The Belluian's Brother

[emily13]

Christ you people have been busy while I was gone! I shoulda suspected as much after transforming into a hermit. Anyway, here's a new story I got the idea for after starting Tribuoterra. It's been awhole since I've written anything, so yeah expect some craptasticness. Enjoy~

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Intro

A hundred years ago, the Freedom War was won by the humans. It had been a short war, only lasting about five years, but it drastically changed the life styles of the two races that inhabited the planet Terrunda.

Before the war, a fearsome race known as Belluians treated humans barely better than animals; keeping some as slaves, pets, or for even more sinister purposes. Belluians on average stood somewhere around one hundred feet tall in human measurements and looked like gargoyles, though they resembled humans in the face aside from their fangs, odd colored eyes, and tall pointed ears. They’re bodies were grey with varied marks, and they had claws on their hands and feet. With their feathered wings and tails thrown in, they were a terrifying race to which the humans stood no chance against.

That is, until they discovered their true potential.
Humans possessed an advanced ability to make their environment adapt for them, and as soon as they came to realize what they were capable of, they were making weapons in underground factories as they planned to fight for their freedom. All that they wanted was to free from the giants that abused them, but to live peacefully amongst each other was just a dream. They knew the hate they felt towards Belluians and the dominance Belluians felt over humans would just lead to more conflict.

At first, the humans were reluctant to revert to violence, knowing this could just add to their suffering at the hands of the giants if they failed, but since a peaceful approach had never worked, they reverted to the method that they knew would get their message across. They would prove once and for all that they could hold their own, and they were not an inferior race.

And so the war began.

The humans won easily thanks to the element of surprise; no Belluian had expected them to posses such knowledge and firepower, which is what brought along their downfall. After the last battle, a treaty was signed by both sides that stated the races would avoid each other in order to avoid future conflict. The enslavement, torture, or murder of a human by a Belluian would be punished by death.

As time went on, the feelings each race had for the other died down to wariness. Human mothers would tell their children to avoid the cold hearted giants, while Belluian mothers warned their children of the tricky little people, and so they stayed away from each other.

But then, something happened that would bring them together.

[emily13]

Chapter 1

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Blood-curdling screams and wicked cackling filled his ears. Smoke and the stench of blood invaded his nostrils. Raging fires and carnage stretched before his eyes. He ran, inhaling the ash that hung in the air. He had to make it to the woods; he would be safe there. His little wings fluttered in anxiety as he increased the distance between him and the unholy massacre going on behind him. A few more feet, and he would be safe. Those feet dwindled down to steps.

A relieved smile crept onto his lips as his little clawed hands reached up to break through the foliage. He was safe! He would make-

“NEEERRRRROOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!”

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Nero jolted up with a yelp. He quickly looked around at his surroundings to confirm he was awake. Instead of a burning village, he was met by the many trees that made up the Great Forest. With a sigh pushed his wild hair out of his face and wiped the cold sweet from his forehead. It had just been THAT nightmare again. He shook his head, trying to rid it of the lingering sound of that god-awful shriek that always brought him floundering back to reality.

With a yawn he stood and stretched, arching his back and unfurling his wings. After a few satisfying ‘pop’s he turned to his pack and dug out some dried meat and a canteen; his black-fur tipped tail swishing back and forth on the ground. A meager breakfast at best, but he could only pack food that would last for his trip. He was heading to the other side of the Great Forest, a trip that would last a month at LEAST. His feet ached at the thought of the walk before them.

For Belluians, flying over the Great Forest was the act of an insane man. The tops of the trees were covered with plants that possessed poisonous thorns that could make a simple rest a permanent one. Therefore, they had to walk through, just like humans.

After he ate his breakfast, Nero rolled up his blanket and shoved it back in his pack before securing his load to his back. He set off into the brisk morning air following the foot path that could serve as a road for human travelers and their carts. He shivered as the wind blew through the forest; his only articles of clothing being a black vest and pants. This wouldn’t be much of a problem though. His thick-padded feet were just as good as rubber soles on the rough underbrush bellow, and after a bit longer, he’d warm up from walking.

Nero was a seventeen year old Belluian with an intimidating body build. He was tall for a Belluian of his age; about 110 feet. He had a rather muscular build and his markings looked like black gashes, covering his back and tail, and then snaking up the back of his arms and neck, and down the outsides of his legs. If you took him in; claws, fangs, and the sliver studs decorating his ears included, Nero appeared to be a rather intimidating fellow, but his personality was nothing of the sort. He was a quiet boy, but was very protective and respectful of others, and never looked to start trouble with anyone.

Hours passed as Nero trekked on, the scenery of trees and such losing the appeal it had once held for him. Now every tree and rotted log looked the same as the last. His ears had once twitched with every sound made by the animals as they fled from his sight, but now they stood still and oblivious to the sounds the creatures made. That was until he heard the sound of small wagon wheels clunking over the rutted path and the whiney of a horse from behind him. His ears lowered and he quickly stepped off the trail, making room for the human travelers.

He looked down as they passed by, the horses picking up speed in fear of this huge beast before them. There was a family in the wagon; the burly father urging the horses faster with a glare up at the Belluian, and a slight mother that was holding her raven-haired daughter protectively. A small boy with the same hair as his sister was in the back with a bundle of furniture, gawking. Nero was shocked when the little boy grinned and waved at him. Trying not to show too much fang, Nero smiled back. The mother had seen this and smacked the boy on his head with a stern look.

Nero stopped where he stood and sighed. He’d feel bad for getting the kid in trouble again, so he figured he’d let them get further ahead. He sat down beside a tree and pulled out some more dried meat and his canteen. He was still smiling a bit at the thought of the friendly boy as he ate. That had been the first time a human hadn’t acted nervous or indifferent around him, not that he’d ever been around too many humans.

After he ate, Nero dozed off; the warmth of a small sunbeam that had snaked its way through the tops of the trees lulling him to sleep. Fortunately, the nightmare that had plagued him for years didn’t invade his slumber, leaving him to float in peaceful, dark, oblivion.

About an hour later he awoke, his internal clock telling him it was time to get a move on. After a yawn and a stretch, he was on his way.

As the hours went by and darkness began to fall, the memory of the family in the cart drifted to the back of his mind and was nearly forgotten; Nero never would have considered that he had witnessed part of that family’s last day together.

[Amayasama]

Gasp! How different x3 Can't wait to see what happens~

[natalie]

This sounds really really good, can hardly wait for the next chapter!! Keep up the good work!!

[JessicaTheShark]

Very good, very good!

[emily13]

Thanks for the support guys; glad to know I still have some of my skill XD Working on the next chapter as I type

[natalie]

Hi Emily,

This is a great story, I hope that you continue with it!! :>

[emily13]

I'm glad to know you're still interested in it even thoughit's been sitting stagnant for so long! an I actualy have te whole story panned out in my head, but because of school, soccer, and drivers Ed, I'm goin to be waiting for summer break before I update anything ^^;

[JessicaTheShark]

I'm waiting till summer break to finish up my story, too! I completely understand. This school year has been busy, busy, BUSY for me. I should have taken a study hall this year...I probably would have gotten more chapters written, if I did.
Anyway, I can hardly wait for your next post! I really like this story, even though it's only the beginning, lol. ;D

[natalie]

Thats okay,, I understand how busy life/school can get, there is no rush. :> hugs!!

[emily13]

This site seems to have died...so I decided not to be lazy and wrote a new chapter...and I wrote it using my tablet -___- Hope y'all like it

WARNING!!! THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SOME VIOLENCE YA HEAR?!

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Chp. 2

Nero sighed for what might have been the millionth time that evening. He had never been one to talk much, but these past few days spent alone were starting to get to him. Usually he had his friend Valis to talk his ear off while Nero just listened with little input, but Nero had chosen to take this journey alone. It was a personal one; one where he would have to face the darkest day of his life.

Just before he could sigh again, a sharp smell invaded his nostrils. His head perked up and he greedily sniffed the air, drinking in the aroma of smoke and cooking meat. He was practically drooling at the thought of freshly cooked food instead of the dried stuff he’d been eating since the beginning of his trip.

Nero couldn’t resist the temptation, and stepped off the dirt path and into the greenery, following his nose towards the smell. He prayed with every fiber of his being that he would find a friendly group of Belluians who could not only provide him with a warm meal, but good conversation and company as well.

It wasn’t long before he heard voices and laughter, but the smells and sounds weren’t fitting. The amount of smoke in the air made it obvious the fire was a big one and he could see it’s glow not too far off, but the voices were so…tiny. As he got closer he could hear shouting and hooting and hollering; and then he started hearing screaming.

Nero’s brow’s knit together in confusion as he crept closer; his steps slowing and becoming more and more cautious. It wasn’t long before he could see the small clearing where the fire was, and once he got close enough he ducked down behind a tree, crouching with one hand on the huge trunk and the other on the ground between his legs. His tail swished back and forth as his wings fluttered slightly with unease while he examined what was unfolding before his narrowed red eyes.

About five human men were moving around the fire, three of them stumbled and danced drunkenly while two headed back towards a tree on the other side of the fire, out of Nero’s line of sight. When he looked back at the fire, he noticed something odd about what was burning. It wasn’t shaped like normal wood, but he couldn’t figure out what exactly it was. A strong gust blew the smoke his way again, and since he was closer, he could identify each different scent that had mixed to make the smoky aroma. His brows pulled even tighter together.

He smelled horse meat, and paint.

Then it hit him. That thing in the fire was a wagon. Were those men really drunk enough to burn their only means of transport through the biggest forest on the planet? He Sighed and cautiously stood, turning back towards the trail. Looked like dried meat for supper. Again.

He hadn’t even walked five steps when the shots were fired.

By the time he turned, the two men that had gone behind the tree were dragging two lifeless bodies towards the fire. Nero felt numb as he watched them tossed in unceremoniously.

“Dear God…” he whispered. He had just witnessed a murder. He felt he should do something…. but what? The drunken men’s next actions would decide for him.

One of the men who had been dancing around the fire stopped and watched as the flames ate away at the bodies, taking a long sip from his flask before turning to the tree where the couple had been kept. “What about them little ones?”

Nero stopped breathing.

“We’ll keep them alive for now,” grunted a husky man with a bushy black beard as he got up and grabbed the twin children from behind the tree, dragging them into the orange light. He used a fat, dirty finger to stroke the girl’s cheek. “They can join their parents once we’ve had our fun.”

Nero let out a low growl as all the men laughed and the children began crying harder. He recognized them from the wagon that had passed him that morning. A deep hatred bubbled up in his chest as his eyes narrowed and he bared his fearsome teeth. His claws dug deep into the tree before he stood and took two thundering steps into the clearing. He glared down at the tiny men he towered over and lowered onto all fours before letting out another rumbling growl, watching them scatter.

Deep in his mind, he found it funny that they thought they had a chance.

[JessicaTheShark]

Noooo! Not the parents! T_T
Great chapter!

[emily13]

You know I felt extremely guilty when I wrote that...;^;

Thanks!! ^^

[Amayasama]

;^; Oh noes...their family...>> Although I gotta say I'm excited for the kids XD The boy will probably be excited while the little girl is a nervous mess

[emily13]

It'll probably take awhile before the boy warms up to him....but yeah that's pretty much how it will work...that is until she comes out of her shell! x3 poor Nero doesn't know what he's getting himself into with these two! XD