An Unbreakable Trio: Chapter 2

Terra continued to look down at her feet in the cool water of the river, watching as the tiny guppies took an interest in her flesh, swimming away when they realized that they had no use for it. She wiggled her toes to feel the grainy sand and dirt between them, smiling to herself with delight. The sun rose high above her in the clear sky, making the trees around her a bright and vibrant green.

It had been months since the incident. During that time, the man, who revealed his name as Bryson, had welcomed her to his home, along with a lot more orphans and adults in a group he called 'The Eagles'. They had welcomed her as their own, and it was a new overwhelming feeling that Terra didn't know how to reciprocate back. Everything was moving too fast too quickly. Terra kept to herself the first few weeks to adjust to the change that surrounded her, only speaking when spoken to. With the help of Diego and Kole, she gradually became more talkative, helping around as much as she could.

Terra did notice that everyone had a secrecy going on, taking note that some members were gone for long periods of time, including Bryson. She would watch as they would leave the compound with their heads shrouded with black hoods to blend in with the dark of night, carrying numerous supplies, or small backpacks. On few occasions, she would see them carry weapons; bows and arrows, daggers, and many others, but mostly a good amount of bows and arrows. Her curiosity had reached its peak, but she knew not to question it. Instead, she would watch as they would leave every night, wondering what kind of missions they were going on, what new lands they would cross. What and who was always questioned.

Just thinking about it now made her wondered more, and the deep, longing feeling for adventure burned hot in her stomach. Terra continued to daydream to herself until she heard a rustling in the bushes behind her, not surprised to see Diego and Kole. She looked at them and towards Diego's hand where she noticed some feathers, lots of them.

"Hey Terra, look what I found!" Diego shoved his hands towards her. Terra now realized that it was a bird with a broken wing.

"We found it while we were on our way to find you. He sounds like he's starving as well. I don't think he'll make it." Kole reached his hand to the bird and calmed it down from its shaking posture.

"Poor thing. What should we do Diego?" Terra looked to Diego, finding that he was somewhat a leader to the little gang of three.

"I say we toss it somewhere. It's not like we can magically heal it or something. Its wings are far too damaged."

"We can't do that! It's unfair!" Kole interjected, taking the bird out of Diego's hands and hugging it to his chest.

"Well what else are we suppose to do, unless you have some other amazing plan!?"

To Diego's distaste, Kole started to weep as tears made their way down his cheeks. He groaned in annoyance at the Kaelik in front of him, even going as far as to tease him. Diego was a natural leader, but was a full-time bully that it made Terra sick to her stomach. She sighed and pinched Diego's cheek, making sure that it hurt him to the point where he would cry too.

"Ow! What was that for you cow!?" Terra ignored the name and walked up to Kole, taking the bird from him.

"It's true that our little friend here might not make it, but we shouldn't just toss him somewhere to die. He's already in a lot of pain as it is."

"That still doesn't answer my question though. What the hell are we going to do with it!?"

Terra again ignored him, hugging the bird to her chest with one arm and grabbing for Kole's hand with her other free hand. She dragged him deep into the forest with her, leaving a now enraged Adeshian behind. Kole blushed a deep red, ceasing his tears and silently followed after Terra deeper into the woods.

Terra wasn't sure what made her act this way, but she was determined to help this bird in anyway she could. The bird, in Terra's eyes, was a sign and a part of life. It breathed, it sang, it ate, it lived, just like everything else in the world. To have it die so suddenly and young was something she could bear. She was adamant on healing its injuries no matter what.

A certain feeling was tugging at the strings of her mind and heart. It felt like a sense of loss, but behind it was something she never felt before. Was it justice or courage? She honestly couldn't tell, but whatever it was it felt right, and it was telling her that she could heal the bird herself. Walking for what seemed like forever, she led Kole into a clearing where they wouldn't be disturbed.

"Terra? What are we doing here?"

"We're going to heal the bird, one way or another."

"But how will we do that? By the time we get back home, it might be too late." Kole sat down in the grass in front of Terra, using his lap and hers as a resting place for the small animal.

"I'm not sure yet, but we have to do something. I have to do something."

"What do you mean?" Kole looked at her curiously before turning his attention back to the bird, its breathing faulting. "Terra, the bird! It's not going to make it!"

Terra looked down at the bird, its chest heaving to breathe as much air as it could to stay alive. Taking the tips of her hands, she softly cooed the animal from its agonizing pain. She looked up to Kole as more tears streamed down his cheeks. Looking back at the bird, she could tell that it was about to die. Tears started to brim her eyes as well. Terra felt helpless that she or Kole couldn't do anything to save the bird. She felt like giving up.

Taking her hand one more time, she cooed the bird again, saying a slight prayer. She mentally wished, however, that the bird would be revived someone and spread its wings again to feel the wind between its feathers. As if on instinct, Terra moved her fingers to the middle of the bird's chest, feeling a tingling sensation leave her body to the bird's chest. It was an exhilarating feeling, and yet it took a lot out of her small body.

The bird's breathing began to steady once more, and its broken wing healed itself. Kole was mesmerized by what he witness, and couldn't take his eyes of the creature until it got up on its talons and attempted to fly. The two watched as it soared through the sky, its wings cutting through the air in pure pleasure.

"Terra, you did it! You healed the bird!" Kole stood up and continued to look at the bird before he turned his attention to Terra. "How did you do that?"

Terra was still dazed at what happened, completely mesmerized by the unknown abilities that she had displayed. It made her curious of what exactly she was. One thing she was sure of was that this must have been 'the beautiful' part of her gift that her sister had explained to her once, and in her eyes, it truly was beautiful.

"It's a beautiful gift….." she silently said to herself.

"A gift?"

"Mmhm….." Terra rose to her feet before falling on the ground again, holding her head in what Kole assumed to be pain.

"Are you alright?"

"I guess. I started to feel dizzy after I touched the bird. Would you carry me please? I don't think I can walk now."

Kole turned his back around and bent down, as Terra struggled to climb on. She let her head rest on his back as she felt his heartbeat pound quickly. Letting her arms and feet dangle from his body, she closed her eyes and rested, enjoying the soft bounce in Kole's steps. She was undeniably happy that she not only healed the bird, but that she discovered a wonderful part of her abilities. She felt like it brought her closer to who she was.

"Kole, could you promise me something?"

"W-what is it?" Kole stammered, feeling the heat rise up to his face.

"Don't tell anyone what you saw….I mean, what you heard today. Not even Diego. This is between me and you only. No one can know. Can you promise me that?"

"A-anything for you Terra, my lips are sealed."

The pair continued to walk through the forest, hoping that Diego was still near the stream where they had left him. Sure enough, they saw him trying to skip rocks into the river, becoming angry when it didn't do what he wanted. Turning around, he smiled from ear to ear at the sight in front of him.

"What took you two so long? Did you finally make the moves on her?"

"S-shut up Diego! Nothing happened!" Kole's face flushed a deep red at his assumption.

"Whatever. So what did you do with the bird?"

"W-we….we uhh…it…."

"It was magic. It flew again and we watched it soar." Terra spoke up; still dizzy from what really happened to the bird.

"But how did it fly? You said it was magic, so what happened?"

"I'll tell you if you give me your sweets for the next week."

"Not in your lifetime."

"Then no story."

"Heh, fine with me. I'll just beat it out of Kole later on." Kole looked at the Adeshian in fear before walking towards home.

Terra enjoyed the trip home as she listened to Diego ramble on about what happened to him while she and Kole were gone. She knew that some of it was fictional, but she still listened to him. She drifted off into her own thoughts, replaying the events again and again in her mind. She was still entranced at what she did. Terra felt powerful, eliciting a new feeling; courage. She only feared that it wouldn't backfire on her, or make her new peaceful life much worst. She just had to imagine it as a gift.

A beautiful gift.

A/N: This took way too long to write, but I'm glad it did because it gave me time to actually re-read everything and correct for error, but I'm pretty sure it still has some here and there. Let me know what you think and constructive criticism is always appreciated!

Also, I'm thinking about making the next few future chapters in first person. What do you think?