A King's Legacy
Chapter 17: Worthy of Love
Byron Aschefell slowly shuffled across the large dining area the morning of the full moon, his cane tapping lightly as he went. In the time since the attack, the Aschefell estate had grown terribly quiet and somber. It seemed the older wolf's family was destined to be broken apart time and time again.
With Rust declared missing, Rouge had retracted into herself, reminding the old wolf of what the once reserved beast was like when the pregnant fox first arrived at his door with his son. She hadn't even left her room in days, and the only reason Byron knew she was still eating at all was due to him having a servant bring her what she needed. He knew the moon would make this trial even harder for her that day, the same as it would for his son, Amboss.
Amboss was passed out in his seat, sleeping propped up against one table in the dining area. There were a number of emptied wine bottles surrounding the broken wolf, with some laying shattered on the floor. Amboss hadn't been holding up well as it was, something Byron truly understood in a personal way, but the older wolf truly feared for his son's mentality with the moon in play, so he needed to check on him.
As of that morning, this was the longest Amboss had ever been without firing up his forge. It was simply too painful without the joyful fox there to brighten the walls with both his cheerful laugh, and his steady inquiries. Everything seemed too painful without his son, so the wolf had simply been drinking that pain away until he could finally rest, and wake to repeat his routine of misery all over again. Amboss Aschefell lost something far more precious than even his right hand during that attack. Amboss finally understood why his father never complained about his leg injury. Losing Silbern must have felt like a far greater price as well.
As the dazed blacksmith stirred and raised his bloodshot eyes to meet his father's own, Byron began to speak.
"My son... I know what you are dealing with. I understand the need for your vices here, but I have to ask that you refrain for today. Your wife needs you to be strong, she needs her husband, Amboss... That was something I once overlooked too in my sorrow."
The younger wolf grunted as he simply turned his head, and reached for a bottle on the table. After finding it was empty, the broken blacksmith tossed it over his shoulder with a growl of frustration as the glass shattered against the wall. The disheveled canine stood, and began staggering towards the rack where the bottles were kept. Amboss pulled another and returned to his seat with a defeated plop. The blacksmith pulled the cork with his teeth, turned and spat it out, and took a hefty swig of the maroon contents, ignoring his father's pleas completely. Byron could say nothing more at the time. It would only make things worse, so the older knight only lowered his head, and made his leave.
As Byron made his way to the second floor, he paused on the steps ever so briefly. For a split second, the wolf almost felt a push at his consciousness, assuming Amboss was trying to reach out after all, but felt the attempt fade just as quickly. The old beast only let out a sigh of defeat, and continued on to where his former student Jagón still rested in the very room the panther's son, Aster, had used a short time prior.
Jagón had not improved in the slightest, but he hadn't gotten any worse either. The panther was lucky in that regard, as he was the only one in the estate that hadn't fallen to ill spirits by that point. Byron worried for his friend, but knew the knight would find his way back eventually. Byron had a servant come by twice a day to get some water and food in the panther, as well as to tend to any other needs the resting beast may have had, but even still, the wolf liked to check on Jagón personally at least once a day. The seasoned wolf enjoyed getting to vent to someone. Today was certainly no different.
"Well my old friend... It is shaping up to be a long night under such a sorrowful moon... Everyone already had such heavy thoughts, and now, I worry how they will be able to cope with them at all... I don't know how I will cope with it... Our sons were doing so great together, they really had found solidity and comfort with one another... To tell you the truth, I was so hopeful that our families would be joined... I was happy that these walls could hold an entire family once more. I... I had so much hope for those two..."
Byron felt his voice break, and turned away from his friend, determined not to let the tears start falling, for fear they wouldn't stop under the influence of the moon. So instead, the older beast simply made his leave to check in with their other guest for the time being.
Talan had refused to leave his father's side until he woke, as such, Byron had invited the knight to stay at their estate for the time being. The young panther was desperately clinging to the last bit of his family that was still within reach, but Talan had a different coping method than the rest in the estate, and had spent the last week vigorously training his body from sun up to sun down. The panther executed combat drill after combat drill, using his staff to beat the training dummies in the courtyard mercilessly between his exercise routine, ensuring his body was well exhausted before he fell into his dreams. As it turned out, Talan vented the same way his father had when he first lost his wife and cub. Byron simply watched from a distance for a while, silently admiring the panther's adept skill. Truly, a Venatus son indeed. The wolf finally spoke as the young knight splintered a training dummy beneath a particularly hard blow.
"If only all of our enemies fell so easily beneath such might."
Talan looked to his father's mentor, and bowed lightly before he answered.
"Good morning, Sir Aschefell. I pray today has been easier on you."
The older wolf forced a smile. He was glad Talan was able to remain somewhat composed, at least. Byron nodded back.
"Thank you, Talan. I pray the same for you."
The pair talked on for a bit more, both grateful for a short distraction. Talan was struck with a small bit of panic when the older wolf suddenly stopped halfway through a sentence, and clutched at his right eye, seemingly straining as he did so. The young panther ran to the old wolf, asking if he was alright, but Byron stood back up shortly, releasing his grasp before he answered the panther.
"I am fine... Just... I think my tired mind may be playing tricks on me a bit... I think I could use some rest. Please, don't let me hinder your training any further. I'll check back in before dinner... And Talan? I know the reasons are far from ones to celebrate... But I am glad you decided to stay for a while as the capitol figures out how to move forward... I have enjoyed having a small bit of company, and this old wolf has found a bit of comfort in our talks. Thank you for that."
Talan bowed his head lightly and answered the beast with gratitude. In truth, he was just as grateful for the short reprieves and distractions as well. Anything to stop his incessant worry for his younger brother's sake. The panther resumed his training, and the old wolf made his way back to his private quarters a moment later while his mind dared to finally hope.
`It's faint... But... Stahl... could... could it be you, my son?'
The old wolf steadied his mind in the darkness of his quarters. Byron had many years of experience using his family bloodskill, but even still, if there was some hope his son really was still out there, the wolf would require a bit of help from someone far more proficient in its use. The beast raised his right hand to his right eye, and sent forth his call for aid.
`Bearer of my blood, lend me your knowledge. Daughter, are you there?'
The beast received no answer for quite some time. Eventually, he felt her presence open up just a bit. And for the first time in over two years, Byron Aschefell felt his daughter allow his consciousness to enter her mind as she spoke to him.
`Father... I... I don't know what to say. We received your letter... Mother isn't taking it well, as expected... And even young Rust... Loch hasn't said a word about it, but I know it truly bothers him... He tries to act tough, like he doesn't care anymore... Maybe he really doesn't... I... It's good to hear from you, father... Are you alright?'
The old wolf was simply grateful she had heeded his call as he gave his answer.
`I am surviving, my daughter... I am truly sorry to make such a request after such a long silence between us... Especially since you already answered my call from such a distance... But I need your assistance with something... Something only you could pull off... I need you to use a stacked Shared Sense with me... Please, Erden... I know just as well as you do why you don't use it anymore, but please, I think... I think Stahl may be alive... Do you remember when Silbern visited your mother's estate? How without the moon, we couldn't feel him from here? Well, at least, I couldn't... When we tried alone, we just got that pain behind our eye... But when we stacked together... I think Stahl is just even further away... And you're the prime user in our family. If anyone could forge and hold that connection, it's you...'
Byron held his breath as his daughter weighed her decision. Erden gave her reply a short moment later.
`If my brother may live, then of course I can put aside my personal feelings. Do you want me to reach for him? Are you prepared? You know how much it can strain at a distance, even with the moon. I can handle it, but I don't want to push your mind any further... I can do this alone if you need?'
Byron quickly dismissed the need.
`My daughter... My mind has been plenty strained enough these past few days. I assure you, it could stand to strain a bit more for the sake of such hope. Forge the connection. I will lend you what I have freely to boost your range.'
It was Erden's time to respond.
`Fine, but I'm pulling Amboss in too then... Might as well get everyone here to help.'
Before Byron could object over his son's current inebriated mind, his daughter's sharp presence pierced through Amboss's defenses as if they weren't even there, and drew her brother into her mind as well. Amboss was fighting vainly the entire time. When he finally submitted to her power, he spat his words with drunken poison.
`OH! LOOK WHO FINALLY GRACES US WITH HER PRESENCE! THE PRIME BLOODSKILL USER HERSELF! I HAVE TO TELL YOU, MUST BE NICE TO JUST CUT EVERYTHING YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR AWAY. SURE WOULD BE GREAT TO CHOOSE WHEN I WANT TO WEIGH IN ON FAMILY EMERGENCIES!'
Byron simply sighed. He was afraid of that. Amboss became quite the asshole when he drank, and him and his sister were notorious for going at each other. His daughter was a far more fearsome opponent, however, especially when she was linked to another user.
`Oh, great to see some things never change... And you wonder why I don't reach out. But if you don't want to hear from Stahl, I can just cut you back off. Maybe permanently sever your connection while I'm at it. Better yet, strip that yapping voice of your's away, since as you said, I DON'T want to hear it. I'm sure Rouge would LOVE a break from such a whiny little, drunken mutt mouthing off after all. It's truly ASTOUNDING how I can still somehow sense the liquor on your mind from even this distance away.'
Amboss grew silent, knowing very well his sister didn't make idle threats, but more intrigued by what she had said.
Stahl is alive? Then... RUST! IS HE-
Erden cut him off before his spill ever started.
`We don't know yet... It's why we are here though... Look, we are burning energy here... Are you both ready? I'll be drawing off you two first, if we can even make the connection that is... Amboss, you'll be the first knocked off, so be quick to ask what you need. Father, I'll be turning over most control to you after. I'll focus on holding as long as I can, but I promise nothing... I am a bit out of practice.'
As Amboss grumbled something along the lines of, "And whose fault is that?" Which Erden ignored, the sister began focusing her skill. She reached far on her own, and felt nothing, so she steeled her resolve, drew upon her father and brother to strengthen the connection, and pushed outwards once again.
`Bearer of my blood, lend me your knowledge... Stahl, my brother, are you there?'
Stahl was idly walking the streets, still thinking deeply on what Mollis could need to discuss with Aster with such a serious tone. Then the wolf hit a knee as he strained from the sudden pain behind his right eye, drawing a few questioning glances from the nearby orcs. Stahl swore he felt his heart skip a beat as the familiar feeling of his bloodskill being activated surged within him. The connection was a bit weak, but the power behind it certainly wasn't. Before the connection ever fully formed, Stahl knew there could only be one person behind it. He spoke his elated thought before his sister ever had a chance to.
ERDEN! BY THE GODS! I... I've never been so happy to hear fro-
Amboss barged in, interrupting the younger brother before he ever finished his sentence.
`STAHL! IS RUST WITH YOU? IS MY SON SAFE? PLEASE! BY THE GODS, TELL ME HE IS ALRIGHT?'
Stahl winced at the booming voice. His sister had stacked connections to reach him. Stahl noted his father's presence as well, marking the first time in over two years all users were linked at once. He quickly answered his brother, standing to rush to the blacksmith where the young fox was working away.
`Rust is with me and Aster! He is safe, brother! We are all safe. I know he wants to hear from you! Give me just a moment! Erden, can you link our vision too?'
His sister was intently focusing on holding their minds together, but still squeezed out her answer.
`Maybe... I can give you a couple seconds at least... Hurry though... Gods, this is exhausting.'
As she finished her statement, Stahl turned the corner into the blacksmith panting profusely as he shouted to the young fox who had been working away. Rust was worried about his uncle, he seemed to be under great stress, but when the wolf spoke, the fox dropped the hammer he had been affixing a new handle to, barely avoiding his paws as it crashed into the dirt right between them. His father was there.
As Erden forged their visual connection, Stahl knelt down to look into the young fox's eyes, letting his older brother see for himself. Stahl spoke for Amboss, placing a gentle hand on each side of his nephew's shoulders.
"Rosten! My son... Thank the gods... I thought... I thought you were taken from me... Are you hurt? Are you alright?"
Rust was already crying profusely, the moon had made him quite homesick that afternoon, which he had tried and failed to bury in his work, so this was the best gift he could ask for as he stuttered his response.
"Dad... I... I'm ok. I'm with Stahl, so I'm ok... I miss you so much... Is mom there? Is she alright too? I was so worried about you, that demon... I... I didn't know if you... I just... I'm so happy to hear from you, dad!"
Stahl quickly picked back up as his brother was rapidly running out of time.
"We are fine, my son... We will be ok now... I'm coming to get you, I swear it, I'm coming to take you home, my cub. Just... Just be strong until then. Stay by your uncle. Stay out of danger. I love you, Rust. By the gods, I truly love you more than anything."
Stahl knew his brother was crying, and that overflow of emotion even forced a tear to fall from his own eye. Rust lunged forward, giving his "Father," the biggest hug he could manage as he simply wept with him.
Erden gave them all the time she could, but Stahl felt her straining, and his shared vision quickly blurred. He made the call himself.
`It's alright, Erden, you can drop Amboss now. We still have much to discuss.'
As Stahl quickly explained to Rust that he needed to go, the meek fox simply nodded, not wanting to say goodbye yet, but knowing it was what was needed. He was happy with what he got. He was just happy to know his father really had made it out in one piece. The fox wasn't exactly correct in that assumption, but Stahl wasn't planning on revealing his brother's missing hand to the cub. Rust deserved a small victory.
Stahl doubled back, and ran to get Mollis and Aster before moving to Prince Tyfin. When the wolf proudly exclaimed the good news as he burst into the door, he couldn't help but feel there was something off about the air between the human and the hare. The usual friendliness and sexual tension wasn't there, but a heavy silence and somber expressions certainly were. Stahl wanted to know what had happened, but their time was short as it was.
Mollis turned to the wolf, his face shifting back to his usual cheery expression before he declared they needed to get to the prince in that moment. Aster followed the pair out the door, though, remaining silent all the while.
Prince Tyfin was still speaking with Chief Crag when he heard the wolf's call from outside. His breathing stopped entirely in anticipation. The Prince quickly bowed his head, and announced his leave, turning away from the orc chief before he even had time to give his own bow. The prince hurried from the building, and immediately began asking the wolf questions when he emerged.
"What news do you have? The Capitol? My father?"
Stahl began repeating what his father told him, bearing a look of remorse for his prince as he was forced to be the one to deliver the verdict.
"Prince Tyfin... I bring troubling news... Your father has fallen. King Alocer has gone to the afterworld to be with his queen... You are the rightful king of Alora now... But even that has its own set of hurdles."
As Stahl paused to let Prince Tyfin process that information, the prince could only close his eyes and turn his head as his worst fear was confirmed. Stahl wanted to give him more time, but that was something they were quickly running out of, so he continued.
"I am sorry to be the one to deliver this news, my king... But there is more... The capitol... The capitol has been declared as lost. When you all disappeared, something else took your place... My king, I cannot be for certain... But I believe... We think-"
The prince cut the wolf off.
"It's a legendary beast, isn't it? So the rumors are true? A beast has awoken in Alora... Which one?"
Stahl paused for a moment, attempting to grasp that his father really was speaking the truth before he mimicked his speech.
"The beast of the sky... The great bird with wings of fire... The Crimson Phoenix. I know this is troubling enough... But there is one more thing we have to discuss while there is time... Before your father fell, He... He thought you were dead... We thought ALL of you were dead... He invoked the Regicide's Endeavor. We may be able to fight it, since his heir still lives after all... But multiple beasts have already placed their name among contenders, and the order was given under activated life oaths... We may be able to make little argument to invalidate his final order. You may be the rightful king, Tyfin, but it may not be so simple reclaiming your crown."
Tyfin weighed on these words heavily, knowing he couldn't hesitate with their limited time, but making sure he was confident in his decision. He wasn't sure he was the king his people needed anyway.
"What great houses have laid their claim? Who aspires to rule our kingdom."
Stahl began repeating his father's words once more.
"The Raxos family, The Candori family, and... The Venatus family have all made a claim so far. We expect more as the solstice grows near, but those are the only three major houses to declare their intent to rule at this time."
Aster was floored by this news. The Raxos family could absolutely go fall off a cliff as far as he was concerned. Straga was all the evidence he needed to support that sentiment... But the Candori line was equally as troubling. If what Rust had said about Oust's father was true, and if his sister's vicious stance at the trial was any indication, Aster would surely end up executed if either family seized control. More than anything though, he was shocked to hear his own family name. He could only assume his father had done it to protect his human son from another king yet again. The boy finally spoke.
"The Venatus line? Why would my father lay claim? He always hated the duties he had as the right hand, and those would only increase with taking the crown..."
Stahl turned to Aster, and an expression of worry flashed across the wolf's face as his father answered. Stahl cautiously repeated the report.
"Jagón Venatus did not stake a claim... He was injured during the battle at the Selection Grounds, and although his body has made a miraculously full recovery... He has not regained consciousness at this time... It was Talan Venatus that made the claim... He wants to use the crown's resources to help locate his b-"
Stahl's eyes went wide as his father finished his report. The wolf wasn't sure if he could tell his human... Aster had dealt with so much already, and now Cortist? His only real support growing up? The wolf cursed the gods for throwing so much upon his boy's shoulders. Even still, he knew Aster deserved to know the truth.
"Talan Venatus seeks the crown to use the resources behind it to locate his brother, Cortist Venatus... Who went missing after the battle in the arena."
Aster lowered his head, and closed his eyes as he grit his teeth. His father was badly injured... His brother Cortist was missing... And the same beast that put that scar on his face was no doubt now vying for the power to put him out of his misery once and for all. No matter who came out on top to take the crown, Aster was destined to come out the loser no matter what. The boy grew silent once more.
Prince Tyfin picked back up.
"Talan Venatus will withdraw when he learns I live. He will rally his support behind me, I have no doubt... The other two not so much. Reiner Candori has sought such power for a long time, and I fear what he would do with it... More so the Raxos line. Whether it is Straga that made a claim, or his father, we will have roughly the same results... Tell me, Byron... Do you believe I should make my own claim?"
Stahl resumed speaking for his father.
"That is your decision, my king, but know my family will back your claim, as well as your fight... But I should clarify something. The Raxos line had two entries, both Straga and his father will compete against each other... I think we may be better off hiding your presence for the time being. We have a good deal of time before the solstice... And you know from our history what kind of dirty tactics come into play when a power struggle is evident. I plan to tell no one of my contact today."
Tyfin closed his eyes for a moment, and reached his decision.
"Inform Talan. He needs to know that I live as my personal guard, and I trust he can retain that information. Tell him to keep his claim active for the time being."
Stahl nodded as he confirmed his father understood. He spoke once more as the older wolf began discussing other matters.
"From what my son has told me so far, you are somewhere along the border of the Crimson Sands, are you not? If I may make a suggestion, my King, travel to my wife's estate. If we depart soon, we should both arrive at nearly the same time... It will be a long journey for both of us, but I can at least guarantee some degree of your safety there. If nothing else, it can be a place to lay low until the time for the Endeavor is here. If you decide to lay claim to your crown, wait until you have made it there first."
Stahl felt the connection strain, and his father sent one final statement to the young wolf before the older knight faded from his reach. Byron told his son to keep this next part between them, shocking Stahl even more. His father wasn't one to keep secrets from the crown he served
`Stahl.... When you come to the other end of the Thorned Thicket, you will see mountains to the north... You need to split from your group then, and take the trail through the pass. Keep Rust by your side at all times, but also bring Aster with you... There is something there he needs to see... Something that may not exist at all anymore, but still something I am not certain that the other beasts should know about... Something that is not my secret to tell. When you come through the other end of the mountains, you can reach your mother's estate within four days, so it won't greatly hinder your arrival. The road will likely be quite hard to follow from lack of use in this age, but you are a skilled enough hunter and tracker to find your way around... And by the gods, Stahl... Please, make it back to us...'
Byron paused for a second, pondering on this last bit, but not wanting to leave anything unsaid considering their uncertain circumstances.
`Congratulations on finding your mate... Hold him closely for what lies ahead. I have a feeling he will need your strength...'
Byron's consciousness faded. Stahl felt his sister nearly buckle beneath her solo efforts, but even she had a bit of a parting message for her little brother.
`It really was good to hear from you, Stahl... Sil would be proud of the warrior you've become. I will let mother and Lochen know of your pending arrival. I think it will do both of them some good... Especially since Rust is with you. I know we don't talk like we used to... But I do love you, my little brother. Be safe... And as father said, I am happy you found your mate. I look forward to meeting the weird little guy soon.'
Erden finished her statement with a whimsical giggle, one that lingered a bit in his mind even after the connection fell from him. They didn't get as much time as they wanted, but Stahl was happy to know his family was alive.
As the wolf turned back to Tyfin, he noticed Aster was already walking away silently. His hands were clenched into fists, his eyes remained low, and Stahl couldn't help but to feel there was something different altogether about his mate in that moment. He wanted to chase after him, but something inside of him just knew, his human wanted to be alone. His human had some things to figure out that he wasn't ready to share with his wolf. Stahl struggled not to chase after his boy, and instead, resumed speaking to the lion and the hare, further solidifying their plan.
Aster kept walking for quite a ways, not heading to anywhere in particular, but knowing he couldn't stop yet. As he reached the river, and began following it up a bit, his mind fell back to everything that had upset him that day, and damn, What a day it had been...
He learned his true name, learned his human father died trying to save his children, learned his human sibling was taken from him as well... He learned his beast father was essentially comatose from his injuries, learned his only real brother and friend was missing, and learned the "Brother," who had made his life miserable every chance he got was vying to be the new king... He learned there was something dark sealed inside him with blood magic, learned that that darkness could threaten to consume their very world, learned that he would, in fact, undeniably have to face the legendary beasts someday... And, perhaps the most painful... Aster learned that someone he thought of as a true friend only saw him as a threat now... As some plotting human... Just the same as most of the beasts he fought beside... The same beasts that he swore his very life to defend...
Mollis had hurt Aster more than anything else had. He knew how silly that was, considering the severity of everything else... But Mollis Macula was one of the only beasts to ever be kind to him from the moment they met. He made Aster feel like an actual person. He made Aster feel better about his different appearance. He made Aster feel like he truly did have friends outside of Stahl and his brother... And then the hare had made the boy feel more stupid and betrayed than he had ever felt in his entire life. Aster truly felt like a fool then, and that frustration came to a boiling point right as the boy passed the cherry tree the rabbit had grown only the day before.
Aster found himself staring up at the beautiful branches with a sense of unreasonable anger. This was just something else the rabbit had built up... This was just another thing manipulated into growing how the rabbit had wanted it to grow... This tree may as well have BEEN Aster at that point. Something the rabbit had helped cultivate, only to have a bit of fruit before he grew bored of it... Before he left it stuck where he pleased.
The human finally snapped beneath the darkness that had been welling inside of himself, and at last, Aster realized exactly what that darkness was. It was rage, it was sadness, it was years of repressed emotions finally spilling forth from where he had kept them buried. Feelings of never being enough... Of never being accepted... Of only being some tool the beasts could use as they saw fit, regardless of how he felt about it... It was what Aster had once even let himself believe.
Aster brought up a shield over each fist, and before he had even realized it, he was ramming them into that infuriating cherry tree, over and over again, building up even more power behind each swing as he finally just let his heart break in that moment. The anger, helplessness, and pain fueled his strikes, and the shockwaves that came from his shielded fists grew stronger and stronger as he drove them against the splintering bark. When the worst of the feelings overflowed from within him, Aster finished his task with a final, resounding collision that echoed into the nearby town with ringing ferocity as the trunk of the large tree finally gave way to the assault when the wood splintered from the force.
Hundreds of the tiny red fruits had been knocked to the dirt by his efforts, but as the large tree split in two, and the bulk of the arbor fell into the river with a splash, Aster couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment for bringing such destruction to something he had once foolishly admired, that once made him feel safe and in awe of what his friends could accomplish. As the boy stood panting and sweating from his efforts, he heard something move behind him, and turned his scowl to the beast who had simply been watching the display in a state of surprise.
Oust hadn't meant to spy, but as he was frustrated with his lack of results from the bear's training that day, the tiger had been instructed to just step away for a while to clear his head. He just so happened to stumble across the runt in his bout of rage on his way back from the training spot further up river. Oust knew the look on the human's face all too well. It was something he never would've imagined he would see in the usually friendly boy, but it was something he himself had bore often. It was just a bunch of pain and hurt, desperately trying to find an outlet.
As Aster glared at the tiger behind him, a thought crossed his mind.
`Good. At least it's him... He, despite what he is, is honest.'
Oust had no problem letting the human know exactly what he thought about him. When Oust treated him like an enemy, at least Aster knew that it was real. That it wasn't some trick to get closer, only to turn on him. The tiger had no secrets to keep from the boy. If nothing else, Oust was probably the one beast that would always be reliably and truly open on how he felt about the human among their ranks. Aster spoke his mind too in that moment.
"I really hope you're ready to settle this once and for all... Because I'm not holding shit back this time."
Aster charged at the tiger, a shield over each fist as he closed the gap. Oust merely took his stance, and lunged forward to meet the boy.
They exchanged blows for a good while, both pretty well matching the other's strikes. As Oust's closed fists collided against Aster's shielded ones, waves of pain jolted up the tiger's arms. The human had never hit the tiger as hard as he was in that moment, even through all the shit the tiger had put him through in their training under Captain Rix... But in that moment, Oust realized how truly terrifying of an opponent the human could be when he finally stopped holding himself back.
Regardless, Oust never let up... For some reason he couldn't explain, he knew the human needed this... He wanted to be the outlet for that pain... He understood how much the runt must be hurting... Though he had no idea as to why, he wanted to help the boy vent that frustration. Oust finally started respecting both the human's own struggle, and his power in that moment... And then Aster launched a fist into the tiger's stomach with so much force, the big cat got whiplash as he was knocked to the ground by the blow.
Aster quickly jumped on the tiger, and raised his fist once more as he brought it down on the side of the tiger's face. Oust was stunned on impact, but the boy lost himself again, and just like with the tree, he began beating the shit out of the beast with his fists, rocking Oust's head back and forth with every swift punch to the jaw. Were it not for the tiger's well trained muscles, and Aster holding back just enough to avoid breaking his neck, he likely would've killed a normal beast caught under that assault.
Even so, Oust couldn't find it in himself to fight back. Everything the boy was giving him was more than deserved from the way he had treated him... And though the beast wouldn't admit it, he just felt he needed to let the human get it out. He was alright with being the training dummy for a moment. He was used to taking such beatings from his father anyway.
As Aster finally began to tire, his senses slowly came back to him as his arms trembled from exhausting his energy. The human simply held his right fist raised high, readying one final strike for good measure, when he finally looked down at the beast he was straddling. Oust was only looking at him calmly... As if Aster hadn't been doing his best to force the beast to take every bit of pain he had to give... As if he hadn't just had his face beat in by the human runt above him... Oust was looking at Aster with an unmistakable look of sympathy... Of understanding... A look that finally made the human realize that the tiger was probably the ONLY beast that understood what he had dealt with his entire life. Aster saw everything in those staring, red eyes.
Oust had been shamed for his appearance. Oust had been forced to live in his oldest sibling's shadow, being terrorized by them all the while. Oust had his own curse that lingered over him his entire life. Oust had seen firsthand how cruel this world of beasts could be. Oust knew this rage... Oust knew this pain... Oust had the most beautiful damned scarlet eyes Aster had ever seen in his life.
When the runt finally dropped his raised fist, Oust had assumed the human had finally got it out of his system, that his rage was finally sated for the time being. But when the human suddenly leaned over him, and pressed his lips against the tiger's own, Oust could think of nothing else. His eyes widened in shock, his ears fell flat against his skull, and his breath stopped dead in its tracks as the human runt gave the beast his first kiss in a world that had taught him to believe that he was anything but beautiful... A world that had made the tiger certain there was nothing inside of himself worthy of love. The same world Aster had grew up in...
Oust could only close his eyes, and press back into those incredibly soft lips as he shuddered beneath the boy.
I wanted to say, I am humbled by the overwhelming support I received after I let my own temper get the better of me and my rant last chapter. I truly appreciate each of you. Thank you, and thank you for following my story. (I should probably stop giving chapter count deadlines though, cause orc village has a few more scenes.) But we are approaching the next arc soon. There's the Mountain arc, the Aschefell family arc, and then the Endeavor arc left for book one, with a good bit of other scenes mixed in as well. (Now that all three have been officially revealed.) I truly hope you enjoy where it leads.
(For the Oust fans, you'll have to be a bit patient, but yes, it's coming sometime before the Aschefell arc. He still has some things to figure out)
=P thanks y'all. -- Pup Bayou