Persephone's wings were beginning to bother her. They didn't feel right, they felt worn and rotten, like old, dead branches that had fallen from a tree. Most of her feathers were gone, with a few still clinging on stubbornly, the rest of her wings were bare with bloody pinfeathers and scratches from her constantly scratching them with her sharp claws. Since her wings no longer had flying feathers, she could not fly anymore, much to Persephone's annoyance. Not only that, but her wings hurt, every time she moved them, it was as though someone was poking her with a sharp stick on her back.

They have been flying for several hours. Now that they had a good idea on where they were heading, the time it would have taken if they waited until nightfall would have lasted twice as long, perhaps more than the estimated two weeks. Sofia could still see the lights thanks to her amulet and so can Persephone. The two young ladies sat rather close together, with Persephone sticking close to the door, her body itching to glide next to the lights once more. She whines, drawing her knees close to her chest again. The shift causes more discomfort to her wings. There's a sharp snap, that comes from behind her...

Sofia and Cedric both turn on attention to the Phoenix Shifter, who jumps as another sharp pain stabs her in her back, earning a surprised squeak.

"Persephone?" Sofia's eyes widen as Persephone attempts to stand and one of her wings hangs down in an unnatural way, part of it was stuck to her back by a dried, rotten piece of a ligament, or something similar. Cedric gasps, clasping his hand over his mouth. Where the wing had been attached there was now a dark brown barren spot that stood out against Persephone's slightly lighter skin tone.

Persephone cranes her head over her shoulder and yelps seeing the damage of her wing. She attempts to grab it and put it back on, but before she could that tiny piece still sticking to her back snaps like a twig and the entire one wing collapses on the floor of the coach, with the larger base of it resting against Cedric and Sofia's legs.

Her wing just snapped off like a twig.

It snapped off.

Like a twig.

For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to ask how or why, too shocked by this, and yet somewhere she felt it was necessary, like how a stag would lose its antlers once a year. Her other hand goes behind her and grasps the brittle tendon of her other wing, holds it tight, and pulls. It doesn't hurt, in fact, it felt very good, like pull free a thorn. The brittle dried up ligament or whatever it's called, reluctantly pulls away from her back, snapping just like a twig as it does, until it too is completely off and on the floor with its twin.

Persephone stares at her precious wings and winces at their sight. They look terrible. From an outsider's perspective, she must have looked like some fallen angel with how torn and battered her wings were. Now they're off her back and it feels strange just looking at them, knowing that they had once been a part of her. She feels incredibly light, like one of her feathers.

"P-Persephone... A-Are you alright?" Cedric asks first, his mouth opening and closing in his stutter, he looks down at her wings and gawks back at her, with Sofia holding a similar expression.

Is she okay?

Maybe. She doesn't feel like she's dying, but she does feel lighter and slightly off-balanced because of it. She nods, and picks up her wings, folds them at their joints until they are small enough to not take up so much space. She opts to chuck them out the window, but something inside says 'Not yet.' Persephone sits back down, laying her old wings on her lap.

Cedric and Sofia continue to stare at her for the majority of their trip until they need to land again.

Their second time landing, Persephone didn't bother catching anything. Not that she needed to, as she was already well prepared with her food. She still kept to herself though, sitting several feet away from Cedric and Sofia. Both partners watch her tear into her meal like a ravenous lion, eating as if she won't be allowed to eat again.

Sofia starts to stand up and is stopped by Cedric. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to go talk to her, I don't want Persephone to think we're not friends."

Cedric sighs, "My dear, you saw the way she has been acting towards us, it's almost like trying to console a feral cat."

"Feral or not, she's still a person," Sofia huffs. She grabs another fly cake, a peace offering for Persephone, and looks back to her partner, "Persephone has been through a lot, Cedric. She isn't a bad person, she's just scared and lost, you of all people should understand what it's like to be treated unfairly."

It felt like a punch to his stomach. Cedric bows his head, "I'm sorry, my dear. I didn't think about her feelings."

"I know," Sofia smiles at him and offers her hand, "But I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. Persephone is upset and it's our job to help her, that includes being her friends as well."

Cedric groans, he wasn't against making a new friend, though he liked to keep his circle small and intimate, the idea of becoming friends with Persephone, after she threatened him was worrisome. But, he can't say he doesn't want to try. After all, it isn't the first time he and Sofia made amends with someone who was difficult. Simon was definitely one of those people, Cedric thought he would never get along with him. Simon had been an absolute brat in the beginning, who destroyed lives and even attempted to take his and Sofia's life away.

And then eight years after Simon's arrest, the redhaired young man actually apologized for his actions and even stayed at the castle for a little while. He got along with everyone quite nicely (after Sylvester was defeated again, of course). Simon had been a wonderful guest and Cedric knew the young man was going to make good on his word.

Persephone wasn't Simon though. She didn't attack anyone for malicious gain, it was usually in a defensive manner. She wasn't an evil person by any means, she was a hardcore survivor who lost everything that mattered to her. No doubt she was scared, and confused, and lost to everything around her.

Putting himself in Persephone's shoes, Cedric could clearly see why Persephone acted the way she acted. She couldn't trust anyone, but she wanted to. Her actions spoke volumes. She is trying, she is doing what she can without stepping too far out of her comfort zone.

Nodding his head, Cedric follows Sofia's lead, they walk to Persephone who is sitting under the shade of a tree, eating her food. She notices them from the corner of her eye and glares, pushing her fallen wings closer to herself. It still stunned him that her wings broke off. Right now they didn't look anything like they were before, they are skeletons now, brittle and weak like old branches, and only a couple of feathers sticking to it. Cedric wanted to ask her why she was keeping her wings even though they're no longer good, but decided against it. There's no need to cause any more ruckus especially since they're trying to be friends.

Persephone wasn't sure why they are approaching her. She can see the Fly Cake and smell its rich icing, but she wasn't at all thrilled with the present. In fact, she felt very much insulted that they wouldn't give her food a try and now are expecting her to eat theirs. It is disgraceful. Snorting at them she turns away.

"Persephone," Sofia starts, "Please, we're sorry if we offended you?"

Cedric blinks in surprise, "We are?" He winces when she gives his ribs a light jab with her elbow. "Uh, yes! We are terribly sorry!"

"We hope you'll accept our apologies," Sofia continues and holds out the Fly Cake to her, "Try some, it's good."

Persephone shoots them a look, making them both step back. She then gets up and grabs her boar bag, opening it up and pulls out a small chunk of meat.

Cedric's stomach drops and Sofia sighs to herself. Of course, it wasn't going to be that easy.

Persephone approaches them and offers her food watching them both closely. It didn't look too bad, but remembering where it had come from, and seeing Persephone prepare it left them both feeling a little sick. Still, they had to if they wanted Persephone to trust them. Reluctantly, Sofia went first, tearing off a piece and eating it. Without any spices or salt, it didn't taste all that appetizing, it was rather bland, but at least the fat was a little sweet.

Cedric's experience was less idea as well, he had taken was a tougher piece out and spent several long moments chewing it down until it was small enough to swallow. Like Sofia's piece, his piece was bland too. What he wouldn't give for just some salt to help with the flavor.

Persephone's expression immediately brightens up, her eyes glowing with delight. She grins and eats the rest of it before taking the Fly Cake and tearing out a piece of it to eat as well. She purrs at the sweet flavor melting on her tongue, bouncing a little on the balls of her feet as she savors it.

Cedric and Sofia had never seen Persephone act like this, for the first time in a while, they were seeing a young girl blossom out of her shell, like a shy lily. It was cute and it made their hearts soar. Playfully, Sofia nudges Cedric, "I guess no one can resist your mom's Fly Cakes, huh?"

Cedric smiles proudly, "Of course not, Mummy's Fly Cakes are the best in all the Ever Realm!" Cedric immediately blushes deep red at his gushing and Sofia laughs. Persephone blinks at the two, her head cocked to the side. She shrugs and eats another piece before going to her wings. They are still folded on the grass, she looks at them and again thinks about throwing them away, but once more something inside whispers: 'Not yet'.

Why? She wonders. Why can't she throw them away, what is she supposed to do with her own wings, they are no used to her now. Still, she knew better than to ignore her instincts. Instincts are important, they are powerful, they allow you to know when you're in danger, and when you're safe. Instincts urge you to stay on guard in unfamiliar territory and who you can trust. They went beyond the five senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing, there is also the spiritual sense as well, a sixth sense, the ability to feel the vibrations of the universe around you. This sixth sense allowed Persephone to peek into the minds of those around her, she hasn't done it in a while, mostly because she has no reason too. Everyone spoke to her, they communicated with her. If she did want to peek into their minds she would, but she kept it to herself, especially since she is dealing with two very powerful sorcerers. Magic is something that no one should mess with, even her magic can be dangerous if she's not careful.

Persephone briefly wonders what happened to that terrible slave, the one who framed another member of his household. Was he dead, probably, but did he die a natural death, or was he discovered to be a liar and was killed also? Perhaps the Undertaker came and tortured the truth out of him.

Blinking, she shakes her head, there is no need to think of this, he is dead now and she won't mourn him.

Death is something Persephone never thought she would experience on a personal level. Pheonix Shifters live for thousands of years, her mother was over 4,000 years old, and her father 5,000. They didn't look that old but their eyes showed it. No matter the age, the eyes of an individual always revealed the truth. She remembers her mother's eyes, the storminess they held while her father's eyes were more of a spring green color. Both held different views of the world in those eyes. Her father was an optimistic person to a fault, he never saw the world as a dark and gruesome place. Her dad had a very playful nature about him, always eager to make her laugh and smile even when she thought she couldn't.

Persephone's mother, on the other hand, was much more guarded and strict. She saw the world as a dangerous, evil place that will happily take what you love most and destroy it without much care. She taught Persephone not to just hunt but to be careful, how to treat her wounds if she got hurt, how to survive even in the harshes conditions. Her mother always tried to prepare her for the worst and yet, Persephone still feels she's not ready to go on this journey.

But she's not alone. Looking at Cedric and Sofia, seeing the two laugh about some story that the sorcerer was telling her which involved someone named King Henric and his own royal sorcerer, made Persephone smile a little. She has only known them for a short time, but they are proving themselves that they are not her enemies.

Persephone looks at her wings and plucks two feathers from them and remembers what her mother showed her once upon a time.

Persephone was only six at the time and her flight feathers were finally in. They were not as beautiful as her mother's, not at all vibrant and fierce as the rays of the hot sun. Persephone's feathers were cool and muted like the morning mist of dawn. Her mother had taken her out to a small clearing near their small cottage, where the remains of a campfire were, a small black pit surrounded by large rocks. Her mother lit a small flame on her fingertips and plucked a vibrant orange feather from her wings, she lights it and lays it down in the fire pit. The smoke that rises from the flame is slow and thick, having cool gray and ghost-blue colors. An image appears of one person, smiling down at her with love shining in his teary eyes.

And then he spoke, "Hello, Granddaughter."

That was another secret Persephone learned about her family. The ability to speak to their loved ones in the afterworld. Persephone stares at the two feathers and gently strokes them with her thumb. She thought about using it to contact her parents but then she looks at Sofia and remembers the story the princess told her. Persephone knows her family is still with her. She knows they are still guiding her and watching over her and protecting her.

Given that she was already losing feathers it scared her to think about calling upon them for help. What if they were ashamed of her, or they blamed her somehow for their demise. She knows it's ridiculous to think such things, but she was so confused and scared, and hurting her mind tormented her with the memories of their passing, making her believe it was her fault.

And she knows it's not. She knows, deep down, it's not her fault.

But she's not ready to talk to them. She doesn't know if she'll ever be ready.

It's scary to think about. It almost seemed unfair. Sofia had lost her father many years ago without truly knowing what had happened to him. Persephone could give Sofia a feather so she could contact her father, but would she be okay with that. The way Sofia spoke about her dad and how much his death upset her, it might not be a good idea to explain to her the properties of Phoenix magic.

Persephone releases her feathers, watching the wind scoop them up and carry them off to the skies above. Clouds were drawing in, they are dark and foretold a storm was coming. She sniffs the air and notices how humid the atmosphere smells. Birds in their nests sing out to one another, warning everyone to seek shelter until the rain passes.

"Persephone, it's time to go!" Sofia calls, by now raindrops were beginning to fall, some landing on Persephone's face, giving her light kisses. She looks at the skies and can barely see the shimmer of those lights, just barely. They are still there, only truly appearing when it was dark.

A low rumble in the clouds warns her to seek shelter. Persephone quickly gathers her wings and races to Cedric and Sofia, the three of them hop into the AutoCoach and take off.

Back in the Mystic Isles, Simon was laying on the grass, staring at the midnight stars. They had not found out much about Malchior, only a few things like he's a dragon, he's trapped inside a book, and that he knows a lot about Persephone's kind. Which is most concerning considering he's working for Grimtrix. Knowing this, Simon felt a tight ball of worry form in his stomach. His hand reaches up to caress his chest, specifically over the spot where his dark mark had been.

He closes his eyes and memories play out in his head. He can see Cedric and Sofia, can feel his grandfather's presence inside, moving him around like a puppet. It had been so scary, he wished it was all a bad dream.

Then the dark mark showed up on his skin, and Simon felt like a branded cow, nothing but property to someone he once cared about or cared as much as he could. As a boy the idea of "love" was foreign to him; he couldn't wrap his head around it. For most of his life, he knew only of darkness, pain, and power. "Love" wasn't apart of it, and for a while, he was satisfied, but after being brought in by the Protectors, and slowly letting his guard down, Simon began to understand what love was.

When Persephone had ridden Simon of his scar, it felt wonderful, like someone had taken out a glass shard from his body and nursed the wound. He remembers the way she looked at him, those eyes of hers that seem to go on for miles and miles. The way her hand caressed his chest, moving so gently, her sharp fingernails lightly graze over him as she literally wiped his wounds away with her own tears.

And how she spoke, her voice soft and femininely deep, with a flair of an accent that placed a smooth emphasis on certain vowels as she spoke. He liked her voice a lot and wanted her to speak some more.

She seemed so guarded as well. Simon remembered when she first arrived, she looked so upset and angry, her eyes were fierce and sharp like knives. She had snarled and growled at everyone around her, even Orion who was the one leading her away.

Simon couldn't lie, when he first saw her his first thoughts were, "She looks feral like she might bite someone and give them rabies." And she did bite someone, she bit Vega's hand when the Protector tried to comfort her. Vega, luckily, didn't lose a lot of blood, but she did have to get her wound treated.

It was sad to see someone so full of fear that they had to resort to aggression whenever they felt threatened. Simon could see it in those eyes of hers that beyond her feral look she was scared, terrified, and hurting. She lost her family, lost her home, and was going to lose her life if things didn't change. He can only imagine how stressed she is and he hopes they'll make it back safely. If she would like him too, Simon would enjoy getting to know her and her story. Orion did say Persephone was centuries old, over 1500 years! She had to have seen many civilizations rise and fall in her life.

She is so old but also so young, it's hard for him to wrap his brain around it. He wants to ask her questions. He wants to know if she is familiar with any ancient dialects. He has read that there are plenty of forgotten civilizations with written language that no one could properly translate. If Persephone was over 1500 years old then she might be able to read those ancient scripts.

He wonders if Persephone knows anything about Malchior. Why hadn't they asked her? Did she know who he was, or what his relation with Phoenix Shifters was?

"Simon?"

The redhead blinks and turns his head to see Orion standing nearby, "Orion, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"I was going to say the same about you," Orion smiles, "You seemed frustrated earlier today."

Simon chuckles, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, "Was it that obvious?"

"Yes," Orion nods, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Simon shrugs, drawing his legs close to his chest, a thoughtful look on his face as he stares at the blades of grass surrounding him. Under the midnight moon, they look almost blue instead of green. "I suppose I should. I apologize if I was getting testy with the others. I'm not the type who works with groups and considering my magical knowledge, I thought I could be useful for once." The last part felt like knives gliding off his lips. Was he useful?

"Why would you think you're not useful?"

Simon shrugs, "Because I'm usually out of everyone's way. I like to be alone most of the time unless I'm needed, which isn't often. Ever since I came to the Mystic Isles, I've seen so much and I want to be a little more useful than just a simple resident here, and when you asked me to help Persephone, I thought I could, but then I went and touched her wing and..."

Orion shakes his head, "That was my fault, Simon. I should have warned you about her wings."

Simon shakes his head, "It's over now." He sighs, picking up a blade of grass and rolling it between his finger and thumb, "I wanted to be useful for everyone. I don't want to be a burden, nor cause any inconveniences. I thought since I'm well versed in magic I could help but I couldn't find anything about Malchior or what he knows about Phoenix Shifters."

"There's a lot we don't know," Orion says, offering Simon a comforting pat on his shoulder, "Phoenix Shifters were thought to have gone extinct centuries ago. And Malchior was nothing more than an old legend."

"I've never heard of him," Simon huffs and flicks the blade away. He turns back to Orion, a saddened look on his face, "Can eating the heart of a Phoenix Shifter give someone immortality?"

"I don't know. I never asked Persephone, it seemed inappropriate."

Simon nods in agreement, "Yes that would have been a terrible question to ask. I'm still appalled by Grimtrix, the man is insane for what he did." He pauses for a moment, chewing his lip, "But I can't say my grandfather and I wouldn't have done the same..."

"Simon..."

The redhead chuckles bitterly, "I know I shouldn't talk like this, but it's true, Orion. In the past, my grandfather and I had done terrible things, we've destroyed people without a second thought. If Sofia and Cedric hadn't intervened and I hadn't had a change of heart, there is no doubt in my mind we would have competed against Grimtrix for the chance of immortality." Small tears hang in tiny spheres on the ends of his lower lashes, "I hate thinking that because she's a sweet girl once you get to know her. I can tell that you have grown attached to her, haven't you?"

Orion nods, looking to the stars, smiling almost in relief, "Yes, I see Persephone as my daughter."

"Really?"

The Wind-Walker chuckles and nods, "I know it's strange, but she has grown on me. Even when she hissed and tried to attack me, I knew that she didn't hate me, she was just scared and hurting. If I were in her shoes, I would have acted the same way. Over the months that she stayed with us, I watched her slowly start to trust me and that gave me hope that she might learn to overcome her loss like I had to when I lost my parents."

"I'm very sorry to hear that," Simon says, he never wondered about Orion's family or Vega's either. He hadn't taken the time to get to know them in that regard. Granted, he has heard Vega mention some family, but he never inquired about it. The idea of family was rather foreign to him, as he was raised by Sylvester who wasn't at all maternal. To Sylvester, the Steadfast Simon was nothing more than a tool and for a time Simon was okay with that. Now he was learning more and more each day about family and the unbending loyalty people have for their loved ones, like Cedric and Sofia, the two were a package deal, no one could separate them.

"I appreciate that, Simon," Orion smiles at him, "I know you sometimes think you're like your grandfather, but I doubt Sylvester the Steadfast would have found any sympathy to me or Persephone. You're nothing like him, and you will never be like him."

"I certainly hope not." Simon sighs, he looks at Orion, "May I ask you a rather personal question?"

"Of course."

"This thought just occurred to me, and I apologize for being so blunt about it, but I've noticed that you seemed very happy when you admitted you saw Persephone as your daughter. Is there a reason for that?"

Orion nods, "There is. Recently, I was told that I wouldn't be able to have children of my own. Granted, I'm not courting anyone at the moment, but I had always assumed that when the right person came into my life she and I would have a family of our own..." He sighs, "I hate to admit it, but I'm relieved to have found Persphone. Often times I have to remind myself that she isn't my child and that I'm not her father, but..."

"You still see her as your daughter." Simon finishes. Orion nods, "Yes. I have always wanted a daughter. Even though Persephone isn't my child, I am willing to do what I can to help her. When I saw her family, I made a promise to them that she would be safe, and even though I trust Sofia and Cedric, I still worry about her wellbeing."

Simon nods, "Me too." And looks at Orion when the Wind-Walker chuckles. "What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing," Orion smiles, a knowing twinkle in his eyes "I'm just laughing to myself, it's nothing to worry about." Yet. The two sit in silence and continued to watch the stars, both hoping that Cedric, Sofia, and Persephone's journey ends on a successful note, unaware of the dangers that the trio is about to face.