Possession.

It was easy to forget being here, but in this world practically everything, including living beings, were made of aether. Here they had physical form and could interact with flesh and blood humans like Will, but the fact remained. Once they crossed the threshold and went over to the real world, they couldn’t maintain their form and became spirits in danger of disappearing unless they possessed a physical body.

Ishtar possessed him, Belphegor possessed Jack Evans, the amazon Johana possessed the body of that girl sitting there on the rocks, and even the unidentified creature possessed the body of a dog. That raven over there had a physical body, too. It should be possible in theory, but…

‘Ishtar, could this black roc possess that raven?’

‘Ah. Now I see what you had in mind. Hmm. It should be possible so long as the little big bird understands what it’s doing. It’s not exactly a difficult process when done to a creature with no magic resistance like a normal animal.’

‘What do you think?’

‘Hmm. I think it should try. Remember that dog that was mutating? I think it was because it was possessed by, uh… let’s say an incompatible spirit. But a bird possessing a bird? It could work. That little guy has its days numbered, and if they are as intelligent as Johana says, its mother should know it. It’s worth a shot, and regardless of whether it works properly or not, it should get rid of whatever enchantment was put on the raven. Who did it and why, though?’

Will nodded. It was an odd situation, but he didn’t have the luxury of taking more risks. If they had to take care of that raven one way or another, why not give this other bird a shot at survival?

“Johana, can you tell the rocs something for me?” Will asked.

“Hm? Do it yourself. I told you, they understand. And you have a better shot at convincing them of anything that I do. Why do you think I’m all the way here? They won’t let me near.”

“...” Did they really understand human language? English, even? It was hard to believe, but then again… Incubi, succubi, kobolds, oni… Those were creatures right out of fantasy and they understood the language just fine. That these black rocs looked more like normal birds, if overly large, made Will believe they’d also have the intelligence of normal birds, but…

He turned to the mother roc, and the mother roc looked down at him in turn. It lightly tilted its head, its eyes focused on him. It was like the exchange between him and Johana hadn’t gone unnoticed and she knew Will had something to say to her.

“That small bird over there has a physical body,” Will said. “If your child possesses it, there is a chance it can fully take over its body and survive. The decision is up to you.”

The black roc didn’t answer. Not with words, at least. The mother moved closer to its child and began to preen it, making soft cooing sounds. What were they saying, Will wondered? Was the mother roc mulling over Will’s words? Did she believe him? Was she explaining the situation to the younger bird? He shouldn’t have cared, yet he found himself growing curious.

Will watched them for a while. The child’s sibling moved closer as well and joined in preening the injured roc. Then, the little big bird let out a loud caw and flapped its one good wing. Its eyes settled on the tiny raven still perched on that rock. Will supposed it said something that it had remained still all this time.

The little roc’s body began to glow white, the familiar color of neutral-natured aether. Little by little the light became brighter, enveloping the figure of the roc. No, it was better to say the little roc’s body itself was turning into light. It was losing its form and rising into the air in the form of small spheres, bubbles of magical energy floating and moving towards the raven. Light enveloped the smaller bird, its own body glowing bright until the roc’s body completely disappeared.

The raven let out a loud, long screech. It flapped its wings erratically without taking flight and rapidly shook its head from one side to the next. Was it pain? A fight for control? Was it… mutating?

Will watched in silence, noticing the talons of the mother roc digging into the nest, stomping and opening and closing her own wings. Johana stood up from where she was, and though she kept her hands in her pockets, the look she was giving the erratic raven said she was ready to kill it if necessary.

Thankfully, it wasn’t. After a while, the raven stopped screaming. It settled down, moving its wings in a more controlled manner as if getting used to them. It scanned the area, and when its eyes fell on the mother roc, the raven flew towards it. Or tried to fly more like. It jumped off the rock and did manage to stay in the air, but its flight path was all over the place, almost crashing on the ground if not for Will’s quick movements. He caught it on his arms, made sure it was alright and set it down before the mother roc.

The raven looked up at the comparatively gigantic bird and opened its wings, cawing again and again. The mother roc seemed to calm down, sitting down on her spot and letting what Will had to assume was the injured roc nuzzle against her.

“So it worked,” Johana said, letting out a sigh. “How much will a bird this size last in this area, I wonder.”

“...” True. The little roc survived, but now it would have to live in that tiny body, wouldn’t it? “Would you say no to a second chance at life?” Will asked her.

“Mm. Point taken.”

‘I’ve always known this, but you’re a huge softie, Will. Maybe this whole hunting business isn’t for you.’

It stung, but Will was inclined to agree. The relief was clear in the mother’s body language. She was breathing steadily, staring down at her child, just… glad it was healthy again. Will wondered if they also understood the challenges that would come with this, but… His heart still warmed at the sight.

“Well, that’s a happy ending,” Johana said, stretching her body. “As happy as it can be, at least. But how about you, William? Ready to start making our way back or do you plan to be adopted by black rocs?”

Will stretched his body as well. He felt sore, but he could move. It would have to be enough.

“Let’s go. I need a shower.”

A shower and… something more.