It was an evening. A faint of twilight almost disappeared, swallowed by the growing darkness around the woods.
Cyril was walking alone in the woods. He was heading to the north but he has no particular destination in mind.
The wind was cold. The harsh atmosphere on his skin felt like even the mature wanted to torture him.
His heavy breaths were the evident of his exhaustion. He somehow wished to disappeared. He didn't even notice a raven flying around just above his head.
The raven descended silently and landed right in front of Cyril. It's feathers were pitch black, barely visible in the dark.
The raven startled Cyril but he just ignored it and kept walking.
The raven got closer. But Cyril didn't care. It was just a bird. He thought himself. But the raven started to fly again, getting closer to his face.
"Shoo shoo, go away. Go and bother someone else. I have enough trouble with myself" Cyril murmured.
The raven started getting bolder. It started blocking his path.
Cyril covered himself with his wings as he thought the raven might attack him.
Then, the dark smoke appeared and covered the raven in whole. The dark shadows jumping out of the smoke.
Where the smoke were gone, there was a man standing instead of a raven. The man was tall. He was wearing a black cloak that looks like a raven's wings.
His eyes were deep brown. His hair was ink black medium cut with slight wavy curves. He looked majestic.
"Wh-who are you?" Cyril asked.
The man raised both of his hands.
"I'm not here to harm you," he said calmly, "I've been watching you."
Cyril's eyes narrowed as he studied the man's face.
" Why?"
"Because you're like me," the man replied."Powerful. But untamed."
Cyril scoffed. "You knows nothing about me."
The man stepped closer.
"I know what it's like to fear your own strength. To run from it. But it doesn't have to be this way."
"Who are you?" Cyril demanded.
"Kel," the man replied gently.
For a moment, Kelionis studied Cyril. The pale moonlight scattered on Cyril's face.
His porcelain-like skin, his emerald green eyes, hia face with unique features, the symmetry of his face, everything was just perfect. Kel felt an ache in his chest.
An angelic face. Kel thought himself bitterly. And the demonic wings. They don't match.
It wasn't fair. Of course, she would love him. She had chosen him in this life. What could he do about it?
Kel's eyes were heavy. He felt an ache in his chest again. He had made his choice the moment he saw her tears. If helping Cyril meant to bring her smile back, then so be it.
..
"You know, Cyril. I have been there before. I know what it is like to fear yourself. I know what is it like to fear things you don't understand"
"H-how...do you know my name?" Cyril demand, "Ugh whatever.... We are nothing alike. You don't...."
"I do understand you," Kel said gazing at the distance light radiating from a village.
"I also once afraid people might see me. I used to hide in the woods. I was scared that people might see me as a monster. I let the fear consume me for so long. Longer than you have had," Kel continued.
"But running away from fear is not the answer. You have to face it. You have to learn how to control it"
Cyril went silent. He was thinking deeply about what Kel just said.
"I can help you," Kel said trying to sound gentle.
Cyril went silent for a while. He didn't know how to react to it.
"Well, I guess you don't like my tone. Let's just say I'm not offering you help. I'm just requesting you to accept my help. How about it? let me help you,"
Cyril looked up at Kel once again. He studied his face. Kel was subtly smiling. Cyril could see that there was a deep dimple on the right side of Kel's cheek.
Cyril finally nodded. He needed an answer. To understand everything. To understand what he had become.
Kel led him to a nearby clearing. Without another word, he gathered dry branches and set up a small campfire.
The fire's warmth eased the tension in Cyri's mind just a little bit. He sat down but his gaze remained at Kel as he studied Kel's face.
Kel sat beside him gazing into the flames. The fire danced like it was alive just like the magic that flowed within them both.
For a moment, Kel and Cyril sat in silence. The only sound was the crackle of the fire and the distant rustling of leaves.
Then Kel spoke calmly.
"I wasn't born like this," Kel said, "I used to be a human...just like you. I was an adventurerer. I like travelling. And I had her..."
Cyril listened to Kel silently not to disturb him. His attention was on Kel.
Kel continued.
"She was... everything to me. I wish I told her this...But anyway. We travelled around the world together. We liked challenges. Whatever comes out way, we were ready to face it. Life was simple back then...and it was... beautiful"
Kel smiled as he recalled those beautiful memories.
"We were young, curious, fearless, and...naive"
"One day we explored an ancient temple together. We knew nothing about it. I wonder if we would have still taken that challenge if we ever knew what will happen there"
Kel's gaze shifted to the ring that he has been using as a pendant for his necklace.
"I don't quite remember what happened but a dark shadow swallowed us both. I was desperate I wanted to save her. I fought with my might but I couldn't. I accidentally touched the ancient book. I believe it had a spell or worse, a curse. I tried everything I could to save her. But I was too late. The shadow took her away..."
Tears started to well up in Kel's eyes as he tightly gripped the ring.
"I was about to propose her after that adventure. I thought I had the chance to call her my wife"
Kel wiped away his tears with his cloak.
Cyril watched him with a worried look.
"I... I'm sorry to hear that"
"Since that day, I had shadows following me wherever I go. They are reminders of what happened to her. I ran away, Cyril. I ran till my feet bleed."
"I was scared of what I have become. I was scared to be seen. I was scared that I would hurt someone if I ever lost control."
Kel's gaze shifted to Cyril's Wings.
"I know what it is like to fear yourself. Fear what you've become. But running away isn't the answer. I had to face it. I have to learn to control it. So do you, Cyril"
Cyril's gaze flicked to the campfire. The flames reflecting in his eyes.
There was a heavy silence between them.
"So, let me help you"
"But why... why would you help me?"
Kel looked down at the ring again before he started speaking.
"Because....she would want me to help you"
To be continued...