Dove

The Whisper (Lark)

(In this story and in most of the ones onward, there will be a gore warning, if you are squeamish, do not read! There is also mention of torture and other such terrible things.)

~The dawn rose on a new day, sending days of golden light across a valley. A small dove perched on a branch and watched the sun rise. Though a new day was beginning, it was also the end of many things. All around the dove, trees were dying, their leaves slowly turning brown and falling to the ground. The dove looked up at the sky, the light powder of snow was starting to fall, covering the already frosty ground. The delicate bird did not move, and soon, day gave way into night. Instead of golden rays of light, the setting sun cast blood red beams across the valley. As the 'blood' soaked into the ground, the dove fluttered away, scared of the dangerous omen. War was coming, and the ground really will run red with blood.~

Some say that love is the most powerful emotion. From past experiences, I say that fear is. I know this because I have been sent on terrifying mission after mission. I serve the Kallar' Dountego. When was a newly-hatched Taki, the Kallar invaded my homeland, killing many. The Kallar has hand-picked some of the strongest Taki to use as spies. I don't know what he has done with the others, my family. I just know that serving the Kallar is the only thing that matters. All taki are black like crows. All except me. I am a strange grey color. Taki have a lot in common with crows, the only difference is that taki can use elemental magic, taki also build things. Taki have even developed a way to read and write. I heard a pattering of footsteps rushing down the hall. Then my master came into view. His name was Yue, he was a large human who's nickname was "the Mountain." He had a deep rumbling voice that would terrify his opponents. All the taki that I was imprisoned with raised their heads as a sign of respect. I had hoped that I would be the one to be sent on a mission, I hadn't been sent out in ages. The room that I was being kept in was large, and filled to the brim with small wire cages, all meant to be filled with taki. It was dark and damp, more of a cave than a room. But at least we weren't in the lower dungeon. I could hear the screams of torture coming from there. For most of the day I had felt a strange tugging on the back of my mind, as if I was forgetting something important. I ignored it. Yue grabbed a small taki and thrust it into the transportation cage he had brought. Then he walked over to me. I was considered in the higher circle, therefore I did not need a cage. I fluttered out and perched on his shoulder. We walked through many complex hallways until I saw the sun again. We were in the Kallar's throne room, I was surprised, usually a taki did not get an audience with the king. He was tall, he had tan skin, black hair, and green eyes. "My lord." I hoped off of the shoulder and kneeled in front of him. "Why do I, a mere taki, deserve the pleasure of speaking with one so mighty as yourself?" I asked theatrically. The king glanced at the cage with the other taki in it. "Take it away." He commanded Yue. Yue did what he was asked. "We fear we might have a traitor in our midst." Kallar' Dountego said, without any emotion in his voice. "What would you have me do my lord?" I asked, now getting slightly nervous, but concealing it well. "I am sending you on a mission to retrieve a great weapon." He responded. "I apologize sir, but I am a spy, I would not be good at battle or transporting this weapon." I protested respectfully. "You will be a scout. You are my most trustworthy taki, and you know the terrain rather well. You will leave at dawn." He explained. I nodded, but I had one more question. "What is the weapon?" Kallar frowned angrily. "That is none of your concern, you will meet her soon enough." I masked my surprise with a bow I exited the room. So the weapon was a creature, no doubt something incredibly dangerous. I went back to the cage room and hopped in my cage. I closed the door and heard a click as it automatically locked. Quickly I fell asleep as I had taught myself to do so many times before.

I realized I was dreaming, but something was different, I no longer has the desire to serve my master- no, not my master. The king was a mad tyrant who ruled with fear. I did not serve him and he was not my master. With a start, I realized I must have had these dreams every single night. I was free, but only in my dreams. I looked around, I was in a dark cave. I was pinned down to the table with metal, that went straight through my wings. My eyes widened when I saw one of the Kallar's scientists step into the torchlight with a thin knife that looked wickedly sharp. It was coated in a weird green liquid. I wondered if it was poison. I saw a few other taki pinned down to tables near me. I was very surprised, for, they were all the same color grey that I am. When the scientists plunged the knives into their chests, it was like everything froze. Then small trickles of blood ran from their eyes. When I looked back at my chest it had a knife in it as my vision clouded to red. The dream was so real, and the other taki in it were so clearly dead, I felt panicked and as it I was actually going to die. My vision faded into black. When I woke up in the dream, I saw the Kallar standing in front of me, there were no other birds to be seen. I wanted to ask him where they were, but I couldn't speak. "What is your name?" He asked. Lark, I wanted to respond, but instead, my voice eerily responded, "Number one-hundred thirty-five of cage room six." That was my name in the waking world. But my real name is Lark. I don't know that! I didn't know that until I fell asleep! What is happening!? "Who do you serve?" Kallar asked. " You. Above all else. " I responded. He asked more questions, but the only one that truly mattered to me was When he asked, "What do you remember of today?" I blinked in surprise when I answered, "I...." I had trailed off, finally continuing with,
"I-I... I remember what you did!" My dream voice had broken on the last word. With a scowl Kallar flicked his wrist as a sign to take me away. The me in the dream struggled, and tried to break free, but couldn't. My vision faded to black and when I woke up in the dream again, I was in a prison. I was shaken. What had I seen? I wasn't sure if my imagination could ever think up something like that. And the dream was so real, almost like a.... Like a memory. I had to warn myself somehow, but I was only free when I slept. The walls around me started getting blurry, I was about to wake up.