A Pair of Wings - Sanders Sides

12. The Soldier & the Wing's Maker

A bird chirped as the sun rose above Angelmont. The sunlight soon touched the grass of the winding forest that the angels called home. There was a desolate mood that lingered in the crisp air, one of fights and fleeing, one of darkness and death. There wasn't much else for an angel to do at this hour of the day except hunker down to sleep and hope for a better night. The leaves in the trees rustled as the weary angels who fought off the humans flew back to their hollows, tired as ever. Except for one angel...

Roman flew above the forest, checking for any remaining injured that needed saving. The warm sunlight graced his red feathers as the wind rang in his ears. For a second, he closed his eyes, thoughts swirling all around his head. Just a week ago, he agreed to meeting Virgil's so-called human friend and now the day was here. A tension spread through his body as he thought about the human. What exactly were their intentions? Why would they ever help an angel? It boggled him that a human could even show an ounce of kindness to even a different species! Wasn't greed always on their minds? The thought boiled and bubbled all over his mind as he flew absentmindedly through the day. He simply listened to the flaps of his wings as he started to head back to his hollow.

In the distance, the markets, and towns of Angelmont all started to bustle with its usual noise and activity. A normal day it was for the humans. A sigh escaped as he tried to calm himself down a little more. He had to admit, there was something gnawing at him, a growing dread creeping around. But it couldn't be so serious! It's just like the nervousness any angel gets when starting to fight off a human. Soon, he brushed the feeling to the side, wanting to at least have a clear mind before he met this particular human. He had to take the chance for Virgil, for these angels.

"Hey Roman!"

Roman looked up to see his brother, Remus, now flying by his side.

"Hey Remus, no more injured?"

"If you mean the humans, then yes! I ate them."

"No, you fool! I-"

"Yes, yes, there's no more injured angels," Remus said as he rolled his eyes.

"Good, let's head back to the hollow."

It wasn't too long when they both arrived at their hollow. As Roman flew in, he looked over to Virgil who was already standing there. He glanced over at the leather wing that was stretched out slightly from behind their back. Soon, he looked at them in the eyes, feeling something burn at him.

"You alright?" he asked Virgil.

Virgil just nodded, still standing there, almost blank.

"We are willing to do this, Virgil. I promise. Just lead the way."

Virgil took in a deep sigh, their warm breath contrasting the cool air of the hollow. They looked out and walked over to the entrance, looking down at the forest bellow, now covered in the glimmering sunlight. Roman stood there in awe as he watched them slowly open up the leather wing, making a shadow of them on the hollow floor. A small breeze passed by, ringing throughout the hollow. They stood there for a second or two, still as ever. What in the world could be going on in their mind? Roman hadn't a clue but whatever it was, he just hoped they trusted him.

After the silence, Virgil jumped down, gliding off into the forest. Roman's ears perked up as he watched for a second how they almost danced in the wind, even if they couldn't fly just yet. They were quite a bit shaky, but after so long not flying and touching the sky, he knew it'd be a learning process. After gliding down, Virgil grabbed onto a tree, racing through the branches and leaves. Soon, Roman and Remus followed, flying close to the treetops. The leaves rustled under Roman's wings and the sunlight almost blinded him. He never understood how in the world could those humans see anything with this much light from the blinding sun. The only thing keeping him from crashing into a tree was the sound of Virgil's footsteps and they jumped from one tree to another below.