Caius leapt forward to snap the chains away as his Little Snack was quickly bound. Caius tried to bite through the closest chain only to feel his teeth snap together. Caius flared his tails as he glared around the clearing, "Who dares?" He growled out as the eagle returned landing on his shoulder to face his Little Snack.
Ru glared at the chains, "Free yourself Nix, free yourself and fly!" These weren't chains a fox could break. Though it did improve his impression of the seven tail for trying. Nix bowed his head to look at his chest, the chains were wrapped around the human body… his human attachments.
Nix stared at the chains for a heartbeat, then slowly looked up at Ru as he started to revert back to flames rather than a solid form. Soon, in his chest the red flames swirling around his heart were visible.
Nix's voice was soothing, little more than a soft caress.
It's not yet time, for freedom, for light
I'm still broken, in chains I am bound
This isn't a fight, nor a willing to die
One cycle left for a companion not yet found
I know they can't see, see that I'm bleeding
But I've not yet lost all hope
This last grace I give
The last before I go
Ru sneered as he took flight, gliding over the chaos.
Will you wait, wait for me
Until one, returns to three
Nix stood in place, drawing in all the warmth the sun had given. The rings of fire slowly fading as temperatures fell.
If only the sun did not set
If only kindness was king
If only they did not regret, if they just listened to me
Instead they scream of injustice
My goal never to harm
They think that I am broken, these chains reach so far
Chains stronger than diamond, clasping my heart
As if the chains had minds of their own, they started to wrap around Nix's body, slowly snuffing out his flames.
Ru circled over the imperials, if he ate them… the problem would solve itself. Eventually. Who cares that the land would become an spectral wasteland for a few centuries?
I'm still looking to fly, so few tears left to cry
We both know not all in life is won
One day I will break them, one day off I will shake them
One day with the sun I'll fly
But only if, you can wait,
You can wait for me
Nix closed his eyes, despite his reminders to the young dragon, he had still fallen. Despite his offer to the young priestess, her heart had been filled with the need for vengeance. Her hatred for the dragon so overwhelming, she agreed to sacrifice even her own descendants. Now… now it would take more than a god to save their damned.
Ru barely glanced at the female heart bearer. Without breaking stride, he summoned the broken heart, clutching it in his talons. His feathers covered the heart, melting, melding, soothing, encasing the core in a golden sheen.
If only the sun never set
If only kindness was king
If only there was no regret, then chains would not bind me
So much love left to find
I don't need it all, just a bit
A bit that promises to be just mine
Ru circled back to Nix's side dropping his heart, even after all this time… some were just meant to walk, or in their case, fly alone. Together, but… alone. Ru might never understand Nix's need to find a companion… but he would not stop him. Besides… of the original 20 cycles… the last one would start as soon as this body was discarded.
Nix caught his heart, now protected by Ru. A barrier of gold stronger than the sun, even if he did nothing, it would take a god to unseal his heart. Until one of the three willed it… not even the strongest song could influence him.
I never thought they'd go this far
I always hoped love would out liv war
But it's so clear I've been naïve, still no heart for me does sing
I've been falling, wet and cold
Gave up the sun, all I'd ever known
The hope for a companion, still an unaccomplished goal
This was probably the most desperate Ru had ever heard Nix, though his voice was too soothing to truly be described as such. Still… his heartbreak over acknowledging the truth pierced even the strongest of hearts. Thankfully, Nix did not wallow as the power of a true monarch returned to his voice. Washing over the clearing, passing through the forest… claiming the territory for all to see.
I know the sun does set
I know that strength is king
I won't have regrets, no matter how cold hearts sing
I may not find one, a love mine alone
One day I'll be free.
Ru closed his eyes as the show of force abruptly ended. Chains engulfing Nix, swallowing him like a tiny flickering candle cast into a stormy sea. The worst part… was knowing it was all of Nix's own will.
But today, today chains bind me
[Nix original, working with a friend to get a version on youtube, link will be added when it's available.]
Ru watched as Nix just stood there… if there was a more stubborn creature alive… or a bigger bleeding heart. Almost a hundred failed attempts, almost a hundred times they would rather take Nix's still beating heart rather than fix their own mistakes.
"The choice is yours. I will be waiting." Ru finally announced not bothering to hide his annoyance as he drew himself to his full height. Nix said this would be the last chance, so better to return once the greedy wretches had been burnt to ash. Or in the very unlikely event they settled everything like decent humans perhaps his return would come with a blessing. With a final glance over the largest fox, Ru shot straight up.
Caius watched the golden eagle fly off, the clearing was deathly silent… his Little Snack was just staring after the eagle who had disappeared. The sun was finally cresting the horizon but hadn't yet shed light on them. His Little Snack looked so… somber. The silver whisps of flame had all but died out as his chest no longer glowed red from his heart. His Little Snack looked so… small so alone. Standing without so much as a breeze as he held onto the golden feather.
Nix, no. Ashton, blinked as he looked down at the feather in his hand as the final flames died out. Ah Ru, you're always so quick to escape after giving support. Still waiting patiently time after time. Ashton slid the token behind his right ear as he glanced around.
Sebastian wanted to collapse into bed, beast gods above… literally. A beast god had just descended and wanted Ashton to abandon the Empire to its fate… Legends of the golden bird that was the sun had just been that since before the founding of the empire. To see a god, in the flesh should have been the greatest honor a mortal could experience. Knowing that God deemed them unworthy of salvation… chilled him to the bone.
Calix almost collapsed under his grandfather's weight, but managed to stay upright by leaning against him. The movement had created a rippling effect as nearly everyone started to shift minutely in place. "Grandfather?" he asked in a whisper as his grandfather continued to pale.
Sebastian jolted as he glanced down to meet Calix's concerned eyes, then loosened his grip on Calix's arm. "It's… later." Sebastian murmured as Ashton stopped glowing then turned to glance at the large nest. Later, nothing good would come of panicking right now.
Calix nodded as everyone silently watched Ashton start to slowly walk to his nest. It was like… something had changed, not with Ashton, but in the air.
Caius watched his Little Snack, solemnly climbing into a nest far too big for one. Caius slowly stood up, there weren't enough words in the human tongue to describe his emotions right now. He also had to immediately adjust his plans, even if the golden eagle didn't return… just knowing of its existence was a risk. Caius peaked over the edge of the nest, no evidence of the eggs, no silver or red feathers… just a small, lonely Little Snack gazing up at the sky.
Ashton slowly shifted his gaze to the large face, "You look apprehensive big fox, having second thoughts?" With each passing moment his heart was cooling. The all too familiar chill was returning, he had been hoping no one would notice since it was almost all over when the large fox had seen fit to check on him. Still, the concern had been noted.
Caius examined his Little Snack, "Are you okay Little Snack?" Caius intended to leave for a few hours, but now… while waiting another month wasn't ideal, seeing what else his Little Snack was going through. Aiya, such a mystery.
Ashton took a deep breath, then tilted his head with a small smile, "I was just molting, I had hoped to finish unnoticed since all my baby feathers will disappear before sunrise. I was in no danger." If the big fox didn't leave… the other wouldn't come out. This was the most vulnerable he would be. Meaning this was the best chance for the other to strike.
Caius hesitated, then leapt into the nest to cuddle his Little Snack, "Aiya, it was so scary!!! You were so cold Little Snack! And those chains! Aiya, those must go!" Caius changed to his human appearance as he brought the little bird into his lap.
Ashton didn't protest as the fox's hand trailed over his chest, then stopped over his now chilled heart. Despite the smile, concerned eyes, even the cuddling, this fox's heart… it doesn't matter. Ashton patted the fox's hand over his heart, "You had plans no? I think I will enjoy the day here from my nest watching the clouds."
Caius narrowed his eyes, Aiya, his Little Snack was as firm as an overly boiled noodle. To leave him so weak and helpless… "Aiya, Little Snack, to leave you all alone? Nothing I had planned could possibly be more important than you!" Comforting and soothing this baby bird was his top priority.
Ashton patted the large hand again, "I will be fine, I assure you I will be here when you return." Ashton glanced over the edge of his nest, the Inago had returned to gathering feathers, the imperials were huddled around the now free crown prince and princess. The nobles were all slowly dispersing out of sight.
Caius only glanced up for a moment, he was tempted… but if anything happened… he couldn't just leave a barrier up while he was gone, there had to be an anchor. Talvi could restrain the humans, the beasts, even the elements, but her strongest elements were water and ice. Rahm had only just become a twin tail so his ability would be unstable for weeks to come.
Neolani walked up to the nest having heard a portion of the conversation. "We will remain and protect Ashton." She had already ordered the mages to prepare, even with Ashton's unstable connection she could access his mana.
Caius held back his sneer, yes, use the poor baby's resources to protect him. Then again… at least the female was a living anchor… if Caius could use her as well, as soon as anything happened he would know. Better than waiting for one of his kin to try contacting him.
Talvi glanced over the human female… to be papa birds anchor, yet remain unaware of his plight… how reliable could these humans really be? "Father Caius, why not set an anchor on the nest? If Papa bird leaves you will be aware immediately." Far less reliable than a true anchor, but better than the humans.
Caius cuddled his Little Snack close as he hopped out of the nest, the light would reach them any moment, "Aiya, Little Snack, I would only be gone three, four hours at most! Would you be willing to remain in your nest until I return?" Caius trotted around the nest in contemplation.
Ashton glanced into the tree line, "Of course," besides… these foxes underestimated his Ember just a little too much. It was hardly her fault he didn't share his pain, this would be a good lesson that even ants could take down an elephant.