An Owl's Rise

"Wait! You're leaving already?!" Yulbok shouted when Evelyn informed him of her plans.

"Yes, I've obtained what I came here for and need to continue on my journey. Still, before I go, I wanted to thank you for your help during my stay here. I accomplished all of my goals and more thanks to you."

"But are you sure you want to leave? I've actually been working to make you an honorary Inferno Field Ranger. Right now, you can't get back to the Roost so you should stay here where you will have access to facilities and goods you can't get out in the wilds.

You wouldn't be able to enter the Great Shell proper, but you could still earn Shell Points by working at this fortress and exchange them for valuable resources. I promise that you are more than welcome here."

Yulbok's offer came as a surprise to Evelyn. She had not expected him to think so highly of her. In fact, it was honestly surprising to see him so desperate to keep her around.

"As tempting as that offer is, I have others waiting for me to return. Staying here would be to betray myself. There are certain goals I have sworn to complete, and I can't accomplish them here."

Seeing the hardened resolve in Evelyn's eyes, Yulbok could only sigh and give up on recruiting her.

"Very well. Just remember that you will always be welcome back here so long as I am in charge of this fortress. If you ever want to come back and fight fire elementals again, I'll be more than happy to add you to my forces."

"I'll keep that in mind. Just don't expect me to help you out for free." Evelyn said, turning around and heading out of Yulbok's office.

Yet, before she took her first step, Yulbok called out to her and tossed a small badge her way.

Deftly she caught it with one of her claws and looked at the emblem.

"That's my personal token indicating you are my friend. I know you already got one from a junior ranger named Krunnen, but mine will carry more weight in case you ever run into anyone else associated with the Great Shell. Feel free to use my name if it will ever help you."

"Thanks. If the opportunity ever arises, I'll make sure to."

After that Evelyn left Yulbok's office and headed towards the mess hall to meet with Lizlul.

When Evelyn informed her that she planned to depart from the fortress today, Lizlul's reaction was similar to Yulbok's.

"What?! But, you can't just leave without any warning!"

Lizlul asked Evelyn to at least stay for a couple more days so that she could receive a proper send off, but she only shook her head in refusal.

She wanted to hurry up and evolve. Her siblings and friends had already left her behind and she was the last one that needed to reach the tyrant rank before they could move on.

"Fine. Then we will just have to hold a farewell celebration for you right here, right now." Lizlul said enthusiastically.

Then, before Evelyn could stop her, she got everyone in the mess hall whipped up into a frenzy and an impromptu party began. Evelyn had become quite popular during her stay and all the members of the fortress happily sent her off with clamorous festivities.

Once things had gotten a bit out of control and no one was paying attention to her anymore, Evelyn slipped out of the mess hall and made her way towards the nearest exit.

'It was certainly more fun here than I ever expected, but it is time to get back to work. I'm going to make the Tyrannis Union, and the Deamhain Sect pay. For Otis, and myself.' Evelyn thought, flying into the sky with a steely expression on her face.

…

For several days she flew with almost no rest and made her way directly to the burrowing owls' home.

It had not yet quite been a month since her departure to the Inferno Field and she was hoping to make it in time for when the magic spring next filled with magical energy. She already felt a bit bad about monopolizing the powerful magical phenomenon for herself a second month in a row, but this would be the last time.

The spring only filled up with magical energy potent enough to advance beasts up to the tyrant rank. After using it once more for her evolution, she would never have need of it again.

Upon her return, the burrowing owls welcomed her warmly as they always had. To those that had fought with her to reclaim their home she was their savoir, and many of the younger burrowing owls almost treated her like some sort of god because of the reverence their leaders showed her.

"Lady Evelyn, you have returned!" Po said, ecstatically.

"You know, there was no need to rush to greet me. I would have come found you within the burrows." Evelyn said, wearing a stiff expression since Po had frantically flown to meet her the second he learned of her arrival.

"No, there is no way I could make you wait or expect you to come to me." Po said like it was some sort of personal creed he had to adhere to.

"Though, you did return far earlier than what you had told us to expect. Was you quest successful?"

"Yes, more so than I could have ever expected. I got lucky and obtained the last two catalysts I need to evolve. The next time the magic spring fills with magical energy, I'll finally become a tyrant beast."