Eighteen year old Felix Windbow was going on a hunting trip. He was in his final year of apprenticeship. His master, Andreas, was a metal smith, and was also a member of the council. Hunting was the apprentice's way of winding down. His little brother, Levi, accompenied him on this trip. Which wasn't irritating or disappointing. In fact, Felix enjoyed his brother's company. They were more than family, they were best friends, and did everything together. From chopping down firewood to hunting in the woods when they were finished with their chores. They had the deepest bond one could never find anywhere else. On this trip, they were going to be hunting by Frondletin’s Lake, a place not only suitible for large fish, but also a great hunting spot. The lake was crystal clear and the grass was an emerald shade of green. Animals often came here to graze and drink from the lake, while the fish swam just out of the predator's reach. That made it the perfect spot for the brother's trips. While Felix was the well trained hunter, Levi was an expert fisherman. When they got to there destination, Felix took out his bow and Levi hooked a worm on his fishing pole, and the brothers sat and waited. Levi wasn't exactly one for talking loudly, (as that is a good hunting habit) and whispered to Felix," Brother. Why do the Rulers of the Earth kill so many innocent lives?"
The reason this question came up is because there had been news of various attacks from that tribe. You see, they did not actually rule the earth, though they had a way with the dust and soil that nobody else could possibly imagine. Some say they were born from the earth it's self, which of course may not be too far off judging by their looks.
So after some thought, Felix replied," Well, I really don't know. Some people just are born that way I suppose. "
“Oh. “at this, Levi fell silent. Then, he said," Just promise me that you won't ever become like one of them. "
“That is just about the easiest promise that I could ever make."
“Swear on the mountain of Grethor?"
This is how Levi sealed his promises, by making the other swear on the mountain of Grethor, which ,in lore, was a mountain full of warrior's spirits.
“I promise upon the mountain if Grethor."
So with that, the brothers sat in silence, other than the twang of an arrow or the splashing of a fish being pulled out of his watery home.
When they returned, they were carrying enough meat to feed the hungriest carnivore for a month and then some. Levi started gutting the fish and skinning the game while Felix prepared a fire for cthe ooking. Now, something you should know is that the two brothers were orphans. Their parents had died of mysterious causes and the story seemed to change to every person who you asked. So all the boys had left were each other. Felix was in the act starting a fire when a woman's voice screamed, “They’re here! They've come and are killing innocent lives and making the entire town as we know it into nothing and rubble as the tellers foretold it!" There was a crash as a chunk of the ground came and knocked down twenty trees in a row like a bowling ball. And with that, the women blacked out into a heap on the grass. There was more screaming, and then Felix heard them. Thousands of chanting voices that sounded like sandpaper against rough wood. There had never been anything that had scared the mighty warrior Felix, though the sound of the terror and commotion were enough to turn his blood cold and make all of the hair on his neck stand on end. He was paralyzed, then only one thought hit him harder than a rusty knife shot out of a cannon.
Levi. That snapped him into his right mind. Protect Levi. He is all I have left.
“Stay here" Felix ordered. “I’m going to go help the townsfolk shorten the lifespan of these pests." Though his little brother heard the sternness in his voice, he wanted to help.
“Let me come with!"
"No! It's too dangerous! Hide yourself in the woods, and remain hidden! I can't afford to lose you, too!"
“But..."
“Do as I say!" Levi had never heard such urgency in his brother's voice, and was afraid.
“I will be waiting for you!" and Felix would remember those words for the rest of his life.
The town was in pure chaos. People were screaming as boulders were crushing anything and everything in their path. The rulers of the earth were ruthless. If anything was in their path, it would be destroyed.
The men were fighting like lunatics, trying to get their children and wives out of harm's way. Felix went right to work at trying to kill many of the invaders, first to the left and then the right. The army seemingly never even faltered. When one went down, ten would take his place.
There were too many of them, and more than one time Felix was saved from death by a neighbor who happened to stab his sword in the right spot at the right time. Luck or fate Felix asked himself, though there was no time for pondering. His sword was like a blur of fury, in which made Felix a dangerous opponent. He heard voices crying out for others, and many answers. A blow of a horn, and after what seemed a lifetime of fighting the intruders, it was over. Though the town had easily seen better days. Houses were covered in sand, men were staggering to their wives in which immediately went to work, bandaging the smallest of cuts until the men were covered head to toe in bandages. Felix had a gash on his arm and he thought he had twisted his foot, though a quick feeling of it proved that it was not broken. Felix was helping the people who had not been fighting heal the wounded, until he remembered Levi. Then he ran like the wind, and he promised himself that he would not stop until he knew that his brother was safe. He got to the woods, and then his heart froze. For he could easily see footprints, blood, and Levi was nowhere to be seen.
"LEVI!" Felix yelled at the top of his lungs. "LEVI!" though he knew that the only answer he would get was his own echoes. "You will pay for this, people of the mud...YOU WILL PAY!"
And with that, he broke into tears. For now, he was all alone.
“So you are saying that you want to leave this town?"
Felix was currently in a wide room made of marble, with chairs made of Yeomin Turquoise ( a magnificent rare, diamond hard gem). After the past incident, Felix had consulted the council to give him permission to leave the town. "For what purpose?"
The bold voice talking belonged to a man. Well, not exactly a man.
Then again, you could not call him a tiger either. He was more a mix between the two. With the haunches, front paws, and eyes of a tiger, the rest of him was humanoid. Anyway, his name was Orion, and If you must know, his species is a Higer.
"That is a personal matter. " Felix could not bear to talk about his brother that he had loved so much that had been ripped from his little life so early. He also didn't want to tell the council that the reason he was going was for revenge.
“Well, no matter. I say we might as well grant him his request. However, be wary. Outside of these gates are greater dangers then you can imagine."
“I understand."
“Then you have my permission. Pack your bags and return here by seventeen hundred hours. No later. You may then receive your pass to exit the gate."
“Thank you."
After another thanking to the council, and a deep bow ( as respect) and was on his way home. When he left, Orion gave a sigh.
“Now, now. We all know that you have had a liking to the boy, since his parents... Well... You know. And we all also knew that one day he was going to leave." said Andreas, Felix's former master.
Now, about the nature of Higers, they are solitary creatures. Rarely (if ever) do they make friends with anyone, especially humans. Though Orion was not the average Higer ( for if he were, he would not be part of the council) and seemed to watch over the boys, yet did not know about Levi. Yet.
"Yes, I know." he replied.
Meanwhile, Felix was packing all of his belongings. His house was not exactly the greatest. All of the things he owned were able to fit into his leather satchel. He started by packing clothes, then he went on to pack other items. He hesitated at a picture that no longer applied to him.
It was a photo of his family, his mom, dad, brother, and himself all in the old house that Felix was forced to sell when he was only seven years of age. His brother had been a mere baby. Felix stared at the old faded photo, and wished for the millionth time that he was just an ordinary teen with two parents, a brother, and a large (ish) house. Though he wasn't and there was nothing he could do about it. He packed away the picture in a safe spot. Then with a last look at his home, he walked outside, and knew that he may never see it again.
