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Chapter 4

"Bless me father for I have sinned... I allowed a man to be sold into slavery that committed no crime. Then I proceeded to use him like a slave for my own ends. It is all to save him from the life that I caused... Father I'm confused and worried all the time. The sultan changes and this city seems to become more and more dark every day. Whispers of cannibalism in the lower slums have not rested easy on my ears," Said Qab as he sat in the confessional booth with tears threatening his eyes.

Father Geer nodded slowly in the other booth as he spoke softly, "The night always looks darkest before the dawn my son. You must always try and do what is right in order to scare the night away and allow a brighter tomorrow to be a reality. Stand fast in your belief in yourself or in your god and you will persevere. You are gifted my son with the ability to judge the righteous from the wicked. Perhaps not now but later once you have saved this man from the wicked you might be their reckoning."

Qab sighed putting his face into his paws as he let out a little whimper, "Raine might not last long enough for me to save him. He's becoming more and more broken of a man every moment he stays in the home of that evil man. Things must move along faster than we thought."

"No my son, your plan will work but only if you stick to it. Raine may be damaged when he becomes free but this is the only way it will work. You are in a difficult position playing a game of cat and mouse but there is something you don't know that I do," Replied the holy man softly.

Qab looked up and through the screen, "And what is that?"

"Alkaid used to be a part of the clergy until we discovered him experimenting with blood magic. As we punish our own according to our own laws he was banished and forced to endure pain which I fear may have twisted him into the monster he is now. Though this also means if you left enough of an impression... Alkaid is a white mage like the rest of us. Raine's body will be safe in his care though his mind may become as twisted as Alkaid's own," Said the father with a soft sigh as his sightless eyes looked down at the floorboards.

"I fear he will have no desire to help save the city..."

"He shouldn't. Look what this city has done to him."

"I know... It's my fault"

"You're too hard on yourself. It was Jahan's choice that made him the way he is now."

Qab looked down before reaching for the door and walking out shaking his head slowly. Something was going on in the city making it darker than before. Only a week had passed since Raine was sold and every day reports of more undead came to his ears while the aristocracy seemed completely oblivious to the dangers. Even Jahan seemed to calm for his own good.

Qab walked out into the streets faster than Geer could catch him. The light of the day made the fennec put his arm up to shield his eyes for a few moments before looking about with a frown. These people, this city, it was becoming more and more evil. Men like Alkaid were allowed to operate inside the city walls while before they were forced to camps outside. Things sold in the markets at times were obviously being derived from slaves who had lost their lives for the darkest kind of alchemy.

The fennec walked through the bazaar looking over the items in all the booths as barters tried to catch his attention to sell their ill gotten goods. His heart ached for the city he used to wish to protect but now even his guards were cruel at heart. They only hungered to cause pain, not fix the problems the city had.

Qab found his wanderings had taken him to the palace and upon entering he saw Jahan speaking to a black and gangly looking canine in a long black cloak. The two looked up and Qab was stricken with the creature's blood red eyes and the feeling of incredible power that seeped from him. He wasn't sure what species the creature was as its features were so gangly and mangy. He thought maybe at one time it would have looked very similar to Raine leading him to believe it was a fennec. They weren't common but not uncommon after all.

The two gazed at the captain for some time before Jahan spoke softly, "Qab this is Raiden. He will be my consultant on the happenings of the catacombs from now on. You needn't worry yourself over it. Just take your guards and post them at the exits while your reserve trys to keep order in the streets."

The yellow fennec frowned slightly as he looked at the gangly creature that looked like it had no right to be alive let alone an advisor, "Are you sure this is wise sultan? I do not know this man nor have I seen him before. Where does he come from?"

Jahan frowned and lifted his hand slowly, "you needn't worry yourself with those details Qab... now do as you are told understand!?"

Qab folded his ears back before nodding and walking off. He was too weak to stand up to the man again. He wandered his way back to the barracks looking out over the men in their bunks and playing card games with each other before clearing his throat and speaking loud enough for them to all hear, "We are be assigned guard duty at each of the catacombs entrances. There will be teams of two at each of them leaving the remaining seven and myself to patrol the city and take care of the rising crime rate.

The men all groaned as they threw their cards down and stood up getting their gear on. It took a few hours of going through the city before Qab had his men at each of the entrances and the remaining few were each assigned a district while Qab would watch over all of them.

He found himself wandering again through the back alleys where he saw a man abandon a stand and run. Upon reaching the stand Qab found it filled with various meats which confused him greatly until he saw what looked like a rack of unspeakable cuts. They were definitely parts of people, the male specifically. Drawing his spear from his back Qab gave chase shouting, "Hey! Stop! You're under arrest!"

The man seemed unnaturally fast and soon he actually leapt from the ground to the roof of a building. Upon turning the man's cowl fell and Qab saw with horror that he was most definitely not alive, but not dead. This was one of the intelligent undead Raine had spoke of. Qab knew he couldn't catch the man but he could gather evidence as to what he was doing with that cart.

Wandering back down the alley the fennec gathered a few of the cuts of meat and sniffed them a few times before dropping them back on the cart and covering his nose at the stench. He saw a beggar running off with one of the cuts in their mouth and Qab shouted with fear in his eyes, "Wait! Don't eat that!"

The fennec began to run as fast as he could but as he rounded the corner he saw that the street rat, who ironically was a rat, swallow the last bit of meat. Qab sighed and shook his head looking the rat in the eyes, "What have you done... That was once a person. You've just committed cannibalism."

The rat looked a little shocked at the words though was a little more shocked that he was looking at the captain of the guard. Fear was in his eyes but soon he began to convulse and hack up a black substance.

The fennec quickly reached down and lifted the man with fear in his own eyes as he realized the meat was poisoned in some way. He ran as fast as he could to Father Geer's chapel calling out to the father as the man was getting weaker in his arms. He set the rat down on the alter before running to the back chambers only to find the father was unrecognizable.

Qab put a paw over his muzzle as his eyes went wide and he backed away at the grizzly scene. The father's gut had been split open and his intestinal tract used to hang him from the rafters. Qab turned his head and wretched slightly as knew there was no hope for saving his friend. He had only seen him but a few hours before and this, this took a practiced hand.

The fennec turned only to see the Rat standing there with a blank stare in his eyes as he looked at the captain. Qab frowned and spoke, "Go lay back down I have to find you some medical attention. You'll die if I don't."

The Rat didn't respond just standing there tilting his head to the side before he let out a low airy moan as he lifted his arms and ran at Qab with all his might. The fennec had little time to react as he put up his paws and hold back the Rat was it gnashed its teeth at him growling deeply as its breath smelled of fetid flesh.

Qab soon realized that there was no pulse in the neck he held away from him. His heart sank as everything was starting to sink in. The meat was infected and this rat was now undead. Qab gripped the neck tighter as with his other paw hit the spring loaded button making his katar pop out into the rat's neck.

With a slow airy moan the creature's eyes rolled back and then went limp, lifeless. Qab dropped the rat and folded his ears back looking back into the room where his friend had been slaughtered. He walked forward shaking his head as he put a paw on the father's cheek as he whined, "What's going on... Who would do such a thing to such a kind man..."

The fennec shook his head slowly as he knew there was no way he would find out who did this now that his guard was too spread out. He went to his knees and shed a few tears for the father before leaving. He knew that nearby was an undertaker. He made his way there in a full run entering the building with blood still on his fur surprising the black jackal behind the counter.

"Criminal," Asked the Jackal with a frown as he shook his head slowly.

"No... Father Geer has been murdered. Also there is a slain undead near the corpse. It was a street rat but no one deserves that fate," Replied Qab with a look of sadness in his eyes.

The Jackal frowned as well shaking his head with a sigh, "That's the fourth priest this week... And Geer... of all the kindest souls... Was he hung with his entrails?"

The captain looked up suspiciously at the words spoke and frowned, "What do you know about these deaths?"

The undertaker put up his paws shaking his head, "all I know is they were all priests and all of them were put on display like that. You don't actually believe it was me do you!?"

"It certainly would be good for your business..."

"Father Geer had no family Captain... I won't be making any money off of burying the father and his undead companion."

Qab sighed and leaned on the counter shaking his head even as the Jackal put a paw on the captains shoulder giving it a soft grip to help him. The fennec simply couldn't hold it in anymore. He began to sob openly for the loss of his friend and now realized he had no one to go to for comfort and advice when he needed it.

"Look... Captain... You need to take a break. It's getting dark out and you have men all over the city. I'm sure I can take care of this mess and we'll hold a service tomorrow for Father Geer. You find something to keep your mind off of it okay," Asked the Jackal as he helped the captain up and handed him a handkerchief.

The fennec took the cloth and dried his tears with it before handing it back with a nod, "You're right. I can't let people see me like this. I am sorry Undertaker. Please take care of the mess in the chapel. I will attend this ceremony tomorrow... He was my only friend."

The Jackal nodded slowly as he pat the fennec on the back and recovered his kerchief and put it into his pocket, "Then I will make sure it is a good ceremony. Go rest and recover."

Qab left the undertaker's business but found himself wandering the streets of Kabal without a thought on where to go. It was near the bazaar that he felt a paw on his shoulder and he saw Alkaid there with a concerned look on his face, "Captain Qab? What appears to be the problem? You are not yourself."

The fennec looked to the fox using every bit of willpower he had to not beat the man to within an edge of his life. He clenched his fists and spoke softly, "Someone's killing priests and the last one they killed was my only close friend. I discovered him butchered in the back room of his chapel while trying to save a street rat that had ingested infected meat being sold in an alley... Something dark is coming over the city..."

"My goodness! Here... come with me. I will let you lay with your other friend in my care tonight. I am sure Raine would be delighted to see you though I'm sure you would be happy to see him more. He's become quite good at what he does over the past week I must say," said Alkaid making Qab's stomach turn slightly at the day was getting worse.

The fennec wanted company he felt comfortable around though and so Raine was really the only option he had. He nodded looking up at the darkening sky with a soft sigh. Things just kept getting worse in Kabal.

Qab was lead to the manor and let into a room where Raine lay on a bed unconscious. His body looked tired all over. The yellow fennec frowned slightly as he closed his eyes but smiled slightly seeing Raine. It was genuine which surprised him slightly.

Alkaid pat Qab on the back and smiled whispering into his ear, "He's been having trouble sleeping so I figured I would let him rest for now. You can wake him when you wish. Just a light touch will do."

With that said Alkaid left the two fennecs alone in the room they had used before. Qab slowly walked to the bedside and ever so gently put a paw on Raine's cheek to which the black one woke rather violently with fear in his eyes. It took him a few moments to realize that it was Qab there with him.

Raine quickly whined folding his ears back while reaching up and holding to the captain like he would never let go. Qab smiled a little and whispered into the black one's ear, "I am glad to see you missed me. Are you okay still? Your mind is not broken yet is it? I come with bad news I'm afraid..."

The black fennec looked into the yellow one's eyes as his ears folded back farther. He whispered back, "After you left... I learned Alkaid is a white mage. He's been using his ability to heal and regenerate me to eat parts of me... I don't know how much more pain I can take before I fall completely into madness. What possible bad news could you bring that would be worse than this..."

Qab looked at the black fennec with horror in his eyes at the words. He knew that there was no way to prove it and if he spoke of it Alkaid would assume it was an interest of his. He rubbed Raine's cheek affectionately as he looked into the green eye along with the white blind one speaking softly, "I'm so sorry Raine... I never wanted any of this to happen to you. Soon I will convince him to give you to me. If that doesn't work I'll charge him with Cannibalism and you will become property of the city. Then I can make you mine. I'd rather have you as my own first before I do that though. Too dangerous the other way."

"Y...you can't hit him with that... He made sure of it," Replied Raine softly as he nuzzled into the yellow one's cheek pulling him down to lay down on the bed.

"Oh?"

"I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would be upset... but remember a week ago when you had breakfast?"

"you don't mean..."

"I saw the butchered remains carted off in the kitchen... It was deffinately..."

Qab closed his eyes feeling ill as he nodded slowly and put a paw on Raine's cheek, "I'm sorry you are in this hell hole..."

"I know... I've made friends with the wolf brother's though. They are deaf so at times it's hard to get my point across. I can see it in their eyes that they used to know how to speak but now... now they are silent. They don't like Alkaid at all either. It's apparent they don't approve of the way he treats me," Whispered the black fennec as he leaned in and kissed Qab's cheek making the yellow one quirk a brow.

"What was that for," Asked the yellow canine though he didn't pull back in the least.

Raine smiled and tilted his head to the side, "You're the only one that has ever shown kindness to me. Even before I was sold into slavery... My customers even would take advantage of me. One of them forced me to make an elixir of undeath once, something that requires real blood and other components of evil origin."

Qab lifted a brow and tilted his head to the side as he lay with the other fennec smiling slightly, "What does this elixir do?"

"Well if someone alive ingests it they become undead. If left alone long enough there is a legend that says they gain their mind back and become immortal. Of course everyone that's ever drank it just died. Though there is a little bit of alchemist pride in me. I bet it would work but well... one mishap... see I always said you should mix it in with food. It would work better that way as it is a poison. Too much would just kill you and stuff," Replied the alchemist slave tilting his head to the side.

The yellow fennec leaned in and nuzzled into the black one's neck as he spoke softly, "I tried to catch a criminal selling well... people... It was a meat stand that had... man parts for sale. A street rat stole one while my back was turned and after eating it became violently ill... He died in my arms as I went to bring him to my friend Father Geer. He was killed violently while I had been away I'm afraid... but the Rat... he got up and attacked me like a regular zombie."

Raine swallowed hard as his ears folded back, "T...That can't be right... I mean... I... I would never if I knew."

"No one's blaming you Raine... I was just telling you what I saw. You're too sweet for your own good though. Don't let this place twist you into something evil like Alkaid," Replied Qab kissing the fennec's neck and closing his eyes.

"I love you..."

Qab opened his eyes wide as he heard the words and he looked up into Raine's eyes shaking his head. He put a finger to the black fennec's lips as he hushed him, "You barely know me."

Raine noded slowly before scooting in closer to the fennec still in the armor as he spoke softly, "you have the kindest of hearts. You could have just turned your back on me like everyone else but you... you hurt yourself as much as I hurt... you share every emotion with me already Qab. I knew you were special the first time we met in the catacombs... I've had a lot of time to hide away in my mind and think about things and... I know it's true now. I love you."

Qab propped himself up and tilted his head to the side as he looked into the eyes of Raine with a smile. He put a paw on the fennec's cheek smiling a bit more as Raine nuzzled into the paw and closed his eyes with a grin from ear to ear. It was the first time the yellow had seen the black so happy. He leaned in close and whispered into Raine's ear, "I think I could love you as well... give me time though. This is a hard time for me... Ugh... what am I saying... I know it's harder for you but..."

Raine reached up and put a finger to Qab's muzzle shushing him, "I don't expect you to return it right away. But... you should know how I feel."

The yellow canine smiled a bit before giving the finger that shushed him a kiss. He closed his eyes leaning in to kiss Raine softly on the lips as the black one began to undo the ties that held his armor on his form. It wasn't long before they both lay together, fur against fur, lips to lips, their bodies a tangle of passion.

Their muzzles locked together as they both shared a moment of loving compassion tongues playing about each other's mouth. It was after a significant time that the kiss was broken and the both of them looked into each other's eyes panting heavily. It was then that Qab saw the oil next to the bed and he didn't waste any time. He reached over putting a significant amount into his paw before reaching down and rubbing it over the reddening length peeking out of his sheath.

His shaft like Raine's had been growing hard during their make out session and as he rubbed the slick oil over it the shaft grew to its full potential. Reaching forward the yellow fennec lifted the black one's legs to his shoulders and pushed his hips forward so that the tip was against Raine's tail hole. Qab looked down into the dark one's eyes and Raine nodded slowly giving him the permission this time.

The captain pushed his hips forward letting out a soft groan while his shaft sunk easily into Raine with the aid of the oil. The black fennec matched the groan with his own as slowly the shaft was sunk in all the way past the little bump of a growing knot. It wasn't long before their lips were locked again thanks to Raine's flexibility all the while Qab's hips pumped into the slave's rear making soft noises each time the hips met rear.

Raine's black member jumped each time Qab's pushed all the way in and it wasn't long before Qab's knot was getting harder to push in and pull out. Raine's own had grown from all of the passionate attention to his sensitive areas. Soon Qab's shaft locked itself in place and he let out a new groan as the black one felt heat inside and knew that his partner had released inside.

They took up the kiss once again as Qab started to stroke over Raine for the last few moments. Raine broke the kiss to let out a groan of his own as he let loose his own orgasm. Qab wouldn't have any of that though and so forced Raine to continue the kiss as they both rode out their climaxes by grabbing the fennec's muzzle and pushing it to his own.

Both of their ears flicked back and their eyes closed as they were locked together. It wasn't long before the kiss broke and Qab moved slightly to lay against Raine's back nuzzling into his neck as he was still locked inside the other male. Chest to back and hips to rear it was like every inch of their body they could get to touch one another absolutely had to be touching.

"That... That was amazing," Said Raine softly as he closed his eyes laying back against Qab even as the yellow fennec draped an arm over him, holding the black one back against Qab's chest.

Qab nodded slowly murring as Raine softly put a delicate paw on the yellow one's own, "Y...yeah..."

Raine felt his eyes growing heavy again as he was getting sleep before Qab got here and he hadn't been able to get much of it for the past week. He had drifted off to the world of his own dreams a few minutes before Qab shifted slightly to confirm this. With a smile on his face Qab closed his eyes nestling his muzzle into Raine's neck as he covered them with the blankets and drifted off as well.