- No…no… Please…gods no… Please… Please no…
The sobbing was heart wrenching, despite the serenity and peacefulness of the surrounding. Haru found himself standing in lakeside meadow, near the edge of a great forest, its great arms waving with each tender sweep of the caressing winds, while the grass beneath his feet swayed in harmoniously. Up above, the sun shone its life giving rays down, making the surface of the lake and the damped grass glistened like crystals. Yet the sobbing persisted, echoing from a crouching dark figure at the water edge, surrounded by others wearing jet black armors fashioned in the same style.
- Please…no…not him… Please…please…
The sobbing figure, his voice was familiar somehow, he sounded so confused, so weak and full of pain and anguish, that Haru wanted to do nothing more than go nearer and comfort him. The others he couldn't see their faces, shrouded in an unnatural fog underneath their hoods, but the way they all bowing and kneeling so silently suggested that they were also suffering from grief. The leading figure was begging for something, as Haru came to realized when he's gotten closer, along with the fact that he was holding something…bloody. The ground in front of the sobbing man was soaked with blood, the thing, the body he's holding was small, its once snowy white hair was stained with patches of still wet blood. It was a boy, Haru thought, but his face was…blurred, foggy somehow, though every details was still clear enough for him to see, his eyes were still open, violets orbs once so full of life now lifeless and cold as a trail of blood could still be seen trickling down from his slightly parted lips.
- Father, please. - Lucious' voice cut through the anguish wailing much to Haru's surprise, and indeed he was kneel next to the grieving man, his face partially hidden under the hooded cloak. - Please, - He pleaded again. - he's gone, Father, there's nothing you can…
- Shut up! Shut up! SHUT! UP! - The man roared, and Haru turned to look at him, only to see…Quetz, though not the one whom he remembered.
He looked more like the Quetz in his vision more than the one in his memory, well kempt and handsome, decked out in noble jet black armor fit for a god and he lacked the many rips on his long pointed ears. Still, this one came close, as his hair, though still tied in a ponytail, was messy and dotted with patches of crimson, his eyes were wild, dashing between his son and the lifeless boy in his arms. A crimson flower has bloomed in the middle of the boy's chest, vibrant against the dark background that was his elegant black light armor, at its center was a hole, a hideous slash wound stretching from one of his hips to his shoulder blade made it look even more grievous.
- Shut up… - Quetz begged, as he pulled the limped body into his chest to protect him from others in the fashion of a loving embrace. - Shut up… Leave us be… - He continued to beg, pressing his face against the bloody chest of the boy as his voice became softer and quieter, fading gradually along with the scenery into darkness around Haru. - Please…leave us… Please…come back to me… Kaizah…
***
Something was moving against him, brushing against his chest and head, pulling him out of that peaceful darkness. It was warm when he has fully regained his consciousness, being wrapped around by something…firm, gentle and familiar. A sudden wave of anxiety washed over him, making him open his eyes to look around with his fearful violet eyes, only to see darkness greeting him with its soothing embrace. His heart began to pound harder and faster as he tried to squirm out, but to no avail, this thing, this person, wouldn't let him go.
- Mm… Haru…
The person holding him moved from the boy's squirming, but not entirely awoken yet, his hot, shaky breath tickling the white haired boy's face. Haru slowly turned his gaze up, brushing his face against the man's chest and neck, he smelled familiar. The white haired boy ran his hands on the man's neck and face, flinching at the stinging sensation from his palms and fingers and found them bound in bandages. Still it brought him some reliefs, realizing that the man lying next to him was Quetz, his presence washed away the anxiety and fear inside Haru, allowing him to rest his head against the man's chest, listening to the soothing beats of his heart. Brushing his lips against Quetz's, Haru let his hands wander again, not minding the tingling on his hands, caressing the white haired man's face gently, pulling himself closer for another deeper…
- Father? Are you up?
The knocking on the door and the call that followed made Haru retracted his hands, pulling them into his chest and tried to squirm his way out, but again found himself held tight by Quetz's vice-like arms. Then, before the boy's embarrassed and shocked eyes, the white haired man smiled and opened his amber eyes, leaning in to press his lips against the boy's forehead. Haru froze, unable, unwilling to move, his eyes opened wide, gazing into nothing in particular as the white haired man moved, pulling himself closer to the boy and hugged him tightly.
- W-when did you…? - Haru stuttered, too embarrassed to form an coherent sentence.
- When you started rubbing my face, silly. - Quetz smiled sniffing the boy's snowy white hair. Gently, his clawed hands stroked Haru's back and head, nuzzling his face against the boy's forehead to help him relax. - How are you doing? Feeling better?
- Y-yes. - The white haired boy nodded, tugging at the man's shirt gently, still flinching at the slight pain and the constant knocking on the door.
- Father I know you're awake, please answer me. - Lucious' voice became more and more frustrated as he continue knocking.
Even in total darkness, Haru could feel Quetz smiling, he slightly jolted, recoiling his legs a bit as the man moved, positioning himself so he could sit up. Gentle fingers stroked the boy's face, easing his mind and heart before slowly pulling him up and leaning him against the man's chest.
- C'mon, shouldn't keep him waiting, he gets cranky when he's made waiting. - Quetz smile, coiling his tail around Haru before turning toward the door. - Come in.
The door slowly swung open, allowing a very tired looking Lucious to enter holding a silver tray with two bowls of steaming hot soups. The black haired man looked around, seemingly unfazed by the darkness, he let out a small sigh in frustration then tapped one of his talons on the ground twice. Immediately, the room they're in was engulfed by a warm pale yellow light emanating from oval crystals mounted on the wall between large tapestries woven from glistening strands of silk-like material. The room they were in was smaller than Haru's thought, their bed was not that much larger than his sleeping corner back in his old house, with gold-trimmed veil draping down from the intricately designed canopies making it looked even smaller. It's set next to the wall, taking a good one third of the room's entire space, leaving just enough for a small working desk.
- Your meals, Father, Lord Haru. - Lucious bowed, closing his pale golden eyes for but a moment before lifting his gaze. - Shall I put them on the desk or do you wish to enjoy it outside?
- Ou-outside, please? - Before Quetz could answer, Haru called out softly, clinging onto the white haired man's sleeve nervously.
He didn't know why he said it, beside that he wanted to meet Mitsuki and Loi, but now that he has, he felt a tint of fear nibbling at the back of his mind. To his relief, Lucious simply raised an eyebrow, before bowing and backed out into a larger chamber connected to the bedchamber. A gust of cold wind quickly rushed into the room as Lucious opened the door that led outside, making Haru shivered and pressed himself against Quetz more.
- Cold? - The older male chuckled, rubbing the boy's shoulder caringly.
- Mhm… - Haru nodded, then turned to Quetz. - Keto-san, I-I want to meet with Mitsuki and Loi, is-is that good?
Quetz said nothing, a hint of surprise washed over his face, making him twitch for a split of a second. He chuckled, much to Haru's confusion, before pressing another gentle kiss between the boy's eyes and caressed the back of his head. The white haired man leaned his companion back, putting his arms under his back and legs then picked him up, making the boy squeak in embarrassment and surprise.
The boy felt his face burned with embarrassment, yet he didn't protest, he didn't resist, he didn't even attempt to hide it. He simply brushed his head against Quetz's shoulder, feeling the warmth of his companion as the cold air slowly seeping in, enjoying the man's comforting presence against his body, as he let his mind wander to where and what his brother and sister were doing.
***
Loi walked back and fort in the snow covered courtyard, eyeing the "dark elven" guards standing on both sides of the great door leading into Quetz's and Haru's residence in ire and impatience. Sitting on a stone bench near the wall next to him, Mitsuki sat still, her eyes glued to the snow covered marble floor of the yard, her silk-gloved hands fidgeting each others as she was still trying to contemplate her situation. She was still in shock, seeing Haru, her little helpless brother, unleashing his wrath, reducing one of his long time tormentors to ashes in a blink of an eye. She remembered Quetz rushing toward him, collapsing before he could and being swarmed by the elven warriors, caretakers and retainers, all the while the human were corralled by the Anacondrai and valkyries to keep them from causing more damages.
Everything after that was a blur, as the entire column herded them to The Maw, a fortress-city built into the cliffs of a grand canyon, protected by a massive wall of stone and metal. There were others there, refugees building camps and hastily constructed barricades outside of the wall, patrols coming in and out of the city's great gates. Mitsuki could recognize some of them, hunters from other tribes, along with what seemed like whatever pitiful left of their family, not so different from their tribe, as if all of them have suffered through the same ordeal. Most of them pitched their camps as close to the gates as possible, but so far, theirs is the only tribe allowed to enter the city, and only she and her two brothers were permitted into the Inner Sanctums, a series of personal living quarters built on the top of each cliff flanking the second wall leading into the canyon path, connected by the wall's battlement, so thick that six bonefrills the size of Pumba could walk along side by side.
Under Lucious' orders, they're treated to the best commodities this fortress can offer, despite it being a "backwater outpost" as described by the black haired commander, the food and clothes were better than anything they could've made in the old village. Yet even when they're covered in silk-woven clothes of intricate designs, something didn't sit well with Mitsuki, neither did it with Loi. As soon as they've reached the entrance to the Inner Sanctums, the three of them, along with Quetz were separated from the rest of the villagers, still being herded to a place mentioned with malicious glee by the garrisons.
- What are they doing in there? - Loi seemed to has finally done with his rage walking, his words filled with frustration as he sat down next to his sister onto the bench. - They said he'd be up hours ago.
- Be patient. - Mitsuki hushed, putting one hand onto her brother's shoulder. - They said he was exhausted, you saw how he's blown up that hag.
- Exactly why I want to see him! - The tanned boy snapped back. - Tell me Mitsuki, when was the last time you saw Haru blasting anything into ashes? Didn't you see his arms after he's done it? They were all but charred! How could you be so nonchalant in a time like this is beyond me!
- I know… - The girl sulked, rubbing her distressed brother's shoulder, trying to come up with something to calm him down. - I know you're worrying for him, but… - Her words suddenly froze at the tip of her tongue, she knew Loi wouldn't want to hear it, but it has to be said. - But these people…they're his ki…
- HOW CAN YOU EVEN SAY THAT?! - The tanned boy bolted from his seat, his dark brown eyes watered in anger and confusion. Not letting his sister have a chance to speak, he roared, letting out all of his bottled up emotions like a storm: - How can you even suggest that?! These… These…THINGS?! They're nothing like him! Haru's OUR brother, Mitsuki! He's MY brother! Not THEIRS! Not HIS! MINE!
- Would you two PLEASE be quiet?! - A drunken voice overwhelmed Loi's rage screaming.
A lanky man walked into the courtyard, despite the cold, he wore neither fur nor the warm silken clothing so common here. Instead he had for himself a sleeveless black woolen undershirt under an open chested bright red trench coat, secured loosely by a series of leather belts strapped haphazardly around his torso and shoulders like a drunken spider's web. The cuffs of his black pants tucked clumsily uneven into his iron-soled black boots, belts strapped around them tightly, one overlapping the other, making his lower legs looked baggy. His skin was pale, paler than even Quetz and his kind, making his crimson eyes seemed glowing under the bang of spiky ash-blonde hair.
The newcomer sat down next to Mitsuki, resting one leg above the other, before tilting his head back, chucking down a generous amount of the red liquid inside the glass bottle he's carried in. He let out a loud exhale, hiccupping as he turned to the nervous girl with the drunken expression splattered across his face. Then he slowly opened his mouth, slow enough for Mitsuki to see the two glistening pairs of fang partially hidden under his lips.
- Don't worry, they're fine…Hck! - He smirked, hiccupping as he did, before taking another generous gulf from his bottle of beverage. His accent was a smooth silken, yet nasally one, flowing with impressions with little to no separations between sounds of words, but still clearly under the influence of the strong alcohol he's been chucking so freely. - Hck! Quetz's very kind and…Hck…gentle…with his…Hck…you now what.
- See?! SEE?! - Loi burst into another tirade. - Did you heard what this…this…CREEP said?!
- Hey! - The man frowned in disapproval, but only took another gulf of his drink.
- Who knows what they're doing with him in there! - Loi continued to hiss, walking back and fort again across the courtyard, not noticing that the doors to the residence were being opened slowly. - For all we know, the things in there could be torturing him! That's why they're so nice to him! That's why…
- It saddened me to hear such cruel words coming from you, boy. - Quetz's voice rang up right behind him as the man loomed over him, the black, gold-trimmed cape covering him made him look more intimidating.
- YOU! - The tanned boy jumped and spun around, swinging his hand in an attempt to slap Quetz but only hit thin air. He backed away a few stepped, eyeing the smirking monster of a man as the two elven guards moved forward. He felt his heart pounding rapidly in sheer terror and sweats rolling down his face as hot, shaky breaths escaped his parted mouth. - Where's Haru? - He questioned, trying to keep his voice from shaking. - What have you done to him?
- Young master Haru is resting in the living room, - Lucious stood up next to his father, his black armor's now replaced with a more comfortable dark gold silk tunic with large sleeves, a short cape draping over one of his shoulder. He turned to the white haired man and smiled as he continued, his voice, though still cold and monotone, had a hint of amusement to it. - enjoying his meal while longing for his family.
- Wh-what? - Loi narrowed his eyes, stuttering with confusion.
- Is he fine now? What happened to him? - Mitsuki bolted toward Lucious, mere inches away from his face, asking eagerly for information about her brother.
- You'll see soon enough. - Lucious smiled warmly before he started walking. - But I fear I have other matter to attend to, urgent matters you see. - He turned his head around, nodding his head at Quetz. - Until we meet again, Father, Mitsuki, Loi and…Master Jean.
The man in the red trench coat, Jean, nodded then stood up to walk up to Quetz, still having that drunken smirk on his face as he padded the white haired man's shoulder and walked inside. Loi and Mitsuki quickly followed the two men inside, passing the guards who have now returned to their posts. They entered into a small garden of sort, a pathway of flattened marbles cut through two patches of green grass, with a hot spring pool on one side and several trees bearing fruits on the other, alluringly beautiful, so contradicting with the cold, snow covered sceneries outside. The steams coming from the hot spring seemed to be trapped inside the area, as the air is so unnaturally warm, free of any grasps of frost and snow, even the marble path felt warm to their feet.
At the end of the pathway stood a large house elevated from the ground by three marble steps of stairs, four mighty gem-encrusted columns support the overhanging black tiled roof, fashioned in the style of reptilian scales, shinning an iridescent shade of greenish blue, leaving a small opened corridor in front of the main entrance. Inside the house, Loi could see him, the boy whom he's loved so much, entirely focused on sketching into his notebook on a well crafted table made of flowing metal in front of a tapestry of woven silk. His arms were still bound in herb-soaked bandages from the wrists, making him flinch with every sudden motion, flinches that cut into the tanned boy's heart. Yet despite his injuries, his beauty shone through, even more so in his new snow white silk clothes with iridescent violet glistening at the edge of the fabric.
- H-Haru! - He called out, walking toward his brother with steadily quickening pace.
- Rai? - Immediately, the white haired boy turned his head toward his family, violet eyes became watery as he slowly stood up and ran at them. - RAI!