Birthright: A Phoenix is Born

Calm Before th-

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Damian

A crow's shrill croak followed by an incessant snap-crackle startled me. I stirred to the left, stalling the desire to wake up. Sadly, harsh fibres scrubbed against my cheek, costing me the bout. I sat up then fell, right arm lifeless after being used as a pillow for the night. Blood curled its way up my arm, injecting a sense of life. I lazily rubbed away fine grains of sand embedded in my eye's corners and roared Simba style.

"Glad to see you're awake." Came a deep voice behind.

I poked over the couch's plump back pillows and witnessed Koju in a hot pink chef hat and apron, with the words 'Kiss the Cook' stitched diagonally in bold across the garment. Beneath that he wore a bleu-clair cardigan which failed to mask his built physique and ripped denim jeans.

"Where are we?" I yawned.

"In a safe house, more specifically a penthouse in Dublin City Centre."

"Bu--"

"I know, I know, I crossed the payment transactions with ten other places around the globe. So if someone was tracking us. They would now be headed to an abandoned mud hut in Honolulu."

"That wasn't what I wanted to know. But what's the plan? And have you thought of how we can include my mom, please."

Koju's silence was a jab to the gut, aggravating my semi-numb arm. He ignored the following calls, choosing to focus more on the dish he had prepared. From this distance, a sweet tingling aroma waxed through the air, coaxing a wet dribble at my mouth's side. Koju scooped a large bright yellow nest, followed by a stack of thick golden-brown disks onto a plate. The spice filled haze disappeared as he placed a covering dish on top.

The butler vibes were heavy when Koju brought me the tray. As were the drifts of his own scent. A delicate touch of lavender. He placed the tray on the coffee table in front and grabbed another cushion for my back. I watched in a stupor while his eyes darted from me to the platter. The savour hammered my nose as the lid fell away, sending me into a relapse of the tempting fragrances that flowed from the kitchen whenever mom was at the helm. Mouth salivated at their mere sight.

"Breakfast is served." Mumbled something in the background, all self-awareness vanished. I devoured the steaming plate of *fried plantain and eggs in a montage of quick bits, one-handed chest compressions and the occasional belch. Koju laughed. Forcing me to smile too.

"And here I thought you may not like it." He scoffed.

"Moving on, I can acknowledge that yesterday has been extremely difficult, hence the first why reason I made you this meal or snack in your case." My eyes fell towards the floor while cheeks warmed. It was a long time since I showcased my *F.F.O abilities.

"Regarding your mother. I thought about it. And I can't pretend her situation doesn't affect me. Elizabeth too. I hope to return to your house and look for any sign or clue for where she might be taken. The retrieval of the crown prince is paramount . But if there is any way I can also save the Queen, as a proud citizen of Bi'ina and a brother, I must at least try." Forceful conviction interwove his speech.

Out of his apron's front pocket, he pulled out a sleek black Blokia. But his touch brought the brick to life. Bright crimson outlined the edge of its thick hide which retracted on itself elongating the phone in the process. By the end, the entire screen was engulfed in flames, I poked the monitor and somehow a heat licked my fingertips. Amongst the fiery display, an image appeared. Small but noticeable, the black silhouette of a large bird's wings.