Summary-While investigating reports of suspicious activity around the Gaslin Caves Blocter and Pagus cross paths with slave traders. Among the merchandise is a beautiful boy, an exotic dancer named Rush who possesses a rare Remnant. Bringing him back to Athlum it sparks the beginning of a war that will threaten not just the city but the world and somehow Rush is connected to the heart of it all.

Notes-I have yet to finish the game so bear with me for the first few chapters. This story will have a same sex pairing namely David/Rush. Seriously could it be more obvious? Or maybe it's just my sick imagination, hehe. Anyway enjoy and review please.

Lies My Parents Told Me

Chapter One

Butterfly

Gaslin Caves

Recent reports of thieves being spotted around the region near the Gaslin Caves were becoming more frequent as of late leaving the Marquis of Athlum with little choice but to investigate. To keep the people happy and to make sure that the thieves had to be stopped David sent two of his generals to the cave system to investigate the reports. Blocter, a strong and capable yama who carried a large axe was one of the sturdiest and battle hungry of the generals but he had a good heart. The other was Pagus, a quisti who was skilled in the mystic arts rather than combat. He was a history buff and devoured all manner of knowledge to satisfy his curiosity.

Both wanted to end this business as swiftly as possible so they could return to Athlum and provide Celapelis with their reports. The city was near Athlum and kept it under her rule, always on a tight leash so that the man bound to the Gae Bolg would not stray. David had become bound to the Remnant when his father passed away some years ago. His mother had died when he was still a young child but he had Emma to give him the guidance that a mother should. David Nassau grew into a fine young man who managed to keep his people and city safe. With the Valeria Heart and the Gae Bolg the city was one of the most well protected on the continent.

Blocter led the way into the Gaslin Caves with Pagus by his side and two other mercenaries hired from the local guild. The cave system was very old, ancient rock formations made up the pathway deeper into the tunnels that would lead into a vast chamber. Blocter often came here for training purposes and to gather supplies for weapon crafting so he knew the way around this place better than Pagus did. Water fell repeatedly onto the cold stone floor making a monotonous echo reverberate throughout the tunnel. No other sounds could be heard here. There weren't even any creatures around here to hunt.

Blocter stopped when he caught sight of footprints that were the shape of a mitra. It looked like a few of them had come through here very recently. The mud on the floor was still fresh and pressed by the print. Motioning for the others to follow him Blocter followed the path until he came to a fork. He knew from memory that the left tunnel leads to a dead end while the right one continued on to another section of the cave system. When he heard voices up ahead he smiled broadly showing off large white teeth.

"I think we have our target." Blocter cracked his knuckles.

"Then let us continue." Pagus nodded while the other two mercs readied their weapons.

"I can't wait to crack some skulls open." The yama glanced around the rocks to get a better look. "Hey Pagus I can see some people in there. They looked like they're being chained up."

"Hmmm, slave traders do you suppose?" Pagus suggested. The small general hopped towards the chamber. "We shall end this now."

"We need to get these brats to Elysion by next month." A burly mitra scowled. "We better get paid for this."

"This one should fetch some good gold." Another mitra male grabbed the face of a young boy. "He is a pretty one."

"Don't touch me." The boy hissed. The sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed throughout the chamber.

"Don't talk back you brat." The mitra growled. "You won't please your new master that way."

"Maybe he needs some manners beaten into him." The man's companion offered.

"I suggest we interrupt this now." Pagus murmured. Blocter nodded then he roared and charged out from behind the rocks.

"Party time's over." The yama grinned wildly.

The fight was quick it was almost pathetic. Although they were slavers the mitra and their associates weren't the best of fighters Blocter had ever encountered. Once he knocked the leader off the edge of the stone platform they were standing on the rest of the slavers began to look unsure and frightened. Pagus, determined to end this quickly, used a Spark spell which managed to stun the rest of the slavers. While the slavers ran off clutching their burned arms Pagus made his way to the captured people and began to untie them.

The women cried with gratitude as they held onto the children that had also been captured. Blocter ordered the Athlum mercs to follow the slavers out of the caves and to arrest them on sight. Pagus stopped when he came face to face with the boy that had been struck by his mitra guard. A bruise was blossoming on his right cheek and blood dotted his upper lip. His cobalt eyes narrowed at his rescuers but his stance held less tension.

"Thanks, for saving us." He boy mumbled.

"It was our pleasure. I am Pagus, one of the Four Generals of Athlum and this is Blocter. Please, can you tell us where they were taking you?" the quisti inquired gently.

"They only said that we were to be taken to Elysion for purchasing." A young woman replied.

"Those stinkin' cowards…" Blocter growled.

"We shall take you back to Athlum for rest then you can return home." Pagus offered. The women and children eagerly followed Blocter out of the cave.

"And what about you young man? Will you come to Athlum?" Pagus asked when he noticed the boy hesitate.

"I guess so…I'm Rush by the way." The boy offered his hand with a smile.

"I do not mean to pry but where did you get that necklace? It has an exotic look about it." Pagus glanced at the green jewel around Rush's neck.

"It's mine! I didn't steal it from anybody!" Rush grabbed the jewel in a tight grip. His eyes dared the quisti to challenge him.

"Be calm, I meant no harm." Pagus raised his hands in defense. The boy seemed to relax but only slightly.

"Sorry about that…" he mumbled as his fingers loosened a bit. "But why do you wanna know about my necklace?" he scratched his head.

"It looks very familiar…but enough talk. Come back to Athlum so you can rest up." Pagus stepped aside to let Rush walk past.

The boy said nothing as he wandered past the quisti and out into the sunlight. It felt good to feel the warmth against his skin again. It felt too long. When the slavers took him Rush assumed that he would be dammed to a life of servitude to his new master. He never believed that someone would rescue him and the others from their chains. Gripping onto the green jewel around his neck he silently thanked them again for their help.

The brunet didn't have a home as such. He traveled around the various cities and towns dancing for money but that was as far as he went. All his gold had been taken by the slavers leaving him once again penniless and without any means of going to the next town. But after the incident in the caves Rush had to wander that maybe he should find some kind of employment. But that was dangerous. What if he had an episode in front of people? He was lucky to now go through that with the slavers nearby. If people knew of his gift then what? His parents abandoned him because of his gift…

"Are you alright kid?" the large yama broke his thoughts.

"Hey! I'm not a kid! The name's Rush." Rush waved his arms before pouting. "I'm eighteen, perfectly legal to do what I want."

"So where ya from Rush?" Blocter asked.

"I travel a lot but I was born on Eulam Island." The boy answered as his eyes turned to see the Athlum mercs rounding up the slavers.

"You don't need to worry about that scum anymore. They'll get what's coming to them." Blocter promised gruffly.

"I hope so…" Rush muttered but said nothing else. He was just glad to be away from that nightmare.

Gates of Athlum

The trip back to Athlum didn't take long. A day's journey across the plains was quick enough and soon Rush was standing outside the city gates. He gasped as he took in the sight of the Valeria Heart. The giant sword shaped Remnant stood vigil above the city, protecting it from harm. The castle was directly under the Heart and Rush remembered hearing something about the battle Remnant the Gae Bolg being bound to the royal bloodline here.

Rush had never been in Athlum before. He tended to shy away from the most powerful of cities opting to stay near the small towns and villages scattered around the continent. First things first, he needed gold. He wondered if the pub would need some entertainment. When they entered the city the group was greeted by a woman wearing green and silver battle armor and a sovani in red. Rush guessed that those two were the other Generals of Athlum.

"So they were slavers." The woman scowled in rage. "Disgusting wretches…"

"Emma, Torgal, how's things here?" Blocter greeted them.

"Everything is in order. Lord David requires a report immediately." Emma replied. She frowned when he saw Rush but said nothing else.

"And these are the people they intended to sell." The sovani murmured. His golden eyes stopped on Rush for a moment. "Strange, there is only one male among them."

"I believe that is to do with the Remnant he carries." Pagus answered. The brunet mitra felt the blood leave his face.

"How did you know?" he whispered. Pages offered him a gentle smile before talking.

"There is no need to be afraid of us Rush. But the possibility exists that you were taken captive because of your Remnant." Pagus stroked his chin.

"Perhaps we should take him to Lord David." Torgal suggested. He and Emma were already making their way back towards the castle. "Bring the prisoners with us." The mercs complied and pulled the slavers towards the castle.

"I'll take care of the woman." Blocter said which left Pagus and Rush along in the market.

"Do you know where I can get a job around here?" Rush was glancing at various shop stalls along the marketplace.

"Are you planning on staying here?" the quisti asked.

"I gotta make some gold right? Might as well be useful." Rush shrugged. "So, you wanna take me to your leader?"

"That Remnant of yours is very curious Rush. Until we find out who the slavers where going to sell you to you should stay in the city." Pagus started walking towards the castle. Left with no other option Rush wandered off after him.

The castle was an amazing piece of architecture. It had a warm feeling to it, inviting and safe almost. The shadow of the Valeria Heart acted like a protective blanket across the building. Rush couldn't help but feel anxious and a bit afraid as he was escorted to the throne room of the castle. The rows of guards remained stationary; some glanced at the boy out of curiosity while others addressed the Four Generals.

He was almost afraid to enter the throne room when he heard Emma and Torgal talking to who he assumed to be Lord David. He couldn't get a clear view of the Marquis of Athlum at the moment but he took in the sight of the chamber he was standing in. Rush let out a low whistle. This place really was impressive.

"And this must be Rush." A smooth voice that just oozed charisma spoke up. When the boy's cobalt eyes fell on the Marquis all breath left his body.

"I am the Marquis of Athlum but please call me David." The gorgeous man sitting on the throne smiled.

"It's you!" Rush yelled.

Then it happened. Rush had seen this man before. He had seen him so many times in his youth. He cried out as white hot pain exploded within his skull, his hands grasped his dark hair and pulled. Images assaulted him at varying speeds until they became blurred into just one image. All his life he was plagued by the images of Remnants and standing within a pillar of fire stood him, the Marquis of Athlum holding a blood stained sword in one hand.

Rush barely made out someone calling for help when darkness enveloped him. This was his gift and curse, the reason his family left him to die when he was still a small child. He could glimpse the future. His last thought was how he was going to explain to the others that he had been born with the Sight.

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