The forest seemed endless. Disembodied voices chirped loudly as Zekiah and Soterre strolled by, only adding to the nerves that shot through Zekiah like bullets cutting through water. The boy hid behind Soterre as they trudged through the darkness, gripping tightly to his shirt. His hands quivered with every growl and snarl that sounded out from the shadows.
The older man chuckled easily as Zekiah stretched out the hem of his clothes. Eyes glowing green, Soterre raised a hand towards the endless chirps and yips. As if compelled by the soft green light illuminating the ground, furry animals popped out of the forest one by one.
They were all no bigger than Zekiah’s foot, glaring at him warily with their noses turned up as they sidled next to Soterre. The boy’s eyes widened and he retreated further behind the other man. Soterre laughed out loud at his skittishness, bending down to greet the critters.
Astonished, Zekiah watched as they raced around the Tipu, clicking happily as they feasted on his attention, or perhaps his power.
A small bird parted from the crowd huddling around Soterre, hopping towards Zekiah standing awkwardly behind him. It gazed up at him curiously, ruffling its golden feathers.
Zekiah took a step back, unsure of how to react. A steady hand rested on his shoulder, urging him forward. Soterre grinned, leaning up to murmur, “This one is but a child, just like you.”
“Like me?” Zekiah watched the small bird with wide eyes. The older man laughed. “Yes, like you.” He hummed, shifting his position to offer a hand to the tiny thing.
The bird cocked its head at the outstretched limb, hopping back and forth as it contemplated what to do. It looked up at Zekiah curiously before waddling onto Soterre’s hand.
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Soterre gently lifted the bird with him as he stood up, offering it to Zekiah. He nodded towards the bird, urging the boy to interact with it. Zekiah frowned, reaching out a hesitant finger to pat its head.
The animal burst into flames upon contact, its golden feathers bleeding into the red sun. The boy flinched back, rubbing his finger on his jacket to soothe the burn.
Soterre grinned, softly lowering his hands to let the bird flap its fire-covered wings as it took off into the air. The bird chittered happily as it looped around the two, wisps of smoke creating a trail wherever it went.
Zekiah huffed, his lips parted in an almost smile. “A phoenix?”
The older man nodded, his snowy eyes reflecting the flames. “Amazing, isn’t she?” He turned back to Zekiah with a loving smile. “She doesn’t have a name yet. Wouldn’t let anyone name her.”
He hummed as the bird continued to dance around them, putting on a show of light. “Though… perhaps she’s taken a liking to you.” The phoenix chirped loudly as if to agree, extinguishing its flames and landing clumsily on Zekiah’s shoulder.
The boy stroked her feathers lovingly, his previous hesitance having melted away. The warmth of the fire lingered in the air, filling Zekiah with a cozy feeling. He exclaimed, “Can I name her then?”
Soterre shrugged, shoving his hands into the pockets of his coat. “You can try. She’s a picky one.”
The boy studied the phoenix for a long time, smiling softly as she nuzzled his hand. He scratched below her beak, giggling at her content clicks. Finally, he murmured, “Nerea. I think your name is Nerea.”
‘Nerea’ chirped grandly, jumping off Zekiah’s shoulder to catch the wind, her feathers once again glowing like the sun. Halos of fire twisted around her as she flapped up towards the sky. Her radiant golden eyes bled away, revealing a shiny gray the same color of Zekiah’s underneath.
Soterre stood with wide eyes and parted lips as the last of the sparks dissipated, Nerea moving to nest herself in Zekiah’s hair. She pecked at his forehead, making flames dance at the corner of his eyes.
Soterre’s face stretched into a soft smile. Zekiah looked up at him expectantly, and he looked down at the boy with a newfound respect. “Nerea it is. Come, let’s introduce you to the others.”