Death can't do us part

Ch 1: Love at first sight

Screaming. Everywhere. The flock, trying to fly away from fire. Heat. Smell of smoke. Stuff was cooking. But it was too late, the blond-haired person treated them with no mercy. Not even one would be spared to live. "That's karma for trying to run away from me at Timmie's ...," the traveller murmured beneath his breath in a deadly tone.

    "WHAT THE HELL, MAN, WE AREN'T EVEN THE SAME SPECIES," a bird screamed. But there was no way of telling him that as he could not understand their language, it was just screeching to him, screaming, and he loved it. Every hint of pain and suffering brought him incredible pleasure.

    One of the cranes with darker feathers than normal, on his neck, tail and feet, usually standing taller than any other, was now desperately trying to find a way to escape the horrors unfolding in front of him. The heavy black smoke was making it hard for him to breathe as he gasped for air, trying to ignore the burning pain of red heat. He didn't like the idea of his family dying, but he was the leader, the carrier of the legacy, and he was taught to think of himself first since he was little. He was the one. The only one.

    Without thinking twice, he flapped his wings, rising to the skies, hoping he would go unnoticed by the traveller.

    He felt relief, hope for a moment. The lack of heavy gas and smell of death reminded him how beautiful life can be. He could barely see where he was going, since all the dust from the attack tried invading his eyes. The strong wind of freedom caressed his feathers, calming him down, but the moment didn't last for long.

    The second a fiery arrow missed him only by a hair, he knew he was doomed. He didn't dare looking down. The blood, adrenaline and panic pumping through his body urged him to survive or die trying. He had to survive. He decided that it would be best if he flew low, between the nearby trees. So, he closed his wings all of a sudden, falling down at immense speed, knowing that he was a hard target to hit. He was only a few metres from the ground in a matter of seconds. He spread his wings and skilfully, but tiredly manoeuvred between the trees. He flinched when an arrow pierced one of his wings. The traveller had good aim. The searing hot pain was excruciating, but he had to go on.

    His beautiful coat was now soaked in red, and his pride hurt a bit, but he had no time to think of all the hours he spent grooming himself to look his best, only to lose it all when a stupid traveller decides to release his rage unto them. A sudden branch surprised him out of nowhere and in wish to avoid it, he hit a tree, helplessly collapsing to the ground. More arrows of fire flew by him, but none too close. The shooting continued for a few more minutes, the forest now suffering from a fire because of a selfish bird that was just happy to be alive.

    Then it stopped. The traveller must've given up. A long sigh of relief made the leader realise that he actually ran away. He had heard of traveller's unreasonable outbursts before, but anybody rarely survived to tell the tale. Fuck you, Timmie, you are the reason many flocks suffered great losses over the last few months.

    The lonely bird's adrenaline slowly faded away and he became all too aware that he might still die. He was bleeding out. He knew what to do. He was the leader after all, graced with some elemental power that allowed him to heal the arrow and flame wounds in no time.

    Even though he healed himself, the sting remained, and he still felt ugly, since red and black from the flames and smoke adorned his feathers. That was unacceptable.

    He decided to sleep in the trees to get some rest and check what was left of others in the morning.

    -

    The sun creeped up through vibrant green leaves, waking the ugly beauty. He squinched his eyes, barely believing that he actually survived. He remembered to check on his flock and quickly, but cautiously flew there.

    The field where the tragedy happened was devoid of all life. The smell of burnt grass and flesh was still present and he could still hear the earth screaming.

    His family was no more. Not even fowl remained. It was being cooked into delicious Sweet Madams. The bird realised he was a flockless leader. The only one that remained. How would he be able to pass down his lineage? Who would catch his food? Who would admire his beauty?!

    Panic started rising in him once more, until his eyes caught sight of a something light pink, hidden between the black leaves of burnt grass. For some unknown reason, he felt compelled to stop for a moment, the panic being forgotten.

    He approached it and saw what it was.

    It was a fowl.

    A beautiful, unburnt fowl, with a strong bone and tender meat.

    He couldn't take his eyes off of the beauty in front of him. It was the only colourful thing on the field. And the crane knew that it would bring colour into his life as well.

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Sooo.. drama is.. cooking.. Things are getting hot in here :D
Anyways, hope you enjoy the ride XD