Aros bit his lip as he tried to steal his nerves, holding onto himself as he closed himself in. His breath ragged as droplets of tears fell down his face. He had a cut lip and a black eye but nothing he has not had before. He was always getting into fights, one way or another. He did not look for fights. Really he did not. But he was pulled into them somehow. Sometimes it was to defend another person from being harassed who never thanked him. Other times it was because someone dissed his mother or sister and he just snapped. He refused to let them hurt his family, even if there were idle threats. Those two were the most important people in his life and he will be damned if someone tried to disgrace the memory of his mother. To hell with them all. Still, that was not why he got into a fight this time. He was forced into it. Aros was never well liked in the village, he was slow on the uptake sometimes and was quick to anger. He only stayed close to his mother and sister at all times and did not believe in giving respect when it was not earned. He was bullied a lot for it, and for being a son of a bastard in school. The academy was even worse. So much for comradery and teamwork. Those kids in there were being trained to be wolves but not in a pack sense. If they smelled blood, they drove right to it. Heck Aros was kind of glad when they kicked him out of the academy, and made him leave the program. At least that's what he told himself. His sister did not leave with him. Why would she? She was smart, talented and beautiful. She looked like their mother and even had her kkg. Him? He died his hair white so he would not look like his father and failed at most things. He reminded everyone he was a bastard child, not his sister. He did not deserve to live. He was pathetic...

353~

Ares sighed to herself as she finished the last one off. She thought she made it clear not to go after her brother but they just would not stop. Whatever, she took care of them anyway with Orion's help. Bless the fool. She liked him well enough to allow him to stay by her brother but she also did not like how close her was to Aros. Aros was hers and hers alone. They would stay together forever, leave this damn village, start a family in the middle of nowhere and be happy ever after. She has been grooming her brother to depend on her and look at her almost like a savior. Her precious darling brother was pure and should not be tainted. Orion was pretty much the opposite of all of that. Tall, sturdy, cunning like a snake. He was tainted and impure with his vices and how he loved them. Ares admired his intelligence and loyalty, especially after he saved Aros more than once from his pursuer and only wanted to be his friend. Ares took to him quickly and they act as if they were attached at the hip. She liked him but not enough to share Aros. She very well that he could not be trusted or so the voices in her head said. Regardless, now that the filth was taken care of, Ares went searching for her brother. She searched high and low, getting information from passerby, greeting a few, ignoring those whose eyes lingered and kept vigil. Someone on the side of the street mentioned the white hair brat near the forge and she had an inkling it was her brother. It did not take her long to find him though before she reached him, some unknown boy was near him....

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In the midst of theatrical melancholy, Aros was not so keen on their surroundings, allowing a snake to slither into the grass. This sinful being uttered venomous work that struck them to the core. They were perfectly able to continue living in their crestfallen stature, allowing dark ominous thoughts to cloud their minds, darkening their soul but to be challenge by such a fool who did not know him? Ridiculous! This is a pathetic sight....who Aros was weak yes, maybe weaker than average but they made it up in heart and fortitude. They were human like any other and stumbled from time to time.How dare he judge me? I weep because I know I am weak but it is not something he should comment on. What does he know of my pain? Of my struggle? He is nobody and angers me! Their tears ceased their production, leaving only a thin salty trail down his cheeks. His pitiful eyes shown with a heinous fury, as if a forge live not around him, but inside his heart. Gone was the weakening lad but replaced by a force of nature. His voice was hard, and despite his small stature it did not hinder him in his intimidation for he seemed larger than he really was by how he carried himself."Silence! How dare you judge me? You do not know of my strife or circumstance. What happens here is none of your concern so crawl back into the pit you came out of scoundrel!"

The thin black cloth around his eyes did little to hide his inner pain for it were coming undone, but it saved him some honor for his bloodshot eyes were not to show except for the blackness peeking through on one of them. Dark circles formed around the glistening orbs far too soon to be healthy but it did not deter him. He did not care about his appearance but his pride. How dare this...this fool challenge him. Come he shall take on any who wish to dance with his blade and sate its lust for blood. The scoundrel hid himself under a purple cloak which covered both of his arms and the clothes beneath it. Aros was only able to catch a glimpse of the black leg wear and black boots that popped out just from underneath it. Unlike his dyed snowy short white hair, his was long, wild and untamed was a black as a void, just like his words appeared to be. This who dared confront him in his worst arrow. A man looking more like a thief, killer, disgrace more than those he usually sees. This man saw Aros at the worst, so they did not know better. So what. It did not excuse his actions."I am far from strong. I know that much. But I am not weak. My slip up there is my own consequence but I shall not be judge by some random heathen."

"Try! Try to humiliate me further! Your words only incite a burning fire inside my being. I will scorch those who scorn me and walk over their ashes. Be it you or any other, I shall not fall to your whimsy. Do hecklers such as yourself not know their place is at the tavern. Make merry there for you will find more of your kind. Wastrels and lollygagers."

917~

"Aros!" She finally reached him by the forge. By now, the sky had darkened and the sun was practically gone, shadowed by the clouds, whispers of a brewing storm. The air was also slightly crisp but it took a sudden chill as the wind turned from light breeze to a powerful wind. How strange it was, nature that is. It could be peaceful, saintly, lovely one moment then a torrent of unavoidable unstoppable destruction, tearing through anything in its pasts of all its creations, man, beast, machine. Her brother was a similar way and she had to guess that he got it from there father. It was endearing and worrying sometimes.

"Oh no, what happened to you? Who hurt you? Was it those bullies again? I can not believe they would keep doing this even after they graduated"

"Aros....you can never stay down could you. Calm down, whatever it is, it is not worth getting so worked up over. We should be taking you home and getting you patched up"

"Still that begs the question, who are you and what do you want with my brother? I do not recognize you from the academy or anywhere really? Are you a foreigner? My name is Ares Noldress and this is my brother Aros Noldress. I do hope there is a problem here?"

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