Contingency

The world became a dizzying blur as the Eirin tore through the sky, its monstrous beak clamped around Caitrin's torso. The wind whipped at her face, stinging her eyes and stealing her breath. In a desperate attempt to free herself, she lashed out with the shattered hilt of her sword, a futile gesture against the creature's leathery hide.The Eirin, seemingly unfazed by her resistance, continued its relentless flight, its powerful wings propelling them through the frigid mountain air. Above them, the sky stretched vast and cold, a stark contrast to the inferno of fear that raged within Caitrin.Meanwhile, Orano clung precariously to the Eirin's massive tail, his mangled hand wrapped around a single, thick feather. The wind howled in his ears, carrying with it stinging snow that blurred his vision. Inch by agonizing inch, he fought his way up the creature's back, his muscles screaming in protest. But surrender was not an option. Caitrin's life hung in the balance, and he wouldn't give up without a fight.Just as Orano neared the base of the Eirin's neck, the creature, sensing his presence, lurched violently. The sudden movement sent him tumbling back down the slick, feathered surface. He landed with a sickening thud on the creature's tail, his vision momentarily blacking out.Caitrin, her voice hoarse from screaming, tried in vain to break free from the Eirin's grasp. "Let me go, you overgrown feather duster!" she roared, her words snatched away by the wind. But the creature remained indifferent, its sole focus on its flight path.Suddenly, a strange sensation jolted Caitrin. The air grew warmer, the chilling wind replaced by a gentle breeze. As she cautiously turned her head, a bewildering sight met her eyes. The snow-covered mountains were giving way to a lush, verdant forest below."Tatsumi!" she shrieked, her voice laced with terror. "The Eirin is heading for the forest!"Orano, his vision clearing, looked up just in time to see the dark canopy of trees rushing towards them. He knew what he had to do. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his body, he renewed his ascent, his grip tightening on the Eirin's back.The Eirin, sensing the approaching danger, banked sharply, its massive wings slicing through the air. The sudden maneuver sent Caitrin flying through the air, a helpless scream tearing from her throat. But before she could plummet to the unforgiving ground below, a strong hand grasped her arm, pulling her back against the creature's warm bulk. It was Orano.He had managed to climb onto the Eirin's back, his face etched with grim determination. In one swift motion, he drew his sword, the polished metal glinting in the weak sunlight.With a battle cry that echoed through the skies, Orano plunged his blade deep into the Eirin's back. The creature shrieked in agony, its powerful wings faltering for a moment. The sudden pain dislodged its hold on Caitrin, sending her hurtling through the air once more.Orano, with a desperate lunge, managed to catch her just before she hit the ground. He landed hard on the Eirin's back, the impact knocking the wind out of him. But he held on, his body a shield against the rough feathers.The Eirin, mortally wounded, let out a final, earth-shattering roar. Its massive wings, no longer able to bear its weight, crumpled, sending them plummeting towards the earth below.Below them, a bustling city unfolded. People scurried through the streets, oblivious to the impending disaster. As they hurtled towards the ground, Orano roared a warning, his voice hoarse with exertion."Get out of the way!" he bellowed, his words swallowed by the growing chaos.Pandemonium erupted in the city below. People shrieked, scrambling for cover as they saw the monstrous Eirin hurtling towards them. Just in time, they cleared the path of destruction.With a deafening crash, the Eirin slammed into the ground, its body skidding across the cobbled street before finally coming to rest. Dust and debris billowed into the air, momentarily obscuring the scene.When the dust settled, the Eirin lay still, its immense form a grotesque testament to their brutal battle. The townspeople, shaken but unharmed, emerged from their hiding places, their eyes wide with awe and disbelief.As they approached the fallen creature, a chorus of cheers erupted. They had been freed from the terror that had plagued their lives for far too long. Orano and Caitrin, battered and bruised but alive, watched the scene unfold, a sense of relief washing over them.Orano gingerly dismounted from the Eirin's colossal form, his muscles screaming in protest. An elderly man, his face etched with a lifetime etched in lines, emerged from the throng of townspeople. He hobbled towards Orano, his weathered hands clutching a bulging pouch of gold."Thank you, creature hunter," the old man rasped, his voice laden with gratitude. "Because of your bravery, we can once again traverse the mountain paths without fear. You and your companion, you are true heroes."Orano glanced at Caitrin, a hint of a wry smile playing on his lips. "Come on," he said, his voice slightly hoarse. "We have much to do."Caitrin, letting out a long sigh, descended from the Eirin's side. As they walked away, she couldn't help but glance back at the fallen creature, its once-terrifying form now a grotesque monument to their harrowing ordeal."So, this is how a typical mission goes, huh?" she asked, her voice laced with a touch of sarcasm."Many are not as… eventful," Orano replied with a chuckle. "However, this one did involve an S-Rank monster. Those aren't encountered every day."Caitrin shot him a playful glare. "So, we were the lucky ones, then?"Orano grinned. "Perhaps," he admitted. "But we survived, and that's what matters. We acted quickly and with reason, and that saved our lives – and countless others."Caitrin considered his words. Her initial anger gave way to a grudging respect. They had indeed been reckless, but their actions had yielded a positive outcome. "I suppose you're right," she conceded."Now, with the rift located," Orano continued, "we need to send word to Silas.""But how do we send a letter from here?" Caitrin queried, her brow furrowing in confusion.Orano's eyes gleamed with a spark of knowledge. "Aetas," he explained, "is renowned as the Kingdom of Communication. During his reign, a brilliant sorcerer named Zilla Kyrell crafted devices known as 'Zons.' Since Kyrell hailed from Aetas, communication became a cornerstone of the kingdom's identity. Over time, Aetas transformed into a central hub for inter-kingdom communication.""Another fascinating tidbit," Caitrin remarked, intrigued. "And what about urgent situations?""In dire circumstances," Orano elaborated, "a specific frequency can be broadcasted, audible across all kingdoms. However, that hasn't been used since the Battle of Luroun, centuries ago."Caitrin stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "How do you know so much about the history of the kingdoms?"Orano shrugged. "History books have always been a passion of mine, alongside the study of magic and, of course, monsters.""An avid reader, I see," Caitrin mused, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips."Indeed," Orano replied with a nod. "Now, come on. We have a Zon message to compose."As they walked, the town slowly returned to its usual rhythm. The bustling streets hummed with renewed life, the gruesome reminder of the Eirin already being cleared away.Suddenly, a startling sight shattered the normalcy. A woman with wings, as white as freshly fallen snow, gracefully descended onto the cobbled road. Her cascading blonde hair shimmered like spun gold, framing eyes the color of emeralds. She wore a long, flowing gown of midnight black, a stark contrast to her ethereal beauty.A hush fell over the crowd as the winged woman surveyed the scene. People cast furtive glances at her, fear radiating from them like a palpable wave. No one dared meet her gaze directly.The woman, seemingly oblivious to the fear she inspired, began to walk through the town. Whispers swirled around her like a malevolent fog."Don't even look at her," a man hissed to his child. "She's an Orwell.""But why, Dad?" the child whimpered."Just don't," the man replied, his voice laced with a tremor.Another hushed conversation flickered nearby."Mom, why is everyone so quiet? Can't we talk to her?""No, Emily," the woman whispered, her voice tight with anxiety. "Stay away from her. She's dangerous."The winged woman continued on her path, her brow furrowed in apparent confusion. Finally, she approached a young boy, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe."Excuse me, young one," the winged woman's voice chimed, melodic and kind. "I seem to have gotten turned around. Could you point me towards the contact center?"The boy, wide-eyed and a touch awestruck, beamed at her. "Right there, big sis!" he chirped, pointing down the street.The woman, Seraphina, offered him a gentle smile, her touch feather-light as she stroked his head. "Thank you, little one," she murmured, her emerald eyes crinkling at the corners.As she turned to leave, the boy blurted out, unable to contain his excitement, "I wish you were here earlier, big sis! There was this super cool creature hunter who fought a giant bird monster! It was amazing!"A collective gasp arose from the crowd, followed by a flurry of hushed admonishments. A man's voice, sharp with worry, cut through the murmurs."Hey! Why'd you tell her that? You can't just go blabbering to strangers like that! Shut your mouth next time!"Seraphina's brow furrowed, a flicker of concern crossing her features. Fear, raw and primal, radiated from the crowd, a stark contrast to the boy's innocent enthusiasm. She glanced back at the man, her voice laced with quiet confusion."A creature hunter?" she murmured to herself, the words echoing in the sudden hush.Turning away from the boy, she resumed her walk, her steps purposeful despite the tremor of unease that snaked through her. Her mind raced. Nuzuki, the ruthless leader of the Orwells, wouldn't stand for this. He'd learn of the creature hunter, of the rift, and he'd stop at nothing to exploit both. She had to act, and fast.