Val pulled his sword from it's sheath upon his back, eyeing Xeadis warily. While Val remembered many of the skills he had learned in his first life, Xeadis still had been trained in the use of a sword for much longer. He dearly wished had never accepted Zelas's bargain at times, but in the end, the reward was greater than the cost he must do now. "I challenge you, Xeadis who was once Xeros, Xeros who was born of Zelas and Xeron."
Xeadis stood, a calm readiness in his posture despite his violent emotional state. He did not want to hurt Val, harm Firia's foster son. But maybe, just maybe, a good fight would help him get control of his emotions ... "What are the terms of combat?"
"No magic. No powers at all other than your speed and my wings. No teleportation, or shape-changing. A fight to third blood, or death. Whichever comes first."
"Quite a stiff set of rules ... I accept."
Val watched Xeadis look around cautiously on the street below. Here was the tricky part. It would either work, or kill Xeadis. Offering a silent prayer up to whoever might be listening, Val spread his wings and swooped down upon his unsuspecting combatant. It was surprisingly easy to lift him off the ground and into the air. A swift set of wingbeats had both of them far, far, far above the ground.
There were words Zelas had wanted to be spoken to Xeadis at this point, before Val could finish the task. "Find your wings, Son of Xeron, last child of the Leku bloodline."
With those words, Val let go.
... last child of the Leku bloodline? Xeadis heard the words echo through his mind even as the wind whistled past his ears. Find his wings? ... last child ... Leku ... Leku is another word for Ancient ... Xeadis's eyes opened wide as something deep within him stretched ....
.... and awoke.
A feeling of fire rushed through him, setting him ablaze with agony. He could feel his body change, shifting, becomins more true to itself. Mental and physical masks were ripped aside in a blaze of pain and acceptance.
Xeadis spread his wings, still wet with the blood of their birth from his shoulders, and flew. Laughing with delight.
Zelas felt the change in her son, and smiled, making her way upstairs to Firia's room. Firia lay huddled on the bed, weeping, while Zelros and Lina tried to comfort her. Firia glanced up to see who had come in, and stopped, caught by the quiet joy in Zelas's expression. Zelas came into the room and began gently wiping away Firia's tears. "He's awoken, little one. You won't be apart any longer."
Her smile widened, and she gently helped Firia to stand up. "Indeed, he should be here soon.... in fact, that is most likely him now."
The front door opened and shut with a bang, and someone began walking up the stairs. The tread was unsteady, occaisionally faltering. But determined.
And then whoever it was, was outside the door. A pale hand pushed on the door, which was half-closed, and gently swung it completely open.
"Xer ... Xeros ... " Firia's voice was raspy with disuse, and scratched and snagged it way free of her throat. Xeadis smiled gently, his eyes warm with the love he felt, and opened his arms to her. Arms which held her gently after she had run to him ... his wings curving gently around them both.
"I love you." Xeadis's voice was a soft whisper in Firia's ear, the warmth of his cheek against hers, the gentle rustle of feathers all around them.
"I love you, now, and forever."
Sequel Fic: Part 1 | Story Index | Fanfiction