Book Two Chapter Eleven: Team Wing Equip Loadout

Book Two Chapter Eleven: Team Wing Equip Loadout

The griffins, unaware of the honour they had just received by having the Chosen One actually agree to pay attention to them, snorted.

The little human thinks it can order us to tell it things? the largest griffin, who seemed to be the spokesperson, said disdainfully.

Yup, the Chosen One replied.

Oh great and magnificent beasts, forgive my Noble Patron, Sewer Bard swept the flock a truly beautiful bow. His mind is preoccupied with the many cares of saving the world. If this humble Bard may claim but a mote of your attention, I would be most humbled.

The griffins preened. One in the back lifted a leg, and started grooming it with its beak, its toes spread wide. They really were beautiful creatures, so dignified, their feathers shining in the sunlight, and their fur looked sleek and soft.

We are glad to see that at least one of the little things remembers its place, the leader said.

Sewer Bard, still bowing, did not respond.

With a swish of its snake-like tail, the leader stood up. It towered over the group, nearly the size of a horse. Qube felt a frisson of fear as her new angle allowed her to appreciate just how very sharp looking the undercurve of a griffon beak was. And, as it took a step forward, just how massive their claws were.

Calamity has struck our abode, it said, addressing both the Chosen One and Sewer Bard. A most unnatural beast has been disturbing both us and our food source, and has awoken the mountains.

The other griffins made distressed noises at the mention of the unnatural beast.

It threatens our natural order. The very system on which all rests. Slay it, and the mountains shall resume their slumber until the appointed time.

Sewer Bard looked at the Chosen One, who was slowly opening and closing his wings. He was watching the metal, dagger-like feathers reflect the sunlight. Sewer Bard sighed, and turned back to the griffins.

The appointed time? Forgive this pitiful wretch, but I know not of what you speak, he said, still keeping his eyes averted from the monsters.

Qube rather thought he was overdoing it in his diplomat role, but she still reached over and patted him on the shoulder for moral support.

Youre doing great! she whispered to him.

He ignored her.

The Chosen One, however, stopped playing with his wings and gave her a puzzled look.

Yes, when the world ends, the mountains will awaken and fly off to the sky to become stars, the griffin said, as if it was the most obvious thing ever.

All of the party looked up at the sky, as if checking to see the stars were still there. Naturally, since it was daytime, they only saw the two suns crawling across the sky. The Chosen One instantly looked away from the burning orbs, but Qube found herself transfixed by the sight of them. Shed never been so close to them before. It felt as if she could just reach out with her hand and pluck the suns from the sky.

A strange fancy. Qube dragged herself back into the moment, away from that unexplored domain.

Do this, and we shall reward the human, the griffin was saying. Fail, and we shall eat the human.

Qube frowned. These griffins really needed to work on their negotiation skills. And basic manners.

Cool, find the monster, kill it, quest done, the Chosen One flicked his wings out again.

How will we be able to tell what the unnatural beast is? Qube asked the Hero. The Hero stared at her.

Itll be obvious? he half-asked, half-answered. It hasnt exactly been subtle up until this point.

Qube could not fly.

Qube could not even get the wings to attach to her.

She would hold up the royal wings, and press them against her, but nothing would happen. She even tried getting Sexy Screamy Spider Lady to rub them against her back, but still nothing.

Squiggles was having similar issues. Now that she was no longer chewing on the magical artefacts they could try and fix them to her, but they refused to expand.

Meanwhile, Sewer Bard and Definitely Bad Guy had absolutely no problem getting the wings to act normally. As soon as the Chosen One handed the wings over, both were able to concentrate and get the wings to appear on their backs. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady was also able to utilise the wings, although hers appeared to be springing from somewhere in the middle of her back, and would frequently phase through several of her childrens faces.

It didnt make any sense. The Bard was just as much of a mana user as her, and Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, while not a traditional wood elf, was still an elf. So it couldnt be her race or mana making her incompatible. If it was just Squiggles, that would be more understandable, and if it was just her then she would assume it was somehow curse related. But as it was, singling both her and Squiggles out...

Qube looked at Squiggles. Squiggles, looking the very picture of innocence, slowly slorped towards some discarded wings on the ground. Qube narrowed her eyes. Squiggles stopped.

Qube, thinking deeply, opened her backpack and reached inside, pulling out a harpoon gun. Perhaps she could use it as some kind of anchor, to help her zip from place to place? But out here was just open sky and clouds, nothing for it to hook into. With a sigh, she slowly put it back.

Later, she whispered to the backpack. She looked up and saw the Chosen One watching her. He looked between the bag and her.

Can can your backpack talk to you? he asked seriously. Qube stared at him.

Chosen One, dont be silly. Backpacks cant talk, she replied.

With this place, anything is possible, he retorted.

Qube couldnt argue with that, so instead she closed the backpack, slung it over her shoulder, faced the Chosen One, and opened her arms. After a moment of confused silence, the Chosen One stepped forward and gave her a tentative hug. She batted him away.

Chosen One no! Carry me! I cant ride your back without interfering with your wings, she explained.

Oh, yeah, that makes more sense, he said sheepishly. Not that I think you would actually interfere with the wings he trailed off, a light coming on in his eyes. Actually, climb on my back, I want to see what happens.

Qube frowned.

What if it causes a repeat of the bridge incident? she asked dubiously.

The others can stand by and be ready to catch you, he said. Oh, also, hold on. He wandered over to a discreet Save Point and waved his hand through it. Okay, ready, he said, turning his back to Qube.

Looking directly at his back, Qube noticed that the wings, for all their appearance of being solid, seemed able to travel through his backpack without disturbing it. Perhaps they were not, as they appeared, actually physically present, but rather some kind of mana projection. Gingerly stepping up, she wrapped her arms around the Chosen Ones neck, and loosely clasped her hands.

Ready? the Chosen One asked. She tightened her grip.

Ready, she replied.

He kicked off the ground, his wings harmlessly buzzing through Qube, causing her hair to blow back in the breeze they made. She laughed as he soared, the mana-enhanced wings causing them to skyrocket up and then almost hover on a thermal.

She was doing it! She was flying!

Looking past the Chosen Ones shoulder, she could see the expanse of angry clouds boiling, obscuring the rest of the world. But once they defeated whatever this awful abomination was, then the clouds would clear and she would be able to see all across the entire kingdom!

It would be like a whole new world, she thought happily, as she rode her flying friend through the sky.