Battle of the Heart

Hi everyone, here's the next chapter. I wanted to thank Alpha Infidel for reviewing. Spelling has always been my weakness, and I often don't realize a word is misspelled when my computer can't catch it, even after proof reading. I appreciate your comments and I will try to get those words I miss.

One of my readers e-mailed me and asked for descriptions of all the foxes' different forms. I've included that and a short description of the binding stones. The next chapter is right below.


Binding stones: The binding stones are infused with ancient magic and are spilt in two when they’re ready for use. One half is worn by a fox, and can only be removed by the wearer of the other half. With the stone, the fox’s master can control movement, have their orders obeyed without resistance, and cause severe pain or death. A fox must also protect the life of their master, giving their own life if necessary. There are exceptions to these rules. If a fox’s will is stronger than their masters they can overcome them.

Gabe: binding stone-malachite

Human form: Gabe appears to be about the age of a fourteen year old human. He has pale skin and silvery white hair that gently frames his face, stopping just above his shoulders. His eyes are the same shade of green as his stone and he wares nothing but a loincloth.

Half (true) form- same features as in human form, but add fox ears and a tail. His hair is also longer, going half way down his back.

Full form- Gabe is still very young, so he’s just a little bigger than a regular fox. He basically looks like a fox with light silver fur and two tails.

Rias: binding stone: blue topaz

Human: Rias has light blue eyes and lightly tanned skin. His hair is long, going to the small of his back and is slightly darker than silver coins. Like Gabe he only wares a loincloth, and he has lean wiry muscles. He has a light scar that curves around the front of his ear and is usually hidden behind his hair.

Half (true) form: Rias too gets a set of ears and one of them has a tear in it. His hair gets even longer,
reaching down past his but. He has two of his tails in half form.

Full: In full form Rias is larger than a lion but smaller than a horse. About the size of a pony. He has six of the nine tails he will eventually get as he grows older. Rias is about the age equivalent of a nineteen-year-old human.

That’s all the descriptions for now. If anyone needs to know anything that I might have missed with these or future characters just let me know. Hope you enjoy!

Ethereal


Lamar watched in horror as Rias’ eyes slide shut and his body went completely limp. Without a second thought he gently placed Rias down and tore off his shirt, shredding it into strips. “Gabe go see if you can’t find some water. Please hurry, we’ve got to get Rias bandaged up as much as possible.”
Gabe nodded and ran off towards were they had registered. There had been a stream near by, he was likely heading off towards it.

Lamar took the remaining part of the shirt and carefully used it to apply pressure to the wound. The one on his shoulder didn’t seem to bad, but he’d had a chunk taken out of his side and it was bleeding profusely. He was covered in both his own blood and the gold fox’s blood. In minutes the cut on Rias shoulder had already stopped and the blood from the gash in his side was slowing. Still, Rias was deathly pale, his breathing was shallow.
“Seems like you’re going to lose that fox after all. You should have taken my offer when we first met.”
Lamar didn’t even bother to turn when he heard Suvan come up behind him. He had to tend to Rias. “Here’s this worthless creature, as we agreed.” Lamar did turn when he saw the same silver fox from before thrown down beside him. The fox hit the ground with a thump, and then immediately curled up into a ball. Lamar could here him whimpering. Suvan grinned before turning and heading over to his fox who wasn’t far away. “I’m sure I will see you again boy. Perhaps next time we can have a real match.”

Then he was gone and the Lamar was left alone with the quivering sliver fox and an unconscious Rias for his only company. “I’m sorry you’ve been thrown into the middle of this.” He said to the quaking fox. “We’ll be away from here soon, I just want to get him bandaged up before we move him.”
Lamar looked the creature over, eyeing his pour condition and wondered if Rias had once looked like this. The fox must have been a beauty at some time. His eyes were a light metallic grey identical to the stone that hung around his neck, and his hair was such a dark silver it was almost back. The creature was horribly malnourished and cuts and burses covered his body. He wore nothing but a faded and bloody loincloth and the grey stone, and his bones showed through pale skin. Lamar felt a rush of anger swell up inside him, and it only intensified when the fox cringed in fear under his gaze.

Lamar quickly schooled his features, trying to look as non-threatening as possible. “What’s your name?”
The fox looked down and answered in a near inaudible voice. “My name is whatever you want it to be, master.”
Lamar sighed, this was not going to be easy, “I’d really like to know your real name. I don’t feel it would be right for me to name you like you were some kind of animal.”

The other fox looked up with shock in his features. He quickly diverted his eyes when he realized he was looking right at Lamar. Still, his voice was a little clearer when he next spoke. “Aryan, my name is Aryan master.”
Lamar smiled thankful that the fox seemed to be relaxing slightly. “It’s good to meet you Aryan. Could I get you to help me with him?”

Aryan nodded and with shaky hands he helped stop the blood flowing from Rias’ wounds. By the time Gabe returned with a large bowl of water the bleeding had stopped and Lamar was able to clean and bandage the wounds. The human was amazed at how quickly Rias was healing, especially from a wound that might have killed a human. By the time people started filling into the arena for the night fights the trio was ready to leave, it was just a matter of how they were going to get out of here.

Lamar sighed as he turned to Aryan. The poor fox looked like he could barley stand, and now Lamar was going to ask even more of him. “I promise that I’ll let you rest soon, but I need you to transform so you can carry Rias out of here. I don’t think we want to be in the middle of the arena once the fighting starts.”
Aryan nodded and transformed into a dark silver fox that was slightly smaller than the gold fox had been. His fur was full and would have probably had a beautiful sheen to it if the fox were healthy. His backbone was prominent under his skin, and Lamar winced as he and Gabe hosted Rias up on him. The walk out of the settlement and into the woods was a long one and by the time they found a suitable campsite he just wanted to collapse, but he just couldn’t yet. He had to make sure everyone was okay first.

He pulled Rias off of Aryan and lay him on the ground. He took the blankets he had bought for himself and draped them over the fox, frowning that he still hadn’t woken up. “Gabe can you go get some firewood? I want to get a fire going as soon as possible.”

The young fox nodded but did not move for a moment. “Master?”

Lamar sighed, “Gabe I’m not your master anymore remember? Rias and I made a deal so you could be free. You don’t have to act like a slave in order to stay here. You’re welcome company.”

“Ah-okay, I’ll try not to say it anymore.”

Gabe’s shy voice made Lamar smile, “It’s alright Gabe, now did you need something?”

“I-I was just wanting to know if Rias was going to be alright. I mean look at him, he’s so pale and well-I just really don’t want him to die.” Gabe was near tears and his big green eyes made Lamar’s heart ach. He was responsible for that pain, he was the one who had approved the fight.

“He’ll be alright Gabe, he is healing well. We just have to keep him warm and comfortable.” Lamar prayed his voice carried the confidence that he himself lacked.

Gabe nodded, apparently somewhat relieved by Lamar’s words. It was amazing how easily the young fox accepted his word. “Alright, I’ll go get some wood and be back as soon as possible.”

Lamar nodded and thanked Gabe before he started setting up a fire pit. He then pulled out the last of his provisions from his bag. They had smoked some of their meat from the past few nights, but had not bothered to keep much because Rias had always been able to hunt. Lamar sighed and took out the three strips he did have. He put one off to the side for Rias and tore another in half. He sat one of the halves to the side for Gabe and then sat down with the remaining one and a half strips. He looked over at Ayran fully aware that the fox had been watching him the whole time. As soon as his gaze fell on the creature Ayran lowered his eyes, trembling slightly. Lamar knew the creature was near starving but would never ask for any food. Lamar found himself wondering once
again if Rias had been like this back when he was still in Suvan’s control.

“Hey Ayran come here.” Lamar sighed when the fox flinched at the sound of his voice, and then moved towards him
as if he were expecting a beating.

Lamar smiled, hoping to calm the fox. He wanted the fox to know that he wouldn’t harm him, but he had a feeling that would have to come with time. For now the creature was too skittish and untrusting to believe that he meant no harm. He would have to show him that he meant on harm, not tell him. Lamar motioned for Ayran to sit down beside him before handing him the last strip of meat. The fox was skinny as hell, he’d need all the nourishment he could get. “I’m sorry there isn’t more. Rias usually does the hunting but since he can’t right now we’ll have to make do.”

Ayran looked at Lamar as if he had grown another head. He tentatively reached out his hand and slowly took the piece of meat. “Th-thank you, master.” His voice was so quiet it was almost inaudible.
Lamar frowned, worried by the fox’s behavior. “I know you probably won’t believe me but you don’t have to act like that here. No one’s going to hurt you. We’re a team here, and I promise that it will be different than it has been. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen, I don’t know myself. You have my word that I will never treat you like your old master did.

He pulled out the glowing stone from the pouch he carried at his waste and turned it for side to side, watching how it glistened in the fading light. “It’s very beautiful, what kind of stone is it?”

“It’s hematite master.” The foxes voice was barely a whisper, and when Lamar realized that his fear had grown when Lamar took out his stone he quickly put it away.

“I’m sorry, I’m sure you don’t find it beautiful, long have you worn it?”

The fox looked down at the stone around his own neck, “my whole life.”

Lamar blinked as yet another one of his old beliefs was shattered. He always thought that foxes ended up being captured because of the deeds they were doing. This fox would have been born into slavery, he would have never had a chance to do anything wrong.

“That’s horrible.” Lamar said with a hushed whisper. “I didn’t know that some foxes were slaves from birth.”
The fox shrugged looking down at the food in his hands. “My mother was a fighter, and her master had her bred. It’s done pretty often, it’s not really important.” After that Aryan was silent, slowly working away at his meat as if he wanted to carish it and make it last. Lamar didn’t know what else to say so he let a comfortable silence settle over them and nearly jumped out of his skin when Gabe came back with the firewood.
The fire was a slow matter. Rias had always started it in the past, and Lamar had little to no experence. In the end it was Ayran that got it going. Gabe ate his half a meat strip and then settled down to sleep. Ayran seemed determined to stay awake, even though Lamar had told him he could sleep. After a time sleep did claim him and Lamar was left alone with his thoughts.

The human sat down next to Rias his eyes wandering freely over the fox now that everyone was asleep. Rias’ breathing had returned to normal and the blood socking through the fabric wrapped around his chest was old. His shoulder was completely healed already. It really was amazing how fast the fox had recovered. Lamar reached over and brushed a strand of hair out of Rias’ face. The fox really was beautiful, especially now that all the anxiety had drained out of his face. He looked so peaceful, so angelic with his hair framing his face like a shinning silver halo and the firelight playing off his features. Lamar would never forget the pain he had felt when he thought Rias had been killed. It had felt as if it was he who was dying in that arena. When had he started caring so much for the fox? He had always thought that Rias was attractive, and he knew he’d grown fond of the creature. This was more than just a simple liking though, this was something deeper. ‘What’s wrong with me?’ He thought as he looked down. ‘I’ve barely known him a whole week. Why can’t I take my eyes off him? Why do I feel like if I lost him I’d lose everything? He’d kill me if he got the chance. At least I think he would. He said he would, but he sure doesn’t act like it. What am I thinking? Of course he would. Just because he’s acting civil doesn’t mean that he doesn’t hate me. Of course he does. I robbed him of his very life.’ Lamar sighed and brushed his hand along Rias’ check bone, reveling in the softness of his skin. Still the fox didn’t ster. “It doesn’t matter how I feel.” He said to himself in a pained voice. Somehow it felt like he wouldn’t believe the words unless he heard them out loud. “He hates me and he has every right to. If it weren’t for me he wouldn’t be hurt.” Lamar sighed and pulled his hand away, deciding he should stop wallowing in self-pity and go stock the fire. He had made this mess, he had to do something about it.

Just as he went to stand he felt a hand grab his arm. He turned and looked down in shock to see Rias grinning up at him. ‘He was just asleep. There’s no way he heard what I just said.’ But the look on Rias’ face said otherwise. “Yeah know, you’re just way to damn hard on yourself.” The fox said with humor glistening in his eyes. “If I hated you don’t you think I would have found a way to kill you by now? I could have even done it a second ago if I wanted to. In case you forgot I was the one that asked for that fight and I’m damn glade I did.” He grinned triumphantly, “I beat him Lamar, I beat my old master.”

Lamar settled back down, holding his breath as the fox continued. Rias looked down his voice becoming quite and shaky. “You have no idea what beating him means to me. That man, he turned me into something I hated, something I will never be able to get rid of. He used me Lamar. He stole my life from me and turned me into his tool, his weapon.” The fox was shaking now as pent up memories flowed out of him like icy water. “I killed so many, so many people for him. It was never enough. I was never good enough. Even when I won he found things that I did wrong, and when I lost…”

He squeezed his eyes shut as tears feel freely. Lamar sat dumbstruck. Without conscious thought he wrapped his arms around the fox and was utterly unprepared when Rias latched onto him, burying his tear socked face in the human’s chest. His clawed fingers dug into Lamar’s back but the human did not flinch or pull away. Rias needed him, and there was no way in hell he would betray this bizarre show of trust that had come from nowhere. He knew Rias wasn’t even aware he was clawing him. “Shhuu,” he said as the fox sobbed, “it’s okay, you beat him, it’s over now. I’ve got you and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

Rias looked up at him, “Why? Why do you care so much? You’ve given up your dream for Gabe and I, you’ve done so much for us. You’re not like any human I’ve ever known. Why would you go through so much, and for a pair of foxes?”

Lamar brushed a tear socked strand of hair out of Rias’ face. The fox didn’t flinch, his eyes full of questions. Even with his face red and puffy from crying he was beautiful. Lamar took a deep breath. “Because I-I care about you, and Gabe of course.” He turned his head down feeling childish. He wanted to say more, but he didn’t want to lose the trust he had just barely gained. “Because I see you as a friend, and I hope someday you will see me as one as well.”

Rias tilted the human’s head up until their eyes met. Rias’ eyes were questing, questioning. “Friend huh? Alright, I think I can try for that. I’ve never had a human for a friend before, hell I’ve never even had a friend before. But I think I can make an exception with you. I don’t know how to thank you Lamar, for giving me a chance at beating him, and for everything you’ve done.”

Lamar couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as Rias sighed, his body pressed close to Lamar as he drifted back to sleep. The human didn’t know what the hell had just happened, but he wasn’t going to question it. A miracle had accorded, and he for one would not complain.

Lamar did eventually fall asleep, and when he woke up he found their little camp surrounded, and a knife poised at his throat.