Trae

I managed to traverse the field of ice and snow, my eyes scanning desperately for any sign of shelter. The storm was relentless, the wind howling like a pack of wolves, and the snow blinding in its fury. My heart pounded with urgency. Riku was only a boy, a mortal, and the cold was seeping into his bones. I, being a chevalier, couldn't feel the cold, but I could see its deadly effects on him.

Finally, I spotted a cavern. The entrance was a tight fit, but it would suffice as a shelter to get Riku out of this storm. I hurried over, my wings shielding him from the worst of the icy blasts. Once inside, I took off my jacket and wrapped it tightly around him. He protested at first, thinking I would need it more.

Such a good child.

"Don't fret, Riku, I'll be fine. I need you to try and stay warm until I find some timber to start a fire."

"I-in a s-storm? H-how?" His teeth chattered, his lips beginning to turn blue. I needed to act fast. The child was losing heat rapidly and would suffer frostbite if I wasn't quick enough.

"Stay inside, away from the entrance if you can, and curl into a tight ball." I removed my scarf and wrapped it around him, hoping my body heat would transfer through the layers. He went deeper into the cavern, letting me know he was alright as I braced myself to face the storm again.

Using my wings as both a shield and a coat from the icy elements, I made out a few trees not far from the cavern. The bark was chilled but didn't feel wet, perhaps dryer underneath if I were to cut it down. Extending my hand, I let my chiropteran blood transform my hand into claws and slashed the brittle tree, hauling it back to Riku.

The boy was holding out, shivering but still breathing. I moved quickly into the small entrance, breaking the tree down to fit it through and piling it inside. Riku watched with silent fascination as I tore the tree into pieces to get to the driest part and placed it in the center. He peeked his head out from my coat and scarf.

"How will you light it?" he asked, his voice trembling.

I smiled, seeing his curiosity despite the dire situation. "Like so." I made sure the pile was right, then raked my hand over the stone until sparks shot out and landed on the wood. The small sparks caught, then fed off the timber, warming the cave in its soft glow.

"Wow…" Riku admired, scooting close to the fire and warming his hands and feet. "Trae, are we going to make it through this storm?"

"Of course," I said, sure of it. Opening my wings a little to let the warmth of the fire hit my chest, I could hear his silent gasp. "Are you scared of me?" I tried not to sound intimidating to the boy. He quickly shook his head and even scooted towards me to show he wasn't.

"No. I like your wings, I think they look cool." I could tell he wanted to touch them. His fingers were fiddling with the hem of my jacket.

"Want to touch them?" I extended my left wing out for him. The heat radiating off my webbing made his fingers stretch out, and the coolness of his skin made my nerve endings twitch.

"Whoa…" he whispered, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Come, let me keep you warm." Extending my arms out for him, watching as he slowly moved and kept my coat on him best he could, I tucked his feet under my thigh and held him close to my chest so my heat radiated like a heater to him. Folding my wings over us, he sighed in relief and said I was like a warm blanket.

"Thank you…" his words slightly muffled in the scarf. "I know if I was by myself, I'd be dead." He was holding back his tears and fear if the situation. Shaking from controlling his own emotions.

"I know this situation is terrifying, but know that I will not let anything come to harm you. Neither will Kai or Saya, even Haji." Brushing back the boys hair from his face as he quietly nodded, I wasn't sure what to do in this situation to ease his mind.

"Can you tell me a story?"

"Hmm," not expecting that, seeing as he acts quite mature for his age, I indulged him.
"Once upon a time, in a land where the sky was always a brilliant shade of lavender and the trees whispered secrets to the wind, there lived a little girl named Lily. Lily had a heart full of curiosity and a mind brimming with dreams. She lived in a cozy cottage at the edge of the Enchanted Forest with her best friend, a talking squirrel named Nutty.

One sunny morning, as the golden rays of the sun danced through the leaves, Lily and Nutty decided to go on an adventure. They had heard tales of a magical rainbow that granted wishes to those who found its end. With a twinkle in her eye and a skip in her step, Lily set off with Nutty perched on her shoulder."

Riku had yawned, eyes heavy with exhaustion as I fixated him in my arms, he was trying to stay awake, but all he could murmur out was "how silly this story was" to me. Though it did work and eased him to getting sleepy, I remembered the rest fondly as the story was one mother told me long, long time ago. I decided to continue to the end until the boy was fully asleep.

"As they ventured deeper into the forest, they encountered all sorts of wondrous creatures. There were giggling fairies that sprinkled them with sparkling dust, and wise old owls that hooted ancient songs. The path was winding and full of surprises, but Lily and Nutty were determined to find the rainbow.
After hours of walking, they reached a clearing where the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. In the center of the clearing stood a majestic unicorn with a mane that shimmered like the stars. The unicorn introduced herself as Starla and offered to guide them to the rainbow.
With Starla leading the way, they crossed bubbling brooks and climbed gentle hills. Finally, they arrived at a meadow where the rainbow touched the ground. The colors were so vibrant that it felt like stepping into a painting. Lily's heart raced with excitement as she approached the end of the rainbow.
"Make a wish," Starla whispered, her voice as soft as a breeze.
Lily closed her eyes and made a wish from the depths of her heart. When she opened them, she found herself surrounded by a shower of twinkling lights. The rainbow had granted her wish! She turned to Nutty and Starla, her eyes shining with joy.
"Thank you," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
With their adventure complete, Lily, Nutty, and Starla made their way back to the cottage. As they walked, the sky turned a deep shade of pink, and the first stars began to twinkle. Lily knew that she would always cherish this magical day and the friends she had made.
And so, under the lavender sky and the whispering trees, Lily and Nutty lived happily ever after, always ready for the next adventure that awaited them in the Enchanted Forest."

Riku nestled into me, completely asleep and no longer shivering as he was kept warm beneath my wing. I shifted slightly to get comfortable, listening to the crackling of the fire and the howling of the storm outside. My thoughts aimlessly returning to what that feeling was back on the train. The tension in my shoulder like someone grabbed me felt familiar, and intentional throwing me off. I hope Kai is keeping his sanity intact and believes in me. There is no greater downfall than the mind breaking and letting your emotions run awry.