∽⚚∽

Suddenly a shadow of something flies over the plains of St. anguish. A shadow of a mighty owl, a creature is wearing a metal mask. You may know him, little reader. His name is Metal beak, the high tyto and the leader of the pure ones. But what if even he has a superior? Everyone has one. And now you're about to meet his. A metal beak flies into a cave and lands in its middle, where the moon shines through the entrance like a light. He can't see who he has come for, but he knows she's there.

"Your highness?" He called out into the darkness. But no answer came. But then, two lights came to life in the farthest depths of the cave, and warmth like no other returned to the small cavern. The black-gray owl drew a sharp, shakily breath as the eyes met. "Speak, young tyto," a deep feminine voice rang, sending shivers down Metal beak's spine. But he obeyed nonetheless. "Yes, my queen. I bring words from my work. We got many new owlets today. Will you do the homier of moon blink them?" The question itself sent a wave of anger, throwing the beast.

But she kept her calm like she always did. A soft hum sounded, and she stepped out of the shadows, showing her crystal white hide to the moon. Even the moon couldn't rival her scales, the sky rival her eyes that shone with blue fire—a true beast of beauty. Metal beak immediately flew, knowing the queen would catch up with him quickly due to her giant wings. And like that would Soren and fellow owlets meet the head of the pure ones.

But what if she isn't who she gives she is? What if she isn't evil?

∽✩∽ 

The pure ones led the owlets to a clearing where the dim light of the pure moon shone enough to be seen. But then the owlets looked up as the two pure ones who had led them here flew up to a ledge where a shadow was framed against the moon. It seemed like an owl but bigger. "What's the status?" A feminine voice rang out, and the two pure ones, Jutt and Jatt, bowed to the Shadow. "Your highness, the owlets are ready to be moon blinked," jutt said.

The Shadow nodded, and the two flew away, leaving the queen to her new subjects. "Small ones. My name you shall not know, for you won't be here for long. But you may call me Shadow for the time being. This clearing the pure ones use to give the owlets their... "right full" payment." The frame against the moon stopped and dipped her head so only her white beak was visible to the owls. Everyone gasped as they saw two lights staring right back at them. Soren draped his wing gently over the smaller owl, Grifily, who cuddled into him.

"don't worry, little owls. I'm not like them." The female said; then the sound of wings echoed in the chamber, and a pure white owl landed in front of them, and they all gasped in awe. Soren and the little owl widened their eyes as well as Kludd. The female owl was beautiful. Her feathers were as white as the full moon, and her eyes were an ocean blue. They glimmered with golden specks. She didn't have any spots on her, only pure white feathers. Her claws were black, and now that they saw it more clearly, her beak was also black.

"I will help you out of this mess. And don't worry about the pure ones coming after you. I don't serve them; they serve me" a small smile spread on her face, and she spread her wings, showing their entire length. It was like shards of stars had been planted between the roots of her feathers.

"Now go to sleep." She said and lifted from the ground. And the moon blinking began. Only Soren and Grydile weren't faced as they resisted it.

And who is this mysterious owl?

∽✩∽

Now it was time to choose who would be guardians or pickers. All the owlets followed the white female owl, who flew over them like a hawk. Many of the young males had started to take a liking to her. she was kind and didn't want them any harm. Under the night when they were supposed to be Moonblinked, they resisted it. Why and how they didn't know. Maybe Shadow had something to do with it. Kludd and Soren had especially taken a liking to the young owl. But both held it in their hearts, but of course, their dreamy expressions didn't go unnoticed by the white wing. She only smirked and flew on until they came to the chosen room. She landed on a perch with two pure guards landing on the other perches under her. Then teh white owl started talking. "Your parents and families have abandoned you. So from now, you'll be classified as orphans." as she said this, the whole batch of owls started protesting, but a loud screech silenced them. And a large, beautiful female Barn Owl flew over their heads. She landed on the perch under Shadow. She didn't rival the white female owl, but you could see that she thought of herself as queen. Shadow warbled, and the barn owl started to talk. "I am Nyra, Ablah General of St. Aegolius, and mate to the Lord High Tyto. I know you miss your families right now, but soon enough, you will understand the Pure Ones are your new family." she then glanced at Shadow, who nodded to her blankly. She hated what they did to the innocent owlets, but she had to join them. Or they would destroy her home. 

How she didn't want to know. Then the lite elf owl, Gylfie, spoke up, scared and angry. "The Pure Ones are not our family. Let us go!" Nyra looked at her, and so did Shadow. while the pure one owl looked disgusted in her eyes, Shadow held pride and amusement in hers. "She's right. Let us go!" a male voice called out, and Shadow looked at him. she smiled then flew down, holding her head high. Nyra stayed where she was. "What's this?" she said, and Gylfie cowered. A smile then bloomed upon the lips of Shadow, and she leaned towards them, whispering. "don't worry. I'm not angry cause you spoke, little one. You have teh right tossy your meaning. But for now, be quiet." She turned around and flew back to her ledge.

Nyra looked at her supsoisly, but she knew she couldn't question her leader. Nyra then speaks up, deciding that Soren and Gylfie would go as pickers. Shadow gritted her beak but said nothing. A pure one started to lead the two away, and Nyra muttered loud enough for everyone to hear, "Perhaps when you remember your nobility, Tyto, we can make a soldier of you." the young male barn owl then called out. "What about my brother?" Shadow and nyra tilted their heads, and nyra flew down to the owlets again. "Oh? Where's he?" she said as her eyes scanned over the owlets; then she found Kludd, but his eyes were only on Shadow.

nyra smirked and turned to face her queen, gesturing a tilt of her head that she should come down. Shadow frowned but did as asked and flew down, landing in front of Nyra. "you called Nyra?" she said. Nyra smiled and gestured to Kludd. she then spoke. " Owlet, that one says you're his brother. Would you like to join him? " Kludd glanced at his brother then at SHadow. he sighed regretfully and turned away. Nyra smirked. "I didn't think so." Shadow sighed and lifted into teh air howling and allowing all the owls to see her wings. "okay, everyone gets to work. Those pickers follow the guards, and those who will be soldiers stay." she then glanced down to Nyra. "I will go to my hollow. Come and find me there if there's anything you need" Nyra nodded, and the Shadow flew away, feeling eyes upon her, but she ignored it.

∽⚚∽