The Tuesday sun shone brightly on Soragant Town, bathing everything in a warm, cheerful glow.
It was the Guardian Day, a day of celebration for the Republic of Aphardea, a day dedicated to the National Patron Guardian of the country... Aphard, the Flaming Apehawk. It was one of the rare national holidays for people in Aphardea.
But for Sparrow Night, it was a day of quiet work in his garage. The metallic tang of oil and the scent of gasoline hung heavy in the air as he tinkered with his ADV motorcycle, meticulously modifying its engine. He was a creature of quiet focus, a stark contrast to the exuberance the holiday was meant to inspire.
Through the opened windows on the back wall of the garage, he could see his sister, Canary in their state-of-art backyard. She knelt amongst the flowerbeds, her long, braided black hair swaying as she tended to her plants. Her melodic humming, light and airy, drifted on the breeze, a sweet symphony Sparrow could truly appreciate.
The rhythmic clang of Sparrow's wrench was interrupted by a knock at the front gate. He wiped his hands on a rag, his movements economical and precise, and headed towards the entrance. Two teenage girls, Zeenara and Elfione, stood on the other side, their faces bright with smiles.
"Bigbro Sparrow!" Zeenara, the pretty girl in pixie cut hairstyle, greeted with wide grins. "Happy Guardian Day! We came to see Cana."
"Hello Zeen, Fio. Come in! She's in the back," Sparrow replied in his low rumbling voice, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
He appreciated their genuine affection for his sister. He watched them skip towards the back, their voices already joining Canary's in a chorus of youthful chatter.
"Happy Guardian Day, Cana!" Sparrow could hear Zeenara's jolly voice greeting his sister. "How is your history homework?"
"Ugh," Canary groaned. "Ms. Jadeson truly wants to be the death of me. Seriously, who cares about the Northern War anymore?"
Elfione giggled. "I'll care if you tell me about it dramatically, Cana. Make it a soap opera presentation! Jealousy, betrayal, hunky Viscathans…"
"I'd rather wrestle a bear," Canary retorted.
Zeenara immediately chimed in. "Speaking of bears… I'm so stoked for the nature club's outbound tomorrow!"
"Outbound?" Elfione echoed. "What flavor of… uh… nature are we talking about this time?"
"We're clearing invasive species from the Lushwood Forest," Zeenara explained in enthusiastic voice. "It's going to be amazing! We get to hike, learn about native plants, and basically beat up some nasty weeds. What could be better?"
Canary sounded off as she replied. "Staying inside and reading about ancient wars?"
Something was wrong with the tone of Canary's voice, Sparrow immediately noticed. He tried to split his concentration, continuing his motorbike's modification and eavesdropping the teenage girls' conversation.
Elfione chimed in. "I'm with Cana this time. Lushwood? Isn't that where creepy Fogman lives? I'd rather stay at home and paint... Wait! Painting Fogman seemed to be interesting."
"Fogman is a myth, Fio!" Zeenara retorted in helpless tone. "Besides, Lushwood is not that far from Soragant! Just about three hours ride. Think about majestic trees, sunlight filtering through leaves. Then, at night, having a bonfire and telling stories..."
"Bonfire stories?" Elfione responded in mock excitement. "Ooh, are we talking spooky stories? Because I have a really good one about a haunted laundromat…"
Zeenara laughed. "Definitely not your silly ghost stories. Probably more like… campfire songs and stories about conservation efforts."
Elfione groaned theatrically. "Conservation efforts? See, that's where you lose me. Sorry, Zeen. You know I love you, but I'd rather be dealing with canvas, brushes, and paint."
"And I would rather be memorizing dates and names of long-dead dudes," Canary added dryly.
Sparrow wanted to continue eavesdropping, but there was another knock at the front gate, heavier this time, reverberated through the house. It was Rock Beestone, a grin splitting his round face as Sparrow opened the gate.
"Birdboy! Happy Guardian Day!" Rock, one of Sparrow's best buddies, boomed, practically vibrating with enthusiasm.
"Pebble," Sparrow acknowledged, a ghost of a smile on his face. He liked Rock's easygoing nature and the simple banter they shared.
Rock followed him into the garage, plopping down on an overturned bucket. "So, whatcha doing, Birdboy? Making that metal beast even more terrifying?" He gestured at the bike with a flourish.
"Modifying the fuel injection system." Sparrow answered briefly as he tightened a bolt.
Rock leaned against the workbench, watching Sparrow continue his work. "What for? Gonna enter her in the Aphard Wild Race?"
Sparrow chuckled. "Maybe next year."
Rock chattered on, filling the silence with his usual stream of anecdotes and jokes. But then, his tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Hey, Birdboy, something's been bugging me about Gramp."
Sparrow paused, his hand still on the wrench. "Glaive?" It's the name of another man in their circle, a white haired youth who could rival Sparrow in physical size... Glaive Arksmith.
"Yeah. He's been disappearing for days, comes back all beat up. Claims he's sparring with some secret grandmasters, but I don't buy it." Rock leaned forward, his brow furrowed.
"He's probably just pushing himself," Sparrow said, his voice flat. "Gramp's always been obsessed with martial arts."
"That's not all, though," Rock insisted. "Like you, he's been... growing. Come on man! We're all hitting the same gym and the same dojo. But Gramp and you keep getting taller and bigger. Did you two inject some super-giant serums? Give me some, man! I don't want to stay the smallest out of the three of us."
Sparrow just chuckled without further response. Inside, however, a cold dread began to creep into his heart. He knew how he seemed to keep growing. The power of his mystery talent caused his growth.
What about his friend, Glaive, then? Could it also be related to their line of work? Was it caused by supernatural influence, a body struggling to contain something alien.
Sparrow filed the information away, his mind already running through possible scenarios. He trusted Rock's observations. His friend might be a comedian, but he was also sharp and observant.
...
After lunch, the house quieted down as Zeen, Fio, and Rock departed. Sparrow found Canary in the living room, staring out the window. The usual sparkle was missing from her eyes.
"Birdbro," she said softly, turning to face him. "I have a bad feeling. About Zeen."
Sparrow raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.
"She's going on a trip next weekend with her Nature Preservation Club. To the Lushwood Forest. I… I don't like it. I feel like something bad is going to happen there."
"Your Awakened Premonition?"
Canary nodded hesitantly. "It seems so. But, I'm not sure."
"Li'l Aunt is currently out of town. We can contact her," Sparrow gave suggestion. "Or, we can just go to Yellshire and asked for some suggestions from Big Aunt."
"Let's go to Yellshire, Birdbro!" Canary immediately went back to full spirit mode. "I kinda miss Little Jasmine."
"Alright!" Sparrow agreed. "I need to give Big Aunt the final draft for my novel manuscript anyway."
"It's done already? Really? What about the lyric for my new song? Have you done it?"
"Come on, Tweety. You've just given me the composition recording this morning," Sparrow immediately protested. "I haven't even listened at it at all. Later. Later."
With their usual banters, the two siblings moved with practiced ease, preparing for the trip to the neighboring town, Yellshire.
---ooo---ooo---ooo---
The siblings, Sparrow and Canary, arrived in Yellshire in the late afternoon. The town was bustling with activity, despite it being a weekday. They made their way to the Hallow residence, a quaint two-story house nestled in a quiet neighborhood.
Upon reaching, they were greeted by their Aunt Raven, who welcomed them with open arms. "Sparrow! Canary! Finally in real world!" she exclaimed, pulling them into a tight hug. "Little Jasmine will be thrilled to see you both!"
As predicted, Jasmine, their seven-year-old cousin, was over the moon with excitement. She chattered non-stop, her eyes sparkling with joy. The siblings listened, their faces lit up with smiles.
"Big Bro! Big Sis! Let's play 'Blind Chicken Chasing Dizzy Kitten'! Come on. We do it all the time in school. It's fun."
"Whoa! Wait a minute, Li'l Jaz," Sparrow complained as the little bundle of energy took his big hand and pull it to the backyard.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the sprawling backyard, painting the emerald grass in hues of gold and umber. The air, sweet with the scent of honeysuckle and freshly cut lawn, hummed with the boisterous energy of youth.
Sparrow Night, a young man whose physique hinted at hours spent honing strength, stood poised, his one good eye sparkling with rare mischief. A faded denim bandana was meticulously folded and held at the ready.
In front of him, Canary, his tiny younger sister, a wisp of a girl with green eyes as bright and inquisitive as a magpie, bounced on her feet, her fingers twitching with impatience. At her side, Little Jasmine, all of seven years old, giggled uncontrollably, her tiny hands clasped tightly to her chest.
"Are you ready, Birdbro?" Canary chirped, her voice laced with anticipation.
Sparrow sighed. "Alright, Tweety. Let's do this."
"You must look more excited Big Bro. Come on! You are the Blind Chicken!" Little Jasmine shouted enthusiastically.
Sparrow smiled, deciding that it was time to release his stress and return to childhood again. "Are you ready to become a dizzy kitten?" He raised the bandana theatrically. "Ready to face the wrath of the Blind Chicken?"
Jasmine erupted in another fit of giggles, clutching her side. "The Blind Chicken can't catch me!" she squealed, already dropping to the ground and scrabbling forward on her hands and knees.
"Oh, we'll see about that, Jasmine!" Sparrow retorted, a grin spreading across his face. He turned to Canary. "You know the rules, right?"
"Of course, I do," Canary said, feigning annoyance. "Crawl, meow, no straight lines. It's not exactly rocket science, Birdbro."
"Just making sure," Sparrow said, still in wide grin. "Now, cover me up."
Canary carefully positioned the bandana over Sparrow's remaining eye, ensuring it was securely in place. "Alright, Blind Chicken is ready!" she declared, stepping back and dropping to her knees beside Jasmine.
"Meow!" Jasmine immediately cried, propelling herself forward in a wobbly, meandering path.
Canary followed suit, her movements more graceful than Jasmine's, but equally erratic. "Me-ow!" she echoed, her voice a playful imitation of a feline's call.
Sparrow, now effectively blind, stretched out his hands tentatively. "Here comes the Blind Chicken!" he announced, his voice a low warning rumble. He took a cautious step forward, his hands outstretched, feeling for any sign of his prey.
The backyard erupted in a cacophony of meows and frantic giggles. Sparrow stumbled, his senses heightened by his lack of sight. He listened intently, trying to pinpoint the source of the sounds.
"Meow!" This time, the sound came from his left. Sparrow pivoted, his arms flailing wildly. He bumped into a lawn chair, sending it teetering precariously.
"Careful, Birdbro!" Canary cried, dissolving into laughter.
"Is that the laughter of a dizzy kitten I hear?" Sparrow challenged, his voice playful. He took another step, his hand brushing against something soft and furry.
"Me-ow!" Jasmine squealed as Sparrow's hand landed on her head.
"Gotcha!" Sparrow roared triumphantly, scooping Jasmine up in his arms.
Jasmine, still giggling, squirmed in his grasp. "You cheated!" she accused. "You should be chasing Big Sis!"
"It's called luck, Li'l Jazz," Sparrow chuckled, lowering her gently to the ground. "Now it's Canary's turn!"
Canary, who had been momentarily forgotten in the excitement, took the opportunity to dart behind a large oak tree. "Meow! You'll never catch me, Blind Chicken!" she taunted.
Sparrow turned in the direction of her voice, a determined glint in his good eye. "Oh, I accept that challenge, dizzy kitten." He lifted Jasmine and put her on his shoulders. "Li'l Jazz, be my eyes! Tell me where she is!"
Jasmine, thrilled to be part of the hunt, puffed out her chest. "Okay, Big Bro! She's there!"
Sparrow immediately complained. "What there? I can't see Li'l Jazz. Tell me: Straight! Right! or Left!"
"Straight!"
"Hey! That's cheating!" Canary quickly accused.
The silly game went on until Raven called them for a bath and dinner. Their uncle, Jack Hallow, joined them for dinner. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a kind face and a warm smile. He was a criminal investigation police detective though, and his duty called him away not long after dinner.
That evening, after Little Jasmine was asleep because of the exhaustion after playing all afternoon, and after the Sparrow handed over his new novel manuscript, the siblings discussed Canary's premonition with Raven.
She listened attentively, her face serious. "You should go to the MIST Union Headquarter in Soragant and research for any supernatural reports or missions in Lushwood Forest," she suggested. "Or... actually, the one in Gyoya Town was probably more suitable, as it was the closest to Lushwood."
Both siblings agreed. That was a solid idea. If there were any strange happenings in Lushwood Forest, the nearest MIST Union Headquarter would have a record of it.
"Well, Lushwood Forest huh? That reminds me of some old memory," Raven continued. "Your parents met each other there, you know. Both were mystery agents, but from different towns doing the same mission."
"What mission is that, Big Aunt?" Canary enthusiastically asked.
"Lark, your father, was a mystery agent from Soragant Town. He was tasked with hunting down a particularly nasty piece of work – the Fogman."
Canary, ever the curious one, perked up. "The Fogman? I've heard stories, but I always thought he was just myth. He was also a surreal creature?"
"Oh, he was very real, Canary," Raven assured her, her gaze turning distant, as if reliving the events. "A psychopath... nasty Sentient Green of Lushwood Forest. He murdered not just human beings passing through the forest, but also those on the neighboring settlements. Soragant Town wasn't the only one concerned. Gyoya Town also sent a mystery agent."
She paused, letting the anticipation build. "That agent, as you might have guessed, was your mother, Summer Elheart."
Sparrow frowned. "Mom? Alone?"
Raven smiled sadly. "Both your parents were crazy strong, you know. Your mother was known as Skywalker, one of the few mystery agents capable of flight and summoning angelic beings. She was the best mystery agent in Gyoya."
"What about Dad?" Canary asked.
"Your father was one of the only five people in Aphardea known to have three mystery classes. Codenamed: Crusher, he was basically one of the best, not just in Soragant, but also in the whole country."
"So, they met in the forest?" Canary prompted, her eyes wide.
"Indeed," Raven confirmed. "Lushwood Forest. They actually did not get along well at first. Their animosity was... well... almost comical when I think about it now. They were like sworn enemies at first. But fate had other plans. They were forced to cooperate to survive against the terrifying Fogman. It was a bumpy road, filled with disagreements and near-disasters, but slowly, grudgingly, they began to respect each other."
"And then...?" Canary prompted, her breath held captive by the tale.
Raven chuckled softly, "And then, they discovered that underneath the initial clash of different hunting methods, they shared a common goal: to protect the innocent, to fight the darkness. They learned to rely on each other, to anticipate each other's moves, to trust each other with their lives. And in the heart of that desolate forest, surrounded by fear and shadows, something unexpected blossomed. Attraction. Respect. And ultimately, love."
"So, they defeated the Fogman... together?" Sparrow asked, his voice tinged with wonder.
"They did," Raven confirmed, her eyes twinkling. "They trapped the Fogman with Summer's storm formation, and demolished him with Lark's thunder coated fist. They vanquished it pretty easily when they worked together."
She paused, a look of profound sadness crossing her face. "And in doing so, they forged a bond stronger than any magic, a love that defied the darkness. A love that brought you two into this world."