Chapter 26

For several days after the fighting, Soren sat alone in his chamber, disgusted. The worst part of this whole mess, he thought, is that I like it. I like to kill; I like to hurt.

During those days his companions had come to visit him, but when he didn't respond, they quickly left. A small owl had come in once, and said that the leaders of the tree wished to see him, but he didn't move.

Finally, Gylfie came in alone and just sat beside him, staring at the setting sun.

"Everyone is really worried about you," she said in a soothing voice.

"Hmm."

"You can't just sit in here moping day in and out. Look, your feathers are dying from malnourishment!"

Soren glanced down and saw that his feathers were shriveling up, and they had lost their sheen. Then he looked back at the sky.

"Soren," Gylfie soothed, "I know you are upset by what you have done; by what had to be done. I know because I am as well."

Soren remained silent still.

"Your heart is still beating," Gylfie said.

"That is how it will stay, until the day that I die," Soren replied flatly, then softly added, "I'm sorry Gylf… I'm so sorry that I did this to you. I wish I could take it back. Maybe if I died—"

"Soren stop talking like that. You dying would not fix anything. Right now the tree needs you! I need you!"

A lump formed in his throat and his eyes moistened.

"Please Soren! I can not bear this life alone! You are my dearest friend, and the others need you as well."

"The leaders of the tree have summoned me. I don't want to go alone."

"You don't have to, I will go with you," she looked up to Soren, than placed her head on his chest; she had to stretch to reach. Then she timed her heartbeat with his, "Our hearts will beat together, until the day we die."

A single tear dripped down Soren's beak, and he bowed his head.

"Let's go, we can get you something to drink and then see the king."

Soren and Gylfie stopped at the kitchens and both gor a serving of vole blood. It was bittersweet, but it quenched Soren's hunger and his feathers quickly healed.

As they walked through the passageways, Blood birds lowered their eyes and mortal owls turned away. When they reached the chamber where the leaders held council, he hesitantly stepped forward with Gylfie at his side.

There were several different species of owls sitting in a horseshoe shape on perches. One of whom was a Whiskered Screech owl with hard yellow eyes. It was as if he glared into Soren's very soul. At the very center of the line of leaders was a Snowy owl. He lowered his head and then spoke with a loud voice.

"I am Boron, king of this tree. What is your name?"

"My name is Soren, sir. Why have you summoned me?" Soren asked.

"The better question is why have you brought your friend?"

"This is Gylfie. She is my dearest friend, and I want her to be at my side, whatever you have to say."

"Very well," Boron said. He looked at the other Owls for concent, and then continued, "You saved this tree, and for that we are in your debt. Is there anything you wish to gain from us?"

"No, Sir. The only thing I want is something you could never offer," Soren said.

"And what would that be?"

"I want to be mortal," He answered.

"I am afraid you are correct. We cannot undo what has been done," he said, "However; there is still one matter to discuss. As you know, our head Blood Bird Master Viscour was defeated in the battle. We need someone to replace him."

"You want me to take his place? Why?"

"You have spirit, boy. You are strong, and brave; and you stand for things which Viscour never has, and most Blood Birds have forgotten. You stand for love."

"But I am just a new Blood bird! How can I lead them?"

"As of right now, you can not. But we can teach you to lead, if you will," Boron offered.

"I don't know what to say…" Soren looked to Gylfie. he thought of all they had been through. He remembered how she had stayed with him, and she had chased him when he left. He turned back to Boron, "I can't accept, your majesty."

"Might I ask you why?"

Soren took a deep breath and looked up, "I have to decline, because I can not raise myself up above my companions. They have been by my side this whole time, and I can't fill this role if it means that I will step above them."

"I see. Well, if the time comes when you decide, our hall is open to you."

"Thank you, your majesty," Soren bowed his head and backed out of the room.

Soren went back to his room and sat where he had been before, Gylfie at his side. "It isn't right," he said.

"What?"

"It isn't right that Blood Birds exist. What started it all? Who started it all?"

"Does it really matter?" Gylfie asked. "It is what it is. We can't change it, and you heard the king yourself, there is no way to undo what has been done. You're still the same owl you were before, just as I am."

"I just want it to be over…"

"Soren, look around. You see the moon and the stars. We did a great thing today. We stopped a great evil, it is over."

"But what if it isn't? What if something else happens, and after that and after again? What if it never stops and we have to fight until we die?"

Gylfie gently touched him with the tip of her wing. "Then we will stand here after every time, and wonder if it really is over. And someday, it will be."

It is over! it's hard to believe I finally finished it. I spent so many hours writing this, and reworking the ideas in my head so that it would all fit. all of my reviewers have helped me to grow as an author, and I thank each and every one of you for your support.

Blood Birds is over, and when my other ongoing stories are done with, my fanfiction career will be over. I may write a few stories, but It will be quite some time, as I am going to finish it before I post.

Again, I thank everyone, and if you would like to hear about other writing projects, go to my fan fiction profile and look for the link to one of my videos.