Chương 163: Chapter 152.5 Chosen Belonging

My reflection stares back at me. Fancy clothes that aren't my color. A smile that doesn't reach my eyes. Hair that is perfectly placed exactly where it should be, not a hair out of place. Everything is where it should be… except for me.

"You should get back before somebody notices you missing, caw," the Spirit says from my shoulder as he pecks at his plumage.

"Nobody will notice. You know that, Cacalotl. I don't belong here. I never wanted to come here," I say as the distant sound of laughter echoes. Cacalotl nods his head.

"I know. Yet here you are. At times life doesn't give us a choice on our destiny, caw." His harsh words find no place in my heart as it's already filled with sadness. Slumping down, I watch the toilet. It belongs. It has a purpose. Why can't I?

"Having another moment, Mateo?" A familiar voice asks from the closed door.

"No," I lie.

"It wouldn't kill you to open up every once in a while. We are brothers after all."

"Half-Brother. One of many," I correct him as the alien word stings at my ears. An audible sigh comes through the doors.

"We may not share the same mother, but the blood that runs through you runs through me. That's important. At least to me it is."

"You don't even know me, and I don't know you. How could we be brothers?" I ask as I sit against the door.

"I like sand."

"What?"

"Now you know me."

"That's not how it works, and who likes sand anyway? It gets everywhere. What kind of lunatic are you?" His laughter echoes through the door.

"That's exactly how it works. A little bit at a time. Piece by piece, we'll build our relationship until you can consider me your brother. So, tell me, Mateo, what do you like?"

"I… I like the color blue." A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. My knees hit the ground, scraping against the red marble tile. My breath grows ragged as I weakly look up at the throne. The new King looks down at me with an amused smirk.

"What say you for the crimes you have committed against our great kingdom?" she asks. I stare silently as the manacles rub my skin raw.

"You dare stay silent after what you've done? Speak, or I will make you speak," a guard threatens as he hits me in the stomach. The pain wreaks havoc on my starving body.

"Why… have you done this, sister?" I ask weakly. The King shakes her head.

"I am no sister to a kin slayer. Nor will I be regarded as such. Do you not have anything to say? Not a shred of guilt or remorse?"

"There is nothing I could say that I haven't told you already, but if there was one thing I would like to say… It would be… FOR YOU TO GO FUCK YOURSELF!" I yell as I meet her gaze. The guard hits me, sending me to the ground.

"You dare speak to the King that way? Do you need me to cut that tongue of yours, Kin Slayer?"

"Enough. It is not his fault. The blood of royals may flow through him, but it seems that he takes after his whore of a mother," she says with a wave of her hand.

"You take that back!"

"Or what? What will you do, Mateo? Will you claw your way out of those restraints? Will you tear through the prestigious Royal Guard? Will you strike at me with what little strength you have? Where will your childish fantasies end? You're alone and weak. You do not belong here. Guards, take him away. Keep him 'comfortable' until his execution," she says with a hand wave. As the guards go to drag me away, I watch as Cacalotl lands on my chest.

"Guess I have to save you, caw."

"Cacalotl?"

"Stop that Spirit! Now!" the King yells as the Spirit begins to glow with a white light.

"Got this one from a teleporter I met once. Shame I have to use it on you, but what can you do when there's a [Contract] on the line, caw?" he squawks as the blinding light fills my vision. As the light fades, I find myself in a… a forest? I've only seen them in books, but this has to be a forest. Then this isn't home? Where in the fuck am I?

"Welcome to the Empire, caw."

"Empire? What Empire?"

"The Nova Empire, or better known as the best place to hide out while avoiding execution. The Capital should be that way. About a day as the crow flies. I'd start walking if you want to get there before it gets dark, caw," he points out. In disbelief, I look him up and down.

"Why did you save me?"

"Owed a favor. Now scram before my good work goes to waste. Try not to starve to death, or fall, or choke, or- Ah, just try to stay alive. Consider this a new lease on life, Mateo, caw," he says as he flies away. In the silence of the forest, I'm alone. No Spirits. No guards. No one, but me. Just me. What am I supposed to do? Who am I supposed to be? I sit down on the ground and bring my knees close to my chest. The sound of my cries echoes through the empty forest. Why can't I just belong?