Chapter XXIX
La Peggio Per Ultimo
The rest of the visit was spent going about the local attractions of Sitrik. A boat ride on the lake, some old ruby steel mines on the borderline of the state, and as Seris was taking an afternoon nap one day, Dianos took his guests to Ini Trades and showed them the workings, and met some workers in the offices. The best moment of that visit was,
"Dianos, you've got a call...on my computer," a Sangheili worker behind his desk, a smirk on her mandibles.
"I...do?" he asked, then went behind her desk and looked.
"My dearest husband," Stone, Rose, Zuli and Sedena heard Seris' voice emit from the computer, and the worker snickered while Dianos slapped his face. Needless to say, there was an argument emitting from their room later that night.
But Murphy's Law states: whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. This particular for the last minute. More like whatever can go wrong, will go wrong on occasion, but unfortunately, this was one of those occasions, the last afternoon on Sangheilios, before the four friends left back for their dry desert.
Seris' eyes scanned the computer screen, while she sat at the kitchen table, head propped up on her fist, legs crossed and feet hanging down from the gravity chair, swaying rhythmically. As she read, Dianos stepped in.
"Do not even go past the table to my side," Seris said flatly, not taking her eyes off the screen.
"I wasn't here to sneak a peak, I was here for something to snack on," said Dianos in annoyance.
"Be my guest," she replied, still staring.
"Well, what I want is in the fridge, behind you. Do I have your much needed permission?" asked Dianos sarcastically.
"No," she replied simply, clicking once and then reading again.
"Well, too bad," said Dianos as he started to make his way past Seris, but she took her other hand from under the table, and held Sedena's G18, and pointed it at Dianos.
"Oh please," he said. Then she zapped him in the neck.
"Ow!" he said, rubbing the spot.
"Leave," Seris said, smirking, now looking up at him.
"It's such a shame, the abuse husbands have to suffer under their wives," said Dianos in disappointment, shaking his head. Seris merely flicked a switch on the side of the gun, setting it to burst mode. Dianos knew.
"Don't-" be began, but he was zapped three times in the neck. He grunted but ran at her. She couldn't help but cackle as she scrambled out of her chair and backed away, firing burst after burst on his head, but he finally grabbed her arms and she made a yelp of fright but amusement. They both tripped over each other's feet and slammed on the ground, then proceeded to wrestle. Dianos grinned as he finally ripped the G18 from Seris' grasp, then fired some burst onto her neck.
"Ah! Stop!" she laughed hysterically, more like she was being tickled rather than electrically shocked.
"Oh wow," said Stone's voice, and both laughed, looking up at him in surprise. Rose was watching too, both humans grinning at the Sangheili couple. "Looks like they found a new kinky sex toy." Both of them laughed, and it was then Dianos realized he was inside Seris' legs, and Seris' realizing she had let him in. He immediately rolled out and both blushed.
"Oh relax we were kidding," Rose said.
"She started it," Dianos said in a mock sneer, mimicking the stereotypical child accusation.
"I start everything," she replied slyly as he got up, then held his hand to her. She smiled and gently grasped his and he pulled her up.
"I was looking all over for that," said Sedena suddenly as she came in too, seeing Dianos still had the G18.
"Sorry, I had to borrow that for this particular moment," Seris said to her granddaughter as Dianos gave it back to Sedena.
"You and Zuli aren't going back out to roll around in the mud again are you?" asked Dianos.
"No, we were just gonna take a walk by the lake," said Zuli in annoyance.
"I only wanted to make sure I didn't lose it," Sedena replied, placing the model pistol on the table.
"Okay, well have a good walk," said Seris, and she jabbed Dianos' ribs as she caught him looking at the computer screen, and he gave her a dirty look.
"Don't leave us here alone with them, they're in heat," Stone said, and both Sangheili gave him dirty looks as well.
"Not our problem," Zuli replied slyly, before he and Sedena left.
"Oh that little smart-ass," growled Rose. "You know what punishment he saw fit for me and Stone after we let N'tho give them the wilderness training?"
"Let me guess: no sex," said Dianos.
"And no masturbation," Stone added.
"Fuck."
"Fuck," said both Dianos and Seris in shocked sympathy.
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Sedena and Zuli walked down the sidewalk of the road, on the other side of the road, where the grassy slope led to the lake.
"They're like animals. Every time we walk in on them they're trying to get into each other," said Zuli in annoyance.
"They figure we're used to it, so they don't show as much restraint as other parents or adults," Sedena said.
"It was funny at first, but it gets old quick...wait, did you ask about when they all bumped into each other the other night?" asked Zuli.
"Oh, I kept forgetting to ask Rose and Stone...lets do that after we've left Sangheilios, so when my grandparents get wind, they'll be light years behind," Sedena said, and both chuckled.
As they continued to walk down the sidewalk, someone called to them,
"Hey!" They both turned to see a group of kids coming their way. Around their age, all of them boys, and seeming to have a slightly haughty air. Sedena was vaguely reminded of the group of kids they encountered at the new years party, but these boys didn't look nearly as bad. But one thing they had in common with the kid gang and the other one that mimicked A Clockwork Orange who attacked Sedena and Stone's home, there was a head. He was slightly taller and more fit that the others, and had pitch black skin, much like Zuli's, only he wasn't nearly as handsome as Zuli. Sedena briefly caught herself off guard for considering Zuli "handsome", but brushed it away immediately.
"You've been around here lately, though I've never seen you," remarked the boy. "Who are you?"
"Zuli."
"Sedena."
"I am Eurith. Where do you come from?"
"Earth," stated Zuli. They all looked surprised.
"Earth? That ball of mud? Why?" asked Eurith in scorn.
Ohhh...just fucking perfect, Sedena growled mentally. Sedena saw, out of the corner of her eye, Zuli's expression match her thoughts.
"Because, our parents live there," Zuli stated calmly, though his fists clenched.
"And why do they live there?" Eurith asked, baffled that full grown Sangheili would decide to live there.
"Our birth parents died on High Charity, humans adopted us," Sedena told him, hoping unfortunate news like that would knock some sense into these boys and they would hold back their prejudices; but the exact opposite happened as they all held disgusted expressions.
"Well isn't this charming?" sneered Eurith. "So, Sedena, that human man I've seen you tag along with is your father? Ha! Bet you really miss your old fath-"
"My birth father was a disgusting man!" hissed Sedena. "He tried to kill me!" Zuli kept his composure well, but casted a wary glance at Sedena. As much as she was his trusted friend, she was unpredictable with that temper of hers'.
"Still, any normal Sangheili child would rather be killed by their birth parents than have to be under the care of-" began Eurith, but Sedena screeched,
"You don't know anything about Stone! I really would like to see you in my position!" Sedena was awarded with offense flashing in Eurith's eyes.
"My father would never try to murder me, he's better than that...better than yours."
"And if he wasn't? If he tried to strangle you to death-"
"You're asking for it!" roared Eurith, stepping to Sedena menacingly.
"You asked first," she retorted, advancing as well until they were face to face.
"Don't even try it, girl; you're what? Six feet high?"
"And your extra six inches isn't exactly a great difference," she responded about his height, and he flushed.
"Still, you're nothing but a scrawny little bitch-oooh!" Eurith was interrupted by Sedena's fist on the side of his mouth.
"Sedena!" Zuli exclaimed in shock. The group of other boys all staggered back in surprise as a flabbergasted Eurith stumbled from Sedena's strike, blood dripping from his mouth. Sedena took the attacking stance, knees bent, hunched over, mandibles spread as she breathed heavily, glaring at Eurith with piercing eyes. This little fuck had nothing on her. He was hers. Without hesitation she went after him, to punch him in the gut this time, but with expert precision and speed, he grabbed her arm and threw her off the side. She didn't expect this, and hit the ground without even attempting a recovering roll.
"Now you're gonna get it!" Eurith roared.
"Son of a..." murmured Sedena. He was Spec Ops level after all. But, she grinned. This would probably count as her first real combat experience, unlike the spar with Kora, or the simple punches and kicks of spite she gave N'tho during frustrating parts of her training.
"Well...I asked for it," she replied, standing and facing him.
"Stop this!" Zuli exclaimed, but he was being held at bay by three boys, to keep him from breaking the fight.
"It's just you and me, don't worry about your friend," Eurith told her when she casted a worried glance at him. Zuli was about to protest, but knew it was hopeless, so kept quiet and watched begrudgingly. He knew Sedena well...she wouldn't back away from this unless under extreme circumstances. Zuli prayed Rose, Stone or Sedena's grandparents would happen by...any adult at all.
"Fair enough," replied Sedena, and with that, she charged. Eurith charged as well, and they slammed into each other. Despite his bulk, Eurith didn't manage to knock Sedena backwards. She held her ground as both arm locked each other. Eurith was taken off guard by her strength as she pushed with all her might, sending him backwards, but he did a recovering roll. Sedena expected this and performed an uppercut punch. She hit his mandibles from the bottom. They parted as her fist smashed them, and she hit the ceiling of his upper jaw, unfortunately scraping her hand on his teeth. But he was lifted up in the air and fell flat on his back.
"Shit!" Sedena growled, looking at her hand. She grimaced and plucked one of Eurith's teeth from her knuckles.
"Whore!" bellowed Eurith, getting up surprisingly quickly. He was a durable fellow, Sedena gave him that. He then grabbed her neck and forced her to the ground, then managed to punch her in turn. Sedena's vision burst into stars by his mighty fist, but she focused through the stars and headed butted him, despite being already hit in the head. That resulted in a quick headache, but he stumbled off her fortunately. She kicked his legs and he fell on his side, but side rolled up to his feet again, but not before Sedena already had herself. He then charged her stupidly, roaring like an animal. She couldn't hide her smirk as she went to throw him to the side, as he had when she first charged him; but he smirked as well as he grabbed her grabbing arm, then threw her to the ground.
A feign! She exclaimed mentally, angry. She shouldn't have fallen for that. As she faced him, in the process of getting up, something harder than a fist or foot hit her in the top of the head. This time a full blown galaxy of stars exploded in her vision, and she momentarily lost touch with all her senses, even feeling. She was just suspended in space, but the world faded back to view, and then came the splitting pain on the top of her head...heat. Like someone had poured hot oil on her head. Then she heard Zuli yelling her name, and the laughing of the other boys. She looked up with dazed eyes at a laughing Eurith. Laughing too hard to comment.
"You sick fuck!" Zuli spat, the others only laughed harder at that. Then they began to jostle with each other, ignoring Zuli and Sedena completely.
"Are you okay?" Zuli asked in worry, making Sedena look at him.
"What...?" she asked, blinking. She then noticed a rock on the ground before her...a splatter of blood on it...her blood. "He...he threw that?" she asked in disbelief, her sense finally coming back.
"He did, that disgusting..." Zuli swallowed, as if trying to devour the hate in his body. But everyone knows you don't devour hate, hate devours you. Sedena looked at the still joking Eurith, all of them still ignoring she and Zuli.
"...but he's Special Ops...why would he sink to that low?" she asked, getting to her knees, Zuli's hands on her shoulders.
"He doesn't care," he said.
"Stare at me with those accusing, judgmental eyes all you want," Eurith said to Zuli. "I won."
"You..." Sedena stood, to everyone's surprise. They didn't expect a girl hit in the head with a rock to recover so quickly. "You vile...dishonorable...slimy...pitiful worm!" she screeched. "AAAAAAAAAHHHH!" she screamed, launching herself in the air in a dive, right at Eurith. His eyes bulged, seeming like they would fall out of their sockets, and he reared his head back (almost comically), and the next thing he knew, she was on top of him, delivering blow after furious blow upon his head.
"You vile, wretched, wicked, evil, piece of shit! You are nothing! You are dishonorable! You! Are! Nameless!" The boys gasped at that, even Zuli. Eurith even half-way registered he was given the insult of all insults. A great insult that even insulted other insults. Nameless? The word was so unforgiving it was feared. And Sedena knew well what she had said, else, she wouldn't have said it at all. It was a very select insult.
"Sedena!" someone roared. She didn't register that though, as she kept delivering blows to a near unconscious Eurith. Powerful arms locked themselves under her armpits, and she was pulled off Eurith, while she screeched in defiance, still flailing her arms. To Dianos, it was like pulling off a giant leech from someone's neck. A kicking, thrashing, murderous leech.
"No!" she roared in defiance, but Dianos held her strong.
"Stop this!" he yelled. Eurith dizzily tried to sit up, and his friends helped him.
"Jesus, Sedena," said an awed voice, that finally made her stop. She looked at Stone, who stared at her as if she was a stranger.
"Stone," she said, now only vaguely aware that Dianos still held her, reluctant to let go of the unstable girl.
"What the hell!?" asked Stone, his face twisted in rage.
"He said horrible things! Insulted you! Threw a rock at me!" Sedena cried, then directing her attention to Eurith. "A so-called honorable Special Operations pupil!" she spat at him. He was now sitting on his haunches, slowly getting his senses back as the baffled boys stared at her.
"What happened!" yelled another new voice. Dianos looked up to see another man run up. "Eurith!?" he yelled, the man kneeling next to the boy.
"Fath...er?" asked Eurith, looking up at him.
"What...?" Eurith's father was at a loss for words, he looked at Dianos, Stone, then Sedena...and Sedena's bloody hands. "Why did this happen?" he asked, standing and looking at the three.
"It was a simple cat fight at first," Zuli jumped in, everyone looking at him. "Eurith and Sedena exchanged insults, then had a one-on-one fight...but then he threw a rock at Sedena's head while she was down!" Zuli pointed accusingly at Eurith, who had now regained his senses. The father blinked in disbelief, then looked at Eurith.
"Is this true?" he asked Eurith. The boy looked worried, almost scared.
"But she...and I-"
"Answer the question!" snapped the father. "Did you throw a rock at her? While she was down!?"
"Y...yes..." whimpered Eurith. The father could only place his hand over his face, shaking his head in shame, then he looked at Sedena, at the mark on her head. Dianos had let go by now, and she simply stood there, looking weary, but still strong.
"You boys, take him back to my home," the father ordered Eurith's friends. "Have his mother treat his wounds."
"But-" began Eurith, but the father interrupted,
"Not another word! Go!" he pointed off in the direction of his home, somewhere down the street, and the boys then sulked back. He watched them go for a few moments, then turned to Sedena and Dianos.
"I am Kirta...I don't know what to say...he never loses his temper like that over a few insults," Kirta said to Dianos.
"It was about my father, Stone," Sedena said, gesturing to Stone. Kirta looked at him in surprise, then understanding, growling.
"My son is prejudiced, but not by my doing. The Covenant brainwashed him...I can see how a fight can break out over that but...I never imagined he would stoop to the low of throwing a rock at a downed opponent. What is your name?" he asked Sedena. "Your full name."
"Sedena Hakrenini."
"Hak..." Kirta was momentarily stunned by that name, but forced himself to brush it aside. "Sedena, I can make sure you get the proper care for your injury, it's the least I can do."
"I just want to go home now," she mumbled.
"We can heal you there...the wound isn't so bad," said Dianos, gingerly studying Sedena's head wound.
"Rest assured, I will punish my son to the fullest extent. This injustice will not pass over easily," Kirta growled.
"Fullest extent?" asked Stone, suddenly worried. He agreed the boy should be punished (Sedena as well, but he would handle that himself), but he didn't know how severe Eurith's crimes were in their culture...what the punishment would be.
"It's nothing fatal, Stone," Dianos told him, knowing what was going through the human's mind. Kirta snorted.
"It'll be fatal enough to Eurith. Ten lashes, no more, no less. Any other petty act would have him lose privileges, but this is a dire thing in the ways of the warrior," Kirta said.
"Kirta...thank you for being so understanding," said Dianos. Stone figured he should play the role as well.
"Sedena...I don't care what he said, you know how I told you to handle situations like that." Sedena looked at him, a blank look. She understood...slight remorse in her eyes, but not much. Most likely guilt for not following what Stone had instructed her, rather than doing what she did to Eurith.
"He knows better too," sighed Kirta. "Well, I must see him...take care," he said to them, then strode away. Stone sighed and the four of them silently went home, Dianos offering Sedena a handkerchief to place on her head wound.
When they entered the home into the kitchen/dining room, Seris looked up from her laptop. She immediately stood.
"What happened!?" she asked, staring in horror at Sedena.
"I'm fine," she muttered, walking with Dianos into the bathroom, where the healing items were located.
"She got in a fight," Stone told Seris. "Over some insults."
"But it looked like someone attacked her with a weapon," said Seris.
"She was, her opponent threw a rock at her, but she got him back pretty good...not that I'm proud of that," Stone said. "She could have—should have just walked away." Seris looked in worry through the bathroom door, where Dianos had just finished cleaning the wound and applied a styptic bandage to it.
"She's fine...just...weary," sighed Stone. Rose then walked from the living room. Seris looked at her.
"Did you hear?" she asked her.
"Yes," said Rose. She looked at Zuli. "Didn't you do anything?" Zuli blushed, looking nervous.
"I tried to break up the fight before it started, but the others held me back to let them fight...I...I was too...when she really started beating him..." Zuli had no idea what to say and Stone patted him on the shoulder.
"It's all fine now...I just hope both of you know the consequences of actions like these now," Stone said. Rose nodded her head in approval, giving the parental look to him.
"I do," he said.
"I better make sure Sedena does," murmured Stone, going to her, as she had just stepped out of the bathroom. She looked at him.
"In your room," he said. He led her upstairs, and she followed. Dianos watched them go up and sighed. Stone was a good parent, and he only did what was best for her. He was glad that she had a real father...one that wasn't like his son.
Sedena sat on her bed and Stone sat beside her.
"I'm really disappointed in you. What did he say? Just some stupid 'humans suck' insults?" Sedena looked at him, but didn't reply. But the look on her face was answer enough. "Come on, Sedena, after you saw how I handled that one asshole back in the restaurant, I thought you had learned a thing or two."
"I'm sorry," she said, bowing her head in shame.
"I can see, but you still need to be punished...I'm thinking a grounding."
"A what?" asked Sedena.
"First thing's first, no more practice with your blades for two weeks when we get home. I bet N'tho's gonna want to have a talk with you as soon as he gets wind of this. He'll probably want me to bring you right to the hospital. You're stuck in your room, no form of entertainment, you only come out for chores and a meal...but it seems kind of hollow..." Stone said, pondering. Sedena watched him quizzically. "I want to know that you know what you did was wrong," Stone looked right in her eyes.
"I do know..." she said. Stone saw the truth in her eyes, but knew she just had a problem controlling her anger. He figured he should teach her to keep her anger in check...more so than before. She had done a good job of it before (most of the time), but this was just unacceptable.
"Good," he said. "...how's your head?" he asked.
"Fine," said Sedena, self-consciously fidgeting with the bandage.
"You sure?" asked Stone in concern.
"Yes, not the first time a rock's hit my head," she said, trying to lighten the mood. Stone only allowed a small smile and patted her on the shoulder. "What now?" she asked. He shrugged.
"Just carry on with the day, then go home tomorrow. You'll have plenty of time to explain to N'tho what happened face to face." She sighed, placing her hands on her lap. "Anyway, you'll probably still have a time with our new friends," Stone said, smiling. "We've got to help them find a house, and I bet they'd appreciate help getting their small farm going...and making sure their house will fit all of them." Sedena chuckled.
"Niuon and Asora barely fit in our house, and they have two adults living under the same roof as four other smaller children," she said.
"They'll probably kick Azjod and Wano out. Not sure what they'll do, but they'll probably find a job on one of the large farms and either live there as work hands, or just get an apartment back in town. But you know, what with the low population and all the extra stuff, life is easy now. And people don't want to overpopulate the Earth again, believe me. That's what forced us to build slipspace ships and find colonies," Stone told her.
"When are you going to start teaching me all your history...math, reading the language in full?" Sedena asked.
"Well...whenever. You're only eight, it'll take you ten years to be able to go out and do things on your own...we've got time, trust me," Stone said, smiling at her. "And I may procrastinate, but not if it concerns you...or takes ten years. That's just pathetic."
"It's possible though," Sedena said.
"Yeah...and I know you're not just talking about me," Stone said. They were both silent for a while, out of things to say, then Stone said,
"Maybe you should try taking another walk, if you want. Clear your head."
"If you come with me."
"Of course, I wanted to," Stone said. She and he stood, then they exited the room and went downstairs. As they entered the kitchen and went to go to the mudroom and exit the building, Seris said,
"How are you?" as she stood from the table.
"I'm fine. Me and Stone are just going for a walk," Sedena said.
"Oh, okay," said Seris, studying Sedena carefully, but reluctantly turned and went back to work on her laptop.
The rest of the day proceeded quietly. Everyone just performing a silent, and solo activity, only talking with each other for a moment. They all still felt bad about what happened, but things usually healed up tomorrow. Tomorrow was goodbye anyway, so they wanted to leave each other on good terms. But for now it was wanting to be alone.
It was late at night, everyone in bed, but one was not sleeping. Sedena rolled on her side in her bed, arms folded across her chest and blanket up to her shoulders. She looked across the room at the wall and door that led to the bathroom, then rolled over again to look at Zuli. The boy was on his back, his mandibles limp slightly as he breathed steadily. Sedena sighed softly then sat up, pushing the blankets of herself, and placing her feet on the ground next to her bed. She had a bad headache now, and just wanted fresh air...more than that, she just wanted a night walk. She and Stone sometimes took nighttime strolls through the suburbs of T or C, and she thought a hot night in Sangheilios air would be perfect. She quietly got out of her night gown and put on a skirt, simply going shirtless. As she crept to the door, a groggy voice said,
"Sedena?" she looked back in surprise to see Zuli had woken up, and was looking at her with half-closed eyes that were puffy. "Where are you going?" he asked.
"Just for a walk...please, don't say anything," Sedena replied. He rubbed his eyes and sat up.
"Don't worry, I'll be coming with you," he said. She gave him a smile and said,
"Fine." He got out his bed and just went with her. He was shirtless but had pants on. It would be a funny sight seeing to children out late at night, shirtless (especially a girl) to a human, but not really to Sangheili. They silently went downstairs, and out the door to the outside world. The night was breezy, and the lights of the town of Sitrik shined, but not upwards. They were shaded so they only shined what needed to be seen, while not adding light pollution to the air. As a result, a starry night. Qikost and Suban were not out tonight, but the stars were twinkling beautifully nevertheless. It was around ten o'clock at night, and the streets were fairly quiet. No one really drove at this hour unless from outside town, but walked. Some couples were already about, either going to enjoy town or coming back from it.
"Let's go near the Luminado tree," said Zuli to Sedena. Her eyes lit up at that.
"I forgot all about it!" she said. The two hastily went down the sidewalk, then crossed the street and walked into the jungle. It didn't take them long to find the flying fireflies and the glowing blue tree, surrounded by its glistening, reflective moat. Sedena and Zuli hopped over on the stepping stones then marveled the tree and the fireflies. It was silent for a long time, before Zuli said,
"I bet this is where our parents and your grandparents encountered each other that one night."
"...you know, you're probably right..." Sedena trailed off. There was a short pause, a humorous one, then both burst into laughter. But the laughter was short lived as a spine-tingling howl was heard from only yards away from them. Both children yelped in fright at the howl, instantly gripping each other's hand. They looked over with wide eyes as a thicket rustled across the moat. Then, to their horror, the wolf of Sangheilios prowled out; an etoyoc.
"Oh gods..." whispered Sedena, she and Zuli backing away slowly but bumped into the tree. It looked at them, then stepped through the water. The animal was larger than a Great Dane, and very muscular. It had shaggy fur, and the nape of its neck had fur that stuck up, somewhat like a horse. It looked like a cross between a Great Dane and a Rottweiler. Zuli and Sedena were too afraid to do anything as the animal climbed out of the water slowly, and then studied them. Its eyes were unreadable, and its expression a focused one. They stared at each other for a long time, like ages it seemed. The silence and stillness of the air made it seem like vacuum space, and nothing moved. The water was still, the fireflies landed and not even throbbing their light, and the breeze gone. Then, suddenly, a night bird fluttered off the tree, and the noise sounded more like a grenade going off. It startled Sedena and Zuli, both of them jumping. The etoyoc, obviously a lone and aggressive one, took that as a threat, and snarled, then lunged at the children. They both screamed as the huge animal pounced on them. Sedena managed to scramble away, and Zuli kicked the beast in the face as it bared down on him.
"Zuli!" Sedena cried, getting to her feet with a stick in hand, the only weapon she had, and hit the animal in the head with it. The blow only fazed it slightly, as the stick was old and weak, and broke in half, but it was enraged now, and it pounced on Sedena. She lifted her arm up to protect her face, but huge, sharp teeth sunk themselves into her skin, and grated her bones. She screamed in agony as began to shakes its head, the powerful jaws still clamped down on her arm. The blood was everywhere. On its muzzle, down her arms, on her chest, face, and ground surrounding. She faintly heard Zuli screaming "no!" over her own screams of anguish and terror.
Zuli landed on the etoyocs' back as it looked like it was about to tear Sedena's arm off. Some of her flesh had already been ripped from her arm and was stuck in the animal's teeth, but it hadn't ripped her to shreds yet. He aimed to stop that. Zuli smashed a rock on its head with all his might, scraping fur and flesh from its skull, warm blood being released and staining its fur. It let go of Sedena and shook Zuli off, then swiped him with a clawed paw. He cried out in pain as his own arm was scratched. It was about to go for his neck, when a larger thing just dove into it, taking it by surprise as it and the other thing were thrown to the side. And Zuli heard Stone's voice roar,
"SEDENA!"
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Dianos opened his door, rubbing his eyes to get the blur out of his vision. He just wanted a drink. Not of water, but a small glass of gin. He didn't know why, he just had the urge to have a small glass. It was probably what happened today. He had drank more than usual when the large trading company was trying to ruin his and Seris', so he figured stress just made his alcoholic urge slightly stronger, but he rarely got drunk. It was usually with Seris, and he smiled at the fond memories (as fuzzy as they were) of getting drunk with his mate.
As he passed Sedena and Zuli's door he noticed it was open, and he glanced in quickly. He was immediately confused as both children were not in bed. He looked in deeper and saw no light coming from the frame cracks of the bathroom door. He then figured they were getting something downstairs, but no lights were on when he peered downstairs. He began to get worried and turned the lights on, then went downstairs hastily.
"Zuli, Sedena?" he called softly when he reached bottom of the stairs into the kitchen. He looked in the den, and in other rooms. It was then he was fearful, and he rushed upstairs. He pushed open his door.
"Seris!" he said. She started, looking up with bewildered but tired eyes.
"What? Dianos? What's-"
"Zuli and Sedena are gone!" he said to her.
"What!?" she gasped, sitting bolt upright in bed. Dianos then rushed into Stone and Rose's room. His sudden entry woke them up before he said anything, and they looked in surprise.
"Dianos?" asked Stone groggily.
"Zuli and Sedena are gone! They're not in bed, or anywhere in the house!" Dianos said to them.
"You're shitting me!" Stone exclaimed, getting up.
"No! Zuli wouldn't just get up and walk away like that!" Rose said in disbelief.
"He did! We need to look for them!" Dianos urged them. The humans quickly got dressed, as did the Sangheili, and they rushed downstairs.
"Hold on, maybe they're by the Luminado tree," said Stone.
"Could be, let's go," Seris rushed, then they went out the door. They jogged down the sidewalk, Seris and Dianos going at a slow enough pace for the humans to keep up. They quickly arrived to the patch of jungle that housed the Luminado tree, and it was then they heard Sedena's scream through the trees.
"GO!" bellowed Stone, bursting past a stunned Dianos and Seris, but the two Sangheili were past him in a flash as they bounded into the jungle, Rose and Stone sprinting as fast as they could after them. Dianos rushed through the brush with Seris at his side, getting closer to the tree. They finally came to the clearing near the moat, and saw Sedena first. She was crying, laying on the ground with a bleeding arm, and an etoyoc had just slashed Zuli and was about to make a killing bite on his neck. Dianos didn't hesitate as he launched himself from where he stood, his feet ripping the grass from where they were planted, added by his powerful legs. He almost seemed to fly through air across the moat, and slammed into the etoyoc. It yelped in surprise as Dianos' body slammed the animals' into the ground. He then blindly snatched a rock from the ground, raised it over his head, and brought it down on the animal's head. There was a sickening crack as the rock fractured the animals' skull, and Dianos didn't let up. He dealt blow after blow on the first stunned creature, and eventually it died as its skull and brains were caved in, its blood splattered all over Dianos' face, hand and arm. He breathed heavily as he glared down at the dead animal, the adrenaline pumping in his entire body. Now all he wanted to do was run. Run, make himself tired and ware off the adrenaline. But he couldn't. He looked over at Sedena, who was weeping softly while Stone and Seris tried to comfort her.
Stone fell to his knees next to the weeping Sedena, then caressed her. He tried to get her to calm down, and Seris came to his side and tried to help as well. Rose had gone over to Zuli, but he dismissed his own scratch and went over to Sedena. She was wounded the worst, and Dianos knew that. He then took off his shirt and tore strips off.
"Let's get her back onto the street, then call a Med Unit," he said, making the ripped strips into a makeshift bandage.
"It...I...gr...Sto..." Sedena tried to utter, but she was too bewildered, terrified to think straight.
"Sedena, easy," Stone said softly, stroking her head. She looked up at him, and what looked like relief came into her eyes. She was still shocked and afraid, but glad to be in the presence of Stone. Dianos then lifted her into his arms, and she rested her head in his chest. They all followed him out of the jungle, and then came to a group of concerned people standing by the edge. When they saw Dianos, a human woman immediately asked,
"What happened?"
"An etoyoc attacked her, get a Med Unit, quick, she's losing blood," Dianos told them. One Sangheili man immediately took out a cellular phone and called the nearby hospital. Dianos gently laid Sedena into the grass by the sidewalk.
"It's going to be okay, love," he assured her.
"I...I'm sorry..." she said, her voice just above a whisper.
"Don't be," Seris cooed her, stroking her head.
"But...if I hadn't come..."
"Don't worry about that now, Sedena," Stone said. "Just relax, save your strength."
"Zuli...is he..."
"I'm okay," Zuli said, coming next to Sedena, Rose with him. "Just a scratch," he made a smile. Sedena smiled as well.
"Me too," she replied. The family couldn't help but chuckle. They looked up when a dropship like vehicle came and descended upon them from the air. It landed on the side of the street, then uniformed Sangheili climbed out.
"Where is the wounded one?" asked one in a loud voice. The people parted, and the family reluctantly backed from Sedena. The two medics knelt by Sedena, carrying a stretcher, then put her in it. They lifted her back into the dropship, and seemed to be performing their small operation in there, rather than taking her the hospital.
"Sedena may have looked gravely injured, but she is strong enough to take it. She simply needs stitches, healing glue, bandages, and an energy hypodermic, a natural chemical that gives strength back, but not as extreme as adrenaline or the likes. She should actually be able to stay with us for the night, and be able to wear what they gave her until she heals completely," Seris explained to Stone and Rose.
"Wow..." said Stone, amazed. But he was very glad to know Sedena would stay with him, and he wouldn't have to be separated from her while she stayed in the hospital. It took the medics a few minutes to heal up Sedena, but after the time, which felt like hours to Stone, they both led Sedena, on her feet, out of the dropship. She had her arm in a sling, and she looked tired, but strong. Stone immediately went over to her, while the medics hastily went over Zuli's scratches. They said, thankfully, they weren't major gashes and simply needed bandages and laceration gel.
"Are you alright?" he asked, holding her gently in her good harm.
"Yes...I...I just want to go, now," she said, wiping a tear away.
"Alright," said Stone softly.
"If anything goes amiss, just call us again," said one of the medics.
"We will," said Dianos. The medic nodded then he and his partner went back into the dropship, and left the area. The people slowly dispersed, casting fleeting glances at the family, but left to their own business. The family silently went back to their home, very tired now. More tired than ever. Almost like if they were to lay down in the grass right now and close their eyes, they would fall into deep sleep in no time. They came to the house, and stepped in.
"Stone..." Sedena whispered to him, "please, let me stay with you tonight." Stone was instantly reminded of their first nights together, when she had had a nightmare, and he had his own as well, and they slept together that night.
"Of course, Sedena," he said. He couldn't blame her. She may have been hardened by military training, and having to deal with the horrors of the human-Covenant war, but she was still a child, and children were fragile, no matter what.
"You can take the big bed, Stone, I'll sleep in with Zuli," Rose said to him.
"Alright."
"Sedena," Seris said, the girl looking up at her grandmother, "you're truly an amazing girl. You go through and survive quite allot." Sedena made a weak smile, but nothing more. They all then headed to bed without another word. When Stone and Sedena got in his room, he guided her to the bed.
"I'm sorry I just went out like that...I shouldn't have...I remember what you told me when grandma and grandad came to visit the very first time," Sedena said to him.
"Hm?" he asked, not remembering.
"When I snuck out that night and twisted my ankle on the hole grandad had made. And when he caught me from falling and breaking my ankle...you said 'what if it hadn't been your grandfather that had found you?'" Stone then remembered in a flash, his first, down-on-the-knee parent to child talk with Sedena, and smiled widely.
"Yeah...I take it you've really learned you lesson...I'm not saying that to be mean."
"No, I know..." Sedena sniffed and wiped a tear, shuddering. "It was just frightening...and Zuli...he..." Stone sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and she buried her head in his chest.
"Well it's fine now, Sedena. You just need a good night's sleep...this will be the last thing N'tho expects. We bring home all kinds of surprises from Sangheilios," he said. Sedena smiled at that.
"I don't think he'll go any easier on me," she said.
"No...but still," Stone said bluntly, and he nuzzled Sedena, making her chuckle lightly and nuzzle back. Then she laid back on the bed, getting under the covers, and Stone climbed in next to her.
"Does your arm hurt?" he asked before shutting off the light.
"No...they gave me pain killers...I just want sleep," Sedena said, yawning. That was a good enough answer for Stone, and he shut off the light. "I'm...just afraid of large dogs now," she forced out. Stone breathed out and faced Sedena.
"It's understandable, and nothing to be ashamed of. You're still young, and when you're young, things have a greater impact on you than if you were an adult...it's nothing to be ashamed of," Stone said again. Sedena was silent, for a while. And when Stone's eyes adjusted to the dark, she had fallen asleep. He wondered if she had even heard him, but he still had enough time to comfort her on what she said of herself. He bet going home would help her settle down. The big, wide, peaceful desert. It was now as much a home to her as Sangheilios was, and he knew she would be happy to be in the arms of the serene desert again. He would be too.
