Goddess' Wish

Xxxxx

Kidnapping

Xxxxx

Grief was still visible in his eyes as he opened them, red from all the tears he had shed during prayer. No matter how long or how often he prays to the Goddess, Aoshiro could still feel the guilt burning deepy within his chest, feeling the horrible responsibility of-

Once again tears formed in the eyes of the white haired male as he completely collapsed onto his knees, the memory still implanted deepyly withn his mind.

Rain. Blood. Warcalls. Screams. And finally...

Aoshiro released a roar of grief as he collapsed onto his hands and knees, tears freely streaming down his face as he cried allowed, "Why Goddess!? Why didn't you awaken when my brother and I needed you most!? Why!?" Lifting his eyes towards the gray sky, the cleric roared, "Have we not served you well all these years!? Have we had not done as what you had asked!? So why!? Why didn't you save my brother!?" Then taking in one deep breath, Aoshiro released one final cry, "Why will you not answer!?"

With that released from his lungs, Aoshiro sobbed as he turned his eyes downwards, whispering, "Why will you not answer Goddess?"

No sooner had these words been released when soft cries echoed throughout the dying trees, causing the Cleric to snap his head towards the source. Hearing the cries continuing to echoe throughout the lifeless forest, Aoshiro wiped his tears from his eyes as he forced himself to stand, telling himself that today he was not going to let himself be killed by Vestinel's army...yet.

As such, he strained to hear the soft cries as he attempted to find the source, only recognizing it as a cries of a child as he closed in on the sound. Several minutes later, Aoshiro had paused as the cries were completely present, staring at the dying brush in front of him as it shook slightly. Curiously but cautiously, the Paladin leaned over as he brushed he debri to the side.

Lying upon the ground, covered in blue blankets, was an infant, crying as it struggled to escape its warm prison. Surprised but sympathetic, Aoshiro approached the young one before he knelt down and scooped it into his arms, holding it close to his chest to keep the child warm. Almost immediately, the child ceased its cries, sniffling as its chocolate colored eyes glanced up towards it savior. After further examining the child and ensuring that no harm had come to it, Aoshiro concluded that the baby was male before his blue hues gazed into the eyes of the child. Blue and brown met and immediately, the child laughed as he raised his arms towards the Paladins' face, cooing as the older male responded by moving his finger in front of the baby's face, letting his small hand wrap around his finger. Comfortable in Aoshiro's arms, the child kept his right hand tight on the older male's finger while using his free hand to put his thumb into his mouth, suckling on it as it continued to gaze at the Paladin with curious eyes. After staring at the child for several seconds, a smile cracked onto Aoshiro's features, in which the child laughed in response.

"Even left alone in such a dark place as this, you still smile," the Paladin clutched the child closer to his chest as the infant whimpered, "and do not worry child, I'll be your father from now on."

Huge brown eyes blinked once before the infant released another laugh, his hand still tight around the older male's finger as Aoshiro turned and started to head back to the Haven.

"Let's go home, IIarion."

Xxxxx

The Guardian slowly opened his eyes only to be met with darkness, forcing himself to blink several times in order for his eyes to adjust. After blinking, Aoshiro recognized the familiar wetness of tears sliding down the side of his face, reacting by wiping them away from his face.

He had found IIarion after praying for the days in the barren forest as he grieved the death of his brother, hoping that while in mid-prayer one of Vestinel's cohorts would come and hopefully give him a quick death. But after finding IIarion, Aoshiro made the decision to live longer, wanting to raise the orphan as his own after adopting him. It was one of the most happiest periods in Aoshiro's life after Vestinel's nightmares had overtaken Altera. He had treated the young boy as his own even though they weren't blood related. Heck, Aoshiro even taught him the way of being a Cleric and lead him down the path of justice and peace towards the Goddess. But, that was before IIarion took on the title of Paladin...

Feeling tears welling up in his eyes once again, Aoshiro sighed as he forced himself to sit up, letting the covers fall from his chest and down to the floor. Brushing some of of his white strands away from his pale blue eyes, the Guardian glanced towards the couch, watching Nabiha sleep as his brother turned to his side.

If the covers weren't hiding his body, one would see bandages wrapped around on the side where the flail had made contact despite Nabiha's protests. Though the wound wasn't serious, Aoshiro wasn't the one who healed him but Hilal. Despite the protests of the Tempest, the insant the Saint heard the news that the Moon Lord was injured, the Priest had escaped his room (and to their surprise) made it to the living area where Aoshiro and Nabiha were located. Aoshiro had tried to convince his younger brother that he himself should heal him but Hilal would have none of that and healed the Swordsman as much as he could before anyone could stop him. However, thanks to his own injury and the fact that he wasn't fully recovered, Hilal only was able to heal Nabiha half way before succumbing to his own wounds. As such, he was led back to his room by Khayru while Aoshiro attempted to heal his brother however Nabiha refused, claiming that his brother should conserve his energy in case of surprise attacks.

Nighttime had fallen then and the two brothers have made the decision to stay in the living area mainly because they didn't want to take over the rooms of their other siblings. Aoshiro was barely able to convince Nabiha to take the couch, claiming that if he doesnt' get proper rest that his wound wouldn't heal properly. After his sibling had taken the couch, Aoshiro had asked the two boys, Xithyl and Xsayara, for extra blankets in which the Guardian then proceeded to lay out on the floor to where he was going to bed. As such, Aoshiro removed his armor and had proceeded to sleep but...

Aoshiro heaved out a sad sigh as he ran his fingers through his white hair, letting the long strands fall back onto his back after his fingers broke through some of the knots.

"Never thought you'd be the type to grow your hair that long, Shiro."

Jumping at the new voice within the darkness, the Guardian snapped his eyes towards the entrance of the living area, only for his blue hues to widen, "Hilal? Weren't you suppose to be resting? Especially with that wound?"

The Saint gave his brother a look, "How can I rest when the dead is practically sleeping next door?"

"...True to that," Aoshiro released a sheepish smile before he blinked as the younger cleric approached and sat down next to him.

Several seconds of awkward silence followed after that.

"...Hey Shiro."

"Yes?"

"Since Khayru and I are 'dead', what are you and Nabiha doing now?"

The question had taken the Guardian completely off guard, shocking him enough that Aoshiro stared at him wide eyed for several minutes, unable to respond as the Saint turned his head, his pale blue eyes showing hesitation but curiousity as well. Finally, Aoshiro was able to regain his composure, "Nabiha is the General of the army, everybody sees him as a great leader and courageous, especially King Cassius." The Guardian released a stiff smile, "Me? I'm the Leader of the small remnants of clerics, those who are alive anyways."

"..You? Leader of the Clerics?" Hilal looked at him surprise while the Guardian just chuckled.

Blinking in confusion at the reaction of his older brother, Hilal slowly realized on what he had said, the Saint immediately became flustered, muttering, "I-I didn't mean-"

"Do not worry, Hilal," Aoshiro waved it off, "I do no consider myself as the leader however all the Clerics call me that back at home." He heaved out a sigh, "Sometimes it can be a bit exhausting when they expect me to take care of everything."

That's when a thought popped into the Guardian's mind, "Hilal, was there ever a cleric named IIarion?"

The Saint raised an eyebrow in response, "Yeah, but only for a while." Aoshiro eyes widen when Hilal continued, "You-or the Shiro here at least- found him when he was just a child." A smile cracked onto the younger cleric's features, "Such a sweet kid. He always runs around the monastary and asks anyone if they needed help and when they said that they do, he would help them as much as he can, even if it's a hard job." The Saint pondered for a moment, "If I can recall correctly, he left the haven and became a Paladin."

Hearing the words of his brother caused Aoshiro relax, the tensity gone as he thought, So this IIlarion left the Haven as well? Then the one who attacked Nabiha couldn't have been-

"A sad thing that he died several years back though."

The Guardian's heart stopped, "W-What?"

"IIarion died several years back during one of his trips outside of the Haven," Hilal responded, frowning a bit, "he was affected by Vestinel's Nightmare and took ill which in the end, took his life." The Saint shook his head, "You were devastated when the doctors came out and told you the news. You were in denial after that, claiming that IIarion couldn't have died, at least not so easily." Hilal heaved out a sigh, "Dying at such a young age, it's such a pity." Hilal turned his eyes towards his older brother only to pause, "Shiro? Are you feeling alright?"

"What?" The Guardian snapped out of his trance, slowly realizing that his hand was clenching tightly enough that it had turned white and when he opened them, he felt his hands throb after seeing the familiar red liquid flowing freely down the sides.

Both clerics glanced at the wound before they both made eye contact, reading each others thoughts before Hilal released a sigh, "Something is bothering you isn't it?"

Aoshiro gave no response but instead placed his free hand over the one with the wound before a green light engulfed it, feeling the warmth hide the pain as he felt his skin slowly stitch back together. Seeing this action, Hilal waited patiently, his pale blue eyes watching as the green light slowly dwindled, clearing away all excess matter and dirt including the blood that had flowed freely from the wound, leaving it completely clean as the Guardian removed his free hand away as the light finally died out.

After several seconds of silence, the Guardian finally spoke, "Like the Shiro here in your time, I also found a child int he woods and raised him under my care." Aoshiro's eyes once again locked onto his brother's, "His name is also IIarion." He heaved out a sad sigh, "However, unlike the IIarion here, mine is still alive and well."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Hilal interrupted, only to gain silence as response, "Why are you sounding so sad if the one you called a son is still alive?"

"...Hilal..." The Guardian started, causing the Saint to stare at him puzzled, "have you ever seen the face of the Cleric who led the rest of the surviving members away from the Goddess?"

"No," The Saint replied, raising an eyebrow in response, "he always wore a hood no matter where he goes and when he speaks to others, he speaks in such a low voice you had to lean-" That's when Hilal stopped suddenly, his eyes widening as he whispered, "You're not saying..."

Aoshiro nodded, "My IIarion turned tratior after the discovery of the effects of Vestinel's nightmares and had joined the side of the Jealous Goddess in retaliation." The Guardian paused, "I do not know how but my IIarion is here in this world and from what I can tell, is causing havoc here." He heaved out another sigh, "What I want to know is why is he here? And what is he after?"

Pondering for several seconds, Hilal shook his head, unable to come up with an answer, "Who knows? From what I can tell, it can be anything. Revenge. Power. A need to be seen." The Saint sighed, "From what I know, 'this' IIarion is different from the IIarion that I know so predicting his moves are going to be difficult."

"Not quite."

Both Clerics jumped as they turned their eyes towards the couch only to pause as Nabiha sat up, a look of seriousness etched onto his face.

"I see that you're fine enough to sit at least," Hilal nodded his head towards his brother's bandaged side, "but you still have a long way to go before you can actually stand."

"I know that" The Moon Lord muttered before he flinched and placed a hand onto his side, "I overhead you two talking about IIarion and I think I know one motivation on why he convinced the clerics to join the side of Vestinel."

Aoshiro stared wide eyed at the blonde male, "What? Did he tell you?"

"Sort of," Nabiha admitted, his eyes narrowing as he continued, "When I met him outside of the Haven, he asked me about you, Shiro."

"...Me?" Aoshiro repeated, his eyes showing confusion, "why would he ask about..." The Guardian's voice faded, slowly dawning upon him on what his brother is trying to say, "He's still trying to get me onto Vestinel's side isn't he?"

Now it was Hilal's turn to become confused, "I don't understand. Why is he trying to force you onto the Jealous Goddess' side."

Aoshiro frowned, his eyes narrowing in concentration as the Moon Lord spoke, "That we do not know. But for sure we know that somehow Aoshiro is mixed into all of-"

"Actually, I think I might know the answer."

The Saint and the Moon Lord snapped their head towards the Guardian whom had placed a hand onto his chin in concentration.

"Well stop stalling then," Nabiha muttered, "Tell us the reason so that we can find a solution to all this."

"There's no need to be grumpy Nabiha," Hilal snapped, "give him some time, it is his son after all."

Grumbling underneath his breath, the Moon Lord reluctantly nodded as Hilal turned his attention back to Aoshiro whom now had trained his eyes back onto his brothers. Then he spoke, "Before IIarion declared that he was now part of Vestinel's army, he had told me some...unusual things."

"Unusual?" Hilal repeated, a frown etched onto his features, "Like what?"

"One thing is that he claimed that Vestinel gave him power," Aoshiro explained and in response, puzzled expressions flashed onto his brother's expressions, "exactly." He paused for moment to gather his thoughts, "I do not understand why Vestinel would suddenly give someone, a Cleric especially, some of her powers and then send him back to the Haven just to give me a message."

"She gave you a message?" Nabiha grunted as he swung his legs over the side of the couch, leaning back as he continued, "What was it?"

Hesitation flashed in the eyes of the Guardian, unsure if he should repeat the words given to him by his son before his desertion. Finally, after several seconds of contemplation, the Guardian made his decision, "from what I know, Vestinel apparantly wants me to be in her army."

"What?" Nabiha flinched before he hissed, "why would she want you in her army? You're already on Althea's side."

"That's what I told IIarion before he became enraged," Aoshiro muttered, "he claims that it was time for me to 'switch sides' and that Vestinel badly wants me to be on her side."

Hilal crossed his arms, a frown clear on his features, "So IIarion is doing all this...just because Vestinel wants you to be on her side?"

"Not sure," Aoshiro shrugged, "but it's the only reason I can think of for his actions."

Nabiha was silent for a moment, his eyes showing hesitation before he spoke, "Shiro, you know that if IIarion becomes more...violent then..." His voice faded as the Guardian lowered his gaze towards the floor, his hands tightening as he contemplated the words of his brother.

Finally, after several seconds of silence, Aoshiro spoke, "I know that but every time I think about it, the images of the past pops into my head." A sad smile cracked onto his features as he continued, "I still remember that little boy that would leap onto my lap every time he enters the room or running to me and showing me a skill that he had recently mastered." Aoshiro sighed as he brushed his fingers through his hair once more, "Thanks to those memories, it only makes it harder for me to come to the decision to end him." He paused for a moment, hesitating before he added, "The decision to end the one that I had called my son."

A stiff silence passed overhead of the three males, both Nabiha and Hilal shifting uncomfortably at the words of the older cleric. True, if IIarion was to be left alive any longer, he could cause much harm to the Haven in which they call home but they also understood why Aoshiro was having a hard time to react. He had raised IIarion like a son, their bond strong enough that if one were to die, the other would crumble into despair.

"We'll think of something else then," Hilal offered in which his older brother gave him an empty look, "killing him can't be the only solution."

Staring at his younger brother, a smile cracked onto theh Guardian's features, "It is alright Hilal, if the situation calls for it, I will strike him down if needed." A dry chuckle escaped from Aoshiro's lip, "After all, it's not like as though I've never killed off a person close to me before."

Hearing those words from the one he had called brother, Hilal gave him a look of concern, "...You still haven't passed on the passing of Brother Jacob?"

A strained silence followed those words, causing Nabiha to shift uncomfortably on the couch. True, he had heard of what had occured between the three clerics however, Nabiha had only heard the story from another Cleric that knew the Guardian and the Saint. Not once had the Moon Lord ever heard his brothers openly speak about the event.

After several seconds of uncomfortable silence, Aoshiro finally admitted, "No, however..." His pale blue eyes gazed at his younger brother whom had opened his mouth to speak, "the guilt that I was the reason of his death has passed." The Guardian heaved out a sigh, "The grief of his passing has not."

Almost immediately, a look of relief came over in the eyes of the Saint as he nodded, "A wound from losing a lost loved one takes years to heal." A sheepish smile faded onto Hilal's features, "And in your case Shiro, it might take a lifetime."

In response to his younger brother's words, Aoshiro gave him a stiff smile, somehow slightly relieving some of the strained feeling in the air. Then, just as suddenly as the strained air disappeared, Hilal stood up, brushing off invisible dirt off of his casual clothing.

"I'm going to check up on Xithyl," He declared as his pale blue eyes glanced between Nabiha and Aoshiro, "It's been a while since I've last seen my son."

Nabiha released a sheepish chuckle, "You call 'several hours' a while Hilal?"

The Saint only gave his brother a blank stare, "Xithyl had gained a serious injury only a few days back and as his father, my concern for him is as such." To show his seriousness, Hilal gave the Moon Lord a cold stare, sending a shiver down the blonde Swordman's back.

"We'll meet again in the morning," Hilal turned and exited the room, leaving Nabiha to shiver once more while Aoshiro released a small chuckle.

"Even after all these years you still do not know when to stop yourself," The Guardian teased causing the Moon Lord to pout.

"I can't help it," Nabiha argued as he crossed his arms, "everyone I see Hilal I just have to 'press his buttons." He huffed, "Old habit I guess."

Aoshiro gave his younger brother a gentle smile and nodded his head to the couch, "Lie down and get some rest Nabiha, tomorrow we'll think of a plan."

"Yeah, yeah," The Moon Lord grumbled as he shifted onto his back on the couch before pulling the covers back over his chest.

Nodding his head once more towards his brother, Aoshiro proceeded to do the same on the floor before closing his eyes to gain some sleep.

"Shiro! Nabiha!"

Both men jumped as their eyes snapped open and both the Guardian and the Moon Lord sat up abruptly only for Nabiha to hiss as he clenched his side from the sudden movement.

"What in the-" Nabiha grumbled only for the Saint to burst into the room, pure panic clear in his eyes, "Hilal? What is the-"

"Xithyl...Xsayara," Hilal was hysterical as he placed his hands onto his head, his fingers clenching his white strands tightly as he stammered, "X-Xithyl a-a-and Xsa-Xsayara are-"

Realizing that his brother wasn't going to calm himself down anytime soon, Aoshiro shoved the covers off of himself before standing up and approaching the Saint, pressing both hands firmly onto the smaller cleric's shoulders which caused him to glance up and look straight into his eyes.

"Hilal, calm down and tell us what is the matter," Aoshiro spoke firmly and slowly, keeping his hands tight upon the Saint's shoulders in a motion to calm him down.

Blinking several times at the older cleric, Hilal took in several deep breaths before speaking the sentence that turned the Moon Lord's and Guardian's blood cold, "Xsayara and XIthyl...they're missing."

Xxxxx

Xithyl wiped tears from his eyes as he hugged his knees, his blue hues revealing concern as he eyed the still form of his cousin lying beside him. Xsayara had attempted to fight back after they were snatched away from their rooms only for one of the men to hit the young blonde in the back of the head, knocking him out instantly. Seeing that they won't even hesitate to harm a child, Xithyl had willingly went along with his kidnappers to ensure not only to avoid harm from himself but for his cousin as well. But that doesn't mean that he isn't scared.

Father, Xithyl sniffed as he hugged his knees tighter, his eyes attempting to penatrate the darkness of their prison only for them to percieve nothing. Shivering from the cold of the room, the young cleric snuggled closer to his cousin's still form while ensuring that he would not further harm Xsayara if he had earned any injury.

That's when the door opened.

The light that flooded the room was dim and as such, only caused Xithyl to blinked once or twice before his eyes adjusted, confusion clear in his eyes as a figure entered the room.

"My, my" he heard the newcomer whistle as he gazed at Xsayara, "someone was being a bad boy."

If Xithyl could talk, he would have asked, 'Who are you?' but lacking the voice to speak, the best the young cleric could do was narrow his eyes as he protectively pulled his cousin closer to him, tightening his grip on his cousin's hand as the man laughed.

"How sweet, a young boy like you trying his best to protect someone he cares about," The young man smirked, "but don't worry, I am not here to cause you any further harm."

Once again, if Xithyl had a voice, he would clearly say, 'What makes you think that we should trust you?' but like before, he lacked the voice and as such glared at the person who stood before him, only to gain another laugh as a response.

"I bet you're wondering who I am and why you should trust me right?" The man recieved a nod as a response, "Well, I can't say exactly who I am but..." a smile flashed onto the male's features, "let's just say that you should call me 'Older brother.'"

Almost immediately, confusion flashed in Xithyl's eyes as he continued to gaze at the man whom just chuckled, "The name's IIarion or as those within the Haven like to call me..." A wicked smile faded onto IIarion's features as he finished, "The Traitor Cleric."

I've been giving you guys too many cliff hangers lol

Anyways, the next chapter will explain how the kidnappers were able to get into the boy's room in the first place without Hilal, Nabiha, and Aoshiro noticing.

What happened to Khayru during all this?

Explained in the next chapter as well :D

For now, enjoy ^^

~123arcalas