A New Normal

When Mother curled her soft, black spotted tail around Luca’s flank, Luca felt safe. He relished in the feeling of her wing across his back, her gentle breathing against his side. When he gazed up into her thoughtful eyes, he knew he was right where he belonged. What could be better than this?

Nero often curled up a few feet away, nestling his dark gray fur into the puffy white clouds. Mother giggled at the sight, and Luca watched his brother’s eyes light up at the sound. Those eyes were filled with adoration and love, a feeling Luca shared.

Nidah often curled up on Mother’s head, or between her front paws. She watched the world with her beady eyes, not once opening her mouth to add anything.

The three of them knew. Nidah was not to speak, lest she upset Mother.

This was normal.

When Nidah got larger, her willingness to stay quiet shrank. Luca and Nero saw her less and less, and when they did, Mother was never present. The bird sang often, rarely ever keeping quiet. Seeing Nidah and Mother sitting quietly together became a distant memory.

Nidah carved out her own space, made her own home. She surrounded herself with those who would listen to her unquestioningly. Luca and Nero rarely saw her anymore, and when they did, she seemed much happier. Mother was happy to know that Nidah was okay. But the two would never be close again.

This was normal.

When Luca’s abilities grew stronger, he began to create spirits that would go on to become living creatures. The little glowing beings brought such happiness to Mother’s gaze, and Luca flourished under the attention. But as he spent more and more time with Mother, he saw his siblings less and less. He sought out Nero on occasion, but the reclusive bear shied away.

When Luca last saw him, his brother was so overwhelmed with fear and sadness that he refused to speak. He fled, and no one saw him for days. He finally reappeared later on, but he had changed.

It made sense, that as Luca’s powers grew that Nero’s would as well. It made sense that as Luca made spirits, Nero made demons. But why had it changed him? What had caused his wings to become leathery? Why had he sprouted horns? Why was his fur darker, his eyes redder, his magical aura more intense? Not even Nero himself seemed to know.

Nero tried to seek help from Mother. Mother was incredibly wise. Mother always knew what to do. If anyone could help him, it was Mother. But when she saw him, she became aggressive. It was not unlike the times when Nidah sang her songs a bit too close to where Mother was resting. The aggression was the same.

Nero plummeted from the Highest Lands. Luca watched his brother disappear beneath the clouds, horrified. Mother returned to Luca, wrapping her tail around his flank and resting her wing across his back. She sighed, content. Satisfied. Luca wasn’t sure what to think.

Nidah had been driven out. This was normal.

Nero had been driven out. This was normal.

Was he next?

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Nero wanted to come home. He begged, he pleaded for Luca’s help. Luca refused. Mother drove Nero out, she clearly didn’t want him around. Why couldn’t he see that this was normal? Nidah made a home for herself, so clearly Nero had to do the same. But he refused, he kicked and screamed and made thousands of demons in protest.

 Mother wanted to know how Nero was doing. He’s fine, Luca told her. He’s happy where he is, Luca told her. He doesn’t want to come back, Luca told her. Mother was pleased to hear it.

Nero wanted to come home. Luca told him he wasn’t welcome. Mother made that clear. Nero refused to believe it. Nero vowed to destroy every demon he’d created, including the ones that had changed him. Once he was back to his old self, he would return. Nidah had lived in silence alongside Mother, and he wanted to live as a lesser form of himself alongside Mother.

Luca would do anything for Mother. Luca would keep his siblings away, if only to please her. It was what she wanted. She made that very clear.

This was normal.