“Sorry for bringing you here so abruptly little one. Yet feeling you moving, we had to retreat.” My tone is a soothing lull as I hold my hatching egg close to my heart energy, as I fly us through the magical shield barriers that surround our home world.
“Flying through dimensional realms is unsteady. Do not worry though, that flight is over.” Reassuring my unhatched as we enter into our planetary realm of eternal night. Safely hidden in a cosmic void by arcane magic, from those who hunt our people. “We are home now, beloved little one.”
My energy begins to transform my being amongst the black moon sky. We appear as a dark feathery mist of magic and energy, flying swiftly towards a palace constructed of timber.
Using energetic form to fly through a closed window into the hallway. There, my body begins transforming into physical form. As I pause to realign myself, dark ether slowly dissipates my sacred Guardian of Darkness garb from me. Replacing it with my usual wardrobe of waistrobes and jewelry.
“Thanks to Lani and the other elemental guardians, you do not have to hatch amid battle nor upon asteroids.” With exhaustion my voice is reduced to a whisper.
Supportively placing my left talon-hand of eggshell blue skin upon my hatching one who is strapped to my chest. Lowering my head, leaning it down to quickly kiss the top of my egg. These crow wings of mine loom a sheltering shadow around us. Shutting my garnet eyes while untying the egg sling.
Whispering as my tears roll coldly down my face. “Though even home is not safe when your Aw’mmy is around… Yet, we got this far; there is hope.” Unfolding my wings as I open my eyes again, letting the love flow from my heart with a grieving smile. “You are my hope.”
Opening my wings fully to see Umbral Guard Lieutenant, Vayav Devadas running, almost flying past the hall’s entrance drape-way. The doorway’s ornate purple fabric flowing after his corvid wings.
“Little Brother, I felt your energy return home, but something still feels off.”
Looking down at my egg, feeling the movement of rocking in my hold. Then back at Devadas, his black opal eyes fiercely somber. I struggle to keep my own voice from trembling. “Is Malencia, is my wife-”
“No, not yet. Empress Malencia and our battle siblings at her command have not returned, however word is the battle is over. King Haelius’s forces have retreated from that star system, ours are en route home with a victory in tow.”
My heart pounds as a sharp pain travels down my spine, I can feel the dark matter manipulations from space within my nerves. “Walk with me please Brother, this one is squirming.” Choosing to focus on the present.
Devadas nods silently. Though usually full of vigor and strength of Holy Darkness, the fear flowing from him, his darkest emotions I can taste in my mouth.
He escorts us down the hall, my bare toelans tread lightly upon the recently swept wooden flooring. Devadas, like all guards, wears a warrior’s sandal, sounding off a distinctive clack as he walks.
“Word from the front is that she created a black hole in each of the Star Warriors’ pupils.”
“Her eyes are the true black holes.” I grumble as we continue down the hall. And yet, I once was blissfully caught in the crushing gravity of her gaze.
As we continue down the hall, we approach another drapeway. Captain Ossifragus Adumbra of the Umbral Guard, stands sentry at an archway which a silky midnight purple drapery hangs from the top of.
Tonight, her umbridium crystal armor feels as if it does not fit her stance.
Silently, without lifting her head, she draws back the fabric door. The guarded room is a nestery, as silent as a burial chamber.
I feel the tears welling up inside Adumbra. Her emotions paint a scene in my psyche, a volcano getting closer to eruption, sorrow like sulfur, trembling with the heat of anger. As I pass through the threshold, turning to both Adumbra and Devadas. My egg of a multitude of deep abyssal colors, swirling and continuing to hatch in my arms.
“Big Sister, I need you and Brother to begin an evacuation. Once the staff and visitors are safe, then all guards, including The Umbral Order, are relieved of and off duty until I deem posts secure again.” My voice recovers. Though deep, it is firm yet gentle.
Captain Adumbra, normally stalwart and valiant in character, is trembling not in body, but in words. Trying to not succumb to her volcanic emotions as she protests. “Emperor Koriath, Her Dimperial Highness is expected to return tonight.”
“He has been informed, Captain.” Devadas says somberly.
Subtly, I take the yoke of my friends' excess fear with the magic of our species. With a single breath to release, she then locks her morganite eyes onto me, with the fierceness of a mother dragon.
“I will not stand down anymore, should she decide to turn her bloody talons on her family again. I refuse to abandon you to her.”
Turning my focus completely toward her. “Your concerns are shared with mine, my friend. We have all had enough of this. I refuse to have another mass funeral. Adumbra, Devadas, we need a quiet evacuation. If things turn sour and our empress chooses to fight, she will face me, and me alone." With that I turn back, silently walking into the nestery.
Adumbra sighs heavily and with silent tears falling down her cheeks. “Strength of Holy Night be with you.” I feel and hear her prayer in my heart as she rolls down the drape.
Together they make haste to relay the information and begin the evacuation. As I walk inside the room, cracking begins; the sound of life emerging. Around the threshold that we pass through, and along all the walls and balcony door, is a thick protective layer of black salt.
I make my way towards the hatching table that I have prepared. Above that area, on the wall hangs a wreath-ward that my own talons crafted. A circle with a triangle weaved inside of it; made of branches, bones, shells, ribbons, my own pinion feathers, and dried blossoms.
While my smile is full of love and pride, my eyes begin to well with tears. Placing my little one gracefully on the hatching table. Memories of waking to Nacht being still-hatched in my arms invade. Fighting to carefully hold my egg still with one talon, and stay in the present moment. My little hatchling in front of me fights to emerge.
With my free talon, taking the match box I set out, then picking one. I bring it to my mouth as I hold the match carefully between my teeth. The tips of my talon nails line up for the strike. A swift neck movement, and the small black flame is born between teeth and talon. Taking the lit match from my mouth. Tears softly roll down my cheeks, praying with my soul as I light the purple candle on the hatching table.
“Rajnish, my patron deity and God of Nights Divine, Lord and Lady of Sorcery Supreme, Holy Life in all your roots and branches, Gravity of Stars, Chaotic Unity, and my ancestors who hold me with Love and Honor; please hear my prayers. This egg of mine is hatching, I do not care how my little one looks, nor what their energy feels like. Nor does the sex or gender matter, I will gladly raise my little…”
Stumbling on two certain words with heartaching grief. “I will love my new prince, princess, or princem. I am humbly asking, begging, that this hatchling is alive, and remains alive. Let this one grow up. Please. And if it is not too much to ask, grant me the strength to keep this one safe from their mother. Please. All Divines in my heart and mind, praise and love.”
Being ever gentle and cautious of my sharp, inky talon tips, picking off a few loose pieces of shell. Suddenly my talons release my egg and instead, grip the ledge of the table, closing my eyes shut, as lips tremble. Combating myself to stay in the moment, pushing past haunting pains and more memories storming my heart and mind.
Re-opening my eyes, breathing in purpose while using both talons to hold the base of my egg steady. Cawing out with the gentle warmth of my soul. “Come on little one, while it is still safe. You can do this. Come on baby, Aw’ddy is right by your side.”
A crack across the top, a little chirping cry can be heard coming through.
“I can only lift the pieces you break clean. Aw’ddy cannot fight this one for you. You are strong, you can do it. I believe you can.”
The top burst into a spider crack, and then a second powerful strike from within the shell. A third and final as a tiny talon burst through the top of the egg. A tiny war cry chirps.
Gently holding out a single finger beside my baby’s talon, until my little one grips mine. “Well hello baby, I am your Aw’ddy. I love you. I am right here.”
Their tiny talon holds my finger tight, at the part between my human-like knuckle, and bird-like claw. “Wow you are so strong for being so small.”
Carefully holding and helping my little hatchling emerge. Enough pieces finally break off that I can see my hatchling’s raven black hair, mirroring my own. Two tiny talons now lift out of the eggshell, demanding to be held.
“Alright, up we go.” With a teary smile and a guiding hand, carefully taking my little one out. The egg softly rolls to its side. Gently laying her in one of my arms, my other talon brings the basin toward us. Cradling her over it while using my other forearm as a towel holder. Now reaching for the pitcher, removing the lid and gently trickling water over her with a single talon
“Thank the gods you are alright my little princess.” Continuing to gently clean the slimy midnight blue egg muck from her glacier blue skin with a second towel that I dampen.
“You are going to need a name.” Starting to dry her with the towel on my right arm. “You look just like me, I almost want to name you Koriako.” I chuckle. “What do you think?”
She starts to squirm while I clean her wings, her eyes wincing and her face contorts. I lean in and kiss her forehead, yet she raises a talon and slaps me.
“Oh come on, it is a cute name. Do you not like cuteness? Aw’ddy thinks you are cute.” A titter escapes me.
She may be cute, but slapping? No, this is a good thing. She has a strong spirit, I will raise her lovingly. She can use her aggressions and passions healthily. I will not let anyone snuff her flame nor use her strength against her. Nor will she be like her mother.
Her face twitches as I am finally done cleaning her. My free talon reaches into the hatching table’s top drawer. I pull out a swaddling robe, hatchling socks and mittens. Gently dressing then wrapping her. She blinks hard, then begins to open her eyes.
Her eyes open with a fierceness. Ruby valiant, with a red almost glowing. Thank the gods. Gazing deeply as my heart melts for her. Tears of joy softly trickle down my face.
“Ah, I see why you tried to slap me. Alright, we can go with another name. How about Kurai? Do you like that one, my little warrior princess?” Bringing her up to cradle her against my chest with both arms.
She opens her mouth to be fed.
“I am going to take that one as a yes.” Giggling serenely as I balance her in one arm.
Using my talon opposite, I lift my index finger and swirl it in small circular motions. Darkness begins to dance around my finger. Continuing to swirl and spin until it becomes an orb at my talon-tip. Holding it before Kurai’s mouth, she instinctively begins to suckle on the energy, as if bottle feeding her. Checking over her, thankfully she has no issue eating.
“Dimperial Princess, Karasu Kurai.-” Focusing on the orb for a moment then with a single breath, using telekinesis to hold it for her.
Taking the vial of oil now with my free talon as she feeds. Opening it releases a perfumed musk, like a floral bonfire on a clear moonless night. Gracefully anointing her head, careful not to get any on her wings, nor down past her forehead.
“May our gods bless you this night, sacred princess. Be cleansed of any terror of your conception or my rough carrying of your egg; your hatching is what matters. I love you Kurai. I vow to always be your loving father, no matter what.”
Kurai closes her eyes, stops feeding, yawns, then swiftly falls to sleep. I place the vial down, then kiss her cheek. “Sleep well my little Nightshade.”
I look up at the ward as I continue to cradle her in my arms. “Thank you. All of you.”
Swaying gently while walking, rocking Kurai as I circle around the room with a slow rhythm. I would prefer to recline with you on my chest, however it is too risky.
After carrying her for some time, I hear a chirp from the other side of the room, as if a dying ember fades from within the direction of the hatching table. Then only silence.
My heart drops to my stomach, the room feels like it is spinning, tilting, and closing in all at once. Vertigo from horror. With haste, I go and carefully lay Kurai in her bassinest, then instantly flying with a misty, maddening speed to the eggshell.
“Gods, I am sorry. I did not know there were two.”
My heart feels as if it is about to burst out of my chest. Taking the eggshell in one trembling talon, softly chipping small pieces off with the other.
Stay calm, do not panic or you might lose this one… If I have not lost this one already…
“I am so sorry baby. I did not know. You do not have to forgive me, just know that I love you and I am sorry.” Crying while fighting to keep my talons steady.
Breaking off enough pieces, carefully tilting it to see… No… she is pressed against the shell. Carefully continuing until I can gently scoop my baby out.
She looks just like her mother. Her hair curly and white as a ghostly moon. Her skin is of palest bone hues. Necrotic as if she has died before. Weeping as I hold her in one talon, the other gently lifts her dull talons, checking for an energetic pulse. Her wings, her back, broken. Only in my arms can I feel her life energy.
Withdrawing my talon, immediately beginning to weave healing night energy around her. “Do not slip away, phantom daughter. Do not slip away while your Aw’ddy is trying to save your life.” Focusing extra magic into repairing her tiny body and restoring her vitality.
“Gods, I am sorry.” Falling to my knees while gently holding my frail baby at my heart. Tenderly using my tears and ankle length hair to clean her.
“I should have checked when I saw how small Kurai’s talons were. I just assumed. Forgive me. Please do not take her just because her father is an emotional imbecile!”
“On your feet my son.” I hear a sincere whisper in my sinking, grieving heart.
Who is there? Who is that? … Lord Rajnish? Divine Poa? … Mother? Are the gods and ancestors actually speaking to me? No, I must have finally lost my mind. Too many losses.
If I have lost sanity, let it be lost. Whatever it takes to save her. Rising up from my kneel to stand with tears persisting just as my healing magic is. “Aw’ddy is right here. I am with you baby princess. Please. Please let Aw’ddy make it all better.”
Her bone hues animates into an ice blue as the darkness of life flows in her. I sing my thanks and praise while bringing her to the anointing oil upon the hatching table. The candle, still burning.
Looking over to Kurai. “No more fighting with your sister. You two need to watch each other's wings when I am not around. Kurai, I am not upset at you. You two should have never been stuck in one egg. It is a miracle that even one of you survived. Both? Your Aw’ddy is fighting for that miracle. I love you both. Unconditionally.”
Resting my frail princess on my shoulder, using my body to support her, and a talon to steady her. Then I take the rest of the anointing oil into the flesh part of my talon tips. Gracefully anointing the crown of her head.
“Dimperial Princess Karasu Phantisma, May our gods also bless you just as much this night, sacred princess. Be cleansed of any terror, pain, anything terrible that prevents your healing. Let my lamenting wash you free of this purgatory between life and death you were hatched to. Gods please, let her live with us, or at least take her painlessly… Not this suffering.”
Phantisma’s body finishes healing.
“Thank you gods. I love you. Your praise and honor forever in my soul. Phantisma, as your father I vow to always love you as well.” Kissing her cheek.
Walking with Phantisma to Kurai’s side. “Pardon me as you have to share this space with her for just a moment.” Softly laying Phantisma in the bassinest with Kurai.
Turning to the hatching table, I start to quickly clear it, until my talons touch the egg shell.
What do I do with this? I did not think this through. I know usually hatch-bringers grind this into a powder and then mix it with water but- Do I even-
I search the drawers of the hatching table, and sure enough all the tools are there. Folk traditions advocate for ingestion by the parent to deter harmful spirits. I have the ward up, and doing this will not stop my wife if she puts her mind to something. I will decide later.
I move everything inside its drawers to the chest on the opposite side of the room. Keeping swaddling robes and garments across my arm, then rushing back to pick up Phantisma again. Dressing her while carrying her back to the hatching table. There, I lay her against my body, supporting her with one arm.
Placing my free talon down on top of the cleared hatching table. Dark ether, deep and arcane magic, begins forming around my outstretched hand. The table itself shakes violently while the darkness takes a hold of it. Every timber splits as every fiber snags apart. I focus on the object as I wiggle my fingers with a particular rhythm. The raw components of what was once the hatching table, now weaved into a new bassinest.
“Moonstone and Nightshade, we do not use this power on something that can feel pain. This transformation I subjected the furniture to would be horrendous on a life form. I will teach you more when you are ready.”
“Besides, now that you two are hatched, I do not think we are going to need any more of these anytime soon.” I try to medicate a memory with this joke.
Kurai still sleeps, but Phantisma starts to chirp with hunger.
“Yes little Moonstone, this is definitely hungry work.” Still playfully recovering in tone as I reposition her, then preparing a ball of energy to feed her as I had for little Nightshade.
Phantisma starts to wrinkle her face while she feeds, opening her eyes for the first time. Continuing to feed, she blinks a few times and then gazes up at my face. My heart melts again as our eyes meet.
Her eyes are a red deeper than blood, sparkling garnets in the velvet night. She has her Aw’li’s eyes, the garnet in mine is closer to brown. Hers are just as lively as her sisters… just like my mother’s.
“Crazy, I thought you would look exactly like your mother down to every detail. Then again, your energy does not feel like hers. Yours is that of a lotus trying to bloom, fighting through the mud and muck. Nothing wrong with that, everyone is different. It is our differences that create the mosaic of beauty in the multiverses.” Softly kissing her anointed forehead as Phantisma continues to suckle darkness I spun for her within my arms.
Just as my lips part from Phantisma’s forehead, a sudden, overpowering feeling of dread pounces on me. Strangling my emotions. I sense a formidable presence; like an ancient abyssal darkness that once oozed out of some gods-forsaken planet deep within the vast horrors of space. Feeling a predatory creature looming in the darkness, stalking its prey. Stalking me.
Inside the nestery chamber, it is as if the icy winds of a desert erode away the temperate air within the palace’s timbers. The very vibration becomes dark and heavy, with an eerie, uncanny pull beyond gravity. As if the concepts of terror and pain bloom like flowers.
I am not allowed to run, and it is too late to hide.