A Zusi's Path

Chapter 17: A Corrupt Mind

The sun starting to go down, and clouds form in the sky. The final snowstorm of the season has finally arrived. Re3x0 gets into his home just as the storm hits. His sweatshirt was soaked with melted snowflakes, and his fur damp from from the moisture outside.

Shivering, and shaking his fur out. Going into the main den area he picked up a lighter and lit the torch for some low light inside of the house. Once the torches were lit in the house, for light and warmth, Re3x0 went to down the hall into his room.

Taking off the clothes he was wearing and exchanged them for a black sleeveless shirt, and some black shorts for sleeping in. Just as he was about to get into his sleeping quarters, he heard the entrance to the house open and then close as someone entered.

Getting back to his feet, he went to poke his head out the entrance of his room. He heard E4r1c coming out of his room and went into the main den area. Now standing out of his room he found that D6a50 had come back home.

The older Zusi seemed exhausted, his green eyes dull, fur ruffled up from the snowy winds, and his tail drooped. The scars on his muzzle were a deep purple color from the cold weather, and his silver tag had frost all around it.

"Dad." It was E4r1c who spoke up first, and walked closer to his father. "Why did you come home in this kind of weather? I am sure in the morning the storm would have stopped." He questioned D6a50's motives for venturing out.

"I was ready to come home, I couldn't stand being away from the home any longer." Was the only words that D6a50 used to explain his actions. Taking off his coat, revealing a new wound that had been inflicted onto his side. It was wrapped firmly in bandages and was healing, he had gone to the Uphire to tend to his wounds.

"Dad? Why did you come home? I thought you were going to be gone until the end of Spring?" It was E4r1c who again broke the silence, seeing the injury on their father's side.

"Just a flesh wound, a peace patrol went wrong and the Peacekeepers needed backup. When my crew got there, it was too late. The Youke's sent in an ambush waiting for us, we were unprepared and we lost some lives. We had to retreat and they stole the supplies we were transferring to the Slives." D6a50 explained, then growing silent.

"Dad.. I am sorr-" E4r1c started to apologize when his brother interrupted him.

"Those Scat brained Youkes!" Re3x0 growled. "Why isn't the capital doing anything against this attack?!" He seemed very shocked to see that it seemed the Capital wasn't doing anything.

"You are not in any point to question the Capital, they don't want a war with the Youke Tribe. Unless you are destined to be a Warrior you cannot question them." D6a50 spoke firmly, and his green eyes narrowed on his younger son.

"I haven't been told what I am Role I am supposed to follow, I could be a Warrior! We don't know yet" Re3x0 butted in again, determined to do something against the other Tribe.

"Perhaps.. But that is a one in six chance. Most likely you are to be a Merchant of Collector." This time E4r1c spoke up to Re3x0. "I thought I would be a Warrior because dad is such a respectable one, but I was given the task of Peacekeeper."

Re3x0 felt his fur prickle at this news, looking at his brother in surprise, "When did you figure that out?" He asked, trying to hide the anger in his tone. My brother, now one of the things that have gotten me into this mess. Maybe I can use that to my advantage..

"I found out a few weeks ago. I wasn't going to start my training until dad got back." E4r1c admitted, looking to see his father's expression.

"I am glad you said that, if you had been in the patrol as a Peacekeeper.. I don't know what I would have done." D6a50's voice began to quiver before squeezing his eye shut, and clenching his teeth to try and block out the memory of the last battle.

"Tomorrow, Re3x0. I will take you to the Sancionist sector of the Capital and we will see what role you are to be assigned to." D6a50 spoke up after many moments of silence.

Opening his mouth to add something else to the conversation, but E4r1c gave his father a glance and then to Re3x0.

"Alright, Re3x0, you should be getting ready for bed. Tomorrow at dawn you and I will head out to find your Role." D6a50 said, noticing E4r1c's efforts to speak with him alone.

Rolling his eyes in annoyance, he obliged. Turning tail and started to walk back to him room. On his way out, he could hear the mumbling words of Er41c and D6a50 talking to one another.

Now Re3x0 was back in his room, he quickly crawled back into bed and covered himself up. Warming up and he felt his thoughts going wild.

'Becoming a Warrior. That would really show them. The training they use! I would easily become more powerful than even Di3m8!' The dark furred Zusi paused his thoughts. Something about black and white, heterochromatic Zusi seemed to cause Re3x0 to ponder.

'Wait. I remember hearing about Di3m8 being a fierce fighter. Was he once a Warrior? His tag isn't silver like dads.' Re3x0 continued to think, he had never seen the larger Zusi in the clear of daylight. Only in the shadows of the Kione, or the dark of night.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of his mind racing. Re3x0 had the embrace of sleep take over his mind.

"Re3x0. Son. Son." A soft voice was sounding next to the sleeping Zusi. A gentle prodding finally awoken Re3x0 from his slumber. Opening his eyes, he could see faint in the very low light coming from the sunrise outside.

D6a50 was standing over the resting Re3x0, "Get up and get dressed. We will be leaving shortly." He seemed to have a sense of urgency in his voice.

Extremely confused, he sat up and gave a yawn. Stretching his limbs out before he remember what he was getting up early for. "Right, has the storm stopped?" Re3x0 asked, trying to look out of his window.

"Yes. It stopped sometime during the night. Once the sun rises fully the snow should start to melt. So by the time we are heading back home it should be a lot warmer outside." D6a50 said, his voice holding an unreadable expression and his green gaze did nothing to help figure out the expression in his voice.

"Wouldn't it be amazing training with you! I look just like you, they have to let me become a Warrior!" Re3x0 immediately sprang up out of his bed. His fur messy from the way he slept.

Getting nothing but a chuckle of amusement out of his father, "Don't get your hopes up son. I would very much enjoy watching you follow the same path as I did, but I will help support you whatever you are chosen to do." D6a50 purred with praise, and used a paw to ruffle the fur on Re3x0's head even more. "Quickly get ready, I will be waiting in the den." He said before standing up and began to walk towards the exit of the room.

I better be a Warrior. A Peacekeeper also! I could get away with anything and constantly pardon myself! He also realized another alternative, quickly dashing through the room and picking up his black sweatshirt coat, and beige pleated pants. Using a quick lick on his paw, he began to fix his fur up along his head and face.