My lord, the feathered creature spoke. We must proceed. Time is running out- the safest place for her is in Cascadia.

The man nodded firmly at the creature. "We will leave on the sunset of the new moon- two days from now. I cannot risk traveling there tonight; your time is running out also."

The creature's feathers rippled uncomfortably. We will make it, my lord. I can guarantee. It is either tonight right at this moment, or it will be much overdue and all of our planning will be for nothing. We will not shy away from this chance; your daughter's life, the fate of Cascadia, and your own safety as well are all at stake.

The man was silent, pacing circles around his own self thoughtfully. "Very well," he replied, choking words out like they were hard to say. "We leave in minutes, and minutes only. If we leave now, we cannot afford to spare even seconds. It could take seconds for all plans to fail- seconds for my daughter's life to end."

Yes, lord, confirmed the bird in an obedient tone. I can promise you only this- I will transport you and your daughter to the heart of the land only. I cannot help you further, for the reason that I am weak and I must pass only in the sacred Circle of Ashes. I trust you understand, my lord?

The man's hands were shaking as he desperately clutched his daughter, wrapped in a flannel yellow blanket that was as thin as paper. He could see the toddler shivering, and he shook with her against the cold. "Just get her out of here. Get her away safely and soundly. This is all I ask of you, Tidal."

Tidal was startled. But, my lord, what are you exactly implying?

"I am simply not going, dear friend. I won't run away from danger as cowardly as you had mentioned. I shall face the wrath myself- all I wish is to see my daughter is in the safe hands of The Divided and nowhere else. I always must ask that her identity is kept secret from everything with ears to hear and mouths to speak. It is simply vital no living thing realizes the power she holds in the prophecy- she would be killed immediately by order of Invictus. Just please, my friend, protect her with your heart, your mind, your life."

Tidal paused, comprehending. Even though how impossible I believe your request is, it is, after all, my complete duty to follow your orders and protect you and your child the same. I will guard her with my soul, sire.

The man laid a hand on Tidal's winged shoulder compassionately. "Even if no human soul exists within you, you have the heart and bravery of a thousand warriors. I wish you my best prayers, dear one."

He laid the bundle of shivering cloth between Tidal's wings, which fanned out across his back and flexed outwards, fluffing in the nightly winds that blew tirelessly through the halls of the forest. After the youngling was secured between the shoulder blades of the creature, she ceased to shiver and was greeted with warmth radiating from the back of the animal itself.

By now, the toddler's father was full of fear and anxiety for his little girl, barely two years of age. As she cradled on the back of Tidal, she, of course, and her young mind couldn't make sense why her father was leaving her and wiping something glittering from his eyes. She couldn't tell which way was up, which way was down, or side to side as they took to the sky.

A baby flying on the back of a mythical animal was one thing, but it was indeed no ordinary toddler after all. Fate and karma, after every single prayer, still took advantage of a powerful and inexperienced little girl. Before they had even flown a mile, the small girl was surprised to feel something stinging against her back and her little stubby left elbow, like she was numb all over.

A sensation shot down her little, barely foot long spine. It felt like fire had crept it way into her paper thin blanket and into her little pink jumper like a slithering and fiery snake. She wailed, until she noticed she wasn't burning. She wasn't feeling pain anymore, though the fire was still there.

This only confused her more, and caused her to cry mournfully. She wanted her father; she wanted to be on ground again. Soon she would be granted that wish, but with a price.

Before the child mind of hers could comprehend, the feathers of Tidal began plucking off in the wind and fluttering in the wind and out of sight. A wave of feathers erupted from under the baby as well as a shower of ash. She continued to cry, but she was shocked into silence as she soon realized she was plummeting to the ground below her in a blur of a night sky she wasn't even familiar with.