My "crazy" brother is docile due to the spell being lifted.``
Trapsul nods to her request as he was petting Noomkard's head that was against his chest. "Once Noomkard and my baby brother are better, I'll send for Max and Soul to deal with him."
"Thank you." Darkmoon replies with gratitude before she looks at Schattenflügel as she places her hand on Schattenflügel's then her other hand on Aros's chest to teleport the three of them to Bright Tornado to make the trip much easier with the sleeping giant and leaving her brothers & the Ace brothers.
—
Watching the trio teleport, Trapsul caresses Noomkard's head before sighing and looking over to Darksilver before he makes Noomkard sit down on the same couch Aros had been on moments ago, 'thankfully it wasn't disgusting from the wounded Nether Voxen.' Thought Trapsul as he went to the other twin of Noomkard's and went to tie up the hands of the man.
"You are lucky Darkmoon let you live… I don't think I would've done so if I were in her shoes." Trapsul muttered as he took Darksoul to a room to keep the problem child out of the sight of Noomkard until Max or Soul are called for; which didn't take long thanks to Mørk sending out a letter to the two by bird while Max and Soul were on patrol making sure the village was okay and never going to be attacked again today.
---
"Bright Tornado: Agnorus's Home."
A puff of gray smoke filled the tree root decorated living room of the elder's home while the elder walked into said room growing confused by the smoke before he saw three people emerge, one of which was set on the cotton cushioned couch before the elder realized it was Darkmoon and Schattenflügel as the albino finished putting a giant on the couch.
"What brings younglings back? Agnorus wasn't expecting them to return with a guest." Agnorus spoke in confusion while looking at the two he called younglings.
With a nervous laugh, Schattenflügel answers. "Well it's because… one of our kin was injured in a fight against Darkmoon's missing twin brother… and is currently unconscious." he then points to the goliath on the couch.
"I had to bring him here, Elder Agnorus. Aros wasn't getting any better from Schatten's healing ability so we hoped you'd help him." Darkmoon states in a worried tone as she looks away from Aros to gaze at the old ram.
"You know young halflings aren't allowed here for a reason, little moon. Agnorus will not heal that youngling of death which lays on his couch." Agnorus spoke in a strict tone, looking at Darkmoon, watching her features twist into a pout which pulled at the old man's heart strings before he sighs.
"Fine… I will only teach you to heal him. I do not wish to touch him for the sake of legends."
Darkmoon smiles and her tail swayed happily behind her while she got up to hug the elder Were-beast. "Thank you, Elder!"
Agnorus laughs cheerfully at Darkmoon's joyous reaction. He, after all, did view Darkmoon as his daughter and Schattenflügel as his son since Agnorus didn't have any children of his own; meaning Schattenflügel would be next for the title of Elder because Schattenflügel is a Were-beast and nothing about age but it was about trust with the people.
Darkmoon got out of the embrace that she and Agnorus shared. "So what do I have to do?" The small female asked as she looked at Agnorus. The Elder then went on for a lengthy while about what spell was needed to heal the nether voxen that laid on the couch in a remaining slumber. He then handed Darkmoon a book with the spell he was talking about and pre-flipped the pages to the spell for her.
—
After three hours of understanding the spell, Darkmoon began to heal Aros, who became relaxed immediately. Schattenflügel was watching Darkmoon and had helped her understand the spell before he was taken into the hallway by Agnorus to speak with him about the giant and the chaos he'd possibly cause if his visit was lengthened after being healed. Back with Darkmoon, she kept the healing spell going and it burned a gentle light blue flame. 'You remind me of someone I once knew.' Darkmoon thought to herself as she watched Aros sturr in his sleep as if dreaming. 'Who was the boy I keep remembering? And who were you before being a Nether Voxen?' she mentally questioned herself.
Meanwhile in the hallway, Agnorus and Schattenflügel had moved to Agnorus's office to continue their conversation. This time it was about the neighboring were-beast tribe, which is the closest to the orc border. "The Orchard Tribe is getting closer and even crossing our borders. They have not sent word of why and our tribe is getting worried." Agnorus spoke in a first person's manner, which meant he was serious and very worried.
"Wait… You mean the Lava brothers? We're the only people allied with their tribe. Why are you worried?" Schattenflügel questioned with confusion in his voice as he looked at the old faun.
"Because their parents are either Rogue or dead and I haven't reinforced the treaty with the new elders, with the triplets." Agnorus spoke with a bit of disappointment in the triplets he mentioned.
"So you want me to go ask the brothers about continuing the treaty? Or do you want me to take Darkmoon and the halfling with me to go ask?" Schattenflügel suggested to the elder.
"Please wait till the halfling is healed. I'd rather not have him stink up my den with his stench of death." Agnorus grumbled as he looked at Schattenflügel, who nodded and took that as his answer before leaving the office to go check on Darkmoon.
—
Meanwhile, Darkmoon was growing highly curious about Aros now, especially since she noticed the scars on the goliath's face. Aros had scars on his right eye and across his nose with black licorice-like hair and a very strong masculine jawline. She thought his looks were attractive but shakes her head as she realized she needed to focus and most importantly not fall for the Nether Voxen due to it being labeled taboo in the were-beast world. Then, Schattenflügel entered the living room with a chuckle as saw Darkmoon shaking her head again but this time with a little growl. "What's got you growling, Darkymoo?" He asks as he sits down on the floor near the couch and takes off his metal prosthetic left arm to do some maintenance of it while he waits for her to finish healing Aros.
Darkmoon whimpered as her tail wrapped around her waist in embarrassment. "N-nothing Schatten." She stuttered as she finished healing Aros, who was still unconscious due to the fight with Darksilver.
"Well a "nothing" doesn't make you growl. So what's bothering you or what's caught your interest?" Schattenflügel spoke as he looked at Darkmoon then pokes her hip underneath her tail. "And your tail doesn't wrap around you unless you're hiding it, worried, scared or bothered by something." He added while getting back to doing maintenance on his prosthetic.
Darkmoon sits down next to Schattenflügel and leans against his non-existent left shoulder after she finishes healing Aros. "I'm not bothered by anything." She lied as she watched Schattenflügel tighten up a screw on his prosthetic.
"Darkymoo, I've known you for 9 years so obviously I should know when something's bothering you." Schattenflügel calls her out on her lie as he looks at her after he finished the maintenance on his arm. Darkmoon looked up at Schattenflügel and sighed. "Well I don't have a description of what I feel so… that's what's bothering me." She mutters. "Let me just sleep on it to find the words for later. Right now I am tired from that healing spell."
Schattenflügel would sigh with a small smile before he nodded while understanding Darkmoon's lack of words. "I accept your answer then and once I get you off the socket to my arm I'll take you to your room, okay?"
Darkmoon just gives Schattenflügel a nod in response to him talking as she falls asleep on his side which gives Schattenflügel a problem. He can't move! Or at least didn't want to in case he woke Darkmoon.
After a minute, Schattenflügel sighs as he gets his prosthetic back on and jumps a little once he hears a groan from behind him on the couch. He looks over his right shoulder and sees that Aros was waking up.
"Hey Guard." Schattenflügel whispered as moves to pick up Darkmoon before standing up and looking at Aros. "How do you feel?" Aros growled loudly which caused Darkmoon to whimper and shift in Schattenflügel's arms. "Shush you big beast. You'll wake Darkmoon." Schattenflügel hissed in a whisper as he looked at the giant male who sat up.
"Call me a beast again and I'll make sure to wake Darkmoon up." Aros growled softly as he looked at Schattenflügel then at the small bundle in the pale arms of the male which was Darkmoon sleeping peacefully. "Please don't. She barely sleeps." Schattenflügel whispered as he backed away from the large male.
Aros just huffed to Schattenflügel's response before he checked his wounds, finding nothing, not even a new scar from Darksilver's attack. "Who…" The giant male looks at the albino in confusion. "Who healed me?"
Schattenflügel just smiles. "She's quite the gal with magic." Schattenflügel said as if Aros would know but sadly he didn't and gave an even more confused look which made Schattenflügel sigh. "Darkmoon healed you. She learned the spell easily and kept the spell running for at least an hour or so."
"Is there any clean clothes? And where'd my armor go?" Aros asked as he noticed the stains from his body and the fact that his armor wasn't around.
"Your armor is back at Phynox in Trapsul's home because I had to bandage you while Darkmoon was busy dealin' with her brother."
"Was he taken care of?" Aros asked after hearing about where his armor is.
"Dead? No Darkmoon just spellbound him so he can't be controlled or use magic himself." Schattenflügel answered. "And I can ask for some new clothes for you since you are much bigger than me."
Aros nods as he looks from Schattenflügel to Darkmoon. "Darkmoon never changed." He mutters to himself but Schattenflügel hears and looks at him confused before shaking his head.
"Can you hold her while I get you new clothes?" Schattenflügel asked as he held Darkmoon out to Aros, who gladly took her in his arms. Both men acted as though the grown female was a baby.
Darkmoon whimpered in her sleep when she was transferred from Schattenflügel's warmth to Aros' warmth. Then Schattenflügel goes down the hallway he and Agnorus were talking moments before, heading to a bedroom. While Schattenflügel went to get Aros some clothes, Aros looked at Darkmoon. "Now I know why you looked familiar to me when we were sparring. You were a little girl with shorter hair last time we saw each other."
Aros strokes Darkmoon's cheek. "But why do you not remember me? Could it be my scars or the nether born stench?" He asked himself before looking around at the living room.
Agnorus's living room was decorated with fairy lights and seemed like it was inside a tree with the doorways and hallway entrances being framed by thick logs and vines. The furniture was limited to a couch, which was made of wool, and dark stained wood along with some knitted cushions that were for sitting and a dark stained oak coffee table.
"So this is a Were-beast home?" Aros whispered in wonder as he looked at the tan clay walls that were naturally cracking from age before Darkmoon groans softly and nuzzles into Aros which catches the male off guard, flinching as a result. A minute later, Schattenflügel comes back with some clothes for Aros and hands them to the taller male. "This is what I could find from a storage room that Agnorus has for the randomist of things." Schattenflügel spoke before he looked at the sleeping Darkmoon. "She seems to be enjoying your company."
Aros took the clothes from Schattenflügel with one hand while the other held Darkmoon who was starting to wake up. "Thanks." As Aros spoke, Darkmoon hummed as she rubbed her eyes before looking at Aros then blushed, getting out of his hold and going to the kitchen. Schattenflügel and Aros, both, watched Darkmoon leave the living room before they looked at each other in confusion til Aros stood up.
"I'll go change." Aros spoke in a bitter tone before going to a random room to change his clothes.
Schattenflügel nods as Aros walks away then goes to the kitchen, which was a giant open kitchen with a fireplace, an island that was a giant tree stump with vines dangling from the wooden and clay ceiling. The counters were all hardened clay or granite and the sink was made of copper with a pump levered spout made of copper as well. Darkmoon was laying her head on the island, seeming to be embarrassed about waking up in Aros' arms. She sighs heavily before jumping as Schattenflügel chuckles.
"Why did ya turn red and run away?" Schattenflügel asks as he sits next to Darkmoon while looking at her.
Darkmoon whimpered as she didn't want to answer Schattenflügel but knew if she didn't Schattenflügel would start poking her about it causing her to sigh with a whimper. "I don't know why. I just had a dream about him and me but we were younger and that scar of his was new. That's why I ran but I don't know why I blushed. I feel safe but something else." Darkmoon explained as her tail wrapped around her waist from her worrying about what it all means. Schattenflügel smiles softly as he looks at Darkmoon. "Well whatever this feeling is you'll figure it out. You always do when it's of interest plus weren't you saying something about wanting to study a Nether born the other day? You can study him. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
There was silence from Darkmoon as she thought about what Shattenflügel said before they both heard Aros walk into the kitchen. "Can we go get my armor and return to Phynox?" The giant male asked as he looked at Schattenflügel and Darkmoon who sat at the island.
Schattenflügel loses his smile and rubs the back of his neck nervously. "We actually have to go to the border and visit the neighboring pack. Agnorus is pretty upset about them and wants us to go talk with the leaders."
Darkmoon gasped, her tail unwrapping itself from her waist to wag. "You mean he wants us to visit the orchard pack?" She asked with excitement laced in her voice as she looked at Schattenflügel then got up and jumped like a child. "WE MUST GO!"
Aros and Schattenflügel both find Darkmoon's joy to be amusing as they both share a short laugh. "I guess I can wait to get my armor." Aros chuckled as he looked at Darkmoon, who still seemed happy about going to the Orchard pack. Schattenflügel stood up and nodded. "Then it's settled. We're going to the Orchard pack together."
Darkmoon squeals in joy before running to the front door causing Aros to be confused by her speed. Schattenflügel just laughs at Darkmoon's joy as he follows after her, Aros follows him.
"So has she never seen the other Were-beast villages? Or is Orchard the only one she hasn't seen before?"
"She's never been to any Were-beast packs besides Bright Tornado pack. So she's excited for that but it also doesn't help that she and the triplet offspring of their late leader have come to our pack before to play with her and other children when we were younger." Schattenflügel explained as he watched Darkmoon skipping and jumping. "They stopped coming here back when Darkmoon was just turning sixteen, however."
Aros looked at Darkmoon as he listened and walked with Schattenflügel before looking at the albino male once his last sentence came out. "What do you mean? Why did they stop coming to visit?"
"You get curious just like Darky." Schattenflügel laughed before clearing his throat. "Because that is the age a Were-beast female often has their first transformation and in turn the orc blood of the Orchard Pack end up making the males want to fall in love or so says the roamers of their pack." Schattenflügel explained more.
Aros gets confused by Schattenflügel's explanation. "But she isn't a Were-beast. She's a Dar–" before Aros could finish saying Darkling, Schattenflügel stopped him by covering his mouth. Several of the village folk were listening and some were confused by Schattenflügel's act of covering the taller male's mouth.
"You can't say that. No one knows she's one of the dead races except for me, you and Agnorus." Schattenflügel whispered as he looked at Aros while taking his hand off the male's mouth.
"The fear and hate…" Aros muttered as he realized he would've taken away Darkmoon's only happy place out of the world. "So did you guys teach her how to turn into an animal or not?"
"Oh course but she actually knew some transformation magic before she even got to us. She said her father taught her in a basement cell." Schattenflügel answered without missing a beat.
Aros looked at the sky when Schattenflügel said that. "That's correct." He whispered as a sad expression formed on his face for a second. "Her father wasn't the nicest man to be around."
Now was the time for Schattenflügel to be confused as he looked at Aros. "How do you know that? Darkmoon never told me a giant was with her."
Aros smirked. "I'm not a giant. I'm a Were-beast and darkling halfling. Her father made sure I grew impossibly big so I could be her bodyguard but I ran when he lost his mind the first time." He explained before looking at Darkmoon who was staring at a merchants booth that was selling jewelry. "And she doesn't remember me because of her father."
Schattenflügel was shocked to hear Aros talk about a past Darkmoon couldn't even remember. "So then the past she told me of her father losing his mind during the war and running away with Darksilver is a lie."
"No." Aros sighed. "That's a true memory but if you ask her anything about remembering me or if there was a boy in her past… she'd say her brothers or say something that she makes up just to drive you away from her missing memory."
Darkmoon walks over to Schattenflügel and Aros with a couple of jewelry ware before handing one to Aros and the other to Schattenflügel. "As a thank you for helping me get my brother back, Aros and a thank you for being my friend, Schatten." She smiled after she spoke.
Aros looked at the jewelry and chuckled as it reminded him of when Darkmoon gave him a trinket in the past. Schattenflügel puts on the jewelry Darkmoon gave him before hugging her. "And thank you for the gift." Schattenflügel answered.
"It matches you both. I wanted to get you them as my thanks." Darkmoon explained as she helped Aros put on his jewelry that she got him. "The gold and emeralds for Aros. A symbol of him and silver with a moonstone as a symbol for you, Schatten." Aros had to crouch for Darkmoon as the jewelry she had to put on him was a necklace similar to a tribal type design while Schattenflügel's jewelry was a whole forearm cuff. Darkmoon smiled once she finished getting the necklace on Aros.
"Thank you for the gift, Darky." Schattenflügel chirped softly as he went to hug the small female. "I'll always keep it." Darkmoon giggles as she hugs Schattenflügel back while Aros touches the necklace. "Raven would be happy to see you gifting items." Aros whispered to himself before all three of them resumed walking, entering the forest that surrounded the Bright Tornado pack; heading to the Orchard Pack.