An Owl's Rise

'Huh?' Evelyn thought, a dumbfounded expression on her face.

She had been a bundle of tension wound tightly, but out of nowhere Yinqwy began speaking to her in a friendly and familiar manner.

Of course, neither of them had ever met the other before, but it took only a few seconds for Evelyn to realize that they "Mel", Yinqwy had mentioned was her master Melisandre.

"Ho- how is it you know my master? I didn't think that the Roost had any real connection with the Great Shell."

"Well, it certainly was a long time ago, but I happened to help her out when she wandered into the Inferno Field cocksure of her abilities." Yinqwy said, a nostalgic expression on her face.

"And while the Great Shell and Roost aren't in a formal alliance, that doesn't mean that there are no personal friendships between our members. Mel and I have been close for centuries, and I even owe her a great deal for her assistance in obtaining the last catalyst I needed to achieve my current rank.

That is one of the reasons why I just had to come and see the apprentice she had bragged about in her letters to me."

With things coming together, Evelyn at least now understood why a calamity beast like Yinqwy would go out of her way to meet with her on such short notice.

Still, Evelyn did not lower her guard because of this revelation. While it seemed unlikely perhaps what Yinqwy had said was a lie to get her to be less cautious.

"If you are Melisandre's friend, then have you perhaps heard from her recently? I am sure that someone as powerful as you already must know what happened to the Roost and that I have lost my connection to it." Evelyn said, raising up her foot where she used to wear her identification cuff.

"Yes, I am aware of your situation. But unfortunately, Mel has not contacted me since the Tyrannis Union's attack on the Roost. In fact, no one I know has heard anything. Not even the foxes and crows know anything about the Roost's current status. They have remained completely silent without any contact with the outside world."

Evelyn mentally clicked her tongue in when she heard that Yinqwy did not know anything. She had been hoping to at least learn something new.

However, it soon became apparent that Yinqwy knew even less than her when she asked Evelyn about what had really happened during the battle. Apparently finding concrete information from spies in the Tyrannis Union had little success.

"I understand. I'll tell you everything I know." Evelyn said, unable to prevent her tone from turning sorrowful as she recalled the battle.

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By the end of her retelling, Evelyn could see that Yinqwy's demeanor had changed ever so slightly. She was still trying to look confident and strong as a calamity beast but hearing about what had happened to her friend clearly unnerved her.

"Thank you for informing me of what happened. While it sounds like Mel was in dire straits, I will believe in her tenacity. I'm certain that something like that will not have killed her." Yinqwy said, half to reassure Evelyn, and half to convince herself.

Evelyn wanted to respond that she was certain Melisandre had not been fatally wounded, but a bit of the magical pressure that Yinqwy had been suppressing was leaking out from her after hearing about the horrible wounds the leader of the Deamhain Sect had inflicted on her.

Quickly Evelyn felt it become difficult to breathe, and she began to fall forward and barely was able to catch herself with her wings.

Seeing that her slight lapse in control was harming Evelyn, Yinqwy reeled in her anger and fully retracted her magical energy back inside of herself.

"Sorry, it seems I got a bit worked up. Are you alright?" Yinqwy asked.

"Yes, I- I'll be fine." Evelyn responded fearfully. While it had not been directed at her, the animosity of a calamity rank beast was suffocating to be around. Evelyn was feeling pressured enough to have been just a second away from activating the return talisman she had hidden in her mouth.

Thankfully Yinqwy had realized her mistake before Evelyn felt the need to take drastic action.

After her slipup, Yinqwy immediately took out a small crystal vile from her storage magic tool and set it on the table in front of Evelyn.

"I believe that this is what you were looking for."

Almost completely forgetting about the incident that had just occurred, Evelyn's face lit up and she closely examined the vile.

Inside was a single beautiful teardrop shaped gem. The luster on its surface was unlike anything Evelyn had ever seen and it reflected the light that hit it in an indescribable mystical way.

"It's beautiful. I am not sure if I have ever seen anything like it before." Evelyn said, enraptured by the Syrphid's Tear.

"Yes, I am quite fond of it myself. It is a rare and valuable treasure that has a great deal of wind magical energy sealed within it. When I originally obtained it, I had planned on using it as a material to make a powerful weapon, but I grew a bit attached to it and never ended up doing anything with it."

Despite how ecstatic she was to have the last catalyst she needed to achieve her evolution right in front of her, she hesitated to take it when she heard how precious it was to Yinqwy.

"Are you sure I can take it? From what you have said, is it not dear to you?" Evelyn asked, not wanting Yinqwy to latter regret giving her Sylphid's Tear away. The last thing she needed was a calamity beast with negative feelings towards her.

"Yes, it is yours now. All I have done with it over the years is admire it. Better that it actually goes to someone that will make use of its powers. Plus, I managed to get something more practical for my current rank from that youngster Yulbok. You must have really helped him out for him to have worked so hard to find that for you."

Nodding her head, Evelyn could tell that Yinqwy wanted more details and explained how she had shared her recipes for alchemical items especially effective against fire elementals. As well as how she fought against the recent influx of fire elementals and prevented any of Yulbok's subordinates from becoming casualties.

"That certainly sheds some light on why he is so staunchly supporting you. Out here on the frontlines, there is nothing more precious than your comrades. If I was still a commander at one of these fortresses, I would treat you exactly the same way." Yinqwy said, her gaze not in the present but staring off into a long gone past.

With the Sylphid's Tear now in her possession, Evelyn felt anxious to leave the Inferno Field and return to the burrowing owls' home so that she could evolve.

However, Yinqwy wanted to keep chatting with her, and Evelyn knew better than to be rude to such a powerful beast.

Eventually though, a magic letter flew into the room and fell down in front of Yinqwy.

Heaving a sigh, she picked it up and read the contents of the message.

"It seems that my absence has been discovered. If only I had less capable subordinates, I could have snuck away for longer." Yinqwy said bitterly.

Listening to this comment, Evelyn realized that Yinqwy had not just made time for her but shirked whatever responsibilities she had to come here.

'I'm glad that I don't work under her. Not sure if I could stand a boss that randomly disappears and obviously doesn't care for whatever work she was doing.'

Luckily Yinqwy did not try to extend her stay or rope Evelyn into anything and reluctantly stood up and made her way towards the exit.

Yet, before she opened the door she turned back around and looked at Evelyn with a serious glint in her eyes.

"If you ever find yourself in trouble, know that you have an ally in me. Mel is a good friend and since you are her apprentice, I'll be sure to help you out if you are in a bind. Also, if you do find out anything about the Roost, please make sure to tell me. I'd like to confirm Mel's condition personally if at all possible."

"Got it. I will make sure to send you a message once I learn about the Roost's current status. And if I ever get into any trouble I need protection from, I'll make sure to take you up on your offer."

Yinqwy gave Evelyn a last warm smile before disappearing in a puff of smoke that left Evelyn with a shocked expression on her face.

'I've no idea what sort of magic she just used, but no point thinking about something I can't understand. Anyway, it's time that I get out of here so that I can evolve. Finally, I will be able to begin striking back against those that have taken from me.'