One Week After School Ended
Chirp.
Chirp.
Rustle... rustle.
"W-What's with all the racket..."
Sirus groaned, his red eyes blinking open as the morning sun spilled through the curtains. He yawned, long and loud, then sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. A flicker of motion caught his attention. Perched delicately on the windowsill was a Razorback Twilight Bird, its multicolored feathers catching the light like blades of stained glass.
'Razorback Twilight Birds... beautiful, yes, but dangerous. One swoop and you're a head shorter. Best not to stumble into their nest if I value my neck.'
The bird tilted its head, eyes locking onto Sirus's glowing irises. Without hesitation, it fluttered onto his outstretched hand and chirped softly, its voice light and crystalline.
Startled at first, Sirus relaxed and lifted his other hand, gently patting the top of the bird's feathered head. "Aren't you something... Beautiful and deadly. Lucky for me, my demon skin's tougher than rock—your feathers won't even scratch me… I hope."
He studied the bird with a scholar's appreciation. "We learned about you in class. You've adapted—evolved razor-barbed feathers and sharp beaks to survive the harsher climates. From a distance, you look terrifying. But up close..." He smiled. "You're magnificent."
He moved his hand to the window. "You should get back to your flock. They're probably worried."
The bird nuzzled his finger in parting, then took flight with a musical trill.
Sirus sighed contentedly and rose, making his bed before heading to the bathroom.
Splash.
Inspecting his reflection, he traced the small horns starting to protrude from his head. "Growing nicely. Someday they'll be as polished and fine as Mother's. Breakfast now... but then what? No school today. Hm. I'll figure it out as I go."
In the kitchen, Sasha stood humming, silver hair flowing like moonlight down her back. Her skin shimmered like Sirus's, flawless and smooth. She turned at the sound of his footsteps, her crimson eyes lighting up.
"Ohhh, good morning, my precious Sirus! Look at you—such perfect skin, that radiant hair, and those adorable baby horns!"
Sirus offered a sheepish smile. "Mother, please... If Dad heard you, he'd probably just shake his head and laugh."
"Oh, your father..." she rolled her eyes with mock irritation. "Still asleep, that lazy demon. Do me a favor, would you? Wake him up with a good spanking."
He blinked. "I... think I'll just poke him."
Chuckling awkwardly, Sirus crept to his parents' room and knocked. No response. He sighed, pulled the blanket away, and gently poked his father's cheek with one claw-tipped finger.
"OWW!" Ethan jolted up. "S-Sirus?! What in the seven circles—You stabbed me!"
"You wouldn't wake up," Sirus shrugged. "Mother said to spank you... I improvised. Breakfast's almost ready, by the way."
He walked out as Ethan blinked blearily at his bare body.
"Clothes... right." Ethan groaned. "Why do I always forget...?"
Back in the kitchen, Sasha grinned as she flipped breakfast. "Well done, my son. His scream was the seasoning I needed."
Sirus grimaced. 'Why is my mother like this...? What does she normally do to wake him up—poke? Spank? Peg—NOPE, not thinking about that!' Face flushed, he muttered a vague excuse and stepped outside.
The sun was already high. "Bright out today..." He spotted the Great Tree near where his father worked. "Good place for shade."
Seven minutes later, Sirus stood beneath the massive trunk. He clenched and unclenched his fists, eyeing the bark. "Could punch it… Nah. I'll just carve my name."
With care, he etched both his first and last name into the tree's surface. Then, satisfied, he slumped down and let sleep take him once more.
"Father! Look!"
The village chief opened one eye. "How many times must I say—don't wake me during my nap."
"But that boy! He's sleeping on our tree!" his daughter huffed, arms crossed and cheeks puffed.
"Hm?" He peered over and spotted Sirus. "Well, let's say hello."
"W-what?!" she stammered. "N-no, Father, we should leave him alone!"
He laughed heartily. "You talk about him nonstop, and now you're nervous? You'll lose your chance, girl."
'I must say hello! No one else will do it for me!' Her cheeks flared red, but determination gleamed in her eyes.
"I'll do it! I'll say hello!"
"That's my girl." The chief beamed.
As they walked through the village, people greeted them with respect.
"Good afternoon, Chief!"
"Hot one today, be careful out there!"
He nodded, but paused as a breeze swept past. The wind stirred the Great Tree's branches, and for a moment, the chief felt... something. A whisper of protection around the boy.
Snapping back to reality, he noticed his daughter tugging his shirt.
"I-I can't do it..." she whispered, wringing her fingers.
Sighing, the chief stepped forward.
"Wait—w-what are you—!"
"Hey, kid! Wake up!" he called out. "There's a girl who wants to talk to you. Isn't that right, Sophie?"
Sirus stirred, yawning wide and showing off his sharp fangs. "Oh, Chief. Didn't see you there. Who's the girl?"
Behind him, Sophie trembled, her short dark hair fluttering, her horns curved elegantly skyward. She ducked her head, face flushed.
"My daughter," the chief said proudly. "She's taken a liking to you."
Sirus blinked. "And how old is she?"
"She's eight—but when she's fifteen, she'll make a wonderful wife! Plenty of children, haha!"
Sophie squeaked and crouched, hiding her face.
Sirus groaned, deadpan. "Chief. I'm two."
The chief stared. "Two?! You must mean ten."
"Nope. Two years old. I just look older. I can walk, talk, and fight... but I'm fresh out of the cradle, relatively speaking."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Then—BOOMING LAUGHTER.
"Well! You'll grow up eventually, and then you can marry her! She's a good girl!" He slapped his belly as he roared.
'This guy's insane. I'm going home before this turns into an arranged marriage.'
Sirus dusted himself off and quietly slipped away.
"Where are you going, boy?" the Chief called.
"Home!" Sirus shouted, waving without turning back.
Sophie peeked through her fingers, heart thundering. The Chief scratched his head.
"Strange kid. But a strong spirit." He looked up at the tree. "I think the wind likes him."
He shut the door. Firm. Final.
He turned back toward the kitchen.
Sasha blinked mid-bite. "That was fast. You usually come back way later?"
"He wanted to marry off his daughter." He replied flatly, face unreadable.
Ethan choked on his food.
"What? Who wanted to marry off their daughter? Did you at least get her name?" Sasha asked.
"The Village Chief. A girl named Sophie. She's shy. I'm traumatized. Can I go lie under a tree now?"
"Your back already though?" Sasha blinked.
"Then let me burn the tree and the memories."