Cursed Blood

The ringing in my ears, the blur of my vision, the blinding rage and the ache of my chest became all too familiar as I stared at the slumped bodies of my most precious brother and the Queen who had been good to me despite messing with my life.

I couldn't feel their pain or emotions. Couldn't hear their heartbeat or breathing.

Because they were dead. Gone for good.

I couldn't help it. I was screaming, surely causing my own ears to bleed. My hands were coated in red, my feathers ruffled. The sword's blade hit the stone with a loud clang, my hands limp at my sides. I felt like a sentient ragdoll that had been torn in half. Lost. Empty. Alone.

I was screaming until I felt hands on my shoulders. Dmitri was crouched in front of me, his eyes red. He shook me until I regained my ability to breathe properly, his grip tight as if he was trying to distract himself.

"Cloud. Cloud, this is still a war. We need to get away from here. More are coming," he instructed. His words struck a chord, one that sung for the need to gain revenge.

There's more of them. More I haven't killed. More that will kill the others if I let them.

Dmitri pulled me to my feet, but when he tried to guide me to safety, I pulled away from him. I squared my shoulders, facing the trees was a deadly, blank expression.

"I'll kill them all," I said softly. "All the Darkbloods who had a hand in this."

Then, for once my magic responded to me. The gray swirls made of black and white magic turned to sparks, flying toward the trees with a single mental command. They grew into hungry flames, consuming the trees at an impossible rate. The ashes cleared to reveal hundreds of Darkbloods dressed for battle.

I drew Travis' knife, brandishing it like it held the power of the world.

"I'll kill you for what you did!"

Shocked faces appeared everywhere as I seemingly teleported from pocket to pocket of Darkbloods, appearing to finish them all with a single blow before disappearing. Magic fueled the dagger in my hand, raw power crackling along the short blade. Pieces of people were scattered on the ground, my energy not even dropping the slightest. Darkbloods began to run, trying to save themselves, but it only satisfied me more when I caught them.

I was ready to gut a particular archer when a shadowy figure appeared in front of me.

Spirit, looking horrified, grabbed my hand.

"Cloud, stop! This isn't what you're meant to do!"

I pulled away from her, holding my dagger in one hand. The other was open, palm facing the sky, a swirling ball of power floating above it.

"You're the one who told me that this was up to me," I snarled, "so get out of here."

Despite being dead, I swore she was crying. "Please. Cloud, stop. This isn't you."

"This became me when this ridiculous feud took the lives of people I cared about," I snapped. "Now get out of my way, or I swear I'll--"

"You'll what?"

For a second, it seemed like all the fighting stopped.

A woman stood behind me, dressed in white. She had black hair and equally dark eyes with flawless golden skin. Furthermore, she had her own magnificent white wings.

"Angel," I stated flatly.

"Reincarnate," she said gently. "This was not your purpose. Please stop this."

"You have no business telling me to stop," I sneered. "You don't belong here."

"I am partially at fault for this. I recognize that. And I'm sorry that I ruined your chance at a normal life, Cloud," the goddess apologized. I didn't move, unimpressed by her actions.

She sighed. "If you do not stop this bloodbath, I will force your submission."

I lifted the dagger and my ball of magic. "Try. You're only a sliver of who you were. I have your power now."

She glared, and I knew I hit a sore spot. Faster than I seen anyone move, Angel lunged and wrapped her dainty hand around my neck. As she lifted my feet off the ground, the world around us went white. We were somewhere else, and I saw the goddess' eyes glow black.

"I will just have to take my soul back," she hissed, squeezing my windpipe. Magic charged the air around us, crackling as we fought against each other. There was a hazy, gray outline of my own body that was barely surfacing from my skin. Her eyes gleamed as she set sight on it, another surge of magic hitting me as I choked. I figured that was my soul, which meant I couldn't afford to lose it.

In this strange realm, I was in a regular Lightblood state.

However, when I focused on the stories of who I was, on the people I lost, I felt a familiar pressure in my back.

"I am the new Goddess of Gods," I rasped. "I am the rightful Cursedblood, and not even the curse can touch me."

She scoffed. "A hybrid's blood will kill them whether its from misfortune or the Darkblood destroying the Lightblood. It is why we call you cursed. You have cursed blood."

"You're wrong."

Holding the memory of those I'd lost and those who were fighting, I saw my soul slip back toward me. My wings sprung free, saving me from choking as I hovered in the air. I am the reincarnate. I am her replacement!

"You... You do not get to decide what happens to me," I stated. Her eyes lost their glow as I grabbed her wrist, the one connecting to the hand wrapped around my throat. The tables turned as her soul began to slip from her own body, her arm trembling.

"You... You are just a shell of a goddess who nearly died in a reincarnation. You are weak."

I could see the entire defined face of her soul floating toward me, and I grimaced.

"You've been replaced."

As if my words carried the power of a thousand gods, the white space around us shattered. We were thrown back into reality, my form back in full. Angel was on her knees, her soul standing in her place.

"I, the true Gray One with Cursed Blood, pronounce you...

"Reincarnated."

A soundless scream tore from her body as her soul flew into me, a bright flash appearing as her soul completed mine. Power flowed freely through me, and I knew instantly that I had true control. Not only that, but my skin had taken on the godly golden complexion, and one wing had gone white.

That, and Spirit had miraculously disappeared along with Angel's body.

Unfortunately, they weren't the only interruption that kept me from getting my revenge.

That's when I found out when dozens of bowing people materialized around me.