“No.”
“What happens if your killer happens to come to my world for a visit?”
I already knew the answer before it had a chance to fully come into my mind.
I would seek him out and kill him, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I died because of him.
I heard my parents scream in confusion and sheer worry for me, I was possibly a half-eaten corpse because of him!
If I met him...he died.
There was no forgiveness, not for what he did.
“I’ll get side-tracked then. I want my killer dead.” I admitted with a shrug, causing Rudo to tilt his head before he looked at me with a chuckle.
“Death does not warrant-”
“Death doesn’t warrant what? Death? Sorry bird but I’ll ignore you on that point.” I interrupted as I narrowed my eyes.
“I wasn’t just killed at random, mistaken for someone else. I was killed because a group of tree-humping, cannibalistic shitheads decided I was the best and only candidate for their arrogant, snake son.” I continued, my chest beginning to thump with a burning fury as I nearly drooled at the thought of being able to sink whatever sharp object I had at the time into that guy’s throat.
He tricked me...I may have died partly because of my own stupidity but he was more to blame than just me alone.
“I’m getting my revenge. I’ll do anything if it means I get closer to going home and killing him. You won’t talk me out of it.” I said, pointing at the bird-dragon.
Rudo merely let out a strange chattering noise with his beak before he looked up towards the empty, dark sky.
“How far are you willing to go?” Rudo questioned.
“Revenge is a slippery slope, human! Turns the soul black, blackened souls don’t last long in this world. They go to my sister.”
I scoffed at his words, if his sister was anything like himself then I should be just fine when it comes to handling and stating my reasons as to why I should be allowed to go back.
“Still, I’d be willing to do any-”
“Hm, my sister will handle you then! She’s always been more experienced with handling the hardier souls.” He interrupted with a laugh.
Just before I could respond although, I suddenly heard the sounds of panicked and loud chirping. My heart once again, slowly but surely, began to beat as I continued to listen to the noise. I recognized those sounds anywhere...the kind that wasn’t spared in-between but was frequent and constant, almost like a nagging mother.
Hell, I teared up as I turned my head towards the sky, the sight of something making a beeline towards me making me scoff quietly before I extended my arm and opened my hand.
“You just can’t stay away from me, can you?” I said with a weak, teary laugh before Fidel perched onto one of my fingers, my brow rising a little at his new look.
He still looked like a swallow, small and chubby with a body covered in feathers but...his eyes glowed a near blinding white color similar to the glowing tattoo plastered right in the middle of his chest, the tattoo seeming to be the image of two lightning bolts as a single large feather jutted out from his head and stood up straight all the while his tail feathers were longer and appeared like the those of a phoenix.
I immediately took the opportunity to poke at his chest plumage, a series of angry chirps following afterward.
“You’re more covered in feathers,” I said with a snort, a yelp escaping me at him poking my hand.
“I’m guessing you know this tiny bird?” Rudo asked.
“I do but...how is he here? I’m dead. Not to mention, he doesn’t look the same as he did on Earth.” I huffed, trying to shoo Fidel from flying around and attempting to poke at my ears before he finally settled down to rest on top of my head.
Rudo shook his own body, the feathers on him making a ‘shuffling’ noise before his beak clacked together. “Strong bonds can traverse through anything, even the dead.” He said.
“Had you two not shared this bond, he wouldn’t have been able to find my realm,” Rudo said as he lowered his head a little to peek closer at Fidel.
"Besides, he'll need a different look if he wishes to be in this world! I thought this type would suit him best, seeing as he'll be the companion of an Emperor."
I let out an ‘Ah’ sound.
I was willing to do anything for Fidel but...I didn’t think he found me that pleasant to the point he’d travel worlds for me.
I owed him.
“Anyway, this means I’d suggest you listen to him! He’ll prove helpful in keeping you away from a harsher second death.”
I let out a scoff as I took Fidel down from my head and held him within my palms, the act of him looking up at me and chirping merrily making me snicker.
Though I’d never say it...I was grateful to the bird-dragon.
“For giving me back my friend...thank you,” I said, pressing a kiss on Fidel’s head quickly before I was rewarded with a gentle peck on the cheek in return.
“But...now we have to talk about how I’m going to fit in, I doubt they’ll accept me being their Emperor just because I said so. Hell, I don’t even know anything about what goes on in this world! Money? Clothing? Cultures? What do I need to know?!” I said before the bird-dragons suddenly plucked out one of his feathers before dropping it into the water.
“Well...money is easy.” Rudo started off. “The humans pay for things in purple coins called Koi. It has adorable little symbols of lightning on them!” I looked around Rudo’s plane of existence, seeing another lightning strike the water not too far off in the distance.
I could see the reason for the markings.
“Culturally? Well...it’s not like your world-”
“Obviously.”
“-But it’s similar as well! Big sister tells of a culture in your world called…’Western’?”
I slowly nodded my head, if he was talking about country-wise. “Well! We have that! You should be able to see it once you hear the names of the people and what they eat! Deer meat and boar is quite the treat in these lands, not to mention Sweet dough and honey milk imported from the Dark Continent!” Rudo continued before the water where he dropped the feather began to glow.
Dark Continent?
Charming name there, but, at the same time? I’d make sure to remind myself to not be so quick to judge.
After all, I knew nothing about this…’Koinai’ planet.
“You’ll learn so much! I assure you! But first? You need wings-”
Wings?! I could almost imagine Fidel’s face at the sight of me suddenly being able to fly like him.
“Why do I need wings in the first place?”
“As well as a pair of horns, lightning magic will aid you as well if you truly wish to sell the facade that you’re me!” The creature added.
“But…because it's fun to fly? To serve as an identity? When me and my sister go to our respective countries to rule, we have these features to stand out. No one in the world looks like us, they're all like you. Human.”
‘That gets rid of that idea then…’ I thought to myself, remembering a time when a friend showed me a fantasy movie filled with all sorts of weird creatures.
“What about this ‘lightning magic’ then?” I asked before lightning suddenly struck the waters, causing Fidel to begin flying around in a panic before a pair of wings started to rise out of the water.
My jaw dropped a little.
They were as majestic as the jewel’s on a king’s crown or how a deity would present themselves.
Dark crimson with the outer edges of the feathers almost resembling the oranges one would see during the early hours of the morning, all the while the tips of the feathers were an ebony color. I couldn’t help but crack a small smile as I went over to feel the wings.
Though they were soft to the touch...like fine silk almost, towards the tip of the feather? The sudden sharpness was jarring, like feeling the tip of a freshly sharpened blade.
“What’s with the feathers being sharp?” I asked as I dared to pluck a feather from one of the wings.
“Magic can make someone, even a god, emotionally tired. Drained even.” Rudo sighed dramatically.
“But! That’s where my- or...your wings will come in. I doubt many, if anyone will think about attacking a deity but should someone try? Defensively or offensively, these wings will serve you well.” The bird-dragon continued as I continued to look over and twiddle the feathers between my fingers.
Huh.
Seems to me, there would be some fun moments here and there being a god after all.
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