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Height of Myth
Chapter 8: Monkey Magic

Chapter 8: Monkey Magic

Do it again!

I motion with my wing towards the pile bones that I just finished re-stacking.

Look!

With a well-aimed flick of my talons, one of the bones on top gets flung skyward. It ricochets off the ceiling, creating a racket of hollow noises as it bounces back to the ground. The annoyingly-shy little lemur shrivels in size, its pupils massive and round as they star at me in trepidation.

Fun, right? Fun bouncy bones! Do that little magic trick again, yeah?

Seeing how he remains glued in place in a crevice between two boulders it seems my impression on him is not as favorable as I thought. So much for saving your sorry hide.

Look, the big scary bird is going to back away slowly, okay?

One step at a time, I move backwards as non-threateningly as I can. Yet the only reaction I earn is the slight twitching of his huge bushy tail.

Please?

Nope.

I'm going to sit down and turn the other way okay? Uncle Alistair won't peek, I promise! For dramatic effect, I even take my right wing and enshroud my face with it. Surely this will get him out of his hiding hole.

Except it doesn't.

For the love of-! You know what? Screw this! Hide in your corner and keep your secrets!

At this point, it's completely clear that the little critter isn't going to cooperate. I didn't realize it when I first saved him, but I'm pretty sure he's just a child, so of course he's going to be wary of someone like me. Man, I really wanted to learn more about what he did though. One second he was holding his paws out, the other the bones all went flying! There is literally no logical explanation for what I saw! Granted it seems to be a sentiment that is becoming less scarce with every passing day. For now, I chalk it up as 'crazy monkey powers', right next to 'invisible bird radiation' and 'glowing battery opals'. What does it all mean? Who knows. For now, they are all brand new facts that I guess I just have to deal with.

Going back towards the lake, I once again take up my position upon my fishing perch. The storm has yet to settle, still in full roar since I rescued the helpless little simian. My hopes still linger that the lake fish will become more active with the weather, but honestly? They are baseless claims, but they are my baseless claims. Besides look at all these hyperactive minnows! The little buggers are swimming in a hurry to who knows where, but not quick enough to escape from me!

Now that I have some bait, I can get into my proper zen. It's easy with the rhythmic waves of rain that echo calmly over the lake.

KERRR-RAACK!!!

The cavern floods with blinding light as lightning strikes nearby. From behind me, a chorus of high-pitched chittering sounds erupts, and I can hear him fleeing somewhere deeper in the cavern as his tiny paws race across the stone floor.

A bit rattled from the thunder too, I look back to check where he dashes off to, hoping that his poor decision doesn't get him killed. Just barely through the dark depths of the cavern, I see his minuscule white form disappear into the passageway on the left. Either by dumb luck or some innate instincts, he isn't going to meet the cave's other delightful tenant. Knowing where the passage leads, I'm not really concerned. One way or another, he will come back for water at the very least.

Turning my attention back to fishing, my thoughts are given free rein to wander off yet again, this time I think about what I should call that little monkey. After all, he shares the same trapped fate as myself. Considering I'm going to be here for a couple more days at the very least, I should give him a name. Hmm… Maybe I'll just call him Koko, seems fitting for something small like him. Yeah Koko seems like a proper name. I even have a little idea for Koko when he returns, but that can wait for later.

Naturally the reason I have such a fascinating attachment to Koko is because of that feat he performed, it was nothing short of a miracle. So how did he do it? First I try to connect the dots with an organ that is unknown to me. If there is such a mystery organ, does it compress air for Koko to unleash at his whim? That doesn't sound right however. The bones were launched straight up, and if the air originated from him, based on the angle of his paws, they should have been propelled towards the wall. Also with how intense the blast was, Koko should have been knocked back to some extent, yet he was fine. So unfortunately one logical option is ruled out…

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

While I try to think of a new angle, I get my first bite. Shifting my focus back to fishing, I manage to hook in another ghostfin…

Joy.

Despite my dwindling enthusiasm, I realize it didn't take hours for me to get my first catch. Maybe that dubious claim I made earlier actually holds some merit! With renewed vigor I prepare some more bait, fantasizing about the near future where I'm digging into some fresh lemonhead again!

A wild breeze whips past me with little warning, carrying upon it the sweet earthly smell of the heavy rains above. My feathers flutter chaotically against the ongoing draft, a feeling that I unexpectedly find blissful. As the cold air above clashes with the stale warm air of this underground realm, I rise to meet the gust head-on. Letting myself become swallowed whole by the ravenous winds, I embrace the moment with closed eyes and an open imagination.

First I extend my right wing, feeling each of the long feathers catch against the breeze. But it's not enough. Ignoring the slicing pain of the shredded muscles, I open my other wing. Immediately, winds wet with moisture assail me in full force and threaten to pluck me from my perch. I do little to resist the threatening gesture made by nature, instead inviting her to make good on her promise.

Alas, the breeze fades and I feel gravity take its hold over me once more, centering me back into reality. Keeping my eyes closed, I savor those precious few seconds I had. A captivating feeling that no other experience could hold a candle to. And to think that if the winds were just a bit stronger...

I open my eyes and release an audible sigh. Both my wings are still stretched wide, however one of them is far more uncomfortable than the other. Gently I close the culprit, wincing as I force the damaged muscles to retract.

Blasted eel, I curse.

If it weren't for that vile serpent, I would be rid of this earthly prison!

With that bitter sentiment lingering, I get back to fishing. Within minutes I get some action, but my elusive prize manages to get away. I know my strike was true, but the thing slipped right through my clutches. I look at my empty feet and inspect my talons a little more closely. Sure enough, the tips have dulled, and while not blunt per-se, the weathering was enough to cost me that fish.

Okay calm down Alistair, easy-fix, just sharpen your talons then give the whole thing a go again. Deep breathes-

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

There's no need to give in to stress, things will be fine. Despite telling myself these thoughts, my mind races through some of the underlying uncertainties I've been suppressing. One such instance surges forth with anger boiling behind it.

"Why is this happening to me!?"

This whole ordeal is unnatural. I may not be able to remember anything, but I know I didn't have to sharpen my fucking talons so I could catch my own food and not starve in some death-pit cave!

CRAAAW!!

With a frustrated scream I pick up a nearby rock and hurl it. But with the hastily made formless-throw, it goes no further than 10 or so feet before bouncing harmlessly back down the slope. Seeing it roll gently back in my direction ignites the forges of my wrath, and I kick the blasted thing with every ounce of force that answers my call to arms.

The small rock launches with violent speed towards the back end of the cavern. I follow its trail as it soars beyond the scope of my necklaces light.

POCK!

It finds purchase against the far wall. However, as it falls to the floor, it once again it rolls harmlessly down the slope.

While I didn't notice him before I kicked the stone, Koko must have came back to the lake at some point. For cowering against the wall is a little creature with a terrified expression. Even from my vantage point, I could see him quivering, in his mind hoping that the wall would open up and stow him away from this dangerous bird. Seeing him in this state extinguishes the fires of my anger, and in those immediate sober moments that followed after, I felt shame. And not because of my unchecked anger.

At first, I asked myself why should I care about this tiny weak creature, after all it would just be prey at the end of the day. If not by me, then by something else. Should I feel pity for all the creatures that I kill so that I may live? When I get out of this cave, should I stop myself from hunting and killing my prey because they are scared? How is this cowering animal different from any of these scenarios?

This is who I am now! This is the world I am in!

But how narrow minded could I be?

Here is a creature that I already spared, someone I opened up to, somebody I named. Yet here I am thinking so little of the creature because of natural order. Koko didn't even have to come back, it hasn't been that long. If he truly wanted to get away from me, he could have gone down those tunnels the whole way. But he didn't and yet here I am. No different from the monster that bars my own path.

I may not know why my life has become subject to this fate, but that doesn't mean I need to surrender to it.

With my claws I hold up the necklace around my neck, a product of my own resolve. How could I act like such a damn fool…

With the storm drowning out all the other noise, I go back to where I left the ghostfin I caught earlier. It might not be much, but it's a start. I quickly prepare the fish by removing the innards and the all-important swim bladder. After the rushed job, I walk up the slope and drop the fish about 10 feet away from the quivering Koko.

Go ahead little buddy, I can catch my own later.

I don't stop to see if he goes for the fish, instead I head back towards my work area and get to sharpening my talons against the coarse sandstone. As I work on each worn-out talon, I reflect on how I acted. That intense joy I felt from that mock flying experience truly stood apart from everything I have experienced thus far. Such a high was always destined to contrast horribly against the lows I have been dealing with. It's ironic to think that such a moment of happiness could end up being be so cruel.

I take a look back. Behind me, Koko is face deep in the belly of the ghostfin as if it’s the tastiest thing he has ever eaten.

Seeing the display causes me to curl my beak into a smile.

Thanks Koko.