Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2004 10:11:32 -0600
From: Rhaven <rhaven2002@hotmail.com>
Subject: Star Child Chapter Seven

This is a story of full fiction, no robot or fantasy creature was
harmed in its creation. Please check out the ALL-NEW Rhaven Lore at
www.rhavenlore.com

Coming soon to Rhaven Lore. original artwork for Star Child


STAR CHILD

RETURN TO THRAE


CHAPTER SEVEN


Ash liked his room; it was small, but very lovingly decorated. It was
an oval room, carved out of rock. An exotic rug with archaic designs
adorned the stone floor. Several marble stools circled a small wooden
table, cluttered with small marble stones with unique faces carved
upon them.  In the center of the room was a round bed, covered in
elegant quilts and blankets.  For some reason he felt silly, his head
was spinning and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Do you like your room?" Wire asked as he jumped onto the bed.

"It's. It's very nice." Ash sat down next to the boy and grabbed the
edge of the bed, but it didn't stop the room from spinning. "I must
have drunk too much wine."

"Ging wine can do that to you, especially if you're not use to it."
Wire tenderly pushed Ash down on the bed. "What you need is rest and
relaxation; you have had a long day of adventure."

Ash frowned at the word 'adventure', he hadn't seen it as that, it was
more like a disaster, no other word bettered described how he was
feeling.

"How you do like your room?" Rave said appearing at the doorway, with
Thorn under his arm. Thorn snarled, not only was his body bruised, but
so was his ego. Rave tightened his grip on the Falcon boy and pulled
him closer. "Hush Thorn, Ash is our guest and brother now."

"He's not feeling too well." Wire answered.

"I apologize for that Prince Asrais. The drug I gave you will wear off
by morning. It will not harm you." Rave said casually.

"Drug?" Ash moaned, it was difficult for him to lift his head.

"You have shown me that you are intelligent and skillful. I couldn't
have you sneaking off in the middle of the night." Rave laughed. Ash
decided he hated that laugh, only fools laughed at everything.

"How could you . drug me?" Ash spat.

"Get your rest Prince Asrais; we have a lot to discuss tomorrow. Wire
make sure our guest is comfortable." Rave gave Ash a large smile and
disappeared back into the passageway.

"What. kind of madhouse. is this?" Ash said with trouble, his mind was
becoming mush, forming a sentence was difficult. " This isn't right
Wire. It's just not right."

"Everything will be okay Ash." Wire fumbled with the zipper on Ash's
shorts until he finally succeeded. Ash watched in silence as the boy
undressed him.

"This. this isn't right Wire." Ash panted. "You said yourself that I.
I shouldn't be a prisoner."

Wire cocked his head to the side and frowned. "But that was Thorn.
Rave. Rave knows what he's doing." Wire grinned and cuddled next to
Ash, resting his head on his chest.

"I. I can't stay here Wire." Ash said with heavy breaths. "There's a
monster. a monster that killed my father. I have to. to stop him."

"What's a father?" Wire sat up and ran his hand over Ash's bare chest,
letting his fingers explore every bump and curve.

"It's." Ash tried to think of how to describe a parent, thoughts were
getting harder to form, focusing on his desperate situation was almost
impossible. "It's what Rave is to . to you."

"Oh." Wire thought hard on the idea of Rave being killed. "I'm sorry
Asrais that is horrible."

"Th.then you understand.why.why." Ash shook his head; he had
completely forgotten what he was going to say. What was bothering him?
Why did he feel so hopeless?

"It must be terrible for you. I'm sure Rave will make it all better."
Wire gave Ash a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Yes. Rave." Was all Ash could think to say. Wire smiled and looked
down at Ash's nakedness.

"Just relax; I'll make you feel better. I've been trained by some of
the best Doves here." Wire giggled. Ash watched as the boy snuggled
closer to him, rubbing his leg across Ash's penis until it became
stiff. Wire began massaging Ash's erection with great energy. Even
through Ash's clouded mind, the sensations were amazing, Wire's gentle
fingers against the burning flesh of his penis was overpowering.
Thoughts of Otto, Puck and Dango faded into distant memories as Wire
continued working his magic. Wire would stroke his penis and then
stop, slipping it between Wire's lips as if lubricating it, before the
stroking started again. Ash slipped away from reality, while Wire
stroked, licked and sucked, moved him to his side and on his back. Ash
only partially knew what Wire was doing to him. He did recall telling
Wire, that he loved it or yelling 'more... more'. But of what he
wanted 'more', Ash couldn't remember. Thrae no longer existed, Earth
didn't exist, all that had substance was Wire and the bed.





Dango pushed Puck up to the next rock; they had been climbing up the
mountain slope for over an hour, between the chill in the air and the
impossible ascension, Dango was beyond exhaustion. Above them, the
plum smoke still bellowed high into the night sky, beaconing them
forever forward.

"You are so lucky I love you." Dango huffed, wiping the dirt from his
face. "This climb is killing me."

"We're almost there." Puck said exhaustedly, looking up at the smoke
that rose high into the night sky.

"Sure we are. you said that thirty minutes ago. I hope we don't
encounter any trouble. I'd have to wheeze on them heavily to hurt
them." Dango moaned.

Puck ignored Dango's complaint and continued scaling the mountainside.
Above Puck could see a plateau that had to be where the smoke was
coming from, they were almost there. Puck climbed faster. Dango had
told him that all this wasn't his fault, but no matter how many times
Puck reminded himself of that fact, the guiltier he felt. If anything
happened to Ash, Puck wasn't sure what he would do. He had to face the
fact that he truly loved Ash, just as much as he loved Dango. This
thought made Puck feel another pang of guilt.

"Dammit, wait for me." Dango moaned. "Why don't you show this much
energy when we're having sex?"

Puck stretched out his hand and dug his fingers in the dirt, slowly
and carefully he pulled himself up and onto the small level ground. He
quickly scanned the area as Dango grunted and groaned, finally rolling
himself up next to Puck. The source of the smoke was a hefty bronze
cauldron, resting in front of a wide yawning cave.

"What does this look like to you?" Puck whispered to Dango.

"I'd say probably a temple or some kind of boring ceremonial rites.
With our luck, it's an offering to the great demon that lives in the
cave." Dango whispered back.

"The sun will be up in about an hour, I suggest we discover as much as
we can." Puck recommended, creeping cautiously to the cave opening.

"Well it's not a Dwarf dwelling." Dango pointed to the cave entrance.
"Dwarves always mark their dwellings with ruins, this one is bare."

Puck nodded in agreement, he took a few steps into the cave and
suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" Dango whispered as he approached Puck.

"The floor. the cave floor is covered in bones." Puck said solemnly.
Dango scanned the cave; there were bones from wall to wall. Bones from
animals, skeletons of humans, and carcasses from creatures Dango
couldn't identify.

"This doesn't look good." Dango said cringing.

"I don't care how it looks, we've got to find Ash and get him out of
here." Puck whispered angrily.

"Hold on, I left my daggers back at the lake." Dango whispered,
reached down and picked up too leg bones. The bones slowly began to
glow and melt. Gradually a handle formed then a hilt and finally the
blades. "This should work, won't be as strong as steel, but should do
some damage."

"Let me see them." Puck took the bone daggers. With a swift brush of
his hand, the daggers crackled and then steamed drifted from them.
Puck handed the daggers back. "I put a Binding spell on them, should
make them stronger. Are you ready now?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." Dango smiled. "Okay let's do this."

Slowly they advanced deeper into the dark, entering the absolute
darkness of the unknown.



Prime walked into the ancient temple, to the horror of the monks.

"Where is Dei-Monk Dranul?" Prime demanded. "Bring him to me now!"

Prime stood motionless, as he waited for the Dareller to appear.

"M.Master Prime. it is very early in the.what have you done?" Dei-Monk
Dranul whispered frightfully, seeing the object in Prime's hand.

Prime lifted the severed head and smiled. "I've given Taskotter, some
overdo rest. Now make him talk for me." Prime tossed the head to
Dei-Monk who fumbled about and barely managed to keep hold of the
repulsive thing.

"This is .. Was Lord Taskotter of the House of Cigam. Does Lord Aero
know of his. death?" Dranul asked, looking appalled at the head.

"Do not be so concerned with Lord Aero, one day you may be lucky
enough to hold his head in your hands." Prime said grinning. "Now do
your spell on Taskotter, I have many questions for him."

Prime waited patiently as the Dei-Monk and his followers performed the
necessary spells to reanimate the severed head or as the monks call it
the Augury Disunite. Prime found it very interesting on how Thraens
treated magic, as if it was truly a mythical power. It was just like
the days before the Auto War, humans didn't care how their Vid-monitor
worked, they would just push a button and it worked, an image would
appear on the Vid-monitor like magic. Prime was different, when he had
decided to master the craft of magic; he wanted to know how and why it
worked.  The Star Child sword was the foundation of the mystery. It
had opened a power beyond this world and allowed the humans to
manipulate molecules, reshaping them into whatever they could dream.
Of course, this power was limited to a person's imagination and
willpower. Humans used hand motions to wield the power, an example at
the limits to humans' ability to comprehend the true power of magic.
The true understanding of this magic would mean the complete power to
influence everything and everyone, a power Prime hoped to secure for
himself, once the Star Child was his. Exactly how the Star child
worked and how a stupid human like Lazar created it, was still a
mystery to Prime. He calculated that the source of magic was caused by
a breach in the fabric of reality. Opening up a dimension not of
physical dimensions but mental. He couldn't wait to examine this
mysterious relic, to uncover all its secrets.

"Lord Taskotter is ready." Dei-Monk Dranul said tiredly.

"Excellent. leave now!" Prime ordered and leaned down to look
Taskotter in the eyes.

"Greetings great Lord, I have some questions for you." Prime said
soothingly. "My autonoids discovered something very interesting in
your castle." Prime began pacing around the stone slab table. "Within
your throne room, there is a great mural. I think you can see why I
would be fascinated in it."

"M.m.mural." Taskmaster croaked his dead lips barely moving.

"Yes, mural, a depiction of Jerico and the Star Child. In addition, it
illustrates a very interesting interpretation of the legend. Tell me
the story behind your mural." Prime stopped his pacing and listened as
Taskmaster began his story.



Aero hadn't had a full nights sleep since the autonoid had first
appeared. However, tonight he wasn't concerned or worried about the
lost slumber. He impatiently waited, hidden in the deep shadows of the
east wing of his grand home, waiting for his only salvation. Aero was
a realist, he was now in a situation that was out of his control. His
courtyard was filled with X1s, it wouldn't be much longer before these
atrocities trespassed inside his home. Fylgiar had been a lost hope,
this mighty warrior had no loyalty towards Aero and thus not
dependable. However, there was someone who did have allegiance.

"My Lord." came the slick voice of Aero's savior.

"Grem, thank the Gods you have arrived." Aero sighed, from out of the
shadows the small reptilian boy appeared. With dark green scales
covering his thin body and a slender carved face and pointed ears,
Grem was a frightful appearance. It had been from the depths of the
tunnels underneath Castle Misset, from which this strange boy had
emerged. Whether it had been his odd appearance, or possibly the
potential use of his fascinating abilities, Aero had taken the lad
under his wing and raised him in secret. No one in the house knew of
Grem's presence. And that was exactly how Aero wanted it, having a
little sneak around, allowed Aero many advantages. Now, it wasn't
spying on the servants or his pesky relatives, it was a mission of
survival.

"I serve only you Master." Grem said with a low graceful bow. "How may
I help you today?"

"A fiend has invaded my castle." Aero whispered. "I need you to be his
shadow and discover any secrets this autonoid my have. I believe there
is a weakness, he is hiding, be it ignorance or physical, I want to
know."

Grem morphed his body so all had disappeared except his eyes.

"I will do my best Lord Aero." Grem said. "This enemy of yours will
not have one moment of privacy."

"Be safe Grem, Prime is extremely dangerous. I . I don't want you
harmed." Aero didn't see Grem slip away, but he knew the little spy
was gone. Aero looked out the huge windows that lined the east wing
and watched as the sun began to reclaim the sky. Black of night,
fading away to gold as the rays of the morning sun streaked across the
heavens. All he needed to do was survive long enough to discover a
weakness in Prime. Grem was shrewd and resourceful; Aero hoped it
wouldn't be long before he had information. All his plans of
conquering Salvane had been consumed by this ancient autonoid. With an
army of uncountable troops, there wasn't anything Aero could do to
stop him, at least not in combat. Too many Houses had fallen to Prime;
humans were an endangered species, with no allies. It had occurred to
Aero that perhaps help could come from other races, like the Eller or
Dwarves, Alfars or even the Giants. However, the human race had been
greedy and intolerant. The other races had abandoned the company of
humans long ago after the Brood War. Aero found irony in the fact that
the nations created by humans, found no hope in their companionship.
Like a son, disowning his parents, forgiveness was apparently an
attribute missed in these races creation.



Pumpkin awoke with a thunderous yawn and a breathtaking stretch, arms
and legs springing out with a heavy shake. He couldn't remember the
last time he had slept so soundly.

"Did you have a good sleep?" Otto said looking down at the boy with a
welcoming smile.

Pumpkin grinned, forgetting for a moment that his bed had been the lap
of this great autonoid. "I slept great, thank you." Pumpkin forced
himself to climb out of Otto's embrace. "How is Titan?"

His friend was curled up around Otto's leg and snoring loudly.

"I think he is doing well." Otto said putting his hand gently on Titan
's shoulder.

Titan moaned and rolled onto his back.

"Oh my head." Titan groaned and covered his face with his hands.

"Titan, you're awake." Pumpkin said cheerfully.

"I think it's time we left." Otto knelt down over Titan. "Let me see
your eyes." He said softly.

"WHO.oh damn.oh. My head. man oh man!" Titan covered his face again,
his body shaking from pain. "Oh great we've been captured." Titan
moaned.

"My name is Otto; you are not a prisoner.I'm taking you back to your
home. I would suggest that you take very slowly for a while. You have
a concussion, so no yelling and no quick moves."

"Trust him Titan, Otto's all right." Pumpkin said to comfort his
friend.

"Where's everyone. everyone else?" Titan cautiously moved his hands,
so that Otto could examine his eyes and the large ugly bump on his
head.

"Swimmer died." Pumpkin said in a hushed voice. "I don't know about
the rest. I think they made it out okay."

"Damn Thorn." Titan cursed.

"Time to leave." Otto interrupted. "Pumpkin you'll have to ride on my
shoulders. Titan I'm going to pick you up, so don't be alarmed." Otto
first helped Pumpkin climb up his back, once both legs where securely
around his neck and Pumpkin had his arms wrapped firmly around his
head, Otto carefully picked up Titan.

"Ouch! OUCH!" Titan screamed.

Otto cradled the boy in his arms. "I'm sorry Titan, I will be as
gently as possible. Please let me know when the pain is too much and
will take a break."

"Um. thank you, I. I will." Titan said trying to smile.

"All right Pumpkin, which direction do we go?"

"We head south." Pumpkin said cheerfully. Otto headed into the woods,
walking as carefully as he could, avoiding jarring the hurt boy in his
arms.

"Why are you helping us?" Titan asked, still holding his head.

"You're friends have taken someone very dear to me, I must get him
back." Otto said quietly. "Also we must finish our mission; all of
Thrae is in danger from a madman."

A memory of the past, flashed before Otto. The day Prime broadcast his
rebellious new program, the day the autonoids became murderers. Why
had Otto acted differently from his brothers? He was the new upgrade,
the advanced version; faster, stronger and better than the X2s, but
what in his program had stopped him from becoming a monster like his
brothers? Otto closed the data stream and locked it away. He turned
his attention to the two boys with him. It was a gift from Dango, this
joy he felt being in the presence of such beauty. Otto loved
everything about these boys. He loved the texture of their bare skin
against his, he loved the warmth they gave him, and he loved their
angelic voice. However, it was Asrais of the House of Soldaat, which
Otto desired. He had never realized how lonely he truly was, not until
that gray haired boy appeared in his life.

No army, no obstacle would stand in Otto's way to unite with Ash
again. He pitied the person that would try to keep them apart.