Chapter 28: Tribe

Kaida's pov.

So...After that little shit show, I fainted in Raven's arms but I appeared in my head. I saw everything that went down after I fainted, "What the fuck..." I sighed. A low and beastly growl echoed throughout the space that I was in, I tensed and looked behind me closely, "Shit." I whispered before seeing a massive hellfire wall with a pair of eyes staring down at me, "Greetings." It growled at me. I could feel the hatred and rage this entity has, "Who are you...?" I asked the being. It released a growl, "I am what you call anger. I am what you call 'The Devil'. I am rage itself brought into existence. You must be the host. I find your strength interesting...Whenever I take over your body, You fight back and if you are pushed down, You get up. You are strong but you see yourself as weak." It shares. I crossed my arms, "You have no idea who I am." I replied. The entity growled deeply, "I am placed inside your head where I can see your memories and how you got through the torment people have given you because you were different. An odd sight to the simple eye. The new sight to a sea of people who are used to seeing the same things as they always do." It said.

I uncrossed my arms and walked a bit closer, "So it's true...You look through my experience and stuff..." I said realizing what Ignatius and Fenner said. The devil then looks over at the little viewing window, "You seemed to have fainted from the outburst I threw out." It smirked, "You are weak and fresh...Weaker than I expected." It insults. I rolled my eyes, "Look if you see how WEAK I am then why not choose another host?!" I exclaimed. The devil sets its eyes on me, "You are weak. A fragile flower standing within a storm...but you are strong enough to face the roar of thunder itself. You are weak but you refuse to back down." The devil shares. Hearing what he said made me rethink my vision of myself a bit, "Huh..." I said as I didn't really have any words to give after what it said. I then just nodded and looked down, "Well...Giving up is not really an option for me..." I shared and sat down, "So...When can I wake up?" I asked it. It looked down at me, "That is up to your body." It said.

"I never got your name, have I...? What is it?" I said curiously, "You need not know my name." It snarled. I chuckled, "You gotta have one come on!" I joked. It growled, "I am bestowed many names." It shared. I stretched and walked around, "Like?" I replied, "I do not keep track of my titles. I follow the river's tide, nameless." It said. I looked up at it, "are you a guy?" I asked curiously, "I can be anything but yes. I am a male." It replied. I nodded and looked away, "Say...you're nameless hm? Well, you have a lot but how about I give you one? I mean like...a NAME name." I said. It was just staring down at me and not saying anything. The devil didn't really show any emotion...I got too deep in my thoughts for a second, "How about...Aviur?" I suggested, "That sounds quite odd." The devil said. I chuckled, "It may sound that way but my uncle said it means Fire." I shared and smiled. I didn't really care if I was smiling at the devil who holds what's known as the 'most powerful element' and could probably run my ass around. I've had worse figures. It sighed and nodded, "I shall accept the offer. Now leave." It growled and blanketed me with brightly glowing flames.

I soon woke up, "mm...Where am I..." I whispered to myself as I woke up on Raven's back...while she flies over the trees, "OH FUCK!!!" I yelled as I tighten my hold on her, "Oh hey! You're up!" She smiled widely, "I'm glad you're okay!" She giggled and flapped her wings. Ignatius and Fenner followed along with Cyro and Flare on his back, "Greetings." Ignatius said while he glides next to Raven, "You took 2 hours off huh." He followed. I smiled nervously, "Y-Yeah whatever!" I then shut my eyes while I hold onto Raven, "D-Do we have to fly???" I said in a panic, "It'll be much faster to do so." Ignatius replies. I panted heavily while Raven chuckled it off, "Jeez Kay! We went for a fly just a day ago and now you're terrified?" She joked. I growled it off, "H-Hey! I'm still very afraid of heights! Plus I woke up to this so I'm very freaked out!" I exclaimed. Raven laughed and flipped throwing me into the air but she ended up gliding through the air while facing up. I widen my eyes when I got thrown, "W-WHAT THE FUCK?! WHAT THE FUCK?!" I yelled loudly. She laughed and catches me in her arms, "Calm down! I got you." She said and held me close.

Flare giggled and raised her arms, "I don't know about you but I'm loving this!" She exclaimed. I shut my eyes while I gripped onto her, "Yeah shut up!" I replied. Raven giggled and nuzzled my head, "Alright you ready?" She asked. I shook my head quickly, "N-NOPE!" I exclaimed. She then snickered and threw me up again as she spun around and goes back to her flying off with the normal position. I screamed bloody hell but I landed on her anyway. She caught my weight! I began to shake while I hold onto her tightly, "W-What part of no can't you take as an answer?!" I joked but it had a mix of panic...Raven laughed and continued to fly. Ignatius and Fenner laughed at me, "You'll get used to it!" Fenner said. Cyro was silent and just sitting there. He couldn't fly since his left-wing was missing. I sighed and tried to relax. After a few hours of flying through the forest, Raven decided to just walk it over there...for some reason. I agreed and followed Raven along with the others.

I panted after walking a few miles, "I-Is it still far???" I asked exhausted. She stretches, "Nope, Just a few more miles and we'll get to home!" She giggled. Damn...She did NOT seem to be tired at all. I groaned and continued to walk. We then decided to take a final break until we push it through. I panted and sat down on a stump while drinking some water, "A-Anyone got some food?" I asked while my stomach rumbled. Flare perked up and opened her little bag to get a piece of bread, "Here." She said. I got the bread pretty quick cause of hunger, "Oh thank you thank you thank you!!!" I exclaimed and quickly destroyed the bread with my mouth. I melted in my seat and groaned at the bready goodness, "My GODS!" I exclaimed. Raven chuckled as she sat on a tree branch, "It's just bread." She said. I groaned from another bite, "A delicious bread!" I followed and finished the rest of the bread off.

Flare looks at Ignatius, "She seems super hungry...Is it because of her...magic?" She asked him. Ignatius yawned and stretched like a cat, "Well not exactly. She may have been knocked out from the sudden burst of her magic but she didn't eat much since we arrived at the village." Ignatius shared. Flare just nodded and looked up at Raven while she enjoys her time up at the tree, "You seem to really like getting up high hm?" She chuckles and walks over to her little tree. I sighed while they both talk and Ignatius rolls around and sunbathes. I then got up, "Let's train here." I said to Ignatius. The fire-lizard perked up, "Really? Right now? Have you rested enough though?" He asked before sitting up. I nodded, "I'm not joking and I have rested." I said determined to train. I didn't want to hurt Raven if I go off again. Ignatius shrugged and pulled me off to an open field. Raven hopped over to a nearby tree so she could watch bringing Flare along with her, "She's cool huh?" Flare said.

Raven snickers and slightly blushes, "Yeah...". Ignatius then picks up a big thick log and places it a few meters away from me, "Now. I would like to see you try and bring your powers out. I mean to use them in a way the devil won't be involved." He explained and sat on the side to watch. I looked confused, "Aaaaand how do I do that?" I asked. Ignatius hands me the book, "Do you see the first page of that? I'm not really sure if that'll work for you but try and understand what it says and then try to do it in your own way." He said. I nodded and looked through, "The user must focus on connecting with the element itself instead of the beast inside before focusing on bringing the element out physically?" I said as I read the page. I nodded slowly, "Alright then. I think I can do it." I said to myself, "Then show me." Ignatius follows. I inhaled and looked at the log before closing my eyes, "Here we go..." I whispered to myself. Ignatius watches, "It would be easier to channel your thoughts into something that you think would fuel you to unlocking that ability." He suggests.

I nodded and focused on my parents. Since they're gone...I thought I'd make them proud and happy knowing I can do it...For mama and papa...I then open my eyes as my hands burst into flames. I smiled happily and chuckled, "I-I did it!" I exclaimed and made the fire go up to my arms. Ignatius nods and claps with his paws, "The will to do something or get something done ignites the flame within the user. Now, charge at that log." He instructs. I looked at it and prepared to run, "Woah Woah Woah! Won't that hurt? Since I'm not in the 'raging' element and all or the devil isn't giving me in strength-" He cuts me off, "You have to learn to not lean on the devil for strength. Remember, that beast isn't a toy to use whenever. It is an entity to boost your abilities with magic." He explains, "Your own strength does get boosted a lot more than usual so you can do more damage than a normal being would. Using fire along with your fists is a combination but you do have to also learn how to fight without fire covering your fists or any usable part for defense or attacking." He followed.

I sighed and looked at my hands while they were blazing in flames. I clenched my fists, "Now...Think of that log as an enemy." He said. I looked at the log thinking of an enemy that would piss me off. I inhaled and suddenly thought about Jason. I growled and clenched my fists. The fire in my hands started to grow. Flare and Raven watched me from a tree not too far from us, "Woah...Wait. Look at her eyes." Raven points out to Flare, "It's...a different color?" She said. Flare tilted her head and watched me closely. I growled but I didn't let my anger get the best of me since the devil might enjoy another glorious time of destruction. I stared into the log while snarling before charging at it, "I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!!" I yelled to myself and punched the log with my fist almost destroying the thick log. The log's top half was gone. Just fire surrounding the wood. I panted and held my head as I heard the devil trying to get another hold of me. Ignatius trots over, "Don't let it through." He said. I nodded once and kicked the log off while it's burning.

He then sat down and flapped his wing putting the fire out, "So who did you see or think off that made you say that? If you don't mind me asking that is." He asked. I panted and stared at my hands while the fire dies off, "I-It's just some bullies I dealt with before..." I lied. Ignatius just nodded and walked off, "That should be enough. You seem tired already, come rest." He said. I sighed and followed. Raven hops down by Ignatius while Flare looks at Fenner. Raven then walked with the big lizard, "I noticed her eyes. They started to glow in a color similar to fire." She said. He then tilted his head and looked at me, "You were in sync with your devil?" He asked me. I looked at him while leaning on a tree, "I did what?" I asked confused. Ignatius waddles off on his hind legs. Raven looked at him waddling, "What the f...." She whispered. Ignatius then grabs the book and looks through it, "This is unique..." He said. I walked over to him and looked at the book, "What is it? Did I do something wrong? If I did, we can totally redo the training." I told him. Ignatius ignored my words and just kept digging through the book to find some kind of answer.

I sighed, "What is it? Did I mess up? Did I do anything wrong?" I said as I started to become frustrated. Ignatius shushed me, "You were in sync with the beast but you have little training. How can that be?" He asked me, I looked very confused, "I-I don't know?" I answered. Raven then lands beside him, "Your eyes. They were glowing in a similar color to the fire you had. I noticed it." She informs me. I looked at the baffled Ignatius, "Even I do not know how and why that happened..." He said. I looked at the mark on my forearm, "What the..." I said in shock when it had more marks going up to my elbow, "I-It's growing on my arm! Is it supposed to do that?!" I said panicking, "Calm down...I don't know why but you seem to be...advanced in magic. You skipped a few things and you unlocked a level which past users have trouble to do so...You synced in with the beast perfectly." He said. I became even more confused, "I don't understand...Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" I asked. I was confused, "My eyes were glowing even before. I don't know why this is a big deal now." I said. Ignatius looks at me, "It's different. You weren't fully devil mode but you had control of your own head but at the same time, you didn't. You were in perfect sync for minutes." He said.

Ignatius shook his head, "Not exactly but we do have to catch on your training." He said, "Well...let's leave that be for now and get on the road." He said and walked off. I looked at him while Raven looked at me, "You alright?" She asked. I then sighed and leaned my head onto her shoulder, "Yeah...I guess." I replied before she places her arms around me. I felt...protected and safe. I find a different kind of warmth with her touch. It calms me whenever I feel it...I grew up feeling hated and different from all the other kids. People always tried to get rid of me when I was young...My face frequently felt the sting of a hand hitting it from mistakes I've done of just the bullies wanting to seek pleasure in beating a child up because she couldn't fight back...but with her...whenever she places her hand on my cheek I just feel safe and welcomed. The pain of being hated and mistreated just disappear when she holds me close in her arms. Her warmth melts the chains off of my heart and mind...those cold chains of the things I heard and felt in the past. I sighed into her holds and snuggled into her.

Flare smiled as she watched us, "Love birds. Eh? Eh?" Fenner joked. Flare looked at him with a deadpan face, "You know...since she's a bird and stuff? Nevermind." Fenner said and flutters off to Ignatius. Flare scoffs and waited for us to walk over.

After a few more hours of walking...

I panted, "Are we there yet..?" I groaned. Raven snickers and stops walking when we entered this forest of huge trees, "Yup!" She cheered, "Home at last!" She smiled brightly. Ignatius looked around, "Uh...Home?" He tilted his head, "Yeah Uhm...Where's the door." I asked. Raven then spreads her wings and chuckles, "Eyes on me." She caught our attention before flying up real quick making leaves fly off and our hair follows the wind almost pulling our heads backward, "WOAH!" Flare was startled. I looked up, "GUESS WHO'S HOME!!!" Raven yelled and a bunch more people fell from the trees as their wings spread to lift them up to her. They cheered in celebration. I widened my eyes to see houses on top of trees and beings just like her flying around with little ones and gorgeous wing patterns. Raven laughed and hugged some people, "We missed you!!" A friend of hers, I'm assuming, said. Raven smiled and looked at us, "Oh! I brought some friends if you don't mind!" She said and glides over to us while her friends follow.

I gulped and looked around as they land in front of us, "Soo, These are the friends I gathered up while I was off. This is Kaida." She placed a hand on my shoulder, "H-Hi." I waved nervously, "Hi there fella! Name's Chad Zimri! How ya doin'?" Her friend shook my hand energetically, "O-Oh I'm good." I snickered and looked to the side awkwardly, Chad chuckled, "I don't bite!" She said rather cheerfully. I noticed her hair and her wings, "Similar to a cockatoo huh..." I said to myself in my head. I nodded and Raven's 2 other friends approached me, "Hi there!" They said in unison and ended up giggling it off, "I'll go first, Greetings! I'm Adaliah Nefill! Nice to meet you." She said nicely before the other steps in, "Hello! I'm Akilah Kemper!" She said happily. I smiled at both, "H-Hi! It's delightful to meet all of you." I said. I noticed their wings, "Adaliah had wings similar to a woodpecker while Akilah had a robin's pattern. Fascinating!" I thought to myself.

I smiled at them while Raven introduces the others. I then notice another one of her friends silently standing by them, "Uh...Rae? Is she okay over there?" I asked about her silent friend, "Oh! Yeah. She's usually just silent but when you get to know her, she's fun to have around." She said.I nodded and she held my hand to walk over to her. I blushed and followed anyway while the others talk and get to know each other. Raven then walked over to her friend, "Psst!" she caught her attention. Her friend was just standing there minding her own business looking at some flowers. She perks up, "O-Oh hey! Sorry about that." Her friends giggled. Raven snickered, "It's alright! Anyways, This is Kaida. She's the person I've been talking to you about." Raven said. I tilted my head, "But...You were with us. How did you two uh...talk?" I asked curiously. Her friend chuckled, "Well, Timber Wings can communicate though winds you know. We either use the wind or our feathers. She's been using her feathers and other stuff to talk to us with! Anyways, I'm Kimya Aleeza but you can just call me Kim." She smiled. I smiled back and snickered, "That's very cool!" I replied to her explanation.

I looked at her feathers, "She had wings like a sparrow! WOAH!" I said to myself in my head. They all seemed nice. We just laughed at some stuff Chad did and joked around with them all. A voice then broke our little bang, "Raven!" A big male landed by us, "You're home!" He said happily and hugged her, "Hi dad! Where's mom?" She asked. I widened my eyes and my heart sank to my stomach, "Holy fuck. It's...HER DAD!!!" I panicked in my head. Another male then landed behind him but he seems to be wearing something elders would. He had an owl's wing pattern, "Lady Raven. You brought a human...well. Humans." He said. Raven looked at him, "But they're my friends. Can I not?" She said. The owl then walked towards me and looks into my eyes, "We are getting hunted for wings or other uses by humans and they are becoming more and more difficult to stop as the day passes and now you walk in with 2 humans, a dragon, and a...fairy?" He said. I cleared my throat, "I don't mean any harm. We were forced out of the village we were staying in so we needed a place to stay." I said. Raven looked at me, "Yeah. They won't cause any trouble. I promise." She said.

The owl glared at me, "They will stay at the ground." He said and walked off. Raven sighed and talks to him, "Please! They're my friends. If they planned on doing something bad to me or to us they would've already done that when they saw me." She said. Her friends then spread their wings in some kind of protective stance, "Yeah! Look at us! We're standing on the same road here. They're not attacking at all. Let them stay!" Chad said. Kimya then nodded, "If they caused any trouble t-then we'll be on it for the cleanup." She followed. The owl looked at Raven before looking at her friends, "Fine. They will stay with lady Raven." He said before flying off. I sighed and started to walk along with them, "Lady?" I asked Rae, "Oh that. I'm kind of the unique snowflake here so they treat me like that and they think I'm the fairest female there is here." She giggles. I smiled, "Well they're not wrong..." I gave her a wink before flying on Ignatius' back as he followed one of her friends. Raven blushed and followed, "Wow...I really just did that." I said and Fenner smirks as he holds on to my shoulder, "Yes. Yes, you did."