Those who heard the tales of his beginning have never lived to ever say a word of it to any other being alive, they were cursed to the darkest pits of hell where fire and brimstone was raw enough to burn their very souls. As for him, he sought out to change the world, to mold it into a place he could be at peace, but peace was not easily gained, men are monsters, mystical beings are terrors and they all wanted him to fall, but there is a reason why The Stag has it's crown, why it is the very representation of nature, back in the old world they believed he was a myth until he wasn't. In the new world he sought to change, he was easy pickings for greedy enough men, because they had forgotten what he was, malice, serenity, death, life, he is and always will be sentient chaos, the very celestial representation of it, and they should fear him for he could bring the world of men and gods to their knees in blood if he so wished, for he is owed blood.

the forgotten tales of the west ~ Derie the pilgrim sun.

The Stag.
Brewing Chaos.

Sometime Past.

"Kybern is causing trouble for Dorren, it seems he's still scheming, I don't know what his aim is but I have a feeling it's not good, we need to be ready, so I was thinking we need to cancel Cagli's suspension from the stag, he'll be more of use if he's in my good graces, I haven't heard from Dunkan Blanc lately, I have a feeling something isn't right, he never misses an opportunity to annoy Cagli but this time he never took the opportunity, which is something off, we need to get information on him, see what he's up to."

As they were in the car ride home, Lael knew something wasn't right. "On second thought don't send anyone, I believe I need to find him myself." Lael told Rod who nodded as he drove on toward home but Lael was gone, as if he weren't even in the car.

Lael appeared on the south side of the city, in a vast expanse of forest, Orris city was large, large than most cities in the country, what made it stand out was how it had been divided, four parts that were largely different from each other but still the same, the south was ruled by Dunkan Blanc, an alpha who came from the very pack Kolby came from, he himself had been shunned by the pack for his different nature, he wasn't a hybrid but something more, something the pack couldn't allow to live so before they killed him, he escaped, the clutches of his own family to think, they were hypocrites.

Lael saw Dunkan struggle in the beginning, nursed him, nurtured him, he was one of the very few men in Lael's life who had refused the contract and loved him, not as a father no— but a much more intimate love, Lael never got around to accepting because Rod needed him, the Westend needed him, and Cagliro Mencini also made his claim known complicating everything. Lael was getting way too lost in thought here, he knew he needed a move on so his feet took him off the ground and he shot straight for the sky, from above he was overtaken by horror.

The pack was ablaze, most if not all the largest infrastructure was in flames, screams and death sung in the air, then blood, raw blood spilt everywhere, Lael didn't want to but the very fibre of his being was called to this death, to this very chaos and it fed, he did not interfere but merely watched, he never interfered unless called to, so he watched, the man who had love for him kill and massacre his own, are masterful art as blood and fire drenched the ground, mass genocide never failed to surprise Lael, he'd experienced plenty of it but it never got boring.

On  the ground Dunkan Blanc dragged a blade on the concrete, it sparked little embers as the blood that fed it only made the steel sharper, it was a gift from his beloved, one he knew he would use at some point. He dragged it to the packhouse, past the broken double doors, past the body strewn lower halls, until he got to the safe room, he knew they were in there, cowering like idiots amidst war, so much for being alpha, with a swift swing he sliced open the metallic doors, no bone or metal on earth could not be cut by his blade, it's what made it special.

The two halves made rather a hard thump on the ground as they revealed iron wrought bars and beyond them his family, what it was anyway in the beginning, his mother gasped at the sight of him, his father cowered, his brother pathetic as always wanted to seem brave but his eyes pierced right through him and all his fear was laid bear. "Son, what is this?" His father demanded with a quiver, the shaken sight of betrayal in his eyes as someone came up behind Dunkan. "Sora, what have you done?" The former alpha demanded again as Dunkan just chuckled and swung his blade cutting the bars and creating an opening he was sure was enough for him to fit through.

"I told you once, I would return, set this pack on fire, burn it to the ground then rebuild it in glory." He rasped out, his voice was never the same even if his throat had been healed, and his mistress had tried everything. "So this is what you meant, killing our people, burning the pack?" His brother growled in response as Dunkan cut his eyes onto him. "Those who refused the way yes, I bathed and drank their blood, they had no worth." He replied as all the eyes in the room widened in fear. "The old must give way to the new, you refused the new order that I gave you and chose oppression instead of triumph, respect and power, so I did what my forced hand could do, I razed the pack and killed anyone who I knew stood with you." Dunkan added as he looked at the terrified sight of his parents, his sibling, and the other people in the room he knew were loyal to his father and his ways.

"You won't get away with this." One called out and a snicker came from behind Dunkan. "And who will stop me, you, —will you stand in my way with your false bravery, will you avenge the dead or will you cower and lie to save yourself." Dunkan replied as in an instant he had attacked the group of supporters his father had chosen to save, heads rolled and guts were spilled without mercy and when the deed was done, realization set in. "You are like a plague, you need to be rooted out, and destroyed, thankfully I am here to do so." Dunkan whispered as he moved in the shadows then caressed his mother's cheek. "Please, Dunkan, —my child." She begged but he had no mercy for her, mercy was for the deserving.

"It's because you're my mother, that I'm killing you." He whispered as he swung his blade. "No!" His father screamed as he tried to push his mate away but it was too late, Dunkan had already severed her head off, as for his father, he was partially shifting as he lunged for Dunkan but he was too slow and so he was slayed immediately. "Father!" His brother screamed, as he crawled to what was their father, now he was only pieces. "In a different time, I would've asked for your loyalty." Dunkan mused as he looked down on his sibling. "And now what's changed?" Lael finally appeared, the very image of him dazzling and enchanting, even with all the blood and guts spilt in the room Dunkan could only smell him. "My mistress, —have you come to stop me?" He finally questioned as his scrutiny of the man he was darkly devoted to ended.

"No, —I never interfere, and anyways you're saving Sal a lot of work, he wanted to kill the boy already." The mistress replied as a smile broke out on Dunkan's face. "Well, shall I finish then?" He asked and Lael nodded. "I don't want his loyalty, he's like a cockroach, you'd think you were rid of him but surprise surprise he appears, he has no spine, no respect and no will, he's just a boy with brains in his cock, so I'd rather—." Dunkan was quick in his strike as only Lael was the one who saw him even move to behead his brother. "—his head roll." Dunkan finished as he looked to the mistress, beautiful and radiant as he sat in the air.

"The classification system that ruled this pack sought to empower those in positions of power, not the pack, I seek to change that, with only an alpha and his luna at the helm, do you disprove love?" Dunkan stated as Lael  smiled and ever so slowly floated down to where Dunkan was, even drenched in blood Lael still could look at him with nothing other than love. "I don't disapprove, and don't worry no one will know I'll make sure of it, I have a feeling this new Don wants more than just what he has gotten, strengthen your men, rebuild and be ready to defend your land." Lael spoke softly yet his words resonated in Dunkan's soul, each and every one, a good king listened to his queen, a good boy listened to his mistress. "Yes Lael." Dunkan breathed out as Lael ever so gently pressed their lips together, Dunkan took control as it was given and dominated every part of Lael, taking in the sweetness of his tatse as if it were the oasis of life itself.

When they parted breathing heavily Lael smirked. "You've been waiting a while to show off huh." He mused as Dunkan slightly looked down at Lael with a chuckle escaping his lips. "Only for you love." He confessed as Lael smiled in return. "I have to get back, be safe." Lael exclaimed as Dunkan nodded, before Lael vanished he grabbed his body, flush against his and kissed him, it was like breathing crisp minty air, he was addicted to it. "You aswell mistress." He mumbled before releasing Lael who caressed his cheek then vanished. This was all for his people, and for his mistress, he would burn the world down if it meant his mistress and his people were safe, even tolerate the other bastard, only for him.

"Sora, we must get a move on, I need this place fortified, beyond recognition." He ordered as he got to work. Lael who had been watching from above the building smiled, maybe —just maybe, there was hope yet for his boy.

Present Time.
Mercia Family except Monica.

"So do we have to worry about Dunkan?" Sal questioned as Lael waved him off. "Dunkan is fine, he's a grown man completely capable of taking care of himself, as for you Kolby, this is the west side memorial park, after that are the straits, if you're looking for the best material to sow a blanket, that's where you'll fimd some." Lael replied Sal as he also motioned to Kolby as they ran, Lael decided it was good to bond with daily family runs whenever they could, so here they were, running across the eastern side of WestEnd whilst giving a heavily heaving Kolby a tour.

"Can we stop —now, Goddess—" He dragged in air. "I'm feeling so tired, I feel like my lungs are on fire." He whined as Lael who had actually been leading the family slowed down and stopped, his hair in a flirty pony tail fluttering to the side since he decided to let it grow out down to his waist. "Okay, you need more exercise, look at the others, they are barely heaving." Lael chided as Sal snickered. "Yeah, that's because he's a vampire, Dan is a fae, he lives for this and Rod well, look at him, he could bench press a train and not feel anything, plus I'm pretty sure your body is beyond resilient with this, and for Goddess sake, —we've run about forty — forty five miles, why in the wolrd does the WestEnd not End." He whined even more as they all broke out laughing.

"Oh come on little one it's not that bad, your metabolism is pretty great now, you're gaining meat on your bones and you look fantastic, not to mention you're doing great at school, you're okay." Sal soothed Kolby who hugged the boy then ruffled his messy yet sweet curls. "Don't worry, you'll be used to it soon and anyway you should probably start learning city history from Monica, that way you'll know what to do if you end up in any other territories because school has field trips, so you need to know who is who and how to contact them if you're lost or in trouble, as for your whiney compliment on the WestEnd stretching on forever, it's actually not, —but think of Orris city, then WestEnd as a small city within it, the west is the biggest territory, that's because it's neutral ground, governed under some nice people, so most people nomatter who they are flock to this side causing the territory and city to expand, real estate here is ridiculous but the WestEnd is the most essential part of Orris city, —without it and the great people, the city wouldn't be what it is, it's why the council will do anything to make sure no one bothers us." Lael explained as they were all now leisurely walking in the park.

"Which makes Kybern's threat over WestEnd more serious." Dan stated as Lael and the others nodded. "I understand, and I think I'll try learn as much as I can, to avoid anything bad." Kolby muttered feeling small in the grand scale that had been explained to him, he thought the city was a place of opportunity and greatness, now he was realizing there was something bigger than himself or the city, the power plays the schemes, it wasn't what he thought it would be, —but with family like this, he'd find himself. He just knew it. As those thoughts found a place in Kolby's heart the world suddenly spun and he found himself by the docks, though different from his nightmares.

It was much cleaner and the overwatch had rails to keep anyone from falling over into the water, it didn't stop his erratic beating heart or the fear that overcame him. "Calm your heart, you must learn the lesson, like all my children." Lael spoke, his tone was different, it still had warmth but an edge, he wouldn't defy him now. "I know you have nightmares linked to this, what is it that you fear?" He asked leaving no room to stutter. "Drowning." Kolby whimpered and Lael snapped his fingers, suddenly both he and Lael were underwater, Kolby screamed and gagged, the very air he clung to escaping his lips as the anchor to his legs held him down. "Accept the water." He heard the voice gentle in his head. "Look at me— Look at me." He heard Lael demand but he kept thrashing for air.

"Look at me, accept the water." Lael growled as his palm was placed on Kolby's torso shocking him with sheer force into stillness.

"Fear is the mind killer, it creeps into your heart and cripples it, wriggles into your mind like a parasite and leaves you unable to fight or have will.
Fear is an affliction, it stains and corrupts your soul like a plague and renders you powerless to death.
Fear is death, accept death and render fear powerless.
You are not fear, look into the eyes of fear and triumph, you are not rendered powerless by fear if there is no fear.
So fear nothing and you will survive."

Lael recited those words for Kolby as he sunk to the bottom of the water. "Repeat after me." He spoke again.

"I always hate this part." Sal mumbled as he stood next to Rod, they watched as Kolby thrashed and gagged, begged for air. "To become what we are now it is the lessons he's instilled in us, we are not ruled by fear, we triumph over it." Dan asserted as he looked to the water as Kolby and Lael both rose to the top. "You are not rendered powerless by fear, if there is nothing to fear, so fear nothing and you will—." Kolby choked out as he spat out the sea water. "Survive." He finished for himself as he clamoured onto the deck boards, something was different about him and as they all stood around him he realized it.  "That was your first lesson, remind yourself each day because it is instilled in you now, until you realize that you've conquered your fear." Lael told Kobly who nodded as he shivered.

"Come little one, let's get you home." Sal stated as Lael snapped his fingers and they were dry. "Wanna race there?" Dan suggested. "Nope, I'm getting a piggy back ride." Lael replied as Rod had just scooped him up, he had maneuvered to the giant's back pretty easily. "That time of the month already, again?" Sal exclaimed as Lael nodded. "Come on big guy, get me home, we might even cuddle." Lael told Rod who took off right then weaving through the streets and people like a blur. "Uhm, what just happened, why did Rod suddenly do that?" Kolby asked as Sal took him onto his back. "He's going through his monthly rut, you see Rod isn't a normal shifter, he's an ancient one, so he tends to go on ruts more often, we all do what we can to ease the process but sometimes it's up to Lael to help him, Lael's scent is something familiar, his beast responds well to it." Dan explained as they too took off in a blur of speed, Sal was the one running as now Dan was not visible to anyone around them just the two of them, flying above them.

"So are they gonna?" Kolby couldn't help ask. "It's better we don't know, Rod and Lael have been together since the stag opened and that's been a lot of decades, so when it comes to that topic, we don't ask, we respect them, no matter how close we are, we honor whatever it is that keeps them together not to ask." Sal was the one who replied as Kolby nodded, mum Lael and Rod were an unusual pair but he truly understood what Sal meant, already so many boundaries were broken when they let them into their lives, but this was something they just didn't cross, he liked it like that too, so he let his mind wander to his first lesson as Sal took him home, at superspeed, how absolutely wonderful that thought was.

Ventura Manor.
Solis Maverick.

"You're telling me the same boy you humiliated in front of a lot of important people, harassed and beat up because of a false accusation, is now the man you need to fight a case, that's directly linked to the man who falsely accused him the first time, fate truly does wonders in the world, I'm assuming he didn't give a shit about anything you said." Solis muttered and the three men with him in the room all nodded. "This is my fault, I should have told him sooner." Klaus began but Sinan comforted him, his guilt over the matter was already crippling. "We can find someone else to represent Cam, then deal with Dan." Paul suggested but Solis found it humorous, his suggestion was sweet at best.

"Sydney has Kybern's support, your brother and his reckless behavior has now landed him in trouble none of us can deal with currently because Kybern is planning something with a few influential men in the city, if he gets enough backing Sydney and his son wont just be coming for Cam, they will be coming for all of us, he will give us two options, support him or die, I don't favour either but I do want to see you three and my legacy continued, meaning we need allies, strong allies with enough political sway in Orris." Solis stated as Paul and his lovers wondered what his father meant to do. "You mean to seek Mencini's help?" Sinan questioned. "Yes, right now Mencini would be able to help us, I am unsure about whether Dunkan will help, but if he can be swayed in the line of defiance toward Kybern, he might help." Paul explained as the three nodded.

They were all on guard as the office door opened to reveal Malcolm Fesher, son of Sydney Fesher. "What do you want here Malcolm?" Sinan was the to question holding a gun aimed at Malcolm's head. "Nice to see you too Sinan but I came here with a proposal that I'm sure you'll love to hear." Malcolm boasted as he looked at Solis. "Go on." The older gentleman replied as the door behind Malcolm closed. "My father and I are willing to drop the charges on your brother —." He began but Paul stopped him with a hiss. "Why?" He demanded. "Let me finish, it's come to our attention that Kybern intends on invading neutral territory, and like you a hefty amount of income into our families comes from the west, if he were to invade and win, he'd be able to monopolize power and economy there, and that we can't allow, so in exchange for your brother, my father wants you as our ally and also as a means to communicate with the west, the Mercia probably know that my father is dealing with Kybern so I'm sure he won't be accepting anything you say, but a different party could approach on our behalf." Malcolm explained with a smug grin on his almost full lips.

"An appetising proposal, but we have the same predicament, it seems all of you fucked up with a certain Mercia who is now currently a very powerful and prominent being, he alone stands in the way of getting to the Mercia, and I'm sure his father wont be kind to you, so there in lies the burden." Solis explained as all four men scowled. "Shit." Malcolm mumbled as Solis just laid back on his chair, karma indeed was a bitch.

+++

What will they do now, I wonder.

I am Saint Jay.