Cato Pulcha brought upon a peaceful age full of progress and achievements. A golden age, one without war between humans and lupens, and with the two races cooperating with one another.
His death brought the end of that. Few saw it coming, and those who didn’t saw war broke out.
Trust was broken, and blood was spilt.
And like everything that happened in Kavar, it all started and ended with one family: the Pulcha’s.
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The city of Tenignum began as an ideal spot to test the physical and mental limits of humans and lupens. To see what races were superior in different areas and what strengths and weaknesses could be learnt from one another.
Founded by Everett, and his brother Audrey, after some time, it made more sense to keep the volunteered humans and lupens in one location.
This exposure did wonders on both the races. The lupens, who largely saw humans as an inferior race and whose only purpose was to serve their masters. And the humans, who wished to be their own masters.
This mentality was almost nonexistent in the city, even compared to Pulcha -the city-, where Cato himself had heavy influence, and were the two races got along.
And despite the provocations throughout Kavar, did the peace in Tenignum remain, albiet for a short time. Eventually, there were those who sought out answers on the old age question: “What was the best way to kill a lupen?”
Answers, many wouldn’t receive.
* * *
“The lupens here are strictly under my protection. Any attack on them is an attack on me and my family. Is that clear?” With Everett out dealing with the masses, the younger twin was forced to deal with the new ‘Wolf Hunter’s’ that came to town. Personally Audrey gave the name a 1/10 on originality, but it made their purpose very clear.
“Yes, very clear Lord Audrey. Can I take that as you will help us?”
“Well that depends on your answers.” He gave a testing smile. “What has sought you out on this revenge path?” He pointed to the youngest of the group.
A 15 year old boy with blonde hair and greenish eyes, and the most likely to be influenced by any answers given by the rest of the group. “You first.”
“If I may Lord-”
“You will get your turn. I am asking the lad first.”
The man fell silent once again.
“Uhm, well. It is not revenge we want, Lord Pulcha. We simply want to protect Kavar from them.”
“You believe them to be a danger?”
“Yes, Lord Pulcha. I have seen it personally.”
Audrey leaned back into his chair. “Yes I heard about the bloodshed.” While it was happening all over Kavar, there was one particular town that was being heavily talked about. “How did it start?”
“I do not know, my Lord.”
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He expected the answer, but was still a tad disappointed. “You should only involve yourself in matters you understand. If you don’t, then there will be others who will use you for their gain. Especially for you, given your age. Did they kill anyone you loved?”
“Loved? Erm, no. My parents are still alive, but they did kill some of my friends. I wish I could have saved them, but that would have only meant my own death. I couldn’t put my parents through that.”
“Yet you throw yourself in harm’s way to protect others?”
“My parents always believed I should never rely on others for protection.”
“Even a Pulcha?” Audrey smirked.
“Oh! Well, I don’t think they had your family in mind when they-”
“Calm down, I was only saying it in jest. Tell me, how do you judge if a lupen is a threat or not?”
“By their eyes?”
“Are you asking, or telling?”
“T-telling.”
“Go on.”
“Right before they’re about to strike, their eyes dilute.”
“That is them getting angry, but I will give you that point. In our current climate, an angry lupen does often occur a violent lupen, since how most people respond to their shouting. But will you go around killing every lupen you see who’s eyes are diluted?”
“Well…we’re not as fast as them, which means we need to take the first strike.” Audrey thought it sounded like something one of his comrades told him. “But…no. It’s not the answer I want to give, but I know we’ll only have a target once someone is hurt, or killed.”
“Hm…no, not necessarily.” Audrey’s eyes pieced each and every one of the party member’s eyes. “Who told him that?”
“Me, Lord Audrey.” A man with a heavy brown beard quickly revealed his discomfort.
“What about you? Friends, family?”
“Family.”
“Kids?”
“My wife. We had no kids.”
“Do you think they would have killed your children?”
“Without doubt.”
Audrey’s attention turned back to the young man. “Your friends that were killed. Were they young?”
“No, Lord Pulcha. They…I don’t think they killed any Mother’s or children.”
“But did you know they killed women?” The bearded man snapped.
“...no.”
“Calm your nerves.” Audrey gently said. “He meant nothing by it.”
“...right, sorry. But the lupens, they have no mercy. Men, woman, children, no one is safe.”
“How many of you share his feelings?” All five, ‘cept the young boy, nodded.
“Not you?”
“I don’t believe they’d target children, Lord Pulcha.”
“Forgive him, Lord Audrey.” Another one of the men said. “He is still young and naive.”
“He is right.”
“Wha?” All four of the men said in unison. If not for the serious situation, Audrey would’ve chuckled.
“Ylfa despises the blood of children to be spilt. Human or lupen, or any other race.” He pointed to the young boy. “That includes you.”
“But what about the war Lord Cato ended? Children were killed during that period.”
“The lupens were forced to. Might I remind you it was the village elders who decided to send the children underground to plant those crystals? Why do you think the village elders were crucified where everyone else got a quick death?”
“Well that…that happened?” Another said, sharing a shocked look with his peers.
Audrey sighed. “You should know the history, especially if you wish to know how to defeat them.”
“So you won’t train us?”
“You? No. You are too driven by revenge. Your goal to protect others needs to be stronger if you wish to actually protect. Otherwise, you will just cause even more trouble, and even war.”
“How would we cause war?” The boy asked genuinely. Audrey was about to give the answer when he heard panicked shouting.
Shouting of any nature wouldn’t normally scare Audrey, but shouts from his brother was another story. Already he knew something had happened that both of them couldn’t handle.
“I will talk to you all later.”
Just as he said that, Everett burst into the room. “Audrey!”
He saw the group of assorted men. “Everyone out, now!”
Everyone got up immediately and left the room. The last thing they heard was Audrey asking them to stay in the living room and to await his return.
“What has happened?” He knew it was already bad. He got up and planted his hands on his brother’s shoulders.
“That lupen cub? It’s been killed.”