"Fallen Wings, Rising Truth"
Takemishi spoke,
"No more waiting. We move now—Hanaume comes first."
Jeigan nodded slightly,
"...I know where he might be."
Julian and Takemishi looked at him.
"Where?"
Jeigan glanced at Julian,
"When you were carrying me through the air—away from Lamia Forest… I saw him. Hanaume came out of Lamia Castle… both his arms held by two Lamia… and then—suddenly—they all fell… straight into the central area of the forest."
Takemishi narrowed his eyes,
"Then that's where we go."
Suddenly—
Jeigan turned toward Julian.
Julian was gone.
Both Jeigan and Takemishi looked toward the window—
Julian was already in the sky, flying at full speed toward Lamia Forest using his Deal of Eagle.
Jeigan rushed forward, shouting,
"Wait! We're coming too!"
Julian didn't slow down.
Takemishi placed a hand on Jeigan's shoulder.
Jeigan turned back.
Takemishi gave a faint, calm smile,
"Let him go."
Then—
"Come with me."
"Deal of Hawk."
«««Deal Accepted»»»
Wings burst out from Takemishi's back.
He lowered himself slightly,
"Get on."
Jeigan climbed onto his back.
Takemishi launched into the air—
heading straight for Lamia Forest.
As they closed in—
Julian became visible ahead, flying directly toward the center.
Suddenly—
An arrow shot out from the forest.
It pierced Julian's arm.
"—!"
His body jerked—
and he began to fall, feathers scattering behind him.
"JULIAAAAN!!"
Takemishi and Jeigan shouted.
Takemishi dove down instantly.
"Jeigan! When I say it—grab him!"
"Got it!"
Wind tore past them as Takemishi accelerated.
"NOW!"
Jeigan reached out—
and caught Julian, pulling him onto Takemishi's back.
«««Deal System: DLMANA LOW LOW LOW»»»
Julian's eagle form collapsed.
The feathers vanished.
They descended—
landing in the central area of Lamia Forest.
Julian lay unconscious.
Blood dripped steadily from his arm.
They hit the ground.
Julian's eyes snapped open.
Takemishi held his face,
"Hey—stay with me. You good?"
Julian said nothing—
and tried to pull the arrow out.
"Ah—!"
Jeigan grabbed his hand quickly,
"Don't! It's lodged into the bone—you'll break it!"
Takemishi scanned the surroundings,
"We need a healer. Fast."
Jeigan frowned,
"...And where exactly do we find one?"
Takemishi thought for a moment,
"This is the central zone. Every species keeps something like a base near the core… there has to be one here."
Jeigan listened—
then suddenly turned.
Figures surrounded them.
Lamia soldiers.
Weapons raised.
Takemishi noticed immediately.
One of them stepped forward,
"They're with them… spies. Kill them."
Weapons tightened.
Takemishi reacted instantly—
"Deal of Turtle Shield."
A barrier formed around them.
Arrows and attacks slammed into it.
Cracks spread across the surface.
«««DLMANA LOW LOW LOW»»»
«««Deal Rejected»»»
The shield shattered.
Takemishi cursed under his breath,
"Damn it—!"
He moved in front of Julian.
Jeigan stepped forward desperately,
"Wait! Stop—we're not your enemies! We're just looking for someone!"
The soldiers paused.
"Who?"
Jeigan answered quickly,
"Our friend… Hanaume."
The soldiers' expressions shifted.
"Savior Hanaume… Sir?"
Another spoke sharply,
"Then they're spies of that witch. Kill them."
Weapons raised again.
Takemishi muttered under his breath,
"...Savior?"
All three shut their eyes.
(Why am I like this…?)
(Why can't I do anything…?)
(I'm weak… that's why we're going to die…)
(I'm the weakest… my existence itself is a mistake…)
The soldiers prepared to strike—
"STOP!"
A voice cut through the air.
Then another.
The soldiers froze.
They turned back.
Jeigan, Julian, and Takemishi opened their eyes—
—and saw them.
Walmiliya.
Walminiya.
And between them—
Hanaume.
He ran toward them and dropped to his knees.
"You guys… why are you here?"
He reached for Julian's injured arm—
then pulled back slightly.
"What happened to him…?"
"...Hana."
Walmiliya turned sharply toward the soldiers,
"This was your doing, wasn't it?"
The soldiers lowered their heads.
"Forgive us, Princess Walmiliya… we thought they were intruders."
Her voice turned cold,
"And your first instinct was to attack?"
"...We're sorry."
Walminiya stepped forward.
"May I examine him?"
Hanaume nodded immediately,
"Please—help him."
Walminiya moved closer.
"Deal of Crushing."
«««Deal Accepted»»»
The arrow shattered into fragments.
She placed her hand over the wound.
"Deal of Wild Healing."
«««Deal Accepted»»»
The injury closed completely.
Julian slowly sat up.
"...Thank you."
Hanaume checked him carefully,
"You're alright now… right?"
Suddenly—
Julian's expression broke.
His eyes trembled—
and tears began to fall.