When Lady Kapatcir called his name, Aru would no longer have to follow the tribe's customs. He would be free to fulfill his promise to her, to sing the new song he had composed in her honor. Lady Kapatcir would surely be delighted. Perhaps she would even carry him into the sky again, soaring high above the island.
Aru loved that feeling. Flying through the heavens gave him inspiration, helping him create even more beautiful melodies.
As he imagined the scene, a vivid picture formed in his mind. He stood in the flower-filled fields, and Lady Kapatcir flew high above. He sang, and she soared. What a beautiful sight it would be. If the villagers could see him singing for Lady Kapatcir, they would surely envy him.
But he wouldn't bring anyone to see her without her permission.
Lost in his daydream, Aru began to hum softly, just loud enough for himself to hear, practicing for the moment when Lady Kapatcir would call his name.
Just as he was humming happily, a rustling of footsteps came from the courtyard outside, cutting his song short.
Could it be his father? But the ritual had only just begun. Why would it end so quickly?
Just as he wondered, the door opened. His father entered first, followed by dozens, even hundreds, of villagers crowding the courtyard, all staring at him with strange expressions.
After a moment of silence, someone spoke impatiently. "Aru, did the guardian deity give you a feather three days ago?"
Aru nodded, confused. "Yes."
He had carried the glowing feather back into the village three days ago. Many had seen it. Why were they asking again? Had something important happened?
Though puzzled, he told them everything.
The villagers pressed further. "And the guardian deity was pleased with you, wasn't she?"
Aru thought for a moment. "I suppose so. She said she liked my singing."
Not only that—once the ritual was over, he would continue to sing for her. From then on, he would sing for her often. Just thinking about it filled him with excitement.
The villagers also grew excited upon hearing his answers. "Then you're the one! If we offer you to the guardian deity, she will surely be pleased."
Aru froze.
What? Offer him to the guardian deity? Wasn't a sacrifice already prepared? He still had to sing for Lady Kapatcir!
Seeing his stunned expression, the villagers didn't force him immediately. Instead, they explained what had happened that day: the sacrifice had escaped, and the ritual was about to fail. If the guardian deity grew angry, the entire tribe could be in danger. To appease her and earn her forgiveness for losing the original offering, they needed to choose someone she favored.
Only by offering a sacrifice she loved could they hope to make amends.
"Aru, good child, only you can save the tribe."
"For centuries, the guardian deity has never met with any of us. You are the first to receive her audience."
"Not only that, you received a feather from her!"
"Aru, you are the child she has favored!"
"Aru, you are the one she has chosen!"
"Good child, only you can save the tribe."
"Will you offer yourself as a sacrifice and become part of the guardian deity?"
To the fanatical worshippers, being sacrificed to the guardian deity was not death, but becoming one with her.
But Aru knew that being sacrificed meant death. Fearful, he murmured, "Am I really the one the guardian deity chose?"
Had she liked his singing only to choose him as the sacrifice?
The villagers rushed to reassure him. "Yes! You have the purest soul and the most beautiful voice in the world. You can soothe the guardian deity's anger and please her. Only you can save the tribe."
Sacrificed to the guardian deity, saving the tribe. But he had not yet fulfilled his promise to sing for her!
Yet if he refused, the entire tribe might suffer.
Aru murmured, "If I am sacrificed, will the guardian deity truly be happy?"
If it would make her happy and satisfy her, he would accept his fate willingly.
But neither Aru nor the villagers understood the truth. The Thunderbird had never asked anyone to be sacrificed. In fact, she had always disliked the offerings, finding their blood and remains a stain on her mountain.
Aru didn't know any of that. He only knew that if his sacrifice could bring peace to the village and protection from the guardian deity, he was willing.
Seeing him nod, the villagers rejoiced. "Then it's settled! There's no time left. Good child, come with us to the altar! Let the sacrifice be completed."
Aru lowered his head in silence. He walked past the villagers, past his father. Approaching death, even for the guardian deity, fear gnawed at him. His body trembled uncontrollably.
As he stepped out of the house and into the courtyard, he turned instinctively toward the fields. Through the mist, he seemed to see the flowers blooming, to see Lady Kapatcir waiting for him. He wanted to sing, to offer her one last song as farewell.
But his mouth opened and closed, and no sound came out. His eyes grew wet.
"Lady Kapatcir, I'm giving my life and my blood to you."
"I'm sorry."
"Aru can't sing for you anymore."