Shadow of the First Sin

"On this day, Valerian the Golden, you stand accused of treason!” declared the main figure among the council as he stepped forward.

Guards with spears pushed me forward. Shackles bound my feet and arms, while divine magic restrained my torso, preventing any attempt to break free or use my powers to retaliate. One of the guards knocked me to my knees, and another spat in my direction. Truth be told, I wasn't the most liked figure among the Avians, and this wasn't my first trial.

"What am I accused of now?” I said, my voice laced with frustration.

"You have once again ventured out of the Celestial plane to mingle with the mortal filth of Eldoria. You are well aware that leaving the world of Elyria is forbidden, and yet you persist in breaking that rule!”

"What did you expect? You and I both know I am not of pure blood. You've been reminding me of that since I was born!”

"Do not raise your voice at me, boy! I have tolerated you for this long only because of your mother's plea for your life!”

"Don't you dare speak of my mother!” I screamed, unleashing the rage I had bottled up for so long.

A tense silence filled the room, eyes from every corner fixated on me, filled with contempt. The tale was familiar throughout Elyria. My mother, Seraphina, was a figure shrouded in mystery, revered as a goddess among the avians. Her beauty was said to be blinding, her kindness radiating like the sun's rays; she embodied everything that avians thought they were. In a time when traveling between planes of existence was widely accepted, many avians ventured to Eldoria, one of the mortal planes. It was there that my mother encountered a man, a human with whom she fell deeply in love, resulting in my existence.

While avians and most mortals share a striking resemblance, a profound distinction sets us apart – they are mortal, and we are not. There was a singular rule passed down through generations of avians, more a cautionary tale than a strict rule.

"Do not lay with a mortal, for its offspring will bring an end to us all.”

Ever since I was born, I bore the weight of being treated as a devil's child – neither fully avian nor wholly human, an anomaly that, according to tradition, should not exist.

After my birth, my mother was banished from her home, stripped of her celestial essence, and forced to live among the mortals as one of them.

I think she lucked out, liberated from dealing with these cruel creatures. I only wished she had taken me with her so I wouldn't feel this alone.

"What is that you seek in the mortal realm? What do you desire? Acceptance? Have we not generously granted you the privilege to coexist among us? That is all you're entitled to, a chance to merely exist—because, as we both know, you deserve no more than that,” the main councilor spoke again, in his mind, his words were that of mercy.

"Are you finished with this little charade of yours? Because these chains can't restrain me, and you damn well know it.” Rising to my feet, I shattered the chains binding my arms and legs with sheer strength. A pair of golden wings unfurled from my back, effortlessly breaking the divine magic constraining my torso. The force of my wings sent the guards at the rear sprawling as they lost their balance.

"If you have any more questions, you know where to find me,” I remarked, turning away and leaving the room.

"Cease this insolence immediately! You will remain here to await your judgment!” demanded the main counselor. His voice exhibited a slight tremor.

As I proceeded to walk away, numerous eyes remained fixated on my golden wings, a blend of envy and admiration shimmering in their gaze. Beyond our immortality and access to divine magic, each of us possessed the ability to summon a pair of wings at will. While most other avians boasted wings in various shades of brown, white, and blue, gold was a hue reserved for those of great power. Such color hadn't been witnessed since the dawn of time, leaving many avians torn between feelings of admiration, disdain, or outright fear. In truth, the only respect I ever got was thanks to these accursed pair of feathers.

"As a mother, as a son; no better than a filthy mortal,” the main councilor muttered in a low tone, unaware that I caught every word.

With a swift pivot, I spun around and soared toward the councilor, leaving the guards stunned as they reached for their weapons. In an instant, I was face to face with the councilor, seizing him by the neck and forcefully bringing him to the floor. The resounding thud of his body echoed through the room.

"I said, do not talk about my mother,” I uttered in a hushed tone, a warning for his ears alone.

"What do you think you're doing? Do you believe this insolence will go unpunished?” the councilor stammered, his voice shaky and his body visibly trembling – a pitiful sight indeed.

"You will call off the guards, and I will walk out in peace. I am in no mood for a fight today,” I stated, my knee pressing against his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.

"Why would I do that?” he retorted in a ragged breath.

"Because if you don't, this will be the last sight you see; an orphan you had let live for far too long.”

"On that much, we can agree. Guards! Stand down!”

As the guards set aside their weapons, I rose and headed for the exit.

"He has finally lost his mind,” one of the many whispers reached my ears.

Before me stood the giant gate, adorned with gold and magical gems, leading outside. The gates opened on their own, revealing the familiar sight of Elyria. It was a breathtaking city floating in the sky, adorned in gold. Streets teemed with avians, as well as the skies. Standing atop the cliff, I leaped off, taking flight through Elyria one last time.