Birds of Allaria

In Nemist, the birds of Allaria always fly together. They sit together; they dance together; they sing together, but especially, they fly together. All birds in this tree nation know this, that those who sit above the canopy live life, though there are some who would never taste this treat. These birds are called the Flightless; birds who are said to be born under the night of a bad star. When these birds are born, their wings are clipped, and they lose their ability to fly. Once this happens, the Flightless can no longer soar to the highest trees with the other birds. They sit at the Lower Branches, beneath the shaded sun in near darkness. The community of Flightless accept there circumstance, choosing to look up with pointless hope at the dark leave above, scraping at the fleeting rays of light that seep through the canopy, but Lumus, and his brother Zeric refuse this life. 

They look out at the vast darkness that is the Nemist forest, hoping to one day climb to the top of another nation tree, and bathe in the sunlight they have only dreamt of, but Zeric warns his older brother of the dangers of the floor. No one who has fallen has ever returned to the Lower Branches. That if they fail, they would sit, and lie in the bottom of the abyss, only to serve as a meal for a looming death. Lumus agrees, but with a spark in his eye, he takes and tells Zeric of his plan. Lumus reveals a beautiful pelt of feathers made from that which has fallen from above. Both brothers exhibit an unnatural glee, especially for the Flighless; an unnatural smile litters each of their faces, but Zeric’s smile quickly concedes to his concern. He looks at his brother with doubt. They both know of the custom that exists with their kind, “No Flightless shall see the unfiltered light that smiles on Allaria.” Zeric also looks to Lumus, wondering of the wings’ ability. Lumus explains that they haven’t tested them yet. Wings of this size would be easily noticed, though they would likely not be strong enough to carry them both, so they would only get one chance. The brothers look at each other, filled with sorrow as they realize the decision they now must make. 

Lumus, only just now realizing himself, says that half his life was spent collecting these feathers; how neither of them would live long enough to collect enough feathers to make a second set of wings. Zeric, with his hope now shattered, tells his brother that he should take them. Lumus refuses; with love, he tells his younger brother that he should use them. How he was inspired by Zeric’s meditation of the canopy, always looking up as if preparing himself to be with those that soar. Zeric smiles, but again, his hope fades when he asks, what would happen if they don’t work, and he falls to his death. Lumus, looks at the wings. Lumus grabs his brother and puts his scarred wing over him. He whispers about how this is no life for him. With the little light available, Zeric looks at his older brother’s wings; he sees the scrapes and shreds all over his arms, as if he has spent a lifetime fighting wild beasts. They look at each other. Lumus smiles at Zeric and tells him that his wings are far too weak to make the flight. Zeric begins to weep as the wings of Lumus twinkle like dust dancing through sun rays in the distance; hope and despair silently twirl in his eyes. At this, he realizes that this day, whether his brother reaches new heights or dies in the pits below, is likely the last time he will ever see his brother.