279 Skollwood Adventures Part 1 : Cluck cluck

After the completion of the convoy mission, the Future Eye had informed them that more time was required before the third mission would be assigned. Also, as a sign of good faith for their hard work, Lycster would be able to receive his arm sooner than expected. 

After their time in Trilantis and Skollwood came to an end, they were to head off to Duskfall. Duskfall Federation was located in an undisclosed location. Unlike most of the other countries and kingdoms in Gaeia, it was run by a democratically elected committee that oversaw its lands and people. 

"We should turn right here," Vy instructed her brother as she recalled the instructions she was given. 

Within a matter of minutes, they arrived at the designated keystone portal. Unlike most others, there was a long line of merfolk and other creatures eagerly waiting to be transported to Skollwood Island. 

Some of the people in line were already dressed in uniquely themed costumes. 

"I can't wait to get our costumes!" Lycster exclaimed with excitement as he took a look around. 

"That is the first thing on our list," Vy added. 

Despite the long lines, the Blackfire Siblings did not have to wait for very long. Before they could enter the keystone portal, they were greeted by a skeletal horse with flaming black eyes and a black flaming mane. 

"Greetings travellers, please present your tokens," the flaming skeletal horse instructed. 

Just as Vy was about to, she sensed someone rushing up towards her and Lycster. Instinctively, she moved them both to the side, to avoid being hit. Like a flash of lightning, a shadow figure rushed past them. 

But before the shadow could make it through the activated portal, the skeletal horse sent a blaze of fire down upon the shadowy figure. Surprisingly the flames, like the skeletal horse's mane and eyes, were unaffected by water. 

As soon as the flames touched the shadowy figure, the fire spread throughout its body. Vy carefully shielded herself and her brother from the flames. Lucky for them, they were unscathed. But the shadowy figure, on the other hand, was reduced to a charred corpse. 

The skeletal horse tapped its hooves on the ground it stood open, as a blaze of fire flared from its nostrils and its eyes glowed dark red. 

"Trespassers without tokens will be punished severely," it warned in a booming voice. 

Everyone in line seemed unphased by what had happened. From their whispers, Vy realised that this was not the first time it had happened. Unauthorised travellers were dealt with severely, there was no excuse. 

-What sorcery is this.- Vy wondered. 

-The magical kind.- Aether jest in monotone. 

"Travellers, please present your tokens," the skeletal horse instructed again. 

Vy presented the two tokens she had gotten for herself and Lycster. The tokens were in the shape of a coin, but each of them had a different stamp on them. One of the coins had the shape of a skull stamped onto it, while the other had the head of a cat. 

The skeletal horse set the tokens on fire, turning them from silver to black. Much to Vy's surprise, these flames did not harm her at all. 

"You both may enter, welcome to Skollwood Island," the skeletal horse declared as it tapped one hoof on the ground. 

Filled with excitement, the Blackfire Siblings walked through the keystone portal together, with Aether coiled around Vy's wrist as usual. 

Once through, they were greeted with a mix of aromatic fragrances and warmly lit streets bustling with life. Vy was back in her human form and so was Lycster. He was surprised to find that he need not take the green liquid that Laena had given him. 

Looking up at the sky and all that was around them, Vy noticed that there was a protective spell placed all around the island. This was what allowed the different creatures and species that visited the island to maintain a human-like form while they enjoyed the festivities. 

In order to access the island, multiple keystone portals were set up on the beach so that travellers from all over would be able to visit. 

"Welcome, welcome everyone to Skollwood Island! For living quarters, please follow the skeleton signs and glowing pumpkins, it will be on your right!" a voice greeted guests from above. 

When Vy looked up again, she noticed some people flying above her. Some of them had bat-like wings, while others were seated on a flat board flying through the air. They were also dressed in various dark colours, with pointed tip hats on their heads. 

Lycster looked up and gasped in amazement. He had never seen these flat boards that enabled flying before! 

"That looks like a lot of fun!" the boy squealed in excitement. 

Vy burst out laughing as they walked along the beach, following the majority of the others and the lit pumpkin lights. 

"Lycster, you can turn into an owl and fly in the sky! What's the difference between this and that?"

Excited for what the activities that were going to participate on the island, Lycster skipped with joy ahead of his sister. He turned back around with a wide smile on his face. He pondered over his sister's question for a while, thinking of a suitable answer. 

"Well?" Vy probed him with a smirk on her face. The boy must be finding it hard to refute. She had the upper hand in the conversation!

"Well…" the boy drew it out for a little suspense, "For one, my wings won't get tired cause I would not keep having to do this."

The boy pretended as if he was a bird, flapping his arm as if it was a feathered wing. Instead of extending his arm fully, Lycster bent his arm to simulate the flapping of a wing. 

Vy burst out laughing as she looked at her brother, making a fool of himself. He did not look like an owl flapping its wings as it moved gracefully through the night. He looked like a one-wing clucking chicken who could not get off the ground.