Chapter 88: "Aftermath of the Holy Peck: Cluck Therapy Required"
The crew stumbled out of the Temple of Cluckstorm, each one looking slightly more traumatized than victorious. The golden aura of the Holy Peck still shimmered around them, but their expressions suggested they weren't exactly feeling enlightened.
Fergus groaned, rubbing his temples.
"I'm never looking at chicken the same way again."
Sylvara chuckled, stretching her arms.
"That's what you said after the Coop of Chaos."
Fergus shook his head.
"No, this is worse. The ghost chicken told me I couldn't eat fried chicken ever again. Do you know what that does to a man's soul?"
Kazuya snorted.
"You'll survive. Besides, we've got more pressing matters… like figuring out what the Holy Peck actually does."
As if on cue, the Holy Peck's aura shimmered, and a disembodied cluck echoed in the air.
"Did anyone else hear that?" Kazuya asked, looking around.
Sylvara smirked.
"Maybe you're just going crazy."
Another ghostly cluck echoed, louder this time.
Fergus shivered.
"Nope. Definitely heard that."
The Cluck Curse Unleashed
Before anyone could react, a feathered tornado erupted from the temple, swirling around them in a chaotic whirlwind of clucks, feathers, and random chicken-themed objects.
Out of the tornado emerged Cluckstorm, looking more ghostly than before. His voice boomed with the power of a thousand clucks.
"YOU HAVE UNLEASHED THE HOLY PECK! THE WORLD SHALL NEVER BE THE SAME!"
Kazuya groaned.
"What does that even mean? Are we cursed? Blessed? Just… tell us what's happening!"
Cluckstorm cackled.
"Both! The Holy Peck grants unimaginable power, but it also comes with… unexpected side effects."
"Like what?" Fergus asked, already dreading the answer.
Cluckstorm smirked.
"You'll find out soon enough."
The Feather Epidemic
The first side effect became apparent as they walked back toward town. Everywhere they went, random people were suddenly sprouting feathers.
A farmer's hat floated away on a gust of wind, revealing a full rooster comb on his head.
A merchant dropped his wares, clucking uncontrollably.
Even the local blacksmith, a burly man with tattoos, started sprouting wing-like arms.
Kazuya sighed.
"Well, that's… not great."
Fergus pointed to a nearby inn where the sign had magically changed to read, "The Cluck & Feather Tavern."
"Is it just me, or is everything turning chicken-themed?"
Sylvara groaned.
"It's like the Coop of Chaos all over again… but worse."
"Much worse," Kazuya agreed, watching as a flock of actual chickens marched by, each wearing tiny hats and capes.
"Okay, that's actually kinda cute," Fergus admitted.
One of the chickens stopped, gave him a judgmental look, and strutted off.
Cluck Therapy
Back at the tavern, the crew gathered around a table, nursing their drinks. Every time someone took a sip, a feather popped out of their heads.
Sylvara glared at Kazuya.
"So… any bright ideas on how to fix this? Or are we just doomed to live in a chicken-themed nightmare?"
Kazuya rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Maybe the Holy Peck has a reset button? Like a… magical undo cluck?"
Fergus snorted.
"Yeah, right. And maybe I'll grow actual wings and fly."
As if on cue, a pair of wings sprouted from Fergus's back.
He froze.
"No. Freaking. Way."
Sylvara burst out laughing.
"Well, you did say you wanted to fly."
Fergus flapped his new wings experimentally, lifting off the ground for a moment before crashing into a nearby table.
"Ow! Okay, flying is harder than it looks."
The Feather Flu
Things went from bad to worse as they realized the entire town was coming down with Feather Flu — a mysterious condition that caused random clucking fits, feather growth, and occasional egg-laying.
The town mayor barged into the tavern, looking utterly frazzled.
"What is going on?! My wife just laid an egg! An egg!"
Fergus winced.
"Yikes. That's… awkward."
The mayor pointed an accusatory finger at the crew.
"You lot! You're responsible for this madness, aren't you? Fix it!"
Sylvara sighed, rubbing her temples.
"We're working on it, okay? Just… try not to panic."
"Not panic?!" the mayor screeched.
"I've got people laying eggs left and right! We're going to drown in omelets if this keeps up!"
Kazuya couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, at least breakfast will be sorted for a while."
The Unexpected Savior
Just when things seemed at their worst, Captain Cluckbeard burst into the tavern, his pirate hat askew and his parrot squawking madly.
"Arrr, I hear there be a curse upon this land! And it smells like… feathers!"
Fergus groaned.
"Not you again…"
Cluckbeard grinned, pulling out a strange, glowing egg from his coat.
"Fear not, landlubbers! The Egg of Eternity holds the answer!"
Kazuya narrowed his eyes.
"And what's the catch?"
Cluckbeard winked.
"You'll have to dance the sacred Chicken Shuffle to activate it."
Sylvara facepalmed.
"Of course we do."
he Chicken Shuffle
The entire town gathered in the square, ready to perform the Chicken Shuffle. Cluckbeard stood at the front, leading the dance.
"Left wing, right wing, shake your tail! Now cluck, cluck, cluck like you're chasing a snail!"
Fergus groaned.
"This is the most humiliating thing I've ever done."
Sylvara giggled.
"You look adorable."
As the dance continued, the Feather Flu symptoms began to fade. The feathers disappeared, the clucking stopped, and the town returned to normal.
Victory… Kind Of
Back at the tavern, the crew collapsed into their seats, exhausted but relieved.
"Well, that was a thing," Kazuya muttered.
"Do you think the Holy Peck will cause any more chaos?" Sylvara asked.
Cluckbeard chuckled.
"Chaos? Aye, but that's half the fun, isn't it?"
Fergus raised his mug.
"Here's to surviving another ridiculous adventure."
"And to never hearing the word 'cluck' again," Kazuya added.
The group laughed, their spirits lifted despite the madness they'd just endured.