Nivi's Cherry-Colored Feathers ③

3

"Perhaps that great serpent is Jormungandr," the elder said. "It is a serpent of the earth that dwells on an island floating in the far southern sea and never leaves it. For even it to appear in this land, this year is truly a year of calamity. And that it has fallen to you to banish it once again..."
Nivi and Luan, who had come to report on the recent events, stood side by side before the elder, looking solemn.
The fact that Jormungandr had swallowed Luan was, just like Skollval swallowing Nivi, both a truth and an illusion.
Flona was snuggled up next to the elder and gave the two a gentle look. It was a signal that he was quite weak and that they should refrain from staying long as it would tire him out.
The two offered their greetings and left the elder's cave.
Flona followed them out shortly after and joined them.
All the members of the flock had finished molting, but the elder alone had yet to grow in his new feathers, and his strength was being sapped away.
Flona's single gray tail feather had also turned white during the molt, and her entire body was now covered in even more lustrous, pure white feathers. Luan's gray body had become even darker, and the white spots on his belly had increased in number, spreading to his chest and becoming more prominent. Nivi remained cherry-colored all over as always.
Luan flew to a branch away from the two and said,
"I said some terrible things to you both."
Nivi shrugged.
"I don't think anything of it, but you should properly apologize to Flona."
Luan hung his head and said,
"Flona, I made you cry. I'm sorry."
Flona looked at the white spots on Luan's chest and said,
"Do you remember when I first met you, I said those patterns were beautiful, like stars in the night sky?"
Luan blinked. "Huh?"
"I still think so now."
Having said only that, Flona flew off quickly.
The two left behind looked at each other, but neither knew what kind of face to make.
Eventually, Nivi said,
"I have to say it to you properly, too. I don't know how to thank you for jumping out in front of Jormungandr to protect me. Truly—thank you."
"It's fine," Luan said bluntly.
"It's not just this time. I've been saved by you again and again. And yet, I was so wrapped up in my own affairs that I didn't even think about the suffering you were carrying—"
"Enough already," Luan laughed.
"Since we've both been swallowed once, let's get along from here on out."
Nivi also grinned.
"I was just swallowed. You jumped in on your own. You're more amazing." "It's the same." "It's not the same." "I overcame my own ophidiophobia. So it was for my own sake." "Even so, that's not something a normal person can do."
The two kept arguing with smiles on their faces.

The elder was finally approaching his final moments. Flona was snuggled up to him inside the cave, and the flock had gathered around the elder's tree.
The elder could no longer speak, so he appealed to Flona with his eyes. Please take care of the Vindra tribe—he was saying.
When Flona nodded silently, the elder slowly closed his eyelids and shut the door to his life.
The soul departed from the elder's body. It turned into light and soared into the air. The light swirled around inside the cave and was then absorbed into Flona's body.
While Flona was surprised, another light emerged from the elder's body. It flew straight out of the cave.
Flona leaned out of the entrance of the cave and followed the path of the light with her eyes. The light circled above the flock, and everyone turned their heads to look up at it.
Then, the light flew to Nivi, who was at the very back of the flock, and was absorbed into his body.
Seeing this, Flona flew straight to Nivi.
The two stood side by side, both radiating light.
"Two successors—" someone muttered, and a stir spread through the flock.
Before long, that stir turned into cheers. The flock was filled with joy at welcoming their new leaders, singing and dancing in every voice.

A gentle breeze, the sparkle of light, and the softness of the water heralded the arrival of spring. The time for the flock to return to Mistral Mountain was approaching.
To have the day of their departure divined, Flona and Nivi decided to go see the ancient spirit Eldvar, who was said to dwell in the forest lake.
"I can't believe the spirit from back then was Eldvar," Nivi said, feeling awkward. Remembering the time the ancient spirit suddenly disappeared, he felt like he might get scolded for some reason.
"He's the one who let you and Luan meet, isn't he?" Flona said.
"Let us meet, or rather—" Nivi stammered.
When they arrived at the lake, the shining Eldvar was floating on the water's surface, waiting for them.
The two stepped up to the water's edge and bowed respectfully.
"We, the Vindra tribe, have once again received many blessings in Eldvar's forest this year and have been able to restore our spirits. We thank the spirit of the forest," Flona said, and the ancient spirit pulsed with light as if taking a deep breath.
"We are thinking that it is about time to return to the north," Nivi said, and the ancient spirit seemed to turn its whole body toward Nivi. Nivi felt his heartbeat quicken.
"You were the 'Opening Wind,' were you not?" Eldvar's voice seemed to resonate directly in their hearts.
"Y-yes," Nivi answered in a panic. Eldvar then turned to Flona and said,
"Then you must be the 'Guiding Wind.'"
"Forgive my late introduction. I am Flona, who has succeeded the elder of the Vindra tribe. This is Nivi," Flona said in a hurry, pointing to her side.
The ancient spirit shimmered as it said,
"There was one more, was there not? The 'Protecting Wind.'"
Nivi was startled and said,
"Yes, that is Luan. He is not a successor, but he is our precious companion who is second to none in courage, ability to act, and the strength of his feelings for his comrades."
Eldvar nodded with satisfaction and told them,
"You may depart tomorrow morning."

Unlike the winter migration, where they ride the storm-like winds of Skollval to head south in one go, the spring migration is meant to be done over several days with gentle southern winds, resting at stopover points. Even with the tension, there was no anxiety, their feathers were brand new from the molt, and the flock's morale was high.
The time for departure had come.
"Fly at the front with me," Flona said, and Nivi answered with a smile.
"I'll fly at the rear. I'm used to being at the very back."
"Then I'll fly next to Flona and guard her."
Luan appeared as he said this. When Flona looked at him with surprise, Luan continued, blushing.
"Flona, when we arrive at Mistral Mountain—um—"
"No!" Flona shouted.
Both Luan and Nivi were surprised by her intensity and froze. Flona said with flushed cheeks,
"You shouldn't say things like that now. Once we arrive there safely, say it again."
And then she flew up to a high branch to give the order to the flock.
Flona looked over the flock and declared majestically,
"The wind is our friend. Let us forge our bonds and return, to Mistral Mountain. Depart!"
The flock took flight all at once.
Luan and Nivi also took flight and exchanged a few short words.
"Was that a yes? Or a no?"
"Who knows."
The flock soared high into the sky and flew toward their distant northern home, Mistral Mountain.

The End

Music: persi Composition
Image: Tomori Ishimoto Illustration