Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Thump thump thump

The sounds of heavy drums pound through the air and vibrate deep in your bones, dancing alongside your heartbeat and intertwining with your soul. Flames from the mighty fires lick upwards as if to taste the night sky and swallow the stars that look down upon the people who dance and twirl and worship life around it. Songs are chanted from every mouth and laughter rings like a prayer throughout the crowds. Thick scents of hot goods fill nostrils of hungry party goers and the cobble streets crawl with people who gather on this good day.

Summer solstice is always a mighty celebration here in the kingdom of Erisala, a day to relax and commemorate the year going by. A day to eat and drink and wobble home down the streets to a warm bed, belly full and breathe in the ghost of smoke from the dying fires around the streets and in the fields. A day where all the kingdoms leaders join the villagers in celebration, disputes aside.

Halfy, ruler of The Halfway lands, sits with the children and paints their faces with whorls and dots and fearsome creatures. They paint the floor and any other surface they deem too dull with broad strokes of colour and chalk. A rare sight to see - the feared war commander so openly expressing her softer side, big smiles and a gentle brush stroke on young cheeks that have the kids giggling and beaming and pulling at their parents to show the dragon that’s elegantly formed on their face.

Wiping her forehead and clothes with paint splattered hands, not caring that it transfers onto the fabric and face, she scoops the stray strands of blonde hair back behind her ears to begin a new art piece on the infant next in line.

On the other hand, Winks, ruler of Winkleton, leads the group in song, standing tall on stacks of haybales she and the other field workers had pulled in that morning. Arms thrown wide and translucent wings fluttering elegantly behind her, allowing her to hover off the ground slightly. Her voice cutting through the noise like sharp silk laced with syrup and the promise of secrets.

The legends of her voice nothing but true, akin to a sirens call - whenever Winks’ songs are heard the world stands still to listen. Even the winds in which she soars in so often seem to calm as if curious by this noise, pondering how a mortal can produce such otherworldly sounds. The cousins letting their hair down away from royal duties for what feels like an eternity.

The third cousin, Livy, floats around, participating in all activities, laughing and breathing and spending time with her family as they get a moment of respite and can have a fully formed conversation without hearing

‘sorry Livy, we’ll continue this later I have      to attend to’.

She would never hold It against them. Running a kingdom of this size is a difficult job, even if the snake of disappointment curls in her stomach every time they cut her off with matters seemingly more pressing than the flowers she found by the river that day. But at least tonight, they chat and gossip and bloom in each other's presence with no excuse to shut her out. Tonight is joyous.

Somewhere on the far end of the kingdom, the king stands on his castle balcony, looking to the furthest reaches of the city where light bubbles and people move like ants on the floor. A soft breeze lifts the panels of his cape where it clips to his shoulders before flourishing behind him and splitting in two pieces at the front, flowing down to touch his fingertips. It holds the stray stands of the long braid curling around his shoulder and tries to pull them free to no avail.

I should be down there, with my people.

Indecision ripples through the young man on if he should abandon logic and sprint down the stone steps and enjoy the one night a year he is off duty. The truth is, he is right in his hesitation, half his kingdom would simply glare and shuffle home, grab their children with hushed voices and disperse to somewhere, anywhere away from him. Was ruining the night for half his kingdom worth the praise and party he’d receive from the others who didn’t see him as a monster? King Gary, a man widely respected across the nation, but to his own people, nothing but a tyrant. Was it worth it to have other kingdoms fearful of crossing him but his own people too?

The answer never comes and Gary wishes his sister was there for guidance. She had been gone for too long, and even upon her return refusing to speak to him after the last war. Guilt pangs in his chest at the thought of her, and what he had caused and yet he cant find himself regretting what was done. His only regret was letting her walk away all those years ago, not burning all she had built. Her sobs heard deep into the night from outside her castle room burn his ears oh so often.

It was the only option – it had to be done.

That had become a mantra at this point, only to sooth his conscious when his sisters wails haunt him, forever grieving her people whom she had lost that fateful evening. Sighing and trudging inside, Gary flops onto his bed and stares at the roof of the canopy, eyes tracing the silly patterns and pictures him and his younger sister had engraved onto it as children. He would wage a million wars to go back and hold her one last time.

Across the crowds, in a quieter corner of the ongoing festivities, Kyan sits with a mug of booze and laughs at her lovers as they make jokes and sip hot stew. Shifting from the itch of hay against her back, she wiggles uncomfortably and splays out her wings to try wrangle them around the bale.

‘Stop squirming so much, you’re gonna take my eye out if you keep flaring like that’ Zoey laughs from kyans left, swatting at the appendage coming straight at her head.

To her right, Mary giggles, a sound like sunshine and Ky relaxes and smiles softly at them both, swallowing the sarcastic comment about to tip off her tongue. Zoey takes this as an opportunity to lay flat against the grass and look up at the stars, placing her straw hat on her chest and softly humming the tunes that are heard being sung gently in the distance.

Her ears twitch and stand tall between strands of soft brown hair that are tucked messily into a bun at the base of her neck and a long strand of wheat hangs lazily out her mouth. Mary looks over at her, listening intently to the soft melody she creates and feels her stomach drop at the thought she had taken her from the fun.

‘I'm sorry I pulled you both away over here..I uh... I'm still not great with crowds and those big...fires’ She whispers out into the air, not looking at either of her partners.

She twirls the daisy in her hand Zoey had picked for her earlier nervously and looks at the ground, eyes glazing over slightly. Ky looks over solemnly, plucking the flower from her fingers and tucking it gently behind her ear, smoothing the long locks of liquid gold and rubs a thumb over her cheek with the motion. She can almost hear what Mary is reminiscing on, getting sucked back to that same night herself.

Children screaming, cries ringing out like a death bell. The fires – oh god the fires. Roaring, crackling, chewing away at the wood of homes as they groan in pain and collapse. Despite the thick sheet of rain cracking down and creating thick sludge like mud under the pounding feet of army battalions, the flames rage on, glistening with a sheen of otherworldly power.

Forbidden magic.

Kyan looks around frantic, squinting to see through the torrential weather as the battle commences and the familiar clang of metal on metal is heard from somewhere behind her. No no no not here – where is she. All logic flies out her head as she abandons her station, ignoring the infuriated bellows of her name from her fellow soldiers who are holding the lines. Its chaos. Villagers are fleeing left and right and getting cut down in the confusion of an ambush. Friend or foe, everyone suffers.

Then she hears it, through the screams of agony, cutting through the mayhem sharper than any sword – a painful sobbing. So void of the joy Kyan always heard her vocalize. Tearing through the flames recklessly and cutting down enemies with vicious passion, blood coating the floor, her armour, Ky pushes through the lines to find her lover.

She was no stranger to war. To the destruction and loss of life. But never had it felt so personal until now. This village, hidden away on the outskirts of another kingdom full of friendly faces and welcoming arms is now nothing but a home to carnage. The place where her and Zoey would ride too, if only to get away for an afternoon, work keeping them apart most days.

The place they met Mary who radiated life, kindness, all things good and right in the world. Her hair shone like the sun itself and her laugh swam in your veins spreading warmth and safety. There was none of that now. Her face twisted in sorrow as she drags children away from their fallen parents and pushes them into the woods away from the violence. Hair grey with soot and flat with water, a deep burn snaking up her arm and eyes that have dulled from what was once the purest shade of yellow.

Rage and relief equally bubbles in Ky's veins as she works her way through anyone holding a weapon to get to her lover and wrapping her in her arms. She grabs Mary and runs with her over to the woods, bringing as many survivors with them. Then without warning, the sharp fizzle of magic cuts through the air like a knife, forcing its way into your nostrils, making the hairs on your neck stand to attention.

Looking back across the ruins of the town Kyan sees Prancer, one of the Kingdoms top knights, mowing down enemies left and right - stony faced with a skill that seems almost inhuman. The large blade of their sword oozing enemy blood as several strands of mousey hair that have broken free from where the rest is tied back drip with sweat and rain. Halfy dances next to them, closing the blind spots of them both as they slash and cut and lay waste to whoever is in proximity before a blast of light and rubble abruptly throws them both to the ground prompting several barking orders from the other soldiers to both check and protect their Leader.

Amidst it all, one of their own knights - Ghostie - stands over them, crazed look in his once blue eyes that now glow with the shifting purple promise of magic. He strings together catastrophic spell after spell, not caring where or who they hit, broken laughter ringing out drinking in the chaos. A clap on thunder echos across the land as Kyan takes a panicked step towards them before Mary tugs at her arm,

‘Ky we need to go, please’ she pleads, looking up at the soldier in anguish.

Ky bites her lip violently and feels the tang of iron coat her tongue, indecision raging with the raw instincts to help her commander. As if on cue, a glowing arrow flies across the frenzy into Ghosties shoulder with a wet thud, drawing out an angry cry from the man as he grimaces and rips it out with little care to the damage that it must have caused to his nerves.

The magic in the air prickles like lightning about to strike and Kyan shudders as the traitor turns to face his new opponent, the broken skin of his wound stitching back together from whatever ungodly spells he has his grip on. Another familiar face is seen standing a while away, bow already loaded and aimed for the next shot. Bug stares down the husk of her friend, a pleading look in her eye to stand down.

Mary tugs at Kyans arm again snapping her back to reality and with one last look at her crumbling squad, she turns and scoops up several of the children and runs through the forest, as far away from danger as she could take them. Dodging and weaving from branches that reach out with sharp fingers to cut her cheeks, she shakes her head desperately trying to come to terms with the catastrophe she just witnessed. Ghostie, once a good friend, had reached the breaking point Kyan had feared was coming.

Their job as top blacksmith back home was only surface level, she knew this from the days she spent as a mercenary. His craftsman ship known all across the kingdom, sturdy and strong, some of the most legendary (and definitely most expensive) weaponry was forged by his hand. But by night he would mold items with enchantments, spells as old as time, long since outlawed to be made in most kingdoms due to the unknown and magical effects on people who wielded them, fought with them - let alone made them.

Bought mostly by mercenaries who could afford them, and could keep the secret. Kyan had told Ghostie to stop, that he wasn't himself but only tried so hard, too caught up in her own affairs at the time. Despite Kyans protests, he was drafted for war and she was just waiting for the snap, for the tether holding their mind to this earth to break.

And broken it was. There's no going back now, for either of them.

Zoey places a hand on Kyan and Marys shoulders, grounding them back to reality and wiping a tear that had rolled down Marys soft face.

‘No time to dwell, eh? Come on, let's go get some food, I'm still starving’ Zoey grinned and extends hands for both her lovers who take them and stand with her.

Zoey didn’t know what happened that day, neither of them spoke about it, but when Kyan had stumbled into the stables in the early hours of the morning with Mary, both carrying children all covered in grime and gore, enough was said. Zoey had rushed over, ears pinned down in panic and sadness when she saw the blistering burn Mary was cradling and choked on a sob after seeing the singed feathers and tissue on her other lover's right wing that the avian had barely noticed until they were deep into the woods and all adrenaline calmed.

Those days had been difficult.

Finding homes for the young ones, the long path to recovery for physical injuries and an even longer one for the mental wounds inflicted. Countless nights all three spent, awoken by Marys screams, tormented by her own mind in her sleep. Zoey would cradle her and sing soft songs to calm her, hold her through her cries while Ky would bolt up, hand already gripping her sword and pace outside the house, chasing off Marys imaginary demons, and perhaps even her own.

They had stayed in the house Zoey owned outside the gates of the kingdom in worry of the war party returning and the consequences of Kyans abandonment of her station. And yet when the time came and Winks and Gary met Halfy at the front gates with the surviving soldiers, Mary seemed more anxious than the other two.

The three rode on horseback, Mary behind Zoey, gripping onto her waist to greet those who made it home, only to be met with the same void expressions from most, the mist of death hanging over them all. The black steel of armour, scuffed and bloody, reflecting the rays of sun floating down as if to try and ward away all the shadows they brought home.

Kyan took a sharp intake of breath and quickly scanned the mass of soldiers, looking for specific faces, praying that her friends had not fallen in that chaos she had not stayed to witness. Breathing out and letting her shoulders slump slightly as she sees Bug in the crowd, bandaged to hell but walking, bow slung across her shoulder along with the long blonde plait she always bore, pointed ears sticking out. Her skin a soft shade of green barely visible beneath the thin layer of soot and dirt.

However, the moment of relief ripped away almost immediately as Ky’s jaw drops, eyes flicking to her wings behind her – or should I say lack thereof. Pixies are a rare species, endangered and often seen as high value to the sleezy kingdoms that still operate with a black-market (Winks and Bug being some of the few to exist in the whole kingdom). But now, only the base of the appendage remains, tips seemingly torn off in jagged points.

What the hell happened that day.

The pixie stands tall despite the bags hanging under her eyes, commanding the party through the gates and keeping everyone in check as a large group of soldiers seem to be transporting something, no, someone into the kingdom's gates. Ky squints and swallows the nauseous feeling building up in her throat as she gets a glimpse of Ghostie swathed in chains. At least she’s pretty sure that’s him. Dark circles engulf the sockets of his eyes and his cheekbones are hollowed out looking like a walking corpse.

A huge gash splits down the front of his chest plate showing old blood crusting his undergarments from the wound that had caused the metal to part. He half stumbles half gets pushed through by the soldiers to what Ky assumes would be imprisonment for an undetermined amount of time. Maybe forever. Not only treason, but meddling and using powerful magic against the kingdom. Forever is looking like the most likely option. Bug looks down at him with such hatred Ky can only imagine that the battle she had barely seen ended poorly.

Understatement of the century she thinks to herself.

How Bug survived the massacre they’d clearly endured is beyond her. The knight looks over at the sound of hooves approaching and meets Ky’s eye before scowling and turning away, focusing on their task once more and following the others through the gates. I deserve that. She sighs, no time to feel the guilt building in her chest as they notice Halfy rapidly approaching, Prancer close behind, limping yet wielding their enormous sword at whoever dares step too close to their leader.

They made it out too, thank god 

Prancer was a good soldier, coming from a long generation of knights that had always fought on the front lines and protected the kingdom till the end. The family is widely respected by the citizens and even leaders, Prancer getting knighted by Halfy herself, becoming her personal guard after she got herself into one too many close calls in the heat of battle. Winks and King Gary follow them, their faces an unreadable shocked expression. Dismounting their horses, Zoey squeezes Kyans hand, ready for what's about to come as they gain ground, closer and closer until -

They walk right past the two, brushing Zoey’s shoulder and leaving them standing in disbelief. The two turn rapidly to see Mary being engulfed by all three leaders of the kingdom, and they’re crying? Zoey and Ky share an equally confused look at the sight In front of them.

‘You came back!’ Winks cries, voice high pitched and holding back a sob, gripping onto Mary tightly along with the King engulfing her in a hug.

Halfy stands with a hand on her cousin's shoulder and looks equally as teary.

‘I didn’t think I'd see you again... you’ve changed so much’ The king murmurs into her hair from where he holds on behind her.

Zoey steps forward, clearly over this moment and now starting to feel defensive of all these people around Mary after what she just went through.

‘Is anyone gonna tell me what is going on?!’

She taps her foot and looks to Mary with an eyebrow raised, looking for an answer or a sign that she needed to start swinging at the people squeezing her so tight. Leaders be damned – Zoey would kick a god in the face if need be. The golden-haired girl simply cracks a half smile, awkward in nature and clears her throat,

‘uhhhh....I haven't been totally honest with you two’.

Mary was a princess.

The missing Princess of their kingdom, who left at 16, only to return 5 years later after a war had destroyed the home she had made outside a neighbouring kingdom. After her return, she eventually was swept away by her brother to attend once more to royal duties that had made her run all that time ago.

If not for her two lovers Mary would have never returned, even if in the past she lay awake, miles away from her kingdom feeling a ghost of guilt slide under her skin and sit with her until the sun rose once again. But tonight, she was free from it all. No meetings to pretend to be interested in, no lessons on etiquette, no parading around like a puppet. Just a night to relax, spend time with the people she cared most about.

A night where she can trade her heavy royal gowns for something lighter, a yellow number with billowing sleeves of glittering gossamer that cinch at the elbows then blooming out again until they once more are captured at the wrist. The many layers of chiffon flowing behind her every time she walks or catches the breeze. Golden lace adorns all the seams and small daisy's are embroidered down the gowns length, gathering at the waist then tumbling like a waterfall of the tiny plants.

Despite the protests from the castle maids who muttered silly things of “improper” and “unsuitable for royalty” she made sure to have it cut down one leg and at the top allowing her shoulders to kiss the daylight for once.

It was as if she was the summer itself, brought into a body and set to roam its earth. Mary had done her duties in the early hours of the day, passed around baked goods to her subjects, helped with decorations and even had a dance and song with her fellow leaders as the moon began its journey across the sky, dragging a carpet full of stars along with it. But as the night grew darker and the fires brighter, she needed some space to remind herself she wasn’t back in the place she had made her home.

The chanting wasn't screaming.

The dancing wasn't soldiers striking to kill.

Even now, as Zoey in front leads her and Ky down one of the side streets, avoiding most of the crowd her heartbeat picks up if only slightly. A squeeze of the hand from the mule hybrid in front of her slows it down and the tender hand between her shoulder blades from the avian behind finishes the job. Mary smiles and inhales greedily at the smell of fresh soup and sweet pastries that seem to wind itself through the narrow paths.

‘Where are you taking me? That smells delicious’. Her mouth begins to water and the grumble in her stomach reminds her that she hadn't eaten since that morning, too preoccupied with helping set up festivities.

The music fades out to a distant hum and the banners above their heads become fewer and far between as they take a right and follow a significantly uneven path down a backstreet, home to some of the small buildings backdoor's and bins littered in fron

t of them like wooden guards. Zoey pauses in front of a particularly clean door, the kingdoms crest etched into the fine wood, even the handle polished before turning back and grinning at the two. With a smug smile and a few raps on the door they await whoever has been called to the back of their business. No answer. Zoeys smile drops and she knocks again, eliciting a snort from Ky who leans lazily against one of the smooth stone walls watching the hybrid sweat.

‘No no wait they’ll answer just give it a sec’ she begins to explain, a light blush blossoming on her cheeks, accentuating the freckles dotted on her nose.

Mary offers a small giggle and gives Zoey a raised eyebrow. As Zoey fidgets through the silence and lifts her hand to knock again they hear a set of soft footsteps approach from inside and the door squeaks open to reveal a young woman half the size of the door she just swung. Short red curls bounce as she frantically wipes what appears to be flour on her brown cotton apron, effectively leaving smudged handprints. Shifting her thick round glasses up from where they droop on her nose she looks around to the three before breaking out into a big smile lined at the edges with kindness.

‘Well well look what the cat dragged in, or should I say horse’ She begins as Zoey gives a playful scowl and mutters ‘Mule...’, ears twitching in feigned annoyance.

‘You know - I have a front door, not that you ever use it Zoey’ the small lady tuts before extending an arm to welcome them inside.

Zoey happily strolls in as Mary gives Ky a shrug and follows her indoors. The avian pushes off the wall and finally enters as the owner shuts the door behind her. Walking through a small corridor adorned with polished wooden floors and past a large kitchen splattered with cooking utensils and ingredients it's clear that the smells twirling outside originated here. Sickly sweet sugars drift between touches of fresh bread, melding together with the warmth of the shop acting like a cuddle in gaseous form.

Coming out onto the main floor, the walls are painted a deep beige with auburn accents around the base of the wall and skirting boards. Thick wooden tables adorned with baskets of all kinds of goods line the right side of the floor in an L shape as you walk in what would be the front entrance. Grey curtains are pulled aside on each end of the large windows either side of the door, rows of flowers peacefully living on the thick wooden windowsills outside.

Small clusters of tables are placed to the left of the room, only a few, rubbing off that most buyers don’t stay for a dine in experience but more grab and go. The low hung ceilings are supported with large wooden beams, clearly old but spotless all the same. Ky shifts awkwardly and looks down at her attire, feeling out of place in such a delicate space, as if worried that by just standing in the room she’d make a mess of the tidiness the shop keeper obviously takes pride in.

She had dropped most of her knight armour after officially retiring from the royal force (due to the past events) and opted for mismatching parts of her old uniform with clothes more suited to the calmer lifestyle she now lived. Black cotton fashioned into a simple tunic shirt with long dark sleeves beneath became her new everyday wear alongside a pair of brown pants that parachute out only to get cuffed below the knee.

Despite her stepping away from the front of battle she still kept the heavy black boots and the gloves that cover all but her thumb. A thick black belt holds the cape that drapes around her waist and reaches just off the ground and is also home to the sheath in which her sword stays.

It's a stark difference to the fashionable fabrics the shop keeper wears, her style very different to the popular clothes in this kingdom. Soft brown shoes and intricate white lace that brushes lightly against the floor stem from the seams at the bottom of her sage green dress and simultaneously adorns her collar, the shoulders puffing slightly like little cupcakes. Even her brown apron that cuts short mid-thigh is sinched in a dark corset squeezing her waist and holding it in place. It was as if her and this shop were molded from the same clay, and yet it was foreign to Kyan.

Zoey rushes over to the counter ogling at all the goodies, tail swishing in glee before pointing at several savory pastries sprinkled with various wheat's and seeds to the woman now taking her place behind the table ready to serve.

‘Ooo Sketch they smell so good I want them all! Guys come pick something, I promise you will never have food as good as this in your life ever’ the mule hybrid exclaims as the red head seemingly known as Sketch chuckles lightly and starts placing the food in a brown bag.

Mary glides over, captured easily by her lovers praise for such a place and flows into easy conversation with the shopkeeper.

‘My apologies,’ she begins, inclining her head at the woman behind the counter, ‘I never introduced myself or even asked your name. I am Mary, and that is Kyanide brooding over in the corner, she's a grumpy thing and you probably won't get much talking from them so feel free to ignore.’ she beams, waving a hand over to the bird hybrid fidgeting in one of the chairs attempting to shift her wings around yet another obstacle.

Mary sighs and shakes her head in pretend pity

‘Poor creature, woe is her. Moving on, you seem acquainted with Zoey already so no need for introductions on that front. I'm surprised I haven't met you before, I feel almost foolish for passing by such a beautiful business.’

Sketch lets her finish before giving a deep curtsy and places a soft hand upon her heart.

‘No no, my apologies for having you stare down my back door instead of getting to enjoy the luxury of the main entrance. I'll have to kick Zoey for treating royalty in such a way. My name is Sketch and I am fairly new to the kingdom so I won't take it personally that you’ve so easily neglected my shop in the small time I've been here’

Mary would be both taken aback by how boldly this tiny woman speaks but also guilty if not for the gleam of mischief in her eye showing no serious offense. Her unruly locks bounce like a spring as she quickly straightens from her bow and continues to chatter with the Princess.

Zoey crosses the room and waves a pastry in Kyans face, tempting her to snatch it and sink her teeth into it eliciting an excited warble and chirp at the sugar exploding on her tongue. Zoey laughs, sitting in the chair opposite and lightly kicks Ky’s shin under the table.

‘Bird brain’ she snickers and bites her own heavenly snack.

Ky tries to look offended but gives up as quick as she started, too distracted with scoffing the last scraps of food and slouching back satisfied.

‘I’ll give you this, that really was one of the best things I've eaten maybe ever. What on earth is in those? Hard drugs? Magic? Must be’ Kyan rambles on to no one in particular stretching out, already starting to feel the tiredness creep under her eyes, keeping them heavy.

Mary floats over to the other two with Sketch, holding a neatly wrapped bag full of goodies between her hands, a happy smile plastered on her face after whatever conversation they had been having.

‘Sketch was telling me how you’re a regular here Zoey my dear, cheeky of you to hide such a pleasantry like this from your most favourite people in the world’ Mary coos at the hybrid leaning back in her chair, crumbs around the edges of her mouth.

‘I was savin’ it for a special occasion, I would never hold such luxuries from my highness.’ Zoey drawls out and peaks her voice to sound primed and proper before taking the Princess’ hand and planting an elegant kiss atop it.

Kyan snorts and stands up, moving behind Mary and resting her chin on the smallers shoulder as her arms go lax at her sides, letting her eyes close and humming into her hair.

‘Tired now, festivals over. Let's go cuddle’

Zoey rises too and takes a hand from both her partners looking between them both with a fond expression, almost forgetting about her friend who had gone back to her work behind the counter, putting lids on baskets and other menial chores if only just to give some privacy to her customers.

‘Alright Sketch, we’ve got to get bird brain home, poor thing can't make it past 9 o clock these days. First retirement, now these early nights. Before you know it we’ll have to put her in a home old gal’ she teases getting another swift kick to the shin, this time noticeably harder.

‘Ow! You’ve got to get rid of those god forsaken boots, are you trying to smite me!?’

This earns a sleepy grin from the avian who pivots with Mary and opens one eye to look at her lover in a way as if to say absolutely. Wincing, Zoey hobbles over like she just lost her leg to the counter where Sketch promptly laughs at her friend and accepts the gold pieces dropped into her hand.

‘I hope to see you all again soon, take care getting home now’ She calls to the trio as they walk out the front door, arm in arm.

Someone once said that good things can't last forever.

That seems to be the ground work this kingdom operates on. History has proven this right time and time again. For as the citizens celebrate far away, engrossed in their festivities, someone stands atop the roofs in the Halfway lands watching over the prison doors. Their thick coat billows in the wind as they twirl a scythe glowing with something inhuman between nimble fingers. Another pair of feet thud and the woosh of wings landing drop behind the first figure before stepping up next to them on the ledge. The three cloaked figures look down to the steel mouth carved into the walls of Erisala's maximum security prison.

‘You’re sure he’s in there?’ one of them asks, their voice hushed.

‘Where else would they put someone with that much power’

‘They’re gonna be keeping him way below the surface you know.’

‘Good thing most of the guards are out getting drunk then isn't it’

‘Shame. I wanted to kill something tonight’

As the drums beat like a pulse in the distance a bottle shatters beneath the feet of the three figures and they are gobbled up into nothingness, gone to the naked eye.

‘Lets go.’

And they drop down into the night.

Chapter Text

‘I’ll ask one more time - what cell is he being held in?’ The figure asks with deathly calm, wings arching tall behind them in the low light. 

 They twist the knife deeper into the guard's side, not bothering to place the gag back in his mouth as he emits nothing more than a low guttural groan, already halfway to deaths door with all the blood loss from the other wounds he’d received from his torturer.  

‘If you kill another one, I'm going to be so pissed at you. I’m growing tired of your games, get an answer or I'll leave you here to rot as well.’ One of the angel's accomplices snaps from behind them, red cape cutting the air as they turn on their heel and look down the thin concrete hallway at all the work they’ve already had to do. 

 Bodies line the floor, torches flicker and cast light upon the blood splattered walls and puddles of the stuff leaking from the multitude of corpses cut up and slumped over like dolls. The angel scowls and stands up from where they were squatting by the guard flopped against one of the walls.  

‘If you and the new freak didn’t massacre the entire guard squad the moment we bumped into them maybe I’d have more toys to play with and this would take less time Robeyo.’ they bite back with a quiet and steady voice but the promise of poison looms behind their words.  

‘Thats the third toy you’ve broken now and we aren't any closer to finding this god damn cell. It’s a maze down here and I'm growing bored. I'd rather not have our faces plastered all across the kingdom again.’ 

Light footsteps echo through the air and both the arguing criminal's heads snap up in the direction they come from. A short figure emerges from down the end of the hallway, skipping past the carnage and humming a light-hearted melody, twirling their glittering scythe in time to the rhythm. Their arms drip with blood from small cuts littered across them as if they had dragged themselves through a thorn bush. The new challenger's eyes are shot wide with glee and.. Something else as they splash in the red liquid on the floor.  

‘Kero, don’t sneak away like that, where have you been you could have gotten caught’ Robeyo scolds looking them up and down suspiciously. 

Kero walks past the two, staring at the guard who clutches his side as he looks up at the bouncing locks of white hair coming towards him. 

‘P..please’ he rasps, lidded eyes swelling with fear. She giggles slightly, keeping her eyes locked onto the pleading man. 

‘I think I found something you two are going to want to see. She said she’s been waiting for you.’  

Before the others could intervene, she swings her weapon in a tall arc and slices down, reaping yet another soul, the gore splattering her boots. The edges of her lips twitch as if pleased before pivoting to talk to her squad mates, an air of urgency in her mannerisms. The angel scowls, annoyance radiating off of them.  

‘What the hell, you just ruined my game Kero. I worked hard on him and now I'll have to go get a new one. You had better of found where they’re holding him or we’re gonna have issues. It didn’t end well for you last time.’  

The scar twisting down Keros cheek and curling behind her ear is reminder from the last time she had gotten to excited and pushed a little too much. 

‘Awhh come on Satu, don’t be like that. I was new and naïve, and you did a number on me enough to get the message not to meddle so stop looking so grumpy, I wouldn’t have touched your belongings unless it was urgent, promise!’ 

She gives Satu puppy eyes and pretends to look apologetic, getting a scoff and a fold of the arms from the winged individual. 

Robeyo, irritated with the theatrics and time wasted, sighs angrily. 

‘Kero what are you on about? What did you find? Because from the way you’re describing it you didn’t find the package. I told you not to wonder off, not to make a mess and not get distracted’  

They count off the points on their fingers, hushed voice growing sharper with each word, 

 ‘You’ve failed every objective so far and I'm at the end of my patience. Don’t make me regret recruiting you.’  

Kero’s face drops the smile and she tilts her head slightly, her upbeat energy gone leaving just a cold killer in her once bubbly shoes. There's silence - the three at a standstill except for the drip..drip....drip of blood that trickles from Kero’s hands onto the stone.  

‘Fine’ she retorts in a flat tone, so different to the bright and giddy sound moments ago, 

‘It's this way.’  

She stalks down the hallway and turns left at the end leaving the other two behind. Robeyo looks at Satu, a silent conversation playing out before Satu’s arms drop and they stalk in the direction the newbie went. 

‘Told you, she’s a freak’ Satu mutters as the Caped member follows behind.  

The three walk swiftly down more thin, dimly lit corridors, the smooth cold concrete the only thing in sight aside from the odd body strewn on the floor with various large gashes, presumably from Kero’s nightmarish weapon.  

Left 

Right 

Right 

Left again 

They weave through the labyrinth until a large set of metal doors stand high on the end of the room. Heavy bolts are bent out of shape and through the opening only darkness can be seen. Kero keeps walking, tugging a torch off the wall and looking back at her comrades as she approaches the abyss and walks inside with a mischievous smirk. The other two follow her inside, keeping their guard up as they enter the cell.  

 Musty air and the dust they kick up off the floor is enough to make Robeyo cough and hold an arm over their nose and mouth. It was as if no one had come inside for a long time. Walking further in they approach a large set of thick metal bars, wrapped in barbs that are stained in fresh blood. Drip..drip..drip. The liquid runs down the metal poles and paints dots on the ground, matching those that Kero creates from the cuts on her own hands. The room itself is small, no wider than the doors outside but enough for the three rogues to squeeze in, even if It makes Satu press her wings in tight to ensure they don’t get knocked. 

‘I brought them like you asked me to’ Kero speaks softly from where she stands at the bars, shielding the person inside. 

‘You did well Kero,’ 

Satu and Robeyo freeze. 

‘Don't you want to say hello?’ a voice from inside the cell bounces off the walls, raspy but dripping with assurance. 

Kero doesn’t move, doesn’t blink. She stands facing the bars holding the torch up to illuminate inside the cell, eyes wide and unseeing.  

Despite every instinct screaming against it, the two approach the voice either side of the seemingly mesmerized reaper and stand stiff. 

‘Hello’  

‘Hello’  

They echo at the same time before their bodies relax and Satu stumbles back a few steps, jaw lax and stumbling over words trying to come out. 

‘I - we – I thought you... ’ she sputters, looking to Robeyo in disbelief who is gaping at the figure lit up by the flame. ‘How did you even end up down he-’ 

The Angel stops and grimaces, expression shifting between disbelief and new found anger. Flashes of memories from the last mission they went on years ago suddenly begin to slot into place. How it failed. The betrayal. How they lost not only one member – but two that night. One by walking away, the other slain by the same fingers that allowed the team to slip apart like sand. Except that’s now not the whole truth. Here they sit, hidden away all this time. Satu’s brain begins to click together pieces that only now have a bigger picture, feeling stupid for not seeing the signs sooner. And even guiltier on how they had given up so easily on finding their friend.  

Although why would you look for someone you saw die. 

Chains rattle as the prisoner shifts from where they are bound to the wall, arms tight behind their back and right leg attached to the stone behind them by an even shorter metal leash. On the floor lays a muzzle with a rubber mouth bit, bloody finger prints decorate the clasps.  

‘She didn’t kill me, if thats what you thought happened dear Satu. No no, she locked me away down here in return for her freedom with her two betrothed, damn backstabber.’ the voice echos from the darkness, toxins arming every word spat from snarled lips. A deep intake of breath. 

No one moves. 

Drip...drip...drip  

‘I know where he is you know. The blacksmith. Came in a while ago now, there's little chatter down here so when someone ends up in the vault the guards can't help but gossip. What was his name..Ghostie? The guards told me when I asked. They stopped coming after that though. I wasn’t allowed to talk to them or have anyone enter my cell. Kero here took that vile contraption off for me,’  

They both glance to the muzzle abandoned on the dirty floor, clearly designed to prevent the wearer from talking.  

‘I'll take you to him – just get me out of here’  

As the words slip past cracked lips, Kero instantly stands back, slashing her scythe aggressively at the locks bolting the cell door over and over, building a sweat as she hacks up steel until it barely remains holding the door. 

Robeyo’s hands twitch and the muscles in their neck flex, as if fighting off an urge. Satu wrestles with the same itch, wings curling in tight and straining against her back.  

‘You know we wouldn’t leave you behind so cut it out okay’ Robeyo snips through gritted teeth and through extreme effort they put an arm on Keros shoulder who seemingly goes lax after the words just spoken, dropping the weapon as it clatters to the floor.

They look over at Satu who nods and leads the white-haired reaper outside the main doors who Is now blinking rapidly and shaking lightly. Picking up Kero’s artillery, Robeyo kicks with heavy steel capped boots at the metal that had been grinded up until it drops to the floor and with a grunt, they shove open the cage doors and free the captive from their chains. Extending a hand, the prisoner takes it and rises to unsteady feet, stretching out as their muscles scream at the newly unrestricted movement. Turning to face Robeyo, they pass between a look of familiarity. A bond unknowingly old shifting between but a stare. Violence, understanding – revenge, all swim through the gaze they hold between each other.  

They share a smile. 

‘Your powers have grown weaker down here old friend’ Robeyo smirks. 

The prisoner swings their arms, getting the blood to flow once more through stiff limbs. They tut and shake their head slightly. 

‘Appears so. Seems like we have much work to do, so little time. You have a lot to fill me in on partner – starting on what we’re gonna do with this little blacksmith once we get our hands on him.’ The figure limps out of the cell with Robeyo close behind who steadies them when their knees buckle. 

‘Just like old times. Lead the way Konk.’         

The kingdom became on edge. After the night of love and relaxation came a morning of bloodshed and terror. News of the incident spread fast, the break in of the obsidian vault, part of the prison that was claimed to be inaccessible and impossible to beat. Two undisclosed prisoners were now on the run and with the carriage piled high with dead guards seen rolling away from the prison, people knew that they were deadly and to be afraid of. Citizens stopped going out alone at night and the usual light the townsfolk held began growing more and more shadowed as rumors circle and strike fear deep into those feeling most vulnerable. 

‘Ugh I don’t care who is scurrying the streets, it could be the devil almighty for I care, I don’t need you to cling to me so much Ky’ 

Zoey’s ears twitch in annoyance as she storms down an alleyway, making sharp turns at every chance in an attempt to lose the bird following her obsessively.  

‘You don’t know what's out here, the royals won't disclose who exactly escaped and I am not risking you getting hurt.’ the avian quips as she trails behind the mule hybrid, desperation and firmness fighting for dominance in her words.  

‘You’ve been stalking me across the kingdom all day, Why don’t you go bother our beloved Mary, she's at more risk than me’ 

They both know that neither of them could even get close to the princess right now, swarmed by guards and kept away in the castle until the ongoing threats subside leaving the two hybrids feeling lonely and a little lost without their sunshine. Ky attached herself to the only one she can protect, instincts going a little stir-crazy and making Zoey take the brunt of it all. The mule understands but after days of having someone hovering over your shoulder irritability is inevitable. She speeds up her pace and listens careful as her lover follows suit before doing a 180 and letting the winged woman slam headfirst into a dead end. 

‘See you aren't even paying attention! How can you expect to fight off big bads when you let me walk you into a dark and dingy alleyway and then successfully disarm you. So much for the mighty warrior you always gloat about being. Retirement has you soft my dear’ Zoey hums at Ky who clutches her nose and looks as pitiful as a kicked puppy.  

‘You’re horrible you know. Insatiable. Incorrigible. I am betrayed. I am hurt. I am now in a monogamous relationship, you are kicked out of the gang.’ The avian sulks, wiping the small drops of blood from her face and flapping her wings a little in a tantrum. 

Zoey laughs and goes to cup her face gently earning a rather pathetic coo.  

‘Bird brain’ She breathes, and leaves a light kiss on the injured nose before intertwining their fingers and continuing the journey back home.  

Kyan melts as easily chocolate in the sun and allows her lover to lead them. She stays quiet as the mule sings a tune merrily, lost in her own world of thought. Her words were not lost on the avian however. Ky herself had begun to notice her decline. First – it was little things, not noticing peoples change in behavior, forgetting where something was placed. Then it was how sluggish she felt, her reaction time not nearly half of what it used to be and with this new threat it was impossible to ignore the daunting reality that she was facing the kickback from being away from the front lines - Let alone not using the magic she was secretly bound to. Her sword burning with power scratching at its metal walls in an attempt to escape, draining Ky in revenge for being neglected. Even now as they wonder peacefully through the streets of Winkleton, she can feel the thrum of the blade at her hip, whispering. A yearning. A twitch of the fingers, the tingling spreading through her bloodstream. 

Use me.  

Wield me.  

Mend me.  

Break me.  

Kill with me.  

Sixth sense was the name. The enchantment that created a seal over the steel and human soul. The sword seemingly alive itself, Ghostie had never been able to wield it. No one knew its origin or its full properties. But like some cliche fairy-tale passed around at children's bedtimes it would only speak to Kyan and Kyan alone. The blacksmith had found it in a vault far away when looking for books on the origin of magic and brought it home to study but was frequently at an impasse.  

When the bird hybrid had wondered in many years ago for business and picked up the blade, drawn in by almost silent whispers only she seemed to hear, it molded with her soul - binding them to a bond of power and blood. Back then, the avian welcomed this contract, allowed it to attach itself to the depths of her very being. As a mercenary, power and goods were her essence of existing and with something as rare and unknown as an enchanted weapon at her fingertips she hadn't hesitated to let it in. The more she fought with it, the more the voices grew louder, clearer. They spoke of things the eye couldn’t see, couldn’t calculate or guess. It became her eyes and ears, her scent and touch. They flowed together like water, thriving on the battlefield and becoming an unstoppable force. After time she was labelled the blind raven to her enemies due to the fact she was often seen fighting with her eyes closed. It was easier to work with the voices that way. It also often protected her against her old ally's powers, their sirens call unable to break through the cacophony of sweet words her own magic spoke and force her into doing their bidding. However, the more she found herself cutting lives short with her blade, the more faded to life she became. Heart growing cold and no longer engaging in chatter with not even her band of other mercenaries unless it was necessary. The soothing lullaby her blade sent to her soul was all she needed to listen to. Of course, when she met Mary she distanced herself from the magic she had wrapped herself around and left that part of her life behind. 

Buried it deep below ground with concrete and steel bars to be sure.  

The two round the corner and exit out the kingdom's gates, heading back to Zoeys house for the night, the moon already high in the sky watching over them thoughtfully. Ky thrums her fingers against her pants, flexing her neck and readjusting her sword. Even now as her fingers brush over the hilt the gentle whispers echo like a wind in her ears. She tries to block It out, shaking her head slightly and not tuning in to what's pushing against her veins in an almost painful itch. The noises talk over each other creating a hushed but uninterpretable song and deep in Ky’s mind she feels the rush of adrenaline as if they were once more telling her things beyond her own senses. As quickly as it came though, they faded. Even if Kyans mind became that bit more foggy from once again pushing against the restraints she was bound to. 

‘Earth to Ky, are you okay my love?’ 

Zoey stands in front of her, concern causing deep lines to crease between her brows, ears a little flat. The avian hadn’t even noticed they had stopped walking, already out the gates and into the fields.  

‘Y..yeah sorry, just spaced out a little, did you say something?’ she mumbles and tries to anchor herself back to reality, glancing around at how far they had to go until they were home. 

‘You were pretty out of it there, are you sure?’ 

She nods. 

‘If you say so,’ Zoey begins, ‘I was asking you if you knew who that was.’ 

Ky’s blood runs cold. 

‘What? Who? Where?’  

She snaps her head around the open plains, the kingdom entrance not far behind them, open rolling fields left and right and the dirt path leading into the woods ahead of them holding a few cottages that they and a few others call home. Her eyes scan around but go in and out of focus, unable to calm her nerves naturally. 

Zoey squints her eyes at the tree line and turns her back to it, putting both hands on the birds shoulders. 

‘Behind me, by the trees to the left, pretty far in. I thought I saw someone.’ 

Ky’s eyes dart instantly to the directions, but stays as relaxed in posture as she can, not wanting whoever the suspect is to know she sees them. And just there in the dark, barely recognizable if you weren't looking – a hooded figure with... A stick? A pole? Something strapped to their back. 

There were few people who lived with them outside the gates. Dev, a hunter who keeps to themselves but does their trading in the Halfyway. The kingdoms people are weary of them, something not quite human about them sending people scurrying. Their goods are of top quality however, so those who can push down their instincts to RunRunRun when close by them are sure to get something worth the hassle. They were a nice ... person too. Although the voices from Ky’s blade liked them and that never meant anything good. Clouds was the other resident there, one of Zoey’s co-workers in the fields. She was rarely home though since her wife lived up in Halfway lands, the house here only really a getaway for them both or just her when their partner is busy. Floof also appears in these areas often, mostly to steal Ky’s belongings only to return them covered in wool that’s soft to the touch but sticky in nature. But a sentient sheep would definitely not be standing cloaked in the woods in the early hours of the night.  

Kyan keeps her eyes on the figure who looks like they aren't facing the two, yet.  

Who is that? What are they doing?  

Zoey looks at her lover, holding her gaze in questioning, waiting for her to make a call. There's no fear there, just a sheen of worry and the dilating of her pupils at the adrenaline no doubt secreting from her brain.

So brave, even here she stands tall. 

The bird hybrid thinks, pride blooming in her chest before forcing herself to come back down and make a call, eyes flicking back and forth between her lover and the hooded silhouette. There was too many things unanswered. Too many possibilities she couldn't see. 

Slowly, Ky places a hand around the hilt of her weapon. 

God so help future me  

The familiar hum threads through her fingers and up her arm, shooting through her bloodstream and into her ears. She takes a deep inhale, almost euphoric as she allows the rumble of magic to spread into her system, finally loosening the reins and accepting it to meld with her. 

Get a grip Ky, just a second, nothing more.  

The drug of power already making her hands shake, unused potential screaming to be released once more. She listens until the roar becomes chatter, becomes steady voices echoing back, becomes - 

Run.  

Kyan’s eyes widen at the single phrase all the voices blend together to create. A simple command, all in agreement.  

The figure in the distance turns and for a split second, the shine of a blade arching high above their head glints in the moonlight. 

Chapter Text

The sound of hooves thumping against the worn dirt path fade in and out. Somewhere, someone's calling her name. They sound frantic, maybe yelling? Kyans eyes flutter, exhaustion weighing heavy on her shoulders, pulling her down under the murky waters of unconsciousness. She sits slumped over Zoeys back, right arm flopping uselessly by her side, barely keeping herself sitting up, using Zoeys human half to lean on. The other hand clutches weakly at the deep wound dribbling blood from her abdomen. They zoom through the fields, the hybrid having shifted her form to carry her lover away as quickly as possible.  

Hold on, just a little longer, please Ky just keep your eyes open  

Mary looks out the window as a flock of birds fly by in uniform. The summer breeze carries the scent of wild flowers into the room churning the sense of longing more and more in her gut. The sun lazily dips below the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of red and pink. Propping her chin above a delicate hand she hums along to the conversation that she's expected to be interested in. Her schedule had been full of boring meetings, planning and other tiring dribble that she turned up to and pretended to involve herself in during the two weeks after the prison break. Talk of more precautions for her and the other royals, where she can and can't go, who will be accompanying her. 

Might as well put me down behind bars while you're at it  

The only times she was pleased to do her job was when she was allowed to go talk to her people, hand out goods, help those in need. She convinced the others with the excuse of ‘reassurance’ for the subjects. With the growing dread snaking through the streets, seeing their princess would help calm everyone's nerves. No matter how hard she fought against it, she was still made to be accompanied but somehow convinced Halfy to borrow her personal guard instead of the squad of ‘less skilled’ guards. She didn’t mean those words but whatever worked to grant her just that little bit more freedom. So her and Prancer wandered the streets, giving aid to those working and indulging in happy conversation, easing the tension slightly. Mary liked Prancer, despite the terrifyingly large blade slung over their shoulder, they were a humorous and gentle soul underneath it all. They walked and talked and even shared some baked goods Sketch had provided when Mary begged Prancer to let them go to the square despite it being out of her boundaries.  

‘~I won't tell you if wont~’ Mary had hummed at them, looking up with pleading eyes. 

Prancer had looked back at the lady of sun for a moment before winking and tapping their nose. 

‘YEEESSS come on come on I promise you won't regret it’ she shrieked tugging at their arm and running through the lanes. 

The two had become good friends over time and even now as she sits at the round table she catches their eye and gets a small smile from where they stand on guard behind Halfys chair. Another boring meeting, although Mary was rather interested that all four of them were present. Halfy sits in her armour, having been working down in the underground of the Halfway with the soldiers all day - Winks next to her poised in her own chair, an air of elegance about her as usual. They came from the same family but the stark difference between them is clear. Wink’s pointed ears and delicate pink wings framing her silhouette behind her, a veil of otherworldly blood flushing her skin as it glitters slightly with the setting sun. Halfy’s cheeks are dusted rosy with the promise of human genes, her soft face glowing with mortality. Elf and pixie run deep in their family but as far as they were aware she was the only one to not be born with the features her cousin bore. Despite this, the Commander still favoured her large mushroom hat often seen on fairies as a nod to her family's history when out of her uniform. The blood still ran thick in her veins no less. Somewhere. 

Mary feels a nudge under the table and glances up, looking to her brother who clears his throat and looks expectantly at her. 

‘Huh? Sorry could you repeat that’ she muses, looking across the room at the other occupants who are all staring in her direction. 

‘I asked how the village is doing, you’ve been down there a lot recently, I was wondering if you could update us’  

Winks smiles as she finishes her sentence giving Mary time to answer. Halfy also gives a warm expression to her and shuffles some papers on the table, grabbing a quill ready to write a report on Mary's account. 

‘O-oh right yeah, uh, it's okay. As okay as it could be I guess. Our people are still strung a little tight but tension is easing as time goes on. I've been trying my best to calm peoples worries whilst still keeping the exact details under wraps...not that I even know’ 

She mutters the last part, bitterness creeping into her voice earning a glare from the King to her left. 

‘Thats good, I'm glad our people are returning to normal, me and the royal forces are doing all we can to find the escapees.’ Halfy looks at the Princess sympathetically, 

‘If you needed to know, we would tell you Mary, but for now its best to just keep it as quiet as we can. I'm sorry if you feel undermined, that was not our intentions.’ 

The sun continues its journey under the earth, now bringing hues of purple into the painting, setting the stage for the moon to begin its watch.  

‘Yeah, well, when you’re the only one kept out of the loop it's hard not to feel that way’ the Princess snips. 

‘ Mary .’ Gary scolds his sister, scowling at her and the disregard in her voice.  

‘Livy is also being kept out of this, if that’s any consolation.’ Winks offers, her voice gentle and looking a little guilty. 

Mary sighs deeply, already feeling tired from the dull chores of today. It didn’t make her feel better in all honestly. Livy was kept out of things even more than Mary was, yet despite their similar struggles, the third cousin couldn’t seem to stand the princess and was always shooting daggers in her direction. 

‘My apologies.’ 

She grits out before continuing her report, 

‘Our people want to know what you guys are going to do about this issue. There's been no news of the royal guard becoming closer to finding them and they are looking for reassurance that you are acting upon this Halfy.’ 

The Commander writes this all down and notions for her to continue. 

‘They also feel a little left in the dust since Winks has also not been seen in public for some time now. They are confused over why you haven't been at your usual station down in Winkleton. We’ve never been short of enemies and yet you’ve never cowered then, what's so different this time?’  

Who escaped? What are you so afraid of?  

Mary cocks her head, barely keeping the words from spilling from her traitorous lips. Prancers eyes widen a little in warning at Mary as Winks pales. She quickly regains her composure, looking over at her cousin for help who remains unreadable.  

‘Understood, thank you Mary. I will schedule some time to make an announcement that we are indeed taking action against this. Winks, maybe you should also make an appearance tomorrow to smooth out their concerns.’  

Halfy, cool and calm as always smooths over the open-ended question, just stacking the parchment she was previously writing on, knotting her hands together and resting them on the pile. 

‘I...yes, yes I should do that.’ Winks stutters out, wings twitching a little in discomfort? Mary is only familiar with Kyans mannerisms but she figured they couldn’t be too different. The tension hangs thick in the air, silence stretching out and choking the occupants in the room.  

The King stands. 

‘Okay, that is all sister, you may leave now. Thank you for your contribution.’ He extends a hand to the door, head high looking down on her, expression stony. 

‘What? You’re kidding right? You make me sit through all your boring talk and as soon as I update you you’re kicking me out?’  

Mary stands up herself, the panels of her gown flowing behind her in the motion. 

‘Am I that expendable to you? Easy to throw to the side when you get what you want? I'm a part of this kingdom just as much as you are! I have every right to know what is going on as everyone else in this room!’  

She flings her arms out wide in exasperation, Halfy’s expression stays neutral whilst Winks shifts uncomfortably in her seat. 

‘Its not like tha-’ the pixie begins before being interrupted by Gary as his temper finally drops. 

‘You forfeited your rights to this kingdom when you abandoned it all those years ago!’ 

Marys arms drop, and her heart sinks with the weight of her brother's words. Tears swell in her eyes causing them to burn almost as much as the anger bubbling in her throat, spilling words gone unspoken between the siblings. 

‘And look how well you did! All those wars, all that death, half of your own kingdom hates you, almost as much as I do!’ 

Gary’s face goes slack and the anger radiating off of him dissipates instantly as he slumps back down into his chair, staring at the marble of the table in sorrow. 

The princess breathes a shaky breath in before looking around the room at eyes that don’t meet hers, a silent agreement with the king's decision for her to be done with whatever conversation they were about to have. Even Prancer keeps their gaze trained at their feet, even if their expression reads guilt. She turns on her heel and briskly slips from the room, slamming the door behind her. Through the blur of tears in her eyes she almost walks head first into someone. 

‘Sorry, excuse me’ 

She wobbles out and continues her strides through the castle to her room. Someone replies but she doesn’t stop her pace, emotions spilling out too strong for her to care. It sounded almost like Livy. But what business would she have standing outside the hall's doors, listening in? 

Not that she would have gotten anything interesting whilst Mary was there, they are intent on keeping her in the dark. Her bitterness clouds her thoughts as she bursts into her room and throws herself onto the bed, letting the water finally flow freely from her eyes. 

 By the time she peels herself off the sheets the moon is shining through her bedroom window, clouds cuddling around it and cutting the streams of light into thin strips. She sniffles and rolls over, rummaging around in the bedding to find the shirts she kept tucked under the mountain of fine silk pillows. One smelling of lavender and salt, crisp winds and starlight. The other scented like flowers and straw, humid summer air and hot stew. Her mind drifts and she suddenly feels so lonely without her lovers, having not seen them since the festival. Curling in on the fabric she ponders over what they are doing now on the other side of the kingdom.      

It had all happened so quickly, too quickly and even now Zoey still isn't sure she fully understands what the hell had happened. 

The two had been looking onwards, watching the figure from the woods, waiting for her lover to make a call on their course of action. Zoey wasn’t incapable, far from it in fact, but with the new dangers lurking she felt it best to turn to Ky’s opinion. They weren't far from home – but was that the best place to go? Was she just overthinking this? Ky had fought in wars before and had to make these calls all the time. The bird hybrids eyes flicked between her lovers and the person in the woods and Zoey watched as something shifted in her eyes. A glimmer, a whisper almost, but it was gone as soon as it came. Kyans face paled and she grabbed hold of her hand, turning and dragging them away back towards the kingdom. 

‘Ky what is going on, what is it?’ Zoey questions, voice low and trying to keep it steady even if her heart began to slowly speed up, adrenaline seeping out her brain. 

‘Come on we need to go back to the kingdom, we can stay at my place’ Kyan replies, words wound tight. 

She had a small apartment in the undercity of the Halfway. It was rarely used since they mostly stay with Zoey but it'll do for now. 

The pair briskly walk back down the path, Zoeys heart thumping in her ears as Ky drags her along, muttering something under her breath. Her pupils blown wide and franticly darting about, she shakes her head as if to rid herself of something. She could have sworn she saw them shift in colour, but that only happens with magic. Meaning... 

‘Sweetheart, please talk to me, you’re scaring me’  

Zoey tugs at her arm, trying to loosen the grip her lover has but to no avail. 

‘ ~Excuse mee~ ’ 

They stop dead in their tracks. 

Kyan swings around, pulling Zoey behind her. 

Standing behind them is someone of small stature, dark cloak disguising all their features, shadowing their face and pooling on the ground by their feet. The mules eyes drift from the floor up to the hooded face to the glinting curved metal looming above their head, purples and blues shifting over the metal in mesmerising waves.  

Death incarnate. Reaper reborn.  

Zoey can't help but see the beauty in it, the moon strung high in the sky framing their figure perfectly. Even so, she grips her lovers hand tighter, nausea growing more in her gut with every passing second. If they get out of this alive, she wonders how she would paint this scene. 

If we get out alive? What am I saying?  

The Mules ears go back and she swallows the lump in her throat, steadying her shaking hands and stepping closer to her lover's side. 

‘Can we help you?’ She calls out, holding her head high and forcing her tail to stop swishing about so anxiously. 

Kyans hand slips from her lovers but stays dormant at her side, as is any sudden movement will cut the strings of tension so tightly wound around them all. The figure doesn’t move. The wind blows, lifting the fabric of their cloak slightly and pulling it along. A coil of white hair is tugged from beneath the hood and flows freely.  

A soft giggle shakes the figures shoulders slightly. 

Kyan now moves her hands to her sword. 

‘Hmm, maybe you can.’  

In an instant, they grab the scythe resting on their back and with a flourish they spin it around before brandishing it in front of them. Their left arm flies out knocking down their hood revealing a head full of the locks as white as snow and eyes gleaming with excitement. 

Ky grips the hilt of her sword, gritting her teeth as the familiar flush of power spreads through her arm and into her body like an infection. The voices cram every thought in her mind as they yell and fall over one another, her adrenaline only heightening its effects. Still, she keeps it sheathed, reluctant to pull it out and lose herself in front of her lover.  

Before she can even speak a word, a blade slices down inches from her face, cutting her and Zoey apart and they both split away from the blow. The mule stumbles away ears pinned back in horror, gawking at how fast they moved.  

The reaper twists from where she stands, both hands on the blades handle and uses the momentum from the downwards angle to swipe up and push Kyan back further as she barely manages to dodge. Something tickles the Avian's brow and she wipes instinctively only to have her hand come back red.  

OhShitOhShitOhShit  

Her hand trembles and she ducks her head just in time to miss another swing from her attacker. They continue to twirl around each other, each swipe closer and closer to hitting. Zoey cries out from the distance as her lovers movements become sluggish, chest rising and falling heavily, not able to suck in enough air. 

How did I let myself become so out of practice? Im so stupid  

She criticizes herself, rolling to the left as another lethal hit threatens to slice her in half. 

The white reaper cocks her head to the side, humming in thought.  

‘You’re really weak huh? That’s a shame,’ She pulls her weapon back and looks down at the winged individual gasping for air on the ground. 

Kyan looks up at the weapon held close to her throat, the buzz of magic burning her nose as it swirls across the metals surface like an oil spill.  

‘I guess Robeyo had the wrong person’  

The figure moves a few paces backwards, turning their back as if to walk away. 

‘Robeyo?’  

Ky repeats back, blood draining from her face. She scrambles to her feet just as the curly haired one looks over her shoulder, brow raised and smirk gushing venom.  

‘Oh? Ring any bells little soldier?’ She giggles once more, this time more unhinged as it slowly erupts into outright laughter.  

She swings herself around to face the avian once more, twirling the scythe with one hand in practiced motions. 

‘I thought for a second there we had the wrong person. How could little old you of been part of the feared Phantom Reapers? You’ve become quite the pitiful thing, haven't you?’ 

That was a name Kyan hadn't heard in a long time. Zoey looks at her from a couple metres away, squinting her eyes in questioning.  

She ignores it, not letting the guilt of her own secrets get a grip on her right now. She places her hand on her sword once more, trying to sort through the tidal wave of noises reverberating through her skull. 

‘Who are you? What do you want?’  

Keep talking, keep distracting her, calm yourself, don’t let the power overtake you.  

The challenger places a finger innocently against her chin, tapping it a few times, 

‘Me? Well, i'm Kero – nice to meet you!’ She beams at the hybrid who only grimaces in return. 

‘More specifically, I'm your replacement. New and improved if you asked my opinion.’  

Another childlike giggle.  

‘As for that last part...’  

The facade drops in a blink, already swinging once more at Ky who now grits her teeth and pulls her sword from where it rests on her hip. The overwhelming tang of magic fills her mouth and shoots through her nerves like electricity. Euphoria. Her breathing slows as she allows her instincts to be rewritten, her senses be erased until her blade becomes the puppeteer and her – its puppet.  

And yet still the voices rage, screaming louder and louder at the build up from being neglected. Building more and more until now it rages out like a tsunami.  

Ky blocks the blow and shifts forwards sending one of her own back. Kero twists to the side and ducks as an entourage of attacks are sloppily thrown her way. Despite the messy stance, it gave the reaper little time to go on the offense. Time passes like this, Ky throwing attacks every which way and Kero dodging and blocking. Eventually, the avian stumbles back, clutching her head in her hands as the reaper's laughter rings out like a bell. 

‘Having trouble there little birdie?’ she mocks, jumping back a little, putting distance between herself and the shaking hybrid. 

Zoey stands in horror as she watches her lover tug at her hair and wail, voice hoarse. She thrashes against invisible chains and continues to cry out in pain. Kero stalks closer now, arms raised to swing. She was a cat and Ky was the bird about to be eaten. 

‘KYAN!!’

Zoey screams from where she stands, beginning to run towards her lover even if she knows she won't make it in time. 

As if a switch had gone off in her mind, Ky’s head snaps up and she throws her blade out to parry the blow. She thrusts forward sending the sound of metal on metal echoing through the empty plains. The mule looks at her face only to be met with a stranger. A smile is cut wide into her face, eyes rimmed with power and hunger and madness. The sleek black metal of her weapon ripples in purple light. Enchanted . She swallows the feelings of betrayal because why didn’t she tell me. But they can talk later, they need to get back to the kingdom. 

Kero and Ky perform for the stars tonight. A swift and deadly dance, one side fluid and precise, the other messy instincts and frantic movement. They juxtapose each other perfectly, a melody of violence bleeding together under the moon even as he avian stumbles, panting and once more clawing at her head. 

Slice  

Left  

Now  

Block  

Swing  

Ky lets her soul be guided by her God once more, reveling in the feeling, the strength and drive getting her high on endorphins. Why did she ever stop this? She was power. She was deadly. She was untouchable. 

Block   

No, swing  

Left   

Right  

Look left  

No look up  

Shift your feet  

Block  

Strike   

Blood  

Kill  

Move faster  

Kyan shakes her head trying to get them to stop yelling. Get them to stop talking over each other. But it's too strong. The time gone by has built all this magic up and the dam has finally broken. There's no controlling it now, no stopping this force or even working coherently with it. She clutches her head again as the noise screams in her ears, shaking her mind to its core. She can't hear anything but the ringing in her ears and the mess of roaring voices. Someone is yelling her name. Zoey? 

She blinks blearily, meeting the eyes of her lover who is running towards her, arm reaching out as if in slow motion. Shes yelling something.  

LOOK OUT  

She turns her head to meet the sheen of magic metal and is too slow to react. 

The blade slices clean through her lower abdomen and she stumbles back, sinking to her knees. The Reaper steps forward and looks down upon her prey, the moon perfectly behind her head like some ungodly halo.  

Death incarnate. Reaper reborn.  

She places a light hand on her shoulder and leans in close to whisper in her ear. 

‘Konk sends her regards.’  

And with a spin of her blade, she sends a splatter of Ky's blood in an arc behind her before stalking off into the night.  

The hybrid clutches at the wound, wet and warm liquid slips between her fingers as she holds in her guts. 

Zoey rushes over to her, ripping off her over shirt and shoving it against the wound in an attempt to staunch the blood flow.  

‘You idiot, what the hell, why didn’t you tell me, fucking magic bullshit, oh god, Ky stay with me’ her voice shakes as her lovers eyes dull and slip closed only to flutter open again. She coughs and blood splatters her chin.  

‘B..blade.. Sword..’ the bird hybrid gurgles, trying to reach the weapon dropped on the ground in front of her.  

‘That stupid thing? Will you snap out of it for five seconds!’ Zoey begins to rant before noticing the squint in her lovers eyes and the free hand shes using to now press again at her head.  

Zoey grabs the hilt and thrusts it into her hands, hissing as it burns hot against her skin. She’s well versed in magic... in some ways. Shes made by it herself. Not all hybrids can fully shift at will. Those that do often end up stuck forever but ever since she could remember it was as natural for her as breathing air. But whatever magic was bound by this blade was something else entirely. Zoey pulls her hand away and inspects the red irritated skin that contrasts the palms on her lover that remain unaffected. 

Kyan only fumbles to slot it back in its sheath, groaning at the movement causing the skin on her stomach to twist, a fresh gush of blood leaking out and staining both their hands. Her whole body sags in an instant as the blade clinks in, hidden away once more. The static air brimming with magic blows away too, leaving the two alone in the field. 

Zoey shakily makes it to her feet and shakes her legs, trading them for that of a mule, her entire lower body in fact taking on its form. Only her torso and head remained as she used her arms to help the avian up. 

‘Can you get on, come on Ky a little longer, we gotta get you some help. You idiot you’re so reckless. If you die on me I'm going to be so pissed.’ 

She hauls Ky onto her back as the bird hangs limply on, skimming the waters between consciousness and oblivion. 

Zoey breaks out into a canter, picking up speed before galloping as fast as her legs would take her towards the castle gates. All the while she hums soft nothings to her dying lover, trying her best to anchor her to the waking land, afraid that if she falls under she’ll never wake back up. 

Minutes tick by as Zoey pants, time had never felt longer and yet it continues to stretch.  

Blood trickles down her side and sinks into her fur coat and she steels herself, not letting the tears fall.  

‘Halt!’

The guards call out on their return, crossing their spears across the other, blocking their path. 

‘I need to get in, I need a doctor!’ she yells, turning to show the wounded girl on her back. 

‘What happened?’ 

‘Who did that?’ 

‘Where were you?’ 

They both balk at the sizable injury, calling to the other guards at the gate.  

‘I don’t have time to explain, move assholes!’  

They guards hesitate, opening their mouth to retort but Zoey simply jumps over their heads almost sending her lover flying. 

‘COME BACK HERE’ 

She ignores the calls and the stomping of feet rushing behind her, Shes faster than them anyways.  

Murmuring soft apologies for the jolt a moment ago and gentle reassurances she continues the sprint deeper into the kingdom to the closest place she can think of. 

FIC ART!! 

this is the only way i know how to put them in at the moment so bare with! Thank you to everyone who made some they are all so cool!!!

ZoeyDoesArt

Ghostie

Bug

Prancer

Kero

Chapter Text

‘Hold still.’  

Limb's thrash against the straps holding them down to the concrete slab of a table.  

White lights.  

Leather squeaks as its crushed between teeth biting down upon it.  

Incantations  

Blood paints skin in patterns and symbols and sigils.  

Hushed whispering of words unknown to earthly ears.  

Fire sparks through veins, travelling like a match to gasoline.  

Screaming.  

‘Come on Robeyo, I'm almost done.’  

Satu leans against a cold wall nearby, carved of the same stone and rock the mountain they take shelter in was born into. She grimaces, phantom pain lacing her wings as they now shift in colour, the constant adrenaline making her hands shake with the new feeling of power mortal bodies shouldn’t hold. Ghostie had assured them all it would fade over time, that the foreign and invasive feel would ebb away. Her hand brushes against the once soft feathers and feels steel.  

Robeyo’s wails only curdle in her stomach, muted through the gag stopping them from crushing their own jaw as they fight against the restraints caging their fighting body down.  

She rolls her shoulders and stalks off, struggling to stand by and watch as Ghostie tears apart her friend's soul and glues it back together, bind it with something new.  

As time ticks on, the faint cries die out and the burning air of magic fades away into the air. Ghostie and Robyo both enter the other room where Satu is sitting in one corner resting her elbows on her knees. Konk sits across in the other, fiddling with some charm where the gold had rusted and scuffed in places. Robeyo stumbles in, shuffling blankly over to Satu and flopping down next to her, leaning against her shoulder. She glances over at them before lifting her head to look at her maker.  

Ghosties eyes gleam with pride, a crazed smile always lacing their sickly coloured skin, a shade lighter than Konks own complexion. Being underground tends to do that to a person.  

‘Ohoho now that’s an interesting development’ they muse, voice bubbling over with glee as they gesture to the dazed body sitting next to the angel.  

Konk barely registers any of the conversation, focusing on her memorization over the small metal in her palm.  

Satu squints her eyes at the mad man standing over the two, promptly nudging Robeyo with her elbow.  

‘How are you feeling?’  

Robeyo registers the sentence, slowly turning their head to look up into the face of the dark angel, her face expressionless. Their eyes glint with the same shift of colours they now all bare – but in hues of orange and red and gold. An eternal fire raging in their pupils.  

‘Ive never felt better.’  

They smile wide and Satu returns the gesture.

Winks had always had a big heart. Her friends were her world and her family even more so. And yet she had responsibilities that always seemed to keep making the bridges between her and her loved ones longer and longer. But still, she always reaches out any chance she gets when royal duties are not winding her tight and eating up her time. Trips into town with Halfy, eating greasy food and working together on little projects of passion. Going on rides with Livy and Gary across the wide expanse of fields crowding the front entrance of their kingdom or taking friends and sitting on the docks singing out into the waters of the seemingly endless ocean.  

 On the rare occasion, she would even ride to the next kingdom to visit Em and sing together in taverns and parties. She was another pixie whom Winks had saved during a war long ago when she had first risen to power. Dismantling the black market there during the battles, she found the young one and taken her back home to raise as one of her own. But as Em grew older, she ventured out and had made a life for herself elsewhere, wanting to spread her wings figuratively and literally. Unlike the soft hue of pink Winks bore, Em had gentle yellow wings and the glitter under her skin shone gold in the sun. Winks was a rose and Em a daffodil.  

The royal fairy's heart was perhaps too big at times, often bringing home strays and creating herself a family bigger and bigger each day. Some had passed, others roam the lands far away on adventures and others still remain in and out of the kingdom. Although despite calling them all her children, there was few that ever really lived up to that name. Em being the most active member, visiting her childhood home often to see her relatives. Winks hadn't heard from her in a while and made a mental note to visit soon.  

But for now, she glides through the castle corridors on her soft silk shoes, muffling any noise from her footsteps and stopping outside a door, she taps a few times and calls out.  

‘Livy, are you in there?’  

The silence on the other side of the door stretches out before shuffling is heard and a thud before pattering steps and a creak as the large oak door is pulled ajar.  

‘Winks? Is everything okay? Its late, why are you still up?’  

The pixie gives her a warm smile and Livy opens the door up more.  

‘I was thinking we could spend some time together; I just finished my last meeting for tonight.’  

The truth was that after Mary’s outburst she couldn’t shake the nauseous feeling of guilt that she had been neglecting her family once more due to the recent pressing matters. Livy had never complained, never been cold towards her two cousins and always greeted them with a smile and left with one when either of the two leaders were dragged off mid conversation. And yet Winks could see in her eyes the hurt when they had their time cut short more often than not.  

Livy shifts and stands up a little straighter,  

‘R-really? What should we do? Oh! Ive wanted to go back to the docks for a while, the moon looks beautiful tonight and its always even better over the ocean!’  

Winks beams and her wings flutter happily,

'That sounds perfect.'

Livy squeals quietly to herself, trying to keep her composure.

She turns and runs back into her room to throw on warmer clothes. Jumping into pants lined with fur and a thick woolen jumper, she smiles brightly. Cramming her feet hurriedly into her boots and spinning around to meet Winks, bubbling over with excitement at the offer to spend the evening with her family.

Her face drops as she whirls around and sees several guards muttering something at her cousin, frantic and stern and causing a crease to form between the leader's brows as her face pales dramatically. Livy stands in the middle of her room, arms dropping to the side and staring out into the hallway at the commotion. She must not have heard them coming down the hall over her own stupidly excited thoughts.  

Winks looks back, concern woven into her features and gives Livy the look she always expects. They weren't going anywhere tonight. Her heart drops like a stone into her stomach and burns away into black sludge in the acid of disappointment brewing there.  

‘Livy I- … im sorry I have to take care of this, I will make it up to you I promise.’  

Winks feels her own heart strain under the sadness of letting her cousin down once more.  

But Livy only beams brightly at her, eyes crinkling at the edges and teeth showing before waving her off, ushering her down the hall.  

‘Go, go - that sounds very important whatever it is, be safe okay?’  

Winks looks back once, then twice as she strides away from her, the guards talking either side of her but tuning out from their words, throwing as many apologies into the eye contact she holds with her family until she rounds the corner and Livy is out of sight.  

‘We need to get Halfy, gather a search party for inside the kingdom and out.’ one of the armored men begins,  

‘This is crucial your Majesty, there are two citizens roaming the kingdom now with information we need. That was no normal injury, I'd be surprised if the one with wings is still alive. This has to be connected to the prisoners who escaped.’  

Winks picks up the pace and twists through the castle towards the exit. She grabs her cloak from the house maid in the main foyer and slides it over her shoulders, clipping it into place.  

‘Get Halfy now, send out those parties and report back to me. Lock the gates. No one comes in or out until we find the two who entered. Do perimeter checks, see if you find anything then report back to my cousin.’  

‘Yes ma’am. Where are you going? You should have someone accompany you.’  

Winks strides through the castle doors out into the night and makes towards the royal stables, horse already being tacked up by a worker there who sees her approaching.  

‘I do not need your assistance – do as I say and discuss the plans I've given you to Halfy, shes the Kingdoms army commander, she will give you your next orders.’  

The pixie pauses and leans in closer - authority thick in her voice,

'Under no circumstances will Mary find out about any of this. Place Guards around the castle and make sure she stays inside.'

Before the two knights could argue she climbs atop the black stallion and takes off, rushing out into the night.

A centaur and an Avian

The guards had explained how they had burst through the gates just about half an hour ago now. One bleeding heavily.

Winks already knows who shes looking for.

Twisting through the long stretch of smooth stone paths leading up to the castle entrance she spurs her horse on, heart thundering in her ears. She holds the twin charm on her necklace, the polished gold catching the light of the moon.  

Chapter Text

Zoey finds herself back down a familiar alleyway, this time dragging her lover with her. She holds an arm round their shoulders and hauls the hybrid to the door they once entered without a care in the world. Ky groans and the two sway as she drags a bloody hand across the concrete wall leaving a smear of red in its wake in order to hold herself up from where she leans into Zoeys left side. Tired from the journey here, the mule opted to have them walk through the lane on foot.  

‘Just a little further, come on Ky’  

Zoey whispers into the air before using her right hand to knock on the door, not finding herself caring about the prints of crimson she leaves as she rattles the handle in desperation. She bangs her fist against the wood again silently praying to the night sky.  

A patter of feet and a familiar set of red curls peaks through a crack in the door, slumber weighing her eyelids down.  

‘Huh? Wha..Zoey..nngh’  

Sleep lines Sketches words before she takes in the mules panicked face and the red dripping at her feet from the purple haired individual slumped into her. Wings trail on the floor behind them both, smearing the trail of blood they’d been leaving behind. Sketches eyes widen and she kicks into gear, pulling the two inside and locking the door behind them.  

‘Into the kitchen, put her on the table.’  

Zoey just nods and pulls her lover down the hall and lifts her onto the metal workplace centered in the bakers kitchen, clean of cooking utensils now the day had ended. The Avian's body slumps against the surface and Sketch rushes in, tying her locks behind her head quickly and rummaging through the back cupboard pulling out minor medical supplies.  

‘Where is she hurt? How bad is it? What the hell happened Zoey?’  

She doesn’t look at Sketch as her fingers shake and lift up soaked fabric revealing a large gash spreading from below Ky’s left rib to right hipbone, gore showing through the split skin. Her face pales and she stutters.  

‘S-someone attacked us... I – they knew Ky I – I don’t know okay? Its here, she got sliced by some fuck off big blade.’  

Sketch nudges Zoey out of the way with an elbow and looks down at the wound with pursed lips and gulps.  

‘Jesus...’ She mutters under her breath,  

‘I can try stop the blood but I cant fix something of this caliber Zoey. You need a doctor.’  

Zoey takes a deep breath from where she now stands at her lovers head, stroking hair from her face and gripping her hand as she falls in and out of the conscious realm. Sketch takes a wet cloth and begins wiping away some of the liquid staining the surrounding skin getting a hiss from the avian. Once satisfied, she rubs her palms together until they glow a light green and begins pulling the two sides of the wound together, closing her eyes and furrowing her brow.  

Kyan gasps and twitches, squeezing the hand in hers from the intrusion on her injury. The red head stays focused, knitting blood vessels back together and slowing the process as her hands heat up and burn brighter and brighter before sharply pulling away, panting and rubbing her palms as they are red with irritation. The skin stays open but the blood now barely trickles out and the edges have begun to close.  

‘Thats as far as my powers go. If we were in my old kingdom I could of taken her to our doctor and have it healed but your kingdom forbids such magic.’  

Sketch begins placing gauze and bandages around the opening, keeping away infection for the time being. Zoey wipes the sweat gathering off her lovers brow.  

‘Th-thank you Sketch, I really owe you one. I know its risky you using your magic, I promise ill continue to keep your secret. God I really owe you so much.’  

Zoey moves around the table and pulls her friend into a hug, slumping as the baker squeezes her back.  

‘Its fine Zoey, a favor for a favor. You were my first friend when I knew no one here, you welcomed me with kindness, ill always help you out. But we need to work quickly to find someone who can heal these sorts of injuries, shes stable for now but the wound is still open, you have less than a day before infection will begin and there's little even magic can do to stop that.’  

'Okay, okay, I just.. Its complicated, I got in a spot of trouble and we're being searched for right now, I cant go to the village healer.'

The mule leans heavier into the embrace, letting her worries seep out into the touch before steeling herself and pulling away.

'Do you want to explain that exactly?'

Sketch begins and Zoey opens her mouth to describe the events but behind them,  Ky groans and reaches a hand out, slurring something.  

‘What? What is it my love?’ Zoey gushes, rushing to her side. She leans down so her ear is pressed to chapped lips.  

‘S..sword..’  

Zoey tenses up, pulling away as if the words had burnt her skin.  

That stupid cursed sword.  

Sketch raises a brow in question but the mule hybrid waves a hand,  

‘Please, could you just give us a moment my friend.’  

The baker nods and promptly leaves the room, her footsteps tapping against the wood floor growing fainter and fainter.  

Zoey storms over to the door frame and yanks the weapon from where it rests, the blood splattered on the sheath glowing faintly.  

‘This?! This stupid thing? When were you going to tell me about this Ky??’  

Zoey questions, urgency and betrayal thick in her voice as it strains in her throat.  

The avian cracks open her eyes and relaxes slightly at the sight of it being in her view.  

Not stolen.  

‘ Im sorry,’ She croaks,  

‘I wanted to tell you, but there's just so much.. Its complicated.’  

Her throat is dry and itchy causing the sound to come out cracked.

If steam could come out someone's ears – there would be an entire chimneys worth floating out the Mules this second.  

‘Complicated?! Id say! It almost got you killed tonight!’  

She leans the sword against the table when the familiar burning in her hands starts and slumps against the table, looking down at her pale lover, face softening slightly.  

‘You scared the shit out of me you know, I thought that lunatic was going to kill you. A-and the way you acted holding this stupid thing. What even is it?’  

Ky manages a light laugh, scrunching her face up in pain as the movement shifts the skin on her stomach.  

‘Its not usually that bad, jus outta practice is all... im sorry for scaring you.’  

She slurs and looks up at her lovers face, lifting a hand to brush a thumb over her creased brow, smoothing out the line and cupping her cheek.  

‘I will tell you everything when I fix this hole in my body yeah?’  

She offers a smile and luckily, Zoey offers one back.  

The blood sizzles under the glow of the swords sheath and dissipates into the air.  

Zoey raises a brow.  

‘Magic my dear. Ill explain later.’  

They are cut off from conversation as a knock is heard on the back door. They both freeze and look over at the doorway where Sketch now walks past, clean of the blood that stained her clothes and lifts a finger to her lips before walking to the door. They hear it open and Ky moves to sit up before being held down by her lover with a warning look. Light conversation is heard, muffled by the walls.  

Time stretches on.  

The two lock eyes and strain their ears, trying to decipher the situation.  

Zoeys ears twitch, able to make out brief words with her better hearing.  

A familiar voice.

Then Sketches.  

The conversation turns sharp, tense, before a slam of a door hitting the wall is heard and a yelp.  

Zoey immediately rushes to the door, standing guard for whoever has barged past Sketch into her home. Her fists curl and her tail swishes in agitation – ready to absolutely body the intruder.  

Two pairs of feet are heard – one barely audible, soft pitter of silk against wood and the other the familiar pad of the bakers shoes. She swings around the corner and almost launches herself before flinching and moving back a step.  

She stares into the soft face of the royal Winks.  

The pixie pulls back slightly, caught off guard by the aggressive body language radiating off the hybrid before her shoulders sag slightly.  

‘I found you...thank god.’ Winks sighs and places a delicate hand over her heart.  

Sketch comes running around to stand at Zoeys side, looking between the two in confusion. The mule herself baffled by this reaction, half expecting the royal to be here with guards to drag them away for questioning.  

‘What? What are you doing here?’ she begins, still blocking the path to the kitchen.  

‘I- I heard that someone came into the kingdom injured. I sent the guards out looking for them, they think they are linked to the recent... events. From the description they gave I knew it was you two.’  

Her wings sag a little then tremble as the anxiety from tonight begins to fade.  

She looks to the shop keeper,  

‘Im sorry for pushing in like that, I know you were protecting you friend. Friends. But I am here on my own accord. Could you...Please give us a minute?’  

Sketch crosses her arms and scowls slightly before stalking off once more, getting annoyed now by her constant dismissal. Others would bow and balk at the order – but these were not her royals. This is simply a new home for business, her own loyalties sworn to her true home far away.  

With Sketch now gone, Zoey presses on,  

‘What Is going on? Why are you protecting us?’  

The pixie simply scans her face and begins explaining.  

‘We may not know each other – but I know Ky. And besides, I would recognize who Mary’s been seeing. You are her partners correct?’  

Her ear twitches again – Winks knows Ky? All these secrets unraveling in one night weighing heavier and heavier on the hybrid's shoulders. Yet another thing to discuss later if Winks doesn’t explain in this moment. Her distrust stills hangs heavy in the air as she stays silent, waiting for more information.  

‘We can discuss another time,’  

Of course Zoey thinks irritably.  

‘For now, we must act quickly. This incident was related to what happened at the prison, wasn’t it?’  

Zoey doesn’t shift from her position in the hallway.  

‘I wouldn’t know - I heard names spoken tonight but with none of you in the castle having told us anything linked to the breakout, I cant say for sure. People are pretty pissed at you, you know? If the kingdom couldn’t already be resentful of the king - you aren't helping.’  

Winks stares in disbelief, new to the blunt way she is being addressed - as if her status meant nothing in this situation. Not that she would use it against anyone, it was just a foreign feeling.  

‘Kyan will know, where is she? Shes hurt, I can help you two.’  

‘How can you be sure she knows anything? This could be a random attack.’  

They both stand in silence.  

‘You aren't stupid...Zoey, is it? You know more than you let on, even without most the pieces of the puzzle. Let me help. This is crucial.’  

The hybrid stays stony.  

‘Well you're out of luck. She isn't here.’  

More silence envelops the air between the two, stretching out as tension builds and builds.  

A clatter echos from behind Zoey followed by a terribly stifled groan.  

She once again pinches the space between her brows and inhales sharply, a headache beginning to form behind her eyes.  

‘God fucking dammit Ky’ she mutters under her breath as the Pixie flutters past her and into the room followed suit by the hybrid.  

Ky stands in the room, leaning her body on her sword like a cane as she grips onto the side where the noise had come from. Bowls and other utensils are dashed about the floor from where she had presumably fallen into them in her attempt to stand. Blood begins to stain the white cotton wrapped around her middle and Zoey rushes to her side to help her sit back down.  

‘Long time no see eh Winks? What's it now? Changed your mind and decided to lock me away too?’  

Ky gives her a snarky smile, wincing in pain as she doubles over clutching her body.  

The pixie opens her mouth to say something but sputters and closes it once more. She takes a deep breath – in and out and tries again.  

‘We moved past that, despite what has happened in the prison, a deal is a deal. As long as you weren't involved, no rules were broken. I'm here to help.’  

Ky laughs bitterly, panting and looking up through stands of hair that have fallen across her face in the struggle.  

‘Let me guess – you want me to confirm huh? Then here it is - yeah shes back. They all are, and they aren't happy. Got a new member too.’  

She waves a shaking hand down at her wound, now leaking blood once more but at a slower pace thanks to Sketches help.  

The royal pales and nods, blinking a few times and leaning against the door frame to steady herself.  

‘Now the bigger question is – why are you here alone? Zoey caused quite the commotion from what I remember. Halfy is probably searching the streets as we speak with your little guards – are you still trying to cover your tracks after all this time?’  

Winks’ hands begin to shake.  

Ky shakes her head disapprovingly.  

‘Typical. Still trying to hide what you did from your beloved cousin all this time? Tell me, was it easy to watch her mourn the loss of one of her own when you told her she died? When exactly did you decide the King was more important than your own family?’  

The pixie stands stiff, anger vibrating off her.  

‘THAT IS ENOUGH.’  

Seconds tick by.  

‘That... that’s enough, okay?’  

Zoey looks between the two. So many things not adding up to her, clearly a history stretching behind the two scowling at each other that she isn't even close to understanding. Only that it ended in bad blood.  

‘Whatever you guys are talking about can wait okay?’  

She bites out, breaking the pressure in the air.  

‘Ky is hurt and she needs medical attention. You must have someone who can help Winks – you're a royal aren't you? Some fancy shmancy doctor. I know Mary has spoken of someone.’  

Zoey is once again over all the melodrama she seems to find herself surrounded by and just wants a nap. But before that thought it even acceptable in her mind she needs to make sure her lover doesn’t keel over and die.  

‘I- Yes I can take you to someone. But we need to figure out how to get there, you guys left a nasty trail of blood around so its only a matter of time before the guards catch on and follow it here.’  

Sketch huffs from where she reappears in the hallway, coat and shoes already on.  

‘I was about to go and take care of that problem. I don’t need that outside my shop when day breaks, bad for business.’  

The redhead stares down the three in the kitchen, waiting for a plan.  

Winks steps up and pulls her cloak tighter around her shoulders, pulling her hood over her fair blonde hair once more.  

‘Okay, I will take Ky to our doctor and you and Zoey can cover our tracks and the old ones, maybe lead the search party away.’  

Zoey immediately opens her mouth to protest, like hell she was leaving her lover alone, but Kyan places a hand on her arm and squeezes.  

‘Its fine my love, we owe Sketch after she used her mag-’  

The avian cuts herself off as she sees the redhead frantically waving a hand across her throat in a sign to shut up.  

‘ Uh, her house to patch me up. I wouldn’t say I trust winks’ 

A glare in her direction,

‘but if she was gonna off me or something she wouldn’t have come alone.’  

Zoey still scowls.  

‘I don’t even know where you are going – who even is this person?’  

Winks tries her best to give a reassuring smile but It comes out more nervous making the mule even more suspicious.  

‘I assure you no harm will come to Ky. Mary would literally kill me if she found out I let her come to harm under my watch.’  

Ky speaks up, ‘not like you already keep secrets from the rest of your family,’  

Then Zoey chips in, ‘But she did come to harm under your watch. You are in charge of the kingdom and its citizens you know.’  

Poor Winks shuffles awkwardly, not sure how to respond to the berating words coming her way.  

‘Uhh yes, I'm sorry I'm trying to fix things, all of it. And for peace of mind we’re going to our royal apothecary. She has health potions and other things I don’t quite understand but whenever someone is hurt Halfy always goes there. Her name is Duck.’  

Ky physically cringes at this and scuttles behind Zoeys back.  

‘Noooo that woman is a psycho! She’s gonna pluck me!’ she wails pathetically and despite the concerns from her lovers reaction – Zoey cant help but snort a little at the cowardice.  

‘So, you’ve met them before love?’ the mule says, trying to stifle the smile in her voice.  

‘Yes I've met her – when I was enlisted in the royal Army. Shes crazy, shes lost her mind. She thinks I'm a glorified plaything’

The avian continues to screech before coughing and clutching her bandages that have now begun to leak with crimson liquid.  

All humor falls from the air as she rasps for breath, hands shaking as she clutches Zoeys shirt.  

‘We don’t have time to argue on this Zoey, I promise she’ll be okay.’  

Winks airs out, reaching out to wrap one of Kyans arms around her shoulder, figuring out how to allow the avian to lean into her side without crushing both their wings.

Luckily, Ky’s droop sadly on the floor with exhaustion allowing more room for pointed pink ones to remain un-crushed. Zoey still seems hesitant but works quickly to help lift her lover and guide them to the door. As the two step out into the night, Sketch behind them, she runs back into the shop and re-emerges. Quickly crossing over to her lover, she fumbles with something at Kyans side. She straps the sword back into the holster of her belt, ignoring the burning on her hands as she works as quickly as possible to secure it. Despite gaining more and more resentment for the thing, it is important to her lover and she’d rather her be armed in case anything goes wrong.  

Sketch locks the door behind them all and the four stand under the moonlight, a crew of mismatched backgrounds. Never in a million years would Zoey of imagined she’d be standing here right now, let alone Sketch who had sworn to keep out of trouble in this new land. So much for that resolution.  

Zoey sees Winks' horse adorned with the royal crest and goes over to scratch between its brow and pat its neck, pressing her forehead against its own when it bows for her. She silently wishes it to take care of her lover on their journeys and it huffs back almost in understanding. Winks hops on and they both help the avian up behind her. The mule presses a kiss to her lovers hand and reluctantly lets go, making her way down the alley they came from with the curly redhead, bucket and mop in hand.  

Winks calls out to the two behind her,

‘Try and lead them away, don’t fret if you get caught, once they find out who you are Zoey then you will be let out. You are a citizen here after all, the guards are just worried you are an intruder.’

Zoey scoffs as if the thought of her getting caught by a bunch of knuckle headed royal guards was a silly little joke.  

And with that, Winks and Kyan head in the opposite direction and out into the street, racing back up towards the castle.

Livy sits swinging her legs over the dock alone, the bite of the wind enough to make her pull her yellow coat in tighter around her shoulders. The sky is pretty tonight. And yet she views it alone as she always had. She sighs and raises a hand in front of her face, reaching out with gentle fingertips as if she could scoop up the little stars and hold them in her palm. She would hold a handful of the inky water of the night sky and create herself her own universe in which she would never be alone. She lets her body fall back against the damp wood of the dock, her hair splaying out behind her like a crown of soft brown. Her mind wonders and she cant help the green vines of jealously wrap around her heart.

How did it end up with her being her families last thought? How did Mary get to leave her behind for so many years and return as if nothing happened?

Why is it that her beloved king was always so quick to forgive her sharp tongue and selfish actions, welcome her home with a hug and a wave of the hand? Smiles he gives to Mary that were meant for her. Even her cousins allow the stupid princess into meetings she forfeited long ago and yet Livy still gets shut out. The rage boils under her skin and she sits up, screaming out into the night as if it can swallow up her feelings and sooth her inner turmoil.  

Her and Mary had grown up together, played together, laughed and danced in the sun together. Mary had cleaned out her wounds and put band aids on with a wink when she had fallen from a tree. Mary had picked up a wooden sword with a smile when all of Livy's other siblings had claimed to be ‘too old’ and engaged in afternoons of fun and fantasy. And yet the same girl who Livy looked up to as an older sister had left her behind with not even a goodbye. The same girl who was not family by blood, but perhaps something stronger than that had returned with not even an apology.

The princess had slid herself back into Livy's life after her other two siblings were gone, one dead and the other in another kingdom, and stolen Gary away from her. The same Gary who had soothed her crying at night after his sister had abandoned them all. The same Gary who had let her play in his room while he worked. But after years of growing up alone, Mary came back and he too shut Livy out like everyone else did. Sitting here now, Livy realized she hated Mary. Hated how she ruined everything. If Mary didn’t leave, Em wouldn’t have left too. If Mary didn’t leave, her last remaining sister wouldn’t have gone rogue and perished. Maybe if Mary didn’t leave, Halfy and Winks would have less responsibility and more time to spend with her. Logic flies over Livy's thoughts as she allows her mind to be swarmed with the smoke of envy and resentment. She yells over and over again until her voice is hoarse and her heart shatters with a sob as the tears now flow freely from her eyes as they reflect the moon, akin to the ocean she faces.  

‘Why are you crying?’  

Livy spins around as someone takes a seat next to her, crown glittering against the light.  

‘G-Gary...I didn’t know you were out here.’  

Livy sniffles and wipes her face frantically.  

‘Its beautiful tonight, is it not? So why do you mourn when such things are existing right in front of you?’  

He stares out at the water rolling gently, the sky captured so perfectly in its reflection that you would believe the universe was on earth.  

‘It is lovely isn't it? This is one of my favorite places’  

Livy breaths out, her sorrows calming like the waves in front of them.  

The King chuckles at her side and continues to look up at the sky, long hair now flowing free in the wind where he had undone it from the formal braid.  

‘I know it is, I used to take you here all the time when you were younger, before I was officially King.’  

Those days seem like lifetimes ago now.  

‘I may not know what plagues you Livy dearest, but I can be here with you through it. That’s what family does for each other right?’  

He turns to look at the girl, eyes red from the tears she had shed moments ago, offering a thoughtful smile before looking back out and closing his eyes, drinking in the peace surrounding them.  

Livy looks back at him and continues to do so even after he turns away.  

In that moment she knew, she would lay her life down for him. Follow him to the ends of the earth. Wage wars over and over in his name.  

After all, that’s what family does for each other...right?  

Chapter Text

Ky and Winks make it to their location as the moon sits at its highest, the night beginning its final act. The pixie hops off first and helps the avian slide off, still clutching at the red stained cotton wrapping around her middle. Ky looks around, seeing the castle looming over them, closer than she had been to it in years. They stay below it still, at the bottom of the hill surrounded by smooth chalk-ish buildings infested with gentle flora climbing the walls, polished streets and fancy royal flags adorning the large windows of them. They make their way over to a thin, white building, small but tall and standing alone with funny shaped windows scattered all the way up its face. The door itself made of dark wood that’s been scratched into in funny sigils and signs, odd coloured plants of red and blue spread their thorny limbs out around its foundations as if the vines itself were holding the house to the ground.  

 Winks guides them down one side of the place, heading into the dark alley away from any prying eyes. She uses her free hand to grab her horses' reins and bring them along even if it’s a bit of a squeeze. They continue down the path towards a soft glow in the distance, reflecting off green tinted glass, black frames arching high in a curved roof. More peculiar plants and flowers are crammed inside, lining the walls and spilling out over the tables lining the structure.   

‘Lets keep our fingers crossed shes in her greenhouse hey?’  

Winks laughs nervously but gains no reaction from the wounded hybrid at her side, pain and distaste for the situation she has found herself in keeping Ky brittle and untalkative. They limp up to the large glass double doors and peer in, lamps hanging from the ceiling illuminating the greenhouse in hues of purple and blue. Winks slips out from under Kys arm and props her against a nearby wall and tries the doors.   

Locked.  

She tries again, hands shaking and growing frantic as the avian begins sliding down and hanging her head on her knees.  

‘She has to be around here somewhere, you’re gonna be fine I promise’  

Winks begins to assure Ky, although subconsciously more herself.  

Luck seems to be on their side tonight however, as shortly after, a tuft of yellow feathers is seen bristling around in the foliage. Winks’ eyes light up and she begins to bang on the glass, attempting to get the occupants attention. After some time, short black hair pops up in front of the two, scanning over the stragglers at her doorstep. Soft feathers bristle behind her from the small wings on her back as the short individual unlocks the door – tutting at the sight.  

‘Winks! What an honour to see you your highness. What can I do for you at this unsociable hour?’  

Duck, the owner of the royal apothecary, flits her eyes over the other winged hybrid slumped on the floor but barely registers her, waiting for an answer from the royal gracing her presence.  

‘Duck, I need your help. You remember Kyan right? Kyaniide? She needs help and as your superior I need you to do this for me.’  

Winks internally cringes at the throw around of her authority, not being able to bring herself to call it an ‘order’. The duck hybrid doesn’t bat an eye however, bowing deeply at the waist.  

‘Of course, if you require my services then I will gladly provide.’  

She steps towards Ky and the avian looks up through dirty strands of hair, panting and whining a little at the predatory gaze the tiny pharmacist gives.   

‘What a treat to have you as my patient once more Ky! We have so much to discuss after we fix you up. Whatever you’ve gotten yourself into now really is quite the predicament.’  

Her gaze roams the bloody bandages and she flits her way over to the main buildings back doors, similar wood to the front door and once more carved with sigils.   

‘No more time to waste, you look awful.’  

Ky tries her best to glare but winces instead and despite the hand Winks offers, pushes to her feet herself and stumbles in following the doctor.  

After a lot of bickering, fighting and threats between the two feathered people, Kys wound had finally been treated properly. Thanks to a lot of potions and foul-smelling plants that oozed coloured sap, all that remains of the ghastly injury is a raw looking line, clean and sealed with minimal stitches.  

Kyan had wailed and huffed and writhed about under Ducks hands so much that the doctor had forced a weakness potion down her throat to get her to sit still. Woozy from the pot, the avian finally passed out for the time being, chest rising and falling slowly.   

Time passes on with the tick tick tick of the clock hands and Winks sits on a chair by the table where Kyan sleeps, head in her hands as Duck bustles about the white room, cleaning tools and putting away tubs of this and bottles of that. The low bubbling of potions brewing in the background the only break in silence.  

‘Do you wish to discuss the terms on which you are here your highness?’  

Winks glances up at the small wings facing her, Duck still busy cleaning up after herself.   

‘I...’  

The royal opens her mouth, but none of the million thoughts draining her of energy seem to build themselves on her tongue. She sighs deeply and leans back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling.   

But she tries anyways.  

‘Do...Do you ever feel guilty for something – even if you believed it was the right thing to do? That you acted the best you could in the situation given? Even if it wasn’t … good per say, but the best you could think of?’  

She rambles, the words tripping over each other as she shoves them through her teeth and out of her skull. Busy hands still, and Duck turns around with a thermometer, strolling over and sticking it in Kyans mouth, not looking up when she speaks.  

‘No. I can't say I've ever experienced that. Or anything similar really.’  

Winks blinks a few times.  

‘Any choice I've made I would stand by to this day. And the ones I wouldn’t - were obviously done by incorrect judgment. Guilt is something out of my grasp it seems, for in my eyes, I only do right or wrong. I leave no room for grey areas.’   

The small lady shuffles around to check the results and goes to run a cloth under cold water, wringing it out and coming back to place it on the now snoring bird.  

‘However - if under the circumstances you did the most logical option, I would advise you to rest your conscious. There is no point in fretting over what you could have done in a world where everything went right. You can only play the best hand with the cards you are dealt and nothing more – even if that hand is awful.’  

Duck looks up at Winks who is now looking down at her own hands thoughtfully, even if they shake in doing so.  

‘Do you wish to comment further on the details?’  

Silence.   

Winks battles herself internally. Every anxiety raging like a storm inside her mind.  

‘Its all going to come out... I... I tried so long to hide it, but shes going to know now. Oh god how can I face my own family once they find out what I’ve done?’   

A sob tears Its way through her frame before she stifles it with the back of her hand gently pressed to her mouth. The alchemist simply stares back, curiosity causing her head to tilt slightly as if the mysteries the pixie was mourning over were an exciting new puzzle.  

Such things were always the case with Duck. It wasn’t that she lacked emotion, despite people claiming so, it was just that her brain was too logical for its own good. Conflict was like watching an ant farm for her, and having the ants come to her with their issues was like tapping the glass. She would play along, curious as to the results and how their minds would tick given certain circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, she was no monster. Duck had respect and love for the people around her, she just saw no meaning in the frivolous things they roped themselves into, even if it intrigued her endlessly.  

Feathers curl around the Royal as the hybrid puts a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to console her. Thicker sobs make Winks’ shoulders shake at the soft gesture and they stay like that for a minute before shuffling behind them breaks the moment.  

‘We can discuss further later on – it seems like trouble has awoken once more’ Duck exclaims and they glance behind them at Kyan whos shifting themselves into a sitting position and stretching their limbs, looking rather pleased with the new flexibility not having a fatal injury allows.  

Voice thick with the last drops of the pot, Ky delves right into conversation.  

‘Surely you’ve used up all your tears on this subject by now? Its been years your highness’  

She mocks at the pixie whos lips now set in a thin line.  

‘You scold me for what I did and yet I don’t see you disagreeing with the decision I made Kyan. It was also your idea do not forget, and the only way you didn’t face the same fate was simply because of your cooperation. If you do not continue to, however, I see no reason why our deal would still stand and you can take their place down in that cell.’  

Ky sits there for a moment chewing over the words with a grimace before cracking a smile and waving it off.  

‘Yeah yeah I know Winks, come on don’t take it so personal. Now that im all better we’ve gotta discuss what we’re gonna do next yeah?’  

Duck squints at her and waves a finger in her face,  

‘You aren't magically fixed you know – you need to rest. You clearly aren't in the same shape you used to be so your body will not react the same.’  

She looks down at the sword strapped to Ky's side.  

‘I see you’re still holding onto that thing, so tell me why you’ve clearly lost your edge.’   

Irritation flows in the doc’s words as if Kyans whole situation was just another inconvenience. She supposes it rather is.  

The avian ruffles her feathers defensively and glares up at the water foul whos eyebrows raise in question. She looks over at Winks who rolls her eyes and tuts.  

‘Are you still so secretive about the fact you own it? I know its enchanted Ky, you forget that you werent … this version of you when we came to even grounds. The phantom reapers all had forbidden weapons - that’s why you were such high priority in the kingdoms wanted list.’  

Winks chimes in immediately after Duck finishes, almost for clarification.  

‘The only reason I allowed you to keep it is because we needed your service in the upcoming wars.’   

Kyan feels the invisible shackles chaining her down to this tiresome kingdom heavy on her wrists. The deals she made, the sacrifices. All for those she loved.   

She sighs.  

She confesses.  

‘I haven't been using it.’  

Winks’ eyebrows raise while Duck simply lets the information sink in like a missing puzzle piece.  

‘I’d assume as much, your much weaker and more annoying. You talk way too much now, do they not speak to you anymore? I thought we’d come to the conclusion you couldn’t rid yourself of the voices bound to it.’  

Duck runs to get a quill and paper, jotting things down and tapping the feather against her chin before continuing – calculating this new found information.   

Kyan shudders at the look, remembering the countless experiments she was required to attend when she first made peace with the royals. Duck was thrilled to be allowed research on such a taboo subject and it definitely showed. She was not cruel – but Ky still hated the feeling of being in total lack of control as the alchemist plucked feathers and took samples and made her swing about her sword and spill personal things, things she wouldn’t even tell her lovers. She wanted to know every corner and freckle on what bound her and the sword. She asked for answers even the avian herself didn’t know, and despite how much she hated admitting it – she learnt more about the magic she was bound to with Duck than she did on her own. That still doesn’t stop her heart from racing whenever Ducks name is mentioned.  

‘I cant. They still speak to me but I'm not in enlisted anymore and... and Mary and Zoey, I don’t want to endanger them and... I...’  

I'm tired  

She thinks to herself. Tired of watching things burn. Blood stain clothes and grass. Tired of losing herself. But the thought of what happened tonight, the threat of what would of happened to Zoey without her there, what could still happen now that the enemy know her lovers face... its enough.  

I'm tired – but a little longer and then I can rest .  

‘You haven't told them. Have you? About the magic.’ Winks chimes in softly.  

The Avian's silence says it all.  

She reaches out a delicate hand, comfort dripping off the action.  

‘I understand that burden. I understand what you’re going throu-’  

‘No. You don’t.’ Ky bites back mid-sentence making Winks flinch and retract her hand, looking hurt.  

‘Whatever - this doesn’t matter. We need to discuss what we’re going to do about this. The reapers are back – they are stronger and they are pissed. At me, at the King and most certainly you Winks. You know Konk has told them all what's happened and they are out to complete the plan I sabotaged all that time ago.’  

Duck speaks up for the first time in this conversation, finally prying herself from her notes.   

‘You need to begin training again then don’t you? Like it or not you can't afford to play house and ignore the contract you're in with the magic – it almost killed you tonight. I'm sure you can find someone who will help you build it up again.’  

They both look to winks expectantly and she bites her lip, thinking through the possible options she is willing to let in on the secret of the kingdoms current situation. Prancer would be a good option – but Halfy would certainly ask more questions than she’d like to answer right now.   

‘What about Bug?’  

Winks’ eyes snap up at Ky’s proposal.   

‘I worked closely with her when I was enlisted, and I'm pretty sure shes more than guessed who I was by now, even if she never mentioned it.’  

The royal thinks on this for a moment before nodding along.  

‘That could work, bug is a very trusted and skilled soldier, shes loyal to our cause too and... this could work. Has she fully healed now Doc?’  

Duck wiggles her hand to say so-so,  

‘Physically, yes. Although she is still recovering mentally from her injuries. Losing a limb – or well, several- has not been kind to her mind as You’d expect. Although, from what she had said last time I saw her, maybe doing something will be helpful.’  

Winks claps her hands together,  

‘Then that’s one thing settled, I'll get into contact with her and offer her this proposal. Now as for other matters, I'll talk with Halfy briefly on the importance of this. For now – the phantom reapers are back with new members, we must rally forces and take extra precautions at all kingdom gates. Ky will regain strength with Bug and you will once more become enrolled as part of our army forces. You have more information on this group than anyone and that knowledge will be useful.’  

Ky feels her heart begin to split but she swallows hard and wills herself to turn it off. Once more was she a weapon for people whom she felt no loyalty to. How many bargains will she have to break? How many deals does she need to find a loophole for just to feel the cool air of freedom once again. It had been too long and she had gotten nowhere but deeper in her grave of debts.  

As their conversation comes to a close, Duck does one last check over the avian before seeming satisfied she can be dismissed, stating how important it is she rested for now and definitely didn’t go and do anything stupid.  

‘The kingdom is aware of what is going on and will act accordingly. We don’t need you running off on some stupid mission alone Kyan.’  

The doctor states under her breath, quiet enough for only the Avian's ears to pick up as she finishes up her check. Kyan scowls, hating how the other bird hybrid never failed to read her so easily.  

Winks makes Kyan promise to report to the castle in the morning and alert her of anything that reads suspicious as the pixie stays behind to speak to her associate some more. Ky slips out at the first opportunity, putting as much distance between her and Duck as possible, walking a couple streets away before scaling one of the fancy white buildings. This once being specifically tall, it takes a little more strain than Ky had hoped and her stomach throbs with the exertion to the new flesh there.  

So much for taking it easy  

But she needed this.  

Hauling herself up onto the soft red tiles of the roof, the sun just starts to bleed into the remains of the inky night sky, pinks and purples blending together until red and orange soon drag their own brushes across the canvas stretching out Infront of her. She stays standing, watching the dawn yawn and reach its arms out. A soft morning breeze brushes through her hair and ruffles the black feathers on the wings behind her, heart aching at the familiar feeling. Tentatively, she stretches them out, allowing the air to ripple through the limbs once more.  

Eyes slip shut and if she imagines hard enough, shes once more in the skies. Clouds grazing fingertips, the sharp fresh air that fills your lungs and the freedom that comes with it. Soaring high above Zoey as they walk home together, watching her laugh from down on the ground. Racing through the fields with her, matching speed as Zoey gallops through the golden lands, both embracing the joy of their hybrid side.  

A shudder worms its way across Ky’s body as the cold morning air breathes on a patch of sparse feathers and tight skin, scarred from the burns of her last battle, raging through flames to find Mary. It has taken too long to heal, thinking back to the first few months where she couldn’t even look at the angry red patch, feathers singed and missing. It felt so wrong and even worse the longer she was denied the skies. Her primary feathers had grown back and Ky knew she could probably try to use them once more but in all honestly – she was terrified. In those days she has started to accept the fact she’d lost that part of her forever but as the tips of new feathers surprised them all, she refused to allow herself that hope lest it led to disappointment. So for now – Kyan just lets her mind imagine.  

After the sun had risen high enough to make the birds rise and chirp from afar, she begins the journey towards her own abode deep in the halfway. Her heart pangs in the hope that Zoey is there since that was where they were both headed anyways before it all went to shit. Exhaustion weighs heavy on her shoulders, the faux sleep earlier not having made a dent in the way her body drags now, every step as if her feet were stuck in muck.  

After walking through the fancy streets of the wealthy, Ky keeps heading onwards until she reaches an entrance into the Halfway. Weaving down concrete steps deeper and deeper down until the orange of the rising sun is barely visible through the towering grey structures housing people and shops alike. Market stalls set up for the day under the glow of purple and blue lanterns hung everywhere, the primary source of light deep down here. Kyan nods her head back to those who call her name and give her welcome back to her home. She was a regular with most people down here, through either her mercenary days or the ones after. Although the waters got a little rocky when she would come home in her kingdom's forces uniform but those waves had calmed once she was no longer enrolled. She thinks on how she’ll be greeted when she once more bares the crest over her heart every day, its almost suffocating.  

Kyan reaches a smaller block of black steel, home to her and a few others and climbs up the dark metal stair case down the side alley to a balcony made from the same substance. Black tinted glass doors greet her and she stares numbly at the dust caking the screens. The throuple mostly stayed at Zoeys abode, the cottage covered in trinkets and bits of them all, warm and inviting. Home. Zoey had only ever been to what was Kyans house twice and Mary had never even stepped into the depths of the halfway (by no fault of her own, just the orders from those around her). Sighing, she tugs on the handle and goes to enter.  

Its locked.  

Groaning at the realisation she had left the keys back home, the hybrids looks to her right and shakes her head at the kitchen window just a way past the balcony ledge.  

Let's just say Ky needs to buy some new kitchen ware.  

 If she didn’t damage enough in lobbing her sword through the window first, her tumbling body being hurled through sorted out the rest.  

 She groans at the barking pain lacing up her torso from hitting the floor so hard after such a recent wound and basically drags herself across the black wooden floors of the kitchen and pads onto plush and dusty carpets of the same colour.  

Her place looks the same.  

Two blacked out-front doors leading into the open living room on the left, large L shaped sofa swallowed by blankets and pillows alike near the fireplace, cold and dirty with ash from who knows how long ago. The kitchen opposite the space with only a half wall splitting off the room. Kyan had turned the bedroom that was adjacent to the front doors into more of an…office room. Weapons, books, maps, letters all scattered about the place as if a bomb had gone off inside.  

 Zoey had once complained as she had trudged out the bathroom that was kept in there that she was almost impaled by a spear that had fallen from a nearby wall. Kyan had thought she was being a little dramatic since upon further inspection it had, in fact, only been knocked a little askew and was still perfectly held up by the mantle it was on. Too exhausted to reminisce further, the avian barely kicks off her boots before dropping onto the couch and wrapping herself in the fluffy fabrics. Kyans instincts flare at the unfamiliar smells and the thoughts of wrong wrong wrong with how long it had been since any of them had been curled up here, nothing comforting to latch onto. Zoey wasn’t here. Maybe she was still busy, either with Sketch or with the guards if they had found her for questioning.  

Ky thinks of Kero. The reaper who has brought her life to a screeching halt, almost forever.  

She thinks of Konk, their mutual friendship, their missions, their bond. She thinks of betrayal. The look on the other members faces as she stood with her sword through Konks chest, watching silently as blood dribbled from her mouth and she collapsed on the floor.  

Satu’s horror painted so clearly on her features, Robeyo yelling and rushing forward only for her to grab his arm and pull them back as the Royal guards burst in, swarming the place.  

Ky thinks of Zoey. She thinks of Mary.  

A single tear rolls over her cheek, finally alone and able to let down the iron barriers emotions are crammed behind. She closes her eyes and lets slumber chase out all thoughts and weigh her body down, cementing it to the fabrics underneath her. Trying to gain a few hours' sleep before giving away the remains of her freedom back to the king who she hated with all her guts, before having to confront a friend who she had left on the battlefield and had paid for it.  

Sleep comes fast.  

The darkness is welcomed.  

Chapter Text

Grief differs from person to person. Some are crushed by the weight, they let it consume their every thought and carry them to bottom of the ocean manifested by the tears they shed. Some burn hot with fury, the injustice and loss eating away at their being like fire to paper, bright and fast and dangerous until there is nothing but ashes. And some, some feign normality. Compartmentalising it all, shoving it deep deep under, determined to forget. Putting on the porcelain smile and going through life like nothing happened, be ignorant to the monster chewing on your every thought when the mind is not occupied.  

Bug was one of those people.  

Sitting amongst the thousands upon thousands of books, tucked away in a quiet corner of one of the dustier isles.  

She shifts her body, legs slightly numb from sitting on them for the past two hours, flicking through page after page on some scripture of ants. Not the most intriguing of topics but like I said – keeps the mind busy. The stack of other books she had read through sit in neat piles around her, the warm browns and yellows of the leather covers a stark contrast to the pale green of her skin. The grumble of her stomach pulls her from concentration and she huffs in annoyance as if bodily functions were such an inconvenience.  

‘You need to eat something you know.’  

The pixies eyes drift to her left and land on silky brown hair and a disapproving face carrying a small loaf of bread and a cup of water.  

‘Ants huh? You know there's a million more interesting things than that’  

Bug sighs and hesitantly reaches out to take the offering. She takes a sip. And then another.  

Maybe she was a little thirsty.    

She downs the rest and places the cup down beside her, avoiding the books yet the figure looming still winces and snatches it up off the floor before seeing the empty contents and smirking.  

‘Seeeee? Stop neglecting yourself dummy.’  

The pixie offers a quiet laugh before trying a smile.  

‘Storm im fine, just very invested you know’  

Bug waves the book in the air before closing It and ripping off a little corner of bread and chewing slowly. She puts the rest in her lap.  

Storm watches but doesn’t push any further before gently sitting down next to her friend, sweeping her legs to the side. She sifts through the books on the floor, unintentionally stacking them in alphabetic order. As the current guardian of the great library these were her pride and joy. It was in her blood, literally, as her family have been watching over the place for generations.  

‘Anything new?’ she offers.  

‘No. Not yet.’  

She’d be lying if the frustration didn’t rub on her bones at the admittance. Bug wasn’t one to look for trouble. She served her king. Followed orders. Protected what she loved, her friends, the kingdom. But people change like the tides in the ocean. At least she thinks, or maybe shes dead wrong. After the last war... something shifted. Something she didn’t want to face. Her therapist had told her its normal – to not be the same after what she went through, that trauma affects the brain in many ways and that she should learn to accept the new her. But it uneased Bug, like a fever that wouldn’t break. She knew who she was. She was confident in herself, in her morals. Now? She’s not so sure.  

They say revenge is a dish best served cold – but to her, it was scolding. Even in the silence of the library the snap of cartilage rings so loud in her ears. Manic laughter. Clawing through the mud to get out from under the heavy boot on her back forcing all the air out of her lungs. Cold metal dripping hot red from someone else's body tearing through the delicate limbs now vibrating with panic. The memory of pain, white hot sparking through her back and resting on the remains of her wings now.  

‘Hey, you with me?’  

A gentle hand rests on a clothed knee and Bug flinches back to reality, swallowing hard to rid herself of the lump in her throat. She shakes her head slightly and takes a shaky breath.  

‘Sorry, sorry. Im here. Just... got lost is all.’  

Storm gives a worried look, eyebrows knitting together as if she wants to say something further.  

‘Im fine.’  

The pixie spits out, continuing to breath, count for 5, release for 7.  

‘Im fine. Its nothing, just a little lost in thought. Im fine.’  

‘I never asked if you were.’  

Storm looks at Bug, the dark circles under her eyes looking back. They stay staring at each other, silence dragging out in a standoff of unspoken words before the librarian sighs through her nose and leans back against a shelf, brushing the traces of dust off the long autumn coloured poncho she wears, family brooch holding it together on her left shoulder.  

‘Well, I may have something for you. I found some the books he was using. A pain to get but we both knew this wouldn’t be easy,’  

She pauses, waiting for a quip only to be met with silence, so she continues.  

‘Most didn’t originate from this library so I can't say for sure I can read them, but some did. And a few of the ones foreign to me I vaguely remember going through with him, before... you know.’  

Bug stares down at her lap and hums along, listening in. She fiddles with the bread in thought causing crumbs to dot upon black pants. A few stands of blonde hair fall from her braid, the unwanted layers in her locks hard to wrestle into the simple style she loved to wear. Another delightful reminder of that day. How the brutality of a blade had not only cut off part of her body, but had caught hair in the frenzy of it all.  

‘I’ll try translate some for you and then we can sit down and see if there's anything useful. But you know your end of the deal right?’  

Storm looks over and scowls a little, but is only matched with a quiet scoff.  

‘Yeah I know, Im still going aren't I?’ Bug spits back.  

‘Are you?’ The librarian raises a brow,  

‘Because you’ve missed your last two sessions.’  

The pixie glares daggers at the girl next to her, anger bubbling low in her gut. Storm does not shy away.  

‘Oh, you’re keeping tabs on me now? I'm not a child Storm, stop treating me like I’m made of goddamned glass, its pissing me off. I can take care of myself, the last thing I need is you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, let alone some shrink picking me apart like im some wounded animal!’  

Harsh words are spat through gritted teeth and Bug heaves a breath out through too tight lungs before her shoulders collapse and she falls back against the shelf behind her.  

Storm sits, crosses her arms and the elegant silver jewellery dangling from her ears tinkle with the motion. She stares, unimpressed, an expression more of boredom causing a slight pink to flush to the pixie’s cheeks, feeling embarrassed at the outburst.  

‘You done?’ She starts, eyebrows raised once more before tutting and shaking her head.  

‘However you feel about therapy doesn’t matter to me. We made a deal that I would help you on this if you went to regular sessions and while Im working my ass off - you aren't holding up your end of the bargain. So, until I know you’ve been to your next session, you aren't setting sight on these books.’  

Bug closes her eyes and chews on her lip, feeling guilty for the spiteful things she had just hurled at one of her, now, only friends. As much as she hated having someone snoop in her feelings, she hated the fact that some of it had actually helped. Learning to ground herself when the memories overwhelmed her senses, what could trigger them. Although her damned therapist keeps trying to drag up the sickness bug feels deep inside her, imploring that she’ll ‘only get closure when she talks about and accepts what happened’. Hell no. The only way she was going to get closure is when that bastard is dead.  

‘Im sorry. You’re right, I’ll be more considerate... thank you.’  

She offers and looks over at Storm who's now giving her a softer expression.  

‘You know, going after him won't bring back...won't change what happened. You do know that right? This won't make you feel better.’  

They sit there once more, eyes locked in silent conversation, the dust floating around them.  

Storm looks away this time, a sadness lining her eyes as she stares at the floor.  

‘...He was our friend once.’  

Bug’s eyebrows furrow.  

‘Yeah, well, he forfeited any bond with me when he tore off my wings and left me for dead in the mud. As far as im aware – Ghostie is dead to me now.’  

Storm stays quiet for a while, looking at the old wooden boards beneath them, tracing the lines in the wood with a soft fingertip.  

‘Yeah.’  

That’s all she can offer.  

They sit in the moment for a while, the tension in the air settling down and the quiet fills in the cracks where it once was, bringing with it a sort of peace.  

‘Oh, I almost forgot, this came for you this morning.’  

The librarian says, breaking the stillness and pulling out a slightly crumpled letter from where it had been sat on in her back pocket. They both stare down at the royal stamp encased in bright red wax and it takes everything in Bug to rid the comparison of blood from her thoughts. She takes it with a steady hand and breaks it open, skimming through the contents before looking over at an expecting Storm.  

‘Well, while you attend to those books, I’ll finally be pulling my weight around here. I feel like we’re about to learn a whole lot more about the situation from the big shots themselves.’  

Without another word she tucks the letter into her own pocket and stands up, stretching out aching muscles that protest to the exertion after being dormant all morning. Storm joins her, curiosity painted upon her face and they gather the loose books in their arms, making way to the front of the library and towards the doors.  

Bug piles the literature on a table full of other used books, needing putting away and slides on her armour that was stored away in one of the smaller rooms she frequents, kindly lent by the library keeper herself. It was more of a glorified cupboard, but it was beginning to be home to her. Even if the door hit the side of the small bed crammed to one side, a chest of draws occupying the other. Her own home had become too...difficult to be in recently and so her friend had offered refuge in the place the pixie had found comfort in.  

‘Since when did you become my personal post box anyways?’ Bug jokes, tightening straps and sheathing weapons at her side.  

‘Since you stopped talking to literally anyone else.’ She parries back, nudging her friend gently.  

‘Hey! I still talk to people, I do my rounds, I report to Halfy almost every day’  

Bug sulks, banter thick in her voice.  

‘Thats because it's your job, it doesn’t count.’  

They continue to jest a little longer until Bug is fully kitted and ready to leave. She’s stopped in her tracks as she turns towards the heavy oak doors, now being blocked by a tapping foot and expecting face.  

‘And pray tell, what exactly are you being called for?’  

Storm questions and Bug approaches her, placing a hand on either of her shoulders, spinning them both around until she now stands in front of the exit.  

‘Another old friend has come out of the shadows. Kyaniide has withered away and needs my help to stop being so weak apparently. Due to a ‘recent attack’ just outside the gates... coincidence?’  

Storm snorts at Bugs interpretation then squints her eyes, thinking.  

‘And you think its him? Ghostie? If he escaped prison, why would he come back just to go after her?’  

‘ Someone broke him out, or should I say several people did. No way it was a one-man job, the carnage was awful. Either way, I think its connected and I've just been given a golden ticket into the chocolate factory of information.’  

She pushes through the door with a quick wave and makes way towards the castle as instructed in the letter pressed against her leg under the familiar black metal all Erisala’s soldier's wear. Bug had been sent home in the after math of the last fight under the pretences of WIA (wounded in action) and not allowed back on the forces even after the worst injuries had healed. She silently cursed her commander and the kindness in Halfy’s heart for all her soldiers, with her telling Bug that ‘wounds can be mental too’.  

 Despite her protests she had been left with nothing else to do aside from spiral in those weeks before the incident at the prison. Only then did she get called back, not only to investigate the scene but also be another body back on patrol. Still, she was kept in the dark about most things and put on easy jobs, day time patrols, minimal meetings and it was almost insulting to have been stripped of her high ranking if not for the knowledge that it wasn’t from ill intentions, but a place of care. It frustrated her even so.  

 But it had given her a purpose now.  

 She was never explicitly told the details, only that Ghostie had escaped and that the kingdom was now on high alert. Bug believed Halfy only told her because it had been Bug herself who had thrown him into that cell once they returned. As satisfying as it was, it was odd Halfy was not the one responsible for that, or even Prancer who is as close to Commander as it gets. Wink’s had ruled it as Bugs task. Perhaps it was a nod to her, getting to throw the person who had scarred her into that pit, although how Winks knew that at the time was questionable. That was another point of interest to be dissected later.  

For now, she had work to do, both under royal orders and her own private quest.  

Storm wasn’t sure how she had reached the situation she was in. One minute, they were all friends. They all worked together, looked out for each other. The next... it had been brought to rubble in a landslide. And now she finds herself pouring over books long since forbidden looking for answers. Answers that she can barely translate. An hour. Then two. Then four. Having locked the doors to the library today Storms occupied herself with scouring the text for anything useful, going over Ghosties red underlines and messy side notes, heart aching a little when her own handwriting is present next to it. She put those books aside around hour three.  

Groaning at the unsuccess's, Storm sits back in her chair and lets loose the two braids forming a crown around her head, letting the hair ruffle into the parts that are already free below it. She shifts her weight and runs a hand along the dagger strapped to her thigh, feeling the pulse of magic in it. A gift from long ago. Before Ghostie had lost himself. Pulling it out she brushes along the small blade, the sigils carved into it glowing lightly with the touch, her name engraved just below.  

For my good friend Storm  

She tosses it lightly onto the table, the touch like a ghost of the good times and painful to the fingertips. It sits among the mess of pages and books opened askew on the surface.  

Friend no more.  

She rises from her chair, needing some food before the painstaking search continues when a purple light catches her eye. Looking upon the desk the sigils upon the dagger glow brighter, the colour not fading the way it typically does. They swirl and buzz, almost excited. She creeps closer, cocking her head to the side and leans in to witness the strange act, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Just there, beside the blade, six symbols glow the same colour from the pages of a book she had put to the side. They ebb in unison, colours mixing and whirling at the same consistency as if they were made to be together. She looks closer, now sitting back down and pushing aside parchment the same markings in the book twin those etched into the reflective silver metal.  

Now that’s something she can work with.  

Chapter Text

Sweat builds on a brow along with a heaving chest and clammy hands. The plan was not supposed to go like this.  

‘The missions bust! Konk, do you copy?!’  

Wings tuck in tight to a small frame and twist to the side, barely missing a blade swung right for their face as a few strands of blonde hair fall to the floor with the close call. Using the momentum of the turn they fully swivel and bring their own weapon up and into the heart of the attacker with a cry.  

‘Kinda busy myself right now Satu – target's headed west, we can still do this. I’m going after them.’  

With a frustrated growl Satu ducks under another oncoming slash, using her free hand to grab their wrist and push down, thrusting forward her knife into awaiting flesh. Footsteps echo too close for comfort behind her and she uses the grip on the now corpse to turn and swing it behind her into the approaching enemy, knocking them back and allowing time for her to rush and take them down too.  

No matter how many bodies fall it seems like more just keep appearing from the tall wooden doors lining the walls of the church hall and it doesn’t take long for Satu to become overwhelmed. Ducking, dodging, weaving, now on the defence and just looking for an out when three of the men fall behind her. Her wings hit something she can't see, getting pinned down but tall brown boots and blue hair begin to appear out of thin air as Robeyo pushes into her, backs together and circling to ward off the attackers.  

‘Thought you could use a hand, seems like you're struggling a bit  Satu’  

They jest as a bead of sweat drips off their chin and their chest rises and falls just as heavy as the avian behind them.  

‘How considerate of you,’  

She snips back, slashing at the on-comer who is interrupting their reunion.  

‘How's it looking out there?’  

Robeyo spins and kicks high into the jaw of another body approaching causing them to hit into the large pillar behind them.

'Not promising.'

They quip as they thrust forwards, grabbing the enemies skull under murderous fingers and cracking it hard into the stone, painting a pretty picture in red. They turn and cut deep into the chest of another, flinging them aside just in time to weave out of the way of another attack. They both dance through the crowd of enemies, breaking off to take them down one by one, the trust that their backs are covered by one another making movement flow smoother, deadlier.  

‘SATU! UP!’  

Robeyo calls out across the crowd, stepping over fallen bodies and throwing a glass jar before they even get a response. The angel already knows the plan. She turns and makes eye contact across the space, a look of knowing sharp between them and the glass shatters at her feet just as her mighty wings flap and she takes off into the air.  

And in a split second – she disappears.  

The sea of enemies look around in confusion, yelling at each other to stay alert when somewhere in the crowd, blood sprays and several fall to the ground screaming. Another is pulled up into the air and thrown back down to the floor with a crunch . This continues, panic taking over as they scatter and begin to run away, desperate to flee the invisible threat to their lives only to be met with the devilish grin of Robeyo wherever they turn.  

‘Going somewhere?’  

They pose innocently, pouting before taking life in bloody hands and snuffing it out like a flame. More and more bodies pile up, 10, 20, 30, until finally only one remains, groaning and crawling across marble floor, blood smearing on the clean white tiles. Robeyo walks over, and puts a foot heavy on the dying mans back, pinning him down just as black boots begin to reappear before him – hovering just above the ground before setting down gently. He looks up, trembling as a winged figure stands before him, the beams of sunlight streaming through holy stained windows and framing her in an orange glow. Blonde hair rests above shoulders and blood paints cheeks in a promise of violence. Eyes look down upon him. Scornful. Disinterested. Giving judgment. Watching over the man's soul as it departs.  

‘Lord above...’  

He sputters, blood dribbling down his chin as his final breaths rattle in his lungs and his eyes go wide and fixate on the site before him in his last moments.  

‘The angel of death is here to take me...’  

Satu simply stares down with cold eyes and watches the life drain from the man until his head hits the floor.  

Robeyo and Satu share another silent look, both of them easing the tension coiled through muscles just out of battle. They try and breathe through the remains of the adrenaline rush just as the slow sounds of shoes clicking on the tile behind them draw the pair from their rest.  

Kyan appears from the opposite side of the open room and walks towards them through the silent hall.  

‘Jeez, maybe a warning next time?’  

The angel breaths out, wiping the gore off her blade on her pant leg.  

The second avian stays quiet, murmuring something under her breath at the sword blade she wields, blood dripping lazily off the end and onto the ground. She pinches her eyebrows together tight, and winces, shaking her head and sheathing her weapon before coming to a halt. Before any words pass between the three, Konks voice crackles in the small iron earpiece they all wear, purple light rippling over it with the enchantments.  

‘What are your positions? Over.’  

Robeyo speaks for them all.  

‘Me and Satu are in the main hall. Kyan has just joined us. All enemies have been taken out, it’s a mess in here. What's the situation with the target? Over’  

A moment passes before an answer plays through the piece.  

‘I’ve re-routed the target to your location. Look alive, they’re coming through the main doors in 1. Remember. No witnesses, over.’  

The last three missions had been a big deal. And messy too. Whisperings of The Phantom Reapers were spreading around the country like wildfire. Their success rate was staggering and the skill and sheer power the small group had shown was enough for the name to become the latest gossip. Although it had assured them hefty business with the black market, it had also placed a larger than comfortable target on their back from all the surrounding kingdoms and so it had been decided that they needed to fly under the raider for a while. So much for that idea.  

They trio station themselves quickly, Satu to the left of the two church doors and Robeyo to the right – Kyan hiding behind the first pillar as back up. And just on time, the doors rattle and someone bursts through. Robeyo reaches out and grabs the tall man with cropped brown hair and overgrown facial hair that rushes into his demise. The heavy religious robes he wears are spattered with red. He thrashes in the grip held tight onto him before he's chucked to the floor and Satu joins in standing over the target a few feet away from the entrance. The priest looks around at the mass of corpses lining the tainted holy floors and looks up in horror at the two standing before him.  

‘You’ve been a difficult one to find Kael. You and your buddies in the church of Mathos have been up to some naughty things haven't you?’  

Robeyo crouches down to become eye level with the man kneeling before him.  

‘H..how do you know my name? Who are you?!’  

The priest trips over his words, tongue thick in his mouth.  

‘All you need to know is that we’ve come to put an end to your little side project. Using a house devoted to gods was a rather distasteful choice as a cover up for the business you do in the black market. Selling pixies huh? And to the looneys across the waters who think their wings are medicinal? You must have air for brains in that little head of yours.’  

They tap the mans head a few times with their pointer finger before standing back up and nodding at Kyan who pushes off the pillar and uncrosses her arms – drawing her blade from its home at her side. She walks over and stares down at the man grovelling at her feet, pleading for his life. Her lip curls in distaste and it takes less than a second for her to plunge the sword through his heart. Satu watches, ready to leave now the target has been neutralised but out of the corner of her eye, she thinks she sees Ky smile.  

‘DAD!!’  

Robeyo and the angel's head snap towards the door as a boy no older than 7 comes running through the hall, knees scuffed and dirt caked on his face as if he had fallen over while running. Ky pulls the blade from the body as the kid rushes past her and tries to hold the slumping corpse up.  

‘No no no, Dad, please, please wake up. DAD PLEASE WAKE UP!’  

Hiccupping sobs echo throughout the space as a child's grief sucks all the air from the room.  

Satu only watches horrified, Robeyo with lips spread thin in a grimace turns to grab her wrist and drag her away.  

‘Come on, we gotta get out of here.’  

They begin to head towards the exit briskly, the angel tucking her wings tight behind her back when they both come to a stop and spin around so violently it’s a surprise they didn’t get whiplash.  

The wails have stopped and a gurgling breath replaces the once loud echos.  

Kyan stands with her blade through small lungs, lungs that will now never be filled with clean summer air again. Tiny hands twitch at his side, hands that will never again make daisy chains for his sister and blood spills from the same lips that will never again give way to shrieking laughter and whispered goodnights.  

His hair was as orange as the fabric bracelet tied around his wrist. Satu thought it looked like the first of the autumn leaves.  

His tiny body falls down upon his father, curled up into his side even in death.  

Ky turns her head, slowly looking over her shoulder with pupils dilated wide and crazed with the magic rattling through them.  

‘No witnesses.’

Satu sits around the table dimly lit by candles and stares over the map rolled out in the middle.  

Konk sits to her left and Kero hums annoyingly to her right, legs swinging and knocking into the table every so often. She grits her teeth and glares in the direction of the white-haired irritation. A soft kick to the shin snaps her attention to opposite her where familiar blue hair rests above the rich red cloak hugging strong shoulders. Satu rolls her eyes and continues to try and listen to Konk, but after all those years deep below her rambles have become more and more unbearable.  

‘What I would of done to see her face when you said that Kero. Although from what you described you went a little over board. I didn’t ask you to kill her just asses the current situation on her abilities.’  

Konk snaps the last part with enough venom to kill a horse the bursts out into manic laughter, loud and unstable.  

‘Man, I was sure she would have lost the plot like good old Ghostie over there,’  

Waving a hand at the individual sitting at a table in the corner obsessively writing in runes and scribbling them out instantly.  

‘she was well on her way before we...’  

She goes quiet, expression shifting into something anger fuelled and vicious, recounting the betrayal once more.  

Robeyo and Satu share a glance and get up from the table, sighing and making way into the other room holding a beaten-up couch and a rusty fireplace. Shelves line the back walls stacked with books and boxes and odd trinkets of all kinds from their travels years ago. The new crew had set up shop in the old Phantom Reapers hide out, a large chateau, after deeming the ravine too damp and dark – only to be used when ‘adjustments’ were needed to the magic that pumps through their veins. Dust had settled in thick on all the abandoned furniture and windowsills. It desperately needed a clean.  

Robeyo walks In and waves a hand tiredly.  

The fireplace roars to life.  

They clutch their palm close to their chest, skin red and sore.  

‘Still need to work on my endurance huh.’ They offer as the angel walks in behind them and runs a hand along the shelves thoughtfully.  

‘You used your powers a lot today.’  

Is all she offers back.  

Her mind replays memories of them wiping out an entire fleet of a nearby kingdoms guards on a mission they had been on earlier that morning. Robeyo had charred half of the bodies in the yard with the flames that now burst from their fingertips. The only way Satu had been spared in that onslaught is the steeled feathers that have replaced her once fluffy ones, stretching it out like a shield to avoid being barbequed. They’d have to learn to fight beside each other once more. If they weren't already rusty from the years of being apart in hiding then adding brand new elements sent them back even further.  

Satu’s hand comes to a stop at a small beaten-up cardboard box jutting out from the other erratically placed items. Her name is faded now but still scrawled across the side in her usual swoopy handwriting. With a calculated tug, she pulls it free and blows the dust from the top, opening the lid to peer inside. A weighted purple dagger with a curved blade sits in there. A gift from long ago. Other little pieces of her past remain untouched in those small four walls of the box. She gently lifts out an orange bracelet, made from soft fabric now tattered and a little dirty. It still brings forth memories of autumn leaves.

‘WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?’  

Satu fumes, storming towards Kyan who's now turned around fully with an unstable smile wobbling on blood splattered cheeks. Robeyo follows close behind, barking down the communicator at Konk.  

‘We don’t kill kids. Have you finally lost it in that empty head of yours?! We’re already under enough pressure as it is – everyone already sees us as a threat and you’ve just given them the perfect excuse to warrant our immediate bounty! Dead or alive’  

The Angels wings flare up behind her in rage as the other winged individual only laughs. High and shaky and utterly bone chilling. Satu flinches back in disgust as what was once someone she considered family is drowned under the thick sticky liquid of insanity.  

Satu punches her square in the face.  

The sound of bone crunching rings out.  

Kyans head snaps to the side before snapping back to Satu, blood gushing from her nose now bent at a funny angle. But her eyes have lost all glow, now only wide with shock. Fear. Guilt. Shaky hands slide the sword back into its home and eyes stare down at them, as if the avian's mind couldn’t comprehend that the blood staining them was anything but her own. In seconds, Ky sprints out the exit, leaving the angel to look upon the small frame curled up on the floor.

In a few brisk steps, Satu is stood before the fire, roaring with life and eating up at the air around it. She stares at it intensely. Then back at the fabric between her fingers. The fabric the colour of autumn leaves. The colour of his hair. She lifts her arm out, dangling it over the flames that greedily await its food.

The heat presses up against her skin, a mild pain turning more and more unbearable as the second tick by. Shaky limbs and frustrated brows work together against her resolution to put the past behind her and Satu's arm flops back against her side with a heavy exhale. Robeyo watches quietly from the couch as she pads back over and places it gently back inside the box, burying it away once more with the other trinkets she doesn’t allow herself to think over.

She had closed that part of her heart, killed It and let it grow cold. It had made her weak. The dagger sitting under her nose was proof of that. Gifted not even a week before she had thrown them under the bus. Kyan had mentioned Ghostie was a blacksmith, that he gave her that sword and she would often buy things from him.

She wonders if he made this one too. 

Chapter Text

The sounds of rain pattering on a rooftop lulls a child, barely the age of 7, into slumber. Tight to their chest is a tattered blue bear, limp at the neck from years of loving and compressing the stuffing inside. A hand brushes through the young strands of hair with only the tenderness a mother could give and they nuzzle close to the warmth and compassion in the simple motion. 

‘Prancer sweetheart, me and your father need to talk to you, okay?’  

A woman with frizzy hair looped into a tight bun murmurs as she sits on the edge of the small bed. 

Bleary eyed, she carries her child into the fire lit room as they cling onto the poncho she has draped over her shoulders, skirt skimming the old wooden floor boards. The smell of chicken and vegetable soup and burning wood and home settles on them like a blanket of safety.  

A man with wavy, untamed hair fills a wooden bowl of steaming food and slides it in front of Prancer before taking his place diagonal to them, ruffling their hair and reminding gently to blow before eating. He wears brown layered trousers with ankle-high tightly wound boots, a sleeveless shirt made of a straw-like material and a coat given its generous amount of sheep's wool. Typical autumnal Erisalan fashion. 

“We called you here because we have something to tell you.” 

Their father starts as their mother clears her throat, 

“Not exactly tell, but ask, my child.” 

Prancers young mind began to race with all the possibilities that could fall from their mouths. A gift perhaps? Or maybe a surprise vacation? Oo! What if they would finally take them to see the summer solstice festival next year!  

The suspension was slowly draining the patience out of Prancer. Sure, they can wait for the answer since their parents are about to tell them now, but they couldn’t sit still with the excitement bubbling high in their chest.  

Their mother continued after a period of silence, 

“Prancer, you’ve known that the Athelards have served as knights for Erisala for thousands of generations,’ 

Ah yes, the Athelards, Erisalas longest and most respected generation of knights to have ever served the kingdom. Prancer has known about the legacy of the Athelards for some time since, well, Prancer comes from the Athelards. Their mother was the Cassanova Athelard, the knight of her generation still serving even after she had a baby of her own, continuing the legacy. Every time they turn a corner, they can bet someone will recognize them as the child of the Athelard. 

“Do you want to become a knight?” 

She finishes, looking with serious eyes that mask the anxiety hiding below the surface. 

Prancer had pondered this question for a while, knowing that eventually it would come up. It was cool that you could fight off bad guys and help the people like a hero. They always loved helping people out, and being a knight could also give Prancer the chance to protect everyone from the bad people mommy had to go away and fight all the time. 

“Before you say anything,”  

Cassanova got up from her chair and knelt beside them. She placed both of her hands on either one of Prancer’s shoulders and asked with a worried tone,  

“Are you really sure you want to do this? Being a knight takes dedication, courage, and so much more than I show you. It can cost you your life.” 

“Cassie, we talked about this.” 

Their father’s mood seemed to dwindle down to sadness, evidence of it showing in the way his mouth curls downwards, 

“We’re handing Prancer the decision, don’t scare them out of it.” 

“Yes, but you wanted to tell them now instead of when they were older!”  

She bursts into tears halfway through, bolting up away from her child's gaze and staring at her husband, 

“I don’t want them to die! I want them to live a happy life, free from tradition and war-” 

“This- This is their decision. Not ours.”  

With a reluctant sigh, their father looks towards Prancer. 

“Do you want to become a knight?” 

A knight was considered many things to Prancer. They protect the people of Erisala and ward off the enemies with honour and courage. Yet, at the same time, under their fierce façade, Prancer knows that a knight can be more than a weapon. They can be kind, caring, humorous, even, so the people that feel sad can have a sense of hope amongst the chaos.  

And so, with a bright smile, Prancer seals their fate. 

Their little family continued on living after that, laughing, learning, growing together in the bubble they had created for themselves. Winter had come and gone and spring was beginning to breathe life into the fields outside their home. Winkleton was pretty in every season, but spring had a specifically delicate hand here, flowers blooming and painting the expanse in shades of yellow and pink and blue. 

But along with it came the heavy showers that pulled curtains of grey over the perfect picture of new life, long and dreary. It was one of these days that had Prancer clenching onto their bear in a white knuckled grip as their frantic mother grasped their shoulders, raindrops bouncing off the dark armour covering her body from where she stands in the doorway. Echos of booms in the distance are carried faintly on the wind and distant shouting has their lip beginning to tremble in fear. She pulls them in close, using all her strength to will every ounce of her love to pour out and fill her child's heart. 

‘Me and your father have to go now, okay? We'll be back before you know it, I promise. We love you Prancer. Never forget that.’ 

With a kiss on their forehead, they leave Prancer in the confines of home. 

They’re gone all night. 

And all day too.  

Prancer cries themselves numb, tears now falling silently into the wool of their mothers poncho they curl up with, the smell casting promises that everything will be okay . 

It wasn’t until the sun had begun to dip low into the sky, casting an orange glow upon all the dew drops settled on the earth from the recent downpour that a knock rang out and Prancer flung themselves at the door, smile bright and eyes wide in expectance. 

‘MOM DAD YOU’RE BA-’ 

But in their wake stood a girl with blonde hair and a pity in her eyes. She looked barely the age of 15 but carried an essence of importance in the way she held herself, responsibilities too heavy for a teen carefully hidden in her shoulders.  

‘You’re not my parents...’ 

Their face drops and disappointment sits thick in their stomach. 

‘I’m Halfy, its nice to meet you Prancer.’ 

The girl squats on her heels to be closer to their level and offers a sad smile, 

‘Your parents...they had to go away for a while. They told me to take you to your aunt and uncle okay?’ 

Halfy extends a gently hand, an offering, and Prancer takes it hesitantly. 

They walk through the fields painted with yellow and pink and blue. Except this time its marred with tents full of soldiers, some injured, other crying. Prancers grip tightens on the girls hand and she reaches down to pick them up, pressing their face into the crook of her neck. 

But Prancer was no stranger to battle. They grew up idolising their mother when she would spin stories of the monsters she had defeated, and they all ended the same. The big bad people had to go away forever, never to be seen again.  

‘They aren't coming back, are they?’  

They whisper, voice hoarse. 

‘Im sorry.’ 

Is all she offers back. 

In a field alike to the one they trudge through, two hands hold each other amongst the flowers. It's quiet. Still. A soft evening wind blows through the blades of grass and shifts the red splattered flowers that stand solemnly between cold fingers clasped together even in death.

It had been a long night for Halfy. Being awoken from her chambers by a threat to the kingdom and patrolling until the early hours of the morning left her feeling irritable today. There was so much more work to do and the paper work was beginning to pile high upon her desk. Winks was typically responsible for the business side of the kingdom alongside Gary but both were nowhere to be found, leaving the army general to pick up the slack. 

Sighing heavily, she continues to flick through the piles of parchment, signing here and there, skimming over trade deals and paying little attention to the work at hand. 

‘Isn't this dull? Please tell me you’re as bored as I am?’ 

Halfy leans back in her chair, long blonde hair in freefall as she stares at Prancer stationed behind her. Their eyes flit down to their commander but stay stationed in the formal stance. 

‘This is my job Halfy, I’m happy to serve no matter what I am doing.’ 

The royal rolls her eyes and sits back up, sprawling about the desk sending documents everywhere. 

‘But yes – this is incredibly dull.’  

She smirks and gives a light laugh when there's a strong knock at the doors to the study. 

Prancer stiffens their posture and gives an assuring nod to Halfy as she calls out an invitation to enter. 

‘Your highness – your cousin is here to speak with you.’  

A gruff voice answers as the two guards stationed outside open the double doors for the pixie to enter.  

‘Halfy! I thought I'd find you here.’  

Winks begins, waving a hand delicately behind her indicating to be left alone. Halfy rises from her seat and envelops the other in a crushing hug, one that’s reciprocated back. 

‘I couldn’t find you this morning, started to worry me. What with the incident last night... which I must brief you on. We didn’t find any intruder; however a couple civilians were the ones - ‘ 

She stops short as Winks raises her hand. 

‘I already know most of it – in fact I feel as if I need to brief you ,’ 

She shakes her head a little, looking down at the dark wooden floor boards under her silk shoes. Halfy waits curiously, brows furrowed. 

‘After I was alerted to the happenings of last night, I went out to find them. It was kyaniide and Zoey yes? I- I wanted to speak to her before the guards did, a..and she was badly injured so I took her to get healed,’ 

The other cousin listens intently, suspicion beginning to creep into her shoulders. 

‘I could have done that all myself. Why are you so jittery Winks? You aren't acting like yourself.’  

The pixies wings flutter nervously. It doesn’t go unnoticed. 

‘Well...I, you see, I wanted to talk to her first hand, and we know each other you know? From all that time ago? You remember, don’t you? So, I needed to ensure her safety, and if this is the phantom reapers re-emerging then she’ll be useful to us, right?  

Halfys lips set in a thin line and she looks upon her cousins shrinking frame. 

‘What arent you telling me? What you’re saying isnt logical, it doesn’t even make sense, I could of done all that – its my job. You’re hiding something.’ 

‘No no! Im not, I just was worried you'd be upset I snuck out and didn’t tell you until now! Anyways, so I spoke to her and she thinks that it’s the reapers too! Said there was a new member and that’s who attacked her! So I asked her to start training with Bug and-’ 

‘Bug?! She barely made it out of the last battlefield and you want to throw her into another one? And we’re going after Ghostie, how is she going to react to seeing him after what he did to her?’  

She pinches the space between her brows and paces across the room. 

Prancer watches silently from the side-lines. 

Winks pulls her hands close to her chest. 

The pair were always honest with each other – no matter the consequences, it's how they ran the kingdom so smoothly. Winks hated when they argued. It was rare and they always made up after – but she worried over how they’ll fix this when all shes giving are more lies. 

‘W-well Duck agreed with me, she said Bug needed something to do and well... this is better than nothing right? They’re both on their way here now to discuss plans...  I just thought-’  

‘They’re coming here?! And you didn’t even ask me?! Jesus, that's the problem with you Winks! You say that but you never really think do you?! You went behind my back to do my job, disappear all night and morning and now you show up and lie to my face?’ 

Halfy scoffs and her arms sag in disbelief, 

‘What is wrong with you?!’ 

Winks flinches. Tears begin to fill her eyes and her lip wobbles slightly. 

‘Im sorry... I didn’t know it would upset you so much Halfy’ 

Before the two could press further, screams ring out from down the hall, muffled through the thick wood of the double doors. The clatter of armour. A crunch. A wet squelch.  

Prancer had immediately drawn their sword and scooped both cousins behind them with an arm before making it to the door in three long strides. Both the royals were frozen, eyes wide and Winks clutches onto Halfys hand so tight her knuckles were white. Prancer lifts a single finger to their lips, indicating silence as they all listen to the commotion outside.  

But it had gone silent save for several pairs of feet padding on the thick carpeted halls outside the study.  

And then the doors open. 

Prancer lurches forward, hand out and reaching to grab whoever has intruded in the palace walls, fingers stretching wide and a grimace upon their face. Their efforts are met with another arm grabbing hold of theirs and twisting it at an un-natural angle causing the knight to cry out. Gritting their teeth, they use their free hand to thrust the sword forwards, skimming the winged individuals cheek as she lets go, pulling back to avoid the slash. 

Another fist collides with Prancers face and they stagger backwards as a second body enters and throws himself at them. They barely have time to move as palms emitting smoke launch at them once again and the knight weaves through each hit with grace. They land a nasty blow to the caped intruder causing them to double over and cough up a hefty mouthful of saliva.  

Prancers attention snaps back to the cousins as they rear back against the desk that sits centre in the room, when finally, a third saunters through the door. An air of laziness sits thick on their body language as if they hadn't just broken into the royal castle and murdered who knows how many guards to reach this point. It irked Prancer to no end and with a growl, they launched forwards at the on-comer, only to knock into what felt like steel. Reeling back and cradling their nose with one hand, they see a wing of metal, glowing with what could only be magic. Before they could even process this, an army of feather like knives come flying out of the wing towards the knight.

Dodging around them was tricky, but with the second challenger matching their pace, trying to get hits in, the situation became a whole lot more serious. Prancer was outnumbered and from the looks of it, out of their league as the enemies seem to be wielding magic of some sort. Another entourage of the feather like weapons fling towards their face and they barely move in time, throwing themselves to the right only to have their arm gripped in a fist that causes the metal of their armour to scorch their skin. Smoke and flames burst from the hand holding onto them and Prancers attacker grins wildly beneath purple hair. 

‘Robeyo, switch.’ 

‘Shut up Satu!’ 

And as the knight struggles to free themselves from the heat snaking up their left arm, melting the flesh caged beneath its metal oven, they’re thrown into the wall behind them so violently it rattles their skull. They cough harshly, back screaming in pain from the contact. Within the light streaming through the floor length window next to them, the glint of danger is barely caught. Practically throwing themselves to the floor, Prancer misses the worst of it, but still suffering the consequences with two of the razor feathers sticking deep into the fleshy part of their thigh. Half on the ground, a heavy boot collides with their face, spraying blood all across the floor and their chest is met with the same treatment. A crack rings out and Prancer doubles over, wheezing for breath and cradling the charred arm now limp at their side.  

With a look of distaste from both Robeyo and Satu, they both turn and join each side of the third member now looming over the two royals, leaving Prancer battered in the corner and heaving to get any air in a lung now filling with blood. 

‘K...Konk...?’ 

Winks warbles, face ashen and eyes wide in horror. 

Halfy mirrors the expression. 

‘Hello Mother.’ 

Konk smirks and bows low at the waist, all the gold she wears clinking together with the motion. Satu glares down at the cousins from the left and Robeyo matches her on the right.  

Halfy sputters, eyes flicking between Prancer in the corner and Konk. With a trembling hand she reaches out. 

‘K..konk...y..you, you’re....’ 

Konk moves towards her, going around the arm frozen in the air and leaning close to the royal's ear. 

‘Alive?’ 

She whispers and glances over at Winks who is staring ahead. 

‘Why don’t you ask mother dearest here, im sure she has a wonderful story for you,’ 

Pulling back and staring the pixie in the face, Wink’s gaze slowly reaches up and locks eyes with Konks, lib wobbling furiously. 

‘ Isn't that right? ’ 

‘ Yes’  

The pixie responds instantaneously, a hand coming up to clamp down upon her traitorous mouth. 

‘What is she talking about? Wha...? Konk I - I thought you died... I saw you die. Kyan killed you!’ 

Halfy whips her head to her cousin than back to the should be corpse standing in front of her. 

‘Well, funny story. I lived. And also, thanks for that . You welcome Kyan back into the kingdom after she brutally murders me but I get shoved in a box underground? So much for family loyalty huh?’ 

She paces the floor in front of the two royals, drawling on and waving her hands about like a madman.  

‘What? No! I had no idea you were alive! And I had no say in the deal with Kyan, Winks organi-’ 

Halfy slowly turns to look to her left at her cousin who's still pushing a hand over her mouth, eyes squeezed shut. 

‘You...Winks. What did you do?!’  

The pixie simply stifles a dry sob and continues to cower. 

Konks pacing stops and she reaches Winks in a single step, grasping her wrist and yanking it from her face. Madness contorts in her own and her hands tremble in rage. 

‘Go on. Tell her.’ 

She spits, 

‘TELL HER! TELL HER WHAT YOU DID TO ME – YOUR OWN CHILD! TELL HER!’  

In an instant, there's a sword lunging at Konks neck. 

Halfy watches in utter horror as it never makes it that far. The angel towering next to Konk turns and swings a steeled wing out in the same motion. 

The sword clatters to the ground, along with Prancers hand. 

The army commander throws out an arm an steps in their direction, crying out only to be blocked by Konk herself, glaring down upon her. 

Prancer stumbles back clutching the space where limb once was and falls to their knees, pupils blown and their scream rings out across the halls. Satu walks over to them, gazing down as the light through the glass window casts shadows upon her face. 

With a flick of the hand, a single steeled feather sheaths itself in Prancers chest, right below their heart.  

‘NOOOO!’  

Halfy shrieks, doomed to only watch as her right-hand man stares into the face of death, fingers twitching and blood beginning to dribble down their chin. 

The angel reels a foot back and kicks them into the window with a shout, shattering it and sending the knight plummeting onto the floor below. 

The commander stares, arm dropping and lungs heaving, panic causing them to spasm and the oxygen to be eaten up around her. 

Cant breathe cant breathe  

Is the mantra screaming in her mind as her body goes lax, falling back against the desk and holding herself up with an arm.

With the commotion over, Konk glares daggers at Winks who is frozen, staring at the open window with her mouth wide. 

‘ Stop looking over there. Pay attention to me’  

Konk commands and with extreme resistance, the royals eyes meet her own. 

‘ Tell dearest Halfy here everything. I want to hear you say it .’ 

Winks gasps for breath and grips her head tightly between her hands, sinking to the floor. 

‘I-I..I lied to you!’ 

The pixie bites on her knuckles to stop the words coming out. She thrashes with her own mind to keep it in but no matter how much she fights the words continue to slip off her tongue. 

‘Me and Kyan made a deal! She would take down the phantom reapers, bring Konk to me and I would allow her back into Erisala, no charges. I – nghh – I didn’t know she was going to kill you Konk!!’ 

She wheezes, writhing in her own skin, clawing and fighting the talons squeezing her mind. 

Konk only narrows her eyes in fury at her, lip curling in disgust. 

‘I couldn’t let you escape! You’re too dangerous. After what you did to Gary as a kid I knew you wouldn’t be allowed the freedom others have. S-so when I saw you were still alive, I ordered them to lock you away. I couldn’t bring myself to let you die! I- I still care for you K..konk’ 

Halfy stares in horror. 

Winks rambles through her tears and sobs, wiping the snot from her nose and looking with desperate, pleading eyes at her cousin. 

Save me save me save me  

But only the eyes of those betrayed look back at her.  

‘That wasn’t so hard now was it?’ 

Konk begins as Winks sags, finally free from the magic binding her vocal cords. 

‘Must be nice having that off your chest, everything out in the open huh?’ 

She bursts into a fit of laughter, deranged and high-pitched causing Robeyo to nudge her with an elbow in irritation. 

‘Sorry sorry, its just so funny’   

Halfy stares at the ground below her as it spins, her world coming crashing down. Seeing Konk – her family – not only run away at a young age, but later be cut down in battle after she had finally found her again. Halfy would go to the ends of the earth to heal whatever pain had caused her to feel rejected enough to leave. She was beginning to think there was a curse upon their name. Konk had run, so had Mary. Was Livy next? The poor girl barely got enough attention as it is, Halfy leaving it to Winks. After all, they were closer.  

But now she began to question it all. Winks was someone she knew, someone she trusted, someone she could share secrets to when everyone else is asleep. Someone to rely on, place anxieties with and be met with a smile and a hug that pushes away the weight of the world. And yet looking across the room at her, fragile, venerable, pleading. 

None of that girl remains in her eyes. 

‘Y...you lied to me. You lied for so long. You locked our family away! You let me think she was dead, I saw her die Winks!’ 

Halfy shakes her head, dumbfounded. 

‘You let me mourn her. You held me at our child's funeral, you promised we’d get through it together knowing damn well she was still breathing but in a cage of your own doing.’ 

Her voice breaks even as she whispers the damning words. 

‘Im sorry Halfy, im sorry im sorry im sorry, I didn’t know what to do, you don’t know what shes capable of, I just wanted to protect our family!’  

Wink’s chest heaves through the sobs wracking her whole body, wings limp on the floor behind her collecting dust, no trace of a sparkle left. 

‘Protect our family? Konk IS our family! I don’t even...’ 

Her brows knit together in disgust at her cousin, snivelling and looking pitiful on the ground. 

Liar.

‘Who even are you?’ 

The pixie delves into harsher sobs, hiccupping and reaching out desperately. 

‘P...please H..halfy Im sorry, please d...don’t do this. We can t...talk please please im sorry’  

Through the broken window comes a pair of mighty dark wings, steel boots. 

There's no hesitation and a blade of black careens through Satu’s shoulder as she attempts to move out of the way.  

‘Bug, now!’  

Kyan cries out, rage writing a million stories of death upon her face. 

A blonde braid is barely caught as Satu whips her head towards the doors just in time to see an arrow fly towards her head. A steeled wing comes up to block it but Ky had already pulled her sword out of the wound and was swinging it at her head. Satu throws herself backwards as Robeyo launches balls of fire from his hands towards the avian who moves around them with no more than a sweat and pursues the angel with a series of lethal swings. Satu continues moving backwards, bringing a hand up to clutch at the wound now oozing blood and with nowhere else to go, her metal wings curl around her like a cocoon to block the oncoming blows. 

Robeyo steps forward in Satu’s place and hurls more condensed flame at Kyan who continues to weave between them. Before they could get any closer to the avian, an arrow comes flying towards him, forcing them to duck only to get another two his way. One lands through his right forearm where it was reaching out for Ky and they reel back with a frustrated cry. Robeyo’s hands burn red and sting with the familiar pain of over exertion and they look to Konk for what to do next. 

Konk clenches her fists and her head lolls to the side to stare at Ky, scowling. 

‘You always get in the way don’t you. Can't you just stay out of my business for once.’ 

She hisses furiously, looking at the avian who has her sword now pointed at Konks neck. 

‘I could say the same for you old friend. I put you down once already. I’m not afraid to do it again’ 

The two-hold a gaze rich with history, light and dark.  

Bug comes further into the room, bow aimed at the two phantom reaper members. She makes her way around the standoff to usher Halfy closer towards Winks, standing in front of them both.

Konk glowers at her old partner before her brows twitch and she bursts into laughter. Ky stays stony faced, pushing her sword further into the fragile skin upon her neck. A single bead of blood dribbles down the blade as Konk pushes herself into it, her grip on reality clearly faltering as her manic laughter echos in the silence.  

‘What? Are you gonna kill me?’ 

Konk wheezes out, the look upon her face urging Ky to prove her right. 

The avian's jaw clenches as the whisperings begin to scream in her ear at the blood slipping down the metal, glowing as the magic eats it up. A bead of sweat rolls down her face but she refuses to faulter.  

‘No no, of course you wouldn’t. At least... not while I have what you want... right Livy?’ 

All eyes fall upon the hallway outside the study as Livy rounds the corner, dragging along a screaming girl of gold. Her nightgown torn at the hems from a struggle and a few drops of blood stain the pale-yellow hue.  

Livy’s eyes narrow as she hauls her along and into the room, throwing the girl upon the bloody carpet where she lands on her face, arms tied tightly behind her. Her angry yells muffled by the gag tied tightly around her head. 

Kyan’s face drops, and her heart drops even further. She can't pull her eyes away from the writhing body on the floor, every worst nightmare she’d ever had coming to fruition right before her eyes. Her lip trembles with her hands and Konk only smiles under dark eyes. 

Halfy and Winks both gape at their third cousin who stares with hatred at them, knife gripped tightly in her hands. 

‘Livy... what are you doing?!’  

Winks cries out, eyes welling up with tears once more. 

‘Wow, surprised you even noticed Winks! That’s like, what, one out of a million times you’ve actually paid attention to me!’ 

Guilt twists the pixies features and she looks down at a loss of words. 

Halfy stutters, still trying to calm her breathing to a survivable level, 

‘Livy please don’t do this, we’re your family! Mary’s your family!’ 

‘Konk is also our family! She told me all about what Winks did. And Mary here,’ 

Livy kicks her in the side, knocking her over from where she had wrestled to get to her knees.

Kyan plots a billion gruesome ways to murder her right then and there. 

‘Mary left me. She didn’t even say goodbye! How's that for family. And don’t even get me started on you Halfy. You pawned me off to darling Winks here. Its easier to pretend everything's fine when you don’t have to stare it in the eye.’ 

Unfiltered anger, hurt, betrayal moulds the words falling from the forgotten cousins mouth, contorting her features into a picture of rage. Konk only giggles and watches with pleased eyes, as if this was a play she had orchestrated and it was running perfectly on opening night. 

‘We’ll be going now, I got what I wanted. Until next time I guess.’ 

She says cheerily, pulling away from the steel at her throat and once more giving the most gracious of bows. 

‘Oh and if any of you follow me... well, lets just say the kingdom will mourn the loss of the missing princess once more.’ 

Konk walks off towards the doors, both the injured reapers trailing behind her. 

Livy grabs Mary by the restraints and yanks her up, dragging her away as she thrashes and yells, golden hair flowing messily as she struggles. Her and Kyan lock eyes and all the avian can do is stare in terror as she disappears around the corner with the faces that haunt her dreams.

Chapter Text

No amount of war could have ever prepared her for the events that had just occurred.  

Eyes wide, sword wobbling where it's held aloft in shaking hands, beads of sweat slipping to the floor off of pale skin. Heavy breaths, heaving chest – Kyan drops to the ground in a clatter of metal and cloth. She coughs violently, forcing her lungs to accept the air she sucks into her chest with every ragged breath. Endless, cruel possibilities rage in her mind, every sick detail and memory of her lover gagged and bound, dragged across the floor and away from her.  

And she had stood helpless.  

She had let her go.  

Now her own voice coagulates with the others running rampant in her mind. Screaming. Wailing. A cacophony of turmoil and anguish.  

Throat raw, she wasn’t sure when she had begun to vocalize the noise. A pair of stern green eyes come into view of hers, hands tightly gripping the ones tugging relentlessly at purple locks.  

‘Ky - stop, you need to calm down.’  

There was nothing that could quell the bubbling anger festering inside, the blade of Ky's sword glowing stronger with every beat of blood swimming from her heart and into her veins as she meets the gaze that's looking upon her.  

There is no kindness in her face, but there is respect. Understanding.  

‘I... I just let them walk... I... How did they even get in... oh my god Prancer...’  

Was all she managed to mumble out, tongue thick and heavy between a tightly wound jaw.  

It wasn’t the death that unsettled the avian, it was the inability to fathom the multitude of the situation at hand. On the way to the castle, seeing Prancers crumpled body on the ground below only spurred Bug and her on with a grimace at a faster pace as they ignored the screams coming from the town around them at the commotion. She didn’t have time to feel grief, not when she had a job to do. And if it was any respite for her mind, she could have sworn the ghost of a smile was frozen for eternity upon the cold skin of her dead friend.  

Ky’s heart thumps wet and heavy in her rib cage, as the seconds tick by and the realization crushes upon her shoulders heavier and heavier.  

Halfy walks to the far side of the room, stiff stepped and expression slack before sliding down against it and sitting with her head in hands. Her cousin remains crumpled on the floor, wet eyed and pleading.  

‘Halfy, please, please we can talk about it... please don’t give up on me, say something,’  

She hiccups and fumbles over the words that fall on deaf ears.  

Halfy can't hear anything over the ringing that is shrill in her brain.  

What the fuck just happened.  

Not only did they infiltrate the kingdoms boarders, but the castle too.  

Livy's betrayal.  

Prancer -   

And as it dawns upon her, the dam finally brakes, the royal bursting into uncontrollable sobbing. Her right hand. Her best friend. Images flash in the back of her eyelids, the brutality, the screams, the glass.  

Halfy’s seen some of the worst on the battlefield. But this will haunt her sleep for the rest of her life.  

The air sits thick in despair, a cloud of toxins they all excrete. Loss, betrayal, pain, sorrow.  

‘We can't stop now.’   

A single voice, steady and strong echos. Three pairs of eyes flit towards it.  

‘Kyan, come on get up. We have to go. They said not to follow them but to hell with that. Your majesties, do whatever you want but you need to send out an alert if there isn't already, find the king, whatever your procedures are.’  

Ky looks up at the pixie who drags her off the floor by her arm.  

‘You heard her. Konk said she’d hurt Mary, I'm not risking it. No way.’  

Bug stares at her for a moment before something like disappointment lines her face.  

‘Jesus you’ve really gotten used to this comfy life huh? No more brains.’  

The avian just cocks a brow, bending down to pick up her sword and grip it tight as a new wave of the magic makes her hand tremble with power. Pain starts to throb behind her eyes.  

‘I don’t know who she is but I don’t think shes stupid enough to kidnap a royal just for an escape plan. She needs her for something. Unfortunately for you, she seems to know you pretty well and knew you’d cave at the first mention of your poor dear's safety.’   

Kyan continues to look up like dumbfounded at Bug causing her lip to curl and fists shake.  

‘God you’ve really become so pathetic now haven't you? You didn’t just ruin yourself for that woman but you ruined me too! Was it really worth it?! You couldn’t even protect her!’   

The pixie yells, gesturing to the scars on her back where jagged tips of green membrane peek over trembling shoulders. Her eyes dart between the Avian's, hurt lining the edges of her eyes and with a sharp inhale she turns on her heel and runs out the door in pursuit.  

Kyan stares numbly after her, the ringing in her own ears growing louder with each passing breath, eyes burning holes into the space where Bug had been.  

Everything she had said was true. She had failed not only her friends all that time ago, but the very person she had sacrificed everything for time and time again. First, the reapers, then her fellow soldiers, suppressing every itch in her skin to fight. She wonders when her life became a ticking time bomb before she would have to raze another part of her life to the ground in the name of her loved ones.  

Failure  

Failure  

You couldn’t even protect her  

You couldn’t protect any of them  

Let us in  

Let us back into your blood  

Let us strengthen your bones  

Just like the old times  

No one will ever hurt us again  

Stop fighting it  

A delicate hand is placed upon the Ky’s shoulder causing her to spin around reflexively, sword raised to attack, eyes blazing with that familiar purple gleam.   

Halfys wide eyes are all that are present, arms raised high in surrender.  

‘Kyan... calm down... are you there?’  

The commander breathes, not yielding when magic stares them in the face.  

Ky blinks a few times before shaking her head violently, lowering her sword and apologizing under her breath but Halfy holds her head high.  

‘Go, Bug’s right.’  

Ky stutters.  

‘But someone has to stay with you, now that Prancer...’  

Her chest squeezes at the name, pushing her feelings down down down for later. Halfy shares the grief, back straightening and taking a shaky breath, holding the tears in.  

‘Don't worry about us,’  

A pointed glance at the other royal sniveling on the ground,  

‘Now go. That’s an order from your commander.’  

With a moment’s more hesitation, Ky turns and dashes out the door.  

Running full speed through the streets, winding down alleyways towards the screams far in the distance. Kyan groans in frustration, stamina running on empty as she continues to fall behind. All the fancy white buildings remain untouched, the richer folks' homes surrounding the castle as clean as they were on any other day. Curiosity and confusion send alarms ringing in her mind and she stops to catch her breath for less than a minute before starting off through the halfway. She stays above ground, not seeing any signs of disturbance wafting from the ravine and continues the chase towards Winkleton before coming to a halt upon noticing the thick black clouds wafting from several points in the distance.   

So, they were targeting Winkleton.  

There was no time to think over the Reapers objectives as the voices yell and scream at the sight. She stumbles, clutching her head, focusing all her energy on holding the leash tight tight tighter even as her hands sting with rope burn.  

Her heart thumps louder with every passing minute, legs burning and lungs screaming from the lack of oxygen but Ky does not relent until shes weaving in between the running crowd. Villagers franticly scrambling through the cobble roads, escaping towards the castle from the fires scorching homes to the ground left and right.  

Its chaos.  

Unable to see anything through the stampede of frightened people, she stands amongst them, head whipping around for any sight of the enemy or her friend.  

Higher  

Higher ground  

 They chant, the sound reverberating throughout her skull. She scales the tallest building near her, pushing and pushing to the top to see where she needed to head towards.  

Bile crawls its way up her throat at the sight.  

Where she stands at the edge of Winkleton, the whole village is visible, spreading out before her.  

Tall, vicious flames are raging all around, thick billows of black smoke clog the air. Childrens cries and peoples screams echo so loud in her ears. With all the mayhem, its hard for Kyan to pick out what shes looking for. Not too far ahead, to the left a figure stands on a roof, jumping between the close-knit buildings, fire curling around what looks like their arms. Three others run around the buildings edge, as if in battle with the figure above it, ducking and evading something being thrown their way, a ball of light.  

Robeyo.  

The other reapers can't be far behind then.  

So much noise. Crackling of the wood being eaten alive by heat, vocal cords crying out, footsteps, voices, so many demands all at once. Who are those three? Where is bug? If there was ever a time that Ky begun to feel frustration at her inability to succumb to her blade – it was now.  

‘Be quiet! Shut up, who are they?!’   

She shouts into the air, un-sheathing her sword as another blinding wave of magic courses through her.  

So now you listen  

Stop resisting and I'll tell you  

Gritting her teeth, her choices lay in front of her, equally as damning. People will die either way and the selfish part of her would rather it be her friends prevail another day.  

With the utmost restraint. She lets the rope slip a little inviting that blissful cold into her heart once more. Her knees give out as she gasps for breath, her eyes spouting a flame of purple energy, the feel so overwhelming she kneels on the rooftop.  

That’s more like it  

You'll let go completely soon  

This'll work.  

Look up.  

Focus.  

You can see now.  

The voices swirl and chant, a chorus of noise equally so soothing and natural yet poisonous, venom snaking through her nerves.  

Her head snaps up, training in close to those in the distance. Brown hair, poncho.  

Storm.  

And upon looking closer, the unmistakable shape of a mule form is seen with someone on her back, racing around the corner in pursuit of the reaper jumping to the next roof.  

Zoey.  

There's no hesitation now. Rage. Fear. The urge to protect erupts and Kyan spreads her wings, speeding towards the fight. The spike of adrenaline overriding all the anxieties that had chained her to the ground and with the closer she gets, the clearer the story unfolds.  

Robeyo runs across the roofs, dodging and weaving something small and metal that bounces back like a boomerang when it doesn’t hit its target. Zoey has Storm on her back as she chucks small knives towards the fire wielder, them coming right back home to her with the glow of purple.  

When the hell did she get those? Ghostie was supposed to be the only enchanter in the kingdom...  

Kyan shakes the thoughts from her head as she flaps closer and closer, reeling back just in time as a pair of vibrant red wings explode upwards from between one of the houses. They effectively cut Robeyo off leading them to dash to the right, further towards the kingdom gates and away from the main village.  

They’re leading him away.  

The new avian dodges a ball of flame shot towards them as they shoot into the sky, soaring up up up ahead of the reaper before ducking down into the streets out of view. They skim under low hanging balcony's and keep their frame tucked small, speeding with extraordinary skill through the narrow walkways to the next location.  

I mpressive  

Remember when you could do that with your eyes closed  

We were your wings  

You need us  

‘Shut up.’  

Kyan grits out before divebombing towards her lover who takes the next sharp turn, keeping Robeyo to the right of them high on the buildings.  

‘Fly! Up ahead he’s heading right’  

Zoey calls out, hooves pounding heavy against the stone beneath her, unaware of her lover hovering close by.  

Robeyo growls in irritation at their shadows, his initial planned path now majorly detoured. It was irritating at best. Using all his momentum he grabs hold of a thin chimney pole, vaulting themselves around and heading back the way they came.   

The red winged avian Ky assumes is Fly shoots out from the alleyway she had predicted Robeyo would jump over only to see them running back.  

Fly...huh. A bit on the nose, but okay.  

‘Zoey! Sketch, hes turned around go back, I'll cut him o-’  

Before she could finish, Ky lands violently in front of robeyo, metal boots cracking the red bricked roof.  

‘Where are the others.’ she demands, panting a little as robeyo only smirks at her, using this time to pause for breath too.  

‘Ky?!’   

She hears Zoey yell up at the rooftops towards her but the avian’s attention stays fixed on her old partner, gripping her sword tightly.  

‘Ah, Kyan! I don’t think we had the chance to actually catch up yet, how’s life been treating ya?’  

Robeyo raises their arms in question, winking and giving a cocky smirk as Ky’s face twists in annoyance. Heavy winds carry the scent of charred wood and breathes life into the ever-growing flames spreading throughout the village, heat rising. It tugs on the loose strands of the pair's hair, their clothes.   

‘Where is she Robeyo. I’m not going to ask twice.’   

Fly lands behind Robeyo, stretching out their neck and Kyans eyes skim over them briefly from over their opponent's shoulder. Erisala knight armour covers her torso and she wears the matching boots reaching up to her knees, however losing the armored leggings for billowing black pants of her own tucked into her shoes.  

 Two knots of brown hair sit upon her head as the rest flows down free and brushes against her lower back. Green eyes catch Ky’s and a small smile and respectable nod is passed to her as Fly reaches down to slowly pull out her own sword. Kyan does a double take as a  blade made of reflective red metal is brought out, complementing the detailed black hilt.  

Now that had to have cost the earth and then some.  

The colour matches that on her back, vibrant feathers of red and orange ombre the large wings ruffling behind her, sitting lax but still open if she needed to take flight at a moment's notice. Kyan had already seen the extent of her flying skills, way beyond that of a normal soldier, and from their stance she can guess the new comer is skilled enough in combat.  

Who is she? Ky had never seen them before in the knight's regiment however her internal monologue is cut short as robeyo interrupts.  

‘Sorry old pal, but I can't tell you that. Lovely Mary’s ours now,’  

He takes a step forward, palms open and smoke beginning to float up from them. Both the Avian’s shift their stance, feet sliding back and body lowering.  

‘Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’  

With a nod to Fly, she launches towards Robeyo who runs towards her at the same time. Ky jabs forward with her weapon, but the fire wielder slips to the side, hands out and ignited in flame. He reaches out for dark wings but with the new release on her magic, reaction time becomes childsplay for the purple haired knight. She turns and effectively pulls her arm back with her, aiming straight for the neck. Robeyo falls backwards, avoiding the slash as a second sword of red comes flying past their face.  

Fly spars with the phantom reaper, elegant and precise in her movements, flowing like liquid fire. She pushes Robeyo back, never giving him enough time to go on the offensive as she uses her sword like an extension of her own limbs.   

Kyan only tags in when Fly falls back, calling her to the front as she catches her breath. The two old partners fall into a similar rhythm, if not a little more choreographed from years of training together.  

‘Where the hell is she Robeyo?!’   

The avian yells, letting out a cry as her sword comes down in a violent arc, snagging the red cape that stays suspended in the air for but a second as the reaper moves out of its path.  

‘Your little friend ran off to find her too, although im sure she probably dead by now, sorry about that.’  

Robeyo chuckles and shrugs, then ducks down low to avoid the swoop of metal aiming for his head. Using the momentum, they lift upwards under the avian defense and sends a burst of fire up towards her face. Throwing herself backwards, she avoids most of the damage, having only singed a bit of her shoulder through the fabric now charred and leaving a tasteful hole.  

Fly takes her place, weaving in and out of fire balls, going back to the graceful motions holding fatal power.  

‘Go!! Find the others!’  

She yells back at Kyan who takes a moment before nodding and jumping off the rooftop and into the alley way where Zoey and Storm are waiting.   

‘Ky! Are you okay? What are you doing here?!’  

Zoey runs over, bending her body down to embrace the avian who squeezes back tightly. Her hands shake as they scrunch up the tunic in a white knuckled grip. The familiar scent flooding her nose and making her throat close up, tears threatening to spill.  

‘They...f..fuck, Zoey they have Mary, I have to go find her.’  

Zoeys face goes slack, mouth agape and her ears go flat in shock.  

‘Wha...what? Why?! Ky what is going on?’  

‘Listen, it’s a long stor-’  

‘No. No! You aren't doing this to me again. We’re going to go get Mary and you’re gonna stop hiding shit from me.’  

‘You aren't coming with me. It's too dangerous.’  

Zoey straightens up, hoof stomping against the cobble.  

‘Like hell im not coming with you, you almost died last time. Im coming whether you like it or not!’  

‘I’ll just fly off then.’  

‘I’ll just follow you.’  

‘No, you need to go to safety.’  

‘You can't stop me.’  

‘Zoey please!’  

‘Not happening.’  

The two bicker before Storm huffs loudly from behind them, both pairs of eyes fall on her.  

‘We don’t have time for your petty fighting! Both of you go! Ky, drop me on the roof I'll help Fly.’  

They both open their mouth to protest but the glare that she gives them both has them straightening up and keeping quiet. Ky grabs Storm tight and plops her on the roof not as elegantly as she had hoped. Storm stumbles a little before giving a thumbs up and running to cover the battling Avian's weak points and the two continue trying to push Robeyo out of the village center to prevent any more damage.  

Kyan slips down back into the alleyway with Zoey, landing better this time, getting used to the art of flight once more.  

‘I can't believe you’re flying again...’   

Zoey says gently, hand reaching out to brush the soft feathers. Ky hums in response, eyes fluttering shut as she leans her forehead against her lovers. They sit there in their tiny bubble, chaos unfolding around them and yet, perhaps selfishly they stay like that for but a moment, tenderness and understanding flowing between twin flames.   

Ky sniffles as her eyes release droplets into the brown fabric of her lover's shirt.  

‘Yeah, well, I saw you and got worried you know’  

She laughs breathily, Zoey pulling back and using her hands to cup the face looking up at her, thumbs brushing away the tears. She stares down at black soaked eyes, purple pupils blazing with emotion and her gaze slips down to the sword gripped between a shaky grip. Zoey looks back at her avian with a sad expression.  

‘Jesus, what have you done Ky...’  

She leans in and whispers into her hair, giving one last squeeze before pulling back and taking a deep breath.  

‘Let's go get our girl.’  

Unknown to those around, curly white hair peeks from a hood around the darkest corner of the alleyway, a witness to two lovers sharing a moment together.  

They sink back into the inky shadows. Waiting.  

Death incarnate.  

Reaper reborn.  

Its sheer willpower that has Bug still standing. Despite the nausea, despite the way her surroundings spin and her knees feel seconds away from folding out underneath her. The cacophony of cries and screams and fearful sobs from fleeing children are all that have her keeping her head high as she stares her demons in the face.  

Satu stands in the town center, stone water fountain once holding the laughter of Winkleton youth now spills from the broken cracks and pieces that have suffered from blows between the two.  

Ghostie smiles from behind her, hauling an armored corpse on their shoulder as Bug locks eyes with theirs, seeing and breathing in a waking nightmare of her own.  

Two pairs of heartbroken footsteps drop to the floor from horses adorned in the royal crest. One walks behind the other, grasping for the others hand who hesitantly takes it and steps out the kingdoms gates towards their skewed family gathering.  

A commander with questions to ask and bonds to fix.  

A pixie with red rimmed eyes and questions to answer.  

A sibling tied and bound by the arms.  

A sister, hurt and longing holding the chains.  

And a forgotten child with the voice to bend your mind, coming home for revenge.  

A family divided – facing each other for the first time in years.  

Chapter Text

Whatever gods there are, they have a sick sense of humour.  

Bug stands sprung tight as the first crack of thunder booms in the distance, the gentle touches of the first rain splashing against her cheeks. Her grip tightens ever more on her sword as she stands before the chunks of concrete discarded across the town square, feeling the closest thing to comfort at the weight of her old bow strapped upon her shoulders. Tall and looming, her skin crawls under the cold gaze of the phantom reapers own avian – Satu. She looks upon the pixie as if nothing more than a nuisance, wings glowing ever brighter with whorls of purple and blue.  

Giggles only heighten the bumps on Bugs arm, face going pale ever more as Ghostie sits on the edge of the broken fountain, staring manically into her eyes. With every shift of his shoulders, the body slung across them jostles and congealed drops of crimson fall onto his shoes. Bug grits her teeth in rage as she watches Prancers corpse get thrown to the floor with a thud, twisted at an unnatural angle.   

‘Bug! Old pal, how are you holding up?’  

Ghostie takes a step towards her as she takes one back. Despite her yelling over and over in her mind, Bugs hands begin to quiver and her feet glue to the floor.  

Crack.  

Snap.  

Blinding pain. Burning and scratching and breaking.  

It feels as if her core is being ripped from her body, the mud in her mouth salty and the grit crunching between her teeth. Laughter. More and more and the high-pitched screams begin to almost sound distant.  

‘ No hard feelings about back then yeah? I kinda lost myself for a second then, you know how it is!’  

Ghostie continues his advances, growing ever closer but the pixies eyes are wide and seeing another time. Arms crush around her body, tight and her breath stops. The metallic tang in the air invades her nose, fire and forging clinging to Ghosties shell and for but a second she could have sworn the same person was holding her once more. It feels like years before the weight releases and he circles around lazily, swaying as if gravity yields not for him.  

‘Man, really did a number on these huh? Oops!’  

Bug feels the warmth of a hand reaching to the remnants of membrane poking out of her back and the spring snaps shut. She turns with undeniable speed, bringing her sword in a sharp arc and catching his cheek. Her breath comes fast, unable to control its pace, chest heaving and heart racing. The blood pumping in her ears is deafening and lungs burning from the unsteady oxygen coming into them.  

‘Get the hell away from me.’   

She sputters, frantically trying to get air into a body that’s shutting down. Ghosties eyes darken as tears of red slip from the cut upon his cheek.  

‘Ghostie. Enough playing, you have somewhere to be. Take the body and move on with the plan.’  

Their stand-still Is interrupted by the stony voice of Satu who elegantly slips off from the ledge and shifts on the other side of Bug. The pixies eyes swing around violently, brain screaming like pray caught between two wolves and all fighting etiquette falls through her fingers like sand.  

Ghostie rolls their eyes and gives a small smirk before taking a few steps backwards and towards the corpse laying crumpled in a puddle that had begun accumulating under it.  

Satu swings wide, forcing Bug to move back whilst the avian advances forward, closing the space between them. Muscle memory is what keeps the hair on Bugs head as her body lurches away from the onslaught of swift and deadly blows thrown her way.   

Its cold. Everything hurts. Why is there screaming?  

The pixie lifts her sword up to block another blow, pushing back with a yell as more unwanted memories start to creep into the forefront of her racing mind. Over Satu’s shoulder Bug sees Ghostie stand over the body, crouching down to scoop it up and flop it over his shoulder once more. She grits her teeth at the sight of her friend being so disgraced in death and rage, white hot, shoots through her veins.  

‘Give them back! Give Prancer back Ghostie!’   

Bug roars out, pushing back against Satu now. She sweeps her sword up, arching towards her head, letting the momentum spin them around to jab forward. She focuses on her movement. Foot forward, guard up, this is familiar, this is okay. In a world of anguish and dark memories Bug lets herself get lost In the dance, pushing those feelings back down, numbing herself with the objective of getting Prancer back from her tormentors' clutches.  

But even so, Satu is faster.  

She yanks a hardened wing up, deflecting each attempt with ease, face never faltering from the emotionless mask glued on tight. Sending out dozens of feathers between attacks, the two fighting harder and harder, yet only Bug slowing down from stamina and damage. A cut here, a feather lodged there until as the pixie rasps, determination keeping her fighting. Satu’s brows knit together in annoyance and without warning leans fast to the side, sacrificing a cut to the cheek before pulling back full force and punching Bug in the face. The shock has her reeling back as another comes her way, and in seconds the wind is all but sucked from her wheezing lungs as the Reapers boot collides heavy with her stomach and she falls back onto the sodden floor.  

Wheezy lungs spasm in desperation for any intake of air and Bug panics as she stares down once more at rain pattering onto the ground inches from her face.  

‘Ghostie, please, don’t make me do this!’ Bug yells out across the battlefield as tears slip freely down pale green cheeks. But the words fall on deaf ears as her friend retreats deeper into the madness.  

Bug grips her heart, slowly crawling to her knees, other arm wobbling and trying to lift her aching body off the floor.  

Arrows fly off, missing every time.  

Bug was a perfect shot.   

But Ghostie was a dear friend.   

There was no chance as the magician closes the gap between them, laying fists into the pixie relentlessly, her wings lifting them off the ground a few inches in the struggle.  

‘These are so annoying.’ Ghostie grits out, grabbing a fistful of hair and slamming her against the ground.  

Mud squelches across her cheeks and mixes in with the tears and rain falling.  

‘G..Ghostie, p..please stop’ Bug sobs between coughs, vision blurry from concussion.  

Hands grip the delicate limbs on her back and they grow tighter and tighter.  

And then it was hot.  

It burnt and burnt and it felt like her entire spine was being torn in two, her soul was being ripped apart savagely with no way to stop it. There was no end and no beginning, just the pain.  

Her instincts desperately trying to flee, but the nerves in her wings weren't responding, it just caused the pain to travel like electric further down her body with each attempt.   

It felt like hours. Days. Just the pain, and the ringing and the screams.  

And the pitter patter of cold drops on open wounds until eventually an ocean rolled over her mind, soothing her body and dragging her consciousness down into the depths.  

It was deep. It was warm. It felt final. Bug welcomed it.  

Satu looms over the whimpering thing. Grovelling on the ground and yet still trying to get up and fight despite the sobs and mumbled pleas whispered from quivering lips. There is a flicker of something in her, impressed by the resolve of this former pixie. But Satu had a job to do, and people to check on. Another harsh kick to the ribs, sending Bug launching into a brick wall of a house before crouching down and leaning close to her ear.  

‘Stay down.’  

Bug struggles to lift her head, eye swollen shut, beaten and bleeding. Not looking at the threat in front of her, not at Ghosties dark expression locked on her, but at Prancer.  

Pale and empty. Slung over a shoulder like a sack of flour. They had fought together for so many years, watched friends fall beside them, grieved together. Prancer had been a ray of sunshine in such a tragic world and yet even the glow of their skin is snuffed, now cold and unnatural. They had always given their all to everything, but this time they had given too much. Somewhere in Bug she always knew this was the only way Prancer would have died, giving themselves in the name of the kingdom or laying their life down to save even one innocent. But it doesn’t make this fair. Its too soon. Bug had been hiding away ever since the last war, the distance between the two growing wider as she avoided Prancer. She had been a bad friend. She never even got to say goodbye.  

And now she had failed to even give them a peaceful death.  

Life was painful, it was full of darkness, of suffering. And Bug had refused to accept it, had buried everything so deep in an attempt to forget that she couldn’t move on, couldn’t live and it had cost her friend their life.  

Her vision fades in and out as the image of dead friends, one carrying the other, is enough to break the dam. She reaches an arm out, feeling the pain, finally letting her heart hurt for all she had lost as she openly cries into the sky. Thunder crashes in the air as if responding to the weeping being given up like an offering.  

Satu stands and walks away, giving no more thought to the pathetic girl bleeding into the water on the floor, wiping bloodied knuckles on the side of her waist cape.  

Ghostie stares over his shoulder at the Pixie. At Bug. At what he thinks used to be a friend. Someone still reaching out, someone mourning for him, because of him. In that moment, something almost like sorrow blossoms in Ghosties heart.  

The rain continues to pour.

Winks pulls the hood on her cloak up shielding her hair from the downpour falling sharply upon flushed cheeks as her horse gallops into the city. Halfy leads the way in front, similar hair flowing out behind her, the dark armour strapped tight to her body keeping most of the water at bay.  

Winks focuses on the sound of heavy hooves clopping against the pavement, the steady rhythm grounding her as smoke billows high into the sky and the echo's of screams are heard pilling on top of themselves. Her city. Her people. They are suffering and she can't help but feel guilty for the suffering that is commencing around her. She squeezes her eyes shut, gripping the reins tighter and tighter. Her heart thumps heavy in its delicate cage, so unaccustomed to the chaos of battles.  

Halfy on the other hand has her sights set ahead of her, brow furrowed and determination scorching fire through her veins. She had fought many a battle with her soldiers, fought and killed for these people. Today is no different. As they grow ever closer to the epicentre of the city, she steels her emotions, locking them away as they pass children crying, blood splattered on the pavement as bodies lie limp next to their tiny frame. Houses nothing but rubble.  

‘Halfy!’  

Winks calls out, eyes glassy.  

‘We cant just leave them here, we have to help our people!’  

Halfy's horse rears up, crying out as they sharply turn to avoid falling debris from a nearby roof, the charred wooden slats tumbling down to the floor. Winks yanks her reins and pulls to the left to avoid the collision of her and her cousin.  

‘We don’t have time Winks. Our people will continue to suffer if we stay here and let them burn it all. Our soldiers will take care of them.’  

Halfy calls out, yelling loudly over the heavy rumble of thunder that rolls over them both, vibrating deep in their bones. Winks’ face scrunches up, eyes widening to hold back the tears. Halfy only stares at her, not in indifference, but understanding.  

‘Okay..’  

Winks whispers, voice hoarse.  

As Halfy turns her own stallion, navigating around the rubble, Winks sees a flash of that familiar black armour run past them, green crest adorned upon the chest plate. They scoop up the lone child and run away back towards the castle, sword strapped to the hip but she doesn’t fail to notice how its stained with crimson.  

They soon continue their rush towards the gates, going deeper and deeper into fray. More soldiers scurry about, helping people up, attending to the wounded. The damage in the city centre here is unfathomable. Everything in cinders.  

Halfy comes to a stop, sliding off her horse as she waits for Winks to do the same.  

‘Its too dangerous for them, we have to continue on foot!’  

Winks nods in understanding and hands over the reins to her own horse when Halfy feels a tiny hand on her shin. She looks down to see a little girl clutching a tattered bear, half burnt with her auburn locks damp against her head. Behind her, a boy slightly older has a fierce grip on her hand, face stony and yet cracked from whatever horrors he must have witnessed. She looks up in awe, hope shining through.  

‘Your majesty! Are you here to save us?’  

She breathes, before coughing violently, lungs filled with smoke. Her brother pulls her back, scanning her frantically for an injury he can see not knowing her pain is inside.  

The sight makes Halfys heart swell, her chest expand in a deep breath as she fights to keep a lid on her emotions. She crouches down and gives the two children the best smile she can.  

‘Of course we are, we would never leave you.’  

She soothes, brushing a hand across the young girls cheek before standing up again and calling over a soldier nearby.  

‘Take our horses back to the castle, carry as many children or wounded as you can.’  

She states, voice steading and commanding.  

‘Yes, your majesty.’  

They quip with a quick nod as she pushes the reins into their palm. Halfy lifts the two onto the back of her own horse, her brother sitting behind her gripping around her waist.  

‘You are very brave,’  

She says to him, and his own eyes gloss over as a few tears fall.  

‘You’ve done a great job taking care of your sister, but you don’t have to worry anymore, we’re gonna get you somewhere safe okay?’  

The boy nods and sniffles, wiping his dirty cheeks with a sleeve as Halfy steps back, allowing the two to be pulled away towards the castle.  

Nearby, Winks has already rushed into action, pointing frantic citizens towards the castle, wiping tears from other children's soot smudged faces and pushing them into soldiers' arms. Her cloak flows out behind her, despite how dirty its becoming she still looks regal.  

‘Winks! Come on lets go.’  

Halfy calls out to her cousin, watching her face spin around to meet her. They lock eyes, both holding a shared pain at seeing their kingdom in such despair. How blind they had been to this attack. Echo's of laughter and joy haunt the rubble around them, not long ago they had paraded and danced and sung among these people. Now their songs are one of screams.  

The pair lace their fingers together and squeeze tight, a shared loss between them.  

Both cousins head onwards towards the gates.  

A story is whispered between lovers in a dark alleyway. A story from long ago about friends and war.  

Ky sits leaning against the bricks, Zoey resting opposite her as she talks about her past, as she tries desperately to explain to her lover.

Ky grew up alone.  

She knew not of her parents but that didn’t matter too much to her. She always found ways to keep herself afloat. Trading things she hunted, trinkets she found for food and travelling between kingdoms and villages alike. She taught herself everything she knew, fought for herself and her world was one of her own desires. Until she met someone walking a similar path. Both young faced and roaming alone.  

It was a dingy tavern, the smell of ale sharp in the air as she noticed a particular figure coming through.  

‘Food please.’  

The voice asked from under fluffy warm hair. White button down shirt and some torn up pants tucked hastily in thick boots.  

‘4 gold pieces.’  

The gruff voice called back, face slanted and grumpy with age.  

Ky rolled her eyes, just another lost one begging for scraps, she assumes.  

‘Give me something to eat.’  

The voice hushes, something about it making the hairs on Ky's neck stand. Without another complaint, the barkeep turns and walks out stiffly towards the kitchen.  

Now wasn’t that something. She walks over to the bar, leaning against it to greet the intriguing character.  

‘That's rather odd, I didn’t know they give out food for free.’  

She says indifferently, gauging for a reaction but the newcomer simply turns and smiles.  

‘I have a way with words,’  

They say with a wink  

‘My names Konk, and yours?’  

‘Ky.’  

They spent that evening talking about their lives. Nothing too personal, just the first pages in their books of life. Both wondering. Both without homes to go back to.  

Ky continues to brief Zoey on her darker parts, hands shaking as she bites her lip.  

‘Zoey... I... I wasn’t who I am now. I wasn’t a good person.’  

She whispers to the ground, keeping her eyes locked on the dusty floor below in shame.  

Zoeys gentle fingers lift her chin up, eyes wide and soft and full of all things sweet.  

‘I know who you are now and I love you. And I will continue to love you. I will love you with every dark piece of you.’  

The phantom reapers were a small group of stragglers. Ky and Konk had made themselves their own family to replace the gaps that they had. The pair had picked up two others, an avian just coming into their own and her plus one, a pyromaniac who tended to get in more trouble than it was worth. But they cared for each other like family. Putting their talents and belongings together to make living simpler. No longer did they go hungry alone some nights. They had a place to stay, friends to sit beside.  

As time passed, they began working against the injustice they witnessed. Children starving, black markets bastards trafficking.  

It was good. They were good.  

People weren't a strong suit for Ky though, never often staying in one place long enough to make any lasting connections. Konk was the talker, weaving something between the syllables that made people agreeable at best. And forced at worst. The closest things to friends there were the merchants she would frequent and even then, it was a thing of business.  

Erisala had changed that though. Soft colours and florals everywhere. Smiles and people with open arms.  

Zoey.  

They had met on a supply run, Ky bumping into her and fumbling upon words as she stared at probably the closest thing to a god in her eyes. They spent every day they could together, running in the fields, eating food and enjoying frequent festivities within the castle walls. Meeting Mary, the last piece in their puzzle.

They had set up camp nearby as Ghostie was a frequent trader, and a rather big score for the group as their hands were deep in magical connections.  

Eventually giving Ky her sword.  

Things weren't so good after that.  

Whatever hole she was peering over was darker than she could have foreseen and she was falling deeper and deeper headfirst.  

No longer did she sit around the fire with the reapers. No longer were missions going as smoothly, not with Ky brute forcing every situation. Satu began retreating into herself, often murmuring with Robeyo in the late hours of the night. Konk grew increasingly cold towards the world, no longer looking out for the little people, but fantasising about overthrowing lords here and there, taking a kingdom siege for the ‘greater good’.  

‘Ky.’  

Zoey murmured, snapping the avian from her thoughts.  

‘You don’t need to tell me this. Im always here to listen, but you do not owe it to me. Whatever happened in your past, however you ended up with... this,’  

She gestures to the glowing steel at her hip and the black sclera's adorned on her lover's face.  

‘I will continue to love you.’  

Ky’s chest grows tight, all the air held tight in her lungs and she can't help but to continue to feel so lucky to have met someone as wonderous as Zoey. Someone so gentle and kind giving a broken person such as herself that kindness.  

‘Come on, we’ve got to go get Mary, and you can tell me all about it when we’re safe at home.’  

Zoey offers a hand and the winged lover takes it.  

‘Okay’  

She says quietly.  

They walk quickly together out of the alley and begin running towards the gates when something snaps in Ky’s head as they round a corner, pulling herself back and pushing Zoey to the side as the shine of steel comes swinging past their faces.  

‘That was sweet! And rather interesting to hear, I didn’t know that much about the old reapers,’  

A familiar head of curly white hair peeks around the corner in jest, slipping into view and routinely twirling the scythe in her hands.  

‘You should be careful weaving such intricate story's out in the open like this, you never know who could be listening’  

She sing songs with a giggle as her face darkens and cracks into a smile.  

‘Kero at your service! And im here to stop you from getting in the way Ky. I know. Again! Am I right?’  

Zoey scowls at Kero, memories of a bleeding bird fresh in her mind.  

‘Piss off would you. I’m getting real tired of your face.’  

She hisses as Ky gawks at her bravery.  

‘Zoey!’  

She spits out, desperate to not allow herself to be put in the line of fire.  

‘I like you! Such fire!’  

Kero exclaims, arms thrown wide in a dramatic arc upwards.  

‘S’shame I have to kill you now...’  

And with that the cloaked figure launches forwards, arms coming down in a wide swing.  

Chapter Text

...

....

.......

It was dark. And fuzzy. Like every sense was being deprived of life except the soft buzzing under sickly skin. A void of eternal falling, deeper and deeper like a heavy slumber with a weight pulling down down down.  

There was nothing 

And yet 

Something 

It felt like years, an eternity of this blanketed space, existing and yet not. 

It was peaceful, if not for the rumble of a spark fighting for air under the ashes of an extinguished flame, a roaring fire now reduced to nothing. A hunger not yet satisfied, the want for more, the need to continue. 

And yet the great nothingness continued to lull it back to sleep as if it were a mother soothing a lullaby to her infant. 

And there they remained, deep in the world of peace. 

‘Hello.’  

‘What are you doing here?’  

A pondering voice vibrated, soft and soothing and utterly not of any world. Like the universe was speaking. And that is was. 

The spark stuttered, it struggled and flickered desperately against the tide of thick darkness. 

‘Curious...’  

‘I see you. And yet you don’t even see yourself’  

That spark roared, it fought with teeth and tired claws to rise up, beckoned to this calling. 

‘I see you child. Its time to open your eyes now.’  

And as if a breeze made of velvet and silk swept through, those ashes swirled giving way to that spark of desire. A breath was blowed unto it, building it into a soft glow, the spark ignited once more. 

A kind flame illuminating the space. It grew eyes and feeling and thoughts. It became from nothing.  

‘Where am I?’ 

The flame called out, new to the world like a fawn.  

The voice smiled upon it 

‘Open your eyes child, do not fear.’  

And the flame grew into itself, it forged itself anew 

With stumbling legs it found footing in the empty. 

Prancer stood in a field of gold, an endless expanse of sun kissed barley, the sky blush with pink and orange. 

‘Am I...?’ 

The knight was dressed in simple clothes of comfort, a tattered blue bear lay at their feet. With a gentle touch they picked it up, cradling it close to their body. Echos of a child's laughter swim through the expanse, as a familiar youngling raced through the tall yellow rows and vanished on the wind. 

‘I used to play here all the time’ 

Prancer breathed, a bubbling of nostalgia growing in their chest as the sight of themselves played before them and they stood in their own expanse of memories.  

As they turned, an old house stood, the wooden door the same as always. 

‘My home...’ 

Pushing towards it, stuffed toy in hand Prancer wonders in, brushing callused hands along dusty surfaces and snagging on the etches that grew higher on one of the door frames. Little markings of their youth. 

‘You are a curious one, child’  

The voice spoke, 

‘We must continue onwards.’  

Prancers brows knit together as cries began building outside, the crackling of familiar flames grew and shouting thundered. 

And as they careened out the door those golden fields were black and the sky grew darker and darker, the house behind them vanishing. War forged lands, bodies littered about and scattered amongst weaponry of the fallen. 

Prancers eyes widen, memories crashing upon them and a suit of armour rushes past to confront an attacker. The same long hair pulled back into a ponytail and slick with sweat and blood. They watched themselves fight upon this battlefield, standing in it all like a ghost. Swords clashing and slashing and taking life left and right. Prancer ran towards themselves crying out, arm stretched and 

There was nothing. Like it had blown away on the wind, stretching out and flickering.  

‘What do you want?!’ 

Prancer cried out, heart thundering as echos of their parents sound from all sides. Flashes of a past time, they began hurtling through the spaces. 

Dinner with their uncle. 

Playing with friends in the village. 

War meetings, friends falling, fighting, surviving, healing, hurting until it felt as though Prancers soul was being stretched thin across every step they took, every conversation ever had.  

‘You must see yourself’  

The space around them gnashed and clawed and screamed, demanded attention, demanded it to be relived and seen and felt. 

Prancer was powerless to watch themselves follow orders, kill those who were innocent in the name of war. Slay soldiers and fight with loved ones with a sharp tongue. 

‘You must feel.’  

Every bad thought raged and grew talons and teeth. 

‘Do not lose yourself’  

Who they were, what they had become, the kind and merciful and the gentle. The anger and the hate and the evil. 

When it became too much, when they were presented with every right and wrong they had ever done, until Prancer was curling up into a ball and blocking it out, screaming amongst the cacophony of life around them, did the world around the knight soothe. It calmed. 

Hands of milk and honey and cotton lifted the knights own fisted hands from their face. And the world was white. 

‘Hello.’ 

The voice spoke once more, and this time is was corporeal, coming from a tongue and a mouth. 

There stood 3. 

‘Its nice to meet you, Prancer, I am Ice.’ 

One of them spoke, a being of frostbite and cold, tundra's and glittering snows. A commanding presence, strong will. 

‘We were waiting for you, I am shiro’ 

Another spoke with a curling accent, a being of flowing energy, water and waves and an infinite gender graced them, as if the laws of mortals were not present. 

And the one whose glowing hands had graced the knights new form rose before them. 

A being of earth and leaves and warmth. The most human of the three, as if a mortal had mother earth under their skin. Their voice calming the blood in your body, calling to your mortality as if it were what made you. 

‘My name is Lasyor, although perhaps you’d prefer a name of your world. You may call me Katie.’ 

‘Am I... dead?’ 

Prancer spoke aloud, a finality brushing over their fickle heart. 

‘For now,’ 

Katie spoke as the one calling themselves Ice interjected,  

‘Although darker things are coming, my child. But do not be afraid, we are here to guide you.’ 

These things didn’t make sense to the knight as they battled to come to terms with the broken reality they were standing in. 

‘How can I be dead and not dead, is this... is this all there is?’ 

Shiro flowed forwards as if made of water themselves. 

‘There is more beyond this, there is peace for you waiting. But it is by the fates that this is not your time. There are forces working against you, child, that you must face before that land is yours.’ 

‘Unless... unless you choose otherwise.’ 

Katie spoke once more, her voice softening and silky. 

‘We found you lost between, you were being held back by your own fate, destiny as you may call it and brought you here. You are needed. Your friends need you.’ 

Prancers throat tightened at the thought of those they had sacrificed it all for. 

‘But since we have intervened, if you so wish it, we can guide you to the other side.’ 

They pondered over this, heart torn and so tired, a slow beat ragged with so many years of life before and yet not enough. 

‘Are my parents there?’ 

The knight asked hesitantly, voice strained with emotion. 

‘Yes. They are waiting for you child.’ 

Ice voiced, tongue so different to that of the earth being before them. Prancer felt in in their bones, as if this being was not of earthly history. 

‘Lasyor is your overseer. Earth is not my world to watch, although we are all connected. Me and Shiro have our own life to watch, but death is the same in all, so here we are together’ 

The god breathed as if they had read the mortals thoughts. 

‘Its been so long since I've graced my feet upon earth, mmm I miss ice cream’ 

Katie laughed and it was a song of sunshine. But that laughter too died out and left way to a solemn face. 

Prancer looked into mother earths eyes and mourned what they were to leave behind. 

‘This will not be easy, knight of Erisala. Worse things are to come for you Im afraid, should you choose to go back. And the next time we meet, it will be just me. And you will not have a choice. But I will be there all the same, no matter your decision.’ 

Time was stagnant here, and the two other beings were watching. Not pity or coldness, nor kindness or judgment. Just accepting, waiting to see what this human before them will decide. 

‘But you have seen yourself. You will not be afraid. You are neither good, nor evil. You are mortal. And you will be strong. You will be brave. You will save those who need it most. You are human. And there is beauty in that, never forget’ 

Katie stepped forwards; a regal hand out stretched towards them. An offer. A finality. A choice. 

With steady fingers, they grasped that hand of milk and honey and life and death. Then there was nothing.

But it was raining.

Droplets of cold searing across skin, the familiar damp touches thrumming upon a face.

And staring down at them were blazing eyes of every colour, flowing out and into the grey skies above. Madness. Pride. Excitement. Sunken skin and panting. 

Ghostie gave a cold hand, so opposing to the one that they had just grasped, Prancer stood up onto mortal land. 

With a new darkness consuming their soul. 

Chapter Text

The kingdom had centuries of peace. Being cautious to avoid attacks during war, had stayed strong during famines and kept relations with other kingdoms strong.

And yet as those years grew longer, they all grew softer. Complacent and slow.

Devastation like this was … unprecedented. Homes reduced to nothing. Blood scattered across the cobble, bodies lining the streets. A macabre painting of red so oppose to the colours usually adorning the town.

Halfy and Winks approach the gates, standing opposite to their own blood.

‘Took you long enough to get here, look what you let happen?’

Konk tuts and shakes their head disapprovingly,

‘Is this what you feared of me? Is this what you tried so desperately to prevent my dear Winks? Was the betrayal and lies really worth it? Because here we are.’

Winks steps forward as if to say something, but Halfy pushes onwards before she can speak.

‘Livy... why? Why would you do this? These people loved you. Needed you.’

Livys eyebrows stitch together and her mouth twists as tears fill her eyes.

‘Dont speak to me about love. Do NOT speak to me about needing someone. I needed you, I loved you. And you both pushed me aside like I was nothing’

Mary tries to yell something through the gag in her mouth, muffled noises escaping as she thrashes on the binds that hold her. Wink’s heart breaks at seeing her family so torn to shreds and bleeding out on the floor in front of them.

‘Please, just come back to us, we can work this out Livy. We love you and im so so sorry we hurt you. Please Livy, just let Mary go and we can fix this...’

Winks says, arms gently outstretched and slowly making her way towards the two of them.

‘We can change Livy, please. I know we havent been fair to you, I cant understand how you must feel, but I promise we will never make you feel that way again, just let us try’

Halfy pleads as she joins Winks in moving towards their hurt cousin.

Livy’s lip wobbles and her grip loosens on Mary. Those precious droplets flow down her cheeks, heart beating too fast and trying to piece itself back together as the same people whom she loved endlessly, the people who wounded her the worst tell her everything she ever wanted to hear.

‘I...’

A light laughter interrupts them, growing into a burst of noise, a wheezing pained sound.

‘I suppose those words don’t apply to me do they? Its not like im your family right? Its not like you raised me, showed me love and gave me all the same sickly sweet words only to throw me to the wolves at the first sign of breaking that pitiful family façade.’

Konk steps between the three cousins, Livy behind her.

‘You left me to rot. You left me like I was nothing. Just like you did to poor Livy here,’

Konk swings around in a grandiose display of arms, staring down at Livy with a manic smile, eyes burning bright as the rain pours down upon them.

‘You really think they mean that Livy? You really believe them after what they did to me? They told me the same things when I was younger, and look what happens when you trust those falsehoods. You suffer. I have liberated you. I have saved you.’

Livy stares up into Konks eyes as memories of playing in meadows with her as children echo. Bed time stories between the two, sneaking pastries from the castle kitchen in the late hours of the night, laughter and secrets and promises. And as they grew, they flourished together, even if Konk was away more often than not, she would always return with gifts for Livy. Little bits of her travels. She never questioned where Konk would go, what she was doing. All that mattered was that she came back to Livy. Even if it was in the dead of night, even if it was through letters, meeting in other kingdoms.

The more she reminisced the more she noticed how in those years Winks had grown colder towards Konk, the two older cousins more and more busy with work until one day Konk had vanished without a word. For how long she had felt betrayed, alone, lost without her best friend by her side.

And yet one day, at her lowest, Konk had returned for her when she had no one. Had saved her, apologised to her, told her of everything. And those memories of that night stirred a bitter hatred in Livy’s heart. How those she trusted the most had taken away what she had loved the most. And it was enough. Enough for her to turn tail and rejoice as it all burnt around her. All her loneliness and sorrow, her pain singing out with the cries and shouts and screams.

Everyone would feel the pain she did.

‘You left Konk. You hurt Konk, my best friend. You took her away from me and left me to a similar fate. You are nothing to me.’

Livy stands taller, eyes flowing with tears and rain as a hatred curls her features into an ugly sneer.

Winks pulls her arms inwards, now crying herself at the harsh words and the self hatred coursing through her very being.

‘We all made mistakes, some more than others,’

A side eye to Winks,

‘But we can fix this, we can change this. No one else has to be hurt.’

Halfy placates, standing her ground between the two as Winks shrinks back behind her cousin, holding a hand over her mouth and shoulders shaking.

‘I had no idea what happened to you Konk, I would of never allowed that to happen. We can fix this. ALL of us, just stop this madness. Innocent people are suffering, this is not the way.’

Another laugh, Konk’s head bowed low in a chuckle as she slowly turns to face her once family.

‘But you never looked for me. You never tried. Easier to believe the problem child up and left than put in the work huh?’

Halfy takes a step back, shock evident on her face as her brows pinch in discomfort.

‘It..It wasn’t like that! I just thought you were busy living your life! I didn’t think you wanted to be here!’

‘And yet you turned a blind eye to that which was under your nose. The threat of the phantom reapers far enough away to be nothing but an after thought to you. For an army commander, you sure didn’t realise a chunk of your soldiers lying to your face. Who disappeared to capture me. Im sure Winks went right behind your back with that one too hm?’

Winks doesn’t meet Halfy’s gaze, curling inwards on herself and trying desperately to be anywhere but here.

Halfys heart cracks further. To what extent did the lies go? How could she of been so careless to not see plans being made under her nose.

‘I failed you. I failed all of us,’

You were supposed to be strong,

‘I cant change what happened,

You were supposed to keep everyone safe.

‘But I can change what happens now,’

You. Failed. Everyone.

‘Please, let me change us now.’

Konk stares into her eyes as the rain continues to pour. Livy sniffles, and Mary goes still, eyes sharp yet pleading, flitting around for something, anything to help her escape.

Halfy keeps her chin raised but slowly opens a hand, reaching out for any remaining thread that they had all so carelessly cut.

‘Come home.’

Seconds pass. A minute.

‘This is not my home.’

And Konk scowls, turning around and taking steps towards Livy and Mary, drawing a sword hidden under her waist cloak.

Halfy’s resolve breaks, pushing the hurt down down down into the depths of her will despite how tight her throat closes.

‘Please don’t make me fight you.’

She croaks out, her own sword finding its way into her hands.

From where she stands, she sees Konks shoulders twitch, rising and falling with her head low as a chuckle passes her lips.

‘Me? Fight you? No no no,’

Konk looks over her shoulder, equally dismissive and intimidating as a crazed smile itches its way across her face.

‘Im not gonna fight you dear cousin, they will do that for me.’

And a stone drops so heavily into Halfy’s stomach as she follows Konks line of vision to behind her, turning so slowly and seeing none other than her right hand soldier standing, sword drawn.

Armour still gleaming with the rain, but spattered with blood. Hair messy and flat with water, dirt and gore on their skin and a scowl knitted into their brows. Eyes blacked out, rings of purple replacing their iris’s.

‘P..Prancer... what did they do to you?’

Halfy wobbles, feeling sick as she takes in the hand poorly stitched back onto their body yet seemingly firm, now greyish pink with the lack of blood flowing to it.

Ghostie flits into view on the right of them, dancing in the rain with a maddened gaze, drinking in the carnage. Satu gracefully strolls into view on the left. The two staying behind but within sight, such a juxtaposition with the stone cold gaze the angel of death presents to the childlike glee radiating off of the mad man.

As Ghostie stops spinning and his gaze focuses on the situation, he giggles and flings an arm out in Halfy's direction, pointing with an evil smile.

‘Prancer, kill them.’

And as if a switch was flipped, the knights puppet strings are pulled and their eyes glow as they throw themselves forward with such speed it takes all of Halfy to block the blow coming at her face.

The two struggle before pushing off eachother, going head to head, Halfy on the defence.

‘Prancer! Please! I refuse to fight you!’

But it was futile as the soldier continued the onslaught, the two clashing and dancing together. After being so close on the battlefield, after training together for years they were evenly matched, each knowing the others patterns.

‘Prancer! Its me! Please you have to be in there somewhere!’

Halfy shouts, drawing the fight away from Winks who is pulling away to avoid being hit and a hindrance. The commander parlays a blow and sweeps low with her sword, knowing that prancer’s fight style is slower than hers and is able to push them back as they jump to avoid the blow. But as Halfy is aware of how her soldier fights, the same is likewise.

Prancer calculates their timing, hitting where it hurts with heavy attacks knowing Halfy has to blow a lot of stamina to remain her speed.

A slice catches her cheek and she blocks but the weight of Prancers sword is too much and her stance drops with her sword downwards, the soldier kicking into her chest plate sending her flying with a woosh of air from her lungs.

‘Well, ill be off now. This was fun. I look forward to seeing you again soon.’

Konk waves behind her shoulder and ushers Livy off out the gates, dragging a frantic Mary behind her.

Winks snaps to attention and begins running towards them.

‘Konk! Please stop, I wont let you leave!’

And as she runs, Satu begins to move towards her.

‘I cant let you do that your highness.’

A tone of disgust placed into those words.

But as she begins to reach towards the leader, an arrow flies between them, forcing Satu to pull back with a flare of her wings to balance the weight of her body.

And from across the plaza, Bug limps out, arrow already loaded once more into her bow. She winces, holding herself up despite her injuries.

‘GO!’

She shouts, voice straining, as she motions to Winks who nods and chases after the shattered remains of her family.

Chapter Text

Kero had always been afraid of the dark. Being born into it, you’d think it would be a familiar. But instead, it reminded her of all the things she was afraid of, reminded her of everything she never had. If she was good, maybe they would light a candle for her tonight. But for now, her small body curls up onto the tatty mattress in the corner of a cold and damp cell, alone and in the shadows.

It was as if time had slowed, Ky seeing loose strands of purple hair float to the ground as she pulls back to avoid her head being sliced clean off. Her wings flare out behind her, regaining balance with the dramatic shift in her body's gravity. No longer with hesitation, she pulls her sword from its sheath, the warm hum of the metal melting into her hand and travelling up her arm and into her body. With precise speed, she pushes forward, going on the attack to put some space between the fight and Zoey, whose ears are pinned back flat against her head.

Kero giggles as she weaves in between the attacks thrown her way, laughing as they go head-to-head. With every arc of kero’s scythe that Ky dodges, she feels that adrenaline spike higher and higher, her power building between her ribs like a cough stuck in her throat. She wills her mind to relax, to allow it in and work together with the magic, rather than constricting it tight with anxieties.  

‘You’re becoming a real pain in my ass you know?’  

Kyan grits out as she uses her sword like a shield when a particularly heavy swing comes her way,  

‘What the hell do you want from me?!’  

She shouts, using her strength to push Kero’s blade off her own and aggressively strike upwards, barely missing the reapers shoulder.  

‘What do I want ?’  

Kero laughs out maniacally,  

‘ I want to watch the world burn’  

White curls bounce as her dark cloak ripples with the wind and movement. Kero begins jumping backwards, going on the defence and moving into more open space.  

‘I want to be a part of this beautiful destruction! Stand in the middle of chaos and feel alive’  

Dust kicks up around her where her frail body falls roughly against the floor. Small arms shake as they lift herself off the dirty floor, going to cup the welt on her cheek that was already forming from the blow just received.  

‘Useless thing. Pathetic. Cursed, vile creature’  

As the cell doors roll shut once more, Kero lays back down and stares at the concrete ceiling, shuddering at the darkness that stares back. She curls up into herself, squeezing her eyes shut trying to get those words out of her brain.  

She didn’t know where those feelings came from. The anger that rose and made her see red, the hatred and desire to hurt . Her body reacting to survive as she snuck the knife from the kitchen she was being walked through. She didn’t remember plunging it into the shoulder of one of her captors, but even as the blood burst out onto her hands, that sweet intoxicating feeling of power ripples through her.  

She wanted to hurt them. She wanted them dead.  

And she laughs. Quiet giggles echoing from a child in the shadows, dreaming of all the ways she would watch them suffer by her hands.  

Ky can feel it rising, feel her soul melding back into the familiar with every swing, every drop of blood that falls from minor cuts as they fight. The two of them share blows, each receiving minor wounds as they battle for a leg up. She uses the open space to her advantage, springing into the air with a strong beat of her wings, circling up and coming down to intercept a swing from the long curved blade the reaper brandishes.  

Yes, Yes!  

The voices chant, purring with greed as they soak into her mind, giving her an edge against her opponent.  

Kyan circles, flying with incredible speed as magic courses through her very being. She tucks her wings in, spinning in the air towards the ground and swooping behind Kero who is just too late to turn. She tries to pull the staff of her blade in front of her to shield her body, but Ky’s sword slips above as she springs her wings free again, keeping her off the ground.  

The squelch of flesh and bone is heard as the glowing blade buries itself in the reapers shoulder. Scarlet sprays out upon the blade as its yanked out, splashing onto the avian's face. Kero’s eyes narrow, yelling aloud in pain and frustration. She throws her weapon wide, pushing the avian back into the air, making a beeline towards a cluster of charred houses, aiming for the tighter alleyways.  

Her sword shrieks in glee with the hot liquid dripping off the edges.  

YES  

BLOOD  

MAKE HER PAY  

The avian hovers in the sky, her eyes blazing brighter as her heart becomes engulfed with power, the frost beginning to build over it once more.  

Kero ducks through the destruction on the ground, flinging herself around narrow corners as Ky chases in the sky above trying to keep track of her in the confines of the space.  

Tattered market stalls line a few streets and burnt cloths try to flow desperately in the wind despite the rain pulling them down.  

A glimpse of white hair here, the flow of a dark cloak slipping around another corner, Ky flies lower to keep up with her enemy, until she plants her feet on the ground, looking frantically for where Kero had slipped away.  

Giggles echo against the walls, haunting, taunting as the faint sound of fires crackle and the rain slams onto the cobble floors.  

BEHIND YOU  

A single chorus of urgency hits her mind like a brick wall as she spins frantically to see red eyes glowing from behind a cart on its side from one end of the alley. And they are coming towards her.  

No.  

A slash of red light, twisting and vibrating as it barrels forwards through the air at her head, barely throwing herself to the side and seeing it fly past into a wall, exploding into the concrete in an enormous slash, bricks crumbling to the ground.  

‘You aren't the only one endowed with power, Kyaniide’  

Kero calls out, vaulting over the cart and swinging her blade in a wide arc several more times as more bursts of red come chasing after the avian. Ky narrowly avoids the first two, leaping into the air slightly, attempting to lift out and away. But the walls are too thin and her wings won't spread enough as the last attack tears into her side as she tried to turn. 

It singes her shirt and leaves a burning cut from the bottom of her ribs to her lower back.  

She crashes into one of the roof slates with a cry, wings shuddering and trying to keep her upright.  

Kero’s cackling, a high pitched laugh howls in her ears, as she assesses the damage. Blood sluggishly oozes out of the wound, although its not too deep.  

Its our turn now  

You cant do this without us  

Let us take over  

Despite the hatred at the thought, she knew they were right. It would only be a matter of time before she gets caught up in a deadlier blast, and with her surroundings working against her, she was at a disadvantage. Her own reaction time too slow with misuse and anxieties clouding her fighting style. Ky turns and soars through the lanes, weaving through blasts as Kero gives chase. She lifts up and up, fighting against the rain making her feathers heavy and takes a deep breath.  

For Zoey  

To keep them safe  

To save Mary  

Kyan closes her eyes and exhales, the mental hand gripping loosely at the leash on her power slipping, and letting go.  

Her body buzzes and becomes warm, her mind dark and unseeing.  

She can feel her wings slowly tucking in, in tandem fall for seconds, spinning slowly in the air, letting herself dive headfirst towards the ground.  

You’re free  

She whispers in her mind as her arms fall open and magic engulfs her entire core.  

Plummeting to the ground, her eyes snap wide and seeing once more, purple whisps blazing bright from them as her irises are ringed in gold.  

Her wings flash out, catching her as she swoops down back into the thin streets, ducking under arches and around fallen debris from the houses around. Her sword spins in her hand as she ducks and dives and flies through the streets. Her heart pounds in her chest, trying to break free from its cage of bone.  

Kero looks up, sending several red projectiles towards the new threat, grimacing as she watches the avian speed around them and come barrelling forwards. She braces herself, scythe positioned defensively across her body as Ky’s sword comes hammering down, sending sparks flying as metal clashes with metal. They stand there, pushing against each other as the reaper investigates the avian's face. Eyebrows knotted downwards yet her mouth remains placid, now void of emotion.  

They pull apart, engaging in combat once more. They spin and clash and fight with brutal speed. Kyan slices faster, her arms moving at an inhuman pace as injuries begin littering Kero's body to her horror. She pushes the reaper further and further out of the streets, towards open space.  

Kero’s hood gets caught as she pulls her head away from a deadly blow and it floats to the floor, bush of curls now open to the world. She keeps falling backwards, frustration and panic settling into her bones. She keeps swinging, blocking, dodging, unable to keep up with the pace of Ky’s new unleash of power.  

She sends a torrent of blasts through the alleyway before turning and using the time to rush out into another open square putting distance between the two. Kero growls low, wound tight like a spring expecting the avian to blast out at any second.

But steady footsteps clip against the floor as Ky saunters out slow from the thin street towards her, face darkened with a shadow as she flicks blood from the thrumming blade.  

The reaper can feel her heart picking up, watching her opponent walk towards her, that damning purple stream flowing from her eyes.  

No. She refuses to be beat. She will not be helpless again.

Screams echo the dimly lit dungeon halls she grew up in. Blood stains the walls as she stands over the remains of those who had caged her. All those years of suffering, letting the hatred build and build. Kero rejoices in the pleads and cries as the man crawls across the floor away from her looming figure. She makes his death slow, crazed smile growing with every twist of the knife, every drop of blood that lands upon her skin. She would no longer be helpless. Nor weak. She would take a world that didn't care for her and make it her own scarlet playground. Scooping the black cloak from his unmoving body, she steps over him towards her freedom.

Kero’s hands shake, anger raging in her heart as she pants, blood leaking from her shoulder and the cuts maiming her body.  

‘You think you’re better than me?! Is that what this is?!’  

She shouts, fury twisting her features as giggles hiccup in her throat until it’s sound of insanity.  

‘I will not have my freedom taken from me. I will do as I please and nobody will stand in my way.’  

Kyan stops about 50 feet from the reaper, the two staring each other down from across the ruined square. The avian shift her stance, standing on her side as her blank face watches, twirling her sword once, twice in her hand before tilting her head up, egging the reaper on.  

Keros teeth clack in rage, at the easy posture of her enemy, the mocking .  

Her hand draws across the blade, blood smearing the metal before a red aura engulfs her. Taking her two hands and gripping the scythe, she slams it into the ground with a roar that tears at her vocal chords , the concreate cracking and rumbling beneath it.  

The pavement shatters around her, snaking towards Ky who squints and crouches low, ready for the blow.  

Enormous red glowing spikes begin jutting from the ground towards her, rubble flying upwards. The avian weaves between them, ducking low and jumping high to avoid being impaled and leaping from the ground, using the sky to effectively move around the new threat.  

She tucks her wings in close, plummeting to an awaiting Kero as they bounce off each other. Ky skims past the red slashes the reaper sends flying through the air, ducking low and pulling to the side to avoid the spikes chasing her. Kero pants heavy, sweat and rain and blood tricking down her face as she fights with her very soul.  

Everything she endured; she would not let this be the end. She had only just gotten started...this cant be it.  

But Kyan does not relent. Still coming at her with speed and strength, not slowing down. Her eyes glow brighter and brighter with every step, every swing, face remaining that hollow void of death.  

Kero feels fear prickle down her spine. This was not whom she had fought all those weeks ago. Ky was nothing but a pathetic welp, unable to last 5 minutes against her.  

But this was not Kyaniide.  

This was a phantom reaper unleashed.  

‘NO! YOU WILL NOT STOP ME’  

Kero cries out in desperation, slamming her scythe down against the sword coming at her, sending a burst of red back to gain space, growling and using her free hand to drag upwards sending more spikes jutting out in front of her building a defensive shield.

‘I WILL NOT GO BACK TO THE DARK’  

But even so, her breath quickens, and her stomach drops as she watches Ky weave in between them as they rise, twisting her body to fit into the space Kero had made around her. As she flies down, eyes baring into Kero’s own, she never breaks the damning gaze. Even when a spike juts upwards and pierces into her arm. The avian barely notices, fingers twitching as they reach up to grip it, tensing and crushing. Kero watches the fragments shatter like glass as horror washes over her body like a poisonous wave.  

And its all she can do to stare as that sword comes flying towards her. And she feels it before she sees. A coldness in her lower chest as she looks down at the steel buried inside her, following it up to the hilt, to the blood flowing from a hole stitching together and up into an unfeeling face. She coughs and feels wetness spill over her lips and dribble down her chin

Those eyes.  

There's nothing behind them but death.  

And the slick sound as its tugged from her body, she wobbles, falling to her knees.  

Her weapon clatters to the floor, seeing as all the red carnage around them starts to splinter, pieces falling to the floor before they all shatter in a beautiful cloud of crimson.  

Ky stands above her, looking down upon her as if she was nothing but an obstacle. That sword rises.  

‘KY!!!’  

Another voice echos across the space. Hooves racing towards them, turning into footsteps the closer they come.  

‘Its over okay? That’s enough...’  

The worried voice of Zoey cracks as she steps tentatively towards her lover.  

Kyan does not break Kero’s gaze, staring down with the sword poised to strike. The muscles flex in her arms, as if her own body is battling itself.  

Zoey takes a step between the two, arms raised and staring firm into the avian's.  

‘You’ve done enough, let the soldiers take care of her now... just put your sword down, please’  

She reaches an arm out, fingers brushing against those gripping the weapon. The avian’s head just cocks to the side, a curious gesture before cold purple and gold eyes snap to Zoey’s soft brown ones.  

Her jaw twitches and tenses, eyebrows knitting as she blinks, and blinks again.  

‘I...cant’  

Ky’s voice croaks, throat squeezed tight as her body shudders, grappling for control.  

That’s enough now  

Kyan speaks to them, staying firm.  

It is not over little warrior.  

You must finish this.   

Do not be weak  

Weak pathetic little warrior  

She stares into Zoey’s pained expression, fighting to slow her breathing. She takes a deep inhale and lets her lungs expand before blowing it out, willing the magic to roll away like a wave.  

‘No, this is strength.’  

She mutters to herself as her shoulders droop and adrenaline begins to slow, ignoring the pain behind her eyes as the voices roar with displeasure. With shaking fingers and tight arms, her sword slides back into its sheath, all remnants of that glow dissipating with it.  

Zoey cups her face and releases a breath she didn’t even know she was holding before pulling her lover into a tight embrace.  

‘Stars, I was so worried you asshole, I got caught up and then you were gone, I was running everywhere trying to find you.’  

Ky winces at the tightness of the hug, stiff and sore and feeling the injuries. Despite the magic helping to heal anything major, she was still scuffed to all hell.  

‘M’sorry,’  

The avian mumbles into the mule's shoulder before pulling away, suddenly very aware of the fact a threat was still present. But as she pushes Zoey by the shoulders to see behind her, the little reaper was gone.  

Only a faint trail of blood leading into the maze of houses remains.  

Chapter Text

The sounds of an old song echos through the dark halls, scratchy and dust covered, as if a record player was somewhere nearby. The figure in the corner hums along, the noise silky and soft despite her throat dry with dehydration. She sways along to the tune, taking step after step, a practised dance that was made for an elegant ballroom - a memory from childhood engrained into each swift movement. The song grows louder and it engulfs Konk as she glides around the floor to a tune only she can hear.

The sun streams through gracefully crafted glass windows and lands gentle and warm upon knotted hair. The floor polished and gleaming, mirroring her reflection. Dressed in the finest suit of burgundy adorned with gold stitching, an outfit she was always proud to wear at such fine events.

‘Shes at it again, for stars sake.’

A gruff voice mumbles from what feels like far away. Two pairs of heavy footsteps grow closer, and the smile on Konks face grows into something sinister and sweet as she keeps her eyes shut going through the motions of her dance. A heavy banging comes from behind her, the bars rattling from the fist pounding on them. Dust begins to flutter through the already stuffy air as she sees it through those precious rays of gold coming through the ballroom windows.

‘Thats enough now prisoner, sit down.’

That annoying, grating, loathsome voice pierces through her wonderful symphony and her feet come to a slow stop. A second passes. Then two. ‘Im just enjoying the music, aren't you?’ She muses, before her steps pick up one more, towards those filthy bars desecrating her dance floor. ‘Don't you like it?’ Konk steps closer, hands gliding around the air in time to her movements before stopping short in front of the two guards, bowing low as she finishes her royal waltz.

‘Come closer’

She whispers with a giggle to the thinner young man, who swallows hard and has nervous eyebrows pinched. His face relaxes as he steps up to the bars, hand reaching between them.

‘Wait, stop!!!’

And as that beautiful music crescendos, time slows. Konk begins her waltz once more, fingers gripping that arm, nails digging in hard enough to pierce flesh as she yanks and the guards head slams into the rusty metal. She leans down and bites hard into soft flesh, tearing and drinking. That gorgeous tang of iron flooding into her nose as crimson drips from her mouth. And she continues to pull back and forth, smashing the man over and over into a wall of steel. That wonderful ballroom floor is painted in red and the sun dips low in the sky, that music coming to its end, an exquisite finish to such an evening.

So slow, time passes, as the second guard bellows down the hall for others and yanks open the cell door, launching at Konk and landing a heavy blow to her face. And another. Until that tasteful red is splattering all over that floor. She gasps and releases the man from her mouth, arms going wide and face tense with insane laughter, red dripping from her mouth and nose. It slips down into her eye from the split eyebrow she now sports, those delicious musical notes reaching its final stretch, and those harsh hands relentlessly hammering down upon her.

A beautiful dance indeed.

And now the sun fades, those stain glassed windows shrinking back to dark concrete, the floor becoming hard and covered in filth once more. And there she lays amongst the gore, staring at a disappointing sky of grey, holding onto those notes in her head, letting it hold her together before curling up once more, cold and alone.

The water splashes upon her sickly pale skin. Its cold and the air stings. Those screams a new symphony to drink in. The sky dark and rumbling, groaning and alive.

And she's alive.

So alive.

Breathe in that cold air, inhale the smoke and rain and life around her. What a wonderful day to be alive. Even the grief-stricken faces of who she once called family bubbles such a dark glee in her chest, Konk can't help but to laugh and suck it all in. Echos of metal on metal as Halfy fights that pathetic shell of her friend, Winks crying and running after her. Livy’s rage so evident on her gentle features.

It's all just so funny.

Konk almost doesn’t believe it, like one moment she will wake up and it will all be another dream. But that cold water upon her skin is real, she is real and this is real. And it's all for her.

‘Please Konk, please stop, talk to me!!’

Winks drabbles on, a thorn in her side always. A shadowed face from her past she can't wait to squash out into nothing.

‘What do you want to say Winks dear? Here to plead and cry some more? What's changed since you threw me into that pit and now?’

Winks stutters, now clasping her hands close to her chest.

‘I’ll tell you what's changed. You got caught. And you are facing the consequences. That is the only thing that has changed.’

Konk seethes out, eyes narrowed and glaring into blue ones.

From behind them, the chaos continues to unfold. Bug struggling against Satu who is weaving between arrows, Prancer lost to it all and pounding down upon Halfy who is slipping onto the losing side.

‘Don't you like it?’

Konk hums, face smoothing out once more,

‘Is it not freeing to see it all come crumbling down?’

Mary continues to struggle against Livy’s restraints but to no avail, her cousin having a steel grip despite the shake in her hands.

‘I hope you enjoy it whilst you can, it’s the last time you’ll be seeing it my dearest Winks.’ She chuckles.

‘What? Are you going to kill me then Konk?’

Wink’s says, soft but steady.

Another echoing laugh from the estranged family opposite her.

‘Kill you? Don’t be silly! If I wanted you dead I would have done it the moment I set foot into your castle,’

‘No no, I'm not going to kill you, I’m going to put you in that hole, just like you did to me. And then I will take this place and reform it. It will definitely be an improvement from its current standing.’

Wink’s face pales and her lips set into a thin line.

‘After all this do you really think you will succeed? There is a handful of you against a whole kingdom Konk’

Konk seems to consider this for a moment, albeit mockingly.

‘Hmm, yes, you’re right. A whole kingdom that will have utterly no faith in anyone in power. Do you really think they will continue to follow you after you let wanted criminals infiltrate your kingdom not once, but twice and let highly dangerous prisoners escape, bringing this whole place to its knees? Those in charge are clearly not fit to rule, do you not think?’

A pitying sigh comes from her mouth, as does a sickly-sweet smile.

A cry rings out and Wink’s whips around to see Halfy on the floor, sword scattered to the side.

‘Prancer, please! It’s me idiot, snap out of it!’

Halfy yells out, rolling to dodge the enormous blade coming down towards her head.

A flicker in those cold purple eyes, but nothing more.

‘HALFY!’

Winks screams, unable to prevent the gash cut into her leg as she is too slow to move.

The army commander drags herself against a boulder of debris, looking up pleading and defenceless. Ghostie giggles and swings their legs, looking to Konk for a moment who nods once.

‘NOOOO!’

Winks cries out, noticing the glance between the two as Prancer raises their sword high above their head.

‘Thats enough now Prancer’

Ghostie hums and the soldiers arms stiffen, eyes widening back at Halfy on the ground. A bead of sweat drips down their forehead, mixing with the rain before going lax at their side and stepping towards the blacksmith. Behind them, Bug lays on the floor, beaten and bloody, Satu’s foot on her chest, too worn out from their previous battle to put up much of a fight against the angel of death before her.

‘Hmm, just a few more...’

Konk thinks out loud, seemingly keeping her dogs at bay from finishing those on the ground. Satu takes one last look upon the broken pixie on the floor before raising a boot and slamming it down upon her head.

‘Lights out for you little fairy.’

Bug is still. Blood leaking slowly from her wounds and mixing into the puddles on the floor, lost in the oblivion of unconsciousness. Satu takes this and walks over to Konks side, as does Ghostie and Prancer. Winks takes a few steps slowly backwards before running over to her cousin, fussing with trembling hands at the gouge on her leg.

Like clockwork, Sketch, Fly and Storm round the corner, equally bruised and panting, nasty burns snaking up their bodies, bearing witness to the two royals cowering and a Bug face down in the dirt. Satu’s jaw tightens and she goes to step forward but Konk puts a hand out to stop her, her own eyes squinting.

‘Konk...Robeyo.’

Satu hisses, her own heart beginning to pick up its pace.

‘We’ll find him Satu, now is not the time.’

‘Like hell its not the time, what if-’

She cuts herself off.

A beat of wings and the sound of hooves comes thundering from around the opposite corner the three came bursting from.

‘Just on time!’

Konk claps her hands together as Zoey speeds round the corner and her eyes sweep the square, setting on Mary. Ky lands a few feet before Konk, giving a generous bow and flipping her off.

‘Trouble in paradise?’

Ky exclaims, cocking her head to the side and glancing between Satu and Konk. The sight on Bug on the ground sets a fire in her heart that grows ever fiercer when seeing Halfy battered on the floor. After all these years she had grown to have a level of respect for the commander. Fly Sketch and Storm were alive too. Seems they delt with their problem then. Her gaze shifts to Mary who's tears drip heavier at the sight of her two lovers before shifting back to Satu.

‘Are you looking for Robeyo by any chance Satu? Bad news, you should really be looking for a casket instead.’

Ky chuckles, putting every ounce of spite into it.

Satu’s face goes slack, a coldness rushing over her. Numb. So numb. That cold heart that only his flames seemed to be able to thaw. It ices over.

‘Now now, no need to be so horrid old friend, the nonchalant look never worked for you. We were once a family weren't we? No need to be cruel.’

Konk muses, strolling towards the avian who goes to grip her sword.

‘Where's our new little member Ky? Tell me you didn’t cut her down too? You never did have any control with that little toy of yours’

She motions to the weapon strapped at her hip. Kyan’s lip twitches in disgust at the words and even more so at the shameful memories.

‘She ran off somewhere, probably to go die like a wounded animal.’

She spits. That cold rage turning her words into poison. Mary’s eyebrows stich together with concern at the heartless words spewed from her lovers mouth.

‘Hm... well hopefully we can fetch her before its too late. We don’t want one of our comrades dying on us now do we?’

Konk quips, amused at how easy it is to rile up her old partner.

‘We have not been comrades for a long time now Konk. And I never will be again. Now let Mary go.’

The avian hisses, stepping forward to meet her in the middle.

‘Let her go? Oh, okay!’

Konk giggles, something malicious in her eyes as she turns to Livy who is lost to whatever Konk is planning.

‘You heard her, you can let go now Livy, undo the restraints.’

She nods, waving her arms in confirmation. Livy blinks a few times, trying to read her face but all she gets is a look of expectancy. Fumbling with her fingers, she pulls off the bindings and Mary gasps for a breath of air as the gag is taken from her mouth and she runs towards Kyan who scoops her up and cradles her close. Zoey watches carefully, something wrong wrong wrong stirring in her gut. She goes to step towards her two lovers when in the blink of an eye a feather of steel is hovering between her eyes and Satu’s gaze is fixed upon her.

‘Ah ah, wait your turn little horse.’

Konk's smile is all teeth and oozing with sinister intent.

‘Oh my dearest friend,’

Kyan looks up, arms wrapped around Mary who is curled up against her chest, putting every bit of hatred into her stare.

‘You never really left us, did you?’

Zoey’s ears pin back as something prickles in the air, a wave of nausea washing over her like a crashing wave.

‘KY, WAIT-’

Konk’s eyes flutter shut and she breathes in, chest glowing.

‘⊑⟒⏃⍀ ⋔⊬ ⌇⍜⋏☌ ⏚⍀⟒⏃⏁⊑⟒ ⋔⊬ ⏃⟟⍀ ⏃⋏⎅ ⏚⟒ ⋔⊬ ⋔⟟⋏⎅ ⟟ ⏃⋔ ⊬⍜⎍ ⏃⋏⎅ ⊬⍜⎍ ⍙⟟⌰⌰ ⍜⏚⟒⊬’

Chapter Text

It was as if an invisible bomb had gone off.

A burst of red and gold light expands out from where Konk is uttering words from another world entirely. It comes with an enormous gust of air, blowing up dust and rubble and making the ground shake underneath her audience. Winks throws herself over her injured cousin – Sketch, Fly and Storm grip onto the remains of the houses and block their faces from the debris being sent flying. Ky curls herself up on the ground, shielding Mary with her own body as Zoey fights to stay standing, arm still outstretched in a warning cry. The reapers, old and new, stand in front of Livy, both squinting and stance shifting to hold their footing as the blast booms out in a circle.

The dust settles.

And those fighting slowly open their eyes once more.

Bug’s body lays rolled across the floor, unable to defend against the blast. Her chest rising and falling dangerously slow, each raspy bubbling breath another tick on the inevitable clock. Zoey blinks the dust from her eyes and takes a few frantic steps towards her pair of lovers curled up on the floor before cutting herself short as a guttural cry rings out like funeral bells.

Mary is pushed back, landing with a thud on her back and sitting up on her hands. Pain and panic twists her features as she stares at the avian curling inwards on herself. Ky clutches her head desperately, clawing at her hair and screaming upwards to the unforgiving rain and thunder that responds to her with rumbles, a hungry beast prowling.

Something is tearing at her very being, twisting a knife into her soul and ripping it to shreds with talons and teeth and the rage of a feral animal trying to escape. It feels like her veins are filled with lit gasoline, her mind breaking into a million tiny shards. Her sword burns hot at her hip, scalding and glowing and screaming. An overwhelming aura of purple encases the avian, gold and red bleeding into her as Konk stands watching with maddening excitement.

Hello, old friend

The voices in Ky’s head scream at this presence, directed at her and yet not her entirely. At someone else.

Konk’s voice seeps into her core, a burning poison spreading throughout her body and the chanting of her magic grows and grows, clawing at her to escape. It burns, its hot and untameable and with desperate trembling hands Ky unclips the hilt of her sword from her belt and throws it across the floor, desperate to be free of that cruel heat burning itself into her side. It hits the floor with a clatter, and for a moment there is a cold wash of relief swimming across her.

But like a wave going out to sea, its bound to crash back again. Those few precious seconds are not worth the tidal wave of screaming that comes after.

It was as if a part of her soul is tearing in two, as if someone had ripped off one of her limbs and every instinct is fighting to run towards it and run away from it alike.

‘We are so alike, you and I,’

Konk hums, taking easy steps towards the pair on the ground and scooping up the weapon with ease. She breathes in deeply, running a hand along the sheath and sighing. The other hand goes to wipe the small trickle of blood escaping from the corner of her mouth, smearing it on her cheek and licking her lips.

‘You know, I was always intrigued on why we met. Was it fate? Do you believe in such things?’

Ky looks up desperately, eyes blurring with tears from the pain and need. Reaching out with a pathetic arm at her old partner who only looks down upon her with a satisfied grin.

‘It took me a while to realise it though, why we were drawn together. Call it whatever you want, but we were destined to work together. That very magic harboured in your soul is cut from the same cloth as me,’

Konk pulls the blade from its sheath, the raging purple glow blending with red and gold as she admires it in her hands.

‘Although I'd hardly call it magic. More like a beautiful curse. Ive been very busy whilst you’ve been living your little life don’t you know? Ive been doing lots of research for this very moment’

Zoey’s ears pin back tighter, yearning to comfort her lovers but feeling as if her feet were glued to the floor. A glance across the square proves that the other trio were in the same predicament. So that blast wasn’t just affecting Ky, but all of them to a degree.

‘I was told I was a cursed child, although I always saw it as more of an insult, rather than coming to the realisation that it was quite literal. Magic that stems from neither a spell or genetics. It was a manifestation of its own. Little Winks over there was terrified of me, of what I was capable of.’

The pixie in question shudders, horror and grief written across her face so clearly like a page in a book.

‘How fitting that the same curse that was born into my blood is now shared within yours my dear friend. Were you born with it too? Why would only you be able to hold the iron that was waiting for me? I don’t quite understand it yet, but we can discover that together, cant we?’

Konk pushes Mary out of the way like a kicked puppy and crouches down, putting the tip of the sword under the avians chin.

‘Go to hell.’

She spits, fury making her words shake, wincing from the unearthly pain wracking her body. The reaper leader laughs softly before leaning in close, head tilting and a gentle serpent smile blooming.

‘I’ll save a seat for you there, old friend.’

She stands up, a woosh of the blue waist cape along with the motion.

‘But before we have our lovely group reunion, you have debts to pay little bird. For your lack of loyalty and betrayal. We cant have that in my new kingdom now can we?’

She says with fire in her voice. In a easy motion, she spins the blade, the handle inches from Ky’s face.

Pick it up, little bird.

And like a bolt of lightning, it stirs inside her like an awful whirlpool. Those voices chant and cheer and purr at Konk’s voice.

One of us

Made from the same blood

Home

Home

Pick it up

The wash of nausea is enough to almost send her retching as an unwilling hand shakily reaches out to grip the sword. Her freewill is swept away and locked behind a wall of glass, pounding and screaming in her mind but her body moves along with the command. She screams and claws and bangs on that impenetrable pane holding her captive in her mind.

But her legs are moving.

And she's standing, armed and not in control.

Ky’s fragile heart begins splintering, realisation becoming a damnation. Zoey’s screams and pleads are but a faint echo in the background, the rain loud in her ears in tandem with a frantic beating heart. Satu’s face stony and full of hatred as she looks onwards, and Livy pushes past them with urgency.

‘Konk, what are you doing? This was not part of the plan!’

She cries, her own heart thundering as panic begins to chill her core. The weight of what she had gotten herself into beginning to crush down on her unknowing shoulders. Winks calls out to her, Halfy grunting but joining in as the cousin stands paralysed by indecision. The reaper glares daggers in their direction.

‘Shut it.’

She scolds, coughing a little as another dribble of crimson leaks from between her lips. The pair of cousins close their mouths with such rigor the echo of their teeth chattering is heard. Konk turns her head and brushes over to Livy. Step after step before circling the woman like a predator would its food.

‘Come now Livy, do not be afraid of this freedom at your fingertips, everything you’ve ever wanted is within reach. You can't get cold feet now? You chose this remember? Do you really think they would take you back after what you’ve done? I am the only family you have left.’

The words seem to sink into Livy like a binding as her eyes fill with tears and she curls in on herself, shaking like a leaf. Zoey is yelling like a mad woman from across the square, fighting with every ounce of her body, swinging her arms but her feet do not move.

‘KY! KYAN PLEASE! MARY MOVE PLEASE MOVE!’

She cries, every curse under the sun streaming from her lips with venom towards the unfazed reaper leader.

‘What a feisty one you’ve found, I’ll almost be disappointed when you’re gone.’

She chuckles before turning her attention back to Ky who’s face is twisted in sorrow, tears streaming down her face and body shaking so hard the weapon rattles in her hand.

‘Now my dearest friend. Let you repent for your wrongs. I can't have my loyal little knight distracted by such pathetic emotions. Your loyalties will lie with me, and me only from now on. There is no room for question.’

She sings, voice breathy and rasping, more blood leaking from between lips that are wide in a sickeningly insane smile.

‘Kill her.’

Ky’s teeth grit together so tight they squeak, eyes wide and glowing brighter. Her vision blurs more and more as the tears pour out. Eyebrows twitch in protest and pain as she fights with every ounce of life she can muster. She screams and throws herself at that invisible wall, wailing and tearing and biting at those chains holding her from her body. Those filthy voices giddy and singing out with glee, blood lust and obedience to the command, more than willing as her shuddering arms lift the sword up.

No amount of fighting cracks that wall.

She punches until her fists are bloody and fingers bruised. She claws at it until blood pools from her fingernails and screams and wails until her throat is raw.

Somewhere, Zoey is screaming too.

Konk drowns in the sounds, at the desperation and powerlessness of those around her. The thunder booms like a beautiful drum and lighting flashes as she laughs loud and maddened, coughing and lurching and splattering blood onto the floor in front of her.

‘Its okay, its okay,’

Marys gentle voice calls out, her own eyes spilling water like a holy fountain, lit up with fear but despite this she reaches a shaky hand out to touch her lovers face.

‘I will look for you in every life we are born into. I will always love you. This does not change anything. Just take care of Zoey for me, my love.’

Those shaky words lined with terror and acceptance chip at those cracks formed in Ky’s heart, straining so hard against her ribs it feels like she's dying. God she hopes she is.

‘P..Please,’

The avian grits out, a tingling in her arms, a readying for movement,

‘I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm so sorry.’

She babbles, praying to everything, anything. She pleads for someone to stop her, pleads to the heavens above and depths below for someone to kill her.

But no one comes.

And a deafening scream tears at her throat, burning her vocal cords as her body moves without her consent and pushes that sword harshly through Mary's chest.

And just like that. Her desperate little heart shatters into a million irreparable pieces.

Its damnation.

It breaks everything in her soul as that cursed red drips from her lover's soft lips and stains her sodden dress. And it breaks her all over again as she watches her try and smile, eyes fluttering closed as the sword is pulled out with a sickening squelch and she collapses on the floor.

Screaming, so much screaming from all around her, all three of the royals, from her now, only, lover behind her. Yet it feels so far away, like shes deep under the water. A darkness that carries her far into the dark depths of this empty ocean, and she hopes it carries her to hell. Ky barely notices her knees banging onto the wet stone as she crumples, face slack. Those voices cheer and jaunt and cry out in pride as the blood slides down the metal. Konk is laughing up a storm, cackling and wheezing, coughing up more of her own blood, holding onto her chest as her lungs are lit on fire.

Satu takes a step towards her comrade, placing a hand on her shoulder for support.

‘You’re pushing yourself too far.’

She states plainly, eyes falling upon the murderer slack on the floor with distain. Konk takes a moment to catch her breath between giggles. A numbness grows in Zoey’s heart. Pushing all those painful feelings deep into a dark part of her heart as she switches off.

Not good.

They are all going to be slaughtered if they stay here. A new kind of sadness grows as the realisation dawns upon her. She wiggles her toes and shifts her feet slightly as she glances to her left at the trio who are staring in shock. She catches Fly’s eye who seems to also be realising that whatever grip they were under has become a mere itch. The mule casts her eyes towards the two royals in the corner before nodding to Bug. She would get them out, or die trying.

One step, two. She hurries over to Ky’s side who is staring off into the distance. She shakes her shoulders, hissing in her face for a response but none comes. The angel of death glances over, making the mistake of leaving the harmless hybrid to her pathetic attempts. From the corner of her eye, Fly spreads her wings out, covering Sketch and Storms exit as they slink silently back into the dark alleyway. Zoey shakes Ky’s shoulders once more but the knight is staring into nothing, gone to the magic or herself, she doesn't know. Those damned purple eyes lost, maybe forever. She presses her forehead hard against her lover, whispering apologies with what feels like a goodbye.

So gently, she scoops Marys limp body in her arms and cradles her close, grief welling up inside her until she feels like she's going to burst. It closes her throat to the point of pain, an emptiness eating away at her heart. Through teary eyes she nods to Fly who leaps into the air towards the Royals, just as Zoey shifts into her animal form and makes a beeline for the nearest alley, putting Mary on her back and scooping Bugs body up into her now empty arms.

Satu is quick to react, tracking the flash of red wings heading towards the two in the corner as she flicks open her own feathers, sending several sharp ones barrelling towards the threat. One sticks into Fly’s leg as she dodges the others, crying out with the spray of blood and swooping low to reach out her hands. Wink’s catches onto the unspoken plan and pulls Halfy up, pressing her arm into the avian's, lifting her up into awaiting arms.

‘Go! GO!’

She cries out, despite the protests shouted by Halfy. Fly takes a second to contemplate this, a painful decision. But one royal is better than none. And she lifts off once more, fighting against the weight of the passenger in her arms, weaving between the projectiles coming towards her. Konk growls in frustration, hurrying over to the Pixie who watches her cousin disappear off between the roofs and prays to every god there is for their safety. She feels her arm grabbed roughly and turns to face seething red eyes.

‘You aren't going anywhere, Winks dearest.’

Winks just stares back into those eyes triumphantly.

‘Should I go after them?’

Satu asks, stretching out her own wings in preparation.

‘No, we will find them later. We need to continue as planned. Finding Kero and Robeyo should be our top priority soon.’

Konk bites, taking a moment to compose herself. She looks over at the avian still kneeling on the floor and squints.

‘Come now, we have places to be.’

She sings, and waves Ghostie over too. Ky shifts, face unseeing and blank, standing up and fixing their sword back onto her belt. Ghostie murmur’s something at Prancer, who had been standing stiff as a statue the whole time, and they march ahead, standing next to a lost Kyan. The pair of them straighten out and turn around, heading towards the castle, Konk shielded by the two, Satu and Ghostie behind, dragging Livy and Winks along with them.

And on they march. 

The two knights pulled by invisible strings, sending other soldiers scattering, or slaughtering the few brave souls who stand in their way. They round up any of the civilians they find, hearding them to the castle steps with the Reapers following behind, Konk eating every moment up as that warmth of victory is inches from her face. The people of Erisala whisper and cower, holding their children close as they stand hostage awaiting what to do next. The group leaves them to wait outside before climbing those glorious kingdom stairs.

The two dark knights plough through the castle halls, cutting down their own, guiding the reapers through the maze until they reach the grand throne room where Konk stops the party, breathing in the sweet nectar of her hard work.

Her blood-stained boots are softened by the plush red carpets as she pushes open the grand doors. And its just as she remembers. The wonderful marble floors and grand curtains line stain glassed windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, complimenting the grand throne sitting in the middle. The pristine marble balcony opposite it, allows for a view of the entire kingdom and the frightened hushed whisperings of the Erisalan people are heard below. Konk dances her way in, drunk on the ecstasy of all she had been craving. And just as planned, a figure stands in front of the throne, tracing the intricate gold details on the arms, His purple hair braided neatly as it always has been. A cape is laid upon it, put to rest like a closure.

‘Hello, your highness.’

Konk bows deep at the waist, before looking up with a sharp grin.

‘So, it really is you. It’s been a while Konk.’

The king doesn’t look away from the throne, only replying in a dull voice.

‘I suppose this is it then?’

He states, finally shifting his body towards the new group of Phantom Reapers. He straightens his back and holds his chin high, looking down upon Konk with a plain disappointment. It makes her feel small. Something from her childhood stirs deep inside her, all those memories of his disapproving gaze cuts into her like a knife. Her eyebrows knit together and her face twists into a dark snarl.

‘Still the same boring old bastard aren't you? Too far on his high horse for anyone, tch-’

It infuriates her to no end how that monotone gaze still bubbles shame in her gut, after all these years unable to shake that feeling from when she was small.

‘Does it bother you that much, that I do not approve of you?’

He questions, taking steps towards her as the two knights shift either side of Konk, ready to protect. Konk bats them away and stomps forwards, holding her head up like a defiant child.

‘I’ll be taking that now,’

She seethes, nodding to the golden crown resting upon purple hair. The king seems to consider this, looking into Konks hating eyes before sighing and slowly pulling it from his own head and holding it out.

‘It’s not like I have a choice now is it? Looks like you never grew out of your childish little tantrums, did you?’

Konk snatches the crown from his hands and looks up into his own cold eyes, jaw tightening in frustration. Too easy, its too easy for the man she once saw as a father to get under her skin.

‘You could have been an incredible leader of this kingdom, Konk.’

He sighs, looking over to Winks and Livy with a sadness as Prancer grabs hold of his arm.

‘But you will always be a petulant child, abusing your power just because you can. You will never have my approval, or my support.’

That’s enough for Konk as she shakes with rage,

‘Good. I don’t need it.’

Prancer pulls the king away from her and Ky takes Winks’s arm. Konk admires the gold in her hands, the glittering red gems as clean as ever. Oh how many nights she had spent in that filthy cell dreaming this up, so many nights spent staring at the empty ceiling imagining this moment. She scoops up the cloak, the beautiful red silk complimented by the white fur around its neck and clips it around her shoulders. She takes her time walking to the balcony and looks down upon the citizens shuffling around. Some are crying quietly, some are holding onto injuries or hiding children. Others look up with hatred, some with a fearful curiosity.

The reapers stand station behind her. A unit.

‘People of Erisala,’

Konk begins, her voice booming out.

‘Today is a day of change. A holy retribution due to come to our land for a long time. You have been lied to for far too long. Countless wars with no reward, deceit right under your noses. The king a man of cowardice, his two counterparts - an oblivious commander and a lying, traitorous piece of filth’

The venom spat with those words escapes the people below, some beginning to mumble and gossip between them in confusion.

‘Allow me to elaborate, I'm sure this is difficult for your fickle minds to comprehend. I am Konk. A rightful heir to the throne who was kidnapped and caged simply for existing, by yours truly, your dearest Winks,’

The people turn to look at her, the guilt evident on her face as she stares at the floor. Gasps are heard, some denying it and others shocked.

‘But worry not. For I will take our kingdom, take it from the depths of the dark and shine it in a beautiful new light. We will not be weak, We will not cower and accept the little we have. Our kingdom will be known across all the land. I will build us better than ever, sing us songs that the other kingdoms will fear. My  obedient, renowned nation, you will obey me as your Queen and we will become stronger. Can you not hear that music? Those beautiful songs of Erisala.’

Konks smiles, prideful and dark as she places that crown upon messy brown hair.

‘Reform is coming. You are either with me, or against me. Those who choose the latter will be erased. And as my first decree as your new leader, Gary and Winks are hereby exiled from this land for the rest of their days. That is all.’

And with a swish of her cloak, Konk walks back into the grand room, taking careful steps before sitting upon that glorious throne. The reapers follow, bowing before her. Konk sits atop of the world, one knee crossed over the other as she props her head onto a fist. A force to be reckon with.

‘Take them to the prison, I know the perfect cells for you two, right Ghostie?’

Konk sneers, waving the knights off who march Winks and Gary far under the earth to their twisted fate.

‘We have lots of work to do reapers, it all starts today.’