Broken Wings [c]

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Slumbering pools of amber awoke from the dull warmth of the setting sun casted upon them. Sinking beneath the horizon the fleeting light would not bless the forest dweller much longer. Picking himself up from beneath the towering trees Tovadelen had been sleeping beneath. Silent the woods watched the young man rise to his feet. It was evident to him that something was amiss when he could not hear the songbirds last hymns of the day. Taking up his spear to brace himself for conflict. Vanishing quickly into the entangling thickets and endless passages. Footsteps boundless as he navigated through the lost woods. From the boundary between Hyrule to the heart of the forest Tovadelen searched. Calling upon the forest spirits but even they would not answer the child of the forest. Tovadelen could hear his heart beat within his breast. Heavy breathes expelled with each huff of air. Exhausting himself in his search of the woods. Catching his breathe his thoughts raced. In days of old the forest never fell silent, filled with deku, kokori and wild beasts. It was only within recent years that darkness began to spread throughout Hyrule. Reaching even the depths of the Lost Woods. Dark beasts and foul apparitions now preying upon those who dwell in the forest. Each day the domain of the lost woods was starting to diminish. It was taking all his effort to protect the woods. Willing to give the very life the forest saved all those years ago.

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Hear my shapeless songs i'm singing and painting this morning light, bit by bit, hoping I'd get to that summer sky. I'm feeling alright I can see your palm reaching out to mine. ---In the orange sky, there is glowing fireflies.

Radiating heat clung to the skin of the young Rito; the red rock she walked upon acting like a mirror to the blazing fire in the sky, and yet she didn't appear uncomfortable in the slightest, as if she preferred the scorching element to its parallel extreme. 

Emerald hues met the gaze of another, their attention held on the male in front of her as he gestured to the map in front of him. It was a detailed manifestation of their territory and a few branches outwards. These were the skies they owned. 

"There have been alot of sightings of beasts expanding from their dens. Wolfos no longer stick to the forests and are a current threat," he recited to her rolling up the hide map to hand it to her, "Just identify any collection of them and come back here with the information." 

This was her assignment, and was something she had grown used to over the past few years. After giving a slight nod in response, she left the stone and clay tent and walked across to the cliff side. This was her home, a village among the valleys and gorges next to death mountain. She was right aware of the dwelling Goron below, and Humans in the lands to the west, but her people did not acknowledge them or allow them sanctuary amongst their tribe. 

Children and mothers gathered their food, men hunted for their meat, and together they worked to continue to build their community. It had been this way for decades and will continue further on. This was their way. 

..But it was not her way.

Stepping of the cliff, her strong feathered wings expanded from between her shoulder blades and carried her from the rock. This is what she enjoyed. The cooling sensation of the wind against her face and the weariness of her body after hours of flight. But most of all she just enjoyed seeing the world with her own eyes.  Like this she was able to see the world the way she wanted to. From the humans that traveled on their steeds, to the Dodongo that nested in the shades of the caverns they called home. It was far more welcoming than their chief, -- her father --, made it out to be.

Circling her mark for a while she perched on a extended tree branch. She glanced over the array of trees that made up the outer edge of the Lost Woods, glancing over any sign of the beasts mentioned. Though it was dead in appearance, the branch surface still held up enough for her weight for her to quickly use her charcoal pencil and mark her survey. But when she tried to take off, the branch snapped, gravity taking wind and pushing her down. One feathered wing expanded, trying to still her fall but the other caught on a tree limb and she was unable to gain her balance. 

Swiftly she fell, though it felt like an eternity for the young Rito. The height of her fall was significant, and she tried to stifle her fall, which came at a dire cost. Pain erupted into her spine, and what once moved easily, no longer did. Brows furrowed, she lifted her torso from the ground, her attempt to stand only foiled by the sheer discomfort she experienced. 

She was unable to fly. 

@laeust // Notes:

MADE BY NOVA

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From absolute silence the lost woods drowned in sound, fibers of ancient bark snapping beneath the weight of that which did not belong. Tovandeln feet bound from roots to fell timber. Extending his hand, readying his spear as he heaved it forward. Splitting through the air straight towards the fallen invader. It would make its mark in a flash of light. Piercing through the wooden bark of the tree that broke the birbs fall. Reaching the side of the fallen angel the guardian of the forest removed his spear from the sheathe of the earth. The forest deafening with noise as the birds sang, wind moving the top of the trees, branches crackling underfoot. Keeping the spear not far from him he turned his head to investigate the injured creature. The devastating fall had taken a toll on the Rito. " Are you able to move ? " Inquired the young man in the Hylian dialect, hoping the language would bridge the gap in communication. Never had he seen a human with wings nor such a wonderful color decorating her strands of hair. Kneeling beside the creature, investigating her damaged wings. Pulling the orange cloth from his armor and draping it around her injured appendages. " You can't remain here." Knowing his warning attack upon the tree would not keep the beasts away from the wounded prey. If she attempted to move the young man would use his shoulder and strength to support the Rito. Protecting the injured creature much like the Deku had saved him when his birth parents left them behind within these very woods. Never would he have seen the light of day without them. Now was his time to repay that kindness.

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Hear my shapeless songs i'm singing and painting this morning light, bit by bit, hoping I'd get to that summer sky. I'm feeling alright I can see your palm reaching out to mine. ---In the orange sky, there is glowing fireflies.

“Are you able to move?”

Whispered words filled her vacant ears; a frightened gaze meeting one with concern. She recognized his words, as well as his race, --knowing his clear intentions of helping. Her head was foggy, muscles screaming, and voice was weak as she tried to answer.

“I think so..” was all she could muster as the little bird attempted to stand once more. Her balance was off, depicted clearly by her inability to stand straight or without reaching out for the stranger next to her. It was painful, and the motion of her wings folding only made it worse as cartilage grinded against bone.

Her weight was supported by the stranger, the pain reduced and she was able to stumble forward. He was right, they couldn’t stay here, but she was unclear of where to go. She felt panicked, undecided about how to get back home. There was miles worth of cliffs and forest separating her and the warmth of her red rock.

Wide eyes with furrowed brows met the amber gaze of her recent met companion. She had no answers for him, and her face grew pale. She knew the beasts of the forest lurked here, and if she wasn’t careful she would be devoured.

@laeust // Notes:

MADE BY NOVA

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Petite feet found the strength to support herself with his aid. Lifting up the small creature, collecting his weapon with a sleight of hand. Upon the distant horizon shadows danced, the howls of Wolfos approaching filled the quiet forest. Guiding the pair forward with all his effort. Bringing them through a labyrinth of hollowed trees and forgotten meadows. Passing through a narrow passage between sharp branches and needles, nearly to large to fit between the defense as they made it beyond the barrier. A small village of the forest deku residing here as the small species peeked out from beyond their foraged homes. What stranger had Tovandeln brought to their small forest domain. Isolated from the world they did not have guests from beyond the lost woods. " Do not be afraid, they are friendly. " Deku scrubs approaching the duo, speaking in their native tongue. Tovandeln clicking in response to them before they scurried away. Fetching herbs for him, returning quickly as he took a better glance at the damage done to her wings. Having stopped the bleeding earlier the wounds needed to mend on their own. With the aid of medicinal herbs it wouldn't be long. " Do you have a name little bird ?"  Tovandeln asked to distract her as he took grounded herbs and mixed it with flesh and blood. Applying it directly upon the source of her affliction. Wrapping the rest of her wing in cloth until there was nothing more he could do to help her. Eyes of crimson now focused on the expression and words of the bird. Being this close to her reminded him of the goddesses of legend. Such beauty radiating from the noble rito.

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Hear my shapeless songs i'm singing and painting this morning light, bit by bit, hoping I'd get to that summer sky. I'm feeling alright I can see your palm reaching out to mine. ---In the orange sky, there is glowing fireflies.

Working with him, she attempted to hobble to the best of her ability, the lack of muscle strength in her wing put strain on her equilibrium. Each step was painful and awkward, until she found her weight lifted up by the man, making their escape much easier. Together they put some distance between them and stalking beasts of the forest, transversing past tree and foliage as they entered an open space, protected by thorn and rock.

Green orbs widened as they were greeted by an array of strange looking creatures that she had never laid eyes on before, their curiosity radiating as they surrounded the two of them. Only by his words did she relax, releasing her guard as she followed him closely.

It was not normal that she had never seen or heard of such a being, and she could only come to the conclusion that they were special, and perhaps even magical. Glancing up at the man, she took notice of how he communicated with them, using a clicking method with his teeth and lips. Such a strange language.

"Yes. I am Lukate, bu--," she winced, the applied mixture sending chills up her spine, "Luka is fine," she finished understanding that not all humans could easily replicate their dialect. Though he was able to become accustomed to a language based on such a strict sound like a -click, so it was possible.

"Thank you," she offered, a soft smile trying to get past the expression of pain and discomfort.

@laeust // Notes:

MADE BY NOVA

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Little chirps of information reached his ears, finishing what little he could do to aid Lukate. Thankful to her savior the bird smiled upon him. Warmth radiating from her expression, Tovandeln asked her next what one would expect a curious child to.  Knowing that he must have been just as strange to her, speaking to the creatures of the forest in a forgotten tongue. Having never seen creatures beyond the lost woods. " You are not a Hylian are you ?" Meeting several humans and Hylians between the boundary of the forest and the fields of Hyrule. Wondering just what rested in the great beyond of the horizon. Knowing one day that he would journey beyond his home. Though leaving behind those who raised him was not such an easy feat for the forest dweller. Little conversation with others and even less with women brought forth his embarrassing comments with such bravado. " You have a really pretty feathers." Stalwart without a change of expression as he shared the truth. Playing with the lowered wingspan of the Rito for a brief moment before directing his focus upon the Deku. Many of them were shaking and clamoring about. Speaking of darkness corrupting the temple at the heart of the forest. It would explain the dark creatures being attracted to the lost woods. " You should rest here for the night. You can sleep in my bedding until your wing heals."  The Deku slept beneath the soil beneath petals and wood. Offering the bedding that he had crafted from delicate herbs and belongings collected. Much like a nest crafted from a mother bird. Knowing that he would have little use for it in the coming nights. Protecting this haven from the Wolfos and reaching the Forest Temple would demand his attention.

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Hear my shapeless songs i'm singing and painting this morning light, bit by bit, hoping I'd get to that summer sky. I'm feeling alright I can see your palm reaching out to mine. ---In the orange sky, there is glowing fireflies.

Rufous hues mirrored her glance, their intention easily conveyed as they took in her appearance with hunger, curiosity driving him to ask about her. She could not say that she was surprised, seeing as how she knew nothing of the clattering odd shaped beings that scampered around her currently.

“No, me and my people live over the mountains there, in a valley among the red rocks of death mountain,” she said pointing in what she hoped was the general direction. It was safe to assume he has seen the glinting constructs in the horizon at some point, just as she was familiar with the orchard of trees known as the lost woods.

Pale cheeks brightened, color flooding in response to his less than delicate compliment. It was not often that she received praise for her colors, as other Rito saw it as an anomaly that should be purged instead.

“T-thanks,” she stammered, her embarrassment almost leading her to miss his next instruction. But she didn’t and her expression shifted from being to shy to showing confusion and fear. She was to stay here? But what would her father think? Would they be looking for her? She always returned by sunset each day, but this would be a first, and considering how she couldn’t fly, it was probably for the best.

‘Oh I hope it heals soon,’ she thought, the anxiety of her father’s reaction to this making her dread the upcoming future. ‘He will probably never let me leave again.’

“Your bed-d,” she pushed through, stepping closer to him in question, “but where will you sleep then? I don’t want to intrude,” the bird finished her cheeks still comparable in color as the vermilion shade of her hair.

@laeust // Notes:

MADE BY NOVA

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To the south the winds must have carried her, for to the north was the red spires of Death Mountain. Knowing its hardness and danger. A journey to the fringe of the forest brought him upon a cavern. Dangers lurked inside as he set off a flower into an explosion that nearly killed him. To think though such creatures with wings exsisted beyond small birds of prey. " You must have flown from daybreak to reach the Lost Woods." Knowing the great lengths the Rito had traveled to reach this portion of Hyrule. To believe that her origin was from the horizon was awe-inspiring. Though it reinforced his intentions of the bird resting in the care of the Deku. With a confident nod he welcomed her. Inquiry of his bedding came to question. Stumbling upon her words he answered. " I need to protect the Deku Village from harm, nor can I risk you well-being. I will be guarding the forest in the twili. " Beyond small traps and the embrace of the forest the Deku had little to defend themselves. With her broken wings he imagined the Rito had little to object with. At dawn when the forest would wake he would a small window to reach the Forest Temple to purify the corruption seeking the heart of the Lost Woods. It would be a trial of his courage and strength. " After such a long journey you must be hungry though." Changing the subject for less objections, grasping a carved bowl near his bedding. Within countless berries rich in flavor and color. Taking one to his lips he plucked the green stem with his teeth and tongue before offering the berry to the smol bird. Round and red the aroma of the fresh plucked treat wafted through the grotto. Tantalizing all senses with allure he extended his hand, the berry right before her lips. " Here."

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Hear my shapeless songs i'm singing and painting this morning light, bit by bit, hoping I'd get to that summer sky. I'm feeling alright I can see your palm reaching out to mine. ---In the orange sky, there is glowing fireflies.

"Lost Woods?" she mumbled to herself, as it was a name she had never heard before. She came to the conclusion that it was probably what they called this small forest, along with the village inside. She couldn't wait to get home and tell her father of her new discovery, though she expected upon her return that she would not be allowed to leave again.

"Protect the village from wha--" she was cut off the pressure of a berry against her lips, his offer not going uneaten as she partook from his generous and rather sudden gift, "Oh, yes thank you." They were sweet, intoxicating actually and their smell tickled her senses as she chewed slowly.

A fruit not indigenous to her home, where they normally ate tough red meats and flaky fish with greens found in tall tree tops, so this was a treat to the young woman as she sat there and looked up to the stranger.

Then she came to a sudden realization; "I did not catch your name sir," she said, phrasing it as a question that hopefully he was willing to answer. She knew that she gave her's, but there was no response from him, which was uncustomary.

@laeust // Notes:

MADE BY NOVA