I... must be out of my mind.. I am only three chapters in book two... and I have already started book three...
What is wrong with me? Am I sick or something? I started book III to help my writers block but...
Here it is if you want to read it...
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Arrabalta*: Outcast (Book III)
Chapter One-
Revaera

It took a while for the sun to go down that night. Which was odd considering it was the dead of winter; the days seemed eager to end early these days. It was only three days after Aerobolt graduated Eira, his old apprentice, as a full Guardian of Castla nu Craara. Now Aerobolt faces a new question, a new conundrum for him to solve: What to do next? He had not thought of that much during the times before where events seemed determined to keep him under the influence of his arch enemy, Arcane, of whom he wishes for the last time he is gone for sure this time. But Aerobolt knew this was only the beginning of him learning new secrets about the Guardians, Hydyraen, his family, and most importantly himself. He knew that nothing could possibly be over until he was to learn everything about himself. But what could it take now?
Aerobolt sighed as he looked out his window and watched the orange sky grow darker. Now that Aruhmata and Arcane are both dead, he thought, “What now?” over and over in his mind. Maybe now it was finally time for him to lead a normal life with the Guardians. As he rested his head on his handpaw on the windowsill, he thought to himself that better be the case. Even though his life had suddenly grown boring with no significant purpose, he was glad he had no immediate enemies currently alive for him to quell.
As the sky turned over to night, he thought of Shade and Storm and his father Salamander and Eira. All the things they had to do in the recent months. From his initial liberation from Hydyraen, to his trek through Nyehtra to Castla nu Craara, his final standoff against Arcane, training Eira and her Forces of Time, visiting the Sharra Cult, then Ieron, and Axys, then discovering Aruhmata’s plot to resurrect Arcane with the Time Eira wields… Everything. Aerobolt knew that this was a part of his story, their story, all of them. Including Arcane and Aruhmata, until it ended with their deaths. Aerobolt believed one’s story would never be ended or completed until they die. So Aerobolt still stands, but where does his story continue now? Aerobolt thought about all of it over and over again until he finally began to sleep.

A sickeningly familiar place. Something was so familiar about this place. And in a terrible, terrible way, too. It took Aerobolt several seconds to realize that the disturbing place was in fact his old home, Hydyraen. Or what was left of it. The stronghold of malevolent Shadow Vulpines must be having some issues at that point, to have lost yet another leader. To go through so many leaders in such a short time must have driven the place to anarchy. The halls were littered with stones and debris from rooms throughout whichever Wing Aerobolt was looking into right now. In the distance he could hear rumbles and thumping, a vixen screeching, then an explosion. What could be going on here? And what was it doing in Aerobolt’s dreams no less? Was this just a dream, or was this reality? Aerobolt hated dreaming. Some of his dreams are real, and some are just that, a dream. There was never any clarification as to what reality they are, so he always enters dreams with exasperation. This one was no exception. Aerobolt was fuming as he saw his former home being brought into shambles. Aerobolt didn’t want to look around. Yet he found his paws moving down the stairs. Aerobolt could only assume he was being lead down into West Wing. The reynard living quarters.
There weren’t as much ruckus down here as there was everywhere else in Hydyraen. Had they been this unruly after Arcane died? Aerobolt shook the thought out of his head. No. He didn’t want to think of Arcane. Not here. Not now.
Aerobolt wanted to know why he was even dreaming of Hydyraen in the first place. Somehow he knew there was a reason behind it. And he demanded to know right then and there.
Just then a black streak of lightning passed by his head, narrowly missing his nose. A young Shadow Vulpine, about his age, yelling out, quickly followed it. He looked back and screamed again. Another blunidentified attacker, but this one did not miss. This one hit the victim right in the back of the head. The victim fell face first into the stone ground. Aerobolt glanced at him lying motionless on the ground and then glanced to where his bully was. The fox was strongly built. Very, strongly built. The reynard had more muscles than Aerobolt could expect any fox to have. He looked like he could lift an entire house if he wanted to. But why was he attacking a poor defenseless fox like this?
The voice was still intimidating despite the light and floating tone the dream gave. “You shall never be accepted here, revaera!”
Revaera? Was that the victim’s name?
The victim responded weakly almost inaudible. It sounded so sad and defeated, “Please… do not call me that…” he whimpered.
“But is that not what you are, Qiin?” the assaulter spat on him.
Oh, so… Kee-en… is his name? But still, what does revaera mean?
The one called Qiin/revaera whimpered again. The assaulter leered down at him.
“You do not belong here. Or anywhere for that matter. If Arcane were still here, he’d kill you on the spot the second he’d find out you are revaera. Tell me now, what keeps me from killing you now?”
Qiin twitched. “No, please!” he cried. “Wh-what’s wrong if I-!?”
The assaulter snarled the interruption. “Everything is wrong with it, you slime! It is some quality that was never meant to exist! It must be destroyed!”
What is going on here?! What must be destroyed?! Aerobolt wanted to scream his questions out at them, but knew they would never hear him.
“But I-! I haven’t hurt anybody!” Qiin wailed.
“That does not mean you will not someday. How do you think you could live, knowing you are revaera?”
“I d-don’t know!” Qiin was practically sobbing. What could be so bad to drive a Shadow Vulpine to tears of fright? Aerobolt was shocked to the point of silently watching it all unfold before him.
“So why don’t I put you out of your misery?” The handpaw above Qiin’s head was turning into the black fog that signaled a devastating concentration of pure Darkness. Aerobolt was about to witness murder.
Aerobolt was wide-eyed. He wanted, needed to intervene, but he knew he couldn’t. He couldn’t watch someone get killed, even if he was a Shadow Vulpine. No. This was not a Shadow Vulpine. Somehow Aerobolt knew this Qiin was just like him; in need of help, a rescue, but this time… has none. Aerobolt felt like he was going to explode in agony and pity for Qiin. He could not watch him die before his own eyes because of a reason he could not understand! That’s no better than no reason at all.
As the assaulter began to lay his paw down, Aerobolt felt himself opening his muzzle in a scream. Just before he woke up, he saw Qiin’s tear stricken face look to the side. He looked into Qiin’s pure red eyes. They looked into his. It was as if Qiin could see Aerobolt too. Qiin’s muzzle opened slowly, and what scared Aerobolt awake was his last desperate cry, and it seemed like it was directed right at Aerobolt:
“Heeeeeeeeelllp!”
The vertigo that Aerobolt experienced immediately afterward sent him falling over onto the floor of his own room in Castla nu Craara. He was breathing heavily. So heavily, he felt he was going to be sick. What had he just seen!? Was that happening right now!? Was Qiin alright!? Was he dead!? What was Aerobolt supposed to do!? Why did he see that!? What is going on!?
Mind whirling so quickly, Aerobolt staggered out of his room. It was still the dead of night; everyone was bound to be asleep. He didn’t care. He knew he had to notify Fielra of this dream right away. He just hoped that everyone concerned was going to be all right.
Aerobolt nearly fell off the slab elevator a number of times. It was as if he had two too much to drink that night. That dream. It could not have been a dream at all. No ordinary dream could leave Aerobolt so disoriented like that. But what did it mean? Why was he shown such a graphic display? He hoped Fielra would have some answers.
Aerobolt half tripped, half walked into Crossroads, and immediately fell onto the rim of the fountain, about ready to be sick in the holy waters. He gulped the cool air surrounding it and prayed to Iridescence that he was going to be all right from this. He knew he could not stop. He had to get to Fielra as soon as possible. Would she be awake at these hours? Probably not, but this, could this be considered an emergency? Was this just a bad nightmare? Whether it was or not, he had to get Fielra’s opinion of it. Pushing off the stone fountain gracelessly, he staggered into the Commons, where in the back led to Fielra’s quarters deep inside Castla nu Craara.
Aerobolt had never been treated that badly in Hydyraen. Nor has he ever thought that the Shadow Vulpines would kill each other for an unidentifiable reason. Aerobolt saw death caused by them on others for unidentifiable reasons. But not each other. Well, that reason was that Qiin was what the strong fox called a revaera. Whatever that was. Hopefully, Aerobolt thought, Fielra will know what.
Aerobolt half walked, half stumbled into the leader’s quarters. No one was inside the regal looking room. Fielra must be fast asleep. Aerobolt hesitated. Fielra was not exactly kind when awoken. But Aerobolt knew this was too important to afford hesitation. Crossing the room, tiptoeing by instinct, he wondered what exactly he as going to say to her. The floor creaked. Aerobolt had barely remembered this was the only room in Castla nu Craara with wooden floors. He froze, wondering if Fielra heard him. Why did it matter? He was going to wake her anyway! Aerobolt shook his head and moved forward. He knocked on the door to where Fielra would be sleeping. No response at first, then he heard her grunt a few words he didn’t understand. Aerobolt hesitated for another second. He forced his handpaws to turn the knob and go inside.
Fielra’s fur was a mess as she lay there in her bed, looking unhappy. Was she having a restless night? Aerobolt was glad he wasn’t the only one. “Arrabalta? What do you want?” It wasn’t her usual kind voice. But it didn’t even sound harsh. Nevertheless, Aerobolt flinched.
Aerobolt did not respond right away. He knew Fielra was waiting for a good reason to wake her up, but Aerobolt wasn’t sure how to deliver it. “I-I had a dream,” he began awkwardly.
Fielra let out an exasperated sigh. “Everyone dreams Aerobolt…” she said in a defeated voice.
Aerobolt swallowed. “But I think this one means something,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Fielra sat up. Her golden eyes were shining with annoyance, but nevertheless, with curiosity also. “Alright. What was it about?” she conceded.
Aerobolt began to describe his dream to her. The Shadow Vulpine being attacked and unwilling to fight back. He left out the revaera part. He thought it best to ask about it at the end. When he finished, Fielra was contemplating it.
“Do you think it’s real?” she asked.
“I-“ Aerobolt didn’t know. The fact that a dream sent him into such disarray definitely was not a normal dream. But was it just that? Was it just a bad nightmare? “…Don’t know…” he said.
“You do not know if it is real or not?” Fielra asked.
“No… but what is strange is… they were using a word I never heard of before…” Aerobolt continued.
“A word you never knew? That is odd for any normal dream. What word?”
“Revaera,” Aerobolt said.
Instantly Fielra was incredulous. “R-revaera!? Revaera!?” she yelped.
“Y-yes, Mistress Fielra, but… what does it mean?”
“No! You do not need to know what that word means! It is not a part of our world. Not normal! It is not normal!” Fielra yelled.
Aerobolt didn’t understand how a word could get one of the calmest foxes he knew in such a state of mind. He did not say a word. He just watched as Fielra’s eyes seemed to bulge in the darkness.
“Tell me Aerobolt. This Keen or whatever… is he revaera?” Fielra said.
“That is what the assaulter kept calling him! And he seemed not to deny it!” Aerobolt exclaimed.
“Iridescence almighty! I-I don’t even know what to say!” Fielra said loudly.
“Why?”
Fielra shook her head. “Let’s just say revaera is a bad thing. A very bad thing. Something of which cannot be condoned,” she said. No elaboration. Figures.
“So if this dream is real, we are going to help him right?” Aerobolt asked, fearing the answer.
Fielra stopped. She looked at him. “Our duty… is to protect and preserve the Seven Forces of Life. We cannot be going around saving other creatures from each other. That is not our job!”
Aerobolt could not help but be incredulous. “What!? Whatever our purpose is, we are the Guardians of Life, right!? We can’t just turn down someone in danger!”
Fielra shook her head violently. “No Aerobolt! We are the Guardians of the Seven Forces of Life! We have no business in others’ affairs!”
“Yet we have ambassadors in the Sharra Cult, the Shrouded Wolf Tribe, and the Cryogen Foxes just to name a few! Not to mention your infiltration of Hydyraen to rescue me! What is the difference here!?” Aerobolt countered.
“The difference is that you were important to our cause in eliminating Arcane!” Fielra retorted.
“No! I am believing the only difference is that this fox is revaera, whatever that is!” Aerobolt spat.
Fielra opened her muzzle to counter, but did not. Aerobolt struck it. That was exactly why. What was revaera!? And why was it so bad that even the Guardians refused to help!?
“Tell me Fielra. What is so bad about revaera that causes you to turn back on who you really are…?” Aerobolt said calmly.
Fielra sighed. “Alright… but do not be upset when I do tell you…” she took a deep breath. “Revaera means… “Reversed Love” in the ancient tongue. To put things simply it… it means…” Another deep breath. “It means when two creatures of the same gender… are attracted to one another and…”
“Wait. Attracted? You mean not like a friendship or whatever?” Aerobolt pondered.
“If only… but no. A loving relationship. Mates between the same gender… Reversed Love…” Fielra choked out. “R-revaera is the term to refer to these type of creatures… It is not meant to be! It is not normal, Aerobolt!” Fielra cried.
Aerobolt thought for a moment. He didn’t think these type of creatures could exist. Two of the same gender…? As mates? Sounds absurd… Is it really in existence? If it is… what is so bad about it? “I don’t see why it is a bad thing…” he said uncertainly.
“How is it possible!? How does it happen!? Why does it happen!? Something we don’t know anything about can’t possibly be trusted!” Fielra shouted.
Aerobolt shook his head. “And it shouldn’t be assumed a bad thing without evidence! What does Iridescence say on the matter?”
Fielra went quiet. “Th-that’s just it, Arrabalta. She says nothing about it. Not one thing. And if Iridescence won’t say a word, then how can it be good?”
Aerobolt was confused. “Why won’t she say anything about it? Does she not realize how many could be getting hurt besides Qiin?”
Fielra shook her head. “The cases for confirmed revaera are very, very rare. It is possible that Iridescence does not think highly of it. Either that, or she does her best to keep this trait from being borne into our cubs!”
“But why?”
“If it is against Her will, it must be a bad thing,” Fielra said flatly.
“But. Why?” Aerobolt pressed.
“She won’t say anything on the matter. She really won’t,” Fielra responded.
“I have a feeling that there is so much more to this than you are telling me,” Aerobolt said suspiciously.
Fielra was angry now. “It is none of your business! If I were you, I’d drop this subject and never mention it to anybody! Now get out!”
Aerobolt was slightly taken aback by his leader’s sudden hostility. Nevertheless, he backed out slowly without a word.
‘If the dream was real, someone needs help. Revaera or not, if the Guardians won’t help him… I will.’ Aerobolt vowed as he strode back into Commons. ‘I have a feeling I will regret this. I will never let anyone suffer if I can help it!’ he continued to think as he crossed into Crossroads. ‘Maybe one day I will see what a revaera really is. Maybe I will learn what Fielra is hiding from me…’ as he was lifted up the Shade Spire. ‘Well I guess this answers my question. I guess I am returning to Hydyraen,’ as he entered his quarters. ‘I never wanted to go back, but… but I cannot bear to think that someone like me is suffering…’ as he climbed back into bed. ‘Hold on Qiin… I am coming…’ as he drifted back to sleep.
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BOOK ONE! http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11187661/
BOOK TWO! https://www.furaffinity.net/view/12848456/
SERIES INDEX! http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5340298/