Chapter 109: "Peck Your Bags, It’s Time for More Madness"

Kazuya stared at the glowing map in his hands, a mixture of resignation and irritation plastered across his face. The lines on the parchment shifted like feathers blowing in the wind, forming a trail that spiraled ominously toward the mountain range on the horizon.

"I don't suppose this map leads to a beach resort, does it?" Kazuya muttered.

"Not unless the resort is filled with angry chickens," Ravynne replied, snickering.

"Why is everything chickens with us now?" Kazuya groaned, rolling up the map.

"Because you're the chosen one, Feathered Savior," Sylvara teased, her lips curving into a mischievous grin.

"I will throw Cluckles at you," Kazuya threatened, though the chicken perched smugly on his shoulder seemed completely unbothered by the drama.

The Journey Begins

With the map dictating their next move, the group set out toward the ominously named Cluckspire Peak. The terrain was rugged and unforgiving, dotted with jagged rocks and gnarled trees.

"This place looks like it hasn't seen a happy day in centuries," Ravynne observed, kicking a loose rock down a steep incline.

"Perfect setting for another ridiculous quest," Kazuya muttered.

As they climbed higher, the temperature dropped, and the group found themselves wrapped in cloaks to stave off the biting cold. Cluckles, however, seemed perfectly comfortable, fluffing up his feathers and radiating an annoying amount of smugness.

"You know," Sylvara began, breaking the silence, "I'm starting to think Cluckles might actually be smarter than you, Kazuya."

"Oh, absolutely," Ravynne chimed in.

Kazuya groaned. "Can we not gang up on me for five minutes?"

A Mysterious Stranger

As they approached a narrow mountain pass, a figure emerged from the mist. She was tall, curvaceous, and exuded an aura of both elegance and danger. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing golden eyes seemed to glow in the dim light.

"Another MILF," Kazuya whispered under his breath, earning an elbow in the ribs from Sylvara.

The woman raised a delicate eyebrow. "I heard that."

"My sincerest apologies, ma'am," Kazuya said quickly, bowing awkwardly. "May I ask who you are?"

The woman smirked. "I am Lady Plume, Guardian of the Cluckspire. And you, young man, are trespassing on sacred ground."

"Of course, I am," Kazuya sighed. "What's the catch this time? Another chicken dance? An egg-laying competition?"

Lady Plume's smirk widened. "Nothing so simple. If you wish to pass, you must prove yourselves worthy by completing the Trial of the Golden Feather."

"Let me guess," Ravynne said. "It's absurdly dangerous and also incredibly humiliating?"

"Exactly," Lady Plume replied with a wink.

The Trial of the Golden Feather

The group was led to an ancient arena carved into the mountainside, where Lady Plume explained the trial.

"You must retrieve the Golden Feather from the nest of the Skycluck, a mythical bird known for its speed and cunning," she said.

"Sounds easy enough," Kazuya said, shrugging.

Lady Plume chuckled. "Oh, did I mention the Skycluck is invisible?"

Kazuya's jaw dropped. "Of course, it is."

The Hunt Begins

The group entered the arena, their eyes scanning the empty skies for any sign of the elusive bird. Cluckles hopped down from Kazuya's shoulder, puffing out his chest as if to say, "I've got this."

"Great, we're putting our lives in the hands—or wings—of a chicken," Ravynne muttered.

As they wandered the arena, strange squawking noises echoed around them, growing louder and more menacing. Suddenly, Kazuya felt something sharp tug at his hair.

"OW! What the—?!" He spun around, but there was nothing there.

"It's messing with us," Sylvara said, gripping her staff tightly.

A Comedy of Errors

What followed was a chaotic series of missteps and misunderstandings. Kazuya lunged at a shadow, only to faceplant into the dirt. Sylvara accidentally cast a spell that turned Ravynne's daggers into rubber chickens, and Cluckles attempted to intimidate the invisible Skycluck by flapping furiously and squawking at the top of his lungs.

"This is a disaster," Kazuya groaned, sitting in the dirt with feathers in his hair.

"You're the chosen one," Ravynne teased, poking his cheek with a rubber chicken.

"Don't remind me," he muttered.

The Final Showdown

After what felt like hours of fumbling around, the Skycluck finally revealed itself—a massive, golden-feathered bird with glowing eyes and an attitude to match.

"Why does it look so smug?!" Kazuya shouted as the bird swooped down, narrowly missing him.

"Probably because it's smarter than you," Sylvara quipped, blasting a spell in the Skycluck's direction.

Cluckles, however, wasn't about to be outdone. With a mighty squawk, he launched himself at the Skycluck, engaging it in an aerial battle that could only be described as absurdly dramatic.

"Do you think Cluckles can handle this?" Ravynne asked, watching the fight.

Kazuya crossed his arms. "At this point, I'm just along for the ride."

Victory and a New Ally

In a stunning turn of events, Cluckles managed to outmaneuver the Skycluck, snatching the Golden Feather from its nest. He landed triumphantly on Kazuya's head, dropping the feather into his hands.

"Well done, chosen one," Lady Plume said, clapping slowly. "Perhaps you're not entirely useless after all."

"Gee, thanks," Kazuya muttered, tucking the feather into his cloak.

Lady Plume stepped forward, her expression softening. "I will accompany you on your journey. The Feathered Spirit has chosen you, and I wish to see this prophecy through to the end."

"Another MILF?" Kazuya whispered to Sylvara, earning another elbow in the ribs.