“Krow. Kaw. Quit screwing around and pay attention. Don’t make me regret putting you two on the lookout team.” Klik scalds the Eagle and Raven Aarakocra; not for the first time this Mission. The pair were Mates and usually Klik didn’t mind the two Males being lovey dovey in front of Them, but they were still on Mission and they were both meant to be watching the Square, not each others faces. The pair startled at being caught.

“Sorry, Klik. Won’t happen again.” Kaw nodded, visibly stiffening up. Krow, on the other hand, got an annoyed look on his face.

“We are paying attention. This isn’t a battlefield, it’s a Market. It’s called “Blending In”’ Krow made quote signs with his hands, while continuing to walk. “Okay, if we weren’t paying attention,” Krow points towards a stand about ten feet away from them and continues, “That shopkeep has pocketed the last five Customer’s coins instead of putting it in his ledger. Or how about,” Krow turns and points at a different stand on the opposite wall from the first, “That Shopkeep is watering down Her potions. I’ve seen Her fill bottles with clear liquid and pouring dye in them. I’m capable of watching while looking nonthreatening. You don’t have to treat me like a child, Dad.”

Klik winced at the mention of the pair’s relationship. During Missions, that was a dangerous secret. They regained Their composure before replying, “You know better than mentioning I’m your Parent during a Mission. And I’m not treating you like a child, Krow. I’m treating you like an adult who just got reprimanded by your Superior, which you are at this moment in time. I told you when we…” Klik emphasized the word and Krow knew who his Parent was referring to. “...Agreed to let you and Kaw on this Mission, that you would be treated as adults.” Klik looks over at Kaw, who is looking anywhere but Parent and Son, and sighs. “I apologize. This place is pulling up bad memories. Let’s just finish this final part of the Mission and get home, yeah?”

Krows expression softens and says, “I suppose. I haven’t seen anything that we need to act on, just some petty theft. Are you sure this is the right place?”

“This is the right place. The problem is we didn’t get a specific time. There’s no way we missed it, so it must not have taken place yet.” Klik said, Their eyes tracing the same stands that have been there the past week. The same shopkeeps. The same wares. “Let’s stay one more night. If we haven’t seen it by end of tomorrow, I’ll get ahold of Gwen. And hey, good job on clocking those shopkeeps. I didn’t see them until you pointed them out.”

Krow smiles, letting out a little caw “We’ve got about half an hour until End of Day. I figure we can get a few more laps in before everything closes.” Krow cracks his neck before going back to actively watching the Market.

Klik hangs back, letting Their Son take the lead for once, falling back to walk next to Kaw. The Raven still not looking at Klik, his walk stiff. His face stoic. Klik lets out a little clicking chuckle, before saying “Chill, Big Guy. You’ve already got both Rose and My approval, you don’t need to try so hard. You’re already in, for life.” Klik laughs again.

The Raven visibly relaxes and he ruffles his feathers on the back of his neck, before letting out a caw of his own. “Thanks. It’s still hard to believe. He’s going to ugly cry, you know that, right?”

Klik lets out a laugh, nudging the Raven in the shoulder, “Yeah, you’re definitely in. Come on, I think my compliment went to his head, he’s getting away from us.” Klik speeds up to catch up with Their Son.

“uh… Klik? I didn’t want to say anything while you were giving the lecture…” Kaw smiles, before turning stoic again, “… But, we’re being followed. About twenty feet behind me. Dwarf. Female.” Kaw points out.

Klik nods, stopping at the next stall, ignoring the Shopkeep’s monologue about the, watered down, potion They picked up, using it to get a look in the direction of the Dwarf. From what Klik could see, it was just a regular Dwarf. They turn towards Krow, raising Their voice to reach the younger Eagle, “Krow, I need your expertise over here.”

Krow stops and turns, heading back towards the older Eagle, “Is something wrong?” He says, in confusion.

“We’re being followed. You and Kaw stick together and head towards the other side of the Market while I stay over here. We need to see which one of us is the target.” Klik states. The three of them nod and the younger Eagle and the Raven head off to the other side of the Market. Klik moves to another stand and pretends to listen to the shopkeep, who was selling assorted leather goods, nodding at appropriate times but keeping one eye on the Dwarf. The Dwarf looked in the direction of the pair that moved to the other side, but stayed on this side of the Market, moving closer to Klik. That gave Klik the needed information to make a decision. Thanking the shopkeep, Klik turned towards the Dwarf, taking several steps towards her, but stopped when They see that the Dwarf is wearing the uniform of the Iensdel Mail Couriers. “Can we help you, Courier? You’ve apparently been following us for the past ten minutes.”

The Dwarf jumped at being addressed directly before wiping a bit of sweat from her brow, “Ah… Apologies. You are, Klik, yes?” The Aarokocra nods and the Dwarf continues. “I’m sorry. I’m quite new to the IMC and I’m technically breaking protocol, but I was already in the area delivering another package to someone and I noticed you were here. I’ve got a package from Aran for you.” The Dwarf shifted back and forth, visibly nervous. She pulls out a scroll, with a red wax seal, an envelope and a slip, handing them over to Klik. The Aarokocra signs the slip, handing it and five gold back to the Dwarf, squinting at the strangeness of the interaction, something nagging the back of Their mind.

“Excuse me? If you’re not going to purchase something from the shop, please move out of the way so paying customers can.” A shopkeep interrupts, looking annoyed at Klik.

“Oh, Sorry.” Klik responded, turning back to the shopkeep, handing her a gold piece before pocketing the, obviously, overpaid trinket before turning to address the Dwarf again. Only to find the space empty. “The fuck?” Klik did a double take, before shaking Their head and walking away, even more confused at this Courier’s actions. Finding an empty space against a wall, They opened the envelope, taking out the small note from Their Friend, Aran, and began reading:

“Klik!

Congratulations on gaining a Son! We are so Happy for you! This scroll is a present for the Happy Couple! It is a Twenty-Four Hour Portal to a cabin we own! To Celebrate.

Aran”

“So, who was following us?” Krow suddenly said, scaring Klik and making Them jump, stuffing the note back in the envelope, while turning to face Their Son, the nagging feeling that there was something off about the note, pushed out of focus, for the moment.

“Gods, Krow. Don’t fucking do that.” They exclaimed, “Scared the shit outta me.” Klik held out the scroll and envelope to Kaw, looking at the Raven, but addressing Their Son. “It was a Courier. She needs more training, I’ll bring that up to Gwen. It’s for you.” Handing the items to the taller bird, winking.

Kaw took the scroll and envelope, opening the letter and reading it, before blushing. “Oh. Oh. Hehehe. Okay. Thank you. I’ll get that done as soon as possible.” He stammered, blushing. Krow looked between his Mate and his Dad, before squinting his eyes.

“O...kay.” Krow said, suspicious. But not enough to push it, he sighed before getting back to the task at hand, “So, if she was a courier, why didn’t she use the Network?”

“She said She was already here delivering someone elses package and she saw us. I’ll deal with that, later. We should head back to the Inn. If things don’t kick off tomorrow, I’ll call it.” Klik says.

“Finally! Food! I’m starved! Race you there!” Krow exclaims before taking off, much to his Parent’s chagrin. Kaw, his purple-black feathered hand covering his face, trying but failing to cover a cawing laugh.

“My usual, please!” Kaw shouts out to the back of His Mate, this making Klik chuckle before turning serious.

“I didn’t know Aran had that; that’s quite a gift.” Klik smirks and winks at the Raven. “After the Mission.”

The Raven stiffens before relaxing, letting out a little cawing laugh, “Yes, Klik. Understood.”

“I think you’ve earned the right to call me “Dad’” The older Eagle Aarakocra laughed. “Now come on before he eats me out of coin. Fuck, I don’t know where he puts it all.”

Neither bird noticed a female Dwarf in a Courier Uniform watching them from the other side of the Market, among the final stragglers. Setting in motion a series of events, the four of them never could’ve predicted.

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“Fuck, I’m full.” Krow huffs after three plates of fish.

This time both Klik and Kaw frown, the Raven beating the Eagle in saying, “Krow, you’re being disgusting. Knock it off.”

The younger Eagle frowns, “Sorry. I got too excited. so what was worth breaking IMC Protocol for?” His mind couldn’t let go of the Dwarf. Like Parent, Like Son.

But the two Birds were ready for this; having come up with a story on the walk to the Inn.

“I had a couple of questions for Emeric and he finally got back to me.” Kaw says.

“And I had asked Aran for some help with a non Rose Garden issue. We didn’t know that they were together. That was a happy accident.” Klik laughed, nervously.

The Younger Eagle Aarakocra looked from his Mate to his Dad. He narrowed his eyes at his Parent before smirking. “Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll find out eventually, I always do.” He looks back to Kaw, a twinkle in the Eagle’s eye.

But the Raven shook his head, wearing his “Serious” face. The one he wore when he wont be swayed from a decision. “Not this time Krow. This is something I will only tell you when the time is right.”

Krow yawns, “You’re no fun. I’m going to bed. Come snuggle whenever you two are done conspiring.” He walks up the stairs, heading to His and Kaw’s room.

Klik looks at Kaw, tilting Their head. Kaw laughs, “Don’t look at me, Dad, He believed My story.”

“Mine was perfectly believable, thank you.” Klik said, in mock annoyance. “It’s fine. We just have to keep it a secret one more day. This Mission is testing my patience. I don’t like being here. Too many Bad Memories. Not all of them Mine.”

“You’re still getting flashes of His Memories? I thought those stopped?” Kaw looks down at the Eagle in concern.

“They did. I hadn’t had one in five years. Not since I killed his Father. But, I guess being here, so close to his Grave…” Klik pauses, tilting Their head in thought before continuing, “...To this Crossroads. Fitting name.”

“He was from here, right? Vander?” Kaw asked, unsure if the Eagle wanted to elaborate. The Elf was a touchy subject for Klik.

Their eyes darken. Klik will later claim it was the wine that loosened Their tongue. “Yeah. He was born here. He was Fourteen when Zarell had His Mother Murdered, and moved them to Kordan. I used to visit Their Graves. Before I came home from being away, I would spend hours, sometimes days laying against them, just talking to Them. He sacrificed His life so I could live. That’s also the reason I restarted the Rose Garden. In Their Honor. Man, that was not easy.” Klik sighed, looking around. Movement catches Their eye and They could’ve sworn they saw the Dwarf, but They blinked and she was gone. The earlier feelings about the days interaction suddenly brought to the forefront of Their mind. “I think I’m going to update Gwen. Something is off, I can feel it. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Klik stands, and pulls Kaw into a tight hug. “Welcome to the Family, Son.” They smile and turn, walking upstairs to Their room, already pulling out the Sending Stone to Gwen.

Kaw was frozen in place for a few seconds longer, processing what was just said to him. When he was able to move again, he downed the rest of his tea, leaving a few gold pieces extra for the trouble of dealing with them tonight, before a goofy smile came across his face as he thought of Krow upstairs in the bed they are sharing. That’s it, he thought. I can’t wait any longer. I’m going to ask him tonight, Klik be damned. I bet we could be back by….

“Hey, watch where you’re going!” A Female Dwarf hissed as Kaw bumped into her table, almost knocking her drink over.

“Oh, sorry.” Kaw said, not paying any attention. A mistake he will only catch after it is too late and spend years blaming himself for. But back to the Present: Kaw opens the door to the room, it being obvious that Krow was not sleeping. “I thought you were tired?” He said, shutting and locking the door.

“Yeah, tired of Them keeping things from me.” Krow rolled his eyes. “I wish They’d let me in more. I thought we were…” He couldn’t finish due to being smothered in the purple-black chest feathers of His Mate.

“Shut up or we’re going straight to bed, and no, that’s not a euphemism for sex.” He lets out a cawing chuckle, beak nuzzling the Eagle’s headfeathers before smirking mischievously, “Wanna play Truth or Dare?”

Krow pulls back instantly, laughing. “Fucking Bet, Tea Breath!”

The Raven winks. “Klik is talking to Gwen, so They are distracted. Perfect time to sneak out. I know the perfect place. Follow me.” He grabs Krow’s hand, the Raven’s purple-black feathers mingling with the blue-silver feathers of the Eagle and the pair set off. Once again completely missing the Dwarf, still sitting at that same table. She watched the two Birds exit the Inn together and sneered malevolently.

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“We’ve been here almost a week, Gwen. There’s been absolutely nothing going on here. We’ll stay one more day. But I’m calling it after that. I don’t like being here. You know that.” Klik told Gwen through the Sending Stone a They paced Their room.

“I know. I miss him too. You should visit Them. I don’t think any of my Girls have been able to head out that way recently. Might need a cleaning.” She sighed, “I should’ve known that this wasn’t going to go anywhere. I trust your judgment on one more day. I’ll have some of my Girls keep an eye out in that area after that.”

Klik sighs, “I should head down that way. I’ll make the trip after tomorrow. Bring the Kids with me.” They smile.

“How are they doing, by the way? Has it become Official, yet? Those two are the talk of my Girls.” Gwen chuckles. “Congratulations, as well. Not everyday your offspring finds their LifeMate.”

Klik laughs, “Not yet. Kaw is waiting until after this Mission. They are a handful together. But they are good for each other. I can’t believe how independent Krow’s gotten in five years. It makes it hard to open up when I’m struggling because sometimes it’s like I’m looking at someone else.” That line of thinking brought back the topic They had originally wanted to ask about. “Hey Gwen? Do you know if the IMC has had any new recruits? I had a weird interaction with a Courier today and something seemed off.”

“I don’t have that information at the ready, but if you give me a few hours, I can get it for you.” Came the reply.

“Could you please? I’d appreciate it. And thanks for listening.” Klik says.

“Anytime, Sweetheart. I’ll be back as soon as I get that information. And, Hun? He will always be your Son. If you can’t open up to Family, who can you open up to?” And the connection was severed, Leaving Klik with Their thoughts.

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The Dwarf had just finished searching Krow and Kaw’s room. Finding the Scroll not in the room left the Dwarf feeling triumphant. “Finally. They’ll get what’s coming to them. This one killed Zarell. Let’s see how They like losing Their Son.” She left the room, slowly making Her way to Klik’s room. Once outside, She leaned against the wall next to the door, Klik was talking to someone. She listened in:

“I don’t have that information at the ready, but if you give me a few hours, I can get it for you.” The reply came from a woman.

“Could you please? I’d appreciate it. And thanks for listening.” Klik says.

“Anytime, Sweetheart. I’ll be back as soon as I get that information. And, Hun? He will always be your Son. If you can’t open up to Family, who can you open up to.”

The Dwarf Laughed internally, Stupid bird. You should’ve said something when he was still alive. Shame you’ll never get the chance. She waits. I can’t take ambush Them now. They are waiting for information from that woman. She sets up for the perfect time to strike. For Zarell!

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“If I had known it was going to take this long, I would’ve flown. Where are we going, Kaw?” Krow says, weaving around trees, following his Mate. “And did it have to be in the middle of the woods? This is SO not romantic!” He pouts, only somewhat mockingly.

Kaw laughs, “We are almost there, Babe. And yes, it did have to be in the middle of the woods. We won’t be disturbed. Just a little further, I promise.” He pecks his Mate on the beak, giggling, “You’re cute when you pout. Even mockingly. Come on, Fish Breath. It’s just up ahead.” He gestures in the distance where there was the obvious outline of a clearing. As the pair stepped through the clearing, Krow gasped.

“Are those Graves? Kaw, how did you know these were here? Why are these here? Where are we?” Krow walked up to the moss covered gravestones. He bent down and wiped some moss away to read the name on the stone and gasped, looking up at Kaw. “These are the Graves. The ones Dad doesn’t like to mention. You want to play Truth or Dare, here? Dad told you about them?” Klik asked, confused.

Kaw nodded, “Earlier tonight. After you “Went to bed”. But, that’s not for me to tell. Ask Them about it. I’m pretty sure They will tell you if you ask. As for why here?” The Raven smirks mischievously, “What’s more romantic than playing Truth or Dare in a spooky Cemetery? It’s still technically a Cemetery even if there’s only two graves.” He chuckled, “Still interested, Birdy?” The Raven using Krow’s Childhood nickname.

Krow smiles, his eyes darkening at the use of his old nickname, “Oh you Fucker.” He chuckled, “Alright then. Let’s get things started.” He leans up and pecks the Raven on his beak. “You picked the spot, so I’ll pick first. Truth.”

“Why did you fall in love with me?”

“Seriously? You already know this, babe.” Krow smirked.

“I know.” The Raven smiled. “I just love listening to you tell it.”

“You’re such a dork. Fine. I fell in love with you because you listened when I was crying about Dad. Truly listened. You pulled me out of a dark spiral. I don’t think I would be here if we hadn’t met that day at the Sky Dock. That’s why I love you, you purple fucker.” Krow gives his Mate a playful shove. “Okay you’re turn, Truth or Dare?”

Kaw smiles at the retelling of the story and when asked, “Dare. Give me your best shot, Fish Breath.” Chuckling.

Krow looks around for a second, before his eyes spy something. “I dare you to climb that tree…” He points to a tree at least three times as tall as the ones around it. “...without using your wings, and get me a leaf from the very top. Chop Chop, Tea Breath. Maybe I’ll brew you some tea with it?” Krow chuckles.

“Starting easy, I see. No problem.” That lasted all of ten minutes. Without his wings creating a balance, Kaw struggled to make it halfway. “Okay, maybe it’s not so easy. I concede!” Kaw declares. Flying down from the Tree.

“Yes! That means you go again, but Truth this time.” Krow hops around, chuckling.

“Yeah, Yeah. Hit me with a Truth, big Boy. I can take it.” Kaw says, confidentially.

“Okay, in that case…” Krow’s face turns serious as he reaches into his bag and pulls out the scroll from Aran, showing it to Kaw. “...What is this?”

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“What do you mean, they don’t have any new recruits? I just spoke to a one today.” Klik said, confused. According to Gwen, the IMC hasnt had any new recruits in over a year. And even then, the last ones recruited were Gnomes, not Dawrves. If that’s the case: who was that Dwarf? Someone Aran sent? If so, why did she lie and say she was from the IMC?

“Exactly that. I don’t know who it was that you talked to, but they weren’t IMC. Do you still have it? I have a bad feeling about this.”

Klik winced, “No, I gave it to Kaw. The letter said it was a gift for the “Happy Couple” so I didn’t question it. I’m going to go get it. Maybe I can figure out what it actually is.”

“That’s a good idea. Follow up with me when you figure it out.” Gwen said before breaking the connection to the Sending Stone. Klik sets it down before walking to the door, intending to head down the Inn to Their Son’s room. But instead, when They opened the door, there stood the Dwarf from earlier, a dagger pointed right at Klik.

“Hello, Klik. I don’t think you are going to make it to you Son’s room. Back inside and if you even think about touching that Sending Stone, I’ll kill you before you even get a word out.”

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Kaw sputtered, his eyes widening as his Mate pulled out the scroll from Aran. “H.. How did you get that?” He reached for his pack, finally noticing the two packs had been switched.

“I told you I’d get the truth out of you. Come on, Big Bird, what is this?” Krow picking at the seal, trying to get a peek inside.

“No, wait! Stop, please. I’ll tell you. Just don’t open it right now.” The Raven reached out, stopping his Mate from picking the seal open. He sighed, this was not how he wanted the night to go. “It was supposed to be a surprise, but fuck it. It’s a Twenty Four Hour portal from Aran. To one of his and Darius’ cabins.”

“Why is Aran giving you portals to cabins, Kaw?” Klik questions.

At this, Kaw smirks. Maybe I can still get some fun outta this. “Nuh-uh. That’s a second question. It’s not your turn anymore. Truth or Dare, Bird.” The Raven chuckles at the flash of rage on Krow’s face as he realizes he fucked up.

Krow huffs. “Fine. Dare.”

Kaw holds his hand out, expectantly. Looking from the scroll to Krow’s eyes. The dare unspoken, but known. A hint of a smirk reaching his beak. Krow hands him the scroll, blushing. The Raven chuckles, “Good Bird. Now I believe it’s time for me to choose Truth.”

Krow looks up at his Mate, “You already know the question.”

The Raven smiles, “I know. I just love listening to you talk.”

This makes Krow rolls his eyes, chuckling, “You’re such a dork. Okay, So why did Aran give you a scroll to, what I’m assuming, is a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere.” Krow looks around, “I’m sensing a theme here.”

Kaw lets out a laugh, “What can I say? It’s my aesthetic.” The Raven pulling his Mate into a hug, leaning against one of the gravestones. “It was a gift. For us. To Celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?” The game immediately being dropped.

Instead of answering, Kaw asked a question, “Do you know why I love it when you tell me how you fell for me?”

Krow shook his head, “Well, it’s obviously not just because you love to hear me talk.” The Eagle chuckled.

“That’s a part of it. It’s because I knew I loved you after that first day. The truth is: when you walked up to me at Sky Dock that day, I had every intention of jumping and not opening my wings. But then you showed up, obviously distressed. I turned my back on the edge and bent down asking what was wrong and the floodgates opened. I knew I couldn’t leave this life knowing there was someone suffering. I fell in love with you that day and I can’t ever imagine my life without you, Krow. I love you so much.”

Krow wipes tears from his eyes, not knowing that he was the reason this beautiful bird is still in this world. “I love you too Kaw. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Neither can I. So, I think it’s come time to get to the thing we are celebrating.” Kaw chuckles, pulling a box out of his bag, having switched them back.

Krow looks at the box, then back up at his Mate, “Kaw?”

The Raven smiles at the Eagle, eyes filling with tears as he gets down on one knee, pulling out the ring made with both of their feathers interwoven. The ring being enchanted, so the feathers are as hard as any metal ring. “Krow, My Beloved. My Love Bird. I don’t want to be with anyone else, ever. Will you be my LifeMate?”

Krow gasped, staring at the ring. That beautiful ring made with blue grey and purple black feathers. He looks at Kaw, the Raven’s face wet with tears before pulling the Raven into his embrace. “Nothing would make me happier. One hundred, thousand percent Yes, Kaw.” Krow pulls back, cradling his LifeMate’s beak in his hands. “I Love You. Forever and Always.” The Eagle leans in to place a kiss on the Raven’s beak, but millimeters before the two beaks connect in a loving kiss, a flash of purple erupts from the scroll. The portal had been activated.

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“I knew something was up with you. Who are you?” Klik asked, backing up into the room, the dwarf following.

“That’s not really important. But that’s not the question you really want to ask, is it, Klik?” She kicks the door closed. Dagger still aimed at the Aarakocra, she rests against the now locked door.

“Who really sent you to find me?” Klik asked.

At that, the Dwarf, stepped further into the lighted room. Using the hand not currently holding the dagger, She lifted up the sleeve of the stolen IMC Uniform, revealing the Brand of the Three Brothers.

Klik’s eyes widen, “You’re a Loyalist.”

The Dwarf sneered, “Yes and No. They were a Means To An End. Who I really worked for was a man that was like a Father to me. He taught me so many things. He helped me become who I am today. But he wont get to see that...” The Dwarf almost seemed in love, but that quickly changed as her face turned dark. “...Because you murdered Him. And now you’re gonna pay.” She spat.

Klik had to think back years and years, to a time They had tried so hard to forget. The monster that put that Larvae in Their head… No. He didn’t have any family or friends; He had said so himself. Memory flashed forward: The Final Battle with an Ancient White Dragon for the Fate of the World… No. He didn’t even bother with his own Blood Kin, he wouldn’t have taken in a Dwarf. Memory flashed Forward again, but it wasn’t just one and they weren’t all Klik’s. Flashes of tormentor Cornelius Jones, mixed with flashes of Vander talking to a half-ling, mixed with Klik shoving a dagger through the chest of evil incarnate. But what was loud and clear was one name, and Klik said it, just as Vander’s Memory said it.

“Zarell Ulahi.”

“Don’t you DARE speak His Name!” The dwarf spat at Klik. “He was a great man! And you took him from me…” She had started moving towards Klik, slowly. Menacingly. Her face distorting into a twisted smile. “...And now I’m going to take something from you.”

“What, my life? Is that what this is? I took Zarell’s life and now you’re gonna take mine? A Blood debt, is that it?” Klik flexes Their talons. “I’m not going to be easy to take down, you know.”

“Oh, I’m aware. But once again, you are completely missing an entire piece of the picture. Why would I kill you? That defeats the purpose of making you suffer. No, Klik. I’m going to take away something you love… no, that’s not right. I’m going to take someone you love.” The Dwarf grinned. “I bet the Raven is going to be devastated watching him get ripped apart atom by atom.”

Klik growls, the sound now familiar coming out of the Bird, “Don’t threaten my Son. I will kill you.” The Eagle launches Themself at Her, Their talons piercing the stolen IMC Uniform and flesh as the Dwarf is pushed upwards in the air and against the door. “What makes you think I’m going to give you the opportunity? Seems like you’re at MY mercy?”

A glint of silver flashes and a dagger is embedded in the arm that’s holding Her to the door. She is dropped to the floor, the Uniform ripping, revealing tattooed skin, blood dripping from the wounds. She looks up at the Eagle, making eye contact. “I’m not going to be the one to kill him. You need to keep a better eye on your team. Did you even know they had snuck out. They have the scroll with them, I saw you give it to the Raven. It’s all going to be over soon. You’re going to know exactly how I feel. I wonder if he’ll suffer? I wonder if what his Last Thoughts will be? I don’t know about Krow, but I know I am going to enjoy Every. Single. Fucking. Sec..augh.” The glint of a dagger was the only warning before it was plunged into the chest of the Dwarf.

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Klik was mad. Not just mad, furious. They looked at the dagger sticking out of Their arm, the Dwarf’s monologue temporarily muted… at least until They heard Their Son’s Name. Klik snapped back to attention, but everything was red. A tingling in the back of Their head that hadn’t been felt since Emeric’s head was tossed to the ground in front of Their clawed feet all those years ago. They knew the Illithid Larvae had gone dormant since They died and was resurrected, thanks to the God of Death, but it had been reawakened, at least this part of it had. Klik felt what this was and let it in for the second time, willingly. Rage. Someone threatened your Family. She wants to kill your Son. Kill Her first.

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The Dwarf had gasped when the blade pierced Her flesh, the tip finding its way into Her heart. But the gasp had turned into a wheezing laugh as blood started dripping from Her mouth. She spit blood at Klik before sneering, “Wow. You really did it. I thought I was going to have to kill myself.” She lets out a wet cough before continuing. “See, I had this idea, Tell me what you think: …” She had began glowing a purple color. “…What better way for you to suffer than by making you kill him yourself. You just armed the very bomb you handed your Son.” A Bright Purple light flashed from the Dwarf. “For Father. For Zarell. For Revenge!” The Dwarf reaches up and twists the knife before a blinding purple light flashed and when Klik gained the ability to see again, the Dwarf was gone. The only evidence of Her presence was the ripped IMC Uniform and the bloody dagger.

Klik dove into Their bag, yanking out the Book they communicate through, before writing a single phrase. Hoping that it wasn’t too late.

Scroll is a Trap!

Unfortunately, that warning would go unread on this Plane.

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Bright pulses of Purple light had begun erupting from Kaw’s bag that was leaning against one of the graves. Each pulse getting brighter until after a blinding pulse, a portal appears behind the Elmpool Graves. Both Aarakocra stared at the sudden portal before looking at each other.

“How did that activate?” They both asked each other simultaneously.

The portal had caused the trees around the clearing to bend and groan, but it wasn’t wind causing it. They were being pulled towards the portal. The effect having an impact on the pair of birds as well.

“Kaw, I don’t think this is supposed to happen. Why would Aran do this?!” Krow questioned, trying to shuffle back the few feet he was, unknowingly, dragged closer to the swirling purple disk.

“I don’t think this is from Aran! I think that Dwarf gave us a bomb!” Kaw shouted. He was also slowly being dragged towards the portal. “Krow, we need to get out of here!” He turned towards his LifeMate just in time to get knocked in the head by a branch that had snapped from one of the nearby trees. The Raven dropped and ragdolled towards Oblivion. The only thing stopping him from being Lost was the grave of Selena Elmpool.

“KAW!” Krow shouted, dodging a tree branch of his own. The young Eagle made a decision and let the pull of the portal work in his favor, making it to the grave of Vander Elmpool. “Babe, hey! Kaw! You gotta shake it off, Tea Breath! We need to get out of here. I need you to catch me.” Klik had grabbed his bag from against the grave, getting ready to launch himself across the gap between gravestones.

The Raven groaned. His head pounding, he brought his hand up to his head, feeling the blood pouring from the wound from the branch. Hearing Krow call his name, he snapped back to attention, his claws digging into the ground, arms open to catch his LifeMate. “I’m fine, Birdy! I’ll catch you! Ready when you are.”

Krow flexed his claws, digging them into the ground. He looked directly into his LifeMate’s eyes, taking a few deep breaths before launching himself forward and to the left, to compensate for the pull of the portal. He held out his hand, reaching out for the Raven. The two connected, both smiling at the contact. For four heartbeats, they were safe… Before Fate had other ideas. The blood on the Bird’s outstretched hand had made his usually strong grip slick. Four heartbeats later and Krow slipped from Kaw’s hand. Both birds expressions a mix of shock and fear. “No…!” It’s unclear which Aarakocra uttered the word.

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Time slowed for Krow. One second he was safe in the grip of his LifeMate and the next, he was hurtling straight towards that swirling portal. But the Eagle wouldn’t just accept his Fate, No. He mustered all the strength he could and hurled the strap of his bag, catching on Vander’s gravestone. He was safe once more… for now. “I don’t think I can hold on much longer. Kaw, please help me!” Genuine fear laced Krow’s words, his eyes desperately looking between the portal, the gravestone and his LifeMate, wondering which one would win in this twisted tug of war. He didn’t have to wait long as he felt the gravestone start lifting out of the ground, it not meant to support this kind of situation. “Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!” The Eagle tried to scramble up the strap of the bag, but the gravestone lurched towards the portal. “I don’t want to die, please, Kaw!”

Three things happened at once: The portal’s pull increased, maybe somehow sensing it was about to devour its prey. Vander’s Gravestone pulled free of the ground and hurdled past Krow, into the portal. And finally, Krow realized that he was going to die. He closed his eyes and accepted his Fate, but he suddenly lurched to a stop. He opened his eyes to see that Kaw had grabbed the strap of the bag with his beak, all four sets of talons gripping the ground, in a desperate attempt to save his LifeMate.

“Don’t you fucking give up on me. Fight, Krow!” Kaw said through a clenched beak. The Eagle looked at His Raven, a fire igniting inside him as he gripped the bag, pulling himself closer and closer to his Love. But it was just a brief respite. Krow saw that Kaw was losing the battle of staying attached to the ground. He couldn’t hold Krow and keep himself grounded. They both couldn’t live.

With tears in his eyes, Krow looked at his LifeMate. Of a life he was never going to have and he came to a decision…

“Kaw, My Love. You have made me the happiest bird on this planet and I am so fucking grateful to have loved you. But, I can’t let us both die because of me. There’s no way out of this, Kaw. In time, I hope you can forgive me. Please take care of my Dad.” Krow reaches into a pocket in the bag, pulling out a dagger. He looks into his LifeMate’s pleading eyes and says, “I’ll wait for you in the Afterlife. I love you, Kaw. Forever and Always. My LifeMate.” Krow presses his fingers to his beak and blows Kaw a final, goodbye kiss before slicing the straps of the bag and disappearing through the portal.

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A look of shock was frozen on Kaw’s face as he watched His LifeMate sacrifice himself. The second Krow crossed the threshold of the portal, it closed. Leaving broken trees strewn about, a gravestone missing and a broken Raven, who just lost half his Soul. An immeasurable amount of time passed before the sound of beating wings reached Kaw, but he still didn’t move.

Klik burst through the treeline… what was left of it. “Krow! Are you here? Please, answer me! Krow!” The older Eagle scanned the carnage that was the clearing, before noticing Kaw on his knees, the cut strap still in his beak. “Kaw, Where’s Krow? Kaw?!” The Raven still frozen, not even registering Klik’s presence. Klik moves to stand in front of Kaw, standing right on the empty spot where Vander’s Grave once sat. “Son, please…”

The word Son caused Kaw to look up into Klik’s eyes and begin shaking his head. Finally dropping the strap into his dirty hands, the Raven just kept repeating, “He’s gone.”

Klik dropped to Their knees, sobbing “No… No, no, no….” The two Aarakocra’s pleas turning into screams of anguish and devastation from a Parent who lost a Child mixed with the pain and heartbreak of A Love Lost.

To Be Continued...