Page 88 of Green Ravens

Zorion chased him, his legs burning as they sprinted into the forest.

Omega leaped onto a thick branch, balancing with little effort before climbing higher. Zorion followed, the ascent feeling natural. The higher he climbed, the more the world made sense.

Omega motioned toward a clearing where a wooden dummy stood, representing an enemy.

“It’s time you strike from above, unseen. Watch.”

Omega darted along the branches, swift and silent. In a fluid motion, he snapped out a kick sending the dummy flying across the ground in a cloud of dust and landed in a crouched position.

Zorion took a deep inhale and positioned himself as Omega had.

He focused, feeling the wind against his face, the world moving below him. He waited until the perfect moment, then he launched.

His body soared through the air, the wind rushing past his ears. He twisted mid-flight, mimicking Omega’s strike. His foot connected, splintering the dummy at its center before he landed lightly on his feet.

Omega nodded, approval shining in his eyes. “Again.”

Zorion grinned.

Chief Aiken Oakley

Valor

Twenty more months later…

The sky over the grounds of the Order was a breathtaking hue of amber and deep crimson. Evening was his favorite time of the day. He doubted there were more beautiful sunsets anywhere in the world.

He walked in silence with Zorion’s hand clutched tightly in his, enjoying the gentle rush of the waterfall beyond the forest border. It was the kind of serene, intimate evening he wanted suspended in time.

The crisp air blew through his light linen pants and beneath his hood.

Two young students of the Order were sitting on the ground, close enough to whisper in each other’s ears. When they saw him and Zorion approaching, they leaped to their feet and brushed at their pristine white tunics before bowing their heads low.

Valor acknowledged them with a slight nod, but the two students stayed in that position until he and Zorion were almost to the coastline.

He stared down at his love, appreciating the effects his strenuous training had on his body. He moved with such controlled and unwavering discipline.

The path led toward the cliffside, where the land dipped toward the ocean. Valor kissed Zorion’s knuckles as they stared at the waterfall cascading into a foaming pool.

The heat of the day gave way to the cooler breeze of night. The mineral-earthiness smell of wet stones and the awakening noises of nocturnal creatures were just the balm his soul needed.

He’d missed Zorion. They didn’t make love nearly as often as he wanted.

Their days were still filled with combat training, mental strengthening, and discipline. Their lessons also included mastering weapons that nature provided, like clubs, longbows and poisons. The elders also insisted they learn multiple languages and customs to be better equipped to infiltrate other governments.

Valor sank onto the soft grass and pulled Zorion with him.

His long white-blond hair fanned around his shoulders and onto the grass. Valor couldn’t resist running his fingers through it. It was almost as lush and long as Lion’s.

Valor stared down at his soulmate with something akin to worship.

Zorion had changed so much.

They both had.

Their bodies and minds were more in sync with their animal instincts, all parts of them operating on one accord. Complementing one another.

“My beautiful hawk,” Valor whispered, stroking Zorion’s cheek.

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