We're Not Evil, Just Betrayed

Chapter Nine, Healed

Skybrine took a small breath before he concentrated on the cell he shared with ASFJerome and Bajan. The black furred bacca woke up with a loud, pained snarl, slowly turning into a quiet whimper as Bajan looked away from the hostile creature towards him. He looked at Sky up and down, as if examining him before he grinned, however it seemed like he didn't even have the energy to taunt him anymore. "What's this ? A new makeover ?" he asked, folding his arms against his chest before heaving a pained sigh. Sky frowned, his fangs prodding against his lower lip. How should he explain this ? Normally, if he had a voice, he would talk but seeing as he had become a vocal mute, he needed to explain in an other way. He could show them a hologram scribbled across with words but he doubted the two could even read. Bajan scoffed before turning back towards the bacca who seemed too preoccupied with rubbings its paw against the left side of its head to snarl at him. 'Wait a second...' he thought as he properly looked at the hostile creature in the dimmed room.

               He moved a few steps forward without the other two turning to look at him and looked at the two again. Their slumped backs, stiff and unmotivated movements. They were acting unusually. One of the guards passed by the iron door and some light shone in. It wasn't a lot of light but it was enough for him to see the terrible results on their body. Scars and bloody marks littered across their skin, staining their clothes and hair.

               Bajans body was covered in bruises and scars. His left wing was bent in a horrible angle and his tail seemed to be unable to move much at all. Some of the spikes had been broken off and stabbed back into his tail. His arms were coated in blood and scorch marks. The slices across his arms seemed to be recognized from swords although the lashes across his stomach were more lethal and clearly made by something leathery, a whip most likely. His clothes were torn and he seemed in too much pain to move any more than he did earlier. Honestly, he didn't know why he had bothered to try and irritate him earlier, wasn't he in pain ?

               ASFJerome was in a somewhat similar state but worse. The chain around his neck had been removed and what was there now made him feel a strong source of anger and sympathy. The fur had been ripped off and instead sat painfully red and bleeding flesh. His head was bleeding heavily and one of his paws were broken. The claws on his right paw had been ripped clean off and his body was covered in lash markings and struggle was evident in the huge marks on his body. His abdomen and the wrist area and ankles were almost clean of fur and the revealed flesh were bleeding and torn. By that, it was obvious to see someone had put restraints on him which had loosened and rubbed against his body during a vain attempt of escape.

               Anger, sympathy, confusion. Those were the first things he felt when he saw those marks. He stared at ASFJerome. Even if they had tried to kill him, he still had a feeling inside of him. He couldn't tell what it was. He walked over to the door and called out to the guard nearby, the other two not bothering to look around. "What is it ?" the man asked in pure irritation. "Can't you fetch a healer or a doctor ? These two are dying !" He told him telepathically but moved his mouth so it looked as if he was talking. "Ha ! Tell that to the pile of flesh in the healing ward. The next doctor won't be here until next Thursday !" the man yelled before walking away so he wouldn't have to talk to a prisoner any longer. 'Shit ' Sky thought as he glanced at ASF. He wouldn't be able to survive until then. He stared back out through the small hole in the door, glaring at the man before he looked at the name tag on his uniform.

  "The principles and roles for being a good leader are crucial for ruling from a small town to a flourishing empire" Their father said, staring at his two children, Adam and Sky. "Order is the most important key in a large civilization. When it comes down to being able to maintain peace and stability, order must be achieved otherwise there will be rebellions" he said, a strict look on his features. "There are dozens of categories of people that both of you need to know how to keep in line. Firstly, the following and the rebelling" he informed before he tossed two swords at his children which they both caught by the handle. Two men were brought in, both already bruised and obviously in pain. "The rebellious are difficult to handle, the ones in which are the core of chaos. Some can be turned with ease by a simple gesture or words while others," their father glared at the two. "Must be instilled with fear in order to learn their rightful place. As dirt waiting to be walked on by others" he spat. "Kill them" he ordered, looking at his children. The first one, Adam, walked forward to one of them men, towering over him like some sort of deity before slashing down at him, ripping apart his flesh and creating dozens of wounds before turning towards his father, an emotionless look on his face. "If one must instill fear into the hearts of those who do not obey, they need an example to follow. Letting him live will show the people that if they do not listen, they will endure a punishment worse than death. The people, following or rebelling will fall in line once they realize that they hold no power against us" the boy said and the father smiled. "Very good. Now then, Sky ?" the father and child turned towards the second, awaiting his attack.

               Something overcame him as he snapped from his sudden flashback. The man from earlier was named Ryan, one of the men who had been with the two during their training with his Father. His features suddenly hardened and he turned towards the two and started towards them, his fists clenched. "Hey, what are you doing ?" Bajan managed to croak out as he walked past him and towards ASFJerome. He didn't even have the strength to stop him from nearing the injured bacca. ASFJerome snarled before wincing in pain, weakened by the loss of blood, in the same state as Bajan and unable to stop Sky as he crouched down beside him. The bacca closed his eyes, as if waiting for him to achieve his revenge from their attack on the previous day but was instead met with relief.

               Skys hands glowed a soft golden color as they rested a few centimeters above the baccas injuries. Bajan stared in silent surprise as the bacca started to relax, all traces of pain vanishing from his body as he moved his hands around his body, never touching. The open wounds instantly closed and his flesh stitched back together before the scars faded away. His fur started to regrow quickly, covering up the patches of previously reddened skin, now normally pink. After several seconds, he seemed as good as new, fully healed. He stood up before looking at Bajan, then started his way over to him as Asf fell into a peaceful and relieved slumber.

~~~

               Bajan was looking down as Sky sat against the wall of the cell. A peaceful silence had fallen across the room after Bajan was healed and Asf asleep. He stared up at the iron ceiling, mentally sighing as he attempted to forget those events he had recalled. When he looked forward again, Bajan was standing in front of him. He suddenly got up, startled when he spoke up. "Thanks for....you know, saving my friend" he said as he looked up, something that really looked human flashed across his face before he turned and returned to his spot beside the sleeping animal. Sky slowly returned to his sitting position, leaning against the wall again. Even when it was unspoken, he realized one thing. He had gained their respect. With that in mind, he closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall, falling asleep.

              "No" Sky said, looking up and glaring at his father and brother as the man slowly looked up, an enraged look across his features. "What did you just say ?" His father growled, staring angrily at him. "I said no ! This is wrong ! Even if these people may have defied the law, aren't we just making it worse ?!" He yelled, throwing his sword across the ground. His father was about to say something when his brother suddenly spoke up. "Those who do not obey will endure a punishment worse than death." Adam said, walking towards Sky. He backed away, fear overcoming his previously angered features. "The Following or Rebelling will fall in line once they realize that they hold no power against us" He continued, raising his sword over his head, turning against his very own brother.