Sapling Amongst the Cloud: Chapter 2

Tutorial 2

The next time I opened my eyes, I beheld a scene of utter chaos. All around me, birds tore at each other with their beaks and claws. The cries of a dozen screaming crows and ravens filled the air as they duked it out, pecking and scratching at each other with savage intent.

Still reeling from my return to consciousness, I could barely make out their cries as they fought each other with such ferocity. "Push them back!" Periwinkle screamed as they dove at the much bigger Raven, striking one down before another took their place, "Don't let them touch the Core!" We're under attack… by Ravens?

As confusing as the melee was, I could see that my Crows were fighting their fellow Corvids. "What the hell's going on here!?" I shouted, trying to make out what was happening, but my voice would be drowned out by their war cries. The last thing I remembered was crashing my island to the last one in our area.

"Destroy the Core before it wakes up-!" The biggest Raven, one sporting violet feathers, shouted before Papi crashed into them like a feathery missile. Was… was the island inhabited?

"You destroyed Papi's Garden!" the much smaller bird screamed as they overpowered the leading crow, "Papi destroys your face!" Pinned down by the much smaller bird, the raven could only scream as they slapped their wings against my crow.

"You Brat!" They screamed, trying to fight back, but to no avail, "Get off me!" For a crow her size, Papi was vicious, tearing at their wing feathers. It seemed they could handle it and I was about to just sit it out, until I heard the Raven cry out, "You'll never take us alive!"

As Papi crowed in victory and was about to deliver the final blow, I stepped in. Taking a deep breath, sucking in what magic I could, I shouted, "All of you, stop!" My voice carried far and wide, echoing in the battlefield as it came to a stand still. Both friend and potential foe alike crashed down to the ground as they turned to me.

"But Ark, they're attacking us!" Papi shouted back in confusion as she stood atop the struggling Rave who hissed back in anger. "Papi was just trying to wake Ark up when they came out of nowhere!" She exclaimed, her feathers all ruffled as the rest of the flock crowed in agreement, "Trampled the garden and everything!" Ahh, that would explain things.

"Don't twist our actions, you demon!" The Raven growled out, trying to push Papi off her form. "We were living peacefully on our island when you crashed your islands against ours!" She gritted as Papi faltered. "Our trees lay broken and our nest scattered. Do you expect us to lay down without fighting?!" She screamed.

"That doesn't mean you could just try and destroy my friend!" The smaller crow hissed back, flapping angrily as the rest of the flock screamed at the Ravens rearing to go, only held back as they glanced towards Papi and the Violet colored Raven.

"Your friend?" The Raven laughed as they glared up at Papi, "Don't make me laugh." Even in defeat, they remained defiant. "As if a Dungeon core could be anything more than a mindless creature whose only purpose is the corruption and defilement of all," She replied.

"So, How long has it been little fledgling, how long has it been since you became the Core's slave?" They taunted, angering my friend even further.

"You take that back!" The little crow shouted, screaming at the Raven's face, "Ark is not evil!" Snapping back at Papi, the two groups almost came to blows once more. Things were getting out of hand, fast.

"Enough!" I shouted, raising my voice above the screams. Taking calming breaths, I ordered my companion, "Papi, let them go." This caused an uproar amongst my crows and confused looks from the Raven.

"But-!" Papi squawked in protest before I cut her off.

"No buts," I told her before I sighed, "I know you're angry that our garden's destroyed, but please see it in their eyes." As my crows got off the Ravens, I explained, "We barged into their homes and messed things up. Wouldn't you be upset?" Despite my earlier confusion, it was clear that these Ravens were merely defending their home.

Papi hesitated, but my reasoning got to her. With a look of remorse, she got off the Raven before apologizing, "Sorry…"

Pushing herself off the ground, the Raven limped away back to her flock, beaten but not broken. "Don't think your show of kindness would fill us, Dungeon Core," She replied, giving us a wary look, as if expecting for us to attack once more, "We know what you are."

"I know that I'm a Dungeon Core but that doesn't give you the right to attack us," I fired back. I understood they were wary of me, but Papi made it clear they attacked first. "Did you even bother checking if we were hostile or not?" I asked, "I know we crashed into your island, but still. Is it too much to ask?"

The Raven narrowed her eyes, before glancing away, keeping quiet as our two groups faced off. Sighing, I asked them, "Now that you do know I don't want to attack you, can we talk this out? Like civilized people… birds?" I did not want to attack them, or anyone for that matter. I was merely looking out for the interest of my current flock.

"Fine," The Raven spat out, "Let's talk." They were still clearly hostile, but at least they were open to dialogue.

"Ok," I nodded as I gathered my thoughts. "First off, I just want to apologize," I apologized, making sure they knew I didn't mean any harm. "I should have checked before crashing my islands to yours," I knew I should have checked, but I got too excited so now I was dealing with angry natives.

Yes, they were Ravens, but making enemies wasn't the best idea. They were clearly intelligent just like Papi and her crows and they could fly. Worst case scenario, I gain a reputation amongst birds. Not good when they're the only mobs I could contract as of right now. "Is there anything we can do to pay you back?" I offered.

"Leave, that's all we ask," They replied. I really wanted this island… but was I going to be an asshole about expanding my land? The short term gains would be amazing, but it was not worth it. It was going to cost me, but in the long run, I hope I could have their good will.

With a hesitant nod, I started the process. While smushed together, our islands were still quite distinct enough that I could pull us apart. The stream of magic keeping the two islands afloat had yet to intertwine.

Willing the roots to move, I tried pulling us apart, but stopped as the bedrock started to shatter. "There… might be a problem," I admitted, trying to work it out, but there's nothing I could do. "The roots of my island are intertwined with yours. If I pull out, I could shatter both our islands," I told them, making them squawk out in dismay. I couldn't just trim off the roots as well as it could kill the lone sapling I called my own.

Letting out a huff, the Raven replied, "Fine, we leave. You've beaten us so the island is rightfully yours. I hope you're happy."

"Do you really have to leave?" I asked them, before pointing out, "There are plenty of spaces on the island." The grove they called their home and the clearing that was my island had clear separation.

Even if I just kept to my part of the island, I'd still have enough space for myself to work with. Access to the bedrock alone was more than enough as it meant my island could carry more weight. I could even tunnel into the earth itself, leaving them with the forest if they wanted to.

"And what's the price, Dungeon Core?" They asked as they gave us a skeptical look, "That my flock become subservient to you?" Scoffing, they added, "I'd rather die than become a part of your Dungeon."

"Hey! We already said sorry," Papi piped up, "You don't have to be mean about it."

"It's ok Papi," I assured them. You really can't win them all. Turning back my attention to the Ravens, I answered, "And no, I just merely wanted us to be good neighbors." It also meant that they didn't fly away. I wasn't going to take many chances at the off chance they make contact with someone that could give me trouble.

"So long as you let us be on our part of the island, we don't disturb you on your own," I offered, hoping that they would accept my deal. I also wanted them nearby as I might turn them to my side. We had a rough start, but having another set of intelligent minions seemed like a good idea.

"And if we refuse?" The Raven asked as a nervous muttering spread across the other Ravens. While some looked like they wanted to fight, the rest looked just about ready to flee.

As much as I wanted them to stay though, forcing them would only harden their resolve. "Then I want you to have this," I replied as I forced magic into the gardens. Tomatoes and other plants sprang from the ruined crops, making the Raven's crow in amazement. Even the skeptical Raven couldn't help but look at the food before them in hunger.

"I'm not sure if this would be enough, but having you leave on a full stomach is the least I could do," I replied, offering them a bounty. If I couldn' have them with me, the best I could do was send them off with a good impression. Perhaps they could give good words to another flock looking for a home.

"How..." Raven whispered, approaching us slowly. "Your kind can only twist and corrupt, but to grow and nourish?" She muttered, inspecting the food, poking it with her beak before flinching back. I chuckled as I saw this look of wonder in her eyes.

"I'm not exactly your average Dungeon Core," I replied. It was frustrating that I had to deal with the negative stigma that my new form carried, but it wasn't insurmountable. I just needed a whole lot of patience and perhaps a lot of food to offer.

Still, there was some hesitation. It was theirs to take, but they were cautious, glancing at us nervously as they surrounded the bounty. Letting out a trill of amusement, Papi hopped over. "Papi promises they taste good," She told them before taking a peck at one of the cherry tomatoes and tearing into it, "See? Fresh!"

"Papi," I replied, doing my best to hold my laughter as the crow pulled sheepishly, "That's for our neighbors. You can have extra tomatoes later," I promised the food obsessed crow.

Pouting, the girl replied, "I was just showing them it's safe." As much of an excuse it was for her to gorge on some fruits, it had the intended effect. Unable to hold themselves any longer, the crow feasted on what plants they could.

The Violet Raven looked betrayed by her flock eating the fruit, but even she had her limits. "Fine, we'll stay…" The big raven grumbled before they asked, "If you can provide us with food."

"So long as we have excess, you're free to eat," I replied. With my ability to grow food, I didn't need to hesitate offering it. Besides, what kind of host would I be if I couldn't offer them a meal?

"H-hey! That would mean less food for Papi!" Papi whined as the violet Raven rolled its eyes.

"Well, we do have more land to grow food in so why not help me plot out our new farm so we can have enough food for all of us," I replied. Even without the last island, we had more than enough space for more stuff. I could probably even start growing compost, though I wonder how I'd transport worms without it getting eaten on the way home.

Such a promise was more than enough for the Crow as she replied, "Hmmm, ok!" With conflict averted, my flock ate with our new neighbors in peace. Ever so slowly, my Dungeon grew. Even if I didn't have any new mobs, I had neighbors to vouch for me now.