After they left, we continued our search for the mythical bird. I almost thought the creature was imaginary. Everyone was shading their eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of the phoenix. Once in a while, one of us would mistake a heron or a swan for it.

"Everyone, I don't think we can find the Mayura this way," I said to them. "How about we split? We each can go in different directions and scour through the sky better, don't you think?"

"Yes, I agree with Nikita," Atith said. Tepi thought it over and then nodded.

"That is the only solution," she said. "We shall spread out. If any of...