Storm was confused.

She was watching the two tiny beings that sister had introduced her to as family. Sister had said that they were her siblings, chicks born during different hatching seasons: another sister and a brother for Storm to play with and protect.

Storm examined them for the hundredth time, being careful not to get caught as she scanned them for even a hint of a core, one like hers or sisters. They were saturated with Qi, brimming with health, and they were always active. They were always moving. But there was no kernel, no seed, no core that resonated within them. How could they be Sister’s family when they were so weak, so defenseless?

Storm wasn’t sure what to think of them at first. They had no talons, no beak, and no core. No way to defend themselves. Storm finally decided it didn’t matter. If they were defenseless, she wasn’t.

She would protect Sister’s family. Her new family.

Little sister was quick to approach when they’d been introduced. Fearless, she had flung herself at Storm, touching and exploring feather, wing, talon, and beak. Little sister was quick to hug, to bury her face in Storm’s plumage, and whisper the words of growing affection that every little girl whispers when confronted with an animal they can trust.

Brother was not as exuberant as little sister, but he was quick to find the spot under her beak that scritches made Storm lean into, that spot she could never quite reach herself. Brother had earned her trust and devotion when he had snuck a haunch of meat for her to eat.

Brother said it was a roast, and it was the best thing Storm had ever eaten. It was cooked, something Sister had never shared with her. The flavors burst with an earthiness and smokiness that had Storm squawking at Sister for never sharing cooked meat before this.

Brother had been punished for his gift. A swat on his backside from Mother that had him glaring at the ground fiercely as he fought to hold back tears.

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Storm trilled in sympathy before bursting into flight. A quick pass over the ocean allowed her to find a school of fish, and an easy dive and Qi-focused attack allowed her to swiftly claim a large fish.

Storm returned to Mother’s house and presented her with the fish. A giant grouper that would even take Storm a few days to eat.

Storm’s head tilted in confusion as Mother’s mouth tightened, her jaw clenching even tighter as Sister began laughing. Storm wasn’t sure what was funny, but she was happy enough to dance in place as Mother gave little sister and younger brother permission to examine the giant fish.

They were both quick to lie on the ground, trying to see how big the fish was compared to them, only to realize that even tip-to-toe, they were dwarfed in size. Sister explained to the chicks that the fish was commonly found in the ocean and that Storm wasn’t depriving herself of food by sharing.

Father, Mother, and Sister took the time to explain how the fish was processed as they began segmenting it into sections that could be stored. Sister offered younger brother parts of the grouper to feed Storm, watching with amusement as she helped him hoist the head and tail for Storm to eat.

Storm ate the bits of fish the young boy had offered, watching with interest as the divided fish was stored. Storm decided she would hunt weekly for her new family. If they were so short on food that they would hit a chick for sharing, she would be happy to help.

Storm was worried as she watched Sister’s family laughing and talking. The thing that worried her was how to protect her new family. Storm knew that she couldn’t always stay in Xiwang. She needed to travel with Sister and continue to map Sister’s territory.

Storm decided to use the local birds to serve as her eyes and talons when she wasn’t able to protect her new family. Manakin, Kingfisher, Eagle, Rapture, Kite, and Vulture were gathered, encouraged to listen by the taste of Storm’s aura. Storm extended her aura as she flew across the city and the surrounding forest, commanding the vast number of avian species to answer her call.

Storm was a Roc, and because she was, she had access to her ancestral memories. She knew her place in the hierarchy of avian species. And her place in this city.

She was Queen.

Her Sister claimed the territory, and that claim was shared with Storm. So, she exerted her right as a territory holder to order the birds in the area, even the annoying seagulls, to watch, warn, and protect younger brother and sister. If Sister’s family, her new family were threatened, lost, or in danger, they would serve as a warning or defense.

Storm was filled with satisfaction as she watched as the birds flew, roosted in trees, and built ledges, in a collective focus, settled around her family’s home. The birds and flying reptiles worked feverishly to create an intricate, ever-changing living array that would allow the combined mind to form a gestalt.

A hive mind that would allow the birds to reach out and contact Storm no matter where she was if her family was in danger.