Mergalio and the Seven Puffins (Book 1: The Clamors of SklavoiS)

Chapter 2

Mergalio woke up with the sound of continuous cracking. With just a snap, he woke up from deep slumber and opened his eyes to what was waiting for him. There were no more eggs inside his bag. There were seven wonderful birds looking cutely at him. These puffins completed the color of the rainbow and their eyes were as big as the sun shining brightly in the sky that moment.

Before Mergalio could even utter a word, the puffins opened their mesmerizing wings and surrounded him.

"Good morning, Mergalio. We are here to help you. We are your friends!"

"Y-you can talk?" Mergalio asked.

"Yes, we can talk, walk, and swim. I'm Agapi. I will fill you with so much love for these people," said the red puffin.

"In times of despair, I will give you hope. Elpida, at your service!" chirped the orange one.

"Acceptance is always the key to go on with your mission. Hello, I'm Apodochi," greeted the yellow puffin.

The green puffin hugged Mergalio. "I'm Tharros. I'll give you courage whenever you feel scared."

"In every battle, we will think of ways to defeat our enemies. I'm Dianoia, your source of intellect," said the indigo puffin.

"We will empower you to fight the dark side," the two birds said in chorus.

"I'm Dynami, your source of strength," blue puffin said.

"I go with her. I'm Epimoni, your perseverance to keep on fighting!" shouted the violet puffin.

Mergalio beamed like a young boy with so much excitement and happiness.

"This is so cool! I'm like a master with so many special fighters!" he shouted. The mighty warrior lost his stiffness and made childlike claps.

"Mergalio? Are you awake?" asked Odigos as he opens the door.

The man was startled upon seeing the colorful puffins surrounding Mergalio. Yet, in just an instant, he also felt safe and happy.

As all of them shared the little amount of food that Odigos brought, they also began to plan for their mission.

"Well, I suggest you take a walk around Sklavois first. You will have an overview of everything happening in our city," Odigos explained. "My wife and son live at the extreme border of Sklavois. They are safer there from the evil force ruining this city."

"Aren't you scared for them?" Mergalio asked. "You left them there. What if the evil people found them?"

Odigos took a deep breath and his eyes started to show unshed tears.

"I have no choice." he answered. "I need to be here to earn some money and store food. The place where they are now doesn't have any resources. That is also the reason why I know they will be safer there. The evil invaders only look at what they can get from a place. Every three days, I secretly go there to give them food and water. But I do it very carefully so that the invaders won't discover that place."

Mergalio was motivated to start his mission because of Odigos' family. He made sure that he would succeed.

The puffins decided to fly instead of walking in Sklavois to avoid the people. Nevertheless, they assured Mergalio that they could guard him with their sharp eyes. Whatever happens, they would immediately help him.

With every step, the warrior angel started to understand the small and the big issues of Sklavois.

Despite the urge to communicate with the people and process their behavior and thinking, Mergalio controlled himself. He was just a mere spectator that day and not a mighty warrior. He tried his best to remain low key and blend with the people.