Cursed By Fate

A feather companion

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Chapter: A Feathered Companion

Aria awoke the next morning to the soft glow of dawn filtering through her window. As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, a curious sight caught her attention: her mystical mount, the giant bird-like creature, stood outside her window, its feathers glistening with dew.

She had spent the previous day training with the guards, but now, the reality of her new life began to settle in. The presence of the mount filled her with both excitement and uncertainty. What if it rains? she thought, recalling the unstable weather patterns of the region.

“Hey,” she called softly, leaning out the window, her voice still laced with sleep. “You should go find some shelter. I don’t want you getting sick out here.”

The mount tilted its head, a fierce glint in its eyes, but it didn’t move. Instead, it continued to watch her intently, as if understanding every word.

“What do you want from me?” she asked, puzzled by its unwavering gaze. It felt like they were having a conversation without words, a bond that transcended their differences.

Aria shook her head, sighing in exasperation. “I’m serious! You need to take care of yourself.” But the mount simply stared, unblinking, as if it had made a decision.

Just then, the first drops of rain began to fall from the sky, splattering against the ground and sending the scent of earth into the air. Aria frowned, concerned for the creature. “See? You should really—”

But before she could finish, a dazzling light enveloped the mount. Aria stepped back, eyes widening in surprise as the bird transformed before her very eyes. The creature shrank, its form shifting into that of a small, fluffy chick with iridescent feathers.

The little bird chirped cheerfully, flapping its tiny wings in excitement. It hopped closer to the window, as if inviting her to come closer.

Aria couldn’t help but laugh, a sense of warmth flooding her chest. “You’re just a little chick now?” she teased, leaning closer to the window. “What happened to the fierce giant beast?”

The chick tilted its head, as if pondering her words, before puffing up its chest, trying to look as majestic as possible despite its size.

“Alright, little one,” she said, her heart swelling with affection. “You can stay with me for now. Just promise you won’t make too much noise.”

As she opened the window, the chick hopped inside her room, exploring its new surroundings. Aria couldn’t help but feel a sense of companionship forming between them. It was a strange bond, one that seemed to transcend the usual relationship between a rider and her mount.

But as the rain began to pour heavily outside, Aria felt a pang of worry. “What if you turn back into that giant beast in the middle of the night? I can’t have you smashing through my room!”

The chick chirped again, and for a moment, Aria thought she could see a glimmer of understanding in its tiny eyes. With a sigh, she resigned herself to the situation. “Well, I guess we’ll have to figure this out together.”

She settled down on her bed, the little chick hopping onto her lap and nuzzling against her. A wave of calm washed over her, easing the tension she had felt since the attack in the forest. For the first time in days, she felt a sense of peace.

“I’ll call you Feather,” Aria decided, looking down at the little creature. “You may be small, but you’ve got a big heart. And together, we’ll make sure the kingdom is safe.”

Feather chirped enthusiastically in response, as if accepting its new name and role as Aria’s companion. As the rain continued to patter against the window, Aria leaned back, feeling a flicker of hope. She knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them with Feather by her side.