Zephyr: Rebel
I wait for the wolves to clear out, as they have been through so much. Afterwards, I walk over to Ashura. Ashura is still standing, but looks extremely fatigued. They went through a lot, as well, but I feel like I can do more for them. “Are you feeling okay? You did a good thing.”
Ashura looks at me, completely mystified. “I… I guess I did…”
The falcon approaches again, but this time I stand in the way. There is no way he is going to lay a hand on Ashura again. This has to end.
“Do not patronize us,” He commands to me, “We don’t need your thanks. Come, we need to face the moose next. We have no time to spare, that was already a close call.” I need to end this here and now. I grab my parchment and begin drawing the fire sigil as quick as I can. Before I can finish, however, I feel an overwhelming presence behind me.
“That is enough!” Ashura leans toward Abaddon. I also notice that Ashura has spent another essence to temporarily grant a wish. While that is one fewer opponent to worry about, I cannot help but to feel sorry for them. They could have had a wish granted, but now they will only get a taste of what it could have been.
“This is the third time I have had to tell you! Never talk back to me!”
“No, you have been here long enough!” Ashura shouts, and as I hear their voice I realize that it no longer has the deceptive tone to it. Ashura sounds like someone who is speaking in a genuine manner. “I just solved a problem all on my own without your ‘help’, and I’m solving another problem!”
“What problem is that?”
“You, Abaddon! The problem is you! You mentioned you will be by my side until you die because I will never be able to fulfill my wish, but now I have fulfilled it on my own! I’ve solved the problem of the curse you gave me, even if only momentarily!” The falcon, or ‘Abaddon’ as he is apparently called, falls onto the grassy ground, gnashing his teeth after hearing the last sentence Ashura uttered. If I were to hazard a guess, there was some sort of deal involving that lying curse. From the looks of it, it was a bad deal, as Abaddon just became a nasty bully.
“By contract,” Abaddon mutters in shock, “Your wish has been granted and I must… leave…” A strange rune appears in the sky which blasts a beam of light on Abaddon, killing him. However, Abaddon did leave behind a small knife.
Once the tension dissipated, I hopped over to Ashura. “You did the right thing, my friend,” I tell them, “But are you sure you will be alright without your ability to wish?”
“This is fine,” they respond, “I mainly made that wish as a slave to the Holy Eastern Empire. I didn’t realize what I was in store for. I’m proud of myself for breaking ties, though I feel like I should have done it sooner…”
“What matters is that he’s gone now,” I assure, “he can’t do anything to you anymore.”
“Thank you.” Ashura stretches their wings as if offering a hug. I gladly accept.