Hello, listeners. Be advised that this show is an immersive audio experience. It may seem like sounds are coming from the sides or behind you. Listener discretion is advised, as this content is intended for adult audiences only.

Cucode presents Birds of Empire, created by Jason Liu.

Neck bent, eyes raised, hands open, mouth filled with yearning, loss, anger.

This is how you speak to the gods, or it's how you watch for them.

The birds, people of the empire of the sky, who rule the clouds, cast dominion over the tops of the mile-high oaks where their wonders alight, wings of spider silk,

bones light as the prayers that live upon their lips.

So long has it been since their feet touched the soil.

They believe it cursed.

To fall to earth is a fate worse than death.

Among them, a killer.

A killer of many with a shadow deep and pitch and heavy with longing.

Halcyon Everdead, a rare name from the ancient book.

To shatter your soul is to make it a thousand tiny blades,

but to wheel them, you must fall and rise again, neck bent, eyes raise,

hands open, mouth filled.

Halcyon rise.

People of the air ascend!

My people, the gods are angry, but they are merciful and do not abandon their children.

When we thirst, we offer them drink.

Great Heron, bringer of rains, spread your wings over our humble people.

Together but separate for our cast is how we maintain purity.

We all have a place in the heavens.

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