Chapter 18: Guardian Beast: Aetherwing
Year 0002, III Month: The Imperium
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Tenacity and A Little More
The current situation wasn't as dire as they had feared mere hours ago. Now, a glimmer of hope shone through the darkness that had engulfed them.
Aetherwing gazed down at the unconscious form of August, marveling at what could only be described as a miracle. The boy had survived injuries so severe they would have claimed the lives of most others without hesitation. His resilient spirit clung to life with remarkable tenacity.
Yet, despite his unexpected survival, August remained precariously balanced between life and death. He needed just a little more strength—a final push to tip the scales in his favor.
"He needs something more," Aetherwing thought, his ancient eyes narrowing in contemplation. "Something only I can provide."
After careful deliberation, the majestic beast made his decision. He would give the intriguing young human a small portion of his own mana and life force—just enough to ensure his survival.
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A Path to Survival and An Error
[ S Y S T E M: DETECTING FOREIGN MANA AND LIFE FORCE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER HOST'S BODY WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION.
ASCERTAINING FOREIGN ENTITY'S INTENTIONS...
INTENTION IDENTIFIED...
ENTITY 'AETHERWING' IS ATTEMPTING TO TRANSFER LIFE FORCE AND MANA TO HOST...
ERROR: FOREIGN MANA AND LIFE FORCE WILL TERMINATE HOST...
SEARCHING FOR ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS...
VIABLE ALTERNATIVE LOCATED, TRANSMITTING TO ENTITY 'AETHERWING'... ]
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An Offer, A Guardianship
Aetherwing carefully released a diluted stream of his essence—golden mana intertwined with azure life force—directing it toward the wounded boy. The energy flowed like liquid light between them, hovering just above August's chest.
Suddenly, a translucent holographic screen materialized before Aetherwing's eyes, its appearance so unexpected that even the ancient beast flinched in surprise. The runes and symbols upon it glowed with an otherworldly luminescence unlike any magic he had encountered in his countless years.
[ **S Y S T E M**: CURRENT TRANSFER PARAMETERS WILL TERMINATE HOST. ALTERNATIVE PROTOCOL IDENTIFIED. DO YOU CONSENT TO BECOME A GUARDIAN BEAST FOR HOST 'AUGUST'? {YES/NO} ]
"What is this?!" Aetherwing's mental voice thundered, though his physical form remained perfectly still.
Deep within his consciousness, shock reverberated like ripples across a still pond. This day had already brought numerous unexpected developments, but this mysterious intervention surpassed them all. For the first time in centuries, Aetherwing felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
"HOW HAVE YOU PENETRATED MY MENTAL BARRIERS?" he demanded, genuinely alarmed. Not even the most lower ranked yet powerful dragon elders could breach the formidable defenses of his mind, yet this unknown entity had done so with apparent ease.
[ ... ]
The system offered no explanation, no justification—only cold, unyielding silence.
Aetherwing exhaled slowly, his disappointment mingling with a profound realization. The world still held secrets beyond his comprehension, powers that surpassed even his considerable might. In the vast oceans of existence, he was but a small fish, unaware of the true depths that surrounded him.
"I understand," he conceded after a long moment. "Even in its diluted state, my essence would overwhelm the boy's weakened system. His injuries are too severe to withstand such power."
His gaze returned to the hovering prompt.
"A Guardian, you say? How interesting..."
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A Brief Moment of Contemplation
Aetherwing remained motionless, as still as a carved statue, seemingly lost in deep contemplation. Nearby, Gel and Erik exchanged anxious glances, their bodies tense with uncertainty.
The magnificent beast hadn't moved for several minutes, and they dared not guess at the weighty decisions likely occupying his thoughts. For all they knew, he could be deliberating their very fates.
Beads of sweat formed on their foreheads as they waited in agonizing silence. Neither dared speak, fearing the consequences of interrupting whatever sacred deliberation was underway.
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A Decision and a Duty: Two Fates Manifest
The brilliant sunset painted the sky in vibrant hues of crimson and gold, the day's light gradually surrendering to the approaching night. The world stood on the threshold between day and evening, bathed in the surreal glow of twilight.
Aetherwing had finally reached his decision. {YES}, he would accept the role of Guardian for August. The boy's remarkable spirit and resilience had ignited a spark of genuine interest within the ancient beast—a rare occurrence indeed. His curiosity demanded satisfaction, and something deeper, something he couldn't quite name, called him to this duty.
When the mysterious entity had manifested its message before him—an entity powerful enough to influence a mythical creature of Aetherwing's stature—he recognized a significant turning point. This was no ordinary happening, and August was clearly no ordinary child.
Upon his acceptance, a radiant aura of intermingled gold and azure light enveloped both Aetherwing and August's unconscious form. The energies danced and swirled around them, weaving an intricate pattern that bound their fates and souls together in ways beyond mortal understanding.
As the ritual unfolded, August's memories flooded into Aetherwing's consciousness—a kaleidoscope of experiences from an unfamiliar world and this current world. He witnessed the trials and tribulations the young human had endured throughout his short life, each hardship and triumph contributing to the remarkable spirit that had caught the beast's attention.
[ **DING!** CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE NOW A GUARDIAN BEAST » (fromREGULAR BEAST): 'THE EMPYREAN HUNTER, SKY SOVEREIGN AETHERWING.' ]
A curious sensation washed over Aetherwing—a refreshing wave of vitality that permeated his very being. He felt... stronger, somehow. More vibrant. More alive. His power doubled, no it was more than that.
How could this be? He couldn't explain the phenomenon, but the evidence was undeniable. Something fundamental had changed when he accepted his role as August's guardian. Their destinies were now irrevocably intertwined, their fates and souls bound by forces beyond even his ancient understanding.
His penetrating gaze settled upon his sleeping ward, noting with satisfaction that the shadow of death had retreated. August would live.
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Beyond this World
Gel and Erik watched in stunned amazement, their jaws slack and eyes wide with wonder. The spectacle unfolding before them defied description—a phenomenon beyond the realm of their experience. The ethereal display of light and magic seemed to belong to another world entirely.
As the luminescence gradually faded, the majestic beast turned his attention to the awestruck children, his voice resonating within their minds with unexpected gentleness.
"Children," Aetherwing communicated telepathically, "today has been filled with many wondrous firsts for me. I have experienced more novelty in these few hours than in the past century."
He glanced toward the horizon, where the sun had nearly disappeared. "I see that twilight has fallen upon us. Allow me to escort you home safely, along with your unconscious companion."
His gaze shifted to August, who remained peacefully unaware in Gel's protective lap.
"Come now and climb upon my back."
Standing at an impressive height of twenty meters doubling his previous size of ten, with a wingspan exceeding forty-two meters, Aetherwing lowered his massive form as close to the ground as physically possible. The children cautiously grasped his sturdy feathers and began the daunting climb onto his back.
Erik ascended first, then carefully pulled August's limp form upward while Gel provided support from below. Observing their struggle, Aetherwing subtly employed his wind magic, creating an invisible current that lightened their burden just enough to ease their efforts.
By the time they secured themselves atop his back, the children were breathing heavily from the exertion. Once settled, Gel spoke without thinking.
"Mr. Aetherwing, sir... would it be possible to take the Boarat with us back to the village?" she asked hesitantly. "It's only about five kilometers southwest from here—a small settlement called Maya. It's quite hidden; I doubt we're anywhere near my original home."
Aetherwing considered her request thoughtfully, but before he could respond—
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A Human Misconception
Gel suddenly realized the potential impropriety of her request. Had she spoken so casually to other beings of power, her life might have been forfeit for such presumption. Neither child was aware that Aetherwing held little regard for such trivial matters of etiquette.
Erik gasped audibly at her boldness, leaning close to whisper urgently in her ear, his face pale with anxiety.
"Are you mad?" he hissed. "You can't just make demands of him like that!"
Comprehension dawned on Gel's face, the blood draining from her cheeks as fear took hold.
"Oh! I'm terribly sorry, sir!" she exclaimed, mortified. "Please forgive my rudeness! I didn't mean to sound like I was ordering you... it just seemed a shame to leave August's hard earned kill behind, especially after he nearly died obtaining it..."
She bowed repeatedly, nearly prostrating herself across the beast's back. "Please forgive me! Forget I said anything..."
Aetherwing observed her panic with quiet amusement. These young humans had already formed assumptions about his temperament—assumptions that couldn't be further from the truth.
"Be at ease, child," he projected gently. "I took no offense at your words. There is nothing to forgive, for no transgression occurred. In fact, I was already considering agreeing to your request when you jumped to conclusions about my response."
Without turning his head, he strode toward the massive Boarat carcass, his movements graceful despite his enormous size.
"Now, let us depart this place and return you to your home."
With remarkable ease, he grasped the Boarat's body in his right talon, his size allowing him to encompass the beast completely. Unfurling his magnificent wings, he channeled magic beneath them to generate additional lift.
With one powerful downstroke, they soared hundreds of feet into the air, the children clinging desperately to his feathers. Anticipating their fear, Aetherwing had already enveloped them in a protective barrier of wind magic that ensured they would remain securely in place throughout the journey.
He chose a leisurely pace, seeing no need for haste given the relatively short distance. They maintained a moderate altitude, high enough to provide a stunning view yet low enough to easily identify their destination.
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The Short Journey Home
After several minutes of flight, Gel narrowed her eyes against the gathering darkness. She pointed toward a small clearing nestled between two imposing mountains, where the faint silhouettes of wooden structures came into view.
The journey proved remarkably brief, requiring only a few additional minutes of flight at Aetherwing's casual pace. He hadn't even employed magical enhancement to their speed, relying solely on his natural capabilities.
Upon reaching the village circle, he gently released the massive Boarat's carcass in the middle of the village. A thunderous thud echoed through the settlement as the three-ton beast impacted the ground, likely alerting the two guest children who were left in the village to their arrival.
With equal care, Aetherwing used his wind magic to lift the children from his back and lower them gently to the earth, mindful of August's still-unconscious state.
Before departing, his keen senses detected trembling presences within one of the nearby dwellings—two more children, hiding in fear at the unexpected arrival of such a formidable creature.
He directed one final telepathic message to Gel and Erik. "This is farewell for now, young ones. I shall return in due time, but I must now make my way back to my nest. My mate is likely to grow concerned at my extended absence."
The children could only nod, still overwhelmed by their first experience of flight and everything else that had transpired on this extraordinary day.
"Do not worry," Aetherwing added reassuringly. "I dwell northeast of here, upon one of the highest peaks of the Great Caldera's mountain range."
His gaze drifted to the distant horizon, where his mate and their unhatched eggs awaited his return. Though he had been absent for merely days, a deep longing to rejoin his family tugged at his heart.
The distance he spoke of would seem vast to these small humans, yet to one who commanded the skies as he did, it was but a short journey.
Before taking flight, Aetherwing cast one final glance at August's peaceful form, a curious sense of connection stirring within his ancient heart. Then, with a powerful beat of his magnificent wings, he launched himself skyward, vanishing swiftly into the deepening twilight.
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Their paths had crossed, and now their fates were intertwined—a bond that would shape the destiny of both guardian and ward in ways neither could yet imagine.
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