Enter Flameingo

    Torrid and Embret navigated farther into the forest, growing increasingly unsure of their orientation. They soon accepted that they were lost, and uniting with their families was far away. They stopped to rest and scan their surroundings.

    After eating some food, they realized they could see the top of a volcano through the trees to the north. It didn't seem active, so they decided to climb to the top for a better view. The hike up was surprisingly uneventful, but what they saw when they reached the top shocked them.

    A wave of intense heat hit them as they crested the top, and in the middle of the peak was a sweltering lava pit. Beyond the discomfort of the heat was the realization that this was not a dormant volcano. All emotion quickly gave way to what they noticed inside the pit, however.

    In the middle of the bubbling lake of molten rock were hundreds of birds, each standing on one leg with their head bent down.

    When the two adventurers entered the pit, they found themselves the focus of the entire flock. Each beak slowly lifted up and fixed their gaze upon the intruders. Flames flickered atop their heads, and ember tears sparked from their dark red eyes, but none moved or made a sound; they just stared.

    Torrid and Embret stared back, unmoving. Eventually the elder whispered to retreat, but as they moved, they noticed one of the younger creatures hobbling over to them, curious. A few clicks sounded from some of the closer birds, but none moved. The young one approached closer, and as it did, Torrid bent down to welcome it. The flames on its head shone on the two but did not burn when Torrid petted it. Eventually the bird nestled up to his leg and seemed to be quite fond of him.

    "We should go. But we'd be glad for some company, care to join?" Torrid whispered

    Embret shuffled back, apprehensive. The young bird pointed its beak out of the crater, indicating it did indeed want to go. So, the three of them climbed back out of the crater and observed the surroundings before descending.

    They could see their village, now razed by the Dreathtrudge, and turned elsewhere, not wanting to grieve just yet. They found the rough direction the rest of the community had likely gone, and set their bearings. Then they descended down and continued their journey to find their families. Now with a new companion to keep them company.

    "Do you have a name?" Torrid asked the bird. He shook his head. "How about, Flameingo?"

    The bird lifted his head up in approval, then opened his beak and let out a jet of fire.

    "Well, that'll be useful!" Embret said, warming up to the bird. Torrid laughed and agreed, and the three headed back into the jungle to find their village.