As I tread along the Great Plains towards the East Mountains, I heard to my right sounds of battle. Curious, I walked towards the sounds. There, I found an unknown creature fighting with a Rampaging Rhino. This creature looked like a minotaur but hairier with a bulkier upper body. His horns are extended to the side and he was clothed like humans. The rhino had knocked the young minotaur to the ground and was trying to pierce him with its horn. The young minotaur has one hand on the rhino's horn and one hand on its head as he tried to push the rhino away.

Seeing that the young minotaur is in need of help, I lunged forward with my Skinning knife drawn and beheaded the rhino. The rhino's body collapsed and the young minotaur pushed it off his body.

"Are you okay?" I asked in Common Bestial Language.

Surprised, the young minotaur murmured, "Y-yes, thanks for the help."

"I am called Khaos, an adventurer. What do they call you?"

"I am called Chogan Cloudsnout, little chief of the Cloudsnout Clan." Chogan replied (little chief means first son of Chieftain and next in line to be Chieftain).

"Little chief eh? So what is a young minotaur like you doing out in the Great Plains all by yourself?"

"M-minotaur? I am not one of those warmongers. I am a Tauren."

"Tauren? I've never heard of your kind."

"That's because we came from the mountains in the far east. But my clan did not fare well with the Minotaurs and decided to move here and live in peace."

"Really? So that's it. If you guys are peaceful friendly monsters, then why didn't you help us when we passed here to battle a Demon Orc and its Orc army?" I asked. "We tried to recruit nearby friendly monsters."

"We are a peaceful clan who don't like unnecessary bloodshed." Chogan answered. "Here, it's getting late, why don't I invite you to my clan. I need to properly repay you for your help."

Chogan led me to his clan, which turned out to be a village in the southern part of the Great Plains. As we neared his village, Chogan shouted of his return. And when questioning looks were cast in my direction, he explained that I had saved him from danger. It seems that the Taurens treat their benefactors kindly. The Chieftain berated his son a bit before warmly thanking me and invited me to have dinner. While we sat, I observed the foods they brought out. There were many unknown vegetables and plants. Although there were meat, it seemed the Taurens eat more vegetables.

While eating, I discussed my purpose and wanted to invite the Taurens to my guild to discuss peaceful relations. Most of the Taurens are a quiet bunch...having lived in isolation from most of the world. Although, I had saved their little chief, they could only treat me as a benefactor but not as someone they could put their trust in. The Taurens felt that because there is little trust, then their isn't much reason to form relations. After dinner, I got up and prepared to leave, but the Chieftain urged me to stay a few days as they had predicted a large rainstorm will occur soon.

A few days later, a rainstorm really occurred! I was amazed at their accuracy in predicting the rainstorm. When I asked about it, the little chief laughed and said that their tribe has worshipped the sky for many centuries. The sky leaves numerous of messages to their shaman who then interprets the weather (possible Astrology/Astronomy/Weather Forecast skills) that helps them with their farming and other every day work. After the heavy rain, I bid the Taurens farewell and left for the mountains.

I haven't even walked for five minutes yet when I heard screams or anger and pain. It was coming from the Tauren village. I rushed back and saw a group of more than 10 cyclopes raiding the village. Although the Taurens are strong, but most of them have been weakened with peaceful life so their battle strength is slightly weaker compared to the cyclopes. I grabbed my Werewolf Mask and rushed in to help.

With my help, the Taurens were able to fend off the cyclopes...but not without casualties. The biggest problem that occurred was that the Chieftain is severely wounded and in a coma. The Taurens did not have any advanced medicine that could help heal the Chieftain. The Chieftain was brought over to his bed while his son sat next to him with worry on his face.

"The little chief calls for you." A Tauren told me.

"Ok." I said as I entered the tent and walked up to Chogan.

After a few minutes, Chogan began to speak, "You were right. We Taurens have lived in peace for too long. Our strength has decreased considerably as well as our healing knowledge. As acting-Chieftain, I've decided to consider your offer for alliance. It seems that we are in need of friends."

"That's great." I replied, "Don't worry, I'm sure that we can help your tribe get through this mess. And maybe even heal your father."

Chogan gave a sad smile and said, "Give me a day or two to bury my fallen clansmen. Then, I will go with you to this Adventurer's Guild you talked about."

"Ok, I got some business in the mountains. When I'm done, I'll come and escort you to my guild."

I bid farewell to Chogan and the other Taurens and headed farther east into the East Moutains.

..........

Walking deep into the mountains, I was surprised at the number of human villages. I asked around to see if they needed any help or if they had been attacked by monsters recently. I was even curious at the statue situated in front of each village. The statue was that of a humanoid with black wings and a distinct long nose. When I asked the villagers, they all said the statue is of their god who would send his flying soldiers down from the heavens to fight off monster attacks. The villages even said that there was a village deep in the East Mountains that had made contact with the god and even built a shrine around a long black feather that was given to them by the god.

Curious about this story, I decided to head deeper into the mountains in hopes of finding the village. After a day of walking, I finally found the secret village. The village was extremely hard to find as it was located between the Snowy Mountain and the Shadow Mountain. Upon entering the village, I was bombarded with the feeling of being watched. I looked around me but the villagers were all minding their own business. As I made my way to the center of the village, the feeling intensified. Not sure what's going on, I heightened my senses and raised my guard. Seeing the shrine of the winged god, I made my way towards it. As soon as I reached the entrance of the shrine, the feeling disappeared. I paused a bit before pushing open the door. As the door opens, a large wave of energy rushed out knocking me back a few steps. After I situated myself, I looked inside and saw a large black feather. This must be the feather of the winged god.

I stepped in and walked towards the feather. Looking at the black luster of the glistening feather, I was mesmerized. Suddenly I noticed a presence behind me. I turned around and...a bag was thrown over my head. I felt myself being lifted higher and higher as if I was being flown somewhere. I struggled but it seemed like I was bound by an invisible and magical restriction. I can tell that we are very far away from the village as the speed was very fast. A few minutes later, the flying stopped and I was dropped onto the ground. Feeling the restrictions disappearing, I sat up and lifted the bag over my head. I turned around and saw numerous of bird-like people...or is people-like birds? No, its humanoid birds for sure.

"W-what do you want?" I stammered, "I d-don't taste very good."

"Hahahaha!" Laughter broke out behind me, "We mean you know harm...yet."

I turned to look at the source of the sound and I saw...the winged god. He had a red body with a long nose. Large black feathered wings protruded from his back. He seemed young as his hair is still black. Furthermore, he's huge - at least 10 feet tall...while sitting down!

"W-who are you? What are y-you?" I asked.

"I am known as Xeck Qoju - leader of the Tengu tribe. These birdmen are my retainers. You are on my island - Sky Island." Xeck replied as he fanned himself with a feathered fan. "Now that I have answered you, it is my turn. Speak! Who are you? And what is your business? I've been watching you since you started questioning the villagers about the statues. What is your purpose? If I don't like your answer, I will kill you immediately."

"Have mercy!" I cried, "My name is Khaos. I am but a simple adventurer. My purpose is to seek allies for my guild."

"Alliance? Well you can forget about that." Xeck said dismissively.

"May I ask why not?" I asked.

"We of the Tengu tribe do not wish to involve ourselves to deeply with you humans. Furthermore...its a hassle."

"Can you give us a chance? Perhaps we could at least form a trading relation?"

"A chance eh? Do you know that the villagers below have worshipped us as gods? Well, I guess I can act like a god for once." Xeck mused, "How about a few tests to prove your worth? Firstly, if you can find us once more, then I'll consider it as passing the first test."

"Wait, what do you mean by finding you once more."

"You'll know soon enough." Xeck replied as he waved his fan at me.

With a whoosh, I was blown out the doors all the way to the edge of the island. Another whoosh came and I was blown off the island. I screamed in panic as I fell, but I soon realized that I was falling rather slowly. I looked up at the distant island...and understood the meaning of the first test. Soon, I reached the ground. Looking at the sky once again, I could not even see a smidge of Sky Island. It seems like this first test will be hard. I looked around and saw that I am in the front entrance of the secret village. I looked at the village once more, sighed, and headed home.

..........

Returning back to the Tauren village, I see that Chogan Cloudsnout has already finished their ritual burials. Together, we left and headed to the guild. Hours later, we approached the guild and see the Half-Orc Shaman already there. We entered the guild and I reported my failures and successes as well as the Tengu test.