As I have mentioned in the note of the Siren story this is a new story. This note will only tell a little about the story and what to expect.
First of all there is one thing that I wish for others to understand. This story will feature Bell and Nuri as brothers again but under different circumstances as they are not blood related. The pairings are still to be decided but I DO NOT WANT PEOPLE COMPLAINING about them. Nuri will likely be paired with Artemis in this one. The reason I say this is because it's not like I'm the first to pair characters like Artemis, Ryuu and Ais with others, though personally I can't and won't ever pair Ryuu and Ais with anyone else. But when I look at the reviews no one complains about the ships. If you don't like it just do like I do, don't read them. It's got nothing to do with the author, their writing was good I simply wasn't comfortable with the ships so I didn't read. Moreover, there are other stories where I pair Bell with practically anyone and I have given a lot of freedom on those stories to the readers. I hope that is clear.
Now this story will have Bell an elf while Nuri will become a renard (like Bell in the renard story).
For those who are not aware of the term Herrscher, it means lord in German, and it was taken as reference from Honkai Impact as this story is based on the powers from the game. Go look up the game for some details in case you don't quite understand, I will also feature elements from Genshin most likely. The two become Herrschers and it follows their story from there as they develop their power.
The Herrschers Of Heroes
Chapter 1 – The Unusual Pair Of Brothers
"Bell! Nuri! Come get your lunch!"
A girly melodic voice called out to the two boys playing out in the garden. The two little boys turned and obediently made a beeline for the woman's voice, one of the few they trusted as of now. As soon as they arrived, they greeted the young woman before entering.
"Thank you Klara for always taking care of them."
Speaking was a tall old man with sky blue eyes and white hair and beard. He appreciated the village's attempt to help him take care of the two boys. Klara in particular since she cooked and played with them every day. She was a young girl, who just turned fifteen, with long blonde hair and bright emerald eyes who was extremely fond of the two boys. She was tall with a slender body worthy of a trained knight, yet she was just a simple village girl.
The girl despite her young age immediately had offered to help take care of the two the moment she saw them. A white haired elf and a white haired renard. The two were just too adorable and without hesitation she moved into the house. She felt her sisterly instinct surging when she saw them, so the self-proclaimed older sister pampered them to her heart's content. However, her love for the two really showed as she was the only person that had managed to hug them and touch Nuri's tail as of right now.
"It's no problem old man. Come you two. Time to eat."
Bell was an elf, of an ancient royal lineage. His hair was a long and silky candid white. His face like every elf depicted a beauty you'd expect to see straight out of a painting. His skin was a fair light pink which really made his brilliant rubellite orbs stand out. As an elf, he had the typical pointy ears, what was noticed by a select few though, was the fact that they were very long, even more so than the Alf. Said boy always wore a smile despite his tragic past. The bundle of joy reflected his happiness over everyone in the village.
Nuri on the other hand, was a renard that hailed from the Far East, born from an ancient and mythic lineage now extinct save for himself. His hair was longer than Bell's and the same white color but unlike the silky strands of the elf, his was a fluffy heaven. As a renard, the boy had pair of ears and a tail. His skin was light but not pale and his eyes were of a mesmerizing deep blue that you'd expect to see during a clear night sky. The unique feature of Nuri however rested with his tail. Or tails more precisely. He had nine tails, something no one had seen before, not even the God of the village. Despite the small smile on his face, the boy always kept to himself rather than be loud and vocal like Bell.
They shared similar personalities, kind and heroic children who dreamt of becoming heroes. Their nature was gentle and both had an issue in trusting new people. The difference was that Bell was very social and quickly warmed up while Nuri didn't like socializing and preferred staying at a distance. On the contrary, Bell was as soft and faint hearted as he was kind. This was the one thing that was different, Nuri was extremely ferocious and aggressive. When monsters appeared Bell would always freeze while Nuri would go on a frenzy.
But it was over their hobbies and desires that the two boys, who were of completely different race but of identical age, had forged an unbreakable bond of brotherhood. Wherever one went, the other followed. Rarely would anyone see the two separate from each other. Not that anyone could blame them.
The question, however, was how did a renard and an elf who were barely five reach this village of mostly humans, with a few cat people and chienthropes spread around. And what tragic experience did the two have. To start the story, one would need to know they arrived nearly two months ago with the renowned village's pervert after he returned from a hunt with his party.
.
-Two Months Ago-
"Come on you two. Mommy will get mad if we dilly dally any longer."
A tall and handsome man spoke to a pair of children, one his son the other his adopted son. The two bundles of joy ran to the man and hugged him before he picked them up and began carrying them home.
"There is a surprise waiting for the two of you when we get back home."
"Really?"
Bell and Nuri both answered in unison with the same amount of excitement and joy.
"Yep."
The man looked at the little white haired fox with a wide smile. The little renard in the man's arms had arrived nearly five years ago as a little baby, or puppy as Bell's mother loved to call him. It was during a walk with his wife and a baby Bell that he had found a basket. It was pinned to a tree with a beautiful white and blue katana. The curious couple looked inside, where they found a tail clad baby with cute little fox ears. A pair of azure orbs staring right at them with a smile.
A small letter was inside the basket, though it said nothing of its past or identity, it did have a name. His name. Nuri. No family name or anything of the sorts. The elven couple couldn't resist the adorable little cub and the idea of leaving him to starve there was just out of the question. So came the decision to take him in.
Obviously not many were happy about it. As a traditionalist village the elves there were strongly against it, but then again the Cranel family was known to be pretty unique as they didn't look down on other races. Tough the only reason why the chief allowed it was due to the idea that as a renard, the boy was at least more magically inclined than other lesser races like humans and dwarves.
Ever since then Nuri had become a fully integrated member and while people still held doubts about allowing the renard to live within the village, they grown to accept the little joyous child. Besides if they could teach the boy elven culture and tradition they supposed it wouldn't hurt to let him be a part of the community.
Besides, with his candid white hair and brilliant blue eyes it wouldn't have been unusual to mistake him for Meteria's actual son. If only it wasn't for his renard features and the fact that he doesn't have elven years, no one would be able to guess that he was from the complete opposite side of the planet.
"Here we are."
The two children got off the tall man and walked into the tree house before them.
"We're back Meteria."
"Welcome back Arion."
The couple gave each other a quick peck on the lips before taking the children to the dinner table.
"Alright, so I have a few gifts for the two of you, young warriors."
Arion brought out two long items wrapped in cloth. He slowly undid the binding to reveal a pair of white elvish long swords(1). One had red incisions carved onto it, the other had blue ones. He proceeded to give the red sheathed weapon to Bell and the other blue one to Nuri. Some might consider this a weird gift to give to a five years old and he was sure to hear that it was a blasphemous idea from the other elves, but if he had cared about other's opinions then many things would be different to this day.
He then brought up a pair of very long elven knives to give to Bell. However, they weren't just knives. There was a cool trick that he was sure Bell would love. Arion grabbed the two weapons, placing the hilts together and joined them. Just like that the two knives made a bow that had a magical string that attached itself from one point of the blade to the opposite one(2).
"Wow!"
The father then turned to Nuri and sighed before placing a long katana on the table. White and blue in color, its blade no less beautiful or sharp than the elven one. Like the elven weapons it had artistic incisions on the side of the blade, but the style was obviously different from the elven one. Instead of the elegant spirals, the katana depicted a dragon traversing temples, mountains and clouds, leading to heavens above.
"Nuri, we found this sword with you back when you were a baby. I believe it's just right that its given back to you, its rightful owner."
The two boys watched in silence amazement at the gifts. That also raised the question why the sudden gifts and such precious blades. The years before the two were used to receive beautiful yet useless little gems and trinkets. The two appreciated it greatly, but the sudden change in gifts made them curious if something happened.
"Daddy? Is something wrong? Why are you suddenly giving us the swords we always wanted? I thought you said that you'd get them when we would turn ten."
The man paused for a moment, surprised that the two would have such great awareness. He was proud and he was glad that they did. It showed that they would become great warriors, just like they wanted and he hoped. However, telling them the truth was going to hurt them more than necessary, so with a heavy heart he swallowed down his pride and did something he wished he never had to do. And lied.
It wasn't the first time he had to. The first time was a rather embarrassing moment for the two parents as they came up with some questionable excuses as to what they were doing when two little children walked in on them while in the process of something intimate and passionate. He remembers how they panicked when they were asked why they were both naked. Luckily they got away with it that time.
This time however, the man couldn't help but clench his fists as his soul ached. Meteria next to him knew that and held his hand to reassure him. It was for the best. The message in her eyes was clear and it hurt her as much as it did him. The idea to have to part with the two little ones was crushing their heart.
"It's nothing. I just thought the two of you would really like the gifts."
"That's right. It's just that daddy was inspired by the fire he saw in your eyes. My little sweethearts deserve the best after all."
The two white haired boys looked at each other with an apprehensive look. It was unsettling how different the two appeared to be but decided to let it slide.
"Okay."
The decided to trust them before being drawn into a long and tight embrace. The two parents seemed awfully affectionate and handsy today, which only worked to fuel their concern. It made them anxious, it scared them until they were on the verge of tears. Something was definitely wrong, but the two adults just wouldn't tell them what it was that was going to happen.
.
Several hours had passed since the affectionate embrace, the sun had begun setting, but the activity in the village was higher than ever before. Everyone was outside on the streets, hustling around with haste, as if a terrible danger was looming closer to them.
"Come on children, line up! Nuri! Bell! You too! Hurry up and line up!"
An elder of the village who was once a warrior, now a retired man in his three hundreds, was gathering the children of the village. Anyone under the age of fourteen was now gathered at the back of the village. From his position Bell saw as every one else was equipping their armor and weapons and running to the other side, where the main gate was.
Arion and Meteria were rushing by the back gate as they were preparing the defense. The two couldn't help it when they saw the two little children. They had little time, but they would make the most out of it. With a sad smile they approached the two tiny children, one with a sword slung behind his back, the other with two swords slung behind his back.
"Hey you two."
The elven and renard head snapped to the melodic voice of their mother.
"Mama! Papa!"
The two ran to hug the two of them. Arion held Nuri close while Meteria hugged Bell.
"Listen to me carefully, you need to follow the elder and be obedient. Okay?"
"We're leaving."
"Yes, Nuri you-"
"Abandoning the village … without you."
Meteria had a sad yet proud glint in her eyes as she moved to hold Nuri close to her with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Oh you've always been too clever for your own good haven't you, my little puppy."
She nuzzled her nose with his, earning a giggle and a sad smile. It was sad, but to the woman it meant the world. A smile and a giggle were the best gifts she could ask before parting with them.
"Now, will my little puppy give mama a big loving kiss?"
The renard nodded and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"You two are my proud little warriors. Heroes. You will become big and strong, right?"
The two nodded before Meteria continuously placed kisses on their foreheads and cheeks. She wouldn't have stopped if Arion didn't place a hand on her shoulder. The man also wanted a little time with his little children.
"You two, remember that no matter what happens, surviving is what matters. You will be a victor if you survive to fight another day."
He hugged them tightly and ruffled their hair before releasing the two. It was just in time, as soon as he let go of them a horn rang out in the air, signaling everyone that it was time. The children had to leave and the warriors … had to prepare for a battle they knew they could not win.
"Papa, will you really not come?"
"I'm sorry Nuri, Bell. I really am. But our paths take a different route here. Our journey ends here. A glorious and heroic ending if I may say so myself. You two however, must take a different course and live on to become the heroes you always wanted."
He watched them with a proud smile.
"And remember you two. Only allow people you trust with your life touch you! And the only woman to touch you should be your beloved wife!"
Meteria squeezed one last elven lesson into the goodbye. Arion chuckled hearing that but soon returned his eyes to the two children as they began following the elder with teary eyes. They forced one last smile on their face, big and bright, just for their parents before the gate between them and the Cranel couple closed.
"They're gone."
"That they are Meteria. But they are safe."
"It pains me that I won't be able to be there for them. To see them grow up. To see them get married and have kids. I won't get to see my grandchildren."
"I know dear."
The two hugged before turning to the front gate. The fighting had started, the yells and shouts were plenty evidence of that.
"Let's go. One last fight, for our children."
With a resolute nod and her hand grasping his, they unsheathed their weapons and rushed to aid their fellow elves. Only a smile and the memories of the two children filled their minds as they grasped the end destiny set for them and fought to their death.
.
"Let's move."
The elder lead the children through the forest and emerged out of the tree line and right on the edge of a ridge. From the top of the cliff, the children watched in horror as the village burned with bright crimson flames. Trees and houses collapsed as the base and trunks were melted by the wildfires. Shouting and fighting could still be heard, the tiny figures that were the remaining elves fought against the monsters that overran the settlement. The scared tree stood lonely and isolated as everything else was razed.
"No."
The children could only watch as the elder closed his eyes, not wanting to see the brutal scenery. Guilt ate away at him for he was not fighting with his brothers and sisters. Sorrow for having to let the children see and bear the burden of knowing what happened. But it was necessary for them to know, it was a lesson. Not to fester hatred and vengeance but to let them know that sometimes you had to let go. He wished there were other ways to teach this, but time and destiny had chosen a different course.
"I'm sorry little ones. But we must leave now, or we will never be safe. We must reach the next elven village."
"Will nii-nii be okay?"
It was a four year old child who asked. The elder needed no explanation as to who he was referring to.
"I'm sure we can work something out. Nuri is a renard and a unique existence amongst the renards at that. The other elves should be swayed enough with that."
Then another voice made its existence known.
"You shouldn't worry about that. You won't get to the next village anyways."
The rough voice and the rustling of the bushes alerted the elder who unsheathed his sword. A large man easily two meders tall came out of the bush with men on both of his sides as well as a good number of monsters. The people were all donning white cloaks. The renard's eyes widened in recognition, Arion had never told him about them, no, the reason Nuri knew who they were was because of a memory he had of those cloaked people. Old memories not his but of someone else.
"Evilus."
Everyone turned to the little white haired fox as they heard him speak. A look of shock was on the elder's face and a grin on the face of the man leading the white cloaks.
"Oooh, good … very good. Someone here is clever. Yes, we are Evilus and we're here to have some fun by skewering all of ya."
"I won't allow you!"
The group of children all hid behind the elder as he swung his blade against the waves of monsters that attempted to get close. Monster after monster, the retired warrior cut them all down with each slash of his sword. Behind the monsters, the leader of the group watched unimpressed as the last monster was killed.
The mad man grinned like a maniac and used the chance to attack the elder. Exhausted and distracted, he saw too late as the man swung at him and disarmed him. The elf was then pushed to the ground as the attacker stood over him, his foot on the warrior's chest, his sword ready to finish him.
"Did you think you could beat us all? There are dozens of us without counting the monsters, but you are alone. You are a fool!"
The large man raised his sword, but it was the sound of another blade's steel tearing through flesh that interrupted the moment. He looked down and saw a white blade spearing him through the stomach before it was pulled out. Blood gurgled in his mouth as he turned around and saw a wide eyed and stumbling renard.
"For a … guy who just … stabbed someone, your look … really doesn't match, perhaps it'll change if I kill that … white haired knife eared bastard."
The moment he glanced at Bell and the change was instant. From fear to wrath. The renard hissed and growled ferociously as his fangs were bared at him, his eyes sharpened and promised nothing but pain.
"Oh, hahaha, now that … that look right there … I like."
While injured, the fanatic was a stubborn and tough man. He took step after step until he was before Nuri and swung his blade. As expected of a five year old, he barely blocked each hit from the injured man. Sloppily bringing it up to stop the blade from running him through.
Initially terrified the albino elf took his own sword and charged after being inspired by his brother. It was minutes later that Bell noticed and watched worriedly as his brother fought against the monster of a man, he himself recuperating after killing a kobold, much too big to be normal.
But there were two things that made Nuri special. Bell first noticed this when the two of them were watching the training sessions of their fellow elven warriors. He had a talent unlike no other when it came to learning. Even at school, he would just suck up everything. Initially Bell thought it was because he studied a lot, but upon watching the training session he realized that wasn't it. Every move, every technique or style, in two or three attempts he had them memorized in his head.
The other thing that made him unique was his knowledge. Often it happened that Nuri knew or felt he had the experience of doing when in reality he never had. Weird realistic dreams from times bygone. Then one day Arion came up with the hypothesis, that perhaps, they were memories of others, ancestors or previous life.
Though it was subtle initially, Bell saw that after every hit the renard blocked, every attack he deflected or parried his movements became more precise, more fluid. His memory worked with his body and improved his style. By remembering and applying he elven technique and the styles from all his foreign memories, Nuri slowly stopped being pushed back.
Though he was by no means an expert and could not defeat the man without prolonging the fight and hope for him to bleed out, he had bought plenty of time. Coming up behind the member of Evilus, the elder cut across the man's back from shoulder to hip, finally killing the man.
"You did really good Nuri."
The elder smiled proudly at the renard. The fight, however, was not done. More cloaked members came walking out much to the displeasure of the elder.
"Nuri, Bell, Alice come here."
The three named people walked to the elder.
"Alice, you know where the rendezvous point is. Guide the children there. Nuri, Bell I trust the two of you will keep them safe. I'll be right behind you."
They all knew what he implied and nodded with teary eyes.
"Now run children! Run!"
The group of fifty or so began running as the elder held off the members of Evilus. The three knew it, the elder would not be 'right behind them.'
"We need to move!"
Alice lead the elves through the forest when Nuri's ears twitched and his nose sniffed the air.
"!"
Soon enough Bell heard it too.
"Alice watch out!"
The plea fell on deaf ears as before she could understand what he meant, her body fell severed at her hip in two different directions. Everyone's eyes widened in horror, particularly bad for the renard being the pungent smell of blood. Like a fountain, it sprayed the red essence all over Bell and Nuri.
"Urgh!"
The two felt a terrible need to empty their stomach … but had no chance to do so as they were suddenly attacked. Without knowing it, they had walked right into a trap where the enemy was laying in ambush. Nuri and Bell did what they could inspiring each other with heroic deeds and stories. But the opponents were fully grown adults that had killed plenty before. Without being able to do much they watched their friends died in brutal ways.
"Argh!"
Nuri turned to see that someone had stabbed Bell through his shoulder.
"BELL-NIII! RRRRAAAAGGGGGHHH!"
With a wide arc, a pair of legs were severed, leaving a man screaming in agony. But it mattered not to the renard as he reached out to Bell and missed. The elf's body stumbled and tilted back, the sword escaping the grasp of his hand. He fell off the edge and down into a river underneath the battlefield.
"NOOO!"
The renard watched back as the last two of the elven children were being finished off. With a heavy heart he grabbed the sword on the ground and took off after Bell, leaving behind all the other corpses, cruelly mutilated corpses.
.
A large group of people was camping by the side of a river. Armed with bows and swords and armored with leather and iron, they relaxed after a day of hunting. Though they looked more like a group of adventurers than hunters. That was because despite the fact that they were hunters, they were still adventurers at heart from a far away past.
They had spent the day looking for different animals and managed to catch a few deer, rabbits and a boar. It wasn't their biggest haul but it was a nice amount for the village. They just hoped to catch a few more boars before heading back as it was their last day before they'd turn back.
"How you doing old man?"
Said old man was a large and buff man with white hair and beard. He was sat on a rock by the river as he washed a set of dirty clothes.
"My times may be long gone but I'm no different, Max."
"That may be tr- wait. Is that a child?"
The sky blue eyes of the old man immediately spotted a small body floating down the river. As soon as he did, he did not hesitate to dive in, to the rescue of the unconscious boy.
"Classic Jove."
"What's going on?!"
The others had been alerted when the white haired man suddenly jumped into the water. The answer came in the form of the old man dragging a white haired elf.
"Give me a hand."
Everyone gathered around as they lifted him out of the water before gently placing him onto the floor. The two mages alongside the medic of the group examined the body and immediately noticed the bloody wound that had tore into the boy's left shoulder.
"Is he okay?"
"He is, the injury isn't fatal and can be easily be fixed, but problem is that the wound is clearly from a thrust of a sword."
"So he was attacked. Not by monsters but other people."
"Yes."
The group all huddled around as they watched over the boy while the healers began working on tending to his wounds. Then came the sound of a rustling bush, alarming the hunters. As soon as the sound was made a white haired renard dashed out with his sword already swinging towards them.
"Oh sh- watch out old man!"
Jove got pushed back as the sword was blocked by one of the other hunters. They all quickly noticed that the attacker was a boy no older than the one passed out on the ground. The renard backed off as he spotted the two dozen members that had surrounded the man he tried to attack.
It was the victim, Jove, that first noticed the similarity between the two boys. Though different races, they both had white hair and wore similar clothing. The weapons also looked elven, to the exception of the katana slung on the back of the renard. He also realized that he did not speak Koine when he only glared more ferociously when Yasin tried to calm him down.
"Elen sila lumen omentielvo."
The renard turned to the old man and glared.
"Star? You call my bleeding brother a star shining on our encounter?"
The others around Jove could not tell what was being said as they spoke in elven, but it was clear that the renard wasn't exactly excited by the words that left the old man's mouth.
"N-no, that was inappropriate but in all fairness he was lucky we found him. I can understand you do not trust me, but we are your only option if you wish to heal your brother."
The renard curiously studied him before slightly lowering his weapon. Though he did not trust the group, he was right. Bell's wound had to be treated and he did not know how to do that. He was rash and stubborn but he was not an idiot.
"Fine."
The old man smiled happy to have gotten off on a good start, without considering the fact that he nearly got sliced in half by the five year old boy.
.
For the following hour the renard sat by a tree trunk vigilantly watching over the medic. Under the old man's advice, everyone there made a note to stay absolutely still as to not alert the obviously tense renard. One suspicious move was all that was needed to start a battle right then and there and none of them wanted that.
Everyone's eyes were on the renard, quickly noticing the many blood stains on his body. From top to bottom he was drenched in the red liquid. His blade was no less bloody than he was. It saddened the girls to see such an adorable boy wear such an aggressive and weary look.
"Alright it's done. But further examination will have to be done at the village."
Jove nodded before turning to the renard and nodding towards the elf. Slowly, the blue eyed boy made his way by his brother while everyone else slowly moved away as to not spook him. With a sorrowful smile he ruffled the muddy hair before the old man spoke again in elvish.
"Where is your home?"
The renard looked down.
"Not on Gekai anymore."
The old man's breath hitched for a second before nodding.
"Where was it?"
"Eastwards, you'll find the battlefield in two kilomeders."
Seeing the sorrowful look on the old man's face, Max asked what was wrong before telling him to head eastwards for two kilomeders and see if he would find anything. He nodded and got two people to follow him. Knowing that danger might be looming ahead they geared up and prepared for a fight.
.
The three men walked forwards, deeper into the forest and up a hill. When they emerged from the thick line of bushes they froze. Their eyes widened, one of them needing to throw up. The smell of blood filled the air and blood overflowed, covering the ground and staining the grass.
The bodies of several dozen children laid in many pieces. Five to seventeen year old littered the place. Limbs had been severed, bodies sliced in half down the middle, across the waist, from shoulder to hip. Shredded arms, gouged out eyes and tore open heads and chests.
It was a horrendous sight of the carnage. Some of them had a look of fear imprinted on their lifeless face. They suffered and were slaughtered mercilessly. The hope of the village, the young members that were meant to be the future generation had been completely wiped.
.
When they returned they kept what they saw to themselves and told Jove who wasn't any less shocked. It was blood chilling only thinking about it. He decided then that he would do anything to convince them to stay with them, so that he could watch over them.
"Well in that case, we live in a nearby village. Seeing as your brother needs more assistance I don't think you have much of a choice. We could keep healing him there and maybe … the two of you could settle there. You won't survive in the woods on your own. And we can protect you as well from both monsters and whoever did this to you."
.
Nuri stared at the man before glancing at the passed out boy and thought about it. He really didn't have any other options. He could try going to another village but he doubted they would let him in without the elder backing him up and the idea of being separated from Bell was haunting him.
"Fine."
Though it was more of a snarl the answer was clear, which made Jove smile. He turned to the other humans and beast people of the group and gave them thumbs up before speaking in Koine. He carefully looked at their lips and made sure to listen to them speaking.
"But … leafe now."
Jove looked at Nuri in surprise as he was sure that until an hour ago the boy should have never heard someone speak in Koine.
"By the will of the heavens."
"So he can speak in Koine?"
"No, I think he just learnt it now after hearing us speak for the past hour."
Everyone in the group looked at him with wide eyes causing the white haired boy to growl. Hearing that they all took a step back.
"Well he isn't any less aggressive."
"Dude I'd be surprised if you could get him to tell you his name within a week."
"Either way you heard him, we leave now."
.
They all packed up the camp and embarked their carriages. When Max extended his hand to help Nuri get on he was only met with a growl.
"Max judging by his clothes and the fact that he speaks elvish, I'd say he lived with them. Wouldn't be surprised if he picked up on their culture and tradition."
The young man however, only stared at him with a confused look causing Jove to roll his eyes.
"It means that he probably doesn't like to have any kind of physical contact with anyone. You know, like most elves."
"Ohh."
The renard then jumped on board before flashing another glare at the man and passing by Jove. He stopped next to Bell and quietly sat down. He returned his brother's sword to the sheath laid next to Bell and checked on his own two weapons. He said nothing and reacted to nothing, but the poor attempt of one the cat girls who tried to touch his tail. The reaction was, as expected, aggressive and Jove had to spend a quarter of the trip trying to calm him down.
Max and Yasin, another beast man with brown hair and fur, face palmed before reprimanding her. Her only excuse being that it looked 'extra fluffy' which wasn't accepted as a valid excuse. Jove and Nuri would have kept arguing if it wasn't for Bell's groan taking all of Nuri's attention in an instant, making the old man thank the heavens for that miracle. After all getting cleaved by a child was not one of his goals on his bucket list, though many women wished it was.
As soon as Bell was out again the renard's attention was back to the cat girl, luckily Jove had come up with a contingency plan in the meantime. He grabbed a book and put it in front of the white haired fox's face. He made sure to hold it at the very edge to make sure he wouldn't accidentally touch him. He sniffed the small book before taking it and turning his attention to Jove, who spoke to him in Koine.
"It's a book, to help you learn Koine."
Deciding to go along with the old man's plan and stop the pointless bickering with the cat girl, he sat down and started reading it.
"Phew. Callie you gotta stop provoking him."
"I just wanted to try cheer him up."
Everyone in the carriage face palmed.
"Callie, do you know what he told me when I asked about his village?
The cat girl hesitated before shaking her head.
"Not on Gekai anymore. Wiped out. His village was destroyed. His home gone. His family and friends as well. He was then attacked by people, his brother nearly killed. Now he is unknown territory, surrounded by strangers. Strangers that for all he could know may be working with his attackers. He's terrified and powerless. You all know how that feels."
Everyone in the carriage sadly glanced at the renard and then at the elf. Their life had been devastated and all they had left was each other, even then they nearly lost each other. That was something most of the people there understood very well. The feeling of losing everything you had.
"So let him be. He needs the time alone."
.
"Here we are. The village of Kelna."
The renard peeked outside of the carriage and watched as they approached a small yet cozy looking village. It was much smaller than his own village. By the looks of it, there weren't more than three or four hundred people in the whole settlement. Compared to his village of nearly two thousand people it really wasn't that impressive.
The village was placed in the middle of a valley with massive mountains on each side. Beyond the village the valley continued stretching beyond the horizon. The whole place was an extensive green field with little to no trees until you got to the base of the mountains.
The mountains weren't quite as big as the snowy peaks of the alf mountains, but they were majestic nonetheless. It felt really intimidating to be at the very center of the valley as the walls that were the mountains extended high into the sky. All in all it was an impressive scenery.
The whole settlement was surrounded by a small wooden wall and the gate, if it could be called that was barely bigger than a carriage. Guarding it were five people. Two inside the gate, two outside and one on the scrawny looking wooden watch tower.
The inside however, was a green flatland just like the outside with neat roads that formed a neat and regular layout. All the houses looked more or less the same, made out of wood with stone corners. At the center of the village was a slightly bigger house with a fountain in front where all roads would intersect, probably the village chief's house.
The column of carriages stopped right in the center of the village where people came swarming to greet the hunters. It was there that the inhabitants watched them all disembark an injured white elf and a white haired renard. Never having seen a renard, the kids in particular, were watching in excitement focusing on the long and fluffy looking tail that swished right and left.
Right before one of the children could approach him however, max stopped them not wanting to create a commotion and sent them off saying that you shouldn't touch a beast person's tail or ears. They all looked deflated but followed the order of the man.
Jove accompanied Nuri and the medics as they took the elf to the apothecary of the village, since they didn't exactly have a medical area. The old man needed to report to the God of the village as well as the village chief but believed that it would be better if Nuri was in their presence. Seeing that the renard wasn't going to leave anytime soon, he asked one of the people to go fetch the two leaders of the settlement.
It was several minutes later that a tall and young man with amber eyes and red hair entered the room. He was followed by a man with similar build but had dark brown hair and eyes, was a little shorter and had a much more average look compared to the divine beauty of the red haired being.
"Helios, Mark you're here."
"What's going here?"
Jove began explaining the whole story to Helios who listened carefully and grimaced when he heard that his village was destroyed.
"So young. How old is he?"
Jove however, only chuckled nervously.
"It would be a miracle if you manage to converse with him. I don't think we'll get anything out of him until the elf is up again."
The red haired God nodded and decided to leave this situation be until the elf awoke. Luckily it only took a day worth of rest for the elven brother to stir from his deep slumber. Nuri who had not left his side since he fell unconscious was the first to greet him with a hug before explaining where they were and what happened since the battle.
"Finally awake I see."
In came Jove with behind a group of people attracting the two white haired boy's attention.
"Let us introduce first. I'm Helios, the God of this village."
"I'm Mark. The captain of the Helios Familia."
That caused Bell to light up. His dream of being a hero always meant finding a God and entering a Familia. But with the recent incident his ability to trust others had been damaged just like Nuri's. His dream on the other hand was still there and eventually he'd have to find a God to join.
Several other members introduced themselves after them, all of whom members of the Helios Familia. Amongst them was Callie, the cat girl who looked to be in her teens now and was particularly fixated on Nuri. She was tall and slender, with blue eyes and medium black hair. Her goal to catch his tail hadn't left her quite yet. It creeped the renard out but decided to keep it to himself for now.
"Thank you for rescuing me."
They were shocked to see that Bell already knew how to speak Koine.
"You know how to speak Koine? But your brother didn't?"
Bell looked at Nuri with a smile.
"Nii-nii believed it to be unnecessary, so he learnt only the various elvish languages, the ancient languages that interested him and Tengen(3), not that he learn it."
Said renard looked away with a slight blush when everyone turned to him.
"Wait what do you mean he didn't learn it but he knows it?"
"That's … not something I can tell you without his permission."
The elf glanced at Nuri but it was clear he did not trust them.
"Anyways, it doesn't matter since I finished learning Koine."
Jove's eyes couldn't have widened any more than they already had.
"How?"
Nuri tossed a book back to the old man, who grabbed it midair and saw it was the language book he had leant to the renard.
"You learnt the whole language in less than a day from this book?!"
"There are still many words I don't know but yes."
They all stared at him in shock while Bell giggled t his brother's typical attitude.
"My name is Bell Cranel."
The renard said nothing before being elbowed.
"Come on, at least tell them your name. It's common courtesy."
"Nuri Cranel."
The people there then asked what happened to them. Though Bell was hesitant he proceeded to tell them about their experience from the moment they left the village, leaving out some details, since even though they saved him he still didn't fully trust them. He concluded by presenting the weapons he had.
"These are our papa's … last parting gifts."
For a long moment there was silence as they digested the horrible fate they had faced.
"Do you know who attacked you?"
Bell only looked at the white haired fox.
"He does."
But Nuri said nothing as he looked away before receiving another elbow to his stomach.
"Fine. Evilus. They were members of Evilus."
That really soured the mood as evident of the frowns on the listening member's faces.
"Do you know them?"
"Yes Bell, their acts of brutality are infamous across Gekai. But what about you two? What are you going to do?"
The answer came simple for the white haired elf.
"My goal hasn't changed. I will become a hero of course! A mighty and proud warrior! Just like I promised! Right nii-nii?"
No answer came from his beloved brother causing to turn to him with a confused look. Nuri however looked downcast.
"I … I don't know."
"But you promised!"
"But heroes don't kill people."
Jove smiled hearing that. He also remembered what he was told about when Max went ahead scouting the battlefield. Deciding to tell everyone, including the two children about it. The downcast look saddened him, but there was no hiding the truth. That is also when he looked at Nuri and proudly spoke.
"Little renard, someone who doesn't hesitate to kill children are no people. No men. They are monsters. And it is a hero's job to vanquish the monsters. But remember this, not all monsters have claws and fangs."
For once the renard looked at the white haired old man without directing a glare, no, his face was blank until a small smile formed.
"Even so, before that there's something else I want."
"Vengeance?"
"No. I may hate them but I do not want vengeance but justice. Papa used to say that if you want to make someone pay, you must do so through just methods. So what I want is not vengeance but justice for their deaths."
"Your papa was a great man."
Bell interrupted with a smile.
"Of course papa was the greatest warrior of the village!"
Helios looked at the two before asking another question.
"Where will you two go?"
"We wi-"
"We'll stay here. For now."
Bell had begun speaking, intending to tell them they'd head over to the closest elven village when Nuri suddenly cut in. He was surprised just like the others but he immediately decided follow along with his decision and agreed. So the two began living in the village Kelna.
.
That is how they arrived in the village. Since their wish to stay in the village Jove had offered to take them in to which they agreed. But the moment he self-assigned himself the title of grandfather of the two, he was met with a cold rejection by both of the white haired boys.
It broke his heart, mostly when Klara wasn't rejected as their sister figure, but he didn't give up. Just like he wanted to be accepted as the grandfather, Helios wanted to gain their trust, Callie wanted to touch the renard's tail, and now Bell's ears, and Klara wanted to hug them. Unfortunately the most they managed in two months was to gain enough trust from them for Jove to live in the same house and for Klara to cook for them.
On the other hand, Bell had opened up quite a bit to them and smile every so often, but the villagers had yet to hear a laugh. Nuri, however, was completely stoic apart for the occasional glare if you tried too hard to get him to like you. Even so they had made progress which only empowered the villagers to press on.
.
"We have an emergency going on!"
A man burst into the old man's house screaming his throat out. Nuri, Bell, Jove and Helios were all sat at a table playing a chess game, one which had taken a lot effort to pull the two reclusive boys into.
"What is it?"
"Klara is in danger! She was together with Mila up north by the mountain when they were ambushed by monsters. Klara provided a distraction so Mila could escape and warn us but the lass can't defend herself from a monster on her own!"
Helios cursed before rushing out with Jove and the messenger.
"Let's call the others then search for her!"
Thus, the elf and the renard were left alone.
"Nii-nii."
"I know. We can't leave her alone. Haa, let's go."
The two boys grabbed their equipment and ran out, heading north where she was apparently last seen. Luckily the renard had been close to her enough times to have memorized the smell, thus the tracking began.
.
She hid inside of a large hollow tree trunk that she had found. Her eyes were wide and dilated, her breath labored. Her hands shook violently as fear gripped her heart. She held herself tightly hoping that help would arrive soon. Klara dared not look outside as she felt the quaking from the monster's heavy thudding footsteps.
It growled menacingly as it slowly walked around the trunk. It smelt the fear emanating inside the human. The monster loved the feeling and the smell of it and grinned darkly. It closed the distance and peered with its eye through a small crack, where it spotted the defenseless girl who whimpered when she saw the monster.
"S-stay a-a-away!"
It pushed its head inside in an attempt to reach her inside and just as it opened its mouth to bite the screaming girl. The monster however suddenly pulled back as it felt stinging pain across its back. It turned around in time to see the point of a sword before it pierced through the eye and into the brain, killing the monster.
When she peeked out of the trunk and saw the white haired siblings, Klara burst into tears and ran into the two. When the two of them saw her run to them and open her arms to hug them, neither of the two moved out of the way like they would have used to.
She pulled them into a tight embrace as she let the drops of waterfall, her face buried in the two boy's chest. She calmed down after a few minutes and when she realized who she was hugging she immediately pulled back. She had seen countless of times how they reacted to physical contact.
"I-I'm sorry. I swe-"
She was surprised when Nuri, out of the two, was the one initiated physical contact, by cupping her cheeks and bringing her back into their hug. He even patted her head to comfort her.
"Just this one time. I'll let you touch me."
The girl was moved when she heard the renard say that and Bell nod in agreement.
"Hehe, then I will take full advantage of this."
For a few more minutes, she let her desires take over as she brought the two children into a tight embrace. Their heads resting on hers, Nuri's tail around her back as they fully returned her hug. She let a giggle escape as Nuri began patting her head again.
"We were worried. We didn't want to lose you too."
Bell spoke from his heart. Before they knew it Klara had become a precious person to both of them. Nuri on his side silently looked at her and while ruffling her hair. He understood how she had felt. Scared and powerless just like when he was about to lose Bell.
.
The three of them began their trip back to the village. Under the pretense of being scared she had asked to hold their hands which the two reluctantly agreed to. It wasn't a complete lie, she was still shaken up by the events but not enough to require to boys to hold her hand. That is also when she got a brilliant idea for her upcoming birthday.
"Klara!"
"Huh?"
A group of armed people followed by the old man and Helios ran towards them.
"Hey everyone."
The girl greeted everyone with wide smile.
"You know for someone who was in mortal danger, you seem awfully happy."
"Hihi, that's simply because these two saved me and gifted me an incredible present."
The old man looked at them proudly.
"Haha, truly heroes. Already saving a damsel in distress."
Helios and the hunters in the group nodded when Nuri looked at her curiously.
"We gave you a present?"
"Yes, one the best present I could ever receive from you."
She spoke as she raised her hands, still clasping their own. It was then that everyone else noticed that she was holding their hands.
"They even gave me a hug. Hehe."
"What sorcery is this? How could this be?"
Jove was left almost speechless, only mumbling to himself.
"Hehe, sorry old man, seems they like me more than they do you."
She made sure have a smug smile on her face as she showed off their intertwined hands.
"Noooooooo!"
The blue eyed old man fell to his knees, heartbroken that Klara had managed to earn their acknowledgment before him. Helios looked at him with pity as he patted his back.
"Come on old man. Let's head back for now."
.
They were met with cheers when they returned and the story of the two little heroes spread like wildfire. Callie watched with jealousy as the young woman held their hands tightly. She grumbled and swore she would also hold their hand. Meanwhile the two boys were showered with praises by the villagers, particularly the children. Even the stoic Nuri couldn't help but fidget and blush at the sudden behavior.
"Say you two, do you know what day it is tomorrow?"
The two boys turned their head to the girl they had just saved but shook their heads. Klara pouted hearing that but smiled soon after.
"It's my birthday."
"Eh? Really?"
"Mhm, yep. So I wanted to ask if I could request something from you two."
"Sure!"
"What about you Nuri?"
The renard looked at her and hesitated for a moment before conceding.
"Okay."
"Yay!"
She couldn't help but giggle, it was going to be the best day of her life.
.
"Happy birthday Klara!"
The house was filled with joy as a party for Klara's birthday was thrown. She happily chatted and enjoyed herself with everyone there. Food and gifts took over the table as the celebration continued. For hours the party continued until the only ones left in the house were Klara, Bell, Nuri and Jove, who was passed out on his bed after drinking too much alcohol.
"So what did you want to request?"
She smiled widely hearing that.
"Well, Bell could you give me a lap pillow?"
"Eh?! I-I m-mean yes, I s-suppose I could."
He sat down on the sofa and shyly patted his thighs signaling her to place her head there.
"Hihi. You have no idea how happy I am right now."
She slowly leaned down and let her head land on his thighs. Bell squeaked a little when her head made contact but he had no urges to push her away, because he had accepted her as a person he trusts and believes to be worthy. Bell began remembering how his mom always used to love doing this to him and Nuri as well as often request it to be done for her. Without knowing it he began stroking her head with his little hand.
Klara looked surprised but said nothing, silently enjoying it for several minutes. Once she was satisfied she rose up and ruffled Bell's hair. He probably wasn't comfortable with having his ears touched, she heard they were apparently very sensitive, so she made sure to not touch them.
"Thanks Bell. Hehe, that really made me happy."
Bell smiled a little hearing that.
"Now can the two of you smile for me?"
Nuri who had been watching without saying a word turned to Bell, who looked at him with a glint in his eyes. Bell hadn't seen his brother smile since they left the village so he was also on board with the request. Sighing, the renard nodded and gave her a small but happy smile.
"You two are so cute. Now, its late so you two should head to bed."
The renard tilted his head.
"Klara-san, I feel like you have something else on your mind."
"Well…"
"Bell-nii go ahead, I'll be there in a few minutes."
The elf nodded and headed to their shared bedroom.
"I want you to call me Onee-chan or Klara-nee."
He blushed hearing that and while it took him several times he managed to say it without stuttering or mumbling.
"Klara-nee."
"Oh my Helios, you are so cute."
"But there is something else you want I can tell."
Klara looked at him and thought about it for a while.
"There is … but its not really right of me. Okay, look if you don't want to or like it, just tell me. It's a personal request so its okay if you refuse."
The renard nodded. She looked at him and hesitated a little before looking away.
"C-can I … touch your t-tail?"
He blinked before looking at his own tail and looking back at the girl. The girl leaned forward a little, her eyes closed as she bowed with her hands in front of her as if praying. His eyes widened as it reminded him of Meteria. Several memories flashed in his mind. Whenever the elven mother asked to touch his tail he remembered how she would act just like Klara was right now.
"Hmm … I s-suppose ... you can."
"I see. Wait really?!"
"Just a little and only today. And be gentle it's the first time someone other than Bell and mama touch it. It's also very sensitive."
"O-okay. Hmm … okay."
She sat down on the sofa before Nuri climbed on and sat next to her. He blushed brightly before brining his tail down to rest on her lap. Her heartbeat was erratic. That world of fluffiness was just before her, laying right there on her lap as she inched closer with her hands.
"Kyun!"
She blushed hearing him squeak and feeling his squirm a little. She gently wrapped her hands around the world's softest tail. Klara started softly caressing it and stroking it, fluffing it before brining it up to her face and smothering it with her nose.
"Hyan!"
The girl hugged it tightly, she just couldn't let go of the feeling in her grasp. She glanced at Nuri and saw that he was panting, she supposed that he wasn't used to people touching considering how he refused to have any physical contact. Feeling him succumb to her touch felt so lewd to her. Seeing his flushed face she forced herself to gain control and let go of the tail.
"Sorry Nuri, I went a little overboard."
"It's fine. I promised you."
"You did. And made you me very help. Thank you Nuri."
She gave him a hug before letting go of him. She was somewhat tempted to give him a kiss on the forehead but just like with Bell she was too scared of stepping over the boundary. Their trust in her had increased a lot and she didn't want to lose it now because she got carried away.
"Good night Klara."
"Good night my little puppy."
The renard who was walking away stopped and turned to her. Her unrestrained smile made memories of his mother resurface, it made his eyes enlarge and his breath hitch. He looked at her for a moment longer before shaking his head and leaving. As soon as he left the young woman squealed.
"Dear Helios, he was so cute! Not good, gotta go sleep."
Klara took a moment to remember the softness of the tail before heading back to her own room to rest. The party and the two boys had taken everything out of her.
.
"She's just like mama."
Bell was fast asleep by the time he arrived there. He pulled the covers of his bed away before tucking himself in. He looked absent mindedly at the ceiling. The memories of Meteria and Arion flooding his mind. He brought the little stuffed animal that the villagers had given to him and hugged it close to his chest.
He sniffed as a tear ran down the side of his face. He kept visiting the memories of his time in the elven village. He had lost the most important people of his life, Bell being the last. It was unfair how Klara reminded him of Meteria so much. Such a cruel act of fate. But he wiped his eyes and stopped the tears. He had to be strong, for everyone, Bell, Meteria and Arion. While he accepted the fact that they were gone and had to move on that didn't mean he couldn't live in his memories every once in a while.
"I miss you mama."
.
Thunder lit the night sky as rain stormed the peak of the mountain. There at the top of the mountain on the edge of the highest peak a path lead to an altar right before the cliff. The columns along the path were mostly shattered with only a few still standing attesting to how old the place was. Moss covered the place but the magic circle carved in the cerulean stone remained untouched. Inside said magic circle two glowing gems radiated their light, coloring the sky of blue and red.
"ś̷̰̰͘o̸̡̔̇ơ̸̭̗̅ǹ̵̺͗."
A deep and broken voice spoke, reverberating through the lonely night, filled with nothing but the thunder. The power emanated was dark and filled with negative emotions. They were strong and overflowed into the surrounding spreading its malice and corrupting the forest and its inhabitants.
It could feel it, the anguish and wrath of another being. A perfect host and catalyst for his destructive power. The gem next to it then spoke as well. It's voice equally broken, making it hard to understand as it spoke. It too awoken from the feeling of someone's anguish and sadness. They just had to draw them to the altar to begin the corruption a give birth to a new being.
"y̶͇͂̍e̵̮̔ś̵̝͛ ̵̥͛s̵̜̦͂͌ŏ̸̳o̷̠̚ǹ̵̺͗."
~To Be Continued
(1) - Thranduil's sword
(2) - Runaan's weapon
(3) - Language of the Far East