Burned My Wings

   “You probably stole it, didn’t you? It’s looking way too valuable for you to have bought it. And then you dare to keep it from us, when we let you stay on our streets?” He yanked the dagger away, gesturing for the rest of the gang to grab Hide; which they obliged within moments.

   “Let’s toss him down the well instead, it’s where he deserves to be. Down in a dark pit. Then maybe we’ll help him back out when we’ve used up the coin from selling the thing.” Hide dug his heels into the ground when the others started to drag him towards the well, while Itachi turned to face it, a cruel smile on his face.

   “Unless you care to explain yourself?” Everyone knew the futility of that request, Hide included, even as he opened his mouth to try and speak the words they wanted out of him. But there was no reason it’d work now, it never did. His voice never carried, beyond a faint, raspy sound that made his throat hurt instead.

   “I’m starting to think he really is mute,” someone laughed. “And not just faking it for pity.”

   Hide tried to wrestle loose from their grip; especially when they shoved him over the edge and started to push him down. So far no one had ever actually physically handled him like this before and his sheer resistance and strength was surprising to them all, until Itachi stepped forward and once again pointed the dagger against Hide’s throat, tip first this time.

   “You’ll go down into that pit and wait for us, if you know what’s good for you,” he hissed. “Say goodbye to your precious dagger, freak.” He turned his hand and punched the side of it against Hide’s chest, with enough force to shove him down into the well.

   Hide’s nails scraped against the stone walls of the well as he slid down it; teeth gritted as panic took over, for more reason than just losing the dagger. Instinct took over as he felt the change wash over him, morphing his body into a shape he had only ever seen once before.

   Now claws helped him up through the opening, a new strength and a speed unmatched by anyone else; that helped him rear his head and upper body out from the well; much to the others’ stunned shock.

   None of them had prepared for a demon to take Hide’s place; two of them immediately screamed and ran away, as Hide clambered over the well’s edge; half perching on it as if ready to lunge at Itachi; unnaturally blue eyes standing out among the golds and greys of his body.

   The gang leader reacted by instinct as well, lashing out with the dagger in his hand. It cut straight into Hide’s cheek; resulting in a loud hiss and bared teeth in surprise at the pain the blade caused him. Different from other wounds he had sustained so far.

   Despite it, Hide threw out his hand and caught Itachi’s wrist; squeezing until the dagger dropped from his hand and fell into the mud below. The teenager was by now more than happy to let the dagger remain there, as his primary focus turned into escaping this demon, screaming loudly in fear.

   Hide released him, letting them all run away as his eyes fell towards the blade below. Scrambling to get down to the ground, he kneeled by it, carefully lifting it up in his hands, looking at it with a newfound respect… and fear.

   The cut in his cheek stung badly, with golden blood dripping from it, until it turned red, as he shapeshifted back now that the immediate danger was gone. His heart pounded as he carefully sheathed it, hiding it close to his body, as the realisation of what had happened sunk in.

   Being the ‘mute freak’ was one thing; now the others definitely knew his true nature. They’d come after him, probably with more people; perhaps even the city’s guards.

   He chewed on his lip, reaching up now with his free hand to wipe away the blood from his cheek. He didn’t know what to do, beyond leave. Staying here was too dangerous now. Who knew what these people might do now that they knew what he was. Who knew what they might attract?

   A brief image of the red eyed man appeared in the front of his mind, almost physically startling him. He darted upwards quickly; eyes flickering back and forth as he inspected every alleyway, half expecting someone to show up with a weapon at any moment.

   He ran, not stopping until he was outside of the city and the taste of blood in his mouth threatened to overcome him. Stumbling through the tall grass, he finally came to a halt behind a large tree, pressing his back against it, before sliding down to sit instead. Hugging his knees, he rested his forehead against them, stifling a sob as his body relaxed once out of the immediate danger.

   A gentle, yellow glow was spotted in the corner of his eyes and he quickly looked up; eyes searching for the source of it. On one of the large branches reaching out towards the fields around him, sat a bird he hadn’t ever seen before. Not just any bird, it was clearly a spirit, as its golden feathers were speckled with lightning and a collar hovered around its neck.

   It was intense to keep his eyes on; even as he squinted and tried to see what kind of bird hid under the glow. A bird of prey of some sort. It extended its wings briefly, flapping them once as its eye perched on Hide, causing the teenager to forget his other worries for now. Something with the spirit soothed his very soul, turning his breathing more even, drying his eyes with the back of his hand.

   It tilted its head to the side before gently gliding off the branch, swooping over Hide’s head who lowered his head; expecting a blow to it. Casting a glance back at the village now in the distance, the shiftling didn’t waste a second in following the bird; which seemed to keep a low pace and height on purpose. As if it wanted him to follow it.

   Walking through the meadow, he winced as an expression crossed his face; reminding him of the wound on his cheek. The sensation struck him as odd, it should have healed by now. Upon touching it, still keeping pace with the spirit, he realised the blood hadn’t even vanished yet.

   Never before had he had a wound not heal at this rate except… his hand fell to his throat, where a barely visible scar marked the day he lost his voice.

   Pulling up the dagger again, he studied it with a newfound fascination and fear. The weapon wasn’t any weapon, he knew what it was capable of; his mother had told him many times one could kill yokai with it, easier than with other weapons. But he’d never considered the damage it could do to himself.

   If that was even the case… he wasn’t going to experiment any further with it and keep it under closer guard instead.

   A light chirping sound distracted him from his thoughts and his gaze landed on the bird above, who was now perching on a lone hut. He almost held his breath worriedly; maybe he had misunderstood the spirit’s intentions after all?

   It did nothing beyond staring at him, head tilting to the side now and then; its gaze nearly impossible to ignore. Hide felt as if it stared through his soul when he carefully approached the hut.

   Upon closer inspection, he realised it was probably long abandoned. The roof had several holes in it, the crops outside had long withered. As he peered through the window, he could see the traces of wild animals in between the broken furniture.

   But for someone like Hide, who had the last years basically grown up on the streets, struggling for survival in various gangs consisting of desperate street kids… this hut was a complete luxury.

   Despite the holes in it, it was enough to keep the rain out and looking around, there were plenty of trees and bamboo to use for restoring it. The animals wouldn’t come near him, he knew that from experience. The only problem was the food, but he knew how to survive on very little and was capable of hunting what he needed. Anything else could be bought with what coin he managed to scramble together, doing menaious tasks here and there.

   The spirit had seemingly led him to a safe haven, a home.

   Hide locked eyes with the golden eagle, before pressing his hands together and bowing deeply. He had nothing else to offer it, not even knowing its name.

   It looked ready to lift off, extending beautiful wings to the sides, before it dove down towards him; in such a speed that it startled him. Rather than swooping above him or straight out onto him; it vanished right before him.

   The comfortable warm glow he’d felt from it, seemingly now existed within him; spreading through his body all the way to his fingers. He felt surprisingly better for it, as if he was fully rested, if very confused.

   The bird appeared again, this time perching on his shoulder. It never spoke to him, but he felt the implication of what had happened and what it meant. He felt a name to go with the spirit; a silent devotion and secret knowledge it couldn’t yet share.

   Ame-no-Mitori.

The servant was quickly dismissed, despite their insistence in helping Avad dress into more casual clothes. Instead, the former prince removed his headdress, placing it on the low table in the middle of the room. Keeping his hand on it, he wearily looked around.

Thankfully, he couldn’t see anything that reminded him of his father in here, even though he knew this had been Jiran’s personal quarters beforehand. No personal touches remained. Only intricate furniture, thick carpets and tapestries dressed the room. Circular in design, the north wall of the room was an open balcony, allowing him a gorgeous view of the landscape below.

Avad stepped out there, placing his hands on the stony balcony rail. Watching out over what was now his kingdom. A charge he didn’t want, but had no choice but to accept as the only remaining prince. Well, there was Itamen of course. But the boy was far too young to lead a nation.

Kherus slowly followed him, finding himself looking out over the landscape as well. Despite the centuries, he wasn’t sure he’d ever grow accustomed to the lack of… civilization. These open landscapes, untouched by humanity’s hands. His head had lowered as he thought about it, looking off somewhere to the side.

Avad noticed. “What are you thinking about?”

Kherus startled slightly, glancing over at the Sun-King. He quickly straightened up, resuming his more guarded look through the room instead. “Nothing of importance, sir.”

“Ah… no man carries a forlorn gaze like that while thinking about ‘nothing important’,” Avad playfully chided him. “And please, call me by my name. It’s bad enough that everyone else refuses to.”

“I possibly could not -”

“Please.”

“As you wish… Avad.”

Avad gave him a relieved nod in return, before his fingers started tapping against the railing. Then he leaned down on it with his arms, shifting his gaze back to the horizon.

“Would you be as kind as to explain… what you are, Kherus? And how you came to serve the Sun-Kings as their bodyguard?”

“That is a very long story. Are you sure you wish to hear it today, after such a taxing day already?”

Avad glanced back at him briefly. “Humour me.” Kherus shook his head with some amusement, visible in his eyes only, as he still wore his mask and helmet. Seeing his eyes softening brought a faint smile out of Avad as well.

Kherus had to give it to Avad, the man was stubborn like few others. He had that in common with Khuvadin for sure. A fearless curiosity. Settling his gaze to the horizon as well, he began to explain the same thing he had told the previous Sun-Kings.

About sand demons, their origin; as much as he knew anyway. Their strengths and weaknesses. Their immortality. Avad listened patiently as Kherus talked, looking intrigued by the man’s words.

It wasn’t until Kherus went into the details about his own life, that Avad’s expression turned into concern. How he witnessed the end of humanity so many centuries ago. How he had been there from the start, devoid of human contact for centuries. Seen as nothing but a wild beast for decades.

Kherus spoke of it with ease, but Avad could see the painful memories reflected in his eyes.

When Kherus started to talk about Jiran’s threats, Avad scoffed loudly. The threats of banishing Kherus from Carja lands were bad already before he knew the truth but now? Knowing how Kherus had wanted civilization and company for so long? Those threats were despicable.

Avad cleared his head by shaking it. “You have been through so unbelievably much, Kherus. Seen so much. I’ll be honest, it sounds like a fairytale… but I already know that lying isn’t your forte.”

“You would not be the first to think that. But it is the truth. I promised Khuvadin I would always guard and aid the Sun-Kings —” Kherus paused, frowning slightly. “— Within my vows, that is,” he continued, as Jiran certainly hadn’t respected that. “And I intend to continue doing so. Whatever you need, Avad, it will be my pleasure and duty to fulfil it.”

Avad smiled softly, raising his hand however. “If that is the case, I wish you not to treat me like the Sun-King.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t need another guard or a yes-sayer whispering in my ear and trying to win my favour. I want someone who isn’t afraid to voice his opinion. Someone who will keep me company and treat me like… anyone else. A person.”

Kherus looked at him for a long time. “You are describing a friend.”

“... Perhaps I am.” Avad looked down at the stone railing. Then he gave a sad chuckle, realising his folly. “An impossibility when you’re the Sun-King, alas.”

“If you desire a friendship, it is my duty to comply.”

“Exactly. Your duty.” Kherus’s brow furrowed further. He saw the dilemma Avad presented there. It was… familiar. Kherus had never been a king, but he had been a leader. Everyone who answered to him, did so out of duty. In truth, he couldn’t even recall if there had been any friends among them. Not that he had required them.

Was that a hint of regret growing in his chest? No. It had been for the best. Because if he had been close to anyone back then, they’d have died. Along with everything else.

“If I may be frank…?” Kherus asked suddenly.

“Of course.”

“Even as the Sun-king, you cannot request a friendship. Not if you want a genuine one at least. And I know that is what I would prefer if the choice was mine.” Avad gave a slow nod, having realised such already.

“Friendships need to be earned. With time. I cannot be your… friend, right now, Avad. I am not even sure I am capable of such. But we can both… try to earn it.” Kherus went to place his hands on the railing as well, giving the Sun-King an earnest look. Avad returned a surprised one, even as Kherus continued to speak.

”In the meantime, I will still be your guard whether you like it or not. And I can still voice my opinion freely, if you wish. In truth, Khuvadin preferred that as well.”

Then it struck him. Had he and Khuvadin been friends perhaps? Or had that too been affected by the power difference?