Chapter 2-Ginji
- A great battle took place here. - The hunter said quietly, hand scrapping the blood soaked earth of the foothill leading up to the ridge near the smoke columns. - The ground is soaked in blood.
- Yes. - Quang nodded, carefully checking the sparse woodland around them, making sure that they're not walking into a trap. - But where's the bodies?
It was the third site they've encountered, and again, there were no body to be found, only blood and impressions of what must have once been crudely built tents. Something's not right, and all of them could feel it, the smell of death and destruction hung heavily in the air, and the elves were oddly silent. The old chief surveyed his surrounding, focusing on the thickest parts of the forest, hoping to see something, a sign, a warning, a movement from their elusive watchers. But there were none. Ever since they reached the first site, Quang has noticed that the elves were no longer showing their presence to him.
- Chieftain. - A hunter approached, his head kept low and his voice was little more than a whisper. - May I speak my concern?
- Speak. - The chieftain whispered a reply, eyeing the hunter who was not much younger than him.
- I...I think we should go back. - The hunter explained, cautiously looking around as if he's just sensed an unseen threat. - There's something about these sites that's creeping me out, it's creeping the party out. They're too...clean.
- The people deserve a place to stay, old friend. - The chieftain said quietly. - They need to know if that place is safe to stay or not.
- As you say.
The old hunter nodded and returned to his group, preparing the others to move closer to the smoke columns. They're still there, still burning with no sign of them dying down. They're being sustained, Quang thought, but by what? Cautiously, the scouting party moved up the ridge, shadowed by the exposed rocks and patches of spines that were becoming sparser and sparser with every step they took. There were several large boulders on top of the ridge, perfect for hiding, the old chief thought as he moved forward, followed by the rest of his scouting party. That's when they heard it.
- Kill the mongrels!
- Don't let them escape!
- Hah! What pathetic preys these beasts are!
The voices came from the other side of the ridge, voices of females...and children. Most strange. Killing? Preys? What were they talking about? What kind of people let their women and children partake in the butchering of live preys? Quang's expression grew into a frown as question after question popping up in his head. Signaling the rest of the scouting party to hold their position, the chieftain slowly crept his way up toward the edge, toward the sounds of animals being butchered and metal biting into flesh.
The other side of the ridge led down to a large plain surrounded by hills and outcrops, it would have make for a good resting spot for the night, if it's not for the fact that it was already occupied. From atop the ridge, hundreds of meters away, Quang could see a crowd numbering at the least more than a hundred, pass experiences and the fact that all of them, even the children-like figures, were classed from head to toe in metallic armors told the old chief that it was a war host. They were comprised of mostly the smaller warriors, barely taller than a teenage child, but the ways they walked, the ways they talked and the blood-soaked ground that they're standing on showed that they're all skilled warriors, if nothing else. Most of them were classed in purple armors, though a large number of them were daunted in greens or various shades of red and were armed with swords, bows, spears, shields and axes.
These must be the elves that have been following them, Quang recognized the shades of purple of their armors. Quetz has told him, along with other chieftains in their secret meetings about them, they're small in statures but are not to be trifled with. There were others in the war host, warriors women, classed in blood red armors and crested helms, armed with long spears, axes and great shields with strange ruins scribed on them. The columns of smoke came from six great pyres forming a circle, fueled by dead bodies of creatures half human half goats piled into mounds. In the inner part of the grim circle, a couple of dozens or so of the creatures still standing, horned heads kept low and swaying as they brayed in anger and despair, surrounded and slowly butchered on all side by the third and final group of the war host.
- Oh gods... - A hunter muttered shakily, staring down at the plain below their hiding spot. - There are more of those things...
They were classed in golden armors scribed with runes that gleam in the dancing fire, long, golden tails and raptorial legs danced in and out of the herd of goatmen, brandishing spears and sickle swords, each time pulling one of the creatures out of the herd to be slaughtered. Like wolves circling a flock of sheep, they toyed with their preys, leaping onto the air toward the herd, their weapons flashed and a goatman was separated, and the pack descended upon it with silent fury, if not frenzy of the hunt. The carnage was great, already the ground was soaked and mushy with gores, dozens of mutilated corpses littered the circle, before being tossed out, caught and tossed again into the pyres. There couldn't be more than a hundred and fifty, but base on the sizes of the pyres and the corpses, the old chief estimated that their preys once numbered in at least the hundreds.
- What is it? What did you see?
- Monsters. Raiders.
- They're too close to the refugees. - A huntress whispered.
- Do you reckon we can take them on? - Another hunter asked with hushed tone.
- You fools! - A third one, older than most chimed in quietly. - There are hundreds of them. We're less than two dozens, a fraction of them could kill us off easily.
- Then we avoid them. - Quang finally said, slowly retreating from the top of the ridge.
- What are we going to do? - A younger member of the scouting party asked quietly as all of them started their slow descends.
- Tell the rest nothing, tell them that there was a small forest fire. - Quang whispered, picking up the pace to get away from the horrific killing field as fast as possible.
- They'll never believe that. - An old hunter grimly voiced his concern.
- What choice do we have? - Quang mumbled, something tells him that these elves would be less friendly and less elusive if they found out about what have transpired. - Either lead them away or cause a panic and draw unwanted attention.
- Or you could come with us.
The childish voice came from above gave the scouting party pause, the looked up and around, trying to find where it has originated from to no avail. There were no sign of life, save for the rustling of the canopies and the fleeting glimpses of petite figure jumping from tree branch to tree branch.
- Show yourself! - A young hunter shouted, his spear raised and pointed at the rustling trees.
- But I don't wanna! - The voice nagged in a teasing, faked whiny voice, followed by echoing chuckles.
- It's...toying with us. - A huntress grunt, raising her bow and firing an arrow in the direction of the rustlings.
- Hah~hah~! Missed me!
- Enough! Show yourself!
- Geez! Don't be so sour, krauts. - The voice sounded annoyed. - It's not my fault that you human are too slow to catch me.
A small shadow dropped down from the canopies and landed in front of Quang, the short, golden hair that wasn't tucked under the blue headband slightly flickered in the winds as the boy, barely older than Haru slowly stood up, his different colored eyes glared at the group mischievously. Despite the cold of the highlands that cut into the bones of even the strongest hunters, the boy wore nothing but a blue sleeveless tank top, with an unbuttoned jet black leather jacket a little too big for his size. Belts tightly wrapped around his thin waists, anchoring the baggy leather pants in place, their creases tucked into the pair of knee-high jackboots of the same color. He's barely taller than Haru, yet unlike the timid boy that Quang knew through Quetz that they share some heritage, this one radiates a sense of confidence, if not cockiness, toward his party, as if he knew that all of them combine would still be not enough to beat him. It's not completely wrong, the sword hanging from his hip and the gem-encrusted bow in his hand, along with the quiver full of shimmering arrows on his back were enough to convince the old chief that this one is no ordinary child.
- A child? - A huntress smirked, lowering her spear in relief. - Of all the things those monsters could have sent, they sent a child?
- A child...that scared you shitless. - The blonde smirked back.
- You insolent brat!
- I wouldn't do that if I were you. - The blonde boy's expression grew grim, before anyone could have seen it, his hand has already rested on one of the arrows in his quiver.
- Peace, proud elf warrior. - Quang raised his hand, putting himself between the huntress and the elf. - We don't want any trouble, we're just following the instruction of...
- Keto, right? - Much to the old chief's surprise, the elf warrior smiled brightly. - He told me you'd go through here, so we sent out the last mob-up mission just to make sure.
- Elf? That monster? Mob-up mission? - A young hunter asked in frustration. - Chieftain, what's going on? What is this brat talking about?
- Oh. Where are my manners? - The blonde chuckled and bowed, dramatically, sarcastically. - Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ginji, Prefect of the Silver Winds Auxila and one of Keto's many personal retainers, at your service.
***
Night soon fall on the highland, made even darker by the lingering patches of smokes and ashes drifting from the volcano eruption and the dark clouds that have drifted from the north. The sudden cold has brought something with it, snow. Haru has seen snow before, every winter he and his family have to clean out the snow that have gathered on the roof and on the front yard, pushing them into the ocean and watching them melt, but for some reason, he felt different this time. The white haired boy has seen snow before, and he's always hated it, he hates how the cold prevents him from opening the back door to watch the ocean, he hates how it's always cold and wet and he hates that he have to work in the bitter cold, enduring snow balls mixed with sand coming from the bullies. But now, he doesn't know how to feel, staring out from where he's laying in the tent, counting every inch of snow that's piled up, so quiet, so peaceful.
He couldn't sleep, or rather he didn't want to, not when Quetz's not holding him in his arms, reassure him that this was not just a fanciful dream conjured up by his troubled mind. The white haired boy tried to change position, thinking it'd help him calm down and ease his sleep, but to no avail. Haru sat up quietly, carefully, avoid waking up Mitsuki and Loi, who have already been fast asleep after finishing up their dinner. He gulfed down his fear and anxiety, looking out from the transparent covering of the tent, though the scenery was illuminated by moonlight, it's still too dark for him to venture out.
A movement caught Haru's violet eyes, making his heart skip a beat. From outside the patch of thick forest and boulders that shield their campsite from hungry predator, Pumba lumbered into view, his beaked mouth holding an entire bush. The great bonefrill slowly made his way to his spot next to the tent, setting his bulk down, the beast caused a small tremor that made Mitsuski and Loi churn in their sleep. Then came the crunching sounds, the sounds of leaves and branches being crunched and chewed up before being swallow, it was so loud that Haru was amazed that it didn't wake up his brother and sister, but on the bright side, if he come out to wait for Quetz now, he wouldn't be alone.
- H-hello.
Haru popped his head out of the tent, shyly waving his hand at the giant dinosaur, who has now finished his late night snack. Pumba snorted, then to the white haired boy's shock and horror, rolled his eyes in a very much human way. Despite it was freezing cold, the boy felt pea-sized sweats rolling down his face as he retreated back into his tent. It couldn't be, the dinosaur just rolled his eyes at him. He peeked out of the tent again, shivering both from cold and fear, Pumba just lied there, almost motionless, save for the slow rising and falling of his ribs and the white fog coming out of his great nostrils every time he breathes. The great bonefrilled acknowledged the boy with a small nod, an almost human nod that made Haru's heart sank and his limps' refusal to move strengthened. The white haired teen sat there, at the edge of the tent, shimmering violet eyes staring out to the glistening snow, with only the steady breathing of his family and the great animals outside of the tent to accompany him.
- Hello...
Gathering all of his courage and strength, the teen forced himself out of the tent, greeting both the great bonefrill and whatever that was that might be stalking in the dark. Slowly, with shaky steps, Haru made his way out of the tent, into the small, snow-covered clearing that was their campsite, a small blanket draping over his shoulder to protect him from the cold. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cold, untainted air of the snowy wilderness, his ears took in the serenity of the winter night. It's so quiet, yet brimming with life at the same time, for even in the cold of winter, there were still snow crickets chirping their songs from their lairs under the snow, protected from the elements.
- It's so...quiet. - Haru remarked, but whether it was to himself, or to the bonefrill, he didn't know. He turned to the great beast, Pumba's eyes were set somewhere else into the night, and an idea, a stupid idea, popped its way into existence inside Haru's head. - So...do you know where Keto-san is?
The great animal suddenly turned his head toward the boy, almost too fast and sudden for his size, making Haru flinch and taking a step back. There's something odd about those big brown eyes, a sense of intelligence unseen in Pumba's kind that washed over the teen with unease, unsure of what to make of the animal's behavior. The beast snorted and stood up, quietly, much to Haru's surprise, with great yet gentle steps that barely made a crunch as his great feet sunk into the snow, Pumba moved closer to the boy frozen in fear, then gently lowering his snout and closing his eyes.
It took several minutes, several agonizing minutes, for the white haired boy to understand what the animal was trying to say. With a gulp, Haru reached out his shaky hand and pressed against the snout of the bonefrill, feeling its gentle rhythm of life and understanding his intention. Pumba was there to help them, to protect them, now he's here to guide Haru to Quetz.
- Can you...take me to him? - The teenage boy asked with a hushed tone, a strange feeling of embarrassment and anxiety held onto his mind, preventing him from speaking out loud.
Pumba stirred, shaking off the snow that has gathered on his great feather-covered back then nudged his snout gently against the boy's chest, urging him to follow. The white haired boy didn't say a word, he simply nodded as he followed the great bonefrill out of the clearing and through the thickest, into the snow-covered grassland that stretched all the way to the water's edge of a wide yet shallow river. Haru could see him, back facing against him and Pumba, his shadow illuminated by the small fire he's set up, his tail coiled around him under his cloak as he sat motionless, as if to contemplate on something. A small clump of black feathers laid coiled next to him, slowly raising and collapsing with every shivering breath, before an elongated head pops up, glistening golden eyes watched the bonefrill and the white haired boy approach.
- Oh, you're still awake? - Quetz turned around and smiled at Haru, making the boy flinch a bit, it's not usual for someone to smile at him when he approaches them. The older male slowly stood up, his long white tail brushing off the snow around him, before making his way toward the teen, hands reaching out to adjust his cloak. - You shouldn't go out here this late. - The man said with a soothing, caring tone. - It's cold, and you need rest.
- N-no... - Haru shook his head in protest, heart aching from Quetz's attention for him as he scooted closer to the man, until he was mere inches away from him. There he froze, anxiety gripped his heart, he wanted to hold Quetz, and he wanted the man to hold him, but is it too much to ask? - I-I can't sleep... - The boy whispered quietly, shakily, sounding choked from the tears that have been held back for too long. - I-I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you but...I just can't... - The man's torso was warm, the beating of his heart against the boy's ear as he pressed his face against Quetz's chest was soothing, easing his mind and soul, assuring him that it'd all be well as he let his tears soak into the older male's shirt. - I need you...
Through his closed shut eyes, made blurry by his own tears, Haru felt Quetz slowly lowering himself, until he could feel the man's breaths against his face. Then, the sensation of the man's lips pressing against his wet eyelid washed over him making him shiver, his arms slowly moving from the man's torso to around his neck as the older male trailed his lips down his face. Hot, shivering breaths now escaped Haru's mouth, his tears-filled eyes looking hazily into Quetz's concerned amber eyes, before slowly pressing his lips against the man's, letting all of his anxiety and fear drift away.
Quetz gently wrapped his arms around the boy, pulling him into a loving embrace, his hands stroking Haru's head and back up and down, making him purr and arch his back forward, pressing their torsos together. He sat back down next to the fire, sitting the white haired boy onto his laps gently and wrapped his cloak around him to keep him warm. In the fading light of the dying fire, Quetz listened as Haru's breathing started to normalize, calmed as he clung onto him. Rage burned inside the white haired man, rage against the human that have mistreated the white haired boy poorly and himself for leaving the boy there for all those year. He rested his hands loosely on the boy's back, incapable of embracing him fully, fearing his rage would hurt the boy whom he loves so much, yet hidden behind all those roiling emotion was guilt, gnawing at his mind.
- Haru? - Quetz leaned down, whispering softly, just enough for the boy in his arms to hear.
- Hm? - Haru looked up with his gleaming violet eyes now dried of tears, eyes that cut deep into the man's soul.
- Do you...forgive me? - He asked difficultly, hiding his face into the boy's soft, snowy white hair.
Haru said nothing, remaining still and silent for a few heartbeats as Quetz hid his face into his hair, a stillness and silence and made the older male feel unease. It felt like an eternity, an eternity of fear gnawing at the white haired man's mind, fearing that Haru wouldn't forgive him, that the boy would leave him. His arms felt heavy as they wrapped themselves tight around the boy's frame, unable to let go, as if Haru would fly out of his arms if they ever loosen their grip. But to his surprise, the white haired boy simply turned his face sideway, resting his ear onto Quetz's chest, smiling as he listened to the man's troubled heartbeats.
- I'll...I'll think about it... - Whispered Haru, softly, his eyelids became heavy, his mind soothed by the warmth and the constant beating of the man's heart.
To his small companion's reply, Quetz simply nodded, his troubled mind somewhat eased. He gently caressed Haru's head and back, smiling as he heard the boy's purring and whimpering in delight, falling further and further into the much needed sleep as the lights of the fire slowly dimmed. It wasn't long until the crackling of fire died down completely, submerging the river bank in darkness, save for the gentle, faint silvery light showering down from the clear night sky. The older male looked up, his amber eyes dyed into a gentle shade of bluish grey by the thousand of stars glistening in the brilliant display that was the Milky Way stretching across the sky. He let out a sigh, marveling the beauty and vastness of the realm that is the night sky, if only Haru could see it, desperately he wanted to share this sense of serenity every time he gazes upon the night sky filled with celestial bodies, yet at the same time, he didn't want to wake the boy who's now fast asleep in his arms.
- It's really peaceful...isn't it?
Quetz slowly turned his face to look at his feathery companion, the black raptor sat there, yellowish eyes staring at the night sky before he crouching down on all four. Timon shuddered as his bulk began to swell, engulfed entirely by a thick veil of dark smoke that only grow larger and larger, until a hand classed in black gauntlet reached out, dragging behind it a humanoid form in jet black armor from his neck down to his raptorial talons and long tail. The newcomer moved on all four, despite the armors, each of his movements made little but a muffled crunch on the snow. Soon enough, the younger male with black hair and yellow eyes was next to the pair, his ebon tail swaying gently as he watched the sleeping boy.
- Yes, yes it is. - Quetz remarked, nodding as he stroked Haru's hair gently.
The other man sat down quietly next to the pair, a tail classed in black metallic armor coiled around his curled up legs as he lifted his yellow eyes toward the stars. He took in a deep breath and exhaled slightly loudly, admiring the serenity that he's not been able to feel for the last several months for endless warfare and strategic planning. Slowly, he fixed his gaze at his father and the small boy still clinging on him, smiling to himself as he recalled memories of a more peaceful and simpler time. But soon, his smile dimmed, remembering why those memories were just that, memories, before hiding the lower half of his face into his folded up arms, hiding his contorted lips. It was getting harder and harder to keep quiet, to obey Quetz's order, his father's last order before he went into self-imposed exile, before he willingly let himself be shackled mentally, by locking away parts of his memories. Locking away parts of his pain.
- Father? - The younger male, the son, Lucious, called out to Quetz with muffled voice.
- Yes? - The older male replied softly, trying not to wake up the boy in his arms.
- The boy...will you...take him with you...home? - Reluctantly, Lucious asked.
A hint of uncertainty, of fear, of guilt suddenly gripped Lucious' father's amber eyes, his body slightly jolt, causing the sleeping white haired boy to frown and squirm in his sleep. Gentle yet shaky hands stilled the boy, easing his way back to his slumber as Quetz contemplated his son's question. For a few seconds, there was not a single sound, save for the steady breathing of the three people.
A single nod was all that was given as an answer, as Quetz dared not ushering his answer out loud, how could he when he knew full well that his son still bears the pain of when their family was torn asunder. To see him so close to someone that isn't the Other, it must have been torturous for Lucious, whose in the aftermath of the catastrophic conflict that has consumed their people, has taken on the mantle and mark of an Inquisitor, Wrath and Vengeance incarnate. What would he think, a person of such zeal and loyalty to someone who's no more, when he realizes that someone else is slowly replacing that person's place in Quetz's heart.
Yet strangely, to the white haired man surprise, he didn't. Lucious was the first and only one to come, somehow the boy was able to track him down, listening to his plights and was almost eager to seek out the boy, to bring Haru to him. What could he possibly gain from this, Quetz wondered as he looked at Lucious and was almost surprised by what he saw. He thought he saw his son smiled, or at least what has looked like a smile, before Lucious once again hiding his face into his arms. The younger male's shoulder rose and fell as he let out a sigh, he stood up, his long black tail shook off the snow that has clung onto the metal before turning to his father.
- I'll wait for you at the Maw, then. - Lucious' voice was quiet, but loud enough for Quetz to hear. - Just tell him that "Timon" has wandered off.
- I will. - Quetz smiled and replied just as quietly. - Thank you.
Lucious nodded, then turned on his heels and silently walked away into a smoke screen as black as the night, leaving nothing but faint, three toed footprints on the virgin snow, before those too disappeared, leaving the pair by the riverside. Leaving Quetz to sit there, caressing Haru's hair and sung to him the soothing melody from his childhood, before carrying the boy back to camp and to prepare for the journey ahead.
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