Ch. 8
Pain… There was so much pain. Was he dead? No, it wouldn't hurt as much if he were. Then… was he dying? It sounded more probable.
'And just as Bryan proposed to Tala,' the blunette found himself thinking. 'I wanted to be part of the ceremony…' The image of Tala and Bryan faded, but didn't quite disappear. It stayed in the back of the boy's mind as another smiling apparition made himself known. 'I wanted a chance to choose my mate as well… I guess I already chose him. I wish I could have told Rei…'
"Nngh…" 'Ah, it seems I can still make some sound.'
"Kai..? Kai, are you alright?"
'Hm? Is that Tala? Trust him to be there.' "Bro… ther..?"
"I'm here, baby-bro!" Tala felt relief filling him. Kai was awake. His brother would be alright. Slowly the ruby eyes opened and the owner flinched from the morning light.
"'s Rei..?" the blunette murmured. "Wanted t'say 'sorry'." Tala blinked in surprise and lifted his gaze to look at the tiger-demon in question. It took a while for Rei to recover his ability to speak, but once he did he had to ask:
"What for?"
"For lying…" Kai answered tiredly. Tala placed his hand over Kai's eyes to close them.
"I think you should go back to sleep, baby-bro," he said softly. "You're still not well." The phoenix nodded slightly, regretting it when a wave of pain flooded his head. Not long after, Kai was sound asleep.
The next time the blunette woke he felt much better. Glancing around, he saw Rei sitting on the edge of the camp, away from the others, with a troubled look on his face, and Tala standing on the far opposite side, avoiding contact with the other members of the team as well. Kai felt torn between calling for his brother and walking up to his preferred mate to ask if he was alright. Finally the phoenix reasonable side won and he called out:
"Tala, are you sulking?" The four demons and one human started and soon Kai found himself hugged by Tala and fussed upon by Kenny and questioned by Max and Tyson. Only Rei kept his distance. Kai noticed this and felt a tear in the very bottom of his soul.
'He is angered,' the phoenix thought sadly. 'Angered by the lies we told them and disappointed in the revelation of who his future king is.'
"I'm fine. Just let me sit up, will you?" Kai snapped, trying to hide the hurt within.
"You seem well enough," Kenny agreed. "Almost a full recovery overnight... Amazing!" Kai moved to lean against a three and accepted the small breakfast offered by Max.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Rei suddenly spoke up. "But if You are feeling well enough, Tala promised us an explanation once You awoke." Kai did his best not to flinch at the sudden cold formality Rei showed.
"Kai, you're… you're a phoenix, aren't you?" Max asked. After a nod from Kai, Tala started explaining:
"Yes, Kai is a phoenix, and therefore the crown prince. We had to keep this secret for the sake of Kai's safety. In truth, Mr. D. sent us out to reclaim the throne that is rightfully Kai's."
"Holy- I thought the phoenixes were all extinct!" Tyson exclaimed. Kai shook his head.
"I am the last one," he said. "Voltaire, my grandfather, went insane and forced my parents to escape into the wilderness where they were killed. Whether it was Voltaire who sent out assassins or simply a group of hunters I cannot remember. I was too young when it happened."
"Whoa, that's just…" Tyson mumbled in amazement. Then he perked up as if remembering something. "It's the first time I've seen a phoenix! I mean, why aren't there any pictures or anything?" Max nodded.
"The younger generations haven't actually been told about the royal bloodline," the blond agreed. "Why is that?"
"Actually, commoners are not told about the royal bloodline, for means of protection," Tala answered. "Rei, as the heir of the cat-demon clan, and Kenny, as a priest, have had a different education than you two. And don't even dare asking me why."
"The clan leaders used to be royal advisors," Kai injected. "That's why, according to Dickhead." By now the blunette had finished eating and carefully stood up, testing his balance. When everything seemed to be well he looked at the people surrounding him." It's best if we continue now. Though I understand fully if you would rather return home, now that you know the truth."
Without the slightest hesitation Rei stepped forward and kneeled in front of Kai, bowing his head as he spoke.
"I've said before that the cat-demons have always been loyal to the demon kings and queens," he stated. "And so shall I remain a loyal servant to you, my prince." It was painful for Rei to force himself to speak so coldly when he felt like screaming and crying. And it was painful for Kai to hear such an emotionless statement when all he wanted was to run away with Rei and deny the burden placed on his shoulders.
"What about the gold for the wraiths protecting our village?" Max wondered. Kai swallowed and forced his voice to remain calm and even as he answered:
"Once I am king, the wraiths will not be needed." Hearing this, Tyson jumped up and made a formal bow, just like his grandfather had taught him.
"Great!" the dragon laughed. "I never liked those things anyway."
In the end, everyone agreed to complete the journey that would change the fate of demons and humans alike. As the group packed their bags and readied themselves to leave, Tala managed to finally talk with his brother in private.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Kai looked at his brother, considering saying "I'm fine" but before he could stop himself he admitted: "He will not forgive me. I wanted him, Tala, as an equal, not a servant…"
Tala tried to smile reassuringly, knowing what Kai meant. But try as he might, the redhead could not think of anything to say in such a situation. Tala had been just as surprised by the sudden coldness from Rei, who had only days before seemed to like Kai.
"I wish he'd never been chosen into this group," Kai continued, pouring out his sorrow now that the dam had been opened. "I wish we'd never met." Closing his eyes the blunette whispered. "I wish I weren't a phoenix!" Tala did not answer. Beside him, Kai covered his head with his hood. Then the king's heir stood up and walked over to the campfire to make sure it was properly extinguished.
"You shouldn't give up, though," Tala said sadly. He wasn't sure whether his younger brother heard him or not.
TBC…
Is anyone still reading this? Hello..? Anyone there?
Short, I know. But hey! At least it's a chapter. And I promise, the next one will be longer. This story is also nearing an end. I'm really grateful to all those who has reviewed, and for those who had the patience to wait for the this and future chapters during my year of a dried up inspiration.