The Chronicles of Hototo, The Blood's Hearth

Chapter 12

Talons closed around his throat as they plummeted towards their death. Askook was laughing manically and was closing the air from Hototo's neck. He sputtered, flapping feebly.

"As...Askook, let go!" he choked, clawing at anything he could touch. Askook only laughed louder.

"Other Lovers like you deserve to be in the earth!"

Hototo twisted violently and struck at Askook's face. He screamed and let him go. Hototo swiveled in air and flung out his wings, catching wind. He looked below him. His feet could touch the leaves of the trees. Looking behind him, Askook was no where to be seen.

As Hototo landed back on the cliff, there was a group of owls gathered around the blood that was on the ground. Hototo didn't care at this point. His head felt spacey and he started to see black spots.

"Hototo!" someone yelled. He saw shapes running towards him and he fell towards them. Someone supported him as they flew back into the basin.

"We need some medics!" someone called. Hototo couldn't hear what was happening, his brain was buzzing, spinning like a top. Everyone's voice was muffled and hard to understand. The inside of his mouth felt like he had eaten some cotton and tasted of metal.

Someone touched his chin and raised it up. It was the tan face of a nurse, who was dabbing something wet on his cheek. She opened her mouth to say something, but Hototo couldn't answer. His eyes were growing heavy.

His wing was pulled out, cloth being wrapped around it. Something else was said. Hototo closed his eyes and felt forwards.

"Can you hear me?"

His eyes snapped open and immediately groaned. His body felt like it were on fire, muscles heavier than stone. He looked over to who spoke to him. It was a medic with a tan face.

"Mhm," he mumbled. The medic nodded and poured water into his throat with a wooden bowl.

"Drink up. You'll be okay, but we just need to make sure you eat and drink. Here is a mouse. You've been out for a day." 

He looked at a mouse. It didn't look appetizing, but he ate it anyways.

They were silent for a while, until the medic allowed Hototo to rest again. "I know it's none of my business, but who started the fight?"

Hototo smiled faintly. "Askook. But maybe it was my fault it happened."

The medic gave a small laugh. "Ah, it's always everyone's fault, isn't it?" he paused and checked Hototo's gash on his face. "Good news is you should be okay enough to stay for the Calling Ceremony. No one wants to miss that, eh?"

Hototo nodded. Then he wondered, What will I be? His stomach lurched. I hope I'm not something stupid.

Hototo felt curious as he watched the medic checking his bandages. "How did it feel for you?" 

The medic leaned back in thought. "Hmm... scary. I thought I was going to be a soldier or guard." He shivered. "What an unpleasant thought! Not that there's anything wrong with that," he added quickly. "but I'm just not a violent type. I'd rather help out with healing others."

Hototo looked at the ceiling of his nest. I hope I'm something I'll be happy with.

With the help of some medics, Hototo was able to gather with the other owls outside of the gate.

"I wonder what I'll be!" one chirped as he shook his feathers.

"I hope I'm a soldier."

"I want to be a blacksmith. I hope that's what I get!"

Hototo's stomach lurched as the first owl's name was called. He sat there silently. One by one they flew forwards where the kingdom's subjects gathered. He had never seen so many owls before. It was almost eerie when they turned their faces towards the owl being called. Like a sea of ghostly faces.

Finally, Hototo was called. He walked forwards, trying to ignore the gaze of all the owls, their white faces searing into his skin. He reached the king, who was on a small pillar with torches. Hototo bent his head in respect for the king, as he saw the others do.

King Sakima looked down at him with warm eyes. "Hototo," he addressed, his warm voice washing over the crowd. "You are an exceptionally strong owl. I've been watching your progress," Hototo's stomach swirled. "I'm excited to see what you will chose. Follow me."

Hototo stretched his wings, with some difficulty, and followed King Sakima. They glided over the Yellowpines, watching themselves pass the hunting forest, the practice field, and finally, four large oaks Hototo had never seen before.

King Sakima turned towards him as they stirred in the air. "Here you will have to chose your tree. Focus on your instinct and don't think too much about it. I cannot help you, so good luck." 

He flew away, leaving Hototo alone.

Hototo glided down and looked at the four oak trees. They created a circle in the middle with a flat stone. He landed on that and looked around him. Each oak tree had a banner hanging from a branch. One had wind circling an owl on a white backround. Another was a bright orange with two owls with their backs to each other. Another was a dark blue banner with a silhouette tree and owl with a white face. The last was brown with an owl holding a mushroom.

Hototo took in a deep breath. Act on instinct, don't think too hard on this...

He looked at all of the banners again. The blue one spoke the most to him with its ominous feel and rich blue. Shaking his feathers, he flew up to its branch, hoping it was the right one. Someone spoke almost immediately as his talons touched the wood.

"The tree of bravery, healing, and intellect. You chose well."

Hototo turned his head towards the voice. It was a light grey owl with a tan belly. He had a soft but raspy voice, and his eyes had a blue tint. 

Wow, he is old, Hototo noticed.

"Follow me. I will notify King Sakima on your choice."

He followed the elderly owl back to the basin and flew down in the crowd. 

The owl walked up to the king and whispered something in his ear. King Sakima sat back with a pleased look.

The drums began to beat in apprehension. They caused Hototo's heart to skip with every beat.

"Hototo has chosen the banner of Adil."

The crowd went silent. Some began to whisper about envy.

"Hototo, you will be a soldier."

Hototo looked up, shocked. "I'm... I'm... going to be a soldier...?"

King Sakima nodded. "You will now gather towards the mentors, who will tell you more information."

Hototo walked over, dazed. He wasn't sure if he was relieved or not. There were many owls now in the small circle. It was hard to tell who was the mentor and not.

They all turned with smiles and greeted him.

"Hello, Hototo," A dark owl stepped forwards. "I'm Namid. I'll be one of the mentors training you until you become a soldier. This is Okemus, Paco, and Inteus. They will also mentor you all," he waved a wing at the owls.

Inteus walked towards Hototo and smiled. "So you're the owl who got in a fight?"

Hototo nodded sheepishly. Inteus laughed. "Don't be ashamed, boy! I bet he looked worse than you, eh? Haha."

Hototo looked at the mentor. He had grey and brown feathers with blue eyes. There was something about him that took Hototo's breath away.

Inteus leaned in. "Anyways, if you need any tips for fighting, always ask me, okay? I've got your back. Soldiers of Adil always had a special place in my heart."