Snow White: Book 2 Chapter 1

Verse 1
A loud flapping came out of nowhere.

A graceful form flew overhead.

An enormous bird soared across the Library's skies,

a flood of light following behind.

If you fly like that…

Could I, too, be free?

Snow was confused by the thought.

Free? From what?

What must I be released from…?

Parrah:

It'd be nice to be free as a bird.

Noya:

But are they really free?

Snow White:

What do you mean?

Parrah:

Don't know? See for yourself.

Verse 2
I followed the bird.

I gave myself to its enticement.

I gave myself to its fascination.

Verse 3
The bird flew.

A trail of never-ending light followed behind.

It looked like something from a dream.

Verse 4
The bird flapped its wings.

I reached out like a child to grab

one of its falling, fluttering feathers.

Verse 5
The bird wailed,

its voice hinting at tender solitude.

Verse 6
The bird sang.

It sounded like a mother's lullaby.

Verse 7
The bird soared.

I wondered how it saw me

from so high up.

Verse 8
The bird descended.

It came straight for me,

its talons shining.

Verse 9
I was a fool,

enchanted by its graceful wings.

From high up in the sky,

the bird only saw me as prey.

Verse 10
Prey, prey, prey.

The harpy longed for fresh meat.

It turned, ready to swoop, before pointing its sharp talons at Snow.

"It's prey she wants!"

"Lots and lots of prey."

"Because that is her justice."

Snow swung her sword in the name of her own justice.

But wait.

Do you not want to know why it needs prey?"

Harpy: I need fresh meat for my children!

Snow White:

What is this?

Parrah:

Oh that? A momma bird.

Noya:

I see. And she needs meat.

Parrah:

Don't tell me you're volunteering?

Snow White:

Perish the thought!

My Masters will not return if I die.

And so she killed the mother bird.

That was her justice.

The bloodied, fallen harpy's corpse was soon surrounded,by the souls of her kin.

"Momma! Momma!

What's wrong, Momma?

Please, Momma... Momma? Mommy..."

Snow cleaned her sword and bit her lip.

A trace of blood trickled down her chin.

It was almost unbearably tepid.

Discordant Poem
I must not covet a bird's wings.

That is where tragedy begins.

I must not go near a soaring bird.

They are hunters as well.

Mama bird searched far and wide

to find food for her children.

Even if it meant staring down death itself,

she would strike for her babies.

A mother bird had fallen

before its offspring.

All it wanted was to feed them.

The poor creature fell

because of a selfish human act.