They say that the black bird has a connection with the dead.
That those who are killed unfairly always get their revenge, only if it was
resonable.
This bird, a crow, can bring back those who seek revenge.
Most see a crow as a scavanger that hangs around all four seasons, but
truth be told ... it hangs around for the dead in the cold depths of the
night.
Chapter 1: A Cold Celebration
It had been a year since Fannellia had taken its downfall. It was completely restored with the help of its citizens and fellow countries. Everyone had been a little shooken up when the war ended . when Hitomi left. But this story isn't about Hitomi. No, for it isn't about King Van mourning over his loss. Instead, this is about me. Someone you've never met before . and will never meet the real me. It's too late for that. Along with my brother, you'll never meet him. You'll only hear of him. This is my story, the story of me . I am The Crow.
* * *
It was the last night of construction on Fannellia. The last wooden bored that had to be laid down was on the Fannellian castle. Everyone was there to celebrate. It was to be a night of loyalty to our country. Yes, that's right . I'm Fannellian, but I'm not proud of it. Whenever I go to some other country and people ask where I was from, I always lie. Fannellia is a weak country, as for Asturia and Cesario they are strong countries with strong people. Basically, I was ashamed to be a Fannellian, ashamed to be stereotyped just because I came from there.
Anyways, as I was saying, they were laying the last piece of wood on that damn castle. Not like anyone really cared everyone wanted to head towards the bars where they could finally have some alcahol . King Van insisted that we finished Fannellia before anyone could drink. Not that I was upset about it, I hated it when my younger brother always got hands on his alcahol. And only the great gods know how he gets it.
My brother, a sweet yet troubling young boy. He was always stealing or doing something stupid like that, and I always had to take the flack for it because "I'm the older, more responsible brother . if only my father could see me like this! He'd be ashamed!" Yeah, that's right, my brother and I were orphans. But I was taking care of him perfectly fine. I worked at the stables in the castle, I've been out of work for a year, but then again . who wasn't? I wasn't ashamed to be a "stable boy" it was a decent job, really. Taking care of horses all-day and getting a good wage was perfectly fine with me. However, I was basically invisable there. The only people that came to the stables were some of the guards and ocasionally that cat girl named Merle. However, there was another girl who would always come to the stables whenever she visited. Her name was Celena Shezar, sister of that Knight Allen Shezar. She seemed really nice, assuming though. The horses loved her; she had this sort of "gentleness" to her.
Getting back to the story, I was invisable to anyone who came to the castle, an orphan with a younger brother and it was the "official openning of Fannellia." I watched everything with my brother as we stood in the large crowd. I had to work after this, though my brother didn't know. Though, till this day I wish I had stayed home with him. I wish I had never had to work that night.
My brother held my arm really tight; he couldn't wait for this to happen. Well, it was just a wooden bored, I really didn't care. But he did, he loved Fannellia and every aspect of it. The people, the food, the scenery, the dragons . absolutely everything. He even had a thing for that cat girl. I know I sure as hell didn't. I wasn't interested in love, which was the last thing I needed. Some woman sucking up all of our money. I think I'll pass.
"Hey, when are they going to do this thing! I want to go and celebrate!" he whispered to me.
"I don't know, Alex. In a few minutes I suppose."
Well, a few minutes had passed and finally King Van, Allen Shezar, Celena Shezar, Merle and a few other older men walked onto the stone stairs with what looked like a plack. They were really taking this thing seriously. I just sighed and crossed my arms. I wanted to get to work.
There was a long speech about us coming together and working to build a better Fannellia. Well, something along the lines of that. I really didn't care. Finally, they nailed the plack up to the castle and everyone cheered . did I cheer? Of course, though very much sarcastically. Everyone was now making their way towards the bars; pubs and streets just to party. Meanwhile, I had work to get to but I still had to tell my brother. I grabbed his arm before he ran off with his friends. He was going to hate me.
"Listen, Alex I have work tonight. I can't go and-"
"It's OK! I don't mind! See you at the apartment tonight! Bye!" he shouted and ran off.
Well, he had taken it quite well. I sighed and walked towards the stables, of course being stopped by the guards. I had to show them my pass so they would let me through. These guys were the only people who knew I existed at the castle. I saw them everyday.
"Oh hey! Welcome back, haven't seen you for a while! My, you have grown! You're what . six foot four?"
"Yes, that's about right," I smiled and nodded my head.
I had grown a lot over the past year. Physically and mentally. Well, now you're probably wondering what I look like. Yes, I am quite tall . tall and skinny. I have short blonde hair, my bangs usually fall into my face a lot, some girls find me atractive . but I beg to differ. My nose comes to a point, just like every other person in Fannellia, its how people can tell I'm from here. I hate my nose. I have green eyes . and that's about it.
"Well, I'm sure them horses miss ya! See ya later!" shouted the other guard.
I waved to him as I walked up to the stables. However, I didn't realize that someone was following me that night. Once at the stables, I reconized only half of the horses. Most of them were new, or just staying the week considering we had loads of royals.
My favorite of all horses is Beauty. She's a beautiful white horse, very strong and very kind. She also happened to be Celena's favorite, as well and Beauty seem to feel the same towards her. I started with Beauty, brushing her as her coat wasn't shiny nore soft at all. It was then when I heard a knock on the stable door. I turned to see Celena. She was wearing a blue summer dress . she always wore that dress during the summer, and it was closing in on autumn pretty soon.
"Hi there," she said, closing the stable door.
"Are you sure you're allowed to be here?" I asked right away.
There was a breif silence . she knew just as well as I that she wasn't allowed to be here. Allen hated most Fannellian workers . especially me. I was a young boy, only a year older then his sister and he figured that all I was looking for in a girl was sex. Well, I wasn't I was completely different then most teenage boys.
"Allen can't spend his life trying to keep me away from people," she joked.
I didn't laugh; I really didn't want to get in shit by talking to her. I just tried to ignore her as I turned to Beauty and started to brush her again. I could feel Celena's breath on my back. She was so small compared to me and I felt awkward whenever she was around.
"Do you need help?"
"No, I'm fine. The last thing I need is to but the girl who is to wed his majesty to work."
Yes, Celena was to wed King Van in a few months. It was going to be a winter wedding, I was some how invited . but I think that was her doing. She didn't want to marry him, and everyone knew so. It was Allen and those advisors of King Van's for them to wed.
"I had a feeling you'd bring that up. I'm only trying to make polite conversation, possibly even become friends with you. I hate it when people dislike me because of my brother's reputation or what he's making me do. Can you see me for who I am?"
I sighed and turned to look at her. I had to look down into those soft grey eyes of hers. It was awkward and I could feel my heart beating like a speeding horse as my breath quickened. There was something about this girl, I have no idea what it was . but I felt strange whenever she entered the stable. I really don't know what the world for that feeling would be?
"Listen, you're only here to see the horses! Look around and see them! I'm only here to take care of them . and that's what I'm trying to do. But when a soon-to-be royal comes here trying to be my friend it makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't want to end up with my head chopped off because your brother thinks I'm making a pass at you!" I shouted everything, though seeing the hurt in her eyes.
She looked down at her feet. Now I felt horrible. I was making her upset and that was the last thing I needed. I couldn't see her face, but I saw a tear hit the dirt under our feet.
"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. Its not like I asked for any of it, I just wanted to be your friend, have someone who doesn't care about my future and whats always good for me."
She looked back up at me, tears streaming down her face. Now I felt bad, I made someone cry and I hate it when that happens. I act tough on the outside, just so people will leave me alone, but when I see people upset because of my doing, it kills me.
"M'lady please don't cry! Your brother will kill me if he finds out. If you want to work so badly, here take the brush!"
I handed her the brush so she could brush Beauty. She looked down at it for a second and smiled. Before I knew it, she had her arms wrapped around my stomache, for she couldn't reach my neck. I could feel my face heating up with embarrassment, and it suddenly got very warm in the stable.
Celena finally let go of me and started brushing Beauty. She was a strange girl, I must say. I shook my head with a smile on my face as I walked over towards another horse. A horse I did not recognize, as it did not like me very much. I untied it from its hold and started to feed it. It was quite hungry. While the horse was eating I was checking to see whom it was. Usually, royals or knight's incarve their name on the buckles of the horses sattle. I saw the name all right . and now I know why it dislikes me . it just happened to be Allen Shezar's horse.
"Great." I mummbled.
"What did you say?"
Celena and I looked at each other; I just didn't know how to reply. Should I say "nothing" when you and I both know I had said something? Yah, I figured that would be the best way to go.
"Nothing, I said nothing."
"OK."
I sighed; I hated having some royal breathing down my neck as I worked. At the corner of my eye, I watched Celena lead Beauty back to her stall. Then, after doing so I could feel her breath on my back once again. I turned around to look at her, she was smiling.
"So . are you happy now?" I asked, irritated.
"Yes, I suppose. Sometimes I . never mind."
"What?" I could tell she was going to share some sort of a feeling with me.
"Sometimes I wish that I had your life. Work every day not having to worry about who you're going to marry or what you have to wear every day. You have no idea how lucky you are."
"I beg to differ. You're lucky you don't have to worry about buying food, making sure you have just the right amount of money for that small meal every night. When you're poor, you have to savour everything you have. Sometimes, people must steal but my brother and I haven't had to do that . then again I am speaking for myself, he always gets himself into trouble. But he's the only one I have, so I'm stuck with him," I think I had shared too much.
Celena laughed at the small story of my brother. I had a feeling they'd get along easily. Alex would be more then happy to befriend her. Well, just as she was about to talk, Allen walked into the stable. Once he saw me, the smile on his face faded away. My smile did too. I immidiatly gave him a dirty look. He saw it and walked up to Celena and grabbed her arm.
"I've been looking for you!" he shouted.
"I've just been visting with-"
"This boy?"
"Yes, he's a lot different then you think-"
"Do you not remember what I had said?"
"I'm sorry brother."
"Come on."
Allen looked at me one more time before taking Celena's arm and dragging her out of the stable. However, a stranger stopped him. This person stood infront of him, in a black, hooded cloak unable to see whom it really was. Celena seemed startled at the hooded figure; I stood there watching everything.
"Excuse me sir," Allen spoke politely.
The man or woman did not move. Instead they shut the door behind him and walked towards me, leaving Allen and Celena in wonderment of what happened. I could barely see the tip of this man's nose. However, I could tell it was a man, he may have been smaller then me (then again, who wasn't) but the body language said it all. Especially when he spoke.
"I have news for you, boy."
"What is it?" I looked at Allen and Celena who were still confused.
"It's your brother," he said shortly.
"What happened to him!" I was in a panick; I didn't know what could have possibly gone wrong.
"He is dead."
I was in shock. I really didn't know what to do. My brother was dead; my only living family member was dead. What pissed me off was how this man said it. He said it in a cool, almost mocking tone.
I remember, once repeating the words over and over in my head, I began to sob. I dropped to my knees and cried. My little brother was dead, but how? It's not like people just drop dead of nothing. No, it was impossible for that to happen. He was murdered, and that was the only logical explination. As these thoughts passed through my mind, I bucked up. I was going to get my revenge on this murderer.
I stood up from the dirty ground and stood up straight. I looked down at this man, seeing a small smirk form on his face. Could he possibly be the murderer?
"Who killed him?" I growled.
"Killed?"
I grabbed the man's neck and pinned him up against the wall. I wasn't going to take this as a joke. No, there was no way I was going to let this sick-minded freak play with my mind.
"Who killed him, damnit!"
"I don't know," he hissed.
I didn't believe him. Why should I believe some stranger who tells me that my brother is dead? But I wasn't going to kill this man. I let him go and turned to see Celena and Allen still standing there. I could tell what Allen was thinking right off the bat. I was some sort of a rough street child that people usually call kids my age. Celena however, seemed shocked and upset on the news of my brother. I had just told her about him, how he was all I had.
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, sniffing slightly. Celena didn't want to budge, but I could see Allen trying to move her.
"Get out!" I shouted at them.
Celena looked down at her feet as Allen dragged her out of the stable. I knew that man was still there. It's not like he left or anything. But before I could turn around and look to see if the man was really there, I felt a sharp pain in my back. I could feel some sort of a liquid dripping down my back. It hurt; it hurt so much I couldn't do anything. I fell to my knees then to my stomache. The man had stabbed me with a knife. It had gone right through my skin, killing me painfully and slowly. I layed there on the floor, which seemed like hours, but it was merly seconds. I watched my whole life pass before my eyes, like it was on a screen. Then, seeing that man's feet slowly fading away . it was going dark and before I could even tell . I was dead.
Chapter 1: A Cold Celebration
It had been a year since Fannellia had taken its downfall. It was completely restored with the help of its citizens and fellow countries. Everyone had been a little shooken up when the war ended . when Hitomi left. But this story isn't about Hitomi. No, for it isn't about King Van mourning over his loss. Instead, this is about me. Someone you've never met before . and will never meet the real me. It's too late for that. Along with my brother, you'll never meet him. You'll only hear of him. This is my story, the story of me . I am The Crow.
* * *
It was the last night of construction on Fannellia. The last wooden bored that had to be laid down was on the Fannellian castle. Everyone was there to celebrate. It was to be a night of loyalty to our country. Yes, that's right . I'm Fannellian, but I'm not proud of it. Whenever I go to some other country and people ask where I was from, I always lie. Fannellia is a weak country, as for Asturia and Cesario they are strong countries with strong people. Basically, I was ashamed to be a Fannellian, ashamed to be stereotyped just because I came from there.
Anyways, as I was saying, they were laying the last piece of wood on that damn castle. Not like anyone really cared everyone wanted to head towards the bars where they could finally have some alcahol . King Van insisted that we finished Fannellia before anyone could drink. Not that I was upset about it, I hated it when my younger brother always got hands on his alcahol. And only the great gods know how he gets it.
My brother, a sweet yet troubling young boy. He was always stealing or doing something stupid like that, and I always had to take the flack for it because "I'm the older, more responsible brother . if only my father could see me like this! He'd be ashamed!" Yeah, that's right, my brother and I were orphans. But I was taking care of him perfectly fine. I worked at the stables in the castle, I've been out of work for a year, but then again . who wasn't? I wasn't ashamed to be a "stable boy" it was a decent job, really. Taking care of horses all-day and getting a good wage was perfectly fine with me. However, I was basically invisable there. The only people that came to the stables were some of the guards and ocasionally that cat girl named Merle. However, there was another girl who would always come to the stables whenever she visited. Her name was Celena Shezar, sister of that Knight Allen Shezar. She seemed really nice, assuming though. The horses loved her; she had this sort of "gentleness" to her.
Getting back to the story, I was invisable to anyone who came to the castle, an orphan with a younger brother and it was the "official openning of Fannellia." I watched everything with my brother as we stood in the large crowd. I had to work after this, though my brother didn't know. Though, till this day I wish I had stayed home with him. I wish I had never had to work that night.
My brother held my arm really tight; he couldn't wait for this to happen. Well, it was just a wooden bored, I really didn't care. But he did, he loved Fannellia and every aspect of it. The people, the food, the scenery, the dragons . absolutely everything. He even had a thing for that cat girl. I know I sure as hell didn't. I wasn't interested in love, which was the last thing I needed. Some woman sucking up all of our money. I think I'll pass.
"Hey, when are they going to do this thing! I want to go and celebrate!" he whispered to me.
"I don't know, Alex. In a few minutes I suppose."
Well, a few minutes had passed and finally King Van, Allen Shezar, Celena Shezar, Merle and a few other older men walked onto the stone stairs with what looked like a plack. They were really taking this thing seriously. I just sighed and crossed my arms. I wanted to get to work.
There was a long speech about us coming together and working to build a better Fannellia. Well, something along the lines of that. I really didn't care. Finally, they nailed the plack up to the castle and everyone cheered . did I cheer? Of course, though very much sarcastically. Everyone was now making their way towards the bars; pubs and streets just to party. Meanwhile, I had work to get to but I still had to tell my brother. I grabbed his arm before he ran off with his friends. He was going to hate me.
"Listen, Alex I have work tonight. I can't go and-"
"It's OK! I don't mind! See you at the apartment tonight! Bye!" he shouted and ran off.
Well, he had taken it quite well. I sighed and walked towards the stables, of course being stopped by the guards. I had to show them my pass so they would let me through. These guys were the only people who knew I existed at the castle. I saw them everyday.
"Oh hey! Welcome back, haven't seen you for a while! My, you have grown! You're what . six foot four?"
"Yes, that's about right," I smiled and nodded my head.
I had grown a lot over the past year. Physically and mentally. Well, now you're probably wondering what I look like. Yes, I am quite tall . tall and skinny. I have short blonde hair, my bangs usually fall into my face a lot, some girls find me atractive . but I beg to differ. My nose comes to a point, just like every other person in Fannellia, its how people can tell I'm from here. I hate my nose. I have green eyes . and that's about it.
"Well, I'm sure them horses miss ya! See ya later!" shouted the other guard.
I waved to him as I walked up to the stables. However, I didn't realize that someone was following me that night. Once at the stables, I reconized only half of the horses. Most of them were new, or just staying the week considering we had loads of royals.
My favorite of all horses is Beauty. She's a beautiful white horse, very strong and very kind. She also happened to be Celena's favorite, as well and Beauty seem to feel the same towards her. I started with Beauty, brushing her as her coat wasn't shiny nore soft at all. It was then when I heard a knock on the stable door. I turned to see Celena. She was wearing a blue summer dress . she always wore that dress during the summer, and it was closing in on autumn pretty soon.
"Hi there," she said, closing the stable door.
"Are you sure you're allowed to be here?" I asked right away.
There was a breif silence . she knew just as well as I that she wasn't allowed to be here. Allen hated most Fannellian workers . especially me. I was a young boy, only a year older then his sister and he figured that all I was looking for in a girl was sex. Well, I wasn't I was completely different then most teenage boys.
"Allen can't spend his life trying to keep me away from people," she joked.
I didn't laugh; I really didn't want to get in shit by talking to her. I just tried to ignore her as I turned to Beauty and started to brush her again. I could feel Celena's breath on my back. She was so small compared to me and I felt awkward whenever she was around.
"Do you need help?"
"No, I'm fine. The last thing I need is to but the girl who is to wed his majesty to work."
Yes, Celena was to wed King Van in a few months. It was going to be a winter wedding, I was some how invited . but I think that was her doing. She didn't want to marry him, and everyone knew so. It was Allen and those advisors of King Van's for them to wed.
"I had a feeling you'd bring that up. I'm only trying to make polite conversation, possibly even become friends with you. I hate it when people dislike me because of my brother's reputation or what he's making me do. Can you see me for who I am?"
I sighed and turned to look at her. I had to look down into those soft grey eyes of hers. It was awkward and I could feel my heart beating like a speeding horse as my breath quickened. There was something about this girl, I have no idea what it was . but I felt strange whenever she entered the stable. I really don't know what the world for that feeling would be?
"Listen, you're only here to see the horses! Look around and see them! I'm only here to take care of them . and that's what I'm trying to do. But when a soon-to-be royal comes here trying to be my friend it makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't want to end up with my head chopped off because your brother thinks I'm making a pass at you!" I shouted everything, though seeing the hurt in her eyes.
She looked down at her feet. Now I felt horrible. I was making her upset and that was the last thing I needed. I couldn't see her face, but I saw a tear hit the dirt under our feet.
"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. Its not like I asked for any of it, I just wanted to be your friend, have someone who doesn't care about my future and whats always good for me."
She looked back up at me, tears streaming down her face. Now I felt bad, I made someone cry and I hate it when that happens. I act tough on the outside, just so people will leave me alone, but when I see people upset because of my doing, it kills me.
"M'lady please don't cry! Your brother will kill me if he finds out. If you want to work so badly, here take the brush!"
I handed her the brush so she could brush Beauty. She looked down at it for a second and smiled. Before I knew it, she had her arms wrapped around my stomache, for she couldn't reach my neck. I could feel my face heating up with embarrassment, and it suddenly got very warm in the stable.
Celena finally let go of me and started brushing Beauty. She was a strange girl, I must say. I shook my head with a smile on my face as I walked over towards another horse. A horse I did not recognize, as it did not like me very much. I untied it from its hold and started to feed it. It was quite hungry. While the horse was eating I was checking to see whom it was. Usually, royals or knight's incarve their name on the buckles of the horses sattle. I saw the name all right . and now I know why it dislikes me . it just happened to be Allen Shezar's horse.
"Great." I mummbled.
"What did you say?"
Celena and I looked at each other; I just didn't know how to reply. Should I say "nothing" when you and I both know I had said something? Yah, I figured that would be the best way to go.
"Nothing, I said nothing."
"OK."
I sighed; I hated having some royal breathing down my neck as I worked. At the corner of my eye, I watched Celena lead Beauty back to her stall. Then, after doing so I could feel her breath on my back once again. I turned around to look at her, she was smiling.
"So . are you happy now?" I asked, irritated.
"Yes, I suppose. Sometimes I . never mind."
"What?" I could tell she was going to share some sort of a feeling with me.
"Sometimes I wish that I had your life. Work every day not having to worry about who you're going to marry or what you have to wear every day. You have no idea how lucky you are."
"I beg to differ. You're lucky you don't have to worry about buying food, making sure you have just the right amount of money for that small meal every night. When you're poor, you have to savour everything you have. Sometimes, people must steal but my brother and I haven't had to do that . then again I am speaking for myself, he always gets himself into trouble. But he's the only one I have, so I'm stuck with him," I think I had shared too much.
Celena laughed at the small story of my brother. I had a feeling they'd get along easily. Alex would be more then happy to befriend her. Well, just as she was about to talk, Allen walked into the stable. Once he saw me, the smile on his face faded away. My smile did too. I immidiatly gave him a dirty look. He saw it and walked up to Celena and grabbed her arm.
"I've been looking for you!" he shouted.
"I've just been visting with-"
"This boy?"
"Yes, he's a lot different then you think-"
"Do you not remember what I had said?"
"I'm sorry brother."
"Come on."
Allen looked at me one more time before taking Celena's arm and dragging her out of the stable. However, a stranger stopped him. This person stood infront of him, in a black, hooded cloak unable to see whom it really was. Celena seemed startled at the hooded figure; I stood there watching everything.
"Excuse me sir," Allen spoke politely.
The man or woman did not move. Instead they shut the door behind him and walked towards me, leaving Allen and Celena in wonderment of what happened. I could barely see the tip of this man's nose. However, I could tell it was a man, he may have been smaller then me (then again, who wasn't) but the body language said it all. Especially when he spoke.
"I have news for you, boy."
"What is it?" I looked at Allen and Celena who were still confused.
"It's your brother," he said shortly.
"What happened to him!" I was in a panick; I didn't know what could have possibly gone wrong.
"He is dead."
I was in shock. I really didn't know what to do. My brother was dead; my only living family member was dead. What pissed me off was how this man said it. He said it in a cool, almost mocking tone.
I remember, once repeating the words over and over in my head, I began to sob. I dropped to my knees and cried. My little brother was dead, but how? It's not like people just drop dead of nothing. No, it was impossible for that to happen. He was murdered, and that was the only logical explination. As these thoughts passed through my mind, I bucked up. I was going to get my revenge on this murderer.
I stood up from the dirty ground and stood up straight. I looked down at this man, seeing a small smirk form on his face. Could he possibly be the murderer?
"Who killed him?" I growled.
"Killed?"
I grabbed the man's neck and pinned him up against the wall. I wasn't going to take this as a joke. No, there was no way I was going to let this sick-minded freak play with my mind.
"Who killed him, damnit!"
"I don't know," he hissed.
I didn't believe him. Why should I believe some stranger who tells me that my brother is dead? But I wasn't going to kill this man. I let him go and turned to see Celena and Allen still standing there. I could tell what Allen was thinking right off the bat. I was some sort of a rough street child that people usually call kids my age. Celena however, seemed shocked and upset on the news of my brother. I had just told her about him, how he was all I had.
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, sniffing slightly. Celena didn't want to budge, but I could see Allen trying to move her.
"Get out!" I shouted at them.
Celena looked down at her feet as Allen dragged her out of the stable. I knew that man was still there. It's not like he left or anything. But before I could turn around and look to see if the man was really there, I felt a sharp pain in my back. I could feel some sort of a liquid dripping down my back. It hurt; it hurt so much I couldn't do anything. I fell to my knees then to my stomache. The man had stabbed me with a knife. It had gone right through my skin, killing me painfully and slowly. I layed there on the floor, which seemed like hours, but it was merly seconds. I watched my whole life pass before my eyes, like it was on a screen. Then, seeing that man's feet slowly fading away . it was going dark and before I could even tell . I was dead.