MHA Fantasy Quest for the SOL

Part 28: The Amalgamated Bird-Man

[Character art by Onerose]

Then the roc looked at them all like it might attack them now. "Enough," said a new voice. "Go back to your place."

The roc shrunk into the size of a regular eagle and flew to the new voice. The party turned and got a fresh shock, there was a monster wearing a dark cloak. It was a man, but he had the head of a crow or road runner, only with human-like eyes and teeth. "What is that?" Denki said what they were all thinking. "Forgive me," the monster spoke in a deep, refined voice that didn't match any monster they'd ever heard. "I am called Fumikage, by my friends, that is, if I had any friends. I suppose around here, you would recognize my other name, Tsukayami." They shook their heads. "Never heard of you..." Ochako said. "Oh? Well, that's just as well," Fumikage said. "If you can move, you should all get up and go your way. Eventually those creatures will be back, they never stay gone for long. I usually, however, I am too late... I was surprised to find anyone still alive, let alone ten of you...hmm. One is a dragon, that makes sense." "Uh... aren't you going to attack us?" Ei said. "Or is this a trick, like with the troll?" "Trick? No, I don't trick people," Fumikage said. "But, I can see why you'd not trust me.. I am a monster after all... but I mean you no harm. I don't eat people. You can go your way. Take that map of yours far from here." "Yo- you know--" Deku paused. Emi had said all the magical world would know, of course this person knew. "Uh, thanks I mean," he said instead. Momo let out a sigh. "I don't know what this is, but..."
She glanced at Shoto, who was still holding her steady. "I think.. Uh.. I mean.." Shoto looked up like he'd forgotten he was doing it. "Oh, sorry." He let go. "No, actually, I was going to say, I don't actually think I can walk, so if you'd help me get to Kyoka..." Momo said sheepishly, turning red. "Oh, or course," Shoto lifted her rather easily and mostly carried her over. Kyoka was sitting up. "I'm fine now," She was telling Denki. "It just bruised me a little....Momo!" "I'm okay..." Momo said. "Then where's Sight?" Kyoka asked. Mina looked over. "Oh... uh...um.." she carried him over, looking sad. "I'm... really sorry guys." Sight was lying still. "He's hurt," Kyoka said. "Ochako, can you heal him?" Ochako came up. Then she looked at them sadly. "I'm sorry, I can't heal him if he's already... You know...dead..." "Dead?" Momo said, but she could see it was true. She covered her mouth and started crying. Kyoka looked a little watery too. "That stupid bird, dashing out to attack roc, what was he thinking?" She said grumpily, but it wasn't fooling anyone. "Oh, wow, that sucks..." Denki even felt bad. Especially since Tibult was also gone. Soba was somehow fine. Then again, the horse had been Tomura's, it probably was enchanted against monsters eating it, given who Tomura spent his time around. Even Fumikage looked a little sorry for them. "Well, your pet went out protecting his master, surely, it is an honorable way for any bird to perish. My condolences... but you still must leave. Time to mourn later."

No one liked it, but he was right. Shoto helped Momo get on Soba so they could get away from there quickly, and Denki grabbed the cart. They hurried over the mountain again.