Hero of Harmony (Continued)

Chapter 232: Returning To The Treehouse

While walking deeper into a forest, I glanced at Talis, who was perched upon my shoulder, causing me to faintly smirk as I scratched underneath her beak.

"Feel nostalgic yet?" Asked Alexander with a faint smirk as he looked at Talis, who purred in satisfaction while nodding.

Chuckling, I scratched Talis for a bit longer before heading slightly more left; this forest may be hard to navigate, but I knew this place like the back of my hand... Well, at least the middle half. Touching upon several trees, feeling their connection and emotions that helped guide me, after several minutes, the three of us came across a tree with a deep gash, seemingly of importance.

"Where is this?" Asked Lazuli curiously as she glanced at Alexander, who stayed silent and merely watched as Talis spread her wings before landing upon the tree branch.

"Huh, I can't believe this place used to be my home. It's so small now, barely the size of my wing." Said Talis softly as she stared at the abandoned bird nest, which had managed to weather the numerous storms over the years.

"Yeah, I know. I remember when you were just a tiny, cute chick that couldn't even fly... Now you're a big, annoying bird. Haa, how times change." Remarked Alexander lightly with a faint smirk as he approached the tree, only for Talis to slap him with her soft wing.

"Oi, shut it, Alex!" Stated Talis in annoyance as she loudly chirped at Alexander while hitting him in the face with her wings, though the smile never left his face.

"This is where Talis was born?" Asked Lazuli as she glanced between Alexander and Talis, prompting them to both nod while glancing at her.

"Yep. And if it weren't for me, she would probably be dead cause I found her as a little chick on the ground, unable to fly. If you haven't noticed, Lazuli birds are incredibly vulnerable when walking, even more so when they can't fly." Said Alexander with a small smile as he gently pushed Talis away while massaging Lazuli's shoulders, causing her to nod.

"Hmph, now look at me! From a mere chick that couldn't even fly, I've grown to become one of the fastest-flying birds in all of existence! It's only a matter of time before Queen of the Skies becomes a common household name!" Declared Talis proudly as she puffed her chest out and raised her beak to the skies, causing both Lazuli and Alexander to look blankly at her.

"There are still many birds faster than you." Stated Lazuli calmly as she looked at Talis, who scoffed in annoyance before flying deeper into the forest.

"Hehe, you made her annoyed with that one... Good job." Said Alexander with a chuckle as he kissed Lazuli on the cheek, only to lift her into his arms, princess carrying her through the forest.

While Talis flew off to who knows where,e I took another detour, and instead of heading directly to the clearing in the middle of the forest, vegetation began to grow sparse the further I walked until, eventually, there were no trees and only rocks, gravel, and sand.

"That is a large crystal ball." Said Lazuli lightly as she stared at the boulder-sized crystal ball atop the rocky hill, causing Alexander to smirk.

"It damn sure is. Do you know what it's far?" Asked Alexander as he looked down at Lazuli in his arms while walking up the rocky hill, prompting her to nod.

"You used it to train your mana control... You've told this story many times, Alex." Replied Lazuli as she looked up at Alexander, her voice hinting at annoyance, causing him to awkwardly chuckle.

"Hehehe, I do speak about younger days a lot... Sorry." Muttered Alexander with a slight chuckle as he stood before the boulder-sized crystal ball.

Gently setting Lazuli on the ground, I walked forward and took a breath before placing my hand upon the crystal ball, though, even after a full minute, not a single drop of my mana was sucked from my body, causing me to faintly smirk.