Chapter 7: Brothers
A couple to five days would pass before Alura would start to stir, groaning tiredly and in pain from the gunshot wounds. Her entire body hurt, aching and felt like lead, screaming not to move an inch. Slowly she’d open her brown and blue eyes, shifting them to look around the room groggy before fully waking up. She grunted forcing herself to sit up and winced with a quiet hiss, looking down to see a bandage wrapped some around her waist to cover the wounds on her lower back and, one on her side. Looking to her arm she saw another bandage and sighed, looking around the large strange room once more after observing her injuries had been treated at some point.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC56sgbKH8
The bed held a balcony with long, heavy, pulled back curtains on the four posts, held in place by golden colored rope holding tassels of the same golden color. Around the edges of the red fabric making the curtains held embroiled designs of dragons, clouds, and maidens dancing. The floor was a gentle red rug, appearing soft to the touch as the walls were a gentle blue. One of the two tall round top windows was open, the wind making the thin silk curtains dance in and out of the room. Alura looked around more in awe, seeing lavish furniture she’d only seen used by the King and Queen them-selves. “Wow.” She whispered breathlessly in amazement and wonder of where she was as slowly she turned her body so, her legs dangled over the edge of the tall bed.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUCwS9V5At
Quietly a knock came from the other side of a pair of large wooden doors. Alura wasn’t sure what to say, looking over to see them opening and a small figure of a woman entered, curtsying low to her. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?” asked the woman as she quietly walked over to the bed. Carefully she reached out and pushed, turning Alura around by her shoulders to change her bandages. Alura blinked but sat still with her legs crossed Indian style silently, before finally speaking. She felt the woman untying and carefully removing the wraps, and patches, from her back.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwv0PP8Zra
“Um…where am I? How did I get here? Who are you?” Alura asked, turning her head slightly to catch a glance at the woman in, what reminded her of, a maid’s uniform based on the white and black colors. She hadn’t actually looked too closely though to take in its style or design.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO3TC2f4Sq
“I am a maid that works for the three Gods that own this palace. My youngest master brought you here a couple nights ago. You were in terrible shape with so many wounds. You were out for a few days and I started to wonder if you would ever wake.” The maid explained, taking a damp cloth to gently cleanse the red and healing holes. She felt Alura twitch and tense a little during the cleaning, and then saw her start to relax as she gently dried her back. “You are very lucky my youngest master was able to reach you when he did.”1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHyQKZT000
So she was a maid. She sounded nice and had a very careful touch, feeling the maid apply a cream like substance to her back. “Huh? Three Gods? What are you talking about?” She was familiar that Gods existed but it was not often she heard them mentioned, let alone someone calling them master.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5NOLpDobQ
The maid sighed as she finished Alura’s back, applying new patches to her upper back and a fresh wrap around her midsection. Gently she turned the girl to face her with a warm expression then began to work on her arm. She was a little taken back to hear Alura ask of what she spoke about. She thought everyone knew about the Gods, “the three Gods that rule over this country. They do what they wish and very rarely listen to anyone besides themselves or someone stronger. My other master, the second oldest, did not understand why the eldest wanted you saved or would allow the youngest to save you both.”1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBZ5VlYasV
“What are their names?” Alura asked cautiously, nervous about being in the home of a God let alone three, and worried what would happen to her and Talon.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PRr8RdFST
“Let me think to get it straight. My eldest master is Hiatsu, my second eldest master is Marizu, and my youngest master is Ginsu.” The maid answered, cleaning, drying, and applying ointment to Alura’s arm before wrapping it with a fresh bandage.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sGG0nqblm
“Hiatsu…Marizu…and Ginsu…” She whispered their names slowly and softly, taking them to memory. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard those names before.” Her words were hesitant, still pondering over the names and how they sounded.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl9zeuspUd
“Well you’ll meet them later. Right now Marizu is out on a mission, Ginsu is training the men of the Angel Clan, and Hiatsu is working on some papers.” She informed, finishing and secured the bandage, turning her warm smile to meet Alura’s eyes. “Well, would you like some breakfast? I can serve it to you right in bed if you would like.”1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFRthcrSZn
“Uh no that’s fine. I can get up and go to the kitchen. I want to look around anyway.” Alura stated feeling a bit uncomfortable with a maid waiting on her. There was nothing wrong with the maid but it wasn’t something she ever experienced. It was strange, how were the upper crust comfortable with this? She snapped herself from her thoughts, turning more and stood. She took a step then two and paused, feeling a chill she looked down, just now noticing she was still without a top. Screaming a short lived scream, she quickly covered her flat chest with her arms, blushing badly in embarrassment. The maid only laughed lightly behind a hand and walked to the closet, finding a dress and held it out to Alura.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqOFbYNIrI
“Here you go dear. I think it best you cover up before going out to look about the palace.” She was trying her hardest to suppress her giggles at the child’s reaction. It was adorable the blush and reaction, looking away from the brown haired girl standing in soft blue pajama pants.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAukjh7WnTe
Alura nodded, watching the woman step closer and quickly snagged the dress from her hands, and swiftly pulled it on over her head then sighed. Removing the pajama pants, the maid noticed her scanning eyes. Thinking, the maid went to a dresser, opening it and produced a pair of knee length shorts. Bringing them to Alura, the article of clothing was snatched and vanished under the cotton dress. Alura looked down, twirling to watch the blue dress fan out gracefully. It was a beautiful green fabric with flowers embroiled onto it around the bottom, the top laced with string that weaved like it would tie but there was no way to tie it. She smiled loving the dress and how well it fit her. “Thanks.” Alura said curtsying to the maid before walking over to the closet, slipping on a pair of shoes that reminded her of her own, only newer looking, then left her room to explore the palace.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHdpKaEqto
As she wandered the halls she became more in awe of the grandness of the palace, which held riches beyond her wildest of dreams. The floors were solid marble with a clear coating to make it smooth and shiny like a mirror. “Wow, this place is so cool.” She whispered breathlessly, her slow steps echoing in the empty hallways and corridors of the huge construction. There were over twenty different rooms and four floors, making it quite tall which amazed her that much more. The giggling of maids echoed as well with their quick and light footsteps to do their duties, along with the sound of her brother’s laughter and the voice of a woman playing with him.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97RTZ5yQSa
She got down to the first floor, walking in what felt like a dream until it was interrupted by a large object knocking into her body, mainly from her bumping into it. Stumbling backwards her closed eyes opened, looking up slowly. “Oh….uh...” she tilted her head back more, looking up more to see a handsome face. Her jaw dropped and quickly she started to bow, hands on her lap and bending at the waist. “Sorry!” She was so embarrassed for not paying attention.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveBKYTj26b
The man chuckled, placing a large hand on her shoulder to stop her bowing. “It’s alright, really. Just watch where you’re going.” He advised, finding humor in the girl, recognizing her from a few days ago. “I’m Ginsu, by the way. What is your name young one?” He asked in a kind and curious tone. His teal blue hair was pulled back and tied by a thin band into a long ponytail, reaching near his waist. A few bangs fell into his kind and caring blue green sea colored eyes, that danced with happiness at seeing her awake and well.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK8eKpE0l7
She couldn’t help but stare. She had never seen a man look so perfect then again she had never seen a God before either. When she saw his warm expression fall into concern she snapped out of her daze, realizing he had asked her a question. “Oh, right, sorry. My name’s Alura.” She curtsied to him, bowing her head as she’d seen other women do to gentlemen. He chuckled at this and released a breath, holding back an urge to grab and cuddle her. Small mortals were just adorable and it was melting his heart, wrapping him around her finger.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3gNiVCqv8
“Alura, what a lovely name. What is the boy’s name if I may ask?”1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgrgQ096TG
“His name is Talon.”1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIZ5z5m9Tk
“How old are you?”1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZNXKdh7g5
“I’m six and Talon is two.” Alura answered proudly, puffing her chest out some.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rl43b6I0z
“Well,” he put his fists on his lean hips where a white sash had been tied so the two ends hung to his left side. “Seems you are braver than other children. It takes great courage to run and dare an army full of armed, trained men.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf90InchQi
Her eyes looked down, voice fallen some, rubbing her right arm with her left hand. “I didn’t want them hurting Talon.” He smiled as she spoke those words and patted her downturned head, resting his hand softly there, his fingers gently messing with her soft strains.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yh2qZuIVt
“Then you are a very brave girl indeed. You and your brother will be safe here. No one dares to come here to challenge us Gods, knowing they’d easily lose.” He spoke softly, releasing a gentle chuckle, loving the thought of being so strong. Alura nodded, smiling up to him and without missing a beat moved closer, hugging him around the waist as he stood around six foot tall. His shirt was tan, loose and comfortable in the summer heat. It had looked like cotton but felt more like a cool silk or satin material. The silence was nice and only broken by his light hearted voice. “Now,” he began, gently easing her back so he could look at her eye to eye upon kneeling down, “would you like something to eat? We have a great selection in the kitchen.”1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7tbBReBh5
Alura smiled licking her lips. She’d been so taken by his appearance, and meeting a God for the first time, she had almost forgotten about breakfast. “Mmmm I’d like that.” She grinned as her stomach growled, causing her to blush and him to chuckle. Mortals were amazing creatures. Standing he began his way to the kitchen, taking the lead as she followed closely after.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58PwDzokNR
They walked in silence. The lighthearted and fun aura coming from him astonished her in some ways. Gods always seemed like they’d be serious or indifferent towards non-Godlike beings, or that was how she interrupted what she’d heard others speak about the powerful beings. As they turned down a hallway with her taking in the décor, she turned her eyes back to him, curious. “Um…what kind of Gods are you anyways?” she asked, not able to help herself.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFae8U5eBb1
He chuckled and slowed to a stop. Looking down at her he kneeled once she had stopped, holding out a hand between them with his palm up, he formed three orbs to float just above his hand for her to see. “Well, my older brother Hiatsu is a master of the flame.” The first orb glowed red like fire, showing within it a stone like item looking to be encased in flames floating in the center. “My second older brother Marizu is of the Earth.” The second orb began to glow a beautiful light brown with green, a powerful looking stone with vines over it appeared floating inside. “I am the youngest and of the water.” The last orb started to glow blue and waves appeared on a stone, like the other two it was marked with an element representation.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5txOjLKCx
Alura watched this in amazement, having not seen anyone do such magic. She absorbed his words as if they were necessary for her to continue living, fascinated and yet confused. They were called brothers yet each was an opposing element of magic. “So…are you all really brothers?” the child asked, cocking an eyebrow with suspicion about this apparent fact.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfPGuykwak
“To us we are anyway.” He answered with a small shrug. It didn’t matter if they were blood related or not. They had always lived together, came to be close to the other, it fit the criteria. “We were created by another that controls us all. We were made from different elements, given powers and sent here to carry out our lives. Since Hiatsu was made first he became the elder brother, then Marizu was created making him second eldest, and lastly I was created making me the youngest. We aren’t related by blood only that we were made by the same person. Our lives end when the stone with our power is destroyed. Without it…” he took a breath, pausing and sighed with fallen face, continuing with a solemn voice. “We will turn to dust or become human, depending on if we use our last bit of power to call upon the Great One to be spared our end.”1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54ZVhku6ys
Alura listened intently to his words, captivated and taken away by the story, wanting to know so much more about them. “That’s…..so…..cool!” She exclaimed, grinning up to him. He chuckled quietly from his throat and ruffled her hair, not minding she didn’t seem to take in the serious concern stated at the end. It was a heavy topic and seeing her excited expression pulled a gentle smile to his face, despite his heavy heart from those grave thoughts.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYviYyE5suu
The God of Water stood, closing his hand to disperse the glowing orbs. “Well now, I’m glad you liked it. Now then, what are you hungry for? We have a great selection.” Ginsu stated as they continued, finally entering the huge kitchen that could only be described as beautiful and huge in her mind.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dmyPNEJjG
“Wow.” Breathlessly she said, her mouth dropping open. He released another quiet laugh and started to get out some ham and bread, cutting the bread with a knife then the ham on the marble counter. Ginsu blinked, smirking and gently hit him-self in the forehead as he’d forgotten to grab a plate. He wasn’t fixing something only for himself but another as well. Stepping over to a cabinet he got down a white, glass plate and gracefully walked back over, putting her sandwich assembled on the dish. Once done, he fixed himself a sandwich, leaving it on the counter. He looked then slid her plate to her, watching her stop the plate from her barstool seat. He closed up the bread and ham, walked over and put them away in the fridge. Finally done he returned, sitting down beside her on a stool and took a big bite of his sandwich smiling, enjoying his lunch break.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aBvQDruqi
“Tell me what you think. I know I’m a great cook.” Ginsu said slightly muffled, speaking before he emptied his mouth. After he did swallow a grin couldn’t be helped, crossing his lips as his head turned upwards with eyes closed. His eyes opened and shifted to look down at her as she smirked, taking a bite.1174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRLpT0teCp
“It’s good! Thanks!” she said happily after swallowing, having been taught better manners than the tall Water God and took another bite. He snorted a little to suppress a laugh and resumed to eat his as well, sitting beside her. Unlike his brothers he was more fascinated by mortals, and their behaviors with requirements to function. Gods didn’t really need to eat but they did from time to time, it was a nice way to keep up energy without causing unnecessary bloodshed.
ns 15.158.61.55da2
