AN: Ok, second try, as FF is rather annoying, please ignore any spelling errors for now, I'll replace this chap with a better version soon XX anyway, enjoy, for now :P
Dislaimer: Halo no mine, Chars are (:
Chapter IX – The Kuthan Brothers
"No, I don't want to play with you Kahlanx…", Xehn said as he pushed his younger brother away from him. The infant Lekgolo tumbled over and fell on the hard iron ground. A cry of pain filled Xehn's being as he growled at his younger brother, "You're such a cry baby, can't you take any pain? You will never be a strong warrior with that mentality Kahlanx, stand up and stop crying, it's pathetic.", his voice was cold as he turned around and walked away.
Kahlanx tried to stand up, he knew he could but he didn't feel like it, he wanted his brother to know he hurt him. Another uncontrolled cry, the youngster hadn't learned to talk yet. Xehn turned around, he was already old enough to wear an armour his size. Even though he was armoured enough, his teal coloured eyes primed at his younger brother, "What do you think you're doing… Get up.", he said.
Kahlanx held out his hand at his brother, silent wails sounded from the throat of the young un armoured Lekgolo, "Xehn.", it sounded through the soft cries.
Xehn's iron stare softened, the first thing he learned wasn't the name of his father, but his own. "Fine…", he whispered and walked back to take Kahlanx' hand, pulled him up gently and walked into the city.
He and his brother were born in the Holy City of High Charity, he knew he was born into slavery, into serving the Covenant until his dying breath. But as he saw the shining eyes of his brother he'd rather forget that he never saw the planet his race originated from. He and his brother were left alone after their father died, Xehn knew that he could grow up on his own, that he didn't need someone to look up to, but when he heard the news it hurt him more then he had imagined.
Kahlanx was to small to understand at that time, he couldn't even see and hear when it happened and the young Lekgolo's fate lay entirely in the hands of his bigger brother. Xehn never minded to raise and take care of his brother until he reached the age he was in now, he needed a lot of attention and wanted to be entertained at all times.
Regardless of the annoyance the infant brought him, he never thought of handing the task to someone more qualified. He stared at Kahlanx as he walked into the Lekgolo quarters, he noticed how the child wanted nothing more then to run off and disappear into the crowd of Lekgolo to play with all of them.
Xehn sighed and pulled his brother back and pushed him closer towards him as he walked into the crowd. He never thought about the fact that the quarters he lived in was like a little city on it's own. It had it's own cultural essence, and it provided the shelter his race needed if not out to fight the humans.
Even though there was a war waging, it was not readable from the ambience in his small world.
"Impressive, he grew quite a lot the last few units.", Xehn's friend said as he patted the armoured head of the young Kahlanx. "I grew faster then Xehn, and now he's jealous about it.", Kahlanx bloated and ran off.
Xurru shook his head and watched how the youngster ran off, "You're still gonna be the taller of the two Xehn, you're older.", Xurru joked and poked Xehn's side.
"I'm not Jealous of that brat, I will never be. If only I could calm him down a little, it seems that he's on hyperactive mode ever since he got that armour. It looks stupid on him, it's to big.", Xehn said quietly.
His friend laughed and placed his hand on his shoulder, "Just wait until he's older, he'll be a great warrior, we've all had our hyperactive days.".
Xehn stared at Xurru, "Actually, I didn't have those days…", he said and stared how Kahlanx tried to throw over some crates.
"You're different.", Xurru said quietly and tilted his head a little.
A loud clang echoed though the area, the sound of metal objects clashing with each other. Kahlanx' shield against Xehn's, sparks flew off the metal as Xehn's overwhelming strength pushed the younger Lekgolo against the ground.
"You're not gonna win this Kahlanx.", Xehn said as he easily held his brother on one place.
"We'll see…", Kahlanx' Matured voice sounded, he had grown so fast Xehn had lost track of the once so fragile creature, to him his brother was still the baby Lekgolo he had first set eyes on when he was born.
Thinking about this was the only error he made, his brother took the little time he was off guard and threw him over. Xehn felt the ground impact on his back, winced a little and was up before Kahlanx thought was even possible.
Xehn knew that took most of Kahlanx' strength and forced the younger Lekgolo back and further down onto the ground with ease.
"You're only strong when nobody's looking, that's sad Kahlanx…", Xehn's dark voice spoke. Kahlanx stared at him, he had no obligations for replying to him.
It remained silent for a minute, then Xehn got off his brother and rose to his full length. Kahlanx stared at him, a mischievous stare, "Man you weight to much, ever considered going on a diet?", he said then let out a strange cackle.
Xehn primed his death stare at his brother, let out a loud roar and started running towards him.
Kahlanx couldn't stop laughing and tried to get up, his plan was to run away but it didn't seem to work. His brother's shoulder clashed against the plate armour on his chest. The impact made him gasp for air but didn't stop him from laughing at his much stronger and older brother.
"You're such a stiff prick! Loosen up for once in you life!", Kahlanx said as he tried to get up and his cackle had faded away into the distance.
Xehn stared at him, Kahlanx had never been this close to his brother, and it scared him. "Can you get off now? Or I'll do something… so horrible… that you'll be sorry you jumped on me for the rest of your life.", Kahlanx threatened.
Xehn huffed, his eyes narrowed, "Like what… huh?", he spoke.
"Don't make me do this Xehn…", Kahlanx said, restraining the urge to laugh again.
"I'm not afraid of you little brat.", Xehn stated and pushed his weight onto Kahlanx' body.
"Okay, now you've done it, prepare for humiliation!", The younger Lekgolo shouted and brought his head near Xehn's.
It happened to fast for Xehn to do anything about it. He shivered, then he felt his body go numb for a second.
His first reaction was to get off Kahlanx as fast as he could and sit in a corner being disgusted about it, he didn't, "You… YOU… Licked me!", he shouted scratched the orange skin where his own brother's tongue passed earlier.
"I told you, back off I've got more backstabbing moves than you and I'm not afraid to use any of them. ", Kahlanx said defiantly, rose and crossed his arms.
"You're disgusting…", Xehn said and rose as well, "If you need me, I'll be cleaning myself for the next 24 hours…", he said and walked off.
"It's not like I carry some deadly disease you know!", Kahlanx shouted and watched him disappear behind the gates of their quarters.
"Bah, so lame, if I ever get paired up with him, I'll commit suicide…", he said and walked in the opposite direction of his brother.
Zehkaz stared at the two brothers, "Stand up straight you two, what kind of pathetic show is this…?", his voice sounded agitated, but the Kuthan brothers weren't about to work along. "I'm not working with this guy.", Kahlanx said and turned his head away.
Zehkaz stared at him, "And who said you even had a choice, huh? I certainly didn't!", he said and grabbed his shoulders, placing him next to Xehn and his friends.
"There we go, you're brothers, learn to work together!", he said and turned around, walking away from the small team of four Lekgolo.
Xehn eyed his younger brother, he said nothing, and faced his friends again.
Zehkaz turned to face the five groups of young Lekgolo, "Well, your mission is to retrieve this piece of rock, within the given time. The first group to achieve this will be the winner and get a head start in the next training. But don't think that head start will give you any big advantages. Winning should be an honour.".
The Lekgolo general held up a purple glowing piece of crystal. "This crystal, this is what you will protect with your lives against the villains, which will be three groups of you. Group four, two and five are the bad guys, you're not representing anyone, you're just going to show me how good you are in protecting something very important, it's another aspect of your training. Group one and three will do their very best to retrieve the crystal from the other groups. The three villain groups will have to work together to keep the two rivalling retrieval groups away from that crystal. You have 24 units to get the crystal, if the crystal is not brought to me within this time span, I will pick the best team-working group out of the villain gang. Is this clear?", he asked.
The team of Lekgolo all shouted 'yes' in unison, then stood up straight.
Zehkaz eyed them , "Alright, team four, two and five, step forward.", he said and waited for the three teams to stand before him.
"Guard it with your life.", he said as he handed it over to the leader of team five.
"I will sir.", he replied.
"Team one, step forward.", he said as Xehn's rivalling team walked towards their trainer and leader of their kind.
"Your weapons will not include real Fuel Rod Cannons, but instead a variant that shoots a sticky coloured patch, once you get hit with it, you're out of the match, understood?".
He handed over the arm mounted patch guns and called forth Xehn's team. Zehkaz eyed the young but capable leader and patted his armour, "Go for it.".
Xehn stared at him and nodded a bit, then turned to his team and walked past them attaching the gun to his right arm.
Kahlanx was excited, he never been to a real training mission before, he almost hopped to Zehkaz to get the gun.
Zehkaz stared at Kahlanx for a while, "Be careful…", he said and handed Kahlanx the gun. The young Lekgolo hadn't expected it to be so heavy and took his time to mount the gun to his arm. They were ready to go.
"Be quiet!", Xehn hissed and pushed Kahlanx' head into his armour. The young Lekgolo let out a muffled growl and pushed his brother's hand away.
"Stop it! I know what I'm doing!", he whispered and lifted the gun off the ground.
Xurru crouched towards Xehn, "What are they doing?", he asked and carefully pushed the thick leaves to look at the three groups guarding the crystal.
"I don't know, it seems as if they're fighting over something…", Xehn said and stared at the timer on his forearm, "Six units left, we have to hurry or we wont make it back to Zehkaz.", he added to it and stared at the rest of his team.
Kahlanx stared around, he was anxious to shoot them down, grab the crystal and run off, back to Zehkaz to show he was the fastest, yet he knew that would absolutely cost him his head.
Xurru sat down, "Six units, that should be enough right?", he whispered at Xehn who was still observing the quarrelling protectors.
"It took us seven and a half to only get here…", he said, absently.
Xurru's team mate Garrex shuffled around, "We're never going to make it if we sit here all the time.", he said impatiently.
Xehn eyed him, "Be quiet, I think I have an idea…", he whispered and pointed at the fighting groups.
"One thing is for sure, they will not be paying attention fighting like this. Meaning it should be extra easy to grab it, if you're fast enough. Good thing Kahlanx here, our shrimp, is faster then any Lekgolo I know…", he said staring at his brother, mocking him a bit.
Kahlanx huffed and gave him a little push, "Shut up!", he whispered.
Xehn turned to face his team and drew their situation in the dirt with his clawed finger, "Okay, this is our situation." he pointed at four dots behind a wobbly line, across them the three other groups, "We have to flank them, they're so preoccupied with fighting it should be a piece of cake.", he drew the manoeuvre in the dirt.
"All right, Kahlanx, I know you hate me, but this is your job, we will have to shoot them, you have to run like hell… Get the crystal and run back to Zehkaz.", he said, staring at his brother.
Kahlanx stared back at his brother, feeling important, "No problem, should be a piece of cake.", he said, holding up his hand.
Xurru stared at Xehn, "But is he fast enough to run back to Zehkaz within the given time we have. One thing is for sure, if he doesn't make it, the defenders wont get any points at all, they just fight.", he stared at them.
Xehn sighed, "He will be fast enough, I know he will, won't you Kahlanx?", he gave him a priming stare.
Kahlanx stared back, "Don't worry okay, just don't get me shot.", he said.
Xehn narrowed his eyes, "Yes, well. The more time we spend here the less time he has to run back, let's go.", he said and signalled Xurru and his partner to go to the right side of the quarrelling group of defenders.
Xehn inhaled, 'Okay, this is it...', he thought, and waited for the right moment to strike, He signalled to Xurru and Garrex, to go to the other side of the group.
He narrowed his eyes, "Now... or never...", he whispered, digged his armored boot into the dirt, and pushed his weight of the grouns, out of the bushes.
He ran straight at them, while staring at the other two teammates run at them from other directions.
"Now!", Xehn screamed, and held op the Patchgun mounted on his arm. His first shot was a direct hit, the force of the gun blew the Lekgolo it hit over, Xehn was surprised.
He saw how Xurru and Garrex both shot two others too.
"Was that supposed to happen!", Xehn cried out, and stared at how the rest of the group gathered around the three fallen Lekgolo.
The leader of the defender's group, Ghanek, turned to Xehn furiously, "What kind of gun did you use?", he shouted as he pointed at the cracked chest armor on the Lekgolo Xehn shot.
"The patchguns that Zehkaz gave us, the same you are carrying, what else!", Xehn replied.
He didn't even feel the sticky substance hit his armor, He bent his head down to take a look at the red colored glue on his armor, then stared back at the groupleader.
"Explain that, hero.", he said and dismounted the weapon off his arm and kneeled next to his fallen teammate.
Xehn growled, "You think we did this on purpose don't you!", he said and walked towards the much smaller Ghanek. The other Lekgolo all made way for the reknown Xehn and his unnatural physical power.
Ghanek stood his ground, he wasn't about to be shown who's boss by a supposedly stronger show-off.
"Why yes, I do think you did it on purpose, you have a reputation to hold high, don't you. I'd be totally you to just cheat in order to get what you want. And that while you are of noble blood, Amazing!", Ghanek said.
Kahlanx stared at them, then at the crystal, 'I can still make it... but I can't let them fight here either...', he thought and stared at the ground.
He stared back at the his brother and the leader of the defender's group, he sighed, "What would Zehkaz do at a moment like this...", he said to himself and closed his eyes.
"Take it back...", Xehn gowled, towering above the smaller insulter, "Take it back or I'll have to force you to...", his voice dark.
Ghanek smiled to himself, "Force me? You, the hero and rolemodel of many, would force a smaller and younger Lekgolo such as me, to force and take back the truth? How amusing, but I don't think so.", he said defiantly as he heard the Lekgolo behind him talk about the consequences of Xehn's anger.
"I'm asking you, I will only ask you once... Will you take back what you just said about me?", Xehn tried, but it still sounded like a threat.
Ghenak shook his head, "No, I'm actually interesed in your 'supreme' power.", he said mocking Xehn.
The taller Lekgolo growled, the air around them vibrating from the rage built up in his veins.
"Fine!", Xehn said and his hand shot out to reach Ghenak's fragile neck, "Last chance... shorty...", he whispered and bpulled him close to his own head.
Ghanek felt Xehn's three clawed fingers clutch around his neck, as he felt a panic attack brew up from air depriving. The other Lekgolo stared at them in awe as they feared for Ghenak's life.
Ghenak felt the delusional feeling flutter to his head as he struggled to free himself from Xehn's iron grip. "L-let...go...", he said as he dug his claws into Xehn's hand in a last act of desperation.
"Take it back.", Xehn said again, and fixated his Pale blue eyes on Ghanek's green ones.
Ghanek's eyes fluttered shut, he felt his consiousness slip away as the firm hands pressed themselves deeper into the thick orange flesh.
"Xehn, stop it!", Kahlanx cried out and ran out of the bushes, pushing away some cheering bystanders.
The taller Lekgolo growled, losing the controll he had over his calm self, while his younger brother pulled his arm. The bystanding Lekgolo provoked thee fight by cheering for either of the sides, it was personal and Xehn knew it.
His hand clutched Ghanek's neck tighter, and gagging sounds could be heard, "Take it back, while you still can.", he grunted.
"Enough Xehn, you'll kill him!", Kahlanx shouted and pulled as hard as he could.
Xehn huffed and used the arm Kahlanx hung from to bash his brother away, not noticing the reflex he had with his other arm. As Kahlanx hit the ground, the cheering seemed to fill the surroudings, and Xehn returned back to the struggle.
A lifeless form hanging from his almost completely clenched fist.
As his hand opened, and Ghanek's armoured body hit the ground, the bystanders grew silent. Xehn, the rolemodel of many, had killed a much smaller and less strong Lekgolo with one hand, hit his own brother away with the other.
Kahlanx ran a hand over his neck, it hurt, and it was meant this time.
He was shocked by the moisture running down his neck into the armor that he wore, 'Xehn...', he whispered to himself as he stood up slowly.
His body ached, not just physical pain, but also the pain that the entire scene had caused him mentally, his own brother, the one he trusted for his whole life, had just murdered someone.
Xehn felt a strange tingle in his hands, it burned a little and the image of the lifeless Ghanek didn't make it feel any better.
He watched how two other Lekgolo kneeled down by him and confirmed his crime, he had single handedly killed another Lekgolo, over a little bickering of name.
Was that how he was to go through life, as Xehn the murderer?
'No... that is not me, not who I am, not the one I want to be...', he thought to himself as he winced to the pain forming in his head.
He stared around, and the empty space they stood in seemed horribly claustrofobic, the others, standing on eachother like ants, his smaller brother, his trust damaged.
"This is not who I am!", he suddenly shouted outloud, his voice rising above the unruly and fearfull crowd.
The silence that followed sounded like a cacophony of immense noise, and it hurted more then any plasmagun could ever hurt.
The first step was painfull, the second more. He ran as far as he could, as fast as he could. Away from that which he had done, that which he had commited.
Kahlanx watched as Xehn ran away from the rest, he wanted to follow him, but his stomache ached, his head hurt and he felt the urge to throw up.
Still he placed his hands firm on the ground and pushed himself up, "Take Ghenak to Zehkaz, please... Tell him what happened, I will go after Xehn.", he said to Xurru and walked into the direction Xehn went.
Xurru nodded, and stared back at Ghenak and the rest of the defender's group, he felt a strange emotion pass him by, he had never expected to see the most respected friend in his life to do such a thing.
It confused him, and as soon as he could shake the horrible feeling of confusion he rose to find his bond-brother to make the walk back to Zehkaz.
Kahlanx stared around the darkened forest, the artificial day simulator had obviously gone into a nighttime status, and it made things a lot harder.
"Xehn?", he spoke silently, staring around to find his lost brother, "Xehn, please, where are you? Answer me, please!", he said out loud this time, hoping for any kind of reply.
"Xehn... please...", Kahlanx sighed and sat down against a tree, "I won't blame you for anything...", he said and stared up the simulated night sky.
He was disturbed by a loud roar from the direction of the small lake. He immediatly shot up and ran towards the direction of the sound, finding his brother sitting at the lake.
He stared at him, he didn't know him this way. He took a deep breath and walked closer to the figure that he once knew as his proud brother.
"Xehn...", he said carefully not to scare him, and placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.
No reply, he had expected as much and just sat down against his brother, his back against the much bigger Lekgolo's back.
He exhaled, and stared up again, "It's pretty damn amazing isn't it...?", he started, referring to the sky above them.
No reply again, expected though.
He swallowed, finding it hard to talk with his brother at moments like this, then again, he couldn't remember he ever had a good conversation with his brother.
Instead he just leaned backwards, placing his head on his shoulder, closing his eyes and trying to find a peacefull moment together with his brother, not the one who just killed someone.
"I don't blame you at all...", Kahlanx suddenly said, turning around and positioning himself next to his brother. Xehn's eyes were closed, Kahlanx didn't even notice it, but when they opened and stared at him, he felt the irresistable urge to look back.
"How come you forgive me for something like that...?", it suddenly sounded, and Kahlanx couldn't have felt more happy to hear his brother's dark voice.
Kahlanx's eyes turned slightly sad, still a bit shocked by the odd situation, then wrapped his arms around his brother and leaned onto him, "Because you and I... we're the same, we can never be separated... And I could never go on if you weren't around to protect me...", he whispered, feeling a bit vulnerable to Xehn's usual harsh comments. "Thanks...", it sounded from Xehn, the most powerfull answer Kahlanx ever heard from his brother. It moved him, and the moment became more powerfull as he felt Xehn's arms around him too. "Don't worry Kahlanx, I'll be there for you... Always."
Xehn stood at attention, Zehkaz was so silent it scared him, "I can't believe this happened... you murdered someone.", he said quietly after a long pause.
The young Lekgolo noticed how his trainer's eyes focussed on his as he stood before him. His bodysize had always intimidated him.
"What should I do with you, should you pass or be thrown in front of the high council of the prophets... I don't know, I had not expected something like this from my most anticipated student.", he said and turned his back on him.
Xehn inhaled the stale air of the room they stood in and closed his eyes slowly, "I'm willing to accept exile, as long as my younger brother's training and social life will not be affected by my actions.", he said calmly.
Zehkaz turned around and stared at the unusual infant, "Xehn, please...",he said and placed his hand on the unarmoured shoulders of the child, "You're not even adult yet, had you not been part of this project you'd still be playing in the fields of our planet. Of all people, you should know I'm the one that understands your actions. Bred from a noble family, high status and a reputation many would dream off. Everyone falls off their cloud sometime.", he said and cocked his head slightly.
The young Lekgolo stared at the strongest of his kind, confused and defeated by his stirring emotions.
"I will not let this pass by unnoticed, but I will note this as an accident, as I have heard from your teammates and the bystanders, who actually did nothing to stop you from harming Ghanek. Foolish and childish as your act was, there is no reason in banning the most potentional student of this project. No, Xehn, they will know, and they will learn to accept you the way you are and will become. I will not give you a better treatment, I merely try to understand the situation from your point of view.", he added to it.
Xehn felt relieved, his mind was so set and prepared for the worst he had allready imagined himself chained to the wall of shame, "Thank you sir...", he murmured and stepped back.
Zehkaz eyed him one last time, "Learn from your mistakes, and you will definately get as far as I have.", he said in a gentle manner, then turned his back towards him again, "Dismissed.", he said.
Kahlanx ran as fast as he could, and run fast he could, "I can't believe this!", he shouted though his panting as he tried to reach the square as fast as he could.
He saw as the crowd appeared in his line of sight, "Did it start yet...?", he asked himself outloud as he made his way through the crowds.
Xehn felt a tug to his arm as he noticed his smaller brother stood next to him suddenly, "Hey what took you so long.", he laughed a bit.
"Appearantly someone forgot to wake me up...", he said, obviously agitated a bit with his brother.
"Oh come on, little shrimp. Off into the real world we go after this, be glad!", he said.
Kahlanx couldn't be happy about it, because of his brother's awesome and unnaturally high scores he was dragged out of his childhood into early training. He saw it as a priviledge and a curse at the same time.
"It's been a full cycle since the accident Xehn had with Ghanek, and his family has had time enough to mourn about the loss of a young warrior, but time apearantly moved on for the most popular Lekgolo among us.", Zehkaz said with proud as he called up Xehn onto the stage.
"I present to you, the hope of the future, the result of a succesful project!", he said as he held Xehn's adolescent hand up int the air.
He was a head smaller then Zehkaz, but most likely, physically just as strong and still growing. Xehn was proud, it was his graduation day and he and his brother and friends would be set free into the real world of war, to kill humans and prove the Lekgolo worth in the Covenant caste.
As soon as the project was explained they were assigned into groups, and to Kahlanx it couldn't take short enough for him to hear with whom he was paired.
Zehkaz was handed a holopad with the next data on it, he held it up and read it outloud, "Xehn Kuthan, Kahlanx Kuthan, you two are paired together and have been given 'Huth' as your bond name. Xehn and Kahlanx Huth Kuthan, the only pair who's bondbrother are actually biological brothers as well. We're expecting miracles from you.", he said as he watched how the two walked up the stage and were cheered at by the crowds.
Xehn felt his ego boosted, Kahlanx felt he had to throw up.
"Congratulations, for you two will be assigned to the High Charity's Lekgolo quarters, on hold for the Forerunner ship to depart. Good luck with your missions untill that time.
Xehn huffed a 'yes' and walked off the stage for their honorary armouring and firearms. Kahlanx followed his brother, still sick to the stomach and light in the head, he never imagined the strain laid upon his shoulders would be this big.
They were the hope of the Behemoth project.
EN: Ugh, as I said, good version will follow Xx;