Runner Clan

“Ouch, that looks painful.”

Returning from scouting ahead, Davi grimaced as Culus cradled his hand, the red swelling of a tube imprint already visible. Davi scooted up and sat down beside his friend, lost deeply in his thoughts. Sitting exactly where Davi had left him, the leader of the Runner Clan made for a pitiful sight.

Tucked away at the back of a short alley, the residents of the high walled houses had placed a few large Kimchi pots outside to ferment. Huddled down behind them, the boys waited in an aroma of damp earth and old hay for things to calm down before moving on.

“Don’t worry Culus, we’ll get that wrapped and set when we get back. Maybe even have Meera have a look at it. It’ll be gone before you know it.”

For someone Davi believed had been an adult all their short life, he sure had an exclusive way of wallowing in his misery when left alone. Still fully cloaked, Davi’s heart broke as saw that even in his current state and sitting on the floor, Culus had somehow managed to hide every inch of his arms and legs.

He knew how just how much Culus struggled to keep the scars beneath hidden. That even in moments like this they plagued his thoughts.

“Honestly Cul. What were you thinking firing that flare off like that? We barely got out of there in time. It’s just our luck to have that flying guy explode in on the scene. They rounded those folk up for questioning Culus, that could have been us.”

The rag tag boy gently opened his eyes before levelling them on Davi. What a difference those eyes made, from prey to predator. At just under two meters, he cut an imposing figure with those emerald green eyes.

Unfortunately, it was never in a good way and the little ones had always shied away from the boy, having heard the stories about him. Taking to Davi far more easily, their Nest had grown into one of the largest as Culus patrolled the City, looking for orphaned souls.

At an unheard of 19 years of age, Culus was a legend amongst the Nests, the oldest in any he knew of. And although most of the lawless brats respected him greatly, it was always Davi that got the lion’s share of affection. Over the past year, he got the impression that Culus preferred it this way, keeping things distant. Even though he knew on some level it surely must affect him.

“I’m aware Davi, but you said so yourself. Someone had to do something.” His smile a sharp contrast to the angry burns in his hand.

Culus only ever smiled for two reasons. Banter with Davi, his real smile. Or in dangerous situations, the latter carrying no warmth whatsoever. It wasn’t that Culus was sinister, far from it. It was just that he had no warmth left to give. A face composed of the thinnest of veneers, more like the last stop before delving into a world of rage.

He wasn’t alone in this anger, in that a lot of the street kids went feral. Unbridled anger hidden behind rejected and outcast youthful faces. A life of constant fear and hunger was rarely if ever visited upon by a sense of humanity.

But for Culus, this rage went deeper. It was darker and far more violent when spilt. The kind that only ever spoke of a deep-seated knowledge of pain and loss. Clothed in rags and wrappings, he always covered up as much of himself as possible. Hiding the large square scars and ugly purple grooves that littered his entire frame.

Whatever disease or monster that had gouged the flesh from him as a child had left him a hideous sight to behold. The childhood nickname of Patches had cut deeply into what was left of him, as only the cruelty of truth spoken by a child could.

With just his face left unblemished, he felt this to be the proportional measure of humanity left in him. What little it was, he held onto dearly. His clan, the Runners, it might not have been a boisterous love. But it was love. One of purpose and all he could give.

“That’s it?” Davi frowned. “That’s all you have to say about it?”

“Thank you for finding this place in time. How are things out there?”

Davi sighed and relented. He began to give a detailed report on what was going on out there, but Culus heard very little of it. His heart still too raw at the moment. He was still unsure on how he felt about the latest addition to his collection. Of all the unsightly scars to mar his body, here was the first that he could bare to look at.

And right now, it was the strangest feeling he had even known.

Still, it hurt. Like it, really hurt. Two large blisters in the middle of his hand had formed and were still growing, this was all kinds of new ow. Flexing it, he winced, but the pain was constant no matter what he did.

“Hey buddy, you there?”

Culus snapped out of it only to see a very concerned looking Davi. Immediately he felt guilty about putting him through this latest bout of madness.

“I’m sorry brother. I was just having a moment.”

“Well, there’s an understatement to take the championships.”

Culus rolled his eyes wanting to curse him out, but lacked the enthusiasm.

“It’s just reminded me, he sighed”

“Of that day.” Davi finished for him.

“Mm.”

“I figured. I’m sorry. I only realised when I saw your face. You looked like you had seen a ghost.”

Culus scowled at him sharply.

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” Davi held his hands defensively. “It’s just, you keep saying you fine and then this happens. For someone who plans on joining the Watch, how are you going to deal with this after every wave?”

After a long pause still seated, he was surprised when Culus finally replied.

“There’s nothing left to deal with.”

“Excuse me? A full year of mopping around and I’m just supposed to take your word for it, that it’s all over?”

“Yes.”

“Ok Culus,” Davi said sounding a little hostile. “How? How am I supposed to believe those words after what just happened? Or even better, how did you do it? Please tell me.”

Culus paused for a bit, trying to articulate what he felt to be true.

“By saying goodbye.”

Davi frowned at him, unconvinced

“And by doing the honourable thing,” Culus added after a moment’s hesitation.

“Is that what we calling it? Firing that flare. Getting involved with the Watch. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad someone did something. But did it have to be you?

“You just broke one of your own sworn rules like it was nothing and now you have to go meet all the other Nest leaders. So, forgive me for asking again, but are you going be okay?”

Culus looked down to his hand and squeezed a fistful of pain.

“Yeah, Davi.” He smiled in response to Davi’s disbelieving look. “This time, I think I really am. Now, let’s get out of here.”

“Alright Culus,” Davi sighed getting up to move out. “Giver knows we going to be the last ones to arrive. They’ll probably think something happened to us.”

“Is that sarcasm?” Culus queried. “Something did happen to us.”

“I agree with you there, just some parts more so than others.” Davi eyed him again. “Alright Culus, if you say you’re okay then I believe you. And you can prove it.”

“Okaay? That sounds ominous.”

“I mean it Culus. I will cut you.”

“Whoa! I said okay. Sheesh.”

Not quite the poor district yet, the narrow roads and cramped houses heralded the approach of it. The consistent dark maroon roofs, some missing their decorative tiles, doubled as stores. Meaning there were most likely armed people behind those shuttered windows, mindful of opportunistic thieves during a Beast wave.

And who better to be suspicious of than pair of gutter rats arguing outside your shop. Whatever it was Davi wanted to know, Culus knew not to provoke him when he got like this. He was worse than a Drak with a bone when he got something into his head.

“I heard something back there and it wasn’t you. Don’t tell me it was the wind.”

Culus flinched, uncertain how to answer that. But then he decided why not, he’d already embarrassed himself as much as he was going to this day. And besides, if he truly believed it was over, then Davi was right. Why not get it all out and be done with it.

“For a year now, I’ve been trying to tell you. I kept seeing them. Like really seeing them.” Culus accentuated.

Davi walked along in silence, processing.

“Why didn’t you say…”

“No, don’t you even say it. I tried! Twice with you and once with Meera. How was I supposed to explain that I’m seeing my dead team at the worst of moments and not losing my mind. Always in the corner of my eye. I look and they’re gone, but I could feel them there, watching Davi. Always watching.”

Davi pulled a face frowning

“But that voice Culus. How...?”

“Davi,I can’t explain why fire falls from the sky screaming. Nor can I explain why the dead rise at night. And I most certainly couldn’t tell you why I survived and they all died. Believe me, I’ve asked myself and I’ve asked them. But until today, they’ve never spoken.”

Almost reverently Davi asked, knowing he was pushing now.

“What did they say?”

There was a longer pause this time before Culus spoke again.

“Do better.”

Davi frowned, but let it slide. That’s not what it had not sounded like that to him.

In silence the boys made their way downtown. Keeping to the alleys in the hopes of avoiding packs of teenage Cultivators that ran amok during the Beast Wave. It was not uncommon for fights amongst the groups to level buildings before the Watch caught up to them.

After an hour or so they finally neared their Nest, the frequency of painted ladies and cheap tea-rooms increasing steadily. Here the scent of damp mould and incense hung in the air, with bright orange lanterns hanging out on terraces. Not the ornate clay moulds that held Beast cores, but made of thin orange paper and burning of tallow wicks. All bearing blessings or lists of goods and their prices sold within.

“Nearly there.” Davi spoke up. “We’ll get that cleaned and wrapped and then you can head out. And don’t you worry. I absolutely won’t be following you from a safe distance.”

Culus grunted, rolling his eyes and walking on in silence.

“Though it serves you right” Davi ribbed him as they marched. “I know this guy who came up with these rules.”

Culus gave him the evil eye.

“One of them was NEVER stick your neck out for Sacred Artists. Quite impressive actually, cause this guy was able to make sure everyone else obeyed it too. Even if the Watch offered food.”

“Davi that flare chased off every Noble raiding pack in the area. I just made our journey home safer.”

“Culus.”

“What?”

“I don’t think the Nobles are going to steal our grass.”

“You don’t know Nobles.”

Davi burst out laughing.

“Oh, you’re a broody sulk and a terrible liar too.”

Turning the corner onto Mama Yujin’s House of The Hungry Moon, Culus’s smile was short lived as he saw the place come into view. There should have been a sentry here.

Moving forward cautiously after silently signalling to Davi, the boys did not go far before they saw a few familiar faces hiding about the alleyways trying to look inconspicuous.

The Nests leaders where all here.

Already alarmed his heart skipped a beat as he thought he saw the dreaded familiar face make its return.

No, this one was angry as it approached. His visions had never been angry at him, only sad.

Here was the twin face of the one he had finally said goodbye to and his second in command.

“Juri.”

“Culus.”

“Hello Juri. What is this? What’s going on?”

The twin face merely regarded the bedraggled and wet Davi, ignoring his questions entirely and looking to the bundle of grass with a raised eyebrow.

“It took two of you to get one bundle?”

“Hey man! We were attacked. Don’t ignore me when I asked…”

“Davi,” Culus warned.

“I will treat this blue-eyed Oni as I see fit, until it learns its place.”

“Right, that’s it!” Davi dropped the bundle and leapt forward snarling.

As the eldest Culus swiftly interposed himself between the two, but as the stronger Davi pushed back hard. Causing him to wince from his blistered hand, and dousing Davi’s outburst as quick as it had risen.

“You would start a fight right outside or Nest?” He hissed at them both.

“I am not the one raising my hands?” Sniffed Juri, he had not moved an inch.

He had not even raised his hands. Clearly wanting to and succeeding in provoking Davi right in front of the other Nest leaders.

Angry at how easily he had been played, Culus snapped at Juri. “You know what you do.”

“Yeah! You know…”

“Davi! Enough. Go drop that off now and see to it that it gets spread out amongst all the beds.”

“But…”

“No. You broke the rule by starting a fight outside our Nest. Do you want Mama Yujin to kick us all out?”

Juri looked on smugly, but it was Davi who concerned him most now, given that defiant look showing on his face once more. Culus could almost hear his best friend’s thoughts shouting at him, that it was okay when he broke the rules but not others.

Turning and sulking off after glaring at Juri, Davi left with the bundle in tow. Culus breathed a sigh of relief and quiet thanks.

“Why you allow him such wilful behaviour, is beyond me, Patches. Perhaps its because under all those scars you believe yourself to be some sort of Kojeni or Aegle, like him? I can’t tell. But you do have the round eyes. Wrong colour though.”

Culus breathed out calmly, long used to this outrageous behaviour he remained still, allowing the monster in him to calm down too. Only when he stopped shaking did he try again, he knew why Juri hated him so.

“You’re angry that I left without telling you today and I can accept that, but if this is how our conversations turn out be. Then how can you blame me?”

“I wish you would just leave Culus. We had an understanding. If I stayed, I would inherit the clan after you were old enough. It’s been a year now Culus. Why are you still here?”

“I’ll do you better Juri. I’ll explain it to you in your own words. By the Sun dials, early evening is just starting. And in those last three hours, the lookout stands there, so he doesn’t get glare from the setting Sun.”

Showing signs of nervousness now, Juri walked back the way Culus had come from before cursing out quietly.

“Culus I’m sorry…”

Culus immediately raised his hand stopping Juri mid apology. If anything, he was surprised at how quickly Juri had relented this time, but he was not do yet.

Further, it would be the same lookout who has been doing the same three hours all week. And it just so happens I know it is, because that same person has been giving me rude gestures with his hands when he thought I wasn’t looking.

“I said I’m sorry Culus. I’ll talk to him”

“I know you are Juri, but will you punish him.”

“I’m not going to punish my little brother Culus!”

“But you watched happily after I told Davi off, even after you provoked him. What was it you said, ‘wilful behaviour’? You play by favourites and not the rules, if you think that’s fair then you never deserved the position and you should just go on your way.”

Again, Juri deflated, not arguing in the slightest. The unusual behaviour spiked Culus’s alarm, it wasn’t like him to see reason so quickly.

“Now as you can probably tell, I’ve had a hell of a day Juri and I could really use your support for once. Tell me what’s going on and lets go put a unified look on for once.

Juri nodded his head and stared down, guiltily not meeting Culus’s stern look.

“It’s Meera, Culus. She’s been hit.”

“Hey! What do you mean she’s…”

“She’s gone Culus! Her whole Nest is gone. They took everyone”