The urge to close his eyes was almost unbearable, more than once, the white haired boy has to struggle to pull himself up when he fell asleep. The white haired boy rubbed his eyes tiredly, the gentle rocking of the carriage as it moves, along with the cool temperature in Quetz's chamber made him sleepy. It didn't help that he didn't sleep much last night, kept waking up from horrid nightmares and visions of a bloodied black armored dark elf with snowy white hair, shrieking at him, the gaping wound in his chest pulsated as he did. Haru shivered, just thinking about it alone made him feel like he's being watch, and at any moment, the dark elf from his dream would come howling his vengeful cries at him.

The boy pulled up the window blind, squinting his eyes as soon as the light flooded the small bedchamber. Laying next to him, Quetz growled deeply, curling into a ball more under his blanket, only managed to relax when the boy's hand gently stroked his hair. They've been travelling for at least several hours, the sun was on high, shining down onto the column as they've come closer to the other side of the mountain ranges, as announced by Ginji a while ago, they should get there at high noon, just in time for lunch. A sigh of relief escaped Haru's mouth, as that means he could rest after all of them have had lunch, but until then, he'd have to take care of Quetz.

- Haru... - The white haired man groaned, stretching his arms and legs as he tried to find the boy.

- Keto-san, I'm here. - The white haired boy giggled, holding the man's hand as he slowly opened his eyes to look around.

- How long...did I sleep? - Quetz asked with an exhausted voice.

- Not that long. - Haru smiled, all tiredness seemed to have evaporated from him as he saw his beloved waking up. Leaning down, the teen pressed his lips against the Anacondrai's reddened temple, both from the fever and embarrassment. - Ginji-san said we're almost out of the canyon.

- Hm...is that so? - Quetz narrowed his amber eyes, his breaths deepened and slowed, before letting out a large yawn. - I'll sleep a bit more then.

Haru simply nodded, before lying down next to the Anacondrai, snuggling into his chest as he felt the older male's wrapped his arm around him. He felt the man moved, sleepy eyes catching glimpses of a long white tail raised up, caressing the frame of the small doorway leading to their small, private retreat, two sliding door closed it up, cutting off the noisy sounds coming from outside. The boy laid his head onto Quetz's outstretched arm, clinging onto the man's shirt and burying his face into his neck, taking in fully the distinct smell of the man, while feeling his beloved's hand gently patting his back. Intertwined in each others' arms, the two of them slowly fell asleep again, a shroud of darkness draped over their minds, ushering them into the unreality of their dreams.

Yet in that darkness, Haru could find no peace, no respite, already he could smell the stench of blood getting stronger and stronger. He heard the sounds of limping, bloodied footsteps on stone floor, each getting closer than the last. His heart pounded as he found himself in the middle of a twisted version of the beautifully majestic throne room he's seen before, great stone pillars covered in intricately carved glyphs now bent and twisted, set randomly like a great dark forest, reaching infinitely into the non-existing ceiling covered in dark mists. The walls, along with every piece of interior furniture were gone, replaced by emptied space, expanding endlessly into every direction. The only thing that still resembled the original throne room was in the distance, its crystalized tendrils spread outward, coiling around twisted columns, illuminated by a bright light shining down directly at the seat and stairs of the throne itself. Somehow, Haru knew that's his only sanctuary in this twisted realm, only it can save him from being hunted by the bloodied dark elf that haunts his dreams.

A gurgling groan echoed from behind him, causing the white haired boy to turned around, seeing silhouette of a broken, small figure not much bigger than himself. The dark elf walked lifelessly, like an ill-handled puppet with tangled strings, each of his steps caused his legs to bend awkwardly, his arms stretched and retracted to balance himself clumsily as he limped from the mists. Blood dripped from the gaping hole on the deceased dark elf's chest, pulsing inside was half of a heart, glowing dimly a deep purple, squirting out black blood. His eyes too glowed, but they were brighter, almost like baleful cinders were placed in his eye sockets, oozing out black slime that joined with the fountaining slime from his mouth, making each sound coming from that maw sounded choked and gurgling. His light armor and the waist cape around his hips were torn and corroded, forming odd growth-like protrusions, making him looked animalistic.

- No... - Haru whispered, involuntarily taking a step back, but that was all it took to alert the monstrosity.

With a snapping sound, the dark elf's neck twisted sideway, his baleful eyes locked onto the white haired boy. Letting out the terrifying shriek, the living corpse bolted toward the boy, who in turn ran toward the light with all the strength his entire body could muster. The shrieks distorted in the endless space of the petrified forest, seemingly coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time, but Haru had no time to think about it, in his mind he had but one thought: run. The floor began to moan and churn, great hills rose and collapse, like the surface of the sea when great beasts scour the surface, before dozens of scorched arms burst from them, blindly grasping for Haru as he ran pass them.

- LEAVE ME ALONE! - The white haired boy cried as he tried running faster, toward the throne, toward his salvation, all the while being hounded by the echoing shriek of his undead pursuer. - WHAT DO YOU WANT?!

- GET AWAY! GET AWAY! GET AWAY! - For the first time, he heard the corpse cried out, dropping on all four and leaping on the columns to gain speed, before leaping from one of them toward Haru. - GET AWAY FROM HIM!

- NO!!!

The white haired boy shrieked, bolting upward from the bed, panting heavily, hands reaching for every part of his body to search for injuries, before settling above his heart, feeling its frantic pounding. He looked around with his fearful violet eyes, the forest of stone pillars was gone, replaced by the shelves full of trivial items, hanging amulets and the window letting in the light of early afternoon.

- Haru, what's wrong?

Quetz's voice caught his attention, he turned around, the white haired man was still lying next to him, trying to sit up to comfort him with much difficulty. The white haired boy dove into the older male's chest, causing them both to slide on the bed sheet, he shivered like being in a blizzard, closing his eyes shut as he buried into the man's neck, trying to reassure himself. He felt the Anacondrai's hands on his back and head, quietly stroking to calm him down, rough lips pressed against his forehead, filling him with the sense of safety he desperately needed.

- H-hold me... - He begged with his shaky voice.

- I am, I am. - Quetz replied, grunting, having managed to pull himself up and let Haru sit on his crossed laps. - It's alright, I'm here.

The white haired boy nodded, wrapping his arms around the man's torso and buried his face into his chest, allowing his breathings to even out into deep, slow pants, before trying to explain his nightmare to his beloved.

***

The exit of the canyon sung as winds blew through its jagged rocky teeth, bringing with it the smells of pure, magic saturated territories and bountiful preys safer to eat, the opposite of the wastelands reeked with corruptions on the other side of the mountain. On top his mighty armored raptor, Lucious savored the serenity and purity of the pastures, he took a big breath, taking in all the sweet smell of fresh meat to be had, already his scouting party has made a kill and was in the process of tearing apart an unlucky moose. Diving into the carcass, a dozen black haired Anacondrai snarled and barked at one another, trying to tear out the biggest chunks for themselves. They're all new blood, no more than a few decades old, barely above unruly teenagers in the eyes of the near immortal Anacondrai.

It was embarrassing for Lucious, seeing them fighting like wild animals over a scrap of meat, but it's also endearing to an extend, having once fighting like that with his siblings for their fathers' attention. He was the physically weakest, but his ability to channel and shape the flow of magic was beyond those of his older brothers, making him Quetz's favorite child. Magic is their birthright, and in their cultures, they who are gifted with dominion over magic are usually favored and revered, and he took pride being That Child, much to his brothers' ire. The Lord Inquisitor smiled to himself, tail wagging excitedly as he recalled sweet memories when their family was whole.

- Lord Inquisitor. - One of the more senior Anacondrai came to him, his black armor rattled with each of his steps. - Messenger, my lord.

- What news from the main column? - Lucious asked, turning his face sideway, his voice back to one that fitted his status, cold and serious.

- Lord Haru had a bad dream. - The warrior said deliberately. - His Majesty decreed that we are to set up camp once the main column reaches the exist, so that the young lord may regain his composure.

- It will be done. - Lucious nodded. - Have the new blood hunt for more fresh meat, the young lord will require sustenance.

The inquisitor quickly rode his raptor back to the main column, not even a mile in and he's already heard the commotions coming from the most forward guards. Four high elven riders rode up to meet him, their silver armors with azure markings shimmered in the sunlight, two of them wielded swords and small shields, while the others looked around, their short compound bows readied to loose some arrows. A quick nod of acknowledgement, then they were behind Lucious, leading a few others ahead to help secure the campsite. The inquisitor snorted, then kept moving toward the giant carriage holding his father and the young lord.

- Lucious! - Jean was the first to greet him, riding up to the Anacondrai on his steed classed in crimson armor.

- Master Jean. - Lucious nodded. - How's the young lord?

- The nightmare really shook him. - The vampire said worriedly, eyes turning to the window of Quetz's chamber. - He kept on mumbling about zombie dark elves and twisted stone trees. And...he drew this.

Cautiously, the vampire pulled from his pocket a folded up parchment, even from a distant, Lucious could still smell the lingering smell of fear and magic residue. Shifting his gaze to look at his former mentor for just a moment, the inquisitor stared at the parchment, hand slowly reaching out to unfold it. He hissed, yanking his hand back as he opened it halfway, causing the parchment to be unfold fully, revealing what seemed to be a fearsome pitch blackness with two violet orbs in distant. Lucious panted, for a moment he was overcame with vision, so powerful and vivid that he could still see it every time he blinked, the shifting images seemed to leapt from the parchment to his mind. Crudely yet clearly drawn on the piece of leather paper was a silhouette of what seemed like a small boy, with eyes glowing purple, dripping out crimson blood that mixed with that from the gaping hole on his chest. It wasn't a boy, it was an elf, a dark elf to be exact, standing in the most unearthly of postures, his back bent in an awkward angle, his head snapped the other direction, while his limps were twisted in every possible way. He stood in a dimmed, fogged forest background, hastily and clumsily depictions of trees with markings carved on them, markings that looked far too familiar to them, his eyes locked into the one seeing the picture, as if at any moment, he could leap out, with his mangled limps and tear them apart with bear hand.

- You don't suppose... - Lucious whispered out an inquiry.

- Too early to tell. - Jean shook his head. - We need to get them both to Sanctuary first.

- But then...what next? - The inquisitor continued unsurely.

- I...don't know. - The vampire answered with the same uncertainty. - Regardless, you should go to them, I'll take care of the camp.

Lucious nodded, then made his way toward the carriage, but not before acknowledging Ginji on the driver seat. Nimble feet carried the Anacondrai on the staircases, before long, he was at the door leading inside, where he stood hesitantly, before twisting the door handle. Loi and Mitsuki were the first to greet him, the girl quickly rushed toward him to relay Haru's information, while the tanned boy simply ignored him, turning away. Lucious didn't blame him, things like this is too much for an adolescent human to handle. He walked pass the boy, following Mitsuki through the carriage, before stopping in front of the door leading to Quetz's sanctum.

- Father? - Lucious asked, knocking gently onto the door. - It's me. Are you feeling well?

The door suddenly slid open upward, revealing Quetz was still lying down, his tail coiled around a still tensed Haru, shivering as he looked around with his fearful violet eyes. The older male gestured for both of them, making Lucious and Mitsuki eyed each others for a second, before they made their ways into the small chamber. It was bigger than Mitsuki's thought, even with all of them inside, it felt like there are still enough rooms for a few more. The girl quietly scooted closer to Haru, pulling him into a soothing embrace, stroking his hair and rubbing his back to calm him down, while the two Anacondrai conversed in their language.

- Are you feeling better? - The girl asked, still caressing her brother's hair gently.

- Mhm. - Haru nodded, eyes hazily watching Lucious and Quetz conversing.

They seemed worried, but Quetz seemed more confused and bedazzled than his son. They slowly turned to him, golden and amber eyes staring unblinking, almost glowing like cat eyes in the dimmed room. Lucious tapped the red oval gem in the center of his chest plate, immediately, the armor started to retract, shrinking, pulling back, until there's only the gem left, sprouting three legs on each side and crawling to the man's wrist, attaching itself to him, leaving behind a yellow silk tank top and pants. The black haired Anacondrai slowly made his way toward Haru, golden eyes still fixed on the boy curiously and worriedly. He sat like a curious cat in front of them, with head tilting to one side, before leaning down and pressed his forehead against Haru, nuzzling gently to comfort him.

- Haru, - Quetz said tiredly. - Lucious will look after you...for now.

- Why? What's wrong? - The white haired boy asked, resting his hand on the man's white tail.

- I just need to...sleep a bit... - Quetz's words were interrupted by coughs, causing both the boy and his son to flinch.

- Father, please rest, I'll protect him, I promise. - Lucious reassured. - You need to rest, I'll take him back after lunch.

- Promise...to keep him safe... - The older male murmured, already slowly drifting off.

A hesitant pause, then the younger Anacondrai nodded:

- I promise.

***

Haru held onto Lucious' hand as they walked down to their camp, the entire column has stopped at the exit of the canyon, great wagons forming the shape of a crescent moon, a makeshift wall lined with dozens of elves, Anacondrai and Valkyries, protecting the main supply lines and the carriage. He could see Ginji in the distant, talking with some of his elven warriors, sending them left right and center to tend to menial tasks while he stood guard on one of the makeshift wall. Jean was also there, barking out orders between drunken laughter as he did while the lesser vampires hauled barrels and crates of ammunitions and arrows to the wall of carts, their exposed skin gleamed under the sun like dark, rugged metal.

- Everyone's so...busy. - The boy quietly said, feeling guilty as he's been cooped up in that chamber comfortably while outside, people were trying their best to protect them.

- So were you. - Lucious smiled as he looked down and jested. - I couldn't imagine being alone with Father was any easier than doing menial tasks.

- What do you mean? - The white haired boy asked as they walked, passing temporary kitchens and small gathering of warriors chattering about their jobs and expectation for the future.

Lucious simply smiled at him, before turning his gaze forward, humming the familiar lullaby as he went. It seemed to be a popular tune, Haru thought to himself, holding onto the Anacondrai's hand, contemplating as he followed him. Next to them Mitsuki walked with both curiosity and alarm, unlike her brother, the girl didn't seem to be very popular, or liked in general. More than once, she thought she saw glances of resentment aimed at her from the more senior warriors, only for them to turn away when she looked at them. She could've ignore them, crediting them to her lowly status as a human has it not been for the fact that more than once, one of the younger Anacondrai would outright hissed at her before scurrying away, whimpering like wounded animals. It almost seemed like she was radiating an aura that caused them to feel fear, if not pain.

- Mitsuki-nee, is something wrong?

The girl suddenly felt Haru's hand on hers, pulling her out of her stream of thoughts. She looked down, to see her brother stood alone next to a ring of logs around a fire pit, looking at her with his concerned violet eyes. They've stopped without her noticing, Mitsuki realized as she looked around for Lucious, seeing the man in a conversation with another of his kind, occasionally glancing at them before continuing. She sighed, before sitting down on the log, watching the fire that's cooking their lunch danced, radiating the warmth that felt so good on this highland, especially when winter was rolling in with its cold grasps. Next to her, Haru sat comfily, a stick in hands with a handful of the squishy, sweet treat called marshmallow impaled on it.

He seemed so happy here, so...normal, for the first time in his life he must have felt like he belonged in something greater than his immediate adoptive family. A total contrast to Mitsuki and Loi, though not treated harshly, the girl couldn't help but feel certain...unfriendly feelings aimed at them. Was this what Haru's suffered through? Mitsuki asked herself, but shook her head, no, her brother's endured worst than this, everyone in the village except for their family and the old chief seemed to think of him as bad omen incarnated, sometime even describing him as radiating an aura that irritates them to be in close proximity. If that's the case then...what's her excuse, Mitsuki pondered, recalling Quetz's and Jean's words about knowing her mother, how Haru'd be safer around her.

- Haru, - She finally called out softly, cautiously to not alert the near by warriors. - can I ask you something?

- Yes? - Her brother tilted her head, his violet eyes gleaming under his snowy white bang that draped down his face. - What is it Mitsuki-nee?

For a moment, the girl thought she couldn't ask her brother for this one favor, this one small question she's achingly needed an answer to. Gripping at her silk tunic, Mitsuki gulped down her guilt and fear, she has to know.

- Did...Keto-san...or anyone else, tell you about my mother? - She quietly ushered, feeling her courage hit rock bottom and instantly, the sensation of doubt and regret flooded her mind and soul.

She could see something working inside Haru's mind through those clear violet eyes of his, glistening to the dancing of the flame as he tried to recall their conversations. Each second passed was like a dagger plunged into Mitsuki's anxious self, ghostly hand gripping at her heart, causing it to ache with each pump from...anxiety? Excitement perhaps? She couldn't tell, consumed by that unreal aching, a phantom sensation of pain that was so real she thought her chest could burst open.

Yet it didn't, it lingered, suspended in limbo the longer she waited for the boy's answer. Even her breathing now felt agonizingly slow, each inhalation would drag for half an eternity, held up in her lungs for so long that she thought she could taste every single smells that each breaths bought. It's unbearable, but she has to endure, she has to know, she has to...

- I don't think they did. - Haru shook his head apologetically.

- O-oh...I-I see... - Mitsuki slightly jolted, shivering as time once again flowed naturally, flooding her every senses with noises and smells of the campsite. She took in deep breaths, hand resting on her heart to calm its rapid beating, before turning to Haru and smiled. - It's ok Haru I'm just curious.

- I-if you want I can go ask them? - Haru suggested eagerly, naively.

- Ask us what?

Both Mitsuki and Haru yelped and jumped away from their seats, arms locking on each others as they heard Ginji's voice ringing right behind them. He seemed dumbfounded by the two's reaction, squinting his crimson red eyes with tilting his head to one side with his upper lip curled up in a weird manor. The two children exchanged a panicked glance, before cautiously and slowly letting go of each others. The high elf stood on the opposite side of the crackling fire pit, his head slowly tilting on the other direction, before a potato was thrown at him from behind the children.

- You and you jump scaring antic! - Lucious hissed as he walked pass Haru and Mitsuki, one hand was holding a peeled potato readied to be used as ammunition to throw at the elf, while a satchel filled with the same vegetable dangled from his other arm. - Can't you be any more of a jerk than you already are?!

- Ak! Jeez! I was just having a bit of fun! - Ginji backed off, arms held over his head to protect himself from further potato assaults.

- You keep having fun like that and someone will eventually pass from a heart attack. - The Anacondrai grunted under his breath before sitting on a log. - Now go get me some plates and dinnerware so we can eat!

Ginji huffed and walked away, disappearing into the slowly growing streams of warriors, leaving his companions to tend to their lunch. Haru and Mitsuki cautiously sat down on the log next to Lucious', watching the man as he pulled out a pan and two small jar sealed with leather wrapping. Setting the pan onto the heated flat rocks around the fire pit, the Anacondrai proceeded to pull out small knife from his leather leg strapping, the sharp blade gleamed in the sun, making the white haired boy gulp.

- How do you like your potato, lord Haru? - The boy jumped a bit as Lucious acknowledged him, the older male has already added butter into the pan and was reaching for a potato. He held it in his hand, knife at the ready, only waiting for Haru's words. - Thick or thin slices?

- Th-thin...I think. Please? - The white haired boy replied softly, pulling his legs into his chest, both from the cold and the awkwardness of being regarded so highly.

The two children watched with no small amount of awe as Lucious began to cut into the potato while still holding onto it. He didn't even flinch, his potato holding hand firmed while the other moved in a blur of motions, causing the sharp piece of metal in his hand seemed to fade in and out of reality. Before long, the sizzling sounds of half a dozen of neatly sliced potato slices was heard coming from the pan, the smell of sweetened butter mixed with the raw smell of the potato made Haru and Mitsuki drool. The white haired boy felt his stomach rumbled from the smell of the food, he hugged his stomach and lowered his head, face blushing from embarrassment.

- Don't be so embarrassed, my lord. - Lucious giggled, looking around to find Ginji. - You haven't had anything since this morning.

- I-I had...soup... - Haru tried to protest, but was hushed my Mitsuki, her gentle hand rubbing his head.

- You need to eat more, Haru. - His sister said gently, letting him rest his head on her shoulder, before turning to Lucious, heart aching with question. - Rushi-san?

- Yes? - Like his father, Lucious didn't seem to be bothered with his name being distorted in a foreign tongue, he looked up from the sizzling pan, golden eyes looking at the girl, curious and unblinking.

The girl stuttered, somewhat lost in her thought, before ushering a question:

- If you're Keto-san's son, then who's your mother?

It seemed like a good substituted question to ask, rather than asking about her mother's past, a secret she's been kept from exploring for too long but didn't have the courage to uncover. Yet now, seeing Lucious frozen in place, his expression slowly shifted from curious, to what could only be described as pain, deep and primal, Mitsuki felt as if she's made the greatest mistake she could've ever made.

- Hey! I brought plates, dinnerware and meat! - Ginji walked toward them, oblivious of Lucious' murderous aura as his expression turned into that of demon. - Hey, why are you so quiet? Cats got all of your tongues? Hey. Hey Lushi, look what I brought, it's your favori...?!

The Anacondrai bolted to his feet, marching away from their fire pit and merging into the crowds, leaving them three behind to think about their actions.

***

Quetz jolted to wakefulness, his tail twitched in midair from the dreams, slowly lowering as his mind started to rationalize. It's just a dream, he thought to himself, closing his amber eyes and wiped the sweats on his forehead. Next to him, or rather lying on his outstretched arm, Haru was still sleeping quietly, whimpering and churning in his slumber as he felt the white haired male sudden motions. The older male smiled, then let out a sigh of relief, leaning over to press a kiss onto the boy's forehead, making him smile in his sleep, burying his face into his companion's chest. So adorable, so serene, so...peaceful, Quetz thought, laying his head back onto the pillow, feeling so much better from earlier this morning, now that he's allowed to rest. Outside the sun was still shining, but judging on the angle and intensity of the light warming his back through the window, it must be late afternoon by now.

He lied there with his young companion, rubbing the teen's back to sooth his sleep, letting his mind wonder what everyone's doing outside right now. Yet despite his best attempt to calm his mind, Quetz couldn't shake off the haunting feelings brought fort by the horrific visions in his feverish dreams. Wrapping his arms around Haru's lithe body, the white haired man again tried to ease his mind, yet the feelings persisted. Anxiousness and fear gnawed his heart and mind as every time he closed his eyes, the horrid visions returned, each time more vivid than before, filling with fear that any moment now, Haru'd disappear before his eye, replaced by the bloodied body of a loved one that he's failed to protect. He shivered from the mere thought, unconsciously pulling the boy closer to him, causing to let another muffled whimper.

It's not...real, he thought, trying to convince his mind of the reality in front of him, Haru's still here, he's safe. Letting out a quiet sigh, Quetz stretched his legs and tail to the furthest extend the small confinement of his chamber would allow, careful to not wake the teen. A loud rumble caused his ears, followed by the exhausting and nauseating feeling of hunger setting in, bringing his body back down to the bed. He's barely eaten anything, his ailing condition in the morning prevented him from eating anything without puking it out, even a mere gulf of milk would sent him to his knees. Yet as he held his stomach, feeling its rumbling getting louder and louder, the hunger's gnawing sensation became unbearable. He tried to sit up, churning slowly, carefully, laying Haru's head onto the pillow without waking the boy, but only success in doing so.

- Keto-san? - The white haired teen asked as he lifted his head, rubbing his sleepy violet eyes. - What's wrong?

- Ah...it's nothing. - The older male smiled awkwardly, yet the rumblings from his stomach betrayed him, causing his face to shift into a deep shade of red as he lowered his head in embarrassment.

- Ah...are you hungry? - Haru asked, giggling as the man's expression and silence nodding, before rubbing the older male's silvery white hair and sitting up. - Then let's get lunch for you, is that fine?

Quetz didn't reply, he simply nodded again, keeping his head low as he heard the boy giggling again. Haru took the man by his hand, slowly leading him out of the small room, through the main sleeping chamber and to the bathroom. He smiled as he watched the older male has recovered some of his strength, his movements were a bit still sluggish, but were nowhere as weak and slow as they were in the morning.

- Are you feeling better now? - He asked, rubbing the back of Quetz's hand.

- I do now. - The man smiled, shaking his head furiously, sending droplets of water flying everywhere.

- Wet! - Haru shrieked playfully, raising his arms to shield his face as he backed off a few steps, colliding with Lucious coming in from the other side, still in his casual clothing. - Ah! Rushi-san! - The boy jumped, clumsily adjusting himself. - I-I was just...helping Keto-san washing up.

To his surprise, Lucious smiled, but it was not the usual warm smile that he usually uses to address the white haired boy. There was a certain hint of...unease to it, Haru could tell, hurt even, it wasn't anger per se, but sadness, faint yet clear. The boy quickly turned his gaze away and backed off for the black haired Anacondrai to address his father, hiding his fingers twisting against each others behind his back from a very peculiar feeling. Lucious is Quetz's son, the reminder that he imposed to himself every time he felt a certain aura of threatening from the man has some how been...warped. Now that he's no longer afraid of the black haired male, the teen felt envious, for lack of a better word.

It's the son of the man whom he loved, the white haired boy thought, or rather he couldn't stop thinking about it. He glanced at the two Anacondrai, once again was talking in their language, they way they talked so formally sent shiver down the boy's spines. It's his son, the thought echoed in his mind as he stared at them, there's no denying it, except for the hair and the lacking of the long ears, Lucious was a spitting image of Quetz, with the same demeanor and temper to add. But then...does it also mean that the white haired man had a wife, if so, what does it make Haru? A passing fancy?

- Lord Haru, is something wrong? - Lucious bent down, frowning as he looked at the teen with concerned golden eyes.

- N-no, it's nothing. - Haru shook his head, both from the guilt earlier, and from this new fear that's growing inside him.

- My lord, - The black haired male slowly got onto one knee, much to Haru's and Quetz's surprise. - please don't mind about how I reacted to what your sister's said earlier. I'm just... - He paused and lowered his head, eyes twitching to gather his thought before continuing: - I just...not used to people asking about that.

- But it's true, isn't it? - The question came without his control. - Keto-san did have a wife, didn't he?

Horror, anguish, anger and sorrow, all of them and more, washed over Lucious' face as he suddenly leaned backward. His mouth slightly parted as he slowly stood up, letting out short, trembling breaths choked with emotions, Haru could tell the black haired man wanted to scream, but he couldn't, not in front of Haru, who has only now realized how cataclysmic his actually was. The man's fists were tightened and trembling, so much so that droplets of blood dripped down to the carpet from his claws digging into his pawn. Snapping his head toward Quetz to see his father reaching out to comfort him for just a moment, Lucious dashed out of the carriage, the armored rattled as it expanded from the gem to cover him in.

In a blink of an eye, Lucious was gone, the confused noises coming from the entourage outside marked his departure, leaving the children behind with the older Anacondrai. Haru stood there, staring at where the man's stood, hands coiled into fist, trembling in fear and anxiety, but not from how Lucious and Quetz would react, no, far from it. He was afraid of the answer they'd give, a selfish, horrible kind of fear born not from knowing about the danger for one's self, but from greed, jealousy and enviousness. What if it was true? What if Quetz's son true does or did have a mother? What if Quetz had a wife? What would it make him then?

- Haru...

- No...!

The white haired boy quietly shrieked, backing away as he heard the man's voice coming closer and feeling his hand reaching out. He turned around, through teary, panicked and fearful eyes, he thought he saw the same doubt and anger that he saw in the eyes of every villagers who've mistreated him. He's expected Quetz to be frowning disapprovingly, angrily even, holding him in place to lecture him, berate him about what he did.

But no.

Quetz just...stood there, mid action, outstretched arms reaching out slowly lowered as he took a step back. His sorrowfulness brushed against Haru's being, filling him with regret. Gods, what has he done? The boy ran toward his Anacondrai, wrapping his arms around the man's back and burying his face into the his torso to let out the muffled cries of regret, only now has he only realized how cataclysmic his question was. He felt the white haired man slowly getting onto one knee, roughed yet gentle hands gently caressing him, comforting him, along with another set of feminine hands. His sister's.

- I'm...sorry... - Haru mumbled between each sniffle.

- Shh...it's not your fault. - Mitsuki said soothingly, hands joining with Quetz's to comfort her brother, before turning her eyes to the man.

He was looking at her, but not with anger, as she's expected, just a deep sense of...sorrow. There's a meaning conveyed by those sad amber eyes, a plead for her, for them, to not ask him about it, as if talking about it would shatter what little left of his sanity just from grief alone. A feeling that the girl understood far too well to ignore.

***

He was quiet for the entirety of the trek, as did Quetz on their walk to find Lucious at the forested foothills, just a few miles ahead of the main column. They've traveled alone, as ordered by the white haired man, knowing full well that it was something that they must do by themselves. Yet standing here, just outside the reaches of the branches' shadows, Haru could see anxiety and self doubt in every of Quetz's action. The Anacondrai's tail swayed from side to side slowly under the deep blue satin cloak, yet its movements were rigid, prone to stopping mid action or twitching randomly on the snow. Even his facial expression showed the same uneasiness that plagued his mind, frowning as he stared blankly into the spaces between the trees, half wanting to enter, the other half begging for him to leave it. Just like Haru was when he and Loi were at the entrance of the Forbidden Forest.

- Keto-san... - The boy quietly called out, gloved hands reaching out to hold Quetz's bared one, even through the thick furred gloves, his skin was still cold to the touch.

- It's not your fault. - The older male replied softly, turning his amber eyes down, still drowned in sorrow and anxiety. He slowly knelt to one knee, releasing his hand from the boy's shivering ones to blow onto them, rubbing them together to warm them up, before cupping the teen's exposed cheeks tenderly. - It's not your fault. - He repeated. - But please, promise me you won't ask about it again, Lucious can't take it...neither can I.

- But...it's true, isn't it? - Haru felt his face warmed, his violet eyes burned with emotions despite his best attempt at keeping them in. - There was someone...before me.

- You're the only one I love now. - The man quietly said, lifting the boy's chin and pressed his cold lips against the boy's eyes. - Just please...don't.

He wanted to argue, but instinct, perhaps his love for Quetz, prevented him, telling Haru that something is better left unanswered. Haru simply nodded, warranting a smile of relief from Quetz, before wiping his eyes and followed the man into the sparse tree lines. It's unlike the Forbidden Forest, the paths were clear, light illuminated their every step and everywhere he looked, he saw life in actions, animals running up and down trees, digging under the snows or simply stood watch as they walked pass them, before leisurely walking away. It was peaceful, even relaxing, yet tried as he did, Haru couldn't shake off the feeling of...oddness, for lack of a better word, that he felt. It felt somewhat like what he felt in that dark, claustrophobic space that reeked of death of that dreadful place, but not as strong, at first. Every now and then, they'd come across a boulder covered in glyphs and symbols that looked just like those he's seen in and around their village.

- We're getting close. - Quetz said, brushing his hand on the surface of one of the glyph-covered boulders.

- How do you know? - Haru asked curiously, eyes fixated on the runes that seemed to be starting to glow.

- You feel it too, don't you? - The older male replied, standing up straight and looked deep into the forest, seemingly fixed onto nothing at all.

He wasn't wrong, Haru could feel it, the phantom sensation of the invisible currents brushing against him but not quite. The tingling sensation got stronger as Quetz led them through the forest in a pace that the white haired boy could easily catch up with, it felt so rampant, conflicted and confused, as if Haru was feeling the emotions of someone made manifest. Not just anyone's emotions, but Lucious', the teen thought to himself, realizing that as they got closer and closer to the source, the drifting aura not only got stronger, but also became...distinct, as if he was right in front of them, but not quite.

They stopped at the edge of a small clearing, where six smooth pillars of black stone covered in glyphs were set in the formation of a circle preventing the dirt and roots to defile the floor of marvelous marble inside. Intricately designed and drawn rings of magic symbols were set inside one another, creating a medallion of harmoniously contradicting color scheme with a six-pointed star at the middle, each pointing at the space between the pillars. The two of them stood at the edge of the clearing, just shy of the boundary set by the stone pillars, watching as Lucious meditated, his feeling swirled around, mixed with the saturating magic energy of the circle.

The younger Anacondrai floated mid-air, sitting cross-legged with his back turned toward the two of them, his long black tail swayed gently, trailing ghostly contrails of orange and gold magic with every movement. He's removed his armor, or maybe it's tucked nicely back into his gem bracelet, Haru couldn't tell, as Lucious' arms were hidden in front of him, having chose to wear his casual clothing for meditation. As if sensing the two, the black haired Anacondrai slowly reached his legs down, immediately the atmosphere changed rapidly in Haru's eyes. Where once the clearing and indeed everything in and around the forest seemed to glow a ghostly light, the air itself was quiet and thick with magic, now it would seemed like any other forsaken ruins in a wild, untamed forest. Shadows became darker, the air cold and filled with the smell of rotting vegetation and mushroom, as if the magic has been drained from the place.

- Father, you shouldn't have come. - Lucious mumbled, voice still trembling.

- Lucious, I...

Quetz didn't even get to finished his words, in a blink of an eye, he was in Lucious' arms, the boy, for to him, his son was indeed still a boy, buried his face into his shoulder, where he felt hot wet tears soaking through his shirt. It was the first time the white haired Anacondrai has seen his son cry like this in centuries, millennia even. Not since that fateful day has Lucious showed any real emotion, he's always seemed so stoic and cold, obey every command to the letter. How long has he suppressed his emotions? How long has he endured quietly the gnawing pain that only he could comprehend?

Gently, the older male patted his son's head, ruffling his messy raven colored hair, feeling Lucious' claws digging but not able to tear into the fabric of his shirt. The younger male lifted his head from his father's shoulder, before turning to Haru with sorrow-filled golden eyes. For a split moment, the older male thought his son was about to dive into the boy with fangs and claws, tearing him a part in a fit of rage for reminding him of his pain. But Lucious simply knelt down, wrapping his arms around the boy and pulled him into an embrace.

- Lushi-san, I'm sorry I made you sad... - The white haired teen said softly, rubbing the black haired Anacondrai's head gently. - I promise I won't talk about it again.

- No, it's alright. - The Anacondrai shook his head and stood up slowly, rubbing the lingering tears from his eyes with a smile. - I'm fine, I should have...composed myself better.

- Lucious, there's nothing wrong with showing your weak side. - Quetz gently put his hand on his son's shoulder. - Now let's get back to the column.

- Yes Father. - Lucious nodded, slowly reaching for Haru's hand to hold, not to comfort the white haired boy, but to get some emotional support for himself it seemed.

The black haired man let Haru lead him out of the forest by the hand, or rather, as Quetz's starting to realized, unable or unwilling to let go of the boy's hand. It was weird seeing his favorite son, the most stoic and matured among his brothers, being so childishly shy and timid, he hasn't seen that side of him for a long time. In fact, he hasn't seen his son being close to anyone for a very long time, always keeping to himself, drowning in his own researches and investigations while sparing next to no time to interact with others. Lucious' always seemed so...cold, emotionless, to the point of uncaring, like Quetz himself has been, the white haired male realized. A realization that set into the older Anacondrai a sense of unease.

There's something dark growing inside Quetz, pulling at his minds and soul, invisible bonds tensing, like twisted wires and coiled chains being pulled, he could feel their stretch, heard their cries of protest the more time he spent with Haru. He stopped in his track, stumbled but still in balance, amber eye wide opened as he felt. Something's snapped inside him, literally, like a cable of a great bridge giving up on its task of supporting its own weight, the weight that brought the bond down upon the bridge itself like a whip. It sent chill down the white haired man's spines, his inner self let out a painful, anguish and thirsting roar, as if there's a beast inside him that's been sealed away, held in place by the bonds, like one that's just snapped in his soul, a beast whose presence felt so much like his own, but not as he's now, but as he was a lifetime ago.

- Keto-san, is something wrong? - Haru asked, turning to look at the man.

- It's nothing. - Quetz shook his head, then slowly continued to join his son and Haru. - We should get back, I'm sure everyone's worrying for both of you.

The smaller boy smiled, holding onto Quetz's hand as he did with his son's, casually, if not happily leading them back to the main column, almost oblivious of the grim frown that replaced his smile the moment the boy turned away, of the darkness growing inside his beloved and the bonds that were slowly loosening.