The urge to close his eyes was almost unbearable, more than once, the white haired boy has to struggle to pull himself up when he fell asleep. The white haired boy rubbed his eyes tiredly, the gentle rocking of the carriage as it moves, along with the cool temperature in Quetz's chamber made him sleepy. It didn't help that he didn't sleep much last night, kept waking up from horrid nightmares and visions of a bloodied black armored dark elf with snowy white hair, shrieking at him, the gaping wound in his chest pulsated as he did. Haru shivered, just thinking about it alone made him feel like he's being watch, and at any moment, the dark elf from his dream would come howling his vengeful cries at him.
The boy pulled up the window blind, squinting his eyes as soon as the light flooded the small bedchamber. Laying next to him, Quetz growled deeply, curling into a ball more under his blanket, only managed to relax when the boy's hand gently stroked his hair. They've been travelling for at least several hours, the sun was on high, shining down onto the column as they've come closer to the other side of the mountain ranges, as announced by Ginji a while ago, they should get there at high noon, just in time for lunch. A sigh of relief escaped Haru's mouth, as that means he could rest after all of them have had lunch, but until then, he'd have to take care of Quetz.
- Haru… - The white haired man groaned, stretching his arms and legs as he tried to find the boy.
- Keto-san, I'm here. - The white haired boy giggled, holding the man's hand as he slowly opened his eyes to look around.
- How long…did I sleep? - Quetz asked with an exhausted voice.
- Not that long. - Haru smiled, all tiredness seemed to have evaporated from him as he saw his beloved waking up. Leaning down, the teen pressed his lips against the Anacondrai's reddened temple, both from the fever and embarrassment. - Ginji-san said we're almost out of the canyon.
- Hm…is that so? - Quetz narrowed his amber eyes, his breaths deepened and slowed, before letting out a large yawn. - I'll sleep a bit more then.
Haru simply nodded, before lying down next to the Anacondrai, snuggling into his chest as he felt the older male's wrapped his arm around him. He felt the man moved, sleepy eyes catching glimpses of a long white tail raised up, caressing the frame of the small doorway leading to their small, private retreat, two sliding door closed it up, cutting off the noisy sounds coming from outside. The boy laid his head onto Quetz's outstretched arm, clinging onto the man's shirt and burying his face into his neck, taking in fully the distinct smell of the man, while feeling his beloved's hand gently patting his back. Intertwined in each others' arms, the two of them slowly fell asleep again, a shroud of darkness draped over their minds, ushering them into the unreality of their dreams.
Yet in that darkness, Haru could find no peace, no respite, already he could smell the stench of blood getting stronger and stronger. He heard the sounds of limping, bloodied footsteps on stone floor, each getting closer than the last. His heart pounded as he found himself in the middle of a twisted version of the beautifully majestic throne room he's seen before, great stone pillars covered in intricately carved glyphs now bent and twisted, set randomly like a great dark forest, reaching infinitely into the non-existing ceiling covered in dark mists. The walls, along with every piece of interior furniture were gone, replaced by emptied space, expanding endlessly into every direction. The only thing that still resembled the original throne room was in the distance, its crystalized tendrils spread outward, coiling around twisted columns, illuminated by a bright light shining down directly at the seat and stairs of the throne itself. Somehow, Haru knew that's his only sanctuary in this twisted realm, only it can save him from being hunted by the bloodied dark elf that haunts his dreams.
A gurgling groan echoed from behind him, causing the white haired boy to turned around, seeing silhouette of a broken, small figure not much bigger than himself. The dark elf walked lifelessly, like an ill-handled puppet with tangled strings, each of his steps caused his legs to bend awkwardly, his arms stretched and retracted to balance himself clumsily as he limped from the mists. Blood dripped from the gaping hole on the deceased dark elf's chest, pulsing inside was half of a heart, glowing dimly a deep purple, squirting out black blood. His eyes too glowed, but they were brighter, almost like baleful cinders were placed in his eye sockets, oozing out black slime that joined with the fountaining slime from his mouth, making each sound coming from that maw sounded choked and gurgling. His light armor and the waist cape around his hips were torn and corroded, forming odd growth-like protrusions, making him looked animalistic.
- No… - Haru whispered, involuntarily taking a step back, but that was all it took to alert the monstrosity.
With a snapping sound, the dark elf's neck twisted sideway, his baleful eyes locked onto the white haired boy. Letting out the terrifying shriek, the living corpse bolted toward the boy, who in turn ran toward the light with all the strength his entire body could muster. The shrieks distorted in the endless space of the petrified forest, seemingly coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time, but Haru had no time to think about it, in his mind he had but one thought: run. The floor began to moan and churn, great hills rose and collapse, like the surface of the sea when great beasts scour the surface, before dozens of scorched arms burst from them, blindly grasping for Haru as he ran pass them.
- LEAVE ME ALONE! - The white haired boy cried as he tried running faster, toward the throne, toward his salvation, all the while being hounded by the echoing shriek of his undead pursuer. - WHAT DO YOU WANT?!
- GET AWAY! GET AWAY! GET AWAY! - For the first time, he heard the corpse cried out, dropping on all four and leaping on the columns to gain speed, before leaping from one of them toward Haru. - GET AWAY FROM HIM!
- NO!!!
The white haired boy shrieked, bolting upward from the bed, panting heavily, hands reaching for every part of his body to search for injuries, before settling above his heart, feeling its frantic pounding. He looked around with his fearful violet eyes, the forest of stone pillars was gone, replaced by the shelves full of trivial items, hanging amulets and the window letting in the light of early afternoon.
- Haru, what's wrong?
Quetz's voice caught his attention, he turned around, the white haired man was still lying next to him, trying to sit up to comfort him with much difficulty. The white haired boy dove into the older male's chest, causing them both to slide on the bed sheet, he shivered like being in a blizzard, closing his eyes shut as he buried into the man's neck, trying to reassure himself. He felt the Anacondrai's hands on his back and head, quietly stroking to calm him down, rough lips pressed against his forehead, filling him with the sense of safety he desperately needed.
- H-hold me… - He begged with his shaky voice.
- I am, I am. - Quetz replied, grunting, having managed to pull himself up and let Haru sit on his crossed laps. - It's alright, I'm here.
The white haired boy nodded, wrapping his arms around the man's torso and buried his face into his chest, allowing his breathings to even out into deep, slow pants, before trying to explain his nightmare to his beloved.
***
The exit of the canyon sung as winds blew through its jagged rocky teeth, bringing with it the smells of pure, magic saturated territories and bountiful preys safer to eat, the opposite of the wastelands reeked with corruptions on the other side of the mountain. On top his mighty armored raptor, Lucious savored the serenity and purity of the pastures, he took a big breath, taking in all the sweet smell of fresh meat to be had, already his scouting party has made a kill and was in the process of tearing apart an unlucky moose. Diving into the carcass, a dozen black haired Anacondrai snarled and barked at one another, trying to tear out the biggest chunks for themselves. They're all new blood, no more than a few decades old, barely above unruly teenagers in the eyes of the near immortal Anacondrai.
It was embarrassing for Lucious, seeing them fighting like wild animals over a scrap of meat, but it's also endearing to an extend, having once fighting like that with his siblings for their fathers' attention. He was the physically weakest, but his ability to channel and shape the flow of magic was beyond those of his older brothers, making him Quetz's favorite child. Magic is their birthright, and in their cultures, they who are gifted with dominion over magic are usually favored and revered, and he took pride being That Child, much to his brothers' ire. The Lord Inquisitor smiled to himself, tail wagging excitedly as he recalled sweet memories when their family was whole.
- Lord Inquisitor. - One of the more senior Anacondrai came to him, his black armor rattled with each of his steps. - Messenger, my lord.
- What news from the main column? - Lucious asked, turning his face sideway, his voice back to one that fitted his status, cold and serious.
- Lord Haru had a bad dream. - The warrior said deliberately. - His Majesty decreed that we are to set up camp once the main column reaches the exist, so that the young lord may regain his composure.
- It will be done. - Lucious nodded. - Have the new blood hunt for more fresh meat, the young lord will require sustenance.
The inquisitor quickly rode his raptor back to the main column, not even a mile in and he's already heard the commotions coming from the most forward guards. Four high elven riders rode up to meet him, their silver armors with azure markings shimmered in the sunlight, two of them wielded swords and small shields, while the others looked around, their short compound bows readied to loose some arrows. A quick nod of acknowledgement, then they were behind Lucious, leading a few others ahead to help secure the campsite. The inquisitor snorted, then kept moving toward the giant carriage holding his father and the young lord.
- Lucious! - Jean was the first to greet him, riding up to the Anacondrai on his steed classed in crimson armor.
- Master Jean. - Lucious nodded. - How's the young lord?
- The nightmare really shook him. - The vampire said worriedly, eyes turning to the window of Quetz's chamber. - He kept on mumbling about zombie dark elves and twisted stone trees. And…he drew this.
Cautiously, the vampire pulled from his pocket a folded up parchment, even from a distant, Lucious could still smell the lingering smell of fear and magic residue. Shifting his gaze to look at his former mentor for just a moment, the inquisitor stared at the parchment, hand slowly reaching out to unfold it. He hissed, yanking his hand back as he opened it halfway, causing the parchment to be unfold fully, revealing what seemed to be a fearsome pitch blackness with two violet orbs in distant. Lucious panted, for a moment he was overcame with vision, so powerful and vivid that he could still see it every time he blinked, the shifting images seemed to leapt from the parchment to his mind. Crudely yet clearly drawn on the piece of leather paper was a silhouette of what seemed like a small boy, with eyes glowing purple, dripping out crimson blood that mixed with that from the gaping hole on his chest. It wasn't a boy, it was an elf, a dark elf to be exact, standing in the most unearthly of postures, his back bent in an awkward angle, his head snapped the other direction, while his limps were twisted in every possible way. He stood in a dimmed, fogged forest background, hastily and clumsily depictions of trees with markings carved on them, markings that looked far too familiar to them, his eyes locked into the one seeing the picture, as if at any moment, he could leap out, with his mangled limps and tear them apart with bear hand.
- You don't suppose… - Lucious whispered out an inquiry.
- Too early to tell. - Jean shook his head. - We need to get them both to Sanctuary first.
- But then…what next? - The inquisitor continued unsurely.
- I…don't know. - The vampire answered with the same uncertainty. - Regardless, you should go to them, I'll take care of the camp.
Lucious nodded, then made his way toward the carriage, but not before acknowledging Ginji on the driver seat. Nimble feet carried the Anacondrai on the staircases, before long, he was at the door leading inside, where he stood hesitantly, before twisting the door handle. Loi and Mitsuki were the first to greet him, the girl quickly rushed toward him to relay Haru's information, while the tanned boy simply ignored him, turning away. Lucious didn't blame him, things like this is too much for an adolescent human to handle. He walked pass the boy, following Mitsuki through the carriage, before stopping in front of the door leading to Quetz's sanctum.
- Father? - Lucious asked, knocking gently onto the door. - It's me. Are you feeling well?
The door suddenly slid open upward, revealing Quetz was still lying down, his tail coiled around a still tensed Haru, shivering as he looked around with his fearful violet eyes. The older male gestured for both of them, making Lucious and Mitsuki eyed each others for a second, before they made their ways into the small chamber. It was bigger than Mitsuki's thought, even with all of them inside, it felt like there are still enough rooms for a few more. The girl quietly scooted closer to Haru, pulling him into a soothing embrace, stroking his hair and rubbing his back to calm him down, while the two Anacondrai conversed in their language.
- Are you feeling better? - The girl asked, still caressing her brother's hair gently.
- Mhm. - Haru nodded, eyes hazily watching Lucious and Quetz conversing.
They seemed worried, but Quetz seemed more confused and bedazzled than his son. They slowly turned to him, golden and amber eyes staring unblinking, almost glowing like cat eyes in the dimmed room. Lucious tapped the red oval gem in the center of his chest plate, immediately, the armor started to retract, shrinking, pulling back, until there's only the gem left, sprouting three legs on each side and crawling to the man's wrist, attaching itself to him, leaving behind a yellow silk tank top and pants. The black haired Anacondrai slowly made his way toward Haru, golden eyes still fixed on the boy curiously and worriedly. He sat like a curious cat in front of them, with head tilting to one side, before leaning down and pressed his forehead against Haru, nuzzling gently to comfort him.
- Haru, - Quetz said tiredly. - Lucious will look after you…for now.
- Why? What's wrong? - The white haired boy asked, resting his hand on the man's white tail.
- I just need to…sleep a bit… - Quetz's words were interrupted by coughs, causing both the boy and his son to flinch.
- Father, please rest, I'll protect him, I promise. - Lucious reassured. - You need to rest, I'll take him back after lunch.
- Promise…to keep him safe… - The older male murmured, already slowly drifting off.
A hesitant pause, then the younger Anacondrai nodded:
- I promise.
***
Haru held onto Lucious' hand as they walked down to their camp, the entire column has stopped at the exit of the canyon, great wagons forming the shape of a crescent moon, a makeshift wall lined with dozens of elves, Anacondrai and Valkyries, protecting the main supply lines and the carriage. He could see Ginji in the distant, talking with some of his elven warriors, sending them left right and center to tend to menial tasks while he stood guard on one of the makeshift wall. Jean was also there, barking out orders between drunken laughter as he did while the lesser vampires hauled barrels and crates of ammunitions and arrows to the wall of carts, their exposed skin gleamed under the sun like dark, rugged metal.
- Everyone's so…busy. - The boy quietly said, feeling guilty as he's been cooped up in that chamber comfortably while outside, people were trying their best to protect them.
- So were you. - Lucious smiled as he looked down and jested. - I couldn't imagine being alone with Father was any easier than doing menial tasks.
- What do you mean? - The white haired boy asked as they walked, passing temporary kitchens and small gathering of warriors chattering about their jobs and expectation for the future.
Lucious simply smiled at him, before turning his gaze forward, humming the familiar lullaby as he went. It seemed to be a popular tune, Haru thought to himself, holding onto the Anacondrai's hand, contemplating as he followed him. Next to them Mitsuki walked with both curiosity and alarm, unlike her brother, the girl didn't seem to be very popular, or liked in general. More than once, she thought she saw glances of resentment aimed at her from the more senior warriors, only for them to turn away when she looked at them. She could've ignore them, crediting them to her lowly status as a human has it not been for the fact that more than once, one of the younger Anacondrai would outright hissed at her before scurrying away, whimpering like wounded animals. It almost seemed like she was radiating an aura that caused them to feel fear, if not pain.
- Mitsuki-nee, is something wrong?
The girl suddenly felt Haru's hand on hers, pulling her out of her stream of thoughts. She looked down, to see her brother stood alone next to a ring of logs around a fire pit, looking at her with his concerned violet eyes. They've stopped without her noticing, Mitsuki realized as she looked around for Lucious, seeing the man in a conversation with another of his kind, occasionally glancing at them before continuing. She sighed, before sitting down on the log, watching the fire that's cooking their lunch danced, radiating the warmth that felt so good on this highland, especially when winter was rolling in with its cold grasps. Next to her, Haru sat comfily, a stick in hands with a handful of the squishy, sweet treat called marshmallow impaled on it.
He seemed so happy here, so…normal, for the first time in his life he must have felt like he belonged in something greater than his immediate adoptive family. A total contrast to Mitsuki and Loi, though not treated harshly, the girl couldn't help but feel certain…unfriendly feelings aimed at them. Was this what Haru's suffered through? Mitsuki asked herself, but shook her head, no, her brother's endured worst than this, everyone in the village except for their family and the old chief seemed to think of him as bad omen incarnated, sometime even describing him as radiating an aura that irritates them to be in close proximity. If that's the case then…what's her excuse, Mitsuki pondered, recalling Quetz's and Jean's words about knowing her mother, how Haru'd be safer around her.
- Haru, - She finally called out softly, cautiously to not alert the near by warriors. - can I ask you something?
- Yes? - Her brother tilted her head, his violet eyes gleaming under his snowy white bang that draped down his face. - What is it Mitsuki-nee?
For a moment, the girl thought she couldn't ask her brother for this one favor, this one small question she's achingly needed an answer to. Gripping at her silk tunic, Mitsuki gulped down her guilt and fear, she has to know.
- Did…Keto-san…or anyone else, tell you about my mother? - She quietly ushered, feeling her courage hit rock bottom and instantly, the sensation of doubt and regret flooded her mind and soul.
She could see something working inside Haru's mind through those clear violet eyes of his, glistening to the dancing of the flame as he tried to recall their conversations. Each second passed was like a dagger plunged into Mitsuki's anxious self, ghostly hand gripping at her heart, causing it to ache with each pump from…anxiety? Excitement perhaps? She couldn't tell, consumed by that unreal aching, a phantom sensation of pain that was so real she thought her chest could burst open.
Yet it didn't, it lingered, suspended in limbo the longer she waited for the boy's answer. Even her breathing now felt agonizingly slow, each inhalation would drag for half an eternity, held up in her lungs for so long that she thought she could taste every single smells that each breaths bought. It's unbearable, but she has to endure, she has to know, she has to…
- I don't think they did. - Haru shook his head apologetically.
- O-oh…I-I see… - Mitsuki slightly jolted, shivering as time once again flowed naturally, flooding her every senses with noises and smells of the campsite. She took in deep breaths, hand resting on her heart to calm its rapid beating, before turning to Haru and smiled. - It's ok Haru I'm just curious.
- I-if you want I can go ask them? - Haru suggested eagerly, naively.
- Ask us what?
Both Mitsuki and Haru yelped and jumped away from their seats, arms locking on each others as they heard Ginji's voice ringing right behind them. He seemed dumbfounded by the two's reaction, squinting his crimson red eyes with tilting his head to one side with his upper lip curled up in a weird manor. The two children exchanged a panicked glance, before cautiously and slowly letting go of each others. The high elf stood on the opposite side of the crackling fire pit, his head slowly tilting on the other direction, before a potato was thrown at him from behind the children.
- You and you jump scaring antic! - Lucious hissed as he walked pass Haru and Mitsuki, one hand was holding a peeled potato readied to be used as ammunition to throw at the elf, while a satchel filled with the same vegetable dangled from his other arm. - Can't you be any more of a jerk than you already are?!
- Ak! Jeez! I was just having a bit of fun! - Ginji backed off, arms held over his head to protect himself from further potato assaults.
- You keep having fun like that and someone will eventually pass from a heart attack. - The Anacondrai grunted under his breath before sitting on a log. - Now go get me some plates and dinnerware so we can eat!
Ginji huffed and walked away, disappearing into the slowly growing streams of warriors, leaving his companions to tend to their lunch. Haru and Mitsuki cautiously sat down on the log next to Lucious', watching the man as he pulled out a pan and two small jar sealed with leather wrapping. Setting the pan onto the heated flat rocks around the fire pit, the Anacondrai proceeded to pull out small knife from his leather leg strapping, the sharp blade gleamed in the sun, making the white haired boy gulp.
- How do you like your potato, lord Haru? - The boy jumped a bit as Lucious acknowledged him, the older male has already added butter into the pan and was reaching for a potato. He held it in his hand, knife at the ready, only waiting for Haru's words. - Thick or thin slices?
- Th-thin…I think. Please? - The white haired boy replied softly, pulling his legs into his chest, both from the cold and the awkwardness of being regarded so highly.
The two children watched with no small amount of awe as Lucious began to cut into the potato while still holding onto it. He didn't even flinch, his potato holding hand firmed while the other moved in a blur of motions, causing the sharp piece of metal in his hand seemed to fade in and out of reality. Before long, the sizzling sounds of half a dozen of neatly sliced potato slices was heard coming from the pan, the smell of sweetened butter mixed with the raw smell of the potato made Haru and Mitsuki drool. The white haired boy felt his stomach rumbled from the smell of the food, he hugged his stomach and lowered his head, face blushing from embarrassment.
- Don't be so embarrassed, my lord. - Lucious giggled, looking around to find Ginji. - You haven't had anything since this morning.
- I-I had…soup… - Haru tried to protest, but was hushed my Mitsuki, her gentle hand rubbing his head.
- You need to eat more, Haru. - His sister said gently, letting him rest his head on her shoulder, before turning to Lucious, heart aching with question. - Rushi-san?
- Yes? - Like his father, Lucious didn't seem to be bothered with his name being distorted in a foreign tongue, he looked up from the sizzling pan, golden eyes looking at the girl, curious and unblinking.
The girl stuttered, somewhat lost in her thought, before ushering a question:
- If you're Keto-san's son, then who's your mother?
It seemed like a good substituted question to ask, rather than asking about her mother's past, a secret she's been kept from exploring for too long but didn't have the courage to uncover. Yet now, seeing Lucious frozen in place, his expression slowly shifted from curious, to what could only be described as pain, deep and primal, Mitsuki felt as if she's made the greatest mistake she could've ever made.
- Hey! I brought plates, dinnerware and meat! - Ginji walked toward them, oblivious of Lucious' murderous aura as his expression turned into that of demon. - Hey, why are you so quiet? Cats got all of your tongues? Hey. Hey Lushi, look what I brought, it's your favori…?!
The Anacondrai bolted to his feet, marching away from their fire pit and merging into the crowds, leaving them three behind to think about their actions.