(im finally writing my Rova characters yayyy)
Poking his head over the shoulder of the large nest, Feather could feel a cool breeze brushing over his face and beak. So far, this was the closest experience he had to real flying, and he had a feeling that would never change.
The sun was setting below the horizon, casting an orange glow across the sky. Shadows began to sweep over the land far below. His older sister, Lani, had already taken off. Her wings could spread from beneath her feathered cape, just enough to keep her in the air. Unlike Featherâs.
She was flying before him. Of course, he was happy for her, but he was also worried for himself. His wings should have grown bigger by now. He was thankful Lani didnât tease him for it or treat him any differently, so that made it a little better.
His mother didnât hold it against him. Kalahni would try and reassure him, meanwhile his father struggled to hide his growing concern.
That night, Feather curled protectively around the egg of his unhatched sibling as he pretended to sleep. Lani slept nearby with her wings over her head, keeping herself warm in the midnight breeze.
He could hear the conversation going on between his parents. It wasnât anything unexpected. Feather just knew this conversation would happen; Kalahni thinking he might never fly, and that she might lose him too quickly because of it. Zephyr suggesting to take the family somewhere more hidden, where no enemies could ever find them.
Feather didnât listen too much. At this point, he knew that his wings would never grow properly to size. He was defective. He was born to die. If that was his purpose, then why worry so much?
And so, he just went on to sleep, expecting nothing for the next following days to come.
Then, something awoke him. When he lifted his head, he could see his mother awake as wellâand alert. Zephyr was not here, but Feather could hardly see him headed their way through the dark night sky. His large wings moved rapidly as he tried to gain speed. When he landed on the shoulder of the nest, it nearly shook the tree.
âWe need to leave, now,â he panted urgently. âThey know weâre here.â
âBut- where will we go?â Kalahni asked in a panic, dark gray feathers along the back of her neck bristling.
âAnywhere away from here,â Zephyr replied quickly, trying to compose himself. âYou take Feather, carry him in your talons. Lani can carry the egg.â
Feather could already see multiple other Sky Rovas in the distance, closing in on their nest. It might already be too late for them.
Lani was awake now, and she rushed over to her mother. âWhatâs happening?â
Before Kalahni could respond, a loud screech echoed through the air. The invaders were already on them.
Zephyr whipped around, locking his eyes on the closest enemy, then he launched himself toward them. The two of them clashed in the air, locking their talons and spinning out of control.
The rest werenât too far behind. Kalahni tried to hurry. She rushed over to scoop Feather up in her talons. âLani, take the eggââ
Another Sky Rova had dove into the nest and knocked her out of the tree, leaving a missing chunk in their home. Feather held onto the egg as Lani went to follow after her mother, thinking somehow she could save her. He tried to call out to her, but she was gone too quickly.
Then, Feather saw his father through the new gap in the nest. He was surrounded, trying to fight off three other invaders as they dragged him to the ground below.
Finally, one other invader landed inside the nest. Feather still held onto the egg, even after the Sky Rova picked him up in their talons. For a moment, the invader seemed confused, noticing the lack of wingspan Feather had.
Another invader appeared overhead, hovering above the nest and looking down at them. Feather noticed it was the first Sky Rova Zephyr fought against.
âJust take the egg,â the Rova ordered. âThat one will never fly anyways.â
And in just that moment, the egg was snatched from Featherâs talons, and he was tossed over the edge of the nest like rotten food.
jbbartram-illu
izzy806
stormborns
origamiaround
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