The Winged Beings

Huh?

Mistrare, what's wrong?

It's just... I thought I heard something crying out from somewhere...

Something crying out? I didn't hear anything.

Is that so...?

Then I must have been hearing things. Sorry to worry you...

Don't worry about it. Sometimes I mistake the sound of the wind for something else, too. Especially at night...

Teehee. Thank you. It's easy to get startled when you're alone at night.

I'm sure I just mistook the sound of a tree branch for a something crying out. It was this rhythmic, noisy "kreh kreh" sound...

Huh? You heard a "kreh kreh" sound?

Yes. It went "kreh, kreh, kreh" and finally at the end "kreehhh."

That really doesn't sound like the wind to me...

Oh? You don't think so?

Hmm, I'm not sure... I can't hear anything.

Aha!

Al, what's the matter?

"Kreh.... Kreh... Kreehhh... Krehkreh..."

You heard it as well?

I did! I'm pretty sure that's not the wind.

Is it a bird, maybe? It sounds like it's in some trouble.

I think the sound is coming from over here...

Right... Let's check it out!

There! That's got to be it!

This is... A bird monster, isn't it?

This looks just like one of the Flame Eaters I ran into before. But it seems a little small.

I think I've seen a monster like this before... But a whole lot smaller.

Yeah... Maybe. But this one is...

Maybe it's a newborn chick? Look, there's a bunch of eggshells scattered around this grass.

Oh. You're right. But what do you suppose is the matter? I don't see any traces of a nest nearby...

Yeah... And there aren't any signs of a mother bird nearby.

Normally, if a human got this close to a newborn chick, an angry mother would show up... But doesn't seem like it's been fed, either. Maybe it's been alone since it was born.

You mean it somehow got separated from its mother when it was still an egg? But if that's the case...

You're not being nearly careful enough, little one. You can't be too cautious about your surroundings, you're a tiny new born chick, after all.

Kreh kreh...?

Haha, are you trying to teach it? You're so kind, Mistrare. There's a chance it's been imprinted not to be cautious around humans like us.

Imprinted? What do you mean?

Birds are naturally conditioned to think that first thing they see when they're born is their mother. That behavior is called imprinting.

I see... That's the first I've heard of it. I'll be sure to remember. Al, I had no idea you were so knowledgeable about bird life.

I wouldn't say I'm that knowledgeable...

When I was a kid, I found a baby chick while I was playing in the village. It had been separated from its mother.

I had my grandpa teach me how to raise it. Me and another kid from the village, Nomar, watched over it for a while. Since I was the one to find it, the baby chick came to think of me as its parent...

Heehee... You must have really doted on that baby bird, Al.

I guess so. It would only eat from my hands, and it would follow me wherever I went. Nomar was jealous, and my sister Feinne would pout that I only ever played with the bird. It was a bit of trouble, but it was cute.

Heehee... What a pleasant memory. I can almost see it before my eyes.

Either way, I think I understand. Since you're the first thing it saw... This little bird has also come to think of you as its father. Is that right?

Yeah, I'd say you're right. It's been looking at me since we got here. It'll probably follow me just like the baby bird from my childhood.

Just like this...

Huh?

Kreh...

Kreeehhh!

Wh-What's wrong?!

Hmm. I wonder what's the matter? I was positive it thought you were its father...

B-But... Wait a second...

Little bird. I'm not your mother. This man here, Al, he's your father. Strictly speaking, I suppose he's not your real father either.

Kreeehh!

Does this mean... The bird doesn't think I'm its father... It thinks you're its mother?!

That can't be right! H-How did that happen?!

I mean, it's totally ignoring me... And it's really taken up with you.

Maybe since you have wings too, it mistook you for its mother instead of me. Even if it saw me first!

What?!

This has grown into quite the problem...

Huh? Why do you say that?

I've never raised a bird like you have, Al. I have no idea how to raise a chick like this. I don't want to become an irresponsible mother, either.

This chick needs to learn more about the dangers of the world. It shouldn't see me as its mother just because I can fly, too. I can understand if it's just because of imprinting. But if not, that changes everything.

Now we've gone full circle...

Little bird. I cannot become your mama. Please search for your real mother.

Kr-Kreh?! Kreh kreh...

Pout and cry all you like. What's decided is decided.

C'mon, Mistrare... It's just a little newborn chick.

No matter the circumstances, a living thing separated from its parents has but two paths. It can die, or it can survive by its own strength. If I lend it a hand now, I will have to continue to raise it. That's nothing worthy of praise.

I suppose you're right... But you can't say that any one of us could survive completely alone, right? These kinds of things are fated to be. In times like this, I don't think it's wrong to lend a hand.

But Al...

I understand your concern too, Mistrare. Maybe we could at least help it look for its mother?

......

I suppose you're right. We could do that much, at least.

Kreh... Kreh!

Haha! The little thing seems happy, too.

I don't care how happy it acts, I'm not going to give it any motherly kindness.

Kreh...

Even if we say we're going to help it look for its mother... Where do we even start?

Good question. It would help to have a little more information about this little bird. I have an acquaintance Ratchett. I bet she's knowledgeable about this kind of thing.

She should be at Palsifal Palace. Let's go there and speak with her.

Understood. Let's head to Palsifal Palace.

Even if it's just a chick...there's no way we could bring a bird this big into the palace.

You're right. Even though it was just born, there's no way we could hide the fact that it looks like a monster.

I guess we have no choice...

Stay here and wait quietly until we get back.

Kreh?!

Kreh! Kreh kreh!

H-Hey, calm down!

I give up... It's throwing a tantrum.

If you don't do as you're told, I suppose we have no choice.

Shall we say our goodbyes here?

Kreh?!

Kreh... Kreh!

Ah... It's doing as you say. Just like a mother and child.

This is no time to joke, Al. It'll be trouble if it continues to follow us around forever. We've got to return it to its mother. Let's get some more information, and search for the bird's mother.

Would it be all that bad to be nice to it just a little?

I see. Considering its appearance and its cry, I can only guess that this bird is...

You've got an idea, Ratchett?

I can't be sure but after listening to your explanation I assume that the bird is... A baby Flame Eater.

A Flame Eater?

I knew it had to be a Flame Eater chick!

What kind of monster is that?

It's quite a rare monster. I've never seen one with my own eyes. There isn't a lot of information about them, either. They're considered a legendary bird.

A legendary bird... What are the stories about it?

Long ago, it was believed to be an immortal bird that would be reborn endlessly, even if it were to die. That's why, in the East it is often sold at high prices as an ingredient for traditional Eastern medicine.

An immortal bird that is endlessly reborn... That is quite an unbelievable story.

However, this merits recording down as a kind of folk legend...

Oh, are you interested in folk legends and those sorts of things?

I'm not sure if I could call it an interest... I was responsible for recording family histories, daily affairs and things like that in my home town.

The legend of this winged Flame Eater may somehow relate to the history of the Winged People.

The Winged People, huh...

I have to admit, I too was surprised when I first saw you, Mistrare. I remember reading in a book about people with wings, but I never thought I would actually meet such a person.

I see. Those on this continent have stories of my people, then. I'm very curious about how we are portrayed. Once we've taken care of this baby bird business, would you mind if I came and spoke with you again?

But of course! You're welcome to come by any time.

Thank you very much. I will be sure to bring you a nice present in return.

Hey, Ratchett. Would you happen to know where Flame Eaters are supposed to live, or anything like that?

Unfortunately, this is all the information I have.

Sorry that I couldn't be of more help.

No, just learning what kind of monster it is has been a big help. Thanks.

I'm glad to hear it. I'll try and gather as much information as possible.

Heeey! You can come on out now.

Huh? There's no response. Maybe it won't come out unless it hears your voice, Mistrare.

What a troublesome chick...

We've returned. Come on out.

That's strange... I don't sense it around here.

Huh? It's gone!

Oh no!

Al... Do you think...

Huh? What is it?

Perhaps it realized the situation it was in, and decided to venture off alone.

No way! I really don't think it would grow up so quickly...

If that's the case, there's no need for us to search for it any longer. This is the proper, natural course of events.

Wait a minute... No matter how you put it, I'm sure it wouldn't be able to set off on its own so quickly.

I think it's more likely that it got lonely, and is out lost looking for you, Mistrare.

Absurd... Surely even a baby chick wouldn't get itself lost looking for me?

Those two guys from before... Do you really think it's okay to just let them go?

Huh?

Mistrare, did you hear that just now?!

I did! It seems our baby chick has been abducted by two suspicious men.

If they know about Eastern medicine and the Flame Eater chick, that means...

Just like Ratchett said, they're planning on selling it in the East.

That sounds like trouble. We've got to hurry and capture the culprits, or they'll be long gone.

Indeed. Their plan is to sell that chick in the East. We have to capture the kidnappers before they leave the central continent.

If the kidnappers want to leave the central continent for the East, they have to catch a boat from Acteul. We'll catch them before they can!

Yes, let's head to Acteul!

Stop fightin'! Get on the friggin' boat!

Kreh! Krehh!

Tch... Guess I'm gonna have to pluck a few feathers.

Hey, don't do too much damage ya hear?! We're gonna sell this thing for a premium.

Heh... I'm just gonna poke its wing a little and make sure the little bird can't fly.

Kreh?! Kreeeeeh!

Stop right there!

You! Let go of that bird!

And who're you supposed to be?!

I... I am the temporary guardian of that bird! It is not meant to go to the East. I will return it to its mother that is surely waiting for it.

That's why you will return that chick to me.

Hmph! What a load of horse turds! If you ain't tryin' to get hurt too, you best get outta here!

Hey, wait a minute. That girl... She's got wings coming outta her back!

Whoa! You're right! I've never seen anyone like that! She's gotta be 10... No, at least 50 times more valuable than a Flame Eater baby!

What the...?!

This is great! Who'd have thought this Flame Eater baby would bring us one gold egg after the next!

What are you planning on doing with Mistrare?!

Hehe... It's obvious ain't it? We're gonna sell her along with this Flame Eater!

You want to make me into medicine, too?! This Eastern continent must be a truly frightening place!

I, uh...don't think that's what they mean.

Don't be so sure! With 40 thousand years of traditional Eastern medicine, the possibilities are endless!

Are you serious?!

Doesn't matter to me, just keep your trap shut and come with us!

Tch... So they've brought a monster!

Seems it will be difficult to reason with them any further. I guess we have no choice...

Let's go, Al! We're getting back that bird!

Right! There's no way we're letting these guys take it!

Whaaaaat?!

How'd you win so easily?!

Well then... We've won. Hurry up and hand over the chick.

C'mon now, lady! Don't give me that face! We'll forget about you this time.

Of course you will. And you'll forget about that bird and hand it over...

Once we sell this Flame Eater, we'll give you a cut of the profits! How's that sound?!

What did you just say...?

You think we'll let you get away with that?!

You said you're its guardians, right? That means you found it first. So we'll give you half... I mean, two-thirds of the cut! So how about it? Wanna join up with us?

...... How could you...

Mistrare?

How could you say something so crass! I can keep silent no longer! What kind of mother would sell off their own child?!

Ahhhhhhh!

I can't take it a second longer! Hurry up and hand over my child! I will never forgive you for hurting my baby! What do you think you've done?!

W-Wait! C-Calm down! We'll hand it over, all right! J-Just spare our lives!

H-Hey! We worked hard to get this valuable thing! If we give it up now, we'll never have another chance like this again!

You, over there... Are you saying a little coin is worth more than your life?

N-No, you've got me all wrong! We're done with this bird! We'll go find another baby Flame Eater in the Corinda Plains!

I don't think he's learned his lesson...

I agree with you, Al.

Which would mean...

Waah! I'm sorry! That was just a slip of the tongue!

Hey! Just go on and give up! We're going back to the East!

Tch... Fine! We'll never hunt for baby Flame Eaters ever again!

I'll believe you this time. I expect you won't break your promise, otherwise no matter where you are... we will find you...

O-Of course! W-Well then... Let's get outta here!

Wait. Before you leave, I want to ask you a question.

Eek?! Wh-What is it?

A moment ago, you said you would look for baby Flame Eaters in the Corinda Plains. Why there?

W-Why? Among our friends in the east, it's common knowledge to search for baby Flame Eaters in the Corinda Plains...

What do you mean by that?

No matter where they're born, Flame Eaters always make for the Corinda Plains. It's a famous story in parts of the East...

We were originally planning on searching for them there.

But on our way to the Corinda Plains, we got lucky and ran into this one...

And ran off with it... I see. Go on, then. I won't keep you any longer.

Th-Thank you!

Well then... We seem to have avoided danger this time.

Kreh! Kreh, krehh!

H-Hey... Don't get all excited like that. First we need to make sure you haven't been hurt.

Kreh, kreh!

Hahaha! It seems really happy to see you.

Kreh kreh!

Hmph... It seems you're not hurt. There's nothing else to worry about, then.

I'm glad your precious child hasn't been hurt, Mistrare.

Ch-Child?! What do you mean?! This chick is not my child!

Just a minute ago, you said so yourself, Mistrare. "Hand over my child!" I think you said.

I...um... I may have said as much, but that was simply a figure of speech!

C'mon, don't be shy...

Aren't there more important things to worry about right now?! If what those two said is true, we might be able to find its real mother...

Good idea. It's certainly worth a shot.

I'm so glad you're safe...

Kreh!

I'll only say this once. But I was just worried as your temporary guardian, nothing else! My job is to get you back to your real mother. That's it... Understand?

Kreh...?

......

Well then... Let's get going. We're off to Corinda Plains... Don't stray off too far, okay?

Hmm... It doesn't seem like there are any Flame Eaters around here. I figured the mother would have come here searching for it...

Those hooligans' information may have been wrong. Or it may have all been nonsense...

Either way, we're in a bit of a rut.

Let's look around a little more. If we wait, the mother might just come looking.

Yes... I suppose you're right.

You've got to try your best to look for your own mother too, you know?

Kreh? Kreh!

Hmph. I'm not entirely convinced you understand...

We've searched here and there, and waited for quite a while now... But we haven't seen even one feather of a Flame Eater anywhere.

Yeah. If there aren't even traces of them, that must mean...

Kreh?

Little bird. We couldn't find a trace of your mother. You should at least act a little sadder.

Kreh? Kreh kreh, krehhh.

H-Hey, wait. Don't rub up against me like that...

I think it might really think you're its real mom now, Mistrare.

Huh?

I'm not talking about imprinting, or the fact that you have wings, too.

Wh-Why then? I haven't done anything particularly special for it...

That's not true. You've loved it, protected it, and treated it with care. All because you're you, Mistrare.

Kreh!

Little bird...

......

Hmph... What a troublesome chick.

Kreh?

I suppose it would be impractical to call you little bird forever.

I have to think of a name for you...

Mistrare!

Don't mistake my intentions. I simply want to give it a temporary name until we can return it to its real mother. Just a nickname of sorts. Kind of like how I call you Al instead of Aldo.

Are you saying Al is just a temporary nickname for me?

Of course not.

Sometime ago I read somewhere that you should call those you wish to get closer to a nickname.

Huh...? Mistrare?

It's nothing. I was just talking to myself.

Well then... What shall I call you? You're a Flame Eater, after all...

Kreeeeh!

Huh?!

That cry just now!

Oh... Could it be...?

That is without a doubt...a full-grown Flame Eater. I suppose our information was correct. I'm glad that we could find your real mother.

Go on then. Return to your mother. This is where we say goodbye.

Kreh...?

Go on, look... She looks just like you. That is your mother. I'm sure she was worried and came to look for you... A mother's beloved, lost child.

Kreh! Kreh kreh!

Hey, are you listening? You're supposed to look over there!

I think it's saying it doesn't want to be separated from you, Mistrare.

......

You really are a troublesome chick till the very end...

Kreh! Kreh!

Kreeeh!

It doesn't matter how you cry... I can't do anything else for you. The one you're supposed to depend on is over there. Not me.

That's why...

That's why I must say goodbye.

Kreh?! Kreh...

Mistrare...

This is how it must be. If it can be happy with its real mother, that's enough for me...

Kreh... Kreh?

That's right... That is your real mother.

Kreh kreh!

Hurry up and fly to her... Depend on her!

Huh?!

Th-That's...

Wh-What's going on here?! What was that just now?!

Ah... That child... She's engulfing in flames! Why... Why would she do that to her own child?!

How dare you...

How dare you do that to my beloved child!

Hey, Mistrare!

Even if you're its real mother, I can never forgive you!

Wait, Mistrare!

Why are you stopping me?! I have to help that child!

Something's off here! Take a look at the chick!

Huh?

Wh-What's this?! It's come back...to life?!

Kreeeeeh!

What's going on here? The little baby bird has gotten pretty big...

...... Being reborn after becoming engulfed in flames... It's just like the legend Ratchett told us about.

Perhaps it is a rite of passage to becoming a full-grown adult bird.

What do you mean?

An elder of the same species sets fire to a chick, encouraging its first rebirth... Just like this, once the chick overcomes this trial, it is reborn into an adult bird. The reason Flame Eaters gather here is because this is the place where they conduct this rite of passage.

The reason the Flame Eater flew away and left this one here, is because she saw that it had become an adult... Or so I think.

She may or may not have been this one's real mother.

I see...

Which means... This child has grown into a full adult.

It has no reason to cling to me and cry out any longer...

Mistrare...

Huh? It seems like it wants to say something to us...

Is it telling us to come over to it?

This is where Flame Eaters set off on their journey. It really is time to say goodbye.

I see... So it's going to leave.

Al... Let's go. I want to see it leave the nest with my own eyes.

Yeah... Me too. Let's get down from here.

Was that a greeting just now? Have fun and enjoy life! Be careful out there.

......

Little bird... Return to your own world.

Goodbye... My little child...

They grow up so fast... I'm kind of sad.

Really...?

We took care of it since the day it was born. Of course I'd grow attached to it.

That's all the more reason to be glad to see it set off as an adult.

I suppose you're right... But how are you feeling, Mistrare?

Naturally, I'm fine. That child returned to where it was meant to be... That's all.

O-Of course... I'm not...feeling sad...

Or anything like that... *sniffle* *sob*

Y-You look like you're bawling your eyes out to me!

I-I'm not crying! I'm just s-sweating! That's it... It's...quite hot isn't it?!

You're sweating...from your eyes?!

Don't worry about that! If I say it's sweat...that means it's sweat!

That sounds pretty unlikely to me...

But it's not like I don't understand. Of course you would be sad to see it go.

I-I've never felt my chest grow so tight before...

It's so embarrassing, but the tears won't stop... Wh-What am I supposed to do?! *sniff*... Waaaaah!

I was pretty sad when the little bird I raised left the nest, too. So I think I understand what you're feeling...

*sniff* But Al... Surely you didn't... *sniff* Cry as much as this?

I did a little.

Al... How did you get over that feeling?

My grandpa made dinner for me that night. He insisted it would be delicious, and it was. With a full belly and a good night's sleep, I felt fine the next morning!

*sniff* I feel like I made a mistake asking you...

Hahaha, maybe so. Everyone's different. Mistrare, maybe you should try just crying as much as you want to cry.

Y-Yeah... Maybe I'll... *sniff* Do just that...

I've *sniffle* got to pull myself together... Must...record...this...*sob* As a winged person myself... raising the Flame Eater was a precious experience that I must keep. *sniffle* I must write this new history for the Winged People... A history that I made myself!

But *sniff* This was a truly valuable if unexpected experience... Perhaps this is one important cornerstone of the history of the Winged People. However... *sniff* I still need to record it... *sob*

Haha... Seems like you're going to be down for a little while.

I can't take it! I-I'm just...

So sad...!