As I witnessed the avian descent, my heart threatened to burst from my chest. It was a sight I had hoped never to witness again, one that filled me with uncontrollable fear. The hordes of avians descending upon us resembled the apocalypse foretold in mortal tales. Yet, I knew better than to believe this was the end of the world. No, they had come for me, and me alone.

In the few years I had lived among mortals, I experienced more joy and fulfillment than one could in a lifetime. My mother, freed from her celestial shackles, finally tasted the sweetness of life, and my dear sister only began to discover the beauty of this world. I couldn't bear to snatch their happiness away, even if it meant sacrificing myself. This was the moment, my final flight, where the former Valerian the Golden would burn away forever.

"Ah, I don't wish to die, not just yet," I murmured, forcing a bittersweet smile.

I took a deep breath, my wings spreading wide for the first time in years, ready to take flight.

"Valerian! Stop!" my mother's voice echoed from behind.

"I'm sorry, mother; there is no other way." I tried to act determined, not wanting her to witness just how weak I was.

"Please, don't go. This is not your battle to fight," she pleaded desperately as she grabbed my arm.

"Not my fight? Do you even know how I escaped that place, huh? I had killed entire platoons of innocent avians for my selfish desires, and for what? I brought myself a few years of freedom until they came back for it. Do you know what the worst part is? When I took those lives, I did not even feel bad; deep down I liked it. I am nothing but a murderer."

"No! That was not your fault! It was mine, I was the one who..."

"Brought me into this world?" I interrupted her.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it!"

"Maybe, but you sure feel that way, somewhere deep down. I am a plague, mother. I ravage everything that is beautiful and pure. I don't deserve you, or this life,"

A loud slap interrupted me mid-sentence, as she raised her hand at me for the first time. As she lowered her hand, a feeling of warmth and burning was left behind.

"Stop talking! Don't say something you will regret. You are my son and the most beautiful boy in the entire world! Nothing you ever do will change that. Now please, let us leave this place and find a life somewhere else, together."

Tears filled her eyes as she tried to draw me closer, but I stood firm. No matter how much she begged, I was at peace with my decision. No matter where I am, or who I pretend to be, to avians I will always be Valerian; the one destined to bring about the end of times.

"When I was little, I didn't believe their stories. I thought they hated me just because I was a half-breed or envied me because of my golden wings. But those were lies I told myself to get through the day. What color are my wings?" I asked.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

"What does that matter now?"

"What is the color of my wings? It's a simple question."

"They are black, but I don't see..."

"Yes, and those prophecies spoke of a child born from a forbidden union bearing black wings and bringing about the end of the world. How much of that can be a coincidence, huh? This was always part of their plans, to let me go and awaken the powers from the prophecy so they could take it for themselves. I was never free, and as long as I lived, I would be haunted. Is that the life you want for your son?"

"I can't let you walk into certain death. I love you too much to let you go, even if it means hurting you for the rest of your life," she barely managed to utter those words through her tears.

"Please help me, Silas. I don't know how much longer I can deny her," I pleaded as I heard faint footsteps behind me, knowing Silas was there.

With a gentle strum of his lute, he began to sing an enchantment.

Let him go, let him roam,

In distant lands, he'll find his home.

Though your soul may ache, set him free,

For his journey calls across the sea.

And so, she turned around and walked inside the house. The sight of her walking away hurt more than I could imagine. The warmth in her eyes faded as her last glance over her shoulder was cold as if she was gazing at a stranger rather than her son.

"Please protect them, you are the only one who can," I told Silas.

"Ah, maybe I shouldn't have used a sobering spell. This would all be easier to do drunk! Don't worry, kid, nothing ill will befall them as long as I live."

"It was an honor, dear friend," I said in a low tone as I turned my back and took to the night sky, heading directly for the approaching swarm of avians, determined not to look back.

"Remember, no matter what happens, you will never truly be gone! If there is an afterlife, I will see you there; if not, you will live forever in the stories and songs I've written over the years! Remember who you are, and the world will remember you, Valerian! Until next time, my dear friend! May the ending of your tale be a happy one!" Silas yelled as his voice grew quieter over time until I could no longer hear him.

A wide smile spread across my face as the words of the bard seemed to ignite a strange sense of calm within me.

The avians halted in their tracks, forming platoons in the air as they carefully waited for further orders and observed me. Much had changed since our last encounter; this time, their faces were etched with fear, their hands trembling and their wings wavering.

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind barreled toward me, sending my body tumbling off course. Desperately, I fought to regain control in mid-air. Just as I steadied myself, the clouds parted before me, unveiling a colossal creature soaring through the skies. Its body spanned well over fifty feet, making me feel like a bug waiting to be crushed. As I beheld its obsidian scales and the immense expanse of its wings, a single question came to mind: could this be a dragon? However, something felt wrong. The creature's eyes were as white as snow, devoid of life. Upon closer inspection, I noticed massive, ragged holes in its wings and torn scales, exposing decaying flesh beneath. It was as if this dragon had died long ago and its body had been grotesquely reanimated. The only way to bring the dead back to life is with the use of necromancy, but necromancy is...

"Now it all makes sense!" I burst into uncontrollable laughter as I headed straight towards the dragon.

Necromancy, a forbidden craft, was accessible solely to those with an affinity for dark magic; a power reserved for demons alone.

"So, you allied yourself with the dark, forsaking the very light you once were so proud of!" I shouted, a triumphant smile spreading across my face. It pleased me that once again they showed me who they truly are. At least now, I won't have to feel remorse for what I'm about to do.