Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 22:01:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Gay Writer Subject: Earth Reborn: Love and Greed Chapter 2 The following is a complete work of fiction. Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is completely coincidental. Please do not copy or distribute the story without the author's permission. Disclaimer: The following story contains erotic homosexual situations. If it is illegal for you to read this please leave now. *** This is a completely revised version of the original story... If you are lost or confused please read it from the beginning in its entirety. Chapter 2 Loss and Life I woke momentarily to see Bransen sitting in the corner of this antiseptic dimly lit room. The smell of bleach and other anti bacterial agents wafted past my nose. Sleep was pulling my eyes closed again... we would have to talk later. I wonder if the look of fear on his face was for me or because of me. My eyes fluttered open, this time someone was taking my vitals and writing on a clipboard. They were recording my progress. I felt stronger this time and glanced about the room. Again or still I do not know, but in the corner was a sullen Bransen. There was a mixture of concern and distrust upon his face. "Captain, I believe sleeping beauty here has finally awakened." He said turning to the corner to address Bransen. "Damnit! If I have to tell you one more time, I'm going to beat the living shit out of you! It's Bransen... not captain." He grumbled. "Now get the hell out of here!" My caretaker glanced at a monitor above my head... made a nervous scribble and scooted a bit too fast from the room like a wounded puppy. "Nice to meet you cheerful!" I joked in a whispered voice. "Cut the shit freak... I don't have the time or patience for another smartass in my group." He quickly snapped back. "Oh... so this FREAK is part of YOUR group HUH?! I don't even remember asking!" I said angrily through pursed lips and squinted eyes weakly trying to pull myself to a sitting position. "IN FACT" I hacked... and coughed trying to catch my breath as my voice broke in and out of a rage... "they're probably still cleaning up the brains of the last asshole that crossed me!" I finally choked out. Fact was though; at this moment... had they not taken me in, I would probably have died or at the very least been dinner for one of the local animals of the area. The IV in my arm was causing me a bit of difficulty while trying to rise to an upright position. I became dizzy and slumped back. "Hey hey... calm down kid... I'm sorry... " he said in an even but ALMOST tender voice as he walked across the room from his corner to press the button causing the bed to lift the head of the bed into an upright position. "Kid?!" I almost screamed... watching his eyes nearly grow twice in size in surprise... Just then, a middle aged gentleman burst through the door and yelled "What in the BLUE FUCK is going on in here!? What the hell are you doing to my patient?!" he demanded of Bransen. "Woah! Woah!... Doc... it's just a misunderstanding!" he said as he backed away with his arms half raised. "Get the fuck out of here you butcher" I said to Doc, almost as much surprised to have said it as to the Doc's bewildered reaction. "I'm sorry..." I said as I gasped... the damns breaking as the flashes of what I had just been through entered my mind. Staring directly at the Doc I commanded "Leave!" as I clutched my hands to my face and burst into tears. Like a robot obeying a command Doc left the room without another word. Glimpses of my unborn child, Vale's death, the slaughter of his fathers and the entire ordeal of the merging flashed through my mind. My murder of Rase in my rage blazed across my thoughts and my body shook with sobs I could not control. Who the hell was I? What the hell was I?! What is going on!!!?? I continued to cry when I felt arms pull me into an embrace. "Hey guy... it's okay... It's okay now! You're safe.. you're here with us!" he whispered and he hugged me even tighter rocking me to chase the pain away. We stayed that way for what seemed like forever before I spoke again. "They are all gone" I choked. Pulling away slightly and putting his hand beneath my chin he lifted my head level to his "You have a new family now." Glancing past him and across the room into the mirror over the sink I saw for the first time something that terrified me. My reflection. My eyes blazed with a blue-white light. They didn't just have their regular icy blue color, they literally glowed! Realizing what I was seeing, my breath caught in my throat. "It's too much! I can't do this! They're all dead!" I wept as I leaned forward again resting my head on Bransen's shoulder and sobbed. I had lost so much and my heart hurt so badly.. I couldn't escape the horror and didn't know how to react so I let Bransen console me in his tight grip. I had lost everything, and I had maliciously killed a man. This wasn't me was it? Pulling away from the safe place Bransen made for me in his embrace and curve of his neck I calmed myself and sniffled. He handed me a tissue and I wiped my eyes and nose. I had felt so much hurt so fast I was now almost immune. I guess it just takes time to gain the benefit of the numbness and acceptance of a true horror from things past. It was done. I was here... and nothing I could do would fix what had happened. I would carry the scars of my actions as a part of me from forever. As I have always told others... "It is what it is. Learn from it and move on." "Kelay was supposed to be with you...", he said nervously breaking the silence. Staring into my lap I replied softly, "He is." I said turning my eyes upward into his. "All that he was and knew..." "Knew?" Bransen interrupted. "Knew? Where is he? What happened? What do you mean 'Knew'" He emphasized. I continued, "All the things he was and knew... I now know. All of his memories are now mine." I paused, "My father lives now within me, forever. He has moved beyond." As yet another tear made its way down my cheek. The word 'father' seemed to surprise him. I felt a burning anguish rush through Bransen's soul, which was quickly tucked away and hidden. "I understand." He said softly. I looked into his eyes and knew... He loved Kelay truly and desperately, but it was a caged and bridled thing never allowed to be let out. Bransen had loved my father from afar for many years, but had kept it safely in check. Kelay had known it, but it was a fire that was never allowed to start. How sad. So much wasted time. What are we if not how we spend our time here? "Are you sure?" he asked hoping... to which I answered with a simple nod. "We have merged and he has moved on. I know you as well as any; though you don't know me from anyone." I said somewhat flatly. "Know this though, I am all he was and more. It is how he had planned it... You knew as well as he did that it was a one way trip." Another muted pang of pain escaped him, but never crossed his face. I reached for him and he pulled away. I should have anticipated this. I had the memories, but I didn't know how to apply them. I broke our silence, "I need time alone please..." A thought escaped Bransen as he rose from beside me... "You sound so much like him!" To which I replied aloud... "It was never my intention". At hearing his own words, he paused... turned, and left the room abandoning me to sort out my new world. Sleep overtook me. Coming to terms with my new world was going to have to wait. I needed rest. I woke again seeing Bransen gazing at me from the corner. "Hello again." I said softly. "Hello" he quietly replied. "I will be ready for training in 1 day." I stated. "One day?!" he explained.... "Well... it's been long enough my body has finally recovered... Though I get the impression you have a question for me." I said. "uhhh.. how long do YOU think you have been out?" he asked. "Hell I don't know... a couple of days?" I answered. "Try two weeks!" he responded. The realization crossed my face. "Oh." I said as I pushed the frightening news aside. "Must be a result of your inferior medical practice." "WHAT!?" He exclaimed in denial more than anything. "Got ya" I chuckled. "you are sooooo easy." And we both chuckled. It had been the first time a smile had been on my face since my last night with Vale as we lay in our spot spent from loves exertions. The memory of it stole some of my new found joy and my smile left me. Noticing this Bransen asked, "So, what happened?" I recounted the events of my last hours of memory to Bransen as he listened quietly absorbing it all. I discreetly skimmed over some of the more elicit behavior of my sexual escapades but delivered him the story with the essential facts as I could best recall them. He looked at me in shocked disbelief and asked "So you were from one of the primitive groups then?" to which I nodded in reply. "Excuse me for saying so, but you seem to have adapted remarkably well." Branson continued. "I don't know." I said honestly. "I'm not obsessed with the future as the Thorens are. It is their failing, and will ultimately be their destruction if they don't change their ways. They have forgotten how to live for the day, but instead only worry about their own longevity. They are dying, and it terrifies them. One might think that the many millennia they have been witness to, would have taught them more than this, but vanity and fear are hard pressed guides in life." "I have Kelay's memories, but not his wisdom." I explained staring into his perplexed deep green eyes. "Knowing not to touch the cooking pot because it cooks over the fire and will burn you, is not the same as having made the mistake of burning your skin from its touch." Some understanding crept into his expression as I spoke, "We learn from experience and feeling of a thing. I believe it is for my own sanity, that I have not chosen to allow his emotions to join my own. I don't know if I could keep my mind if I allowed that just yet, but soon." I paused feeling a slight glimmer of hope move through him. "Our emotion is what builds and maintains our soul. It is our pain, joy, fear, and triumph that molds us into who we are and who we will become." "You speak like an old man!" He blurted, surprising himself as much as myself as embarrassment colored his face. "Today is my birthday." I stated feeling the growing pains increase within my body. "I turn 1600 years old today, and I would have my privacy for the change." I could see the questions forming in his mind, but interrupted him before he could verbalize them. "I need you to go now... Do not allow anyone to attempt to enter, they won't be able, and I may unwittingly harm them. You will know when I have finished." My eyes started to shine with that familiar white blue which was slowly growing in intensity. I moaned in pain and writhed on the bed as my muscles and bones began to reform themselves. "Go now!" I said louder than I had intended, seeing Bransen jump at the abruptness of the statement. "Are you okay?" he asked fear entering his voice. Panting with sweat forming on my brow and upper lip I yelled out in pain, "GO!" and thrust him from the room with my mind, an almost violent and immediate shove centered on his chest sending him stumbling backward out of the room slamming the heavy metal door upon his exit bending it into the frame of the door curving it outward like a wind caught sail on a ship. I had to bring this under control, I had allowed him to stay too long and wasn't prepared. Focusing on the smallest of cells within my body I was able to temper the pain as I allowed Kelay's emotions to burst through the prison I had created for them. Wave upon wave of emotion rolled through my mind finding their appropriate place with each memory. Pain, loss, sorrow, joy, lust, pride, shame, and more all took their place amongst the millennia's worth of memories and experiences. The flashes through my mind merged with the images like watching someone's life on fast forward, the pictures more of a constant blur at blistering speed moving much to quickly to get more than a silhouette or impression of any one given thing. It was as though someone had painted a multicolored mosaic that was constantly remaking itself shifting in complexity and color. As the emotions racked my mind, the growing pains that throbbed from my bones outward began to increase in intensity which caused my eyes to pinch shut trying to chase away the pain, and blinding blue and white fire that was wrapped around my body. I was aging now faster than anything my mind could imagine. My shoulders were broadening, and I could feel that my hair and nails had grown considerably. I heard myself screaming long and loud between gasps and shudders of pain, though I was more witness to the spectacle than active participant. Time blurred by as my body aged to that of a 21st age young man. In hours my body had aged what would normally have taken another 500 years. Well, what would have been normal for me anyway. The fury of light and emotion that had been coursing through my mind and body was now coming to an end. Only my eyes glowed now, and the pain was barely a dull ache with an occasional cramp or muscle spasm shaking me. Exhausted I dozed off, leaving the final changes to complete themselves while I would be in the ignorant bliss of sleep. I awoke with matted eyes. Rubbing my balled up fists wringing the sleep from my eyes I sat up. I was in a tangle of hair and nearly scratched my own face from my incredibly long finger nails. Commanding the lights to rise in intensity slightly, I began to look at my hands and arms in my dimly lit room. I stretched and watched new thicker muscle play across my arms and chest noticing the slightest bit of fuzz play down the center of my pecs growing in strength and color at my naval working its way lower to places more fun. Pulling myself to the side of the bed I stood and took large handfuls of hair from the back working down from my scalp to get it out and away from my feet. Long chocolate brown ripples and ringlets of hair cascade down my shoulders and even hefted in my arms still dusted the floor as I made my way to the bathroom. Sitting down on the toilet I proceeded to cut my nails so that I would be better able to manage and reach the more important things without accidentally castrating myself while only trying to take a piss. Next I looked at myself in the mirror. Clad only in pajama bottoms and bare-chested I stared. My hair now framed a slightly more squared face, but the changes in my appearance weren't that dramatic. My nose had somehow grown to accommodate my face and my lips seemed somewhat larger, but not exactly plump. The muscles in my neck that led to my shoulders seemed more defined. My chest and abdomen lost that baby fat that used to soften the look of the farm built muscle. I had to admire the new look of it as my chest and abdomen narrowed at my waist. Grabbing an armband used during the taking of blood samples I gathered my hair at waist level and tied it around into a mammoth pony tail. With scissors I fished out of the grooming kit that lay there I cut my hair below the band as straight across as I could manage. The weight of my hair must have been a good 7 or 8 pounds lighter and I felt the previous strain release from my upper back and neck. I started the shower on a nice medium to hot setting removed my pajama bottoms and stepped in. The water felt like silk sliding down my new body. Running my hands down my skin with massaging movements I glanced down along my new treasure trail of hair that led to a somewhat larger penis that what had been there before resting atop nice powerful thighs and strong calves. It seemed my cock was happy to see me as well as it started to plump as if to say hello. It lay limp at 6 inches, and showed a lot of promise, but I really didn't have time for this right now. Later... later we would become better acquainted. I stepped further into the stream of water letting the water now flow down my face through my hair and then cascade down the rest of my body. Turning with my back to the jet spray of water I let it beat against my skin to help relax the muscles of my neck and shoulders. The hiss of water was so soothing; I could have easily fallen into my own world for hours without even thinking about it. Running my fingers through my hair, I gave on last turn as I rinsed my body and shut off the flow of water. Stepping out I reached for a towel from the shelf and used it to dry my hair and body with rough but thorough rubbing. Stepping out of the bathroom, I looked about the room for something other than the dirty pajama bottoms that I had woke in. On the arm of the chair that Bransen had been sitting were a set of clothes. I pulled on a pair of brown pants of better cloth than I was used to and tied them up the front much like one would do a pair of shoes or boots. They left little to the imagination so I reached down and 'situated' myself as to not be quite so obscene. I pulled on the shirt next. It was sheer and nearly transparent. Its blue color billowed and flowed from the slightest wind caused by my own movement. On the floor next to the chair was a pair of slip on shoes made of brown leather and in design much like a house slipper but with a harder sole made for walking safely outdoors. It was the best I had felt since all of this began. "I suppose I should get this over with, there is so much that must be done." I thought to myself. Turning I moved over to the outwardly pushed door. "Thank the gods that that was the door and not Bransen." I mumbled to no one shaking my head slightly. I focused on the door ahead of me... binding my mind to each molecule increasing the speed of the protons and electrons as though I had built them myself and could control them via remote. It was little more than that though. It was a simple direction of energy to manipulate the environment around me, completely scientific and as natural as a drop of sweat. Directing more energy to the process the metal began to warm intensely and become more malleable. Applying fields of energy behind the door and at all its contact points with the frame I brought the metal back toward me as it sounded a loud metallic yawn in complaint to its contortion. Returning it to its proper shape and I reduced the energy that had accelerated the electrons and protons and allowed them to revert to normal speed so that it would cool. A few moments later when I knew the metal would stay separated I released the fields keeping them apart and relaxed leaning against the end of the bed and waited for the metal to cool completely. I made my grand entrance opening the door with my mind and waited for Bransen to enter. I heard them in their panic of mind outside calling him to come immediately and that something was happening during my manipulation of the door. Leaning forward off the bed and standing again I watched Bransen enter the room somewhat skeptically. "Happy Birthday to Me" I grinned as I watched his eyes dance from my face down the rest of my body... lingering a little longer at my crotch than he should have allowed himself. "I guess so!" He exclaimed as he smirked and shut the door behind him. We needed privacy and he was going to make sure that we go it. "Could you take care of the cameras like before?" He asked me. Feeling a bit confused I asked "Take care of what cameras... ahhh of course there are cameras... what kind of freak show would I be if I weren't caught on video!" I felt somewhat exposed and violated. "Well don't feel too bad, they never worked much beyond you kicking me out of the room." He assured me. "They turned back on while you were traipsing about in the room naked getting dressed I hear tell. "Honestly," he added, "I hear it was quite the show." He chuckled and blushed. "I'm almost sorry I missed it!" It was the second time I had seen that happen and it was precious. It reminded me of how Vale used to blush when we had been intimate and traveled into new and undiscovered country while having sex. "I'm sure they have it recorded..." I chuckled.... "And you are the captain so I'm sure you have access to all video record." I said most mischievously. "Ohhhh you do like to push don't you..." he laughed. "Just call me Bransen alright?" "Yes Cap.. Err Bransen" I goaded. "So the cameras please?" again he asked. And then I understood, the energy I was releasing had interfered with the video feed. I reached out sensing each and every camera and recording device in the room and then looked to each spot in the room drawing energy into myself causing my eyes to glow. Looking back to him, "They will not function again until you say it is safe." I blinked at him like some strobe coming from my eyes. I know it unnerved him, but also gave him memories he wasn't allowed to love. "You are different." He stared with fascinated eyes that see such carnage you don't dare look but can't tear yourself away however morbid. "Your face, your whole body, its... older." "Yes... and this is the appearance and body I will have until the end of time." I told him. "I thought that only the Thorens lived forever." He asked as much as he stated. "No... the Thorens are dying, but unless I am horribly wounded or incinerated, I will recover and continue on. I am my father's life's work made real through love. I am the Thoren's ultimate goal, and he kept it a secret from them, and now that secret (me) is out, and they will come for it. They would have been here by now had they known my location so I feel we are safe for the moment. My diversion to the Antarctic must have been successful or this place would surely have fallen by now." I explained. I watched his eyes widen as the gravity and enormity of the situation gripped his mind. With my admission of this information, he now knew he had my complete trust as he did Kelay. I could feel his terror for it, and also something else. His heart moved. He confused himself with past feelings for Kelay, and that part of me that is now Kelay. I will never be more in awe of anything than at the ability of the human mind to shift gears so completely regardless the momentum to its destination. Bransen stood speechless staring at me. A moment passed and as I began to smile awkwardly at him bringing him back to his wits. "Perhaps we should go see the others. They're still waiting" I said. This seemed to snap him back fully. "I wish you wouldn't do that... it takes so much fun out of the conversation" he thought. "I'm sorry." I said before he could actually speak the words. "Quit THAT!" he exclaimed and started chuckling. A small giggle escaped me as I replied, "I'm sorry, it's just that you keep so much hidden away, when a thought does come across your mind unbridled, it's like a scream into a loud speaker that echo's about the room..." I paused, "I will make a conscious effort to make sure that does not happen again. I don't want you to fear your own personal thoughts and privacy." I smiled. His mind did a couple of flip flops and he had decided.. "Thank you. I appreciate that." He smiled. "Okay then, lets go meet the crew. Go easy on them okay?" he grinned looking over to me as I approached. "Yeah, yeah... No death by sex... I swear!" I made a crossing motion over my heart and we both burst into laughter. "Oh! And ratchet down those eyes." He burst through chuckles, "lets not freak out everyone on our first day out in the big city okay?" Gods it felt good to laugh again. Who ever said that 'Laughter is the best medicine' was more brilliant than the world will ever know. Bransen made my heart smile and it scared me. I followed Bransen out the door as eyes focused on me as we made our way to the elevator. "Thank you for your most excellent care." I said to them. "My apologies Doc for my behavior, you're the best." I smiled Strange how a few words can affect a person, but I saw his whole body relax as I said it. The man was tense... WAY too tense. The guy needed some hard core sex and soon. It's not safe to linger too long when you're on the edge. I gave him a wink. Yeah... I'm a bitch... I never said I was perfect, and who's to say I wouldn't cure him of his 'dry streak'. He wasn't bad looking after all. His short cropped sunny blond hair with the perfect part, tired slate blue eyes pale skin and medium frame was kind of sexy. He had the body of someone who exercised because they cared, but strained in and out of life because they never had as much time as they wished for; to put their soul's effort fully into anything. Hot... but just too damned busy to care more about one's self than others. Definitely... doable. A bell sounded and the doors opened. We stepped in and Bransen pressed the 10 button that would deliver us to the recreation and exercise area for the crew. Okay... I'm new... I know them but they do not know me... I have to go easy on them... SHIT! Fuck it I thought... we'll do this my way.. Each will get the proof they need and learn who I am to them. There is no way to do this all at once. Or is there... wait... I had an evil thought cross my mind. I know exactly what I'll do. The bell rang and we had reached level ten. The doors opened and we exited with Bransen leading the way to the large sparring area. It was a simple open space with nothing but mats on the floor to break our falls for a good 50 foot square. We passed the dining area as eyes pressed against me. We entered the area as Sweed and Mike were sparring, exchanging combinations of kicks and punches. "So this is the new bad ass huh? Kind of puny don't you think?" Neek said to Sweed. I calmed myself and settled myself into a defensive stance as Bransen stepped back saying "Don't hurt them Khore. They don't know you." Neek took this comment personal and ran toward me in a blaze of attacks to my chest and legs. As he was preparing to land his first combo I stepped to the side letting him pass me, and kicked him in square in the ass and sent him sailing out of the training area. Sweed watched this and took note. He was a mass of a man in his size and stature. Nordic would be the best way I could explain it. He was tall, he was thick, and he was solid with that blond short mop of hair upon his head, square jaw, and fists that more resembled hammers. He was a sight to behold. He moved more smoothly than someone should with his size. With a deceptive grace he advanced into a fighting pattern that telegraphed his every move. I had his thoughts... he was not going to try to trick me. He was going to try to sweep my legs, and execute a change over to mid rift kick. I took a step back as he executed his move, grasped his ankle shifted my weight and used his own momentum to send him flying into the wall some 10 yards away. The massive power of his own attack completely turned against him made me look stronger than I was. This seemed to get the attention of Raven, Rift, and Twist. They charged me all at once. Raven sending a flying kick to land in my face as Twist initiated a sweep and Rift went for the kidney shot from the side. Throwing my hips I went into a cartwheel kick moving below Raven's attack, but above Twist's foot sweep, I made contact to Rift's knee blocking the kidney shot and put him down. At this they bore down on me in a two man free for all combination. I leapt into the air and planted the ball of my feet in each of their chests sending them backwards. At that moment...Neek and Sweed though it was a good Idea to attack me from behind. I turned facing them, my eyes went ablaze shocking them. Stretching my arm in their direction I used the energy around me to grip them and raise them off the floor their throats contracted to stop their flow of air. Before Rift, Twist and Raven could react I raised my other hand lifting them as well into the same situation. "Hello Gentlemen. My name is Khore. It is a pleasure to meet you." I said calmly and focused. The white blue fire exploded out and around my body. I released the pressure on their necks allowing them to breath. "You FREAK son of a bitch! Who the hell do you think you are!?" roared Raven followed by many less than pleasant things from the others. I turned facing Raven staring into his piercing green eyes and smiled. Drawing in more and more energy glowing so brightly that anyone looking now had to squint their eyes. "Khore, I think that is enough.. you promised" Bransen reminded me. I increased the energy another level now a pure icy blue light that now shown so bright one could not discern what was at the center. "I promised I would not kill them..." I replied. I pulled and concentrated the energy into myself so that it was a small ball of rolling power no larger than a basket ball. "I do not appreciate the name calling. I can make you feel pleasure..." and I released the ball of energy letting it explode outward enhancing the nerves and giving all who it touched one of the most intense orgasms of their lives. There would not be a dry pair of shorts in the room. It rippled like the waves created from a pebble thrown into calm water, but with extreme speed. There were moans and gasps to be heard for the next 5 minutes. When everyone seemed to come back down from their orgasm I was still staring at Raven who was now sweating and panting looking somewhat pleased with the recent developments. "Or... I can cause you pain. Personally, " I paused, "I'm not into pain..." and I flicked out my hands sending the 5 of them flying across the training area into the padded walls behind them with a staccato of thuds and lowered my arms letting my eyes return to normal. Looking over at Bransen in his somewhat recovered revelry, "I promised not to kill anyone with sex. See... Everyone lived" I chuckled to myself. "Bransen, report to the infirmary immediately. Bring Khore with you." the intercom had belched. It was Doc and he sounded as though he was 'trying' to sound angry, but was failing. Twists eyes lit up and he laughed "Well that has got to be a record. What's it been, 25 minutes out of your room before you got into trouble?" to which we all laughed. "Seriously... uhh... when you get a free moment I'd love a repeat of that thing before you tossed us across the room." Twist said blushing. We all laughed again. Bransen elbowed me and said. "Let's go see the Doc. I think your little 'trick' went a bit further than this room." --- Per suggestions from others, and a bit of work, I have re-written the entire story. Much of it is the same and the changes were cosmetic. I have also added some more depth to beginning characters and added a few other things. The chapters are for the most part longer and I have corrected some continuity problems. I know that I have much to learn as a writer, and would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism regarding this story. Please contact me at gaywriter72@yahoo.com with suggestions and criticisms. Thanks!