Another week went by and there was still no sign of Jay's return, they were all getting worried. Stace wanted to go back through the arch doorway to search for Jay. She made sure she was fully prepared for anything that may happen as she walked through. Cautiously, she looked all around her surveying the situation. She remembered how to get to the top and started to leap on the platforms. When she finally reached the top she observed her surroundings and high above before preparing herself to make the leap that leads towards the sacred oasis.
She sprinted onto the small platform and leapt from the edge using the full force of her hind legs thrusting herself forward as high as she could. She landed with a thud, before stumbling along the path when a familiar bird landed near her and phased into its human form. Stace was shocked and worried to see that Jaymie had followed her through.
"Don't worry Stace, I've told Daddy my plan, he was reluctant at first, before he realised that it would be what either he or daddy Jay would do in this situation" Jaymie explained.
"Ok! But you must stick close to me and do as I say. You know both of your dads wouldn't want anything to happen to you" Stace said.
"Yeah okay, let's go. You can follow that path to this beautiful place. It's this way" Jaymie led, fully confident.
"How… nevermind… keep going," Stace smiled, realising Jaymie was almost the spitting image of Jay.
"How do I know the way? Well I don't know, I just sort of do. Maybe Daddy has told me about this place in a bedtime story" Jaymie explained. "He has always said he would take me to an amazing place someday."
"You know if we don't find him Jay will always be a part of you in your heart. Just let whatever it is guide you," Stace advised.
It took a few days to follow the path, which made Stacey realise why Jay had told her that flying was an advantage in this world. It made sense, it would have been a lot quicker. Even Jaymie had realised that too. When his legs were getting tired he shifted into a fledgling and he preferred it. Though he was still young, he would perch on my head or back to rest. Each day he would fly a little further as his wing got stronger. As they reached the top Stace was finding it hard to breathe comfortably due to the altitude, but Jaymie's was not affected. They stopped for the night and it was a beautiful clear sky. Jaymie looked to the starry night and felt warm inside like someone was watching over him, then he saw a huge ball of flames that took the shape of a big bird. Stace suspected but Jaymie knew. Jaymie smiled with eyes filled with tears, Stace smiled while she watched Jaymie in silence, she could almost feel the bond of love between a father and son. That evening they both had a good night's sleep.
When dawn broke out the following morning, the sun's first rays hit the valley and illuminated the oasis, a feeling of peace and tranquillity came over both of them. With the way Jaymie kept evolving, hours felt like days, sometimes even years. Stace also grew stronger herself, she managed to control her breathing more easily and leapt with ease, she also felt as though she was gliding alongside Jaymie sometimes.
Jaymie instantly took off into the sky as Stace raced towards it. As Jaymie explored the skies over the oasis, Stace padded softly across the grass and walked to the watering hole.
A gusty wind blew over her and she looked around, startled, but saw no one around. Until she looked up, straight ahead of her and gasped. She thought she was dreaming.
"Jay!?" She called out hopefully. However there was no response. She couldn't quite see who it was as there was a shadow casting over him. Stace noticed him moving slowly closer. Although she felt curious about who it might be, an uneasy feeling came over her so she started to slowly walk backwards. As the sunlight hit him, she stopped moving and gazed at him as if she's studying him.
"Jay?!?" She said once more.
"It's me, Jaymie, you remember me don't you Stacey" not so little Jaymie reminded her. Stacey for once was speechless, blinked at least three times to make sure it wasn't a dream.
"Jaymie? Is that really you? How did you grow so quickly?" Stace asked, trying to figure it out.
"Well it's a magical oasis. 'Anything is possible' I remember Daddy used to say" Jaymie explained, before taking flight once more. Jaymie circled over Stace for a while, but it wasn't until another gust of wind flew over them, but this time it felt different. It felt warmer.
Stace and Jaymie looked all around. When they saw a mirage in bird form perched on the edge of the cliff looking down straight at them both.