The chocobo stables stood just beyond Insomnia's outer gate, tucked against the barrier pylons where patches of grass still managed to grow. The air smelled of hay, oil, and faint magitek hum—the ordinary mingled with the arcane. Rows of enclosures stretched along the fence line, each housing birds with feathers like living fire: gold, amber, cream, even one rare white.
Sirius followed Cor down the central aisle, boots crunching on straw scattered across stone. Chocobos clucked and chirped at their passing, some curious, some indifferent. It wasn't his first time here—he had stroked and ridden one briefly during the Festival of Lights when he was younger—but that had been play. This was training.
Cor stopped at a pen where an amber-feathered chocobo lifted its head. The bird's eyes were sharp, feathers catching the light like burnished metal. Unlike the others, it didn't shy away or fuss. It stepped forward with deliberate weight, claws clicking against the floor.
"This one's Rex," Cor said. "Steady legs. Good instincts. Stronger than most, but patient. You'll need that."
Sirius tilted his head. "Why this one?"
Cor's gaze flicked toward him. "Because he won't forgive sloppiness. And because he won't break you if you fall."
Rex gave a short, throaty kweh, as if agreeing.
Sirius reached out. The chocobo sniffed his hand, then pressed its beak into his palm. The feathers were warm, soft, familiar. Sirius smiled faintly despite himself.
"You remember the festival," Cor said. "Chocobos aren't mounts. They're partners. Earn their trust, and they'll fight beside you. Fail them, and they'll never forget."
Sirius nodded, rubbing Rex's neck gently. "I'll earn it."
---
Mounting Rex was less graceful than stroking him.
On the first attempt, Sirius hauled himself up and nearly tumbled over the other side. Rex squawked indignantly, stamping his claws. Sirius landed in the straw with a grunt.
Cor's arms folded. "Again."
The second try went better, though Rex sidestepped irritably as Sirius found his balance.
"Sorry," Sirius muttered.
The chocobo gave a softer chirp, almost forgiving, then shifted its weight to steady him.
"Better," Cor said. "Loose legs. Don't fight him. Let him carry you."
Sirius adjusted his grip on the reins. The saddle's warmth seeped into him, grounding him against nerves. Rex clucked, feathers puffing slightly, then settled.
---
They rode out into the scrublands of Leide, past pylons humming faintly with protective wards. The chocobo's gait jolted Sirius at first, a rolling bounce that jarred his teeth. But gradually, his body found the rhythm. He leaned into it, moving with Rex instead of against him.
The plains stretched wide, the sky clear and endless. The wind whipped through his hair, tugging at his shirt. For a brief moment, Sirius felt light—like the boy at the festival again, laughing under lanterns. Except this time, he rode with a blade at his side, and Cor's eyes sharp on his back.
---
Cor slowed near a ridge of rocks. He raised a hand. "Sabertusks. Three at least. They hunt in packs—smarter than they look. You'll deal with them. Rex will back you."
Sirius slid down, blade drawn. Rex stamped his talons, feathers bristling.
The beasts emerged from the rocks with low growls, fangs glinting in the light. Their eyes locked on Sirius, circling.
He steadied his stance, heart pounding.
The first lunged. Sirius slashed, blade cutting shallow across its flank. It yelped but kept moving, circling back.
The second came fast from the side. Sirius turned too late—fangs tore across his sleeve, stinging his arm.
Pain flared. He stumbled.
A shrill cry split the air.
Rex charged, talons flashing. He slammed his clawed foot into the sabertusk's ribs with a crack that echoed across the ridge. The beast skidded back into the dirt, dazed.
Sirius stared, wide-eyed. "Rex…"
The chocobo strutted proudly, chest puffed, and gave a smug kweh!.
---
The fight wasn't over.
The beasts regrouped, growls deepening. The pack worked in unison, circling closer, darting in and out to test gaps. Sirius grit his teeth, adjusting his stance. Rex stepped in beside him, mirroring his movement.
A sabertusk darted low. Sirius' blade cut high, driving it back. Another lunged from the flank. Rex wheeled, wings flaring, and kicked it aside. Their motions flowed—boy and bird—like they had trained together for years, not minutes.
Sweat dripped into Sirius' eyes. His muscles screamed, but his strikes grew sharper. His body adjusted mid-motion, Adaptive Resonance burning in his veins. Each failed parry corrected itself in the next. Each shallow strike carved deeper.
The final sabertusk leapt high, aiming for Sirius' throat. Rex shrieked, wings spreading, slamming the beast mid-air with a taloned kick. It crashed into the dirt at Sirius' feet.
Without hesitation, Sirius drove his blade down.
The beast went still.
---
Silence fell.
Sirius collapsed onto the grass, panting hard, sweat soaking his shirt. His arm ached, blood warm against his sleeve, but he was alive. Not just because of his blade.
Rex lowered his head, nudging Sirius' shoulder with his beak. Sirius let out a shaky laugh, stroking the feathers along his neck. "You're not just a bird. You're my partner."
Rex churred softly, eyes bright.
---
Cor approached slowly, boots crunching on gravel. His gaze lingered on boy and bird.
"Chocobos remember," he said, voice low. "Kindness. Betrayal. Earn their trust, they'll stand with you until death. Lose it, and they'll never forgive."
Sirius nodded, hand still resting on Rex's neck. The bond was fragile, but real.
---
The ride back was calmer. Sirius no longer fought Rex's rhythm. Instead, he leaned into it, letting the chocobo carry him smoothly across the plains. The wind brushed against his face, carrying dust and grass scent.
For once, he wasn't thinking about Gil, or potions, or the cold hum of the system in the back of his mind. Just the earth beneath Rex's talons, the sky stretching endless above, and the warmth of another living heartbeat beneath him.
When they reached the stables, Sirius slid down carefully. Rex chirped, leaning into his hand as he stroked the feathers along his neck.
"See you next time," Sirius whispered.
Rex answered with a bright, certain kweh!—a promise of loyalty.
Cor stood nearby, arms folded. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes lingered on Sirius longer than usual.
A chocobo could fight beside a boy. But the world waiting beyond Insomnia's walls would demand far more than loyalty.