Vander leaned on the railing of the airship, looking down over the countryside, more than a little unsure about his decisions.
Like Zen, when he'd gotten the offer he'd been stunned, but also...utterly enticed. Zens magic showed up, was at least MENTIONED here and there in texts. The Academe actually had rudimentary knowledge on it so when he'd come home, they had at least known a tiny bit of what to expect and how he should start training.
Vander...he'd learned everything he knew the extreme hard way. Suffering the endless assaults of the creatures and beings that lived in the voids, that called the deepest shadows home. Even learning to form his shadows, make weapons, metals, fabrics, armor and leather, all of it had come...with prices. He'd cut off his own finger tips once, severed his left arm, nearly removed a leg...thank the Gods he'd had two healers for siblings or he'd have been a cripple by the time he was 12.
Cristoff kneeling over him, crying with him, covered in his blood as he'd reattached his arm before carrying him to Nurem..who had been able to fully restore him...had made Cristoff, who was still intermittently crying because his younger brother was so upset and his empathic abilities were still developing so he felt it all and shared it all, Cristoff had spent hours under his mothers cool silver gaze learning how to do it.
If their father knew that one of the reasons Cristoff was so incredibly adept at battle healing, swift recovery work for brutal injuries, wa because of mistakes Vander had made while trying to master his magic...that Cristoff had healed and kept secret…
Xally too had...learned, when Vander had taken on a shade that was being nastier than most and it had started draining him as he fought it, unable to keep it in the voids he'd fallen into his bedroom in his home and had panicked, attacking it with all he was so it wouldn't kill any of his family.
Xally had heard the struggle though the shade had dampened the sounds...she'd broken into the room to find Vander near death, the shade trying to push into his body completely and she'd restored him, pushed fluids into him, gotten his blood moving again when it had started to dry into a paste in his veins and he'd killed it because she'd kept him going and she'd collapsed...the two of them holding each other and crying...Vander all of 10 and Xally only a few months older.
That was just how he'd been, every day a struggle some worse than others, some almost too much to bear but his family...they were always there. He was stable now, anchored like he should have been. He'd bet a lot had he gone through with his rites earlier he'd have struggled less with his magic, the bonds with his serpents keeping him from suffering so damned much. It didn't matter now, he hadn't, but it still shocked him...Stella had knowledge...the High Priest of Set...he knew about Vanders magic like he knew about Zens.
How long? He wanted to know. Wanted to know why Xiao had waited until now with this invitation, why not sooner? Why not before he'd gone through some of the shit he'd gone through? If the asshole could have helped, just wanted to "Please his God" why the fuck not sooner than now?
He narrowed his eyes, feeling comfort flow through him and he sighed, letting it in because he needed it.
"Jewel for your thoughts? Ten if you let me cuddle one of the beauties?" Came a soft voice and he looked over his shoulder smiling faintly as Cida came up alongside him. He'd asked, the King of Seven had made some calls, and Hishiko herself had added an invitation to Cida to accompany the brothers for their visit to Stella.
"What if I want the cuddles myself?" He wagged his eyebrows and Cida rolled her eyes.
"Your hands wander too much and putting you on the floor upsets the darlings." She replied and Vander shrugged.
"I don't mind it rough."
"Told ya, my brand of rough wouldn't leave much of you to enjoy the finish, thoughts and beauties?" She prompted and Vander sighed, tugging at both and smiling when Meala wrapped around him instead of Cida...though Searsha wound around the woman and cuddled in against her neck.
"Just thinking about how tough learning my magic has been, this asswipe knows all he says he does? I'm wanting to know why he kept quiet this long." He said.
"Does it matter? People in powerful positions, they work their own timing oui? There's always things happenin behind de scenes…" Cida said waving her hand. Nuryev would have been down in the pens getting her back on track long before he had, but he'd simply not known and then when he had? He'd come storming down there, but not all people in positions like that could do what he did. She was betting this Xiao had to manage his timing carefully, all the things that Stella seemed to have their fingers in…
"Bloodhunter...I was one of the people who gathered info and removed obstacles for those people in power, I get that, but if he sat on this for years? I want to know why." Vander returned, scowling.
Cida slid a hand up his arm, fingers tracing the tattoo of a serpent there...she deeply loved the artwork on his body...were it not for the beast under her skin that might harm him? She'd have long since taken one of his invitations into his bed if only to run her tongue and teeth over the beautiful images in his skin.
He was so very her type of man too, vibrant, with a sharp edge to him, one of the most dashing things she'd ever seen too, made her human side swoon with those deep dark red eyes and plump lower lip, lithe well cut body that she had seen every inch of at this point and no complaints.
It actually hurt thinking about it much. Were she like she was before Seven had her? Vander Pradesh was the sort of man she'd dreamed of, wild, dangerous, funloving with a never ending sense of humor, and lusty, the man just dripped sex appeal, she'd noticed...she hid it...but Gods had she noticed. If she gave off though, how attracted she was to him? She didn't need the headache, or the heartache, after just over a couple weeks now with him? She'd about die before she hurt him, watching him go through all she had already.
Vander had given her even more than White Sea...he'd accepted her as is, talked with her plain and easy, joked and teased like she was just a normal woman...not some half monster and he did that even knowing what she was because...she'd told him.
Sitting in the livingroom of that little house on the island, she'd just...let it all out all over him while she'd laid on the couch stroking Searshas smooth sides, somehow ended up laying against Vanders side, his arm around her and she'd even fucking cried a little.
She blamed Nuryev...she'd cried all over that man, and...at the end of hard day, always found a way into his bedroom so she could curl up with another person, someone she trusted, lay her head on his stomach and just...be.
She'd been horrified the first time she'd woken up curled up in Vanders bed on top of the man, arms wrapped around him, head on his belly, but his long fingers had stroked through her hair when she'd tensed.
"It's all good Kitten, nothing happened, not sure why you came in here but it's fine…" He'd said and she'd felt Searsha come out and slide against her side and she'd fallen back asleep.
Now? She rarely woke in her own bed...far preferring using Vander for a pillow and cuddling with the serpents...she felt...safe...didn't have nightmares when she was cuddled up against the shadowquip, and Vander...didn't seem to mind.
His family's reactions were priceless too.
"Saw you had Cida in your bed this morning...so…" Arman had smirked and Vander had shrugged shoving some cinnamon roll in his mouth.
"She usually sleeps on me Dad, nothing happens, no sex, just...I'm a body pillow, Searsha likes her. She's on my team now." Vander said, pouring himself some juice while his fathers mouth hung open.
Armans jade eyes met Cidas and she'd smiled sheepishly.
"I like to cuddle...makes it easier fer me ta sleep yeah? The beauties are nicer body pillows than Van though." She said. Vander raised a brow.
"That so? Then stay in your own bed, I'm not stoppin em from going to you." He said and she glared at him.
"You got no spines or horns...I can lay on you, shut up and accept your role." She snapped, stealing a cinnamon roll off his plate and then cackling when he lunged and diving from the table with him chasing her.
She felt comfortable, safe...and she rather liked Presca too, he had a calm way about him, a gentle strength. Not her type, too tame, but still...if he had kept up with Vander this long she had no doubts about the man.
Vanders eyes had closed as she trailed her fingertips over his bare arm, Searsha curled around her and Meala surprised her by nudging her hand off of Van before curling around him protectively. She'd never done that before.
"You make me feel things I shouldn't when you touch me Cida…" Vander chuckled, rubbing Mealas side, his smile was a little strained but his tone was light.
"Unless I can touch back…" He purred and she rolled her eyes, stepping out of range.
"Jus sayin you should hear him out oui? Before you fly in his face for answers, he tried to hide shit? Yer brother will know then? Then I'll fuckin help you get yer answers." She smirked and Vander smiled again.
"There's my kitten with her pretty claws. Ok...I'll be good...until he tries to hide something…" Vander grinned and Cida nodded, both mages looking out over the steadily changing countryside beneath the airship.
Stella had two skyports, both centered in market areas relatively far from the temple of Set they were heading to.
Zen joined them on the deck as the Saberfox flew in and started docking. Taking Farrons ship had been the best idea, Arman still had King Nuryev to take back to Seven and Farron had been asked to oversee formal contracts concerning both Zen and Vanders stays in Stella, Arman was taking no chances with the history Hestor had, even though he himself had been to Stella many times, knew Hoshiko too well, and her children and didn't think the family would do anything sinister.
After losing Zen once though? He was taking no chances. So, the Saberfox would stay docked in Stella for the duration of the first month, Farron would be leaving aboard a cargo cruiser in a week, he had eyed his brothers sharply too.
"Take care of my ship, I worked my ASS off to earn having it appointed to me by the government, you mess it up and I'll have you personally repairing every inch of it." He'd growled and both Vander and Zen had swallowed and nodded.
Farron was always calm, elegant, collected and kind...seeing his eyes carry a threat of violence was...unsettling.
Once docked they were met at the base of the skyport by mages in black robes with silver embroidery at the collars, cuffs and hemlines as well as the symbol of Set on the backs.
Vander ran his eyes over them, keeping his faint smile in place as he followed Zen, Cida walking beside him, bright eyes looking around at all the busy people with interest. They were brought to a carriage and Cida...about an hour into the carriage ride, was growling in boredom and tucked her legs up, pushing into Vanders side before finally claiming his lap as a pillow and wrapping her arms around him before falling asleep.
Zen raised an eyebrow and Vander shrugged.
"She sleeps better when she cuddles, I get nice tits pressed into my leg..win win." He said lightly and Zen shrugged, tilting his head.
"Part of the new you." He observed and Vander rolled his eyes.
"I'm not THAT different." He protested mildly and Zen chuckled, shaking his head.
"No, and the changes are all good little brother, you're...calmer, your magic has a deeper stronger pulse to it, in the mornings...you look rested, like you've actually slept and not just napped." Zen observed.
Vander nodded, he'd noticed he slept different, deeper, his whole life he'd sort of...cat-napped one eye always almost open, awareness always a little active, the beings of the voids were opportunistic, complete loss of control of his mind would mean wide open door for them to take him, possess him...ruin him and turn him evil, then he was a gate, an easy pathway for the beings to enter any plane they wished because Vander could access anything.
He hadn't, he'd never travelled between planes, the distance being the issue, he never went far from Earthlands massive brilliance, he could sense other planes out there, but he'd never tried for any of them, not wishing to ever get to where Earthlands light wasn't on him in some way. He'd delved deep, so deep a few times that brilliance had been just a faint gray in the blackness and his own light had started to become the brightest thing, he'd seen hints of light peeking through the writhing dark in the distance, knew it was another plane, another world and had been so curious...but he'd gone back, the shades starting to gather making him realize he might be more vulnerable than he wanted to be.
A turned shadowquip though...evil...that wouldn't likely have been an issue, he'd just move where the shades bade him, open gates into other worlds for them to invade until something, somehow, managed to destroy him and end the horrors he would visit on worlds of light.
He knew too...his family had a plan if that had ever happened. Kaleb.
His older brother was to hunt him down and end him if he turned, he was the only one that could...even Zen, if Vander turned, would struggle, shades of the voids would love nothing so well as to feast on the soul of an Archangel mage, enough of them could overwhelm him.
He was pulled from his thoughts when the carriage slowed and stopped. Rather than wait, and feeling a need to drive home a point Vander vanished, Cida squeaking in surprise as she dropped fully onto the bench, looking around blinking and only finding Zen rolling his eyes and running a hand down his face.
The door opened and Zen let Cida step out first, following behind her, ducking his head and emerging into the sunlight. They were in a large beautiful courtyard surrounded by the massive elegant structure of the temple. Immaculately kept gardens flanked the narrow paved path the carriage was on and Xiao Xing stood a few yards away between two planter boxes brimming with exotic flowers.
Priests in black and silver robes lined the distance to Xiao who wore similar yet more luxuriant robes than his fellows.
They walked up to him, Cida stretching like a cat as she walked and smiling at the man looking around her appreciatively.
"Pretty nice set up oui? Can't wait to try the tea an I hear yer silver sage sake is the best anywhere." She said brightly.
Xiao smiled, glancing past her and Zen to the obviously...empty...carriage.
"Yes...it's for ceremonial purposes though we rarely drink any outside of rituals. We do make silver wines….excuse me...where is Vander?" He asked with a small frown.
Zen wasn't sure how to answer, was already feeling a little awkward, at 6'5" he absolutely towered over every man there at the moment…
Cida saved him the trouble, shrugging and smiling at Xiao "bein' a lil shit, he'll come 'round. git some food and we can make Searcha drag him over."
Xiao nodded "Of course, I've lunch waiting already, please come this way, welcome to the temple of Set." He said and Cida curtsied a little noting Zen just narrowed his eyes and they followed the slender man through the garden and into the massive structure.
When they walked into the dining hall Xiao abruptly stopped and stood a moment, eyes widening at seeing Vander, bending over a dish taking in the aroma, already holding a wine glass filled with a silvery white wine. The servants that had opened the door were gaping, clearly unaware the man had been in there.
"Afternoon Xiao, nice place this temple, just needed to stretch my legs a little, I hope you don't mind." The shadowquip smiled up at them, lifting his glass to his lips.
"Mr. Pradesh. Welcome, of course and we'll take a tour of the temple after lunch so you can...stretch your legs...a little more. Please, be seated…" Xiao bowed eyes not leaving the black leather clad man as he moved to drop into a chair on one side of the woman, Zen taking the seat to her other side.
Xiaos eyes flicked to one of the attendants who immediately bowed slightly and left.
Vanders dark eyes caught it and he smirked into his wine glass. He'd not done much, a quick sweep of the property to assess wards and protections, barriers, alarms and security. It was pretty tight, getting in from outside, but once in? Not so much, there had only been one set of rooms he couldn't easily go right into and he was betting those belonged to his host. Listening and observations devices? Some decent things in place, nothing he couldn't handle though.
Then he'd gone into the dining hall, poured himself a glass of the nicest wine he saw and started checking their meal over for any ingredients it might not need to have. Nothing...just a seriously nice hot gourmet Stellan meal he was looking forward to.
Over all? He'd found nothing to alarm him. There were chambers under the temple with obvious restraint and torture purposes to them, but he understood some rituals...certain rites in most religions required some nasty testing of mettle, so...he'd just taken note of it all.
"I understand the Saberfox will remain at port for the month." Xiao observed and Vander nodded.
"Zen is the only one you've asked to stay longer." He pointed out and Xiao nodded as their meal was served for them.
"True, though the door is open for you and of course Miss Gusille to stay longer if you wish, I know the Saberfox is a coveted ship, assigned to your older brother Farron by the consulate for his use, having it docked for an entire month seems...like a waste." He observed.
Vander shrugged "Zen was kidnapped and held in Pergrand while my father thought him dead for years, he knows and respects you and your family, but…"
Xiao smiled faintly "If you and Zen do not return when expected Stella can expect Boscan gunships and war...really, my intentions? They are purely for the joy of my God Set, the two of you...you are treasures beyond what you both know."
"So you've said, what I want to know...is why? What makes us "treasures" Xiao?" Zen said, deep voice, as always, cutting directly to the point.
Xiao smiled "Set is of the three Gods of the Heavens, Mother Mehturt, fathers Ra of the Light and Set of the Dark. My Lord Set sees over the dark places between the stars, the beauty in the shadows, the wonders obscured where light does not shine. Those places are difficult to protect from evil, easy to hide malevolence and deeper darkness in. The light has many champions, radiance is easy to follow, the dark? Well, that is more complex." Xiao said, warming to his subject.
"A champion of Set must carry light, fight for it, believe in it, be radiant but from within, not without, they can not rely on outer sources of the their power, it must come from them. With so many evil things sharing the spaces between the light with them, they fight more than champions of light, not only to defeat them, but...to keep themselves from becoming corrupted by the evil that lurks in the dark places. For this reason, the Blessed Chosen of Set...especially among humans, are rare." He explained.
Zen pressed his lips together, but Vander was watching Xiao, seeing his enthusiasm, the guy was sincere, felt passionate about this…
"Among the Archangels, when they were designed, there had to be three, a triad, trinity of them that could combine and force back 8th and even 9th plane demons. Individually, an Archangel mage can fight up to a 6th plane demon on their own, beyond that, the power is too great, they have to work with others or they can be overwhelmed, and once taken...demons of deep planes can break an Archangel, taint them...they become fallen and fallen are always 8th or 9th level evil. There must always be, a Morning, Mid-day and Evening Star alive on Earthland for the magic to thrive. If the Triad is in place, then the magic can grow, expand, diversify, if not it remains at its most basic, still powerful but raw and difficult to control. You've felt it Zen, at your age, control must be an issue, especially since you are only bound and not mated." Xiao said and Zen growled, glaring but said nothing.
Xiao smiled, cool eyes turning to Vander.
"In your case...where Zens magic was designed by the Celestials, Sei-Roo himself forming the skill sets and magic power abilities, yours, Vander, was designed by Set himself millenia ago. It had never been in humans before the Havati bond to humans was found to be an excellent stability base for it and Clan Husen was blessed with it. Set gave it a high rate of inheritance, 50% of children born to one like yourself will be born with it. Even so...human beings proved to have a seriously hard time as children dealing with it, the death rate was 99% by age 6." Xiao said and Cidas eyes widened, so did Zens.
It wasn't new information for Vander, he knew...he'd seen his cousins...friends...die...some taken by shades, others killed by the village elders before they could be forced to open gates after they had been turned.
"You though, were found by Arman, adopted, and Arman carries Archangel blood...Celestial blood in him, strong lines converge in that father of yours, when he married Ganier, a powerful Celestial Mage, the Temple of Ra and of the three gods rejoiced, we celebrated the birth of Farron, and then fell to our knees when she gave birth to a child with the sacred mark of the Archangel magic across his shoulders." Xiao smiled again at Zen and continued.
"Because you were in Armans home, with him, and with his other children, all of them uniquely gifted, suited well to help you, support you as you grew? You were able to grow up...survive, becoming the first of your kind to do so in over 1000 years. The last mages of your type, Vander Pradesh, fought in the holy wars, there were five of them...they were not called Shadowquip mages back then." He said and Vander frowned.
"What were they called then?" He demanded.
"Void Angels. Always there were the Havati, even back then, the species is ancient, they are kin to Dragons after all. You...you have bonded with one haven't you?" He asked and Vander smirked, holding out his hand and Meala emerged red eyes on the Stellan priest as she curled around Vanders shoulders and Xiaos eyes widened when Searsha then emerged, the large red male sliding into the air, his wings carrying him around the room once before he settled around Cida.
"Exceptional…" Xiao said grinning now.
"I have two...and I prefer Shadowquip." Vander said lightly, stroking Meala.
"A you wish, it is what the magic became known as due to your ability to equip shadows as weapons and armor." Xiao said calmly, still smiling widely.
"I can teach you a great deal about the history of your magics, help you with meditations known to assist in refining it, and show you new uses, ways to use it, refine, and expand it." Xiao said confidently and Zen and Vander both sat silent for a few moments before Zen looked at Xiao.
"The contracts." He said and Xiao nodded.
"Already signed and returned to your brother aboard the Saberfox, I am serious about this all, I want to help you both, I and the Temple of Set would be honored to aid two of the blessed chosen in...becoming more...realizing your potential...for the glory of Set." He said and Vander glanced at Zen.
He's not lying, not hiding anything, I can tell he's choosing what he says carefully, but no deceptions. Zen said through the link.
I do have the contracts, fully signed no amendments asked for. Farron chimed in.
"Then we have a deal...a month, and then I'll decide if I will stay longer." Zen said and Xiao bowed his head, smiling and looking at Vander who had leaned back in his chair and was balancing it on two legs. He leaned forward bringing the chair lightly back to all four.
"A deal...a month, then, like Zen...I'll decide."