Oh, how Tempestclan had grown in the last ten years.
Where tents once stood, there were stone houses. Gardens. Cobbled alleyways. Forges, barns, a cemetery, a prison and even a small church. In the middle of all of it was a courtyard where the clan would meet every night for the evening meal. A large bonfire would be lit and there would be dancing, laughing, singing, and drunken mischief by some of the clan's younger members. Peace had reigned between the four clans of the west for many years. Tempestclan was the second smallest of the group, but joy does not weigh in numbers. Insignious, their leader, was proud of everything his people had become.
As of yet, he'd somehow survived to be nearly thirty years old. I'd say 'Of course, being a vampire helps' because certainly you'd think being a vampire would help one's survival, but that's not always the case.
There were dark, bloody secrets, but who doesn't have those, right? Anyways.
The night was breathtaking and the clan seemed in particularly high spirits that evening. Insignious sat on the ground infront of the nightly bonfire, smoking a pipe, leaning up against a bench that sat a few of his clanmates- including Etoah, his deputy. Everyone nearby was listening to a story being told by one of the children.
"Sir!" Called out a voice. Sig casually looked over his shoulder at the beckoning.
"What is it-" His pipe dropped from his hands as he recognized his brother's two children trailing behind the young warrior leading them. There was also a man, but he couldn't yet make out the face.
"Sera! Bleu!" Sig exclaimed, standing and walking over to them with a welcoming smile and open arms for his usual hug. "This is a fine surprise! No one told Uncle Siggy you were coming over."
Ten passing years were plenty to bring about new faces to the classical western clans. Young Sera would grow with the advancements, seeing them as nothing more than normality now, rather than a luxury that older members worked tirelessly to create. What more could a parent ask for their children, than to live better off?
Right before arriving to Tempestclan borders, young warrior had been trying to keep a conscious effort to not drag her feet. There were few times the child felt truly out of energy, however the repeated journey certainly worn her.
Nevertheless, as familiar markings and structures came into view, she felt a new surge of energy course through.
Home!
Although the two clans were distinctly separate, the twins were blessed to live in an era of unprecedented peace. Tempestclan meant nearly as much of a home as their own clan had been. She may not have been close to the warrior which found and led them through the territory, however it was someone she'd been acquainted with. No longer was it her mysterious guardian and sibling in tow.
"Uncle Siggy!"
She gasped, bolting over to him with newfound speed. Clutching onto whatever she could hold of him, she buried her face and attempted to breathe.
Finally, an answer to their desperate hope. Tempestclan-- Their uncle was alright.
Insignious waved his hand quickly to stop him, hoping to God he'd misheard the boy.
"Woah woah woah- Bleu-Hang on- what did you just say?"
"He's dead," Bleu wailed, "Da is dead and so is the rest of the clan."
Where there was laughter and dancing before, a cold silence had fallen upon the people. Insignious stood up. He stared hard down at the children before his gaze finally rose to meet with Aki's.
"...And who are you." Sig managed to ask, his eyes slowly blistering with red as tears formed but didn't yet fall. He felt dizzy.
"Akihito. I found the children. It's true that...Everyone in Maelstromclan is dead. By some miracle the children survived so I thought they'd be safest with you.."
Etoah had walked over and placed his hand on Insignious' shoulder. The leader shook his head, waking himself from his shock. He wiped his eyes quickly and started walking as he thought.
"H-How could this...I.." Suddenly, with raging energy he pointed at Aki, "I need to speak with you. Now." With a furious air about him, he gestured for the angel to follow him as he headed quickly over to a nearby house. Taking a nervous breath, Aki followed. Meanwhile, Etoah and a few others had gathered round the children to comfort them. "Thank God you're alright!" They were exclaiming.
A woman pushed through the crowd, a woman the children would recognize as one of the clan's medics named Nahva. "Back off," She urged them, "Give them some space!" Leaning down, she gave them both a tender smile. "How 'bout we get you two some hot baths and into bed, huh?"
She'd rather have been pried off him than have voluntarily let go, but the moment silence commenced, Sera let go of the clan leader. Instead, she gave a tug to Bleu, unsure of what to do. The air surrounding Insignious was so tense, she was almost concerned that she would be caught again in the middle of a crossfire.
As a rush of clanmates circled the twins, Sera made sure to keep in affront Bleu. Only as Nahva approached them did she move away some, relieved that they were eventually given space to themselves.
While she didn't grab hold of the medic, she nodded her head in tune with her sibling.
"Please."
A sincere plea from the feisty of the two. Exhausted, she rubbed at her eyes, yet only making the irritated sensation worse.
Etoah and Nahva both took hold of the children's hands and guided them towards a house where they'd find comfort and warmth.
Meanwhile...
As soon as Akihito had closed the door behind him, Insignious began.
"How did you find the children?"
"I was traveling to speak with Apollo, but when I arrived...Everyone was dead. It seemed recent, like it had happened within the last few hours."
"How was everyone killed?" The leader's questions were without pause, gradually increasing in urgence and aggression. Aki accepted the interrogation.
"Everyone was shot with black arrows. They were everywhere. I don't...even understand how it was achieved."
"How is it that the children survived?"
"They were..."
"Yes?"
"They were hidden under Apollo's body. He died shielding them."
At this, Insignious held his mouth with his palm and walked around a few steps, overwhelmed with grief. He wiped a few tears again before continuing.
"Why were you travelling to see Apollo?"
"I have urgent information regarding his wife."
Insignious looked at him in further disbelief. "Did you find her..!?"
"Y...Yes, but it's complicated. I found her in a clan in the East, her soul is...Is misplaced? It's trapped in the wrong body."
"You 'found' her? Were you looking for her? How are you connected to the family, Akihito?"
"I was a friend of Apollo's long ago, when he was enslaved."
Sig's eyes narrowed. "He never mentioned you..." The air was thick with suspicion, but despite all of it, the leader reached his hand out.
"Thank you, Akihito. Thank you for bringing them here."
When Aki saw the hand extend, he didn't know what to say. This gesture was the last thing he'd expected. He smiled and accepted the hand, being unexpectedly pulled into a masculine hug.
"Would you stay here with us? Would you tell me more regarding what you discovered about Yuuki?" Insignious asked, pulling back and placing a hand on Aki's shoulder.
Black haired warrior had known better than to have been one of the many bombarding the children with questions. Not that she could have gone up to them, frozen in time by the shocking news. Unfortunately dropping what was left of her evening meal onto the cobblestone, she broke out into a cold sweat.
"I... It hasn't been a full moon cycle since..."
She mumbled, recalling the last patrol where she had crossed paths with their neighboring forces.
Kazumi had playfully teased one of their newest full-fledged warriors. They had exchanged a few words as a group, exclaiming how the clans fared. How the season had been better than the year prior. Small talk while simply passing ways, before they had waved each other off and returning to duty.
And now, they were dead.
Most of her clanmates around the campfire had either dispersed or gathered together, speaking softly in hushed tones after Insignious had left with the mysterious warrior.
"What the hell?"
Raspberry colored irises swept over towards where Maelstromclan was located, before focusing on the structure of which their leader entered. While she had no authority enough to enter it, she would watch for the leader to exit.
An investigation group would certainly be sent first thing in the morning, and she would make it her mission to be upon the few in such list.
Behind her, the clan's deputy was approaching. He was returning from where he'd lead the children, and now his head was low. Looking up with heavy eyes, he saw Kazumi and stayed nearby.
"Can you even fathom..." He said to both her and the air. His voice, though wrought with sadness, still carried it's usual calming nature. "Can you even...comprehend all of Maelstromclan being killed? Just like that..?"
Etoah rested his back against the nearest wall, wishing he could hear what Insignious was saying in there.
The Deputy said aloud more than just her own thoughts. Practically the whole clan had been discussing the improbability of the event over the few minutes since the impromptu announcement.
"What kind of forces must that take? There's no way they got away with it unscathed."
Anger was laced in her tone, however she likewise remained calm in appearance. She voiced these opinions to the air, though they were clearly directed at Etoah.
"We've been at peace for years; I want to know the bastards that did it."
While she couldn't be certain, she shook her head and turned to him.
"No, I haven't."
With limited information, she could hardly form an opinion about him, either. Rather than suspicious, he had brought the children to safety. That alone gave him some points.
"Maybe he's a wanderer like Noma?"
And that suggestion was as far as such points would give him.
"Although that doesn't excuse traveling so far into Maelstromclan territory. It's... more than odd, it's extreme."
Unintentionally enacting a terrible habit, she brought her thumb up to her face and bit along the nail.
"Was there anything that would've been seen out of place? Anything from your patrols?"
"We hadn't seen any of their soldiers recently, but I assumed it was a change in their schedules."
He looked ahead though his eyes were glazed in deep thought.
"Akihito could be a wanderer...But a wanderer with no pack? No supplies, not even shoes?"
Etoah straightened as he suddenly heard the nearby door opening. Insignious left the house with the stranger following closely behind.
"Let's hope all is well." He suggested softly to Kazumi before walking towards them.
Insignious noticed his deputy, "Etoah, Akihito is welcome here. He has information regarding Yuuki that we'll discuss soon." At this, Etoah gave Aki a surprised and hopeful expression. Before he could speak, Sig continued.
"Put together a small patrol for tomorrow morning come first light, we'll be investigating Maelstromclan. And...retrieving bodies."
"Sir," Etoah started, drawing a bit closer to him and speaking low. "Why don't you stay with the children tomorrow? They need family nearby. I will take the patrol and investigate." Insignious attempted to interrupt but the deputy spoke over him, "Bleu has already informed me that Apollo's body has been moved. He is not there. They attempted to travel with him for a while before leaving him in a safe place in order to move quicker. We can make another trip for him after."
"They are our family, Etoah." Sig replied, his voice breaking. "I need to see them."
"And you will. But the clan needs you with them right now in case panic ensues. I can feel that they're scared." Etoah's eyes drifted towards Aki. "And we will take Akihito with us then as well, he can tell us everything he knows. Everything he saw."
Insignious nodded reluctantly, "Very well. Come, I'll show you your room for the night." He said to Akihito, leading him away.
Etoah looked over his shoulder at Kazumi. "Are you with us tomorrow morning?"
Kazumi remained alert as the door opened, giving a nod to Etoah's suggestion as he first approached the duo. She stayed close to the building, eyes glued to the angel as she listened.
Trusting Insignious, she tried to put her suspicions behind her. His timing was too impeccable.
"No doubt."
She answered the Deputy, stern in her resolve. The scent of death from her memories didn't deter her in the slightest. Rather, she knew she would be more than helpful. Being a shadow manipulator, the transferring of bodies would move much smoother since better honed such abilities.
Watching as their leader lead the angel, she posed a request to Etoah. Something she knew he'd understand; a simple concern.
"Of course. I'll knock him out if I must." With a single soft laugh, Etoah turned and followed behind Insignious and Aki, giving them plenty of space but keeping watch.
