The Ravenous War

“When Yanauluha was alive they would never dare challenge us!” Baskara roared to an angry room. “Baskara! Do not speak words of war! We have no control over the Ravens but can only control ourselves.” Kai yelled over Baskara’s deep voice. The room silences and take as audience to Kai standing up. “Brothers and sisters, We are all mourning the loss of Yanauluha across the world but we must honor his name by not becoming ravenous monsters…” a voice from the crowd interrupts “But why has the carrier of winter waged war upon us? We have done nothing but bring the harvests of what they destroy. We bring color to the world after they have cleansed. This is too dark of a cleansing to the land. The humans will barely survive and what of us. I like the heat and not the cold.” The room fills up with a cacophony of caws all in agreement. “Settle down!” Kai states sternly. Another voice from the crowd yells “I hear they are also the at war with the Cecaelian Queen Aliyah of Taawa Kuuyi river. Maybe we should start an alliance.” Kai’s patience has waned “SILENCE!”. The cawing calls to a silence echoing in the chambers. Kai waves her hand to dismiss the crowd that disperses into mumbling down the corridors.

Kai looks up to Baskara, “Are you a fool?”. Baskara smirks and asks “Are you?…as this plight of winter continues to settle in we are sitting ducks. We have no cover. One by one we are dying by the dozens each day. Look at my colors…” Baskara shifts into a scarlet macaw and flies around Kai whose growing impatient of him. Baskara lands on the window perch to look back at Kai and transition into a human like figure. “Kai, do you honestly believe we can fight an enemy that can see us coming amidst an all white background?” Kai stands in silence and sits in her throne of all white bear fur; she twirls her nails around it remembering her travels to obtain this fur and it was not easy hunting that far north. “Baskara, do you remember when father took us so far up north we could not tell the sky from the ground or the lakes or trees?” Baskara gleefully responds “Of course, our father was fierce and mother was so angry he flew us that far without asking her” and continues to chuckle. Kai’s face begins to twist in memory “Oh I remember her anger but I also remember why. We could not tell the difference between anything. We did not see the bears transform back and forth. Father had a keen eye that we have never experienced enough to have, if we are the closest to training to look for that how can we expect to lead our people to their deaths?” Baskara’s confidence swindles his proud posture. Kai continues “The Ravens are seen last minute before they strike. Winter has been carried out longer than anticipated. The rivers are frozen so could we reach the Cecaelian Queen Aliyah of Taawa Kuuyi river. The last I saw of Aliyah, she drowned a nosy raven for asking too many questions; whose to say she would help. We have enough food and supplies to survive 2 winters, not a war and not enough for a continuous winter. I’d be foolish to waste our supplies without prolonged thought. And what if this is the permanent winter the prophecy speaks of” Baskara turns to look out the window to watch the full moon mock them.

“Kai, the only prophecy that exists are the self fulfilled ones.” Baskara whispers as he hops off of the ledge and out of the Great Hall. Kai wants to follow her brother but chooses to stay in her throne playing with the hair strands of the white fur; until she falls asleep.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A bustling wind whips the great hall where Kai lays asleep. The sound of light footsteps land onto a window sill. The boots creep onto the floor and the sound of metal graze it’s casing while being drawn. The footsteps move a little swiftly and as they swing above their head the sound of clanging swords awake Kai to her guard Elijah stopping the blow to her neck and pushes back the assassin. Elijah spins in his colorful armor with his bladed wings spreading out to catch the enemy. The enemy falls back and Elijah does not hesitate to slice the assassin’s arm sleeve and skin that floats down turning into a black feather. The assassin retreats towards the window from which it came but Elijah is determined and while the assassin is transitioning into a raven; Elijah hammers down with their sword cutting clean the tip of the wing or whole hand of the Raven. The mixture of a banshee scream and caw belts out and alerts more guards. The Raven begins to ascend. “My Queen shall we pursue?” asks Elijah. Kai shakes her head “No, they can fly four times higher than we can; no point in risking it. We’re already 5,000 feet as high as we can fly; anything higher we should be on 2 legs.” Elijah’s bright red bangs fall across his eyes and bows to Kai “as you wish, but my Queen perhaps we should lay you in your bed chambers where I can continue to stand guard.” Kai smiles and follows Elijah to her chambers with 4 guards at her door.

Elijah reinforces the window locks and Kai begins to undress. Elijah turns his head as Kai wraps her arms around him. Elijah holds her hand meeting her eyes “My Queen, there was an attempt on your life I should be focused.” and Kai leans in to whisper “But what if this is our last night together regardless.” Elijah looks to the doors where his fellow brethren stood outside. Kai grabs his chin to face her “It’s not like no one knows. They respect me enough to mind their business. Besides you are the sole reason I have not taken anyone to be my King.” Elijah’s knees buckle as he lifts Kai by her waist with the music of his armor musically playing each movement he makes for the door listeners.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Slits of sunlight peak through the small bits of stained glass onto Kai’s face of satisfaction. She rolls over her bed that is covered with color feathers like rose petals all over her satin sheets. She continues to roll expecting Elijah to be there and rolls off the bed. THUD! The door opens briskly “My Queen?” asks Elijah, only to see feathers everywhere and find Kai on the floor with her hair tossed over her face; he sheepishly smiles and kneels down to her level. “My Queen, I couldn’t…stay. I still must guard you and your kingdom in order to guard my heart; but you do look absolutely fearlessly adorable covered in our feathers.” Kai pushes his face away playfully. They are interrupted by Baskara clearing his throat.

Elijah springs up to his feet and bows to Baskara as he exits. Without getting up from the floor Kai says rudely “Get out Bask!”. Baskara teases “Get dressed, we have a visitor; another King for you to reject and an unexpected Queen” as he shuts the bed chambers doors.

Kai exits her chambers wearing an emerald green robe trimmed in white fur on the cuffs, golden warrior boots with black sharp metal wings on the side. Kai sees it is King Keres again. She tries not to roll her eyes but bows to King Keres to show she wears no sword on her back. King Keres raspy voice bellows “As beautiful as ever, single still?”, “With the world ending you’re still concerned whose ruffling my feathers?” Elijah stands against the wall smiling to himself but stops as soon as he realizes Baskara is staring at him sternly. King Keres clears his throat to change the topic “Perhaps the end is a reason to form a bond in order to survive. I have given it much thought and the Southern people agree it would guarantee survival. Unless you do not care enough about your people?”. Kai glances at Baskara’s surprise face and Baskara intercedes “Are you forcing my sisters hand to you by threatening your people and mine?”. King Keres does not turn to acknowledge Baskara and addresses Kai “Do you always allow lower royal rankings to speak for you?”. “Excuse me?!” Baskara mutters as he paces towards King Keres. Kai responds “Your behavior is rather more ravenous than macaw; are you willing to starve your people? Hmph, yet you still can not comprehend why you are not qualified to be my King!” King Keres sneers his upper lip to Kai. “I am willing to do what it takes. If you care for my people so much; a small sacrifice is not very much for you.” Kai takes one step back with her arms motioning to fight her. From the edges of the Great Hall slides out revealing Cecaelian Queen Aliyah to Kai. Queen Aliyah walk appears slow as if she is belly dancing towards Kai and King Keres but one can tell if she wanted she could move faster than they could fly. Queen Aliyah’s purple robes are longer than her tentacles that peak from time to time. Queen Aliyah sultry song beckons like a siren “There’s nothing more pathetic than a sex starved begging male; my, you almost sound human with your sexual entitlement. I expect that from the Ravens but not the Macaws.” King Keres’ irritation rises and snaps at Queen Aliyah “How did you slither your way up this high? Aren’t you supposed to be frozen in a river!”.

Queen Aliyah swiftly comes around King Keres before he could finish turning his head; two of her tentacles pull out from beneath her robe weighing King Keres down to his knees. “Careful birdie, I’m known to drown loquacious feathers. I am not confined to a river; I merely chose the river and there are darker places of the ocean I’m sure your people wouldn’t mind you seeing to avoid their own sacrifice.” Baskara jumps in “Queen Aliyah please.” She continues to wrap herself around King Keres but let’s him go. She graciously moves towards Kai. Elijah steps forward with his hand on his sword. Kai motions for him to stop. King Keres is trying to gather his breathe and dignity.

She bows “Queen Kai, it is a pleasure to have your audience.” Kai bows in return of respect. Kai speaks strongly and sweet “Queen Aliyah, thank you for your words and swift…(she glances at King Keres with a smirk) actions. I can appreciate honesty like yours.” “Please you can call me Aliyah.” King Keres storms off “That’s probably why you don’t pick a partner”.

Kai and Aliyah silently chuckle to each other. Kai signals to a servant to grab a seat for Aliyah. “If you insist on permission to be so informal with you, Aliyah, I know very little about you and your people; how did you travel here so high?” Aliyah smiles “There’s a swan that owed me a favor from his flock; saved them from an alligator lurking…it took quite some time to break through the ice. It doesn’t normally freeze that many feet below. I came to the surface to see why the ice had not thawed only to be met with Raven soldiers and sadly, your people strewn about randomly. I’ve seen birds fly into windows with a much more peaceful death.” Her words weigh on Kai’s chest. “Aliyah, I’m sorry for your witnessing…”

“I’m sorry for your losses, it is not easy to rule and watch your subjects perish without being able to protect them”. She was right and Kai felt her lonely burden lighten. “You and your people can escape to the depths of the ocean; why risk your life for birds you’ve never met?”. “We may have never met but I have heard of you. I watched you grow up from afar with your parents. Sea dweller as I may be, I do enjoy the sunlight much like most of my brethren. We’ve lost 30% of our sea lions, seals, our dolphins and whales are drowning if they are caught beneath the ice. This is not the order of things. I only knew something was wrong while visiting family in the ocean and a 60 foot Sei whale and child hit the floor killing a few in the kingdom. I couldn’t understand what they were doing pass 300 meters below. When I arrived to the surface I realized it was beginning to freeze. I have been visiting different kingdoms who are struggling to the changes and preparing for war.” “You visited the humans?” “Oh Poseidon no! Those wretched sea thrashers can’t tell the difference in each other; they can’t be trusted.” Kai had to laugh humans cannot ever seem to trust and respect each other; and could never count on them make the moral decision.

“So what of the other kingdoms? What have you learned?” Kai anxiously ask. “Everyone are willing to go to war with the Ravens. The Ravens are in an alliance with the Crows, Eagles, Falcons and I believe the Northern Bears as well.” Kai is shocked “The Northern Bears hate everyone, I guess they must of the flock to join them.” “Queen Kai, the only kingdom I have not reached are the Thunderbirds.” Kai almost laughed “Thunderbird? I think you’ve spent too much time out to sea, they don’t exist. And call me Kai.” Queen Aliyah is not chuckling at the slightest like Kai was hoping “Kai, I assure you, they are real. It seems this winter war is meant to rid the world of everyone until they see who else are left; and enslave the humans.” “Enslave the humans? They’re useless to themselves….ohhh but they are stoned out beings who act accordingly, ok I can see the appeal.” Aliyah laughs “What I envisioned is for you to challenge the Ravens and retreat over the waters. My people can hold the ice steady. As you guys run and are being chased, we break the ice and drown anyone without such beautiful colors.” Kai is impressed at how simple the plan but is still confused to how much work that Queen Aliyah is willing to do; she has heard much about the caecilians but cannot tell the difference between fact or fiction; what choice does Kai have. She extends her hand to Aliyah in agreeing.

Queen Aliyah gives her a very deep bow “You seem hesitant so I appreciate your courage. You’re granted more wisdom than your youth emits.” Kai notices her sharp comment and asks “how can I contact you once the trap has been laid?” Aliyah strolls over to a window to open it and there’s a long legged male in all white tucking his wings in; and thick black eye liner. “I assume you’re the swan she mentioned earlier?” He hops out of the window to bow looking up through his white hair at Kai “Leal is my name Queen Kai; what a pleasure to meet you.” He reaches for Kai’s hand and Elijah moves towards him. Baskara whose been observing silently motions for Elijah to relax. Elijah relaxed but is glaring at Leal. Through Aliyah’s long tresses she watches Elijah and interjects “Leal, you’re being too informal.” Leal immediately apologetically backs away. “Pleasure to meet you Leal.”

Aliyah asks “Would it be okay if he flew me down to prepare and came back?”; Kai bows her head yes. Aliyah heads towards the window with Leal and he opens his elongated white wings still in half human form with Aliyah holding onto him; and he jumps. Kai mutters “wow” which catches Elijah’s attention whom has the urge to clear his throat loud enough to make the room feel awkward. Kai raises her eyebrows at Elijah pouting to himself. Baskara approaches Kai, well I think that went very well.” “Yes, but why is she so eager and why would she wait for me specifically?”. “Something to do with father?” “How could she know him he’s never mentioned anything about her people and kept us away from the caecilians. Bask am I making a smart decision?” Baskara meets his sisters eyes “I think you are making the smart decision that’s needed; leave the caecilians to me I’ll find out why she’s so eager to you.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A fortnight has passed since Queen Kai has called for her soldiers. The clanging metal wings vibrant in color. The citizens are terrified and kissing their soulmates goodbye. This kingdom would crush unto itself if any of the Macaw lost their partner.

Queen Kai is staring at herself in full armor. Blades on the edges of her wings. Only skilled birds can manifest their wings halfway without changing form; often mistaken to be angels to the humans. Golden boots strapped up to her thighs and bright blue chainmail body suit, golden gauntlets; she’s staring at the turquoise amulet her mother gave her. “Mother always said turquoise weaved into malachite would protect me” thought Kai as she kisses it as if it will be her last time. Baskara greets his sister and sees her pinning back her red Mohawk to her green roots. Kai grabs her golden helmet ribbed up the spine with shiny metal feathers that fall down her shoulders.

“Kai, try not to worry” Baskara assures his sister.

“Bask, what if Aliyah cannot be trusted?”

“Kai, I will be by your side, your soldiers will be fine. Remember, the new armor we have. All they have to do push out their wings and their wings become blades. Any Caecilians that attempts to squeeze or grab a Macaw will only be slicing themselves like a snake on strangling a blade. Once the Ravens & Crows are in the water, we rise to the skies and focus on aerial attacks as we’ve trained. You are a magnificent Queen and your people trust you.”

“It’s their trust that burdens me the most Bask.”

Realizing he can bring no comfort to Kai, Baskara whispers “I’ll bring your sword.” Kai knows how much her people trust her and Macaws only pick one soulmate; she does not want anyone to be alone because of her. Baskara returns with Elijah holding Kai’s sword. Kai stares at the steel welded with bornite stone and it’s copper hilt; engraved in Macaw translates to “It is better to prevent than to cure.”

Kai marches outside in full armor to stand before her soldiers. Kai screams “Does every soldier have their ignis sheets in their armor and shield?” a war cry answers her questions. “It will be cold but not as cold as our swords against the Ravens and their alliances. One by one we strike them down. Do not forget if in trouble open your wings strong! The rods in place will help you keep them open. We must honor Yanauluha! We must bring balance. Without us, everyone else may perish. If we are spotted by humans, do not stop! We can avoid them after! We fly!” The soldiers let out a roaring scream and begin to partially shift and fly out of the conservatory’s roof.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As Queen Kai struggles to see the ground she sees her brethren in a huddle with their backs to each other. Their armor shining in the blizzard like diamonds. As Queen Kai lands in the center of her soldiers, they begin to move south without breaking formation. The winds are piercing with hail blended with the snow. It is nearly impossible to separate the sky from the ground.

Baskara and Elijah land inside the inner circle of soldiers to join Kai. Baskara asks “where do you think they are?” Elijah answers “waiting to strike after killing so many of our fellow flock.” The group’s leg muscles indicate they have been traveling for a few miles unsure if they are in the right direction; and Kai questions herself. In the distance Kai spots movement made of silver and her instinct is to go towards it. The silver movement spins revealing Leal. His armor is all white and silver with black war paint across his eyes. Leal takes his sword and taps the snow which sounds like ice. As the group moves in towards Leal, they hear the screech of a Ravens caw echo across the sky. Kai hears the Ravens speeding through the ice and snow and she screams “BULLETS!!!!”; multiple soldiers form into a tight circle forming an igloo of their shields with the archers underneath. The Ravens barrel down and bounce off of their shields; some were moving too fast and snapped their neck upon contact. Ravens fly up as the shields slide open enough to let the archers shoot. The cacophony of war echoes through the blizzards. The call of the Crows and Falcons are mixed into the storm. Kai knows they are outnumbered

The Ravens create a trio with one Falcon in the center holding hands and begin flying high above the clouds. Their black wings disappearing into the sky. The Macaw army peaks up to see nothing but snow; it’s an eerie silence and they began to travel deeper and deeper across what they know to be ice. There’s a sound in the distance Kai cannot identify but sounds like a high pitch wind. In the distance, Elijah sees the trio interlocking their wings and swooping underneath an unsuspecting group of Macaws; they flip onto their back and instinctively hold hands as the Ravens drive their black swords into their chests. Kai screams in rage charging towards her flock.

Kai propels her wings out sliding through the Ravens & Falcon at their throats. The Ravens are now grounded and begin swinging swords to clash against the Macaw’s armor. The rage from both sides are screaming so loud in the distance Baskara sees a lantern running in the far distance; but he has no time to investigate. The earth begins to rumble beneath their feet and filling the arrogance of the Ravens. The ice breaks but does not shatter; suddenly everyone slows down their movements. Through the ice long tentacles sneak through the cracks and latch onto the Ravens. The Falcons begin to slice off tentacles and the ice beneath them breaks. All of them are in icy cold waters weighing down their armor.

Kai spots underwater Elijah whose trying to make it to the surface. The Macaws screech at the ice temperatures. The Caecilians wrap around the Ravens, Crows and Falcons and dragging them to the bottom of the ocean. Kai watches slowly Elijah float to the bottom when out of no where she sees a tail swat Elijah to the surface. A giant Caecilian appears next to Kai as she’s being propelled into the sky. As she enters the sky she ignites the ignis sheets amongst her fellow brethren. Kai turns to face the waters below looking for any Macaw soldier in trouble; she motions towards the ice. Elijah bumps next to her still coughing up water. Kai lands on the ice with Elijah and a team of soldiers who begin vibrating their wings with the ignis sheets.

A blaze sets upon the ice melting it in pockets; parts of the ocean begins to return. Aliyah emerged from the ocean with a copper trident and glowing pink stone in the center. Baskara is laying on the snow with a little bit of blood dripping onto his armor. Aliyah looks up and sees the skies triple in numbers; the skies began to turn black. In the distance, Aliyah hears a familiar roar of the Northern Bears running across the ice and diving into the waters. Kai and Elijah have their backs to each other and try to continue the fires. The ominous sky looks like death staring upon them. Their armor blackened and their dark eyes piercing through the sky. The winter winds come to a standstill and create an open view of what lays above. Baskara makes his way towards the edges of the water and sees multiple lanterns coming their way.

The Ravens, Crows, Eagles and Falcons circle the sky preparing to drop down full speed at the Macaws and Caecillians; they begin barreling down at high speeds. Baskara flies towards the multiple lanterns and sees they are humans carrying guns and arrows. Every day citizens looking starved out. The humans gasp “Angel! Look at his wings” as they point to Baskara; it is not the first time humans have referred to them as such and worship them. Baskara shows his wound and points at the dark sky. The humans see their angels are outnumbered by demons. “Demons! Kill the demons!” yells a burly man with his sword ringing in the air. Baskara flies over to Aliyah swiftly to point out the humans; and she begins to submerge herself under the water. The pieces of ice that broke off are suddenly filling in like pieces to a puzzle. Kai is watching Aliyah abandon her promise but is distracted by the screams of men.

Baskara appears next to Kai “They think we are angels as usual and those are the demons.” Kai smirks at her brother “Clever thinking”

“Me? Clever? No the humans assumed I simply went with it.” Baskara chuckles.

“Ok enough sibling squandering, we’re still on the battle field.” mutters Elijah.

“Elijah, are you worried about my sister?” Baskara teases

“I’m not answering that.” Elijah snarls

“We need not worry about her, remember she beat me in the ring for the crown fair and square.” Baskara states proudly.

The humans begin to shoot arrows at the sky and they see their demons falling from the sky. The humans are dragging a catapult and seem to be setting it a blaze with alcohol. Kai elbows Baskara “Hey, I smell Tequila I think we’ve found where you are still King of.”

“That was one night in Mexico you said you would never speak of again” Baskara turns to ignore his sister’s mockery.

The Macaw soldiers turn to face their queen and see her in the sky singing and the follow her. The humans are raging against the blackened wings and feel empowered by seeing the Macaw as their angels. Beneath the waters the Caecilians hold up the ice to support the humans running across. An Eagle corners a smaller Macaw with an axe and as they expand their long wings; a bearded man chops down at the Eagle’s wing. “I got you angel. I knew God wouldn’t abandon us!” The Macaw does not correct him but flies up to join his flock. One by one the Ravens numbers lesson and the winds of winter slow down. One Raven flies above everyone staring in rage. In the midst of the chaos, Elijah sees Kai staring and he looks up to see what she is staring at; “My Queen, my love, what you looking at?”

“Look carefully Elijah, Hey Bask, look I think that’s King Arthur at the top.”

Baskara squints his eyes a little bit “I think you’re right, lets see if he’s worth a sixpence”

“Bask that’s gross, the humans thought it was okay to bake us literally; I don’t find your joke funny” Kai yells at her brother “…are you smirking Elijah?”

Elijah shakes his head in disagreement even though it was obvious he was chuckling. The trio begin to make their way towards King Arthur and the Ravens realize they are going towards their King; and begin to barrel in front of Kai, Baskara and Elijah. The Macaws see what they are protecting and go in full flight nicking them by their wings to allow them to fall to the humans to finish them off. King Arthur flips his jet black hair over his eyes and sees Queen Kai, General Baskara and an unknown Macaw flying in unison towards him. King Arthur flies up past what the Macaws are accustomed to as the air thins out. Kai slows down “Bask! Elijah! We can not fight him up there, we would be in his element and it would be too risky. He’s either running or he has a plan; let’s finish destroying his army. It should leave him handicapped.” King Arthur continues to move upwards and notices they stopped following him. He snarls to himself “Oh you’re smarter nowadays I see.”

Kai descend towards the battle to see bodies strewed about the melting ice. Kai lands next to the humans “Hello humans, thank you for your assistance.” The humans bow to their knees before her “We’re not worthy of you angel!”. She glances at Baskara’s raised eyebrows. “You are worthy in my eyes. The ground beneath is no longer steady please head for shore, winter is leaving.” The humans do not question her words and trot back to shore; once they are a strong distance away from them Kai hears a “Thank you” whispered from below. The ice begins to fall into the water and Aliyah sticks her head out “They’re fat you know.” Kai chuckles for a second

“Where is Leal?…he signaled us to follow but disappeared during the battle” Kai asks.

Aliyah seems reluctant to answer but mutters “I’m not sure to be honest.”

Elijah senses she’s lying but no one is interested in fighting with Queen Aliyah for answers. Kai turns to Aliyah “We saw King Arthur but he escaped to high depths, I chose to retreat.’

“That’s okay Kai, to truly rid us of King Arthur you’ll have to learn how to fly to depths you are not known for. Perhaps If I find my Thunderbird friend, they can teach you; maybe the Phoenix as well. “ Queen Aliyah confidently insinuates.

“Aliyah, those birds do not exist. They are the stories we all grew up to live up to; as stories not because they are real.” Kai explains.

Aliyah pulls herself up to Kai’s eye level and whispers “I am disappointed your father never showed you.” and submerges herself beneath the waters. Kai signals for the Macaws to fly up and head home; but Queen Aliyah’s words are haunting her.