Canada

The trio had left the train finally arriving to Canada, as they left Yami just felt to the floor face flat, as Luke and Hikari looked at him

Luke just laughed and spoke. "Legs not working".

Hikari looked at Yami. "I mean can you blame him, we are seating for 7 hourse".

Hikari helped Yami back to his feet as they stood outside the station, breathing in the cool Canadian air.

Yami groaned as he stretched his limbs. "Seven hours of sitting does something to a guy, I swear."

Luke shook his head with a grin. "You're acting like we ran a marathon."

Hikari chuckled. "Honestly, with everything we've been through, you'd think sitting down would be the easiest part."

Yami gave them both a tired look. "Next time, we're getting a flight."

Luke raised an eyebrow. "Says the guy who thought train rides were 'a relaxing adventure.' How's that working out for you?"

Yami sighed dramatically. "Never again."

The three of them started to make their way out of the station and into the bustling streets, ready to tackle whatever adventure Canada had in store for them.

Hikari then opned his map. "Now where are these sun ship's".

Luke them spoke. "Golden Vale".

Yami then spoke looking at the map. "Yes but where is that".

Hikari studied the map, squinting at the unfamiliar landmarks. "Golden Vale... Golden Vale..." He muttered, tracing his finger over the paper. "It should be somewhere near the mountains."

Luke glanced at him. "Mountains? Canada is basically half mountains, man. You're going to need to be more specific."

Yami peered over Hikari's shoulder. "It says it's up north, near some old forest. Maybe that's where the sun sheep roam?"

Hikari nodded. "Looks like it. We need to head through the forest and then follow the river. Shouldn't be too hard... hopefully."

Yami gave him a skeptical look. "Yeah, because nothing ever goes wrong when we say things like that."

Luke sighed, shouldering his bag. "Well, let's just hope these sheep aren't as dangerous as everything else we've faced."

Hikari grinned, folding the map. "Either way, we're getting that fur. Let's go."

And with that, they set off, venturing deeper into the Canadian wilderness, hoping to find the legendary sun sheep of Apollo.

As the trio continued their walk through the dense forest, oblivious to the presence above them, the metallic bird kept its distance, its eyes glowing faintly with a strange light. Its wings flapped soundlessly as it observed them from high in the treetops, blending into the foliage. To anyone without the ability to see through the Mist, it appeared as just another bird, but its shimmering, polished feathers and the faint hum of mechanical parts betrayed its true nature.

Luke felt a sudden chill down his spine and glanced up, narrowing his eyes. "You guys feel like we're being watched?"

Hikari paused, looking around the forest but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "Probably just the usual forest animals."

Yami, still recovering from the long train ride, just shook his head. "Paranoia, Luke. You're spending too much time around Hermes cabin. No one's following us."

The bird hovered for a moment longer before retreating into the shadows of the forest canopy. It was not time to strike. Not yet.

Hikari shrugged and kept walking. "Let's keep moving. We're still a ways off from the Golden Vale, and we don't want to run into any unexpected surprises."

The bird watched them disappear into the trees, waiting for the opportune moment.

The trio continued their journey through the dense Canadian forest, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the distant rustling of leaves. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the trail, and the air had a crisp bite to it. Yami, still grumbling under his breath, struggled to keep up after their long train ride, while Luke and Hikari maintained a steady pace, each absorbed in their thoughts.

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of Hikari's neck stood up. He slowed, glancing around warily. "Something's not right."

Luke stopped as well, looking to Hikari, sensing his unease. "You sure you're not just tired, Hikari?" His tone was teasing, but there was an edge of seriousness in his eyes.

"No," Hikari replied quietly, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword, "I can feel it. We're being watched."

Yami, not sensing anything out of the ordinary, groaned. "Great. Now we're getting paranoid. Probably just some squirrels." But even as he spoke, his voice faltered. The forest was unnaturally still, no birds chirped, no leaves rustled. It was like the whole world had paused, holding its breath.

Hikari held up a hand. "Quiet. Listen."

They all stopped, straining to hear anything beyond the pounding of their own hearts. The silence was deafening.

Then, the sound came—a faint, metallic hum, almost imperceptible, but unmistakable. The sound of gears grinding and a soft whirring. It was coming from above.

Luke's eyes darted upward, scanning the canopy. "I knew it..." he muttered.

Suddenly, the metallic bird appeared, gliding down from the trees, its wings shimmering in the fading sunlight. It hovered in front of them, its form becoming more distinct. The bird was an intricate piece of machinery, gleaming silver with sharp, angular features, its eyes glowing an eerie red.

Yami, now wide-eyed, instinctively took a step back. "What the hell is that?"

"It's a Guardian," Hikari muttered, his voice serious. "A mechanical creature designed to protect something or someone. And from the looks of it, it's here to stop us from reaching the Golden Vale."

Luke grinned. "Guess we get to do this the fun way."

Hikari drew his sword, the familiar weight comforting in his hand. "Get ready."

The bird swooped down, its wings cutting through the air with terrifying speed. It attacked with precision, its beak and talons sharp enough to cut through steel, but Hikari was quick. He deflected the strike, using his sword to block the blow, sending a shower of sparks into the air.

"Clever little bird," Hikari muttered. "But it's not enough."

Yami gritted his teeth. "Let me at it!" He extended his hand, dark energy swirling around his fingers as his wings unfurled from his back. "Feathers, come to me!"

The metallic bird hissed, retracting slightly as Yami's wings grew in size, his dark feathers now shimmering with a dangerous gleam. He flung them forward, manipulating them into razor-sharp blades that sliced through the air.

The Guardian bird screeched, dodging the oncoming blades and circling above them, preparing for its next strike.

"This isn't just a fight," Luke muttered, narrowing his eyes. "This thing has a purpose, and it won't stop until we give up or... or it finishes the job."

"Then we finish it first," Hikari said, determination in his voice. He turned to Luke. "Your turn, Hermes boy."

Luke smirked, and in a blur of motion, he summoned his winged sandals. The wind picked up as he soared into the air, his movements lightning-fast. "Time to show this thing why you don't mess with us."

The trio moved in perfect synchronization—Hikari on the ground, sword raised and ready, Yami in the air, controlling his dark feathers like a weapon, and Luke darting around the bird at breakneck speeds, keeping it off balance.

The Guardian bird attempted to dive at them again, but Luke was already there, slamming into it with a blast of wind, pushing it backward. Yami followed up, his feathers slicing across the bird's metallic surface, causing sparks to fly.

Hikari took advantage of the distraction, charging forward and slashing at the bird's body. The mechanical creature let out a screech of pain as Hikari's sword cut deep into its armor. A series of gears and wires inside it whirred as it staggered back.

It was clearly damaged, but it wasn't done yet. The bird's wings flared out, and it let out a piercing call, one that sounded almost like a distress signal.

"That's not good," Luke shouted. "It's calling for reinforcements."

"Then we finish it fast," Hikari ordered. He raised his sword once more, and with a swift, fluid motion, he brought it down with all his might, cutting through the bird's center. Sparks flew, and the bird let out one final screech before collapsing into a heap of twisted metal and smoke.

The forest fell silent once again.

Yami landed, his wings folding back into his body. "Well, that was fun."

Luke landed next to him, grinning. "You guys are alright."

Hikari sheathed his sword, scanning the area. "That was just a scout. We need to move quickly before the real trouble arrives."

As the trio continued down the path, the shadows of the forest stretched longer behind them, and they could feel the eyes of whatever creature had been watching them lingering. But for now, they were alive, and their quest to find the Sun Sheep continued.

Hikari then with to the bird, seeing it disappear as he picked up the feather. "You know I thought this was a Stymphalian Bird".

Luke looked at them. "Same here, I thought that same"

Yami looked at them. "Don't they come pack's or something".

Hikari examined the feather carefully, the metallic sheen still gleaming under the fading sunlight. He turned it over in his hand, noticing its unnatural weight and smooth texture. "It's definitely not a normal bird," he muttered. "But this one… it doesn't seem like a Stymphalian bird. The feathers are too refined, too precise. There's something else going on here."

Luke stepped closer, squinting at the remains of the fallen Guardian bird. "Yeah, it's not just any mythical creature. It was made for something specific. It feels… too manufactured." He frowned, thinking about the oddness of the situation. "Who would make something like this?"

Yami rubbed his head, clearly puzzled. "Don't they come in packs or something? I mean, those Stymphalian birds were always dangerous, but they traveled in groups, attacking in numbers. If this thing was part of a pack, we'd be in trouble."

Hikari shook his head, the feather still in his hand. "This wasn't like the Stymphalian birds at all. They were creatures of the gods, part of a natural cycle, sent to torment or challenge heroes. This thing… It's different. It doesn't have that same wild, chaotic energy." He glanced up at Luke and Yami, eyes narrowed. "It feels like it was made to fight. Purpose-built."

Luke paused, taking in the implications. "Purpose-built? Like… this is part of a bigger plan? But why? And who would make something like this?"

Yami groaned, clearly frustrated. "We're going in circles here. We know something's up, but I can't quite wrap my head around it."

Hikari glanced back at the faint trail of smoke and sparks still drifting up from the mechanical bird's remains. "That's not the only question here, Yami. If this thing was a scout… what's waiting for us further down the road?"

Luke folded his arms, looking at the horizon. "You're right. If we keep going, we'll probably face more of these. But I'm more concerned about who's pulling the strings. A mechanical bird like this doesn't just appear out of nowhere."

Suddenly, a soft voice broke through their thoughts. It was a low hum, barely audible at first, but it soon grew clearer. The mist that surrounded them seemed to shift, and through it, the trio could hear faint footsteps approaching.

Yami's wings flared instinctively as he turned toward the source of the noise. "Not again…" He muttered under his breath.

Hikari instinctively gripped the feather tighter, readying himself. "Stay sharp. We're not alone."

From behind the trees emerged a tall figure, cloaked in shadow. The mist parted, revealing a young woman with sharp features, her eyes glowing faintly with an eerie silver hue. She was dressed in a sleek, metallic armor that reflected the last of the sunlight, and she held a spear made of a similar gleaming material.

The woman stopped a few paces away, her gaze focused directly on them. "So, you're the ones that destroyed my pet." She said it as if it were a simple observation, her voice calm and cold.

Yami tensed, his wings twitching. "Pet? You mean that mechanical bird?"

The woman's lips curved into a thin smile. "Yes. I was testing you. You've passed, but only barely." She raised an eyebrow. "You're quite resourceful. I'm impressed."

Hikari stepped forward, his hand still resting on the sword at his side. "Who are you, and why are you sending these mechanical creatures after us?"

The woman studied them for a moment, then her expression softened, almost like she was considering whether to tell them the truth. "My name is Nyx. I'm… a guardian, of sorts. But not in the way you might think." She glanced at the remains of the bird. "I built those to test anyone who would dare approach the Golden Vale. If you can't defeat them, then you're not worthy of continuing your journey."

Luke raised an eyebrow, the wheels in his mind turning. "Golden Vale? Is that where we're headed?"

Nyx nodded. "Yes. The Vale is a sacred place, hidden deep within these woods. Only those strong enough to survive the trials are allowed entry. You've made it this far, but the real challenge is yet to come."

Yami crossed his arms, still uneasy. "So what? This is some kind of trial?"

Nyx's eyes glinted with amusement. "Yes, though not in the way you might imagine. The Golden Vale is no simple resting place. It is a nexus, a point where many paths cross. Some paths lead to power, others to danger. It's not just a physical test you're undergoing—it's a test of your resolve."

Hikari glanced at Luke and Yami, exchanging looks. "We've already fought one of your creatures. What's next? More mechanical birds?"

Nyx chuckled softly, the sound eerily unsettling. "Not quite. The next challenge will be something different. Something you'll have to face together. Trust in each other… and trust in your instincts."

Luke clenched his fists. "Great. More cryptic advice."

Hikari, never one to back down from a challenge, looked back at Nyx. "We'll face whatever's next. We've come this far, and we're not turning back now."

Nyx studied him carefully, her silver eyes narrowing slightly. "Very well. But remember, not everything you face will be what it seems. And the Vale itself is not as welcoming as you might think."

With that, Nyx turned, her cloak swirling as she vanished into the mist, leaving the trio to process the encounter.

"Well, that was… weird," Yami said, breaking the silence.

Hikari glanced at the horizon, his mind racing with questions. "I have a feeling this is just the beginning. Let's keep moving."

Luke nodded, adjusting his winged sandals. "Right. We need to get to the Vale, no matter what's waiting for us there."

The trio continued forward, their resolve stronger than ever, but the sense of danger looming just beyond their path made them all wonder what they would encounter next in the heart of the Golden Vale.

To be continued

Hope people like this ch and give me power