Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 21:10:41 -0500
From: X X <thewriter_x@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Brotherhood #21 {X} {MM College & Sci-Fi/Fantasy} [21!?]???????

The following story contains sexually explicit acts between men.  If such
things bother you, annoy you, disturb you, or frighten you, then why the
hell are you here?  Do yourself a favor and leave before you read something
you like and discover that you're actually gay; you might not be able to
deal with the revelation.

I started a yahoo group for TBH a while back.  It's place where you can get
the latest chapters and talk about the story with other readers if you
like.  As thanks to those who are signed up, I'll be keeping the group one
chapter ahead of Nifty.  So while Nifty is up to date with chapter 21,
chapter 22 will be up on the group (within a couple of weeks or so of
updating Nifty, give or take a day or two).  So if you want to keep up just
sign up here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theinnercircletbh/

As always, thanks for reading and I'd love to hear your thoughts, good or
bad, on the latest chapter so feel free to write me at: thewriterxx@aol.com


The Brotherhood
Chapter XXI
By: X


	I was utterly amazed by the sight before me.  I had stepped thru
the mirror and into eternity.  It was like staring out into space or, more
accurately, standing in the middle of it.  I was on a platform. A set of
ivory pillars flanked me on either side.  In front of me, a series of steps
- maybe ten total - descended to a broader platform.  There were no walls;
only empty space backlit by thousands of stars forming hundreds of
constellations. Hovering above me was a massive formation of energy.  I
couldn't tell if it was a few hundred feet or many miles above me. It kept
shifting and turning and rolling over itself, like liquid spilled on the
surface of a wobbling table.  I tried to focus on it.  I couldn't.

       It was surreal.

      I was still holding my breath.  Basic fear and every outer space
documentary I'd ever seen told me that if I took a breath my lungs would
implode or something.

      Q was half way down the steps in front of me when hooded figure came
running up to him. The figure spoke and pointing back at me.  I recognized
the voice right away.

      "What's he doing here?" Soullen asked.

      Q turned to look at me, laughed and walked back up the stairs.  Not
the reaction I was expecting.  "Jacob what are you doing here?"  He placed
one hand on the side of my face and leaned in to take a closer look.  "And
why are you turning purple?  My god Jacob, breathe!"

      Letting out an enormous breath, I bent over and placed my hands on my
knees and panted heavily.

      "Easy.  I don't want you to pass out on me."  He rubbed my back
gently despite laughing at me.

      "Why is he here?"  Soullen asked again.  He looked back at the others
gathered at the bottom platform before returning his attention to me.
"He's not supposed to be here."

      "Don't worry about it Soullen," Q reassured him.  "I'll take care of
it."  He kissed me on the head suddenly.  "Feeling better?"

      I nodded.

      "Why did you follow me here?"

      "Because...because..." I managed to say between breaths.  I stopped
for a second, took one more deep breath and slowly stood up straight.
"Because I couldn't let you face this alone."

      "You are too funny, you know that?"  Placing both hands on either
side of my face, he looked me dead in the eyes.  "I'm perfectly fine Jacob.
Nothing is going to happen to me."  He kissed me again but this time on the
forehead.  "But thank you for caring as much as you do."

      Soullen looked positively annoyed.  "Qua'quelle..."

      "Soullen," Q interrupted, "why don't you go down with the others and
I'll join you in a minute okay?"

      "But..."

      Q just looked at him.

      "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."

      Did he really just walk away pouting?

      "Don't mind Soullen.  He's trying to look out for me.  At least you
two have that in common."

      "Q..." I said as I looked over his shoulder and saw a ribbon of
energy break away from the collective whole and snake its way downward.

      Q looked but didn't seem anywhere near as concerned as I did.
"Relax. It's okay."

      The string of energy expanded and slowly took form as it got closer.
"Ah, this must be the Jacob we've heard so much about," it said, offering
me a handshake before completely taking human form.

      "Um...hello."  He was still glowing when I shook his hand but within
moments he looked no different than Q in his white hooded robe.

      "This is Remus.  He's a longtime friend who served with me in the
King's Royal Guard."

      "Oh, so like a really longtime..."

      They laughed.

      "But it looks like you're getting a little bit ahead of yourself
Jacob."

      At first I didn't understand what Remus meant by his comment, but
then it clicked.  He was referring to my presence in this place.

      "I know.  I'm sorry.  I just needed to..."

      "Make sure Q was okay," he said with a smile.  "I can see how much
you care for him.  I'm glad.  It's about time too.  You have no idea how
many times I've tried to..."

      "Enough," Q jumped in right away.  "Don't you have some place to be?"

      "As do you my friend," Remus countered and slapped him in the back.
"Well, I suppose I'll let you finish up here."  He turned to me and offered
his hand again.  "Jacob it was a pleasure meeting you.  I hope we get to
talk again soon.  I have some stories I can tell you about this one."  He
melted away into energy again and floated up towards the others.

      "Don't even think about it," Q said swatting his friend like he was
trying to clear smoke from the air.  "Now, as for you young man..."

      I felt myself shrink in his presence like a little boy about to be
scolded by a parent.  "I know, I know and I'm sorry.  I don't know what got
into me.  I pictured you out here alone with no one to have your back.  I
just felt my place was by your side.  It was a dumb thing to do but I..."

      He shut me up by kissing me and I was more than happy to go with the
flow.  This really was nowhere near the reaction I was expecting from Q,
but it sure as hell beat getting yelled at.

      "You're sweet Jacob.  But you need to trust me when I say everything
is going to be okay.  And you definitely need to leave here and head back
to the house.  Once you're a brother you can come here all you want, but
for now you need to go."

      "Where is here exactly?  This looks like outer space."

      He laughed.  "It's not outer space.  We're in the Nexus - the hub for
all things Brotherhood."

      "Who created this place?"

      "We did.  A long time ago."

      I shook my head in disbelief.  "You did?"

      "Yes.  It was either this or take-up crocheting and I was never
really any good at needle point."

      "But I see stars."

      "Each 'star' you see represents a house or other location within the
Brotherhood network.  See that one there?" Turning me around, Q pointed at
one of the flickering stars.  "That's our house and it's time for you to go
back.  I believe your friends are hanging around the pool. Go meet up with
them."

      The tiny orb of light moved and came around behind the two pillars
and headed straight for us, but when it got between them it expanded into a
portal.  Once it settled I was able to see thru the rippling surface. There
were Arsen and the gang sitting around the pool just like Q said.  It was
like looking at them thru the surface of a pond.

      "Okay, I'll go," I said and turned back to face him.  "I hope I
didn't get you into any trouble."

      "Nothing I can't handle.  Stop worrying about me okay?"

      "I'll try but I won't make any promises."

      Taking my hands, Q kissed them and slowly backed away.  "Now go be
with your friends.  I'll be back soon."  Like his friend before him, Q
melted into a ribbon of swirling energy, but before his face was completely
gone he said those three words I'd end up carrying with me always.  "I love
you."

      My heart absolutely swelled.  What more could be said?

      I watched as he floated up and joined the rest of his brothers in
that pool of white light.  I stayed for a moment longer trying to see if I
could actually pick him out but it was useless.  It was like trying to pick
out a single drop of water from an ocean.  I turned and walked thru the
portal still hearing those three lovely words play over and over in my
head.

      "And that's all I have to say about that," was all I heard Arsen say
when I appeared behind them.  I was expecting to step out of the mirror
again, but that was not the case.  I'm guessing Q had something to do with
that, but there was no way to know for sure.

      Everyone except for CJ was gathered around the indoor pool.  Troy and
Paul sat around in the chairs while Ant and Arsen sat at the pools edge
with their feet in the water.  I had no idea where CJ was hiding.  By then
I knew they had the same information I did about the Nave and Skai.  I
could feel the apprehension and uncertainty in the air; it curled off them
like smoke.  Believe it or not, it made me feel better.  I wasn't the only
one with doubts.

      "Hey guys," I said.

      I scared the shit of them.  That alone was worth the trip to the
Nexus.

      "Where the fuck did you come from?" Troy demanded.

      "Long story."  I waved dismissively and left it at that.  I could
tell Troy wanted more but he knew that's all he was getting.  I walked over
and sat cross-legged between Arsen and Anthony, but not before Arsen had a
chance to slap my ass.

      "About time you showed up," he said.  "We've been waiting."

      "Why?" I asked.

      "I don't know," he shrugged.  "I thought it'd be nice to get
everyone's thoughts on what we just learned.  What were you doing anyway?"

      "I was still with Q."  I took another look around the room even
though I knew CJ wasn't going to magically appear.  Well, considering I
just did I suppose anything was possible.  "Where's CJ?"

      "With his Big I'm sure," Ant replied.

      "Or getting into trouble somewhere," Paul added.

      We all kind of snickered.  I think our minds were anywhere but there.

      Ant slapped my knee and arched his brow.  "Kind of crazy isn't it?"

      "Crazy doesn't begin to describe it," I said.  "I'm all over the
place with this."

      "I know what you mean.  Conquerors of humanity wasn't on the brochure
when I applied for KU.  Although I didn't read the fine print so I guess
that was my bad."  Any laughed at his joke and we couldn't help but join
him.  "I guess in the end as long as my family is looked after what else
matters really?"

      "I hear that," Arsen agreed.  "Better to be in here with our brothers
than get caught out there with our pants down when this goes down."

      "Amen to that!"  Paul leaned over and gave Arsen a high five.  "I
sure as hell don't..."

      "Fuck ya, Dudes!"  The doors on the other side of the pool room flew
opened.  CJ walked in with his fists in the air and head banging as if he
was jamming out to some serious rock music.  "The world can suck my big,
white cock!"  Clearly he was caught up in the same moral dilemma as the
rest of us.

      We couldn't help but laugh our asses off.

      As he got closer to the pool, CJ stripped off his clothes until he
was butt ass naked, ran towards us and did a cannonball into the pool.
There was no escaping the wave of water flying towards us.  Especially
since Arsen and Ant both held me down so I couldn't get away.  We got
drenched.  Paul and Troy were able to jump out of their chairs in time to
stay dry.  Fuckers!

      CJ popped out of the water right in front of me.  I have to admit he
looked kind of cute.  He had this little kid smile on his face like he
didn't have a care in the world.

      "You little shit!" I feigned anger but could hardly contain my
laughter.

      Suddenly, CJ got all serious and placed his hand on his chest.  "I
have to be me."

      I love that kid.

      "Fuck! I knew I'd find you fucking dudes in here looking like someone
fucking died.  Snap the fuck out of it!  We get to be rulers of the world.
What the fuck more can you possibly want out of life?"

      "Watch your fucking mouth you whore!" Arsen demanded.

      "Suck it!" CJ said and splashed water towards Arsen.  "Seriously
though, I knew The Brotherhood was the shit but I had no idea it was going
to be this fucking awesome!"

      "This doesn't bother you even a little bit?" Anthony asked.

      "Why?" he said.  "Because the Nave want to conquer the human race?
Go for it!  That's about seven billion people I don't know from a hole in
the wall.  Why would it bother me?  So long as I get to be one of the guys
calling the shots, count me in."

      "Fucking CJ," I laughed.

      "What? Am I wrong?  It's better than the alternative dude.  Complete
human extinction at the hands of the Skai?  Fuck that dude!"

      And so the debate went on.  It'd be pointless to rehash what their
arguments were since it was basically the same thing Q and I covered in our
conversation. In fact CJ was like a mini Q; driving home the undisputable
fact that this was going to happen so get on board or go home.  In the end
there were still lingering concerns but we all agreed we would follow The
Brotherhood wherever it took us.

      "You've been quiet Jacob," Arsen said.  "What do you think?"

      I was done beating a dead horse.  It was time to let the matter rest
and move on.

      "I'm seeing Q," I said before I even realized it was out loud.

      "Seeing him do what?" CJ asked.

      I shook my head.  "No you idiot.  I'm seeing Q."  I made a circular
motion with my hand to see if he caught on to what I was saying.

      No such luck.  He started making the same circular motion with his
head as if in a trance.  "Do what exactly?"

      "They're dating you simpleton!" Anthony finally exclaimed.

      CJ looked at me, then looked at Ant and then returned his gaze to me.
"You slut!"

      "Is this true?" Arsen asked.

      I nodded.

      "You fucking slut!" CJ repeated, but in a giddy-about-the-whole-thing
kind of way.  "Who knew you had it in you to bone the big man?"

      Both Ant and Arsen leaned forward and slapped CJ in the back of the
head.  "Shut up," they scolded in unison.

      "Since when?" Ant inquired, his eyes locked on me like a hawk.

      "Remember when we went to pick up Dylan and stayed at that motel?
After that, kind of."  I couldn't help but remember how Q ignored me after
that, but it was only a flash of a memory. "We been a couple every since."

      "That explains a lot," Troy laughed.

      "What's that supposed to mean?" I fired back, glaring at him over my
shoulder.

      "How you made it in; sleeping with the big man and all."

      "Fuck you!"  I was on my feet ready to knock Troy on his ass.  Ant
grabbed me by the wrist. Arsen stood up to hold me back.

      "Whoa!"  Troy bolted from his chair and stood behind it, throwing his
hands up in surrender.  "I was just kidding Jacob!  Relax!  I thought we
were bros."

      "Don't even joke...."

      "Calm down buddy." .Arsen patted my chest and gently pushed me away
from Troy.  "Just relax.  Nobody here thinks anything like that. Right?"

	"I said I was kidding," Troy insisted.
	"Don't even joke about something like that.  Right now Q is being
grilled by the Council of Brothers to ensure that me being here has nothing
to do with the fact that I'm 'sleeping with the big man' you ass."
	"I'm sorry Jacob.  I had no idea.  Honestly I was just kidding."
Troy stepped forward and offered me his hand.  "We cool?"
	I hesitated for a moment until Arsen slapped me in the back and
pushed me forward.  "Yeah, we're cool," I said, shaking Troy's hand.
	"Is Q in any trouble?" Troy asked.  "Is he okay?"
	Backing away, I took my seat at the pools edge in front of CJ.  "Q
thinks so, but I don't know."
	"I wouldn't worry too much Jacob," Arsen said.  "If Q thinks he's
fine I'd take him at his word.  I mean who knows the Council of Brothers
better than Q?"
	"I guess."
	"But let's get back to this 'you being with a guy' thing."
	I let out a half hearted laugh.  "Does it bother you guys?"
	"Personally I think it's wrong and you're going to hell, you
deviant," Anthony said with a serious stone face stare.
	That was enough to break the tension and we all started laughing.
	"Have you been with a guy before Q?" Anthony asked.  "I know you've
been seeing Alex for a while so..."
	"Speaking of Alex that was a fine piece of ass dude," CJ added.
"What happen with her?"
	"Alex and I are over, obviously, not that it was something that
went over well.  As for as being with another guy, well, that's kind of
hazy.  Alex was out of town once and I was at this party buzzing pretty
hard, horny as hell and this guy offered up his services.  One thing lead
to another and...well, you know."
	"Story of my life, dude" CJ said.
	"Why am I not surprised?" I laughed.  "It was a one time thing.  I
barely remember any of it and he did most of the work.  God, I've never
told anyone that."
	"It's cool," Arsen reassured me.  "It's not a big deal."
	"Have you..."
	"No I haven't," Arsen answered knowing exactly what I intended to
ask.  "But it doesn't bother me either.  You should know that."
	"I do."
	"I haven't either."  Troy felt the need to add that in.  "Well
aside from the stuff we had to do during pledging."
	"Same here," Paul added.
	"I'll screw anything." CJ had his amazingly proud grin on his face.
	Anthony started laughing.  "Guys, this isn't a 'who is or isn't
gay' contest."
	"He's right," Arsen agreed.  "In the end I don't think it's going
to matter one way or another.  When it's all said and done I'm pretty sure
we'll be on the same team."
	"What's that supposed to mean?" Paul asked, looking around at the
rest of us as if we knew what Arsen was thinking.
	"Think about it guys.  The Nave are a race of - as CJ would say -
dudes.  If we are given their power and made Nave, all their knowledge,
history, ideals, and desires will be downloaded into our brains making us
fully Nave."
	"I see where you're going with this dude.  The Nave are into each
other. They are able to have kids with each other too. We'd be just like
them."
	"Exactly.  Gay or straight it's not going to matter."
	"Great..."  For some reason I didn't think Paul was being sincere.
	"Dude, don't knock it till you try it."  Again CJ had that same
proud grin on his face.  "Shit, I'd fuck a goat if it meant becoming a Nave
and having their power."
	"Again, why doesn't that surprise me?" I laughed.
	"Well anyway, Jacob, if Q makes you happy than I'm happy for you
both."
	Everyone agreed and it felt nice to have their support.  It was an
awesome feeling knowing we no longer had to hide behind a closed door.
Before I knew it Q and I being together became old news and the
conversation went back to what life would be like as a Nave.  I just sat
back and listened to what everyone was saying.  It was a lot of the same
stuff we just covered but everyone was too excited to talk about anything
else.
       I didn't offer much.  My mind kept wondering back to Q and what was
going on with him.  I would look over my shoulder every once and awhile
hoping he'd appear behind me like I did.  No such luck.
       Eventually I excused myself and left my friends to get some fresh
air.  I simply walked the grounds around the house enjoying the cool night
air and the quiet of my own company.  My family crept into my thoughts.  I
wondered how I was going to break the news to them about all that I learned
and how the hell I was going to convince them to move to this utopia the
Nave had planned for our families.  I started formulating a list in my head
of all my relatives I had to remember to bring along with us.  Believe it
or not that's a lot harder than it sounds.  What if I forgot my great great
great uncle or something?  This of course was my adopted family.  My real
family could still be out there somewhere and there's no way for me to warn
them...no way to protect them.
       "You'll find them again Jacob," a voice said from behind me.
       Looking over my shoulder, I saw Steve walking up behind me.  "Hey
buddy," I smiled, taking his hand and pulling him into a hug.  "It's good
to see you again.  I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever come around
again."
       "I'm not that easy to get rid of," he said and stood next to me by
the fountain.  He was positively glowing.  Now considering who I was
talking about I should clarify that I mean that figuratively.  But he
definitely had this confidence about him that wasn't there while we were
pledging.  I understood it was all part of the act, but it was really nice
seeing him like this.
       "What are you talking about?  I'll find them again?"
       "Your parents of course," Steve said simply.  "Your biological
parents I mean.  Isn't that what's weighing heavily on your mind?"
       I nodded.  "Among other things.  Anyway, how can you be so sure?"
       "At some point you'll be presented with the choice of taking in our
power and becoming one of us...becoming a Nave."  He paused for moment as
if waiting for me to connect the dots, but I just stared at him waiting for
him to finish.  "The power of the Nave will break down any walls that are
blocking your memories.  You'll have full access again."
       I heard his words but they took a minute to register.  What Steve
said made complete sense. I'd seen the power of the Nave, but I guess I
just never thought that far ahead.  I never thought about what it meant to
be a full fledge Nave.
       "Jacob?"  Steve waved his hand in front of my face then snapped his
fingers.  "Hello?  Eiyr to Jacob."
       The loud snap pulled me out of my daze.  "Why didn't Q tell me
that?"
       He kind of smiled at me as if the answer was so clear I was foolish
for not seeing it.  "Isn't it obvious Jacob?"  See what I mean?  "One day Q
might very well be the one to present you with the option of being made one
of us.  When that day comes he's going to want to make sure you accept our
grace for all the right reasons.  Retrieving your lost memories can't be
your sole motivation for becoming one of us."
       "That makes sense I guess.  But from what I understand eventually
all humans within the Brotherhood will be made Nave right?"
       "They will be given the option Jacob.  You make it sound like we're
going to force this life on our human brothers.  But to answer your
question, yes, eventually we'd like all our brothers to be Nave."
       "So why does it matter what my motivations are if I'm going to end
up a Nave one way or another?"
       He smiled.  "If you have to ask the question then you'll never
understand the answer."
       "Ok Dr. Phil"
       Now he laughed.  "Is it enough if I say that it matters to us?"
       I nodded and left it at that.  Admittedly, the thought of getting my
memories back once I became a Nave was definitely on the forefront of my
mind.  "Can I ask you something?"
       "Go for it."
       "You've been a Nave for over a thousand years or something crazy
like that right?"
       "Nearly sixteen hundred years, yes."
       I nodded. The reality of that number still took time to sink in.
"Any regrets?"
       "None that come to mind.  Honestly Jacob, this is probably the best
thing that has ever happened to me.  I'm not just saying this to feed you
some Nave propaganda.  It's the truth.  Think about it.  If it wasn't for
their grace I'd be long dead and turned to dust by now.  The hardest part
was out living those you love.  But becoming a Nave meant I was able to
ensure they lived a long and full life.  Remember, in my day, life
expectancy was not what it is today.  Giving my love ones more time was a
true gift for all of us."
       "Yeah, I can see that.  How did you explain the whole eternal youth
thing while everyone else around you got older?"
       "I didn't have to; I grew older along with them until I myself
'passed away' from old age."
       I laughed.  "Got it.  Was it an easy decision for you to make?  To
become a Nave I mean."
       "A lot easier than you'd think."
       "Why is that?"
       "When Q revealed his true self you thought he was an angel right?"
       I smiled sheepishly, feeling a bit foolish.
       "Everyone does.  How long did it take Q to convince you otherwise?"
       "He just told me he wasn't." I shrugged.
       "Back in my day they really had to convince us they weren't
messengers from God," Steve laughed.  "No matter how many times they told
me otherwise, I wholeheartedly believed they were angels from heaven and
that I was being tested.  To be honest with you, in the end, I think the
Nave had the tougher job.  I think I was convinced they were 'of God' until
the moment I became one of them."
       "So you joined because you believed you were doing God's will?"
       "No, there were other factors involved, but the thought was always
there no matter how small.  So when it was time to make the decision, it
was easy for me."  Steven paused for a moment than turned to look me in the
eyes.  "You're worried you won't be able to decide when it's your time."
       "I don't know."
       "The Nave will know when you're ready, trust me.  And just because
you are ready doesn't mean you'll be given our light right away.
Everything has it's time Jacob.  Yours will come."  He looked over his
shoulder and looked at the house before looking at back at me.  "Looks like
Q's back."
       "What?  He's back?  How do you know?"
       Steve looked at me as if to say, seriously?
       "Right," I conceded.  "Anyway, thanks for the chat but I have to go
see Q.  Don't be a stranger."  I didn't get two feet before Steve grabbed
my arm and pulled back to where I was standing.  "What's wrong?"
       "Nothing is wrong, but you need to get back to your room and
change."
       "Change?  Change into what?  No.  I have to go see Q."
       He smiled.  "Time to go back to your room."
       Steve slapped my shoulder and the next thing I knew I was standing
in my bedroom.  "The fuck?"
       "Oh there you are."  Arsen walked into our room wearing nothing by a
pair of white, very snug trunks.  He walked passed me and slapped my
stomach playfully.  "Hurry up and get dressed.  Hey, where did you come
from anyway?"
       "Never mind.  What's going on?"
       "I don't know," Arsen answered.  "We were all just told to go back
our rooms and get changed into these so get to it."  He gestured to the
pile of clothes folded neatly on our bed.  "The twins will be here to get
us in a few minutes."
       "What's going on?" I asked again as I stripped naked.
       Arsen laughed and put on a pair of silky white pants.  "Didn't I
just say I have no idea?"
       I had the same clothes Arsen did.  And believe me; my white trunks
were just as snug.  The white pants felt amazing against my skin, cool and
very supple.  We didn't get any shirts just a white, hooded robe.
       "This material is going to give me a hardon," Arsen joked.  "Come
on, let's go."
       I stepped into a pair of white slippers and walked outside with
Arsen to join the rest of the group.  The first thing I saw was CJ
adjusting his very obvious budge.
       "Dude, these clothes feel so fucking amazing they're giving me a
major bone."  Unlike Arsen, he clearly wasn't joking.
       Paul slapped the back of CJ's head.  "Put that thing away."
       "It is away."
       "Barely," I laughed.
       Someone coughed behind us to get our attention and we turned to find
the twins standing by the stairs.  They were dressed as we were. We formed
a line as ordered and listened to the twins as they gave us final
instructions for the events to come.  The anxiety level among us shot thru
the roof and I could've sworn I heard our collective heartbeats echoing in
the hallway.  The twins finally lead the way to an area of the house we'd
never seen before.
       Actually, that wasn't exactly true.  I'd passed by this door many
times. But that was when it was small and ordinary and never once sparked
any interest or desire in me to find out what was on the other side.
Tonight, that door...or at least the space that door used to occupy...had
changed.  It was no longer small and ordinary.  In fact, it wasn't even a
single door anymore.  It was a set of large, double doors that opened
inward.  They were at least twice my height, rounded at the top and gilded.
I didn't have to ask, I knew the gold was real.  No question. And it had to
make the doors heavy as hell, but they slid open seemingly of their own
accord.
       Single file and silent, we followed the twins inside.
       My mouth dropped.  The room was huge, maybe larger than the house
that held it and decorated not in a color but in opulence itself.
       Picture a ballroom, grand and expansive with ornate columns, three
in each corner, stretching four...maybe five...stories to the ceiling
above. A ceiling the color of diamonds with a scalloped edge were it met
golden walls.  Walls constructed of thick beveled arches and carved lattice
all wrapped in an ornate balcony of gold and red.  Picture six crystal
chandeliers, each the size of a small car, dangling from that ceiling in
the form of a perfect circle.  Light from them shimmered and danced across
the space.  There was no furniture in the room or any windows or even a
stair case leading to the balcony for that matter.
       Picture our pledge line...dumb struck and eyes wide as we took our
place in the center of the room.  I felt my heart pounding in my chest.
This was it.  This was the moment we worked so hard to achieve.  I honestly
couldn't believe we were moments away from realizing our dream.  I'm pretty
sure I had to remind myself to breathe a few times.
       "Let it begin," the twins said in unison.
       We knew to turn to our left, place our hoods over our heads and drop
to one knee.  Anthony was to my left while Arsen was to my right.  They
both bowed their heads like I did, all of us waiting for what was to come.
The lights shut off suddenly and the room went pitch black.  I couldn't see
Arsen or Anthony even though they were only a few feet away from me.
       We knelt there in the dark for a good ten minutes without saying a
word.  One thing did change though.  We weren't alone anymore.  That huge
room we were in was now filled with Brothers.  I didn't see them come in
nor did I hear them, hell I couldn't even hear anyone breathing, but I knew
without a doubt they were there for the ceremony.
       Six columns of light appeared with a hooded brother standing before
each of us.  They were dressed in white like us and their hoods fell across
their noses, exposing only their mouths.  I assumed the brother standing in
front of me was Q but I couldn't be sure.
       "And so it is the six of you begin a new chapter in your lives as
you become one with The Brotherhood."  This voice did not come from any of
the brothers standing before us but from the darkness.  It was one
all-encompassing voice.  "If you are ready to commit your fealty, devotion,
and lives to The Brotherhood then let all bear witness... "
       With that I offered my right hand to the brother in front of me as
we were instructed to do by the twins.  The brother took my hand and
slipped The Brotherhood ring on my finger.  The ring was glowing and felt
warm and tingly against my skin.
       "Now rise...my brothers," the voice commanded.
       As we stood the pillars of light vanished leaving us in the dark
again.  The only light came from our rings.  The glow from six rings was
not enough to offer much in the way of light, but then the rings on the
brothers in front of us began to glow.  Within seconds more rings began to
glow behind and to the side of them.  We couldn't help but look around and
as we did more and more rings lit up until we were surrounded by hundreds
of glowing rings.  It was fucking awesome how the room was illuminated only
by our rings.  It gave everything around us an eerie and haunting feeling
that seemed very fitting for what we were doing.
       "Congratulations," the brother in front of me offered.
       I turned to catch him removing his hood and I smiled.  "Q..."
       "I told you everything was going to be okay," he smiled back.  "You
worried..."
       I shut Q up by kissing him.  It wasn't planned and to this day I'm
still shocked I did it front of all my brothers.  But you know what?  It
felt right.
       "Are you going to kiss all your new brothers like this?" Q joked,
placing his hand on the small of my back.
       "Only the ones named Q."
       "I guess I can live with that."
       I was going to kiss Q again when Anthony grabbed my arm suddenly.  I
looked at him and he was just frozen in place.  "Ant, are you okay?"  He
didn't answer me he just stared at the brother who gave him his ring.  He
had removed his hood and was staring back at Anthony.  "What's wrong
Buddy?"  I placed my hand over the one he used to hold on to my arm and
rubbed it gently.  "Anthony..."
       "He'll be fine," Q assured me.
       "What the hell is going on?"
       "Just give him a minute Jacob."
       Tears started rolling down Anthony's cheeks and I was beginning to
freak out.  Q had this little, devilish grin on his face which wasn't
helping me at all.  I was about to say something but Anthony beat me to it.
       "Alessandro..." he whispered.  His voice was so soft if it wasn't
for the stillness in the room I never would have heard him utter that name.
       "I will always find you," Alessandro said.
       Releasing his vice like grip, Anthony flew into Alessandro's arms
and hugged him.  The room exploded in cheer.  There wasn't a single person
who wasn't clapping, whistling or hollering.  Normally when the pledges
receive their ring that's the queue for everyone to celebrate, but this
time Q ordered everyone to wait until Anthony realized who was standing
before him.
       I have to admit Anthony and Alessandro's reunion had me more than a
little misty eyed.  I wasn't the only one either.  Arsen was definitely
clearing his eyes while CJ just had this shit eating grin on his face.
Actually, I think we all had big ass grins - the kind that hurt - on our
faces. Anthony was family to us, we counted have been happier for him.  .
       Anthony was overjoyed.  Aside from calling out his name, he had yet
to say anything to Alessandro, but he couldn't bring himself to let him go.
He held on to him for all it was worth.  It was like he was afraid
Alessandro would be taken away again if he let ago.  It wasn't until after
a very long and passionate kiss that Anthony finally released his beloved.
       "But how?" Anthony asked as he squeezed Alessandro's shoulders to
confirm the fact that he was indeed real.
       "I'm attending Cambridge in the UK and that's where The Brotherhood
found and recruited me," Alessandro said, caressing the side of Anthony's
face.  "I've been going thru my own form of pledging these last several
weeks just like you."
       "He completed his ceremony just yesterday and we brought him he
today to present you with your ring," Q said.  "We're just very pleased we
were able to pull it off in time."
       With tears in his eyes, Anthony turned to Q and thanked him.  He
cleared away his tears then announced to the room he felt like an idiot for
crying.
       "Don't sweat it," I said and then turned to Alessandro to introduce
myself.
       "Right," Anthony said.  "I'm sorry.  These are my friends..."
       He tried to introduce the rest of us but the poor guy was so
overwhelmed he drew a complete bank and just stood there snapping his
fingers.  Everyone laughed and simply introduced themselves.  We exchanged
some words with Alessandro but didn't take up too much of his time.
Obviously they had a lot of catching up to do and I could tell by the look
in Anthony's eyes that he was eager to get Alessandro alone.
       CJ, god love him, didn't get it and kept asking question after
question.  As it turned out, Alessandro was living in Spain with his family
until he got accepted into Cambridge.  He wanted to apply to American
colleges but his father would not allow it.  Apparently his father was
still very bitter about the whole "gay" thing.  He feared Alessandro would
try to find Anthony once he was back in the states.  Talk about taking
homophobia to the next level of paranoia.
       I finally grabbed CJ by the neck, dragged him away and told the two
newly reunited lovebirds to enjoy each other.  I didn't get too far before
Q made an announcement.
       "Brothers," he said and within a few seconds a hush fell over the
crowd.  "We have another reason to celebrate. Tonight one of our brothers
is reborn."
       With that everyone backed away towards the wall leaving the Inner
Circle in the middle of the room.  Actually us 'newbies' had to be pulled
back by the twins because we had no idea what was going on.  Q, Seth, Steel
and Eric formed a circle and slipped their robes off and let them fall to
the ground.  Within moments there was an explosion of light so strong I had
to shield my eyes.  When it finally passed they stood there bare chested
with their glowing wings crisscrossed over each other like X's; the entire
room was filled with their light.
       In the center of the circle stood Shaun and Dylan wearing only their
white pants as they bathed in their brother's radiance.  Shaun did not have
his wings out but he was wreathed in what appeared to be white fire.
Opening his arms, he said something in Nave I later found out simply meant
"welcome brother" and Dylan walked into his open arms.  The white fire
encompassed Dylan within seconds and after a brief moment it extinguished.
       They smiled at each other and kissed.  I wasn't expecting that.  It
wasn't a crazy passionate "I want to bend you over the couch kiss" but one
you might share with a friend.  That's when I saw a stream of light pass
from Shaun's lips to Dylan.  As he pulled away, the light finished going
into Dylan's mouth and up thru his nostrils.
       Shaun backed away and everything went dark.  The circle's wings stop
glowing as did our rings.  Seconds past, then I saw Dylan again but only
because he was covered in a faint glow.  Throwing his head back slightly
and extending his arms to the side, Dylan rose slow and steady into the
air.  His glow got stronger and stronger until there was yet another
explosion of light.  When it cleared, Dylan remained hovering over all of
us with his new ivory wings proudly...deliberately...flapping behind him.
       He was Nave.
       The room burst into cheers yet again that night as everyone welcomed
the newly born Nave.  I got to congratulate Dylan and even gave him a hug,
but I didn't get much time with him.  He was all over the place talking to
everyone.  It reminded me of a wedding where you spend few seconds with the
bride and groom and then never talk to them for the rest of the night.  One
thing was for sure.  Dylan, like Anthony and Alessando, was extremely
happy.
       He did manage to ask me how I liked our ceremony for becoming
brothers.  I admitted that it was a lot shorter than what I expected.
That's when someone from behind me told me to "bite my tongue" before
someone hears me.  I turned to find Mike of all people offering me
congratulations on becoming a brother.  Apparently back in the day when he
became a brother the ceremony took nearly two hours to complete.
Eventually, it was decided that short and sweet was better.  Two hours?
Yeah, I wasn't going to complain.  He patted me on the back and told me he
knew I had it in me to make it and then disappeared into the crowd.  I
realized he was only playing a role while he was pretending to pledge with
us, but this "nice" Mike was going to take some getting used to.
       By this time the celebration was in full swing.  The liquor was
flowing, the music bumping, and we were finally Brothers free from the
constraint of pledging.  I should point out the alcohol was for us human
Brothers.  I never saw any of our Nave Brothers take a sip.  It's not that
they're incapable of drinking mind you it's just that they can drink for
days and never feel the effect.  And really what would be the point?  As it
was, the Nave could definitely act as poster boys for not needing to drink
to have a good time.
       The lights were kept off leaving our rings the only source of light
as was tradition.  It was like have a bright ass glow stick on our fingers.
I have to say it made for a cool atmosphere, but what really turned the
party up a notch was traffic.  The party was not restricted to our house.
Every house was celebrating and because of the mirrors and the Nexus we had
access to all the other houses within the Brotherhood.  We had brothers
stopping in from all across the world and we, in turn, got to go anywhere
we wanted.
       The Nexus acted like the hub for the parties and it was where a lot
of brothers spent their time.  I spent over an hour there with Q and the
rest of the gang meeting all kinds of people.  Q and I didn't get too much
alone time as everyone wanted to visit with Q.  I really didn't understand
his importance to the Brotherhood until I got to see him in his element.  I
mean I knew he was the big shot in our house but seeing him in the Nexus
with all his brothers - all our brothers - brought the experience to a
whole new level.
        I asked him about his evaluation and he had nothing but good things
to say.  He actually made fun of me for being so worried that I jumped thru
the mirror after him.  It was his favorite story to tell everyone.  I
wanted to slap him upside the head on more than one occasion.
       We ended up kissing a lot instead.
       That actually took me by surprise.  Q was not at all shy about being
affectionate with me.  Whether it was rubbing my shoulder from behind,
slipping his hand into mine, or kissing me in front of everyone because I
said something he thought was "cute" Q was very open about us.  It was a
little weird for me only because I wasn't use to doing this with a guy.
Alex and I were always all over each other at parties, but this was
different.  Now don't get me wrong.  Q wasn't all over me like some horn
dog or doing anything inappropriate.  He was very sweet and loving.  If I
wandered too far from him, I felt his eyes following me, looking out for
me; never allowing me out of his site for too long.  He was careful not to
allow someone to steal away too much of his time before he found his way
back to my side. Because of that, the feeling of "weirdness" didn't last
long.
       Eventually we did get separated though.  Way too many people wanted
time with Q so Arsen, CJ, and I decided to do some exploring of our own.
We wanted Anthony to come with us but he remained behind in our house to
spend time with his boy.  We could only guess where Paul and Troy
disappeared to.
       I definitely got more attention than Arsen or CJ.  Not in a bad way
mind you, but everyone wanted to meet the one who finally captured Q's
heart.  If there ever was a hardcore Nave completely devoted to his people
and their cause, Q was that Nave.  Even back in the days of Aquaiia, Q was
all about doing whatever it took to look after his people.  Many of the
Nave closest to Q wanted to see him happy and urged and even pushed him on
occasion to find a good Nave to "settle down with" as the term goes.  He
never did.
       Fast forward about a billion years and here comes this white boy
from the suburbs who completely swept Q off his feet.  Yeah, I was
definitely a person of interested to the rest of our Brothers.  Everyone
treated me with respect.  I actually got to learn a little more about Q, as
they were eager to share stories from his past. Though I could tell they
were guarded and careful not to give up too much for fear of annoying Q.
       All in all it we had an amazing experience as we partied the night
away, or the day away depending where we were.  The three of us ended up
visiting over thirty houses, made a bunch of new friends, ate some of the
most amazing food and drank to our hearts content.
       In the end I was drunker than I've ever been in my life, threw up
twice, and finally passed out in Sydney Australia.  Now that's a fucking
party!

__________

To reach chapter 22 join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theinnercircletbh/

So there you have it - the 21st chapter of The Brotherhood, I hope you
liked it.  I will definitely continue the story, no problem, but it really
depends on you guys.  If you enjoyed what you read so far and would like to
read more please drop me an email at thewriterxx@aol.com or post in the
group.

Your Lord and Master,

X