beLIEve

Her Final Request

"Of all the diminishing errors... there is the error of friendship and love.  One should never let another so close as with something as precious as trust... One should never let another within.  Because that is when they will tear you apart."

The erotic screech of the wind's furious howl shook the stone foundations of the ancient crevice.  Tai emerged from his bedchamber before dawn and carried himself in an unusually serious passion as he stalked to the grand foyer of the home in which his kin shared.  The rooms were carved expertly deep within the earth in the side of an enormous mountain; the rooms quite large in size, each doorway separated with a heavy door made of heavy metals such as iron.  Tai stood on the main floor, many levels below him, and many more far above.  The base held numerous twists and entryways that he was unaware of and numerous more secrets that he could not depict himself.  Expensive tastes decorated each wall, paintings of historic depictions and remarkable warriors.  Tai's feet were bare as his flesh grazed the antique rug that was thrown across the stone floor.  Despite the medieval tastes, the shelter was quite modern, electricity lighting each room, and on the main floor; there was a den, a living room, and a large dining area and kitchen.  

His untidy locks curled around his ears in an unkempt fashion as he dragged his feet, having been awakened by a dim thud, and he, being a youth that still held his curious perks, went to investigate the peculiar occurrence.  He stood behind a corner that lead to the main foyer, shielding himself behind a wall as his form stood hunched over in a corridor.

"H-Hello...?" he forced the words from his lips, his heart quickening as his lower lip trembled.  What if they returned in a silent ambush?  This thought rushed through his mind as he took several steps back.

"It is much to early for a pup like you to be out of bed." a gruff voice retorted in an impassive growl.  

Tai instantly recognized the voice and stepped out of the shadows, flipping a light switch so that the chandelier that overlooked the foyer enlit the room in a bright glow.  His eyes rested on the boy with the scarred face, his eyes not on him as Tai watched the boy tie his sneakers and pull his cloak around his neck.  

"Pup?  You're not that much older then me." Tai spat in an irritated fury.

"Not physically.  But I choose to grow up.  You still chase your tail in a childlike innocence." the scarred one stated brutally, his eyes momentarily darting to Tai before being recast to the task at hand.

Tai watched the boy pull supplies into a sack and sling the bag over his broad shoulders.  He pursed his lips and crossed his arms, his head cocking to the side in a suspicious accusation.  

"Where are you going at this hour?" 

"I'm going to accomplish Rowena's final demand." his voice was expressionless for the most part, but it was easy to detect a twist of pain at the name of the kin's previous empress.

Tai felt his words caught in his throat, knowing that Rowena was one of the bravest and most loyal that the pack has ever seen.  He owed her his life...it was ashame he could never repay her for her extraordinary service to him.  He cast his eyes downward and held back his tears.  "But... what was it...?"

"Zre.  I am going to find Zre." 

Tai's eyes widened at the name.  His name had only been mentioned in whispers around the base, due to the fact that many saw him as a traitor.  Abandoning his kin when they needed him most.  He left without a word some time ago, and never showed his face again.  Tai could not recall meeting him, he assumed that if he was here during his time that he had a room on one of the upper or lower levels.

"...You don't even know if he's alive."

"Her. I can sure as hell try to find the broad.  Rowena said that she was with the mortals... Gideon is already on the move.  My assumption is that if I can find where Gideon is leading his fleets, I can find Zre.  He knows just as well as we do that she is the key to our destruction."

" Zre is...female?" 

"Why would you assume otherwise?"

"It's just that- nothing."  In reality, Tai did not believe, as many others of his kind, that a female was capable of such great power and anguish, with the exception of Rowena.  Why the scarred boy was going through all this trouble to find a female made Tai reconsider his views on the female population of his kind...which dwindled dramatically.  "Take me with you."

The scarred boy glanced upward as if in shock, his eyes momentarily widened before he regained his composure.  "Very well."