Title: A Guardian' s Beginning

Author: Rothalion

Rating: PG-13 Rape

Summery: A story discussing Auron's youth and early years. How Braska raised the orphaned boy and Auron struggled to overcome his fears. Our red warrior wasn't always as fierce as we know him to be. Much of his younger life was important in that part of his development. Kinoc pays a visit as well as a few original characters. Some chapters may be merged, I have struggled with how to divide them up.

Genre: General

Review:

Disclaimer: Square owns them I just like to play with them. Reskar, Kirrick, Legeron, Lucian and Girig are mine and there may be a few others.

A Blitzer Awakens

Chapter 6

Auron returned to the temple in the morning. He attended breakfast but took his meal and sat alone as far from the other boys as possible. The morning classes proved a bit more difficult, the boys had assigned seats and the battered young man was forced to be near the others. None of them caused him a problem and a few even tried to talk to him, but Auron had made up his mind to set himself adrift within the temple structure and he ignored them. He would never again depend on another man for anything. He would never again call a man friend.

Lunch came and went, a repeat of breakfast. Auron sat alone. He ate quickly and left the hall silently. He wanted to get to the weapons training area before the others. The thought of going into the shower room turned his stomach. He was sitting on the wooden bench preparing for class when Girig entered. Despite himself he jumped at the sound of his instructor's voice.

"Auron? You are quite early." Girig was stunned at the fear he read in Auron's deep brown eyes. "I frightened you?"

"Yes, no my lord...I just wanted to be ahead of the others I..."

Girig reached out, cupped Auron's chin in his huge calloused hand and studied the ugly purple green bruises that covered his cheeks and the tear in his lower lip.

"Braska did not heal you?" He asked peering at Auron through old and knowledgeable eyes.

"No lord. The...the shame is mine. I will bear it alone."

"I see." Girig released him. He was no fool; the boy was in pain and afraid. "Are you able to train?"

"Yes, Lord. As always." He tried to hide the tremor in his voice. The day's training would be torturous. He had no clue how he was going to function on the mats when the simple act of walking was practically unbearable. "I...I am fine. I just wanted to get ready before...before the others arrived."

"Alright son, then continue."

If someone had asked him, Auron would not have been able to tell how he survived the training that day. His agony was complete, yet he would not let a single tear or sound of pain be seen or heard. Girig knew that his young student was in pain, a great deal of pain yet he respected Auron's strength and drove the youth as hard as he would have on a normal day. Auron never faltered. The surge of relief he felt when Girig called a halt to the training nearly collapsed his knees.

Auron entered the showers with the rest of the boys but quickly retreated to the stall farthest from the group. In complete exhaustion he finally allowed himself to crumble to the floor. The hot water coursed over his tortured frame and he let his bitter tears slip down his cheeks to mix with his blood and spiral down the drain. He curled in around himself and waited patiently for the tremors to leave his body.

Auron wasn't sure how long he'd been crouched there when a soft and frightened voice dragged him back from his agony.

"Aur." A soft hand stroked his cheek. "Auron. Please." Lucian was shocked at the distress and hurt he read in his friend's eyes when the head finally lifted.

"Leave me Lucian. I have accepted the judgment of you and the others. Just leave me."

"No Aur, I...we..."

"You've all made your choice Lucian, now live with it. Leave me. I have no companions here any longer." Auron pushed himself up from the floor and shut off the water.

"Auron, Aur please...we were frightened." Lucian spoke the words before he realized the irony of them, Auron's rueful laughter at the remark was not missed either.

"Frightened Lucian? So was I. What will 'your' punishment for being afraid be Lucian? I do not blame you. I do not hate you. I simple accept your choice to turn from me. I will finish my time here alone."