Turmalis reacted first to the group appearing from the blinding flash where the Warp-Gate Artanis and Xerxes had gone through sat, the glow fading to reveal the Hierarch, Xerxes, and several others unfamiliar to him and the others remaining and waiting for them to return. Xerxes carefully warned his little tribe to keep close, to stay near Corin as much as possible as he could not guarantee their complete safety at the moment. Corin vocally rumbled concern at him as he was finally able to turn to Endara, who had been quiet and had gladly allowed Corin to pick her up when she appeared to weaken and crumple to the floor after being released from stasis. She closely guarded her thoughts and well-being, barely acknowledging Xerxes as he moved closer to take her from Corins arms.
Artanis had since greeted Rohana and Karax, the two wordlessly surprised at how quickly they had returned, as the gate had only shut down a scant few minutes prior.
**We received some assistance, though inadverdently. I'm certain that Emperor Valerian and Admiral Horner will be happy to hear that Jim is, indeed, with Sarah.** Artanis eye-smiled, blinking lightly when they informed him wordlessly that they had only been gone not even a quarter of an hour, which Sabine, still in her draconic form, perked up at and offered her knowledge of the small compound, where time-dialation had been used to allow them to work with a near infinite amount of time, while still not taking long at all in their home realm. Khaaslyrous, the only non-hybrid of the group, remained closely at her side, shying away from the others and avoiding Artanis' gaze.
Xerxes could be heard growling, the volume soon growing to a point where the other Hybrids quickly moved away, and Sabine could be seen almost shrinking, curling around Khaaslyrous. The intense hate and rage that suddenly wafted over those nearby, causing fauna in the jungles around them to scatter and flee, could have almost been mistaken for Amon, however Xerxes soon reigned in his rage, Samateus suddenly reappearing in a flash near Sabine, between her and Xerxes.
Turmalis informed Artanis swiftly that Samateus had taken the pair they had freed earlier from Amon up to the Ahr'Aht to begin their addiction recovery treatments, had likely sensed the group return, and instinctively knew she had to be back on the surface quickly. Kuldaris soon followed, with his construct floating obediently at his side, the young Protoss blinking as he took in the sight of the many different hybrids, the draconian and another Protoss he was unfamiliar with. He instinctively moved to assess Xerxes' condition, seeing no outward injury, and bobbing his head lightly when Corin wordlessly warned him to stay back.
Turmalis remained nearby, watching almost expectantly and sadly, seeing and understanding that something had been inherently wrong with his beloved Endara, or he so assumed as she remained the only one he had not seen amongst the group. Sabine had snapped her attention to Samateus, eyes wide and a bit fearful, relaxing when the blue-furred female approached her in greeting, the two gently bumping foreheads. Sabine let out a low croon of sadness, telling Samateus that Xerxes would likely need her help, as Amon had attempted to break Endara's will, forcing the female to do what Xerxes had once, just on a far lesser scale. Samateus hissed lightly, nodding solemnly as she went over to Xerxes quickly, the Primal Hybrid still trying to undo the damage that had been done to Endara.
Samateus gently nudged Xerxes' tail with one forepaw to let him know she approached, an eye peering over his wing at her before he returned to his task. Artanis meanwhile had explained the brief battle and freeing of the others Xerxes considered his closest extended family, how Vicar had melted away to return Sabine to them, and Xerxes had somehow helped her return to her 'True' form, of the same species LeonLocke hailed from, the Illithichtiels of Ashtareen. Rohana soon realised that Artanis seemed unnerved, uneasy, regarding something that he had witnessed only in part, and did not fully understand regarding Xerxes, which she and the others had sensed, and none could explain. Kemet, Samateus' shadow, however; knew exactly what they referred to, and worried if he explained it, what they would do.
He gently expressed this sentiment to Artanis, Karax and Rohana, including Turmalis near them, expressing that Xerxes had a stronger will than most, and would not act on the strange urge without feeling supremely guilty about it. As though on queue, Xerxes turned, cradling Endara in his larger forelimbs, smaller ones gently placed with the palms on her headcrest and abdomen. He almost appeared deflated, moving to carefully lie Endara down on a bed of leaves some of the others hybrids had gathered up closer to Turmalis, sadly looking up to his friend.
**I've undone what I could, but she has been... She very nearly gave up...** Xerxes explained solemnly, downcast and feeling as though he had failed and broken the promise he made her and the others. Corin was the first at his side, gently leaning on him and his wings, offering a soothing rumbling purr.
**It was our fault, all of it was...** Sabine admitted, lowering her head to the ground and almost placing her forehead to it, ears held back in shame. Khaaslyrous almost mirrored her sentiment, shamefully turned away from the others. Xerxes shook visibly, eyes screwing shut painfully as sadness could almost be seen sweeping over him. Samateus hissed, lightly thumping her tail against Xerxes' wing before rubbing her shoulder against him and flopping on her side next to him as a wild Hare might when content.
The intense sadness did not relent, Xerxes stiffening, forcing himself to remain still, Corin visibly worrying and gently probing at him. Artanis, though still apprehensive regarding showing emotion and uncertain regarding the other Hybrids, moved over quickly to gently place a hand over one of Xerxes', forcing him to focus and return to the moment. Xerxes slowly met his gaze, saddened and full of shame, loss and rage. Rage that he had no way to act on or release.
Artanis looked accusingly at their parents then, Sabine burying her face against Khaaslyrous' chest, the older male sighing.
**Amon... Forced us to give up or kill his children... Four that were in my care, in stasis, until the End War started in earnest...** Khaaslyrous' voice sounded eerily similar to Artanis', Rohana and Karax both blinking almost comically at this, Artanis frowning. Khaaslyrous almost appeared to wince, moving to gently stroke Sabine's cheek thoughtlessly. **I am unaware of what happened to them, I hope at least, they did not suffer...** Khaaslyrous flinched then, Xerxes growling as an arc of Psionic Lightning struck the ground near his Father.
**Your admission of guilt will not save you from your atonement, to me, to them, to Ashtareen.** Xerxes' words dripped with venom, his barely contained rage soon quelled as Endara stirred in his arms. **Samateus, for now, do you or Surriel have somewhere they can go?** Xerxes looked away from them, withdrawing his thoughts to keep from breaking down emotionally. Samateus nodded, looking almost angrily at Khaaslyrous and Sabine, closing her eyes for a moment to reach through her psionic connection to another of her kin stationed with Xerxes Surriel of the Ahr'Aht. Moments dragged on, before a flash whisked Sabine and Khaaslyrous away, Xerxes visibly relaxing, yet still withdrawn. Corin rumbled sadly, gently stroking Xerxes' back, carefully to not cut himself on the bladed carapace or spines, their four beautiful children forever lost to them.
Artanis frowned lightly, still not understanding what form of relationship the two had, able to tell Xerxes and Corin were the supposed leaders of this little band of Protoss-Born Hybrids, and were likely to be nigh inseperable now.
Corin met his gaze, sadly looking away, unable to explain what Xerxes needed to, yet would not be able to at this moment. Xerxes' grief felt as though every one of his hearts had been grasped and were being slowly twisted into a pulpy mess, his insides roiling, ill from the sheer amount of sadness threatening to destroy his rational mind. Artanis and Rohana shared a glance, the former Preserver frowning at his inaction before she moved to gently place a hand on Xerxes, having waited patiently longer than she would have otherwise, out of respect for Artanis and Xerxes.
At that moment, she understood entirely, nearly collapsing herself, Xerxes' gaze falling on her in shame, turning away before she could respond.
Xerxes could bear children, he always had been able to, though being dual-gendered could easily be hidden in his case, as others would see his stature and know him to be different, they would see only the surface. Rohana knew now, and brought both hands to her chest almost in fright and solidarity, that Xerxes' torture had used that to his detriment. She waited, shuddering lightly, tears threatening to moisten her cheeks as she inhaled shakily, wordlessly asking if she should tell Artanis on his behalf.
Samateus crooned, lightly nudging both with her soft nose.
**He's too distraught to explain, its best if you do.** Samateus said for him, moving to embrace Xerxes in her own awkward draconic manner as Rohana cautiously moved away, Artanis barely keeping from moving to embrace her himself, seeing her emotional distress as she moved closer to him and Karax, Turmalis watching as well from nearby.
**Because of Sabine's bloodline, he... He inherited something Ashtareen had gifted the Illithichtiels in order to make certain their numbers wouldn't completely die out.** Rohana took a deep steadying breath, lightly hugging herself again. **He is hermaphroditic, and because of everything he's been subjected to, used for...** She trailed off, the admission and connotation relating to this revelation difficult even for her. Artanis stood, looking almost accusingly at Xerxes, but not in anger, more confusion.
Xerxes had only hinted at the damage done to him, had brought up his Brood, only four members, and the only Primal Hybrid ones, and Artanis almost felt himself falling ill. He turned, trotting a distance away to think alone, the disgust he felt at his Brother being able to bear children the least of the aches and vile things he now knew Xerxes to have gone through. All because of their Parents involvement with Amon, the very being that had violated him twice now. Wait, had Xerxes not been hiding further distasteful and vile interactions regarding his imprisonment? Artanis had glossed over some of that, too disgusted by the acts themselves, not realising who had been behind them almost exclusively, Khaaslyrous.
All let Artanis think alone as he pleased, though Rohana and Karax kept a close eye on him, Xerxes soon found he could remain still no longer, gently uncurled from Endara, and tasked Corin with watching the others for a bit. The shadows almost swallowed him at that point, the Primal Hybrid finding he needed to mourn alone. Samateus reluctantly let him go, Kemet, her own shadow, sliding from her back and following him to make certain he would do nothing foolish, her ears flat as she watched him go.
Kuldaris made move to follow, stopping to look angrily at Samateus a moment, before averting his gaze and nodding. She lay next to Rohana, watching Artanis sadly, the two concerned, yet too uncertain of his reaction to go to him or ask his condition.
**Do you know, if they will recover?** Karax hazarded at length, concerned for both his former mentor and Hierarch, his friends and, somewhat, family. Samateus shook her head sadly, ears and wings drooping slightly.
**It is up to them. Xerxes has lost those children twice now, once when they were taken from him under duress, and again without his knowledge. Artanis... You know him better than I, he is stronger than he feels, has more sway in the popular opinion of your people, yet is uncertain of his own place within society and the universe as a whole. I am certain he will recover, however I know not how their relationship will fare.** Samateus explained to Karax and Rohana, the trio watching Artanis sadly. Samateus stiffened, fur and feathers standing on end as a long, low howling mourn of loss and grief could be heard from the deeper flora in the direction Xerxes had been heading. Artanis snapped to attention, taking a moment to realise that Xerxes likely had dealt with his own disgust and loathing when he had first been violated by their own Father, had been unable to control his body in reacting to or doing what Amon had orchestrated, and of all the damage, the loss of four children, very specific children, had almost broken him. Yes, Artanis himself had been violated by Amon, being forced to kill the one mentor he had, albeit briefly, after the fall of Aiur, left with his ashes and gauntlet, but had otherwise been able to escape numerous abuses.
Xerxes had almost accepted his own abuse, gladly enduring what they understood to be unknown millennia, displaced and alone for most of it, stuck as a slave and nothing more than a breeding vessel. Artanis realised then, berating himself for his naivete, that Xerxes had been far more ashamed of it than he should be, as becoming as he is now had been what he had been led to believe would protect all other Firstborn. Xerxes had given everything, every bit of himself, for others.
Samateus stopped Karax from pursuing Artanis as he dashed off toward where Xerxes had vocalised, the Phasesmith looking at her dubiously.
**They need to talk. There is much more Xerxes needs to address, and Artanis is the only one who could possibly help him right now, aside from Corin.** She explained simply, looking over to the group of Protoss-Born Hybrids, the largest of which stood watching the bush in the direction Xerxes had gone. None had noticed yet, that Turmalis had also disappeared from their group.
Gonna make everyone mad with this one, however this is MY story, and I will write nuance and emotion as needed. Trust me, every time I read over this, I have to fight tears. Apologies for those who may have become triggered by the connotations and suggestions mentioned here.