"So when is this pseudo-phoenix going to appear?" I ask as Axel and I hide behind the bushes, with our sight on the nest located a few feet away near the edge of the cliff. A small lake is located at the foot of the cliff. I snuggle deeper into my jacket as the November wind blows strongly around us. It had already begun snowing lightly back in Asaria. But as the sun climbed up in the sky, the snow would melt before it could stick to the ground. Right now, we are about 15 miles from the town of Jinoti, which is 50 miles from Huxley Kingdom. The security around Jinoti is very tight since the Solumra and Huxley empires don't have an admirable relationship. But there were rumours going around about how both the monarchs are trying to form an alliance. Apparently, Axel had decided to take multiple quests around this area at once. Right now, we are here to acquire the red feathers of a pseudo-phoenix for a tribe who are celebrating the birth of twins.
"Sorry, Sandra, I forgot to schedule an appointment with it", Axel says sarcastically. I glare at him and say, "Why can't we take the feathers which are already in the nest?" "If the tribesmen had not been so specific, I would have done that. They want the red coloured feathers plucked fresh from the bird. The ones from the nest are white, which happens when the bird undergoes the moulting process. We were lucky enough to even find this nest".
"What is it with birds building nests on the cliff?" I complain and Axel asks with a shocked expression, "You are scared of heights?"
"I don't mind heights. I am a wind mage after all. But I am terrified of the water below. I don't know how to swim", I say. Axel gives a small chuckle and says, "Oh! I remember that adorable face you used to make whenever I mentioned the water-related quest we went on, years ago".
"If it weren't for this quest, I would have kicked your ass by now", I say growling at him. "Please refrain from doing that", Axel replies, imitating Lucia's formal talk. Then he looks at the nest, which is in fact a very huge one. It could easily accommodate at least two or three cow's calves in it. It makes me wonder how big this pseudo-phoenix might actually be. Breaking my chain of thoughts, he says, "I heard from Melody that you were waking up early in the past two weeks and going into the forest behind the dorms".
"Oh! About that... I was doing some personal training. I realised that I am lacking in a few matters and I have been slacking off a lot lately", I say, to which he replies, "Good! I can easily see that your hard work is paying off. Your aura has grown stronger. Keep it up". I blush. Suddenly, I feel a slight shift in the wind. I concentrate my thoughts and try to pick up disturbances in the wind.
"8 o'clock, coming in hot", I point out to Axel, to which he says, "Already felt it approaching the nest". Suddenly, I feel a powerful gust of wind and if it weren't for Axel holding me, I would have been carried away and thrown off the cliff.
The pseudo-phoenix! One of the most elegant and rare birds to exist in the Realm of Vitae. Nobody knows how these birds came into existence. As the name suggests, they look like a phoenix, not that I have seen one. The bird is too huge for a phoenix. If I have to compare, the bird rivals the size of the horse carriage Jonah uses. It has a huge crest on its head with the tip turning blue. It has bright fiery orange feathers with the tip of its wings light green. Its tail has red feathers, the one we need. In short, the bird is too colourful. It perches on the edge of the cliff with its back towards us.
"Ok, now we have to pluck the feathers from it directly", whispers Axel.
"Ok. Go and bring the feathers", I whisper back and Axel looks at me, horrified. "No, you go first", Axel says and this time I look at him in dismay.
"No, you go", I insist.
"No, you", he retorts.
"You are a half-demon, dumbass!" I nearly shout at him.
YOU ARE READING
Romulus : The Rise Of The Demon
Fantasia' I have never seen such a sight before. It was as if the flames were dancing in his presence. It was as if they were overjoyed by him being near them...... Who is he? Is he a warrior who never backs down from a fight? Is he a saviour who would ri...
