Las fell flat on his back, his wide eyes locked on the colossal eagle towering above him.
The creature stood tall—muscular, perfectly proportioned, like a divine being descended from the heavens.
The entire room froze in shock.
The eagle's piercing gaze swept across everyone, carrying both admiration and a sense of solemn duty. Then, in a deep, heroic voice, he spoke:
"Icarus."
"My name is Icarus. I hail from the Celestial Kingdom. I owe you my deepest thanks for tending to my body and healing my wounds. I'm sorry for the troubles I've brought upon you."
Grov stepped forward, his movements hesitant, his head lowered in awkward respect. His voice was quiet but firm:
"What we did… we did because of our values—our beliefs. They shape who we are. If we betrayed them, we'd be no different from the Black Wolves."
Icarus lowered his head, his sharp eyes falling on the belt around his waist. His hands moved quickly, fumbling as he searched for something—his precious papyrus.
Before he could find it, Sifu stepped forward. From his own belt, the old turtle drew the rolled parchment, holding it firmly between his fingers.
"Is this what you're looking for?" he asked, his voice calm yet stern, extending his hand.
Relief washed over Icarus's face. He stretched out his massive hand and gently took the papyrus, wrapping it with care in his powerful grip.
But the moment was shattered.
The howls and growls of the Black Wolves echoed through the air, sharper and louder, filling the room with terror and dread.
"AAWOOOO!"
"AAAWOOOOOOO!"
"AAAWOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Eli clutched her ears in pain, while Roza and Carol rushed to her side in panic.
Las suddenly thrust his hand upward, his young face blazing with determination.
"We'll fight them! And we'll win—because we're the best!"
Sifu snapped his head around, glaring at him furiously. Without hesitation, he slammed his staff straight down on Las's head.
"OWWWWW!" Las burst into tears, clutching the growing lump on his forehead.
"Stop hitting me with that staff!"
But Sifu's voice thundered with irritation.
"I won't stop until that monkey brain of yours finally learns to think with wisdom!"
Las gritted his teeth, puffing his cheeks like a child.
"Oh yeah?! Then I'll wear a helmet made of steel! Let's see you hit me then, old turtle!"
"…Old what?" Sifu froze, his eyes twitching with rage.
Meanwhile, Icarus closed his eyes and let out a booming laugh, unable to resist the ridiculous sight of Sifu beating on Las while the boy cried dramatically.
Amid the chaos, Grov stepped forward toward Icarus, his face serious.
"Tell us what we must do… They'll destroy the city."
Icarus looked at Grov, a quiet optimism burning in his eyes.
"Light is stronger than darkness. Put your faith in the light—and in its power."
Grov blinked, baffled, his face twisting with confusion. He didn't quite grasp the meaning, but the words lingered like a bell's echo.
Meanwhile, Las was still squabbling with Sifu when he suddenly blurted out:
Las: "I'll save the city! I'll fight the darkness that's smothering the light!"
Sifu bristled, veins popping on his forehead.
Sifu: "Where did you hear that, monkey-head?!"
Las: "I don't know—it just… came to me!"
Icarus stiffened, surprised, and fell silent for a few heartbeats. Then he moved—each heavy step shook the clinic floor—as he approached Las from behind.
Las glanced back and froze at the sight: the giant eagle, full three meters tall.
Icarus laid a large, gentle hand on the boy's shoulder.
Icarus: "Do not fear, young monkey. Be brave and courageous—just as you are now."
He extended his other hand, offering the papyrus like a sacred gift.
Icarus: "Las, take it—and guard it with your life."
Las accepted it with both hands, clutching it tight, as if holding something holy.
Las: "I'll guard it with my life."
Outside, the Black Wolves' howls swelled again—followed by the hard, cracking thunder of shotguns.
Grov (anxious): "We don't have much time."
Icarus picked up the empty golden cylinder that once housed the papyrus and, with a subtle motion, sealed it using a secret technique. He chuckled, casting a playful, ironic glance around the ward.
Icarus: "Let the wolves waste their strength trying to open… an empty cylinder."
He turned to leave the clinic. Dizzy but determined, Eli pushed herself up and approached him.
Eli: "Will we see you again?"
Icarus smiled.
Icarus: "Yes. Do not be afraid—have faith."
Icarus stepped out of the clinic. With a single motion, he spread his wings wide—golden feathers shimmering with streaks of crimson. The rhythmic beat of his wings sent ripples through the air, as if the sky itself answered his call.
One by one, everyone spilled out of the clinic behind him. Their eyes widened at the sight. Around the building, thousands of animals had gathered, staring in awe and fear at the colossal eagle. The very air felt heavy, charged with reverence.
Icarus's gaze fell upon Las. For a heartbeat, his eyes softened…
(FLASHBACK )
It was late afternoon. The sun bathed the world in golden hues, painting the sky with a nostalgic, dreamlike glow.
A young Icarus, only ten years old, sat beneath the shade of a great tree. Before him stretched a vast meadow, dotted with blossoms and tall trees swaying in the warm breeze. Behind him loomed the silent ruins of an ancient, forgotten civilization—colossal statues of eagle-warriors clad in mysterious armor, their stone faces gazing into eternity.
Suddenly, a thunderous beat of wings shattered the stillness. A massive white eagle, draped in a shimmering golden chiton inscribed with unknown ancient symbols, descended from the skies. The earth trembled as the mighty bird landed before young Icarus, its presence radiating both divinity and power.
Icarus stared with wide-eyed curiosity at the mysterious figure before him.
-Ikarus - unknown language
«Πάτερ, τί εστίν τὸ φως;»
(English):
"Father… what is the light?
-Ikarus father -
Το φώς, ω τέκνον, εστὶν η δύναμις τής ηπάρξεως ημων· ωπλον εστίν εναντίον του σκότους.»
(English language)
"The light, my son, is the power of our very existence; it is the weapon against the darkness."
-Ikarus father -
(Ημέραν ποτὲ εκ της γης αναβήσεται τις, φως φέρων τοσο τον εσχυρὸν, ωστε διαφθερειν τὸ σκότος τὸ επὶ του ουρανοῦ κειμενον.)
(English language)
"One day, from the earth shall rise someone, bearing a light so powerful that it will destroy the darkness spread across the sky."
-Ikarus-
«Ου συνίημι
English
I don't understand."
The Father laughed softly, his voice echoing like thunder wrapped in warmth.
«Οοχὶ σήμερον·
Αλλ' αμέραν ποτὲ μάλιστα συνήσεις ἃ λέγω.»
-Inglis language -
"Not today…
But one day—surely—you will understand what I mean."
(PRESENT)
Icarus's lips curved into a gentle smile, his golden feathers catching the light.
With a voice full of warmth and joy, he whispered:
«Νην καταβαίνω τί ελεγες, πάτερ
English language
"Now… I finally understand what you meant, Father."
Las tilted his head, hearing Icarus murmuring to himself in a strange language.
Las (thinking, puzzled): "What language even is that…?"
Icarus spread his colossal wings, their golden-red feathers blazing under the sun. He turned his head one last time, gazing at them all.
Icarus: "Have faith in the light."
With a tremendous leap, he launched himself into the skies. The ground shook as dust and wind exploded outward, blasting everything back.
Las clutched the papyrus tightly as he and the others looked on in awe. Above them, Icarus soared, tearing through the air with incredible speed. His massive wings cast vast shadows across the city, while shafts of sunlight pierced through the gaps in his feathers like holy beams.
All of Rock City's creatures looked up at the sky—some trembling in fear, others staring in reverence.
Voices in the crowd:
"He's a god…"
"What kind of being is that?!"
Among the throng stood Piu, Skav, and Vroom, their eyes glued to the majestic eagle.
Skav (shouting, shocked): "Ehh?! Look at the way he's flying!"
Vroom and Piu glanced at each other, their faces turning comically cartoonish as they shouted in unison:
"Wooooooowwwww!!!"
The Marshal and the Black Wolves raised their eyes to the sky, watching the colossal eagle soar above Rock City.
The Marshal let out a low, mocking laugh, his gaze fixed on the magnificent bird.
Icarus swept past the towering walls of the city, wings blazing in the sun, before angling downward toward the Black Wolves gathered below. His sharp eyes locked onto the Marshal.
In the next instant, he plummeted—like a meteor falling from the heavens. The impact thundered through the earth, exploding into a shockwave that hurled soil, stone, and Black Wolves alike into the air.
The Marshal, however, did not flinch. He stood unmoving, arms crossed, as the gale tore at him. His crimson cape whipped violently in the storm, flaring out like blood suspended in the air.
The Marshal's eyes burned with hatred, his voice dripping with mockery.
Marshal: "Well, well… you look just fine, chicken."
Icarus narrowed his gaze, a sly smirk tugging at his beak.
Icarus: "I wouldn't say the same for you… puppy."
The Marshal's face twisted with rage. With a sharp motion, he drew a jagged blade from his belt, its steel glinting menacingly under the light.
His voice thundered with hatred and fury as he pointed it toward Icarus:
Marshal: "Bring me the papyrus… NOW!