Swan Song ✧ STEVE ROGERS [✓]

1 - The Champion

THE MAGICAL ISLAND OF ELYON RARELY EVER HAD BAD WEATHER, AND THIS DAY WAS NO EXCEPTION. The sun was shining brightly in its usual place in the sky, casting a warm glow on Elyon's shores. Thick, pure white clouds drifted aimlessly across the sky, their fluffy appearance mimicking cotton or snow, and the breeze was pleasantly cool, taking down the heat of the sun considerably and making the day a comfortable one overall. Many of the faeries were out of their homes, strolling through the forests or simply enjoying the pleasant weather, and their delighted laughter could be heard all over the island.

High up in the clouds - so high that the sun was turning the clouds golden - Raevanna soared through the sky, gliding effortlessly on the headwinds and updrafts. Her heart felt light and happy, and she herself felt at ease - as she always did whenever she was flying. Since she could go higher than any of the other faeries, she often spent her time there, up in the sky where the only limits were her own.

Elyon was an island that was home to all kinds of magical creatures. They had settled there hundreds of years before Raevanna was born, fleeing from the humans that had persecuted and then tried to kill them. Located in the heart of the Bermuda Triangle, it was hidden from humans by powerful magic, creating a safe haven for its inhabitants.

Raevanna was a dark fae - a large and powerful kind of faery that closely resembled humans (minus their wings, of course). And, as the strongest dark fae on Elyon, she was also the champion, aka the protector and defender of the island. No faery could just become the champion, however; a new champion was chosen by their predecessor when the elder champion either died or retired. The champion before Raevanna - who was now retired - had chosen her when she was only thirteen years old, and Raevanna had strived to make him proud ever since.

Raevanna had been the champion of Elyon for a good while now, and she had seen and learned much over the years. She had to figure out how to be both a warrior and a leader, and how to balance her feelings and diplomacy. Being the champion wasn't an easy responsibility; ever since the day she was chosen, more and more danger had been appearing on the island, and it was up to her to take care of it all. But in the end, she did enjoy being champion, and knew Elyon would be an entirely different place if she wasn't there to protect it.

As Raevanna flew through the sky, she let out a happy sigh and spun around so she was on her back, then fell back and bent her wings close to her body before she began a nosedive down through the clouds. Just as she passed the last layer of clouds, she extended her wings again, and they instantly caught one of the thermals, lifting her up and allowing her to glide through the air.

Raevanna tilted her body to the left, angling herself towards a steep cliff. After lowering herself down from the clouds, she hovered over the edge of the cliff, then spun around and dropped onto the grass, landing in a crouch before straightening up. She looked out across the island, then closed her eyes and breathed in deeply through her nose. A warm breeze blew across the cliff, whipping her long, dark hair around her face as her shoulders rose and fell in time with her steady breathing.

After a moment, Raevanna opened her eyes, sitting down and hugging her knees to her chest. She tilted her face to the sun, closing her eyes again as she let out a contented sigh. She was happy to be home; she had spent a few days traveling the length of the island, searching for something her parents had left behind before they died. And, as much as she loved flying, it could be exhausting after awhile.

As she sat there, her face directed towards the island, she heard a woosh of air, followed by the sound of powerful, steady wingbeats. A smile crept across her face, but she said nothing as the patter of footsteps closed in behind her, then stopped.