Chapter 5: Brothers
A couple to five days would pass before Alura would start to stir, groaning tiredly and in pain from the gunshot wounds. Her entire body hurt, aching and felt like lead, screaming not to move an inch. Slowly she’d open her brown and blue eyes, shifting them to look around the room groggy before fully waking up. She grunted forcing herself to sit up and winced with a quiet hiss, looking down to see a bandage wrapped some around her waist to cover the wounds on her lower back and, one on her side. Looking to her arm she saw another bandage and sighed, looking around the large strange room once more after observing her injuries had been treated at some point.
The bed held a balcony with long, heavy, pulled back curtains on the four posts, held in place by golden colored rope holding tassels of the same golden color. Around the edges of the red fabric making the curtains held embroiled designs of dragons, clouds, and maidens dancing. The floor was a gentle red rug, appearing soft to the touch as the walls were a gentle blue. One of the two tall round top windows was open, the wind making the thin silk curtains dance in and out of the room. Alura looked around more in awe, seeing lavish furniture she’d only seen used by the King and Queen them-selves. “Wow.” She whispered breathlessly in amazement and wonder of where she was as slowly she turned her body so, her legs dangled over the edge of the tall bed.
Quietly a knock came from the other side of a pair of large wooden doors. Alura wasn’t sure what to say, looking over to see them opening and a small figure of a woman entered, curtsying low to her. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?” asked the woman as she quietly walked over to the bed. Carefully she reached out and pushed, turning Alura around by her shoulders to change her bandages. Alura blinked but sat still with her legs crossed Indian style silently, before finally speaking. She felt the woman untying and carefully removing the wraps, and patches, from her back.
“Um…where am I? How did I get here? Who are you?” Alura asked, turning her head slightly to catch a glance at the woman in, what reminded her of, a maid’s uniform based on the white and black colors. She hadn’t actually looked too closely though to take in its style or design.
“I am a maid that works for the three Gods that own this palace. My youngest master brought you here a couple nights ago. You were in terrible shape with so many wounds. You were out for a few days and I started to wonder if you would ever wake.” The maid explained, taking a damp cloth to gently cleanse the red and healing holes. She felt Alura twitch and tense a little during the cleaning, and then saw her start to relax as she gently dried her back. “You are very lucky my youngest master was able to reach you when he did.”
So she was a maid. She sounded nice and had a very careful touch, feeling the maid apply a cream like substance to her back. “Huh? Three Gods? What are you talking about?” She was familiar that Gods existed but it was not often she heard them mentioned, let alone someone calling them master.
The maid sighed as she finished Alura’s back, applying new patches to her upper back and a fresh wrap around her midsection. Gently she turned the girl to face her with a warm expression then began to work on her arm. She was a little taken back to hear Alura ask of what she spoke about. She thought everyone knew about the Gods, “the three Gods that rule over this country. They do what they wish and very rarely listen to anyone besides themselves or someone stronger. My other master, the second oldest, did not understand why the eldest wanted you saved or would allow the youngest to save you both.”
“What are their names?” Alura asked cautiously, nervous about being in the home of a God let alone three, and worried what would happen to her and Talon.
“Let me think to get it straight. My eldest master is Hiatsu, my second eldest master is Marizu, and my youngest master is Ginsu.” The maid answered, cleaning, drying, and applying ointment to Alura’s arm before wrapping it with a fresh bandage.
“Hiatsu…Marizu…and Ginsu…” She whispered their names slowly and softly, taking them to memory. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard those names before.” Her words were hesitant, still pondering over the names and how they sounded.
“Well you’ll meet them later. Right now Marizu is out on a mission, Ginsu is training the men of the Angel Clan, and Hiatsu is working on some papers.” She informed, finishing and secured the bandage, turning her warm smile to meet Alura’s eyes. “Well, would you like some breakfast? I can serve it to you right in bed if you would like.”
“Uh no that’s fine. I can get up and go to the kitchen. I want to look around anyway.” Alura stated feeling a bit uncomfortable with a maid waiting on her. There was nothing wrong with the maid but it wasn’t something she ever experienced. It was strange, how were the upper crust comfortable with this? She snapped herself from her thoughts, turning more and stood. She took a step then two and paused, feeling a chill she looked down, just now noticing she was still without a top. Screaming a short lived scream, she quickly covered her flat chest with her arms, blushing badly in embarrassment. The maid only laughed lightly behind a hand and walked to the closet, finding a dress and held it out to Alura.
“Here you go dear. I think it best you cover up before going out to look about the palace.” She was trying her hardest to suppress her giggles at the child’s reaction. It was adorable the blush and reaction, looking away from the brown haired girl standing in soft blue pajama pants.
Alura nodded, watching the woman step closer and quickly snagged the dress from her hands, and swiftly pulled it on over her head then sighed. Removing the pajama pants, the maid noticed her scanning eyes. Thinking, the maid went to a dresser, opening it and produced a pair of knee length shorts. Bringing them to Alura, the article of clothing was snatched and vanished under the cotton dress. Alura looked down, twirling to watch the blue dress fan out gracefully. It was a beautiful green fabric with flowers embroiled onto it around the bottom, the top laced with string that weaved like it would tie but there was no way to tie it. She smiled loving the dress and how well it fit her. “Thanks.” Alura said curtsying to the maid before walking over to the closet, slipping on a pair of shoes that reminded her of her own, only newer looking, then left her room to explore the palace.
As she wandered the halls she became more in awe of the grandness of the palace, which held riches beyond her wildest of dreams. The floors were solid marble with a clear coating to make it smooth and shiny like a mirror. “Wow, this place is so cool.” She whispered breathlessly, her slow steps echoing in the empty hallways and corridors of the huge construction. There were over twenty different rooms and four floors, making it quite tall which amazed her that much more. The giggling of maids echoed as well with their quick and light footsteps to do their duties, along with the sound of her brother’s laughter and the voice of a woman playing with him.
She got down to the first floor, walking in what felt like a dream until it was interrupted by a large object knocking into her body, mainly from her bumping into it. Stumbling backwards her closed eyes opened, looking up slowly. “Oh….uh...” she tilted her head back more, looking up more to see a handsome face. Her jaw dropped and quickly she started to bow, hands on her lap and bending at the waist. “Sorry!” She was so embarrassed for not paying attention.
The man chuckled, placing a large hand on her shoulder to stop her bowing. “It’s alright, really. Just watch where you’re going.” He advised, finding humor in the girl, recognizing her from a few days ago. “I’m Ginsu, by the way. What is your name young one?” He asked in a kind and curious tone. His teal blue hair was pulled back and tied by a thin band into a long ponytail, reaching near his waist. A few bangs fell into his kind and caring blue green sea colored eyes, that danced with happiness at seeing her awake and well.
She couldn’t help but stare. She had never seen a man look so perfect then again she had never seen a God before either. When she saw his warm expression fall into concern she snapped out of her daze, realizing he had asked her a question. “Oh, right, sorry. My name’s Alura.” She curtsied to him, bowing her head as she’d seen other women do to gentlemen. He chuckled at this and released a breath, holding back an urge to grab and cuddle her. Small mortals were just adorable and it was melting his heart, wrapping him around her finger.
“Alura, what a lovely name. What is the boy’s name if I may ask?”
“His name is Talon.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m six and Talon is two.” Alura answered proudly, puffing her chest out some.
“Well,” he put his fists on his lean hips where a white sash had been tied so the two ends hung to his left side. “Seems you are braver than other children. It takes great courage to run and dare an army full of armed, trained men.
Her eyes looked down, voice fallen some, rubbing her right arm with her left hand. “I didn’t want them hurting Talon.” He smiled as she spoke those words and patted her downturned head, resting his hand softly there, his fingers gently messing with her soft strains.
“Then you are a very brave girl indeed. You and your brother will be safe here. No one dares to come here to challenge us Gods, knowing they’d easily lose.” He spoke softly, releasing a gentle chuckle, loving the thought of being so strong. Alura nodded, smiling up to him and without missing a beat moved closer, hugging him around the waist as he stood around six foot tall. His shirt was tan, loose and comfortable in the summer heat. It had looked like cotton but felt more like a cool silk or satin material. The silence was nice and only broken by his light hearted voice. “Now,” he began, gently easing her back so he could look at her eye to eye upon kneeling down, “would you like something to eat? We have a great selection in the kitchen.”
Alura smiled licking her lips. She’d been so taken by his appearance, and meeting a God for the first time, she had almost forgotten about breakfast. “Mmmm I’d like that.” She grinned as her stomach growled, causing her to blush and him to chuckle. Mortals were amazing creatures. Standing he began his way to the kitchen, taking the lead as she followed closely after.
They walked in silence. The lighthearted and fun aura coming from him astonished her in some ways. Gods always seemed like they’d be serious or indifferent towards non-Godlike beings, or that was how she interrupted what she’d heard others speak about the powerful beings. As they turned down a hallway with her taking in the décor, she turned her eyes back to him, curious. “Um…what kind of Gods are you anyways?” she asked, not able to help herself.
He chuckled and slowed to a stop. Looking down at her he kneeled once she had stopped, holding out a hand between them with his palm up, he formed three orbs to float just above his hand for her to see. “Well, my older brother Hiatsu is a master of the flame.” The first orb glowed red like fire, showing within it a stone like item looking to be encased in flames floating in the center. “My second older brother Marizu is of the Earth.” The second orb began to glow a beautiful light brown with green, a powerful looking stone with vines over it appeared floating inside. “I am the youngest and of the water.” The last orb started to glow blue and waves appeared on a stone, like the other two it was marked with an element representation.
Alura watched this in amazement, having not seen anyone do such magic. She absorbed his words as if they were necessary for her to continue living, fascinated and yet confused. They were called brothers yet each was an opposing element of magic. “So…are you all really brothers?” the child asked, cocking an eyebrow with suspicion about this apparent fact.
“To us we are anyway.” He answered with a small shrug. It didn’t matter if they were blood related or not. They had always lived together, came to be close to the other, it fit the criteria. “We were created by another that controls us all. We were made from different elements, given powers and sent here to carry out our lives. Since Hiatsu was made first he became the elder brother, then Marizu was created making him second eldest, and lastly I was created making me the youngest. We aren’t related by blood only that we were made by the same person. Our lives end when the stone with our power is destroyed. Without it…” he took a breath, pausing and sighed with fallen face, continuing with a solemn voice. “We will turn to dust or become human, depending on if we use our last bit of power to call upon the Great One to be spared our end.”
Alura listened intently to his words, captivated and taken away by the story, wanting to know so much more about them. “That’s…..so…..cool!” She exclaimed, grinning up to him. He chuckled quietly from his throat and ruffled her hair, not minding she didn’t seem to take in the serious concern stated at the end. It was a heavy topic and seeing her excited expression pulled a gentle smile to his face, despite his heavy heart from those grave thoughts.
The God of Water stood, closing his hand to disperse the glowing orbs. “Well now, I’m glad you liked it. Now then, what are you hungry for? We have a great selection.” Ginsu stated as they continued, finally entering the huge kitchen that could only be described as beautiful and huge in her mind.
“Wow.” Breathlessly she said, her mouth dropping open. He released another quiet laugh and started to get out some ham and bread, cutting the bread with a knife then the ham on the marble counter. Ginsu blinked, smirking and gently hit him-self in the forehead as he’d forgotten to grab a plate. He wasn’t fixing something only for himself but another as well. Stepping over to a cabinet he got down a white, glass plate and gracefully walked back over, putting her sandwich assembled on the dish. Once done, he fixed himself a sandwich, leaving it on the counter. He looked then slid her plate to her, watching her stop the plate from her barstool seat. He closed up the bread and ham, walked over and put them away in the fridge. Finally done he returned, sitting down beside her on a stool and took a big bite of his sandwich smiling, enjoying his lunch break.
“Tell me what you think. I know I’m a great cook.” Ginsu said slightly muffled, speaking before he emptied his mouth. After he did swallow a grin couldn’t be helped, crossing his lips as his head turned upwards with eyes closed. His eyes opened and shifted to look down at her as she smirked, taking a bite.
“It’s good! Thanks!” she said happily after swallowing, having been taught better manners than the tall Water God and took another bite. He snorted a little to suppress a laugh and resumed to eat his as well, sitting beside her. Unlike his brothers he was more fascinated by mortals, and their behaviors with requirements to function. Gods didn’t really need to eat but they did from time to time, it was a nice way to keep up energy without causing unnecessary bloodshed.
Elsewhere four men died, blood flying into the sky and shimmering against the beams of moonlight. A person clad in black armor and clothing sighed, taking out a cloth to wipe the blood off the blade before placing it in its sheath. “Weeeak, no one is strong enough. Damn. Why me?” a male complained and grumbled out in a low, irritated growl. “Stupid mortals…don’t know why he doesn’t just do this crap himself. He has the same amount of power as I do. This sucks.” He placed two fingers to his forehead with his head leaned down, pushing up strongly his head flew back. His hand returned to his side as his black hair glided up and behind him, appearing to be in slow motion with sweat glistening in the moonlight, seeming magical with small beads of sweat sparkle on his lightly sun kissed skin.
The man sighed letting his head fall forwards once more as if his neck was boneless, then turning it to the side his body seemed limp or very relaxed where he stood. And his were eyes half open, looking un-amused and greatly bored. Strains of black hair fell into his narrow red eyes giving him a look of deathly beauty. His eyes could pierce any soul it seemed and make the person beg for their livelihood, if they knew what was best for them. Yet standing there the man seemed inhuman like a black angel that only longed to be loved in some form other than in fear, and to experience true respect, not the respect shown to him now to save their own skin.
Slowly he started to walk down the dirt path towards a large structure sighing, letting his head fall back to stare at the sky groaning. “Sooo boooored. Why must I be the one to do this? It is fun I must admit but…ugh so boring with mortals.” He complained breathing out, almost sounding like a whining child told to do a task they didn’t want to do. “They are corrupt anyway. I do not see why I must kill a being that will only return later on.” Marizu spoke to himself sighing and hating that he had to deal with mortals this time. Hiatsu worked to keep order in the land around his home that was hidden from mortal eyes and touch, unless brought there by a God. He was aware of the paperwork his elder brother had to do and he was glad he didn’t have to deal with it. Filling out stupid sheets of paper was not his idea of a necessity yet it still irritated him, he was sent to deal with the weakest form of life imaginable.
Four miles later he had reached his destination and sighed, vanishing in a puff of smoke and appeared within the confines of stone and steel. His steps were silent like the wind as he walked calmly down the hall and turned, staring at the wooden door shaking his head and drew his blade, approaching the human made barrier. Placing an armored hand on the knob he turned the cold steel, opening the door silently and entered, staring from a distance at a man sleeping. The human resting appeared to be the one he was after: chubby, red hair, red mustache, and a golden necklace. Quietly the door was closed and his steps in armor neared the man, blade being drawn as an almost sick grin stretched on his face.
It would be four minutes later until Marizu was walking away from the castle, outside and enjoying the warm air, but hated how it made him sweat under his armor. He didn’t need it but it did increase the fear his victims felt if they ever saw him. No one who faced him lived to tell the tale of his power or what he looked like. It was the fear the people showed him when they died and saw him, that gave him a rush and pleasure in his work. Still…he started to think, looking up. “Why would Hiatsu wish to save that stupid child? I bet he wanted to do it out of the “goodness of his heart.”” He spoke those words with disgust and spat on the ground, lowering his hands after making air quotes for the last four words, continuing on his way to report in that the task was done.
Back at the palace Ginsu and Alura walked the halls, chatting and laughing at jokes they told each other, and over stories they had. Their chatter ended when the sound of a throat being cleared stopped them in their tracks. Looking over, and up in Alura’s case, to the sound she saw a red haired man with narrowed yellow eyes. His arms were crossed in front of his hardened chest and his soft peach colored face looked like it was made from stone. Ginsu gave a nervous laugh and smiled, giving a small wave to the man. “Hey brother! How ya doin’?” he asked smiling, his voice reflecting a happy tone.
This tone and action did not soften the red head’s expression or stance. If anything it irked the man more bringing him to snort what looked like steam or smoke to Alura, from his nostrils when they flared. “Don’t ask how I am doing. You know how I’m doing. How are you and the men doing? Will they be ready to be let out to carry out our orders from distances and mind links?”
“Yes don’t worry.” Ginsu sighed, letting his head fall limply back sighing with a groan, releasing air and letting his lips vibrate like he was exhausted from this man. Alura watched confused by this. Ginsu straightened and sighed once more as he had forgotten introductions. “Alura, meet Hiatsu. Hiatsu, meet Alura.”
Hiatsu gave a friendly smile down to the girl and extended a hand to her, shaking her hand as he took it into his. “It is nice to meet you. I am glad you are looking better. Now then…” he released her hand and stood straight looking at Ginsu, his tone changing from warm and polite to strict and almost cold. “You can’t slack off. We must have the men ready for anything. The three main rulers have been making their move slowly and we can’t risk something happening to anyone who deserves to live. Understand?”
“Yea, yea I understand perfectly. Don’t worry. The men will be ready for battle.” The blue haired God said lightheartedly, trying to get his brother to ease up for once. “Trust me. Have I ever let you down before?” Ginsu gave a sly, carefree gin causing a grunt to come from Hiatsu in annoyance and anger.
“Fine. Just make sure it gets done.” His tone was as serious as his face, if not more so when speaking to his youngest brother.
“Yes sir!” Ginsu saluted with a serious face then it cracked and burst into a laugh bringing Alura to giggle as Hiatsu smirked, walking back into his room and closed the door.
“Wow, what a serious guy. Is he always like that? He doesn’t seem very warm to other people.”
“Oh don’t worry. He’s just sour because of all the papers he’s had to do. He’s been doing research on three men who are a pretty big deal, and could cause some problems. Nothing big to us but to humans it would be a disaster that no one wants to happen, but could if we can’t somehow nip it in the bud.”
“Oh I see. Could I help you in anyway?” Alura asked, hoping she could help out somehow, worried about her mother. Ginsu looked down and exhaled, shaking his head and patted hers like one would to console a puppy.
“Sorry Alura but no. I don’t want you getting hurt. I am sure you are a great fighter but…I just can’t risk you training and getting injured. It would look bad and be bad also if you got killed. Hiatsu would have my head on a platter if I let you be slain. I don’t know what he wants with you and your brother, but I won’t let you be destroyed just because you want to help.”
“Awe but come on!” Alura whined, stomping her foot. “I want to help! Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?” she asked, giving him her puppy dog eyes and pouty lips. He groaned slapping his face with his hand and let it slid down, with his eyes partly opened, looking at her then away. He breathed, red showing from his lower eye lids being pulled down. Finally he sighed giving in as his hand slid fully off his face, allowing his lower lids to snap back into place.
“Fine but you will train only with me, not with the other men. That okay?”
“Yup! That’s fine by me.” Alura grinned and he released a breath, shaking his head lightly, astonished at himself to be manipulated so easily by one human.
“Why am I such a softy to that stuff?” he asked as she hugged him. He chuckled, hugging her back. “Oh well. It could be fun.” He muttered quietly under his breath, eyes cast softly down to her. He softly pushed her back and started to walk away. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning early to begin your training. Look around if you like just be careful not to offend anyone. You could get killed.” He warned mainly concerned if she ran into Marizu and left her alone in the hall. Looking around she started to walk off to explore this new place more, trying not to squeal from her excitement. The thoughts of learning fighting and getting to learn what her father probably knew, it was all so exciting, so much she ran down the hall releasing an excited squeal.
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