Then lets be friends, Emile said as he struggled to right himself. You look like youre struggling up there, so why not let us help you think?
Mary blinked at Emile and dropped him onto the ground, causing him to squawk as he fell on his head.
Susan cleared her throat and smiled at Mary. Can you put down gently? Im sure soone as powerful as you can control their strength.
A faint smile appeared on Marys lips as she placed Susan onto her shoulder. She picked Emile up and hugged him, bringing him to her chest. Her head lowered and the twos gazes t. You should be more like this one, Mary said and pointed at Susan. My na is Mary. I can think perfectly fine by myself when I have to.
Im Emile, Emile said. One wing popped free from Marys hug, and he gestured towards the phoenix sitting on Marys shoulder. Shes my sister, Susan. His wing covered Marys gauntlet as he lowered it. It seems like youre pretty strong. What are you doing out here all by yourself?
Mary patted Emiles head, causing his face to cramp. Even though she was wearing tal armor, she still felt Emiles warmth in her palm. Im hunting a black dragon. It stole my prey.
Youre hunting a dragon? Emile asked, his eyes widening. A dry laugh escaped from his beak. Well, it was nice eting you. I hope we see each other again soday. Mind letting go now? I just rembered we had important phoenix things to do.
Emile squawked as Mary tightened her hug. Her eyes narrowed at him. Friends do things together, right? And were friends.
Emile hung his head and buried his face into his wings. He muttered, Big Sis, save .
Mary smiled at Emile and grabbed a nearby vine, tying it around his waist. She tied the other end around her arm before eting Susans gaze. Your brothers very dramatic. He reminds of my own.
Really? Susan asked as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Whats he like?
He was a coward, Mary said. He used to tremble and hide in a corner when my other siblings picked on him.
Used to? Emile asked, pecking at the vine around his waist. Does that an he isnt a coward anymore?
Yes, Mary said with a nod. She closed her eyes and sniffed the air before turning around and walking, shrinking the ground underneath her feet as her face grew pale. Hes dead now. He fell on my sword and died.
Oh. Emile deflated and shut his beak, all thoughts of escape pushed to the back of his mind.
A few days of traveling later, Mary stopped by a gated mansion, two phoenixes perched on her shoulders. Mary closed her eyes and dropped to all fours, sniffing the ground. The black dragon was definitely here, she said as her eyes shot open. She stood up and tilted her head back, letting out a howl towards the moon. Then she closed her eyes and sniffed the air again. Its still here. Its scent is fresh.
You sure? Emile asked, raising an eyebrow.
Absolutely, Mary said. My nose cant be tricked now that Ive beco more in tune with a wolf. Im going to rest before this fight starts. She grabbed a piece of cooked at that was in a bag hanging on her waist and shoved it into her mouth. She shoved it into her mouth as she crouched down, chewing twice before swallowing. Her back arched as she hunched over, dropping to her elbows and knees, her forehead shining with a black rune that devoured the moonlight illuminating her face.
Should we run? Emile whispered to Susan. Marys eyes were closed, and the aura turtle and snake had appeared. The snake eyed the phoenixes, its tongue flickering in and out. If we both fly at the sa ti, I bet we can confuse it.
I dont think so, Susan said. If it chases after only one of us, then were dead for sure if Mary finds out. This is all your fault. Why did you insist on following her even though you could see her traveling at ridiculous speeds?
I followed her precisely because she could travel at ridiculous speeds, Emile said, flapping his wings twice. The snake coiled around him, preventing him from moving. You agreed to follow her too!
I didnt agree.
Emile snorted. You didnt disagree either. That ans you agreed.
You didnt give a chance to say anything before flying off, Susan said, narrowing her eyes at her brother. The next ti we see Tafel, Im going to tell her about everything you did wrong.
Emile rolled his eyes. Dont be a tattletale. Whats Tafel going to do to , huh? Im technically older than her even if she is our big sister.
Susan puffed her chest out and stretched her neck up to look down on Emile. Her voice deepened as her wings crossed over her chest. Ill make her teleport you back to Mom.
Please dont tell, Emile said. Its not like I did anything wrong, right? Why are we bickering between ourselves? If anything, we have to get Tafel to punish this crazy turtle lady.
Im not crazy, Mary said as her eyes opened. The snake that was surrounding Emile disappeared. I have full confidence in my ability to hunt a dragon. As long as I drain all my blood, I should be able to do it.
Doesnt that an youll die? Susan asked, tilting her head.
Mary blinked. But I have two phoenix friends, she said, patting Emile and Susan on the head. For so reason, she was a lot gentler with Susan. Emile squawked as his wings flapped, but he couldnt avoid the crushing petting ability of Mary. If I die, wont a phoenix down revive ?
Do you think we fart out phoenix downs? Emile asked, tears wetting the corners of his eyes as he pointed at Mary with a trembling wing. Our down keeps us warm and prevents us from catching on fire! Giving soone your phoenix down is like giving them your favorite pair of still warm underwear from your body heat in the winter when you have no other clothes.
What do you know about wearing clothes? Susan asked Emile.
It was an analogy that shed understand, Emile said, bobbing his head up and down. You understood that, right?
Mary shook her head. I didnt. But please use your phoenix down on if I die. Tafel would be sad if I did. Her brow furrowed, and she added in a tiny voice, Maybe. I hope.
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