Tale of Chaos 2: This War of Ours

Chapter 37: Heavens

Maia's POV

The walk home was really awkward for me.

It was not just because I had burns all over my body, but because I always thought my wings were stretched out behind me. They weren't, but I always had that tingling feeling that they were there.

All I wanted to do was fly free. I had in a simulation, but I didn't remember doing such a thing for real.

Maybe I could touch the clouds.

But people could be watching...

Would they take me away if they saw I had wings?

I just realized... my self-consciousness was something I had gotten from school.

If only I could let that go and be free...

Maybe that was just what I would do.

Looking behind me, I watched as my wings grew out from my back. A smile crept on my face as fast as the wings grew.

If I wanted to fly high, I needed my wings to be larger.

Summoning my spirit's power, I let my wings grow larger until they were so large they dragged behind me.

Looking up to the sky, I pushed myself off of the ground, forcing my massive wings downward.

My speed as I launched into the air was absolutely breathtaking.

Over and over, I pounded my wings. Each time I would look down, I got cold, thinking what might happen if I fell.

As I looked up, I gleefully laughed.

I would be able to touch the clouds.

I was a balloon.

I soared on my own.

I was free.

Free from pain.

Free from the cares of the world.

When I was in the air, I was free.

I was free.

I would rise into the air higher and higher until I couldn't do it anymore.

I'd fall once I reached the clouds.

I imagined I'd be dead tired after flying so high, after flapping these massive wings. But I was not exhausted. I was exhilarated.

The cloud engulfed my view as I approached it. I gazed with wonder at its puffy structure.

As a child, I always dreamt that one day, I would touch a cloud.

Just a few years ago, I knew that it was impossible.

But now, I was actually going to do it.

I was about to touch a cloud.

I reached out, my fingers aching to swipe the massive white cloud. I flapped, getting closer and closer before---

I suddenly felt mist collecting on my fingers. It eventually dripped down my entire arm. It felt nice, but it was also a bit unpleasant.

Time to fall...

I closed my eyes as I stopped flapping my wings, allowing myself to plunge toward the earth back first. Exhilaration pounded through every nerve in my body.

I twisted around so that I could make sure that I didn't slam into the ground.

I was already so close...

Slowly, I shifted my body from horizontal to vertical. The ground got nearer rapidly, almost completely filling my eyesight.

Soon, it seemed dangerously close.

I spread my wings and glided, searching for my house. It had subdued blue walls.

I found Eon's house, and made my way home from there.

There it was.

I descended down, and used my own street as a runway, slowing down to the point I could run on the asphalt. Then, I slowed to a stop, retracting my wings.

Great, my blouse is still charred. At least I'm next to my house. I can get a new one there.

I walked up to the door, peeking in. The lights were out. It was hard to tell, anyway, as it was noon. Silently, I grasped the knob and twisted it open.

The first thing to greet me was a certain stench.

It was unfamiliar, but it was not good.

My house now smelled bitter.

I couldn't figure out what it was, though.

The house was darker compared to outside, which was already a bit darker than it was supposed to be.

It was noon, for Delta's sake.

Maybe Blackout had another fit?

At least my eyes were already adjusted to the darkness.

I slowly walked forward, wondering if anyone was home. They'd freak out of they saw me alive and well with burns all over my body.

What will I say to them?

"Hello, guys! I'm sure you're wondering why I'm alive right now. Yes, I really died; I was just magically brought back to life!"?

Nope.

Maybe I just needed to do this in silence.

As I stepped forward, my feet knocked against something, like a glass bottle.

Out of curiosity, I grabbed the object and examined it.

It was a glass bottle, but...

My heart sank when I saw what was scripted across the label...

XXX.

I stopped my breath.

My sister, Nightingale... was reduced to being an alcoholic?

Just because of my death?

I dropped the bottle and put my fingers through my hair.

How much had changed in the time I was gone?

A tear fell down my face as my instincts took over, as though I had come from a long day of school.

"Sis... I'm home."