. Holding herself in her insecurity, she held her head low, consumed by her disquietude.

From watching the fox walk away, his previously serrated gaze had softened by his guilt. "Eugh..." he groaned, rubbing the back of his head.

"You did what you had to, Sonar," Tokala notified the young warrior as he caught onto his regret.

Sonar expressed a meekly smile, still unconvinced. "That could have been handled better..."

"Hold your judgement, Jora Vein," Valen advised, stepping out of her home. "As the heir to Mendesa's people, you must govern many; even those who test you and your power. Pheone is a troubled spirit. She needs discipline and direction from those of higher power. You will be the one to see that she's compliant to the way we live."

Assured enough, Sonar nodded back to the woman. "Anak kana, Valen."

Valen shook her head, smiling back to the young boy to convey her gratitude. "Oré. Anak kana dé," she replied. "Please, accept this offering for your hard work. We would not have moved the shipment so efficiently without your help."

In his hand, she laid a single hannukka flower. The vibrant, magenta petals secreted the honeyed, floral fragrance he had come to love. He inhaled deeply, the scent rippling through his flaring nostrils and inducing him into a infatuated insobriety. At another intake, his eyelids fluttered shut, the effects of the flower imminently at work. Instilled in his fantasy, his lover came to him. Still veiled from identification, she let out her infamous laughter; flirtatious without coy.

Take me in, Toa. Take all of me.

"Er... Sonar?"

The voice of his dubious friend reeled him from the comforts of the tantalising whisperer. His eyes revealed themselves, pinpricked in their alarmed state. Before him stood the uneasy trio, staring back at him with concerned faces.

Sonar blushed deeply from humiliation. "Ah... ni ahora."

Blinking in wonder, Tokala confronted his hypnotised ally. "Is everything well, Sonar? Your mind has been away more than usual."

To confide in his friend over the interest he had developed with a girl beyond the veil was both desired and feared. Confessing to love through the winds sounded irrational; verging on delirious. Though he trusted the twin-tailed fox with his life, he could not risk exposing such threatening circumstances.

In response, the blue hedgehog endeavoured to recover from his prior stumble. "I-I'm fine, Kala, really." He grinned bashfully.

"You appear to have identified a side effect from these hannukka flowers," Valen theorised. "Did you visualise anything in mind?"

"E-er, oré." Sonar lied. His disheveled demeanour betrayed him. Cheeks overwhelmed with burning scarlet and his clammy fingers running over his paralleled, perspiring palms. He turned his head, ashamed to show such intimate emotions in front of his people.

Concerned by the potential effects of the flower, Valen focused on the plant rather than the affected hedgehog. "I shall study the hannukka some more before I am to make remedies," she declared.

A striking hand against his shoulder promptly awoke him from his condition. "If the jora vein is conscious, we must head to Rigvian Halls," Tokala said.

"Alu..." Sonar nodded, placing the flower in one of the golden rings encompassed around his quills. "Thank you, Valen, Kalima. I'll make my leave now."

Bowing their heads, the pair placed their hands over their hearts. "Ciriath, Sonar, Tokala." Valen smiled.

"Come and visit soon!" Kalima cheered, waving the boys goodbye.

"We will!" the blue boy responded, waving back as he and his friend made their way to the jora.

The focused stare of aqua blue reflected in the corner of his eye. Sensing the burning curiosity from his fox friend, he turned his head towards him. "What?"

"This flower... It seems to have an effect on you."

Unprepared for his brazen approach, his cheeks gave away his truth. "Eh?! Y-you think so?" He dared to cover his flushed appearance.

"Yeah. I'm wondering if it's a universal effect... May I sniff it-?"

"No!" Sonar barked, offended by the blonde boy's request. If he were to breathe in the essence his lover gave off, would he too be bewitched by her enticement? Would the whisper react the same way to him?

He did not wish to kill his dear friend.

"-Just once?"

"Oré!"


Bidding farewell to the flying fox, Sonar entered through the embroidered, grand doors of Rigvian Halls. Stationed within the height of the Gawande tree, the doors lead onto the spacious court.

Embellished in intricate tapestry and grandiose engravings, Rigvian Halls was the salient domain of ruling. With arching walls elaborate in their crest markings, they told the Mendesa history; their heroics, downfalls, and amongst it all, their mightiest belonging, the chaos emerald, was etched in the centre of the wooden carvery.

Sonar sauntered through the torch-lit hall, his eyes set on the throne before him. His father was absent. Unexpectedly so. The room stood bare, though not without ambiance. Below the centre ring, the sounds of the elevating grounds, generated by the Gombe River, and the grinding gears announced an incoming arrival.

The heir stepped in front of the ring and awaited for the grounds to open. He watched as the panels split, the floor vibrating lightly under his feet. Looking down towards the rising platform, he smiled to see his mother ascending towards him.

"Anaté, Ama," he greeted his mother, holding up his right hand and bowing his head.

Emitting a faint rumble on its halt, the platform merge with the floor of the hall. His mother, Aleena proclaimed a delighted smile and brought her hand to touch his own.

"Anaté, Sonar," she beamed, allowed her son to guide her off the ring. "I take it you are here to see your father? He is most eager to converse with you."

"That doesn't sound good," her son quipped.

Aleena smiled empathetically at her son's hidden detest for duty. An act done out mother's guilt and the inability to change fate. He would never speak of it. Never utter as much as groan before her or his father. He took his burden with covered disdain, but his eyes would always convey his desire for freedom.

She approached her son and ran her hands down his binded quills. For a moment, she provided her son with the familiar comforts of his childhood. Brushing out the excess twigs and grass entwined deep in his spines with her tender touch, she stared proudly at the growing boy.

It had not been long ago that he had been as tall as her bosom. It was as though she had blinked and he had grown inches closer to her chin. He was destined to be a pillar of a man, much like his father, with the same brawny stature that could impose fear from his enemies.

At the age of fourteen, he was already reaching his forebear's level of prowess. Toned muscles protruding beneath his skin, pushing almost uncomfortably against the black, leather spauldrons harnessed around his broad chest. The same discomfort appeared around his strengthening arms. His golden cuffs wrapped around his forearms were in need of removal. How expandable would his next set need to be, she could only ponder.

Stumbling upon the pink flower stemmed between his quill and gold banding, Aleena attempted to remove the accessory before her son pulled away from her.

"Ama..." Sonar groused, embarrassed by her motherly touch.

"Come now, Sonar," Aleena said with pride. "You grow with every passing sun, but in my eyes, the sun has not changed since the dawn of your birth."

Her son had not breathed a word in return. Instead, he looked upon her, bemused and not understanding. Nevertheless, he absorbed her words in mind and was in awe as they were quenched with his content.

His content however was quick to dwindle at the sight of his nemesis in the form of fruit. In his mother's hand lay a peeled kaja.

"Ama... Oré," he complained, deflating at the sighting.

"Don't think I didn't notice you leave it at breakfast this morning, Brave Heart."

"They're Khalo's creation."

"They're good for you," she corrected him. "By Gaia's making. One kaja a day; for vitality. Prosperity."

"For death by poisoning."

"Sonar," Aleena said more firmly, displaying the fruit before him. "Eat."

Performing a subsequent standoff with his mother, Sonar expelled a defeated grumble and reluctantly took the fruit out of her hand. Promptly, he threw the sour berry into his mouth and with great displeasure, chewed and swallowed.

He coughed and grimaced. "Blegh!" He shook his head violently.

"Good boy," his mother praised him. "Now be off with you. Your father awaits at Gawande Peak."

"Alu, Ama." Sonar bowed his head towards his mother. He turned to walk away when he heard his mother call to him.

"Sonar."

"Hm?" He turned to face her.

"Aioté anak." She smiled.

Her child returned her sweet smile as well as her loving words. "Aioté anak de, Ama."

With a brief wave, he parted from his mother and made his way to Gawande Peak. In his wake, he received a look of admiration before the two parted ways.

o - o - o - o - o - o

Climbing the winding, mountainous steps towards the summit, Sonar was met with the validation of the strong winds sweeping passed him upon reaching the peak. He scanned the balcony for his father's whereabouts and let out a faint sigh to witness the jora was absent. Unwilling to make the journey back to the main hall, the heir walked over to the balcony's edge to oversee the view. Placing his hands on the guardrail, he gathered the gliding winds into his lungs and exhaled contently.

The breeze was chillier in the height aspiring to the clouds. More crisp against rustled fur and hair-pricked skin. The change in temperature was nevertheless accepted. Humidity accompanying the glorious summer, the contrasting air was to be named a blessing.

Another sharp breath, fresh with the floral notes of the forest, slithered into his pointing nose. With his father's consistent absence, he contemplated the chances of channeling through the winds to find the whisperer before the ruler would make his entrance.

Without thought, he stepped towards the bracing currents. A clink of a fallen blade hit the deck beneath his feet. The unexpected sound alerted him from further notion of pursuing the whisperer. He dropped his sight towards the source of the clatter and furrowed his brows to witness his twin blades, kept previously in his chambers, beside him.

"Wha-" he muttered under his breath.

Instincts rattled his mind. Signals thumping a blaring screech to liven his senses. Tense, his body responded to the impending threat. Eyes; dilated and vigilant, shot towards his left. His head motionless and stiff, permitting his hearing to listen to the rustling within the branches. His body jolted to the further rustling around him. A snag of wooden appendages breaking apart, the swift skulking, growing evermore closer.

His body lowered its defence upon recognising the familiarity to the sound of the footwork; heavy and agile, similar to his own. The routined process already memorised, Sonar awaited for the learned manoeuvre to proceed before he rolled aside, grasping his blades in his hands and whipping back to his appearing opponent.

From the thicket, the mighty jora flew down onto the platform, his short sword drawn back and keen to thrash. Belting an echoing roar, he drew his sword towards the young hedgehog and delivered a destructive blow.

The clang of forceful strikes of metal resounded through the forest, terrorising the birds to take flight. In a fierce struggle, the father and son clashed their blades together, blocking one another from infliction.

"Impressive, Jora Vein," Julteniere praised his son. "Your instincts serve you well."

"Heh," Sonar snickered. "Your attacks have aged, Amahan. Much like yourself."

His taunt pricked his standing ears. Cloaking his offence, the jora returned a determined smirk. "It appears I have been delicate with you, ni ärvu," he told his heir. "Today, you shall show me the vivacity your youth and inexperience grants you."

Shoving his son back, he charged forward and swung his sword with his ferocious vigour. He was met with the more nimble and dexterous defence by the young boy. Swiping and slashing, the clanks and clangs of blades colliding enveloped the air. Bearing little mercy, they gave their all to the battle, intent on personal victory.

"You really do impress me, Sonar," the jora commented, swinging his sword with aggression.

Sonar counteracted the attack with his twin blades, deflecting the sword and delivering a slash against his father's weapon. "I hold gratitude for your training."

"Oré, Sonar," Julteniere corrected him. Deflecting further swings from his heir, he stepped back to admire his son's abilities. "It is not only training that has brought you this far. You show great determination, endurance, compassion and resolve. All is needed when you exceed your inheritance as Jora.

"Now, finish this, ärvu."

Unwavering and without falter, Sonar leapt off his feet towards his father and expelling all his zeal, he disarmed the jora with the swift swipe of his right blade. No longer holding defence, Sonar slashed his left blade into his father's right arm in a rapid spin.

"Argh-!"

"Yield," the jora vein imposed, holding up his blood dripping dagger before the leader.

Astonished by the young warrior's domination, he gawped back at him, stunned. His eyes following the length of the short dagger and back to his child, a prideful smile gradually formed across Julteniere's lips. "Ha! My boy!" he laughed. Spreading his arms, he pulled his son into a tight hug and patted his back in delight. "Words do not inscribe the pride you give me."

"Heh, Anak Kana... Ahora for your wound."

"I shall heal. What is important is that you executed a ruthless surrender. A jora must be formidable as much as they are merciful."

The ruler of the Mendesa tribe guided his son towards the balcony. Overlooking their lands, the pair stood in silence for a brief passing, admiring the view.

"Perhaps I should enlighten you for this summonce..." Julteniere said, gazing at the tree tops under them.

There was a mist of excitement and apprehension surrounding his father. A yearning to reveal his proposal, and even still, a reservation from the impending response. Sonar felt his heart shrivel in its wariness, the rhythm falling out of beat.

"Our bonds with the Tyne are in development to strengthen. We can do so by joining our forces through an alliance with you and Kōkiri's ärark, Indira."

A drought cracked his throat. Coughing the dryness away, Sonar gawked at his father. "Alliance?"

"Yes, alliance," he enunciated, turning to his son. "The sahir are dwindling as the sakr tribes grow increasingly powerful with the assistance of sakilo. We must act now if we are to build our defences."

His heart thwacked with ruination. Indira. The name he had never heard. Could she be the one within the winds? One decadent in delicate blush?

"I am not aware of her appearance," he said. His fear sprouting from his vocal tone.

"I have received a capture of her likeness."

Removing a wood carving from his back quills, Julteniere handed the image to his son.

Sonar inspected the carving thoroughly. Chiselled with the upmost care and painted in the finest, grinded pigments, the portrait revealed a striking maiden. No older than himself, the girl dressed in the finest garments; sea blue layered over pristine white fabrics with decorative markings and symbols of the Tyne tribe. Her colour choice brought out the glistening blue or her eyes, deep and wonderous in richness.

Tied back and embellished in braids and cascading plaits, her opulent auburn hair travelled the length of her back. Dense and luscious in its health. Complimenting her lengths was her brunette fur, a natural shine that permitted her ocean blue eyes to take centre stage.

"Well?" his father questioned after a drifting pause. "What is your perception?"

He had been heedful to hide his displeasure. He would not deny the unfathomable beauty of the Tyne chief's daughter, but to witness the absence of the minimal features he had gathered from the whisperer, he was faced with overbearing dejection.

His future would be in the arms of a woman other than the keeper to his heart.

In the light before his father, he refused to let his disappointment be displayed. "She's beautiful," he responded, holding little emotional within his answer. His head beared down at the carving in fear of the truth being conveyed in his eyes.

"Quite. She possesses a content spirit. One that will be reserved until threat is encountered. A woman with balance is just what you need to be an indomitable Jora."

The wind around him seemed to whirl his mind into a suffocating vortex. His head span, sight compromised. He had not been too certain as to how to find the whisperer. He hadn't been certain he would ever be in her presence. Though as his future had been made finalised for him, his vision of the unknown became shroud in gloom.

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

Weighty footing, sluggish and dragging, made it up the steps to Gawande Peak. The pounding of heavy boots against wooden stairs brought the males to turn their attention to the archway. Emerald eyes expanded in mortification at the appearance of the warrior, Acha trudge towards them.

Her form rewarded by her strenuous training and exploits, the fighter intimidated her foes at the slightest tense of a muscle. One of the few warriors to carry the burden of heavy armour and substantial weaponry, she was force to reckon with single handedly.

She stood before her rulers, drenched thick in the black blood of their enemy. Dripping steadily down her face, her vigilant eyes were engulfed in a passionate rage. A daunting gaze.

"Speak your concerns, Acha," Julteniere ordered.

The badger took to bowing her head towards the jora and jora vein in fear of coating either of them in blood. "Ni Jora, Jora Vein; our forces lay weakened at the borders. The Kaos forcefield is waning, allowing entrance to the Blight."

A chill in his blood ran through the streams of his veins. The blight, contemptible creatures manifesting from the noxious, stygian marshes of Caldola and rising through the earth by Khalo's hand. Active from the power of the moon, the blight plagued the lands, slaying and butchering their way across the world.

Over time, the blight adapted and evolved to their environment, taking on various forms. The most commonly found; Ulhetr. Said to have been created from the brittle twigs found in the putrid marshlands with Caldola. Seeming to blend with the rotten corpses down under, these beings were a mutation of Mobian and tree. Their rigid bones covered by a light armour of mossing bark. Cadaverous and scraggy, the sounds of grinding bones detected their location.

Just as easily dealt with in smaller numbers were the Matulu. Scaled, emaciated grunts of Khalo. Possessing but one hallowed eye socket centred within their skeletal skulls, the Matulu were sightless, relying on their enhanced hearing to track their prey. Occupying a consistent, sinister smile. Their fangs, often stained in the browning of aged blood. To stare long enough at their features was rumoured to leave survivors tormented by their lurking faces.

Biggest of them all and gratifying to be in lesser known, the Wehäru were brutes; bulky and colossal compared to the average Mobian. Constructed from the stony, chasm structure preserving Khalo's confinement in Caldola, forged with the flaming wrath of the Moon God himself. They would camouflage into the mountains until the moon would shine its light upon them, awaking them for chaos and desolation.

Many more variants had been rumoured to exist within the world; Nesorei, the screeching banshee. Sireth, the enchanting succubus. Sakweh, the ghastly witches once told to share their magic with the Mobians; creating the sakrs.

Sonar looked to the sky behind him, following the falling sun. His breath halted. "The Blight..." he muttered, allowing his thoughts to be heard.

Acha nodded, confirming the dreaded notion. "The Ulhetr and Matalu have infiltrated the east. Should the barrier's strength deteriorate any further, an infestation will surely occur."

His features weighing heavy, Julteniere read the sun's dimmering light. "We must act with haste. Acha, you must rest until nightfall. Sonar, presume the outlook until we fall out. Inspection of the Kaos Emerara will commence at dawn, but for now, we double our defenses through moon's glory."

"Alu, ni Jora," the rulers heir and warrior answered in unison.

Guiding the young subjects towards the stairs, Julteniere held his ruminating scowl. "Come. Tonight, we shall triumph."


Dusk shadowed the Kaba Forest in misleading serenity. The gentle mist of the glimmering starlight painting the night sky with a gentle shine to partner the gleam from the full moon.

The picturesque view could not deter the heir from his thoughts. Slouched over a wooden stood, gazing ahead towards the village below, Sonar sat, heavy armoured and weapons acquired on his back, considering his future with the heiress of the Tyne tribe.

He thought himself foolish. To consider his future after hearing of the threat he and his people were to endure. But his heart was howling, thrashing in rage and agony in response to his duty. His woe riddled him so deeply, the drifting conception to perish before the blight had been considered.

From the golden band around his quill, he pulled out the hannukka flower. It's aroma remained persistent over the smells of the forest and summer breeze. He took in the scent, granting himself to indulge in the thoughts of his love.

"Show yourself," he pleaded to the gentle breeze sweeping over his shoulder. "Tiet. Come to me."

"I will assume that request was not for me?" Tokala appeared beside him, flopping down against the panel walls and too taking advantage of the view.

He was beginning to comprehend his choice of wording when speaking aloud. "Explain your presence, Kala." Sonar grumbled, covering his blushing face with his hand.

"I heard word of the kaos barrier. You're gonna need all the fighters you can get."-he looked to his friend-"I came to offer some distraction from the upcoming battle, but of course the wind has beaten me to it."

The boys settled in silence; the younger fox looking to the jora vein for an answer to his unaudited question while Sonar, aware of the incoming query, turned his head away from his friend.

"... Why do you conversate with the wind?"

"Tokala..." Sonar groaned, burying himself deeper into his hands.

"Ahora..." he humbled himself, bringing his eyes back to the view. "Though you may wish to unencumber your mind to me. I shall not pass judgement."

His disgrunted mood prevented him from speaking his gratitude. As the young boy turned to him, Sonar passed an appreciative smile before breathing out a heavy sigh and letting go of his facial muscles.

"I am to be betroved to Ura Indira of the Tyne tribe."

The faint utter of an 'oh' made itself known from the young genius. He shared his deflated enthusiasm for the ordeal. To that, the hedgehog was filled with gratitude.

"... Are you aware of her appearance at least?" Tokala questioned.

He was handed the carving of the expecting bride's likeness. At first paying mind to the devastation that consumed the jora vein, his empathy was quick to disintegrate at the image before him.

"Eh?! Sonar, baët et kal." (she is beautiful)

"Übé?" (and?)

"I do not follow," Tokala argued, raising his brow to the jora vein. "You are to be wed to a beautiful woman and you hold such a face?"

"Did it not resonate with you that perhaps I am not looking for beauty alone?" Sonar crossed his arms.

"Ahora. Did the Jora provide a description of her character?"

The blue hedgehog sighed, slamming his head mildly against the wood panels behind him. "Content. Reserved when necessary... the ideal woman to ground me."

"... May you pardon my brash forthcoming, but if you are to become the next Jora of the Mendesa, mild grounding would be beneficial, oré?"

In response to his straightforward comment, Tokala received a blood-chilling glare from the heir.

"A-ahora..." the fox bowed his head.

With a huff, Sonar rose from his stool and walked away from his friend. "This goes against my desires!" He stomped.

"She may not be so bad, Sonar. How she would behave before her parents is not the same as to her lover. She could fierce, courageous, spirited-"

"That wouldn't change anything."

"... Biatu mai-?"

"There's someone else!" the warrior sounded before he could think.

Horror bolted into his back, electricuting every stand of fur to stand on end. His body fixed in place, he tensed his eyelids shut to hear the astonishment from his dear friend.

"Someone else?"

Sonar cursed under his breath.

Tokala got up from the floor and moved towards the balcony edge. "Your announcement puzzles me. I have yet to see you take interest in any woman..."-He turned towards the blushing, blue boy.-"Would this interest of yours happen to live be outside the Mendesa tribe?"

"..." He dared not to look towards the fox. "Alu..."

"Hmm. Then the closest tribe from here would be Tyne or Madé. I am aware of your agile feet, but even for you, the voyage to these tribes would take a new moon. I haven't seen you leave the forest for that long."

The findings from the gatherer made him question his own sanity further. How was he to explain his limited knowledge of his beloved? He hardly knew where she lived.

"Sonar?"

"Huh?"

"Who is your interest?"

"I-" he struggled to find his answer. After moments of stuttering and nervous breaths, Sonar sighed and gave the only explanation he knew of; the truth.

"She speaks to me through the wind..."

Tokala's eyes widened as though an unsolvable frequency had finally been resolved. "That's your reason for speaking to the wind!" His cheer to the solved question soon faded. "But Sonar, this leaves many things to go unanswered. Do you know enough about this woman of the winds? Her name? Her tribe? Her intentions? To speak to you through the winds, she must have the ability of sakilo... You are aware of your father's judgement over sakilo."

"I believe you too are aware of your own words to hold your judgement." Sonar reminded the boy.

"I speak of concern, Sonar. You cannot fall for the makani without so much as meeting the person behind it. This wind spirit could be a sireth! Do you know her name?"

"Erm..." Sonar scratched the side of his face, quizzical and humiliated by his little knowledge.

"Sonar!"

"I-It's unclear to decipher through the mist! The only things to remain clear are the tones of her voice and the colour of her eyes and fur."-The sensation of two watchful eyes staring back at him tempted him to reveal the particular hue. -"Eyes the colour of jadeite and fur... pink. Pink as the petals of the hannukka... Her scent." He blushed.

"Hmm," Tokala pondered, his fingers rubbing his chin. "Pink, potential sakr, as Valen mentioned, the hannukka flower comes from Visyn. This would predict your interest, or sireth, is likely from the Nagi tribe... I could be shooting my arrows high, but the only woman from the Nagi tribe, possessing petal fur, to my knowledge, is Amarythe."

"Amarythe?" Sonar perked up, his heart skipping a beat to the mention of the possible name.

"Alu. From our archives, it states that Amarythe is the ärark of Jora Baelfyre. She is gifted with the power over life itself; known to heal those that come to her. She has also mastered the power of Kaos. I believe she is not a woman to mess with. Many venture as far as to call her a goddess; they worship her as their diety."

Sonar looked to the sky, the information overwhelming him. A diety? A master of the chaos powers was the very same girl to join him in his every dream? Was that viable? Logical? For what purpose? He was beginning to understand Tokala's previous concerns, for this Amarythe to seek him through the winds, there was more to their connection than he first assumed.

What that was, he remained cautious.

... Not too cautious of course. He was spending his thoughts on the beauty of her name. Amarythe. His heart would flip to the pronouncement.

Sonar! Stay vigilant!

"Huh?" Sonar snapped out of his thoughts.

Head; South! Observe!

Without question, Sonar obliged to the voice within the wind and looked down over the village. From the great height, he witnessed the nameless villager sneaking through the village and into the Gawande tree.

"Pheone?" he questioned to himself. "Tokala, follow."

"Wha-?"

Vaulting over the guardrail, Sonar fell towards the ground. At such a staggering height, he would surely not survive.

"Sonar!" Tokala gasped. Taking flight, he dived after the hedgehog, doubling his speed to ensure he would catch him near to the ground.

His right arm stretching out towards the flying fox, Sonar was captured by his friend. "Pheone's entered Gawande. I must discover her purpose."

No other reasoning was required for the young boy. "We must hurry."

The pair dropped to the ground and rushed into the landmark tree.

"Where did she go?!" Sonar growled with frustration.

Kaos emerara, ni aioté. Go to the chaos emerald!

The heir turned to the fox. "She's with the chaos emerald."

Tokala nodded in response. "Lead the way."

With great haste, they flew down the steps leading underground, towards the temple halls where the mystical gem remained. Driving power into their speed, the duo leapt from the bottom step and burst through the doors of the temple chamber.

Through the dim lit halls, the withering aura of green enclosed around the emerald fluttered in weakness. Blocking partial light from the jewel was Pheone, examining the emerald.

"Pheone!" Sonar hollered to the girl.

His call merely fazed her. Her previous anxiety to be in the presence of the jora vein had shifted to indisputable confidence. As she turned towards the boys, she produced a cocky smirk, her hand placed on her hip with arrogant intent.

"Jora Vein," she greeted the heir. Her welcoming was less warming towards the fox. "And Heikim. So nice for you to assure my wellbeing with your company."

"State your purpose here, Pheone." Sonar ordered.

The girl laughed, mocking the warrior. "Claiming what is rightfully mine."-She waltzed around the pedestal displaying the emerald.-"When I first came to the Kaba Forest, I admit I was... vulnerable, unguarded, in need of protection... You could've saved me, Sonar. You could've been the one I turned to."

"Such blether you speak of," the jora vein said. "Remove yourself away from the emerald and you shall be spared your trial."

His incessant ignorance to her monologue and emotions caused her to scoff. "Had you not considered me your wife, I would have never fallen into the embrace of the moon god."

The blue hedgehog's features drooped, his horror unveiled. "Pheone... What have you done?"

"I have found my power! My true calling! No longer shall I be marked as Nameless!"

Ripping the emerald from it's perch, Pheone absorbed it's powers, consuming the gem into her being.

Swift as her leisure sashay towards them, her transformation commenced. The warmth of the hues adorning her dress fell from the robes. Creeping like the predatory blight, the darkness stained the fabric. Glistening with the gift of the moon's light, its translucent cloth revealed the sacrifice she had given for the power of Khalo; her chest, open-wounded and rich in her blood, revealed her misplaced heart.

Shade engulfed her. Her auburn fur shrouded in the draggled, hardened grunge that too covered the blight. Her previously sapphire eyes were stolen; the sclera taking over the once mesmering features and bestowing an ivory glow, magnifying the bold, silver details tattooed onto her cheeks and forehead.

"Bear witness to my splendour!" Pheone pronounced. "I am one with God and Kaos! I am the Pheone, Goddess of the Eclipse!"

Her hand drew forward towards the blue hedgehog. A blackened sorcery encased her hand at the command of her will.

"I believe you burden a possession of mine." The girl smirked maliciously.

By the flick of her hand, she captured the jora vein in a gripping hold. Her clench was suffocating, a vice to every limb and joint. Staggering to expand his lungs, Sonar gritted his teeth. His body burned, seared from the darkness emanating from the girl. The scorch to his body left him insensitive to the necklace being extracted from his back quills.

Her use for him at an end, the goddess expelled the boy away from her, hurling him to the ground.

"Sonar-!" Tokala cried out to the warrior.

Forcing himself up from the fall, Sonar gasped to see the gem shine within the confines of metal. The familiarity finally reaching him. "The necklace!"

The small piece of emerald wriggled and thrashed it's way out of its metal casing. Reacting to the power of the goddess, the shard hovered towards her, joining the emerald she had previously absorbed.

A rumbling followed the absorption. The walls around them rattling with great intensity as the dust and rubble began to descend from the ceiling.

"Ciriath, Jora Vein. Til Yondr, shall we meet again," said the demoniacal being. Wrapped in her hazardous smog, she vanished out of the temple.

Leaving behind the vicious minions storming through the unbarred Kaba Forest.

Vigilant to the sounds of the disturbed earth above them, Sonar leapt to his feet and raced out of the chamber, Tokala shortly following suit.

"The shield is down. Prepare for a battle like no other, Tokala." Sonar warned the young boy.

His bow at the ready, Tokala scrunched his features in a determined leer, contrary to his shaking hand grasped tightly to his ranged weapon.

Shrieks of the feart and the howls of the mourning seeped through the foundations of Gawande. Less emotion and with aggressive swipe, the blades slashed and clashed against the talons of the ulhetr.

The invasion had already commenced.

Headlong and precipated, Sonar drew his blades and bolted into battle in a barbarous fashion. His twin daggers spliced through the bodies of the blight with effortless vigor. The scent of copper merged with the freshness of spoilt turf, a fragrance to invigorate his bloodthirst.

"Sonar!" Julteniere appeared behind his son and defended him from an attack from an ulhetr. "Your mother's gathered our people and heads for Rigvian Halls." -He deflected the charge from the incoming hoard of Matalu.- "What has become of the barrier?"

"Pheone-"

"The Nameless?!"

"-She forfeited her life to Khalo and declares herself Sarsora de Choroke, the Goddess of the Eclipse." -Thrash!- "We have lost the chaos emerald. We are without protection."

"Arrgh!" Julteniere growled, bludgeoning his foe into the ground. "Then let us show these bastards that the barrier was in place to protect them from our power."

Exclaiming a hair-raising screech, a matalu leapt before the jora. Its talons swinging back, the creature hurled its limb towards the ruler. His attack would not hit. Through it's skull, a steadfast arrow penetrated. It collapsed to the terrain, its body jolting upon impact.

The ruler looked towards the archer. "Well executed, Tokala."

"Anak Kana, ni Jora." The fox responded from the air.

In a gust of wrath, Acha raced passed the jora and his child and knocked down a collection of matalu. "Make haste to Gawande. The blight spreads to Rigvian Halls!"

"Oré..." Their leader muttered, looking above at the grand oak. "Tokala, lend me your ability!"

"Alu, Uro!"

By the clutch of the hand, the ruler was lifted off his feet. "Sonar, Acha, hold off the blight on ground! Hanroth; divide yourselves and defend the forest! We shall protect our women and children and give them a battle they cannot erase!"

"Alu, Jora Julteniere!" cried his men.

"Amahan," Sonar expressed his concerns, "allow me to aid you and Ama."

"Ahora, ni ärvu. I beseech you to defend Kaba Forest from the hoards. Calm, I shall protect your mother," said the jora before he was carried away.

With many taking to their Jora's side, the remaining men assisted the jora vein and fellow warrior. Their ruthless battle cries and onerous grunts raged through the open plains of the Kaba Forest, brash and sonorous as the clamouring blades.

Another enemy body detached from it's head, Sonar wiped away the spray of blood from his face. "I must get to Rigvian Halls!"

Her battleaxe hacking into a matalu, Acha kicked the deceased foe off her weapon. "Do you possess ears? The jora instructed you to remain on soil!"

"I have faith in your abilities, Acha. I must go to her."

The heroine was all but too aware of the strong will the jora vein acquired. His mind already set, not even the demands of the jora would hinder him.

"Stay cautious, Jora Vein."

"Aren't I always?" He smirked, earning an eye roll from the badger.

Bouncing upon nimble feet, he sprinted up the steps of Gawande, towards Rigvian Halls. Lightly he would tread, heavy would his head and heart reside. From every step, he would feel a bolt surge through his legs and travel into his antagonised heart. His mother was a fighter, though a warrior, she was not. While his father was the strongest man within the forest, he and his men would need the second most powerful warrior in the tribe.

The roars coming from over his head alarmed him. Tilting his head to the sky, he witnessed sparks of lightning, adopting the colour of the blue, summer sky, snagging and discharging from the ominous, black clouds.

"Huh?" He squinted towards the spontaneous weather.

Can you feel it, ni aioté? The winds are changing.

He could not interpret the meaning behind the whisperers words. Though as the howls of the ulhetr and matalu sounded from the entrance to Rigvian Halls, he prioritised the battle over the strange occurrences.

Tense his abdomen grew upon every stride. A tsunami churning in his midsection to which he could not tame. The waves of overwhelming perturbation washed over his rapid heart, encouraging its violent pounding.

His senses heightened; the screams from further within the grand tree being made clear to him. Wailing children, angered commands from the braver kind. The women would whimper, restraining their own terror in the name of their offspring.

The stench of death blending with copper stemmed into his nostrils, violating is already tormented stomach. To this, he ignored and prevailed. For nothing would stop him from reaching his parents.

Rumble!

Clouds rolled in contest to his abdomen, the boom of their spleen growing furthermore exceptional. The crash and claps promised unimaginable fury.

Though even the roars of the heavens couldn't wipe out the distinct voices breaking through the winds.

"AAAAAAAAAH!"

"OOOORRRREEEEEEEÉ!"

Coming to a halt, Sonar's gaping eyes shot to the cries of his parents. The sight before him would forever stain his memory, lacerate his mind. From the main hall, the lifeless body of his mother was thrown. Spinning uncontrollably, the blood sprayed from her gushing wound.

He captured every turn her body endured, every droplet of life paint the air. Transfixed in his horror, he stood motionless as the blood splashed across his front.

The world turned to darkness.

"AAAAAAMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAA!"

BOOM!

CRASH!

Pummelling down from the clouds, the lightning strikes impaled the earth. One by one, the beams of frenzy tore the ground apart. Uncurbed, they would pelt friend and foe alike, shocking them to the core and leaving nothing but charred, scorched bones.

"AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!"

Blind to the airstrike, Sonar bellowed his ache, dropping onto all fours and unleashing the agony within.

With his roars, the skies sympathised; in rage.

CRASH!

ROAR!

Striking the trees around the tribe, the screams of the forest billowed into the atmosphere; black as the night, smothering to the lungs.

Flames swept through the land, igniting the forest in tempered light. Into ashes, the blight was wiped out, though not exinct. Their shield down, their war would not be over.

Yet his grief did not cause him to falter. His mourning turned to strength, his rage, to cunning. With the promise of clarity through the wind, the boy grew stronger to shape his future for vengeance.