The rainforest of Pyrrhia shimmered with life.

Sunlight filtered through thick layers of emerald leaves, breaking into golden beams that danced across the forest floor far below. The air was warm, heavy with moisture, and filled with the constant hum of insects, the distant calls of exotic birds, and the soft drip of water from leaf to leaf. Brightly colored flowers bloomed in clusters along twisting vines, and fruit hung in abundance from nearly every tree.

High above the ground, nestled among the tallest trees, lay the RainWing village.

Platforms woven from vines and branches stretched between massive trunks, forming a loose network of hammocks, resting spots, and fruit piles. Everything felt relaxed—almost too relaxed. RainWings lounged lazily in the sunlight, draped over branches or curled in hammocks, their scales shifting colors idly with their moods.

Some were napping.

Others were eating.

A few barely noticed anything at all.

This was life under the rule of Queen Grandeur.

At the very center of the village, atop the largest and highest platform, lay the queen herself.

Queen Grandeur was enormous, even for a RainWing. Her scales shimmered in slow, shifting shades of gold, orange, and deep green—though the colors moved sluggishly, reflecting her drowsy state. Her wings were partially draped over the platform, and her long tail hung lazily off the side, barely twitching.

She lay stretched out in a patch of warm sunlight, eyes half-lidded, looking as though she had been in the same position for hours… or possibly days.

A half-eaten pile of fruit sat nearby.

Several RainWings lounged around the platform as well, none of them particularly alert.

Somewhere in the distance, a commotion stirred.

At first, no one paid attention.

Then, faintly—

Voices.

Urgent ones.

A pair of RainWings burst through the vines leading to the queen’s platform, their scales flashing anxious shades of yellow and pale green.

“Your Majesty—!” one of them called.

Queen Grandeur didn’t move.

“…Your Majesty,” the other tried again, slightly louder.

One of her eyes slowly cracked open.

“…What,” she muttered, her voice thick with disinterest.

The RainWings exchanged glances before gesturing behind them.

“We found someone,” one said. “Near the lower forest. They’re not from the tribe.”

That seemed to get a slightly stronger reaction.

Queen Grandeur lifted her head just enough to peer in their direction, her colors shifting faintly toward curiosity.

“…Not a RainWing?” she asked lazily.

“No, Your Majesty.”

She sighed.

A long, dramatic, deeply inconvenienced sigh.

“…Bring them up here, then,” she said, already letting her head droop back toward the platform.

A few moments later, the vines parted again.

And this time—

They brought you.

The humid air clung to your scales as you were guided onto the platform. The height alone was dizzying, the jungle stretching endlessly below in a sea of green.

Most of the RainWings barely reacted.

A few glanced over.

One yawned.

Another rolled over and went back to sleep.

Queen Grandeur, however, slowly lifted her head again.

Her large, slitted eyes focused on you with mild curiosity.

For a moment, she simply stared.

Then, with clear reluctance, she shifted her body slightly, adjusting her wings as if even that small movement required effort.

“…You don’t look like you belong here,” she said bluntly.

Her tail flicked once off the side of the platform.

A pause.

Then she added, with faint annoyance—

“…And you’re interrupting my sun time.”

A couple nearby RainWings snickered softly.

Queen Grandeur narrowed her eyes just a little, studying you more carefully now.

Her colors flickered—still lazy, but tinged with curiosity.

“…So,” she continued, her voice slow and unimpressed,

“what are you doing in my rainforest?”