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{\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1503;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl240\slmult1\kerning28\f0\fs24\line Liek could feel the night calling him. \line\line Ever since birth, he found himself exploring the night-world. Everything was so different. Daylight unveiled the landscape leaving everything available to the eyes, and leaving no mysteries to be discovered. Each night was different for him. The thrill of the hunt was everything he lived for. \line\line That was another thing. Hunting during the day offered Liek little to no challenges, but the creatures of the night were much more challenging to find and pick off. Liek was always looking for new challenges. \line\line During the day, he was a mere boy. During the night, however, he was godly. \line\line Folklore portrayed werewolves as beastly hulking animals. Liek could do nothing but snicker when townsfolk would tell tales of werewolves. Truth be told, the Werewolves were much more elegant than people perceived. \line\line Liek was one such example. He was rather small, but very wiry. This made it much easier for him to move silently, mimicking the movements of shadows. This was also why he kept his hair neat and short. The werewolves were stronger and faster than any man, but their deadliness did not lie in their strength or speed. \line\line It was because they too looked like men. \line\line And the idea of the full-moon turning a man into a wolf was just preposterous. All a full-moon did for a werewolf was make it easier to see greater distances at night. Nothing more. It was nearly impossible to tell a werewolf apart from another person. In fact, Liek was a favorite amongst many of the girls in town. Almost every one of them would agree that Liek had the prettiest eyes out of any of the other boys. \line\line Eyes that seemed to glow. \line\line\line A sudden movement caught Liek's attention. He crouched low and breathed deep. He could smell somebody's presence. He quickly scanned the area around him and caught a glimpse of another creature. He couldn't tell who or what it was, but he did know that it was coming for him. \line\line One swift leap brought Liek onto the branch of a nearby tree, and another leap sent him to the top of the next tree. He stopped and listened. It was completely silent. Where was he? \line\line Just as he turned to smell the air, a body hurled itself from another tree at him. Liek didn't even have a chance to react. The two bodies fell, wrestling in the air and crashing through branches before they both hit the ground. Liek saw stars. When his eyes came back into focus, he came to the realization that a hand was wrapped around his throat, with a long thumbnail pressed against his jugular. Liek let out a sigh. \line\line "I didn't expect to see you here, Cale." \line\line The hand left his throat, and instead gripped his hand and hoisted him to his feet. \line\line "You were never very good at rolling after a fall, Liek. You know that could save your life one day." \line\line Cale grinned. Liek was never quite able to beat his elder brother in wrestling matches. \line\line "Don't worry. Soon enough it'll be my thumb against your neck, you half-breed." Liek snarled. \line "Ha! I'll be gray by that time, little brother." \line\line Liek laughed. As much as they squabbled, he loved and revered his brother more than anybody he had ever known. He could never show it, though. He didn't want his brother to think he was weak. Cale leaned against a tree. \line\line "Tonight's the big night. Think you're ready for your first taste of man-blood?" \line "More than ready. Of course, I would be full from the meat of three men by now if you weren't constantly knocking me out of trees." \line\line Cale let out a chuckle and waved his brother farewell before disappearing into the night. Every male werewolf had to fight and kill a full-grown man as a part of becoming an adult. The bigger the man, the better. It was more than a ritual. It was a sign of devotion to the werewolf race. Men were a disgusting and greedy species. Killing one every now and then would let them know who the superior race was. \line\line\line Liek turned and stared at the cabin no more than 100 meters away. A strategy formed in his mind and he sprinted towards the cabin. \line\line "Just you watch, brother. I'll be as great as you someday."\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek stood in front of his elder brother hanging his head in shame. Cale was livid. \line\line "What do I tell the others, Liek!? You did not fulfill your duties as an adult! How dare you embarrass me like this!?" \line\line Liek stood silent and stared at his feet. The previous scenario replayed in his mind over and over again. \line\line ------------------------------------------------ \line\line\line It had all seemed so simple. He made it to the nearby cabin, and silently made his way onto the thatched roof. There, he drove his arm through the roof between the supports, making himself a hole large enough to drop through. Everything was going as planned. \line\line Once inside, Liek found him. But he was not alone. \line\line Three young children sat in bed with eyes as large as saucers as their father spun tales of ghosts, ghouls, and witches. Liek stopped in his tracks, and listened to the magnificent stories. Something did not sit right with him. \line\line "Papa! Look over there! Is that a ghost?" One of the children exclaimed, pointing to the rafter where Liek was crouched. \line\line Liek froze. What would he do? The man turned his gaze onto him and stood up. He was very large for a human. His legs were like tree-trunks, and his arms rippled with power. Liek knew that he would be quite the trophy. He readied himself to attack.... \line\line "Oy! Come out, lad. There's always room here for one more who likes a good story." The man smiled. \line\line This caught Liek off guard for a moment. Unfortunately, the words came at the precise moment he was ready to attack. He felt himself moving, but it was too late to stop. Down he fell from the rafter, and crashed onto the floor below. As Liek pulled himself to his feet, he could feel his face burning up. Cale would not approve of Liek's failure to land properly. \line\line The large man began to laugh, and his children giggled along with him. \line\line "What's yer name, boy?" \line\line Liek only stared back. He hadn't forgotten what he was supposed to do. He was supposed to kill this man. But it was this very man that was inviting Liek to sit down beside his children. Weren't all humans supposed to be dangerous and malicious? And how was he supposed to kill another man in front of the eyes of his children? Liek began to doubt his conviction. \line\line He would have to find another. Yes, he would make his escape and find another man to kill. This man was a good man. He was sure there was such a thing. If there were good men, could that mean that there were evil werewolves? And if that was the case, what would that make him? \line\line Suddenly, Liek smelled danger. Something else was here. \line\line "Watch out!" Liek screamed. \line\line He leaped forward, and knocked the man down just as another shape slashed the air where the man was standing. The children screamed. Liek stood and turned to face his adversary, but it was too late. Something exploded inside his head, and he was easily knocked aside. His eyes rolled back and refused to focus on the chaos surrounding him. \line\line Something was attacking the man viciously. Liek could hear and smell the blood as it sprayed forth from the open wound in one of the man's arteries. The man's breathing was already labored as he tried to defend himself. Soon he would be dead from the loss of blood. The children's screams were shrill, and only added to Liek's confusion. Just as quickly as it started, the screams quickly ended one by one. \line\line Slowly, Liek's eyes began to focus on the horrors surrounding him. The man lay curled in the corner of the room with three of his arteries ripped open. There was already a pool of blood surrounding the body. The three children lay in bed with each of their necks broken. He groggily stood up and stared into the face of his brother. \line\line ------------------------------------------------ \line\line "Why did you not kill them!? What do you have to say!?" Cale screeched. \line\line Liek continued to stare at his feet. \line\line "I wanted to kill a man more than anything. But not that man. He was a good man." \line "What do you know about good men, Liek? You know nothing about the ways of men. They are an evil race, and we are superior. You cannot let your weaknesses get in the way of your judgment!" \line\line Liek nodded. His brother was right. \line\line "Give me your hand." Cale ordered. \line\line Liek obeyed. Cale gripped Liek's hand and placed it around his thumbnail. \line\line A werewolf's thumbnail was his weapon. Every werewolf grew their thumbnails long and kept it pointed. It was incredibly strong and sharp, and was used almost always to slash open their prey. \line\line Liek felt a searing pain travel through the palm of his hand and the joints of his fingers as Cale slowly pulled his nail along the inside of Liek's closed fist. Liek began to grow dizzy. Cale spoke. \line\line Even as Liek could hear the nail grinding against bone, he never forgot the words his brother said: \line\line\line "Wounds heal with time, \line Yet scars will always serve as a reminder of past mistakes. \line A lesson is learned with each jagged badge. \line Cherish them and wear them proudly." \line\line\line After those final words were spoken, Liek felt himself sink to the ground. Darkness covered his eyes, and he surrendered to the blackness. \line\line "Goodnight, little brother."\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek was rudely awakened with a kick to his stomach. \line\line For a brief moment, he thought it was simply Cale jabbing him awake. But he soon realized that the breath had been knocked out of him, and the boot that hit him did not belong to his brother. \line\line "Get up, ya miserable whelp! On yer feet!" \line\line Liek looked up at the owner of the voice, and sure enough he was just as ugly as the words his mouth spit out. Liek placed his hands on the ground so he could stand up, and grimaced as he felt a shooting pain travel up his arm. He glanced down at his blood-caked hand and remembered the previous night. \line\line Two cruel cuts were carved deep into the palm of his hand, and along the joints of his fingers. The cut along his fingers was the worst. He could actually see the pale bone peeking out from the open wound. The pain was magnificent. \line\line Another kick to his kidneys sent his stomach reeling. Liek vomited. \line\line "Ay, the boy is in a bad way. Ya should be thankful ol' Trent didn't squash yer head in!" Another voice said from behind. \line\line Liek managed to stand up and face the two men. Liek could probably count on one hand how many teeth they had between the two of them. \line\line "How did this 'ere boy manage to kill Trent, anyway? Look at the size of 'im!" \line "That's a myst'ry if I ever did see one. No matter the case, the boy 'as to pay for what he's done." \line\line Liek blinked. What were they talking about? \line\line "Who are you?" He asked. \line\line Something smashed against Liek's skull, and he felt himself go limp. \line\line "Ye'll keep yer mouth shut, boy! After what ya did to Trent and his little ones, ya should be thankin' us fer sparin' yer life!" \line\line Liek began to move in and out of consciousness. The loss of blood and the blow to his head nearly killed him. In some tiny part of Liek's mind, he somehow wished that he had died. His entire world was filled with pain. Where was Cale? Why wasn't he helping him when he needed him most? \line\line ------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek awoke again sitting up against a wall. Everything around him was pitch black. Strange, really. It had been daylight only a short time ago. Liek smelled the air. It was a sickening mixture of blood, mold, and death. He could feel only stone under his legs, and metal around his wrists. A voice snapped Liek's attention away from his surroundings. It was Cale. \line\line "I see you haven't killed any humans yet, brother. Perhaps the men who captured you were good men too?" \line "Now is not the time, Cale. Where are you?" \line "You needn't worry about that. That last blow to your head left you blind. Don't worry, your eyesight will return in a few hours." \line "In a few hours I'll be dead! Get me out of here!" \line "Ahh, that is a problem. However, you got yourself into this. I'm going to leave it up to you to get yourself out." \line "But I didn't do anything! I'm innocent!" \line\line Cale chuckled. \line\line "So you are. Perhaps you should tell them that. I'm sure they'll unlock you immediately and send you off on your merry way. Maybe they'll give you a parting gift while they're at it." \line\line Liek began to sob. Everything looked hopeless. \line\line "None of that now! Just remember your heritage, Liek! The answer is right at your fingertips. You'll do just fine. Good luck, brother." \line\line Liek choked back another sob. As quickly as he came, Cale had already sprinted away. What was he supposed to do? Here he was, blamed for the murder of a family he didn't kill, cold, blind, covered in blood, and chained to a wall. Things looked bleak, at best. \line\line "Remember my heritage..." Liek scoffed. \line\line "Wasn't it was my heritage that got me into this mess?"\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek continued to sit and mull over his current predicament. \line\line Cale wasn't going to help him, he was blind, and he was surely going to be executed for the murder of a father and his children. But Cale had said that there was a way out. Would he be able to find it? \line\line He had to rely on all of his other senses to help him get out of this place. He felt the shackles on his wrists. Most likely they were bolted into a wall. Not even a werewolf could break those chains. How else could he break out of this place? \line\line Wait until a guard unlocks him? No, too risky. He needed to get the shackles off himself. \line\line But in order to do that, he would need a key. Liek explored the chains with his hands. He found the keyhole, but determined that his thumbnail wouldn't fit inside. There was no way to pick the lock. \line\line There was, however, some room for his wrists to squeeze through. It was tight, but he was sure he could do it. The chains were made for men, not for boys. If he could just get one arm through.... \line\line Liek pulled. Nothing. It was too tight. This was the only way, though. Liek pulled again. Harder. Still nothing. If only it were a little more slippery..... \line\line Something in the back of Liek's mind clicked. It was a long shot, but he was sure it would work. "The answer is right at your fingertips!" Cale's words echoed in his mind. \line\line Liek brought his arms together, and began to slice into his forearms with his thumbnail. Fresh blood began to run down his arms, and dripped on the floor. He made sure to rub the blood all over his hands and arms. The inside of the shackles became slick, and Liek began to tug again. \line\line Harder.... harder.... he could feel the skin on his arms coming off. He felt himself passing out, but he quickly focused his mind on the task at hand. There would be time for rest later. After all, wounds heal with time. \line\line Finally, after ten excruciating minutes, Liek felt his left arm slip out. He gasped with relief, and sat still for a few minutes. He could smell the blood. He was saturated with it. Just one more arm to go... \line\line\line ...... \line\line\line Liek felt his way around his cell. In a matter of minutes, he knew every inch of it. It was rather small, and bereft of anything short of a locked wooden door and some loose pebbles. There was a barred opening in the top corner of the room, presumably where Cale had spoken to Liek. There was no other escape-route except for the door. Liek would have to wait until a guard came to get him. \line\line He crouched next to the door, and waited. \line\line Minutes turned into hours as he sat there in a crouch. He began to feel himself nodding off. It was amazing how much pain he had been going through in just the past two nights. Was this what being an adult was? If that was the case, Liek didn't want to grow up. \line\line Suddenly, he heard voices. He knew they were coming for him. Three humans. It would be dangerous, but he had nothing to lose. \line\line The door creaked open, and before the lead guard had a chance to express his shock at seeing the empty blood-soaked ground in front of him, Liek was upon him. \line\line By pure luck, a misplaced kick to the kneecap crumpled the front guard, and left him writhing on the ground in agony. The second yelped in surprise, and Liek grabbed him and spun him around with his thumbnail on his jugular. \line\line "Don't move, either of you! If I feel even so much as your eyelids twitch, I'll slice you open from your neck to your knees!" \line\line "Oy! What 'is that, yer nail!?" Liek's captive squeaked in shock. \line "Why yes it is. And I'm very good with it too, so no sudden moves." \line "He's bluffing! Just stab 'im!" The other guard exclaimed. \line\line Liek pricked his captive's neck, letting a small stream of blood run down his chest. The man groaned in terror. \line\line "I will warn you only one last time. I can cut you in three places and have the open wounds whistle in C-major. You are in no position to doubt me. Now if you will please show me the way out of here, it would be greatly appreciated." \par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek held his captive close. They walked slowly, Liek managing to keep in time with his captive's steps, and the other guard leading them to the door. His arms burned with pain, since escaping from the shackles tore most of the skin off of his forearms leaving nothing but blood and exposed nerves in its place. He wasn't sure how much blood he lost, but he was sure that it wasn't nearly enough to kill him. \line\line He heard a door open and he felt the rush of cool air on whatever skin he had left. It was very uncomfortable on his arms, but he was grateful for it nonetheless. \line\line "Now, you..." Liek motioned to the lead guard. "Get back inside, and go about your business. If I hear any commotion before I get to the edge of town, this man dies." \line\line Liek heard the lead guard back away, and he heard the door shut. "Take me to the woods at the edge of town and you will never see me again." He ordered. \line\line He felt the guard nod in agreement, and he removed his nail from his throat and instead grabbed his arm. He didn't bother threatening the guard any more. Liek knew it was pointless. After what seemed like an eternity, they reached the edge of the woods. Liek let go of the man. \line\line "Thank you. You may leave now." \line "Why aren't ya runnin', boy? Ya made it this far." \line\line Liek's words stopped in his throat. For a moment, he was ready to tell the man that he was blind, but that would mean that he would most certainly be attacked. He couldn't let him know that he couldn't see. Liek took a few steps forward and stumbled. Roots were everywhere, threatening to trip him if he took one bad step. Liek's clumsiness gave him away. \line\line "Ahhh, I see. Yer blind, aren't ya boy?" \line\line Liek could hear metal sliding against a leather sheath. \line\line "Couldn't make it outta there by yerself, could ya boy?" The man sneered. \line\line He had to run. Liek jumped as high as he could, sending him sailing into a thick branch. The man grabbed Liek's leg mid-fall and slammed him to the ground. He grabbed one of Liek's injured arms and twisted. Liek screamed. \line\line "That's right, boy. Scream for me. Scream fer mercy! Maybe I'll make it quick." \line\line Consumed with rage, Liek attacked. He lunged forward and buried his nail into the man's chest. He felt it slide into something soft and rubbery. The man gurgled, and coughed. He tried to scream, but only a wheeze came out. Liek drew his bloody nail out and gripped the man's face, sliding both of his thumbnails into the man's eyes. \line\line This time, the man screamed. Liek dug deeper. The man began to wail. Finally, his thumbs broke through something, and he felt them stab inside of the man's head. The screams ceased. He had made his first kill. Liek felt sick. \line\line "Congratulations, little brother! I half-expected you to be killed by those savages." A nearby voice said. \line\line Cale. Liek turned in the direction of the voice. \line\line "Nothing? Not even a thank you? Come, tell me! How do you feel?" \line "Look at me, Cale. How do you think I feel!?" Liek snapped. \line "Ah, I don't blame you for being a little cranky. Don't worry, the baby will get his rest soon enough." Cale said as he patted Liek's face. \line\line Liek slapped his brother's hand away. \line\line "Why did you leave me back there!? Why didn't you help me!?" \line "Oh come now, brother. You're alive, aren't you?" \line "Barely! Tell me why you abandoned me!" \line "Abandoned you!? Don't be so dramatic!" \line "Then what would you call it!?" \line "Only the strongest are capable of surviving on their own!" \line "Yet the strongest also leave one of their own kind behind!? You've admitted yourself, you didn't expect me to come back!" \line\line Cale sighed and shook his head. \line\line "You've proven yourself to your heritage and as an adult, so why do you question me like this? If it weren't for me, you wouldn't even be able to show your face back home!" \line "Ha! If it weren't for you, I also wouldn't be blind and half-dead!" \line "Don't chastise me for teaching you to grow up, little brother!" \line "You've taught me nothing except to know the behavior of a coward!" \line\line Cale went silent. Liek could feel Cale's rage at his last remark. \line\line "If you weren't blind right now, little brother, I would have killed you four times by now." Cale said through gritted teeth. \line "Then do it! Kill me now, and let me be at peace so I won't have to deal with the likes of you or my heritage!" \line\line Cale roared and punched a nearby tree. \line\line "You!! You are not a Werewolf! You are nothing more than a friend to those humans!! That makes you little more than a dog!" \line "If showing mercy to those that don't deserve death makes me a dog, then perhaps I should learn to fetch sticks and wag my tail!" \line "WHERE IS YOUR PRIDE!?" \line\line Liek began to cackle. Never had he felt such power and control. \line\line "What do we have to be proud of!? Why is it that we needlessly sweep the landscape, killing men and children?" \line "Because we can! Because they are filthy, and weaker than us! We are the hunters and they are the prey! We are sup-" \line "Superior! Yes, superior! If we are so superior, brother, then why do they only know of our existence through fairytales and fables? Why do they not run in fear when they hear the name of our race?" \line "How dare you-" \line "If we are so superior, then we should gather ourselves together as one, and overrun the humans! Why have we never done that!?" \line\line Cale remained silent. Liek could tell that he had damned himself, but he didn't care. He didn't want to stay loyal to a heritage that killed children in the night. He didn't want to be an adult, and have to rake his own flesh from his bones to stay alive. \line\line "Answer me, brother! You seem to know everything about our heritage, so please enlighten me!" \line\line Cale turned away from his brother. \line\line "No, Liek. I will not answer you." His voice quivered with rage. "If you want to live amongst the humans as their faithful dog, do it without me. I will never answer to you, because no dog is my brother." \line\line\line And with that, Cale walked away. Liek stood alone in the woods and wept.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Cale continued to run. \line\line How dare he.... how dare he question the strength of the werewolf race!? Rage burned in the backs of his eyes, and he roared. He leapt onto a branch and furiously began to punch the trunk of the tree. \line\line "Why didn't I kill you!? You should have died where you stood! You are a traitor to your people and your own brother!!" \line\line Cale felt his knees give out, and he sat alone on the branch. He looked down at his hands, and saw various cuts and swelling along his knuckles. He licked his wounded hand, savoring the taste of his blood and the dull throb moving up and down his fingers. \line\line Cale leaned back and closed his eyes. He had to clear his head. No good could come from acting too hastily out of anger. \line\line In truth, he still loved his little brother more than anything. However, Liek's actions were dangerous. Cale was torn. Liek had broken the laws of the werewolves by denouncing his heritage. In doing so, he would either be exiled or killed by the council. Cale began to question himself out loud. It helped him think clearly. \line\line "If I tell the council what Liek has done, could I convince them to give him a lighter punishment?" \line\line No, they will not agree with those terms. The laws of the werewolves are not so flexible, I should know that by now. \line\line "So what if I simply don't tell them?" \line\line If they find out I was covering Liek's tracks, I would surely be punished alongside my brother. \line\line "Then I'll run away with him! We'll go somewhere far, where the werewolves won't find us!" \line\line No, that would be foolish. I know as well as anybody else that our scent can be picked up by the assassins. They would find us in a heartbeat and kill us. And what would Liek think of me if I came crawling back to him? He would surely lose all respect for me if I told him I wanted to stay with him after what was said. \line\line Cale stood up. He had made up his mind. He would explain his case to the council, and hopefully they would simply send him back to find his brother. He was sure that they would show some mercy. After all, Liek never completed his initiation of his own free will. He was attacked, and he defended himself. Surely he was still a child by law. \line\line Cale sped home as fast as he could. He had to tell the council. There was nothing else he could do. \line\line ------------------------------------------------------------ \line\line Cale knelt in front of the council. The journey was difficult with all that he had on his mind weighing him down. He couldn't believe he was ready to do this. \line\line "Elders, I come to you with grave news about my younger brother." Cale began. \line "Speak." \line "It seems that Liek cannot take on the responsibilities of an adult. I've tried my best to show him the ways of the Werewolves, yet he believes that men don't deserve death." \line "And you have come here to make sure he is put to death? You are willing to sell out your own brother?" \line "On the contrary. I come here asking you to show mercy to my brother. He is still a child, according to our law. He has not yet killed a man of his own free will." \line "But he has still killed a man?" \line "Yes. He has. I witnessed it." \line "If he has seen the brutality of men, and still chooses to live amongst them, we find Liek's decision to be highly insulting to our heritage." \line\line Cale broke out into a cold sweat. This was not good. \line\line "I understand, but-" \line "It is not in the council's best interest to allow a werewolf to embarrass his own race by living amongst the humans, child or not. The fact remains, Liek knew the consequences of his actions, yet he chose to be a traitor. For that, we cannot allow him to live." \line "With all due respect, elders, I beg you to reconsider this course of action!" \line "We understand that he is your brother, Cale. However, in choosing to live amongst the humans, he has also chosen to accept a human death by the nails of a werewolf. Our decision has been made." \line\line Cale jumped to his feet. \line\line "NO!! I cannot let this happen! I understand full well that he has chosen to accept the punishment fit for a human, but surely we can show mercy to one of our own kind in this case!" \line "How DARE you expect us to be merciful to a traitor!? You will hold your tongue, boy!" \line\line Cale knelt down again. \line\line "Forgive me, I did not mean to insult the council." \line "We will overlook your outburst for now. However, we have also decided that since you have failed in teaching him properly how to live as one of us, you yourself cannot go unpunished." \line\line Cale felt his stomach drop. \line\line "The council has decided that you will lead the assassins to your brother, and that his blood shall be on your hands. You are dismissed." \par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek stumbled through the forest. The tears had mixed with the blood on his face, leaving ugly brown streaks under his eyes and on his cheeks. \line\line The blindness only made matters more frustrating. At this point, Liek had no idea where he was, and the air had turned cool which suggested that the sun was setting. His stomach grumbled. It had been nearly an entire day since he had eaten anything. Hunting was impossible in the condition he was in. \line\line He decided sit down, since wandering around aimlessly served no practical purpose. Mostly, he missed his brother. He never realized how much he needed guidance. As long as he remembered, Cale had been there for him. Granted, Cale had always been a little stern with him, but that was just Cale. Liek knew that Cale only wanted to see him become the strongest. \line\line In some ways, it seemed like Cale was pushing Liek to become stronger than even him. Liek choked back another sob. \line\line How foolish he had been to renounce his heritage. Cale had done nothing but tried to help him, and he had thrown it all back in his face. Now his brother was gone from him, and he couldn't find his way home. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to go back. The others would surely look down upon him if they knew what he had done. \line\line He felt himself slip away. He didn't realize how tired he was. Liek curled into a ball to stay warm. Never had he felt so miserable. \line\line "Don't let me wake up." He whispered. \line\line ------------------------------------------------ \line\line "When do we set off to find the traitor, sir?" \line\line The five assassins knelt in front of Cale. Each assassin had a name, but their names were long forgotten. It was rumored that they only told a worthy foe their names before they killed them. \line\line "One of you will set out at dawn. I will provide the volunteer-" \line "One of us!? I thought that you will be leading us all to kill him, sir!" An assassin with long black hair interrupted. \line\line Cale glared at the offending assassin. \line\line "Do you seriously believe that it is necessary for all of us to attack a mere traitor? He is not even an adult, and yet you suggest that it will take all of us to bring him down?" \line\line The five assassins chuckled to themselves. \line\line "Well...." \line "I have been put in charge of you five for a reason. Do not forget that. I know my younger brother, and he is incapable of killing a human of his own accord. And if you interrupt me again, assassin, it will be both my brother's head as well as your own." \line\line The five fell silent. Cale continued. \line\line "I will provide each of you with one of my brother's possessions. I am not concerned with whoever volunteers first. Just tell me when the job is done. You are dismissed." \line\line The five stood up, and all but one exited. It was the one with the long black hair. \line\line He was very thin, with delicate features. He did not look like an assassin at all. In fact, he almost looked regal with his neat appearance, and girlish looks. \line\line "I will set off tomorrow to find and kill your brother, sir." He smirked. "Shall I make it quick? Or would you rather he suffer? After all, it was you who sold him out." \line "I told you that none of that concerns me! Now if you would kindly leave, perhaps you might be able to get your beauty rest." \line "So hostile! Well, I suppose that I shall have to resort to my own methods then." He turned around. \line "Just don't break a nail." Cale muttered. \line\line The assassin walked towards the door and stopped. \line\line "The council does not exactly have complete faith in you, you know. I was told by the elders that if I feel that you are going to sabotage this mission in any way, that I will personally have your head mounted on my wall." \line "Hold your tongue, assassin! No matter what the elders think of me, I am still your leader. You will treat me as such!" \line "Perhaps. But I'm not sure if it was wise of the council to appoint the brother of a traitor as the leader of the assassins. After all, there are many traits that run in the family. Treachery could be one of them." \line "GET OUT!!" Cale snapped. \line "As you wish, sir. But I will still keep my eyes on you." \line\line Cale could feel his face burning up as the assassin bowed and left the room. Every time he heard them refer to his brother as a traitor, he couldn't help but wonder: \line\line "Who is the traitor? Liek for choosing not to kill? Or could it be me?" \line\line Either way, the council had every right to be suspicious. Cale had plans of his own, and nothing was going to stand in his way.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek awoke with a start. Something was different. \line\line As he looked around, he realized that he was no longer blind. Waves of relief washed over him, and he let out a deep sigh. Cale had told him that his blindness would eventually clear up on its own. However, Liek's relief soon turned to nervousness. He was no longer in the woods. \line\line He was in somebody's bed. He looked down at his arms and saw also that his wounds were dressed. Before he could think about his surroundings any longer, the door in front of him opened and a man with his daughter walked in. \line\line He wasn't particularly large, but he wasn't small either. This man looked like he had been in many fights when he was younger. He was very well-built, and his arms had several deep scars on them. His daughter bore a striking resemblance to her father, with her boyish hair and sharp features. \line\line "Ah, yer up! You were in a bad way last night, boy. You were nearly dead when we first saw you." \line\line Liek jumped out of bed. His clothes felt strangely loose. \line\line "Yer clothes were nothin' but rags when we found ya. I'm lettin' ya borrow some of mine. What happened to you anyway, boy? You try to wrestle a bear?" \line\line Liek remained silent. This was the home of a human. It would be so easy.... \line\line He would jump him and slice him open just under the belly, which would let his intestines spill out. One more slash would sever the aorta, and he would die within seconds. His daughter's neck looked easy to break. \line\line Wait, what was he thinking? This human saved his life! Surely he too was a good man. He had brought Liek into his home, dressed his mangled arms, and gave him new clothes. The man spoke again. \line\line "It would be polite to answer, lad. We can't be calling you 'boy' all the time, can we? What's yer name?" \line\line Liek hesitated. Would it be wise to tell a human his name? After thinking about it for a few moments, he decided that it wouldn't hurt. \line\line "Liek." \line "Liek, eh? Strange name for a lad. Name's Isaac, and this is my daughter Hannah." \line\line The man smiled and brought his hand forward. Liek wasn't quite sure what to do, so he did the same. The man gripped it and squeezed firmly. Liek squeezed back. The man winced. \line\line "Oy! Ya got a grip that could crush a walnut! I like that." Isaac smiled. \line\line Liek let go of the man's hand. Something felt different. He looked down at his hand, and his eyes grew with horror. \line\line His thumbnails were filed down. He brought his hands closer to his face, and rage grew in the pit of his stomach. \line\line "What..... what happened here?" Liek whispered. \line "Oh, yer nails? Nasty looking things. We had 'em filed down so ya couldn't hurt yerself with 'em. Hard as rocks, they were." \line "How..... HOW DARE YOU!?" Liek roared. \line\line Liek's entire body vibrated with anger. He nearly shot his hand forward to rip Isaac's throat out, but instead he clenched his fist and slammed the ground. Hannah shrank back. \line\line "YOU TOOK AWAY MY ONLY WEAPONS!! If they find me, I'll be dead in an instant!!" \line "If who finds you? Who's looking for you?" \line\line Before Liek could answer, he heard a cough in the doorway. Liek turned and all color drained from his face. Standing in the doorway was a tall figure with long black hair, and two long thumbnails. \line\line He was a werewolf. \line\line "Hello, Liek." He grinned.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek staggered back. He had to get out. He had to make an escape. If not, he would be killed for turning against his people. He didn't want to think about how he would die. He looked around for a window he could crawl out of. Something. Anything would do. As he frantically scanned the room, he came to the realization that there was nothing. The assassin took a step forward. \line\line "Get away from me!" Liek screeched. \line\line Isaac grabbed hold of Liek. Liek struggled. \line\line "LET GO!!" \line "It's ok, lad! This man 'ere saved yer life! He was the one who found ya!" \line\line Liek stopped struggling. The assassin grinned. He had saved him? Isaac continued to speak. \line\line "He was the one who carried you to our door. You were in a bad way, and he told us to take care of ya. There's nothin' to fear lad, it's ok." \line\line Liek's heart was racing, but his relief outweighed his initial fear. Perhaps this werewolf was a friend of Cale's. Or maybe the council overlooked his remarks! Liek was giddy with excitement. The werewolf spoke. \line\line "Isaac, Hannah, would you give us a minute? I must speak to Liek alone." \line\line Isaac nodded and led Hannah out by the shoulders. The door shut behind them, and Liek walked over. \line\line "I must thank you-" \line\line Before he could finish, Liek felt a hand grip him by the face and pin him up against a wall. It had all happened so quickly, and Liek became so frightened that he felt something wet running down his leg. \line\line "Save your thanks, traitor. I would have carved out your lungs, but I don't kill half-dead children." \line "Please..." Liek whimpered. \line\line Liek felt excruciating pressure on his temples. The assassin was going to crush his head, and he was powerless to stop him. Liek's eyes began to go dark, but he suddenly found himself on the ground. His head was throbbing like mad. \line\line "What a worthless excuse of a werewolf. I would have thought that you would at least put up a fight. But no, you no longer have your nails. You let those humans remove them." \line\line The assassin spat on the ground in front of Liek. All Liek could do was hold his head and let his tears fall silently. The assassin knelt down next to him and grabbed the back of his head. \line\line "Such a pitiful creature. Neither Werewolf nor human. What place do you have in this world?" \line "So kill me. Just get it over with." Liek sobbed. \line "No. I think I'll let you suffer in this existence. Perhaps when I come back for you, you'll have your nails back, and you'll put up a decent fight." \line\line Liek felt the grip slip away from his head. \line\line "Just know one thing, traitor. I'm not the only one after you, so I cannot secure your safety. I suggest that you learn to fight. I'm sure your brother would at least want you to die with some dignity." \line "My brother?" \line "Oh, you mean you don't know why I'm here? It never crossed your mind that I wouldn't be here unless somebody told the council what happened?" \line "No! My brother would never-" \line\line Liek's words were cut off with a swift kick to the ribs. He felt himself on his back gasping for air. \line\line "Not only are you a weakling, but you're a fool as well. I cannot be bothered with the likes of you. Get well soon, Liek. It will make running away that much easier." \line\line When Liek recovered himself, he found that he was alone. He never even heard the assassin leave. And there, curled on the floor, head throbbing, covered in his own urine, Liek cried out the name of his brother.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Cale paced the room nervously. The sun was already beginning to set. Questions kept running through his mind. \line\line Did the assassin find Liek? Did Liek kill the assassin? Did Liek escape? Was Liek killed? Was he killed slowly? Or was his death quick? \line\line Something inside Cale told him that his brother was alright. But for how long? Cale sensed a movement in the doorway. \line\line "What news of my brother?" \line\line The assassin walked in with a despicable smirk on his face. Cale assumed the worst. \line\line "Was it quick?" \line "Sure, it was quick. He couldn't put up a fight." \line\line Cale felt his heart sink. The job was done. His only brother was gone from him. He gathered himself before he spoke. He couldn't show his sadness. The assassin was watching him carefully, and if he openly mourned the death of a traitor, he too could be punished. \line\line "Well. I suppose we should notify the council then." Cale said quietly. \line "No need. Your brother isn't dead, if that's what you're thinking." \line "What?" \line "When I found him, he was nearly dead. I refuse to kill anybody that is in the state he was in. When I saw the nearby humans-" \line\line Cale jumped up. \line\line "Humans!?" \line "I handed him over to them. They nursed him back to health, but they did something else to him." \line\line Cale already knew. \line\line "They saw his nails, didn't they?" \line\line The assassin nodded. \line\line "Filed down to worthless nubs. He was defenseless. I let him off with a warning, shortly after he wet himself." \line\line Cale rubbed his face with embarrassment. \line\line "Tell me you're joking, assassin. My brother-" \line "Is no werewolf if he wets himself with even the slightest threat." The assassin finished. \line\line Cale stood up angrily and whipped his fist across the assassin's jaw. The assassin grunted and held his ground. A large cut appeared under his eye. Cale wasn't finished. He grabbed the assassin by the throat and pinned him against the wall, his nail just inches from the assassin's jugular. \line\line "My brother is still a child. He has never been confronted with such open hostility by one of his own kind, so you will NEVER speak of him with such disrespect. If I hear it again, I will split you open while you sleep, regardless of the consequences." \line\line The assassin spit out a tooth and frowned. \line\line "You seem to understand your brother quite well, Cale. But yet you continuously fail to understand me. Remember who I am, and know that you would have been dead the moment you laid your hands on me if you had been anybody else." \line\line Cale felt a searing pain under his belly, and the assassin quickly slapped his hand away with surprising strength. Cale looked down and saw blood. \line\line "I'll be leaving now." The assassin grinned.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Floating naked in the nearby river, Liek stared up at the sky and let his mind wander. He had always loved swimming. It always gave him the chance to completely escape the surrounding world. Floating there on his back, feeling the water cover every inch of his body, it was something that almost healing. \line\line It had been nearly a week since he had been attacked. Every night was a terrifying experience for Liek. He could sense the shapes moving in the darkness, he could hear the twigs snapping as the assassins moved ever closer. Every night, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He was only able to sleep when daylight peeked over the horizon. \line\line Isaac had been more than generous in letting Liek stay. Liek would always help Isaac with some odd jobs like chopping firewood, or hunting. There was one day when Liek came back with at least twenty quails in a sack, and three times as many quail eggs. Isaac was so overjoyed that he grabbed the boy and danced with him. \line\line Liek smiled to himself. This place wasn't bad. He was growing to love Isaac like a father, and he was also growing rather fond of Hannah. She had always kept her distance from Liek, but she was always curious about what he was doing. She was always there to watch him do his chores, or to see him off before he went hunting for the day. Could he really love these humans? Could Isaac really replace Liek's dead father? Could Hannah ever- \line\line Liek shook his head and swam back to shore. It was time to hunt. \line\line\line ------------------------------------------ \line\line\line "What do you mean he already left!?" Cale screeched. \line\line The dark-haired assassin stood motionless in front of Cale. \line\line "I told you. You've been taking far too long in sending out the assassins to find your brother. I've taken the liberty of sending one out for you." \line "It is not in your place to do that, assassin!! I give the order when I'm ready to!" \line "Unfortunately, Cale, I have also been told by the council that I will be given the same authority over the assassins that you have. If you fail in giving an order, I will make it. And if anything should ever happen to you while you're in command, I shall be given full responsibility over the assassins." \line "Why was I never consulted in person!?" \line "Because not one of the council members trusts you at this point. I've been given the duty to see that you do your job. If you fail in your duties as an adult, and as a Werewolf, I may have to give you the appropriate punishment. \line\line Cale glared back at the assassin. Was that a threat? He felt the stab of the wound under his belly where the assassin had cut him nearly a week ago. Cale felt helpless. \line\line "When did he leave?" Cale asked. \line "Last night. He should be there by evening tonight." \line\line Cale sat down and placed his chin in his hand. \line\line "Thank you. You are dismissed." \line "I think that I will dismiss myself." The assassin smiled.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Liek crouched motionless on a tree branch eyeing the creature below him. \line\line It was quietly grazing, stopping every now and then to look up. The buck was enormous. Liek's heart was racing. Isaac would surely love this kill. Liek silently descended onto the animal, concentrating all of his strength into his legs. \line\line He pulled his knees into his chest and shot his legs outward again, as the buck bent down to eat again. Liek's heels slammed into the base of the creatures neck, and he felt it collapse. Its back was broken. Liek caught himself on his hands and felt his elbows give, and he clumsily landed on his side. \line\line He had to learn how to roll after a fall. Liek stood and brushed the dirt off his clothes. It was a good thing Cale wasn't around to see him fail in executing such a basic technique. \line\line He heard the animal nearby him groan. It was still alive. Liek sighed and crouched next to it. \line\line Its breathing was shallow, and its eyes were wild with fear. Liek placed his hand on the side of the creature's face. Such a majestic animal. He couldn't help but marvel at its beauty as it lay there groaning. \line\line Something wet slid down Liek's cheek, and he wiped it away. There was no reason to cry now. \line\line "I apologize for what I've taken away from you. However, I thank you for what you have given me and the ones I love. Rest well." Liek whispered before he gripped the creatures antlers and twisted. \line\line There was a soft pop, and the beast fell silent. \line\line Now all there was left was to get it back to Isaac. Of course, as strong as Liek was, that would be nearly impossible. He couldn't butcher it since his nails were removed. It was too risky to simply leave it. \line\line As Liek sat there pondering, he looked around. It was beginning to get dark. Isaac and Hannah would start to worry. Liek brought his gaze down on the buck again. He sighed. There was nothing left to do but to drag it back. \line\line As Liek grabbed its legs, he saw a movement somewhere in the trees nearby. He froze. \line\line\line The shape moved like a Werewolf. Everything was silent. \line\line\line He wanted to blame it on the shadows playing tricks on his eyes, but he knew that wasn't the case. All Liek could hear was the wind rustling the leaves. He slowly stood on his feet. \line\line "Come out here, assassin. I know you've come for me." He called. \line\line Seconds passed. He felt himself break out into a cold sweat. His stomach was queasy with terror. It was at that moment that Liek jumped to a branch when something shrieked past his ear. He felt something split open in his cheek, but he continued to run. He couldn't see his opponent. He felt helpless. He hid behind a large patch of leaves. \line\line He stood motionless, trying to muffle his breathing. He could see a shape moving silently and swiftly in his direction, but it was too fast to follow. It kept changing directions, and Liek could barely keep his eyes trained on it long enough to attack. \line\line It almost seemed to be flying. \line\line Something landed next to Liek and he quickly let himself drop to a lower branch. It was too thin, and he felt it snap. He made a blind grab and felt nothing but air. He knew there was something he had to remember.... \line\line He landed on his back and felt the air escape from his lungs. He was lightheaded. Almost instinctively, Liek brought his hands forward, and felt himself grab another pair of hands. The thumbnails were just inches from his throat. He quickly brought his knee up, feeling it hit something soft. \line\line His attacker grunted and he felt his body go limp for a moment. Liek gripped his attacker's thumbnail with his bare hand and felt it slice into him deeply. The rest of his body was numbed by the pain as he ripped his attackers nail off. \line\line The assassin screamed and rolled off of Liek. Liek slowly stood holding the assassin's nail in his hand. They stood looking at each other. The assassin wasn't much older than Liek. In fact, he looked to be about the same age as Cale. It was a face that Liek had never seen before, but he hated it anyway. How could somebody try to kill another person whom they had never met? \line\line The assassin lunged at Liek with his remaining nail. Liek parried with the nail he was holding, and then felt the assassin's fist explode on the side of his face. He was knocked flat on his back. The assassin was on him in an instant. \line\line Where did the nail go? Liek searched blindly. \line\line The assassin gripped Liek by the throat with one arm, and raised his nail with the other. Liek couldn't move. \line\line\line "Goodbye, traitor." He rasped.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line "Why are you and mother crying, Cale?" Liek asked his older brother. \line "Liek, please.... leave us." Cale sobbed. \line "But why? What happened? Where's father?" \line\line Liek felt himself being pushed out of the room. \line\line What had he said? What happened that made his mother scream with grief? Why was her face twisted with sadness, and her face streaked with tears? Was it something he had done? The door shut in front of him, and all he could do was just stand there. Confusion overtook him, and he began to feel the warm wet tears welling up behind his eyes. \line\line He was \line\line ------------------------- \line\line helpless. \line\line Liek shut his eyes, awaiting the sweet release of death. He had fought with all of his strength, but it wasn't enough. The assassin's nail was going to slice through his jugular at any moment. All he could do was wait, and watch his life in front of him. \line\line Nobody was around \line\line ------------------------- \line\line to help him. \line\line Liek and Cale bolted through the dense forest, Liek close behind, but never quite able to catch up. \line\line "I'M GOING TO KILL THEM ALL!!" Cale screamed. "EVERY LAST HUMAN!!" \line "Cale!! Stop!!" Liek called after him. \line\line Cale was heading straight into trouble. Even at Liek's young age, he knew that what his brother was about to do was foolish. He felt the adrenaline rush through his veins. His muscles burned. His throat was hot and sticky from chasing his brother for nearly ten minutes. With a sudden burst of energy, he grabbed his brother's shirt and pulled himself close. \line\line He tackled his brother, and they hit the ground hard. Cale was upon him in an instant, punching him in the face over and over again. \line\line All he could do was lay there, holding his arms to his face, and feeling the blows raining down on him. Cale was screaming the entire time. Some of it made sense. Other times it didn't. It was just animalistic screeching. \line\line The humans had taken him. The humans had killed him, and they made her sad. She died from grief because of them. Never interfere in his business again. He was not old enough to understand. The humans deserved nothing less than death. Every last one of them. \line\line And with that, Cale stood up and left him. Liek never stood up. All he could do was \line\line ------------------------- \line\line just lay there and think. \line\line He watched the assassin lunge forward. He watched his mother lowered into the ground. He watched the nail coming ever closer. He watched Cale running towards him for a brotherly embrace. His mind was screaming, his body silent. \line\line He heard a meaty crack coming from somewhere. He felt nothing. \line\line Nothing at all. \line\line He opened his eyes in confusion. What happened? The assassin was motionless above him, the grip around his throat had loosened. The assassin's eyes were rolled back into his head, and a hatchet was imbedded into the side of his skull. \line\line Liek could only stare at the hatchet coming out of the gaping wound, and then coming back again, stopping halfway into the assassin's face. \line\line He didn't know how long he was in shock for, but when he focused onto the reality of the situation, he threw the body off of him and scrambled back. What had happened? \line\line Standing in front of him was Isaac, holding the bloody hatchet. \line\line "You ok there, Liek?" He calmly asked. \line\line Liek, gave a slight nod. \line\line "Good. Me 'n Hannah were worried about you. What'd you get for dinner?"\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Hannah pulled tightly on the cloth. Liek winced. The gash on his hand was deep. \line\line "Sorry." She said quietly. \line\line Liek nodded. Isaac was watching him carefully. He didn't know what Isaac was going to say to him, but he was sure he wasn't in any trouble. The two of them burned the body of the assassin, and then dragged the buck that Liek had killed all the way home. All of this was done in silence. But there was something in Isaac's eyes, and the way he looked at Liek that told him that everything was going to be fine. \line\line "Wanna tell me what 'appened there, Liek?" \line\line Liek sat there motionless. What would he say? Could he tell Isaac and Hannah what he was? Could he really tell them that he was a Werewolf? No. Humans were unpredictable. Additionally, it had occurred to him that Isaac hadn't seen the whole fight. He hadn't seen the way Liek could move, and how strong he really was. \line\line "I'm a traitor to my home land. I ran away, and now there are people after me who want to kill me." \line\line It wasn't entirely untrue. \line\line "I see. What'd ya do that made you a traitor?" \line "I gave aid to the enemy, when I knew I wasn't supposed to." \line "Ay, then I can see yer trouble. Why'd ya do such a thing, helping others in need?" \line\line Liek shrugged. \line\line "Perhaps because I don't think that even the enemy is all bad." \line\line Isaac smiled and nodded. There was nothing more to be said. \line\line "Yer a good boy, Liek. Me 'n Hannah are happy to call you a part of our family. Now, eat yer dinner. You've had a long day." \line\line -------------------- \line\line Secretly, Cale was smiling on the inside. He was happy- no, ecstatic that Liek had managed to kill the assassin that came for him. \line\line "Do you mean to tell me that a child, without any nails, ripped off the nail of one of our elite assassins, and then killed him?" The dark-haired assassin snarled. \line "Yes. Tek failed to report in, so we tracked him down and found the remains of a burnt corpse, and we found one of his nails nearby." Another assassin spoke. \line\line So that was the assassin's name: Tek. For some reason, Cale found this bit of information intriguing. \line\line "The council would like to have a word with you, sir." The scout motioned to the dark-haired assassin. \line\line He stared at the scout, anger blazing in his eyes. It was Cale's turn to grin. The dark-haired assassin saw Cale's toothy smile, and stormed out of the room. \line\line "Be prepared to send out two more assassins to find Liek when I get back!" \line\line Cale's smile faded. Two? That wasn't a part of the plan. He had to warn Liek. \line\line "Assassin!" Cale barked. "I'm relieving myself of my duty as your leader." \line\line The scout looked up in shock. \line\line "But-" \line "No questions. There are some things I must do." \line\line -------------------- \line\line "What is it you need from me, elders?" \line\line The dark-haired assassin knelt in front of the council. For the first time in a long time, he was actually nervous. Things were not going as planned. How could Liek, a traitor without any nails, kill one of the five assassins? They were the most feared killers in the werewolf race, yet Tek fell at the hands of a mere child. \line\line "Foolish assassin! How could your men be so ill-prepared that they fail in doing what they do best!?" \line\line The assassin broke out in a sweat. For the first time, he didn't have an answer. \line\line "I-I'm not completely certain as to how Tek fell in battle against Liek. However, I am not taking any chances again. I've sent out two assassins to find the traitor. I will make sure that he-" \line "We don't care what you have done. We want Liek's existence erased. If you fail one more time, it will be your head. Get the job done! You are dismissed."\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Cale felt the branches slapping against his face. \line\line He had to warn Liek. He knew that he was in danger. He didn't care. Two assassins were going to be ordered to take out his little brother, and he couldn't sit back and let anything more happen. It was his fault that Liek had these killers after him. It was his fault for trying to push Liek into doing things that he didn't want to do. Everything was happening because of him. \line\line He had to make things right with his brother, even if it meant abandoning his pride. \line\line Liek's scent was getting stronger, but there was another scent in the air. Something was following him. Cale stopped. \line\line The other werewolf was nearby. How long had he been followed? Two assassins were standing by for the order to kill, and the dark-haired assassin was busy being reprimanded by the elders. The only assassin that was left was the scout. \line\line Cale knew that the scout was probably the weakest of the five assassins, but he was an assassin nonetheless. \line\line "Come out, assassin. I know you're here." He called. \line\line To his surprise, a shape stepped out from behind a tree. \line\line\line The assassin had his nails drawn, ready to attack. \line\line ------------------------- \line\line Liek and Isaac sat together, just enjoying the remainder of the evening. \line\line Nothing needed to be said between the two of them. The buck that Liek had caught would give them at least a week's worth of food. Hannah had gone to bed long ago, and Liek could feel his fatigue pulling down on his eyelids. Soon enough, Liek was overcome by sleep. \line\line Never had he felt so complete. The three weeks that he had spent under Isaac's roof, Liek finally felt at peace. This place was a good place. Isaac was a good man, and Hannah was a lovely girl. Liek sometimes dreamed about Hannah. In all of his sixteen years, he had never felt anything for any of the werewolf girls that seemed to throw themselves at his feet. \line\line But Hannah.... \line\line Even though he was still considered a child by other werewolves, Hannah made him feel like a grown man. Every time he wondered if she loved him, he felt lightheaded, and his stomach seemed to flutter. Every time she was around him, he could only focus on her presence. \line\line He could see Hannah's face in his mind's eye, as Isaac carried him to bed. \line He could feel her lips pressed against his own as he was covered with the sheets on his very own bed. \line He could hear her heartbeat against his chest as Isaac kissed his forehead goodnight. \line\line Liek could feel tears again. \line\line The last thing he ever remembered of his real father was the way he felt that kiss on his forehead every night. Who knew that humans and werewolves could be so similar? \line\line\line For the first time in nearly ten years, Liek slept with a smile on his face. \line\line ------------------------- \line\line Cale could hear the air being split next to his ear as he dodged the assassin's nail. He had never seen anything move the way this assassin could move. They seemed to dance as they both parried, slashed, ducked and dodged. \line\line Cale rushed forward, grabbed the assassin by the waist, and twisted. The hip-toss took the assassin's feet out from under him. Cale frantically grabbed for an arm, and planted his foot into the side of the assassin's face. He was going to rip the assassin's shoulder out of its socket. He felt it stretch, and then he heard a sickening pop. The assassin screamed. \line\line Cale continued to hold on for dear life, but the assassin twisted and pierced Cale's foot with his nail. It was Cale's turn to scream. \line\line He rolled away from the assassin, and stood up. The pain in his foot was magnificent. The assassin punched his shoulder back into its socket, and rushed towards Cale again. Cale could see the nail coming straight for him. He reacted out of instinct. \line\line To his own surprise, Cale locked his arm with the assassin's in an overhook, and punched him in the side of the head with his other fist. The assassin grunted, and fell to his knee. Cale continued punching. Something told him to use his nail, but he was delirious with rage. The assassin brought his other arm forward to block. Cale grabbed that one too in another overhook, but immediately regretted doing so. \line\line He felt his nose collapse as the assassin butted him with his forehead. Cale felt the hot blood on his face. He returned the blow with a swift knee to the groin. The assassin doubled over, and Cale took a step back. \line\line "I do not wish to fight you, assassin!" He rasped through blood-stained teeth. \line\line The assassin stared back blankly. \line\line "What!? Do not play games with me, finish what you've started!" \line "I've started nothing here, it was you who attacked me!" \line\line The assassin sat down, cradling his groin. Cale knelt down and pressed his hand to his face. The blood was running freely down his chin. Nothing was said for quite some time. \line\line "Why did you run off to give aid to a traitor, sir?" The assassin began. \line\line Cale chuckled. There was no denying it. His actions were less than discreet. He had relieved himself of his duty as a commander upon hearing the news that two assassins would be sent out for his brother. His intentions were more than obvious. \line\line "Tell me, assassin. Do you have any family?" \line\line The assassin stared back in shock. Nobody had ever openly asked an assassin such a personal question. \line\line "What!? What sort of question is that?" \line "A very simple one, of course. Would you like me to repeat it?" \line\line The assassin continued to stare back blankly. Nobody had ever asked him anything like that before. Nobody in the village even knew his name. He should just rip Cale's throat out. But why should he? Cale was no threat to him. The pain in his groin had dulled and he brought himself to his feet. Cale continued to kneel, holding his shattered nose. It would be so easy. \line\line But would he do it? Was there any point? No. A kill like that would be a disgrace. \line\line "I have a sister." He plainly said. \line\line Cale rose to his feet. He would either be killed for what he was about to say, or the chances of saving his brother would be increased dramatically. \line\line "So tell me... if you knew your sister was going to die tomorrow, would you not try to save her?" \line\line The assassin remained silent. There was nothing he could say to that. The two werewolves looked at each other. One side of the assassin was telling him to finish Cale off, but the other wanted to help him. What should he do? \line\line Cale stepped forward until he was staring directly into the assassin's eyes. \line\line\line "What is your name, assassin?"\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line Liek awoke the next morning feeling better than he had ever been. \line\line The aroma of breakfast filled his nostrils, and he grinned. Hannah had a wonderful meal prepared for him. Quail eggs, bread, and a small piece of meat left over from the previous night. She greeted him with a shy smile. \line\line "Uh.... good morning, Hannah." Liek stuttered. \line\line He could feel his face burning up. He felt frightened, but it was a fear that he had never felt before. It wasn't anything like the fear he felt when the dark-haired assassin attacked him, or when he was staring into the nail of the assassin of the previous night. He felt warm, his stomach fluttered, and he could barely speak. He stared down at his feet. \line\line She must have thought he was a fool. \line\line "Good morning, Liek." She returned. \line\line Liek looked up at her in surprise. Her face was equally flushed. All he could do was smile. \line\line ------------------- \line\line His name was Ajin. Even though he was the weakest of the five assassins, he was the fastest and just as mysterious as the other four. \line\line Cale could barely believe his luck. Ajin had agreed to help Cale find his brother, but only to deliver a warning. Liek was on his own after that. \line\line "While I am sympathetic towards your feelings for your brother, he is still a traitor to our kind. I will not kill him during your mission, but afterwards, if I am given the order to, I will not hesitate in cutting off his head." He told him. \line "I understand. Thank you for helping me." \line\line Ajin had turned his head in embarrassment. \line\line "I am not helping you. I am merely overlooking some minor details." \line\line Cale could hardly keep up with his injured foot. The nail had pierced through the bone, and exited through the arch. Ajin was shocked that Cale was able to stand, let alone manage to stay behind him. He was also surprised by Cale's strength. He had never found anybody who could fight with such ferocity as Cale had done. \line\line And how could Liek still be alive? Perhaps the two brothers were much stronger than they seemed. \line\line ------------------- \line\line Isaac could only chuckle to himself as he watched Liek around his daughter. He knew that the two of them felt very strongly for each other, but neither would admit it. \line\line The fact was, he was happy that Hannah loved Liek. He was always worried that she would never be able to find a boy to fall in love with after her mother had died. Isaac smiled to himself. He could only wonder about the boy, though. He was very mysterious, even on the day they first saw him. \line\line But as much as Isaac wondered about the boy, he was also slightly intimidated by him. He had seen almost the entire fight between Liek and the other assassin, and he could hardly believe what his eyes were seeing. He could barely follow their movements. He saw the way Liek fought against something that was twice as strong as him, and still managed to hold his own. When he saw the killer get on top of the boy, ready to slice him open with one of those horrid thumbnails, he knew he had to do something. \line\line Isaac shook his head. As much as he feared the boy, he also found himself growing to love him like a son. And he knew that Liek felt the same. \line\line By chance, Isaac happened to glace at the edge of the woods where two shapes were standing. \line\line They each had two long thumbnails, just like the killer from the previous night. Isaac felt his stomach sink. \line\line "Liek, come 'ere. We have visitors. Hannah, get inside and lock the door." He calmly said. \line\line ------------------- \line\line Liek faced his brother. He wasn't sure what to feel. On the one hand, he wanted to grab his brother, and lock him in an embrace and never let go. On the other, he wanted to ask him to leave. In either case, he would be civil towards his brother. It had been too long since they had seen each other. Isaac stepped forward. \line\line "Mornin', sirs. Name's Isaac. What can I do fer ya?" \line\line Isaac held out his hand to Ajin, and he was promptly ignored. Liek took Isaac aside. \line\line "I'm sorry, Isaac. Could you go inside? I must speak to these men alone." \line\line Isaac looked at Liek, then at the men. \line\line "You sure there, boy? They look like the same-" \line "I'll be fine. I promise." \line\line Isaac looked into Liek's eyes and nodded. He knew that he was in no place to argue. He turned and walked back into his house. When Isaac disappeared into his home, Liek turned back to the two werewolves standing in front of him. \line\line "Good morning, Cale." \line "Good morning, Liek." \line\line\line There, the two brothers stood and held each other. And for the first time in nearly ten years, Liek saw his older brother cry.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line "Where has Cale gone!?" \line\line The dark-haired assassin was livid. He couldn't go to the council because of the way his previous mission had failed. The elders were keeping an eye on him rather than Cale, the traitor's own brother. \line\line "We aren't sure, sir. Both he and the scout have left." \line\line The dark-haired assassin roared and slammed his fist down on the table. \line\line "Idiots!! Of COURSE they've left!! Do you think I'm blind!?" \line "I apologize. We know nothing of where they have gone." \line "Fools. How could you let him out of your sights!? In fact, do not answer that. I don't care anymore. Find Liek, and kill him. If Cale was foolish enough to try and save his brother, you'll find him along the way. Do not question him, just cut off his head immediately! I will tell the council what they want to hear. Now go!! Get out of my sight, and report back immediately when the job is done!" \line\line The two assassins turned and left the room. \line\line The dark-haired assassin paced the room. Things couldn't possibly be any worse. The elders turned their eyes away from Cale, and left the mission in jeopardy. And there was no way for him to go back to the council since he was specifically told not to return until the job was done. Those two brothers were entirely too crafty. Consumed with rage, he picked up a table and hurled it into a wall. \line\line "DAMN YOU BOTH!!" He screamed. \line\line --------------- \line\line "How have you been, Liek? You look much stronger since the last time I saw you!" \line\line Cale could hardly believe how much his younger brother had grown in such a short amount of time. \line\line "I'm quite well, brother. I must ask you to forgive me for being blunt, but why are you here?" \line "I've come to take you away from this place. Everything is happening because of me, and I can't sit back anymore and let you die." \line\line Liek stared back at his brother. \line\line "What are you trying to tell me?" \line "You must get out of here! You can't stay with these humans forever, Liek. The assassins will find you, and you will be killed!" Cale pleaded desperately. \line\line Liek turned his head and looked back at the house. He knew that Isaac was watching him. Isaac was watching because he cared about him. And he cared about Isaac as well. And most of all, he was falling in love with Hannah. He had grown to love this place, and he had grown to love living as a human. He had already made up his mind. He looked into the eyes of his brother. \line\line "No, Cale. I cannot do that." \line\line Cale stepped forward angrily. \line\line "WHAT!? You're choosing to die here, amongst the humans!?" \line "That's EXACTLY what I'm doing!!" Liek shouted back. \line\line Cale could only be shocked by his little brother's sudden outburst. Liek continued. \line\line "I refuse to be a part of a race that ends the lives of those that don't deserve death. You've watched me kill a human before, but he was much different than the children that I've watched you kill. I'm not strong enough to be a werewolf, Cale. I'm afraid that the blood in my veins is not cold like you want it to be." \line "But.... it was the humans who-" \line "Humans may have killed our mother and father, but Isaac and Hannah haven't. Humans may be violent and horrible creatures. We've both experienced that. But the difference between you and I is that I have also witnessed something in the humans that the rest of us so brazenly lack." \line\line Cale could feel himself balling up his fists. \line\line "And what is that, little brother?" He asked darkly. \line "Compassion." Liek answered. \line\line The next thing he knew, Liek found himself on the ground. He was unsure of what had happened, but he was sure that his brother had just hit him. Something was loose in his mouth. \line\line "I come here risking my own skin, in the name of compassion, all so my own little brother can pretend that he is now enlightened!? Tell me, oh wise one, how long do you expect to live on in this place with your notions of peace and love!?" Cale mocked. \line\line Ajin was holding him back. \line\line "Your brother has made his decision, sir! Let us head back. There is nothing left for us here." \line\line Liek slowly rose to his feet, anger welling up inside of him. Had he heard the assassin correctly? \line\line "Sir? SIR!? So the rumor was true, then!?" Liek felt himself losing control. \line "What rumor?" \line "I was told by one of the assassins that it was you who was in charge of leading the assassins to me! And here you are, telling me to leave the place I've grown to love, and now I have to listen to another werewolf call you SIR!?" \line\line Cale felt his face burning up. He took a step towards his brother. \line\line "Liek, please. I had to-" \line "GET AWAY FROM ME!!" \line\line Liek pushed Cale away. \line\line "I did not intend for this to happen, Liek! I swear it!" \line "Your word means nothing to me now!!" \line "Please, brother! Just-" \line\line Liek whipped his arm across Cale's face. It felt strange, really. He was so used to being hit by his brother, but he had never dared to fight back. Cale tried to steady himself on his pierced foot, but the pain was too great. He felt himself collapse to the ground. Confusion took hold of him. He didn't even see it coming. \line\line "Just leave, Cale. You cannot choose to be my enemy, and still call me your brother." \line\line Ajin grabbed Cale by the arms and hoisted him to his feet. \line\line "We must leave, sir. As far as we are concerned, he is an adult." \line\line Cale wiped his mouth. He could taste his own blood. He wanted to plead. He wanted to shout. He wanted to snarl one last insult. But no words could come to him. He was defeated. He silently turned away, and slowly began his journey back home. Ajin watched Cale for a few moments, and turned to Liek for one final word. \line\line "We will not interfere in your business again, Liek. You may live your life as you choose." \line\line\line After Liek spit out a tooth, he could swear that a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line "Papa, I would like to ask you something." \line\line Hannah quietly approached her father. Never had she felt so nervous in all her life. She barely even knew him, yet every time she saw him, she could only struggle to keep her face from flushing. She dreamed of him many times at night. In her dreams, she was never frightened. She would always throw herself into his arms.... how she loved looking at his arms. He really was a beautiful boy. \line\line It was such a shame that she hardly ever spoke a word to him. But in her mind's eye, she imagined him running his hands over her body. \line\line She gathered herself. It wasn't the time to daydream about those things. \line\line "What is it, Hannah?" \line "I think I'm in love with a boy." She was nervously pulling onto her dress. \line\line Isaac wanted to shout for joy, pick up his daughter in his arms, and dance with her right then and there, but he couldn't do that. Instead, he frowned. \line\line "That so? Which boy? Out with it!" \line\line Hannah quickly lowered her eyes. How foolish she had been to tell her father. He couldn't possibly understand. \line\line "It's.... nobody, papa." \line\line She turned to leave the room, but what her father said next stopped her dead in her tracks. It was something she had dreamed of hearing since she was a little girl. She had never dared to believe that she could love any man, aside from her father. After her mother died, she could only take care of her father, and dream of her wedding that could never be. Her eyes filled with tears of joy, and she happily skipped out of the room. \line\line She would wait for him to come back from hunting. Then, she would tell him everything. \line\line --------------- \line\line Isaac was giddy with excitement. He could barely contain the joy he felt for his daughter. Liek was a fine boy, and he would surely make an even finer husband for Hannah. Isaac slowly leaned back, and enjoyed the sun on his face. \line\line He smelled the familiar smell of change. Summer was turning to autumn, and the leaves were already starting to turn different colors. This was his favorite time of year. It was that perfect time where the air was starting to cool, but it was still warm enough to wear light clothing. It was the kind of air that was dry, warm, and refreshing. Isaac could only take everything in. \line\line He never even saw the two figures standing at the edge of the woods. \line\line --------------- \line\line Cale continued his trek home. There was nothing left for him to do. Ajin finally broke the silence. \line\line "What shall we tell the council when you get back, sir?" \line\line Cale frowned. It was obvious what his intentions were. Cale rubbed his hand against his swollen jaw, and spoke. \line\line "I had gone ahead to find Liek and kill him myself. Unfortunately, I was not prepared for how strong he had become. He and the human had overpowered me, and I was unable to finish the task." \line\line Ajin nodded. Cale was willing to throw away his dignity just so he could live. The more that Ajin thought about it, the more he began to despise Cale. But then again, he DID try to warn his brother. It was Liek who had chosen to live the life of a human. But still.... \line\line "And what about me?" He asked. \line "You followed me and helped me find my way home upon witnessing my defeat." \line\line Ajin remained silent. Cale was obviously troubled by what had transpired between him and Liek. \line\line "Do not worry over this, sir. He has chosen to live life as a human, and will soon die by the nails of a werewolf. He-" \line\line Cale gripped Ajin by the throat and pressed him against the trunk of a nearby tree. Ajin was too shocked to fight back. Tears were falling freely down Cale's cheeks as he spoke. \line\line "I don't care what life he has chosen. He is my little brother, and he is the only one I have left. I don't want him dead. However, I'm sure that before he is killed, he will curse my name, and he will wish for my death. And if that is the case, I will not deny him that. He will get what he wants, because it is also what I want." \line\line --------------- \line\line Liek carried his prize back to his home. He was filled with limitless energy. Only the day before, he was barely able to drag home a buck, but now he was able to jog back home with a feast upon his shoulders. \line\line Hannah loved him! \line\line He could feel it. When he would get back, he would throw down his remarkable catch, grab Hannah by the waist, swing her about and kiss her on the lips. Then, he would tell her everything, right in front of Isaac! \line\line Liek cackled with ecstasy. Through all of his trials, he had finally been acknowledged as an adult by his older brother, and he was even falling in love. With a human girl, no less! For once, Liek didn't have a care in the world. \line\line But it was when he reached the edge of the woods that his world was shattered before him. \line\line As Liek stood and smelled the rank stench of death hanging in the air, his entire body was numbed as he could only stare at the slaughtered corpses that were once Isaac and Hannah.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Cale stood in front of the council next to Ajin. He didn't care anymore. There was nothing left for him to do but to throw away his pride, and beg for his brother's life. \line\line "Elders, I request for you to hear my words." \line\line The council silently listened. Cale could feel the tears streaming down his face. \line\line "As you know, we are a race of vast intelligence, courage, and power. We have taken it upon ourselves to determine that the human race consists of nothing more than self-destruction, greed, and hatred. My father was killed by humans, and my mother died from grief. I have sworn revenge on the humans for my entire life, but yet it was the acts of two humans who saved the life of my brother." \line "What are you asking from us, Cale? Would you like us to simply 'remove' a werewolf tradition that has existed far longer than you can even begin to understand?" \line "No. Keep your silly traditions, and keep your vanity. I am simply begging you to let me keep my brother." \line\line One of the elders rose to his feet, his face flushed with anger. \line\line "He is a traitor! We will NOT allow him to live! How can you not understand this!?" \line "I understand your reasoning only too well, elders. I had hoped it would not come to this." \line\line Cale slowly rose to his feet and turned his back to the council. \line\line "YOU WILL NOT TURN YOUR BACK TO US, BOY!! That is, unless you choose to share in your brother's fate! Now turn around!!" \line\line Cale stopped. He turned, just as he was told. The elder grinned. But his grin soon faded when Cale suddenly grabbed Ajin's arm in a lock, and brought his nail to his jugular. Ajin yelped in surprise. \line\line "Send out a scout immediately. You will allow my brother to live, or else this assassin dies along with every last member of this council." \line\line -------------- \line\line It felt as if he were in another world. \line\line Please, let it be a dream. It has to be a dream. Wake up. Please wake up. None of this is real. This can't be me. She's going to be there when I wake up. She'll have breakfast for me, and I'll get to tell her everything. Isaac will be there too, and we'll go hunting together. \line\line Liek ignored the two figures standing over the bodies. They weren't real. None of it was. It just couldn't be. \line\line He felt himself kneeling down over the girl he loved, and stroked the side of her face. Her jugular had been cut open. She had died rather quickly. \line\line Wake up. \line\line Maybe his will wasn't strong enough. Maybe this was one of those dreams that he couldn't manipulate. He leaned down and kissed her. Her eyes would open, and they would run away together. The two nearby assassins would never catch them. Her lips were still soft and warm, yet his first kiss was never returned. The reality of the situation struck him full-force in the stomach, and he found himself unable to breathe. \line\line He already knew the story: \line\line They found Isaac and asked him where the traitor was. Isaac wouldn't tell them. They attacked, and Isaac tried to defend himself. It wasn't enough, and he was easily slaughtered. He was stabbed repeatedly, and his aorta had been severed. They heard the screams of Hannah, and they finished her off. Then, they waited for him to come back. \line\line Leave none alive. Kill the traitor and those who helped him. Werewolves had to be ruthless in order to be superior. Was this what superiority was? Was this the heritage that he was born into? Why could he not live the way he wanted? What was the point to all of this!? \line\line Liek could feel the tears falling freely. Something was said to him. He couldn't hear it. \line\line Some would say that Liek's anguished roar echoed in the hearts of every werewolf. For the first time, a werewolf swore revenge on his own kind. It was at that point that something inside of Liek snapped, and he attacked the two assassins with a fury that no werewolf could ever comprehend.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line "How.... how DARE you threaten us like this!?" \line "I have nothing to lose, elders. You will do as I say, or else we all die. That is, unless the rest of you feel you've grown tired of living, then I would be more than happy to end each of your lives right now." \line\line The elders stared back at Cale. They could see how serious he was, and they didn't have any doubt that he would follow through with his threat. One of the elders made a motion with his hand. Cale took this as a sign of agreement. He released Ajin, but it wasn't until a split second later that he realized his mistake. \line\line He dodged quickly, and felt a nail graze him on the cheek. He couldn't stand up fast enough, and he soon found himself staring at the dark-haired assassin's nail being pressed up against his throat. \line\line "Foolish boy. Did you really think we would allow a traitor to live in exchange for one measly assassin's life!?" One of the elders chuckled. \line "It had crossed my mind. I must have been a fool to believe that the price of a werewolf's life would be worth so much." Cale sneered. \line "At least make these final words a prayer, boy!!" The dark-haired assassin barked. \line "Siras! You will not kill him yet. Not in this place. Take him outside and finish the job. Treacherous blood shall not be spilled on the council floor." \line\line Siras. So the dark-haired assassin had a name. Cale was grateful that he should learn it. Unfortunately, Siras' name was the last thing on Cale's mind as he was dragged out of the room by his hair. \line\line "And what of me, elders?" Ajin asked. \line\line The elders sat back, and grinned to themselves. \line\line "You will have the privilege of watching a true assassin at work. You are dismissed." \line\line ------------- \line\line Everything around him was moving ever so slowly. Liek could hardly believe everything he was seeing. The two assassins in front of him slashed with everything they had, but it wasn't fast enough. Liek could see each attack before they even happened. He would make them suffer. He would make them pay dearly for what they had done to him. Most of all, they would suffer for killing the ones he loved. \line\line Liek moved his head slightly as an upwards slash split the air next to him. He sucked his stomach in, and felt his shirt rip open as a second slash narrowly missed his midsection. He threw his fist forward and felt it connect with one assassin's jaw. A kick to the assassin's stomach sent him reeling. The other assassin threw his arm forward, and his nail pierced Liek's shoulder. He could hear the bone splinter inside of him, yet his body was numb. He felt nothing. \line\line The nail was caught, and the assassin's hand was stuck. Liek could still hear the first assassin gasping for air. He would be up momentarily. Liek gripped the second assassin's arm by the wrist, and smashed his elbow out of it's socket with the other. He knew that he had torn several muscles with that motion, but he didn't care. \line\line The assassin screamed. Liek wasn't finished. He threw his pierced shoulder down, and struck the second assassin's hand with his free arm. He felt something snap. It was the assassin's nail. The assassin screamed even harder. Liek turned and saw the first assassin rushing towards him. A well-placed kick to the groin doubled the first assassin over for the second time. The second assassin continued screaming, and made a desperate lunge for Liek's stomach. Liek quickly grabbed his arm, stepped over it, and pulled the shoulder out of place. \line\line "How does it feel!?" He felt himself screaming. "Do you wish for mercy!?" \line\line The assassin's screams were muffled by the dirt. Liek gripped one of the assassin's fingers and heard a sickening snap as he broke it. \line\line "Did they beg for their lives!? DID THEY!?" \line\line Snap. \line\line Liek could see the first assassin slowly standing up and then collapsing again. The first assassin was hurt, but the second was in sheer agony. His mouth was open in a silent scream. The pain was too great for any sound to come forth. \line\line Snap. \line\line "Let me hear you cry, assassin!! Let me hear you beg the way they did before you killed them!" \line\line Snap. \line\line The first assassin was up, and ready to attack again. Liek reached inside his shoulder, ripped out the nail that was imbedded inside of him, and jammed it down inside the second assassin's ear. His body jerked spasmodically as the nail punctured his eardrum. Liek stood up, and stomped down onto the nail. The twitching stopped. The first assassin could only stare at Liek. For the first time in all the years he had been an assassin, he was terrified. \line\line Liek could smell the fear. He savored it. He took a step forward. \line\line "Before I rip you apart piece by piece," Liek began. "I want you to do me one favor." \line\line The assassin felt a spreading warmth moving down his leg as Liek took another step forward. \line\line "I want you to tell me how it feels to be killed by a child without any nails."\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Ajin followed close behind Siras as he dragged Cale through the dirt. Cale was kicking and screaming with rage. \line\line "DAMN ALL OF YOU!! YOU CANNOT DO THIS!!" \line\line Siras let go of Cale\rquote s hair and slammed his fist down onto Cale's mouth. He could feel several of his teeth shatter with the blow. \line\line "Stand up." Siras sneered. "Here's your chance to kill a real werewolf, rather than a bunch of elders who can't defend themselves." \line\line Cale spat out a mixture of blood, and shards of bone that were once his teeth. A small crowd of werewolves were beginning to gather around them. He was going to die. But if he had to die, he was going to take the smirking assassin with him. He jumped to his feet, ignored the searing pain in his foot, and lunged forward. \line\line Siras parried, ducked, and dodged easily. Cale was awed and enraged by Siras' elegant motions. Unfortunately, Cale felt unbearable pressure on his injured foot. Siras was crushing Cale's instep with his heel. He buckled with a short gasp. \line\line "What's the matter, Cale? Are you trying to fight on a pierced foot? Shame, really. I thought you would have been more of a challenge." \line\line Siras ground his heel harder on Cale's instep. Cale howled with pain. How was he supposed to fight him? He wasn't able to even touch him, let alone injure him. What could he do? Suddenly, a gruesome idea found its way through the pain and into Cale's head. Not giving it a second thought, Cale brought his nail down and skewered Siras' foot, along with his own. \line\line The two werewolves screeched, but Siras was the one who buckled. Cale ground his nail deeper. His foot was already numb from the pain. Siras angrily lunged forward and drove his nail through Cale's cheek. For a moment, everything went dark as Cale felt the nail inside his mouth. \line\line But he was rudely awakened by the sound of his flesh being torn open as Siras pulled his nail forward, leaving a horrid opening in the side of his face. His entire body went limp for a brief moment. He could feel the flesh hanging from his face, but somewhere in the back of his mind, a part of him was screaming. \line\line Now. The voice was telling him to do something now. What was it? Siras began to turn his foot, ready to break off Cale's nail. Take it out. It's right there. Just one quick motion, and he'll fall. \line\line Cale's eyes began to focus, and he saw his target. With a burst of energy, he yanked his nail out of Siras' foot. Siras nearly lost his balance, but he steadied himself. Before he could make the final blow however, he felt something come loose in his ankle. His Achilles tendon had been severed. He felt himself falling over. \line\line For good measure, Cale landed one last blow that would surely leave Siras on the ground. \line\line Before he passed out, he brought his nail upward and split Siras' groin open. \line\line ------------ \line\line Run. \line\line Keep running. Get the others. They'll help you kill this monster. \line\line For the first time in his career, the assassin had run away from somebody. He couldn't believe how ferocious Liek was. How was Liek able to simply stand there and take a nail into the shoulder? What was he up against? How deranged had Liek become, where he would rip off another assassin's nail and jam it through his eardrum? \line\line He shook away the horrible images. He had to keep running. Something exploded inside his head, and he fell to the ground. Liek came out from behind a tree holding a hatchet. \line\line "Please..." He struggled to say. \line\line What was wrong? Why couldn't he talk? \line\line "Be silent, assassin. You shouldn't talk with a shattered jaw." Liek said darkly. \line\line The assassin rolled away, and began to run again. The only sounds in the air was the wind in the trees, the sound of his labored breathing in his ears, and the sound of a hatchet coming from behind. There was a meaty crack as the hatchet buried itself into the back of his knee. He immediately fell. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he tried to scream. Pain coursed through every part of his body. He could feel it in the fiber of every muscle. He could taste it. It was cold and metallic. Was this how his victims felt when he killed them? \line\line "You're afraid, aren't you!?" Liek's voice shouted from behind. \line\line Footsteps were slowly coming from behind him. The assassin could only shut his eyes and whimper. Please let it be quick. \line\line Liek reached down and yanked the hatchet out of the assassin's leg. He wasn't through. He rolled him over, and stared down at him. \line\line "Does it hurt?" He asked darkly. \line\line The assassin gave a pitiful nod. How embarrassing. Here he was with a child standing over him, and he was the one covered in his own urine. \line\line "Do you want the pain to end?" \line\line The assassin closed his eyes and nodded again. He waited for Liek to give the final blow. Instead, Liek began to laugh like a madman. \line\line "Cowards don't deserve a painless death. Cowards, who kill families and then run away from what they've done, cannot be allowed such a favor. No, assassin. You should have stayed and fought." \line\line Liek swung the hatchet down onto the assassin's thumb. Despite his jaw, the assassin's eyes went wide and he screamed. \line\line "I'm going to cut off each of your thumbs. Then when I'm done, I'm going to put out your eyes with your own severed fingers. How does that sound? Does it frighten you? Do you wish that I knock you unconscious?" \line\line The assassin cradled his hand to his chest and continued to scream. Liek leaned over and slammed his throat with the tips of his fingers. The assassin began to gag and cough violently. Liek tapped the his head with the blunt side of the hatchet. \line\line "There are so many things I could do to you, assassin. There are things I could do with this hatchet far worse than you can begin to understand. But I'm not like you." \line\line The assassin let his coughs die down to a sob. Liek raised his hatchet and brought it down. \line\line "I'm not like you at all." \line\line As Liek walked away, he ignored the screams of the assassin, begging him to kill him.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line "Where are you, Cale?" \line\line He felt himself blinking back the tears. His little brother was all he had left. In this world of violence and cruelty, he knew that he needed somebody by his side. \line\line "I'm right here, Liek." \line\line ---------- \line\line Siras gripped his groin in agony. \line\line How could Cale do something so underhanded!? It was a cheap shot, but it worked. Siras didn't want to look at the injury. He knew that he would never heal properly from that kind of wound. Moreover, Cale had also severed his Achilles tendon. He would never be able to walk the same if he should live. \line\line Cale groaned and made a slight movement. The entire village had gathered to watch the two werewolves fight. Siras couldn't let down his people. One of them was going to die. He brought his arm forward and dragged himself closer to Cale. \line\line ---------- \line\line "Liek..." \line\line Liek looked up from his meal and into his brother's eyes. He knew that something was bothering him. It had only been a few months since their mother's death, and Cale had hardly ever spoken more than a few words unless he was angry. \line\line Liek instinctively recoiled, fearing he was going to be hit. To his shock, he felt his older brother wrap his arms around him and hold him. \line\line Nothing more needed to be said. \line\line ---------- \line\line Siras moved closer. Just a few more inches, and he would have him. Cale would be dead, and the whole mess he was in would soon be over with. If there was one thing he wanted, it was for everything that was happening to end. Liek was surely dead, the assassins would regroup, and peace would be restored to the village. \line\line Almost there.... \line\line ---------- \line\line "If there's one thing you need to know about humans, little brother, it's that they're all the same. Each and every one of them have no moral values like we do." \line\line Liek's eyes were wide with shock. \line\line "They don't?" \line\line Cale smiled at his little brother. Liek was so young. He had a long way to go before he would become an adult. \line\line "No. It's said that they will kill any one of their own kind for no reason. The men are big and ugly, and they can't jump over even your head!" \line "And what about the human women?" \line\line For some reason, Cale sat back in a fit of laughter. Liek was too young to understand what his question implied. \line\line "Don't you worry about the women, Liek. The last thing I want is my little brother getting himself a human girlfriend." \line\line ---------- \line\line Siras grabbed Cale by the shirt. A murmur broke the silence of the crowd. The news of Liek had spread like wildfire, and the town was eager to see the traitor killed. But what had his brother done? What had Cale done, other than show concern for the one person he had left? \line\line Siras looked around himself. The other werewolves were not pleased with the fight. \line\line "What are you all grumbling about!? Cale is just as treacherous as his brother! Any one of you who wishes to beg for his life, come forward!" Siras yelled into the crowd. \line\line The murmur died down to silence. Siras looked back at Cale's mangled face. Cale's eyes slowly fluttered open. He was still delirious with pain. Siras brought himself on top of Cale and positioned his nail above his neck. \line\line "Cale, you have been found guilty of treason against the werewolf race. Your punishment is death, by the nails of a true werewolf." \line\line ---------- \line\line Cale looked back into the assassin's nail. He was in a living nightmare. His entire body was paralyzed with pain. In the back of his mind he was screaming to simply move. Just move. Get out of there. \line\line The nail came down. Everything slowed. Time nearly stopped for him. Siras' face was twisted in anger and pain. His nail had a few chips at the tip. \line\line Focus. \line There's nothing to focus on. \line Get out of the way. \line There's no way to turn. \line Fight. \line There's nothing to fight for. \line\line Cale felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. No. Stay awake. \line\line This is your death. You have to see how it ends. \line\line\line The nail stopped for a few moments, and hung just inches over his neck. Siras' eyes had gone dark and he coughed up some blood. It landed on Cale's chest. \line\line Ajin removed his nail from Siras' neck, and pushed him over. Siras could only stare back at him in confusion. A gurgle escaped from his lips, and he pressed his hand against the open wound. He had already lost too much blood. He could feel himself slipping away. \line\line "I choose to come forward, assassin, to 'beg' for the lives of both Liek and Cale." \line\line Siras looked up into the sky, shut his eyes, coughed, and then died seconds later. Ajin put Cale's arm around his neck and helped him up. The crowd stood still with shock. Ajin began to walk Cale back to the south end of the village, but stopped suddenly. Cale's stomach reeled with horror. \line\line\line Liek was standing there next to a disemboweled assassin hanging in a tree. \line\line\line "I'm going to kill you, Cale." He said simply.\par
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \line\line Cale cautiously approached his brother. Liek's eyes were wild with rage. For the first time in his life, Cale actually feared his little brother. Liek was covered in blood; some of it was his own, most of it wasn't. Cale put pressure down on his injured foot and winced. He probably wouldn't be able to defend himself against a madman like Liek. \line\line "Liek, please, I-" \line\line Liek slammed the blunt side of the hatchet into Cale's stomach. He immediately doubled over and vomited. \line\line "What's the matter, Cale? You've sent out 3 assassins so far to kill me, yet you can't even hit me? There's no better time than this, brother! Don't hold back against me!" \line\line Cale continued to kneel on the ground, coughing violently. What had he done? Liek stood over his brother. Tears were streaming down his face. \line\line "You took everything away from me." \line\line Liek kicked him in the head. \line\line "You had them killed." \line\line Cale could only lay there as Liek brought the hatchet close to his throat. \line\line "You ruined my future." \line\line Ajin came from behind and grabbed Liek's arms, but not before Liek whipped his head back and smashed Ajin's face in. Ajin staggered back in a daze. \line\line "So my brother's dog comes to stop me?" \line "No, Liek, please listen-" \line\line Liek didn't want to listen. He wanted to kill every person that stood in the village. He gripped his hatchet and hurled it at Ajin's head. The blunt side of the hatchet struck him in the forehead, his eyes rolled back, and he slumped to the ground. Ajin was knocked unconscious. Cale slowly rose to his feet. Hundreds of werewolves, including the elders, were watching. \line\line "You've come to kill me to avenge the ones you loved, Liek. I cannot deny you that. If you truly wish to fight me, then go ahead. Come and fight." \line\line Nearly every werewolf cringed as Cale grabbed his own thumbnails and ripped them off. He let the nails drop into the grass. He couldn't bring himself to use weapons against his brother. \line\line Liek gave his brother a sadistic grin and charged forward. \line\line --------- \line\line For three hours, the werewolf village watched in silence as the two brothers fought. Cale was in no shape to defend himself, but he still fought on. The two once-attractive brothers had beaten each other into unrecognizable and hideous shapes. Both of them were crying. \line\line The elders stood back, smiling to themselves. \line\line They wrestled like never before. One brother got on top of the other and wrapped his arm around his throat and choked him. The other reached back and gouged his eyes. The only sounds in the air were sobs, screams, and bones breaking. \line\line Why!? \line I'm sorry. \line You should have left me alone! \line You're all I have. \line\line Several werewolves turned away in disgust. This wasn't right. How could it have turned into THIS? What sort of honor was there in THIS? \line\line Liek knelt in front of his brother, breathing heavily. His lungs were on fire. Neither one of them wanted to fight any longer, but they had to. Liek had to kill Cale to avenge Isaac and Hannah. Cale had to kill Liek so he could live. Liek's body shook uncontrollably as he sobbed. \line\line "Please, Cale. Just die." \line "I wish I could, Liek. But I'm not ready to die yet." \line\line Cale smiled, despite his tears. To his horror, Liek pulled something from his belt. It was a severed thumb of a werewolf. The nail was still attached. Cale immediately knew it belonged to one of the assassins. \line\line "Do not make this harder than it has to be, Cale. Grant me this one favor." \line\line Cale couldn't respond. His little brother had truly gone insane. Cale gave a slow nod and removed his shirt. \line\line --------- \line\line "Wounds heal with time, \line Yet scars will always serve as a reminder of past mistakes. \line A lesson is learned with each jagged badge. \line Cherish them and wear them proudly." \line\line Those words seemed so familiar to him. Images from his childhood flooded his mind. Tears stung his eyes, but he wasn't sad. He could finally let go. He could finally be at peace. He shut his eyes, and let the darkness take him in. \line\line "I love you." He heard. \line "I love you too." He whispered back. \line\line He could feel himself growing lighter. After taking in one last breath, Liek died. \line\line --------- \line\line Cale removed his shirt from Liek's face and wiped his eyes. \line\line He ended his brother's life with a few quick motions. He replayed it over and over in his mind. \line\line Liek brought the nail forward and Cale stretched his shirt out. At the last moment, Cale turned his body to the side and Liek's momentum brought his face into the shirt, blinding him. All Cale had to do was bring his hands together, and grip the two ends with one. \line\line That was when he grabbed Liek's arm and jammed the nail into his neck. \line\line It had ended only too quickly. \line\line Cale continued to kneel in front of his dead brother as a low murmur broke through the crowd. Laying next to him were his nails that he had ripped off earlier. Cale picked one up and rose to his feet. The crowd went silent again. \line\line "My brother and myself have been deemed traitors by the werewolf council. The punishment for treachery is death by the nails of a werewolf. Am I correct?" \line\line The crowd remained silent. After all that they had seen, nobody wanted to answer. \line\line "I am a traitor for wanting to save my brother, even though I was appointed the task of having him killed." \line\line The elders frowned as the crowd turned to look at them. They shifted nervously. This was something they did not expect. \line\line "You disobeyed our laws and traditions! You should have expected such consequences!" One of the elders stammered. \line\line Cale smiled and brought the nail to his throat. \line\line "I understand and accept the consequences of my actions, elders. I would much rather choose death over living a life filled with such fragile bonds and worthless traditions!" \line\line Cale felt the nail slice through his jugular. He could feel his blood leaving his body. He swayed for a moment, tried to hold his ground, and fell next to Liek's body. \line\line Images fluttered in front of his eyes before he died. But one image stood out in his mind: \line\line It was Liek standing next to Isaac and Hannah. They were waiting for him. \line\line\line "Here I come, Liek." \line\line --------- \line\line EPILOGUE: They say that hundreds of werewolves wept that day. Siras' body was burned along with the other assassin that Liek had killed. \line\line Nobody knows what became of the council elders. Some say that they left the village in shame. Others say that they were exiled by the members of the village. Though most believe that after Cale's death, the elders were surrounded and killed. \line\line Thousands of werewolves came to watch the two brothers buried alongside their mother and father. It was said that Ajin single-handedly dug the holes in the ground himself. \line\line The smell of one-million flowers swept through the entire village as the two werewolf heroes, Liek and Cale, were lowered into the ground side by side. \line\line\line\pard ~ The End\kerning0\f1\fs20\par
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