When crow has ceased feasting
Was poisoned by kin
Ashes bury each sin
Bar the monster within

Their wings haired and feathered
Demons of the world
A boy made jade
For a golden girl

A love like no other
Pure of the fate
Desperate for touch
Of one just the same

Doomed to fail
Opposition will reign
Two stand united
Against the grain

A bond made shadow
Death provider
Hell bringer
Chaos singer

Doomsday
Eschaton
Void
Destroyed

As the girl
Loved the boy

"Will you stop saying it?" Rowan snaps.

Reynash looks up at her with dull eyes, "It needs to be taken seriously."

The destroyed hideout of Rodion the Crow is rubble around them. Three of his surviving experiments, including one of his own children, stand in the ruins of what was once their prison. They reunite only to discuss the prophecy foreseen by the Seer.

"Obviously," Valeria agrees, "How do you plan to stop it?"

"The solution is simple; prevent Klavdiya from meeting and falling in love with the boy in the prophecy."

Rowan places a hand on Valeria's back when her sister's name is said, "And you're sure it's about Klavdiya?"

The Seer nods, "I saw her in the darkness when this prophecy came to me." If they can all agree on one thing, it is that sweet and adventurous Klavdiya is the last person to deserve such a fate.

"Do you have a prediction about the boy?"

The pentagram surrounding Seer ceases. They get to their feet, coming down from levitating. They appear much shorter than the two women but clearly more obscure. Symbols carved into skin, scarring to a hairless head and seemingly ancient golden robes.

"Klavdiya is of feathered wings, referring to her father,  the crow. This means the boy is of haired wings," Reyansh explains, walking past them over the debris. "What has haired wings?"

Valeria and Rowan share a glance, thinking the same thing, as usual.

"A bat."

◊

7 Song Story Playlist

•Training Wheels - Melanie Martinez

•Into You - Ariana Grande

•Somewhere I Belong - Linkin Park

•Kids With Guns - Gorillaz

•Sugar - Terror Jr

•Fire and the Floor - Vance Joy

•Get Free - Lana Del Rey