Birds of a Feather

‘Do you remember how we first met?’

The past seemed ever so distant yet so close. A rose tinted world where nothing could go wrong. If only these times could last forever. The young Lim like any child was naive to the bigger world. What it had to offer and what it could take away.

[Urendyr, The Capital of the Holy Kingdom of Aliissia]

Urendyr was a massive port city with docks that filled up the bay with a chaotic mess of ships and merchants that would flow out with endless pockets full of gold. It was a gem of the coast, a city crafted with intricate masonry that alluded to its wealth and power above all else.

Lim ran against the grain through the hurrying crowds that towered over him. He was cautious not to get caught up in the flow since their size alone would crush him.

“Master Alda! Please come back!”

A group of men in plain leather armour attempted to break through the river of people but was instantly pushed back by the flow.

Lim looked back sticking his tongue out mocking them.

“Hehe Bleh!!!”

Not looking where he was going, Lim accidentally crashed into a hooded individual.

“Ah.”

In the split second of the impact he got a glimpse under the hood. It was a girl about the same age as him.

“You–”

Lim’s sentence was cut short as the girl instantly ran away. She looked down, holding tightly on the hood.

“Wait!”

Lim ran after her as pushing through the crowds as they both navigated through the intricate labyrinth-like streets. They both ended up at a dead end in the middle of a discrete alleyway.

*Bam*

Lim who ran like a headless chicken crashed into the girl as their forehead smacked painfully against eachother.

“OW!”

“My head you idiot!”

They fell backwards towards the ground staring at each other in complete silence like confused goldfishes.

Lim’s green eyes bloomed wide open as he refocused himself. The girl in front of him had her hood down. She had two black horns, teeth as sharp as razors and ears as long as an elf.

“You. You are not a human?”

The girl quickly placed her hood back on as she bared her fangs out.

“Damn Mongrel! you saw it didn’t you! I’ll have to kill you then!”

“Wait Wait Wait!”

She pulled out a black knife as Lim panicked by flailing her arms around.

“Apple!”

“Huh?”

“Do you like apples?”

“What manner of foul language is that human!”

“Apples! Consider it my peace offering! I want no harm, I don't care if you’re not a human!”

“Are you crazy? You are bargaining with me?”

“I might be but please take a chance with me!”

***

Lim and the girl stood staring blankly at the lone tree that was completely void of any fruits.

“Oh it must be an off season….”

“YOU PROMISED ME APPLES HUMAN! … but this place seems nice.”

“Wow you cool off very quick.”

The pair was at the outskirts of the city wall where distant ambient crashing sound of the ocean could be heard along with cries of seagulls. It was a calming paradise of lush green grass that ebbed and flowed along with the whims of the winds. Massive clouds shaped like fluffy cotton candy slowly moved along the bright blue skies.

The girl laid down under the tree smiling smugly and proud.

“Ah this is so nice. Bring me an offering human. Hehe.”

“My name is Lyse Ir Mira Alda by the way.”

“Uuwwaaah… that's too long i’ll call you Lim.”

“Lim?”

“And as for me I am Estralytte Irannete von Syturr.”

“That's even longer! I’ll just call you Estra.”

Estra chucked to herself hiding her smile under her robes.

“You really are a strange human.”

Lim couldn’t help but smile, almost blushing at the sight of her. In this moment life seemed to pause as he released control to the whims of a strange woman. A part of him knew the dangers of demons through the tales of old but strangely he did not care.

***

“Here, have a try.”

“What's this?”

Estra laid back on the tree cautiously examining the strange red fruit that Lim gave her. She smelt it, knocked and licked it.

“It's an apple.”

“An apple? What a strange fruit….”

*Crunch*

Estra bit into the apple tearing away at its juicy flesh with razor sharp fangs. She paused to chew as her ears perked up with curiosity.

“It's sweet.”

“I got more….”

“MORE! GIVE ME!”

Lim indulged Estra with treats of different flavours from all around the world from fruits, strange meats and even exotic candy. He had made sure to always visit the tree with a different offering each day as he showered her in endless delights.

“Ahhhh!!! No more!!!”

Estra burped out rubbing her belly as she laid down unable to move anymore.

“Say Huma… I mean Lim, are you not scared of me? For all you know I could be a spy gaining your favour until BAM! Dead Human!”

Lim silently sat down next to her as they both gazed towards the deep sea blue skies above.

“There’s no need to and maybe I should but isn’t it more fun this way.”

“Cheap thrills will get you killed someday. Foolish human I am a demon after all. I threatened you and yet–”

“I never had a friend before. I think… you seem nice… and cute.”

“CUTE! Are you daft human I AM A DEMON WARRIOR! I’VE SLAIN COUNTLESS I AM NOT CUTE! ”

“Okay, Okay… maybe a little….”

“I’m not cute….”

“Lyse Ir Mira Alda is not a real person. I am not a real person. Ever since I was born I have always lived in an orderly prison bound by duty. Maybe a little chaos isn't so bad.”

“Absurd! That's no way to live!”

Estra suddenly stood up with a stern determined look on her face. She walked away leaving Lim sitting alone with nothing but the sounds of brushing leaves to keep him company.

“Huh? You're leaving?”

“Stay!”

***

Lim couldn’t help but zone out paralyzed to the thought of Estra leaving him so suddenly. Was she disgusted by him? What did he say to hurt her?

He waited under the tree hoping that she would return but the sun was already setting and she was nowhere to be seen. The landscape shifted as pale orange lights smeared the lush green landscape capturing Lim’s deep feeling of disappointment but before he could leave Estra stood in front of his way.

She was lit by the sun casting a heavenly golden aura as she handed him a basket filled with fruits.

“This is my peace offering Lim!”

“An offering? Why?”

“I’ll make sure that chaos will always be with you!”

It had almost seemed too good to be real, so much so that he punched himself. He burst out laughing at how real the pain felt.

“Hahah. Ow.”

“Idiot. I'm real.”

“I never had a friend before… I’m new to all of this….”

“Buffoon this isn't an offering of friendship. It's something more. I want it to be something more!”

“Aren't we skipping a few st–”

“I am embarrassed by it too but my heart wants what it wants! SO YES OR NO!”

Lim gazed into Estra’s eyes as he wiped away tears that began to fall. He was overwhelmed by her sudden action but yet again throwing all reason aside he decided to answer.

“Yes!”

***

‘Do you remember how we had so much fun. Just me and you. I needed nothing else.’

The pair quickly became inseparable as they did everything together. Lim started to sneak out more and more just to spend as much time with Estra as possible.

They met at an alleyway inside the city. Lim stood atop a wooden box as he enthusiastically yelled out.

“My name is Lim! Grovel beneath me peasant!”

“Hahaha That's so funny you're so terrible at acting!”

“Meanie!”

“Are you sure you’re really an Alda. I think I may be a bad influence on our young prince.”

Estra chucked hysterically to herself.

“I think I'm going to go….”

“What I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m not serious, you know....”

“My family is strict and they caught on to me sneaking out. I am not even meant to be outside my room but even then I don’t care I–”

Estra’s smile was cut short.

“What do you mean? Not allowed out?”

“I am the last heir to the Alda clan. It's my duty to serve the clan.”

“Serve by being a caged bird? That's absurd. You have sneaked out many times before so what changed?”

“I… Nothing. It's really nothin–”

Estra noticed Lim rubbing his hand awkwardly. She instantly grabbed it and pulled up his sleeve shirt.

It was a tattoo that glowed a bright blue.

“A CURSE! YOUR FAMILY CURSED YOU!”

“It's my punishment for disobeying them!”

“WITH A CURSE?

“It's not a big deal I was born with this–”

“IT IS A BIG DEAL LIM! THIS IS A CORRUPTING CURSE!”

“...”

“It’s a curse that cuts away at one’s soul and if you leave it to take its course, you will be nothing but a mindless zombie!”

“Estra please I can’t….”

“NO!”

Estra pressed her fingers on the tattoo causing a red energy to replace the blue.

“It's not a fix but a remedy. It won’t eat away at your soul now but since it's been so engrained removing it will kill you.”

Lim quietly turned away, pulling his hand out and running away.

“Lim!”

***

The paradise that the pair shared now seemed to slowly rot away. Estra came to their tree as she sat down waiting for him. Lim, who had always met her without fail, finally did not come.

Estra came to the tree everyday without fail. Days soon turned into months with the season now changing. The tree had shed its leaves with nothing but a gloomy overcast cloud to paint the scene in an ominous dark shadow. The tree and their relationship was now an empty hollow husk of its former self.

Estra clenched her hands in frustration looking only at the large tower atop the grand castle up ahead.

***

*Crack*

*Sssss*

Shards of glass broke as Estra leapt through Lim’s room.

She could not believe her eyes as his room was more like a prison. It had cold black stones and metal plates covering every inch of the room with a singular bed in the corner. Lim sat atop his bed curled into a ball.

Estra slowly approached as Lim’s voice muffled under his legs.

“Go away!”

“No. I won't! Not when you're hurting!”

Estra grabbed hold of his hand and placed it softly on her face.

“You’re not alone. I am your chaos remember. So no matter what we’ll still be together… but that takes time.”

“What! No! I can’t wait! I want to go with you! Please! Take me with you away from this hell!”

“We both know that can’t happen. The Aldas are too powerful and you know it! What do you think will happen if I steal away their last heir. I WOULD NEED A WHOLE GODDAMN ARMY! So please. Please Lyse!”

“COWARD! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME!”

“That's right, I am a coward. A worthless demon girl who's bitten more than she could chew. A weakling that wants the world. A fool that wants you despite all that.”

“I can’t….”

“Yes you can! I promise I’ll get stronger. I’ll have the strength to level any army that comes our way. We’ll burn them all down. Grow old together and be free from their cage! So please wait for me! Wait for me Lim!”

“Okay….”

Estra gave Lim a soft kiss on his forehead.

“Wait for me, my Raven!”

She reluctantly jumped out of the window giving Lim one last look.

‘Wait for me!’

‘But Estra you knew more than anyone that the cage of fate was harder to break.’