Fall / Rise

Alkol was standing still admiring the glass-like river, watching the dark current run its course and take with it his thoughts.

He enjoyed the way the cold reached his skin like claws, swirling through his feathers, and found comfort on the sounds of the ever-functioning warm machinery of his body against the cold air.

– Hey. – he heard a familiar voice greet him from behind, accompanied by clunking sounds.

He didn't turn around, tousling his wings to acknowledge Korbicci’s presence, who stood next to him to observe the river.

– The beast is asleep, I assume. – Korbicci said, peeking at the screen on Alkol’s chest.

Alkol let out a silent laugh, freeing a little cloud of vapor that rose and quickly disappeared.

– Did I ruin your plans for today? – Alkol asked, more like a statement.

– Not really. – Korbicci looked at him and gave him his usual sneering smile – I really just came to spend some time with you.

Alkol frowned, giving the answer some thought, but quickly shrugged the thoughts away and went back to focus on the dark waters.

They spent some time silently enjoying the gray-skied weather and watching the waters run like an amorphous amalgamation of black and lustrous snakes together. Occasionally, a fish would swim caressing the surface of the water like claws reaching out for the sky. Their deep orange eyes like underwater embers stared back at the water-gazers for fractions of seconds.

Korbicci mindlessly sat close to Alkol to benefit from the warmth the machines on his body created, which made Alkol feel an unidentifiable feeling.

– Are you not participating? – Alkol’s deep voice softly broke the silence, and the microphone floating in front of his mouth shined momentarily. 

Korbicci tilted his head curiously, indicating a need for elaboration.

Alkol was too accustomed to only talking to someone who could read his thoughts, so his words were usually incomplete.

– The Reapers' Revelry. – Alkol completed.

Korbicci chuckled, letting out a metallic clunk from inside his chest.

– I think this would be way too sick even for me, no? – he raised an eyebrow – It would be too hypocritical of me.

Alkol raised his eyebrows slightly.

–  As if you cared.

– Haha. I actually don't. – Korbicci agreed, kicking a rock, which was rapidly swallowed by the water – I’m just... tired, I guess.

Korbicci didn't know why he was telling Alkol this. He felt like he wanted him to do something, but wasn't sure of what exactly.

Alkol pondered about the answer.

– So you came to me. – he said, simply.

– So I came to you. – Korbicci agreed, simply.

Silence embraced them once more, as both were uncertain of what to do.

Both had glassy feelings inside them, similar to the tumultuous and dark waters they were observing - the more they stared, the more they noticed they could not see a thing besides the unruly surface.

Alkol suddenly shook his body and puffed his feathers, breaking contact with the water for the first time in hours.

– Come. – he told Korbicci, walking alongside the river.

Korbicci immediately obeyed, following his lead.

They strolled alongside the river, through the muted landscape.

They walked alongside each other for many different shades of gray on the sky.

Korbicci didn't feel like talking - the silence felt sacred - but he couldn't help but feel curious about where he was being taken.

The more they walked, though, the more he felt that it was not about the destination, but the path.

Orange leaves would occasionally caress their feathers, carried by the wind. Korbicci felt as if they were raking his tiredness away.

Alkol avoided all the puddles on their path mindlessly, while Korbicci didn't mind stepping on them – the shock of sudden cold made him feel like his mind was getting clearer.

At some point, rain fell upon them and darkened the sky.

The metallic sound of the water against their bodies became a comforting company. The rain embraced them with stray cold water drops touching their skins and weighting down their feathers.

Like the spiral of time, they eventually reached the place they had departed from.

Korbicci smiled at the sight of Alkol’s lair. Clever.

– How do you feel? – Alkol asked.

Although they had walked the whole day, Korbicci raised his eyebrows, surprised to find out he felt fine - his body felt light, and his mind felt clear. 

Alkol nodded knowingly. The fire inside his home casted a dancing shadow onto him, having him become a gentle silhouette.

– Thank you. – Korbicci said – Although I am still tired, I do feel much better.

Korbicci looked back, seeing nothing but night clawing its way through the sky and no traces left of the sun, which had slowly dripped away.

– …I think I should go. Enough pestering you for today. – he said while smiling teasingly.

Alkol silently nodded farewell.

As he was leaving, Korbicci heard Alkol’s voice.

– We could spend time together like this more often. – he suggested.

Korbicci didn't look back, but he felt something inside his chest paralyzing.