Chapter 74 The Don

The only realm protectors left were the one in the ocean and the one in the mountains. Since we did not know the exact location of the realm protector in the ocean I had my Aethon scout the mountain realm protector.

*Caw* with a quiet caw he was off, flying into the distance.

It took hours but eventually the Aethon was back, though from the ruffled feathers and disoriented look it didn't seem as if whatever he saw was good.

Seeing as he was in no mood to explain as he had nestled into my hair, I used my skill Dream on the Aethon to confirm what he had seen.

…

*Caw*

With a quiet squawk I was off, in the direction of the mountains. Soaring in the sky I could feel the lack of birds.

None of the usual species were here, none to torment.

I frowned or at least as much as a frown as I could manage.

'The trip will be boring with nothing to torment' I thought to myself, already bored out of my mind. It was annoying that the lord was only using me to scout, I could do so much more, I could make unhealable wounds. Granted those wounds could heal naturally but still I could help in combat.

Though the Lord only used us Aethons for scouting, I guess I could see the point, there were no other birds that the lord controlled other than us so it would be natural that we would be chosen but still.

…

The rest of the trip was boring, there were a couple of small birds that were fleeing but they were gone too fast. Something had spurred them into fleeing.

Now that I was at the mountains I could see and most importantly feel what had caused that.

Bloodlust, so much bloodlust was emanating from that quiet corner of the mountain.

Not that it would deter me, I had a mission to do, even if the Lord was underutilizing me I would still follow his commands, it was only natural to follow your father.

And that was what he was to us, a father, not of blood of course. But he had birthed us at the summoning pool of his.

Taken from the oppressive black void that we all had experienced, given form, given meaning, given history, above all that we knew that he had birthed us.

Thinking of the oppressive void I pushed on, this bloodlust was nothing. Even when it battered my wings, threw me to the ground I grit my beak and pushed forward.

…

Finally after all that struggling I had made it.

The unreachable mountain was in sight, a bright barrier only seen by those with enhanced vision was within my sights.

Thanks to how bright it was I could not see exact numbers nor the exact layout but what I could see scared me.

A pair of golden eyes staring straight into mine, they held so much power that if I had not adjusted to Delta and Tama's power then I would have passed out.

Even with that slight advantage I was paralyzed my fight or flight instincts going wild but my body unmoving.

Finally he looked away with a disinterested snort or what I could approximate as one.

I didn't know what to do but head back to the Lord.

…

*Caw* I announced my presence with a soft caw then landed on Darwin's head.

I took comfort in the warm presence that Darwin exuded.

Soon enough my eyes dropped and I fell asleep, still nesting in Darwin's hair.

…

I pet the Aethon gently, the experience it had gone through not something that I had wanted it to have to go through.

Still it was valuable information.

The strength of that stare, the bloodlust of the barrier. All of that would help in the conquering of them.

However we would not leave now, the Aethon in my hand had done a good job and deserved a treat.

…

As soon as the crow opened its eyes it was greeted with a bounty of food of all kinds.

Not knowing what the Aethon liked, I had Tama prepare a variety of dishes.

Of course Aoif was next to me eating with all her might.

The Aethon looked to me as if asking if it could eat all of this.

I only responded with a nod of my head and allowed it to gorge itself.

Soon enough the Aethon had stuffed itself, its belly gorging out in a comical manner.

Seeing as it was done the second part of its reward could be given.

"You can come with us and attack those elves, I know how much you want to be used in combat, Don"

The name had been something that I had not intended but seeing the effort I thought that the name fit him.

Looking at him now Don fit him well, black feathers, with a chest of white and a pot belly that he had gained from eating, Don definitely fit.

…

Once Don was capable of flight again we head out. Meeting Tama at the door I started to walk, all the while telling Tama of all that I had seen from using my skill.

Once we had reached the tree line passed the waterfall we just had to go straight and we would reach the mountains.

While thinking of the time it would take to get there I didn't notice the flash of yellow light until it was too late.

…

Immediately I was on guard, my spear was in my hands twice reinforced with the quickest speed I could muster. All I could see though was the mountains, Tama, and Aoif.

I sighed the tension leaving my body, I had forgotten that Tama could teleport.

It was then that I felt it, that familiar bloodlust it was not as potent as I remembered it to be from the memories of Don.

On my head I could feel Don start shivering in fear but I immediately pulled him into my arms comforting him.

He pointed a shaky wing in a seemingly random direction but I trusted Don to know where he was going. Birds were known for their excellent sense of direction