The God of Sleep Has Made His House

I feel my eye lids slowly open, embracing the sweet sensation of vision.

The gears of my mind slowly turning, allowing the process of recollection to initiate within my subconscious.

I could feel the touch of leathery membrane on top of my chest, as well as the soft feeling of feathers to my side.

The sounds of soft breathing danced around the bed that I lay in, as well as the gentle moans of it's two other inhabitants. Like usual, one of Ellie's big, blue wings engulfed my body, serving as the perfect blanket, while her head rested on the pillow above mine. And across my chest lay Gilda's head, it rising and falling rhythmically with my breathing.

One of her strong, brown feathered wings lie draped limply over me as well, while in arm lay strewn over my stomach.

Both girls were still in the land of dreams, small smiles upon both of their faces.

You ever see a griffin hen and dragoness smile?

It's really cute.

I couldn't help but smile, despite all the drama that's happened recently.

All the death.

All the shit.

Yesterday still seemed to burn into the back of my mind.

...................Mood killer, right there.

At least dinner last night wasn't as awkward as I thought it was going to be. Maybe it was just because of the nobles that joined us at the table. My father and mother kept conversation up, but underneath all the pleasantries and small talk, their underlying concern was still apparent.

There would be small glances in my direction every now and then; attempts to bring me into the conversation.

I would smile politely, but would hardly speak a word.

Wasn't really in a talking mood.

The nobles acted like nothing was amiss.

Blackavar must not have spread the word as of yet.

Maybe for my father's sake he'd keep it to himself.

As long as I knew, that was all that seemed to count to him. Like I said before, he didn't hate me, personally. He hated what I was. What I stood for.

Ill fate. Bad luck.

An Un-Prince.

Surprisingly, Gilda and Ellie remained silent during dinner as well. Their eyes bore holes in my head from all the staring. I heard Gilda exchange some words with Dash, occasionally, but Ellie, for the most part, remained locked on me and me alone; quiet and stoic, but ready to be by my side in a moments notice.

Gilda and Ellie knew me as well as I knew myself. Usually, when tough shit happened in my life, they knew to give me a little space before trying to help me. And even when they tried to help me get over something, they took their time and were patient when they went about it, letting me open myself up at my own speed.

They helped me really pick up the pieces after the Great Civil War.

After Venom Falls.

No wonder they have my heart. They've given me more than I could ever ask for in return.

And I love them all the more for it.

I lifted my hand to my eyes, rubbing the crusted remnants of sleep from their edges, before carefully untangling myself from the various limbs that were draped over me.  Ellie's arm shot outward with an unconscious attempt to hold what ever left her side, snagging Gilda in the process and pulling her close.

I couldn't help but snicker a bit at their compromising positions.

Gonna be awkward for them when they get up.

Smiling slightly, I shuffled silently towards one of my dressers on the other side of the room, before pulling out several articles of clothing and hastily pulling them on.

Nothing special, really.

A pair of pants, a dark grey tunic, and my leather padded boots, as well as my sword belt, currently vacant of a blade.

Some Sparrows must've come by while I was brooding and had take my Sparrow sword, as well my leather armor and cloak.

You know, you never truly appreciate something until it's gone; ripped from your grasp; most likely to never return.

I stared at the empty spot where my Sparrow gear use to reside.

It felt weird seeing that spot so empty, so devoid of familiarity, so much that I could feel it in the pit of my stomache.

Twisting, turning, aching, throbbing.

It felt wrong.

Hollow.

I shook my head in a vain effort to clear my thoughts before reaching towards the top shelf of the dresser, pulling forth a large object wrapped in cloth.

An old token, dust covered, yet not forgotten.

I pulled the cloth off ti reveal a long, bright sword, it's hilt wrapped in leather, while it's blade stretched forth three and half feet from it's hand and half grip. At the bottom lie it's pommel, crown shaped with large ruby in it's center.

Along it's blade read an inscription: "Twilight,Twilight, Nihil, Nihil."

It was sword that won many victory.

And that was wielded to commit many a heinous act.

My reflection stared back at me from the blade, polished as if it was just made yesterday.

I could almost hear it's victims' screams when I closed my eyes.

I told myself I've never use it again after the Massacre of the Gallow Heights, yet here I am now, with this butchery tool in my hand, with nothing left to turn to.

I could always buy a new one, or have a new one made for me. But this sword was made for me, for my hand.

All the world makes great blood.

Sighing, I belted on the wooden scabbard, and sheathed the blade before opening one final drawer.

The bottom one.

Sliding it open, I found another object bound in cloth.

Another tool of death.

Flipping the cloth off, I admired it's long silver barrel, it's six chambers, as well as it's dark wood grip and finish.

I still had about twenty rounds of ammunition left for it. Gonna have to pay Coal a visit for some more, soon.

I threw the cloth back over it.

Better save it for another day.

Tightening the sword belt and checking myself in the mirror, I walked towards the bed one last time. kissing the girls on their cheeks, those same small smiles forming as they sighed in their sleep.

"Sweet dreams, girls," I whispered before walking towards my door and stepping outside closing it quietly.

The hallway, besides a few guards that I greeted, was devoid of life in it's present hour, allowing me to walk unhindered by noble or servant alike.

I may be an Un-Prince, but I was still a member of the royal family, and hence, entitled to some of said family's wealth.

And you know how nobles are.

I made my way past the garden, towards an open stone courtyard, as Monolith stretched out below me for miles and miles around. This place always had a great view throughout any part of the day, but nothing beat the view of the morning sun kissing the horizon from this spot.

Closing my eyes and inhaling deeply, I drew my sword from the scabbard, grabbing the hilt with both hands and stretched it out, facing my invisible opponent. Arching the blade slightly before twisting my hand, I swung forward to lunge at my facade attacker.

I danced with the blade for what seemed like hours, days, a lifetime.

The flow and rhythm of movement, the drops of sweat.

I could feel myself fade out, as my body and mind molded together to preform form after form.

I could feel everything.

Every ripple of skin and tug of muscle, every pulse of blood and adrenaline.

And, happily, no real pain from my stomach.

Before bed, some of the doctors came by and administered magical therapy on my stomach, due to my previous flight up of a million goddamn stairs. I knew I shouldn't have run, but you do stupid things when you're not thinking straight.

I still shouldn't over exert myself too much, but at this moment, that didn't matter.

Nothing mattered.

Just this damned blade and myself.

I swung, jabbed, parried, while invisible souls screamed out their dying words that echoed into the null.

Their cries falling on deaf ears.

I could see the blood splatter all around me, the smell of fire and smoke, the sounds of war and carnage.

It was heavenly.

It was horrifying.

Maddeningly sane!

My face twisted into a snarl as I swung my sword.

I could feel blood flow down it. I could it feel on my clothes and body.

I could feel it on my soul.

A knife thrust into my belly.

A twig jammed into the eye of a hawk.

A thousand slaughtered souls.

And a wicked smile upon my face.

I threw my sword on the ground before grabbing my head in desperation, as if adding pressure could force all these thoughts out of my fucking head.

"Son, are you alright?"

Everything seems to come into focus again as a familiar voice breaks the chaos in my mind.

I lean forward, panting heavily, putting my weight on the sword that lay protruding from the ground.

"Y-yeah, dad. I'm fine." I replied between breaths.

I rose my blurry eyes to see my father, his face riddled with concern.

"You don't look alright, Lou. You look-"

"I SAID I'M FINE!"

Silence befalls the two of us as I look away in shame at yelling at my father.

"I'm sorry dad, I didn't mean to yell at you."

He merely nodded his head.

"It's fine, Lou. I can understand if you're still upset with me about yesterday."

I looked up to see him also avoiding my gaze, his eyes drifting to the floor.

"I did what I thought was necessary, son. Not because I hate you. Far from it. I love you, Lucifer, and I acted out of love and concern for you. Nothing less."

"At the cost of a Dishonorable Discharge, dad?" I rebuked, less harshly in tone then I thought I was going to,"Not only have I shamed myself, I've shamed you and mom and everyone else. Especially Gilda and Ellie."

My dad's eyes widened.

"What do you mean Dishonorable Discharge?! I asked the Captain to Discharge you with full honor!"

I looked up at him, anger apparent in his eyes.

"You didn't read the document he gave me before?"

My father looked away again.

"I...I trusted that Blackavar would do the right thing in turn," His eyes rose up again with fury," But now that I know, I'll have his head for doing this!"

"Wait, dad, don't!" I cried, jumping to my feet  and holding my father down before he could take flight.

"Blackavar's a good hawk, dad! He did what he did with the best intentions in mind, for you and the Kingdom, at least. He may be an ass to me, but he's a good fighter and better leader! The Sparrow's need him far more then they need me."

My dad's furious eyes softened a bit as he turned his gaze towards me once more.

"That's rubbish and you know it. You were their best swordshawk, through and through. Of course they needed you....."

"They needed a leader more than another butcher, dad," I replied, " I love the Sparrows, I loved being part of them and the service that they do for the Kingdom, but I was no leader. I was barely a follower. I tell myself that I'm things that I'm really not, and I try to do things that I really can't do. I may be great swordshawk, but I'm a terrible warrior. Last week should be a testament to that."

I put a hand upon his shoulder.

"So, to comment on what you said earlier, dad, I'm not mad at you for your decision. Hurt, maybe, and upset, but I couldn't hate you for it. Maybe I could use a little time off, to think things through."

I could feel strong arms encircling.

"Thank you, son, for understanding. But I'm going to have Blackavar revoke the Dishonorable Discharge, and revert back to an Honorable Discharge, as well as deal a punishment befitting of his lie to me."

"Punish him enough, dad," I replied to him, sheathing my sword," But don't over do it. I may not like the fucker much, but he's good for the Sparrows. They'll need him if they're still tracking Abinchova down."

My dad scoffed when that name was uttered.

"Try as I might, I still can't seem to forget about that scum. I know I shouldn't, especially after what he did to you, but there are times when I just want all thoughts of him to cease to be."

I tapped my stomach.

"the feeling's mutual, pops."

There was a moment of silence before we burst out laughing like a bunch of loons.

My dad flicked away a tear before tugging on my arm.

"Come on, son, let's get some breakfast while it's still hot. Gonna be a busy day today."

I cocked my head in confusion.

"Really, what's goin' on today?"

My dad just continued forward without looking back, simply replying over his shoulder.

"Uncle Alphaeus is coming by to check on you, boy. As well as to meet me up here for a pressing matter."

Uncle Alphaeus is coming? Fucking sweet!

"What pressing matter, though?"

He stopped.

"Well, I wanted it to me some what of a surprise when he got here, but I might as well tell you now. The Council of Kingdoms is meeting earlier this year, in Equestria this time, no less, and I know you've been wanting to go, so......."

I stopped in place.

A bright feeling in my stomach.

"We're heading to Equestria?!"