The Empire of Crows

They say that when a crow crosses your path, it’s an omen of bad luck—a harbinger of misfortune waiting to unfold. The old wives’ tales have whispered these for generations, embedding them deep into the hearts and minds of the people. Crows, with their jet-black feathers and piercing eyes, are believed to be the messengers of ill fate, the ones who bring darkness to the doorstep.

But I never believed in that… I should have, I really should have believed it.

You see, I fell for one of them. But of course, it couldn’t be just any of them—nooooo, I fell for the worst one.

It all started after the final exams of my second year in high school. I remember coming home, exhausted and ready to collapse, only to find my father waiting for me with a big smile on his face. He had prepared a surprise for me, A TRIP! to reward me for all the hard work I’d put into my studies and at home. He knew I was drained, both mentally and physically, and his gesture touched me deeply. I felt a surge of happiness and gratitude for my father, who always seemed to know exactly what I needed, even before I did.

A few days later, we were on our way to a small inn on the outskirts of our glorious Kavrasia Empire. a realm steeped in history. The empire was vast, its lands stretching from the snowy mountains in the north to the warm, fertile plains in the south. Known for being strong and untouchable, the Kavrasia Empire prided itself on its might and resilience. Its people were proud, and its rulers even prouder. The symbol of the empire, however, had always puzzled me. They had chosen the crow as their emblem, a bird that symbolized protection over the empire—its guardians, watching from above. The crow was said to embody the strength and vigilance required to protect the empire from its enemies.

But I never quite understood why. Sure, crows were imposing, with their dark feathers, but they always seemed more ominous than noble to me. There were so many other animals that could have symbolized a noble cause—majestic lions, fierce eagles, even steadfast wolves. Yet the empire had chosen crows, and that decision had always felt strange, almost unsettling.

As we arrived at the inn, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace washing over me, The inn itself was a charming, old-world structure, nestled at the edge of a vast forest. It had stone walls covered in ivy and wooden beams that creaked with the history of countless travelers who had passed through its doors. Inside, the inn was cozy, with crackling fireplaces, worn leather chairs, and the comforting smell of fresh bread and herbs. It was the kind of place where time seemed to stand still, offering a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

It was a long drive, so my father was exhausted and decided to rest. I, on the other hand, was too restless to stay put. The allure of the forest just beyond the inn was too tempting to resist. So, I prepared myself for a little adventure. I slipped on my comfortable shoes, grabbed my camera, and paused for a moment. On a small table by the window was a collection of perfumes that my father had made himself, he owns a perfume shop after all. Each bottle contained a unique scent, carefully crafted from various herbs and flowers. I spared a little of one, the scent delicate and familiar, and dabbed it on my wrists. It was a small touch, but it always made me feel connected to him even as I ventured out on my own.

The forest was enchanting, as if it had been lifted from the pages of a fairy tale. Tall trees with thick canopies blocked out most of the sunlight, creating a dappled effect on the forest floor. The air was cool and filled with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the sounds of nature—rustling leaves, distant bird calls—were a soothing backdrop that made the world outside feel distant.

As I wandered deeper into the woods, I felt the stresses of the past year begin to melt away. The peace and solitude of the forest were exactly what I needed. Every now and then, I stopped to snap a photo, capturing the beauty around me—the play of light through the leaves, a cluster of wildflowers, the intricate patterns of the bark on ancient trees.

After walking for a while, I found a spot that seemed perfect for sitting down and soaking in the tranquility. But just as I was about to sit, a sudden gust of wind swept through the trees, catching me by surprise and taking my hat with it. I watched as it sailed away, finally landing on the branch of a tree not far off. The tree wasn’t particularly big, but it was tall enough to make climbing it a challenge, especially with the dress I had on. I stood there, debating whether it was worth the effort to retrieve my hat, or if I should just let it go and enjoy my day.

But I’m not one to back down from a challenge. “Shit,” I muttered, realizing that my peaceful day was about to take a turn. There goes my relaxing day, I thought, as I decided to climb the tree anyway.

I approached the tree and began to climb, moving slowly and carefully. The branches were sturdy, but as I ascended, I could feel my dress catching on the rough bark, making the climb even more difficult. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I reached the branch where my hat had landed. A surge of excitement filled me, and I couldn’t help but smile. But in my haste to grab the hat, I got too excited and lost my balance.

It all happened in a moment—a single, fleeting moment—but sometimes, that’s all it takes isn't it? I slipped, my feet losing their grip, and I felt myself falling backward. My heart raced as I braced for the impact, expecting the hard ground to meet me

But instead of hitting the ground, I felt strong arms catch me. I opened my eyes, startled, to find myself staring into the face of a stranger. He held me effortlessly, as if I were as light as a feather, his expression was calm. His dark hair framed a face that was strikingly handsome, and his eyes seemed to hold a depth that made me feel both curious and unnerved.

He didn’t speak right away. Instead, he looked at me, studying me as if trying to figure out exactly how I had ended up in his arms.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a smirk played on his lips, and he said, “Ohh, what do we have here?”