Chapter Text
Chapter 1- The strings of fate
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The scent of the forest filled in. The rustle of the leaves, the cold breeze of the wind..The smell of spring arriving.
A few rabbits poked their heads out, hiding in their burrows again at the sound of footsteps. The deer curiously looked over, its eyes glowing faintly in the shadows of the forest.
An avian, known for being the son of the queen of the sky clan, was aimlessly wandering through the forest. Wearing only but rags and a hood. Nothing like his princely self. Most people would laugh, yet, the avian didn’t care.
The avian’s name was ‘Parrot’. An unexpected and odd name, yet the sky clan always named their children weirdly. So it wasn’t common for someone from their circle to not be named like that.
Parrot was always the loner, he didn’t really interact with anyone unless his mother forced him to. His eyes were dim and dark, like even he who hated socializing, wanted a friend to travel with.
He wasn’t always wandering like this. He was kidnapped at the age of 9, his exact age now, he managed to escape somehow. With the work of magic his mother taught him. It’s been months since he escaped. So Parrot? He learned the harsh ways of life.
He was never arrogant either. He helped his people without question, he was the ‘perfect boy’ of his entire clan. His mom never really taught him independence, so he had to learn on his own to survive.
His footsteps were quiet, silent as ever as he walked towards a pond. Getting a bucket full of water as he lit up some wood he chopped earlier with a lighter. Boiling the water so it’d be safe to drink.
After letting it cool, he poured it into a few bottles of water as he snugly stuffed his bag with them. He wasn’t thirsty, he was preparing for the night. Where wolves, bears and all sorts of predators lurked.
He quickly poured water over the fire, burning it out as he began to set his journey once again. Before he could take another step..
A sudden rustle came from behind him. Parrot was instantly alert, he quickly took out his spear and pointed it at the direction where the sound came from.
A pair of purple eyes locked onto Parrot’s figure as the person slowly stepped out. Tail wagging, ears twitching. A dog hybird.
Parrot blinked at the apperance of another person. The guy was wearing clean clothes unlike Parrot himself, but he didn’t feel envy. He only felt caution at the sight.
“…Hello.”
The person spoke, wagging his tail as he smiled at Parrot. Fangs showing despite not baring them as Parrot instantly pointed the spear higher.
Upon the action, the guy quickly raised his hands, gesturing he meant no harm towards Parrot. He understood Parrot was only cautious of everyone due to the fact he was an avian and the guy himself was a hybird of a dog.
“Who are you? Why did you creep up behind me??”
Parrot asked, his brows furrowing in distrust. His wings spread out, like a bird trying to scare off a predator.
“..I’m Wifies. I saw you boiling some water and I wanted to ask for a bottle.”
Wifies replied with a sweet smile. He slowly sat down on the floor, crossing his legs as he kept his hands in his lap to let Parrot lower his guard down.
Parrot wasn’t easily fooled. Despite that, he couldn’t tell whether Wifies actually needed water or was this an ambush. But his kindness won as he took out a bottle of water and tossed it into Wifies’ hands.
Wifies quickly twisted the bottle cap open, gulping half of the water down in one go which made Parrot surprised. He suspected that maybe..Wifies was genuinely thirsty and wasn’t trying to hunt him down or whatever.
“Are you lost?”
Parrot asked. If Wifies was lost, maybe he could bring him back to his parents or home.
“…No. I simply ran away from home. My parents aren’t really great. Wanna be friends?”
Wifies cheerfully asked as well. His tail wagging happily as he gripped the water bottle.
Parrot perked up in interest. The first time he ever wanted a companion. Back in his clan, he had maids and servants to keep him company, which made him believe he didn’t need a friend. But now? He was desperate. He ignored the fact that Wifies could probably betray him or something.
“Actually..Yes. How old are you anyways?”
Parrot raised an eyebrow. Wifies looked around..12 or 13 to him. His wings finally lowered though he still felt quite tense.
“Twelve! You?”
Wifies asked, innocently tilting his head. Parrot’s guess was right.
Parrot turned his head away in embarrassment. Parrot looked like 12 or 13 as well! But he felt flustered at the thought of telling Wifies he was actually 9 years old.
“…Uhh..Nine.”
Wifies’ blinked in surprise as he looked at Parrot up and down like he was inspecting him.
“Oh..That’s fine! It doesn’t matter! Here, take some of my spare clothes. Those rags look uncomfortable.”
Wifies quickly took out a gray hoodie and black pants as he handed them to Parrot.
“I’ll be waiting. Promise I won’t look!”
Wifies said, quickly running off to a further distance as he kept his back faced towards Parrot.
Parrot stared at the clothes then back at Wifies before he sighed and began changing. But before that, he cut two large holes on the back for his wings, hopefully Wifies wouldn’t get mad though.
After he was done, he picked up his bag and walked over to Wifies who was staring at the trees, lost in thought before he snapped out of it at the sound of Parrot’s footsteps.
“Wanna build a base!?”
Wifies blurted out, flashing Parrot a bright, sheepish smile. Parrot blinked at the unexpected question.
“I don’t know how to-“
“It’s okay! I’ll teach you!”
Wifies giggled as he grabbed Parrot’s hand and dragged him off as he began sprinting, Parrot almost tripped but he managed to keep his pace as he groaned.
“Slow down!”
Parrot yelled. He could fly. But he also couldn’t. His wings didn’t work.
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Soon, they reached an empty spot near a pretty waterfall and a river. With banana trees and apple trees nearby. Even a few wild livestock could be seen in the distance.
Parrot was awe struck at the place as he stared at Wifies in disbelief. How did Wifies find this?
“I used my doggy senses to smell food!”
Wifies suddenly spoke, as if reading Parrot’s silent question as Parrot paused before rolling his eyes. Of course Wifies would do that.
“Look. We just met, we seriously aren’t building a-“
Wifies shoved an instruction book into Parrot’s hands as Wifies ran off to chop some wood with his axe.
Parrot wanted to protest but he curiously opened the book, the book seemed brand new. There was a few guides on how to build a cottage as Parrot sighed and glanced at Wifies who was eagerly chopping wood.
“Look. We can’t build a base without iron rods, wooden poles..A saw and-“
Wifies glanced at Parrot without blinking as he walked over and dumped his second bag that was full of materials they needed. No iron rods though. But most of the materials were in there.
Parrot stared at Wifies like he had lost his mind as he slowly sat down in exasperation.
“Where did you find these?”
“I brought them with me! There’s a cave nearby, maybe we could go check it out?”
Wifies replied. Too eager. Too eager for Parrot to handle and refuse.
Parrot sighed and reluctantly stood up, a loud crash came from a distance as Parrot instinctively grabbed his spear, ready to go check.
Wifies flinched at the sound as he sniffed the air before his pupils dilated as he ran over to the direction of the crash.
“Wha- Hey! Get back here!”
Parrot yelled as he ran after Wifies who was running quite fast for Parrot to catch up.
Parrot slowed down the moment he saw someone as he yanked Wifies back and held his spear.
“Owww!”
The person groaned as they slowly stood up. Another Avian. This one had yellow hair, sunglasses that were somehow intact despite the crash..Gray wings with white tips on the feathers. Probably a cockatiel species. The poor guy was bleeding from his forehead and looked around twelve just like Wifies.
Parrot blinked at the avian. Spear slowly lowering but still in defense yet concerned flashed through his eyes as Wifies whimpered.
“He looks hurt!”
He told Parrot as Parrot let go of Wifies as he walked over to the person who hissed and backed up.
“Hey, we’re not gonna hurt you, okay? You need help.”
Parrot spoke softly, pointing at his injuries as the cockatiel looked up, narrowing his eyes before he sighed and pushed himself up despite wincing.
“What’s your name?”
“…Theo.”
Theo hesitantly replied. His wings fluttering despite being broken, which made Parrot feel a little jealous but he helped Theo by supporting his weight.
Wifies looked around as he glanced at Theo and Parrot before he quietly asked:
“Need help?..”
“Yeah. Just go pick some Banana Leaves and wash them by the river before giving them to me,”
Parrot muttered as Wifies quickly sprinted off where Parrot began walking with Theo leaning against his shoulder.
“Why are you helping me?.. No one ever helps me.”
Theo asked quietly, almost insecure as Parrot felt for him at that moment as he paused before replying calmly:
“Because…Helping people is what I like to do. You’re lonely, I can tell. But that doesn’t mean you’re weak and that you have to pretend to be tough.”
Parrot honestly replied which made Theo lower his head as blood dripped down his forehead.
Theo glanced at Parrot, a small flicker of gratitude flickered in his eyes before he quickly hid that faint glimmer.
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After tending to Theo’s wounds, Parrot stood up as he asked with a small tilt of his head.
“Feeling better?”
“Yeah..Thanks.”
Theo muttered, his wings stretching like a test as Wifies curiously stared at Theo.
“The puppy seems to listen to you quite well.”
Theo commented.
Wifies instantly glared at Theo at the comment. His cheeks turning red in embarrassment as he flailed his arms wildly.
“I’M NOT A PUPPY!”
He protested. Parrot sighed. Theo smirked.
“Speaking of friends, would you like to stay with us if you..Don’t have anywhere to go?.. And my name is Parrot, the pup’s name is Wifies.”
Theo perked up at Parrot’s question, he uncrossed his arms as he thought about it for a moment. Wifies huffed the moment Parrot called him a ‘pup’.
“Actually..Yeah. You guys seem cool and worthy of my trust,”
Theo replied with a grin, making Parrot feel relieved now that someone else could also help their base out.
“We’re trying to make a base but..We don’t have much materials. Nor electricity in the forest.”
Parrot muttered as Wifies placed his hands on his hips, raising an eyebrow at Parrot.
Before anyone could speak, a gold coin clattered to the floor from Parrot’s backpack.
Theo stared at the gold coin before his eyes went wide as he glanced at Parrot and Wifies again and again.
“Is that..The sky clan’s gold coin?! The queen’s one?! Parrot, are you the son of Hera!?”
Theo asked, looking at Parrot with awe as Wifies looked almost confused.
“Yeah. You’re also in the sky clan, right? Though i never seen you around before.”
Parrot muttered, picking up the shiny coin as Wifies stared at it in silence.
“Oo! Oo! You could buy the materials and so much more with that single gold coin!”
Theo spoke, pointing at the coin as Parrot arched an eyebrow.
“I can go buy it! Just gimme a list!”
Theo eagerly continued.
“I’ll go with him!”
Wifies spoke as he walked over to Theo and stood beside him.
Parrot stared at both of them with narrowed eyes. Not that he trusted them but it’s not that he didn’t trust them either. But? He simply gave it to Theo. Even if they were to run away with it, Parrot couldn’t really care anyways.
Theo and Wifies looked at each other before they hurriedly ran out the forest.
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An hour later..Parrot expected them to not come back as he was harvesting a few apples as Theo and Wifies suddenly came back. Dropping the materials as Parrot blinked in surprise.
Parrot slowly walked over without a word, opened the instruction book and sighed before he reluctantly began trying with Theo helping out. Wifies quickly went out the fetch some water down the river.
- Midnight arrives…
The howls of wolves awakened from far. The animals scatter into hiding. The night was quiet, for now.
The trio had set up a large tent to rest. Their base was probably gonna be done in two or three days if they kept up the pace. The wooden poles were already set up, their other materials safely set underneath a blanket.
Wifies was lighting up a camp fire. Parrot was roasting some fish over the fire while Theo kept watch for any wolves or bears. The three had already gotten along quite well despite them meeting each other within a day.
“How did you crash, Theo?”
Parrot suddenly asked, curiously. His head tilting to the side a bit as he stared at Theo, waiting for answers. Wifies secretly took a fish from the skewers and began eating it while facing his back on both of them.
Theo paused, then he chuckled. Rich and warm, his wings fluttered softly..The feathers ruffling up at the fluttering.
“I had a mentor..I was supposed to train with him but I was bored..I tried to fly but realized by wings were slightly injured by a branch while I was flying above the trees. That’s how.”
He casually replied.
“..Are your wings still hurt?..”
Parrot asked in worry which made Theo shrug in dismissal.
“Nope! Good as new!”
Theo yawned, taking a single roasted fish as he began chewing. Parrot took the same action as he began eating slowly.
Wifies’ ears twitched. Dogs could hear a lot as he sniffed the air before let out an instinctive growl.
Theo and Parrot glanced over, seeing Wifies staring into the trees made them tense as Parrot handed a spare spear towards Theo who quickly took it, clutching it tightly. While Parrot grabbed his own spear, narrowing his eyes towards the darkness.
A pack of wolves circled them before they could do anything. It was clear that they had been drawn to the scent of meat.
Theo’s eyes burned into the largest wolf. He wasn’t afraid. Never afraid.
Wifies tail wagged slowly, a sign of agitation as Parrot carefully made sure that no one moved too fast.
One of the wolves immediately lunged at Parrot where Theo blocked the attack, grabbing it by the head and threw the animal against a tree.
The other wolves moved fast after seeing one of their pack members taken down.
Within minutes, shadows of the fight reflected onto the ground and tent due to the fire’s light.
“Yikes! I’m never eating fish again!”
Wifies whimpered, already tired from fighting as Theo smirked, pinning a wolf down by its head with his foot.
“Even the pup can’t keep up like two birds can.”
“Shut it!”
Wifies squeaked as Parrot looked at them in disbelief at how casual Theo was being and that they were bantering in the middle of a fight.
“Can you both focus!?”
Theo and Wifies quickly snapped out of it while Wifies continued complaining.
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A full night passed. How come? Because a two bears joined in the fight due to the loud commotion the second all the wolves were taken down.
Parrot laid on the grass, his wings horribly scratched while claw marks stayed visible on his arm and waist as his left eye twitched with annoyance. Dark circles stayed underneath his eyes.
Wifies was also tired. His body curled up into a ball near the tent that was crushed and ripped apart. He only got a few minor cuts and scratches though.
Theo? He was the only one who was still active somehow. Sunglasses were cracked even more. Deep wounds on his arms and neck. Despite that, he was standing. Hands on his hips, a proud grin flashing brighter then the sun.
“You’re 13. How are you so happy about fighting for the whole night.”
Parrot flatly asked. He tried to close his eyes but can’t due to his wounds hurting. Yet he couldn’t move much either.
Theo glanced over with a smirk, wings fluttering despite the scratches as he adjusted his sunglasses.
“Because i’m strong!”
Wifies rolled over, glaring at Theo with envy from how fine he looked despite his wounds. How was this guy still standing!?
“Go patch up your wounds or something.”
Parrot muttered, fingers curling.
Theo’s eyes softened just a tiny bit as he took out a few bandages he bought while buying the materials for their base as he walked over to patch up Parrot’s and Wifies’ wounds.
“Not to mention but you’re nine. Wifies told me. I’m surprised how you’re not crying in pain.”
Parrot watched as Theo carefully tended his wounds before moving onto Wifies who still glared at him fiercely.
“Because i’m not a baby.”
Parrot replied which made Theo laugh.
“Patch your wounds. Or should i do it for you since your ego is too big?”
Parrot asked with a raised eyebrow, clearly seeing how Theo playfully glared at him.
“Hey! I’m fine and my ego is fine too!”
Theo huffed. Slowing standing up as Wifies checked his arm where Parrot slowly sat up as well, wincing from the pain.
At least Parrot and Theo were from the sky clan. Where the people from their clan was tough, including the kids. So they pretty much had a high pain tolerance.
“I’m curious to ask but..What clan are you from, Wifies?”
Parrot asked curiously. His head tilting towards Wifies who stiffened for a split second.
“W-Well..I don’t know. My parents abandoned me and that’s how I met you so..”
Wifies stuttered, Parrot frowned.
“No need to push yourself. I was merely curious.”
Parrot asserted, not wanting to question Wifies further.
“I think you’re strong enough to do the work, Theo.”
Theo paused and groaned with annoyance. Him? Working? Alone? Ugh!
“Why me!?”
“Because you look fine.”
Wifies shrugged casually, making Theo’s wings flare up.
“Hmph! Fine.”
Theo grumbled, picking up the blueprint as he glanced back at Parrot and Wifies.
“Both of you are helping me once you both are fine as well!”
Parrot and Wifies glanced at each other before looking back at Theo as they nodded slowly.