The Ebony Beach was a beautiful place, especially at sun-up, and Kali never missed a day. Everyday she went down to the waters edge and watched the sun ascend into the sky. Today, Kali had watched the sun rise, and now she was chatting with her favorite Kelpari, Isi. They were delved into a deep conversation about who would take over the world. Kali spoke.
"It's going to be Yuri. She doesn't miss a beat, and her Zolnixi forces are the best of the best. She's already sent half of the Faelora to their demise, and she's not stopping in the Enchanted Woods."
Isi scoffed.
"No, not unless Kaan stops her with his Vulnyx forces first."
Kali smirked. Isi gave her a curious look.
"I will take back what is mine. What is ours. I will free my brethren from the iron-clad grasp of Yuri, destroy Kaan in the process, and the Faelora will rule the land. Kelpari will rule the oceans, and the sky---"
"Will be owned by the Griffi."
Kali whipped around. Above her was a blood-red Griffi, behind him the entire Griffi army. She gasped. He smiled.
"Name's Salo. I like this pretty idea of yours. Knock out the Zolnixi and Vulnyx in one fell swoop. Then we will rule. Good plan. I don't care who rules, as long as it's not one of those two butting their heads through the forest that belongs to all of us."
Kali smiled. She liked the way he thought. She nodded in agreement, as did Isi. Salo turned around and yelled something at his troops in what sounded like Ancient Airbus, the language of the flight-borne Sylesti.

Isi swam up. She whispered quietly into Kali's ear.
"I don't think I---"
Kali replied swiftly.
"Can do it?"
Isi nodded, swallowing nervously.
"It's fine."
Salo nodded as well. He motioned with his wing and Kali followed behind him, shooting one joyful yet smug look at Isi. Isi smiled nervously and raced back to the underwater palace, where she notified the king and queen of this new development. Meanwhile, Kali and Salo were heading upwards, towards Iibus Peaks, the home of the Griffi and the highest mountain in Sylestia. It also overlooked the Enchanted Woods. Salo, Kali noticed, spoke roughly, and with no care. She didn't really care either. You see, Kali had fallen into the murderous bowels of pure despair, teenage love. Because however you put it, even though Kali and Salo were both rulers, they hadn't yet reached the age of adulthood, which in Sylestia was 17.
Wait.
Kali thought with despair.
What if he doesn't have loving feelings back? What if he's manipulating me? What if he's a SPY for the Zolnixis or Vulnyxs?
Her heart filled with dread. She quickly extinguished her almost non-existent feelings of whatever her love was and headed up the hill, filled with determination!


(Extra points if you guessed the pun without reading this.)

Salo beckoned her forward with his wing as a Griffi opened the door and rows more bowed as they passed. Kali, seeing their poise and posture, instantly felt at home. She nodded her head to a beautiful tune being played on a ukulele nearby, and Salo escorted her to a comfortable dining hall. She was about to take her first bite when a Faelora ran in, her flanks foaming, her breaths harsh. Kali sat up fast and rushed over. She recognized her as Tule, a palish blue Faelora who worked in the royal court, the daughter of a lower-ranking noble. Kali carefully spoke to her.
"What's wrong?"
Tule looked up, her eyes wild. Her voice was ragged and she sounded scared.
"Yuri! Her-her f-forces attacked us. S-she found us hiding and k-k-k-killed Huron!"
Tule passed out on the floor, her hooves ajar. Salo rushed over. He signaled with his wing and spoke harshly in Airbus to two Griffi standing by the door. They nodded and carefully carried Tule out.
Salo gave her a questioning look.
"That was Tule. My cousin. The Zolnixi forces are already on the move. They took out one of the largest remaining camps."
She attempted to hide her anguish, but her face obviously gave it away as Salo placed his wing on her shoulder. She sat up taller, and breathed.
"The time has come."

Kali flicked her tail and ran. She had told Salo to stay, and that she would go get her forces. She had left Tule in his care. Kali crept through the bushes, her war mask covering her face. She crept closer and closer, silently counting down the seconds, and brushed her head through the trees. Her troops were surrounded by Zolnixis. Kali hissed and flung herself out, her ghostly aura trapping the Zolnixis. They flailed, but they were soon knocked unconscious. Kali pulled herself up and quickly yelled something brief in Faelora.
"Opaku lebien!"
Her troops ran through the bushes, her in the lead, each donning a skull mask like hers. She was pleased to see they were all still painted in the royal warrior colors. They flew through the trees, hundreds of them, yet they all appeared the same. Salo had sent down clouds that the Faelora used to zip quickly through the air, up to the Griffi castle. The skulls also functioned as gas masks, to make the most of the thin air. Kali smiled at Salo, a thin cold smile, and said quietly.
"My troops."