Beneath Us! (BL)

Chapter 13

    RT rubbed his sore eyes, choking back the yawn that threatened to slip. 

    "Sir, you should sit down," one of RT's men stated, dropping the tire from his back. "You're not looking good. You should have gone home first before meeting us." 

    "Yeah, he's got a point Captain, you should go home for a while." 

"I'm alright, get back to training. Shen, if you keep stalling, I'll make you run laps." 

       The rest of the men slowly inched away, sending the boy pitying glances. Shen yan had just joined their group two months prior, still green and young. He'd pleaded to the General to be on RT's team, not knowing that RT's team were all bug, long distance men. Their stamina surpassed even the best of the Warriors. Shen Yan was the second smallest of the group, beating their medic, Aaron, by a singular inch.

They'd been training all day, waiting for the men to return from their mission. Luke, the chaotic, blue haired boy had teased Shen upon arrival. Pleading that RT had died and Shen Yan had cried before the i***t had started to laugh. It was shocking, however, at how closely Shen Yan resembled RT. Their resemblance was remarkable. At some point, the men had started to call Shen Yan little boss, and Shen Yan had called RT 'big bro'. 

       "How many tires can you pull big bro?" Shen c****d his head in curiosity. He still struggled with one while the rest of the men bypassed ten within their first weeks.

       "Not the Captain, kid." Luke scoffed, throwing his arms over the boy's shoulders. 

       "I'm just curious, I've never seen Big Bro train with us." 

       "You're doubting my power?" RT asked, raising an eyebrow. 

       "Not doubting!" Shen clarified hurriedly. "I've heard the stories." 

       RT nodded before stretching. He pulled his large t-shirt over his head , leaving the heavy armor against his snow white skin. At 6'8, he passed easily over everyone's heads. He motioned for Luke and Bryan to join him. 

       "Oh, come on," Luke groaned as he got into his stance. RT was quick, flitting behind him and sliding his hands underneath the pits of Luke's arms. 

       RT lifted the other man clear off his feet, leaving the 6 foot man struggling and kicking pathetically within the man's grasp. He twisted Luke midair and slammed him into the concrete. Luke let out a pathetic huff of air as he lay in a heap. RT turned to Bryan before rushing at the man. He dodged the smaller's fist, and swiped the legs out from beneath the other. Bryan was sent careening to the floor with a shocked cry. 

       "I hate this game," Luke groaned as RT straightened up, cracking his neck. 

Shen Yan's mouth fell open as RT rejoined the group, catching the towel that one of the other boys tossed at him.

       "Um..." Shen started before staring at the heaps of men. "You're not human, are you?" 

       RT smiled as he ruffled the boy's hair. "Who knows?" 

                -------------------

       "RT, what are you doing up at this hour?" A warrior named Matt questioned. He was one of the royal warriors tasked to keep the king safe.

      "The prince summoned me," RT replied simply before brushing past the warrior.

      Matt sighed, shaking his head. "You're lucky you're so important. I just received news from the mine that my youngest brother died in an uprising and what do the royal family say? Occupational hazards."

       "Sorry, I have to go though."

       Matt nodded before waving RT through. The man went up the steps quietly, sticking close to the shadows as much as he possibly could. The castle sat in the middle of the city with huge iron pillars that held the Royal court hundreds of feet above ground. It certainly wasn't the largest building, but it also wasn't the smallest. It was grand, made with gold and emerald and encased in actual glass. It had two large wings, the one where the king presided in, and the one where the crowned prince stayed. The king was a much older man with a receding hairline and hair as white as snow. He was stubborn but cultured, doing business across the borders with other countries. Or sending warriors out to war when he wanted something his own kingdom didn't have.

      The king was a cruel man, though. He liked to watch those below him squirm and bleed. Cutting limbs off or tongues was a simple pastime for the man, and the warriors loyal to him were just as cruel. They beat the innocent Capital people regularly and executed maids after raping them. The king allowed it, disgustingly. RT tried to stay clear of the man, after all. He'd been tortured once and he didn't wish to repeat the incident. 

      RT shook his head before breezing past security with a simple nod, he ascended the massive golden spiral towards the west wing.

      The prince's study was ajar and RT paused when he heard the King and the crowned prince arguing. There was a loud crash that worried RT. He didn't dare eavesdrop, choosing to stay close to the farthest wall. Eventually, the prince's burst opened and the king brushed past. He paused in front of RT and gave him his signature sadistic smile.

      "Ragnar Taurin, I didn't know your band was back so soon. I assume the raid of the northern mountain village went to plan?" The king asked eagerly. "Did you find me anything important?"

      RT nodded solemnly. "We had a few deaths from a run in with wolves. Otherwise all slaves needed are accounted for and the money is in your treasury now. We got a few precious gems and gold as well for trade across the seas."

      "Damn mountain wolves. I wish we still had the nuclear weapons to wipe the bastards out. Even after the Kukouk death, they still respond to the remnants of the four iron chiefs."

      "Sir the Iron Chiefs have long since passed. Your father wiped the four clans out."

       "Don't mention my father."

       "Yes sir."

       "Nevertheless, I hope your men got rid of the slaves that weren't needed. Especially that pesky village chief, she always rubbed me raw. She was a b***h no matter how someone looked at it. Did the b***h have any children?"

      "No, sir."

      "Good, the last thing those uneducated bumpkins needed was another chief in line. They're already stupid enough," the king shook his head before putting his hand on RT's shoulder. "Nevertheless, my most trusty warrior took care of the village well. My trust in you is unwavering. It'd certainly break my heart if you ever betrayed me and I had to kill you."

     The King disappeared around the corner without another word. RT squared his shoulders before pushing the door open. "Your highness?"

      "RT?" A frail blonde man stated, looking up from where he was hunched over a clutter of papers. "I was wondering who Father stopped in the hall. I'm so glad to see you!"

       The prince wrapped his arms around RT and crushed him in a hug before stepping back. He wore his nightly clothes, so RT guessed the prince was unable to sleep once again. Pouring himself into official documents instead of sleeping. The prince's long blonde hair was pulled back with a tie, but it didn't look as unhealthy and ratty as before. The prince's color was starting to come back miraculously. He'd been diagnosed with an incurable illness two years ago, and had only been progressively getting worse. With all the Capital's technology, the crowned Prince was still dying. He'd been getting better, though, which was reassuring.

       "Is he here?" The prince asked and it took a simple nod to make the prince grin in excitement. "Ah, I've only heard stories. But for him to finally be here... to finally be able to meet him, it's truly an honor. Where is he?"

      "In the cell with Maniar," RT replied.

      "Oh... Maniar..." the prince paused, trying to school the disgust from his face. "Why did you put him with Maniar?"

      "General Graff ordered it. I couldn't disobey my general," RT replied. "I can retrieve him in a couple of days."

      "If that boy doesn't keep his mouth shut, Tiantok's son could, obviously, form a bad opinion about us," the prince sighed before sitting down in one of the many expensive chairs around his study. "I want him removed and brought to the castle as soon as physically possible. Maniar is too stupid to be anywhere near Tiantok's son."

      "Yes sir. He'll be here as soon as I can get my hands on him," RT answered quickly. "I'll be heading out then."

       "Yes, yes. You must be exhausted after covering hundreds of miles in only a few short weeks.  Remember that we don't have much of a window, so please get him on board as soon as possible. I'll see you in the morning."  

       The buses weren't running at the hour that RT left. He sighed before turning towards the subways. They were busy with salarymen on their ways home but very little one else. They turned to look at him, but didn't say anything as the train came to a stop in front of them. Most citizens didn't pay warriors any mind.

      His legs were too wired to sit down, so he simply grabbed the nearest handle and held on. The subway shot out from the station towards the dying city. Major lights were starting to disappear and most people were on their ways home. Without sunlight, the city lights turned off. His neighborhood would be dark already, which was both frustrating and relieving at the same time. Three more stops in and RT was almost asleep on his feet.

      "January avenue next stop!" A mechanical voice shouted. "Last stop for the night is Richards street."

       RT managed to drag himself off the subway and up the endless stairs. It was pitch black on the surface, measly lights still flickering sporadically. In this neighborhood, though, the people were still out and about. They kept hoods over their faces and looked down towards the ground as they passed. Everyone in his neighborhood stuck to their own business, keeping their heads low and their names out of the papers. That's why RT chose to move there three years ago. No one knew he existed and hiding stuff was 100 times easier. Most of the people who lived on or near January avenue were so poor they could barely keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. The streets were cleaned once a year, and most houses lacked plumping. The stench, most of the time, was barely livable. Which made keeping the majority of the Capital police out of the area easier. The officers with actual leverage to their name and money to pass under the tables were too afraid to get dirty.

      He pulled his key out as soon as he got to building 109. The windows were all barred and covered by black curtains. The glass had long since been knocked out. It lurched to the left slightly, parts of the foundation were already giving way. It wasn't a huge building, either, a simple three story, six apartment building. RT's neighbor was an elderly woman who shot first and asked questions later. Gunfire erupted behind RT and he turned his head to see a low squatting truck race around the corner with the Capital police hot on their trails. The police of the Capital were horrible people, all rejects of the Warrior programs. They didn't follow any true laws and executed who they saw fit, as long as they were of the lesser classes. There were still a few officers who believed in justice, but they didn't last long. Odd accidents or disappearances kept the officers' mouths shut permanently. Being rejects of the King's Warrior program, though, didn't necessarily make RT their favorite person, whose strength and size made him a prodigy. He ducked inside without another moment of hesitation.

      He put his weight against the rickety metal door and pushed it open. It screeched as it opened, and it was even louder shutting. Loud bass driven music pulsed off the walls as he ascended the weak wooden stairs. The soft spots were all marked with spray paint from the building tenant, and there seemed to be even more now. His apartment was on the third floor. It was one of the biggest in the building, a five roomed square. There was a bathroom, a bedroom, a living room, and a tiny kitchen. The last room was forbidden for anyone but him to enter. It was tiny, not big enough for much more than a desk and a chair. It's floors were bare except for a small torn out couch that RT slept on every night he was home. His home was fueled by massive candles he set in every room.

      He paused at his front door and took a deep breath. It'd been almost three weeks since he'd last seen her or heard from her. The door swung open and a familiar face stood in front of him with her hands on her hips. She was a mighty woman, black haired and muscular. She had coal colored eyes and a haughty expression most of the time he'd known her. He'd essentially watched her grow up. 

       "Three weeks Ragnar. Three f*****g weeks, you've been gone. You leave me with the kid. I can't even go home, I'm f*****g pissed at you," Tera spat, shaking her head.

      Tera wasn't his biological sister, but they'd known each other long enough to be considered so. She'd saved his life and in turn, he'd saved hers and now they were close.

      "Sorry."

      "Doesn't matter. Take care of your kid, you d**k, I'm heading home," Tera hissed, pushing past RT. "Plus..."

       "How's she doing?" RT commented quietly.

      Tera sighed, turning towards RT. "She was almost found, Ragnar. The landlord did a sweep through the house while I was at work. She had enough time to hide under the bed."

      "I'll find a way to get her out to the old house before it's too late, trust me."

      "You better. I haven't helped you raise that demon for nothing. If she dies, I'll rip your head from your shoulders you f*****g d**k. I'm heading out, she's yours now. My wife must be so pissed," Tera stated before pushing Ragnar through. She slammed the door behind him and disappeared.

      He set his pack down on the couch before heading towards the open bedroom door. A candle flickered in the room, casting a heavy shadow. Ragnar pushed open the door slightly and was met with a precious sight. She was cuddled up in her blankets, breathing heavily. Her breath was labored, though, and he could tell that the IV in her arm wasn't giving her enough nutrition anymore. Her face was thinner and her skin was paler than the last time he'd seen her.

      He sat down near the foot and reached up to smooth out her blankets. Eonak had been five when he'd found her. She'd been much livelier then; the beginning of her illness hadn't even shown signs yet. She lived in isolation ever since, unknowing that her own brother was still alive trapped somewhere equated to hell. He'd raised her ever since he'd lost Maniar to the Capital. Eonak was smaller, and much slower than the average child. Prone to colds and lack of nutrition. Sometimes, when a halfling was born, they suffered. But Eonak and Maniar were both miracle children of a time RT had long forgotten.

      Maniar, was her half-brother. They were both born from the same mothers, but Eonak was cursed to have a human father who'd grown in fear of his own children. The father had managed to catch the attention of one of the last Kukouk awake on the surface, and had betrayed them just the same at her pregnancy. RT had done his best to hide the woman, and raise her children. He'd found out about them too late and tailed the small family afterwards. The kids disappeared before he could save them.

      They'd been on their own for so long since Eonak's birth. They hadn't known how to speak or write any of the two languages they should've known. Even at a young age, Maniar had known what to do. He had raised Eonak for four whole years before they were found. He stole what he had to and made his money in dangerous games before he could even read. Maniar was quick witted and good at what he did.  RT had been quick enough to get Eonak to safety when they were found, but he hadn't been able to grab Maniar. There were so many times RT had wished he could've told the boy, but never did. He couldn't. Not until Maniar was safe and not a risk to Eonak's safety. RT shook his head. Tian had shown up, finally. It was almost time. 

      "RT?" A weak voice whispered, and a blonde head lifted weakly. "Home? RT's home?"

      RT scooted closer so the girl could weakly reach up and wrap her arms around him. He put his hand against her head. "Sorry I'm so late Eonnie."

      "It's ok, you're home safe. Have you found what you went for?"

      RT nodded against her head. "I have. He's more amazing and intense than anyone I've ever met in my life. You're going to be ok now. I'm going to make you better now."

      He helped her lay down once more and reached for the cloth to start wiping the sweat from her forehead. Purple blood dripped down from her ear canals, and RT's stomach twisted. Her face was tinged with purple beneath the skin, and her skin was feverish. There was a yellowish tinge in her eyes that showed just how sick she was. Right before he'd left for the west, she'd come down with a serious illness and once again, was fighting for her life. 

       "Get some rest," RT whispered, but she was already fading into sleep once more. There were dried tears underneath her eyes and he tried not choking up at the thought. 

He pressed one of his hands against her small forehead and closed his eyes. Warmth surged up from the pit of RT's stomach, burning its way up his body. Pale powerlines creeped down from his chest, centered in the middle of his chest. They branched down his arms, curling around his fingers. Energy slithered down the lines until it absorbed into Eonak's skin. The girl's tan complexion started to come back slowly, spreading down her small body. RT finally removed his hand with a wheeze, wiping his sweat away from his brow. His hands shook as he stood, closing the door behind him. 

       The first time Eonak had cried was when her eyes started bleeding. He'd woken up early in the morning to her screaming and thrashing. Blood and tears mixed as they dripped down her face. She'd cried and cried, pleading for the pain and agony to stop and that's when RT knew he had become more than a caretaker. But a father the little girl needed. He hadn't been able to stop the thrashing and bleeding, and she'd ended up passing out. He'd held her frail body in his arms, and that was also the first time RT had cried.

      That night, RT's dreams weren't kind to him. He curled in tighter to the blankets, praying the coldness would leave his bones. But the memories were on replay. Back then, the world had been unstable and bitter. The coldness would come like a storm and freeze every living thing it'd touch. Even the love of his own father.

       Only the stupid lived in those mountains, and his father was just that stupid. The winds would howl all night long, threatening to take the fire they lived with along with it's icy tendrils. It would creep into their hopes, slipping its long tendril fingers into the very cracks of wood in his childhood home. His body would be ice everytime he woke, and that was when they'd sleep by the fires. There wasn't a day that went by where they weren't shivering themselves into oxygen. 

       Somewhere in those mountains, his mother's body still lay. It was too cold to decompose or break the ground to bury. She'd bled out at RT's birth, and his father had never truly forgiven him. Maybe they'd stayed behind to die. RT never really knew, he'd only been eleven years old. He didn't even know how to read or write, much lss, process his grief correctly for a woman he'd never even met. 

       He'd known one thing as he grew older, though. His father wanted to die, and RT wanted to live.

       One day, his father stopped coming back. He disappeared into the nothingness that made their homes. RT had searched for the man... eventually he'd found him miles down in a deep chasm.

       RT sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He'd fallen into the ice looking for his father, and it'd changed his life. The man smiled to himself as he reached out to the boy sitting inside the cell with Maniar. The hesitant lines started to glow once more. He pressed his palm to the center of his forehead and took a deep, scratchy breath. When he pulled his palm away, a small ivory colored stag pranced against his palm. Cold, but very much alive. 

       He protected the Kukouk because they'd given him life and power. They'd given him the change to watch and protect Tian Ashturokma as he grew up. For that, RT was grateful. The ivory stag faded.