I poise my my wings up in the air and tense up my muscles for instant action.

This root isn't far away, roughly 7 meters, and its fairly large too, not that I've missed my mark so far, but it would be nice to keep it that way. Although if by some miracle I did miss, the leaves should be safe to fall in by now. I've put a good distance between Bartlon's boat and myself during flying practice, I can't even see it if I look back anymore! Its hidden by the huge, maze-like roots.

"Cinders" I squall as I take off!

The world lurches and the wind whistles in my ears as Cinders thrusts me through the air at terrific speed. The several meter gap closes in the blink of an eye. I don't even need to flap at all, the inertia is enough to carry me the entire distance. I simply unfurl my wings as the root approaches to slow myself, then give a few quick flaps to stick the landing. As of lately, I haven't been holding back on the fire power for Cinders, opting for full force! Something about going as fast as possible is exhilarating! albeit, very unnecessary and dangerous, but heaps of fun!

Its kinda crazy to think how effective Cinders is for flying, I can go from super fast to a complete halt in just a few flaps! Without it, I don't think I would of even made it half as far. I'm starting to think that Cinders isn't supposed to be a means of attack, but a method of achieving fiery flight instead. I've been using it wrong this whole time!

And I've gotten pretty good at zooming across these roots too, if I do say so myself. Each root I try to go a little faster, or land a little smoother, striving for the perfect flight! It's very fun. It makes the passing minutes feel like seconds.

"Cinders" I squawk again in delight, hurtling a nearby leaf-covered root like a bird-shaped comet.

I wonder if Bartlon is having a hard time getting over these roots? He must be climbing over them one by one! That's something I'd never have the patience to do! I'm only about halfway to the tree even when I'm flying overhead. If I couldn't fly, I'd just give up. Its too much effort.

"Cinders" I repeat after landing.

Another root falls victim to fire flapping practice... another, and another follow soon after. Because I'm only using Cinders once, sometimes twice if I misjudge, I can zoom around nearly indefinitely, my mana replenishes almost as quick as I'm using it. If I can somehow get more Mana then I can really step it up and do some serious aerial acrobatics! I absolutely must ask Bartlon how to get it.

Or maybe I don't need to ask?

Cinders has reached level 3 + 3 Affinity

I immediately halt my actions and bring my status to attention while squirming in happiness.YES!! A level up!

Name: -----, ------

Health: 81/81 Mana: 130/148 Level 4 (191/400) Strength: 12 Endurance: 19 Species: Pheonix Dexterity: 11 Intelligence: 40 Class: Pheonix, Level 2 Affinity: 27 Skills Traits Cinders, Level 3 Mythical Bellows, Level 1 Fire to Fire Profound Fire Affinity Dungeon Bound

Did Cinders level up? What!? When was it level 2?! Why did I only get Affinity and nothing else? Is this different from my own level? Oh gosh, I should of asked more question when Bartlon explained it. Level ups are important after all! They make me stronger, more levels can never be a bad thing.

OH MY LORDY!! MY MANA!!

Its definitely higher than before right? I'm not seeing things am I? Affinity gives me mana! No wonder I couldn't understand what it did! If I had never learned about my status, I still wouldn't know! Such a grand discovery! Affinity is now joining the team of my small to-do list. Just above slimming my tummy and a bit beneath finding the fluffiest blanket in the world, a place of supreme importance.

I must flap harder!

The root-strewn obstacle course leading to the trunk of the giant blue tree blurs below me as I blaze over-top. I barely touch down on the roots for a heartbeat before I'm already darting to the next in a fiery explosion. Every millisecond of flying practice beforehand is put to full use with every maneuver. I don't even stutter for a moment as my wings operate on instinct alone, twisting, gliding and flapping, all for the purpose of safely guiding me to my immediate destination.

That destination being the trunk.

The very same trunk that's getting a little too close, a little too fast for comfort... and it looks a lot more solid than I remember. Did I already make it this far?

I'm getting a sense of Deja vu.

I kick my legs forwards and hold out my wings as far as I can stretch them, hoping to catch as much wind as possible. Predictably, it does hardly anything to dampen the amount of speed I had built up using fire flapping and I continue to rush uncontrollably at the resolute wall of blue bark. Panic starts to set in and time slows down as the inevitable crash unfolds.

I must fight fire with fire! If Cinders got me into this mess, it can get me out!

"Cinders" I yell, heaving my wings with everything I have, just seconds from impact.

Insufficient Mana

Oh no

*Donk*

Suffered 28 Falling Damage

"Garrgghhhhhhhhh!"

Why.

Why.

Why did Cinders betray me?

Suffered 2 Piercing Damage Suffered 1 Piercing Damage Suffered 1 Piercing Damage

Why is this bark so splintery?

Suffered 1 Piercing Damage Suffered 1 Piercing Damage

My whole body groans in pain as I slide down the tree, collecting an assortment of tiny wooden spears under my feathers. My arms had taken the brunt of the 'fall', but ouch, that really sucked, I went a little overboard with the speed. At least, at the base of the tree, there's a nice bed of soft, white leaves waiting to accept me with open ar-I mean stems. I feel like taking a short break anyway.

Sinking down to my neck in the white embrace, I take the fetal position and pluck out the splinters with the tip of my beak, regretting my recklessness as the pain recedes.

Well... I'm here right?