Fear was the only emotion present in that swift acknowledgement, Lucious kept his mouth shut, his armored tail coiled around him. But wait, what did he call Quetz? Quang struggled to sit up, but found himself pinned to the ground by the throat as the white haired man's tail coiled around his neck like a giant snake. It was weird, shockingly so, to see Lucious bowing his head so low in submission when just a moment before he was radiating with the aura of a king. Still, the old chief found the fact that the black haired man acknowledged Quetz as his father was more surprising. They obviously share the same bloodline, with raptorial legs, a long tail, fanged teeth and razor sharp claws tipping each of their fingers. Yet while Quetz's hair was silvery white in color, Lucious' hair, and indeed the rest of the Anacondrai's own, were either black or various shades of bronze. They lack the strange markings on their tails like Quetz has, and their ears, while still pointed, were still half the length of their sire's.
- Keto-san?
Haru's voice pulled Quetz's, Lucious' and Ginji's attention from one another toward him, their tensions suddenly subsided, almost immediately, making Quang felt like a great weight was lifted from his chest, literally, as the white haired man released his tail from his neck. Peeking from behind Mitsuki and Loi, the white haired boy looked confused, frightened even, when his eyes caught glimpses of the villagers' glares. There were commotions, not only from the tired, scared and angered refugees, whose ill willed whispers about how all of this was because of Haru were spreading like wildfire, but also from the elven, valkyries and Anacondrai warriors. Theirs were the complete opposite, they were eager, almost ecstatic to see the boy, their eyes glanced to him back and fort in admiration.
- R-Runty? - Ginji stuttered, taking a step toward Haru, his eyes started to water as he took another step, then another, and another, until he's right in front of the boy, paying no attention to his nervous adoptive brother and sister. - Runty? Is that you?
- Y-yes? - Haru hid himself behind Mitsuki, just peeking with one of his glimmering violet eyes to meet this familiar stranger. - I-I was called…R-Runty wh-whe…
- It is you! - Before the white haired boy could finish his sentence, the high elf exploded with tears, arms reaching pass Mitsuki to hold a frozen Haru and pulling him into a loving embrace. - It is you! By the stars! It is you. - He kept on repeating, pressing his face against Haru's, much to Mitsuki's and Loi's horror.
- Get off him you creep! - Loi yelled, swinging his spear at the blond brat that's just jumped in and plucking his brother away, but found every blow blocked or redirected one way or another.
- Keto-san, help me! - Haru cried, trying desperately to pull away from the stranger.
In but a mere second, the stranger was abruptly stopped as Quetz's firm hands seized his shoulders, pinning him in place. Haru watched as horror spread across the blond boy's face, feeling himself being gently removed from the boy. The white haired boy hugged Quetz's neck tightly, hiding his face in the man's shoulder while shivering from the sudden intrusion. He let the man gently stroke his hair, listening to the gentle, comforting words to ease his pounding heart and frantic panting. Still, Haru could feel Quetz's angry glare washing over the guilt coming from the blond, as if he's just done something horridly wrong.
- Mitsuki, Loi, come take care of him. - The white haired man said gently yet firmly as he removed Haru's arms from his neck and standing up to his towering full height.
As Haru's adoptive siblings rushed toward him, the boy saw his companion's made his way toward the blond, who has by that time joined the kneeling warrior in jet black armor, his head hung just as low if not more so. Immediately, Quetz imploded into what could only be describe as a tirade, he hissed, barked and ranted in a strange language that only his kind would understand. It was so weird seeing the white haired man like that, Haru thought, looking at Quetz still scolding the dual in the way elders would scold unruly younglings, his tail wagged aggressively as he did. Yet it was so familiar to the white haired boy, as if he's bore witness to it before. Even the words sounded familiar, every now and then in this tirade of a rant coming from Quetz's mouth, Haru thought he could understand a word or two. "Disrespectful, insolent little brats!" were the few words he could picked out as the man continued to rip into the two, much to the others' amusements.
Suddenly, everything turned into a blur in Haru's eyes, shifting colors and shapes that dissolved and reformed in rapid succession, almost sending him into a seizure. Yet he didn't, something was anchoring him in consciousness, even when the air itself felt to have left his lungs, even when all sounds were drowned out, his legs were firm. In that vortex of blurry colors and misty shapes, the white haired boy felt…familiar, a sensation that only grew when the vortex slowed, and sounds returned, but not to the cold, desolate landscape with Quetz in his tattered clothing, screaming in his strange tongue.
Before his eyes now stretched a great hall with a great throne set in the middle, chiseled out from a massive chunk of glistening black rock that seemingly fused to the wall of the hall. The air was warmed with the burning of baleful blue flame from braziers mounted on the great support columns, lighting up the grim throne room even though light was coming from the great stained glass windows on either sides of the hall. Haru looked around in confusion, everything around him felt so strange yet so familiar at the same time. Then it hit his ears, screaming, yelling, ranting, despite the angered tone the voice has taken upon itself, the boy could still recognize that voice. Yet as the white haired boy turn his gaze toward where the screaming was coming from, he couldn't help but gasp.
- …And you managed to lose an entire CITY! Just because you "thought" the weapons only affect life forms?!
It was indeed Quetz, but in total contrast to his unkempt and wild appearance, the Quetz in front of Haru now was well groomed, instead of his ragged leathery clothing, he now daunted a full set of jet black armor, trimmed with gold on the edges of each of the plates, blue gems perfectly cut and encrusted in the middle of his chest plate, gauntlets and shoulder plates. On the white haired man's head, rested a magnificent crown made of silver, fashioned into the shape of a pair of folded reptilian wings. A cape wrapped around his waists, seemingly connected to the armor piece on his waists, sharing the same jet black color and gold trimmed at the edge, with the sigil in the form of a blue roaring dragon head imprinted on each corner. Under that waist cape, his armored tail swayed impatiently, scraping against the stone floor, making it sing a horrid melody.
Kneeling in front of Quetz were the blond boy and the black haired man whom Haru's seen earlier, their attires were still the same, but the black haired man looked a bit younger than he did when Haru first saw him. He was clearly shaken, upset from being berated by his superior, his golden eyes were watering with tears though his face showed no emotion. Suddenly, he slowly turned his gaze toward Haru, his cat-like vertical pupil shimmered, as if begging for help.
- And don't you dare begging for him to save your butt, young man! - As if caught on to the younger male's action, Quetz roared. - Your Dad and I are absolutely disappointed by your lack of tactical considerations! I thought we've taught you better, Lucious!
- I'm sorry Father… - Lucious suddenly turned his gaze back to the floor, lips sucked in to keep the tears from pouring out.
- Listen to your Father, Lucious, we only want the best for you. - A concerned voice was heard, right next to Haru, one that sounded an awful lot like his own.
He turned to his right, where the voice has came from and almost let out a yelp.
- Haru. Haru?
Suddenly everything faded and reassemble again, in a blink of an eye, the cold suddenly washed over him, making him recoil and shiver. With his teeth beating against each others, Haru slowly opened his eyes, seeing Quetz's concerned amber orbs staring at him. What was that? The boy thought as he leaned into the man's chest, secured by Mitsuki and Loi as they gently rested their hands onto his back and shoulder. He tried to recall the last image in that weird…vision, but to no avail.
- Is…everything alright? - The white haired man asked, caressing the boy's face with a cold finger that made him shiver slightly.
- I-I'm fine. - Haru nodded quickly, pulling his head further into his thick fur coat and rubbed his forehead to clear his mind. - What…happened?
- Father, you two are unwell, please. - The black haired man, whose name Haru now knew was Lucious, approached with a concerned expression spread across his face.
- I don't need assistance. - Quetz hissed as he turned toward his "son". - I need answers.
He turned his irate eyes toward Quang, who's regained his footing with the help of two of his fellow villagers. Even when the cold winds whipped at his lanky frame, Quetz seemed undeterred, he still hasn't forgot the cardinal sins committed by the village itself, his eyes burning with anger as he made his way toward the old chief. Raptorial feet clawed into the snow as the white haired man took purposefully yet difficult steps toward him, one hand resting on his hip, as if to keep it from erupting in an explosion of crimson liquid.
- So? - The white haired man barked out the question under his breath, heavy and thick with pain, whatever injury he's suffering from, whatever strength he's mustered to intervene in Quang's execution must've drained him greatly. Still, those amber eyes burned, searing into his soul intensely. - Are you going to explain it to me?
- Explain…what? - The old chief coughed.
- You said the food I gave you, what, went bad? - The white haired man grinned painfully.
- No, not went bad. - The chieftain grumbled, sitting down onto a rock. - It was…poisoned.
- Tsk, liar. - A hushed grunt escaped Lucious' lips as he turned away.
- We lost many people after we ate from that food. - Quang continued, recalling those horrid memories when the plague and the famine that followed. - All after you've gave the boy to me.
- And you didn't tell me? - The white haired man's anger only seemed to deepen with each moment passed.
- Preposterous! - Lucious hissed.
- An outright lie. - Ginji nodded in agreement. - We gave you the foodstuff of the finest qualities that have went through rigorous checkups, enough to last at least a year, there's no way it could've been poisoned en masse like you described.
- Be quiet. - Quetz whipped his tail, a deafening crack that silenced his son and retainer almost immediately. He turned his attention back to the human, planting his sword to the snow to keep himself from falling over, all the whilst feeling the burning sensation slowly spreading from the wound on his side, where the mutant has stabbed him with its corrupted limbs.
Lucious backed away, knowing that it's not his place to argue with his father. Exchanging a quick glance with Ginji, him and the high elf slowly turned their gaze toward Haru, the white haired boy was still shaken from being suddenly assaulted by the blond elf, immediately hiding himself behind Mitsuki and Loi the moment he saw Ginji was looking at him. The Inquisitor slowly walked backward toward the three huddling children, trying to make him looked like he was just passing by, before sitting down next on a small boulder next to them. He tried his best not to look suspicious, but couldn't help but glancing at the white haired boy, Haru, every now and then.
- He-hello? - To Lucious surprise, Haru was the first to open up. - Ar-are you Keto-san's family?
The black haired man snapped his head to look at Haru, he must have had this expression of pure surprise and bewilderment on his face, as the three children jolted backward the moment he turned toward them. Lucious' golden eyes blinked once, twice, clearing a droplet of tear that has unconsciously formed in the corner of his eyes. He stood up slowly, holding one wrist in the other hand, mouth opened then closed as he tried to form something to say in his head. He wished he could tell Haru, he wished he could speak about it in front of his father, he wished he could let it all out, but the magical binding placed upon him didn't allow it.
- Haru, don't speak to him! - The tanned boy next to him shrieked, putting himself between the two of them.
- Rai, please, I don't think he wants to hurt us. - Haru whispered softly, shakily, his violet eyes still glued to Lucious' lanky frame in curiosity, as if he's recognized something about the man.
Somehow, instinctively, the Inquisitor felt a mighty urge from inside of him, he fell onto one knee much to the children's panic, but not in the fearful fashion like he did to Quetz. He lowered his head, as low as his rank would allow him, his tail coiled around him on the ground in a clear sign of submission.
- Ooooh, what are you doing Lucy? - Mewed Ginji in clear amusement, sitting cross legged on a nearby fallen log.
- Shut it high elf. - Lucious hissed, lifting his head to aim a tail whip at the high elf.
- I knew it!
A shrill voice echoed from the villager refugees, one that made Lucious and Ginji stood up completely and putting themselves between Haru and the source of the voice. A haggard looking woman stepped out, one that the white haired boy recognized too well. He's never been good with remembering names and faces, but he remembered that hag, even amongst the other villagers she was a horrible person. Most people ignored her, so she took her ire on the only victim incapable of defending himself, Haru.
- I told you he was in league with these devils, these murderous monsters! - He howled and barked, foaming in hysterical rage, jumping and stomping her legs as if to make a point. - Look! Look at how that demon bowed before him! Look how they grovel before him!
Murmurs of agreement began to rumble through the column, with hushed whispers being passed from one to another, planning on something.
- Get him!
A sudden command erupted from the crowd, followed by the villagers breaking ranks, charging toward Haru. The white haired boy froze, he could see people who've abused him in the crowd, roaring in hatred as they reached out their hands to grab him. Immediately, Ginji and Lucious unsheathed their swords, their muscles tensed as they entered battle position.
- Battle station! - Ginji roared out to his elves.
- Protect the young lord! - Lucious barked out the command.
All hell broke loose as the elves, valkyries and Anacondrai were given orders to not hurt the human, still, they formed walls of shields, pulling down refugees and restraining them before they could get to the frightened children. Haru began to hyperventilate as the first of the refugees broke through and charged toward him, his face turned into a blur of red and black, contorting his face into one that can only be described as daemonic. The white haired boy unconsciously backed off, away from his protectors as more and more refugees broke through. Everything became blurry, though this time it was in a horrifying fashion. Even Loi and Mitsuki were lost in that veil of darkness, their forms turned into smoke, absorbed into the screen before Haru's horrified eyes.
Shadowy figures merged and separated from one another, smoky clawed tendrils as black as night reached toward him, only to vaporize before they could touch him. Still the screaming continues, horrid, unearthly cries of anguish, rage, pain and terror. The maddening tones of vile roars and the thin monotonous whines of accursed shrieking assaulted his ears and mind, causing him to bend down, clutching at his ears, but they kept coming. He screamed, trying to drown out the horrible sounds surrounding him, but found his voice lost in the hell scape that was the madness around him. Others had the white haired boy in their grasps, their claws dug into his already fragile skin, clawing, ripping at his very souls. Still others came, unseen maws of vicious fangs and unspeakable shapes assaulted him, engulfing him in a tide of teeth while a thousand unseen eyes stared him down. Every inch of his body was in pain, and yet his legs refused to move, his voice was lost, drowned in an ocean of darkness.
- Haru! Haru! - Loi held the white haired boy tightly as he kept screaming and screaming, ignoring the bloodied fingers clawing at his back.
Haru's snowy white hair was partly dyed red, stained by him clawing at his own ears, as if to keep out the horrible sounds. He was screaming at something, his eyes darted rapidly, fixing on nothing and everything simultaneously as he clawed at himself. The sight seemed to drive Quetz and Lucious into a frenzy, as the two waged into the crowd like a pair of ravaged beasts, mouth foaming with rage, hacking, slashing, biting and tearing until the villagers backed off. By the time Haru has stopped screaming, a dozen bloodied bodies lied broken beneath the two's feet, mangled and dismembered beyond recognition.
- Haru, please! Calm down! We're here! - Mitsuki pleaded, nay, begged for her brother to stopped as she saw the white haired boy's breathing was picking up pace, his crazed eyes still darting frantically while he shivered in fear in Loi's arms. She tried to approach, slowly inching toward them to not set Haru off, but it was too much for the boy.
- NO! DON'T TOUCH ME! - Something triggered the smaller boy, his sister's movements perhaps, as he pushed his brother away with strength neither Loi nor Mitsuki thought he could ever muster, enough to almost send the tanned boy flying. Immediately Haru scurried toward the nearest large boulder, crouching down and gripping as his blood stained hair as he rocked back and fort, all the whilst mumbling to himself. - No no…don't touch me…no no no…no no no no…don't touch…please…no…
Any attempt made by Loi or Mitsuki was responded to violently, the white haired boy would shriek, cried and screamed at them, until they backed away or until he couldn't scream anymore, all the whilst hugging his head and hiding his face in his knees as if to protect himself. He began to cough, choking on his own breaths as he fell forward, gagging onto the snow, blood dripping onto the ground from dozens of scratches he's inflicted to himself.
- What…happened…to him?
Quetz's voice was sharp and cold, cutting into Quang's heart and soul. He turned to face the white haired man, only to be greeted with the sensation of a thousand suns flashing at his face for but a moment, before it all faded away. The man made his way toward the boy, not letting the old chief speak, blood dripping from not only the unsheathed sword, but also from the wound on his side, gushing out crimson liquid with every step he took. He was dying, that was the first thought that came to Quang's mind, but he dared not speak it out loud, nor did he allow to let it linger, as he felt Lucious' watchful gaze upon him. Others were not so lucky, the younger warriors of the hunting party were eager to see their lords waged into the butchery, they held the human and spear points, readied to impale any that was foolish enough to move even a muscle.
- Lucious. - Quetz called out, shakily, weakly.
- Father, please, you're not well. Your wound. - The black haired man took steps toward his father, supporting Quetz with his own strength.
- Take me to him. - The older male commanded, his eyes became hazier and hazier as he did. - Now…!?
Before Lucious horrified golden eyes, a spear, tipped with a crystal as black as night, ripped its way out of his father's left shoulder. Quetz let out a beastly, ungodly shriek, dropping onto one knee, his sword bury into the ground to keep him from falling over. The other male turned to see the hag holding the long spear, her eyes burning with malice as she twisted the spear, causing Quetz to shriek in pain again. The crystal on the tip of the spear thrummed with power, glowing a dark aura that seemed to be sucking the life of its victim before Lucious' horrified eyes. He realized it now, dawning on his mind so terribly was the knowledge that this kind of crystal was one of the few things that can inflict mortal wounds on his kind.
- FATHER! - The black haired man spun into action, his rapier raised to impale Quetz's attacker, before…
- NO! YOU DON'T GET TO HURT HIM!
Haru's voice pierced through the frantic commotions of the refugees, the hunting party and even Quetz's anguish screams. To everyone's shock, the white haired boy dashed toward the hag in inhuman speed, his bloodied hands reached for her head, seizing it in their grasps, forcing the woman to look into the tearful violet eyes burning with hatred, pain and anger. The boy began to squeeze, screaming as he did at the woman, pouring every bit of suppressed emotions out into a deafening shriek that forced even Lucious and Ginji to cover their ears. His voice was malice, his grips strengthened by pain and anger, every memories of him being tormented suddenly came pouring out, spearheaded by the imagery of Quetz screaming in pain, forced together into a hurricane of wrath poised to implode. Instinctively, somehow, Haru channeled the raging storm inside into his palms, making them glow a violet aura that only intensified with every second passed, rushing into the yelling woman trying to break free of his grasp. With a sickening scream, the hag exploded, blown away into a storm of glowing violet ashes, leaving naught but a patch of scorched earth where he has once stood.
Haru let his arms drop limply, panting heavily as his head tilted to the grey sky, blurred by his exhaustion and tears. He felt like a great weight has been lifted from his very being, making him lightheaded, his mind hazy, still he tried to keep the urge to fall over at bay. He still has something to do. He turned to Quetz, whose amber eyes glowed brightly, clearly, beautifully even in his hazy vision, he looked so confused, worried yet somehow relieved at the same time. The white haired boy grunted, lifting his heavy feet, on difficult step to another until he reached the man. He wanted to fall into Quetz's arms, wanted to be held by the man he loved so much, but first…
The white haired teen gripped at the spear shaft, feeling its dark influence burning his already scorched hands, but he couldn't care less. With a clearly audible grunt, Haru mustered all the strength he had left in his body, pulling the now barbed and blackened spear from Quetz's shoulder. Letting it drop onto the ground, the boy look at his lover, who has not let out a sound even when his flesh was ripped. The two locked eyes with each others, dumbfounded, worrying and confused ambers looking deep into loving, hazy and relieved violets. Haru didn't know why, but he smiled, a happy, honest smile spreading from ear to ear as he was warmed by some familiar sensation, before he felt his consciousness slipping. Falling to his knees before collapsing completely, the boy let darkness mercifully claims him, his lips still blooming with the smile, as the last sound he heard slowly faded. Quetz's voice calling for him.