In a dark palace on a mountain at night. Two dark figures wearing robes argue around a cage. Both tired and annoyed at the inconvenience of having to discuss the unusal situation. That finished only three minutes ago.
Figure 1: "This female Mongu is too much if a, threa- a thre- (The figure takes a deep breath then breaths out clenching his nose with a gag. Almost as if the very concept of what they were about to say disgusted them to the core.) gah! A threat to be kept alive!" The first figure says slamming their hand on the wall. Feeling a sense of mental and physical agony to even say that they could be in danger.
The second figure scoffs rolling their eyes thinking their comrade is being dramatic. Folding thier amrs as they speak.
Figure 2:"Out of all things a Mongu is a threat? The very thought is pathetic get a grip damnit.We're better then thees inbreed monkys. But then again you always were a fickle runt, and yet somehow managed to have the same rank as me. Honestly I'm surprised you didn't parish in the exams. Let aloneget this high of a rank."
Figure two says bluntly with a condensending snarl and a flick of the wrist. Smirking with a scoff,then rolling their eyes at the glaring eyes if figure one. Amused to see their insultes had the desired effect. While Figure one was absolutely livid being spoken to like this so casully. Despite their anger figure one is unable to do anything to figure 2 since they were in the same postion of power and had too many underlings backing the, both to do anything.
Figure 2: "Because honesty you have more of a chance seeing a panda-gator not being a vicious blob of aquatic lard. (Figure two pauses) Next your going to say is that we don't have complete control, or that the ocean us frozen over. Get a hold of yourself, We are Striders and this thing! Is nothing more then a defective mongu. We are Striders! We rule every other pathetic race on this planet! We're masters of the winds and planet! Unbound by the laws of mere mortals! Especially not a damn mongu child!"
Figure two says with absolute confidence and convection. The word Mongu spilling out like a slur, a trait all striders hav.
Figure 1:"DONT SPEAK TO ME AS IF I'M SOME CHILD WHO NEEDS GUIDANCE! (Figure 1 slams their fist aginst the brick wall of the room, making a small fist shaped indent.) YOUR the one who insited we keep this thing in the first place. You have no right tp crituqe me when your plans fall apart. But then agin. (Figure one sighs) YOu've allways been the more...unstable one out of any of us. Always projecting onto others when you fail of so often. Remind me who exactly made the body count tripple this year alone for Winglets because they wanted results that were unrealoistic. Honestly you should be honored that under my guidance of your trainwrecck that three hundred out of the five hundred Winglets survived basic training. And Now i have to clean up your Mongu mess, all becuse you wanted some mud chimp to gawk at."
Figure 1 chuckles as Figure two's grin wanes just ever so slightly.
The air is filled with a toxic aura that is overshadowing thier prioity. Infused with with egotisiacl pride and narcissisim, a trait common of Striders. That often results in even the most simple taskes being dragged out much longer then needed.But tgis wasn't without reason.
After all, when all of the world bends over backwards three times over at a single glance. Why wouldn't you act this way? Morals and anything of the sort meant nothing to a walking god, Things like fairness or equality is something taught and learned to be extremely stupid. With the exception of Striders of course, even they wern't that cruel to their own. Everyonde else on the other hand...weren't a concern.
Figure two kicks the cage holding a child around the age of eight then spins on their heels and flicks their wrist. Sending the cage clashing into the ceiling with a spout if air before it slams back to the floor with a thud, the child inside groaning in pain but knowing better to not be any louder. Being loud ment more severe punishment, they had enough of that already.
The first figure nods.
Figure 1:" And I didn't say that Mongu are a threat. Maybe all your admiring yourself in the mirror finally burnt a hole in your hollow skull and your tiny excuse of a brain fell out.Mongu are nothing more than animals that love to beat each other to death and rut each other. It's a mystery how these creatures can even immitate our looks. (Figure 1 spits at the cage) A pale immitation but still." Figure two huffs, for once in their lifetime they actully agree with Figure one complety.
Figure 1:"We both know that Mongu are so worthless outside their purpose. Can't even think for themselves beyond what we need them to. They're even lucky to belong to us."
Figure one says as a sliver of doubt enters their mind. Despite what SHOULD have happened, this specific Mongu was a problem if left unchecked. Especially after they witnessed the event that never should have been physically possible. Figure one glares at the cage and scoffs at the memory.
But what they saw this specific mongu do,one they always kept in a cage to fule the ego of Striders that came to look at the Mongu child.The child meant to be nothing short of poof about their superior genetics and how inferior the Mongu are in comparison.
And yet this starved,shriveled, deformed animal that they struggled to call female. Managed to do sommthing that would have ruined their repution and rank...If they hadn't silanced the witnesses with offers of promotion before rumors could start.
Figure 1 walks over to Figure 2 putting a hand on their shoulder before walking to the window with arms crossed behind thir back. Looking at the moon and sky for anyone ease dropping. Before speaking in a conspirital whisper while studying the sky. Using an Air technique to send a small funnel of soft air swirls and pushes out of their mouth in a invisible stream directly into the ear of figure two. Not wanting to risk this information leaking, despite them both being alone in the spire.
Figure 1: "Look this this Mongu, no. This thing! It's unnatural, it goes against all that is right with the world! Those lines that are on it's wrists aren't just a defect, it's more sinister. That thing killed three of us! Three fully fledged experanced striders! It is a mistake in the curse!"
This made figure two stiffen, their face scrunching in disbelief. The mongu where their slaves, their toys! They were supposed obey them and fear Striders instinctivly. If they felt like they could go down the mongu village right now, kill a dozen, burn a few huts and no one would stop them. And yet a defective Mongu child managed to disobey and kill three of them!? Impossible! Snarling in frustration at the mere thought Figure 2 speeds to Figure 1 and grabs them by their robes. Their voice tight and serius, straining with the effort to not smack Figure 1 where they stood.
Figure 2: "I don't know what you think you saw but! (Figure two stops mid sentence anad starts schmeing.) You have proven not to be a fool in the past. I was curios to why we suddenly needed tp. If this thing is really a mistake for being more than just a mongu, if it really did kill three of us then...(Figure 2 lets go of Figure 1 and circles the cage.) Then we will get rid of it like we always do. It may be the first mistake since our ancestors blessed us with ,aking the curse, but it is still a Mongu.One that already has the enegy and will to sutvive drained."
Figure 1 nods and stands next to Figure 2 beside the cage looking done at it. Both knowing that killing this Mongu is the most effective option avalible. They couldn't risk their repution and rank for letting a creature that might cause more trouble live. Not like any other strider care what happens to a Mongu.
Figure 1: "If any others find out it can cause some serious uproar of Winglets pissing their robes and elders mouthing off about things they are too senile to understand anymore. I'm not trying to listen to them mock the weaklings for dying then lecture us on not training enough. (Figure 1 shivers in desgust rembering the hour long lectures they've gotten for bringing the wrong staff to training)
We kill this one ourselves. No grand show, no slow methods, we just bring it to the Dressi Forest and let bleed it out with some breezs blades. Theanimals are sure to eat the coprse as well, probrably some badger-lizard or crab-fish if we leave it near soem water. Now grab your Breeze Rider."
Both figures nod and walk to a wall opposite of them. Grabbing a object that has a sheild shaped top with foot holds running down a wooden pole in the center. The sides of the top being wide durable yellow cloth stretching on two poles connected to center pole acting as sails.The bottom half looking like a fin keel, and a lever like pole that is on the center pole at the top.(The steering handle)
They both then grab handles on the sides of the cage lifting it up and shaking the mongu child inside. Then with practiced efficiency from countless drills of hauling weights over 90 pounds. They jump out of the window into the darkness below, falling several sfeet before crouching on their Breeze Riders and using their free hand to hold the steering handle. Inhaling deep before blowing out of their mouths using an wind technique to create a constant gust under their sails after the initial fall. Quickly rising far above the trees and riding in silence for several minutes as they let the winds carry them. Same sight, same breezw, nothing intresing or new for the Strider's to talk about.
The Mongu child in the cage however is staring in awe at the areas illuminated by the moon. They had never seen much of anything outside the room th cage was in. She only got to see things when she watched stiders passing by her cage, got taken to relieve herself, and occasionally caught a glimpse at a crate when they fed her just enough not to starve. How ever,the child didn't have much if a problem with it. They were alive and not constantly in pain. The cage was safe enough and she could sleep whenever she wanted. The cage was security, the cage was life. But even so, she liked this new thing. It was sparkly and pretty.
Eventually the Striders go into idle conversation about small things like how someone spilled juice on their robes, or how they killed a bear and it was the wrong gender during hunting season. The child of course listened, being extremely bored and between the both of them. Then one word stood out to them when the striders waved to other striders passing on their Breeeze Riders. Moon.
"What is moon?" The child whispers to herself in awe somehow able to connect the dots from their idle talk that the moon was the thing the Striders glanced at occasionally. The child had spent many nights staring at it, whenever the curtens werent closed that is. (Often) But had no idea what it had a name and wasn't just 'bright thing' in the sky when it got dark. SHe didn't even know that you culd call it a name.
After over twenty minutes and fifty miles of mountains and valleys. They finally arrive at a decent spot in Dressi forest, having overshot the designated landing area for most striders ending up closer to the Mongu village then intended. Not that it mattered, Mongu killed each other often enough and they wouldn't dare interact with striders more than usual.
Figure two pats their chest and robes then gulps.
Figure 2:".... Don't get mad."
Figure 1: "...What are you doing?"
Figure 2: "...I forgot the key."
Figure 1: "....(Figure 1 clasps their hands togheter while inhaling deeply) I'm sorry i don't think i heard correcty. YOU LOST THE KEY!? HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GET RID OF THE ODITY IF WE CAN'T GET IT OUT THE CAGE YOU IDIOT!? THIS IS A GOOD CAGE WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE IT!"
Figure 2 "DON'T SHOUT AT ME! I JUST FORGOT OKAY!?"
Figure 1: "I WOULD SAY YOUR BRAIN WENT OUT WITH THE BREEZE OUT YOUR EAR, BUT THAT IMPLIES YOU HAD IN IN THE FIRST PLACE! YOU ARE DUMBER THAN USING GLUE TO POKE A HOLE IN A ROCK, I BET YOU'D EAT THE DAMN ROCK TOO YOU FAT-"
Figure 1 notices the key in figure 2's robes in their forearm pocket then snatches it.
Figure 1:"You absolute moron." *Sighs*
Figure 2: "oh hey the key." 8>)
Figure 1:"....Your parents definitely dropped you."
Figure 1 opens the cage and drags the Mongu child out. Revealing the eight year old girl was visably starving and filthy. Her pale skin, yellow eyes, dirty black hair in a bun (for strider convenience), freckles, and red lines that resemble cracked glass starting from the middle of her hands to the end of her forarms.
(the same equivalent is on her feet, I ain't writing that.)
Wearing nothing but dirty silk cloth to wear on her waist, fadded worn wraps around her chest and on her feet.
The Striders then with a quick inale rotated their arms backwards once and twisted of their bodies wrists.sendind several blades of wind at the child with each rotation. Cutting through anything that used to be in between them and the child. Not stopping until the child was bleeding from several deep cuts and was laying in a pool of their blood mixed with dirt.
Figure two looks annoyed and scoffs at their performance. They were two elits they shouldn't have needed more then one air blade to injure this Mongu enough to let it bleed out, even of they were making sure their wind blades would be weakened when they hit the child.
And yet it took several from both of them. After assuming their forms were just uncharistacly terrible they both get back in their Breeze Riders and fly back to The Southern Strider Palace. The child lays in the pool of her blood and dirt, thinking about how she would have liked to live longer. Wondering why they decided to do this her, she had always been inside her cage and only spoke when she was told to. Had she been to loud when they hit her? Had she breath too hard,they did say whenever they thought shw couldn't hear that her breathing is extremely "aggrivating" to lsiten to when she slept. She did not know what the word ment but their tones said it was abad thing. Or had they simply got bored with her, no longer wanted to laugh at her?
Either way she was dying now, she only wishes it would be faster.
Until footsteps approaches her accompanied by a growl,the girl had been found.