Chapter Text
The woods had always called to Kaylen.
They were a mystery, a labyrinth of towering trees and tangled roots that twisted like ancient veins beneath the earth.
Unlike the others in his village, who whispered of dangers lurking beyond the fields, Kaylen welcomed the unknown. He longed for adventure, for something beyond the monotony of everyday life.
This time, he had wandered deeper than before. The air grew colder, thick with the scent of damp leaves and pine. The sunlight barely reached through the dense canopy above, casting long shadows that flickered as he moved.
A rustling noise caught his attention, a sharp contrast to the usual chirping of birds and the distant howling of the wind. Something was there.
Something struggling.
Kaylen's curiosity pulled him forward, cautious yet eager. Pushing through the underbrush, he stepped into a small clearing where a crumpled figure lay in the middle of the fallen leaves. His breath hitched.
It was a person, or at least, it looked like one. The body was draped in tattered clothing, but what sent a chill down Kaylen's spine were the large, bloodied feathers strewn around them. Dark wings, partially folded and broken, extended from their back, twitching weakly. Their skin was pale, almost ghostly under the dim light, and their face, though undeniably human, held an eerie sharpness, their eyes half-lidded and glowing faintly in the shadows.
A hybrid.
The realization sent a jolt through Kaylen. He had only ever heard stories of them, humans who were something more, something unnatural, at least in the eyes of his people. Hybrids were whispered about in fearful tones, hunted, cast out, forced to live in exile.
And yet, here one was, fragile and wounded, barely clinging to consciousness.
Kaylen hesitated. He had been raised to fear them, to see them as monsters. But as he looked down at the injured figure, he saw no monster... only someone struggling to survive.
He took a slow step forward. The hybrid stirred, their breath ragged. Then, with a sudden burst of movement, their glowing eyes snapped open, locking onto him.
Kaylen froze. For a moment, neither of them moved. The forest seemed to hold its breath.
His throat felt dry. "You're hurt," he managed to speak out.
The hybrid swallowed, wincing as they tried to move. Their wing twitched, and they hissed through their teeth. Kaylen had never seen one up close before. Even in pain, there was something hauntingly beautiful about them. The feathers along their arms and shoulders gleamed dully in the scattered light, streaked with crimson where the wounds cut deepest.
"They'll find me," the hybrid murmured, their gaze flickering past him, toward the trees. "If you stay... they'll find me."
Kaylen frowned. "Who?"
The hybrid didn't answer right away. Their golden eyes studied him, weary but calculating, as if deciding whether he was worth trusting. Their breathing was shallow, and Kaylen could see the pain etched into their features.
"You're not like them," the hybrid finally said, voice strained. "You wouldn't have stayed here if you were."
Kaylen wasn't sure how to respond. His people would call this creature dangerous, a threat. Yet, the only danger he saw was the amount of blood soaking into the dirt beneath them.
"What's your name?" Kaylen asked cautiously.
The hybrid hesitated. “...Ivan."
Kaylen nodded slowly. "I'm Kaylen."
Another pause. Ivan's wings shuddered, his taloned feet shifting weakly against the ground. Now that Kaylen was looking more closely, he noticed the strange lack of ears, how the feathers along the sides of his head seemed to move slightly, sensing the air around them.
"I can help you," Kaylen said, hesitating before he knelt beside Ivan. "If you let me."
Ivan flinched at the movement, his feathers puffing slightly in alarm, but he didn't recoil completely. Kaylen kept his hands visible, careful not to make any sudden gestures.
"Why?" Ivan murmured. "Why would you help me?"
Kaylen exhaled, glancing at the wounds. "Because you're hurt. And well… You don't look like a monster to me."
Ivan's expression flickered with something unreadable. He remained silent as he just stared at Kaylen, not saying a word.
Kaylen knew this wasn't going to be easy, but he had made his decision. He was going to help Ivan, no matter what it meant.
Ivan clenched his jaw, pressing his taloned feet into the dirt. With visible effort, he pushed himself up, his wings trembling under his own weight. Kaylen stood close, arms slightly outstretched in case Ivan fell, but he held back from touching him.
"I'm fine," Ivan muttered, though his legs wobbled dangerously. He took a shaky step forward, then another. Kaylen watched him struggle, knowing full well that Ivan was too stubborn to admit defeat so quickly.
But after only a few more steps, his strength gave out. With a sharp intake of breath, Ivan's knees buckled, and he stumbled.
Kaylen caught him before he hit the ground.
For a tense moment, Ivan didn't move, his breathing labored against Kaylen's shoulder. His pride seemed to war with his body's limitations, but finally, he exhaled shakily and let himself lean into Kaylen's support.
"Alright," Ivan rasped, defeated. "You win."
Kaylen adjusted his grip, making sure to avoid the injured wing as he steadied Ivan. "Told you."
Ivan huffed but didn't argue.
Kaylen felt the shift then, the unspoken understanding between them. Ivan still didn't trust him, not entirely, but he was allowing Kaylen to help. That was enough.
"We need to find shelter," Kaylen said. "Somewhere safe."
Ivan didn't resist this time. He simply nodded, too tired to fight anymore.
They walked in silence, moving slowly through the dense forest. The ground was uneven, and Ivan's steps were heavy, his body swaying with exhaustion.
Kaylen kept his grip firm, his focus split between keeping Ivan upright and scanning the surroundings for a safe place to rest.
After a few minutes, he noticed Ivan struggling more. His breaths were short and unsteady, his head dipping forward slightly. Kaylen gritted his teeth, tightening his hold on Ivan's arm.
"Hey," he said, trying to keep his voice light. "You still with me?"
Ivan didn't answer.
Kaylen glanced at him, worry creeping in. "Ivan."
The hybrid blinked sluggishly, his golden eyes unfocused. He was on the verge of collapsing again.
Kaylen huffed. "Not much of a talker, huh?"
Still nothing.
"Alright, then," Kaylen muttered, adjusting Ivan's weight as they trudged forward. "Guess I'll just do the talking."
Kaylen kept his grip firm, supporting Ivan's weight as they moved through the forest. The silence between them stretched, broken only by the rustling of leaves and Ivan's uneven breathing. He needed to keep him talking, needed to make sure Ivan stayed conscious.
"So," Kaylen started, shifting his grip slightly to better support Ivan's sagging form. "You got a home out here somewhere?"
A few seconds passed before Ivan muttered, "No."
Kaylen frowned. "No? What, you just wander around?"
Ivan's breath hitched, his steps dragging more than before. "Something like that."
Kaylen huffed. "That's got to be exhausting. Where do you sleep?"
Ivan didn't respond right away. His feathers ruffled slightly, a twitch of discomfort or irritation. "Wherever I can."
Kaylen sighed. "That doesn't sound very comfortable." He adjusted his hold again as Ivan faltered, catching him before he could stumble. "You're really not making this easy, you know that?"
"Didn’t... ask for help," Ivan murmured, though his voice was weaker now, strained.
Ivan slightly shifted in Kaylen's arms, his movements were getting even slower.
Kaylen felt the shift almost instantly. The hybrid's body, already heavy against his side, seemed to sag even more, his steps slowing until they were barely moving at all. Kaylen tightened his grip, alarm sparking in his chest.
"Ivan?" he called, giving the hybrid a small shake.
No answer. No movement either.
Kaylen's stomach twisted. He adjusted his hold, hoisting Ivan up slightly as he guided him toward a large tree, easing him down against the base of the trunk.
"Ivan, hey," he said, crouching beside him. "Come on, stay with me."
Ivan's golden eyes fluttered, barely open, his breaths shallow. His wings trembled before going still.
Kaylen pressed his lips together, swallowing down his rising panic. He wasn't sure how bad Ivan's wounds really were, but he wasn't about to let him pass out and never wake up again.
"Alright," Kaylen muttered, scanning the area. "Guess we're stopping here for a bit."
He wasn't sure what he'd just gotten himself into, but one thing was certain, he wasn't leaving Ivan alone.
Kaylen ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. He needed to think. Supplies... he had none, but maybe he could gather something useful. Water, at least. His eyes flicked to Ivan's limp form, uncertainty gnawing at him.
"You better not die on me," he muttered, reaching for his canteen. He tipped it gently to Ivan's lips, letting a few drops of water wet them before trying again. This time, Ivan's throat bobbed slightly as he swallowed.
Kaylen huffed in relief. "Good. That's good."
He sat back, scanning the trees. Night would fall soon, and with it, the temperature would drop. He needed to get a fire going. But first, shelter. He couldn't risk moving Ivan any further, not in this condition.
Grimacing, Kaylen got to his feet and started gathering dry branches and leaves. He worked quickly, layering them beneath a small alcove of exposed roots to create a crude barrier from the wind. Every so often, he glanced back at Ivan, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.
As he crouched to strike a spark, he muttered, "You owe me for this, you know."
A weak noise broke the silence.
Kaylen turned sharply. Ivan's golden eyes had cracked open, hazy but watching him. "What... are you doing?"
Kaylen let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Keeping you alive." He gestured at the pile of kindling. "You're not exactly in any condition to argue."
Ivan blinked sluggishly. His wings shifted slightly, but he winced, stopping any further movement. "Shouldn’t... help me."
Kaylen snorted. "Yeah, well, I'm not known for making the best decisions."
Ivan's lips twitched in something close to a smirk before exhaustion pulled him under again. Kaylen watched as his breathing evened out, his body going still once more.
Kaylen sighed, shaking his head. He shifted his gaze and focused on the fire in front of him again.
He worked quickly, striking flint against stone until a small flame sparked to life. He fed it twigs and dry leaves, coaxing it to grow until the fire cast a flickering glow against the trees. The warmth was immediate, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as the cold night air pressed in.
Ivan remained still, his breathing slow and steady. Kaylen leaned back against the tree beside him, watching the fire crackle.
The quiet stretched on, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Kaylen found himself glancing at Ivan, studying the soft rise and fall of his chest, the way the light played against the dark feathers on his wings.
"I don't know what you did to get yourself in this mess," Kaylen murmured, voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm guessing it wasn't good."
Ivan didn't stir.
Kaylen exhaled, rubbing his face. "I must be out of my mind."
The night deepened, shadows shifting between the trees. Kaylen adjusted his position, keeping an ear out for any movement beyond their small clearing. He didn't know who or what had hurt Ivan, but if they came looking, he needed to be ready.
His gaze drifted back to Ivan once more. Whatever trouble the hybrid had gotten himself into, it wasn't over yet.
Kaylen just hoped he wouldn't regret getting involved.
The night stretched on, the fire crackling softly as it cast flickering shadows against the trees. Kaylen sat with his back to the large oak, listening to the quiet rise and fall of Ivan's breath. It was steady, but still weak.
Kaylen sighed, rubbing at the tired ache in his eyes. He had never expected his usual wanderings to turn into something like this. His people would have called him foolish for getting involved, but he couldn't bring himself to regret it. Not yet, at least.
A sudden shift in the wind made the flames waver. Kaylen tensed, eyes scanning the dark. The forest had its usual sounds, rustling leaves, distant chirps... but something felt... off. He reached for the small hunting knife at his belt, gripping it tightly as he listened.
Then he heard it.
Distant footsteps.
Slow, measured, deliberate.
Kaylen's stomach clenched. They weren't alone.
Carefully, he reached out and shook Ivan's shoulder. "Hey," he whispered. "Wake up."
Ivan stirred with a sharp inhale, golden eyes fluttering open. His gaze flickered between Kaylen and the fire before his feathers ruffled slightly, his senses catching up. "What is it...?" he rasped, still groggy.
"Someone's out there," Kaylen murmured. He tilted his head toward the trees. "Do you hear it?"
Ivan's earless head tilted slightly. For a moment, he remained still, then his body went rigid. His eyes snapped to Kaylen's, urgency flashing in them. "We have to go," he whispered.
Kaylen frowned. "You can barely stand."
Ivan swallowed, pushing himself up with shaking arms. "Doesn't matter." His wings trembled as he tried to steady himself. "They found me."
A branch snapped in the distance. Closer this time.
Kaylen's pulse hammered. He didn't know who 'they' were, but from the fear in Ivan's expression, he knew one thing... staying put wasn't an option.
Without another word, he moved to Ivan's side, hooking an arm under his to help him up. Ivan stiffened at the contact but didn't pull away.
"Can you move?" Kaylen whispered.
Ivan gave a shaky nod. "Not fast."
Kaylen gritted his teeth. That would have to do.
The two of them moved as quietly as possible, leaving the fire flickering in their wake. Kaylen's mind raced, searching for a safe path. The dense trees provided cover, but if their pursuers had sharp eyes or worse, sharp noses, it wouldn't be enough.
Behind them, the footsteps quickened.
Ivan suddenly tensed, his talons digging slightly into the earth. Kaylen barely had time to glance at him before the hybrid's eyes went wide, and in one motion, he yanked Kaylen down just as a sharp whistle cut through the air.
An arrow buried itself in the tree where Kaylen's head had been.
His breath caught in his throat. That wasn't a warning shot.
"Run," Ivan breathed.
Kaylen didn't hesitate. He hooked his arm tighter around Ivan and pushed forward, forcing both of them into a stumbling sprint. The hybrid was weak, his body sluggish, but desperation gave them both an edge.
Behind them, voices rang out.
"There! Don't let them escape!"
Kaylen cursed under his breath. More than one. And they sounded organized.
"Who are they?" he hissed, half-dragging Ivan through the underbrush.
Ivan's breath was ragged, his wings twitching weakly. "Hunters."
That was all Kaylen needed to hear.
His mind raced. They needed to lose them, fast. But with Ivan barely on his feet, their options were limited. The forest terrain was rough, uneven. He had spent years getting used to terrain like this, but Ivan?
Kaylen's grip tightened on his knife. He might have to make a stand.
Another arrow sliced through the air, this time grazing a tree just ahead of them. Too close.
Kaylen made a split-second decision. He veered sharply to the right, pulling Ivan with him toward a narrow ravine. The ground sloped downward, the terrain treacherous, but it was their best chance.
"Hold on," he muttered, before taking the plunge.
The world blurred as they half-slid, half-stumbled down the incline. Dirt and leaves kicked up around them as they hit the bottom with a rough jolt. Kaylen barely kept himself upright, steadying Ivan as he sagged against him.
For a moment, there was only silence.
"Where'd they go?"
Kaylen's heart pounded. The hunters had lost sight of them, but not for long. He looked around frantically. There, a hollowed-out section of an old tree, just big enough to squeeze into.
"In there," he whispered.
Ivan didn't argue. With what little strength he had left, he followed Kaylen into the hollow, pressing themselves into the shadows. Kaylen held his breath as boots crunched above them.
Seconds passed like hours.
"They couldn't have gone far. Keep looking!"
The footsteps retreated, fading into the distance.
Kaylen exhaled, shoulders sagging in relief. He turned to Ivan, who was barely holding himself up.
"That was close," Kaylen murmured.
Ivan gave a weak nod, his golden eyes dim with exhaustion. "Too close."
Kaylen ran a hand through his hair, glancing out at the darkened forest. This wasn't over yet. They needed a real plan, and fast.
But one thing was clear: whoever these hunters were, they weren't going to stop until they had Ivan.
And Kaylen wasn't about to let that happen.