[Stryx] Race Through the Edge: Chapter 1

Amerys hadn’t even wanted to respond to Sol’s call to arms. Too many people. But Kasiya had made friends during the Great Harvest, and it was well out of Amerys’ power to deny the will of any wild Stryx. Even one as docile as his companion. And so here they were, part of a troupe headed east, his cowl pulled low over his face, his scars hidden behind layers of cloth.

One could never be too safe, after all. 

Gods above, though, he certainly had not wanted to end up at a volcano. Still, Kasiya would not be deterred. The heat was really something else. At least back home the air was dry and the worst thing you had to deal with inhaling was a stray mouthful of sand. Every breath here was a task, choking down lungfuls of ash and soot every time you opened your mouth. 

The things he did for his friend. 

Kasiya wasn’t faring much better either. The long trek out to the volcano had made him restless, but now he was struggling in the oppressive atmosphere of the landscape. At least they had lucked out — their scouting partner had stayed behind for the time being. Amerys couldn’t be gladder for the time alone. 

It was just a scouting flight, anyways. They could take their time, see the lay of the land, and get a little practice flying in this tumultuous air. 

A low chittering from Kasiya draws Amerys’ attention. The chiro has drawn to a stop, hovering sloppily in one place. Holding both ends of his cloth ‘reins’ in one hand, Amerys leans forward and steadies the other on Kasiya’s head, trying to see what it is that has his friend on edge. 

A dull red glow in the smoke is all he sees. Ruffling the sandy fur of his companion’s neck, he chuckles, “It’s a lava flow, Kasiya. You’re just paranoid because it’s been a long day. Come on.” 

But the stryx lets out a low rumble, not turning even when directed to. Amerys is about to speak up again when he hears it, barely, through the ambient rumbling of the landscape: footsteps. Turning his ears forward, he focuses, listening to the steps *prowl* closer. From the direction of the red glow. Slowly, a shape takes form around the glow, and Amerys realizes *this* is their quarry. 

“Alright, Kasiya, you were right — can we go now?!”

This time, the chiro listens when his rider pulls him back into a sharp turn and a dive, angling back towards the camp. But their new acquaintance is not done with their company yet — it gives chase, screeching and crowing loud enough to wake the dead. 

They dart and weave through the rocky badlands, but its not enough. The air is unfamiliar, and steam vents keep catching them off guard, sending Kasiya wildly off-course to avoid them. The strange stryx pursuing them, however, has no such issues on the land. It steadily gains on them, snapping its red-dripping beak just inches from Kasiya’s tail. 

“C’mon, c’mon… can’t have you getting bit…” Amerys leans forward, trying to urge his friend on faster, but the odd stryx is still gaining.

Suddenly, a second screech pierces the night, and Amerys glances up to see a dark tyto with wings that seem almost made of fire. It bellows with anger once again, the echoed anger of the volcanoes around them, and dives straight for them. 

There’s nothing Amerys can do — Kasiya’s already pushing to his limits, and the tyto is approaching on the rider’s bad side. He can’t see it without looking away from the path ahead, and he has to keep guiding Kasiya. He braces for the impact, but as the tyto nears, it veers off and instead crashes into the strange stryx behind them. On closer inspection his wings aren’t actually made of fire, but shine with the red-orange light of the lava around them. A halo of embers surrounds the stryx, but Amerys doubts even that would save him from the curse that comes with a bite. 

“Kasiya, tell your new friend to back down and let’s go!” 

The bat makes a questioning sound, then barks and chuffs at the tyto. For a moment, it seems the fiery stryx isn’t going to back down — and then he does, taking into the air and veering around to fly ahead of them. Amerys doesn’t even have to guide Kasiya. Without hesitation, the bat follows the tyto as the strange runner regains its bearings and charges at them once more. 

Following the lead of the wild newcomer, their trip through the badlands is made much easier. He guides them away from the steam vents, into updrafts — they manage to keep a good distance from the runner without losing it too far behind. 

It isn’t long before they bust into camp, their quarry close on their heels. But the pit is done — enough — and thankfully, the beast is captured. The wild stryx lands not far off, head cocked, seemingly curious about the runner. But then a few whispers pass through the camp — Amerys hears something about “the spirit of the volcano” — and the tyto looks up sharply, then takes to the sky. As he glides off back to the flaming mountain, Amerys hops off of a panting Kasiya, looking him over for any injuries. Finding none, he pats the furry shoulder of his friend. 

“That was some flight, huh? Ready to go home, yet?” 

The bat rolls his turquoise eyes and pushes his face against Amerys’ chest — it’s almost enough force to bowl him over, but not quite. Chuckling almost breathlessly, Amerys ruffles Kasiya’s neck fur in his hands and sighs. “I know, I know. We’ll stay till this is done.”