FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 29: Like Father, Like Son

Liam sat in his father's Smart car as they drove into Lower Sackville, he glanced over at his father, smiling inwardly at how happy his father had been the last few days. Even now he had a small smile lurking at the corner of his lips. "It is a funeral, Dad. I know you are looking forward to ogling Mr. O'Conall, but try not to smile too much, please. Even if you found his ass as pleasurable as I find Faelen's."

Walter blushed and coughed, "It's none of your business how nice his ass was, Liam, and I don't want to hear about Faelen's. He's sixteen."

"He is of consenting age, Dad. Regardless, discussing the pleasing qualities of a sexual partner is not wrong. It is bonding, bringing us closer, and establishing greater rapport." Liam was laughing inside as he watched his father squirm. He saw a noticeable bulge in his father's pants.

Walter shook his head, "I'm happy your mother took your... bonding so well. I was really worried this new church would've made her more difficult."

Liam sighed, turning to look out the window as they slowed to a stop at the red light, "She blames you for this, you know. At least for now. She does not seem to realize I am gay, not just as Liam. I have been so in every life I have lived, even as Lowell I was on the gay side of bisexual. My desire to have a family in one life was the only reason I got married. Does she really understand what I am? She tells me she does, but I am not sure."

Walter hesitated, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. When he answered his voice was soft and almost tired, "Liam. No one can truly understand what you are. I'm probably the closest, with the possible exception of Kung Fu Master Bao, and I can't honestly say I really understand, the way you mean it. I accept it, I see it, I know it, but I don't understand. Not here." He tapped his heart, "I get the concept, I understand the words, but it's something so different that you have to live it to really get it. I love you, and so does Mary. Being gay or being an Ancient One won't and doesn't change that. But you probably already know how hard it is for mere mortals to understand a god." Walter was smiling slightly as he said the last bit.

Liam growled in anger and fear, and glared as he shouted at his father, "Don't call me that! I'm not a god!" He quivered as he continued in a quieter tone, "I am not. No matter what some of the other Ancient Ones have claimed, we are almost normal Furs. I am not..." He sniffed, turning to look out the window, "Not a god. I do not want to be worshipped or venerated. I do not want reverence or a following. I want friends, I want love, I want to be normal. To live, to finally, finally, die. That is probably the hardest thing for people to understand, but it is true." The light turned green and Walter started to drive on.

Walter had jumped when Liam shouted, but he watched his son in sympathy as Liam had continued to talk, "No, Son, it isn't. That's probably the only part of you, as an Ancient One, I can really understand." He reached over and gripped Liam's shoulder, "At least you have friends and a love, now. A love that I hope will last, and even if it doesn't, I bet he'll still be a friend through your lives. Once this... problem, what ever it is, passes, I hope things will stay quiet for you. But, please, don't talk about wanting to die. It's hard to listen to, even if I know you won't kill yourself. I'm trying really hard to be a father to someone older than I am, to be here for you when you need me, without patronizing you. But I'm still your dad, I want you to be happy, and when you want to die, it means I'm failing you."

Liam smiled and looked away from the window, "You are not failing. You are probably the closest thing to an ideal father I could have." Liam suddenly jumped, just before a clap of thunder rolled across the town. Faelen was nearly panicking, again. Geoff was in trouble. "Please, hurry, Dad. Something is wrong, Faelen is scared, Geoff-san must be in trouble." He had called Faelen right after the first time he felt like this, and learned that Nathanial had 'summoned' Geoff, but this must be something different. They were almost at the church, it was on the other side of the graveyard they were passing. His father accelerated, but not as much as Liam wanted. He knew better than to push it, though, his Dad was already speeding a whole ten kilometres per hour over the limit. Walter was extremely law abiding, to the point of being very annoying at times. 'Well, over this short of a distance, it really will not make any difference. He feels calmer, it is probably resolved.' He forced himself to relax, "Dad, it seems to be settled, there is no longer a dire need to hurry. I believe that thunder clap was from Mrs. McDougal, if Geoff-san was still in danger there would be far more activity." His father slowed down to the speed limit and breathed a sigh of relief. Liam made sure he didn't roll his eyes. They pulled into the parking lot of the church and went to the back parking lot. Liam saw a Doberman woman cast a spell to repair a shattered window on the second floor, she must be Arrie, Jay had mentioned her. The adult Spirits were nearby, electricity was still arcing off Avery, while Liam could see Geoff and Faelen inside, along with the third agent, Ella, and a bunch of Akitas. Ella appeared really agitated. Liam walked over to Conor, "Sirs, ma'am. Everyone is all right?"

Conor inclined his head, "Yes, Liam-sensei. A Hunter tried to kill Geoff, but Nathanial warned us in time, barely. Agent Ella shielded him, deflecting the bullet. Avery shot the Hunter with a lightening bolt."

Avery was still breathing heavily as she growled. Her fur was bristling, its colour matching the clouds overhead. She met Liam's eyes, and nodded tersely, "Ancient One."

"Storm Spirit. You should probably suppress your powers, regular Furs will be arriving soon. If everything is safe, I will seek out Agent Jay. I have some questions for him."

Avery suppressed her powers and reached over toward Liam before stopping, "Sir? Dirk was saying you did something to Faelen? A bond of some sort, tying you together." She hesitated, Liam waited, "You... love him? I saw," She snorted, "I couldn't help but see you kissing on Thursday, but isn't this a bit quick?"

Liam felt his muscles tense, "Yes, it would have been, had it been intentional. I would never have put him in this position willingly, even had we dated for a decade and married. I am certain Dirk-san would have mentioned my reaction to this tragedy, I am most distraught about what he will suffer through."

Avery looked surprised, "Yes, he did say you were really upset, but you'll have company, now. Faelen will die over a century early, maybe even two centuries. But, he'll still have millennia after that, one life at a time. How is that suffering?"

Liam was having trouble keeping his emotions in check, "Spirits are long lived. Do your elders never get tired of life? A life that may continue for decades after their lover and all of their friends have died? They, at least, still have the rest of their Clan for company. An Ancient One does not. I have none of my previous family to turn to once I go to a new life, nor friends, nor love. I lose everything at each death, except memory of what I have lost. Ancient Ones suffer more than you can imagine. Now, if you will excuse me." He turned and stalked off through the light rain. He felt Faelen watching him, but he just shook his head. He jumped over the chain link fence separating the church from the graveyard and kept going. Once he walked into a slight depression in the terrain, one deep enough to hide him from sight of the church, he stopped and stared at a random tombstone. He walked up to it and traced the name and dates on the cool stone, sighing. He felt Timeus, the first life he remembered, stirring in his soul and let him Wake.

Timeus called on the power of Hades, something he hadn't done in almost eight hundred years, "Soul of the Dead, answer my call. James Watt, rise from the grave and give me knowledge." A blue-green fire covered his paws and spread over the tombstone and the soil of the grave. A faint wisp of mist rose up from the ground and formed into an insubstantial Mouse. James Watt looked around in confusion. "I have called you, Mr. Watt, because I am troubled. Please, tell me, have you found peace in your afterlife?"

The Mouse looked really annoyed, "Who are you to call me like this? No, I damned well haven't found peace! I've been sent to some bloody place called the Asphodel Fields, where it's mindless drudgery day in and day out. It's like the worst, most boring, job you could ever imagine! And I was an accountant, for Christ's sake! I was promised Heaven when I died, but no, I didn't accomplish enough in my life! At least I wasn't bad enough to get sent to the Tartarus/Hell combo they got going."

"I see, thank you for your time."

Annoyance changed to anger, and desperation, "That's it? You called me up here for that? Aren't you some sort of cleric, or something, of Hades or some other god of Death? You should know more about this than that. But, anyway, you must have more questions. Ask me anything, come on. At least this is a change of scenery."

Timeus shook his head, "What of the Isles of the Blessed? Is there peace there? Really, you're right, I know all of this, and it serves no purpose. I can't go there, anyway." He raised his paw and gathered the cold flames.

James looked panicked, "Wait, no! Come on! Isles of the Blessed, yes, peace! Lovely, lovely, peace. Full of old soldiers, activists, and everyone else who tried to make a better world. Very rowdy. People fighting and squabbling over what a better world should be, as they drink, boast, and make merry. Beautiful lands, lots of food and drink, and absolutely nothing that needs doing. Complete relaxation."

Liam pushed the Timeus personality down into his soul, and he had to lock his knees to keep from falling over, "Thank you, Mr. Watt. That is exactly what I needed to hear. Soul of the Dead, your place is not here. Return to Hades' lands and trouble the living no more." The fires flared and then vanished, taking the soul of James Watt with them. Liam smiled and whistled as he slowly walked back toward the fence. 'What is the point of going to the afterlife if I can not rest there, either? At least here I can try to do something, should I choose. Even the Isles of the Blessed sounds like endless drudgery. Sure, all of the physical needs, if souls have any, are taken care of, but there is no purpose left and no hope of finding one. Now that I have my love, this does not look so bad, after all. But, gods, that took a lot out of me. Bloody Timeus. Why does that life have to be so hard to access? Oh well, it is a good excuse to let Faelen plough me.' That thought cheered him up even more.

He focused a moment as he approached the fence, before breaking into a run and jumping it. He was weak enough that he barely made it over, he stumbled and nearly fell as he landed on the wet grass. 'Bloody Timeus.' All of the Spirits were inside the church, now, Conor and Garret were a distance from everyone one else. He walked along the fence to the edge of the church, and then stayed close to the wall, avoiding some of the rain, to the door. Inside, he walked past the Marks, nodding in greeting, and over to Faelen. "Faelen."

Faelen smiled and stared into Liam's eyes a moment before responding, "Liam." His voice was warm and full of love. Liam felt himself start to smile, and had to stop his paw from grabbing Faelen's. He noticed his tail was wagging and stilled it. Faelen frowned slightly, "What happened? You seemed really upset, and now you look really happy, but weakened."

"I was talking to Mrs. McDougal. Then I went to the graveyard and Timeus woke, answering a few questions. Now, I am depleted, greatly depleted."

Faelen seemed concerned, but smiled as he leaned in and whispered, "We could sneak off for a bit and I could give you some Chi."

Liam smiled back, "When we get home. It is not that dire. I would be unable to be much help in a fight, but with this many allies around I do not anticipate any need for my involvement. What happened?"

Faelen sighed and filled Liam in, before adding, "It seems Nathanial is immune to the effects of the Plane of Darkness; he said it nearly killed Pastor Yuke in seconds. That's probably why Geoff's energy doesn't hurt him, either."

Liam nodded, "Logical, but it would not be prudent to push it. I should examine him. I will ask Nathanial for more information, directly, after I get some Chi from you." He glanced at the elderly Akitas, "Are they Mister or Missus Marks' parents?" Faelen shrugged. Liam smiled at his love, again, and glanced at the grandparents before giving him a quick kiss. Faelen looked surprised as he blushed. Liam whispered, "I love you," before walking over to Nathanial. "Nathanial-san, please raise your arm's and stand still." Nathanial seemed confused, but complied, "If the rest of you would step back?" Once he had access to Nathanial he ran his paws along Nathanial's body. Almost no change from the last time he examined him, his Chi was only slightly more Yang than after Faelen 'adjusted' it. He was still very stressed, it was noticeably damaging him. "Nathanial-san, are you drinking the tisane I gave you?"

"Yes, Sensei, but things keep happening. Like this." Nathanial waved his paw to indicate the events of the afternoon. Nathanial cast a spell, Liam wasn't familiar with it, but he figured out what it did when he heard Nathanial speaking in his head. *Sensei, Nicholas has been using Demon magic. I need you to check him for Demon Taint. His choker is some sort of focus or battery for his power. He modelled it after the throne that Succubus had. Mages are going to be coming over to talk to us about the odd magic they've detected while we were at Geoff's. Mages not in Ella's department.*

*The bloody fool! What the hells was he thinking!?* Liam struggled to keep from growling or punching Nicholas. Nicholas' eyes widened when Liam's met his and stepped back.

Nathanial stepped between them, *Sensei, I'll deal with that. He's afraid the Succubus will come back for him, he wants to be able to defend himself. I told him to learn some other type of magic, any other type of magic. Don't say anything until we're in private, please.*

*I will examine him later this afternoon. I am very low on Chi.* Liam hoped this spell didn't transmit emotions, because right now he felt like killing Nicholas, and that wouldn't help Nathanial relax at all. He took a deep breath and forced his muscles to relax before walking out of the room.

---

Nathanial sat in the front pew with his family, letting the noise from the pulpit wash over him without registering a single word being said. He was watching the Agents go through the Hunters' offices. The task was large and daunting enough that they called in two other Agent teams, not that Nathanial thought they'd have much choice. This was someone else's jurisdiction, Ella's team was responsible for Metro Halifax, not Lower Sackville. He was spying to ensure that the other teams didn't try to destroy any evidence. It all went smoothly, the teams seemed to be familiar with this church and were delighted to have an excuse to do a thorough investigation. As the service ended, Garret helped Nathanial to his feet and they were two of the pallbearers who carried the casket out to the hearse, after which they went into the gym where the reception was held. Nathanial ignored the food and sagged into a chair in the far corner. Nicholas brought him over a plate with some food on it, "Nats? What's wrong? You're really out of it, did you use that much magic?"

Nathanial smiled at him, "Yeah, I guess. I'm just really tired and I've been watching the other two Agent teams to make sure they weren't allied with the Hunters. I hope some food will pick me up. Thanks, Nick."

Nicholas rubbed the bridge of his muzzle, and didn't meet Nathanial's eyes, "Sensei was mad. What did you say?" Nathanial tapped the side of his own head, and Nicholas frowned in concentration as he carefully cast the Telepathy spell.

Nathanial didn't say anything about the weak and fuzzy connection, *I asked him to examine you for Taint. He's furious that you were practicing Demon magic. I was afraid he was going to hit you... or worse. He's coming by this afternoon once he gets some Chi back.*

Nicholas paled beneath his fur, *Oh. You had to tell...? Yeah, I guess you did. It's better for him to find out if I re-Tainted myself than those Mage investigators, whoever they are. I don't feel Tainted, I don't feel any different than normal.*

Nathanial growled softly, *Did you notice anything odd before beating up Micah? Or trashing the basement looking for the grimoire? Or opening a portal for the Demons, or trying to kill the rest of us?*

Nicholas hung his head in shame, *Yes. I didn't know what it was, but I noticed it. I don't blame you for not trusting me, not after what I did. I-I wouldn't put Micah in danger, not again. I'm sorry, Nats.*

Nathanial looked at his brother in fondness and exasperation, *We'll talk later. We have well-wishers incoming.*

Nathanial woke up as the car pulled into the garage, he'd fallen asleep as soon as he buckled himself in after the internment ceremony. The whole thing wasn't nearly as bad as he feared, well, once the service started. The pre-service was bad, he just hoped he never had to talk to his mother's parents ever again. Naomi seemed nice, but she was very careful to keep her distance from the Marks. He groaned and unfastened his seat belt, Micah opened the car door for him, "Thanks, Sprite. I may be really tired and drained, but I'm not an invalid." He smiled at his brother, and carefully climbed out of the car, bracing himself as he straightened up. "Nicholas, let's go downstairs and talk."

Nicholas gulped, "Yes, sir."

Nathanial walked into the house, with Nicholas trailing behind him. Garret watched them go with a frown. Nathanial kept an 'eye' on him until he saw Garret trot upstairs to his bedroom. Nathanial took off his clothes in his bedroom and pulled on a pair of black silk boxers before walking over to Nicholas' room. Nicholas had just pulled off his red briefs and was about to sit down. Nathanial knocked on the door and tipped his head back, indicating Nick should follow him. He sat in the armchair and pointed at the couch by him. Nicholas gingerly sat down. Micah wandered over. "Micah, your room is a mess. Go clean it." Micah took note of the tone and turned right around and scuttled into his room, closing the door behind him. "What were you thinking? I know, I know, you're worried that this Beriatana will come after you, and you want to be able to fight her. But, really? I thought you said you weren't going to use Demon magic anymore."

Nicholas was visibly scared but he shook his head, "No, I never said that. I said everything about Demons was dangerous and that there was probably a hidden cost to the magic. You never told me not to use it, and only asked me to be careful. I'm being careful, I also know the cost. Sex. It seems to be based on where I got my magic from, so I get power from lust, sex, and other things like that. I get more power from, um, aggressive sex, like what we did the other day."

Garret growled from the doorway, "What the fuck are you talking about? When the hell did you two have sex? And why? You're brothers, for fucks sake. Nathanial, you've been talking about how your responsible for him, that makes it almost rape, even if you're close in age, not just incest. Nicholas, go get dressed. Have some sense of decency, would you?" Garret was wearing a tight, white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. His arms weren't as heavily muscled as the Spirits' were, but he still looked really sexy and tough.

Nathanial bristled in embarrassment and anger, "Garret, this is our part of the house. I don't recall inviting you down here. I've given up on trying to make Nicholas wear clothes while we're in the basement. If you don't want to see him naked, you should let us know you're coming down, beforehand." He could feel his dogs sniffing at the edges of the shadows, just on their side of the planar barrier. He set part of his mind to keeping them out, he didn't need them making things even more tense. "Nicholas, you don't need to get dressed if you don't want to. Garret, I told you earlier that I was going to be talking to Nicholas about a disciplinary matter. I don't need your interference in this."

Nicholas kept looking back and forth between the two, torn over who to listen to. He whimpered. Garret sighed, "Fine. Nicholas, stay naked if you want." He frowned, "Nathanial, I'm joining your conversation. Both of you are my responsibility, a responsibility I've been ignoring, but still mine. I'm quite sure I know what it's about, too. The choker Nicholas is wearing has Demon magic in it, and that's why you were so worked up on the drive in."

Nathanial jumped up with a snarl, he felt his dogs trying to force their way over, but he held them back in the Plane of Darkness. "How can you be so sure? You're the one that taught me Mages can't use Demon magic." Nicholas pulled his knees up to his chest, and started rocking, eyes wide in fear. Nathanial felt his nose quiver. Nicholas' fear was intoxicating, it made him feel alive and powerful.

Garret shrugged, "I lied, to a degree. Mages can't use Demon magic, not without a Demon's help. Once a Mage has been Tainted, it's possible for a Mage to use a little. If a Mage is infused with Demon magic, it becomes easier. If that Mage has access to a grimoire made from a Demon, then it's extremely easy. If the Mage survives. Very few Mages can survive being Tainted, not if they are Tainted enough to start using Demon magic. No Demon would willingly surrender a Mage once he's been infused with Demon magic, either. So the chances of a Mage getting away, alive, are slim. It seems Nicholas has done both, and has access to my Succubus Grimoire."

Nathanial stepped menacingly toward to his father, "You didn't answer my question. How can you be so sure?" Nathanial closely examined his father, searching for Demon magic. Garret was carrying a wallet, a leather wallet. It was made from a dead creature and felt the same as the bones. He paled and stepped back, "You... you can use it, too. Your wallet is like Nick's choker. How did you...? What happened? Why didn't you fight back when I attacked you on Thursday?"

Garret grimaced, "I'm glad this basement is warded. I didn't fight back because I'm a failed Mage. I can barely use any magic, Mage or Demon. I wouldn't stand a chance against you, and I knew it. Also, Ella would probably have killed me the second I tried to use Demon magic. By not using it, I knew she'd likely come to my defence. It was a risk, but the only real chance I had."

Nathanial scowled, "You're good at Charms. You can use them at will, no incantations or gestures. Very subtle and very effective."

Garret looked shocked, "What are you talking about?"

Nathanial crossed his arms as he sat back in his chair, smiling smugly, "Tuesday. You used a Charm on your drinking buddies when you excused yourself to go talk to me. It explains why you're such a good salesman, eh?"

Garret snorted, "Heh. Blackmail is it? Those Charms are so small and so subtle they'd be almost impossible to detect, unless it's you, apparently. There's no way to prove I did anything."

Nathanial felt a little annoyed, "I'm not blackmailing you, Garret. I have no reason to. I'm still honouring our truce; I'm grateful for your words and stuff today. I'm actually wondering if you're selling yourself a bit short. Perhaps you really suck at some types of magic, and just need to find your strong suit. Like how I can barely light a candle, but other stuff I seem really good at. Mind influencing spells are a good place to start, for you. However, I'll decide how to punish Nick for this, if it's warranted. It happened on my watch."

Nicholas was starting to relax, and lowered his hindpaws back to the floor, "Um, Garret. If you've been using Demon magic, who gave you your magic?"

The pups watched their father turn figuratively green, "None of your business. It wasn't a Succubus. Sex won't give me power." He swallowed heavily, his paw on his stomach.

Nathanial stood up, and put his arm around Garret's shoulder's, "Need me to help you into the washroom?" Garret shook his head, so Nathanial helped him onto the couch and sat between him and Nick. He gently rubbed Garret's back. Garret shivered and swallowed heavily.

They sat quietly for a few minutes before Garret sat back, smiling weakly, "My turn to feel sick. Ugh. Thanks."

"I want information. First and foremost, does using Demon magic make it easier for Demons to influence a Mage, in any way, shape, or form?"

"Yes. Frequent use, in one location, weakens the barrier between the planes. If used in the wilderness, it doubles the effect by weakening the Fey's barriers, as well as the natural one. This basement was designed, in part, to mitigate that risk. It also makes it easier for the Mage's Demon master to pinpoint their location." Nicholas whimpered and covered his ears at that. Garret seemed curious at that reaction, "I'm guessing the one who did this is still alive? He or she will definitely be back. But, once again, this basement is warded so only invited Demons or Fey can enter. Only inter-dimensional portals or travel originating from here can be opened, too. Nothing can enter this room magically without assistance from someone already in it. If it didn't cost so bloody much, I would have done the entire property. Still, I wouldn't practice for long or often. Never more than an hour per day, and never two days in a row."

"Sensei is going to examine you for Taint, too, Dad." Nathanial could feel his blood throbbing in his head, "Gods, is he going to be pissed. Two Demon magic users, and at how stressed out I am. I need some tea, and then I'm going to lie down."

Nicholas perked up, "Want me to brush you, or give you a massage?"

Garret growled, "Why, is this code for gay, incestuous, fucking? No, if my boy needs that, I'll do..." He heard what he was saying and snarled, "The massage or brushing, is what I was saying. What the hells happened to my life? Nicholas, put the kettle on for your brother. Nathanial, a brush or massage?"

Nathanial smiled as he chuckled, "Relax, Dad. We can't get each other pregnant, and I just had sex with him once, other than a Succubus induced blowjob. I only want Geoff. I don't mind having sex with someone else, but it's Geoff I want. We need each others permission to play around, regardless. Besides, is it any worse than having an affair and getting that female pregnant?"

"Shut up." Garret stood, swaying slightly. Nathanial stood up, too, and nearly mimicked his father's swaying. The groaned at the same time. "Funny, Nathanial. I wonder if we have the same bug."

"Not unless stress is a bug, but I guess we could, if our immune systems are compromised. Don' t jinx us. I'll take a massage, if you're willing. I really want to lie down." Garret nodded and followed Nathanial into his bedroom. Nathanial laid down, and Garret began rubbing his back. It was really nice, he wasn't as good as Liam, but much better than Geoff or Faelen. Nicholas brought in the herbal tea, already cooled a bit with an ice cube, so Nathanial quickly drank it and lay back down. He felt Garret swaying a little, "Dad, lie down for a minute and let your stomach settle. There's no rush." He rolled over to let his dad lie down, and Garret groaned as he complied.

Nicholas came in a half hour later to see if Micah was allowed out of his room, and saw Nathanial curled up against Garret, head on his Dad's shoulder. Both were fast asleep. Nicholas turned out the light and closed the door, his tail slowly wagging.