When his aquamarine eyes landed on her, he assumed she was the Aviarch.

She sat beneath the silver trees of Thonfield forest with long ruby-red hair. A boned beak mask covered half of her face and it was marked with red stains underneath the eye holes and on the cheekbones. Silver piercings ran down both of her ears and she wore a dark blue undergarment that was tipped with a light blue enroben tied by a red silk sash around her waist.

She rested against the simmering golden lake, her posture upright and resolute. Her legs were crossed, and her palms gently rested upon her knees, emanating a divine aura. A thin layer of dust clung to her body along with feathers from the many birds that found peace within her presence.

The birds were unlike any others; instead of fleeing into the safety of the trees, they remained motionless, their dark eyes fixated on him. And amongst the sea of winged creatures, one bird stuck out the most.

It was perched on her right shoulder, boasting vibrant green feathers that shimmered in the sunlight. Its beak, was a mesmerizing sunset, while its eyes mirrored the same hue as the Aviarch’s hair.

As his long, twin-tails swung side to side, eager to step forward to examine the Aviarch, the voice of his father echoed in his mind, interrupting his thoughts. “If, by chance, you encounter a slumbering Celestri,” his father’s words resounded, “Kneel in reverence, bow your head to the ground and say the sacred prayer of Exalt 9:40.”

With a graceful motion, he lowered himself to the ground—his long, furry legs folding beneath him. His head pressed against the cool, blue grass, he took a deep breath and began to recite the Prayer.

“Most merciful Celestri,” his voice resonated, and the forest went silent, “May Exalt praise upon you. Forgive me, for I unknowingly trespass upon your sacred land and intrude upon your divine presence. Grant me the grace of your forgiveness for I am but a humble servant, forever indebted to your holiness. Bestow upon me, the honor of your benevolence and kindness.”

As he slowly raised his head, a sense of awe filled him. One by one, the birds took flight, leaving behind a trail of vibrant, multicolored feathers like ethereal confetti in their wake.

A flicker of a smile danced across his face as he retreated, pressing his claws together. He could barely believe it. A living, breathing, Celestri sat feet away from him and he just received what he believed was acceptance from her court.

The people of the Isles held an age-old belief that Thonfield Forest was cursed.

The woods were known to transform, shifting from silver trees to hues of violets. On rare occasions, the forest appeared seemingly normal, its foliage adorned in dark green leaves and sturdy trunks that matched the earth.

Some days, despite it being sunny within the Isles, the mountain would be covered in snow. Other times, it rained for days, creating a waterfall that would threaten to flood the land.

It showed the people below that the forest was bound to no rules other than its own and only Celestri knew what that was. It was the reason why his parents told him to never venture into the forest in the first place.

But he was twelve and curious as a Knookhawk.

On typical days, he encountered peculiar creatures that loomed in the shadows. Giant, fuzzy monsters traversed the forest floor, their hefty frames producing inaudible steps. Headless specters darted amongst the trees; their piercing screams tore through the air.

Then there were moments when he caught a glimpse of a mysterious woman. With flowing white hair cascading down her back and dressed in a pristine white gown, she hauntingly drifted through the forest, dragging a rickety old wagon burdened with the macabre cargo of lifeless bodies of the departed. The wagon emitted an eerie croaking sound as it trudged along. He made sure never to run into her. 

Gently, he took a seat on the forest floor. His charcoal-skinned claw delicately traced the contours of the Aviarch’s visage. He taunted the idea of lifting her bone-beak mask but he held back, knowing that consequences awaited. As his marine eyes absorbed her features, a single thought came to him. What if he could awaken her?

“Out of all the madness I’ve witnessed, the forest must have revealed her to me for a reason.” He mused; his voice laced with excitement. He recalled his father’s teachings. There were many ways to wake up a slumbering Celestus—sacrifices, elements, rituals, artifacts, and each one came with its own danger. But where does one start?

A spark of excitement filled him. With a sudden leap to his hooves, he exclaimed, “I know where to start! At home.” A confident grin spread across his face as he extended his claw, “Don’t worry, I’ll awaken you.” He declared with unwavering certainty. Filled with newfound purpose, he galloped out of the forest.