Alfred looked through the various things that Tino had so kindly gone out and found for him. From soft long grass to thick supporting twigs and even a few small animals pelts, after they were cut open and their meat extracted of course. He had moved to the back of the cave where the walls came together in a small dent in the wall. It was perfect for him. Just enough room in the corner to be sure no one could sneak up from behind him nor to either side. Their only choice would be a frontal attack and the cave pervaded limited room. Even if he was attacked, they would be funneled to him and it would be far easier to defend his nest and the younglings with in it, that is if he had any. He snapped another twig and laid the pieces about the boarder of the nest to be sure his younglings would not crawl out.
He over looked his work and smiled happily. The nest was perfect and he would finally be able to rest easily in it until his menstruation passed. Such things were taxing on a young body, but seeing as his was extremely late for his age it was far worse. It was exhausting and his body ached worse than it ever had. He sighed heavily and moved off to the side of the nest to fix it.
Kiku had gone not long ago for something to help ease his pain and had taken Tino with him and he refused to leave his son. As for William he had gone ahead to see if he could find an inn or a village they could go to. Alfred was told to stay in the cave and not wander past the river they had found. It was a stroke of luck really to have stumbled on it and thanks to the Holy Mother, they had found the cave where they could rest. Kiku and Tino were within ear shot of him should something go wrong.
He sighed heavily and gritted his teeth as a wave of pain shot through his body caused from his bearer's bump; this was a small bump in a male to show they were Omegas. Truth be told it was their womb, but none the less it was the cause of his misery. He hoped the others would return soon so they could ease his pain. He laid in his nest, curling up into a ball and wrapped himself in the pelts that Tino and Peter had brought with them from the raids on the bodies left at the inn.
He laid there, thinking about his brother and where he could possibly be. He wondered if his brother was mated yet, if he had a youngling or if not he soon would. This thought truly scared him. If his brother was mated, especially to an Omega, there was a high probability he would attack him or even kill him in favor of protecting his mate and child. For this reason alone, part of Alfred did wish that his brother was unmated.
Unmated. Like him. Alfred recalled a time he was not very fond of. It was his earliest memory, the earliest he could remember that is. Matthew had always told him he was meant to remember thing far beyond that but somehow he never could. If he tried, his head would begin to hurt badly and his body would give in. Nothing was worth that, not the memories of something from before he was four. He shook slightly as he remembered that horror. It had been his fault they had been slaves.
The Alpha had caught him just outside of the forest playing with his bunny. He took him to his cabin, deep within the forest while Alfred kicked and screamed but nothing seemed to work. He was too young to defend himself. The man then had thrown him to the bed and succeeded in stripping away his own clothes before moving to do the same to Alfred. He fought the man tooth and nail. Nothing seemed to work and soon he was face down in the mattress a hard cock at his rear. He remembered screaming and begging the Alpha to stop, to spare him because he had heard of young omega's being killed because of early claiming. Their bodies had not been mature enough to handle it.
The man did not succeed in breeding him though for just before he could do anything, Matthew arrived and knocked the man to the ground, a mere Alpha of four years. He was acting on pure instinct as the head Alpha of his pack, containing only himself and Alfred, and attacked the opposing Alpha. The surprise attack left Matthew with the advantage and he was quick about ending the other's life. It all had happened so fast that Alfred could barely register what had happened. All he could be sure of was that Matthew, his Alpha twin, had saved him.
Matthew comforted him afterward, holding him tightly and cooing softly to him. Repeatedly, he told him that it wasn't his fault, that he could have done nothing but what he had. Alfred never felt closer to his brother then in those moments.
Though, it had been on their slow walk home that they ran into some traders whom happened upon the dead Alpha's home. They had sniffed out Alfred's scent as the cause of it all and in all honesty, who could pass the golden opportunity of selling an Omega? Once taken, they had been chained together, cleaned and dressed nicely especially Alfred. It was for his protection that he and Mattie were kept far away from the other's, in a separate cell until their auction. There were snicker and snorts coming from those who passed by, many of them whispering of how much was to be made by the little Omega, and some more horrifying then others. Many of them wished to mate him but the fear of the owner kept them at bay. Alfred never met him but it was said he was not one to be trifled with.
A twig snapped just outside the cave and Alfred perked up quickly, searching for the cause of the disturbance. His eyes darted from left to right as his heart raced like a beating drum, heightening his senses. He could see and hear everything, from the gentle cascade of the river on the rocks to the cawing of the raven in the sky. Another snap and Alfred was on his feet moving toward the mouth of the cave. The day was bright, causing him to shield his eyes from the harshness of the sun. Carefully, he looked around for anything that could threaten him, anything that would give away someone who would be lurking in the forest outside of his pack. Slowly he moved down toward the river but remained close to the cave.
About halfway, he heard another snap and he shot his head around to see a small bunny munching on some berries. Each time he finished the ones on the ground; he stood up on his back legs and reached for another berry snapping the branches as he did. Alfred breathe a sigh of relief and bent down, scratching the bunny's ear and watching him thump his foot happily. "Trouble maker." He giggled, taking a handful of berries and laying them down before the small creature. "There you go." He smiled and pet the black and white ears. "Now you won't scare me anymore." He joked.
He picked a few of the blueberries and made his way back to the cave and his nest. Those would be great to make blue ink, a valuable trading implement. All he had to do was grind them up in a stone mixing bowl, add water and a few other ingredients and well-ah, valuable blue ink. He knew this because Arthur had made him make it countless times so they could sell it or use it in his magic to form the incantation circles. If he could make some, then the others could trade it or sell it for something they needed. It would keep him busy and he could be useful to the pack. That in its self was motivation enough to work. Hell, he bet he could find purple and red berries too! Those were just as valuable, purple most of all. Oh if he had Bolinus shells to make purple dye that was the true money maker for it was soft on silk.
Smiling softly to himself, Alfred set to do his work now that he had returned to the cave. Looking around the leather bags he quickly found the medicine grind that William had found him. Since Alfred worked as Arthur's slave assistant, he knew most of the ingredients and recipes that went into healing potions and even some rare poisons. For that reason, William had ventured back to the Inn and among the dead to find the one he had seen on the clerk's desk. When Kiku, Tino and Peter got back with the ingredients, he was going to make basic potions for healing and pain relief. It was the least he could do for them. He looked down at his berries, tossing out the nasty ones and keeping the ripe ones. Smack! Alfred ran into something. At first he had thought it was a wall of the cave, but he soon realized that it wasn't as he was thrown on his stomach into his nest, a body pressed against his own.
~/-*-\~
It was well past dawn when he returned to the castle. Inari had helped him the entire way, allowing the Moon god to use him as support for his weakened body. With every step he took, pain contorted his face but he kept silent about it. The Heavenly Father did not take kindly to weakness. He had seen that personally, when an Oni was crying out in pain from a human attack. The god hand silenced him by ripping his head from his shoulders after the poor demon begged him for help.
Blood dripped from nearly every point in his body and his dragging wing was covered in dried blood, twigs, dirt, and leaves. If he didn't hurry, then his body would not be able to conjure the power needed to heal himself. Of all the gods in the world, it was he whom held true healing powers.
He sighed heavily when he saw the castle within the City of Yozora. It was a dark place made of ebony marble and painted with the blood of demons, humans and gods alike. It was no place for the faint of heart and it was here that there were no laws to protect its people but their own strength. There was only one divine law there and that was all were to obey those fortunate to reside in the Castle within the inner wall of the city. Many of the damned would gladly kill for a place in the palace but all had to earn that right, all but two. Amida had no need for such, being the son of the Heavenly Father. No one dare to argue his claim to that right for fear of his father's wrath. Yet, the first to do such was he himself. Tsukiyomi had been placed within the walls of the palace since his…creation. Many had argued that he had no rights to the claim, that he was a lesser god because he would never know birth and thus bore no birthright to allow such an ease into the palace. The Great Father had saw to silence all who were known to have said such, denouncing his decision and his word, all have since been used to decorate the palace walls for all eternity.
"Inari, release me. You know as well as I if they sense my weakened form…"Tsukiyomi knew they would challenge him this way, all in hopes of gaining the palace stature and the power that goes with it. The cowards. He knew that Inari would be targeted as well for such a right for he as well lived within the palace walls.
The God of Rice smiled devilishly. "Should any try, all shall face certain death. I fought for my claim and I shall fight to keep it as I shall fight to keep my fellow comrade safe." He would be damned if any laid their hand on his precious god! For who so ever would dare o touch him shall have their manhood ripped from them, shoved up their exit point and pulled out through their throat!
Tsukiyomi pushed him aside, before breathing deeply and standing tall. If Inari had not known better he would say that nothing looked wrong with him. Yet, the smell of blood clung tightly to him like a frightened child to his mother's skirt. "I shall not risk it." He whispered as he took a step forward and nearly fell. He had caught himself, luckily before continuing on past the first gate.
Almost instantly the eyes of several demons and malevolent gods turned to him, all possessing that hopeful glimmer in their eyes. It was not long before a snake demon stepped forward to him. "Konbonwa, Tssssssukiyomi-sssssssama." He bowed his head slightly and smirked when he addressed him as sama. The said god paid him no mind as he continued to walk toward the palace. The beast, Naga, Leader of the Naga clan of demons whom held bodies with the upper part being human like and the lower that of a snake, slithered in front of him. They were quick and merciless using venom and the sheer strength of their powerful tails to kill their enemies and devour them whole. "You look ssssssimply awful my lord."
The Moon God nodded his head slightly before attempting to continue on his way. Once more the Naga slithered in front of him, green scales reflecting small amounts of light within the darkness. "You look ssssso weak and helplessssss. Here allow me to help you, leasssst one try to take advantage of you in thissssss sssssstate." He said holding out his hand.
The Demon God bowed slightly. "I humbly decline." He whispered, trying no to let his pain show through. He knew the vile beast was talking about himself. Anyone able to claim the only bearer god would surely gain high rank and approval within the ranks of the gods. He knew should he accept, Naga would undoubtedly lead him to a secluded area and attempt to mate him. In the state he was in it would be too much for his body to handle.
The snake demon frowned. "How rude to turn down ssssuch a kind requesssst." He hissed. His dark red eyes now narrowed at the insult. He had the perfect plan to claim he bastard god. He had hoped he was stupid enough to accept, once he had he would have lead him to an abandoned part of the city and forced himself on the weakened god. Judging by how he could barely stand, it wouldn't take much effort.
Tsuki no Ouji narrowed his eyes darkly as they flashed from blue to red and bore his fangs to the other. It was his attempt to look stronger then he was at the moment. Even the most dim witted knew that a severed wolf's head could still bite. He fought to keep his eye sight focused and his breathing calm. More blood dripped from his finger tips, a sign he reopened his wounds after tensing his muscles. The droplets fell to the ground and soaked in, resulting in the blooming of several lunar flora.
Naga smirked. "Truly he issssss of creation asssss well asssss disssssruction." He licked his lips with his long split tongue. Oh he just couldn't wait!
The God of the Dead stared at the other. His short shoulder length black hair was slicked back using the oil from his scales. His ears were pointed slightly, listening for movement. He was bare except for the gold that wrapped around his arms and the emerald green cloth at his hips hiding his manhood. The snake half took over after that organ, making him a well known breeder among his clan, having many children but so few ever escaping his cruelty, so few of his mates survived their fight to keep their children alive. That was why so few existed. The females would watch over the nest while the male guarded it. Yet, when the eggs hatched, the male would eat them if the female could not fight him off. It was their way of knowing if the children were worthy of life. Nagas could not be weak and if the female lost, she not only lost her life but her litter as well.
Naga spotted an opening, just between the shaking of the god's head to focus his eyes. That split second was all he needed to wrap his powerful tail around the other's legs and bind them. The unstable god fell to the ground hard, grunting his pain for all to hear. Naga heard a scream from the crowd. Inari would prove challenging, if he were not restrained by others. The demon grinned as he slithered his tail further up the fallen god's body, restraining his arms and squeezing him tightly. "Sssssseemssssss to me that you can't fight. Don't worry, thissssss will not be plesssent." He flipped him on his stomach with his face in the dirt. The Moon God flapped his wing, trying to gain leverage but it was useless. He was a wounded bird trapped within the snake's deadly embrace. Naga pressed his manhood to the clothed entrance of the god, rubbing it for all to see and witness, causing the crowd to scream and roar enragements. None dared to challenge Naga when he had a claim. Just one bite and all would suffer a horrible slow and painful death as the venom turned their own blood into acid. This would be the day that he, Naga, would gain his right as hand of the Great Father and the power that went with it. It would be truly the Year of the Snake!
The young god grit his teeth tightly as he felt the other show off his weakness to all. From the side he could see Inari bound in chains, hair held tightly holding his head up to he could see what was going to be done. The Realm of Darkness was known for its cruelty. "Coward!" he breathe out.
Naga squeezed tighter, aggravating the God's already broken ribs. "I have challenged you, not attacked you from behind nor while you sssssslept. Thisssss issssss honorable." He hissed, leaning over his body to do so in his ear. He licked the lobe with his tongue. "Mhmmmm. Like a female…sssssso sssssssweet." He chuckled darkly as he ripped the kimono and exposed most of his body. Tsukiyomi struggled but it wasn't much. He had him where he wanted him and the crowd was on his side. He pointed to the side, toward Inari. "Look, your friend sssssseemsssss upsssset. Why don't we give him a sssssshow?" he asked as he brushed his hand across the soft skin of the bearer god. He removed the silk cloth and exposed his bare form for all to see. "From thisssss day forth! Tssssssssukiyomi no Ouji issssss my claim!"
The roars from the crowd subsided and the frightened demons parted to make way for one they feared most. His large form easily intimidating any other. He said nothing nor did anything but keep his eyes fixed on the scene and walk toward it. The snake bastard did not even notice him through his gloating. He took no time in wrapping his large hand around the thin neck and unravel his scaly hide from the other god. Marks could be seen all throughout his body from scale imprints to what seemed like burn marks due to the tightness of the hold. Yet, what infuriated him most was that he had unknowingly wrapped his foul hide around the bearer's neck, cutting off his air supply.
His violet eyes locked on those of red. The rage could be felt throughout the crowd and many of the lesser gods and demons ran for cover. "You dare to claim what is mine?" the question was spoken calmly and it was that that terrified all there. He squeezed the thin throat causing Naga to curl his tail like a dying worm. "The penalty for such is death." He pulled out a dagger and slowly dragged it across the fleshy chest of the other causing him to cry out in pain. "Slow and painful death, after torture." He smiled childishly ignoring the other's cries for mercy.
Tsukiyomi stood slowly, trying hard to stay conscious. Amida was going to kill Naga. Yet, to him it was not right. Naga deserved a punishment but not death. Slowly he stumbled to them, holding his broken rib. "Teishi…" he whispered. His broken wing was becoming heavy. Naga screamed again as the blade pierced his liver. "TEISHI!" he yelled, throwing himself on the Death God's arm, hoping to stop him.
Instinctively, Amida threw whoever it was on his arm off and to the ground. Looking at it he frowned realizing who it was and that he had hurt him. "Why let him live?! He tried to claim you?!" he couldn't understand it.
Tsukiyomi smiled crudely. "Death is too easy for him." He said through his panting. He wasn't going to last much longer.
Amida smiled. "So true." He dropped Naga. Quickly the snake stood only to barely catch the motion of the higher god's hand as he severed his manhood from his body. The snake god screamed in pain, writhing on the floor like a worm caught in the sun. The god laughed as he kicked the small organ to a hell hound, who happily devoured the treat.
The larger God took off his kimono, easily wrapping it around his fiancée. "Who had done this to you?" he asked concerned as he carefully picked the other up as one would a bride. Whoever had been so bold as to attack him would surely pay dearly.
Tsuki smiled. "As if I would say." He whispered, knowing that the god would kill the mother. His body relaxed, knowing no one would harm him now that Amida was there. It wasn't that he truly cared for the god, nor did he hate him but he couldn't agree with him on most topics and ideals. Amida was honorable in some ways but less so in others. "Gomen…" he whispered as he closed his heavy eyelids and fell into a world of darkness all his own.
Amida rolled his eyes and smiled softly. He turned to the bound and chained Inari now laying on the ground staring up at them. "Really, you couldn't even protect him." He huffed, narrowing his eyes darkly. Inari growled lowly and struggled in the chains causing the fine writing on them to glow an angry red. Amida knew those well, they were soul binds, a chain made to restrain and imprison demons and gods so they could not use their power. No doubly while he was making his way to help Tsukiyomi he had been jumped and all it took was one cuff to seal his power. Inari was a powerful god and none dared to challenge him single handedly. Inari was too wise and clever for a honorable challenge, no, the best way to get to him was if you could stir his emotions. If you directed it at him he would ignore it allowing it to wash over him like a river over stone. Yet, if you were to attack those he cared for, his rage was enough to blind his judgment and he would not be as clever. Amida knew this simply because he had eavesdropped on Tsukiyomi warning Inari of that fact.
Inari growled loudly. "Had you been here when summoned it wouldn't have gotten that far!" he barked. He had known that something like this was going to happen. So, when Tsukiyomi was not looking he had sent one of his foxes to summon Amida to meet them at the gate. He had been late getting there and because of it Tsuki no Ouji was hurt even more and nearly claimed.
Freezing cold darkness surrounded him as Amida emitted a menacing aura. His eyes glaring down at him like an irate parent with their child. A soft yet freighting sound emanated from his throat sounding like KOLKOLKOLKOLKOL. "Do not speak to me like such. You who are a lesser god then I." only by birthright within the Realm of Darkness.
Inari was the son of both the Heavenly Father and Holy Mother. The second son to be exact, but he was not as loved as Amaterasu who was truly the third son but treated as the first born though the right belonged to Haniyasu-hiko God of the Earth and of Wisdom. The Holy Mother had sent him to earth to teach the humans to build homes, master fire, plant and harvest food as well as read and write. For this she gave him the sub-realm of earth to rule over though he resided within the realm of light. Inari's birth was not well received by her Holiness. He had burned her and in her opinion, was born misshapen and deformed for he had been born with three fox tails and covered in flames. After his birth, she had cast him out, an infant and sent him to live in darkness with his father. The Great Father did love and care for him, but there was distance between them for the god of the Dark realm believed he was better suited for the realm of light. It goes to say how well the third son was received.
"I am born of both holy entities!" He barked. "I am of higher birth then you!" he snarled. One of his foxes, the one he sent to fetch Amida, released him from the soul binds. He shot to his feet and glared at the Death god.
Amida just shrugged before turning around and headed for the palace with the wounded god within his arms. He knew what he had to do. Yet he needed to get there quickly. So, he focused his energy within his shadow on the wall, envisioning where he wanted to go and walked toward the wall. Phasing through it, he appeared in the room of the castle he had wanted to go. Tsukiyomi's room looked much more like a garden then an actual room. Each of the flowers were lunar and thrived within the light radiating from his own body. The room was decorated in silvers, blues, purples and greens of the twilight. The floor was a grayish marble looking as though it were silver. Elegant painting of the night sky hovered on the ceiling accurately changing with the days and nights that passed. In the center of the room, was a shining pool of white light. That was his goal. That pool was a wonderful creation by Tsukiyomi himself. Made of the tears of souls that were shed throughout their lifetime, yet purified by his own tears, it was a healing pool useful only to Tsukiyomi. He alone could use the power and he alone could heal others with it should he choose to. Amida knelt before the pool and slowly lowered the injured god into it. Once the liquid hit his hands, it instantly began to sting and start to burn him. Ripping his hands away, Amida watched as the moon god floated to the center of the pool.
Instantly his eyes shot open, glowing a soft white. He whispered something before arching his back. As he did so, the water within the pool shot up, swirling about him like a hurricane glowing the same white as his eyes. Amida stood back, watching in wonder and amazement as the water formed a bubble around the other god whom wrapped his wings around himself and curled in a fetal position within the bubble. After he was set, the bubble began to crystallize into ice encasing the god protectively within so he could heal himself with in the safely of the thick ice. Inside, the God was bobbing up and down with in a small section of unfrozen water that was glowing brightly, set to healing him. He looked much like a little bird within an egg.
"Truly an amazing God." he whispered to himself as he sat on his legs below the crystallized god. He would wait for him to emerge; to be sure he was okay. The wounds were deep and the bout with Naga only made it worse. He would wait there for as long as it would take for him to heal. Just to be sure. Just to be sure.
~/-*-\~
Matthew paced back and forth in the forest, stressing about everything that had happened and was going on. It has all been so messed up. From the time he gained the courage, which he was the fucking god of and worshiped for, to go as far as to allow the Prince of Darkness and God of the Dead to know of his feelings. He the God of all, The Prince of Everything that ever was and shall ever be, was brought to fear by his raw emotion for the unique and mysterious God that would never know birth. He, the only God able to bare children.
He ripped off his mask and sighed heavily. It was all wrong, all of it. Nothing was right. It should have ended well, all of it. He was supposed to say yes. He should have said yes instead of kiss him and decline. War, that's what he said he was truly afraid of. Not just any war but the war between Light and Darkness. His hand had been promised to two others chosen by his mother and father. At the time he had not known. Yet, his honorable father had chosen as the mate of the lovely god to be his own child, The God of Death, Amida. The large and terrifying god took not only mortal life but also the life of other gods. To him, all were capable of death, god and mortal both were meant to die in his eyes though the sun god wished so deeply to rip them out. Those vile vicious violate eyes followed his beloved god no matter where he was. The second whom was promised him was by his own mother's doing, O-Kumi the god of Magic. He was from the realm of darkness and had always had his eye on the young God since his creation.
Matthew shot a large ball of fire at a tree, obliterating it in mere seconds. Tsukiyomi was his, since the moment he first laid eyes on the long raven haired beauty dripping wet from the ocean he was born from and far too weak to stand just as any new born would be. He smiled softly at the memory of how he smiled at him. It was so beautiful, so innocent, so pure and full of true joy and happiness. A smile meant only for him. "Tsu-chan…" he whispered, gritting his teeth in pain. He loved him, he fucking loved him more than anything in the world and all he ever did was mess it up.
From the time with the Okami pup to the day Tsukiyomi had crossed the barrier of light to help him. All he had done was causing the other grief and misery. He had proposed to him, back when their visits were hidden from every and all. He remembered their first kiss, on the banks of the Kohaku River. Of how he was able to touch him for the first time and how he never wanted to let him go.
'Tsu-chan…Aishiteru, Tsu-chan.' He recalled his first time he had confessed his love. It had taken so much of his courage to utter those words that he wanted to vomit afterward from sheer fear. Yet, the other just turned away from him. 'I have been promised to another, twice. I must choose one…or face a war.' That was the first time he had seen fear in the other's lovely eyes. War was something the god truly feared, for so many innocent souls would suffer. Though, they had trapped him. Should he pick Amida, Izanami would surely claim that he was purposely strengthening the Realm of Darkness and wage war for tipping the balance in their favor. Yet, should he chose O-kumi, the Darkness would wage war on the Light for forcing their hand in a realm outside of their own even if it was the Holy Mother who commanded it. No matter his choice, war was inevitable and he was the key to start it.
"Is that why you didn't fight them?" he asked out loud referring to the day he was caught in the realm of light and punished by being stripped of his rank as a god. He, Amaterasu, had been told that Tsukiyomi had not fought back. That he had allowed them to beat him and leave him a huddled heap upon the earth and allowed the Barrier of Dawn to wash over him. Matthew froze as a cold sweat ran down his face. "Had you…Had you wished for death?" he choked out. If he were dead then there could be no war. He balled his fists. That had been the reason he was so close to the Barrier to begin with. He was going to step over it and face the punishment for such a transgression. Did he not know the repercussions to his decision? No, it didn't seem right. He fought to stay alive for the humans. Without the Moon and God of the Dead, the humans would suffer and their souls left to roam the earth for eternity instead of finding salvation in heaven. That was why Izanami could not kill him. The balance would be forever disrupted and chaos would reign triumphant. Nothing seemed to truly add up, but one thing did and that was the use of Tsukiyomi to start a war of the Gods. That alone was enough to send him into a fit of rage.
All thought suddenly drained from him when he caught an unfamiliar scent. It was foul and menacing, the scent of a rival Alpha! He picked up his mask and ran with all his might to his Omega. How had he been so foolish?! Inari had failed to protect him once already, back when he had been beaten by the other gods and his wings ripped from his body. It had been Inari who ran off to do Holy Mother knows what when he was caught off guard. Now, someone had defiled their scent markings and had headed toward his omega, his eternal love.
~/-*-\~
Alfred thrashed about, snarling and trying to bite the Alpha that was polluting his nest with his foul stench. Yet, the stronger nature held firmly to the back of his neck, keeping him in one place. What covered him most was the scent of blood and the faint sounds of the pitter pattering of a child's footsteps.
'Come on! Come to papa!' Alfred's body froze all movements as he was dragged into the past of the Alpha above him…
"Father please! I beg you to give him to me! You have your heir and I am in need of my own!" a tall and darkly dressed Alpha pleaded to an older, weak and white bearded Alpha. The elder chuckled darkly before snapping his fingers. Two guards brought in a young yet sluttishly dressed Omega before them.
The virgin omega's eyes nearly burst from his head. "Tino…" he whispered.
Tino's eyes raged with hate and anger. "I would sooner die then marry the bastard king whom claimed my family's lives just to breed me!" he spit before the king and turned hatefully to his son. "May your entire blood line rot in the eternal flames of the Heavenly Father's realm!" he barked.
Blue eyes narrowed slightly. If that was Tino, then the son…It was Berwald! He took a step back holding his head. Berwald! He was alive! He was safe but…Alfred looked up at the scene as the father argued with his son. He couldn't hear what was going on but the old king drew a sword before being run through by Berwald. He was so confused. It had to be Berwald. It was he who was the Alpha above him, pinning him to his nest.
The scene changed to Tino being alone with Berwald in a large room. The omega was standing to the far end of the room opposite of Berwald but eyes fixed on him all the same. The large Alpha said nothing but set a small box on the bed between them and slowly stepped back. "I think I've had enough gifts from your father." He hissed as he motioned to his whorish clothes that exposed most of his body to the world.
The new lord sighed and sat in the chair. "I am not my father." He said softly. "Had I been you would already have my seed growing with in you." He was whispering, too afraid to speak loud for fear of the other running away. "If you want proof of that it's in that box."
The omega knew that all too well. Had he been the old king he would have bred him by now. Luckily, he had been spared his virginity by the death of the old king who had planned that night to do so. Yet, something in him screamed for him to move forward and look inside the box. Slowly but surely he made his way to it with the other's eyes watching closely. With a slight hesitation, he opened the small gift and was nearly brought to his knees. Inside was a lovely blue outfit complete with pants and a small white hat. Without thinking he shed his ragged clothes and placed the new ones on. They fit perfectly, yet what he didn't see in the box until then was the small marble place stones each marked with the names of his family members. Softly, he traced the etchings of their names and smiled to himself. They had died protecting him; his pack had defended him their sole unclaimed omega and in doing so had perished.
"What of my mother? What became of him?" he looked up, not quite recalling ever seeing his body lying with the others. He had indeed hoped that he had been able to be spared. "Tell me please." He looked to the other with pleading eyes.
Berwald shook his head before standing and heading toward the door. He had heard tale that the greatest thing to an Omega was their mother. It was always he or she that loved them truly and unconditionally no matter what. To tell him what had truly happened…Warmth filled his hand as the other took it, holding it tightly.
"Please, I beg you…" he whispered. "If he is alive I will do anything…" he stepped forward until he was pressed against his chest before slowly sliding down, past his torso, past his stomach…
"Stop." Berwald pulled him up, blushing brightly before moving him away. "I-I can't tell you…"
Tino's eyes began to well up. "So he is dead…how?" his voice was soft, quite.
The new king frowned before turning away in pain and shame of what his father had done to the poor mother when he refused to breed. "H-He was taken to the confines of the god of justice. There he was…" he couldn't bring himself to say it as the tears swelled. "He was taken by the men there…numbering two hundred and thirty. I tried…I tried to spare him I truly did. He had only killed the Alphas in lee of protecting you…" He fell at the Omega's feet and began to weep. "I am so sorry I had failed you. For so long I have watched from afar only to see your attentions locked on others. I had wanted you as my own, as my queen but my father wished a wife and you oh fair beauty was the only Omega outside of your mother in our kingdom. Forgive me! Forgive me!"
Berwald shook the Omega slightly. He had stopped moving for some time and his eyes were void of life yet he was breathing. Something was wrong. He did not want to hurt Alfred; he had only meant to hold onto him until his Alphas released his wife and son. He internally curse and pulled Alfred into his arms hoping to rouse him into consciousness. "Come on!" he growled out shaking him some more but the other's head just lulled to the side. This wasn't good. If he had hurt the Omega then there was no guarantee his wife and son would be unharmed. He cursed again before sitting down next to Alfred who lay in his nest, trying desperately to wake him.
Alfred continued to watch as Tino smiled and kissed Berwald on his cheek. He had been wrong about him. Tino had thought him no better than his father when he truly was. He was far kinder then any Alpha outside of his own clan. Berwald looked on in bewilderment at the Omega who nuzzled into him. What had he truly done to deserve this? It didn't matter now, because Berwald held him tightly as the warm scent of a preheat filled his senses. It will be soon and he wished so much for them to marry before hand, to make the child he would carry legitimate.
The Alpha removed his hand and almost instantly Alfred took a sharp inhale before he began to cough. Berwald took that chance to throw a blanket over him and wrap him in an embrace to keep him from escaping. The omega struggled knowing full well that the Alpha was more powerful then he was especially after his episode. "Let me go! Berwald please! I know what you're doing but you will only get yourself killed!" his mouth gagged by a cloth and his arms bound tightly behind him and to his legs.
"Be still young one, I'm not going to hurt you anymore." He said softly turning to the mouth of the cave to see if anyone had heard the omega scream. He only needed him as a trade off, a harmless endeavor. Alfred didn't seem happy, nor angry. The bearer was worried about something and he tried to voice it through his gag. "Shhhh. Calm down…" he said reaching down to reassure him as he had always done to reassure Tino everything would be alright. He caressed his cheek, trying to calm the frightened Omega. He had not meant to defile the nest, he merely stumbled on the stones and fallen into it. Yet, no one would believe that. Things were so messed up that he wasn't sure how he would respond to it. He knew William would be angry, that he would assume the worst.
~/-*-\~
Amida had been there for hours, sitting, waiting for something anything to happen that would confirm that his dear Tsukiyomi was okay. He was greeted with nothing. No sound, no sign, nothing but silence and the slow steady beat of Tsukiyomi's heart beating. It was lulling him to sleep with its slow and rhythmatic beating, like a soft drum. Somehow, it filled the Death God with a sense of warmth that was never found in the realm to which they were born to. He reached up to touch the chrysalis that the god had wrapped himself in.
The large god smiled brightly. "Warm." He whispered as he pressed his lips to it. "It beats with your heart, just as they say. It is you with your kind heart and loving ways that is meant to rule, not the Holy Mother." Had he been near the realm of light she would surely of attempted to take his life for that truth, but here in the Heavenly Father's palace she held no power. "She had grown mad with jealousy and rage, clinging to her hatred of you simply because you exist outside of her will." He spoke softly, as if he were speaking to a child.
He looked to Tsukiyomi's face and smiled lovingly. "When we are wed, we shall claim the heavens and you, my dearest love shall sit on the thrown of heaven in the Jade palace where she once sat and rule the realm of light and I darkness. There would be no barriers of Twilight nor Dawn. There will be nothing that divides us, our people. All will live in peace." He watched as the Moon God smiled in his slumber. His heart raced, knowing he could hear his every word. "Yes my dear…" he whispered as a love would and caressed the warm beating shell with the back of his hand. "There will be peace between us all. Light and Darkness shall be united as one."Yes, no one shall be forcibly labeled and cast aside to be content with the caste system they implied. And he, the God of Death, shall see to it her beloved son joined her in death. Amaterasu had lived in luxury for long enough and the bastard had the gull to seek out HIS Tsukiyomi's hand.
Tsukiyomi was exotic yes. His creation alone gave proof that he was no ordinary god. He is the only god that truly belonged in both the Realm of Light and that of Darkness. He could create as well as destroy; the only male god with a womb to carry a child and the most extraordinary god ever known.
Amida looked away and watched the light coming from the chrysalis dance on the gray marble floor. It was true as well that Tsukiyomi could not even bear the thought of him let alone a marriage to him. Though he wasn't sure why, Tsukiyomi always held such a saddened face and refused to look at him when they were near one another. If he spoke it was always a few words and he would be off doing his duties. He had once, that the Moon God hated him because he was claimed by the Heavenly Father, but it didn't seem like him. No, there was something else about it that he would one day find out.
CRACK! The god turned quickly to the chrysalis which now held a large crack in it. A smile found its way to his lips as he watched the shell shatter and the god fall naked to the ground below, water washing over him. His long hair covered him for the most part, much to Amida's displeasure. None the less he made his way to the god and knelt beside him. The wounds were completely healed, not even a scar remained. Truly amazing, the Death God thought as he traced the part of skin the deepest wound had been. It was soft as he had imagined it, like running his fingers of the soft petals of a rose, smooth and sensual. "Such true beauty…" he whispered as his fingers traced up his neck, past his jaw line and to his soft full lips the color of cherry blossoms in full bloom, a shade of pink he thought could never be replicated. He turned to look at the wings; the lovely sheen from the raven feathers was far too tempting to touch. Reaching over the unconscious god and reaching his hand over to stroke the feathers on the wing, he neglected to pay attention to the other.
Radiant blue eyes fluttered open to star for a moment at the pale neck of Amida. Without much of a thought to what was going on, he quickly wrapped his arms around him and dug his fangs into his neck just deep enough to cause pain but not enough to harm him. Taken by surprise, the larger god fell to his back, pulling the other on top of him, fangs still embedded in his neck. He could tell Amida knew that he could rip his throat out should he so choose but it was a warning.
His hand laced in his ash blonde hair, keeping his head steady so the bastard didn't accidently hurt himself as blood flowed into his mouth. It tasted so good to him, being of the Realm of Darkness he did as all of them do, eat human souls to survive. Yet, unlike most who eat the entire soul, he ate the part that no soul would miss. He devoured the evil, misery, and anger within a soul and allowed the rest to go free. It was this that gave him enough strength to carry on but also limited his power because the balance was not there and that was the truest power, the perfect balance. Thus, naturally blood would be a desired taste to him, one he denied himself of and secretly took to animal blood unlike his counter parts who enjoyed the human's blood. The warm and succulent taste caused him to shiver and let out a soft moan in please and he swallowed a mouthful. His large wings, three times his size were folded neatly behind him as his tail swayed back and forth.
Amida would be lying if he denied how good he felt at that moment. Above him was nude god, one who took to concealing himself well from the eyes of others and he was enjoying it. The soft and shallow breaths coming from his fiancée was arousing as it hit his neck sending shivers of pleasure down his spine. As the other fed from him, he heard the soft moan and nearly lost it. He wanted more of him and he couldn't wait for him to agree to it. As long as Tsukiyomi denied his proposal, he could not claim him honorably. Another shiver ran down his spine as he felt the flicker of the other's tongue against his now sensitive neck. His hands, now since been idle, have now been employed to touch and feel every bit of the other as he could. Much to his surprise, the other did not reprimand his actions far too lost in the taste of blood he so long denied himself. As his hands traveled lower, he knew he was treading dangerously over already thinned ice. Yet, no matter how much he tried he couldn't top. He wanted more and he would have it. As his hand lowered near his entrance, past his tail which stood guard, he slowly circled it.
Tsukiyomi growled viciously and released Amida quickly, spreading his wings and moving quickly to the high ceiling and perching on the overhead of stone looking down angrily at the other still laying on his back. Thick blood slowly dripped down the side of him mouth and to his chin but it was paid no mind as the color was imitated in the god's eyes. He snarled and growled his frustration. "How dare you! How dare you touch what does not belong to you!" he spread his wings as far as they would go and snapped his tail making the walls shake with the sound of thunder. "I have denied you as a bride, by the laws of the havens I am not yours to claim!"
The Shinigami slowly stood then, smiling as he did with blood trickling from the puncture wounds in his neck. "Even so by those same laws you are a lowly bastard god. You were claimed by neither the Holy Mother nor Heavenly Father, by that right alone I could take you should I so wish as the first born independent son of the Great Father." By independent he meant the first to be born of a mother outside of the Her Grace. It was true. Should he or any other high ranking god by birth right wish him just as Naga had, they had a right to challenge him and if he lost, he was theirs until one should challenge his claimer and win him. Being a bastard god had no rights save what was given. As for Tsukiyomi, the Heavenly Father had blessed him enough. Amida could have him if he truly wished but he preferred a willing partner to one he had to force, they were never the same afterward and he preferred Tsukiyomi as he was.
The God of the Dead snapped his jaws in anger as his eyes burned with anger. It was true. Anyone could claim him and put their own bastard in his belly. Another lowly god or goddess that would hold no respect but what they could get by being born of a certain god. Amida's child, should he ever be claimed by him and he won't go willingly but should it come to it Amida's child would be well honored in the Realm of Darkness. Being the first born independent son of the Great Father entitled him to the true role of prince though, Tsukiyomi was graced with the title being the first to truly join the darkness with Izanagi No Mikoto by his will. That alone would mean their child would be well received within the world and within the heavens. Yet, should someone in the Realm of Light attempt and succeed, such as Amaterasu the child would be damned by Izanami No Mikoto and most likely be sought after in hopes of eradication. Such a child would break the hold she had on the division and bring true balance to the world for the child will not contain just darkness but also light. Even so, Tsukiyomi would never allow himself to be used by any god lowly or high ranking. He whom been given the title of Bastard God, rejected by those of his own blood and by mortals who fear him.
He closed his eyes tightly and turned his head in pain of the knowledge, of the undying truths. He was created not born and so bore no rights to the life he had. "Tell me, why is it I am treated so different when I am so much the same?" he whispered, holding back his tears and refusing Amida the sight of them. Was it truly fair to say the reason he hated Amida so much was because he hated the simple truth that he, Tsukiyomi, was responsible for his birth? Had he not been created, Death would not have entered the world. Yet it had, and was welcomed by those of Darkness while he, the creator, the mother of Death was cast aside so as a lowly beast with nothing but what he himself had gained and the little Izanagi had given to him. It was also safe to say, should Tsukiyomi die so shall death and the division of Darkness and Light would forever be severed causing a war that would survive for eternity between Light and Darkness.
The Death god pondered this. He was the same, in many ways to Tsukiyomi. Amida was well aware of how his birth came to be, how the wound to his father had happened when he was defending Tsukiyomi from Izanami and the drop impregnated his mother. He knew well that his birth only came to pass for Tsukiyomi bore both creation and destruction allowing death and rebirth to exist. He was the honored son of Izanagi but he, the true mother, was not given any honor nor respect he so rightly deserved.
The Prince of Darkness hugged his knees to his chest and lowered his wings as he sat upon his perch. "Am I truly that much of a monster, a demon, a freak unfit to walk within this world that I am not meant for much but what a high ranking male can make of me?" He was speaking of his two engagements he had rejected, both high ranking gods as well as that bastard Naga. His worth would be in the heirs he could give to them and only then would he have some honor, the honor of mothering their younglings.
Amida frowned and narrowed his eyes. "Your worth is not in any male! Your worth is in what you are and in whom you chose to be! I am bound by my father's name as is all whom are born but you, you are created form not light nor darkness alone! You are the blend of both! The perfect mix of both Yin and Yang, neither good nor evil to which you have a right to chose, unlike those of birth." It was true, those born were bound by their father's name.
The other snarled. "Lies do no good here!" he snapped. "I know such as false. Amaterasu is born of the same father and yet he is blessed by light!"Amida could not argue that, and his words were indeed just proven false. "Spew your lies to another for I shall not hear of them! I was rejected by both from my creation, the only reason I reside here in the palace within the Realm of Darkness and given the title of its prince is simply because Izanagi No Mikoto wished to keep death in the world! I live so death can exist and he may one day kill his beloved and claim the Heaven they had created together! No one will kill me for fear of his wrath and none will honor me because such bares no honor!" Undying truths.
The Shinigami remained silent. There was nothing he could say to retort what was said. Tsukiyomi spoke the truth and none could truly deny such once it passed his lips. He was calculating in everything he did because he had to be. One wrong move and he was finished.
In a single swift movement that Amida could barely see, he was met with glowing blood red eyes that bore into his. Tsukiyomi hovered slightly above him, bare and exposed, hair swaying in the wind caused by his own wings. His hand was gently placed upon Amida's pale cheek as he tilt his head to the side, smiling sadly as he did. The Death God watched in awe as his eyes switched from blood red to a lovely shining white. "Please, tell me what I say holds no truth. Tell me son of Izanagi No Mikoto and I swear that I will agree to your proposal, prove to me I can be seen as an equal to any god without having to bare one a child." He slowly moved his lips toward the other's, lovely plump pink like no other, his sweet breath mixing with the Shinigami's. "I beg of you to tell me, so I can start to live instead of exist."He looked at him, searching for any hope any kind of reassurance that there was a chance he was wrong.
Amida sighed heavily, moving his hand to Tsukiyomi's on his cheek. It was warm and by no means unwelcome. His violet eyes held the truth and that was exactly what Tsukiyomi had said. Nothing could change that, as long as Izanami No Mikoto ruled the world. That is why he needed Tsukiyomi so much; only with his power could he claim the heavens and make a life for his beloved. "You speak only truths beloved Prince. If I held the power I would be sure to make a liar of you."
The Prince of Darkness removed his hand and moved toward the far end of the room landing with not a sound to be heard. He wrapped his arms around himself as he turned to the other god. "You have said your peace; I implore you to please exit my sacred chamber."He knew Amida had more to say but he would hear none of it.
The larger god did not argue. Tsukiyomi loved his privacy and he was still nude, cleverly hiding behind his large wings. Bowing slightly he turned to the door to exit when something froze him in place. It was so small and innocent but held so much impact. "Arigatou." The other smiled slightly and left him alone.
Tsukiyomi looked at his reflection in the mirror. Letting out a heavy sigh he turned away from it and moved instead to dress himself I a twilight colored furisode with stars scattered about it. His eyes flashed a deep red as he continued his task despite the intruder. "I care not, I will not wed your son." His eyes met with those as black as a starless sky, anger was seen within them but he did not back down. The god had listened in on them, hidden in the shadows. It angered him, showing the disrespect and furthering his argument about being treated as one of lowly birth.
"It matters no your choice. You will marry my son…" Izanagi said, voice sounding like a young lord. "…we will reclaim the heavens and live as equals with those of Light."
He turned a hateful glare to the King of Gods. "And she tells me I am to marry Okumi because you tell me to marry Amida!" his blood was boiling and his rage was growing. "What am I to do now? No matter what I decide war will ensue!"
"You are meant to usher this war in, the reformation of this world is in order…" He loomed over the younger god trying to intimidate him. He was by far larger and stronger than him; his power was absolute second only to Izanami.
Tsukiyomi scuffed. "How dare you! How dare you both! Neither of you claim me because I was created instead of born yet each will me to do their bidding!" he slammed a mirror on the ground, shattering it into thousands of pieces. "I am not claimed! I am a bastard god and that is what you and she have given me! I will not marry anyone trusted upon me; I shall marry one of my choosing if I should choose to marry at all! It is my life not hers and not yours!"
The King of the Gods wrapped his large hand around the other's neck, squeezing it tightly. He threw him over the writing desk spilling the ink and shattering its container. Before the other could fight back, he turned him around so his back faced him and pressed him into the wall trapping him. One arm snaked through and wrapped once more around his neck squeezing tightly as the other snaked down and slipped into his furisode slip to grip the soft thigh. The position made his wings useless, at such an angle there was no leverage to gain and Izanagi was too strong for him. He moved his lips to the sensitive pointed ear. "By letting you reside here I have claimed you. Your life is mine and mine alone." He whispered harshly burning his ear as he dug his nails into his soft flesh. "I could claim you fully, put a little bastard in your belly and use you until I've had my fill before tossing you to those like Naga." He felt the god shiver, knowing his threats were true. "Had it not been for Amida whom came to me and asked for your hand I would have done it already." He pressed further into him before gripping one of the horns atop Tsukiyomi's head and jerking it back earning him a whimper. "I don't kill you because my son will die and I will have no way of ridding the world of that tyrant!" He burst into a deep dark rooted laughter. "As for your so called life, you were not born you don't have one my dear Tsukiyomi."
Tsukiyomi laughed himself. "Yet, in order to gain my power I need to give it." He felt the hand tighten on his thigh. "As long as I breathe, I am alive. As long as I am alive, I will never give you that power!"
Izanagi growled viciously. "You don't know what I can do to you! I can make you suffer everyday for eternity!"
A soft yet sad look made its way to the virgin god's lovely face. "Knowing millions of innocent lives would be lost due to a war I started…there is no suffering far worse than that." He whispered. "The dead cannot raise but are reborn. It is I who gave that gift for I brought death to this world."If innocent lives were to perish because of him, he could never forgive himself. It was his duty to guard the lives of the innocent as the Guardian of Darkness. He was not a murderer; he could never kill another not even out of hate. That was why he begged Amida to spare Naga even after he had tried to claim him.
The old god released him in favor of gripping his silky long ebony hair. "You will marry my son! You will bear his child in your belly and you will spark this war!" he threw him to the cold hard ground and walked out vanishing into the shadows.
"No…" Tsukiyomi said softly with a smile on his lips. "I would sooner die."
~/-*-\~
A/N
Okay okay I admit it was a long time for this update but it is an extra long chapter! So now we see that Berwald is still alive and he has made a bit of a mess of things. How will the others react to the now captured Alfred?
What is Matthew talking about when he said it wasn't supposed to go wrong? What was it?
Amida is not as cruel as he comes off, in fact he is (as we clearly see) far kinder then his father. Hell he emasculated Naga for what he had done.
As for our lovely Tsukiyomi, we now know why his marriage is so wanted. No matter what he chooses, or who, he cannot stop the war. Yet, how does all this tie into his human life and banishment? Find out in the next chapter.