"Long ago, there existed a magical race known as the Spirit Birds. They were beings with human-like intellect and the ability to speak. They could wield magic, for they were a species born from the power of the Crystals. This race prospered and lived in harmony with humanity.
Until one day, everything changed...
For seven years ago, Potoo Village, their homeland, was judged with fire."
We are in a small village engulfed in flames, with thick clouds of smoke everywhere. The smoke is so dense it blots out the stars. Looking up, the sky is nothing but darkness.
Several Spirit Birds fly aimlessly, emitting white auras that illuminate their path, resembling angels. They try to escape the chaos.
"Quick! Females and chicks first!" shouts one of the males.
"The humans are destroying our village! Flee, those who can!"
"Why are they killing us? What did we do?"
The birds cry out to one another.
"The humans from nearby communities attacked the village of the Spirit Birds, accusing them of being a demonic race that used their magic for evil...
...They called them witches."
Several Crystal Warriors are seen throwing torches and firing at the birds with rifles coated in magical power.
"Take aim! Leave none alive!"
Amid the chaos, a young Uruta flies in fear alongside his parents: two adult Spirit Birds, more experienced and prepared.
"Mom, Dad! Why are the humans attacking us? We've always gotten along! Why?" asks little Uruta, panting, his voice trembling with terror.
"Keep flying, son!" orders his father. "There's no time to understand this now... Canvas Village is to the west. We'll find refuge there."
"Listen to your father. Let's get out of here!" adds his mother.
Suddenly, a bullet strikes Uruta's father in his left wing. He plummets to the ground, skidding several meters before being covered in ash. His family screams in shock, unable to believe what just happened.
"Dad!!"
"My love!!"
"D-Don't worry about me! Get out of here! You need to be safe!" the wounded father calls out weakly.
The noise they make attracts the attention of one of the attackers.
"Look! Over there! More of them!" a man shouts, pointing at them.
The attackers start shooting at Uruta and his mother mid-flight. By now, the young chick is crying uncontrollably. It isn't long before his mother is also struck and falls.
"Mom, no!!" wails Uruta, gliding down toward her.
"Son, don't come!"
"Mom! Please, don't leave me! Not you... Please!" The chick disobeys and descends to her side.
The elderly bird caresses her child's face with her injured wing, smiling through her tears as she begins to accept her fate.
"Uruta... My son... P-Please. Don't hate the humans for this," she says, her voice weak. "Not all of them are like this. One day, you'll find a loyal companion who will fly by your side. No matter where you go, I will always be watching over you..."
"Mom, no..."
The old bird removes the necklace around her neck and gives it to her son: an old wooden medallion bearing the insignia of the Spirit Birds—a thick, sturdy feather.
"Take care of yourself, my son... Please... li... live..."
She takes her last breath and closes her eyes with a faint but content smile. The little chick cannot believe it. He wails in desperation, his cries so powerful they unleash magical waves, deafening the humans around him. His entire plumage glows white, drawing attention instantly.
"That chick is too loud! He's using his powers!" complains one of the attackers, covering his ears. "Catch him!"
Uruta takes off and flies into the distance, crying at full volume. He becomes a glowing speck fading into the smoky clouds.
"Mom! Dad! What am I going to do without you? Where do I go?"
He vanishes beyond the horizon.
"I am... alone."
*
Days go by, and young Uruta takes refuge in the Forest of Canvas Village, a place he uses as his sanctuary. Every night, he perches atop a tree and cries his heart out. His song sounds like a mournful lament. He screams, calling out for his mother, as if hoping she might somehow return.
"Since that day, he spent every night singing his ghostly melody in memory of his deceased parents. This gave rise to a new legend that spread from mouth to mouth among the villagers: 'The Legend of the Ghost Bird.'
One day, several villagers gather to organize a hunt. They carry torches and pitchforks in hand, heading toward the forest."
"Gentlemen, we've had enough of that cursed bird's cries! It's time to hunt it down!" declares the man leading the group.
"They say it's a Spirit Bird, the last of its kind. I heard they were formidable warriors who used magic, so we should be cautious," says another. "Whatever it is, we can't let it terrorize the village any longer. Let's get it once and for all!"
"Yeah!" the group cheers.
Eleven-year-old Geal, watching the adults' commotion, is intrigued by words like "ghost bird" and "formidable warriors." Filled with curiosity, she secretly follows the villagers into the forest, hiding among the trees. Her innocent curiosity drives her, unaware of where the adults are going.
"What are they doing? Why are they all heading into the forest?" wonders the little girl as she leaps from bush to bush.
After trekking through the forest's dense underbrush, they finally find it.
"There it is!"
A villager points to a small white chick, barely distinguishable as it stands camouflaged on the stump of a birch tree. Uruta's feathers blend seamlessly with the texture of the bark.
"Quick, don't let it escape!" orders one of the villagers.
They all begin throwing stones at Uruta. He moves instantly, trying to take flight, but is quickly struck down when a rock hits one of his legs. The attackers close in. Uruta trembles with fear.
"Please, don't hurt me! Mom, Dad...!" The bird begins to cry.
"My God! It can talk!"
"There's no doubt! This creature is a demon!"
"You can't fool us, witch!"
The adults shout, enraged.
Another stone flies toward Uruta, but Geal leaps out from the trees and shields him. Everyone looks at the girl in confusion; they had no idea she had been following them.
The stone strikes her head, leaving a cut on her forehead. She stands protectively in front of Uruta, acting as his shield.
"Geal! What the hell are you doing here?" shouts one of the men.
"He said not to hurt him!" the girl asserts.
"That bird is dangerous to us! It's a witch in disguise! Step aside, we're going to sacrifice it," the leader insists. "Understand, Geal! That thing is a threat!"
"NO!! I won't let you," Geal cries. "You say it's a threat because you don't know him. He cries because he needs someone to care for him. He doesn't want to hurt us."
"Don't be ridiculous, Geal! That's not a pet you're dealing with. That bird isn't normal!"
"Well, neither am I...!"
Everyone falls silent.
"My Crystal is different from the other kids'. I can't do many of the things they can, but that doesn't make me dangerous!" Geal says, pulling out her Crystal. "If you're going to attack those who are different, then throw stones at me too!" she declares, puffing out her chest.
The adults step back, stunned by Geal's determination and rebellious spirit. The young heroine kneels to check on Uruta. Naturally, he backs away, but Geal smiles and gently strokes him.
"It's okay now. You're safe. I won't hurt you. I want to be your friend," she says, her voice warm and comforting.
"Time passed, and Geal and Uruta became inseparable. They played together: running through the streets, bathing in the rivers, sharing the same bed, and playing every game they could think of with Mathias. These moments became the everyday scenes of their childhood.
And so, the two grew up together, loving each other like true siblings. They became inseparable, unable to imagine life without one another. Eventually, the villagers learned their lesson, realizing there can be beauty in what is different. Everyone came to cherish the sight of Geal playing with her feathered friend.
Thus blossomed a beautiful friendship."
*
Back in the present: Geal continues battling against the walls of the trial, slamming her fists into them over and over with fierce determination.
"Uruta!! Don't be afraid, I'm coming for you...!!" she shouts, filled with rage and resolve.
Other participants begin murmuring, their exhaustion and resignation evident. They talk about how difficult the trial is.
"Almost five hours have passed, and still no one has passed," says one of them.
"It's impossible. No matter how hard I try, the walls won't break. I gave up a while ago," admits another.
"Stop trying; this trial can't be completed."
Meanwhile, we see Bredgy. The walls surrounding her already show cracks, but they are still far from breaking.
"It's way tougher than it looks. Even with my modified Crystal, it's hard to break through," she says while striking with her scythe.
"This is the ultimate test to measure your determination. Only those who never stop trying will succeed," the Master of the Trial interrupts, inspiring his aspirants.
Our heroine keeps attacking, visibly more tired with every strike. But she doesn't give up.
"I haven't done any real damage to the wall. Is it truly impossible?" she says, panting. "No...!!"
Even though the skin on her fists and shoulders is raw, she continues ramming the wall. Dust and rocks fly with every impact, but the walls remain unmoved.
"No matter how tough it is, if I keep attacking, I'll bring it down—sooner or later... sooner or later!" she mutters, rubbing her reddened shoulder, the sleeve of her shirt worn thin. "It's hard. Too hard... but if I don't get out of here, I'll lose my friend!"
Reflecting and encouraging herself, Geal lets out a battle cry and tackles the wall one more time. A small crack appears. She smiles, knowing she has made progress.
"Yes! I broke it! Just a little, but I broke it!" she exclaims, her spirits lifted.
Fired up, she focuses all her attacks on that same spot. Soon, the hole begins to grow larger and larger. The sound of falling rocks draws the attention of the other participants.
"What's that noise? Someone's breaking through!"
"It's got to be a joke—she's cheating!"
"Please, there's no way to cheat in this trial..."
And indeed, there isn't... but Geal is making it happen!
"GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!!!" Geal roars, charging her final strike.
With a devastating blow, Geal finally breaks through the wall and emerges amidst sand and rubble. Without wasting a moment, she braces her legs, ready to sprint. Every second counts in rescuing her companion.
"Congratulations, you're the first to—! Wait a moment, stop...!" says Rhys, extending his hand to her, but Geal has no time to listen. She ignores him and takes off running.
She rushes past Rhys and immediately leaves the trial site, leaping over the security fence that surrounds the concrete area. Thanks to the potion still in effect, she sprints at incredible speed.
"Uruta, hold on, I'm on my way!!" Geal thinks.
Without hesitation, the brave heroine runs at full speed to the north, having noticed earlier that the drone carrying Uruta was heading in that direction. She is on her way to rescue her companion.