Tonight was going to be the night Grian, an Avian with the wings of the Scarlet Macaw, now tucked tightly into himself as he stood in a line or other youngling of his village, waiting for the ceremony that would mark his future.
His Village had a tradition, a way of life for better word. To grow their community and bring them closer, each year the Gods give their people soulmates, someone they would join together till the end of time. For most it was blessing, but depending on who got them, it was seen as a curse. That was Grian's biggest fear. He feared his soulmate would be someone that he couldn't stand or someone who would get him killed. For a soulmate was someone who shared each other's pain, life, everything. If one dies the other would.
Of course the Gods were forgiven, When you die twice, then you will be brought back, however, due to the people being selfish, after the second death, the Red curse appears. Slowly loosing themselves and becoming hostile slowly. People who became Red were kicked out and banished. A fate worse than dying.
"Greeting everyone! Welcome to the start of your new lives" A cheerfully called out
Catching everyone's attention. Looking up towards another Avian that looked older, his wings fading into a more dark colour than everyone under him.
"Today you will become your true selves! And find your other half in this world!" The elder raised his hands to the sky and looked up, "May the eyes in the sky grant your happiness once the moon is centred just right, Shall we see who you are meant to be within your new lives!"
"Someone's getting paid for his acting" A voice quietly said, causing Grian's eyes turned towards it. right next to him, stood a phantom, a man covered in scars, his wings had been burnt away from daylight. Noticing Grian's eyes, The Phantom's eyes met with his. smiling at him afterwards. "Hey, You're the parrot man that likes playing pranks right? People call me Scar, I don't know why" Another joke. he held his hand out towards the Avian who stood there staring at it.
"Ignore him Grian, best not to disrespect the Gods while your life is in their hands" Joel whispered towards Grian causing Grian to look back up towards the elder. Ignoring 'Scar' as he introduce himself as. Scar looked at him and shrugged while looking back up.
The elder continued to explain everything to the others, Grian couldn't say he was listening, he was far too busy within his own head. He wasn't the biggest fan of having his life in someone else's hand. If he had the chance he would run for it, but he had no where else to go. He knew nothing outside of his home. It could be more scary out there than having your life in someone's hands. After the speech while the moon was yet in place, The younglings were allowed to talk to one either.
"This is so awkward man" Leaning back on the wall, the mask man spoke, looking at the other two next to him, there was Grian and Joel sitting on the ground just flicking rocks at each other.
"What are you expecting? dinner date with whoever has your life in there hands? I just want to go home after this, whoever I got just better know how to be safe" Joel's eyes rolled. It was clear the trio wasn't a fan of it all.
"A date? I don't want anything like that, just because they are our soulmate doesn't mean we a lover, that's just stupid crap. That's just a way to make sure the other protects you more."
Etho's words were correct, a lot of the soulmates were still living their own life but grew close to the other. The words alone caused Grian to sigh with relief a bit. "Still, someone else will have our life in there hands, then we could get become red and.. well. You know"
"Calm down birdie, No one is going to willing get themselves or you killed."
"Unless you get Scar" Joel's joked as he looked over at the phantom talking of all and anyone who would listen to him. The three's eyes looked over towards him. Watching him from the distances.
"Anyone who gets him is doomed, he's an idiot no matter how nice he acts. Burnt his own wings when we were kids, ran out in the sun without covering them and well.. Bye Bye wings"
"Don't forget about the scars, he's a fool, how he didn't die before this will be a mystery for the centuries" Etho added onto Joel's comment.
"We are screwed if we get him" The three said before looking at each and laughing.
"What you guys laughing at" Speak of the phantom. Scar stood smiling looking at them all before sitting himself down next to Grian and Joel. The looked at him, not really knowing what to say while Etho tried not to laugh.
After a few more minutes of Scar looking between the others waiting for a response he decided to break the silence. "So, This whole thing is a dumb way to get married" That set Etho off.
"Do you think we are really getting married here? Do you not pay attention to anything that's being said?"
"Nope!" Scar's smile remained on his face.
"Are you not worried about who you will get? Someone could literally cause your death?" Grian spoke up, still looking at Scar with a confused expression, his man literally didn't seem to care about anything, maybe he was really brave, or maybe just really stupid. Grian believed the latter.
"Why would I be? I think this might be fun, a new partner in crime!"
"...You are going to get your soulmate killed." Grian said looking at him confused and worried. Was he really not worried about this?
"What? Noo" Scar said with a chuckle, enlarging the O sound as he said No. "I won't get them killed, I am very safe!"
Joel laughed at Scar's comment about keeping his soulmate safe. "I am sorry scar but, I remember you losing your wings back when were around 7"
"What? Noooo, I didn't lost them, they are still here!" Scar said, pulling out his burnt wing, most of it missing while some had holes where the sun had burnt through it. "I still have them, plus that was 14 years ago! I got better!" Scar defended himself still smiling. "Good times though, back when we were kids, you guys use to hang out with me more often!"
The comment made Joel and Etho looked away for a moment. Etho taking his turn to speak, "Whoever has you is doomed man"
"I could say the same about you Etho, you really good with your weapons but if you get hurt, whoever you gets gonna feel it too! You could get yourself killed and all!" Scar wasn't the best at reading the room or thinking before he spoke. Etho shot him a quick glare before rolling his eyes. Grian had noticed and stood up, looking over at him.
"Hey Etho, I am going to grab something to eat from the table. Do you want to come with?" Etho nodded as the two walked away, leaving Joel alone with Scar, much to his distaste, now he had to hear and talk with the chatter box alone.
Once the pair were away Grian opened his mouth.
"I didn't know you two knew him, I don't think I have met him other than tonight."
"An old friend, he lives on the outer ring of the land, It's not shocking you never met him, you live two different parts. He's in the dessert land and you live in the jungle."
"A phantom living in the dessert? That's odd, wouldn't he burn?"
"Why you think he's nicknamed Scar? He's got burnt a lot when we was all younger"
"Now I am worried I'll be stuck with someone like that, pain and I aren't the best of friends" Grian said before stopping and thinking. 'Oh my god what if I have to deal with someone like that! I don't want to be a babysitter my whole life!"
Etho turned back to him and chuckled. "Don't worry about that birdie, I am sure you will be fine, if not then We got your back, suck to have you flying and attacking us because you hit Red. Though you would have to pay me for babysitting, especially if I have the same problem on my side"
"Ha, We can just lock them up and just keep them well fed and all that" Now both of them was chuckling away.
After a while, The horns went off. The moon was finally in place. Once more, everyone lined up again, Joel running over towards Etho and Grian, punching them both in the arm for abandoning him with Scar while they had their fun without him.
"If you two are soulmates and I am left out, I'll kill you both myself" Joel threatened as the others rolled their eyes.
"Nah, we can just all be soulmate, every time we get hurt, we hurt you so you can feel it too."
"Please don't do that Etho"
"Will you both kindly shut up so we can find out who we are stuck with? I hope It's not either of you, I know the other would get jealous" Grian said rolling his eyes again before closing them.
His fears had came back, now that the time was here. As the moon shined down on them, each of them felt a cold feeling rush through them. It felt like their bodies were creating a new organ for them. Grian still too scared to open and see it, while Joel and Etho simply watched it all happen in front of them. From their bodies they watched as a Green heart morph from them, glowing brighter than any emerald they had ever seen.
"Grian you are missing the light show" Grian heart was going, he opened on of his eyes and looked towards Joel and Etho, watching them closely follow the newly formed heart. Grian looked at his own, and watched it hoover in front of him, it was so bright the Avian found himself having to squint his eyes to look at it.
He held his hand out towards it, trying to hold it in his own hands. He cupped it gently not sure if he could break it or not.
"It's so much brighter than I thought" Grian spoke looking into it. Everyone had one of these, it showed that they are connected as well the gift from the gods that would revive them once they died, changing colours as it did. Green, then Yellow, and then lastly Red. However he never seen them glow like this.
After a while it had zoomed away from him, seeming like it was running of towards another.
"Hey, wait come back" Grian shouted chasing after it, pushing past others, much to their annoyance before spreading his wings to get a little higher to find it. Following it carefully he watched it move around the others, before finally stopping. Grian watched carefully as the phantom from before turned around and looked at his own heart float over towards the other before looking at Grian.
"Hello again" Scar smiled watching the Avian slowly land in front of him. Both looking at him and their hearts.
"I guess it's me and you huh?" Grian was still quiet while Scar continued to speak to him. "So we are soulmate? Does that mean I get to know your name finally?"
"Grian" Grian said.
Scar smiled. "Nice to meet you Grian, I guess we are gonna be good friends now"
Grian mind was screaming. If what Joel and Etho had told him was right. He was soulmates with the most dangerous person they know.
'I am going to die...' He thought to himself.
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Author's Note
I just had this idea after rewatching the
double life series. Working on the second
part already!