Prologue: Chapter Anew
this seems familiar doesn't it? the cold dusty earth against his cheek, the taste of metallic in his teeth; this was normal for him. He knew the consequences to this, he always did. Like the tamed tiger to the beastmaster, he knew one wrong mistake, little or even miniscule it may have been, the crack of the whip will be heard, blood would be shed.
“you are a disappointment.”
wasn't I always? I've hesitated and I'd be writhing and gasping for air at your feet. I'd miss one step in breathing and you'd find me lacking spitting blood and a broken tooth as you walked away. I know these would happen...yet I did it.
I saw the fear in those eyes, eyes much younger and undeserving of harm and violence. That boy, only mere ages younger than me was frightened. terrified. Even the small hairs off his tail puffed and twitched to still it self, as the rest of him quivered. he didn't need to go through with it. he shouldn't have to be harmed.
“go.”
I shouldn't have to do this. I didn't want to hurt him. I let him go and tried to stop my warden. I bore my blunt teeth and claws and I paid for it. I only held on just enough to watch the small boy run out of eye sight tail and all before I saw the haze.
“you will pay for your actions, boy.”
my eyes spun but the lids threatened to call its curtains. I couldn't feel pain anymore...just...numb. perhaps I had finally forgotten what that felt like. I heard fainted shootings above me. rage over rage once more roared over me as I saw flashes. I can feel the impact he probably struck down on me. I didn't care anymore. could barely feel it now. I felt tired again and I only thought of sleep. when was the last time I felt that? who knows. I won't question it anymore. At least now, I can hear the roaring stop and fading away from me.
“-over here! please he’s hurt!”
Were they talking about me? I couldn't hear much after that. didn't stay to see the outcome. no point. I let myself drift into blissful ignorance, despite how cold and muted it felt. For once I felt like I could rest peacefully.
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“-!!”
“hey, you're awake!!!” I saw someone familiar hanging over me. It wasn't him this time. No roaring or sounding drills to pull me from my haze. this time...its the boy with the tail.
“I’m so glad! I thought you'd never wake up!!” he seemed excited to say before he tells something similar to waiting and runs off somewhere. “....?” where was here though? The ceiling wasn't mine, that was for sure. Last he'd remember his room was stark and barren, this one had colorful and laminated paper on its faded colored plaster. Heck when was the last time he even seen color? I slowly attempted to pivot my neck one side before wincing. guess I never completely forgot pain did I? I barely moved before trying again, this time forcing myself to sit up before I heard her.
“please relax, you're still healing.”
I looked up and saw a woman, striped face and a tail. she looked strong yet...warm? Motherly was probably what they called it. I barely remembered that feeling. “here, come now lay back down. you're in a safe home.” I felt a hand on my head lightly scuffed my hair. It was a strange gesture, but...comforting. Eventually I obeyed but was guided down so I landed into the divot I had risen from. how long have I slept? my unspoken answer was given acknowledgement.
“you’ve been out for a long time. guess a weeks or more rest was what you needed.” the tigress looked down to me smiling. it felt weird to see that given to me or in anyway really. “seeing you're not talking I assume you're not used to being treated nicely. Not surprised being raised by sorry excuse of a father.”
Guessing by the way she mentioned his assailant, I assumed this woman was the one who came and rescued him too. though she knew who he was...why? He was the son of a man who was heartless and didn't even respected or show compassion to his own child. More or less myself would also considered guilty of helping him and his unjust to fanaus all around...I wasn't proud, yet it was by my own hands I helped him in many cases of crime against the innocence. I was no different than own father.
“now I don't need that guilty look on your face.” I heard her start and I found myself paying attention to her again. “i know that look and I will have none of that in my house, young man. you did something good back there, you saved my son and risked your life for it too.”
I couldn't bring myself to reply to that. it was appreciated but it wasn't something that erased what I did before. my hands are stained and I did it willingly be it the influence of my father or not. It was agonizing to call him that now, enough to finally make me groan, or something of the sort and look away again. i didn't deserve to be given kindness right now. neither did I feel the need to have myself listen while I was already aching in every bone. “whats your name?” I hear loud and clear in my ear feeling the bed compress on one side of the mattress. I thought about not saying anything at the moment but the notion I felt said she was a patient woman.
“Cyrus.”
I muttered slightly then felt the palm gently pat my unmoving leg, feeling the consideration in her friendly touch. “well then Cyrus, I believe this may be the starting of a good change for you.” her smile seemed confident despite myself losing the concept of what she was saying. “you’ll be living here with us for now on, cyrus.”
what?
“however only under the one condition I will ask of you; are you willing to change? make a new chapter for yourself?” she seemed to chuckle for a moment, probably seeing my dumbfounded expression lost in what she conveyed.
“all living beings in this world, people, faunas, animals, and even Grimm, have a story to them with chapters of change the moment they decided to turn a page.”
“Cyrus, you are still in your prologue and now stumbling towards the end. Its your will to start a new chapter and take a hold of your future. From here you write where you want to be.”
I give thought to these words, metaphors to a meaning that feel different, given free will of what I chose compared my life before. “why do I hesitate to this answer?” I wonder but the answer was simple.
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“Cyyyyyyyyyyyyyruuuuuuuuuussssss!”
“I'm right here, don't need to shout.” the red head teen groan pushing in the face of the younger cub who tried to hug him. “and knock it off its not like you'll be admitted to a different school anyways.” despite holding off the shorter, tail bearing, brother, it wasn't long before he was met with mikhail’s hug gripped with endearment. “still!!! It's no fair you get to go a semester ahead of meeee!” his tail failed impatiently and pouting. “that's cause I told you to actually study and practice like mom said we should.” a look of sibling sass was shared before Mikhail pouted in retaliation.
“oh shush you two, any longer and Cyrus is gonna miss the ship.” suddenly both teens were gathered by and older one, tall and looking quite formal compared how casual the human and younger famous brother dressed. “you just worry about Beacon, Cy. Eventually the runt will catch up.” he chuckled.
“haha, lets pick on the younger brother.” Mikhail groaned sticking his tongue at his older siblings. Thomas snickered behind his large palm and the lavender eyes rolled the other way. The little playful banter ended however, hearing the arrival of the ship, meaning it was now time for the middle sibling to finally board to his next step in the future.
“gues this is it huh? don't forget to call us OK? and no over doing it on the training.” with a pat on the back from the sun kissed Thomas. “better watch your back too! gotta tell me what its like there!” the rambunctious Mikhail grinned. Cyrus returned his striped siblings a small grin, only to change when seeing a very important woman looking proud at him with warm eyes. this very woman who change his life… who trained him and became the mother he never remembered and a new family. a place where he felt more like a person. for once...he felt proud for being a son to someone, and he aimed to be the best he could be and maybe more than to surpass his previous.
Receiving a warm hug, Liliana smiled, “im very proud you have made it to this point, these choices from here on will be vital to what you do. do not lose sight of what you want.”
nodding to those words Cyrus turned and begun the next chapter.