To Learn To Live [A Hermitcraft AU]

~Chapter One~

He felt like a ruler. The land before him was his kingdom.

The air was warm and peaceful as the soft wind blew past his face, moving his clothes and hair in all directions.

The sky was painted with beautiful, vivid pinks and oranges from the setting sun before him. It illuminated his cheeks beautifully, giving the boy a sort of kind, yet adventurous persona.
He grinned, moving his gaze to the oceans below him and eventually back up to a landscape a little ways away, littered with buildings of every shape and size.

That particular landscape meant a lot to him, and held many memories. Some of mischief and havoc, while others were filled with the fun and welcoming faces of his friends. It was a place of stern meetings and serious business, yet a place of fun and laughter where everyone was welcome. A place people dubbed the "Shopping district."

However, the boy's favorite part of this place in particular weren't just the laughs, but the buildings themselves. Not only did they have stunning architecture and diversity with each block, but they made incredible shapes and twists in the foundations, absolutely perfect for a challenge. A flight challenge, if you will.

Every time the boy disappeared from his base, his friends knew exactly where to find him. He would always be caught flying, twisting, and gliding around in the Shopping district, dropping the jaws of all who watched him.
He just did it so beautifully. Gracefully. Never hitting a thing, yet keeping his calm and composure in the process.

Today was one of those days where he was just itching to use his wings and take off toward the ever so loved landscape for fun. Practice his flight coordination possibly? Just for a little, then maybe go see his friends.

With this plan in mind, he pulled an elytra from his inventory, then strapped it onto his back. He straightened his red sweater up just a little before turning around to face the other direction. The boy seemed excited, a broad grin proving just that before he began to lean backwards. His body slipped purposefully from the side of the building, leaving him nothing to grab onto as he began to fall toward the water below.

Suddenly the wind grew heavy, rushing faster and faster as he cut through the air. His entire base soon came into view as he fell from the sky. More and more uncovered itself as he got closer to the water, revealing a marvelous tower of glass and concrete. It was bigger at the foundation of the build, and yet got smaller as it went up to a single platform at the top where the boy jumped off. Layers and layers of blue glass reflected the sun beautifully off the water and onto his blond hair. His grin then turned into a smile as he continued to grow closer to the bottom.

Any second now, he would die from fall damage. The ground surrounding his base grew close... too close. Yet he started laughing. Just as it seemed like an imminent demise, he twisted quickly while activating his wings. They spread out about five feet on either side, giving off a soft purple glow as they filled with the magic of flight. His foot just grazed the top of the water before he managed to shoot off back toward the sky. The boy then triumphantly took off toward the Shopping district.

His laughter echoed throughout the night as he swooped under buildings and around the trees. Under structures and across the landscape. The strong wind cut at his face as he flew high up into the sky.

He felt alive. He felt free, and happy. Unexplainable joy filled him from the inside out as he continued to fly up toward the stars that illuminated the night. Things just couldn't get any better.

Until they didn't.

Something in the air shifted. Felt... off.
His elytra seemed to stop flying smoothly, and began to stagger in flight patterns.

Is it broken? I know I just mended it this morning... So what's happening?

His smile began to fade as he noticed something on the back of his hand. A small scar. Even though it was small, it still confused the blond as to where it came from.
Then suddenly it grew. At an agonizing rate.
He winced as blood started to trickle from his wrist. Then the other. Scars grew rapidly across his whole body, covering him from bottom to top.

He began shaking in fear, confusion, and panic before suddenly his elytra snapped off completely. The wings he had put his faith into to carry him, crumbled right before his eyes, leaving him to fall from the sky.
He was too high up, and too far away from water.

The boy began to fall from the sky as he watched the ground grow closer, and closer, and closer. Tears slipped down his cheeks from the fear of this being his last day alive, and from the agonizing pain of his new and foreign scars.

Closer.

Closer.

The ground was growing larger by the second.
Accepting his fate, he closed his eyes. Unable to watch.

Three.

Two.

One.

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872 words.

Hallo lovelies!! ; ) First chapter yay! Hope it's good so far :P

*clears throat*

Now, may I have your attention please.

Thank you MayaTheWatcher for the absolutely lovely cover art<3 yes, all credit goes to her. She is an AMAZING writer and artist so please if you aren't already, go. follow. this. legend!!!

Second! Demon-in-the-closet is absolutely POGGERS!! He edited this chapter and will be editing all of the future ones to come, so BIG thank you as well Ari! You also are an amazing writer and I can't thank you enough you absolute madlad :DDDDD

GO. NOW. FOLLOW.

And as always, love you beans and have a wonderful week!! <3