I'd like to say first, that this will be the ACTUAL first chapter.
I had one set up before, but I figured it was necessary to explain two things:
The first is how Fenryk was abandoned, and that will be described within the Prologue.
The second is how he met his father, and how he learned of his bloodline.
If you have any comments, leave them here. Thank you!! :3
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Blazing heat scorched the sands beneath his feet, the unforgiving sun above shone so brightly it made the air itself wave under its power. A few palm trees were scattered across the barren land, the shade they gave was his only relief. They were, quite possibly, the only source of shade for a few hours from here. He collapsed under the tree and groaned, his legs finally giving in under his body. He leaned himself up against the trunk and watched the horizon. Endless sands lay before him, the same landscape he had been watching all day. The wolf sighed and stared at the sky, but it was no different. It was the same cloud-less blue it had been all day, and he could swear that without the sun he was looking at the same exact part of sky—turning around him as he turned to watch it. In the distance a bird soared through the air, but it was too far to see him, he figured, for it didn't get any closer than it was. He sighed and lay back, slowly nodding off with the merchant's words still fresh in his mind.
"You're looking for your father, eh? Well, I did happen to see a newcomer 'round here.. He headed off into the desert from the southern gate," the merchant let out a jolly laugh and his belly quaked when he did. He eyed the wolf and sighed, "Ah, so...I don't believe I ever got your name, son. Mind telling me?" The wolf chuckled and smiled coyly, "I'm sorry...That was rude of me, huh? My name is Fenryk Elensar."
The merchant laughed again, "Elensar, eh? You wouldn't happen to belong to the Elensar clan up north, would you?" Fenryk shook his head and the merchant gave him a disappointed look, "Ah, really? Anyways...The rest of those directions...Out through the Southern Gate and about an hour's walk you'll find an oasis. To the east of the oasis will be the Old Town, abandoned and left to bake in the heat of the desert. I'm sure if that newcomer went out there, that's where he'll be."
Fenryk nodded happily and turned to walk away, but as he did a paw fell on his shoulder and stopped him. "Be careful out there, boy. The desert is an unforgiving place. Take a rest at the oasis I mentioned, it's said to have a sort of healing power." Fenryk nodded and turned to leave again, but the same paw grabbed his shoulder. Fenryk turned around annoyed and stared at the merchant. "Hey, boy..If my information served you well, don't you think I should get some kind of reward?" he smiled greedily. Fenryk scowled and handed the merchant of few bronze clips from his pocket then turned to leave, ducking away from any more paws that might keep falling on him. The merchant laughed and clinked the clips in his hand then yelled after Fenryk, "Good luck, boy! I'm sure we'll meet again!"
Fenryk jumped to his feet and groaned, the aches in his sides and his legs were still pulsing and slowing him down. He gathered his knapsack and found his footprints to find where to continue walking. He groaned again and staggered along the cruel sands.
Hours of walking passed--The same sandy landscape never shifted, never changed...except for the occasional cactus or gloomy palm tree overhead. Far off into the horizon he could barely spot the oasis, but it was closer than he had expected, maybe another good hour before he reached it. The thought made him grimace, he couldn't stand to walk any longer. A shadow encircled him as a bird flew overhead. He sighed and continued walking towards the shimmering waters.
The oasis rose on the land and finally was only a few short steps away. He laughed and staggered faster over to the water, tired and anxious to rest after so long. He drank the water happily and lay on the sands. The sun was still high in the west, but it finally started to dim on the land. Fenryk crawled over to the nearest patch of shade and dozed off slowly until everything became dark.
He woke to the tinny chirping of crickets, nightfall had come quick and the nightlife had come out to find their next meals. Fenryk sat up and expected his legs to protest, but they felt sturdy and strong again--in fact, no part of his body hurt anymore! He sprang to his feet and secured his knapsack on his shoulder, brushing the dirt off his brown and green clothes. His throat scratched a little and he took another long drink of the cool water. The knapsack slid off his arm and he caught it before it fell into the water. He opened it and sat next to the water's edge--it had a few dried meats and a small flask. He takes a bite of jerky and dips the flask in the water, then corks it and puts it away. Fenryk stands and looks around.
Now, I have to head towards the Old Town...The merchant said west, right?
He looks far out west and sees some stone buildings standing in the distance. A little shimmer of light flares and he watches it.
Running now towards the Old Town, following the spark of light he saw off in the distance. The spark was still shining in the air. Maybe a fire on one of the buildings?
Old Town was completely deserted as he came upon it. There was nothing here at all: no carts, no stalls, not even doors or windows! Whoever had lived here must have had some time to leave for whatever the reason was. The spark shone over one of the roofs near the center of the town. The buildings were quite simple, made of hardened and cut sand. The doorways were a big opening in the wall, on the windows were little dried leaves hanging from a string. He entered a house and climbed up a set of simple stairs in the empty room, and then another set up onto the roof. The spark was big from here--a fire, like he had thought. It was only a few houses away, and the gap between houses was short enough that he could jump across. He leaped over a few roofs and approached the one with the fire. A cloaked figure crouched near in and shivered violently. Fenryk watched it carefully and jumped onto the roof behind the figure.
He expected the cloaked fur to acknowledge him as he got closer, but it stayed still...still shivering and even whimpering slightly. Fenryk cautiously approached the fur and called to it, "H-Hey...Are you okay?"
The cloak suddenly came off the fur in a violent thrust, sending the cloth away and off the building. Fenryk jumped and backed off as the figure stood and turned around. The fur was quite tall, and as he turned his tails spun with him.
Was that...8 or 9 tails? I couldn't count quick enough...
"You...I thought you'd follow." it chuckled, stepping into the light.
The kitsune was handsomely dressed: A light-tan sleeveless shirt to show off his muscles with overlapping belts across it and a pair of nobleman's slacks. He wore boots that were meant for marshy terrain and carried 3 swords: One on his left hip, and two on his right. He carefully approached Fenryk and laughed, "Don't be afraid. I'm not mad."
"The kitsune is a lot older, but he definetly looks like me" thought Fenryk.
"So...is it true? Are...you really my father?" Fenryk managed to sputter out, feeling nervous and scared as the kitsune walked closer and closer..
"My name is Arion. Arion Elensar."
The kitsune opened his arms and hugged Fenryk tight, sniffing a little and sighing.
"My boy...You're much older now...There's some things you have to know..."
Fenryk closed his eyes and felt like crying, but he didn't...he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of his father.
"You are indeed Half-Kitsune, son. You will live a long life...Longer than any of your friends, so don't feel sad if you outlive them...it's something we all have to learn to deal with.."
Fenryk sighed and thought for a moment, then broke the hug and looked at his father, "W-Wait...does that mean...mother too?"
Arion closed his eyes and nodded solemnly, "Yes, her too.."
Fenryk frowned and stared blankly at the ground.
"Don't worry, son...You do have other members of your family...Your brother and sister are older than you, their mother was my first mate Clara... Your mother....she was the only one I loved though. Clara was set to wed me by our parents.. Clara died giving birth to your brother, and I met your mother long after.."
Fenryk nods, still frowning. "That helps a bit, I guess..."
Arion laughed, "Hey, cheer up a bit.. I want to see if you can do something."
Fenryk looks up with interest, "If I can what?"
Arion laughs, "Stare at your fur, Fenryk. Focus only on your fur for a moment."
Fenryk tilts his head, "What do you mean? Focus on my fur?"
His father laughs again, "Just do it, Fen! Don't think, just act upon what you trust!"
Fen nods and stares down at his arm, looking at the black fur covering it.
For a moment, his fur shimmers a beautiful gold color and he gasps.
"What was that?! How did I do that?"
Arion laughs and pats him on the back, "Gold, huh? That means you got my powers, boy! You have the power to manipulate different charges within and outside of your body!"
Fenryk looks up at him, confused, "What? so...I can...control lightning?"
Arion grins at him and laughs, "Exactly right! Now that you can turn on your powers, I want you to try to use them! All you ever have to do is focus! Just think about what you want to happen, and you will do it!"
Fenryk shoots him a confused stare.
His father steps over to the ledge of the building and looks down, turns to look at Fenryk, then falls off backwards.
Fen rushes over to the edge to see what was going on, and just as he looked over a bright flash of lightning struck his father from the sky.
He gasps and looks around, "Dad?! DAD?!!"
There is another crack of thunder from behind Fenryk and Arion steps out of the light to tap Fen on the shoulder.
Fenryk jumps and yells at him, "What? How...did you...?!"
Arion laughs and grabs Fen's shoulders, "Flare your fur, son."
Fenryk watches him carefully and his voice gets really shaky. "F-Flare my fur? W-Why? What are y-you going to do?"
Arion grins evilly and shoves Fenryk backwards over the building.
Fenryk panics and stares at the approaching ground, only seconds away from meeting his face personally. He concentrates and flares his fur in an instant, his fur roaring with silky light. Just as his nose hits the ground a loud crackling sound is heard from the roof and he is carried away by a bolt of thunder. He cries out and grabs his poor nose as the unseen power sets him down on the ground and crackles again.
Arion step out of the light and sighs, "That was too close...You got your fur flared but you didn't focus on moving fast, did you?"
Fenryk stands up and looks around, holding his nose still.
"Why did you do that!?! You could have killed me!!"
Arion laughs and pats his arm, "You almost got it, though! That's very impressive! I probably hit the ground a few times when I was first learning!"
Fenryk stares coldly at him and sighs, but is interrupted as his father kneels down and starts coughing...
"D-Dad..are you okay?" Fenryk kneels next to him and rests a paw on his back.
Arion looks up at him seriously, the vibrant color in his eyes now gone leaving them cold and dark. "Fenryk, I didn't want you to see me like this..."
Fenryk gasps, "Like what? What are you talking about?"
Arion struggles to stand and looks at Fenryk, then takes the satchel off his pack and opens it. Inside is a bright and glittering orb, almost like a giant pearl glowing with a faint white light.
"This...is a Hoshi no Tama, son. It is a kitsune's life-force.. You have one as well, your necklace..."
Fenryk grasps his necklace with the little white gem on the end. "What does that have to do with anything?.."
Arion rolls the pearl over. There is a big, long crack in it that seems to grow slowly every second. "I...was attacked on the way here, my Hoshi no Tama took a hit instead of me.. Fenryk, these orbs are our lives.. With them, we are invincible-but if they are cracked or shattered...or even taken away from you....you will die and never live again."
Fenryk's lip curled up slightly and he whimpers, "Does..that mean...you are dying?.."
Arion takes the pearl out and rests it on his paw. "I am, Fenryk.. I didn't want you to see that I was, although I am glad I got to see you before I went.."
Fenryk watches the pearl carefully and sniffles a bit, "It's okay..I'm glad I met you at all, Dad."
Arion smiles and coughs a few more times, then kneels down and takes a sword and sheath out of his satchel, setting them down on the ground in front of Fenryk.
"This is Stormbringer. I forged it a few days ago...It has the missing chip of my Hoshi no Tama in it... Take care of it, son." he cries a bit and grasps his Hoshi no Tama close.
Fenryk picks up the sword and sets in in its sheath, then he looks up at his father.
His father was still there, but Fenryk could see the ground through his body.
"D-Dad! What's happening?! Why are you disappearing?"
Arion didn't answer, instead he kept squeezing his Hoshi no Tama in his arms. It started to crack more and more, pieces splintering and falling off the sides.
"D-DAD! STOP!!"
Arion looked up at Fenryk and smiled, then crushed the pearl in his arms, shards of it flying in all directions as his father's body faded away in the debris.
Fenryk dropped to his knees and cried. The glowing light from the orb was gone, leaving only the light of the fire above around him.
He stayed there for hours, his cries unheard in the desolate town. Every so often he would look up at the ground and see the pearl's shards shimmer red from the fire's light.
He wipes his eyes and grabs the sword to hold it close, quietly whispering to himself, "Father...why did you do that?...if you had more time, why did you waste it?"
Fenryk sniffles and stands himself up, using a belt in his father's satchel to hold the sword's sheath to his waist.
He starts to walk away slowly, the fire above still flickering and crackling gently.
He looks down at the sword on his hip and sighs, then laughs to himself.
"It's going to be a long walk back to town."
~End of Chapter One~
~Feedback, Plz? <3<3~
 Fenryk Elensar · Thu Dec 13, 2007 @ 05:47pm · 5 Comments |
