LU 174 - Tori 14

Rain falls around Tori as he travels, his hair and clothes soaked as they cling to what's left of his body. The wind doesn't hinder the bird as he flies towrds hsi destination but still blows heavy drops of water, like tears of the sky as it grieves two lost guardians of the land, into his eyes. The sun rises to greet the Earth for another day, the world celebrating this first mourning morning with such a sad scene upon the horizon.

Still, life continues to march forward, leaving behind those who dwell on the past, and the soul confor, unaware of this realm's loss, moves to the beat of time with a new flame of determination.

*"Greeting mortal."*

Before the soaking bird stands before the guardian he seeks, high and mighty upon her petals as she looks down upon him.

*"I have come to propose a deal."*

Standing upon the tree, Tori flaps his wings once to shake off loose raindrops before folding them respectfully. Offering himself to the god-like being in front of him for salvation, the decision of whether by death or pity, no longer sitting in his hands.

A dancing fire, once raging, now begins to melt away the wax of grief holding it steady. The bird is unstable, threatening to ignite any bridges built around the bird until all that's ledt of his pitiful existence is ash.

*"What makes you so devoted?"*

The beings of this cold, mourning realm had nothing left to take from the condor and thus, threw Tori away, chasing him from the illusion of a life he had built once again.

Stumbling and searching through countless stolen texts for answers, reliving and recounting every memory he can remember for something that may end his suffering more explosively than the end of his blade, he only found one way out.

The guardian thinks, whatever ideas running through her head going unannounced to the world as she finds a use for the bird once again.

*"How well do you know the group that is killing us one by one?"*

Tori speaks, telling Morpheus of his plan to take down the arrogant king that chased him away from his home. He verbalizes his strategy for the first time, speaking for the gods to hear and judge as he lays down the remaining slivers of his pride. Morpheus listens, nodding before speaking up, offering her assistance to the condor.

*"With this axe, find whom you seek to kill and slay them with its might. It should only take a swing. It will be a favor for both you and I alike."*

Tori holds the weapon in his hands, studying the fine blade the guardian has given him before bowing his head, thanking Morpheus for her aid, though she had a final request to add.

*Do not kill Vice or Frezz.*

Agreeing to the guardian's terms, Tori clears his throat, inquiring about what he would receive should he complete his end of the deal.

*"Our protection."*

A promise to be a part of the family the trees have built, to serve and protect each other through thick and thin if the bird succeeds.

*"My family. I'd like yours to protect mine."*

The condor longs for death. He longs for release from his dreadfully prolonged life. Tori has no use for protection from something he has been chasing since before he could fly, born into a world that would not and *could not* love him the way he needed. Running towards the flickering light as the end of a never-ending tunnel that only seemed to get darker and longer after the death of his mate, he does not wish for protection.

He wishes for his family and their safety; that is all. As Tori recalls, upon their first meeting, Morpheus had offered him information about reviving the dead should he bring someone named Illios to her. Though he was unable to fulfill his end of the deal, the guardian remembers the being coming to her and agrees to give the condor the information he seeks.

*"I have the ability to recreate the body of the one you wish to bring back. Only one. I can only use your memory of them, along with the magic I possess. Nothing else."*

After a few more questions, the bird's feathers settle as he sheaths the axe Morpheus gave him. He turns to leave, pausing as he spreads his wings to ask the guardian a final question.

*"If you revive them, but they are not whole... if they are suffering... I will not be able to bring myself to put them out of their misery. Will you do it for me if I can not?"*

*"... I can."*

*"Then I will do my best to fulfill my part."*