After devouring its piece of fish with obvious delight, the little creature began to run around the fire. But this was no ordinary run. Its paws barely touched the ground when it disappeared, only to reappear a little further away in a burst of silver sparks.
Nolan followed it with his eyes, surprised but fascinated. It seemed to be teleporting, leaping between points in space as if the laws of physics had no bearing on it. It circled around him, laughing in its own language of soft grunts and shimmering echoes.
A shiver ran down Nolan's spine. This wasn't just a magical beast. There was something much older, much freer in that small body. Pure magic, still uncontrolled, but very real.
Suddenly, the little creature spread its tiny silver wings and rose into the air with an almost surreal lightness. It began to spin, drawing sparkling circles above the fire, while the light from the flames made its fur sparkle as if it were made of stardust.
Its sky-blue eyes stared at Nolan with a mischievous, playful glint. It stuck out its little tongue, uttering joyful cries like wolf cub howls, short and sharp, as if laughing.
Nolan smiled fondly, fascinated by this creature from elsewhere who, in a few moments, had transformed the solitude of the woods into a moment of pure magic.
Suddenly, in a flash of enthusiasm, the little creature swooped down on Nolan. Before he could even react, it landed softly against his chest, its small paws cushioning the impact. It quickly climbed onto him, agile as a kitten, and perched atop his head.
There, it began to lick his hair vigorously, ruffling it playfully. Its small wings fluttered with every movement, and small, satisfied grunts escaped its throat. Nolan let out a soft laugh, surprised but amused, letting the creature express its affection with all the spontaneity of a young, free, and curious being.
Nolan gently took him in his hands, feeling the soft warmth of his little body, and looked into his eyes.
Nolan: You need a name of your own now, little guy.
The creature let out little, lively, almost sing-song cries, flapping its wings in palpable joy, as if it understood every word.
Nolan: Hmm... let's think... What name should I give you?
He looked at it for a moment, observing the brilliance of its blue eyes, its fur as luminous as a moonlit night, and the way it teleported like a sliver of light in the shadows. Then, a smile played on its lips.
Nolan, holding it gently against his chest, watched the radiant little creature perched on his arm as if it had always belonged there. Its fur gleamed softly in the firelight, and its eyes reflected an innocent yet vivid joy.
Nolan (smiling sweetly): What if I called you Stormfly?
As soon as the words were spoken, the little creature let out a series of muffled, almost musical cries. It bounced slightly, flapping its wings frantically as if it wanted to fly away in joy. It circled quickly above the fire, then immediately returned to nestle against Nolan's chest, its tail flapping excitedly.
Nolan (low voice, almost tender): So that's it, huh? Stormfly... Is that what you wanted to hear?
He looked up at the darkening sky, where a few stars barely peeked through the light clouds. A sigh escaped his lips.
Nolan (thoughtfully): You have this unpredictable energy, this lively gaze... You really are like a storm bringing light rather than destruction.
Storm, in response, stared at him for a long time, as if understanding what he had just said. Then he rubbed his muzzle against Nolan's cheek, a soft growl escaping his throat.
The fire crackled gently, casting dancing shadows on the surrounding trunks. Nolan, still sitting, calmly stroked Storm's back, his gaze lost in the silent forest.
Stormfly, on the ground, her little paws briskly tapping the grass, began sniffing at the remains of the meal with contagious enthusiasm. Nolan, sitting cross-legged by the fire, now reduced to glowing embers, smiled with rare gentleness, a piece of fish in his hand.
Nolan (amused, with a slight smile): Here, try to catch that one.
He tossed a piece into the air. Stormfly leaped with impressive agility, flapping her wings rapidly, and caught the fish with perfect precision. It landed with a clumsy roll before standing up proudly and shaking its little silver head.
Nolan (laughing slightly): Not bad at all, you're quite the little hunter.
Stormfly gave a little squeal of pride, flapping her wings as if demanding a new challenge. Nolan complied, this time tossing a piece higher and further. Stormfly soared into the air, spinning like a silver arrow, and just barely caught the piece before landing on his feet, triumphant.
The game continued for a while, in a budding and sincere complicity. The atmosphere was calm, lulled by the gentle breeze blowing through the leaves and the gentle lapping of the river. The moon, high in the sky, bathed the scene in a soft, magical light.
After a few last pieces, Stormfly came to nestle against Nolan's leg, his belly rounded with satisfaction. Nolan looked at him tenderly.
The afternoon sun's rays filtered through the foliage, painting the scene in shades of gold and soft green. The peaceful lapping of the river and the distant birdsong formed a soft, almost lulling melody.
Storm, her eyelids half-closed, her breathing steady, rested her small head against Nolan's leg. Her fur gleamed silvery, as if reflecting the daylight with some subtle magic. Her wings, folded, occasionally fluttered in a dreamlike rhythm.
Nolan, lying on the soft ground, arms crossed behind his head, let his gaze drift among the clouds. The sky stretched on, infinite, like a book whose blank pages were still waiting to be written.
Nolan (thoughtfully, in a low voice): I wasn't supposed to find this. Peace. Lightness. It's almost... unreal.
He closed his eyes briefly, savoring this rare moment when time seemed suspended, without threat, without noise of war or whisper of conspiracy. Only nature, Stormfly, and his own breath.
Nolan (opening his eyes, in a whisper): But I know it won't last. The kingdom... the Circle... the pillars. Everything will change.
He turned his head slightly toward Stormfly, who was sleeping soundly.
Nolan (smiling weakly): But don't worry. We'll face this together, little guy.
The wind picked up gently, making the grass around them sway, like a silent promise.
Nolan stood up in one fluid movement, his eyes shining with a calm but determined energy. He put on his still-damp T-shirt, then his coat, tightening his belt. He rolled his shoulders, cracked his neck, and stretched for a long time, arms reaching for the sky, inhaling deeply the pure forest air.
Nolan (in a light tone): Break over. Duty calls.
He had barely finished his sentence when Stormfly, in a silvery burst, teleported onto his left shoulder, wings folded, his celestial blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. He let out a little squeal of joy, rubbing his cheek against Nolan's.
Nolan (smiling, stroking him gently): You've already figured out the rhythm, huh?
Stormfly closed his eyes in pleasure, his tail beating gently in the air.
Nolan turned his gaze toward the path winding through the trees, leading to the town. The sun was slowly setting, bathing the forest in a warm, shifting golden light. Each step he took echoed softly on the damp earth, accompanied by the rustling of leaves and the gentle song of the wind.
Nolan (to himself): Circle of Irian, huh… We'll see what they're truly hiding behind their silent walls.
Stormstorm gave a low rumble of approval, as if sensing the importance of what was to come.
After a few minutes of walking, Nolan and Tempest passed through the city's great gate. The atmosphere inside was electric, vibrating with contagious energy. Joyful chants filled the air, while groups of flamboyantly costumed dancers swirled to the rhythm of drums and flutes. The crowd moved in all directions, swept away by the excitement of the celebration. Laughter, shouts of excitement, and the sounds of music mingled in a harmonious tangle.
Today marked a special day: it was the post-war rebirth festival, a celebration of the kingdom's resilience and meteoric rise to power. Since the end of the war, the people had redoubled their efforts to rebuild and strengthen their territory, and this festival symbolized their triumph over adversity. A whole week of festivities had been organized, during which the inhabitants indulged in joy, fun, dancing, feasting, and indulging in alcohol and good humor. But beyond the popular revelry, it was also a particularly lucrative time for the merchants. The stalls were full of exotic treasures and precious goods, but prices had soared, inflated by the massive demand, taking advantage of the scale of the event.
Laughter and song floated in the air, intermingling with the sounds of drums and traditional instruments. People in colorful costumes danced and swirled around small squares, their faces beaming with joy and exuberance. Stalls were set up everywhere, scattered with fruit, pastries, and fermented beverages. Children ran between the legs of adults, their squeals of joy mingling with the laughter of the older ones, while groups of dancers, dressed in sequined dresses and garments embroidered with gold thread, performed lively choreographies.
Nolan (looking around, a slight smile on his lips): It's... lively, isn't it?
Storm, perched on his shoulder, also watched the scene curiously. The light from the floating lanterns illuminating the city gave it an almost magical aura. He flapped his wings in contentment, marveling at every movement, every burst of laughter that passed within their reach.
The merchants, numerous at this time of year, shouted their prices, enticing passersby to buy their goods. The tantalizing smell of food being prepared in large pans tickled Nolan's nostrils, and he could hear the heated negotiations between buyers and sellers, the prices inflated by the influx of shoppers eager to take advantage of the holiday.
Nolan (sighing with an amused expression): Ah, the good old party after the war... The feasting and excess, quite a spectacle...
As Nolan set off toward Irian Circle, a memory suddenly emerged in his mind. The map Azaria had given him. He paused for a moment, rummaging in his pocket, and pulled out the parchment. The map, though seemingly ordinary, was imbued with something special, something mysterious.
Nolan muttered to himself, an idea crossing his mind:
"What if I went to see Azaria instead? After all, I can take my time getting to Irian Circle."
He brushed his finger across the map's surface, and instantly, a blue line appeared. It stretched out smoothly, traced with perfect precision, leading directly to Azaria's home. It was as if the map itself was responding to his thoughts, tracing the path ahead.
A faint smile played on Nolan's lips. He put away the map and, guided by the blue line that seemed to light up slightly with each step, headed towards the indicated location. He was curious, and a little excited at the thought of seeing Azaria again. Perhaps she had information he was seeking, or perhaps their meeting would be the beginning of something more... important.
So he continued walking, following the map, determined to discover what Azaria could reveal to him.