Mountains surround, while leisurely clouds drift by. An expansive range of majestic mountains stretches as far as the eye can see. Within the clear blue sky, a nine-foot-long mystical bird circles, flying towards the place below where wisps of white smoke rise.
The tendrils of white smoke are from the kitchens of a small town, where families are busy cooking, producing plumes of cooking smoke. This town is situated at the foot of a mountain, with houses scattered haphazardly, appearing both natural and arbitrary. The exteriors of the houses exude a humble warmth. There's a bustling market in the town, filled with the din of haggling and selling. At the town's edge stands a dilapidated cottage, from which shouts can be heard:
"Lia! Lia!" Elysia calls out.
"Yes, mother?" A serene and clear voice responds. It belonged to the girl known as Liana Watershade, though she was often called Lia for short.
"Have you seen Zeph? That rascal has disappeared on me again!"
"What happened, mother? What did Zeph do this time to upset you?" Liana gently asked.
"That troublemaker! I found out he carelessly removed his Aetherwings and ran off!" Elysia exclaimed in anger.
Liana rolled her eyes helplessly. Chances are that rascal went outside again to date, and perhaps intimately engage with, women from the Exotribes. Zeph has mentioned many times that wearing the Aetherwings during such intimate moments is rather inconvenient. Furthermore, the sudden appearance of Aetherwings tends to frighten those ladies. Thus, Zeph often simply decides to remove his Aetherwings before heading out to avoid the trouble.
As for why it's inconvenient or why the sudden appearance of Aetherwings might scare them, Liana wasn't entirely sure. She only knew that for the people of the Aeolian Clan, their Aetherwings are crucial. They symbolize not just honor but also serve as a primary form of protection. If someone lost their Aetherwings, they might even be exiled from the Aeolian Clan. No wonder Elysia, usually so laissez-faire, was so upset this time.
Yet, amidst these traditions and beliefs about Aetherwings within the Aeolian Clan, Liana's own wings stood out as an enigma.
From childhood, Liana was perplexed by the uniqueness of her Aetherwings. Unlike the typical wings of the Aeolian Clan, which were large, soft, and predominantly white, Liana's wings were slender and oval-shaped, with a rigid golden hue. They shimmered with a faint silver glow in the light.
The Aeolian Clan, known for their free spirit and frequent intermarriages with other tribes, often had offspring with a variety of wing appearances. However, most had soft-textured feathers without any shimmer.
Elysia believed that Liana's birth near the Celestial Lake at Zenith Mountain might have influenced the distinctive nature of her wings. Perched high atop the mountain, the lake was thought to possibly possess a spiritual aura.
This was precisely why Liana often spent her time quietly at home, seldom going out with friends.
The gatherings of girls her age mostly revolved around discussions on how to groom their wings, which decorative accessories would complement them best, and, when on dates with someone they fancied, how to flutter their feathers charmingly.
Liana preferred not to display her wings in public, as most people tended to regard her with a mix of curiosity and bewilderment. Although no one ridiculed her to her face, behind her back she was often referred to as 'Metal Molly'.