Short Story
Destiny cannot be controlled and can arrive without notice. Strong mythical creatures are no exception to destiny. Thunder and dawn will meet on a very special night with an extremely rare and unique natural event. Will there be chaos or will there be something else?
It is said that every 100 years, a very special moon will shine in the night sky, painting the shadows in a scarlet red. Many creatures of the Underworld walk the earth that night alerting the protectors of the upper world: the Thunderbirds. They are lonely beings who never see the light, darkness surrounds the flying skies, while storms form in their wake with the movement of their wings, inheriting the name of vindictive hunters.
On that particular night, a rare mythical creature that with its red and yellow plumage forms orange hues; and sapphire eyes, will be reborn from its ashes and will rise with the sun until the next century when it will descend to repeat its endless cycle. However, these beings are no exception to the rules. If they are within the reach of the territories in the conflict between the upper world and the Underworld, they will be eliminated by those who protect and maintain balance.
And so, there is a momentous encounter…
Ramiel was a young vindictive hunter who was born a century ago and shed his feathers to walk on the earth about a decade ago. His pale gray eyes always look for beings that don't honor the rules. His slim and strong body is always ready to fly and feel the strong winds and thunder coming towards him.
His teacher had told him a long time ago to remain alert on that particular night since the barrier that divides the land of the Underworld is weakened. Allowing different malicious entities to walk between worlds and take advantage of any situation.
By midnight, Ramiel had not noticed the presence of some creature escaped from the Underworld, so he decided to patrol the caves in case there were any of them hiding.
He had never imagined finding a living being in one of them…
Iola was aware of the rules in the northeast forest, but could no longer stay in the sky to continue on her way. She fell on the border of the forest, too tired to resume her flight when she noticed that the moon reached the center of the night sky. She took the form of a young woman; red and yellow hair that formed an orange color, sapphire eyes, long but small body and pale white skin that glowed with the moonlight. She hurried to find a place to build a nest and hide until the Blood Moon ends, hoping for no one to find her.
Fortunately, there was a cave that was half inside the northeast forest and half outside it, thinking that no one would find her.
Iola would never have imagined that she would be so wrong in her long life…
"Are you lost?" Ramiel distrusted the young woman who was there. He wasn't sure what she was or why she was at the border, so his eyes revealed the concentration of lightning inside him; ready to fight if necessary. At the same time, he was attracted to her, desiring her beauty.
Iola recognized what he is, but the uncertainty of him attacking prowled. He decided to continue the game, without wanting any problem, he just wanted to spend the night in peace. Besides, she wouldn't be bothered by the company while waiting for dawn. "Will you hurt me?"Ramiel lowered his guard a little. "Only if you do something that endangers everything."I'm not interested in the Underworld if that's your concern. I am aware of the rules."
"I see."
Understanding the situation, he decided to ignore her and continue patrolling the border before his desires clouded his judgment.
Iola noticed that the young man was about to leave. Not wanting to be alone for once in so many lives, she reached out and grabbed his arm. "Please stay. I know it's too much to ask, but I still insist."
Ramiel felt his heart racing in his chest, feeling like it could explode at his proximity. He had never been close to a woman, much less a naked and beautiful young woman like her. "Very well. Are you cold?" He took off his shirt to hand it over.
She closed the distance between them and looked into his eyes, hypnotizing him. "Why are you so nervous? You want me?"
“Yes, you are very beautiful.” I didn't know why I was responding so honestly, but I couldn't help it. Something in her gaze kept drawing him to her. His desires clouded his judgment, taking control of his movements by placing one hand on her neck and the other on her hip, Ramiel pulled her closer to join his lips with hers.
Passion flooded them while they kissed. Iola caressed his entire body and undressed him completely. Ramiel's hands touched and explored her curves, as they advanced slowly in different ways. She gasped with pleasure and moved her hands in a seductive way to please him too.
As they continued to explore each other's body, Ramiel leaned her against the cave wall, completely yielding to his carnal desires. Her voice was like ecstasy for him. He had never felt so good in his life just by being touched and touching another. He felt more alive than when he was hunting. Making him feel drunk with pleasure while the moon was painted red, completely forgetting what keeps his species completely alone.
The moon was white once more. They were both lying on the floor, sleeping exhausted without realizing that time was running out.
As the night progressed, so did the degradation of Iola. Her breathing became shallow, her hair dry and her eyes lost life.
Ramiel noticed her condition. Worry and anxiety flooded him. "What is happening to you?"
"I'm sorry. From the moment our eyes met I knew who you are."
"What do you mean?” Deep down he knew the answer to what he was asking, but, he needed to hear it anyway.
Putting her hand on his cheek, she said, "I am a Phoenix."
The lament was clear in Ramiel's features. Tears ran down his cheeks. "What have I done?"
"Don't blame yourself for the loss of my life. I got tired of wandering the skies aimlessly. I will live for the last time grateful to free myself from my eternity."
“This will be your last life. You will die! And it's all my fault."
"I'm sorry I put this burden on you, but I want to make a selfish request." She paused for a moment to take the last breath. "Remember me."
Her body turned to ashes and with the rising of the sun, Iola was reborn, stronger than her past life. Taking flight to the sky for the last time before the curse of the Thunderbird extended through her body and condemned her to a dark sky of an endless storm.
