Thursday,

May 17, 2012,

9: 38 AM

Addy is furious at the decision to ride the Hybrid into the unknown without acknowledging what or where the unknown is. Most of the anger comes from worry and fear, for she cannot travel with her nephew – yet. When Sunny returns, someone must be at the house, and Kane refuses to leave a Hunt or allow Valli to get onto the Hybrid without him. The Witch doesn't argue with the Hunter and knows well Kane is the next best person to protect her boy (except herself). The Hunter is experienced, the very reputation he has should be enough to make even the most powerful of monsters take a second thought. Addy asked around, her contacts came back frightened for her safety around Kane. The man may be frustrating, annoying, and arrogant at times – but according to rumors and stories, he has earned every right to be. Valli is safest at his side, unless what she recalls Hela said was true. Valli's sight will return within the void, which is essentially what she meant, Addy's mind races with the information. Will Valli be able to see, or will the darkness be so overwhelming it'll be similar to sight?

Valli had attempted to tell her what his world sunk into when his vision was stolen, early into the healing process. She remembered him comparing it to having the lights turned off suddenly or driving through a tunnel with no end.

On the way to the hospital, leaving behind a mess of blood and gore and Vallis' parents, he had said it was a tunnel effect. His vision had a black edge around it, a void that closed in and in until it eventually swallowed all light and color. In the hospital bed after the surgery, the doctor explained in layman's terms; hand held up in a half moon, his fingers slowly closed into a circle then the circle squeezed tighter, tighter until the fingers formed a tight fist. The man said that is what Valli tried to say, merely giving an image to help along the understanding. When Valli woke, he said the last thing he saw was the brightest overhead light in the surgery room before, like a flipped switch, his eyes closed abruptly. Her nephew lives in perpetual darkness, how would additional darkness do a thing to his vision?

Kane may have issues at first, but both the witch and the hunter agree he'll adapt or die. He will not allow a little dark to get the best of him – he's much too stubborn for that. Kane is the inventor of the path of most resistance; if there is a fight, a monster to kill, and a challenge in sight – he will achieve any goal set. His life is constantly life or death, he adapts to situations on hand and on the spot. This will be no different in his eyes. Whether he lives or dies, he follows his instincts and would do everything over again. Valli will make it back, Kane made that promise and he'll keep it. No, Addy is not worried about Kane, she is anxious about how Valli will get along. Hela stated the Void was similar to how he lives now, so will he be able to travel through the void without issues? Would he be the one to guide Kane through rather than vice versa?

Of course, being frightened by that alone is understandable, but once she recalls what would be inside with the men, she nearly panics. All kinds of monsters, creatures of the Dark and evil, wicked beings hidden in shadows are all waiting in the Void. Waiting to ambush her poor little boy and his Hunter Pet. If Kane falls to claws and teeth, then Valli stands no chance. Well, Addy suddenly perks up from the slouch she was sitting in, Sunny and I will just have to get inside ourselves.

She had hidden away atop a tree in the swamp to think through the situation, leaving behind the Hybrid with Valli and Kane. Certainly close enough to be of assistance if they'd need it, but far to have the privacy they all needed. She'll return in a few hours, she has plans and new ideas in mind.

###

At the miniature farm, Valli entertains the Hybrid with belly rubs as Kane stands close behind. The Hunter still refused to leave the creature and Valli alone, uncaring that the Hybrid was like a puppy or kitten currently. It can still eat them with one gulp at a moment's notice. Valli insisted on preparing breakfast for them, and then the animal. By this, he had Kane lug two barrels of fish from the fishing shed and Valli plucked some ripe, old, and even young fruits and vegetables to give. It was a small sacrifice for such a large creature, but the animal took it happily – chirping playfully as Kane grumbled about fish guts flung onto him.

Afterward, Valli was dragged behind Kane with a snap of the man's thick fingers to load duffel bags of weapons to take on the ride. The snap is to gain Valli's attention, to tell him where Kane is. Kane refuses to go anywhere fully unprepared. He'd like a special weapon that would, undoubtedly, kill the Parents of Monsters. Unfortunately, none of the books or writings they found mentioned anything of Voids or Parents. It seems the Gods didn't want any evidence of their fear, or mistakes. Their only hope is if they'll wear the monsters down or if the Gods feel generous; both of which may be unlikely.

Valli giggles, the fur under his flesh is soft and silky. The deep rumble of the creature's breathing vibrates into his bones, causing his body to tremble. He should be frightened, not playing with a gigantic mythical creature that will lead him to his possible death. However, he finds he can't. The Hybrid is sweet, playful, and gentle. She hasn't tried to harm them or attack other buildings, rather she stayed laid down and allowed Addy to study her. She nuzzled Valli kindly, softly to not knock him over. The retired hunter coos, scratching her belly with his nails, speaking in a baby voice that makes the Hybrid chuff. "Kane just misunderstood you, huh, Baby! You're just a sweetheart!!"

The mentioned man scoffs from behind Valli, warily studying the massive clawed fangs on the edge of the red ombre wings above their heads. She had unfolded the leathery limbs to stretch them, revealing the three claws on the wing bone were hooked and unyielding – developed to grab and sink into prey to pin it easier without its maw or paws. Grouching, personally justified. "I misunderstand everything that could kill me with one damn stretch."

"You're just paranoid." Valli dismisses, laughing and yelping at the firm pitch he receives to his hip.

The Hunter smirks, shaking his head fondly. However, he turns semi-serious once he remembers why he's anxious about the creature. "I'm paranoid now, wait 'til we get wherever we're going. I'mma be hyper-paranoid and annoy your ass."

Turning his back to the hybrid, Valli picks out the warmth from a dark shadow now in front of him and follows Kane's rumble of a voice to hug the man's waist as he craved to do whenever he heard the man before. He adores embracing Kanes by curling around his middle, it allows the man to drape beefy arms over his back. Drowned in Kane's chest is like hugging a bear; soft, warm, and cozy, yet also hard with muscle and musky – dangerous. Valli loves it, more so that now he can freely and randomly satisfy the urge. Kane never refuses, always holds Valli until the younger decides it is enough, or merely resigns himself to it because he can't tell the man no. They both want to savor all contact, for the unknown is deadly, and tomorrow may never rise.

"I'm sure we'll be fine. And if not, thanks for helping and giving this a chance. I don't regret anything." It's muffled in Kane's wide chest, but no less grateful.

"You'll live." A kiss on his crown is all his words receive at the moment, but he understands both the verbal and unspoken response. I'm not allowing you to die. If I die, I don't regret anything either. Kane may not be big on words, but his actions and promises have much more meaning. His silences speak louder than anything he'll ever say.

"Have you talked to Ma?"

Kane grunts, nose buried in thick chestnut hair. "I will later. When Addy gets back. She deserves to at least hear from me before I make more bad decisions."

Valli snorts a tiny laugh, their bodies shaking as the hybrid shifts behind them with an echoing growl. "Saving the apparent world is a bad decision?"

"All this is a bad decision." The man laughs, but the words are said with a sincere air to them, weighing the topic down. "Listening to the two-faced assholes about this bullshit might be the biggest one yet – besides riding a giant (possibly murderous) animal to fuck-knows."

"Well, we have to try. If it's a trap or something, we'll find a way out." Valli states, only earning an agreed hum.

###

Addy returns mid-afternoon, smile strained and eyebrows creased in fright, but her muscles are loose and at ease. She gifts each man torso harnesses to secure weapons onto, as well as thigh straps for knives and extra guns. Kane steps off to call Sunny, Valli can't hear the woman's responses to the strict facts Kane states, yet the long silence on the man's end afterward is telling. Upon returning, Kane simply said Sunny was on her way back and that she demanded they both make it home alive. Addy did a quick shield spell on them, of which Kane was reluctant, and gave them protection charms on necklaces to wear. The Witch crafted a necklace charm for the hybrid, the rope sprinkled with a potion for strength and an unbreaking spell to form an unyielding collar. The Hybrid did a gentle rumble to speak her pleasure at the gift, tail giving a groundbreaking thump.

After stalling longer than needed, Kane sighs deeply as he boosts Valli onto the shoulder of the creature and gives a firm shove to his ass to get him further up. Valli squeals, laughing as he slips over the fur and scrambles to grip the smooth hair. Quick fingers slip through the fur, leaving him unbalanced and insecure, his body weight dragging him back down the bumps of bone and fat. He screams, delighted and childish rather than scared. "It's like trying to climb a big teddy bear!" Kane rolls his eyes from the ground, prepared to catch a falling body when Addy snorts unladylike and lifts her hand.

Valli whines as his body begins to glow a pastel purple. The magic lifts his weight easily from the clamber at the shoulder to the safety of the hybrid's back. The levitating spell doesn't cease until the man is sat still, gripping the fur and secure. "Thanks, Addy!"

The second she turns to Kane with a knowing self-pleased smirk, the man grunts his displeasure but nods along anyway. "I fucking hate witches. All smug and shit."

Addy giggles, taking no offense. She knows it was just a mild jab to tease her, friendly fire at this point. "You're welcome too, Kane."

Kane situates himself pressed flush to Valli's back, thick arms acting as seat belts around the man's waist. Long and thick legs surround Valli's long and lean limbs, securing him tightly to the nape of the creature's neck. Addy waits a moment to cease the spell, testing if the Hybrid will wait or take off instantly with new riders. The creature blinks at her knowingly, position firm and still, laid down and waiting.

"You both be safe. Sunny and I will find a way to help! Whatever we can do, we will! Do not separate! We love you!"

"We love you guys too!" Valli yells, waving. He nudges Kane, feeling the man give a quick wave of his own before the creature shifts suddenly.

She stands slowly, cautious of the barely-there weight on her back. Her wings fold, then stretch out wide, testing. Then Kane startles harshly as the bulky, wide, and massive tip of her tail curls around them – extra safety for her to hold onto them. They mumble under their breaths as she moves, shifting on her paws. Her fur brushes against their faces, the tail tightening only slightly upon each movement. Gathering her balance, the men shout and scream when she leaps into the air. Valli's stomach rolls, suddenly nauseated – as if he were riding a rollercoaster. While behind him, Kane tightens his grip to the point of hurting, cursing everyone (except Valli, and Sunny) to high heaven. The Hunter had gone pale in the face at the height and unpredictability of the Hybrid, unaccustomed to being out of control and flying.

On either side of the humans, the enormous wings flap with two heavy beats. Thundering around the men to carry the weight of the creature, a whirlwind of air floods past them as an ear-piercing roar rumbles through the hybrid. Then, with a burst of unexpected speed – her wings give one massive boost, the men lurch backward as she lurches forward toward a pulsating ripple of colorless slash in the sky.

On the ground, in awe and fright, Addy's skirts and hair waved in the rush of wind. Addy can only observe as the hybrid carries her boy and the Hunter through the rip. One moment, they were here, and the next – gone with a pop of the portal closing.

###

Kane groans, his head throbs, and his eyes are sore. Valli pants, breathing heavily and excited from the exhilarating, but short ride. From Kane's perspective, the beast had jumped through a hole and they landed somewhere with no light. Even with the rip open, no light shined on surfaces or along the ground – as if the sheer amount of darkness had sucked all it out. It leaves Kane's eyes useless, he can no longer see Valli in front of him, and even the Hybrid has disappeared from view. If he hadn't felt them, he'd think he was alone. After a moment, the hunter realizes he can no longer hear their surroundings; the beast's breathing is heard, but beyond her, there is no sound. No water, wind, echoes; no growls and groans of monsters. Two critical senses were now snuffed out.

While his senses fail him, Valli gasps in shock. The longer he blinks and flicks his eyes around, he can make out shapes and objects, moving forms in the deep shadows around them. He can hear the grunts, claws scraping over surfaces, and the snarls of the immoral. Slowly, his sightless eyes adjust and change. His everyday darkness sinks into the void, revealing what Kane is now blind to.

They have landed in a gigantic hallway, silhouettes of pillars line the sides of the space and at the far end are massive double doors. However, between them and the end, are outlined forms in the dark, waiting for prey. He cannot spot color or light, merely a black void, yet the shapes he can recognize and catch quick movements. It appears as if Hela was correct, his sight has returned – just not as they were expecting. He wonders if these umbras will stay faceless dangerous shapes, or if he'll be able to see the contours of their feathers or claws once they venture closer.

Under him, the hybrid has the same featureless shape. However, the more he looks, the more her ear shape stands out, and the individual layers of the fur on her tail can be picked up. Valli hums, startled at the new information. "Interesting."

"What is? That we're both blind now? Great, we'll both end up dead." Kane sarcastically answers, allowing himself to lash out mildly at the new feeling of helplessness creeping in.

"You can't see?" Kane feels his boyfriend twist back to face him, but he can't catch the movement with his eyes, no matter how close.

He grunts, severely unpleased. "Fuck no. Can't see you. Should've brought a damn rope, would've tied our asses together."

"Oh. That's a good idea." Vaguely, Valli realizes he will be the one to be guiding Kane and not the other way around. The concept never occurred to him, but suddenly he feels sick at the thought and being in control of Kane's life. "Oh no. We're fucked."

"No shit?" Kane helpfully agrees, grumbling and shuffling in the duffle bags. Maybe the witch put a rope in here, I'd probably thank her for it.