The Tale of Durante and Angelus Ch 1: A Place to Call Home, Part 1

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#1 of La storia di Durante e Angelus


Okay this is a side project of mine that i've been working on between my other series. This is a little different from how I've written my other stories and any criticism is welcome. There will be several Parts to this one chapter and depending on how people respond to it i may continue it.

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Chapter One

Part One: Doing What's Right

It was the fourteenth of August of 396 A.E. The story begins on Plagiarius; a planet on the far side of the galaxy that is orbited by sister moons. These moons names are Amour; the larger one, and Tristis; the smaller one. Plagiarius has four continents; two of which are in the northern hemisphere, one directly on the equator and one a more south of the equator, and three large oceans. The continents are Coren, Amriro, Vento and Undra.

The three oceans names are the Antium Ocean; which separates Amriro from Vento and Undra; Vento and Undra are two continents that collided with one another millions of years ago forming one large landmass with Undra in the north and Vento to the south. They are sometimes referred to as Undento by other nations but otherwise both are north of the equator.

The Cenventian Ocean separates Undra and Vento from Coren. Coren is a tropical paradise because it's on the planets equator but Coren is also highly militant; all the nations within Coren fight amongst themselves and anyone who tries to interfere. Lastly the Calvius Ocean separates Coren from Amriro. Amriro is both the name of the continent and the primary nation that was built there. Amriro is more of a temperate climate similar to Vento, compared to the tundra climate of Undra and the tropical climate of Coren but is south of the equator.

As stated, it was the fourteenth of August of 396 A.E. and it was on this night that two destinies would become interwoven. It was after this night that their lives would slowly change up until a certain event happened in their lives. The event would throw the continent of Vento into utter chaos due to the actions of one person. But we're getting ahead of ourselves, we start in Dormio; the second largest city on Vento, on the night of their meeting.

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It was nine at night, and the temperatures had dropped considerably in the past few hours; which was rare for Dormio this time of year, as three figures made their way down a sidewalk. Tall buildings lined the streets all around Dormio; some with great neon signs advertising anything and everything, while others simply stated they were open. There were also alleys; many alleys, that broke off from the street and made mazes and secret refuges for the homeless and those wishing not to be found.

These alleys held their own world full of makeshift houses made from rotten or rotting wood, cardboard, ragged cloth and tarps. These places were the refuges for the homeless and people avoiding what law there was. All kinds of people lived in these places and even though they were all homeless, that didn't stop them; or others, from taking advantage of other homeless people. It was just the way life was in these harsh and nearly lawless times, though this is a world that the three people walking down the sidewalk knew nothing of. They either were ignorant of that world or didn't care about that world. They just continued down the sidewalk; seeming blissfully unaware of that hidden world

Two of these people; one a tiger and the other a bear, were dressed in neat black suits that were finely pressed with little or no creases in them; though one wore a red tie while the other had a blue one, and looked like agents of some kind. The one wearing a red tie was the tiger while the bear wore the blue tie. The tiger stood around seven feet tall and had blue eyes and white fur; he was a siberian tiger after all, and black stripes. The bear too had white fur because he was a polar bear but had brown eyes and stood at six feet ten inches tall. They both had short cut white hair; the polar bear had short-cropped hair while the tigers had a little length to it. Both of them were from the continent of Undra where it snowed nearly all year round.

The third person; who was in front by two or three feet but between the tiger and bear, was a wolf and short by comparison standing around five feet tall. He had a thin build with a little muscle from athletic exercises, and his muzzle was a little wide and long. He had primarily black fur with a few shades of brown and red here and there making his fur look like it was slowly burning which was the same color as his short hair; which was long enough to cover his brow and start to hide his eyes.

Those eyes of his were golden-green colored and held more experience then what his age told. His age; and the reason for his height, was because he was only twelve years old though he was large for his age. The tiger and bear were his bodyguards who worked for his father and their family. He was Durante Raffaele Ambrogio, only son of Ignazio Adriano Ambrogio who; unbeknownst to Durante, was the head of the Ambrogio Mafia Family.

A strong gust blew by them just then and seemed to slice through them like razors, the tiger and bear being larger made them more resilient to the cold; being born far north on the continent of Undra also made them more use to the cold, but Durante pulled the semi-thick long coat he was wearing over his own suit closer together in an attempt to stay warm from the cold breeze. His size along with being born in the temperate climate of Dormio here on Vento made him use to fluctuating temperatures but this cold was far more like winter then the fall temperatures he was use to this time of year.

He was heading home, even though he was twelve he was far more mature then people twice his age; which is why he got to stay out as late as it was as long has he had his bodyguards with him. They were heading towards the Ambrogio family mansion from one of Durante's friend's home. His friends name was Ghiaccio Acciaio Cuore and they both attended the same school but Ghiaccio lived in a more dangerous side of town; that's one reason why Durante had his bodyguards with him.

A few yards ahead of them a rat stumbled out of an ally; zipping up his pants. He had probably needed to relive his bladder and relived himself in the ally so the three of them weren't too concerned with him but Durante's bodyguards were on guard none the less. When the three of them got close to him; the tiger and bear having their hands on their weapons, they could all smell the booze on him, but that smell didn't cover up the fresher smell of something obscene.

Durante may have not know what caused this particular scent but the tiger and bear knew right away what caused it; this drunk had just had sex in that ally with someone. The drunk just continued down the sidewalk in the way they had come from and was several yards away when Durante and his bodyguards started passing the ally the man had come out of. Durante could tell that the obscene smell was strongest in the ally and was planning on passing it as quick as he could... until he heard a feminine and foreign voice coming from the ally asking for help.

"P-please...som-somebody...help..." the voice said lightly in a weak, distressed and painful tone.

Durante was taught to keep to himself while out on his own; similar to how he was now, but he was also taught to never hit, harm, or leave a lady in need of help. Right now he was torn on what he should do. His decision was made when he heard the voice speak again.

"P-P-Please...an-anyone..."

Durante had already taken a couple steps past the alley but immediately stopped and to the surprise of his bodyguards ran back to and entered the ally. "Durante, don't go in there!" one of his bodyguards yelled in a deep and thick accent; called Russian a long time ago, but he paid no attention to them as he went to help whoever was in distress.

Durante had taken several steps into the ally when he suddenly stopped and stared in shock. His two bodyguards easily caught up to him now that he had stopped but when they came into view of what Durante was looking at they too stopped; momentarily surprised at what they saw. They weren't surprised at what had transpired but rather the age of the one involved.

Before them was a very young arctic fox vixen; even younger then Durante. She had been brutally beaten and had her clothing torn to shreds; for all intents and purposes she was completely naked. She was lying on her stomach; the upper part of her body facing further into the ally while her lower half towards Durante and his bodyguards. She was obviously raped, as if the crimson liquid staining her white fur between her legs was any proof.

Durante may be young but knew well what sex was, and he knew what rape was. Looking down at this young girl Durante felt an urge to do something, his hands were trembling slightly as the young vixen tried to move only to let out a groan and hold her sides that had been beaten. Durante looked around the alley while clenching his fists. His eyes fell onto an old sturdy wooden mop and he knew what it was he wanted to do; he wanted to inflict as much pain on the drunk that raped this young girl.

"Lev, Nicolai, please use this to cover her up and watch after her would you please." Durante said as he handed over his long coat to Lev the tiger.

"Sir?" Lev asked in his deep voice.

"I'll be right back." Durante said and rushed towards the old mop. He picked it up and set it at an angle before kicking the end that held the filthy mop part and broke it off; causing the end of the wooden pole to become pointed and jagged, it was a good five feet long now. He heard Lev call out for him after he broke the end off but he ignored what he said and ran out of the ally and back the way they had come from.

It only took him a few moments to find the drunk that had raped that young girl, still walking as the drunk he was. Durante had already planned what he was going to do to him; and thanks to all the martial arts training he learned from Lev and Nicolai to defend himself he was going to at the very least break the drunk's legs if not more.

Durante slowed down a little and walked in front of the drunk and stopped in his path. The drunk; an older looking rat, just looked down at this young wolf in front of him with a confused look on his face. He tried to walk around Durante but he used the wooden pole to block the rats path before he side stepped into his path and blocked him from moving. He did this a couple times until the rat threatened him and tried to push him out of the way.

Durante used the threat as a motive and when the rat tried to push him out of the way he kicked the drunk in his right knee has hard as he could. The kickcaused the rat's knee to hyper-extend and caused him to fall to both of his knees painfully. With the rat's head now level with Durante's, he hopped back before bringing the rounded end of the pole around to smash him in the face.

The blow dislodged a few of the rats front teeth and caused blood to spray from his nose as he fell sideways and hit the concrete sidewalk. The rat spit out blood and a few teeth before standing back up. He then tried to grab Durante but he easily evaded the rat and struck him a few more times in the sides and head with the wooden pole. The rat finally put his paws in front of his face and begged for mercy; Durante thought mercy was too much for this man who had raped an innocent girl but lowered the pole and started to head back to the alley.

After Durante had taken a few steps away from the rat he noticed Lev walk out of the alley. Durante started to pick up his pace when he noticed the look on Lev's face turn into one of surprise as his paw went for his gun. Durante heard footsteps behind him and turned around and saw the rat running towards him. In an instant the rat's fate was decided by natural reflexes; Durante had brought the jagged end of the pole around in surprise. Turning around so fast he tripped and fell backwards as the rat tried to stop only to have the pointed end of the pole pierce through his stomach; due to the forward motion of the rat the jagged point managed to reach the rats heart.

Due to the end of the pole being jagged it ripped the rats heart open and caused him to bleed internally which resulted in his death. Durante had let go of the pole which allowed the rat to fall to Durante's side. He lay there lifeless as Durante stared at his corpse in surprise, shock and horror. Lev had ran over to Durante after he stabbed the rat, he knelt down and put a paw on Durante's shoulder.

Durante looked up into Lev's face as a worried look spread across his face as he said "W-What ha-have... I-I done?"

Lev sighed as he looked at the corpse of the Rat before he walked Durante back to the ally where Nicolai and the young girl were. After they arrived Lev informed Nicolai of what transpired then turned around and started to walk out of the ally.

Lev looked over his shoulder to Nicolai before exiting the ally and said "I take care of clean up, you take Durante home to Mr. Ambrogio, explain what happened, I'll catch up later."

"Da" Nicolai said to Lev.

Lev then exited the ally and opened up his mobile phone and dialed a number and started speaking in his native tongue as he walked over to the corpse of the rat fifteen yards away. Nicolai looked at Durante and said "It looks like your more like your father then we gave you credit for."

Durante looked at Nicolai and asked in a worried and confused voice "W-what do you mean?"

Nicolai smiled at what Durante asked as he picked up the young vixen he had wrapped in Durante's coat and started walking out of the ally with Durante close behind him. "Do you know how your father and mother met?" Nicolai asked in his deep and thick accent.

"No" Durante answered as his thoughts went back to the rat he killed and that worried look came across his face.

Nicolai noticed the look return and said "Don't worry young one, it be alright. Your father met your mother by defending her from muggers that had more idea in mind than just taking her money."

"They were going to rape my mom?" Durante asked in surprise; momentarily forgetting what he had done.

"They were, but they never got chance. We were your father's bodyguards too back then; though younger, he rushed in and attacked men who were going to hurt her just like you rush into ally to help this young lady here." Nicolai said as he looked at the vixen in his arms who had passed out from exhaustion and from the looks of her, hunger as well.

"But did father kill any of them?" Durante asked in a somber voice.

"Da... he did, and Lev had to make call just as he did when we left him." Nicolai said as they turned the corner onto a path that took them towards a gated mansion.

"How long ago was this?" Durante asked.

Nicolai looked thoughtful for a moment before saying "I'd say about fourteen year ago." He then stopped and added with a laugh "Two year before you were born actually."

They stopped at a numeric key pad and Nicolai asked "Would you enter number Durante?" Durante looked at Nicolai and nodded his head and did as asked. He entered the seven digit number on the key pad and the gates opened. They then headed onto the manor grounds.

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Durante and Nicolai walked into the mansion; Durante opening the doors so that Nicolai could enter while carrying the young vixen. As they started walking towards the front room they caught the tail end of a conversation that Durante's father was having over the phone.

"Of course Mr. Savio, tomorrow is fine. Okay then we'll talk after dinner, what time? Oh we usually have dinner around five or six o'clock, okay then I'll see you then. Have a good night." Ignazio said in an accent once called Italian, as he hung up the phone.

Ignazio Adriano Ambrogio; head and don of the Ambrogio family, is a red wolf with cinnamon colored fur and black long wavy hair he keeps in a low ponytail, standing at six feet tall with a lean and muscular build. He is thirty three years old and has blue eyes that hold the fire of a dream and an ideal of changing the way government is run in his country. He may lead a mafia family but the way he runs things is different from other mob families. Everything and everyone that he invests in turn out better and happier then with the ways others treat them. Due to his family's enormous fortune, he invests his money into establishments and helps them grow and profits from them. When threatened; the Ambrogio's bring swift 'Judgment' down on those who try to disrupt the peace that Ignazio tries to create.

He was about to turn around when he saw Durante starting to walk past the doorway "Ah Durante, you're home early, I take it things went... ah... well..." Ignazio was saying but slowed down to a halt when he saw Nicolai carrying the young girl in his arms "Um... I seem to be at a loss for words. Nicolai... who is that you're bringing into my home?"

"Ah well sir..." Nicolai started.

"Please father, don't be mad at Nicolai." Durante said in a not so sure tone of voice.

"Then do you care to explain?" Ignazio asked.

Durante looked nervous under the stare of his father but he took a deep breath and said "While we were on our way home, I heard someone begging for help. I could tell by the voice that it was a girl and that she was in pain and need of help."

"So you bring her into our home?" Ignazio asked with a stern voice.

"Yes father, but it was because of how we found her." Durante said with a little fear in his voice; this was the first time he heard his father speaking to him with such a voice.

"And how did you find her?" He asked a bit harshly.

Durante was basically starting to squirm under the glare of his father and so Nicolai spoke up "We found her naked, she had just been raped by drunk that passed us moments before we found her sir."

With this bit of information Ignazio looked at the young girl wrapped in Durante's very expensive long coat in Nicolai's arms in a new light. He then looked back at his son then looked for Lev who should also be with them. "Wasn't Lev with you today? Where is he?" Ignazio asked in a more calm tone of voice.

"He made call sir, for little... cleanup." Nicolai said to him.

"Cleanup, don't tell me you two killed the man?" Ignazio asked with irritation in his voice.

This is when Durante found his voice again and he said "No father, they didn't... I... I did."

A surprised look took over Ignazio's face as he looked down at his son. "Are you okay" He asked as he stepped over to his son and knelt down so he could look him in the eyes.

"I'm okay" Durante said as he looked at the floor.

"Are you sure son?" Ignazio asked to which Durante nodded. "I assume no one saw what happened Nicolai?" Ignazio asked after letting out a sigh and looking up to Nicolai.

"Correct, but if I may ask, would it be possible to call Dr. Felice. This one seems to be quite thin besides being assaulted and raped in same day." Nicolai asked.

Ignazio sighed after hearing that again, he thought things were changing for the better around the area, but it appeared not to be the case. "Of course, I'll even ask Ms. Guido if she'll whip up something light in the morning for when out little guest wakes up." Ignazio said.

"So... you're... not mad?" Durante asked hesitantly.

Ignazio let out a sigh and said "No, I'm not mad and I can't be mad at you for something I would have done."

"Da, you could say that, considering you have sir." Lev said as he walked in.

"Hmm I take it everything is fine?" Ignazio asked Lev as he entered the room.

"Da sir, body is being disposed of and there were no witnesses." Lev answered.

"Okay then. Durante I'd like you to go and get...oh" Ignazio started to say when one of the maids started to pass by "Ah Nora, would you please go and see if we have any kind of clothing that would fit a young girl and take her to one of the spare rooms? My son can help you if you need his help." Ignazio said as the maid approached them.

"A wee girl sir?" She asked and looked at the young vixen in Nicolai's arms and nodded "Oh aye, I think I can find a little something that could fit her. Aye, I could use his help in carrying her to a spare room" Nora said happily with a slight accent of the language once known as Irish.

"Very well then. Durante, help Ms. Iarlaith and do as she asks." Ignazio said and suggested that Nicolai let Durante carry her to a spare room.

Nicolai carefully set the young vixen into Durante's arms. She even seemed lite to Durante as he carried her out of the room and followed the maid. When he was gone Ignazio looked over to both of them and said "Well, besides contacting a child therapist I'd like you to tell me everything that happened down to the minor details, and I mean everything."