#sesam

[krautabout]

[jayed-shri-rapax]

TALES OF ZALE: ELVA'S SONG, CHAPTER 4

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Elva and Zale continued their Rush through the forest, weaving through the undergrowth until they reached a field of long strands.

Elva perched herself on a branch as she gazed down the steppe "This place is different..." Elva noted with her eyes gazing down upon the fields until she saw what looked to be another version of the ruins. "Hey, what did you see Elva?" Zale asked curiously as he looked up at Elva with wide eyes, "I think there's another ruins... but it looks different".

Zale stared back at the new ruins, before looking back towards Elva to ask him a question "Do you think we could go there?".

Elva pondered, "Well... they could be just as dangerous as the one nearby, but I don't think Morpheus or Phonas have gone there." Elva hesitantly sighed before continuing her statement, "I think we could, but we shouldn't go there directly. I have a feeling those tunnels below the Ruins are connected to these ones somehow".

Around 10 minutes later, Zale and Elva rushed back into the ruins, though this time they were very weary to avoid the second level of Silvania city, the two friends walked down the sidewalk until they found the ruins of what used to be an subway station.

"Well, this is a bit scary Zale..." Elva whispered to Zale cautiously, "we should be fine if we know what we're doing" Zale followed up, before Elva followed him into the abandoned Subway car. "Do you even know how to run this thing Zale?" Elva questioned her friend, though trying to still remain kind. "Uhhhh, I think this throttle does something" Zale said as he flicked it to the max.

An droning Whirr escaped the Subway car was it flared to life, the lights of the Train lighting up once more as it suddenly sped foreward through the Tracks

Elva and Zale were knocked off their seats, "ZALE, what did you do." Elva said as she felt the Train moving through the pitch black tunnel around them. Zale watched as the Subway sped through the tunnel, seemingly hypnotized by the darkness around them. "I don't know, think we might be going to our destination soon, Elva" Zale replied.

Suddenly after around 2 minutes of moving, the Train suddenly skidded to a grinding hault "LOW POWER" boomed a Deep mechanical voice from the system as it dropped in pitch. Catching both Elva and Zale offguard, "WAAH!" yelped Elva, her brownish tan feathers shooken by the voice. "ELVA! Are you alright?!" Zale worriedly asked his friend, "I-I'm fine Zale, don't worry yourself please" Elva chuckled halfheartedly as she tried to regain her composure. "Now, I think we should get out of here" Elva suggested to Zale, his tail swaying slowly.

As she and Zale were getting out, the dust was quite an problem as Elva softly sneezed.

"Achoo.... oh, sorry about that Zale.." Elva sheepishly apologized until she heard the Train flicker to life once more, only to ram against the end of the tracks.

Suddenly the entrance Underground station they were in began to collapse, Zale and Elva's eyes both widening in caution as they quickly rushed towards the exit. "ZALE! HURRY!" Elva yelled frantically as she bolted towards the exit, making sure to glance back at the blue eyed fox behind her, "RIGHT BEHIND YOU!" Yelled Zale in tandem as he caught up to her.

The two friends barely got out, Elva and Zale both hitting the ground with a soft thud. "Zale! Are you alright?!" Elva worriedly asked her friend as she got off the ground. "I'm alright..." answered Zale as he stood up.

Elva looked forwards, analyzing the landscape around her "Well... for the good news, I think we're in the other ruins now..." Elva stated, before continuing. "And as for the bad news... the shortcut is destroyed". Elva ended her statement with a groan of annoyance as she realized she and Zale would have to walk down to the forest the long way.

Zale's ears pivoted "Sorry Elva..." apologized the fox as his snout drooped downward, Elva turned to speak to her friend "No, it's my fault Zale for sneezing..." Elva quickly replied, Elva looked at the ruined buildings behind her friend before glancing back at him and putting up a calm smile, "since we're here anyway we might as well just go explore the rest of this place Zale". Zale looked up as Elva put her left wing on his shoulder "come on, let's go" Elva said cheerfully, "Right behind you!" Zale said as he quickly bounced up, trying to respond to the Tan Barn Owl's comfort with his own usual enthusiasm.

Elva and Zale dashed across the path, with Elva making sure to keep her friend in her line of sights.. though she was not noticing the giant watching them in the shade between the trees as it let out an aggravated growl.

Elva landed on one of the lampposts, before feeling a slimy sensation now "huh?" blurted Elva before she looked at her Talons, now covered in moss. "eughhh" Elva sneered right before she hopped off the lamppost, and gracefully landed on the ground below feet first, clearing her talons quickly, put off from the texture of the moss on them.

Zale skidded by exhausted, "sorry I'm late" Zale huffed as he walked up to Elva, "It's fine. Besides, you were the one who wanted me to come anyways" Elva chuckled softly as she and her friend walked forward deeper into the Suburban Ruins.

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Elva continued her path until she heard something scurrying amidst the debris... "Zale, hold on..." Elva said as she perked up, trying to locate the target "I think I notice something".

The mouse carried an small piece of Seeds to a pile of things they had, "phew, that should hopefully do for now..." wheezed the rodent as she laid down tiredly. "Hey there!" Suddenly exclaimed Zale as Elva moved away the top of their den.

"AAAH" Yelled the Mouse as she backed herself up into a concrete corner "DON'T EAT ME!!"

Elva looked at the Mouse with confusion "... What? We're not even hungry, and besides. Mice don't taste very good to me or Zale..." Elva clarified towards the Mouse as she looked up back at her, a sense of relief befalling them. "Phew.... well it is a bit odd seeing a Fox around here considering how... long it's been" the Mouse said as she looked at Zale, Zale's ears perked "Wait? Have you seen a Fox?" Zale said, his tail swaying for answers as he moved up close to the Mouse, now a lot more uncomfortable.

"Ehhh... I think so, but I'll need a book. My friends usually refer to me as "The Teller" since I tend to keep a lot of info stored in my Noggin, but you can call me Auroa if you want". Auroa said nervously as they stared at Zale.

"Okay!" Zale said joyfully, "so, where do we get that book?".

Auroa looked back up at Zale as she tried to regain composure "well, i-it's in the library, but I should warn you I haven't gone there in months and for good reason" Auroa's tone shifted as she closed her eyes, "there's a Bear who started using it as his Den... and I'm very worried you two could get hurt".

Elva looked at Zale "Did she just say what I think she did?" Elva asked in disbelief towards Zale. Noticing the Mouse turned up to look at her, "Yes, and he's not a very nice one..". Auroa sighed, "look this is mostly for my own goals as that book is quite important and I'm not strong enough to get that Book out of there, but you don't have to risk your lives to get my Book if you want".

Zale, noticing Elva's concern discreetly got both Auroa and Elva's attention, "Hey, do you mind if I talk with you on this Elva?" Zale asked politely. Elva quickly perked up to confront her friend's request as she composed herself hastily, "sure".

Zale got ready to speak as he was going first. "I think we should go help Auroa out, I know that you are there for me. But I am honestly a bit worried that whatever happened to the other Foxes could happen to me..." Zale's ears drooped as he continued, seeing Elva attentively listen "so I think we should check for the book Elva, you've always wanted to keep me safe so this may help". Elva nodded, "Look, I'd usually object to something like this. But I'm willing to make an exception here" Elva inhaled as she was about to continue, "I just want to ask this, are you sure we'll be able to avoid Tartarus, Zale? I'm all ears if you think we are, but in my opinion if you aren't. I really don't want to risk losing you" Elva said with a bit of shakiness in her voice, her talons clenching the ground anxiously.

Zale put on a comforting smile as he shifted to a more friendly stance, "you were brave enough to stand up to Morpheus Elva, I'm sure we'll be able to pass right by Tartarus without him even knowing" Zale replied calmly, looking at his friend encouragingly.

Elva sighed, "fine, I suppose it won't be too much of a hassle to move around that Bear."

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Elva, Auroa, and Zale quietly moved towards the Library, "it seems like he's not there.." Auroa said as she sat on top of Zale's head, Zale smiled, "well, let's go!". Zale and Elva scurried into the Library as they moved silently across the bookshelves, eventually finding a green backed diary, "that's the one!" Auroa said joyfully, Elva smiled, "well all that we need to do is go and—". CLONK!

Elva had accidentally knocked over an hard covered book with her wings, the sound it made stirred a large, imposing figure outside. As he marched into the building.

This was Tartarus.

Elva without a second to spare suddenly yelled in alarm, "EVERYBODY RUN!" Zale quickly picked up speed as Elva grabbed the book in her talons. Tartarus uttered words of rage "GET... OUT.. NOW!" yelled the Bear in a voice that was just as uncanny as it was terrifying, the yell quickly fading into a thunderous roar as the Brown Bear pounded forward with unnatural speed. His body slamming into the Walls of the Library hard.

Elva, taken off guard suddenly lost grip of the Diary as it fell to the floor with a faint thud, "NO!" gasped Elva as she tried to grab it, only for Tartarus to budge in as he roared at the Owl, "GET OUT!!". Elva rolled out of the way, barely dodging the Bear. Elva having gotten out of the building turned as she saw Zale backed into a corner, her body tensed as it seemingly got ready to try fight Tartarus, "ZALE! GET OUT OF THERE!" Elva yelled in Fear for her friend's life. Zale turned to look at Elva as Tartarus stared him down, "But we won't get the book if I don't-". Auroa cut in, "IT'S JUST A BOOK! GET OUT OF THERE NOW!". Screamed the Mouse.

Zale tried to evaluate his decisions until he noticed Tartarus starting to rear on his hind legs getting ready to claw him into the ground in the corner of his eye. The fear causing him to freeze in place for a split second.

Elva gasped quickly grabbed a book with her talons as she dashed into the library for just a minute and flinging it towards Tartarus with all of her might, and not a moment too soon. Its heard cover smacked Tartarus in the face as he quickly lost his balance and fell into a bookshelf, allowing Zale to escape.

Auroa clung to Zale as he and Elva rushed away from the building. "I'm sorry I dragged the both of you two into this" Auroa whimpered guiltily, "We'll be fine" Zale replied as the three stopped near the edge of the Suburban Ruins. Elva and Zale skidded on the ground, the two panting as they stared at the Library. Elva almost collapsed onto the ground, exhausted from the encounter. "I think we lost him" Elva panted as she turned towards Zale.

Zale sighed, "Well I'm glad that's over..." huffed the Fox. Meanwhile, Elva glanced at Auroa, who was currently sitting on top of Zale's head "Sorry I dropped your Book, Auroa" Elva said Apologetically. "Don't be, I think I'll try record my findings in a new book..." Auroa sighed before a thought popped into her head, "say, you two are from the forest right?" Asked the Mouse.

"Yeah, what about it?" Zale replied in turn, Auroa tried to steady herself, "well, I suggest you two head back soon, Tartarus usually patrols nearby and it's currently noon." Auroa informed Elva and Zale as she hopped off Zale's head.

"In other words, it's for the best you two head back now". Elva and Zale nodded, "we will then" Elva responded softly, looking at the Mouse with respect. "Take care Auroa!" Zale yelled happily as he and Elva rushed away from the Rodent. "You too kids!" Auroa replied joyously.

The two rushed through the broken village with high speed, leaves rushing past the two as if they were frozen in time. "So since we'll have to take the long way home, do you need me to look out?" Elva enquired Zale as she soared overhead, "Maybe, but I'd prefer if you stay nearby!" Zale answered as the wind blew behind him.

Eventually however, something caught Elva's eye. "Zale, I think I see something" Elva stated as she went to investigate, "following right behind you!" said Zale.

The two friends hopped off the edge of the Suburban Ruins, with Zale quickly bouncing down various pieces of Debris whilst Elva gracefully landed near the shiny object. "Hmmm..." Elva thought to herself as she picked up the object, "seems like its meant to help navigate".

The object in her hand had some kind of arrow, with the letters 'N, S, W, E' arranged in a way that opposed each other. Dials like that of a clock pointing around, Elva moved the object in her talons, watching the Arrow spin towards some kind of direction as she held turned it. The Arrow almost gyroscopically staying in place.

"Zale, I think this could help us head home" Elva remarked, "maybe we should follow the Arrow?" Zale chimed. Elva looked, "I'm not sure, but we should try, though it may be a bit of an issue holding this."

"Wait!" Zale said loudly as he got an idea I've got something in mind...", Zale fetched a piece of blue String, "Elva, could you tie this around my neck?" Zale asked his friend politely, "Oh? Sure!" Elva obliged as she threaded the string through the compass with her beak, loosely tying it to her friend's head. "There, that should do for now" Elva stated as Zale looked at the new pendant.

"I think it fits me quite well" Zale happily said as he turned towards Elva "I think I'm as stylish as you now" joked the Fox with a smirk on his face, "Well you don't have to say that twice" Elva sassily chuckled, amused by her friend.

Meanwhile within the Ruins, Baltazar was sniffing around, "where are they..." the Golden Retriever said with an focused look on his face, "Are you sure they went right back here after what happened with Phonas?" Evelyn commented, Baltazar turned "Well as a hound, I seem to have an extremely strong sense of smell. And I think they went down that tunnel?". Evelyn and Baltazar went down into the station, "it seems they took one of those wheeled things and rode away on it". Remarked the Golden Retriever. Evelyn groaned, "well we're not gonna get to them fast enough if we go down this route" Evelyn remarked as she rushed up the steps, "Hey! Where are you going Evelyn!?" Baltazar confusedly said as he chased the Wolf. "The fastest point is a straight line, so we're going to those weird buildings in the distance!" Replied Evelyn.

Back with Elva and Zale, the Fox and Owl were moving through the undergrowth at an leisurely pace, "you know Elva, I wonder how Sesam is feeling right now" Zale asked his friend. Elva turned to look at Zale, "Well I hope to see Ses soon, I do want to bring something to him as..." Elva trailed off as her tone fell "well as an gift for what happened Earlier". Elva remnisced on what Sesam said under his brief manipulation from Phonas, the words of hatred and betrayal uttered by him feeling as fresh wounds that had only just begun to heal. Pain still apparent beneath her surface as she shakily sighed, trying to focus away from her pain.

Zale turned upward, "Hey, he knows that your care for him is truly geniune. Right Elva?" Zale reminded his friend as he watched her glance back down to look at him for just a brief bit. "Yeah, I hope", replied Elva with a bit of unease.

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Suddenly, heavy pounding was shaking the forest Floor. The two friends heard a familiar Roar that struck all too well...

"ZALE! RUN!" Elva yelled as she turned towards the sound. "COME HERE!!!" Howled Tartarus as he rushed towards Elva and Zale, moving as an avalanche of fur and muscle, his booming voice echoing with wrongness. Elva swooped at the Bear, "WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE MY FRIEND ALONE" Elva yelled in both anger and fear as she swooped at the Ursine to protect her friend. Tartarus animalistically in turn roared at the Owl, the deafening sound seemingly without thought or reason.

Tartarus Swiped at Elva as she turned and fled into the treetops, thrusting through the branches with impeccable speed as the Roars of the Bear Became fainter. Elva looked around as she decided to reunite with Zale, "I hope he's okay..." Elva whispered to herself as she glided down.

Elva landed on the forest floor "Zale! Where are you!" Elva yelled, concerned of her friend's current status. Zale peaked out of his hiding spot as he heard her voice, "I'm here Elva!".

Elva rushed over and gave her friend a Hug, "Thank goodness you're okay" Elva sighed as her wings wrapped around Zale tightly. Zale rested his neck over Elva "I'm fine, don't worry" Zale said assuredly. Elva and Zale got back on their feet as Elva thought hard, "Alright, that Compass seems to have been quite Helpful so far, so I suggest we need to hurry up!" Elva stated confidently, "only issue is I don't actually think we've-".

"Come here." Tartarus Murmured as he stepped out of the Shade. "You two will be hunted... until your lifeforce is extinguished" said the bear, his Brown body looming over the two with anticipation.

Elva and Zale tensed, as Elva realized the true context of Tartarus's aggression, "he's hunting us." Elva whispered to Zale fearfully, but a spark of hope glinted through her mind. "Zale, I have a plan".

Elva moved in front of Zale, putting herself between Tartarus and her friend, "I don't know if you can understand me Tartarus, but if you want my friend, you'll have to go through me'. Elva asserted at the Bear, caught within its Shadow.

Tartarus scowled, as he reared up on his hind legs. Elva quickly got ready to take off, "ZALE! NOW!" Yelled Elva as Tartarus got ready to slam his body on top of the two. They both narrowly dodged with only seconds to spare, Elva dive bombed Tartarus on his head, hitting him right in the eye. Tartarus roared in fury as he clutched his eye, growling with seething rage as he saw Elva rush away to reunite with her friend.

Meanwhile just a few minutes away, the roar of Tartarus hit two Familiar Canids. "That's a Bear Roar!" gasped Baltazar, "we need to turn back now-". The Golden Retriever's sentence was cut off "WHAT IF ELVA AND ZALE ARE IN TROUBLE!" Evelyn Snapped towards him. "I'm going to save them, and I don't care about what you think. Our friends might be in danger, so if you want to stay here. THEN SO BE BALTS!".

Evelyn quickly rushed off as Baltazar, still trying to process what happened softened up a little. "I'm really gonna regret this.." Bemoaned the Golden Retriever as he followed behind.

As Elva and Zale were rushing away, seemingly about to enter a clearance. Until Zale suddenly caught something snag the string Elva tied around his neck and the compass, "ACK!" Zale suddenly blurted out. Elva turned, "ZALE! What's wrong!?" Elva asked with panic in her voice.

Zale tugged, "IT'S STUCK!" Zale grunted as he tried to get free. Elva quickly sprung up and found out the String was caught in similar vines to the ones she got stuck in as she was going to see him at the ruins a few months ago, "I'll help" Elva grunted as she tried to steady herself hastily, trying to yank the string free with her talons and beak as she heard the pounding of Tartarus in the distance. "Just... got it..." Elva grunted as was almost about to cut the last few fibers, until Tartarus came in.

Elva and Zale by instinct dodged, the String's last fibers giving out from the jolt of Zale as Tartarus slammed right into the spot the Barn Owl and Fox were just standing.

Zale soon realized the danger he was in as he was about to fall off the cliff, "ELVA! HELP!" Zale yelled before he quickly yanked the compass, clutching, but failing to stay on the cliff with his paws as he slid off. Elva quickly noticed and swooped in, "I'VE GOT YOU ZALE!" Elva yelled as she grabbed Zale by his tail, Zale turned, "Thanks.. Elva" Zale sighed, only to notice that she was starting to struggle. "You're... too... heavy..." Elva grunted as she started loosing Altitude, she tried to secure herself by grabbing onto a root with her beak and flapping as hard as she could, "just... need.. to hold on.. longer!".

Tartarus loomed over the two on a nearby cliff as Evelyn and Baltazar arrived, all three watching Elva and Zale struggle on the edge of the cliff, "THEY'RE GONNA FALL!" Evelyn exclaimed. Evelyn's confidence began to falter as she assumed that her friends' fate had been sealed, "T-this is so bad.. I-I" the Wolf's whimpers were suddenly cut off by Baltazar, "WELL DON'T JUST STAND THERE IN FEAR" Baltazar barked, understanding how serious things were. "COME AND HELP OUT!" yelled the dog he rushed to grab a large branch that had fallen to the forest floor right after the forest fire a while ago. Evelyn walked and saw Baltazar heaving to grab the branch as she contemplated her decision.

Tartarus was about to inch closer, ready to knock the both off as a rustle in the bushes caught his attention. "Stay there..." snarled the Bear as he walked into the forest.

Seeing the opportunity, Baltazar and Evelyn grabbing the stick leaned it over the cliff edge, "COME ON! GRAB IT!" Baltazar Barked, muffled by the woody object in his mouth. Zale and Elva clutched onto the branch, with Zale allowing Elva some respite as he held the Owl close to him as the two Canids pulled them up.

Meanwhile back in the forest, Tartarus was about to turn back, realizing that Elva and Zale had escaped... only for a different being just as strong, if not. Stronger than him to stop him in his tracks.

"I ain't letting you get in the way" Bruhn stated authoritatively, the Bison's ghostly form tense and strong. Before Tartarus could even respond, he felt as if he was being hit by an falling tree as Bruhn rammed into the Bear. Tartarus roared in pain, as his heavy body crashed into a tree with a Heavy Thud, the Bear Swiped at Bruhn trying to fight back, only for his claws to phase through as if nothing was there.

Elva turned up, to look at her friends "we need to go before Tartarus gets back!" Elva wheezed as she tried to stand up on her legs, Zale helping her stand. "You don't have to say that twice" The Fox tiredly replied. Just then, a pained Roar emitted from where the Bear was as they heard something crash to the forest floor, it growled at something else that bellowed with seemingly unnatural might.

"Well come on, let's go!" Evelyn hastily said as she allowed Elva to clutch onto her back. The four friends rushed away, not to find out who'd be the victor of the battle.

Back nearing the end of the day, an recently recovered Elva flew just under the canopy, watching her friend slowly glide over him with grace. I think I'll take a break from our adventures together for a While Zale." Elva chuckled, whilst she was a bit tired from the ordeal she had just went through. The Sass in her voice was still apparent as she smiled softly at her friend.

"Oh? Hello dear" Elanor said as she peaked up from the hollow, "Hey Mom, sorry I came back so late.." Elva apologized as she felt someone hug her leg, only to see them bashfully turn away. "It was fun being on my own for a bit, but I missed you for most of the day" Sesam muttered as he looked to the ground.

Elva hugged her little brother with her wings, "I missed you too Ses" Elva lovingly responded as she held him close. Zale looked up as the skies above started to turn to night before focusing on the hollow, "Hey Elva?" Zale yelled, hoping to get his friend's attention. Elva heard the sound and looked at her little brother "Hey, I need to talk to Zale for a bit Ses" Elva whispered as she let go of Sesam, and hopped over to look at her friend. "What is it Zale?"

Zale turned to focus on her friend's face, knowing the recent adventure they went through. "Do you mind if I sleep near your hollow tonight?" Zale asked calmly. Elva focused down on the fox, his blue eyes glinting softly, "I don't see why not" Elva answered caringly as she turned to her little brother.

"Well, good night for now Zale!" Elva chirped as she looked at her friend for just a bit, "Good night to you too Elva!" Zale happily responded in Turn as he curled up to a particularly comfortable spot behind Elva's Tree.

Elva tucked right next to her little brother, holding him close with her wings. "Goodnight Sesam" Elva sleepily said as she closed her eyes. Watching the stars begin to twinkle on the horizon.

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To be continued, in chapter 5 of Elva's Song.

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And now with that done, I can finally say this scene is now complete ^^

NOW

With the art I drew of Elva and Stellan fighting... maybe something else is on the way...

I haven't really used Telsk in a bit, and there's still a few things to go through...

But I may need to redo the map first anyways 'lD

Anyways, cya later for Chapter 5 y'all :]

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Meanwhile....

Deep within the Ruins ontop of one of the skyscrapers. Phonas watched as the Sun began to set over the horizon. As an old foe of his walked behind him, "I think we need to talk about your... recent actions, Noctule."

"Well, if it isn't my old friend" Phonas said, knowing who was standing behind him in confrontation of the Chiropteran, "Don't shift the topic here, you know what you've done to someone connected to an certain Blue Eyed Fox I know, Phonas." Snarled the voice behind him.

Phonas turned pridefully as he locked eyes with who he was talking with, his own guess now confirmed. "Ah, still got that scar from the boss I see" Phonas sleazily taunted, the sun setting behind him as he looked down the at Feline as if he was above him.

The Cat stood up as his own claws were on the verge of unsheathing as he stared down the Noctule. "If that wasn't clear enough to you, then let me repeat this one last time, what did you do to Elva's brother Phonas?" Morpheus Asserted, ready to strike alongside his fellow cats as they watched around behind him carefully...

A showdown was about to begin.

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Elva, Zale, Evelyn, Baltazar, and Teller/Auroa are from Tales of Zale (Webseries), and are owned by Sif savery (Teller despite being a Reboot character has a Webseries design, and I think Auroa (who was from the VERY early 2000s Pilot) was Teller's first incarnation)

Tartarus is Owned by me

[jayed-shri-rapax]

TALES OF ZALE: ELVA'S SONG, CHAPTER 3

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Evelyn nudged Baltazar awake.

"What is it man?" Baltazar sleepily groaned at the Wolf, his eyes still closed. "We have to meet up with Zale later since we're going back to the ruins, and we need your jaws n mind for this one" Evelyn cheerfully informed the Golden Hound. Baltazar would lethargically stand up "give me a bit to wake up, I'll meet y'all soon enough". "You should get up now anyways ya mangey mutt" Bjorgvin calmly Said to Baltazar, "Sun's starting to rise and your food's gonna be scavenged after me and my daughter are done". "Let him rest up please dad" Evelyn replied to Bjorgvin calmly as the Rays of light started to flood the den. "Well, atleast stay safe out there Evelyn." Bjorgvin said, care penetrating through his usually cold surface. "We'll be fine Dad, I promise." Evelyn replied as she got ready to head outside.

The two canids would later meet up with Elva and Zale a few hours later in the day

"Well, it's nice meeting you two…" Baltazar said with a small smile forming on his face. "It's nice to meet you too!" Zale replied happily, his tail wagging as he smiled at the large dog, "There's actually Three of us, Baltazar." Elva politely informed as she turned around… until she noticed Sesam had gone missing…

"Why does he always walk off like that.." Elva quaintly muttered before turning to Evelyn, Baltazar, and Zale. "Hold on, I need to fetch my little brother back" Elva sighed as she quickly took off, wanting to find her brother and whilst not making the three Canids wait too long.

Sesam hopped as he saw a Pristine Blue feather sparkle in the light, "hmmmmmm" Sesam contemplated as he rushed to nab the feather with his Talons, "wait.. this looks familiar…". Suddenly Sesam noticed a bright Blue Bird and Black and White Bird rushing towards him, "AAGGH" Sesam Yelped as he jumped out of the way, only to be dive bombed by a larger black Bird. "Well if it isn't our little friend" the Blue Bird gleefully scowled at the Owlet. Sesam realized who the Blue Jay, Raven, and Magpie were. "S-Stellan!? We can talk things out right?" Sesam carefully blurted as he stepped away from the Corvid, "Awh? Is the big Scary Owl scared of us three songbirds?" Cooed Galvyn as he and Stellan loomed over Sesam, "We're just a few little guys" Chuckled Byrce as he grabbed Sesam by his Wings, "HEY, LET ME GO!" Sesam yelled at the Raven angrily. "Okay" Bryce playfully said as he dropped the Owlet on the ground "OW… leave me alo-" Sesam was about to say before Galvyn Cawed in his face, "Stupid cloud say what?" Galvyn yelled at Sesam, "Leave me alone!!" Stellan yelped in a mocking tone. Sesam quickly tried to run, but was pinned to the forest floor by Bryce. "Awh don't be such a baby, we're only having fun ya killjoy" Bryce Chuckled as he saw Sesam cowering below him.

"Look at his head looks like he's trying to blend into the clouds even though HE CAN'T FLY-" hooted Stellan before he felt something grab his right leg.

"AAAAHHH" Yelled Stellan as he was thrown into Galvyn, "HEY WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA-" Galvyn Snarled at Stellan before the Blue Jay and Raven saw Bryce get off Sesam "He approached us I swear!" Bryce nervously said as Elva walked up to him and smacked him in the face with her wing "How many times do I have to tell you to LEAVE MY LITTLE BROTHER ALONE". Elva said as she grabbed the Raven with her Talons and threw him at Galvyn and Stellan. The Raven landing into the other two Corvids with a faint crash. "Oh… it's her…" Stellan said palely, "RUN FOR IT" Yelled Galvyn as he and Bolt hurriedly rushed away, "HEY GET BACK HERE YOU….." Stellan yelped as he saw Elva standing behind him. "Oh… hi.. there.. Elva- AAAAAAAA" Stellan screeched as he felt Elva hurdle dirt at his face, "MY FEATHERS- I SPENT SO LONG PREENING THOSE- YOU-". Elva moved up close to him "I know how it feels to suddenly have your feathers ruined, but I don't feel as bad for you considering how YOU usually treat my little brother." The young Barn Owl Snarkily said to the Blue Jay as he unhappily took off, muttering to himself about his feathers being ruined.

Elva turned around, finding her little brother cowering on the ground with his wings covering his head before gently pushing them away so she could look at his face. "Ses… are you okay?" Elva asked Calmly with care in her voice, "I-I want Stellan to leave me alone" Sesam worriedly sniffled, "what did I even do to him.. I didn't say his feathers looked weird, I didn't steal anything from h-him… IT'S NOT FAIR!".

Elva let Sesam cry into her feathers as he collapsed under the cruelty of the Corvids. "Hey, it's okay… he's just looking for a fight. But I know you Ses, I know how strong you are. So please don't let them get to you Sesam, they'll leave you alone soon enough. And if they don't, well I won't have any problems showing off how much of a problem they're being to me.." Elva caringly said as she turned up his head to face her, wiping off the Tears from Sesam's eyes. "You are strong. And at least you'll always have me."

Sesam smiled at his older sister, "Thank you mo- SIS" Sesam said as he quickly cut it off, Elva chuckled "Well I guess I do look a bit like her" she said jokingly watching Sesam groan into his wings.

Whilst the two Owls were walking back, Elva questioned if she could keep this act up going longer. With how popular she was with her parents now, it'd only be a matter of time before she'd be loved more than… Sesam?

"no.. no." Elva muttered to herself shaking her head, "I won't do that…". Sesam turned "What is it Sis?", "O-Oh. Nothing Sesam…" Elva said as she tried to hide away her more selfish thoughts behind her beak. As the two Owls continued to stroll, the envy in Elva and the pressure she had put on herself was getting a bit… too strong. Unlike of her usual attitude, she wanted to try possibly look like a Hero of sorts to her parents… maybe she could do that if she took down Phonas…

"Let's take a bit of an detour Ses actually" Elva said, a bit off. "Wait, where are we even going?" Sesam asked, tilting his head in confusion. Elva smiled "You'll see…".

Meanwhile in a different sect of the forest.

"Do you think we should get help? Elva's been gone for way too long" Baltazar asked Zale concernedly. "I'm sure she'll be fine." Zale dismissively said, "Plus Evelyn should be able to get help from Telsk if anything goes wrong".

Suddenly, the three canids stumbled upon Stellan furiously cleaning his feathers, "Why won't this COME OFF!….. oh" Stellan laughed nervously as he turned around and saw Zale, Evelyn, and Baltazar standing behind him. "Canids… I suppose y'all are gonna decide on who to eat me so uh…. LOOK A BIRD".

Zale, Evelyn, and Baltazar stared at Stellan Judgmentally. "This guy's weird." Zale whispered to Evelyn whilst Baltazar just stared at Stellan.

"Hey, do you know if you've seen a Owl?" Baltazar asked in a authoritative tone "UHHH- I think I saw an Barn Owl walking right near the big concrete tower things, totally not got any problems with them no!" Stellan quickly said as he dashed off.

"Elva went to… the ruins?" Zale confusedly mumbled, "She wouldn't do that..". Zale looked at Evelyn with Concern, "Something's off with her right now. She's usually not that reckless".

Elva and Sesam trudged through the remains of the concrete jungle around them, "this place looks dangerous" Sesam nervously said "Well that's just what Big Sisters like me are capable of exploring.. hope you're not afraid this time Ses…" Elva dismissively remarked, dismissing the fear her little brother had as she was going to take down something or at least set it up to be like that..

Zale, Evelyn, and Baltazar dashed towards the ruins and past the bramble of thorns. "She can't have gone too far.." Zale Mentioned wearily as he stepped down the abandoned highway. "We'll see…" replied Evelyn with a tinge of concern.

Elva and Sesam trudged deeper, climbing up the beams that lead to the labyrinth of a certain Noctule. As Elva glanced to an forgotten Library, remembering a certain cat with an Scarred face…

"Ses, whatever you do don't go there." Elva turned her little brother, "there's an quite mean person that lives in that building… and he's probably gonna get you hurt" Elva demeaningly informed Sesam about Morpheus. "Right…" Sesam wearily blurted as the two continued their climb.

At last, Elva reached the Pipeyard with Sesam; "Come on, let's go" Elva ordered Sesam as the two went deeper.

The Valves and machinery towered over the two as Elva marched deeper, "I'm worried sis…" Sesam whimpered as he saw the metal pipes casting a looming shadow over him and his sister. "You'll be fine" Elva said with annoyance, "what's up with you being so nervous all of a sudden.." Elva muttered, not knowing that someone was watching her and her brother.

Suddenly the two Owls heard an ear piercing hiss as they were Dive bombed by the Noctule Elva was trying to hunt down. "Didn't expect you to bring along a friend" Phonas mockingly droned, Elva got up and stared him down "I was looking for you so I could make this place free for everyone" Elva overconfidently said, flashing her feathers, until she noticed Phonas turning his head towards Sesam. "Well you'll have that goal set, but I've got plans with this kid" Phonas rasped as he lunged towards Sesam, still getting up from the hit.

A switch flipped in Elva's brain "SESAM!" shrieked Elva as she tried to Race the Noctule to grab her little brother. Though she was only a moment too late as the Bat grabbed him in his feet. Sesam screamed in terror "ELVA HELP!" yelled Sesam as he was dragged higher by the Bat, "Funny how your friend brought you to such an dangerous place despite how helpless you are…" Phonas sleazily said to Sesam as he perched ontop of an Antenna. Sesam tried to get off, only to see the fall below him "WAH-" Yelped Sesam as he looked down, "don't even bother trying to climb down, you're just an fledgling".

Sesam turned towards the bat "W-What do you want from me…" Sesam stammered, "Only to show you that your friend probably doesn't care about you." Phonas said. "That's not True! Elva's protected me from the Bullies I've had, she looked out for me after the Storm, and she's MY SISTER!" Sesam argued, only for Phonas to let out a venomous hiss that almost sent Sesam flying off. Elva quickly turned and saw Phonas looming over Sesam "SESAM!" Yelled Elva as she dashed towards the Tower. "Sister? Well I personally feel she's only doing it to look good towards you, notice how uncaring she seemed of how scared you were as you were walking here?" Phonas mentioned as he turned his back towards the Fledgling "I think that she's envious of your position, and wants all the love her parents give you for herself. And perhaps her bringing you here was to try betray you. Getting rid of you…"

Sesam stopped arguing as he tried to think ways for Elva's actions to not be so selfish. "Y-you don't know her" Sesam stated uncomfortably, "I've known Elva for all my life, she'd never do that-". Phonas looked down "That's what I've always heard when someone finds out a loved one isn't who they thought they were". Phonas said with an feigned apologetic look, "But I can help you Owl…" Phonas said as he cradled Sesam's head in his wings. "Let me teach you how to stop her-".

Suddenly, the pair heard an Familiar voice.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM" Elva screamed furiously as she rammed directly into Phonas, knocking him and Sesam off the Antenna.

"AAAAAAAAAA" Sesam yelled as he fell from the top, looking up at the cloudy skies landing on the concrete roof with an thud. Elva turned to Phonas "Leave.. him ALONE!" Elva yelled as she slammed her Talons right into Phonas repeatedly, unaware of Sesam's eyes staring on in fear. Until Elva finally kicked him away, "Never touch my little brother again".

Phonas glared at his bruised skin before noticing Sesam's expression. Phonas wheezed, "Very well then, liar", he would suddenly take off whilst Elva stared him down before turning towards Sesam with an exhausted sigh. "Are you okay Ses?" Elva nervously said, only for Sesam to look back up at his Older sister with an nonchalant look in his eyes.

"You don't care about me…" Sesam stated holding back his tears. Elva perked her head up in concern, "What? O-of course I do I-". "ALL YOU HAVE BEEN DOING IS JUST TO LOOK GOOD TO MOM AND DAD!" Sesam yelled at his Older sister resentfully. Elva shrunk back, feeling called out and ashamed as she tried to form words "Who… no I do I just wasn't thinking correctly-". "WHY DID YOU BRING ME HERE THEN! YOU KEPT ON IGNORING ME WHENEVER I SPOKE, AND YOU YELLED AT ME WHEN YOU FOUND ME AFTER THE FOREST FIRE!" Sesam cut off his older sister as he let the tears come from his eyes, "You hate me…".

"Sesam.. p-please" Elva stuttered in disbelief as she tried to reach out towards Sesam, only to see her little brother recoil run away from her as he leaped his way down the building, expecting Elva to chase after his gray form.

Elva however only let out an gasp as she collapsed on the ground, covering her face with her wings and huddling under the antenna's surface as she started to cry "I'm… sorry Sesam" Elva whimpered as she cowered beneath the antenna, barely protected from the rain.

Zale and his friends found Sesam trudging his way on one of the abandoned sidewalks of the city. "Sesam!" Yelled Zale happily as he rushed up to him, only to be met with someone apathetic, unlike the joyful bird he knew. Zale paused as he changed his tone, "Hey… what's wrong Ses?" he asked in concern.

"Don't call me that… I don't want to be called that again.." Sesam wearily said as he continued to trudge onwards, until he noticed the drops of rain. "Guess I'll get drenched…" Sesam muttered towards himself until Evelyn rushed towards him, "hey… you can hide in one of my pockets buddy…". Sesam tiredly climbed into an bag around Evelyn's neck as Evelyn closed it. "What's up with him…" Evelyn worriedly said, Baltazar noticed the clouds darkening, "I don't think this rainfall won't be as light as the Storm" Baltazar mentioned, "Maybe Elva will find her way home?". Zale looked up at the building with the antenna, "No… I know where Elva is".

The two canids went inside the second floor of the building with Sesam, whilst Zale hopped onto its roof, the rainfall steadily getting worse. Zale focused on the Antenna, hearing Elva's Sobs through the rain slamming against the ground.

Zale walked towards Elva slowly, as he saw her sobbing uncontrollably through the rain "I-I'm sorry Sesam…" Elva choked as she was grazed by the Raindrops, the sky seeming to follow her emotion. "Elva? Are you okay?" Zale asked as he found her hiding here. Elva was afraid to even look up towards her best friend "Go away Zale, please" Elva shakily murmured beneath the Radio Tower as the downpour hit the ground.

Back below the top of the building, Sesam unzipped the bag Evelyn was keeping him in. "I can't take this anymore." Sesam groaned out of boredom, though still upset from the betrayal. "I'll go speak to Zale and tell him about how bad of a Person Elva actually is" Sesam muttered as he hopped out, "Hey, no." Baltazar ordered as he suddenly tried to stop Sesam "Zale's going to fix this himself, and we don't want you getting wet". Sesam groaned as he was about to Walk back to Evelyn's purse, Baltazar sighed. Only to notice that Sesam had evaded both him and Evelyn's lines of sight, and was climbing up a vent towards the rooftop, "HEY!" Yelled Baltazar as he tried to chase Sesam under the Ventilation shaft.

Back on the roof of the building, Zale had finally finished his approach as he climbed underneath the antenna, "What's wrong? I-I'm sure you're… not doing too good.." Zale spoke with care in his voice.

"You'll turn on me if I tell you what's been going down.. i-if Sesam did, then why won't you" Elva worriedly said, only for Zale to carefully move away Elva's wings from her face so he could look at her properly. "You can tell me anything Elva… I promise" Zale said with care as he calmly smiled, looking his friend in the eye.

Elva struggled to find the words, but slowly opened up "I-I've been pushing myself… so hard to be good. All to try prove to my parents I'm more worth loving than Sesam…" Elva shakily gasped "But now I've lost him… I-I don't know if I can even make up for what I've done… he'll tell everyone that I'm some kind of monster".

Meanwhile, Sesam was climbing through the vents until he heard Elva's voice from below. "It's true that all I've been doing is to try get more popular with Mom and dad than him.. but I still care about him, he's not worthless to me, I'd never forgive myself if that monster hurt him. Like how he seemingly was trying to manipulate my little brother… I-I've failed to protect him."

Sesam stared up as he tried to hone in "w-what?".

"He'll never forgive me… he'll always think I'm some kind of monster.. all because of what that bat told him, because I brought him here for no reason. I-I should've been more smarter, I SHOULD'VE NEVER… never hurt him… he looked up to me.. he wanted to prove himself to me… and I-I just hurt h-him because I wanted to replace him. I… wish I could say sorry to him…"

Elva finally broke down as she let herself cry, Zale let Elva lean on him as the two huddled beneath the storm, only for someone Else to suddenly find his way up..

Sesam wrapped his wings around Elva's waist, "Sis… please, you're not a monster..". Elva looked down, "Ses I-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I.. I shouldn't have tried to replace you-" Elva stammered before Sesam spoke up, "You're my Older Sister.. I-I'm the one who should say sorry for thinking you were a monster sis. You may be jealous of how much attention I get, and you may be strict at times. But I'm glad you care about me Sis."

Elva hugged both Sesam and Zale tightly as Baltazar and Evelyn arrived, "need a lift you two?" Evelyn happily said seeing that Sesam and Elva had finally made up.

The storm cleared up a few hours later as Elva, Zale, Baltazar, and Evelyn trekked their way back to where Mrs Elanor and Xerxes lived, Xerxes and Elanor rushed to huddle around their kids "Oh thank goodness you two are okay.." Xerxes said as he hugged them, "We were worried Sick about you both!" Followed up Ms Elanor.

"We're fine…" Elva said as she glanced at Sesam "Sesam is the one you should thank here… he was the one who helped save me from a really bad spot" Elva proudly said towards her parents before looking at her little brother calmly. Sesam looked up, "Y-yeah! But it was a group effort… I feel we both helped eachother out here" Sesam said, "Elva is the one who helped protect me from the storm… it was the both of us that helped out!" Sesam said bashfully whilst Elva rolled her eyes in ammusment. Before looking back up at her parents "Point is, I think we both deserve a bit of an break Mom and Dad…" Elva followed up with some sass, but mostly in a calm tone. "Well, I suppose you both deserved it" Xerxes chuckled as he got ready to hop out, I'll get something for you two to eat in the meantime. Mrs Elanor turned around to look at her two kids, "And I'll keep you two company here" she said proudly as Xerxes took off.

An thought suddenly crossed Elva's mind, "hey mom, could I please go play with Zale for a bit?" Elva asked kindly as her wingfeathers shone in the sunlight.

"Sure thing dear" Answered Mrs Elanor, "I'll take care of Sesam from here."

Elva burst from the Hollow as she looked up at the sun shining down above her, and looked at an familiar blue eyed fox trotting on his way. "HEY ZALE!" Elva playfully yelled at her friend, letting her more fierce spark shine once more "Try keep up with me here!" Elva chuckled as she dashed past the trees, "RACE YA THERE!" Zale joyfully yelled in turn as the two friends rushed through the trees… like flickering lights united once more.

To be continued.

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(Baltazar is this yellow dog btw, the other three Birds (Stellan, Bryce, and Galvyn) are Spanner, Bolt, and Gimbal from the Reboot... though I have only got art of Spanner atm, I will post art of Galvyn and Bryce later.)

(Concept art made by Sif Savery herself ^)

Other than that I will be noting the series will be going down a more chill and Episodic route as this has now basically turned into a replacement for the Webseries ^v^

In the meantime, stay tuned for Chapter 4 :>

[jayed-shri-rapax]

Fun Fact: Owls have ticklish feet

That does not mean you can take advantage of that though Sesam.

[haustierblog]

👉 Überraschungs‑Tipp

[cardboardfeet]

@semeinstructionalmanual poly ships have been infecting my brain and you? you've given me an A Grade Virus

[konsum]