Chapter 6: Old Scars Don´t Heal
Author´s note: The day has finally come. Another chapter to our story. I am very sorry for not posting for such a long time. Work came across my schedule and twisted it. But from now on, I will try to post regularly again. If you are new to this story, please consider following it, so you don´t miss any new chapters. Also, I am looking for a name for a character, that will appear later in the story. If you have any ideas, feel free to message me and your chosen name might make it into this lovely story. This female character will have a major influence on one of the main characters of this story. She is very kind, supportive, and wise. Thank you in advance for your tips. Until the next chapter, goodbye.
"…she should have been mine. I loved her so much. I loved her from the moment I laid my eyes on here. We were just kids back then, but we were happy. When she disappeared after that fire, it broke my heart. It hurt so much…after that pain went away…nothingness came into its place. But then…she was back. Like a sun at dawn, she shone so brightly into my darkened soul. It was almost like a dream…that turned into a nightmare the moment that bastard showed by her side. That rotten, lying, unwanted, unloved piece of human satisfaction. That toy, that humans use to run away from their miserable lives, dares to show up here, in a citadel of peace in nature´s heart, by her side. She wasn´t meant for him, she should have been MINE. Oh Blu, you will know my wrath! I don´t know if you managed to survive that wound or not. But if you did, believe me when I say, that there is a fate far worse than death waiting for you…" stream of thoughts was flowing in Basilli's mind.
Basilli's feathers were toned into dark blue color. A black feather on his face made a nice composition of shades. The average height and bright blue ends of his wings feathers only added to his interesting view.
"Basilli? Something on your mind?" asked Vlad with a strong Russian accent.
"Nothing important. I know that our main target was Eduardo and Blu should have been next, but after yesterday, I am pretty satisfied with the result." said Basilli with satisfaction in his voice.
"You have nothing to be proud of! As far as I know, you screwed things pretty badly. Eduardo wasn´t even injured and Blu´s death isn´t even confirmed yet. You should head back to their colony so that no one gets suspicious. And don´t forget to gather some information about Blu´s condition." Vlad´s anger could be seen in his eyes.
"Yeah, don´t worry about that. But you might be right in one thing. Eduardo might suspect something. My cover is starting to be a bit rusty. We should deal with him as soon as possible." said Basilli and headed out of their current hideout.
Vlad, the hawk of average height and sharpened curved beak and shiny, colorful feather, was left alone.
"He is young and rush, but there is still hope for him. Oh poor Blu, Basilli hates you…for such a childish reason – fighting over a girl. But that cursed Eduardo…I wish so many kinds of pain for him. Not just death, that is too fast, I want him to supper." said and dived into dark memories…
It was a beautiful day in the Amazon jungle. Sun rays just started to lick treetops when me and my sister were just enjoying a morning flight. We landed near waterfalls to refresh ourselves. Drops of water landed on our feathers as we enjoyed ourselves in the fresh air of that beautiful morning. Only green color could be seen around there, for water is the life essence of this jungle. The only bad thing about that moment was the presence of a nearby colony of the Spix macaws. We always hunt our breakfast ourselves so went to get us something. My sis was left alone with the beautiful scenario while I left for some tummy-filling treat. My hunt was kind of poor, one squirrel was the only thing I caught that morning, but it was plenty at least for my sis. I headed back and landed near waterfalls. I saw my sister, but she wasn´t alone. There was someone else. I walked closer and saw a Spix macaw that was standing on my sister´s throat. Rage flooded me like a tsunami. I rushed forward in an attempt to help my beloved sibling. I was young, careless, and not much of a fighter, so it was a quick battle. My sister tried to help, but what difference could she make? It felt like a miracle when the combined strength of both of us managed to drove away that bird. It was back then when he said that one sentence I will never forget: "This will cost you dearly…". After that, he just disappeared into the jungle. We took our chance and headed back home. Of course, we didn´t tell our parents. During that time, relationships in the jungle were not that bright. There was a lot of fighting between tribes and sometimes even between tribe members. Conflict like that could cause immeasurable trouble. Little we knew that Hell has already begun…
Few days after that incident, me and my sis went to visit our grandma. She lived a few minutes from our home, so we were sent there alone. No parents, no tribe member, no other friend – just us. It felt almost like destiny itself wanted something bad to happen – and it really did. We ran into a group of six Spix macaws, for which one was the bird from before.
"Did you really think you could cross paths with Eduardo and come out as winners?" asked young Eduardo with rage and amusement in his eyes.
"You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us, you bastard." Said another macaw standing by Eduardo´s side.
Their group prepared for battle and only waited for the right moment. There was no way we could fight them all. We need to get away from them.
"RUN!" I cried towards my sister and spread my wings.
Events started to move way too fast. We managed to fly a few meters before three of them knocked me down on the ground and started punching me. I tried to fight back, but it was useless. Two macaws grabbed my wings and held me down while Eduardo kicked me all over my body. I turned my head and saw my beloved sister in the same situation. This is it. It's the end of both of us. Our tribes hated each other, but the two of us were the ones who had to pay to price. Bloody price.
"Rumors say that your kind is very tough, want to test it out boys?" said young Eduardo with an evil grin all across his beak.
Two macaws that were holding my sister picked her up and headed towards a river that flowed from the waterfall.
"NO PLEASE! NOT IN THE WATER!" screamed Katja, my sister.
"PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH ME, BUT DON´T HURT HER." I cried as floods of tears rolled out of my eyes.
"I CAN´T SWIM! PLEASE!" screamed Katja and tried to free herself from their grasp, but there was nothing she could do.
Macaws threw her in the water and just watched with pleasure as water started to get into my sister´s beak.
"PLEASE I BEG YOU, TAKE HER OUT!" I cried even though I knew, it was for nothing.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU´RE DOIG?!" another bird joined this fight, our father.
"Damn, let´s go boys, it´s getting hot around here." shouted young Eduardo and left the scene. His companions followed.
Once I got free, I rushed to help my sister. She was now completely underwater, with a limited supply of oxygen. I jumped into the river and pulled her out. She looked calm and peaceful. Almost as peaceful as night during full moon midnight. That was the problem. She was too calm. She wasn´t breathing. My father pushed me away and started to pour oxygen through his beak to hers. Those few seconds felt like an eternity for me. I stopped breathing as well. Once Katja´s longs filled with air on their own, I took another breath too. She was saved.
"Katja. KATJA! Are you alright?" I immediately hugged and asked her when she sat down.
"I feel kind of dizzy, but I think I can overcome it." replied Katja with a weak yet friendly voice.
"Vlad, take your sister back home. I will go have some friendly talk with your attackers…" ordered my father with raging eyes.
I did as my father ordered and took Katja back home. It took a huge part of my power, because my sister, even though she was younger than me, sure had her size and weight. Calm and cold night fell on trees of the Amazon jungle. Night hunters already started their hunting sprees and I was still awake, waiting for my father to return. And so, I waited. I waited for long but my father wasn´t still getting back. I knew what was my duty as a son. I kissed my sleeping sister´s cheek and left our home. I knew exactly where to fly. To the very place, I swore I would never even get close to – the Spix macaw colony.
I made my way to their colony borders, took a deep breath, and flew in. My wings were strong and my lungs were always full of air, so my speed was nothing one should take lightly. My arrival at the colony was right on time. I saw my father fighting a group of Spix macaws. He alone was able to stand his ground even against ten opponents, while I couldn´t even protect my sister from six of them. Another five macaws joined the fight. That was the father´s limit. He could no longer effectively protect himself against their numbers. One of the macaws hit him with open talons, leaving a bloody mark on father´s body. Father landed on the ground, still standing in his battle stance. That was the moment I had to interfere. I opened my wings and landed beside my father and those brute macaws.
"You have no right to be here. Move, or you will end up like that piece of meat." threatened one of the macaws.
"Let my father be! Firs one of your kind attacks my harmless sister without any provocation. Then a whole group of macaws attacked. My sister almost drowned. And guess who was leading them. That is right. Come out Eduardo, you scumbag." my emotions got in my way once again. I could no longer speak without tears rolling out of my eyes.
"How dare you?! You little bastard, how dare you to accuse my son of such a thing. He would never attack without provocation and would never fight so dishonorably." shouted one of the macaws that were in the group who attacked my father.
"It´s…it´s true. He is telling the truth." said soft, meek voice from somewhere behind the macaw group.
"What?! Who said that?!" asked Eduardo´s father.
Behind one of the macaws, a small baby macaw showed his head. He was much younger than me, maybe even my sister.
"Basilli, what are you talking about?" asked one of the adult macaws that was too standing on the scene.
"This afternoon, Eduardo told us, that he had some business he needed us to help him deal with. He didn´t tell us the details, only that he was mad at one young hawk. He asked even for my help, but I refused. I didn´t want to go, because deep down I knew how Eduardo deals with things´. Eduardo only scoffed at me and with five others left. I saw them heading into the jungle, towards enemy territory. Even though I knew it was a risk, I secretly followed them. I was afraid that they might get into trouble. If things would get bad, I could fly for help. I saw them attacking without any provocation this young hawk and his little sister. She was really young and no threat to them, but they still hurt her as well. They kicked her, choked her…and not only that. They did something terrible. They threw her into the river, even though she cried that she can´t swim. They didn´t care if she died or lived, they just wanted their amusement. Luckily their father showed up and saved them both. Everything he said is true." explained young Basilli his side of the story.
"Like I´d believe some child nonsense. You all just lie, my son is mature enough to avoid such childish behavior. He is an honorable macaw." replied Eduardo´s father with contempt.
"It is true. Your son is lying scumbag…" those words should have never left my beak. Maybe if they didn´t, things would be different.
Eduardo´s father slapped me across my face with his talon. I couldn´t see a thing. A small wound on my forehead poured some blood into my eyes, temporarily blinding me. I wiped the blood away and saw my father´s last fight. This time, his chances of winning were close to zero. He tried to charge his most hated enemy. He wanted his head. Head of the macaw who almost killed his beloved daughter and hurt his son. His charge was meaningless. Every available warrior macaw was now present, making it impossible for my father to even get close to his target. Kicks and punches started flying and the only thing I could do was watch my father slowly and mercilessly getting killed. No. MURDERED. Maybe I would have died that day as well if it wasn´t for Basilli's father, who held me down on the ground. That fight was quickly over. My father´s body fell on the ground without any trace of life within it. I didn´t cry. There were no tears left for me to pour. Grasp around my body disappeared. I took my chance and slowly crawled towards my father´s motionless body. I didn´t make it. Eduardo´s father grabbed my neck with his bloody talons.
"This will hopefully teach you not to denigrate someone´s name. Especially not my son´s. If you ever try something so stupid again, you will end up like your father." said Eduardo´s father and threw me on the ground. His talons penetrated my wing. A scream of pain left my beak, while a stream of blood poured out of my wound.
"Get this trash out of my sight!" ordered Eduardo´s father and left the scene of this hideous crime.
One of the macaws grabbed me into his talons and took off. Another two took my father and they carried us to their colony borders. They just left us there. It was deep night and I was losing my consciousness, but there was one thing I remembered very clearly – that joyful grin on Eduardo´s face. Oh, my dear friend. A fate far worse than death awaits you. That was my promise to him. My mind then slowly faded into the darkness. I was cold, scared, lonely…those feelings became my best friends. Another hawk from our tribe found us the next day. After that, things changed.
Vlad looked at his scarred wing and those painful memories came back to him.
"Eduardo, I promised you revenge. And revenge is what I´ll get. I swore it to your father too, but that old fool made things too easy for me. Your tribe was making an enemy after an enemy. Another tribe conflict was created and your stupid father lost his life in it. Scarlet macaws, Amazons, Hyacinths, and many, many others wanted your food, your territory, but most importantly, your heads. My tribe left this cursed jungle a long time ago, but our rage towards you is still within our very veins. Yes, my tribe might be away, but I have many allies. Every bird that hates you is my ally. Even one of your people is my ally. No, he is my friend. Basilli might be young and inexperienced, but that day, he stood up for me. His father was a great macaw. Sadly, he died during the Scarlet-Spix conflict. Death doesn´t choose. We are friends and we also share similar goals.
Eduardo, you will die by my talon. No matter what, your life will end soon. And you, my dear little Blu, if you´re not already dead, you will die by Basilli's. He hates you more than anything. Love is a very strong motive, but hate is even stronger. You can only pray that he finishes it quickly and painlessly." said Vlad the Hawk to himself and left into the deeps of the dark jungle.
Next chapter: The Days of Peace