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thisnameisnotspokenfor · 11 days ago

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KOTS Next Chapter Snippet

Super rough so sorry for all the mistakes!

‘Chirp!’ the bundle cried as it’s form finally settled, as Asha stood, ignoring the incredulous pleat from Valentino as she neared the bundle that now looked more bird than light.

“Is that?” she breathed, wincing as her eyes struggled to adjust to the sudden invasive brightness of the bird.

“Unfortunately,” Cepheus sheepishly grinned as he joined her side, evidently not sharing any of Valentino’s concern much to the small goat’s dismay. The small firebird’s gaze flitted from her to him as he turned to face her fully. “You remember that phoenix that emerged from my bow earlier, right?”

“The one you fired at the assassins?”

“Yes,” he nodded, reaching his clawed finger forward as the small bird examined it before it reached over to stroke the bird’s back.

“Asha- meet Ankaa, one of the most powerful Consternia this side of the galaxy! Ankaa meet Asha! She’s my friend!” Cepheus beamed as the small phoenix looked at her with something almost all too entirely close to scrutiny before chirping as Cepheus’s smile fell. “Ankaa that’s rude- what would you know about friends, huh? You were stuck at the bottom of an ocean for eons!”

“Wait-,” Asha sat back, shaking her head. “So you’re telling me that, that massive fire bird you fired….is this?”

“Well Yes and no,” Cepheus replied as the firebird closed it’s eye before leaning into his finger and purring. “This is what she looks like when she’s not fighting, and has started a new lifespan.”

“A new lifespan?” Asha murmured, as a frown pulled at her lips. “So you mean….she died recently?”

“Only temporarily, but such is the way of the phoenix. It’s cycle of rebirth cannot happen if death and life do not coexist with each other.”

“Does…does it hurt when she dies?”

“Hmm…maybe?, but I’ll ask her for you,” he replied, before leaning towards her, a string of strange words and syllables leaving his lips as the phoenix chick passionately chirped and hopped. “She says it’s not painful but only because she’s powerful and very wise and unlike most Consterna she doesn’t give in to her instincts.”

Cepheus grinned, rolling his eyes before he lazily leaned back towards her, cupping a hand over his mouth as he feigned whispering, “but don’t be fooled-,” Cepheus teasingly drawled, his smile sharpening. “She may be little and cute now but she tried to kill me at least three times when we first stumbled across each other.”

Chirp!

“Really?!” Asha frowned. She’d understood that every inch of that cursed ocean had been murderous but at least three times seemed a bit excessive. Especially when such murderous intent came from something so small yet so cute-

“But she should be on her best behavior, right Ankaa?” Cepheus said as the bird huffed before jumping forward toward Asha, moving so fast that it’s little body was nearly a blur before she launched her offense.

“Ack!” Asha cried, barely rescuing her fingers in time from the small firebird’s peck.

Chirp!

“Ankaa!” Cepheus warned, his words heavily accented, as his smile dissipated. “Be nice.”

The small phoenix chick huffed- puffing out her feathers as she hopped back.

“Sorry about that,” Cepheus cast the phoenix another look. “In theory, she should be….friendly but you know what they say… You can take the creature out of the sea but you can’t the sea out of the creature.”

“Chirp!” cried the phoenix chick indignantly cried as Cepheus carelessly shrugged.

“What? It’s true.”

“Aww, it’s fine! I shouldn’t have been so careless anyway, I mean I wouldn’t like it if a stranger stuck their fingers towards me with no warning. I mean after all you had to win her over right, so I assume the same thing would occur for me too,” Asha reasoned, nearly ignoring the look the star cast the stubborn phoenix before a thought struck her. “Wait, hold on a second! I think I might know a way that’ll win me over!” she called, standing to her feet as she grabbed several pieces of kindling from the corner, and a nearby water jug from her dresser before retaking her seat.

“I might not know the difference between the phoenixs from your worlds and mine, but if my intuition is correct she more or less should follow the same theme of rebirth, right?” she asked, tentatively dousing the flames in her fireplace as the room immediately darkened.

“Right but there is this one thing-,” Cepheus voice trailed off as she carefully arranged the kindling in the fireplace. “So-,”

“So I’m making her nest of course! The same one she can live in until she’s reborn!” Asha smiled, carefully scooting backwards as the small phoenix chick approached the nest. Slowly she pecked at it, examining one side and then another as she hopped around the small nest.

“Does she like it?” Asha whispered, as the phoenix chick chirped,abruptly hopping into the nest as a healthy flame engulfed the nest.

Cepheus grinned, as they both leaned away from the sudden heat that had engulfed the fire place. “I’ll take that a yes,”

Chirp! Ankaa happily cried before moving again. Two things seemed to happen at once as the phoenix pauised in mid-air caught by the star’s hands that were only merely inches from her.

“Hey there,” Cepheus drawled, as Asha blinked. She had seen Ankaa move, but when had Cepheus moved? “Just because you like her now doesn’t mean you can be all over her. At least ask first. Also turn down the heat- You’re a firebird remember?”

‘Chirp,’ Ankaa softly replied, her feathers seemingly poofing outwards as her cheeks reddened and the flames in her feathers dimmed.

“That’s better.” Cepheus nodded approvingly, before turning to her. “Would you like to hold her Asha?”

Asha paused before smiling with a brief nod. “I’d love to.”

With a nod and rather victorious chirp from Cepheus, he carefully approached Asha before sliding his hands into her’s as she felt the sudden weight of the Phoenix in her hand.

“Oh!” Asha cried, a bit taken aback before she felt a second pair envelop her hands, steadying hers as she turned to the star beside her, his hands now softly glowing blue before his eyes met her’s.

”Thanks,” she smiled, as he nodded, leaning towards her.

“She’s a bit heavier than she looks, isn’t she?” He softly whispered as Ankaa narrowed her eyes at him.

“Well,l I wouldn’t say that-,” Asha started as the star’s grin returned. “It’s just-,” she paused, all eyes turning to the heavy ringing sound coming from outside as the bird in her hand began to blur. “Huh?” she gaped, feeling the weight in her hands disappear as the world around her darkened and tilted as she heard it.

Screams- distant yet vivid, tearing at her ears as she coughed, trying to clear the bitter taste of smoke from her mouth and lungs.

Smoke? Smoke?! But there couldn’t have been any smoke, not in her Her eyes widened as she looked around, expecting to see the star and familiar sight of her bedroom only to be greeted by the darkened blurred silhouettes of something running past her.

“W-what’s going on? Cepheus?!” she cried, her body feeling like lead as she forced herself to her feet. Gone were the signs of the star in her room as she looked around at the cold stone pillars and ground beneath her.

This was another dream. It had to be. But why was she having dreams now? She wondered watching as bits and pieces of the passing silhouettes materialized just enough for her to make out the outline of noses, mouths and eyes, all widened and twisted as they focused elsewhere.

The people- if they were people- were running. But from what she couldn’t be sure.

‘Asha,” a distant voice called. ‘Don’t!’

“Your highness?” she whispered back, fighting the sudden urge of dizziness that threatened to overwhelm her. The prince was talking to her? But why did he sound so panicked?

‘Asha can you hear me?’ the prince’s voice called out again as she felt the ghost of his touch on her arm before he shifted.

‘Can she stand?’ a voice, one she could’ve sworn sounded familiar/

‘She has to. We need to go. That thing can’t find her.’ replied another.

“Your highness?” she called, looking around at the debris and torn decorations around her. “Your highness, where are you?! Where am I?”

‘You have to get out of here- you have to-’

“No! I’m not leaving without Cepheus!” she cried, the words slipping from her without thinking. “Where is he? I have to fix this!”

She wasn’t sure if the prince had answered, as his blurred outline seemed to look elsewhere as if exchanging glances with someone else.

His voice was lost to the passing darkness as she felt something hard bump into her before disappearing past her. More and more of them appeared all blurring past her as she hurriedly stepped out of their way, none spaing her a second glance as they all continued running.

“The heavens are attacking!” one seemed to cry as a strange red began to blur into the red.

“Save us your majesty!” another cried falling to their knees as the ground seemed to shake and the smell of smoke grew stronger.

‘Asha’ the clarity seemed to cut through the chaos as the world slowed.

‘Asha’

“W-who’s there?” she cried, her eyes searching the crowd that had nearly come to a standstill. “Show yourself!”

Her eyes turned upwards, as she saw it, a figure as dark as night slowly descending through the scarlet colored heavens.

Her breath hitched as she felt fear clench her heart. Run her mind willed her. As the silhouette’s eyes opened to revealed eyes as red as the skies they’d descended from. Run. Her hair whipping in the passing wind as the figure’s feet met the ground. Their power was nearly overwhelming as they spoke once more.

‘Asha’

“Asha!” came Cepheus’s voice as the image seemed to flicker and dissipate, as she gasped, swallowing a mouth ful of air as she forced her eyes open. Coughing and heaving as her eyes darted about the room, relief filling her at the sight of her desk, bed and fireplace.

She was home. No, she’d always been home. That thing- that imagery, it was a dream. Just like the one she’d had in the forest. It had to be. But why was she having it now? Was someone or something trying to communicate with her? She certainly hoped not.

If having one supernatural presence in her life was troublesome enough, she didn’t want to think about the possibility of there being another.

“Asha are you alright?” came the star’s voice overhead. She hadn’t realized that she’d been in the star’s arms as she swallowed a groan and straightened herself, trying to ignore the embarrassment she’d felt as Ankaa curiously chirped from Cepheus’s shoulder.

“I’m…I’m fine,” she breathed, taking in one deep breath after another before she turned to face her concerned company. “Did I just pass out?”

The star grimmaced, humming lowly before slowly shaking his head, “Not exactly. It’s my fault for not explaining it sooner but I didn’t think it would happen like that.”

“Like what? What happened?!” she snapped, pulling herself from his grasp.

“I know you saw something weird didn’t you? Something disconcerting?”

“How did you-,”

“Yeah, remember how you were talking about the phoenixes of our worlds being similar? Well they are, for the most part. But there’s one little difference that most don’t know…” he held his hand to his shoulder where Ankaa sat. “if one finds favor with a phoenix, they can gift you a dream of sorts. The dreams can have a variety of meanings- but most take it as an omen of sorts.”

“An omen,” she repeated, hesitantly watching Ankaa seat herself in Cepheus’s hand. “Is…that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Well that all depends on whatever the person sees,” Cepheus replied as his clawed thumb gently stroked the back of Ankaa’s feathers as she leaned into his touch. “So tell me Asha, what did you see?”

“I…” she paused, his eyes were all too expectant as he and Valentino looked on. “I…I saw nothing really.”

The silence that followed was deafeningly loud as Valentino incredulously pleated, and Cepheus did a double take. “Nothing? Excuse me?”

“Yeah,” she answered, hoping her voice sounded stronger than she felt. “Nothing.”

“That’s not possible-,”

“Oh really? You said that dreams can have a variety of meanings, which include but is not limited to nothing.”

The star paused, his lips in a tight line as his eyes seemed solely focused on her. He wasn’t buying it. Of course he wouldn’t. Common sense would tell her to tell him, but then again…why should she? If he thought she was the only one with secrets then he was sorely mistaken.

“Very well,” the star sighed, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. A small albeit pleasant smile coming to his face as he looked her over. “What? If you saw nothing then there’s no reason for me to press on, right?”

“Right,” she replied, narrowing her eyes as he rested his chin in his hand.

“What? You look like you expect me to stab you in the back-,”

“Honestly, with the way things have been going in my life lately? I’d be more shocked if you didn’t,” she deadpanned.

“Ouch,” the star frowned. “Look you respected my privacy and feelings when it came to my personal matters right? So why shouldn’t I respect yours when it comes to your own affair?”

“You sound like you think I’m hiding something.”

“Oh, I know you’re hiding something. You’ve been doing it since the day I met you.”

“Right,” Asha huffed, crossing her arms. “Like I can’t say the same things about you-,” her voice wavered as his eyes turned to the window a minute or so before she heard the heavy sounds of ringing.

“Hold on,” she murmured, quietly placing the not-so-light bird back into the star’s hand before she made her way towards the window, opening it as a small midnight breeze tore past her.

The night air wasn’t that cool, and yet she couldn’t quite suppress a shiver as she squinted at the distant outlines of buildings.

“Are you shivering?!,” came the star’s voice far too close than it should’ve been as she tensed. A yelp emerging from her as she jumped, spinning around to face him.

“Y-you!” She sputtered, pointing at him as he stared at her impassively. “I thought I told you to not sneak up on me!”

“Is it really sneaking up if you knew I was here in the first place?” Cepheus asked with a small shrug before turning to her bed, flicking his finger towards them as the blanket flew into his hand.

“Don’t get smart with me you- you lunatic!” She exclaimed as he rested the blanket on her shoulders with a small smile.

“Me?” His smile was smug now. “Get smart with you? Oh I’d never-,”

Oh yeah he was definitely doing this on purpose she thought before her gaze turned back to the window once more, listening to the sounds of more incoming chiming.

“That’s…odd…”

“Is it?”

She nodded, angling her body more towards the window as the sight of the distant darkened silhouettes of the buildings greeted her. “The belltowers don’t usually ring this time of night.” It had happened before- although according to both the accounts of her father and grandfather, only during times of duress or natural disasters. Her eyes flitted to the stormy skies above, taking in the sight of the thunderous clouds swirling and thickening around the hole. “Something must be wrong.”

She hadn’t needed to look to know that his gaze was on her when he asked, “If you want me to stay-,”

“No.” she shook her head, while tightening the grip of her blanket around.

The star stepped back, his eyes searching her for something before he slowly nodded. “Alright,” he said after a moment or so before he turned to face the window. “I’ll be taking my leave…but when I get back. We’ll talk.”

“T-talk?” she stammered.

He nodded. “There are some things I need to discuss with you.” His fingertips gently brushed against the curtains floating in the passing breeze before he stopped, turning to Valentino. “Hey, Valentino! Think you can keep an eye on her for me while I’m gone?” The goat nodded, firmly trotting forward as the star grinned, leaning down to him. “Thanks! But be careful with her,” he whispered before glancing in her direction. “She’s….incredibly violent!” he dramatically gasped as she huffed.

“I am not!” she seethed, as he laughed before reaching the windowsill. “Need I remind you that everything I’ve done to you has been in response to provocation?!” Her nose wrinkled in distaste as the words of disagreement all but faded as the star’s eyes widened. “Ah that reminds me!” He halted, pausing as his hand reached to his back before quickly withdrawing it before moving towards her.

“Here,” he handed the glowing feathers to her. “They always last longer and glow brighter when gifted.”

“Gifted?” she looked from the feathers to him. “You’re giving these to me? Willingly?”

“Yep! So you won’t miss me too much while I’m gone,” he winked before resting his hands on her shoulders.” Take care of yourself, alright? I’ll be back soon,” he softly murmured before vanishing into the darkness beyond her window.

“Stupid star…” she muttered, staring at the glowing feathers in her hand. One feather had been shimmering golden, the next a vivid cerulean, and the third had been a beautiful shade of jade. If she hadn’t known better…no, she thought, her grip on the feathers tightening. Maybe if things were different.

This could've meant something.

#I might take you up on that offer as soon as my schedule clears up #ngl having a 9 to 5 has wrecked my drawing schedule completely #hopefully I’ll have some free time soon

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