Ash surveyed the desert with keen eyes in search of food, but nothing grew or lived in the deserted, beige wasteland. Sand stretched endlessly in every direction, with monotony that threatened to consume his sanity.
She’s going to starve. And the baby, too. I can’t return empty handed. Not again.
A grown phoenix should have had no problem hunting; but the abrasive, golden granules that pervaded their lands boasted little promise, and he would have been killed should he have tried his luck elsewhere. The earth had not yet formed continents; and it was forbidden to cross the Zones that made up the single landmass, Pangea. This meant he had no choice but to test his luck in the sands of Zona Humera, the location whereupon the phoenixes had been allocated after their abysmal performance in the Olympiad. They shared the lands with the avix- a smaller bird species with narrow wings and great agility- who had done just as poorly.
He flew to a swathe of sand dunes further West, admiring the shadow of his wingspan. He was a handsome phoenix, subject to much jealousy amongst his people, with vibrant marigold feathers, beguiling hazel eyes, and a luscious, auburn tail. Mounted upon his head was a single deep blue feather that provided a vivid splash of sapphire to his otherwise orange-coloured crown.
The phantom whisper of a scurry brought his attention to the dunes, where a shadow flickered across his vision. He tucked in his feathers and dived. There was a camouflaged creature beside a tuft of grass, trying so desperately to be inconspicuous.
Suddenly a growl gave warning from behind. He stopped. It was an avix, distinguishable by the high frequency it produced with its thin vocal cords. Although small, these birds were quick and stubborn, and hunger had driven them to become more aggressive.
He turned to find the bird challenging him, and screeched, ready to fight. It had a dull grey coat, white-speckled underbelly, and a short wingspan. Blood-stained feathers shielded its breast.
It made the first move. Feinting right with its body, it jabbed its beak towards his left. He twisted in time to meet the bird’s beak with his talons, then launched himself higher into the air. The avix followed, but he dropped, raking his claws across his opponent’s face. The sweet thrill of adrenaline filled his veins. ‘Care to try again?’
The avix lunged. But instead of dodging, he jabbed with his beak, piercing the bird’s abdomen. It screeched with pain and fury, but he didn’t concede his advantage. He pressed forwards with talons outstretched.
The avix didn’t try its luck. It turned and fled, prompting an exultant twirl from Ash before he swept into the dunes to claim his prize. He withdrew disappointed. In his talons lay an espera, a bony arachnid with tusks for fangs that would barely feed one. It was a meagre catch even for these lands.
He continued the search until nightfall- with no further luck- then circled back towards his clan. They were a close-knit community, of eighteen cocks and sixteen hens, and though times were tough, not even starvation could weaken their relationships. If anything, it had brought them closer together, as hardship often does.
Clan Soha was built around a copse of palm trees that surrounded an orchid-blue oasis, taking advantage of the only vegetation in their area. They had built nests amongst the trees and shelters upon the ground, allowing them to scavenge more easily at the expense of their safety; however, the risk was minimal- few animals in Pangea could bring them challenge.
He approached his nest, crafted with thin, malleable sticks and a bed of dark green moss. It sat atop one of the taller palm trees that overlooked their village.
‘I missed you,’ cooed Rekha, his mate, nuzzling the fold of his neck. He put his wings around the mauve-tinted feathers that covered her body and shuddered as the chill ebbed away. She was his sun, radiating heat on the coldest of days.
He set the espera by her feet. ‘I found it creeping around the dunes out west. It’s not much, but it will do,’ he said.
‘It will do just fine.’ She tore into its body. ‘Here, you take the top half, and I’ll eat the bottom.’
‘No, don’t worry. I ate by the dunes,’ he lied. ‘I found a pair of them together.’ He wouldn’t deprive his mate of food, especially now she was feeding for two. Her pregnancy itself was a miracle- a hen seldom got pregnant without plentiful nourishment- and he wasn't going to test his luck. She would need the energy in the upcoming weeks; for they were soon to migrate to Zona Tropicana, the destination of the next Olympiad.
Splitting the ninety-six species of bird between the eighty-eight territories based on the results of this annual competition had seemed reasonable at first, and a fair way to resolve their disputes. However, it had since become a topic of great contention. It was a vicious cycle: if you did poorly in the Olympiad, you suffered a year of starvation and misery, so much so that you had no strength to compete fiercely in the next year’s Olympiad, which then resulted in further poverty.
Ash did not want that for his child, nor did he wish his mate to give birth in a destitute zone. Phoenix gave live birth, as the musculature in their wings allowed them to carry live young, and poorer outcomes had been associated with habitual stress.
He waited for Rekha to finish her meal before breaking the news he knew she’d hate. ‘I have something to tell you,’ he said.
‘Is everything okay?’ Concern laced her voice.
‘Yes, I’m sorry. I just wanted to tell you that-’ He took a deep breath. ‘I want to compete in the Olympiad this year.’
‘Oh.’ Rekha’s pause sent a chill through his spine. ‘Have you actually thought about this?’
‘I have, for a while now, and I still want to. Not just for me; but for us, and our future.’
Rekha was not convinced. Five years ago, Ash had nominated himself to represent the phoenix and had failed to be selected. They had lived in a harsh, snowy climate- Zona Avalanchia- and the selection event had been fishing. Candidates had been made to plunge into freezing waters to compete for the rarest catch, and Ash had almost drowned.
She despised having to be the one to dismiss his dreams, but she was left with no choice. The Olympiad was dangerous; and if it was risky before, the stakes were only higher now that she was pregnant.
Gently, she reminded him. ‘You can’t put me through what happened last time, Ash. I’m pregnant; and right now, that’s the most important thing for us.’
‘I know that, Rekha. But I can’t let our child grow up in a place like this. My father made that mistake and now he’s gone.’
‘And you’ll go the same way if you’re not more careful,’ she snapped.
‘Don’t say that. I already feel guilty. How can we bring a baby into such an awful world? How will it survive the coming winter?’
‘Do you even know what the selection event is this year? It’s the race through Skull Fissure. Skull. Fissure.’
‘And? I’m great at racing.’
‘This isn’t just a race, Ash. It’s a race through a chasm filled with predators; and not only must you fight off the other competitors, but the spectators can hurl rocks at you too. It’s barbaric. What if you’re killed?’
‘Have some faith in me.’ Ash smiled, earning a thump from Rekha’s wing.
‘You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?’
‘No. This is our choice to make- not mine.’
‘Then I say no. Which puts us at one vote each.’
‘Then I’ll back out. I don’t want to do something you’re uncomfortable with.’
Rekha paused. Ash was reckless, foolhardy, and impulsive; but that was also what made him special. He would, and had, given everything to her on a whim. He’d left his old clan to follow her when they’d mated; he’d continued to provide for her when everything looked hopeless; and he’d even, against all odds, won the approval of her father before he’d passed- a feat no other had yet achieved. Not a soul in Pangea had so much heart as him. Which is why she couldn’t outright say no. To restrict him would be to contain the very thing she had fallen for, to deny him the right to be himself.
‘I have an idea,’ said Rekha. ‘Why don’t we consult Elder Monroe? Let her speak to the elements and tell us of your fortune. If it’s favourable, I’ll feel comfortable with you competing; and if it’s not, then you must let someone else. Would that be fair?’
Ash gave Rekha a squeeze with his wing. ‘I would love that. Even if you change your mind down the line, I’ll drop out, okay? I could never put anything before you.’
‘I know that, Ash. And that’s also why I know you’ll do well in the Olympiad. You’d sooner bring the world crumbling than let me down.’
‘I would.’
Ash woke up and curved his beak into a smile. Several stag beetles had been laid out before him, varying in size and colour. He may have been bright, but Rekha always saw right through him. She must have realised he hadn’t been feeding himself and gone hunting. What had he done to deserve her? He swallowed them and stretched his wings.
The birds of Pangea didn’t have a convenient means of keeping dates- they used their knowledge of the seasons to estimate- ergo, the Olympiad would begin when every species of bird had arrived. This year, they estimated it would start in a month, so word had spread between the phoenix of the upcoming race at Skull Fissure. Thereafter, they would begin the migration to Zona Tropicana and delight in a necessary relief from the lifeless desert they’d been imprisoned in for a year.
‘You alright there, mate?’ Vulcan, his closest friend, descended into the nest with something in his claws. A single mauve line ran down his spine, triangles mirrored horizontally on either side. They had been painted on using berries that permanently stained feathers- krakatza- which looked remarkable in the light of the sun. The rest of his crimson feathers looked dishevelled by comparison, as if he’d already gotten into a fight that morning.
‘What do you have there?’ asked Ash, trying to catch a glimpse.
‘I brought a surprise for you and Rekha.’ He threw down an animal.
‘Impossible!’ Ash turned the creature in his talons. It was a jakat. With sharp fangs and powerful hind legs, they resembled that of a modern-day caracal cat- except with wolverine claws designed for digging. They typically burrowed into the sand to avoid predators from above, rendering them largely inaccessible.
‘Where did you find it?’ asked Ash.
‘Your friend still has some tricks up his sleeve.’ Vulcan chuckled. ‘I found it to the East, bordering the Antila Clan’s territory.’
‘Their loss is our gain.’ Ash forgot his manners and sunk his beak into the meat; it was stringy and tough with an exquisite gamey taste.
‘So, how fares things?’ Vulcan continued. ‘Ready for the migration?’
‘It couldn’t come sooner. The opportunity to see the glaciers again, the streams of lava, the twisted treeline from Zona Mesmerosa. I really can’t wait.’
‘That’s where your excitement stems from? Forget the landscapes! I want to get giddy on poot juice and dance, to discover inventions inside the markets of La Campoya and wreak havoc; and most of all, I want to meet the eligible hens from the remaining phoenix clans. It’s gotten dreadfully dull meeting the same birds every day- not that I don’t love our flock.’
‘Of course that’s what takes your interest.’ Ash rolled his eyes. ‘Is the great Vulcan at last ready to settle down?’
‘Whatever gave you that impression? There’s more to life than the wings of another.’
‘Spoken like someone who’s never earned the wings of another.’
‘I’ve had plenty of relationships, mind you.’
‘Doesn’t count if they exist in your head.’
‘Once. Once I made up a hen from Kalin. But that was ten years ago now.’
Ash started hugging himself with his wings.
‘That’s it, I’ve had enough,’ said Vulcan. ‘And I brought you breakfast, no less. You should be ashamed.’
‘Stop complaining, dear friend, and lighten up.’ Ash smiled. Though stress had plagued him these few last weeks, he could never remain serious with Vulcan present. Their friendship had been instantaneous when he had first joined Clan Soha.
‘Lighten up? You really are asking to have your feathers ruffled.’ Vulcan tackled Ash with his wings. The pair tumbled around the nest, pushing and shoving and nipping as the sticks beneath them shook. Ash found his head dangling off the side, Vulcan’s weight holding him down, but he used his talons to vault his friend over him.
The pair continued their dance; a headbutt from Vulcan here, a strike from Ash there. They continued until the nest could no longer support them, dissipating beneath their feet like a mountain ledge.
Ash fell to the ground, fast, but used his wings to halt his descent. Vulcan appeared beside him. They settled upon the ground and looked up at the ruin that was once Ash’s home.
‘Rekha’s going to kill me,’ said Ash.
Vulcan squawked with laughter. ‘It’s only the fifth time. I’m sure she’ll understand.’
‘I’m beginning to remember why you’re single.’
‘Now, now, there’s no need to be hurtful. Just re-create it before she gets back; it shouldn’t take long.’
‘I can’t. I need to go- now, actually. We’re meeting with Elder Monroe.’
‘I see. Trouble in paradise?’
‘You never could keep your beak from other birds’ businesses, could you?’
‘And you love me all the more for it.’
‘Whatever.’
Ash took off, gliding through the nest-filled trees and settling beside the Oasis. Elder Monroe emerged from an old, dilapidated hut with Rekha beside her. Impatience flourished in her wrinkled jade eyes. He couldn’t help but smile. Elder Monroe had raised him when his parents had died, and she had followed him to Clan Soha when he had married Rekha- which was normally against the rules, but Clan Soha had needed someone with experience to lead them after their previous elder had passed.
‘You’re late,’ said Elder Monroe, ushering him into the hut. ‘Do you think my time exists for you alone?’
‘Sorry, mother.’ Ash embraced her before perching on the ground. Her auburn feathers filled the room with colour, drawing attention from the plethora of trinkets and stones that hung from the roof. There was a boulder that formed a worktable whereupon a variety of natural ingredients had been laid. Rekha sat nervously beside him.
‘Now, dears, I hear you’ve come seeking your fortune from the spirits. How very wise of you. But are you ready to have your fate cast into existence? Have you the mettle to hear and meet the challenge that is your destiny?’ Elder Monroe’s eyes gleamed.
‘Yes, please,’ said Rekha. ‘If you think it’s a good idea, that is.’
‘That’s not so easily answered. Remember: this is not science. More often than not, you will find yourselves more confused than when you began. You must be willing to accept this risk.’
‘We are,’ said Ash. He soothed Rekha’s quivering wing with his own.
‘Very well. Then wait while I seek the council of our spirit, Hope.’ Elder Monroe cast her wings beside her, revealing the blood-red spirals that had been etched into her feathers, and began mumbling. Her wings were a blur, her movements frantic. There were herbs, roots, and powders that she mixed expertly with the tips of her wings, filling the air with a smoke that made Ash and Rekha cough.
When she was done, she stooped to the table and inhaled the powder through her nares. It caused her twitch, momentarily, until she went still. Her eyes went red.
‘Ash,’ she said, voice hearse and deep. ‘This is your destiny:
Twin fates mark the path of the choice you seek,
To shy to fall, to vie to grieve,
Neither path here stands conducive to success,
Though if you must choose one, you cannot rest,
The cycle is incessant, it cannot be cheat,
With valour and bravery, birdkind may repeat.’
Elder Monroe stopped; her eyes shifted green. Tears fell across her face.
Rekha scratched anxiously at the floor. ‘What does it mean?’ she asked. ‘Will Ash be okay? I don’t understand. Can we do anything to-’
‘It’s okay,’ soothed Elder Monroe. ‘Take a second to breathe.’
Ash said nothing, staring into the ground. The prophecy had said neither path stood conducive to success. He was to fight a battle destined to be lost. The rest of the words he could not make sense of, but did it matter? Why should he put himself forward for this endeavour knowing the outcome?
