Guardians of Ga'hoole:Rising Flames

Chapter 23:A Loss and A Gain

Riyu screeched with enthusiasm as he flew higher and higher, headed for the top of the Hrath'gar volcano. Was he going to try to retrieve the Ember of Hoole? He was not, but he had a feeling there was another ember he needed to catch.

He swooped to the side of the volcano edge, avoiding a small spurt of lava. This heat so close to his feathers felt nice, natural. Although he wasn't quite the natural owl considering what he was before, he could feel this was right. This was the right volcano.

He silenced the world around him, and dashed to the top of the ring. He could see his friend Codor below, knowing what Riyu was about to do. What he was destined to do. The wolf was proud and ecstatic, even though he knew his friend wasn't retrieving the Ember of Hoole.

He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he was meant to do this. He desperately wanted to go to Ga'hoole now, but it wasn't the time. This needed to be done first. And when he came to his friends again, he'd tell them everything.

"This is it." He said as he closed his eyes. He was ready. He knew he was. He counted down from 10, readying himself for the plunge. Fear mounted inside him, fighting against his courage and will.

But fear didn't win as he plunged into the Hrath'gar volcano.

He felt the scorch of heat gains his feathers as he reached the rim of the volcano. Taking his beak, he wrenched it open and waited.

His beak snapped down on a hot object. Knowing he had what he wanted, he lofted from the volcano, swooping up above the smoke engulfing him.

He slowly opened up his eyes, and stood there in wonder at the glowing object he held in his beak. It looked like a rectangular glass with fire encapsulated in it, making it a flaming bright orange. He felt the heat slap him in the face, but he was unphased.

He knew it was time to go. As he already had the necklace to entrap the ember, he flew downwards in a spiral. He felt a rush of joy and accomplishment. He did it! He really did it!

He still knew that this wasn't over yet, though. There was another thing he had to do now that he had caught this magical glass ember.

Clearing his head of any doubts, he plunged down to the ground. He swiftly joined Codor, who rushed up to him with a bout of happiness.

"That was amazing! You did so well Riyu!" Codor jumped around him, howling. The other wolves gave Riyu a nod of approval. He knew that they understood what was going on. Codor gave Riyu a hearty nudge which almost made the young Grass Owl fall over, but he quickly caught himself.

"So now you wanna find your friends? I'll help you!" Codor said, smiling. Riyu felt a stab of pain as he realized that Codor couldn't come with. He knew the wolf was his friend, but he wasn't sure the wolf should leave the Beyond. He didn't have much of, if at all, any other options.

"Riyu, is everything ok?" Codor asked, sniffing him. Riyu wrapped his wings around the wolf's muzzle in an imitation of a hug. It was a bit harder to do with wings, but Codor should get it. "I'm sorry Codor, but this is goodbye."

"Oh, right..." Codor saying, moving his muzzle away from Riyu. His ears and tail drooped, and he looked awfully sad. Codor then gave Riyu small nudge with his muzzle. "I'll never forget you, buddy. Your a really great friend."

Riyu chuckled, keeping a note to visit the Beyond when he could. He wanted to see Codor again, as he truly did make a good friend in the wolf. He would forever think of the MacAngus clan very fondly because of him.

The two then parted sadly, but confident that they would one day reunite, hopefully sooner than later. As Riyu left the Sacred Ring, he gently dropped the ember in the capsule on the end of his necklace. He soared above the rocky ground, sighing happily.

Now it was time to return to his friends.