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 Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 7:25 pm
Devyn paused, tilting his head just slightly. “The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind.”
For a few seconds longer, he tried to imagine how Atticus could have come to that conclusion, but when it didn’t make sense to him, he decided it was best to just let Atticus speak for himself.
It was hard not to wipe the tears from his eyes, but Devyn just smiled apologetically. He continued to stroke his hair, trying to give him any comfort he could.
“Do you think you’re giving up?”
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 7:27 pm
Atticus shook his head and lowered his eyes to hide behind his bear, feeling silly when it wasn’t something Devyn had even been thinking about. It was a little bit of a relief at least, but still really embarrassing. He just didn’t want anyone to think he was giving up.
Because they couldn’t give up. They couldn’t stop fighting. And Atticus had no intention of stopping now. He’d been fighting his whole life, in one way or another. He was just quieter about it. It wasn’t with fists or voices, it was just stubborn perseverance.
“What happened that made you cry?” he prompted, hoping that he could hide his embarrassment behind a story from Devyn.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 7:54 pm
“I was scared,” Devyn said simply. The corners of his lip had twitched into a little smile as Atticus hid behind his bear. “I was under a lot of pressure. I was young, I didn't have the experience I do now. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I hadn’t been on a lot of ‘missions’ as a Senshi. I was still getting used to my magic. I was taking lessons, learning how to fight. A lot of people weren’t happy with me back then, they thought I was hiding. Very disappointing for a Senshi, you know.”
He shrugged. “I’d just started traveling, getting a chance to see the world I was supposed to represent. We didn’t go too far at first, no more than two or three days’ travel, but along the way we’d passed a town called Lavedna. It’s across the river, quite a bit downstream from the Hall. I’d been by a few times but I didn’t like to stop there, or anywhere nearby. I never slept well. I used to dream of my past life. Always nightmares. But the worst was waking up to the sound of screeching. It was a shrill wail from deep in the forest. They told me it was an owl and I tried to believe them but no owl I’d ever heard cried so loud I felt it in my bones.
“So, unsurprisingly, when we started hearing stories coming out of Lavedna, I believed them. I was a gullible child already, and I’d made up my mind that something was wrong with the forest. They said a monster lived there, big enough that the ground trembled when it walked, and strong enough that it toppled trees effortlessly. I’d painted quite a picture in my mind. ‘When the creature hunts, it makes a terrible cry’ they said, and already eleven men were attacked, and eight dead, and the three left alive had all fled the area as soon as they were able. I heard so many names for it–a monster, a demon, a god. I was scared of it. They said it slaughtered men with darkness in their hearts, said that it could smell corruption.”
Another shrug; he supposed Atticus could see where this was going. Devyn was not known for short stories, but he was trying to hurry this along. Even if he enjoyed whatever time he could spend with his son.
“It came out after dark, so I insisted we always be long gone by then. Nobody really listened to me, I was just a silly kid. I think some of them wanted me scared. Punishment for something I’d done in a past life, I don’t know. Some of my entourage were more pleasant than others. But, we had business in town and it was insisted upon me that I should do something about it. And then three of my entourage disappeared and I rather liked one of them. I couldn’t very well go back to the Hall with only one–and he hated me, I know that, because he demanded I handle it myself. It was a senshi’s job. And then suddenly the whole town was demanding I do something–and I hadn’t even wanted to be there in the first place. They’d all spent so long telling me how awful this thing was, terrifying me, and then suddenly it was just me in the forest, looking for a monster I knew I couldn’t overpower. My magic hardly worked, I was afraid of that, too. I thought I’d do more damage to myself than it. I had speed on my side, and a desire to find my–I suppose I could call them friends, but they weren’t really. Even the one I liked. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt, I just didn’t think there was much I could do. Lucien wasn’t there, my Council wasn’t there. There wasn’t any time to get help. It was just me, and a monster, and a town full of angry, scared people pushing us together. So, I was terrified, and hardly holding it together at all.”
He paused then, if only to give Atticus a moment. Devyn could have continued his storytelling without delay but he knew if he kept talking without any breaks, Atticus wouldn’t interrupt him if he needed anything.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 8:01 pm
Atticus was, of course, listening with great anticipation. Even though he knew Devyn was okay, he was so worried about what must have happened to him!
“Was there really a monster? Did you find your people? What about your magic? Did you learn how to use it? Why wasn’t anyone helping you?” he blubbered, sad that anyone would have made it difficult for Devyn to be a Senshi. And while he didn’t say how old he was, Atticus could only assume he was really young. Especially since there was no mention of Percy, only Lucien.
He knew he was probably jumping ahead, so he quickly hid behind the bear again.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 8:09 pm
Devyn never minded the questions, and he was glad he’d paused for them.
“Well,” he continued, “I went into the forest during the daytime to look, because I knew the creature came out at night and I hoped I could find it before then, rescue my friends, and stop it from hurting anyone again. It hadn’t occurred to me that I might need to kill it yet. I didn’t know how to track it. I just went into the woods. It was better than everyone yelling at me in town. And I wanted to do the right thing. But,” he clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth.
“I’ve never been good with directions, so I spent all day lost. And I didn’t pack enough food, I ate it all before lunch. I was bad at rationing. I told you, Atticus, I did everything wrong. I got so hungry I ate some mushrooms. Threw them up. Found a river, followed that. Still couldn’t find anything. My voice was hoarse from calling out. No one called back. So, by the time the sun started to go down, I was tired, hungry, sick, terrified. I cried because I was so frustrated. And I knew I was going to die.”
There was a certain level of amusement to Devyn’s voice as he continued.
“The moon had just risen over the treeline when I heard it. It was bad when I’d been at the inn, when I was inside. It was worse when I was out in the open. And it was so close. My blood went cold and my ears were ringing. And the ground trembled. Once, twice. The trees started rustling, popping, cracking. It came from the west, away from the river, but not by much. I wanted to scream but I couldn’t find my voice. I thought, everyone who came out here is dead, and I knew that, and I came out anyway, and now it was my turn. I was petrified, I couldn’t even move. And then I heard someone cry out for help. I didn’t know whose voice it was but I knew someone was still alive. So, I ran. Towards it. Because I thought–I knew where the river was, if we could get there, we’d be safe. This wasn’t anything anyone told me, I’d just convinced myself. There was a small clearing, which isn’t saying much. It was an old forest, the kind that grows without influence. The kind that has a spirit of its own. I’ll show you,” he suggested suddenly, brightly. “I’ve been back a few times since then, but maybe I’m skipping ahead too much. There was a monster,” he confirmed, fighting the urge to sit up and try to describe it with his hands.
“Maybe a bit like an elk, but three times as big as any other I’ve seen. But it was stout, like a bear–broad shouldered and massive. It didn’t have hooves, it had claws, each one bigger than my hand. Teeth like knives, and I could see a whole mouthful of them. Antlers big enough that they could scrape a grown man up–and me, definitely, I got tossed. But that happened a little later. Its fur was dark, covered in moss. It smelled of the forest, and of blood. A tail like a fox’s, that drooped to the ground and dragged behind it. It rattled when it walked, from all the bones clacking. I’d never seen anything so horrible. It opened its mouth and screeched at me, and my ears were already ringing. I wanted to run, I thought I might be faster than it, but the men I was looking for were there, tangled in the roots. I don’t remember what they were saying, I couldn’t really hear. It kept making that noise. And it attacked me. Scooped me up in its antlers and tossed me into a tree. Everything was a bit of a blur, I was on pure adrenaline. I don’t even remember hurting. But I broke two ribs and dislocated my shoulder. And one of my kidneys almost ruptured! I had a concussion. And my wrist broke. I’ve still a scar on my back from it, but it’s mostly faded now. Too bad, it was a good story. It was all very exciting. Not at the time, but afterwards. Dr. Eld was so furious. That was scary too but I’ll tell you about that another time. I’m surprised I haven’t put you to sleep yet. You’re such a good sport about all of this. Don’t worry, I was young and I healed up very well. I don’t know how long we fought for. It didn’t really feel like much of a fight. Mostly, I got mangled. But, somewhere between the start of it and the end, they left. The men I was looking for. I saw them heading towards the river. It was slow. I didn’t think to ask them for help. Instead, I just kept moving. I don’t know, it gave me a second wind. I thought, I don’t have to win, I just have to distract it. So I did. Until the moon was halfway across the sky. I was fast so fast back then, Atticus. And small. It couldn’t hit me. Every time it charged, it ran into something else. A tree, rocks. It stumbled over underbrush. And I could climb trees very well. A few times it chased me, but its antlers kept getting stuck.”
He was, perhaps, a bit more animated than he needed to be, considering he was telling a story where he’d almost died multiple times.
“And you know? As the fight went on, it got smaller, and smaller. I don’t know if it was my imagination–I don’t think it was, I’m not that creative–but it felt like the less I feared it, the more it shrank. By the end of it, it was no bigger than any other deer. Still bigger than me, but it came at me once more, and collapsed. I saw it breathing, I know it wasn’t dead, but it was whining. It tried to get up, fell. I threw up again. Might have been the mushrooms again. I thought it was a trick so I kept my distance, but…”
His brows had furrowed, like if he squinted he might see the memory clearer. “I felt bad for it. It felt as old as the forest. I didn’t know what to do. The concussion might have been getting to me by then. I went to check on it. It looked at me but it was too weak to lift its head. An arrow bolt was sticking out of it, right under its neck. It was stupid of me, I reached for it. That monster could have bitten off my whole arm but I panicked. I yanked it out. It screeched at me but it couldn’t get up. I remember, it bled so much. Maybe I was too tired to think clearly, I tried to stop it. Its blood made my skin blister but I didn’t want it to die. I think, at that point, I knew I’d won. But I didn’t feel good about it. So, I did the rational thing, and I started crying again. I pushed as hard as I could but it wouldn’t stop bleeding out.”
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 8:19 pm
Atticus made sure to pay attention. His eyes widening when things got suspenseful, and gasping at just the right moments. He clung tightly to his bear and hid his face at the scary parts. How Devyn thought he would be able to fall asleep instead of having nightmares, he wasn’t sure.
But as Devyn continued the story, talking about how he discovered the monster had been injured, and how he was hurt but was still trying to save the monster--
Well, Atticus couldn’t help but have tears fill his eyes, too.
“Did you save it?” he asked with a shaky voice, fearing the worst. He knew it was a thousand years ago by now, and Devyn was okay, even if he must have been really hurt and really scared.
But Atticus couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the monster that had been hurt. “Was it making that noise you heard because it was crying, too?”
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 6:44 am
“Ah, Atticus. You’re so smart.” Devyn’s eyes had trailed to a distant wall briefly but returned to Atticus’ face. “Yeah, that’s all it was. I don’t know if I saved it, it didn't really feel like it at the time. I stayed with it until morning. It stopped breathing sometime before dawn. I didn’t know what to do. I shook it, yelled at it. That didn’t help. So you’ll never guess what I did next,” he said wryly.
He didn’t have to tell Atticus that he’d cried again but he didn’t seem like he was ashamed of that, either.
“But then, the strangest thing. I knew it was dead. But the sun came up, and it started breathing again. After a while, it picked itself up. It had this look in its eye. I thought it was going to attack me again. It just stood there for a while. I didn’t move. I was so tired, Atticus. I didn’t think I could pick myself up. And then, it left. Just like that. And I didn’t understand any of it. It took me the rest of the day to get back to town. I got lost again. Tried to follow the river but wasn’t really sure where it was going to take me. I started to drift in and out of consciousness, I think. I remember seeing some flowers. Pretty, golden ones. And fireflies. But the sun was up. I just kept walking until I found my way out. Turns out I gave everyone a bit of a scare. Everyone thought it killed me. The group made it out okay. I mean, roughed up, but alive, which is better than anyone expected.”
A faint little smile danced on Devyn’s face. “It was scary. I wasn’t ready for any of it. But it was a good experience for me. It taught me a lot, about my world, My people. Myself. You will be unsurprised to hear that all of this started because of the greed of men, taking what doesn’t belong to them. There are sacred parts of the forest, you can feel it when you visit–I’ll take you, it’s beautiful. It looks the same as it always has. Back then, they told me it was a god. An ancient spirit guarding the old world, enacting vengeance on those who did harm to the forest and those inside it. They were burning the forest to clear it out, and in the process found a fawn. They hunted it, well beyond where man was meant to venture. I can’t blame that ‘god’ for lashing out. I’d do the same to anyone that hurt you. I didn’t understand everything then, but I knew enough to know it was important. So,” his eyes found Atticus’ again.
“I don’t think it’s wrong to be scared. I don’t think it makes you any weaker. I was terrified when I went into the forest, and I came out stronger. Everyone did. You know, they told me I imagined most of that fight, though. They said it was the concussion. Drove me crazy, for years. I went back when I was a little older to try and find that ‘god’ again. I just needed to know.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 10:46 am
“Did you find it?” he asked quietly, because he wanted to know just as Devyn needed to know at the time.
Anxiously, Atticus chewed on his lip and the inside of his cheek. There were still a lot of things that worried him. Things he didn’t make sense, things that could happen that he had no control over. He was worried about what could happen to his family and his friends. He was worried about what could happen to the world and everyone who lived there. He was worried about what it meant for the starseeds that were sent there to be reborn.
“What if the serpent trying to attack Earth is the same way?” he wondered, frowning sadly at the thought. “On the moon, Oberon said there were… hunters? Or… I’m not sure who they are, but he thought they could help us. What if they -- or someone else -- hurt the serpent? Or maybe it’s upset about other innocents being hurt. What if it senses the Chaos on Earth and is trying to help get rid of it? Or… maybe it’s just trying to get someone’s attention to help it. Like the forest god on Alastor.”
He had a feel like that most of his thoughts were silly and naive, but the idea that maybe this creature was not what it seemed brought him some comfort.
Instead of being caught up worrying so much, he needed to make sure they were prepared to help it if they could. Yes, protect Earth, but would they really trap it and keep it locked away again?
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 10:54 am
“Those are good questions,” Devyn admitted. “And the truth is, I don’t think we’ll know until we’re facing off against it. It could go either way. Maybe it is just some lost, lonely creature trying to get back to its world. Maybe it’s just a parasite that doesn’t know how to eat. Maybe it’s an evil thing that thrives on destruction. I don’t know if anyone knows, but we’re going to get the chance to find out. I think people are the most honest when they fight. When they’ve got something worth fighting for. I’ve fought all sorts of people, and all sorts of things. Sometimes they’re someone you can help. Sometimes they’re someone you have to stop. It’s okay to not know. As long as we’re doing our best to keep everyone safe. Maybe that includes the serpent.”
Though Devyn didn’t particularly believe there was any humanity in the creature, he was willing to be wrong. Maybe he wanted to be. “I love that about you, you know. Your ability to look for the good in anything. Just don’t let it break your heart if this is one of those instances where it’s something we can’t save. Don’t ever lose your hope, Atticus. You’ll do so much good in your life.”
He leaned over to kiss Atticus’ forehead before settling back into his pillows.
“More than me, I hope. But no pressure. You’ll carve your own path. And I’ll be proud of you no matter what direction it leads you in. You’ll always have my support. And, I’ll probably always tell you that things will be okay. Whether or not I have all the information, I have the conviction. I’m not telling you that because I think it’s what you want to hear–it’s what I believe. I’ve gotten very good at trusting my gut over the years. I think we’ll be okay, as long as we do our best. And–so you don’t have to wonder about it, yes. I did find it again. I’m very glad to report I wasn’t crazy then, and I’m not crazy now.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 10:59 am
Atticus let out a breath of relief when Devyn said he found the forest god again. Good. He knew that it had been a very long time since Devyn probably last saw it, but Atticus was happy to have learned about it. Not about how Devyn got hurt and almost died!! But everything else, he was glad that Devyn had a chance to learn and grow.
He looked curiously up at Devyn, his cheeks feeling warm as he was praised and encouraged. He didn’t think he did anything to really deserve it. He knew he caused his family and friends problems by being too emotional, but he was glad that they still loved him.
And no, they didn’t know what the creature would be like. Maybe they wouldn’t be able to save it. But maybe they could. Atticus knew it would be difficult, no matter what. But they had to keep trying.
He wiggled closer then, moving one arm from around his bear so he could drape it over Devyn and gave him a squeeze as he buried his face against his shoulder.
“Thank you for sharing that story with me. I could never think you were crazy. And I’ll keep doing my best. I don’t want to let anyone down. Um… maybe after all this is over… we could go to Alastor? Um, well… maybe we could see if that forest god is still around. Just to say hi.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:03 am
Devyn smiled, wrapping his arm around Atticus to hold him in a good hug while they laid there.
“You could never think I was crazy? I’ll have to tell you some of my other stories,” he laughed. “After all of this is over, I’d love to take you up to Alastor with me. There’s so much I want to show you. I think you’ll love that forest I was talking about. And if we get lucky, maybe that forest god will come out to visit.”
There was no shortage of reverence when Devyn spoke of his world, and while the people of Alastor had always been greatly superstitious, he wasn’t always. His opinion of spirits and gods strayed greatly from the other citizens, but then, Devyn had always tried to walk his own path.
He didn’t know what had survived on his world, but he had room in his heart to hope.
“But it won’t be a wasted trip. It’s spring again, there’s all sorts of little animals on the way. And the flowers are all going to be beautiful, too. There’s a field down the road, I’ll show you. You can take Elliot there. It’s very romantic. A very nice place for a picnic.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:34 am
He couldn’t help but want to soak in all of Devyn’s warmth as he hugged him. Devyn was always naturally so warm, and Atticus always felt a bit cold, so it was a nice combination. At least for him! He hoped Devyn wouldn’t get too chilled.
“I would like that,” he mumbled, trying not to wiggle eagerly at the idea of having a romantic picnic with his boyfriend. Whom he loved very much and appreciated everything he did to put up with him. He knew Elliot would tell him he was perfect, but that didn’t mean Atticus didn’t recognize how difficult it could be to handle tiptoeing around his emotions.
He wanted to be trusted with important things, and he was afraid if he cried too much they would stop letting him know. So he would have to do better, or at least hope that they didn’t cut him out because of his emotions.
“Maybe we could stay there for a week this summer? I think Elliot’s dads might be curious about it too. Oh, we still have to show them the moon,” he reminded himself. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to bring people! He just wanted it to be perfect and make sure all the flowers were blooming before they went!
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:38 am
“You and Elliot have both said that,” he laughed. “Going up to Alastor for a week, and taking his parents up to the Moon. I like how much you two are on the same wavelength, it’s cute. I think they’re great ideas, of course. There’s so much on Alastor that I want to show you. A week might scratch the surface. I want to see what’s going on at your Wonder, too. Elliot keeps saying you both want to finish a bit more but I think you two are just busybodies.”
No idea where they got that from.
“I’m excited to see what you’ve been working on. I know how important your Wonder is to you. I think the Moon made a good choice picking you boys to help out. I saw you and Elliot cleaning up the palace,” he said, maybe just a little amused at that. “Maybe on the next full moon, we can all head up and clean a bit more. But, maybe by then, we’ll all need a break.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:41 am
Atticus smiled and gave his bear a one armed squeeze. He liked having the same ideas as Elliot, so it was nice to know he was thinking the same thing. He really was perfect, in every way. Atticus just hoped he never disappointed him.
“A break would be nice, but it could also be nice to clean up. Maybe once we’ve all had some time to rest we can send out another invitation to visit the moon and we can work on cleaning it up. It’s the least we can do for the help we’re getting.”
He knew there was a lot of controversy with the Moon Kingdom and all that, but as a Knight of the Moon, he felt connected to it. Maybe not in the same way the Moon Kingdom ever wanted, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t any less fond of it. As long as the ghosts of the past didn’t get mad at them for trying to do things there.
“I’m feeling better now,” he said after a moment, tilting his head back to look up at Devyn. “But, um… could you help me make some grilled cheese? Please? I want to make some for everyone. You’re all working so hard, it’s the least I can do. Um, but I’ll try not to burn it this time.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:45 am
Once more, Devyn laughed. “Yes, let’s go make lunch. If it gets burned–” he resisted the urge to say he’d eat it–because, he would, without complaint–and instead said, “I read that it makes good fertilizer for a garden. So it won’t go to waste. I doubt we’ll run out of bread or cheese any time soon.”
He sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed before holding out a hand to help Atticus up, too. “I appreciate everything you’re doing, Atticus. You’re helping, too. I can see how hard you’re working. You need to keep up your strength, too. Maybe we should go out for ice cream later. I need to get Michael out of the garage, you’ll have to help me with that, too. He’ll work himself to the bone if we don’t remind him to take breaks.”
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