The World Above

Chapter 14 : The Peaks

Haven's POV

Hercule emerged from the forest with two swan-like creatures trailing stardust behind them. Perched on his back were four green twigs-living twigs.

"We'll start with bowtruckles. This is Urushiol, the big sister, and Ivy, the baby sister. These two over here are Green and Oak, the twin brothers."

One by one, the bowtruckles climbed down from Hercule's shoulder as he introduced them. "They are very loving, so you shouldn't have any trouble taming them. Go on, try getting them to crawl up your shoulder!"

I glanced at Felix, who gestured for me to go first. "Ladies first, I guess..." Rolling my eyes, I crept forward. "Hi there...I'm Haven. Nice to meet you." I extended my hand to Ivy, or maybe it was Green.

The bowtruckle sniffed my hand and then licked it, tickling me and eliciting an involuntary giggle.

Startled by my reaction, it chattered excitedly, soon joined by its companions. They began climbing up my arms. The gods and goddesses sat up straighter.

Upon reaching my shoulders, the bowtruckles used their tiny fingers to conjure a flower crown made of hibiscus and mayflower, placing it on my head before leaping down and bowing deeply.

"Well, well, you're full of surprises, little human!" Selene was the first to break the awed silence. "Indeed, what you did just now broke a lot of records. Excellent job!" Hercule added.

"Wait! So Haven's the first person to tame them so quickly?" Felix asked, looking at me with a flabbergasted expression.

"There are a few exceptions, but for a human to earn recognition so early is astounding indeed," Angelica confirmed.

"Okay, if Haven can do it, so can I. Bring out the swars!" Felix winked at me competitively. Hercule chuckled and gestured for the swars to come forward. "This is Hoku, the female, and this is Ahtakakoop, the male."

"Ahta...what?" Felix looked bewildered. The swar looked offended. "Anyway, Haven, you already had a chance. Now it's my turn!"

"Be careful. Swars are not as welcoming and loving as bowtruckles," Hercule warned. Felix waved him off and approached them.

"Hi, hello there!" He squatted between Hoku and Ahtakakoop and tried to stroke them, but they both attacked him.

"Ah...ahhhh...get these off of me!" Felix shouted as the swars pecked him relentlessly. We all laughed at the sight until Hercule intervened.

Felix's POV

In the end, I managed to tame the swars, but not before they left me bruised all over. Two things became clear: I wasn't as good with animals as I had thought, and Haven was spectacular with them. The celestials said she was gifted. Just when I thought it was over, I was wrong.

"I know you both must be tired, but we've planned a tour for you!" Lenna announced.

"Of the WHOLE Magix?!" Haven asked, horrified.

"No, just of Urgula," answered Erebus, the god of death. His chiseled abs caught my attention-what gym did these gods go to?

"Some of us will be returning to our palaces now. Hercule and Flema will stay with you," Angelica informed us. The gods and goddesses said their goodbyes and departed, some by teleporting and others by magical means.

"Ready for the tour?" Hercule asked. We both nodded, mustering the little strength we had left.

Forests on Earth and forests in Urgula were vastly different. Half of our forests had been burned and cut down. "Doesn't global warming affect you all?" I questioned.