The Nature of Life - Chapter 4
#9 of The Nature of Life
Oh god.... 3 years is really far too long of a hiatus for this story >.< I'm sorry everyone!!! I've been working on the Pathways of Life story a lot lately and I've been making music to get me back in the mood for writing Nature of Life. I don't recall there being anything sexual in this chapter but just in case all chapters from here on out will be labeled as adult since the story is about to take some rather interesting turns. I wrote a piece of music for this chapter labeled "Lucinda's Theme" which will be posted shortly after. The upcoming chapters should be really good, I've chosen to take some stances in this story so you might notice recurring themes that hint to problems going on in the world today. I hope you all enjoy! As always this is a M/M romance, adventure, post apocalyptic story. All characters in this story belong to me and may not be used for anything without my given permission. So without further ado, here is chapter 4 of T.N.O.L.!
The Nature of Life ~Chapter 4~
A Voice In The Dark; A Brother's Hate:
It was still early when I woke up and instantly I checked Kaio's temperature. It had dropped since I had last checked, which meant that he was doing much better. I swapped out the wash cloth on his head for a new one and then kissed him softly on the muzzle. Afterwards I walked out of my room into the kitchen and looked around, Tyrus was still asleep, which was a good thing. I didn't need him finding out about me and Kaio.
In the hours that passed I went out to the community bath house and took a nice hot bath, I also did a few things to clean up my room and did some of the laundry that was stacking up. When I returned home Tyrus was waking up and had begun moving about, but something seemed odd about him this morning. It was something in the way he walked, the way he looked; He looked pissed about something. As he walked out into the main room I said good morning to him but he gave no reply, this of course had me a bit concerned.
"Uh, morning Tyrus... you doing ok?" I asked, trying to probe at the reason he was seeming to be so pissed off about.
There was no reply from him still, instead there was a glare, filled with malice and hatred. This made me recoil because I didn't know what had occurred to make my brother give me such a look. I stared for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. I heard Kaio cough in the other room and took it as an excuse to leave, to go check on him. Kaio seemed to be doing much better, but he still had a few days before he'd be able to do much moving on his own. I could feel Tyrus' eyes watching me as I tended to Kaio and I began to wonder, 'does he know?'
After a while I headed back out into the main room to confront my brother and find out the reason for his hostility. I was about to say something but he spoke first.
"Arian, what is Kaio to you?" His glare remained strong in his eyes.
"Kaio's a good friend, why do you ask?" I was glaring back a bit.
"Huh, I didn't know good friends slept next to each other, mumbling confessions of their love to each other in their sleep." His glare intensified.
I stood there, mouth open and clearly in shock because I was unable to say anything in response. I knew that this could only end badly.
"So how long has this been going on little brother? How long have you been lying to me?" His voice sounded fierce and full of anger.
"For a few years..." I replied staring back with the same fierceness.
"Get out! Both of you!" He yelled at me.
"Tyrus I can't move him yet! He's still not well enough!" I yelled back.
"Either you move him or I will, and I'll kill him if I move him!"
I glared with pure hate, "Fine!"
I stormed off to my room and quickly collected a few of my possessions like my hunting gear and breathing mask. After I got that packed I woke up Kaio as gently as I could.
"Kaio... we have to go..."
He opened his eye drowsily and looked at me, "Huh...? why...?"
"Tyrus knows about us and is forcing us to leave... we'll go to your parents place, at least there I know you'll be safe." I frowned a bit, gazing into his beautiful eyes.
"You'll stay, won't you Arian?" He seemed concerned about me.
"If your parents allow me to then yes, I'll stay, otherwise I can always stay in my shop." I helped him up and grabbed my stuff, helping him walk with me to leave.
Tyrus only glared at the both of us as we left the home I had lived in my whole life. I knew that now there would be hardships ahead, knew that things might escalate. I knew Tyrus well enough to know he never lets go of hate, and he always gets his revenge. Kaio and I climbed the stairs until at last we reached Kaio's dwelling. I knocked on the wood frame door and waited. Soon Kaio's mother appeared and she frowned when she saw the both of us, particularly the state Kaio was in.
"Oh Kaio! Arian, please come in. Is Kaio well enough to be moving about?" she asked me as I helped Kaio to a chair.
"No, he's not, I shouldn't have moved him but my brother gave me no choice... He kicked me out and I had to move Kaio..." I sighed as I sat down myself.
Lucinda frowned a bit further when I explained my situation, "I'm sorry to hear that Arian, you can stay here for awhile to get things figured out."
"Thanks so much Lucinda, I appreciate it." I stated as I stood back up, "I'll help Kaio get to his room, he still needs rest."
I helped Kaio up and helped him move to his room and helped him lay down on the bed. I smiled down at him and he smiled back, still weary from having to move. I kissed his forehead softly and then left him alone to rest. I headed back out to the main room to talk more to Lucinda.
As soon as I entered the room again Lucinda started speaking to me, "So how is Kaio doing?"
"He's doing fine, he should be better in a few more days." I replied.
"And what about you Arian?" the kindness in her voice was always there, it was never misplaced.
"I could be better, but things are how they are..."
"I hate to pry Arian, but what caused your brother such madness that he would kick you out?" She seemed a bit concerned.
I hesitated on my response, carefully deciding on what I should say, "He... kicked me out because... because I'm gay..."
Lucinda raised an eyebrow, "That's all? A bunch of lunacy on his part if you ask me."
"Yeah, well, Tyrus can be a real hot head..."
"So tell me Arian, do you have a mate?"
She didn't seem angry or disapproving of my orientation and so I decided to tell her.
"Yes, actually... Kaio is my mate... we've been together a few years..." I admitted to her.
She only smiled, "Ah, I thought so. You always seem so caring of him, and whenever he goes to trade with you, you both have that certain look in your eyes, the look of lover's separated for a time who are happy to be rejoined. I'm happy for you Arian, I'm happy for my son too, that he could find someone as caring as you to be in love with."
It took me off guard for a moment but I smiled back, "Thank you Lucinda, I'm glad I don't have to hide my relationship from at least one person in the colony. Having my brother know is bad enough, I fear this is not the end of his tirade."
"Don't worry Arian, you just be careful ok? I worry for your safety as much as I worry for my son." There was a bubbling sound that was coming from the kitchen area and Lucinda stood up, "Pardon me, I believe I need to tend to the dinner."
I nodded silently as Lucinda left to the kitchen to prepare the evening's meal. I sat down in a chair and slumped back a bit, closing my eyes to rest from the disturbing situation of earlier. Thoughts ran through my mind, visions of the past.
There was the Great Church I had seen so many times in my visions and a man, dressed in pure white whom I had decided must be the leader of the church. He spoke to the masses, telling them of sin, that the time of the cleansing would soon be upon them. After his speeches he retired to the Cloister within the Great Church to seek solace, but he was never alone. Waiting for him was always that dark Mechanical form, bound in a black mist, whispering in tongues, voices from beyond our realm. I had a name for this being, I called it the Harbinger of Strife, it had one purpose and one purpose only: To bring about strife in the hearts of all. It was the true cause of the great war, it is the reason fur kind turned against each other.
Knowing this meant little to me, that was all in the past, yet somewhere, deep within my dreams I heard the voices as clear as day, as if this being had returned and once again found opportunity to bring strife to all fur kind. My rest was short lived as I was awakened by a firm nudge on the shoulder.
I opened my eyes to see Lucinda smiling down at me, "Dinner is ready dear, come and eat." She offered me a hand and helped me to stand up. The smell of the food she had prepared was wonderful, it's sweet aroma making my mouth water.
"Would you mind checking on Kaio, if he's awake will you take him something to eat?" She asked politely.
"Of course Lucinda." I stated and went to Kaio's room. I sat down on the bed next to him and felt his forehead, his fever had been reduced and he seemed to be doing better. He shifted a bit and smiled at me as he opened his eyes to see me.
"Hey Kaio, are you hungry?" I asked sweetly, rubbing one of his arms gently.
"Starving, did my mom make dinner?" He asked as he gripped my free paw, squeezing it softly.
"Yeah, I think it's a soup, I'll bring you a bowl ok?" I stood up and went back into the kitchen and got him a bowl of the wonderful smelling soup Lucinda had made, carefully carrying it back to him.
He took the bowl and started scarfing down the soup. I couldn't help but smile at him, "I'll be back in a bit to check on you, ok?"
He nodded simply and I made my way out to eat some soup myself. The soup broth was thick and hearty and I recognized the taste of several herbs that I had traded a few days earlier. I devoured the soup quickly, taking a second helping since there was plenty of soup. Before I dug into my second bowl I went to go check on Kaio to see if he wanted more soup.
He was eagerly waiting for me, "Is there more soup?" he asked.
It was good that he had an appetite and was in a perky mood, it meant he was recovering well. I nodded and took his bowl, going and refilling it for him. When I brought it back to him he was smiling, his tail wagging from side to side excitedly, "Heh, Kaio, you act like such a pup sometimes ya know? I've always thought it was cute."
He shrugged before taking the bowl and eating the soup at a slower pace than earlier. I left him to go finish my own soup, having a casual conversation with Lucinda while I ate. After I ate dinner I went into Kaio's room and laid in bed next to him, cuddling close to him.
He blushed lightly, enjoying my presence, "Arian... I love you." he stated.
I kissed the back of his neck gently, resting my head against him, "I love you too Kaio." Tomorrow I would face the aftermath of my earlier encounter with Tyrus, but for now I laid next to my boyfriend and slept peacefully.
As we slept Tyrus gathered his friends and began plotting a rebellion in the Willow Colony. Many of the people were as close-minded in the Colony as Tyrus, the few followers of the late Elder Miesh had mostly left to join other colonies.
I woke up early and realized that I'd need some herbs for Kaio's treatment, so I got up and headed out quietly to my shop to pick up some ingredients. When I arrived at my shop my ears and jaw dropped in shock. The wooden doors had been smashed open and on the stone walls the words 'Fag' and other obscenities were written in paint. I slowly approached and entered the shop to see the beautiful wooden cabinet inside had been destroyed, bottles smashed all over the place and herbs scattered on the floor. My heart sank with a feeling of dread, how could things have gone this far so quickly? In a quick realization I came to the conclusion that me and Kaio were not safe in the Willow Colony any longer. The only room in the shop that wasn't damaged or broken into was the backroom where I stored my trades and profits. A kind Witch from the Wraith Hall Colony had cast a spell on the door for me to keep intruders out in exchange for herbs she needed. It seems the spell had worked, though they certainly did try to get in and seems after some time gave up. I unlocked the door and went inside, gathering up my trades and any herbs I'd need. I had taken the time and fashioned the leathers that Kaio gave me a few days ago into a traveling bag to help me when I when on Trade trips to other colonies, it was perfect for storing my supplies. After I grabbed what I needed I left the shop and headed back for Kaio's place.
As I walked I got glares and odd looks from a few of the early rising merchants. Word traveled fast in the Willow, which in my case was very unfortunate.
I quickened my pace and entered Kaio's house to see Lucinda awake preparing breakfast, "Oh, Arian, you're up early!"
I gave her a half smile but she saw through it to see my panic, "What's going on?" she asked.
I sighed softly before speaking, "I guess Tyrus must have told people, my shop was broken into and ransacked, I don't think it's safe for me and Kaio here anymore, we'll have to leave the Willow Colony. You should probably leave the Colony too when your husband returns."
Lucinda's Husband, Amus, was on a trip trading leathers in another colony, he would be back in a few days. If things had gotten this bad this quickly it was only a short matter of time before the people turned against Elder Miesh's followers as well. The other Elders and people of the colony had long wanted to get rid of Elder Miesh's teachings.
Lucinda frowned, "It's that bad already? Where will you both go?"
I pondered on this for a moment, before the only clear choice that made any sense came to mind, "We'll go to the Wraith Hall Colony, I have really good standing with many of the witches there, I'm sure they'll give us asylum. You should warn the rest of Elder Miesh's Followers still residing in the Colony to leave as soon as they can... things are going to get really bad really quickly."
Lucinda nodded, "I'll finish making breakfast and prepare some food for you both to take on the road. Will Kaio be ok to travel?" she seemed concerned with the well being of her son, though it was no surprise.
"Yes, Kaio was doing a lot better last night so he should have the strength to travel. I'm going to go rent a Wagon if they'll let me, that should make the travel a lot easier." I turned to leave, "Please let Kaio know what's going on, I'll be back soon."
The Wagon dealer was on the bottom floor of the Colony and he usually didn't discriminate with who he traded wagons to, it was bad for business. He was a Badger and although he was a bit short for his age Tai was very strong and very capable. When I arrived he was out front preparing a wagon, he looked up when he saw me approach.
"Hey! Arian, going on a trip soon? Or is this a social visit?" he asked.
I smiled softly, "I need a wagon Tai, I'm in some trouble and need to get out of the colony as soon as I can."
Tai raised an eyebrow, "Ah, this about you being gay and all? Tyrus and his pals are searching for you, if I was you I wouldn't want to stick around either."
I frowned and nodded, "How much will it cost for a simple wagon and a beetle to pull it?" I asked.
Tai looked back at the Beetle pen and then back at me, "I tell you what, you've always helped me out when I needed herbs for my Ma before she passed so I'll return the favor. This wagons ready to go I just need to hook a beetle to it, You can take this one free of charge. Come back in about a half our it'll be ready."
The wagon was a midsized wagon, with two metal rod hooks installed in the front of each side of the wagon to hold lanterns filled with glow-flies. Glow-flies were little insects that fed off the Glow-fruits, Wagon dealers usually captured them to light their wagons with. The Beetle's that pulled the wagons were similar to the beetles that protected glow-fruits but these had been domesticated and trained to pull the wagons. Being a wagon supplier was a bit of a dangerous job in its own right because training the beetles was a long and dangerous process.
My ears perked up and I smiled at Tai, "Thanks so much Tai! I'll be back in a bit, just gotta grab some things." He nodded as I headed off back to Kaio's place.
When I got back Kaio was awake waiting for me, he had already packed his stuff. He hugged me the moment he saw me, "When do we leave?" he asked simply.
I hugged him back as tightly as I could, "We'll eat breakfast and then I've got a wagon waiting for us down at Tai's Wagon supply shop."
We spent a few minutes eating our meal together before we packed up our stuff and headed off. Lucinda hugged us both and wished us a safe journey, assuring us that they'd come meet us as soon as they could. It wasn't long before we were packed up in the wagon and saying our goodbyes to Tai. I steered the wagon down the tunnel towards the Wraith Hall Colony, for now we had dodged a bullet.
_Hatred leads us to do terrible things, it does not matter with what we hide hatred behind, it is as plain as day to those who experience it. Our ancestors hid Hatred behind the pretext of Religious Freedom. Furkind hid Hatred behind the pretext of going to war to fight for Freedom from oppression, when in reality they only sought to oppress. Hatred hides and lurks behind so many actions, when will we learn that Hatred and Violence is never the answer? Hatred and Violence only begets more Hatred and Violence. We destroyed our world once, and now we were on the brink of destroying it again. Sometimes the voices in the dark cannot be held accountable and that is why they speak, it is up to each of us to hold ourselves accountable for our own actions and realize the harm we cause through acts of Hate. The pain that we cause, not only to our fellow furs, but the pain we also in turn cause to the land. Our ancestors laid waste to the land above with atomics, why didn't we learn from those mistakes? We are back on the path that led us to a world of desolation and living below the ground. If we make the same mistakes again... there will be no more place for our kind. _
_ To Be Continued... ~End of Chapter 4~ _