Orginal Sin

Mamlaka. The mere mention of the land would cause most creatures to cower with terror. It was a dark and terrible place. A place where no sin, no matter how small, went unpunished. In fact, the punishment was often far too severe for the crime. Sneezing on another, for example, could result in the fracturing of one's nose. Those unfortunate enough to wander into Mamlaka would be doomed to spend eternity snared in its clutches. As fortune would have it, few were that foolish. For entering Mamlaka meant certain destruction of both the body and soul. In fact, the only known creatures who did not fear this land were those who resided in it, themselves. The very creatures who were the reason that this lands was so feared; The Disciples of Usafi. A rogue clan of hyenas, outcast from their original land for their beliefs. Under their first leader, Abdas the Pure, this clan found solitude in this wide, grassy land. And even after Abdas was taken from them, his legacy lived on. For his one and only son, Fenyang the Pious, had followed in his footsteps, ruling in almost the exact same manner that Abdas had instructed him. In truth, Fenyang was superior to his father in every way. He was braver. He was stronger. And to his followers, he was purer. The hyenas of Mamlaka saw Fenyang as a god, a view that they were punished for by Fenyang, himself. For Fenyang believed in absolute purity, by any means necessary. Blasphemy would not be tolerated. Mamlaka had flourished under the rule of Fenyang. He saw to it that corruption was sought out and destroyed, sending his missionaries to distant lands in order to convert more creatures to his cause. Those who opposed were terminated.

However, one party believed that the most vile form of corruption was found in Fenyang's "absolute purity." This party resided in a land that stood far from Mamlaka; The Bloody Shadows. A land whose most notable residents were assassins, taking on any excuse to satisfy their bloodlust. It was the only land powerful enough to challenge the Disciples of Usafi. And for a time, it did. The assassins of the Bloody Shadows and the missionaries of Mamlaka would often run into each other while carrying out there separate missions. And due to a conflict of interest, neither side appreciated hide nor hair of the other. Battles would soon break out. Many lives were lost. And not just the lives of members of the two rival nations. It had become difficult for either land to keep up their charade of justice. It needed to end. So, the leader of the Bloody Shadows, the Jasisi Sheikh known as Subiani, and Fenyang the Pious had agreed upon a treaty of peace between their lands, in order to end the bloodshed. Unbeknownst to either ruler, the other was lying. Both aimed for the fall of the other's land. The only problem was that the location of both lands remained a secret to all but those who resided within them. In truth, the only wars they waged with each other were on lands that they shared an interest in. And so, both lands began to send out small, elite groups to search for the enemy. Fenyang himself had sent his only son to lead one of these groups. It had been years since the heir of Fenyang, Edaha, had lead his small army to search for the Bloody Shadows. And still, there was no report had been sent back to Mamlaka. Fenyang assumed the worst; Edaha and his team must have been killed. The king of Mamlaka hoped that he was wrong. He loved Edaha with all his heart. For Edaha had proven himself pure. And Fenyang feared that without an heir, his rule would find its end at his ascension into Heaven. However, these fears were soon lifted from Fenyang. His mate, Tii, had become pregnant with there second child. And it was on this night that the new heir of Fenyang would be born. Tii had been in labor for hours. And Fenyang, unable to bear the thought of something happening to either his mate or new child, had gone far away from his den to pray.

"Oh, merciful gods of all creation," Fenyang breathed, bowing as he stared up at the sky, "It is I, your humble servant, Fenyang. Please, allow my unworthy voice to entreat thine ears. My mate, my one and only love. My love who you, in your divine mercy, have blessed me with…..She suffers so. Please…I ask that if her suffering be not by your will, you find it in your benevolent hearts to save her. I beg of you! She is worthy, I swear it! I…don't want to lose another loved one….."

Fenyang ended his prayer, his head hung low and eyes clenched tight to hold back tears. Even though they were far apart, he felt the pain of his mate. The pure agony that she was enduring was now flowing through him. The large hyena began to sob quietly. He knew that the gods work in mysterious ways. Ways that were not always favorable. However, Fenyang believed the gods to be the only fair entities in existance. If his mate were to die, it would be for the best. But still….Fenyang prayed that the gods would allow her to survive and remain on earth with him. Rather, he prayed to them for this favor. But the gods showed no sign of attentiveness. Fenyang felt as though he was alone, despite the fact that his faith caused him to know otherwise. Suddenly, a being addressed Fenyang. However, this was not one of the divine beings that Fenyang had hoped for. It was, in fact, a very earthly creature.

"Fenyang!" a small voice chuckled, "I've been looking all over for ya!"

Fenyang turned his head to the ground to see a large rat sitting in front of him with a jovial smile. Fenyang paused a moment, before returning the smile. The rat may not have been a god, but Fenyang was still happy to see him. After all, it was his most loyal friend and servant.

"Bellow," Fenyang nodded with a deep breath, his smile fading, "It's good to see that at least one of us has found merriment on this dismal night."

"Dismal?" the large rat asked with a raised eyebrow, "I'd have thought you'd be overjoyed with the events of tonight!"

Fenyang raised his head slightly and glared at Bellow. The rat took a few paces back and smiled nervously.

"'Overjoyed?'" Fenyang growled, "My mate is in pain. She has been for hours. And you expect me to be overjoyed?"

Bellow wiped his brow and gave a sigh of relief.

"Aw, that all that was eatin' ya?" Bellow asked with a smile, "Well, you needn't worry, my good sir! For a very reliable source has told me that Tii's labor has ended, and your new heir has arrived!"

Fenyang jolted backward in surprised, before leaping forward to look Bellow in the eye. The rat fell on his back to avoid his Fenyang''s paw, but retained his smile.

"Who?" Fenyang asked excitedly, "Who has told you this?"

Bellow stood up and dusted himself off, before replying.

"Your most trusted advisor," Bellow grinned proudly with a bow, "Me! I stopped by the den and noted that not only had Tii's cries of pain ended, but she also had something in her paws. She appeared to be grooming it quite affectionately."

"Our cub!" Fenyang gasped, before bringing his eyes to Bellow, "What did it look like? Is it a male or a female? Does it have her eyes?"

Bellow chuckled and shook his head.

"Sadly, I'm unsure," Bellow shrugged, "It is quite dark in the den, after all. In fact, it's dark everywhere! Or have you not noticed our many friends in the sky?"

Fenyang raised an eyebrow, before looking up at the sky to see an abundance of sparkling stars. He had been too wrapped uo in his prayer to notice them before. The hyena king lowered his head and ears in embarrassment. Bellow merely smiled.

"But some things are better left a surprise," Bello smiled casually, "So, when shall I be permitted to pay my respects to the new heir?"

Fenyang smiled down at Bellow and lowered himself to the ground.

"Right now!" Fenyang laughed, "Hop on."

Bellow nodded with his usual smile and leaped on Fenyang's shoulders, wrapping his long tail around the hyena's neck. Fenyang looked towards the sky and mouthed the words "Praise be to you!", before running towards his den to meet his mate and new cub. Bellow was right. Some things are better left a surprise. However, Fenyang was about to receive the most unpleasent surprise to be bestowed upon a hyena of his caliber. The night would not go as peaceful as he hoped. In fact, this was to be the worst night of Fenyang's life. For he would lose yet another creature who was very important to him. Fenyang smiled widely as he continued onward, forgetting one thing that he had come to learn on multiple occasions. He was about to learn it once more. The gods work in mysterious ways, indeed.

Fenyang and Bellow arrived at the front of the hyena's den. Fenyang took a deep breath and sat down, suddenly unsure of himself.

"Don't be so nervous, Exalted One," Bellow whispered into Fenyang's ear with a chuckle, "I'm sure all went well."

Fenyang glanced at his servant out of the corner of his eye and smiled, before walking into his den with restored confidence. The rat uncoiled his worm-like tail from his master's neck and leapt from his shoulder to scurry behind him. Bellow always had a way of making the hyena king feel better and more comfortable. It was for that reason that Fenyang had hired the rat as his personal advisor. Absoulte purity was hard. The hyena knew that it was possible, but often needed a bit a reassurance. After all, he was flawed like every other mortal. If he had believed anything else, he would be going against the very thing he hoped to create. Fenyang's confidence only grew as he finally caught sight of Tii, who smiled up at him from the bundle in her paws. Fenyang gave a relieved smile and walked over to his mate, nuzzling her affectionately. Tii wrapped her neck around his and smiled contently.

"Oh, Fenyang!" Tii cooed happily, "We've done it again! We've created something beautiful! Just look at him….So perfect…"

Fenyang smile grew at Tii's words. He secretly hoped for another male. For only males could truly follow his example. The hyena king pulled his head back to smile at Tii, before daring a glance at his newborn cub. A glance turned into a look. A look turned into a stare. The stare was soon accompanied by a snarl. Tii watched in confusion as Fenyang backed away, a look of pure disgust on his face as he snalred louder and louder with each passing second. Bellow needed to roll out of the way in order to avoid being stepped on.

"…Fenyang? Are….you okay?" Tii asked quietly, before putting much more urgency in her tone, "Fenyang, what's wrong with you? What infuriates you, so?"

Bellow cocked his head and stared at Fenyang as the hyena continued to growl. The rat had the same question on his mind. What could have replaced his master's happiness with rage? Bellow slowly turned to Tii, whose face was filled with horror as she kept her eyes on her mate. The servant of Fenyang would soon lower his gaze to Tii's paws. More precisely, the creature in Tii's paws. From the distance he stood, the rat could not get a good view of the newborn cub. But his master's displeasure started as soon as he laid eyes on his son. Bellow could not deny the possibility that it was the infant who caused Fenyang's rage. He needed to know. After a deep breath, Bellow crawled to wards Tii. As he had reached her paws, he stood on his hind legs and caught a glimpse of the cub in her paws. After that glimpse, Bellow let out a shrill squeak and fell backward in shock. This was no ordinary hyena cub. Most hyena cubs were a dark shade of gray when they were born. This cub was completely black, with not even a tinge of grey on its body. Bellow placed a paw over his speeding heart and turned to Fenyang with a look of pure terror.

"M…m..m…mm…mm…Master….." Bellow began, fear overtaking his tone, "It….It's….It's…"

"It's a sin against nature!" Fenyang finished his servant's sentence with a growl, "A defiance of natural order! It's a…kaffir demon!"

Tii's eyes widened with shock at her mate's words. She had n't expected this kind of reaction, at all.

"F….Fenyang…." Tii managed to get out, "Why would you….."

"How dare you bring that abomination into this world?" Fenyang growled lowly at his mate.

Tii gave another look of shock.

"Fenyang, he's our son," Tii said quietly, cradling her cub.

"No!" Fenyang snapped, "My son would not be flawed. My son would not be filth. My son would not be tainted by evil."

"What evil?" Tii asked, rolling her eyes as she nudged her son forward, "He's a little fur-ball!"

"He is black!" Fenyang snorted, "The color of death. The color of destruction. The color of darkness, itself!"

Tii stood up and pulled her infant cub backward. The cub, in response, nuzzled against her leg.

"And why does that make him evil?" Tii asked Fenyang in a defensive tone, "No creature choses its features. They are created in whatever image the gods see fit."

"Exactly!" Fenyang shot back, pointing to the cub and glancing at it in disgust, "And the gods made him that way for a reason! It's an omen, Tii. The gods are trying to warn us that he is a being of pure evil! He's a curse on us all!"

The cub yawned and nuzzled deeper into its mother's leg, curling up on her paw. Tii lowered her head and patted the cub's back affectionately.

"I refuse to believe that," Tii whispered, "I refuse to believe that the gods would mark their creations in such a disgusting manner. He's no curse. He's a blessing. Can't you see, Fenyang? We've created something special."

"WE?" Fenyang boomed, before calming into a mere snarl, "There is no 'we', Tii. I had no hand in this. I couldn't have. I am pure. No….This is all your doing. You've sinned. It was you who showed mercy to that rogue from the Bloody Shadows! I told you to just leave him to die, but you just wouldn't listen! You insisted on treating his wounds. You even spent every night by his…"

Fenyang stopped in mid sentence, coming to the sudden realization that event that he was refering to and the event that was currently in progress might have more relation than he thought. After all, the rogue from the Bloody Shadows who Tii had aided was a black hyena, just like the newborn cub. Tii looked into her mate's eyes, before lowering hers as he brought his pupils upward. The large hyena stared at Tii, before breaking into a sudden snarl and smacking her across the face. Tii yelped in pain and stumbled backward, raising her head just in time to be struck again.

"You…..YOU BITCH!" Fenyang howled, "YOU UNFAITHFUL LITTLE TRAMP! YOU GAVE YOURSELF TO HIM, DIDN'T YOU?"

Tii slowly brought her tear-filled eyes upward to meet her mate's.

"No," Tii sniffled quietly, "I never gave myself to anyone but you. Please, Fenyang! You have to believe me!"

"LIAR!" Fenyang snarled, smacking his mate once again, "Don't you dare try to feed me such crap!"

"It's the truth!" Tii spoke up, stopping short of another sentence as Fenyang raised his paw and pulled it backward.

Tii flinched in preparation of another blow, opening her eyes after a few seconds had gone by. Fenyang lowered his paw to the ground and let out a heavy sigh, before turning away from his mate and addressing Bellow. Tii gave a sigh of relief patted her newborn son's soft head.

"Bellow," Fenyang ordered, tapping his paw on the ground.

The large rat immediately ran to his master and bowed.

"Master?" Bellow asked expectantly.

"Fetch a few Disciples," Fenyang commanded, "Five should be plenty. Enough to get the job done. I want this done quickly, and quietly."

Bellow cocked his head, before nodding obidiently and scurrying off. Fenyang turned back to his mate, who gave him a look of both confusion and fear.

"What was…what was that about?" Tii asked nervously.

Fenyang smiled at his mate. However this was neither a warm smile nor a happy smile. It was a twisted and sadistic smirk, that widened as he stepped closer to his mate and cub.

"I think you know what that was about," Fenyang smirked, "You cheated on me. You cheated on me with the enemy. And because of your sins, that…thing came into being. Earlier tonight, I swore to the gods that you were worthy enough to survive. You've turned me into a liar. Because of you, I have committed an act against my gods. There's blood on my paws. Blood which you put there. You must be punished."

Tii's eyes widened with horror as she placed her cub behind her and stared up at Fenyang. Fenyang merely smiled back, before turning away as Bellow entered the den, five hyenas behind him.

"My, that was quick!" Fenyang chuckled.

"I aim to please, my lord," Bellow replied with a bow.

Fenyang nodded to the five hyenas, before turning back to Tii.

"Loyal followers," Fenyang smiled, addressing his servants with his eyes still on his mate, "It seems a mistake has been made. And as you know, mistakes are a very serious sin. And as king of Mamlaka, it is my job to see to it that sinners are….removed."

Tii stared at Fenyang in shock, before crouching low and snarling.

"I won't let you take my baby away from me!" Tii snarled.

Fenyang slowly walked over to Tii with a casual smile, sitting down in front of her. Bellow climbed up the hyena king's back and sat upon his shoulder.

"I assure you," Fenyang smiled, "My intentions are quite the oppostite."

Bellow had to wrap his tail firmly around his master's neck to hang on as Fenyang shifted behind Tii and pushed her forward, before quickly sitting down in front of the newborn cub.

"Get this heretic out of my sight!" Fenyang ordered his minions.

The five hyenas immediately sprang forward and surrounded Tii, holding her back as she struggled against their teeth and claws.

"NO!" Tii screamed, "NO, YOU CAN'T DO THIS! GIVE ME MY BABY! GIVE ME MY….ugh…."

Tii was cut off as one of the hyenas struck her in the back of the head, knocking her out cold. Bellow clicked his tongue as the female hyena fell limply to the ground.

"She should have known better," Bellow sighed, "But she lost the faith. And now, she must pay for it….She's lucky, actually. Most sinners in this land are severely tortured, not set free."

Fenyang shot the rat a glare. Bellow shrank back, before leaping off his master's shoulders and sitting at his side. The five Disciples began to lift Tii off the ground, only stopping when a strange noise sounded throughout the den. It was the sound of loud squeaking, closely resembling a baby's cry. In fact, it was the cry of the newborn cub, who now lay hidden behind his father. Fenyang and Bellow froze as all eyes turned to them, for it was in their direction that the noise was coming from.

"That sounds…what is it?" one of the hyenas asked in confusion.

"Er…sound?" Fenyang asked, tapping his servant, "I hear no sound."

Bellow nodded, having gotten the message. The large rat quicky ducked behind his master and wrapped his tail around the newborn cub's mouth, clamping it shut and stifling its cries. Fenyang smiled casually. The five hyenas looked around in confusion as the sound came to a halt.

"Come to think of it," one of the hyenas stated, "She mentioned having a baby."

The other hyenas nodded in agreement, before turning back to Fenyang. The hyena king bit his lip, before smiling at the hyenas upon finding an explanation.

"Oh, yes," Fenyang nodded, "She did have a cub, but it didn't make it. Her grief caused her to lose her senses. It would be better for everyone if she left."

The hyenas stared at Fenyang with pity in their eyes.

"I'm very sorry to hear that," one hyena stated, "I can't even image the pain you're going through."

"No, you can't," Fenyang growled, beginning to become a bit annoyed, "In fact, even looking at her causes me to suffer greatly. So kindly do as I instructed you, and get her out of my sight!"

The hyenas jerked backward and nodded appologetically, before picking up Tii's limp body and carrying it out of the den as fast as they could. Fenyang gave a sigh of relief and turned to his servant, who released the cub's muzzle as soon as he was sure that the others were gone.

"So, what do we do, Fenyang?" Bellow asked, "We certainly can't allow this abomination to live. But we cannot risk your position, either. Our task is to destroy it quietly, before anyone find out. But how?"

Fenyang lowered his head and let out a heavy sigh, staring at the cub in disgust.

"Because of this horrid demon, I was forced to sin," Fenyang growled, "If he had never came into being, everything would have been alright. My slate was clean. Now, it is tarnished. I had to lie to my own followers so that I may proceed with my plans for this unholy spirit of Hell. But it will be worth it."

Bellow stared up at his master and smiled widely. A few moments passed, during which no blow was made, nor any move.

"Pardon me, Master," Bellow cleared his throught, "But should we not be disposing of this monster while the coast is still clear?"

Fenyang smiled down at his servant and shook his head.

"You lack my vision, Bellow," Fenyang stated with little emotion, despite his smile, "But that's alright. Most creatures do. The fact is, I have no intention of killing the little kaffir….not just yet, anyway. At the moment, death would be too good for him. It would be a release from his sins. And we certainly can't have that, can we? Especially not when it fails to solve the problem of the sins placed on me. No….I won't kill him until he suffers for his sins, and I am forgiven for mine. And there's only one way to do that."

Fenyang paused in his speech to place his paw formly on the black cub's back, causing the newborn to cry out in pain.

"I shall save him from his sins," Fenyang stated, "I shall see to it that every lesson he learns, he learns through suffering. I shall make him weak and frail, so that I may break him. I'll save the gods the trouble of tormenting him, themselves. I shall carry out there will on earth. And if they find my act sufficient, I shall be forgiven for my sins. Yes….I will save this demon. He'll grow to fear me! He'll grow to respect me! Who knows? He could even grow to be of some use to me, outside of repentance. And I shall be a

true servant of the gods!...But we must keep my work, as well as this demon's existance, a secret. The Disciples….they are not yet pure enough to understand. They could easily mistake my benevolence for malevolence. They are flawed, after all. Nowhere near my level…..That's it! I shall keep it in one of the holes in the Grave of Damned Souls. Appropriate, if you ask me. He'll be among his own kind. The only difference is that he will not know the comfort of death. He'll know only me, his master and saviior! And no one will ever find him….I'll give him ust enough to survive. Just enough, and no more. After all, I can't have him dying on me. It would end my chances of repentance! Hmm….For now, I must find a female with milk who is verygood at keeping secrets, as well as a passage to the Grave of Damned that will prevent others from seeing me. You stay here and watch the little Hell-spawned bastard. I must act fast."

Bellow bowed obdiently, his eyes filled with awe after hearing his master's plan. Fenyang pressed his paw down on the black cub one final time, before turning to the outside of the den.

"….Fenyang?" Bellow called after his master.

"Hmm?" Fenyang replied.

Bellow paused for a moment, before speaking up once more.

"When will you put this plan into action?" Bellow asked.

Fenyang turned back to the rat and cracked his neck tiredly.

"I'm getting this kak out of my den as soon as possible," Fenyang replied, "As for his lessons…..They shall begin as soon as he is old enough to understand true suffering!"

Bellow smiled and nodded excitedly.

"Ah, but if he is to be your student, he'll need a name!" Bellow stated jokingly, "What do you think? I believe 'Kafir' has a nice ring to it!"

Fenyang stared at his servant and raised his lip into a snarl. Bellow covered his head with his arms and wrapped his tail around himself. He knew now that the king was in no mood for jokes.

"He is no student," Fenyang snarled, "Merely a sin that I seek to correct. A sin, and nothing more….. And to make that fact very clear, his name shall be Kosa."

Bellow lifted his head up and smiled nervously.

"Oh…yes…of course, good choice!" Bellow laughed sheepishly.

Fenyang shook his head and continued out of the den, before going into a sprint. Bellow smiled to hiself and turned to the black cub, who lay wriggling on the ground. The rat scurried over to Kosa and wrapped his long tail around the cub's neck, squeezing it tightly. The infant let out a few painful gasps for air as Bellow snickered with satisfaction.

"You're lucky that the master has found it in his heart to save you," Bellow snickered tightening his grip on the newborns neck, "For if it were up to me, you'd be in a million pieces, right now. But, the master knows best. And I'll take any excuse to see you pay for your sins. You…you and your kind. So unnatural…All of you are freaks! And you will all suffer for it! And you….you especially, shall suffer it greatly. Yes….and your suffering shall never end...YOU LITTLE ASWAD!"

Bellow quickly uncoiled his tail and used it to whip Kosa in the face. The black cub shrieked in pain as the rat cackled triumphantly. His eyes had not yet open. And already, they had known tears. In the one hour that Kosa had been on this earth, he had felt more pain then most feel in their entire lives. And this pain would only continue, getting worse and worse with each passing year. And there was nothing he could do about rest of Kosa's life in Mamlaka would follow the example of his birth. He would be made frail. He would be helpless. And most of all, he would be abused. However, this frail, helpless, abused cub would one day grow to become something magnificient. Something powerful. Something to be adored.

The gods work in mysterious ways.