Zion had taken an interest in birds, so it was in the early hours of the morning that he carefully bundled her out of the den and into the dark pre-sunrise world. “Now, you need to be very, very quiet, alright?” He whispered to Zion, before hoisting her gently onto his back. Nestled there between his wings, he took off at a light trott. Taking them far enough away from the family den that the animals here felt a little braver.

Even as he walked, the sunrise began on the horizon. A blend of burnt tones began to chase away the dark, and the world around them came to life. Namely in the form of birds, which began to shuffle about and sing. “Do you see that one, that’s a Robin” he whispered to the little puppy nestled on his back.



"Speech"

Since Zion had discovered that the birds that sing in the trees have wings like her father and brother, the small pup has taken a rather keen interest in them. Some days, she would as still as she could, underneath one of the tall trees, and count the different birds that flitted from branch to branch. After that, she would often pester her father about them, asking questions and drawing conclusions that only a child’s mind seems able to come up with. They are strange, magnificent creatures that the girl longs to know more about and her father has taken notice.

It is still dark when the cream and teal girl is roused into the waking world, her father quietly extracting her from the pile of pups. A soft yawn splits her maw as he wraps her in a thick fur coat that is just slightly a little too big for her before he whispers quiet words at her. They are meet with a vigorous nod and, with that, he hoists her up on his back where Zion quickly settles into the spot between his shoulder blades. Her father’s large wings help to stabilize her small body and, without a word, the pair trot out into the pre-dawn forest.

The pup’s eyes wide with wonder and curiosity as they go. An explosion of colors on the horizon signals the rise of the sun and Zion turns her gaze to the trees above them. Soon, the birds stir, filling the air with soft songs as they start their day. True to her promise, the girl remains silent, watching with wonder as her father points out a red-breasted bird and supplies her with the name. Slowly, she exhales a breath and, on the air, is the word, “Robin.” The word is soft and can barely be heard while her lavender eyes watch the happy bird sing its greeting to the morning light.


"Zion Fatalis"