Skyrise

Songbird's Lament

Dragonfly

The next morning, I got out of bed, determined to find out about Cloud. I stepped outside and took off for Songbird's house. I decided to at least heed Dawn's advice on not asking Spectre. I would definitely have to ask him about it, but why not let others explain?

"You have a daughter?" I asked upon meeting Dolphin.

"Yes, did you need something, friend?" She asked as she turned to exit her warm, indoor garden.

"Yeah, actually! Um... Who's Cloud?" I saw her stiffen up.

"How did you learn that name?" She asked, her voice turning cold.

"Dawn and I were talking a few days ago and she brought it up. Why wouldn't you tell me about something that huge?!"

"I have my reasons."

"Why? Is he some kind of weirdo or something?" I asked.

"No, it's just--"

"Then why--"

"Because he's dead!" She said, banging her fist on the garden wall.

I was shocked. "He's dead? How?"

"Friend, I recommend you just forget that Dawn even mentioned Cloud. You should completely forget that this conversation exists. Please, for both our sakes, put it out of your mind."

"Why? What happened?"

"I will not tell. That is Spectre's job, and only when he is ready."

"Ready? What does that mean? Was it really that traumatic?" I asked. "Did he fall off a ledge or blow up in front of him or something?"

She didn't reply. She turned to Dolphin. "My child, go back inside."

"But Mommy, I--"

"Now, Dolphin! I'll handle this." She turned to me as Dolphin tiptoed back inside. "Friend, if Spectre finds out that you are sneaking up on his past, he may kill you. Even if he doesn't want to."

"I'll help him overcome it!" I smiled. "Soul Sync, remember?"

"You naïve boy! Can't you see I'm trying to protect you?! I've lost a best friend, I've lost a son, I cannot, WILL not, lose you too!"

"Please, Songbird, I think I can help him if I know!"

She was silent. "Then prove it."

"What?" I asked. You could cut the tension with a knife. Snow fell around us, stifling our words and movements.

"You have your hammer with you. Use it! Prove to me that you are strong enough to help him!" Inky blackness filled my vision, and my dark green soul floated out in front of me. I yelled in surprise. A white outline of Songbird stood defiantly in my way. "Bad move. Never flinch!" Songbird swung at me with her hoe.

"Please, Songbird! Listen to me!" I ducked.

"Pleading will not get you mercy from a man on a mission." Another round of attacks. They were slow, but they still scared me as they rained down.

I ran up and hugged her, trying to get her to calm down, she used an attack to shove me away.

I threw down my hammer. "I won't fight you, no matter what!" I yelled.

"You don't have to. You just have to survive. And you're doing even that quite poorly." She said, taking in my low HP.

I tried to talk agriculture to get her mind off the topic of murder. "So how's the corn doing?"

"I don't grow corn." She said grimly.

"Tomatoes?" I asked desperately.

"Don't waste your breath." She scoffed at me. Another wave of attacks, one of them hit me really hard.

"What will Dolphin think when she sees you attacking me?!" I asked.

"It's a risk I have to take. I pray she isn't watching, but I'll do anything to try and protect you...all of our friends."

"Protect me? You'll kill me at this rate!" I shouted.

"And Spectre won't care!"

Another attack out of nowhere, except this time, a blue soul with orange tips jumped in the way and threw up a shield. "Why won't Spectre care?" He questioned. Spectre was here!

"If you want to ask about Cloud, you will have to get much stronger, Dragonfly."

"You...what?" He asked, sounding hurt and shocked.

"It's not what it sounds like!"

"I think it's exactly how it sounds. Why...How do you know?"

"I can't tell you. Please, I--"

"Okay, you..." He snatched up Songbird's soul, turning it blue, and pinned her against a fence gate with his mind.

Holy crap! I thought. When did he get so strong?! "...need to stop this whole attacking-me madness. And you."

"No!" Songbird yelled. "Stay away from him!" I could sense my soul turn blue and get thrown up against the wall of the house. The wind was knocked from my lungs.

"I won't hurt you, because you didn't know, but...you need to forget that you ever heard of Cloud if you don't wanna die. Do. You. Understand?" I nodded weakly. He let me slump to the ground. "Good. Well, I'll be seeing you two." He smiled and strolled down the path.

"Well." Songbird got up and dusted herself off as color returned to the world. She stood over me, looking apologetic. "Perhaps attacking you was uncalled for, but you get the point, don't you? You must never cross him. He doesn't want to hurt you, but he will if he must." She helped me up. "What you do with this information is your decision."

"You can help me, if you want." I smiled.

"No, I'm afraid it is best if I stay neutral in this affair. You understand, don't you?"

"Yeah, I get it."

And with that, I was given a biscuit for the road and a hug. I continued on my journey to find out more about Cloud, regardless of the repercussions. I would help my friend if it killed me!

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So, what do you think of Songbird's capabilities as a fighter? And what about Spectre? Do you think he'll follow through with his threat? Let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!!