A Curse of the First

•«CHAPTER SIX»• •«DEBATE»•

King Bracken was staring at the wall, gazing fondly at a painting of Melt. Fir was told to wait until his dad stopped zoning out. He stared out the nearest window sadly. Maomd could be in danger!

Bracken's eyes finally drifted to his son and they widened in surprise. "Fir!" He said happily, smiling.

Fir looked at his father and walked over, head down slightly as he thought intently.

"Father, have you noticed that it's starting to flood?" He asked, looking up to meet the king's eyes. King Bracken looked through a window at the pouring rain.

"I've been busy. Alright, I'll organize patrols to move the people of the lower valleys to higher places." The king said, clasping his hand.

Fir smiled and his father smiled back. Suddenly, Fir found himself in darkness. The border between Maomd and Phobiae appeared under him and King Bracken and Melt walked up to the border. Surprisingly, they didn't come from the same side, Melt came from Phobiae.

"Melt!" His dad said happily but Melt only glared at him.

"What?!" She snapped. "You got me in trouble with Phobiae!" Bracken stared at her in shock as she stormed away. "I hate you!" She called before turning into a Phobiaeos.

Fir let out a gasp. They couldn't see him! King Bracken had a look of defeat on his face as he slowly walked back to the palace. Now, Fir was back in the throne room and his father looked at him, worried. "Are you ok? Your pupils turned silver!"

Fir sighed. "I'm fine."

My pupils turned silver?! He worried. "I'm going to talk to Birch." He told his father.

"Birch is busy. Tomorrow she will be testing to become a knight. Go hang out with Willow." King Bracken demanded.

Fir sighed and nodded before walking over to the inside willow grove. Willow always hung out there, so of course, Fir avoided it as best as possible.

There she was, sitting on a bench formed of branches, legs crossed. Her eyes were closed and a peaceful expression was on her face. As he walked through a willow's leaves one of her eyes opened so she was looking at him.

"Hello." She said, her voice flat. Her voice was ALWAYS flat. It annoyed Fir so much.

"Hi." He grumbled as he made his way over.

Willow started laughing for no reason as he approached. "You're a funny guy, Flame." She chuckled as Fir sat down next to her.

"My name is not Flame." He muttered, leaning away from her.

She smiled widely as she put her hair behind her ears. "Well duh. You're a Maomded. Flame's a human. Stupid." She giggled.

"Humans are dead. You can't talk to them." He reminded her.

"And it's our fault they're dead! The Humans didn't deserve it!" She yelled, turning terribly angry.

"Yes they did! Humans killed most of us and took over!!" Fir yelled back, standing up to be taller.

"We did the same! Except we killed them all!" Willow stood up on the bench so she was a bit taller. "We're the monsters!! Not them!! Some of them were innocent!"

Fir turned away from her and stalked off.

"I can't believe Birch likes him." Fir heard her say under her breath, causing him to slow to a stop.

W-what?! Birch likes me?! Maybe she meant as a friend? I'll go with that. He thought before continuing to stalk off to his room.

~~~***~~~

Fir stood at the windowsill, holding "Curses of Maomd". He opened it up and stared at the tiny, fancy letters. The Unforgiving Flood. It has destroyed Maomd once. And it will do so again.

The Unforgiving Flood comes whenever humans sneak onto Maomd or Phobiae. They need to stay in their place! Fir nodded to himself before widening his eyes in surprise. The Humans are still alive?!

He sighed and looked at the date this book was written. Eighteen years ago. That's not that old. That means humans could still be alive! He realized, looking at the book in thought.

They could be a danger to Birch! A-and Maomd. Fir's thoughts quickly add. Birch can take care of herself. He soothed himself. B-but... I still want to help her. Like how I did before. I want her to know she can count on me.