Chapter 31: Twinge of Envy
As they left the cave, the cool, damp air of the grotto gave way to the humid, dense atmosphere of the ancient forests early morning sun and sheer cliff face. The scent of earth and foliage filled the air, and the symphony of insects and animals provided a constant background melody.
As they walked, Yue Lixue couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her since their time in the grotto, the blood and carnage from the second half of her visions. Korran must have sensed her discomfort because he slowed his pace, allowing her to keep up with him more easily.
"Yue, are you okay? You seem... preoccupied," Korran asked, shooting her a concerned glance. Yue Lixue's gorgeous blue eyes were absent, she was deep in her mind thinking.
She gave him a small smile, trying to shake off the lingering unease. "I'm fine, really," she assured him, though her mind was still racing with thoughts of the visions and the newfound feeling of power from Korran passing to her.
It did not convince him.
They continued walking through the dense jungle, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the thick undergrowth. As they walked, Yue Lixue's keen eyes caught sight of a familiar white fur dress that she had left draped over a low-hanging branch. She quickly slipped off Korran's arm and made her way over to the dress, shivering slightly as the morning sun and wind had dried it uncomfortably but quickly. She slipped it on, the soft fur warming her skin and reminding her of home.
Yue Lixue wondered when she had begun to really feel like this world of beasts was her home? When she had thought of the Panther's Treetop Village as home? More so, wondering when she had become so confident with her body? These thoughts were all lighter than the foreboding thoughts that came with dwelling on what she had seen in the grotto's pool. While one half were pleasent and sweet... the other half. She welcomed these lighter thoughts to try and shake off the heavier.
"Halt!" one of the bird beastmen called out, his voice sharp and authoritative. "Who are you and what are you doing in our territory?" Yue peered around Korran's side, her eyes scanning the group.
The bird beastmen were in a semi-human form. Their feet were closer to talons but the rest of them was firmly human apart from vibrant coloured wings in various colours. Each of their clothes matched their wing colours. "This is Leopard village territory," Called Korran, placing his arm out defensively to cover Yue Lixue, her rabbit fur dress might be on and she felt as frightened as a rabbit, why could she not have been a rabbit beast when she transmigrated? Then she could burrow away!
She slipped the soft fur of the dress over her shoulders, the cool morning air nipping at her skin. She was just about to rejoin Korran when a sudden commotion caught her attention. A group of bird beastmen, their feathers ruffling in the wind, descended from the treetops, blocking their path. Yue's instincts kicked in, and she quickly moved behind Korran, her heart pounding in her chest. Korran's body tensed, his amber eyes narrowing as he took in the newcomers. He quickly placed himself between Yue and the group, his stance protective.
The bird beastmen were in a semi-human form. Their feet were closer to talons but the rest of them was firmly human apart from vibrant coloured wings in various colours. Each of their clothes matched their wing colours. "This is Leopard village territory," Called Korran, placing his arm out defensively to cover Yue Lixue.
Her rabbit fur dress might be on but she felt as frightened as a rabbit why could she not have been a rabbit beast when she transmigrated? Then she could burrow away!
One of the bird beastmen, a tall, regal figure with wings of orange and gold that matched shoet but spikes hair, he stepped forward landing on the ground. His eyes were red, sharper than the others, swept over Yue and Korran lingering on his shadow beastmark, taking in their appearances and the clothing they wore. One hand on a spear, one star was clear and visable around an orange beast tattoo that shimmered in the sunlight. "You're not from around here," he said, his voice stern. "And, you bear the mark of a shadow panther beastman. Who are you?"
the tall bird beastman demanded, his red eyes sharp and unyielding. Before Korran could respond, a chorus of wings fluttered around them, the air filled with a kaleidoscope of colors—blues, greens, whites, gold, and reds. Bird beastmen of all hues circled them, their feathers ruffling in the wind like a vibrant, living tapestry. Korran's grip on Yue tightened, his amber eyes narrowing as he prepared to defend them, but a familiar voice cut through the tension.
Only from behind him, could Yue Lixue see black steam beginning to circle where Korran stood, coating his hands in human form ever so lightly. She had never seen him use his shadow powers.
"Guys! Guys, over here! I found them!" Maria called out from the distance, her voice echoing through the edge of the ancient forest and echiung up the cliff face. The bird beastmen paused, turning their attention towards the newcomer. Korran relaxed slightly, his posture easing as he recognized Maria's voice.
Before he could turn to acknowledge her, the bird beastmen leader bristled, his wings ruffling in irritation. "Who are you, panther?" he demanded, his red eyes sharp and unyielding.
Suddenly, Maria ran over in human form, followed quickly by a panther and two stag beastmen in their beast forms. Yue recognised Darian, the young panther, Sun Qui, the younger stag, and Yi Chun, the older stag. The bird beastmen paused, turning their attention towards the newcomers.
Suddenly, the bird beastmen split from their circle formation, some moving to block the oncoming group. "This is Leopard territory," Korran announced again, his voice firm and unwavering.
The bird beastmen leader snapped his wings open, their vibrant orange and gold feathers catching the sunlight. "...and you are trespassing," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Maria quickly stepped forward, placing herself between Korran and the bird beastmen. "Wait, please," she said, her voice firm yet respectful. "We are here on official business sent by the Elders of the Panther Tribe and Deer Tribe. My mother is the Elder Matron of the tribe." Korran's eyes flicked to Maria, a faint sense of curiosity and pride in them. Yue wondered why Korran, as the Chief's son, didn't make the same claim. Did he not feel the need to assert his authority? Or perhaps he knew that Maria's words carried more weight in this situation.
The bird beastmen leader paused, his red eyes narrowing as he considered Maria's words. His gaze flicked to Korran, then to Yue, and finally back to Maria. "Official business, you say?" he asked, his voice skeptical."
"I am Maria Whisperwood of the Panther tribe, eldest daughter of the tribes matron. To who am I addressing?" Maria's stance became firmer, and her panther tattoo circled with 2 stars at her collar, almost flashed with her suppressed rage. She spoke with an authoritative voice, "We are on the path to the Cascading Village, The Whispering Brook, to meet with the Leopard elders about a delicate matter regarding our tribes and the well-being of the deer tribe."
The bird beastmen leader's red eyes narrowed, and his wings ruffled with irritation. "The Leopard elders have not sent word to our tribe regarding any such meeting," he said, his voice heavy with doubt.
Maria's expression remained unchanged, her voice steady and calm. "I assure you, the message was sent. However, due to the urgent nature of our business, we were unable to wait for a formal response. You still have not answered, to whom do I speak? Are you an elder or leader of the feathered tribe?" Maria asked, her voice steady and calm.
The bird beastmen leader's expression darkened, his red eyes flashing with irritation. "No, I am not an elder. I am a warrior, sworn to protect our lands and our people." He then stepped aside, allowing another bird beastman to come forward.
This one had wings of white feathers that shimmered in the sunlight, dark black hair and grey eyes which held a wisdom that belied her youthful appearance. "While not an elder, I too am an eldest daughter of an elder," the bird beastwoman said, her voice holding a distinct weight and authority. "I am Althea Lireal, daughter of Selene. I can speak for our tribe." Her great white wings rustled softly as she stepped forward, her gaze assessing the group in front of her. "You may come into to our land, bearing marks of other tribes, and you must speak of urgent business and swear upon it."
This time, it was one of the Deer beastmen, Yi Chun who spoke, "Our trade caravan was attacked and we lost 3 on the road to Treetop Village. We were attacked by spotted cat beasts, we are here to learn the truth." Yi Chun's voice was steady, but Yue could see the pain and grief hidden beneath his calm demeanor. The bird beastmen exchanged glances, murmurs rippling through their ranks.
Althea's grey eyes narrowed as she took in the group before her. "Spotted cat beasts, you say? That is troubling news indeed, do jou accuse our allies the Leopards of this attack." She looked at Yue, her gaze softening slightly. "And you, young lady, you are not from here, are you? With those ears, it's clear you're from the snowy region." Althea's gaze drifted from Korran to Yue Lixue and back again, her eyes softening as she took in the young woman's unsettled appearance. "And yet, you are here, amidst the heat of our lands, with the mark of that shadow panther upon you," she mused, her voice thoughtful.
Before Yue could respond, a low, menacing growl echoed through the clearing. All eyes snapped to Darian, the young panther, his black fur bristling and his amber eyes locked onto the bird beastwoman. "We need answers," he snarled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through the air.
"Their people were attacked on route to our village, and we were sent here to find out why." Korran's voice had joined and held a low growl, his eyes never leaving Althea.
Althea's wings fluttered slightly, the white silk of her dress shimmering in the sunlight, exactly as her wings did. The fabric was unlike anything Yue had seen before, soft and delicate, yet strong and resilient, like a bird's feather. It was clear that she was a person of importance, her dress detail and its colour signifying her status and her connection to her tribe.
To everyone's surprise, the timid little snow-cat stepped out from behind Korran. "I have never seen such beautiful wings, such beautiful clothing," Yue said, her voice filled with awe. She stepped forward, her hand reaching out to touch the shimmering white silk. "What is this made of?"
Althea smiled, "Now if you had said that to Finchly over there, he'd be blushing and asking to be your mate." She giggled, her grey eyes warm. "It is made from my feathers, in what we bird beasts call feather silk, a tecnique passed down through generations."
A little embarrassed, Yue Lixue let go. No one seemed to know what to say next.
The tension in the air was palpable, and the bird beastmen had yet to move from their positions blocking the path to the village. Yue Lixue had hoped that Althea's arrival might smooth things over, but the atmosphere remained tense.
"You can go up," Althea chimed, jumping higher into the sky and remaining there, her wings cutting through the air effortlessly. She looked down at the group, her grey eyes scanning them keenly. "I'd start climbing the steps soon, so you make it to the top before sunset."
Finchley, the orange-winged beastman, looked like he wanted to complain, his red eyes narrowing. But Althea silenced him with a sharp look, her wings rustling in a clear sign of authority.
"You're fortunate enough to have strong legs and sharp claws, young panther. Use them. We bird beasts do not mix our labor with hospitality." A blue winged bird beastmen drawled. With that, they took to the skies, their vibrant wings slicing through the air as they soared up the cliff face towards the Whispering Brook Village.
"They couldn't even give us a lift?!" Darian complained, his amber eyes trailing the bird beastmen as they climbed higher into the sky.
Korran chuckled, his arm wrapping around Yue Lixue's shoulders to pull her close. "Come on, it's not far. And think of it this way—the view only gets better the higher we go."
Yue Lixue couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as she watched the bird beastmen ascend, their wings cutting through the air with such ease.
"I should find a bird beastmen mate," Yue Lixue mumbled a little grumpy to Korran.
He just laughed, offering to carry her up the stairs, "Just make sure it's a strong one of you ever do."
At a glare Maria was giving her at Korran's offer to carry her, she refused, "I'll help me get stronger if I walk up myself." Although, she would love for him to have carried her all the way up. She didn't even want to know how many steps numbered all the way to the top.