18+ Eternal

[707]

Eternal

:: Fantasy :: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics :: Slice of Life/Action ::

 

Status

:: Ongoing ::

 

Warning

R 18+ for violence, graphic sex, dirty language, and non-consensual tickling

 

Author's Notes

Comments, suggestions, and corrections are always welcome but please do give them to me through Visitor or Private Messages.

 

Will probably be posting one chapter per week.. but mostly depends on my availability.

 

This work and some of the characters therein were inspired by friends and family alike. This is for them.

 

Hope you enjoy reading it.

 

Disclaimer

Any images and videos that would be posted are not mine. Credits’ all on the owners. This fiction is mine though.

 

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Prologue

 

To whom it may concern;

 

In the beginning there were dragons. They were big and strong, flying through and past the heavens with glittering scales that rivaled even the most precious of gems. They ruled the land and everything in it trembled in fear for their beauty was great and terrible. Smart, they were as well, harnessing the latent energies around them and using it as their own. And so Magic came to be and the dragons became the bridge that connected it to every other creature, small or otherwise.

 

Then came the birth of the Humans. Tiny and frail, they posed no threat so they were left alone, for the dragons' disdain were that of gods.

 

But that proved to be their undoing, for the humans learned in haste and their ignorance never quenched.

 

They created kingdoms, trained soldiers to wield the unknown that was magic and waged war with each other and everyone else. For their hubris was all-consuming in their self-importance and uniqueness.

 

And the dragons were caught unawares.

 

But then the humans did not stop with the mighty lizards' extinction. No. Defilement, they did. Taking the bodies, limbs and wings, they twisted the dragons and made them into man, with muscles and bones that could crush entire cities, magic that was their own to replenish and command, and immortality; for the dragons' magic had conquered age and illness.

 

And when these men fist set foot on soil, they were called Eternal.

[707]

Phase 1: A Sliver of Diamond

 

They said that it all began when the Eternal were made. When they learned and spread-out into the populace, mixing their powerful genes along the way. Some say that it was in the dragons all along, that it was how their race worked and was just passed along to their twisted progeny. And others still say that the Eternal were just a myth, a legend, to give answer to a history that had been there all along, as nature.. the universe.. intended it to. But the point was that it was how their society worked now, no matter how many speculated their ancestry; their origin.

 

It was a system; how they manage people according to their.. predisposition.. their mark.. their birth-stigma. Alphas stood at the peak, leading, governing, and being general assholes most of the times. Betas mostly followed, forming the main body of any corporation, although sometimes they, too, lead and govern. They are what most call 'The Peacekeepers' of the society when it comes to matters of law and state. Last, and most often considered least, the Omegas. Only considered as nothing more as breeders, in the early first millenia, they have been mistreated and treated as slaves or concubines to those who had power. But, as everything does, that mindset changed as time flowed its' current and by the late 19th century, a bill was passed, giving equal rights and responsibilities to Omegas worldwide.

 

Not all embraced it, of course. There were still those people who preferred having Omegas as their subservient counterparts, but there was little else they could do. And by the start of the 21st century, the once stepped-upon-Omegas had almost the same right as the Betas. It was a start to an equal society.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

Livid eyes shifted from dark cursive letters, printed on rough paper, to glance at the view provided by the open bus window.

 

It was bright-out, sunlight almost to the point of painful with it's cheerful glare and all the more reflected against the white backdrop that was snow. It wasn't there yet, winter, but just starting to crawl its way in, almost languid and relaxed. Trees still whispered with their leaves when a breeze passed by and small critters still went out to forage food to store in the safe havens of their burrows and holes. Birds still chirped and people still lingered outside to enjoy the warm rays of mornings and late afternoons. November, it seemed, was where it's still warm enough to enjoy the cold that snow provided. Or at least that was what he thought.

 

A frown marred soft features, short golden locks briefly whispering a touch against the edges of high and soft cheekbones, thin pink lips turning downwards at the edges as memories of crystal eyes, tinkling laughs and childhood snowball fights assaulted the student's faraway gaze.

 

A memory where everything was still perfect, where he was happy and content, no matter how young he had been then. It had been a long time.. a lifetime ago.. and maybe even more than that before, one day, it is returned.. he just had to wait. But the waiting was slowly killing him.. slowly pulling him at the dreaded 'Never will' that the countless doctors had told him and his father, once upon a time.

 

He would continue to wait though because he promised. He promised that one day....

 

"You and I are gonna go out there and explore the world in an adventure that's just us.." Soft, like the gentle caress of a new morning wind, were the words stated and yet melancholy was what drove it. A small glace to him was what his nameless seatmate gave before heavy lids closed.

 

- - -

 

"You staying the night again, Sora-kun?" It was the same question given to him by the matronly nurse that worked the front desk of Red General, biggest hospital in the city. He would have found the constant repetition irritating, but he liked her since she was nice and always brings him extra pudding whenever it was her shift.

 

So he gave her a smile instead. "I always do when he's here, Leita-san. Can't really sleep all alone in the house."

 

And then it came. The one thing that he really didn't like about her. The pity. It was so open that every time she gives him that look he almost wishes that he didn't like her. But it was hard to not like someone who was just genuinely looking out for him... even though deep inside he knew that she agreed with the 'Never ever' that the doctors had told him a million times. Still, she didn't say it out-loud so that was a plus... and she's probably the only reason why he was always allowed to stay the night, perhaps because she is secretly the hospital head.

 

A surprised laugh escaped his throat at the very thought that Leita, the tiny nurse that she was, is spying on her employees, just sounded ridiculous. What's the need anyways? But then again, it is a plausible idea.

 

Shaking his head, Sora turned from the elevator and took the stairs next to it. He had this small problem when it came to cramped spaces, and although he wouldn't immediately classify it as claustrophobia, it was near it.

 

Most people would claim that they get theirs after a traumatic experience, but in the blond's case, he was just born with it. Or so his father had claimed; telling him before that since he was a kid he had always been frightened by closets, spaces under beds and even their refrigerator. Now though, it wasn't completely gone, per se... he's just.. able to control the urge to bolt and scream a lot better.

 

Sixty two. That was the door number plastered right in front of him. And inside lay his older brother. Asleep... for the past five years.

 

With a gentle twist of pale wrist, the door opened, "Tadaima, Nii-sa-"

 

And there, clad in a soft green hospital gown, lay the milky-white paleness that was Nari Houseki Eiten, eyelids halfway open and revealing smoky diamond eyes.

 

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A/N:

 

Sora Hikari Eiten - 17

Nari Houseki Eiten - 19

 

Not sure what city they're in yet. And this chapter was not planned at all so sorry for the crappy writing, plus not really that good in making Slice of Life plots. BUT it won't be like that all the time. It's just starting so bare with me, guys. I'll do better next time. Well.. I'll try.

[707]

Phase 2: Bedtime Stories

 

"Gîl!"

 

The name echoed like a distant chime, bouncing off of invisible walls, enveloping sapphire sky and verdant plane as if sound and reality only existed in that small piece of space. But then it was always like that when it came to the haze of sleep and dreams, Sora thought a little wistfully; staring at the scene below with something akin to detached fondness. After all, he's had this recurring dream for almost four years already.

 

"Nányë hí." Came the soft reply, silvery tone floating past the gentle movements of Sora's uncontrolled lips.

 

Thing was; in this dream, he was a passenger inside a body that was both foreign and familiar.

 

Soft rustle of dewy grass heralded the approach of one young Nari, hair still as dark and thick as ever, but with bright and doe-like eyes; innocent and carefree with how he ran, head tilted up and giving Sora a wide grin, pieces of twigs and leaves stuck at various places in his hair and silken-looking clothes.

 

"Im -ldë ann!" The raven announced, jumping up and down in apparent excitement while gesturing for the other to come with an exuberant wave of one milky arm. Sora smiled in fond attachment, knowing full well that his body/host is also doing the same, shaking his head before lithely jumping down the branch he had previously occupied.

 

"-ldë illumë ann." He stated in a near whisper, voice gone coy, yet joy undeniably permeated it.

 

Sora hadn't understood then, four years ago, why it felt like he was intruding on something very private between his brother and someone else, especially with how those words were said, how he felt his body/host's cheeks heat in a definite blush, the way his head tilted just that bit downwards, and they way Nari tipped his ebony head to the side and gave a soft smile as if everything he would ever want is already in front of him. He understood now though, and most of the times he was here he made himself believe that perhaps -

 

"Tiria-" Nari was already kneeling, both hands cupping a patch of dirt as a small sapling seemed to sprout right out of it; stalk made out of smooth emerald that swayed as if it was in a dance while it grew. It produced ruby leaves, just as smooth and glamorous like everything else about it. When it was about four feet in height and was looking a lot more like a precious bonsai made out of gems, it's dance stopped. And that was when Nari stood, jewel-plant in hand, and gave Sora a kiss.

 

----------

 

He felt light but at the same time leaden, as if he was still in a dream and perhaps he still was since the room he was in was not his own.

 

Soft white silken sheets covered him up to his chin, fluffy mattress and pillows cradled all of him; the gentle dip and almost nonexistent sigh of the material as he shifted to his side made him think that perhaps this is what it felt like to lie on clouds and have the gentle breeze be your blanket. But then his eyes shifted from the bed to the gentle crooning of a nearby phone, the white of its case blending perfectly with the same white of the walls and ceiling, even with the polished bronze of the oaken nightstand it was on. And that was when near transparent curtains grabbed his attention, for, as they fluttered and curled, they revealed a black high-backed armchair and within it lay the pale white and raven of Nari Houseki Eiten, softly humming back the lyrics of the gentle song.

 

Then like a magnet, his head turned, diamond eyes immediately zeroing on livid ones. And he smiled that gentle smile whilst murmuring in that soft voice, "Hellë."

 

So perhaps Sora was still dreaming since he had absolutely no idea what that word meant or perhaps because his Nari wouldn't know any other language than their own. So he crawled to the other end of the bed, slowly stood on wobbly legs, feet sinking in a softsoftsoftsoft deep burgundy carpet, as he walked - maybe floated - towards his still supposedly waking up brother.

 

Maybe he fainted in the hospital and hit his head as he was going down and now he's really in ICU having a massive brain trauma. That would explain this dream.

 

Still feeling disembodied, he took no prompt before planting himself in Nari's lap, arms immediately going around the taller male's trim waist just as his nose buried itself on the other's exposed chest, taking a long lung-full of the raven's scent because why not?

 

The soft rustle of their apparently white and artfully decorated yukatas reminded Sora that, again: dream.

 

"Get some more sleep. Your body is still weak from its transition." Gentle fingers carded themselves through his curls, a warmth and soft press against his lower back informed him that the other appendage was there, rubbing in soothing circles. And he nodded, since yeah, sleep sounded good right about that moment.

 

Because then if he slept, maybe he'll wake up and finally, finally have his brother back.

 

----------

 

Okay. So maybe that wasn't a dream, Sora mentally clarified as he took in the same room with the same cloud-like bed, the same white walls and ceiling, the same oak nightstand, the same burgundy carpet, and the same black high-backed armchair. Only no Nari in sight and no soft crooning song.. just the gentle rustle of curtains and the unmistakable crash of water against rock.

 

"There's also a beach..." The blond murmured to himself almost absently. He had thought that the blue horizon he saw in his dream was just the sky. Apparently it wasn't.

 

Blinking faint crust and sleep out of his eyes, Sora slowly sat up, covers pooling down his lap as he tentatively pulled his wayward yukata back on his exposed shoulder. So Nari was awake, they were somewhere away from the city, and he had no idea how they got there.

 

He needed to stay calm. He could do that.

 

He nodded to himself, curls bouncing along as if to prove his point. Everything stayed silent while somewhere in the near vicinity a clock ticked...

 

Okay, he was done being calm. So with the gentleness of a cranky bear, Sora jumped out of bed and headed to the door just a few feet away... only to have it open and collide face first against the polished cherry that it was.

 

"Sora!" Came the alarmed shout, but said blond barely heard it over the pain exploding around the vicinity of his nose and forehead. Then gentle hands were there and it just - the pain just disappeared, quick as light being turned off, like it was never there in the first place.

 

Fingers lifted and with wide eyes he stared at his brother. His healthy looking brother with no sunken cheeks and eyes, no signs of the gradual atrophy his muscles had undergone due to five years of disuse, and clear eyes that spoke of relief and exasperation, and perhaps even guilt.

 

He wasn't dreaming and this was all happening. The pain was proof enough, no matter how momentary it was.

 

"We're not human." Was the first that Nari said, right arm lifting to rub the back of his neck, beneath the waterfall of his hair, as he tentatively sat beside Sora to where the blond was sprawled, now gaping.

 

"You already know that I was adopted. Dad told you when my medical condition first showed itself." That one, at least, Sora could follow. He was only four that time, playing soccer with his brother when suddenly Nari started coughing up blood. He had thought it was his fault, cried while saying that he was sorry for whatever that he did, but then his dad just said that Nari always had that condition even before they took him in. "What dad didn't tell you is that we are not human."

 

It would explain the swift recovery, the survival even, and the healing - if that was what Nari did. Maybe it also explained why, one day two years ago, his father just wasn't there anymore, why his mother died giving birth to him.

 

"So, what are we?" He finally asked after a long beat.

 

Rather than to immediately answer, Nari stood, padding softly towards the nightstand before opening the lowest drawer and taking out what appeared to be a pair of binders. Then just as silently, he went back, sitting on the same spot and handing one to Sora. It was a photo album, that much was immediately apparent what with the cover presenting the very same image that hang on the mantle of their house; his father, with his dark hair and tux, carrying a blonde in a magnificent frilly gown, his mother. They both wear happy grins, and if he looked closely Sora could swear that the twinkle in their eyes were perfectly captured by the photographer as well.

 

He looked up and already found Nari staring back and with a nod he peeled back the cover.

 

The image was of his mother, dressed in armor - of all things - and holding a lance at her side while looking in the distance, surrounded by nothing but a field of flowers, tall as her knees. The picture itself was brown with age, numerous wrinkles marring it as if it had once been held dear. Sora had an idea when this was taken.

 

"Do you remember the stories dad used to tell us before going to bed?" He nodded, like the answer was second nature, as he continued to page through the album, finding mostly much the same images of his parents, each picture depicting a different age from the last.

 

"In the beginning there were dragons. They were big and strong, flying through and past the heavens with glittering scales that rivaled even the most precious of gems." Nari recounted, slow and almost otherworldly, Sora giving a small smile at the fond lilt of his voice. "They ruled the land and everything in it trembled in fear for their beauty was great and terrible. Smart, they were as well, harnessing the latent energies around them and using it as their own. And so Magic came to be and the dragons became the bridge that connected it to every other creature, small or otherwise.

 

Then came the birth of the Humans. Tiny and frail, they posed no threat so they were left alone, for the dragons' disdain were that of gods.

 

But that proved to be their undoing, for the humans learned in haste and their ignorance never quenched.

 

They created kingdoms, trained soldiers to wield the unknown that was magic and waged war with each other and everyone else. For their hubris was all-consuming in their self-importance and uniqueness.

 

And the dragons were caught unawares.

 

But then the humans did not stop with the mighty lizards' extinction. No. Defilement, they did. Taking the bodies, limbs and wings, they twisted the dragons and made them into man, with muscles and bones that could crush entire cities, magic that was their own to replenish and command, and immortality; for the dragons' magic had conquered age and illness.

 

And when these men fist set foot on soil, they were called Eternal." And as if they were in sync, Nari finished just as Sora turned to the last page; to an image of his mother in hospital gown, cradling a newly born him while the same Nari that was sitting beside him was letting his father cry on him. The I-hate-my-life look on his face was even captured in exquisite detail.

 

"Why are you already full-grown in this picture?" It just came out blunt, even though he had thought of a better wording for his question. Nari laughed, soft like tinkling of wind-chimes.

 

"Because I wasn't really born nineteen years ago." Was his statement as if it all made sense. And it did.

 

 

 

 

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A/N:

 

Finally had time to write this. Kinda a bit rushed too since I haven't had any sleep. Got edited a lot since it would have been longer but I'm really, really tired now so I'll just post the other half as the next Phase.

 

The language used in the first part is not an exact translation, so anyone who figures out what it is don't bash me for the mistake in grammar. It was intentional since that's how I understood it.

 

And I got Key to delete the last Phase because I didn't like it and I since I need the past five years for something bigger.. somewhat.

 

Proper explanations will come next Phase along with a few furry delights.

 

Hope you enjoyed this one.. even though it didn't go the way I wanted it to.

[707]

Phase 3: The Petal Garden

 

 

It started, simply enough, with a small question, Sora having absolutely no idea about the history of his race. Of course as a child he had been fascinated by the old folklore that they all rooted from immortal beings created from vanquished dragons, played make-believe games with Nari about it too when they were barely old enough to enter any educational institution. But even as he matured, grew into his teens and hormones, the allure of it had not taken its grip from him, no matter the number of other theories that was out there. So he did as much research about them, the Eternals, as he could possibly do given his frequent visits to the hospital, school work and part-time job.

 

He found very little, much as that annoyed and sparked his interest further, and the ones that he found were nothing but speculations and theories that hardly deserved any digging. He couldn't really come up with anything concrete, what with his limited time and resources, but he did not stop, because it was a subject that he just knew Nari also enjoyed, what with how much the other looked forward to story times during evenings when they were but impressionable children. So now that the eldest was back, and even saying that they were literally what he had been obsessing for the past five years, it was no surprise that the first thing that flowed past his lips were:

 

"So what are we exactly?"

 

Okay, not the most profound moment of his life, but who could blame him when he had about a million questions exploding inside his head. First come first served, right?

 

At least Nari wasn't laughing at him, if the absence of quirked lips and raised eyebrow in his preternaturally blank face was any indication. The blond wanted to believe that was the case anyway, for all he knew his brother could be mentally laughing at him behind that marble that was his face.

 

"Just exactly what I said." Came the murmured response, Nari's voice gone distant as he made himself comfortable in the softness that was the carpet, Sora unconsciously scooting closer until their knees bumped; ears perked and ready to listen.

 

Then Nari opened his mouth and began.

 

"The Dragons were here first, we're not exactly sure how, but they were. There were other creatures too, of course, one specifically managing to evolve into smooth hairless beings we now know as man. The dragons, they really didn't mind the humans as much as the latter would like everyone believe. Sure there were some that preyed on them and probably wished to eradicate them, but generally dragons were like overseers of global balance. They kept the world thriving and lush, preventing any race from overpopulating.

 

Humans depicted them as monstrous beasts that filled the world of their progeny but it wasn't as such. They had a specific number to how many there were; no more than six-hundred at a time. We don't really know how they made it that way, but once that number is achieved, no fertile female would be able to be impregnated until their number is reduced. It's a very ingenious way for population control, wish humans had it." Darkness laced his voice as he stated the last part, as if Nari believed that they were deserving of it. And Sora, for the life of him, could not understand where such vehemence had come from. But there was not time for pondering when the raven began anew.

 

"Humans grew, and grew, and grew, and grew, taking everything and leaving nothing butt barrenness behind besides their own. Many creatures suffered the consequences and some ultimately grew extinct. And for what? Quests of grandeur, pointless pride, greed, and other self-righteous and dogmatic nonesense. Balance was broken and the dragons made a decision; eliminate the humans for the preservation of the world-"

 

"Isn't that a little bit extreme?" Sora interrupted because it was. He may have been biased but wouldn't a sentient being weigh more than the ones that only acted through pure instinct? "Sure some went extinct but couldn't the dragons just teach the humans about moderation?"

 

Nari scoffed, soft yet derisive, and the blond found himself clutching at his yukata at the sudden stab of something extremely unpleasant that hit him unawares.

 

"The creatures I was talking about are not like cats and dogs. Many of them were just as sentient as humans are, making decisions and aware of their own individuality. Just because something or someone has a different method of communication doesn't immediately mean that they are not as cognizant as you and I." Another scoff but this time less pointed at Sora and that small fact made him loosen his grip just that bit. "But because humans are so impressed and stuck in their own uniqueness, they failed and ignored that fact completely.

 

So when a few dragons tried to do exactly what you said, well, the humans killed them. After all, they were too ignorant, still are, that a growl or a roar doesn't always mean 'I'm gonna eat you'. So the Era of Draconic Decline began, where humans went out of their way to hunt dragons for the pleasure of having the ultimate bragging rights, disguised as presumptuous titles. Humans went for the dragons one-by-one numbering from tens to thousands, so the dragons, in turn, discarded their absolute independence and went into groups of tens as well. Humans couldn't win after that. I mean, imagine fighting a fire-breathing lizard the size of a three-story mansion, and that's only if the dragon just hit maturity and even then all besides the younglings were able to manipulate magic at their will.

 

So humans grew desperate and without a second thought took advantage of the one dragon that still believed in them. The one dragon that tried and tried to communicate with them despite the injuries they caused her. Her name has no translation in this language, only that it personifies everything about the dawn that follows after a storm." A small smile broke free, gentle in its affection but bellied by sadness nonetheless, and Sora found himself aching for an entirely different reason.

 

"The humans caught her, cut off her wings and tail to prevent her from escaping and then they waited. And waited for she remained silent. I don't know how it must have felt for her. She could have killed herself, nudged that bit of magic and snapped her neck or crushed her heart, but she didn't even when they tortured her; wanting to know the secrets of her kind. It became clear a year later. She laid an egg: black with silvery spots. She had been pregnant when they caught her. And the humans used that development to their advantage; information in exchange to the safety of her firstborn. And for a mother, there is no question." Sadness hit Sora so hard he almost wept, right there and then, the steady gaze Nari was giving him the only thing keeping him strong enough not to. And the fact that he just knew the eldest won't be repeating this story to him any time soon.

 

"So she mentally showed them everything that the humans wanted to know. It took half a decade until there was nothing else she could give and by that time her firstborn had already hatched and had become too dependent to the humans for his survival. Poor drake didn't even know how to hunt even the easiest prey. Their captors left them when she was no longer of use, and in her condition she was barely alive, too weak to even move, but before they left, one of the soldier had said; 'Wouldn't it be funny if the little one ate the big one when it gets hungry? Stupid dragon for protecting it when in the end it's the one who's gonna kill her'." Pale orbs blazed in apparent hate, eyes gone distant once more as if... as if he had born witness to such planned cruelty.

 

And Sora... Sora could not help but ask, "H-How do you know this..?"

 

"A friend showed me." Was the simple answer, loaded with one just as simple meaning rooted in one simple word: showed.

 

Oh. OH.

 

"I-Is-" He swallowed, throat gone dry at the sudden revelation. "Is he here?"

 

And Nari stood, eyes wrinkled slightly on the sides and lips quirked in that rare approving smile of his. "Come." Was the only thing he said while offering a hand for Sora to take.

 

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They walked, hand-in-hand through numerous white immaculate hallways, past twist and turns in intersections, up and down winding staircases, all the while Nari telling him that just like every experiment, there had been failures before the Eternals were perfected. He spoke about the Elves, mysterious creatures that had been present for as long the dragons have been, always living in isolation and barely being involved in the troubles of the world beyond their borders. He also spoke of magic, more than anything else, saying that there was a reason, a science, behind it, that it was an omnipresent energy that affected and controlled the very aspect of matter itself. He had also told Sora that, in time, with the proper guidance, he would be able to utilize that energy at his disposal to do just about anything within reason. And in turn, Sora spoke about what it was like during those five years that Nari had been asleep, omitting the part about his dreams and instead telling him about his slight obsession in knowing about what they were. Nari had laughed with him at how ironic and serendipitous it was. He'd also admitted, with no small amount of self-depreciation, that on his seventeenth birthday the crescent that was the mark of an omega had bloomed on his back, between his shoulder blades. And Nari... had smiled at him, frown of disappointment that he had thought the raven would have nowhere to be found, gave his hand a squeeze and stated, as if it was it was an undeniable fact;

 

"And I still love you anyway."

 

And Sora cried, for the sheer relief those words provided and by how much he had missed such an offhand reassurance from the other. The rest of the way Nari laughed at him as if he were stupid for thinking otherwise.

 

By the time they stopped, Sora had ceased his sniffing and the pads of his foot against the wood of his geta were sore with how long he's been walking. He wanted to pout and complain but the sight of two gigantic doors, intricately carved with thorny vines, twisting and curling along the edges and surrounding one massive rose in full bloom, the wood a deep golden brown against the white of the wall, rendered him speechless. It stood.. how high, Sora did not know, only that he felt miniscule compared to it. Then Nari was giving it a soft nudge with his free hand and the blond had no time to prepare himself for what might possibly be inside such titanic doors when it parted just the slightest bit in a groan that vibrated the very air.

 

Five steps and they were inside, black swallowing white as the doors swung shut with an echoing boom. Sora's grip on Nari's hand turned vice and he squeaked -okay shrieked- when he felt something brush his leg. Nari laughed, amused but gave the blond's hand a reassuring -not really- squeeze. And then everything was bright and Sora forgot how to breathe.

 

Beautiful would have been the understatement of the century should he have used that word to describe the magnificence he now beheld.

 

The floor was dark, clear like a glass but held depth like the midnight ocean. There was no visible ceiling, just an evening sky free of any cloud, the very cosmos there for his eyes to feast on. Lit paper lanterns floated all around them, seemingly reaching the very stars themselves and even were reflected by the floor, alongside what looked like small bluish-green balls of light. But most noticeable were the trees that towered all around, spaced far from each other, making them look thin and small but were actually very much the opposite. There were no leaves, just petals like a sakura tree but the colors ranged from gold to black to everything else. And they all danced along an inexistent wind.

 

"Welcome to the Petal Garden." Was all Nari said just as a small white fox with two tails dipped in red emerged from behind a tree.

 

"Yip." It squeaked and Sora found himself breathing in familiar aromatic scent.

 

"W-what.. is this place..?" He breathed in awe-full wonderment.

[707]

Phase 4: Royal Blood

 

"The most protected place in this facility."

 

Was the soft reply as Nari crouched and gestured for the small creature to approach. And it did, without any apparent hesitation; immediately nuzzling the hand that was presented to it with discernible affection that could have only been nurtured for years and years of companionship.

 

"I vellon, inyë cen -ldë ad. Cova-" Was the soft murmur, livid eyes slowly widening at such simple yet overwhelming proof that it HAD been Nari in Sora's dream. Sure it looked like him, but as long as the other didn't show any particular knowledge in what happened there and the language used, then Sora could pretend that it wasn't his brother. But now... now he couldn't pretend. Now he-

 

"-ort of a graveyard," The raven was saying, the small fox now comfortably curled around his neck like an extremely furry and fluffy scarf, and Sora had to shake his head to come out of his sudden stupor. He could process everything later, right that moment he needed to pay attention because for all he knew, it could be the first and last time that he was allowed entry in such a... hallowed-looking place. "Where many Eternals lie in their final rest, their broken cores the very seeds that sprouted these trees."

 

So that explained that colors of the petals, no wonder, the trees weren't normal at all. But then again, nothing in this place had been so far, so Sora guessed that his surprise might have been -just a little bit- silly. Still, it was his first day, so there was that consolation. And speaking of graveyards; he was an Eternal, so it must mean that his -their- parents must have been the same, so that must mean that they were-

 

"-here." Nari finished as if he had been reading the blond's mind, which, if he thought about it, wasn't as farfetched an idea as it would have been a few days ago. And judging by the mild amusement in that lifted eyebrow, the answer was a definite maybe, leaning heavily on a yes.

 

They stopped, in front of two trees that curved and curled around each other as if they couldn't help but make themselves a single being rather than a pair. Bright gold petals adorned one side while the other bloomed in inky darkness. A lone petal caressed Sora's cheek, it's color bright and virulent like precious metal against the soft light the floating lanterns provided. It was surprisingly warm even dipped in the coldness that was his tears. Then an arm looped around his shoulder, a warm side pressing against his own, and the tears just came faster.

 

"They aren't coming back, but these trees... these trees hold their deepest affections. Who they are, are alive in these trees. You can talk to them.. and somewhere deep down, they will hear you."

 

And they stayed there, for a long time, curled together while Sora spoke to the parents that he had missed just as much as the brother that now cradled him.

 

----------

 

"I thought I was going to meet him when you brought me in there."

 

Was Sora's first murmured comment just as the great doors slammed shut behind them; his chest feeling a lot lighter than it had in what seemed like years, a small smile curving his lips all the while.

 

"That was the plan," Nari returned, hand going back down to thread with the blond's just as their journey back began. "but I guess he wasn't there. Probably wandering around to get some fresh air."

 

"Is that safe, I mean for this place? I could only imagine how big he is now." Nari barked out a laugh, blankness of his face fading at the apparently amusing question and assumption.

 

"Yes, he is already massive, but I also taught him how to mold and change his corporeal form. So if he leaves the Petal Garden he'll be no more taller than you or me. Besides-"

 

"YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIII!!!!" Came the sudden obnoxious interruption from somewhere just around the next corner. And Nari visibly sighed as if to say 'Oh no'.

 

"I KNOW YOU'RE HEEEEERREE!! LEUM TOLD MEEE!! NOW COME OUT AND GIMME A HUG DAMMIT!!" It came again, sounding far closer than Sora would have wanted and if he weren't so confused with the exclaimed names he would have shouted for the intruder to please shut the fuck up, because all that shouting with that high pitched voice was successfully removing his newfound peace and good mood.

 

"Please, the Master has company. I would recommend that you not disturb them for the time being!" Came another voice; strained and labored as if the owner was carrying some great weight that was driving him to the very edges of his patience.

 

Then there was audible stomping just as a figure -figures- emerged from that one corner. Pink was the first that Sora could process, followed by silver, that was probably attached to the second one who was desperately -unsuccessfully- dragging the first one away. Then there was a blur and they were all tangled in flailing arms and kicking legs, rolling around the immaculacy that was the floor like a bunch of over-energized guinea pigs.

 

"Off." Nari grunted and the other two went flying as if they'd been hit by a bus. Sora tried -and failed- to suppress a smirk at the yelp the pink-head made when he landed on his ass.

 

"My apologies, Master. I couldn't stop him." Was the extremely anxious statement from the guy with silver hair, shoulders drooped and blindfolded face lowered in dejection. And Sora stopped even to process the hows and whys concerning said blindfold, Nari will explain it to him sooner or later anyways so no point in making himself even more confused than he already was.

 

"No use in worrying about that now." Nari grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck and twisting it from side to side as he grudgingly stood, Sora following mostly the same motions while keeping an eye on the two newcomers.

 

And now that he had the time to look at them properly, he noted that the silverete was actually wearing a black hakama rather than the black yukata that even the pink-head was adorned in. He was also tall, taller than Nari even -and the guy was already at six foot three- but in a way almost seemed lanky in comparison, with smaller shoulders and angular appearance. On the other hand, the pink-head was small, smaller even compared to Sora, but surprisingly lithe with defined muscles -if his exposed chest was any indication- but also with that subtle feminine curves that was evident in most omegas. Sora didn't know what to think of that last revelation. It wasn't like there was any competition anyways..for what exactly, he did not want to think about.

 

"Why don't you go and make something sweet for us to snack on later." It was voiced in what sounded like an absentminded order rather than a request, but by how the silverete -Leum, Sora reminded himself- just brightened like a fucking Christmas tree, it was evident that he was more than happy to oblige, as he trotted back around the corner from whence they'd come with an excitedly muttered, 'Of course, Master'.

 

Sora didn't like it. But the hand taking his own once more and pulling him up to his feet more than eradicated the unknown feeling.

 

"Sooooooooooo, nice face you've got there." Verdant eyes regarded Sora with such a piercing stare that he was all but rooted on the spot, unable to look away. It was terrifying how... learned those orbs looked, how in the span of what seemed like seconds everything about him was already laid bare for the other to view at his leisure. "You look just like G-"

 

But then the pink-head was squealing in pain as a pale fist made a heavy pass at the back of his head, too heavy in fact that his forehead even hit the floor on the way down.

 

"Shut up, you imbecile. That information is something he doesn't need to know from you." Okay, if Sora wasn't teetering at the very edges of his curiosity he might have found all that hilarious, because, seriously, where do you get to see something like that?

 

"WHAT THE HELL, MAN!! YOU TRYING TO KILL ME OR SOMETHING!?" Came again the obnoxious shouting and the blond had to clear his throat to stop Nari from doing anything else. The guy looked out for blood with all the noise exploding and echoing all around them.

 

The raven visibly flinched, broad shoulders tense before minutely sagging with an imperceptible sigh. "Sora, this is Izen; a vampire, as far as humans are concerned anyways, and one of my students." The pink-head abruptly stood, better than ever, raising his hand in the air as if to emphasize that he was the one being introduced, face-splitting grin plastered on a slightly flushed face.

 

Then Nari looked at him, opened his mouth and said;

 

"And Izen, I'm sure you remember Sora; first and only pure Eternal, birthed by Queen Etahna and Sired by King Lilim, rightful prince of Continenta de Atlantis."

 

And Sora could only gape.

 

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A/N:

 

Finally got a keyboard for my Tablet.

 

Sorry for the very long wait and I hope Phase 3 and 4 were good enough for you guys.