Chapter Nine : 

Finding The Enemy / 

I decided not to ask any more about it, since Dolion clearly seemed uncomfortable about not being able to fly. But I couldn't help but feel that something was... Off, I guess, because its wings were fine. More than fine. Nothing compared to the damage done to Orpheus's wings. Oh! About that. "Um..." I began, not sure how to explain this. "Do you know of a creature named 'Orpheus'?" Silence. 

I turned to look at Dolion, and I saw what I thought might be anger in its eyes. "Orpheus is a wretched Engel, from the underground realm. He caused the death of many of us. And besides that, he wants all the humans to perish. Why?" The words were awful, but rolling off its tongue like honey. 

I hesitated before answering. "Because... He's here." A black feather blew past us in the wind. Dolion pulled a knife from the sheath on its belt, stepping in front of me. I couldn't see much from behind its wings, but I did catch sight of Orpheus's tall, looming figure. He was far away from us, watching, almost hidden in the deep foliage outside the town. "Stay here," Dolion told me, then bolted to the wooded area. As soon as Orpheus saw Dolion rushing towards him, he also ran... Farther into the trees. 

I sat there, waiting, like Dolion had told me to, for hours. I laid back and watched the infinite churning colors and floating clouds in the sky until I thought my eyes would melt into a puddle on the ground beside me, pouring out of my face. Near nighttime, the sun disappeared and seven moons took its place. Gleaming stars spilled rays of light on the town, gently lighting up all the strange colors and plants. 

I heard a rustling in the bushes not too far from me. I didn't move, I just closed my eyes tight and laid there, completely still. "I'm sorry," said Dolion's familiar voice. I opened my eyes and sat up. It stood before me, its long hair tangled and feathered wings ruffled. Black blood seeped from its gown, by its stomach. 

"Why are you apologizing?" I whisper-screamed. "Are you going to be okay?" I questioned, choking on the last part. It nodded its head. "Lets go home," I murmured. 

At home, I had Dolion sit down on the sofa ( Not the one my parents lifelessly sat on ). "What happened?" 

Dolion had a faraway look in its eyes. "I searched for so long, but I couldn't find Orpheus after he had disappeared in those trees. This-" It motioned to the wounds. "-Wasn't him. It was a bear." 

I was still listening to Dolion talk as I went into the kitchen and acquired a small towel, soaked it in cold water, and brought it back. 

"Lay back," I told it, and it did. The blood now covered most of the lower part of its shimmery gown, which was torn to shreds by where the wound was. I took scissors to carefully cut away the bloody fabric, and used the folded towel to soak up the excess blood. Four deep lashes ran across its abdomen, from under its breast to where its belly button was. "I... I don't know how to fix this..." I whispered. "You don't have to fix it," Dolion said. "I'll be fine. Go get some sleep, and when you wake up, I'll be okay. Okay?" Its calmly spoken words reassured me, and I left it laying on the couch with the towel pressed to its wound. 

I was worried, and a few tears escaped my eyes and trickled down my face. "Don't cry," it told me, its lips turned up in a small half smile. It reached out and swiped my tears away with long, pale fingers. "Everything will be better in the morning." 

I reluctantly went up the stairs, changed into my pajamas, brushed my teeth, and got into my bed. Surprisingly, it didn't take me long to fall asleep. Outside my closed window, The moons shone a soft yellow light over everything.