Daymin held Baz tight as he tried to will back that light that had burned so brightly just moments before. Blood still pouring from his friend’s wound.

“Please work…” he begged looking down at his hands. “By the grace of the goddess let me save him.”

Baz’s breathing slowed as the colour drained from his face. A sharp pain shot through Daymin’s heart as the light finally came to his hands. He shook as the wound stop bleeding and closed. A miracle of his own making. He lay his friend down on the grass as shook, looking down at his glowing hands, still covered in blood.

Good work my Brightstar. Fly him home.

The goddess spoke to him once more.

“Fly…” the words were barely out of his mouth before Daymin felt the wing poke through his back, ripping through the back of his shirt. He winced and the new sensation. The pain of the sudden growth as a few loose feathers drifted into the water.

Daymin looked at his reflection in the stream. Two pure white wings stretching out in the sun. He reached back to touch their softness, real as the rest of him. All the training and waiting had paid off… he gotten his wings.

Baz…

He snapped out of the moment and picked up his comrade. The colour beginning to come back to his face now. Daymin smiled, and his anxiety eased. Baz in his arms he flapped his new wing and lifted from the ground. Flying for the first time he followed the stream back down river back home.

Touching down outside their dwelling, the wings vanished and Daymin walked inside and laid Baz down on the bed and crawled in beside him. Lessons would have to wait he wasn’t leaving him.

******

Sleep had taken him as the adrenaline of the fight had finally worn off. Daymin dream of flying through the clouds, through blue skies on his beautiful white wings. Speeding among the clouds, so close he felt as though he could touch the sun.

But he was alone…

Where was Baz?

Baz…

He woke up with a start the red glow of sunset coming in through the windows. He’d slept the day away. He sat up and winced. The cuts and wounds on his body remained, closed and bandaged but the pain was lingering like it never had before. He felt stiff and sore but he pulled himself to his feet. He needed to find him.

“Baz!” he called out as he took a few slow steps, towards the door.

“I’m here Day.” The familiar voice of his companion called back.

Daymin rushed outside to see Baz leaning on his usual spot, looking out at their now tainted paradise. Two great white wings on his back. Him too...

He couldn’t stop himself from hugging him. Tackling him to the ground and holding tight, he’d almost lost him. Baz winced then and Daymin let go. Seeing the bandages on his stomach.

“Warn me next time okay.” Baz groaned; his feathers ruffled.

“I thought I lost you.”

“Well you didn’t.” he smirked. “and look Day we got them. We got our wings.”

“Yeah but the goblins… By the goddess you nearly died… the pain…”

“We are the hands of Vengeance Day. We slew those who came to kill us.” Baz stretched out his wings. “And our pain has been rewarded. The light, the wings. She thinks we’re ready now Daymin.”

“Right.” Daymin blinked, looking his friend in the eyes, a ring of gold now around the purple iris. “your eyes.”

“Your hair my friend.” Baz grabbed one on Daymins fine curls and pulled it down in front of his eyes. The fine straw color replace by bright gold.

Daymin touched his head trying the process it all, they really had earned their grace this day. Like she had promised them, her champions. Daymin took a deep breath and smiled.

“We really did it…” he looked out the setting sun.

“We did Day,” Baz stood up. “Now come fly with me.”

Daymin nodded and summoned forth his wings he still couldn’t believe they were real. Taking off a few steps behind Baz the two of them lifted up into the sky, chasing each other in a childish game of tag. Baz flying high and doing flips in the air, letting himself fall for a bit before letting hi wings catch him. Daymin stayed close but didn’t dare try such a spectacle, he was just happy to be part of it.

The sun set as the flew until only the smallest rays of light remained in the sky. Baz grabbed Daymin by the hand and pulled him through the air, without a word. Daymin lets himself go, he’d follow Baz to the ends of the earth of he wanted to go there.

Baz guided him down to the steps of the temple. Their feet touching down and wings disappearing in to a flash of white light.

“We still have prayers.” Baz let go of his hand.

“Right those…” Daymin sighed.

“Today of all days we should be praising her for these gifts don’t you think?” Baz began to walk inside, Daymin following on his heals.

“Of course.” Daymin nodded and the two of the began lighting the candles.

Somehow it felt different though. Daymin felt himself more detached from the ceremony than normal. His eyes stealing glances at his friend as he prayed. He could have really died today. Daymin would have been all alone then. He shuddered at even the thought of such a fate. Life here with out him. But it had come so close to being real.

Daymin stumbled over his words as he thought of such things. Baz’s eyes drew open as he made the infraction, locking Daymin in that powerful gaze.

“Find your sticking place Day.” Baz whispered. “its only going to get harder now.”

Daymin nodded a restarted his prayers.

******

They walk home like always. Both of them ready for a meal and a rest. Daymin’s mind was still rattled, but finally beginning to settle. Baz was right. This was only going to get harder. If they were to be her champions, they would face far greater threats than goblins. He had to find his nerve. But that felt like a problem for tomorrow. For now, he had resolved himself to savour the time they had.

Entering their home they found a feast laid out for them. More food than the two of them has seen in their whole lives it felt like. Meat and vegetables, breads and even sweets. The two of them ate like ravenous animals, until the was nothing left. Feeling full for the first time in their lives.

Daymin laid back on the floor when the meal was done. Letting thing settle inside him. How was this both the worst as best day of his life at the same time. He’d almost lost, Baz, but he’d gained his wings, power. He’d flown through the skies and celebrated. Where did it all go from her.

“I want to see how far we can push this power Day.” Baz said, joining him on the floor. “That the next step in becoming her champions, wielding this light, making it our own.”

“Can’t we just leave that for tomorrow? I’m exhausted Baz.”

“Sure Day,” he smiled a faint glow coming off him even now. He placed a hand on his wound and stared up at the ceiling. “It still hurts.”

“Mine too.”

“She’d been shielding us from pain. By her grace.” He sighed. “I didn’t think it would be this bothersome.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“You took a bad hit.” Daymin reached his arm to the sky looking at his hand. “I still can believe I healed you.”

“We are Angel Blood, we’ve probably been able to do in all along.”

“That’s never going to happen again you hear me. I never want to watch to bleeding out in my arms. I’m going to make sure of it.”

“You’re going to take a Cleric’s vows then?”

“I’ll take whatever ones I need to keep you safe.” Day sat up and looked down at Baz.

“Then I just won’t get hit again.” He smirked. “Because you’re going to be a Paladin with those sorts of convictions.”

“And what are you going to be?”

“Not sure yet.” he smiled. “I’m sure She’ll tell us her plans in time…. Hopefully not in another 16 years.”

“And if it is?”

“Well hopefully a goblin won’t kill me so easy at the end of it.”

*******

The weapons were waiting for them the next morning. The golden halberd and the two sliver scimitars. It didn’t take them long to know two whom each belonged. Baz took the scimitars and Daymin the halberd. The weight on the real weapon felt surprisingly light in his hands as Daymin spun the fine pole arm about. Like an extension of his arm.

“I told you this was how I was supposed to fight.” Baz cut at the air with his new blades. “Those goblins wouldn’t have stood a chance if we’d had these yesterday.”

“Again, with blaming your tools.” Daymin laughed.

“Oh these are better than a pointy stick and you know it.” Baz squared up to face him, swords at the ready. “Come on then. Lets test them out.”

“Baz…” Daymin hesitated. “These are sharp…”

“You wont hurt me Day.” Baz nodded. “I’m far too fast.”

Daymin nodded and spun the halberd around his head and stepped forward to strike at Baz with the blade, his friend parrying and sidestepping. The metal of the weapons making a pleasing clang as they made contact. Baz let out his wings in a flash of bright lighted and moved upward, the light from him glinting off his swords in a vibrant display of power.

Daymin smirked and loosed his own feathers a flew up to meet him. The two of them traded blows in the early morning sun, testing this new power of there’s, the flap of wings and the clang on steel. Daymins heart beat fast, Baz hadn’t been this committed to training in a long time, but he was dancing through the air, like he’d flown all his lived, Daymin could barely keep up and once again found himself on the offensive.

The scimitars glanced along the shaft of his halberd and Daymin pushed them back with all his strength. Putting distance between him and Baz once again, giving him back some of his advantage. He slashed and caught the side of Baz’s arm, drawing blood, crimson cutting through all that bright white. Baz cried out and Daymin faltered, dropping his defenses and rushing forward with would thinking. Baz slashed and caught his shoulder and pain wash over him too.

His hand dropped the weapon, and his light began to fade as he landed trying to recover. Baz laded too and sheathed the swords.

“First blood to you.” He winced, looking at the wound. “By her grace it huts.”

“Here…” Daymin extended a glowing hand. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have.”

“Save it until we are done.” Baz waved him odd. “That power is limited, we’ll bandage up and go again.”

“Baz. I’m sorry.”

“Stop it.” He frowned. “Your going to have to hurt me if either of us is ever going to get stronger. I was slow and you landed that perfectly, I slashed at you in desperation, I forgot my form and attacked wildly. It wont do, I if we are to carry these gifts we have to master them. Know their pain.”

“Ill get the medical kit…” Daymin sighed.

“You’ll never hurt me more than I can bare Day… I know you won’t.” Baz called after him.

*************

And so the days went on. Blades and wings became their new normal. The fights intensified between them, the cuts grew deeper as their blows grew stronger. Daymin cringed still every time he’d draw Baz’s blood, but he hid it better, brushed it off quicker. This was all part of her plan and Baz never held any ill will towards him for any cut he made.

The were getting stronger every day and it was beginning to show on their bodied The food was better, their rest longer rests were longer. Muscles grew, and flesh toned. Daymin from bulked up, his shoulders widened, legs thick like tree trunks. He didn’t notice the changes on himself but he did on Baz.

His friend had grown stronger too, but lean, muscles not big but solid all the same. Little mass, but it made him quick and graceful, while Daymin brought her blows down hard. He was starting to notice how much he enjoyed looking at them. Following the contours of his arms as he patched him up. Wanting to savour the touch.

“I’m waiting Daymin.” Baz nudged him catching his lingering eyes as Daymin patched up a wound.

“Sorry!” He blinked, “was daydreaming.”

“Focus my friend.” Baz clapped the back of he neck with his hand. “It’s not like you.”

“Baz have you felt different since you got your wings.”

“Of course I have. What’s wrong?”

“I thought I was just the feeling of pain that was new…” his voice trailed off.

“Your still scared of it arnt you?”

“Of course I’m scared…” Daymin pulled away. “I don’t like hurting.”

“Let’s take a break then.” Baz smiled. “I’m getting tired anyways.”

“Baz, you alright if I just have some time alone…” the words hurt even to say them.

“Alone…” he heard Baz’s voice catch in his throat. “Yeah sure.”

“I just need to clear my head, we can get back to it in a bit.”

“I’m going to the temple…gonna do the same.”

“I’ll be at the house.”

“Sure.” Baz turned to go letting out his wings and flying off without him.

******

Daymin sat on the steps of their house, alone. Trying to make sense of the thoughts in his head. Why his mind seemed to fix on these new feeling, the new way his eyes were seeing the world around him and how much he wanted it to just stop and go back to the way things had been.

He breathed deep, and ran his fingers along the side of his face. His thoughts had always been so clear until now. Now some days he could barely handle his blade. The fear of it all consumed him.

Baz was so sure of it all and yet Daymin faltered so in such a short amount of time. He was no champion. He was barely a fighter. Maybe he would take a clerics vows, and trade the halberd in for something let’s deadly. Would that even be allowed? Could he ask such a thing? He dared not even think it.

He rose from he spot on the step and banged his head against the doorframe. What did he even do now?

“Doing that is just going to make is hurt more you idiot.” Baz chided him.

Daymin turned to face to look at his friend. Baz looked tired, his eyes looked puffy and red. His knuckles wrapped in bandages that had bled through.

“And what ever you did to your hands wasn’t.” Daymin walked down the steps to meet him.

“I’m fine.” Baz cast his eyes down.

“You were crying.”

“No I wasn’t you were…” he tried to jeer him.

“I can’t keep doing this Baz. This isn’t how it was supposed to be. We’re supposed to fight together not each other. Every time I cut you…”

“Yeah I feel it…” Baz said in a whisper. “I hate it too…”

“Then why do we keep doing it? We spar every day and it’s causing us nothing but pain.”

“I don’t know Day… those blades, their meant for use but I don’t know what else to do with them but keep training. She wants us to use them.”

“But it shouldn’t be on each other.” Daymin put his hands of Baz’s shoulders. “I’ll spar with you all you want but I refuse to cut into you again. If we are going to use them it will be on her enemies.”

“What enemies Day?” Baz pushed back. “It’s been months since those goblins attacked us.”

“I don’t know Baz!” He didn’t expect the yell. How it echoed around them.

“Neither do I!” Baz returned the yell his radiant light starting to glow.

Silence fell. The two of them looked at each other. Not a word left to say it seemed. The glow slowly faded from Baz as he took he usual place on the step. Daymin turned and took his spot, what else could they do?

*****

He placed his blanket and pillow back on the floor tonight. They hadn’t spoken a word since the fight. Gone to prayer and had supper, but the silence this time hurt, cutting deeper than one of those blades. The two of them stealing glances hoping the other would end the suffering.

When lights out came with no words Daymin had moved, hoping that would spur Baz into talking. They’d shared the bed for months now, rest coming so much easier when they were side by side. Most mornings Daymin found Baz had rolled on to his in his sleep. Some part if him overlapping a part of him, He never minded, but Baz always seemed apologetic for invading the space. He’d say something about that wouldn’t he?

But he didn’t, Baz crawled into the bed and turned to face the wall. That was how it was going to be then Daymin sighed and rolled to face the other wall. These powers had ruined them.

Sleep did not come easy to him that night, he tossed and turned and kept stretching for Baz. But it came eventually, a rest with dream of flying alone through a dark sky, the light coming off him the only illumination. Alone even here…

Then he fell…

Daymin sat up with a start. The suddenness of the fall more than enough to pull him from slumber. That was a nightmare wasn’t it? He’d never had one of those before.

“Day?” he heard Baz call out.

“Yeah I’m fine… bad dream.”

The bed creaked as Baz sat up and made his was down onto the floor beside Daymin, pulling his blanket with him.

“Go back to bed.” Baz guided him back down. “I’ll make sure you sleep.”

“I can handle it Baz. Get back in the bed and rest yourself.”

“Well, I want to help so shut up and get some sleep.” He grumbled settling against the wall.

Daymin nodded, and his body eased it was going to be okay.

****************

Baz was sleeping soundly on him the next morning. Daymin’s body tensed suddenly at the realization. His friends head resting comfortably on his chest, still out cold. He’d made sure Daymin had rested and now was paying for it himself. Daymin let himself relax, slowly rolling Baz over beside him. Just this once he’d let him sleep in.

Daymin rose off the floor and walked out into the golden summer sunrise, the light reflecting from his halberd in the training yard. He slowly approached grabbing the weapon he was starting to loath, and spun it about a few times before striking out at an invisible opponent. Listening to the sound of the blade as it cut through the air. It did feel right in his hands, though it made his stomach turn thinking of spilling any more of Baz’s blood.

What’s wrong my Brightstar?

Daymin feel to his knees as the voice of the Goddess came upon him. Bowing his head in humility.

“Goddess praise you.” He groveled. “I am weak, I cannot cut him again. I pains me too much.

Life is pain my Brightstar. You are my Vengeful hand, if you cannot cut him them how will you my enemies?

“I….” Daymin stammered. “I beg of you Gallaidia… let me be a Cleric… so I can help and not hurt him…”

The bold lion asks his Goddess to change his fate, does he?

Daymin felt a hand run through his golden locks, slowly playing with his bright curls. He raised his head to see a glowing form before him. A female figure clad is white armour. He case his eyes back down.

“Forgive me…”

A Paladin you shall be my Brightstar. My Daymin. Bezaliel shall be spy and shadow. He will find and suss out enemies and you shall bring swift justice upon them. Do you understand?

“Yes Oh Vengeful one.” Daymin shook, no more hurting him.

Today is your last day here. Spend it as you will. Tomorrow you will find yourself in my temple in the town of Orlbar. My servants there will keep and teach to from now on. You two are no longer children, time for you to learn you place in the world.

“Praise be you will.” Daymin thanked her raising her head to find her gone. He rose and raced back to Baz.