Work Text:
“The Mistletoe, from ancient times
And the birds of the Gods, born from human wishes…”
Hyuse concluded that the woman was deranged as he watched her kneel in front of him. His blade was out, and he expected to be rewarded with a better trigger—a customized-one—after the success of this mission. But what was this woman doing; praying?! Her whisperings, her stance, even the blowing of the wind were irksome.
‘In the paradise where they lived
Gods and humans had built a harmonious coexistence
However, not all human desires were beautiful.
There finally came the time, for the sake of their own happiness, someone wished for the less fortunate to exist.’
Hyuse knew the following sentences. He knew the whole prayer—the melody had been created as a duet, by two people who entangled their voices in a dim inn a long, long time ago… or so he was told.
Ms. Kira—his master’s voice was not good, objectively speaking. But he knew the lyrics like the back of his hand.
‘And thus, the first bird was born…’.
He guessed he could pray with her.
“But behind that bird, who sang of the happy mornings to come, was another: a bird who crooned through solitary nights, with a sorrowful voice...”
He knew he had nothing to gain from joining her. It didn’t matter how young she seemed, or powerful or respected.
She would give him nothing.
The first notes passed through the barrier of her lips and Hyuse flinched.
“From a place, worlds away across the sky
there’s a voice like a prayer, reaching out far and wide”
He was taught to show mercy. The only reason he let her sing was to abide by his master’s teaching. Maybe the fact she was the last of her family to stand weighted on his conscience as well.
“Like the wind that’s bringing in a gentle tune:
the melody of happiness sung by the bird of blue”
It definitely had some impact on him.
“See the crimson flames that reign havoc upon the land
as it burns deeper than the sunset’s descent”
What in hell was he doing?
“Moving forth the endless cycle of life and death:”
The song was some legends from this land —one Ms. Kira stumbled upon years ago and made a mission to teach it to her every student she had: melody, lyrics and the legends behind. Hyuse had seen Aesteria asking for the accompaniment once.
“The breath of reincarnation born from the bird of red”
Hyuse thought it was a bit inappropriate, ‘But there is nothing wrong with that’. And for the first time since they met –which was not that long ago –he met her gaze.
“What is written down, carved on our souls: these memories”
They didn’t know each other and would have nothing to do with each other in the future.
“Of our battles dictated”
“by destiny”
“Though I tried to reach out my hand”
Her veil lifted. She had cried and only some red hue lingered by her eyes.
“-nothing could be found”
“The words I speak”
Like the feathers ripped from my wings
Torn away
We fell to the ground
She stopped singing, the momentum crashed into the screams and the rumbling ground. The Holy Nation had surrended.
Hyuse would get his reward.