Firebird

Bai Lu looked nervous. How could he possibly tell her about the disappearance of the sacred red stone when he himself knew nothing about it? Although his body was Han Yuram's, his body and soul were not the Yuram of the past.

He was simply trapped inside Han Yuram's body and was trying his best to become his successor. Although his strength began to show little by little, but Yuram's memories still could not Bai Lu get everything in full.

"I . . . "

Before Bai Lu could continue her words, the sound of an explosion sounded so loud that it made her and the others look back.

"Where was that explosion?"

Ling Fei sounded so shocked at the sound of the explosion that it made the earth tremble.

"Look, that bird is huge!" Yeongwan exclaimed as he pointed up into the sky.

Seeing Yeongwan pointing to the sky, the other children followed where Yeongwan was pointing. Above the sky, the flames looked so scary, and formed a skull. Black mist covered the blue sky above. All that was visible was the red flames that burned to form the image of a skull.

"Hey, isn't that Firebird!"

Lee Gon shouted as he pointed at a large bird like a Garuda.

"Why is the Firebird here? Shouldn't that Firebird be cooped up in the Myeongshim forest. Asahi, you should know that this Firebird is supposed to be in Myeongshim."

Taeshin looked at Asahi's face who seemed to be very surprised as well. How could this big Firebird get loose and fly up there, only to make a big disaster?

"I don't know. The mutants in my neighborhood have kept Firebird locked up for three years. But, why did it get loose and run away like this?"

"Fei~ah, who is this Firebird?" asked Bai Lu who didn't seem to understand what Taeshin and Asahi were talking about.

"This Firebird is a large bird that emits red, orange, and yellow light like fire. He is the best friend of mutants and mythical creatures like us. But, ever since the gumiho, a nine-tailed fox demon, tortured the Firebird and locked it up in their place, for some reason the Firebird has become ferocious and often destroys our homes, even killing other creatures.

"Therefore, Firebird was locked up by the mutants from the Yeongdam forest which is the Asahi's residence, in the Myeongsim prison area. A prison inhabited only by dangerous creatures."

"Then, why did the Firebird escape?" asked Bai Lu again.

"I don't know. In fact, as far as I know, this Firebird has been tried to be tamed, but it is still destroying our realm by spewing fire from its mouth."

Bai Lu stared at the Firebird with narrowed eyes. However, all of a sudden, the bird flew towards her and tried to attack her.

"Yuram watch out!!!" shouted Ling Fei and Lee Gon upon seeing the Firebird flying towards Bai Lu.

The Firebird caught Bai Lu and trapped him on its huge body. After capturing Bai Lu, the Firebird flew back up into the sky and sprayed a lot of fire all over the place.

"Hey, let me go!" shouted Bai Lu who was starting to get scared.

Instead of letting go, the big bird flew at Bai Lu so fast. It also crashed into the towering trees, causing them to fall down. Bai Lu, who was frightened and starting to panic, held a rope around the big bird's neck tightly.

"Arghhhh, help me!!!" shouted Bai Lu as she closed her eyes because she was getting scared that if she looked down, she would fall to the ground.

"Do something, we have to help Yuram"

Lee Gon looked worried when he saw Bai Lu who was shouting loudly because she was so scared.

"Yuram, try to talk to him!" Asahi shouted.

"What, talk to this bird? How?" shouted Bai Lu who tightened her grip on the rope around the big bird's neck.

"Just do as I say!"

"I'll help, Noona."

"Wait." Taeshin pulled Yeongwan's hand intending to prevent her from leaving, "don't go, take a look in a bit."

"What do you mean, Noona is in danger!"

"Wait a minute, see what will happen next!"

Bai Lu began to take a deep breath. Slowly, she began to caress the big bird's head with her hand.

"Hey, pretty bird, calm down. I won't hurt you. Fly slowly. I won't kill you or torture you. I am here to save you."

The big bird began to respond to his words. As it began to calm down and fly steadily, Bai Lu again stroked the bird's head, then tried to hug it so that it could feel closer to her.

"Calm down, I'm your friend. I won't hurt you. Instead, I will protect you from harm. Beautiful bird, Firebird, come on, let's fly higher with more peace of mind."

I don't know what miracle had happened, but the big bird obeyed Bai Lu's words. The bird flew higher and higher with more stability, and did not spout any more bursts of fire from its mouth.

Seeing this, Bai Lu's two brothers smiled proudly. Asahi, Taeshin, and Yeongwan were also amazed at what Bai Lu had done.

"I knew she would be able to tame that Firebird. Han Yuram is indeed very special," Taeshin said quietly with a smile.

"It's a miracle. For three years we tried to tame him. But no one was able to do it. I admire Han Yuram. He was able to tame the Firebird in just a few minutes. She's really great!"

Asahi smiled in satisfaction at Bai Lu's efforts to tame the Firebird. Bai Lu was equally proud of himself. He laughed out loud and flew high up in the sky with the Firebird.

Once on the ground, the big bird invited Bai Lu to come down. The bird also lowered its head, so Bai Lu could caress its big head again.

"Good bird, you are very beautiful. I'm proud of you."

Bai Lu stroked the Firebird's head gently again. She also hugged it tightly and with a sense of friendship, making the big bird feel comfortable in her warmth.

"You did great, Yuram~ahh. You managed to tame the Firebird. I'm proud of you!"

Ling Fei hugged Bai Lu so tightly. Bai Lu felt proud of his abilities for once. Apparently, this is how it feels to have succeeded in doing something useful with his own hard work.

"Asahi, can this Firebird come with us? I feel like I'm getting attached to this big bird. I want to be her best friend."

"Of course, Yuram~shii. If this Firebird has chosen her best friend, she will definitely be the most loyal one. You may take it."

Asahi smiled slightly to make Bai Lu smile back, as Asahi had allowed himself to take the Firebird on their journey.

"Hey, pretty bird. You're coming along on our journey. Now, you're one of us. You can fly back. If I need you, I'll call you. But, remember, don't destroy nature again. Okay?"

The firebird looked down as if it was nodding its head in understanding. The big bird flew back, making Bai Lu wave her hand as it left.