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Chapter 20: Remembering Life

Whatever it seemed - not a sound or calling echo from the forests around had made the night seem so much calmer though such deceitful and absent-minded thoughts were all that rose with simple exceptions to the scolding thoughts whenever Hato wasn't quite enough. His footsteps appeared heavy in the silence, no matter how slow or fast he decided to move. His mind fixed, addicted to the thought of how he saw his world and he knew it was falsified. Colors seemed too bright for him, red, green, gold, and blue it all seemed to glow and the darkness - that seemed shadowed and enshrouded with the essence of the cold. However he did it, he struck back on all of it; tearing the thoughts and the demon inside head-on. Stumbling, shocked breaths came as the world was seen through a third eye, low to the ground and heart as cold as his body was a disfigured beat pounding in the darkness. Red lines formed in his sight, pulsing and withering in front of Hato and rage suddenly overtook all thoughts of basic sense and knowledge. What surprised him the most was the sudden pause that overcame everything as it appeared to be looking from the forest outwards 'Is that me?' Indeed as his thoughts had spoken the truth, Hato was crouched in shadows; clouds of the night broke apart above letting some more light in and he got a clear look at his own body and face. As he had seen himself before, he was much indeed the same except he had hair. A bit of a thick, ragged or messy appearance let some of it cover his face, being black in color except for all the tips which ended with tinges of dark, bright blonde. As to Hato's surprise it appeared as if all the golden fur he did have started to fade to white only to end with the colors of most Collies. Questions for explanation drove stakes through Hato's head and disrupted his third eye; yet as he looked to the forest a pair of white dead eyes suddenly turned further into the forest that is when Hato realized that maybe his vision wasn't like what he wanted it to be - a simple pack of lies. 'Hunted, loved, hated, and infamous what more could anyone want?' Hato's sarcastic and comedic thoughts found him in the center of the castles town; another large steel-barred gate blocked the only way up to the castle; a fairly tall concrete wall followed it around dividing the royal from the poor. Although it seemed fine; silence gripping Hato as shivers wanted to run through, the sight of the towers seemed quite beautiful in moonlight - especially when looking up from the gate. "- Well it isn't like we're-" Hato dove for the shadows as two figures came from further down the road. "We were part of the Province of Curia. Our imperial guards - WE are the best in the Western lands." Both forms were canine, one appeared to be more of a wolven nature the other was a coyote and that quickly caught Hato's eyes. "We are in the Eastern!" The coyote rebutted "Those Tishkian Rangers are deadlier than all of us; you know how we lost our fronts!" "Yes if I recall your father fought there." "Fought and died for a pointless war! Fate and destinies intertwines with war! It ruins everything and we gain nothing from it!" The wolf sighed out. "Stop that worthless Geshian bullshit! Peace and love is not what life and reality is built upon and once you can straighten that out, come talk to me!" "I only ever did because I am your friend! I left my homeland to make sure you wouldn't get killed out here!" The feeling and fight seemed to remind Hato of something, something real important to him. The vision of the dog at the inn, the crossbreed that drew his blade came to mind. 'Could that be a real memory?' The question lingered, lingered for almost as long as Hato could ponder before a voice called out. "Hey! Who are you!?" The moonlight had shone above him throwing shadows away and Hato's first reaction was to snap to attention. "Well speak half-breed!" The wolf stood in front of him and knowing Hato's odds to a creature whose blade was already unsheathed; he had to try and talk a way out of this. "I am a traveler; I noticed some lights from deeper in the forest as the sun had just set. I am scarce for supplies and believed there was someone who could help me up ahead." "Odd for a traveler to wear a robe such as that." Hato had cursed his luck but a thought quickly rose. "I am nothing more than a simple clergyman. In my earlier days I used to be a trader but for now I need to travel into the Mountains of Learia to find an old friend of mine." "Surely a male of such respected nature would have been traveling with a group." That made Hato pause; if anything no matter the gender or trade no one ever travels alone. "I got split up with my group and I haven't seen them for the past day." Something caught Hato's eyes, a light blue light; much like the one he kept seeing pulsed and brightened from deep within the heart of the thicket. Imprinted on a tree was a symbol, the crescent moon forged on half an hourglass with two moons facing each other on top just rotated about a quarter ways were forged and connected together with a simple bar. Equally in color was red and blue dividing the symbol perfectly. More footsteps came towards him, an entire group of large ragged looking males had surrounded around in the markets square. In the air a sound of cracking branches came, though a lighter sound touched the air and it made Hato shiver. 'Kree?' The word lingered for a long time, quiet and content before sharply picking up. "Who is this?" The wolf snapped back to see a large figure and for the first time Hato had seen creatures he thought could only be feral. Badgers, raccoons, and squirrels were one thing but horses, bears, deer, rabbits, and everything else in-between; Hato didn't think they existed as people. Here stood a large group of bandits, there form was more Menacing and threatening then even the snarled words that came from the large bear. "A clergyman, he states that he is lost from his group and is in desperate need for supplies." The bear was larger than even Goris and suddenly seeing him as a breed of Bengal tiger Hato thought he'd never see anyone larger than him. For a second Hato had finally realized something - who he was and the world he truly lived in was not the one he saw or believed; Fylakas still had a hold over him regardless of the chain being gone or was the chain still with him. Everything happened too quickly that it took the sharp pain of a shaft of wood for him to realize exactly what was happening. As shrapnel peppered the sky like thousands of cannons a black thick spear went for him and to his luck missed by a fraction of an inch. Eight blood-red eyes stared deep into the shadows that he was pushed against and he realized an odd bonding feeling that made him scared. A Kroetur, the size of a simple house in the town had him pinned between a rock wall and the demon. Startled cries called out as an arrow shot for it, bouncing off with hardly a scratch. 'The Kroetur is a creature that can feel the emotions of others. It still needs to hunt but maybe such a demon knows and respects mercy.' What confused Hato was that he himself didn't truly feel really scared it was as if the feeling was being forced upon him. As more calls barked out sudden flashes came to his head thoughts drove through and suddenly a cloud was lifted. Here he stood watching out towards Aaron but here it was not him who drew his blade first; it was Hato who took the first swing. 'Serviath called out my name, not Aarons.' More shivers violently ran through and Hato felt his fur stiffen in the cold night wind. So long as the feeling felt so overwhelming Hato's mind fixated on everyone in the group Goris was the first to come to mind. 'I saw him as a wolf before... How come I can't stop seeing him as a tiger now?' However it occurred to Hato, the threat of the Kroetur was gone no matter the size or sheer might of the demon; he suddenly assumed that it was more scared than he was. Eventually a fatal shot came with another arrow and frenzy began. A sharp-hitting whip from its scythe came the sprayed blood from a few figures, the mawed and disfigured bodies bled out with nothing more than a few moans of pain before the Kroetur charged for the rest its call screeching against Hato's ears like metalwork. Instinctively frozen the surge of fear rose again pumped by the boiled blood that coursed so violently through Hato; it was then he noticed how serious his injury really was. The splinter of wood longer than that of a javelin was impaled into him, the thrust bashed against the wall shattering the wood to make a flat break in the back. Its scorched pain was sharp - an intake of air matched it perfectly before he finally cried out the pain enough to bring him to his knees. Out of the blue came a sudden sight of the camp, that third eye came back. A colorless world surrounded him, just darkness and light waiting for its moment of flight in the time they had together. Crackles from flame came from ahead and Serviath was in Hato's mind. A rageful call barked out at an all too familiar figure, the disfigured words of "You know he was gone!?" and "What the fuck is wrong with you!" The yelling was painful yet for a slight second that mind's eye came back to Hato and he shivered at the sight of his own body. Robes drenched in life and blood Hato's sight went back to normal only for him to stare at the white dead eyes of that hellhound from before, across its neck was none more than Fylakas's chain and the wisps crystal the dimly glowed in the night. Preaching out was a voice, a voice that came to him as Hato stared deep into the demon dog's eyes. "You have to do it. You have to get up." A youthful tune not of his own but one so dangerously familiar that Hato put a paw to the earth, drew up some dirt and suddenly wrapped his other paw against the staff. A moment of lightness rose within him, a dim blue light came from his arms and paws and for that moment he learned it must be all real; as real as the sting he felt ripping the bark out of him. Wobbled and offset paw upon handle, a sword gleamed gently in the moonlight enough that it seemed to pulse with every little strand. Silhouettes were ragged about, slammed to the earth and swung off to the sky until one fight was pinned; a coyote that seemed far too recognizable. Dreams called out and with a second of flash; a torches swung light, the coyote bought that fatal second that saved his life. Hato with an opening swung for the throat ending it then and there with a perfectly followed cut along the grooves. The Kroetur was larger than he remembered and its stone-like shell was like a raindrop falling, rather than being lifted up. All it took was that one perfect slice and the demon slumped down and stopped dead. A sulfuric scent touched the air and the burning sting touched Hato's injuries. The coyote got up only to look around for a moment and notice that the markets town and most of the bandits were either gone or dead. Stunned and bewildered the form stood, the sight hurt Hato; the very thought of the Strazhi still rose like the aftermath of forms starting to come from the ashes of battle. "What the fu-" Hushed a quiet whisper of air rang out as Hato drew blood from the demon and only prayed such miracles from its blood were true. As the fluid, strong and repulsively sweet touched the soft, blood splattered lips; pain seared throughout allowing only the bitter cry ring out as the injury and its slivers forced their way out of his side. The small bits of wood came first, jabbing out like needles pin-dropping to the dusty stone below, the pain was only the beginning and Hato already knew it was excruciating. Every little thought revolved around the pain until the sights of eyes came from the forest staring deeply into Hato's heart and soul; the chain hung short around its neck tying around like a collar before it growled bitterly and walked into the darkness of the night. Double-minded and lost within the silence a voice came from almost beneath him. "T - Thank you." Staring long and hard was that face from before. "Do you know of it?" For the a small second it almost appeared that he knew what Hato was speaking of, and Hato knew he had seen such a thing himself. "You ... You're the injured puppy from my dreams." "So you do know?" "I don't know whatever in the hell that thing was from it, but I've had nightmares ever since." "Do you know my name?" "A older wolf came to our door asking for a dog he called Senshi, odd how he looked so much like another one of the ferals that came to ou- my door." "Who was the other person in your dream?" He asked with a timid curiosity, noticing how some people were looking around and calling out names. The dust had yet to settle as the only thing making it possible to look around with its cloud was the moons light shining from above. "Oh uh." The coyote chuckled a little flustered from the question. "I don't but a few of them get a little... heated." "What is your name?" Hato decided to disregard the coyotes blush, and the comment he was making although he wanted to press on with it. "I'm Jesive; I used to live near down the town of Shadeston. It gets very wonderful nearby; the Leairan mountain range afterall divides us from the province of Curia." "I know of it." Hato replied promptly, the odd memories of its sunsetting rose softly with the thought. "Would you like to travel with me, so far it appears that I am running into a lot of people from my dreams. Something important is happening, very important." "I figured as much friend, with this ... animal appearing here it is hard for me to decline your offer. I'd be honored to travel with you ..." "Hato." Those were his last words before Hato walked towards the Kroetur, to his surprise Jesive pulled out a small steel flask and stored the blood from the demon. "I've heard it's a symbol of luck." Jesives voice was soft, a cold thin voice that rose from his lips to what appeared as a prayer; a prayer to a god Hato had not heard of. Disregarding the action Jesive and Hato quickly made their way back to camp, though Hato couldn't get those small whispers out of his head. The thought as airless and open as the starry sky above, the lights caught Hato's eyes as millions of stars lit up the world, the moonlight glowing strongly on the trail through the forests leaves and branches. So long as the night sky was filled with the stars and clouds that surrounded it Hato felt at peace and his mind felt clear. 'It's all been fake.' Suddenly Hato felt his heart race, pound against his chest with a sudden thought being torn from him. 'Does that mean Serviath doesn't..." Hato's first thought was that it couldn't be true, that Serviath does love and care for him though shortly after Kiyoko came to mind and it hit him just as hard 'Does Kiyoko hate me?' For whatever feared reason Hato stopped dead only to think about all of it, howls echoed through the mountainside and that familiar feeling of his heart racing touched the wind and for a moment Hato felt like he was falling, dizzy and off-balance, Hato pushed on until a set of arms embraced him. "Hato." Serviath caught him from falling, his arms had cradled him softly and with such a touch, Hato felt his tongue touch underneath Seviath's chin. "Are you okay?" Serviath's paw fell only to feel the wet, warm cloth "You're covered in blood!" And with a small smile Hato had hugged him back, to his surprise Serviath stood still before taking him in. "I'm perfectly fine love." Hato felt flustered as his sudden emotions caused him to lick at Serviath more. In silence that scent came back, the blood of the Kroetur which caused Serviath to jump back. "Augh god. What is that?" "A Kreotur." Jesive was travelling up to them; Hato realized that he must have fallen behind a little while back. "Those don't exist ... uh..." "Jesive. I'm Jesive." "Where did you come from?" "You're lo- you're friend saved my life. I recognize him from some of the dreams I've been having." Shortly Serviath whispered something, as Hato tried to ask him what it was, Serviath only chuckled and scratched at Hato's headfur. Shortly Serviath went off to bed, offering Hato to come until that scent came along. 'At least I know how to turn him off.' Hato thought to himself before laughing quietly. As Jesive ran into Livrythi and began speaking to him, Hato decided to get washed off knowing that this scent wasn't going to leave easily. Step after step came as a tiring feeling came within his legs so long as the thought of sleeping came back, Hato knew he was just going to keep feeling tired until he was to feel the hot water of the springs. As walking along however the shadows and sounds of whines caught Hato's attention and he rushed over to the thought of trouble before realizing what he actually ran into. Behind a simple pitched cover came the shadows of a candle light, male and female a simple picture for thought came to Hato's mind and he almost found himself embarrassed before realising that he himself had never seen a female act like this before. The way her shadow moved, her hips rolled along the shaft of the male below her, the soft sounds of moaning and whimpers every now and then came through. With heavy pants the male below let his paws caress down her fur with a gentle touch, one that made her shiver through as she grinded him down. "Oh God!" At this point Hato had already knew how flustered he was, and it came to mind any thought of any kind of interactions he had with a girl; the only thing that came to mind was when Kiyoko had kissed him the rest was all just rejection tossed around with the word 'Mutt' and 'Half breed' So long as they both pressed on further, Hato could only wonder for a second before walking back onto the trail only to hear Jivera's name be called within the middle of all of it. The scent between them wanted to linger and for once Hato cursed himself for having such sensitive hearing and a socially awkward past. Feeling alone was something he knew was familiar, something he knew to fall back on but regardless of his sudden thoughts Hato forced himself to ease as the steams for water came off from nearby. Within moonlight Hato knew that one could say that both the sky and water looked alike, from above the stars slung forth along the horizon, millions that filled the darkness of the night. As for the water, it looked like the sky itself, just with the mist picking up every bit of the moonlight and letting it settle around like a fog in winter. The water was still as warm as it was in midday, and with a moments of time Hato had stripped down only to catch a sight of himself in the reflection of the water. His chest was white along with his face, as his hair bladed off like thick shards of grass, the color of his fur seemed perfectly alike to any other collie, he just only looked taller, thicker, and had longer fur that gave him a ragged look. Compared to the rest of the group he did realize how he looked different than the rest and the offset of golden-blonde fur that went from his knees down and followed part of his bicep down to the knuckles on his paw didn't help him in trying to be 'normal' His memories began to hit him pretty hard, and Hato knew that having the differences he had could prove to be a problem all within itself, though as the springs water surrounded his neck and his body was perfectly submerged in warmth Hato's thoughts led to a happier place. "Well what do you think is out there?" It was his voice that he knew. Kiyoko was there along with another figure that brought that inn to mind. Before any thoughts came up, Hato realized that they were all looking up to the late-spring sky; its stars lit up and shone in the distance as a shot of light darted across the horizon. "Did you see that sis?" The dog was speaking to Kiyoko, and for the slightest second he turned only to see her differently. Her fur had changed to the way he remembered her from his dream, the pitch-black fur littered with a light red and a fairly sized chest that was still snowy. For reasons unfathomable Hato's peaceful thoughts of an open and Beautiful field faded away as the sounds of footsteps came on the trail right next to him. Ideas darted into Hato's head and as he looked to his left a rock was there, large enough for him to get behind it and check to see if they were a threat once he reached the boulder however, he realized that his sword was back with his cloak. Yet in a sudden fear, Hato watched as they stripped down themselves and let a light sigh preach out, the moonlight lit her face up perfectly and that caused Hato to slip and create large enough splashes that scared her. "Who's there!?" Kiyoko had jumped back, though her white fur was gone and she looked just like she did in Hato's memory. Reaching for her dagger, Hato stared as his sword touched her heel and she unsheathed that instead. "Show yourself now!" 'For supposedly being a slave she is very demanding' it came to Hato's thoughts as he called out the words alright, and walked out from behind the rock. Lowering Hato's sword Kiyoko stared at him with a sharp wolven stare; it discouraged him enough that Hato felt his ears flatten. "Hato? What the hell?" Kiyoko looked at herself for a moment before covering herself. "You pervert!" Whatever she threw, it came fast and it came hard. Narrowly dodging it Hato had tried to communicate with her but was too flustered to speak out and in the midst of his babbling she threw a stick that hit him square in the muzzle. "Hey, hey, hey!" With her barking out at him and Hato trying not to get hit he held his arms up in front of him. "Will you please stop throwing things at me!?" With his words something hit him clean in the in the nose and that made his paws go up to hold it. Bleeding Hato had realized that she threw a fair-sized rock at him. "How long have you been watching me!?" She barked out, snapping with a clean sharp tone. "I was here first anyways!" Hato rebutted, the blood from his muzzle was starting to cover his paws. "I thought you were asleep!" Hato almost thought it was an innocent tone she spoke with but she seemed more upset than anything. "Well you thought wrong!" Hato snapped back, surprised that he did at first before suddenly feeling a flame of pain blaze across his nose. "Are you okay?" With a softer tone, Kiyoko had put his sword down, keeping herself covered with her clothes. "I don't know it hurts like hell. Where did you learn to throw like that?" Suddenly Hato had found her laughing a bit. "Well being forced to deal with everyone's little problems you learn pretty quickly that one or two people here demand more than they should." She expressed the fact that she had to deal with a few people who were traveling with the group prior before Hato woke up. Soon after the bleeding stopped (With Kiyoko's Help, that Hato appreciated) She was suddenly sharing some stories with him. Realizing the connection he had felt before, Hato did indeed realize that she was one his oldest friends and that his mind wasn't just playing tricks on him. "So he starts acting all odd and tries to make a move." "What did you do?" "I ended up kneeing him in the balls and asked him to leave; he never tried anything again that's for sure." "So the entire slave thing, you are just acting it all out?" "Yep" She smiled, and Hato felt a little odd from it. "I'm not in the best of situations but I've fought through things like this before. It's just good to know that I still have a friend out there." Without warning she put her paw on Hato's, and by reaction he flinched and pulled his paw back. Shortly after his face went deep red and he cursed at himself, but all it did was make her laugh. "So why are you here right now?" Hato's face still burned from Kiyoko's little stunt. "Oh, uh I was getting cleaned off." With his face still red, Kiyoko still laughed some more. "I guess you haven't changed much, you still blush every time a female tries to speak with you." For the oddest of reasons Hato was still flustered through it all, he could hardly speak at times but for whatever reason Kiyoko just kept talking to him. "So you and that Serviath seem to be getting pretty close." "Oh that." Hato almost heard his voice crack a little; clearing his throat he simply stated that it was nothing. "So..." She suddenly went silent, and that confused Hato even further. "How many times have you slept with him?" Feeling like shattered glass, Hato couldn't pick up a single shard of thought. Dead silent Hato knew that he couldn't just talk his way out of this problem, she knew him too well. "You always did have a problem talking about sex. I still remember when you walked into the wrong inn room when we were staying in England's countryside, you walked out almost pale with this blush that anyone could see in the inn. With a moment of thought Hato remembered the memory perfectly and almost wished he could forget it after that. "I remember when you walked into our room babbling to yourself about it, you really didn't like what you ran into there." "I was only nine remember no one ever told me about anything like that." Hato rebutted. "And I was eleven remember that." Hato remembered a lot from before, one of the many things that rose was the fact that Kiyoko always loved to remind Hato that she was older. Looking to the water, Hato stared at his robes the blood had dried by now and the scent he washed off was long gone. "I should get to bed Kiyoko." Feeling a tug on his arm Hato looked back down to her. "I want you to understand something Hato. You mean a lot more to people than you even think." "What are yo-" Being cut off she spoke again. "I was speaking to that soldier you fought before, he told me that you were brutally cold with your words." "I only sai-" "You said that it was because of him that his family would be hung that day, that he failed them and left them to die. You told him straight up and you saved his child only a couple days ago along with his wife. Regardless of your suddenly violent fight with Aaron and the fight you took to Goris people are starting to understand yo-" She cut off only to look at her reflection in the water. "No!" She yelped out at the sight. "What?" Hato felt oddly concerned and light. "My fur color, it changed back again that damn potion is supposed to keep my fur normal." Hato gave her an odd stare "What are you talking about?" "Everyone knows you're from the Leairian Mountains. My family originates from deep within them and people really don't like Leairians anywhere." "I don't understand what's wrong. I mean I'm from the mountains" "Don't you get it, without the potion people will think I'm nothing more than some horrid feral animal whose only interest is to hunt, rut, and sleep." "There's nothing horrid about you." Hato replied and she passed a little smile. "Your just from the outskirts, I'm from deep within them. I'll end up being someone's personal sex slave around here and frankly people are more than willing to do that regardless of how much I beg them to stop. Worst of all spring has started, that's when my heat starts." Hato couldn't say much all he realized was that his blush had come back in full throttle. Before she had the chance to look at him, Hato had looked out to the water, feeling a little sick to his stomach. "Are you okay?" "Yes" Hato replied in a light-hearted tone. "I've just been feeling off lately. I should get to bed, I believe we are all going towards Castle Fairike tomorrow and I think it'll be best if I am prepared for whatever may happen." "I understand." Her eyes led to the earth, and in that moment as her long hair had fallen in front of her face Hato felt almost dizzy, the moonlight glowed of her and her eyes seemed to light up brighter than the stars above them. "Just know that you're not the only person whose been dreaming around here Hato, I think a lot of us have been. People have been starting to act differently." Stopping in place Hato turned to meet eye to eye. "How do you know?" She stayed silent for a moment, looking up with a soft gentle look. "Please don't change Hato, I don't want to lose another friend." With a single open ended look, Hato nodded his head with a small smile and promised her that he'd try not to no matter how foolish it may have been. Regardless of it the thought seemed innocent enough as Hato walked back to camp, stepping by the same trail he came along a light came in the distance. Flames danced in the night, a small group of people sat around the fire and stared as Hato walked by. Remembering Kiyoko's words he waved and said hi but didn't get much of a reply back from them and shortly Hato kept walking on until he found Serviath's tent and walked into it. He knew that Serviath had been asleep for a long time by now and Hato had got undressed resting his blade on the furs that were his bed for the night. Whatever time it was it didn't matter, nor did he care but as the feeling of those eyes came back nothing but silence and darkness haunted him for the night that and the light sounds of the forest rustling and the growls that came from the demon that stalked him. His eerie dreams didn't last long though as the fires of the underworld flame ahead and all he saw was the blade of the Strazhi rise from its ashes. Trying to speak nothing would come to him, no word, no sound, just the sight of the creature as it took its cloak off. Skin bare and furless, chest covered in thick leather armor. A form stood in front of him, two legs stood toned and attentive as Hato stared from all fours. With a single whisper flick of his wrist a symbol came, revealed itself to him. "Though in your honor, land, and lord, you shall not hold this crest to heart nor hold this crest upon your shield or sword." A coaxed nod came from Hato and the odd figure carried on. "For now, your mind is forged in darkness but bring peace to light and darkness, and the world will follow." He paused. "I shouldn't be here, and I'm surprised you've resisted Fylakas's mana and castings. You must find all of them; that you already know but so long as the lands bring hatred, peace cannot be brought between our worlds. Do you understand?" "I- I believe so." Hato felt like he was being forced to speak, his voice sounded different and young. "Good pup. Do you know what to do?" Hato thought for what seemed to be an eternity though he wanted to speak, he couldn't. "You don't." "Find peace between the mountain, the sea, the sky, and the lands, and Geshia will bring the worlds back altogether" "What are you?" Hato didn't want to ask that question, he had thousands of others he wanted to ask. "I am one of the guardians of time. Though other than that I am human. Let Relinian's howls guide you, Fylakas is a dangerous foe and you may need more help from history than you will ever believe." "I don't -" "Listen to the stories of the old, listen to the olden kingdoms cry out across the mountainsides. War broke us apart and if we don't become one, Fylakas will control Tengoku." "What is Tengoku?" Hato barked it out, annoyed from all the bullshit that's already happened to him. "Paradise, heaven, the kingdom of gods. It's everything and so long as so much hatred exists darkness will keep its hold upon it. We separated to stop the darkness, but Fylakas is blind and wants to unleash it upon the earths. All of you are our only hope. Please hurry, this is the only message I can send out to you." Before any second notion Hato's dream changed to the sound of running water; shadows surrounded him as the cold icy grips engulfed him under. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think and it made him feel more scared than even running into the Kroetur from earlier that day. He was beginning to truly believe his dreams and visions, yet a part of him was telling Hato that he'd gone mad but he knew that so long as everything keeps happening it'll never stop. For moments at a time, the dream stopped back to the night's sky, the moonlight in full harvest and closer than it had ever been. Out of the nights sky a single howl broke free sending a chill through the darkness; though it was calming and peaceful. Out of the silence came the sounds, quiet at first like the beating of a heart. After a while it began to gradually pace up, a beat of music in celebration and culture. The voices of song and cheer rang out as the sky above exploded in color, the stars reflected off shades of bright fiery blue and green, as violet, red and yellow fell shortly behind it. From bright-fiery flowers to waves of chilling water and leaves that unfolded into raindrops the night sky blew over in with a sweet, wood-like scent that filled the air with a touch of a hickory and maple. It made Hato's nose burn and his head spin a little he knew that the thicker it got, the dizzier he felt. With simple thought and emotions coursing through every nook of his mind Hato found it adequate to look up to the lights that exploded inside of themselves, casting out like a blacksmiths hammer upon forged steel. A haze that blinded his thoughts and made him start to giggle a little. "Oh no. Kiy you chose a spot too close to the smoke!" Whoever the dog was Hato knew that he would never be able to shake the familiarity of him, although he referred to Kiyoko as his sister, they were very different indeed. As Kiyoko was of wolven heritage, her fur a red and black; she held no traits of her brother and neither did he of her. His ears were large and perked up and his tail was short, he had a normal sized muzzle and his whiskers liked to reach out like a cat would. He appeared more to Hato as some fox at first, or even a dog from desert lands although what had sparked confusion was that his fur was long but shed in the springtime air. Every now and then his claws would scratch underneath his neck, letting fibers of sandy colored hair fall off. Hardly seconds passed before coldness would grip Hato, he knew of what had taken hold once more and this time he fought it away, clawed at it and struck out fang and all hacking and tearing away at the shrouding darkness only to awaken for a split second. To what appeared as Livrythi who stood above him along with Serviath who wore only his trousers and leather shirt. "Damnit!" Livrythi slammed a staff against the earth. "What's wrong with him?" Hato felt a twitching within his chest and realized in sudden panic that he couldn't breathe. "I should have known when he started describing Tiveris." "Wait. What!?" Serviath's paws clenched into a shaken fist. "What play does the Shadow Alchemist have here Livrythi!?" "Lord Tiveris must be interested within these visions he's having!" "What the fuck are these visions!" Serviath's paw fell down to his swords handle. "Tell me mage! Now!" "Alright." Livrythi paused for a moment. "The kingdoms of old it was said that thousands of years ago the Lands of Geshia closed because of a portal that she opened to hide a Manifestation of darkness from an underworld that we've never known of before. Your friend has been having dreams of this portal reopening, I believe him because..." "What?" Serviath took a step forward, his handle grasped in his paw. "He was born within the heart of the mountains that surrounded the portal; his family's home followed a river that cut straight through the middle of the Mountains Of Crescent. The only segment left of the Lands of Geshia in our world, which is why he is both of pure wolven and dog blood, which is why his fur is the way it is and that is why he's quick to love you, and that girl." Serviath's sword slowly released from his hold. "That is why I can't let Tiveris take him, or they will try and control all of us!" "... They?" Livrythi went blank before sighing. "Only Hato knows of him, what he looks like." "Who Livrythi!?" "Fylakas, that's the name he gave me but for now you, Kiyoko, Karisif, Jivera, Goris, even Kieai and Aaron. All of you need to be with him now or he will stay possessed and stay the way he is." Hato felt his sight starting to fade into darkness, it was gathering at the corners of his eyes. "Please Serviath, help him face his fear. That's how Tiveris controls his prey, fear; fear and hatred. Just help him now." Hato felt the darkness consume him, he still couldn't breathe but what gave him the moment of peace was the sight of Serviath's face one last time before silence overcame him. "Just help Hato." Those were the final words he knew of before the patter of rain touched Hato's fur and he awoke within the sight of the nights sky, a lamppost burned light in the darkness of a park as the sounds of a car drove by not too far away. Some fake thoughts he knew none of came to him, but now Hato knew; he knew what his real life was like and understood how he would find his way back. Knowing that it would be one hell of a fight he stood only to look around him, his jacket was weighed down by the feel of a cold steel object and Hato knew that the sense of danger was evident around him.