(June POV)
I swear this day couldn't get any worse. "Alright kids," Said Mr. Strong as we listened up. "In half an hour we'll be in the land of Scales. So please try not to kill each other back here.". After that he then left up front and only a minute passed by until it got loud. "Zira! I beg of you, please switch seats with me!" I asked as she smiled. "Good luck June. You'll need it~". She turned away from me as my heart sank.
'This is karma. Has to be. I'm cursed. I'm sitting next to the bird of death. Am I gonna die?' I thought internally panicking and screaming. "Hey.". I froze on the spot. I can't believe I'm about to die in a fucking bus. "Do me a favor magpie, and wake me when we get there or else I'll break all your bones and then eat them one by one.". He then fell asleep and I mentally thanked god for letting me live another day.
A half an hour later the bus stopped and Darren stood up automatically. "Everyone follow me to where we will be waiting." Said Mr. Strong. While we were walking I get pulled back by Zira and we start chatting. "You left me with a guy who threatened to eat my bones." I say to her. She gave me a mortified look and said "He's just a vulture. I think you'd live.". "WITHOUT MY BONES?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!" I said to her. "We'd figure something out." she said. "Do me a favor and- hey what's that?" I say pointing to something shiny in the bushes.
I went over and picked up what appeared to be a sword handle that was a gray color. Weirdest thing was that there was no blade, only the handle. "Cool find." Said Zira as she looked at it. "I'll keep this for later~" I said putting it in my back pack. As we were walking we get to a path that leads to the campsite we'll be at. "Alright, lights out by 10. I'm gonna go check a few things and survey the area.".
Once he left we all got our tents set up and got ready to sleep.
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"Ugh." I said waking up. "Why is it so hot?" I say slowly opening my eyes. I stand up panicked to see the surrounding forest is ablaze. "-ne. June! JUNE!" I hear as my dear falcon friend picks me up off the ground. "Wait! How can you see in all this smoke?!" I yell to her. "That's the power of a Black Kite my friend!".
Info- The Black Kite: A bird part of a group of raptors known as fire hawks. This means that they are birds that will deliberately start or spread fires to hunt and catch their prey. So Zira having a Black Kite gives her slight fire resistance and the ability to see through smoke. Like lenses for a telescope.
I start flying and followed her to a ledge above the fire. ".... Zira.... Is there anyone left?". She just looked at the ground and said. "The only person I saw before the fire started was one of the vultures but other than that they were all asleep. Why?". We need to get to the village of the scales. It's were there is at least protection from whomever is trying to....
"I know what your thinking and I completely agree." I hear her say as she starts stretching. "I'm just worried about how the hell this could go wrong." I admit. "We're just a couple of birds looking for shelter for the night. That's our cover story." I tell her. "Why are you so prepared for this?" She ask me as I stop in place. "I.... Know a thing or two about hiding.".
As we start flying I question how bad this could go.
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A few hours from then we both land and I collapse on the ground. "Are you good?" Zira ask me. I look up at her and say "How the FUCK do you have so much energy?!". She just stares at me and smiles. "Like you said: Damn falcons.". I wanted to scream, laugh, and cry at the same time. "Where even are we?" I ask standing up. "Not sure. The map says we should have been there by now.". I stand up and take the map.
"Zira...." I say looking her in the eyes. "Yeah whats-" I could see her turn pale as she looked at the map. "Now June, we can talk about this." She said backing up. "It's upside down." I said loosing control. "I've been flying with you, for 3 WHOLE HOURS!" I said getting closer. "AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE HELL WE WERE GOING?!?!?!?!?!?!?!".
Info- Being a corvid the magpie is very protective of its flock. Though there is one this that all magpies have. They are strong, smart, and one more thing you should watch out for.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!!!!" I say flying straight at her.
The magpies rage.
(Narrator POV)
As he started flying at he multiple times trying to attack her she got an idea. "Sorry buddy!" she said grabbing him and flying upward. As she did the air got thinner and he started to pass out. "Can't.... Breathe...." he said as he was knocked unconscious. Once she flew down to earth she took out some rope she salvaged and tied him to a tree.
"....Sleepy night night. I'll be back with some firewood." Zira said leaving. As she was on the way back she swore that she heard something. When she got back she heard growling and looked around to see a bunch of wolves. ".... Oh for fucks sake." She said as she took out a dagger.
She then heard laughing from a tree up above and looked up to see a male figure with two cat-like ears, and black clothing including a dark hood with a mask. "Well would you look at this." He said smiling. "What on earth is a kite and a magpie doing here in the scarlet woods?" he says with Zira being too distracted with the wolves.
"Might as well help before the fun is over!". he says jumping down.