Chapter 4:
Muzaka was done for the day he hade enough. Enough of the complaints and the mundane tasks of being Lord. He blamed himself for all the problems that Maduke caused. If he didn't have the urge to wander all the time maybe he would have seen what he was up too before it was to late.
Then he thought of his daughter. Would have getting rid of Maduke sooner saved her. He pondered all the what if's. What if he never fought with Raizel? If he just listened to him instead of letting the rage take over? What if he stayed with his woman Erin and Ashleen? Would he been able to keep them alive? There was to many to count. His head started to hurt. He took one of the pills Frankenstein made for him. Since he left Dr. Crombel he has been getting better. He only need to take the pills when he feels like he going to loses it. Him and Frankenstein might not get along but he sure knows his stuff. Also it proved that Crombel was keeping him sick.
Muzaka needing quite decided to go out to the cliff. It's a nice spot were you can see the moon. He sat on the grass and laid back the cool wind felt good on his aching head. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Muzaka Hasn't dreamed since Raizel woke him after the fight were he transferred his power to Raizel. Tonight however it was different. Muzaka slipped in to a dream world.
There was a girl with long brown hair. She was laughing and staring at the river. Muzaka was walking up to her but stopped in his tracks when the spun around and said, "Dad did you find any deer?"
With wide eyes Muzaka shook his head no. He would know that girl anywhere her laugh, her sent but mostly the way the girls eyes sparkled. The girl was older much older but she was still beautiful. The girl tapped the ground beside her, " sit and watch with me."
He sat next to the girl. Tears leaking from his eyes. "Dad your worse than a girl." Ashleen giggled then she whispered, "look."
There was a sound of splashing and in the water was a boy . He look about 7 Or 8. He hade silvery gray hair and eyes. "M-21"he thought. Muzaka lips curved up in a smile.
"I got it. I got!" the boy had the biggest smile on his face. He was holding a fish almost as big as him. The boy took a few steps and fell. His prize escaping back into the water.
Ashleen yelled, "come on Muzuke Dad and Sir Raizel didn't find any dear. If you don't get a fish we'll starve." She laughed as the boy slapped the water.
Muzaka was now scared. When Raizel woke him before he told her him and Raizel were going hunting, now she said the same. Did he finale go insane. "what are you?" he gasped in fright.
"Don't look at me like that. When Lord Raizel woke you he seen how sad you were. Sir Raizel called a part of my soul before you woke when I called you Dad that was me. He gave me enough power so I could stay with you, In here.(putting here hand on his head) I don't want to call the boy M-21 that's a name for a pet. Not a proud werewolf."
"I won't let you starve." M-21 said. He was staring at he water a look of determination on his young face.
"I will always be with you Father. I wanted you to know the time I spent with you were the happiest days of my life. I would do it all again even if it meant me dying again. I have no regrets and you shouldn't either." Ashleen smiled.
"My time with you was my happiest time too. I failed you and your mother. I should have brought you into the pack. I should have done more to protect you." Muzaka said while hugging his daughter.
"Stop Dad, enough with the what if's. You can't live like that. Instead of all the what if's think about the what now's. You have a son. What now do you abandoned him or try to help him? Sir Raizel is weak what now you going to give up or are you going to do anything to find away to help him? We don't Have much time till they find you. Promise me that you will start living in the present. Only think of the what now's in life because it doesn't mater what you should have done. It matters what you do about it now. Just know M-21 has enough love in his heart for 3 father's, 4 brothers and anyone else who finds there way in."
Ashleen smiled. Muzaka looked at M-21 or Muzuke "Hey come here Muzuke!" the boy stopped ran to the werewolf Lord right away. Muzaka lifted him up and looked at his face. He could see the light scar on his lip. He put him in his lap and hugged him tight. He could here the boy giggling.
"Lord Muzaka are you all right. Pleases wake up." At the sound of the concerned voice. Muzaka slowly opened eyes.
Two worried faces looked down at him it was Kentas and Garda.
"You have not been acting yourself since you came back from the Noblesse. Did something happen?" Garda said.
"You could say that. I got some information that I'm trying to process." Muzaka chucked.
"Do you feel you can't trust us my lord? I know we let Maduke lead us astray. We failed to protect Our people. What good is strength if you don't protect the weaker of our clan. A true warrior protects you and the Noblesse showed us that. We will not fail again." Kentas said As he sat beside the Lord.
"We just want to help, pleases. Is that not how a family is. You do what you can to help each other over come obstacle in way. " Garda pleaded as she sat on the other side of Muzaka.
Muzaka sighed, "I would not say it's an obstacle. That man Crombel.(growling as he continued) Joined forces with the wolves he used some of the people that Maduke sent to breed half breed children to see if there was any benefits to be gained from either side. They made 24 children."
"I didn't think they would do something so vile. And that man pretended to help us." Garda said as she held her hand over her mouth as if the thought made her sick.
"Well they tortured and experimented on the children. Crombel decided that they needed a stronger wolf an alpha. They people they got from Maduke were week. So he sneaked in to the lab stole my DNA and made a child."
"My Lord is it M-21?" Kentas as the look on his face was that of regret.
Muzaka just nodded.
"I'm sorry my Lord I should have told you, but every time he is transformed he's aura felt so familiar. I thought it was cause I might have known the original owner of his heart. But then when he used the silver spirit wolf. I should have known." Kentas looked at ground.
Muzaka put his handed on Kentas shoulder and said, "me too. I should have known something was up I fought him too."
Garda was listening and said, "What about the rest of the children?"
"Dead only M-21 left. And if it wasn't for Raizel he probity be dead now too."
"Then what of the boy. Are you bringing him back to the clan." Garda added.
"He will be welcome to come any time but I don't think he'll stay. He is one of Raizel knights, they protect the Noblesse." Muzaka chuckle.
"Well that is an important job. At lest he not wandering all over the place. Like an old stubborn wolf I use to know." Garda laughed and Kentas added " I don't think his adopted father Frankenstein would let you take him any ways. When it comes to those three boys he's scary."
"I couldn't take him away. I'm no father. I'm ashamed of my self cause I caused this whole situation by not listening to Raizel. I hurt my friend so bad his life force is dwindling. This boy, no this pup was tortured almost his whole life for no other reason then I was his father." Muzaka rubbed his head then added, "I just don't know how to approach him."
Garda smiled , "my Lord We are here too. All of us, we are a clan. He is one of us. He will be treated as one of us. He is so strong what did Frankenstein do to him."
"Nothing and neither did the Noblesse. That boy goes to work, does what he needs to at the house then he trains. I know. I've trained with him." Kentas was the one to answer then he added, " M-21 wants to keep going till he can't stand any more. Even then he keeps getting up. He says he has to get stronger so he can protect his family." Kentas laughed.
" Foolish boy," Muzaka said with a frown.
"Lunark told me she asked him what was so special about him that the Noblesse would risk his life to save him. M-21 said the Noblesse had said they were family." Kentas laughed again.
"Raizel is something. He can take nobles, modified humans, humans and even a werewolf and make a family. His heart knows no bounds. If the world was like Frankenstein house there be no problems." Muzaka said smirking.
"The point being my Lord is we are here and you are not alone. M-21 is very guarded but I'm sure you too will work something out." Kentas said than he laughed and added, " if Frankenstein don't kill you for corrupting his son."
"You should be proud he will be a great warrior." Garda sighed squeezing Muzakas hand.
"Do I have the right to be proud of a boy I didn't have a hand in raising."
"I think you do. He is of your blood." Garda said.
The three stared laughing.
Lunark came upon the Lord and his companions at the cliffs " Sorry for the intrusion my Lord. Kentas you have a message from Frankenstein it's an emergency. He wants you to get in touch right away."
"What's wrong did he say?" Kentas said as he looked at the Lord.
"It has something to do with that boy, M-21."lunark said.
With that they took off heading for the information center.
Lunark was a little taken back by the Lord's reaction. Why would he be so up set. While they were trying to reach Frankenstein. Lunark pulls on Kentas "What is going on?"
"Its not my place to say." Kentas gave a sad smile then looked to Muzaka.
Muzaka was walking back and forth. Opening and clenching his fist. Muzaka eyes meet Kentas he stopped then realized everyone was staring at him He growled. " listen Maduke mad a deal with the union. He gave some of our people to an evil man. With them he made half human half werewolf Children. He tortured and experimented on them till all but one died. That one child left is M-21. While I was being kept by the union they had samples of my DNA cause Maduke only sent who he deemed weak. That evil man used my DNA to create one child that child too is M-21. "
Garda and Kentas smiled approvingly at the way he stated the facts. Lunark was just shocked. The large group of werewolves were horrified. Murmurs and hushed Whispers were coming from the crowd. Back in the time of Maduke he would have be ostracized for the fact of having a half breed child. That was one of the reasons he hid Ashleen existence.
"I hope you treat this boy as part of the clan. If you need to hold someone accountable then the it should be me. The boy did nothing wrong." Muzaka said.
There was a look of confusion on the crowds faces. When one of the wolves came to the front bowed and said, " my Lord don't think our horror or disgust is directed at you or the boy. You and he did nothing wrong. In fact that boy showed us that not all humans are bad. Him and his friends worked hard to save our people. Plus the Noblesse came here to save him. The boy must be special. Truth is we were surprised just how strong he was."
Another moved to speak, "I'm one of the people saved by that boy in the lab. I'm proud he's a true pack member." Said a young man who than bowed to the Lord.
"I was scared how you all would act. I want to be a part of the boys life. I am his father. I might come to you for help, so thank you in advance ." Said Muzak wore a smirk while waiting for then to get back in touch with Frankenstein.
M-21 didn't know how long it's been since he was home, He knew he was going to be in trouble. Frankenstein would be mad at him for making Raizel worry. After he left the nobles on the roof he took off as fast as he could. In his pain he headed out of the city deeper and deeper in to the forest. He was around one of the spots where he would meet Kentas to train. There was an out cropping of rocks and it made a perfect shelter for him. At lest from the rain.
The wound on his side should Have healed but it hadn't . He didn't understand why. He didn't think it was that bad of a wound. He snickered at himself as he thought "May be Rajax thought he was being an ass and put a little something in the wound."
He always wondered about if soul weapons knew what's going on. Also if Rai blood is his soul weapon does that mean all the previous Noblesse are in him, the same way as the previous clan leaders join there clans soul weapon. Why is he thinking about stupid stuff. His brain was rambling from lack of sleep. All he wanted to do was sleep but he couldn't every time he closed his eyes He would have nightmares. Now M-21 was no stranger to Nightmares in fact he hade them every night. Theses were the different. They didn't contain M-24 or the rest of his comrades. In these he is young, A child. This scared him was these memories or figments of his imagination. He closed his eyes this time he seen two men in lab coats one with red hair and one with black. M-21 couldn't tell who was speaking he just listened.
" Which subject should we use?"
"Lets use the boy, 21 he's feisty." One said with a snicker.
They opened the door to his small cage and dragged him out. He kicked and struggled trying to get free. They were to strong for the tiny boy. They slammed him on the table. As they were strapping him to the table all that was going through his head was the word fight. He would not let them see him cry. He would not scream no matter how much pain he was in. The one with black hair took a scalpel and lashed threw his lip. M-21 eyes flew open and his hand went to the scar. Tears were pooling in his eyes. M-21 closed his eyes. Pleases, pleases he begged I just want to sleep.
This time when he closed his eyes He seen a man with salt and pepper hair. Even though the man was younger M-21 knew who it was. It was Crombel. This time M-21 was older and strap to a table. There was a tub in his arm and his head was foggy. His eyes open and closed every thing he seen was going in and out of focuses. He couldn't move he couldn't speak. He could feel someone stroking his hair. A voice was echoing in his head as Crombel talked, " you are beautiful. My masterpiece, to think that I created some one like you." M-21 could feel Crombel hand run down his neck as he continued speaking, "I'm glade I decided to use a warrior to make you instead of the week cast off the werewolves send us. You are perfect." M-21 could feel a light kiss to his forehead and his eyes flew open again. He felt sick that man touching him. M-21 started to dry heave. It was painful since he hasn't had any thing to eat or drink since he left home. When he was done he just closed his eyes. He wouldn't fight it any more. If this is how he is to be punished for causing the death of so many then he would accept it.
This time however when sleep touched him He was in a clearing by a stream. Their was a brown hair girl waving to him to him. He looked at his hand he was a small boy again. He knew this wasn't a memory. Maybe he died he thought with a chuckle. He decided to go with it and see what happens.
The girls eyes sparkled and M-21 felt comfortable with her. He ran to the girl and sat beside her.
"Hi, my name is M…" he started to say till the girl stopped him by saying, " that is a name of a slave or a pet. I refuse to call you that I think I'll call you Muzuke. I think that's a good name." she giggled as she ruffled his hair. M-21 shrugged and the girl smiled.
"My name is Ashleen." At the girls words his eyes widen with shock.
Ashleen just chuckled and said, " yes I'm that Ashleen. I'm your big sister."
Before he knew it he was asking, " am I dead? Why am I so little?"
"Well your not dead. I guess I'm the reason your so little. It was always my hope to some day have a little brother so I'm assuming this is how I see you."
M-21 smiled as the girl touched his hair. "You are the spitting image of Dad."
M-21 frowned. "Oh don't be like that. I wished you could have traveled with us, hunting and fishing. It was the happiest time of my life. Even though Dad wouldn't admit he was my father I knew cause of all the love he showed me."
She dragged him into the water on the pretense of teaching him to fish. They laughed as M-21 kept falling in the water.
Ashleen told him try to catch a fish to show Dad when he came back from hunting with Sir Raizel. He caught one he turned around to show Ashleen. When he did there sitting next to his sitter was Muzaka. Why is he crying? He thought as he took a few steps and fell letting his fish get way. Ashleen yelled something about no dear and starving.
Frustrated he jumped up and started searching again as he looked for fish. M-21 yelled back "I won't let you starve."
A feeling washed over him. Who was He she called him Muzuke. Is that his name. Then he realized he was forgetting who he really was. There's some place He needs to be but where? There was people who He needed to protect , but who? He Knew for the first time he was having fun. This specter of his sister was warm and caring. Playing like a child was something he never in his life got to do. His whole life all he ever hade was nightmares. This is his first dream. He was going to enjoy this as long as he could he'll wake soon then he can go back to his normal life.
M-21 was snapped from his thoughts when he heard, "Hey Muzuke come here." M -21 did what any boy would do and ran to his father. Muzaka picked him up and M-21 stared in to Muzakas face the man had a sad smile and his eyes sparkled from the moisture of his tears. The Muzaka pulled him in for a tight hug. The mans hair tickled his nose so he giggle. Then Muzaka just disappeared.
M-21 looked around curiously, but Ashleen took his hand. She brought him to a camp fire she made. They ate fish that Ashleen caught. She told him stories of her travels and the times she been with the Noblesse. M-21 didn't under stand how but when She mentioned The Noblesse he reconized the name. He knew the Noblesse but he didn't know how. Ashleen noticed M-21 dozing off. She put his head in her lap and stroked his soft hair. "Who am I? I don't remember." The boy yawned.
"Its ok you will when you wake. It might take a little time. Things might be a fuzzy too. There's people out their that love you and that you love and vowed to protect."
When Ashleen noticed he was fast asleep she thought, "Dad pleases hurry I'll have rest soon and I don't want to leave him a alone. No one should be alone."