The Chronicles of Tidaka Chapter Four: Contact, The Battle Begins!
The Chronicles of Tidaka Chapter Four: Contact The Battle Begins!
Location Artis barracks - 7.A.M - Room 12.
Charr awoke slowly not remembering what had happened after Tidaka left him and Dave last night. Looking around he was in the old barracks. Not much to look at a dresser a small bed with white sheets stained red from a previous user, dirty white walls and a lamp sitting on an oak desk in the corner. There was a knocking at the door and a voice said, "Hello is Charr in there? I have a message for him from a guy named Tidaka; I was told it was urgent."
"Come in" Charr said sitting up.
The dracogin entered. He was gray with thick wings, and guessing by the how little his scales shined he worked with a lot of heat.
"I'm Faber," The gray dracogin said, "the town blacksmith."
Charr stood up and said, "I'm Charr the leader of the resistance, nice to meet you Faber. You said something about a message."
"Of course" Faber said, "Tidaka wants me to forge something for him and to do so he said you could get the crystals at the graveyard, I'd do it myself but when I went there where wasn't anything."
"True Tidaka works in strange ways I would like to see him soon. Is he picking the objects up himself?" asked Charr.
"No," Faber said, "I was told to give them to a man whose name I can't say until I meet him."
"So then I'll have to talk to this man." Charr stated, "What exactly are you making?"
"A false wing, a sword and something else, I have the plans bout don't know what to call it." Faber said.
"I'll get the components you need; do you know where Cass is?" Charr asked.
"The Barkeeps daughter was attacked last night she is in the hospital right now. Get the parts first she needs more sleep." Faber said.
"Who attacked her?" Charr asked.
"We don't know but we do know that whoever it was wanted to kill her," Faber said, "They sliced her neck open she should have died but she is a stubborn one."
"Well I better go get those stones. " Charr said heading out the door.
Charr got up and left the room. Once outside Charr blinked letting his eyes readjusting to the brightness. It was still early but Faber would need most the day to work so Charr headed to the graveyard. Once there in the center of the large graveyard was a lot of different crystals, All of them had strange carvings in them some were long some were round and several were sharp. All of them felt strange to the touch and gave him an unsettling feeling. Typical he wants me to handle strange items without knowing what they do or if there dangerous. Charr thought, and he left he said he had changed his mind and would stay. There is probably something I'm not getting but what could it be? He always helps but how can he if he is not here? So many questions and the more Tidaka appears the more I have. Charr picked up the stones and headed back to town.
Charr arrived quickly considering he couldn't fly with the stones. He headed toward the blacksmiths at the center of town he stopped when he got close there was a particularly strange dracogin with Faber having a shout fest. The dracogin was taller than most and was missing his right win where a proud wing one was there was nothing but a small stump. He was blue scaled but was missing more than two thirds of his scales not in patches but evenly around his body where the scales were missing his red skin shone through revealing scars. One scar was over his left eye and three were over his right eye there were long scars on his back and small ones all over his body. The scars were defiantly from battle and most likely he had lost his wing in a fight too. He had no hair but his horns and spines made him look vicious he had two sticking strait back and spikes down his back and ended with a surprising stop where the last few inches of his tail were missing. He was built like a tank and judging by his scream fest with Faber he had a temper to mach.
"What do you mean the sword is not done?" The dracogin demanded.
"It just will not cool down enough for me to pick it back up and finish forging it I can't hone the blade or insert the crystals if it does not cool." Faber yelled back.
"Just press them in and give me the sword if you can't tell I can take some pain." The dracogin said.
"I haven't gotten the crystals yet so you have to wait." Faber said.
It was obvious that the sword was to be given to the hot headed dracogin. Charr walked up and set the crystals on the counter and announced that he had finished collecting them. The red and blue dracogin wasted no time picking through them.
"These are the five that you need for the hilt of the sword." The dracogin said, as he tosses two long ones and three spheres at Faber.
"Thanks for being of some use." Faber said mocking the ill-tempered dracogin.
"Just insert the crystals according to the plans and give me the sword." The red dracogin replied.
Faber quickly inserted to crystals and wrapped the sword in a cloth using his tools so he didn't have to touch the sword. He set it on the counter the hilt sticking out the sword was burning through the cloth. The dracogin murmured under his breath and picked up the sword that had cooled at his word.
"How did you do that?" Faber said amazed at the rapid change of the sword.
"It's the sword's magic it absorbed the heat and turned it to arcane energy, usually it does the reverse or just stores the energy." The dracogin said as he pointed the sword that was now razor sharp strait out away from Faber and Charr.
"You speak as if you have used it before." Faber said.
"It is just a reforge of my sword; I will need to baptize it in the blood of an enemy to awaken its power, then they will feel my fury." The dracogin said boldly with blood lust in his eyes.
Another strange dracogin approved he was white with red wing membrane and a red scale cross on his forehead. "Brother you must quell your blood lust that is why you are always so injured, why can't you stop fighting everything that puts up a fight and just settle down?" the whited dracogin asked.
"Medi [Med-Eye] I haven't done anything yet what makes you thing I'm going to go on a rampage now?" asked the red dracogin.
"Brother, please give me the sword I don't want innocent blood to be shed today not hear not by you." Medi said.
"THIS IS MY SWORD AND YOU WILL NOT TAKE IT FROM ME BROTHER!" the red dracogin roared. "Besides the blue one said I can put my weaknesses to use so I shale, all I need to do is find Charr and I will be set."
"I am Charr what do you want and who are you?" Charr demanded unsure if this red dracogin was a threat to the town.
"A friend sent me here he said you would take me in and I would kill for glory not for gore. He said this place would need help, said you're fighting the empire. A mighty opponent and where blood flows I shale follow my only question is do I fight with you or..." the red dracogin trailed off leaving his words to hang in the air.
"Brother please I beg you stop fighting it will be your end one day." Medi pleaded with his brother.
"NEVER I FIGHT BECAUSE IT IS WHAT I AM BROTHER, Charr if you'll have me I will fight with you for now I take my leave to calm my blood." He seemed to try to spread his wing but just ran off disappearing into the crowd.
"I pray that he can calm his blood for the sake of this town." Medi said under his breath.
"Medi was it, who was that and why did he call you 'Brother'?" Charr asked.
"He is my elder brother his name is forgotten but I call him Red." Medi responded.
"What do you mean forgotten?" Charr asked.
"He no longer recognizes his birth name and has not used it since I was too young to remember so I don't know it I doubt he does himself but everyone who could tell us is dead." Medi replied.
"You have an unusual name as well, is Medi your birth name?" Charr asked.
"No it is not my mother couldn't give me one she died when she gave birth, and our father was never around but please don't ask about him. " Medi said quietly.
"So why do you travel with your brother Medi?" Charr asked.
"He has a horrid problem with blood he fights so much and always comes back near dead but slays everyone in his path until the blue one came he beat Red without effort without killing or even drawing blood. He changed him something is different but that is for the beast, he still is my brother." Medi said.
"What's different about him?" Charr asked having a good idea who this 'Blue One' was.
"This town isn't a crater, before he met the blue one as soon as he got the sword he would have killed everything, men, women, and hatchlings, young and old alike and burned this city to the ground." Medi sighed but continued, "He was remorseless worse than Malum himself only concerned about how much blood met his blade."
"He is really that bad?" Charr asked.
"I hope this change is more than a few hours thing, if not I fear for the town." Medi sighed.
"I'm here to protect this town and to take the empire for a brighter time ahead," Charr said, "Can he help or will I have to deal with him?"
"He will fight with you so long as he can kill that is his way." Medi said.
"What then is your way?" Charr asked.
"I seek to cure the ill and to minimize damage by fighting me and my brother are two sides of a coin together but yet completely different."
"Medi you're a doctor?" Charr asked.
"Yes, of a sort and probably one of the best there is." Medi replied, "Why is someone hurt?"
"I have a friend named Cass in the medic ward her thought was slit but she is still alive some how could you take a look at her?" asked Charr.
"Why me?" asked Medi.
"Because looking at your brother and what you told me you're probably the only one that patches him up and looking at his scars you have mended everything from sliced wing membrane to a cut along the chest probably 6 inches deep." Charr replied.
"Very observant but the cut in his chest stopped at his spine not just 6 inches." Medi replied.
"All the better, please go look at her I don't want her to die again." Charr said.
"What do you mean again?" Medi asked.
"I think she was brought back form the dead." Charr said. "Don't know how but she died I was there and she was walking and talking yesterday, and arguing her life with the one that killed her in battle."
"How interesting, I will see what I can do." With that Medi turned to leave and walked to the medicinal ward, "I know you're a blood warrior to Charr of the Resistance," Medi yell back, "go to my brother maybe you will have more luck with his blood then I have since you have the same problem."
How strange are these two, Charr asked himself, No birth names one kills for pleasure one heals. And what is with Red? More questions and fewer answers with every passing day. And how in the world did he know I was a blood warrior I haven't lost it since eight years before the resistance, Joe is the only one I have told and everyone who saw firsthand but her is long dead. Charr turned and walked after Red hopping to help him with his blood rage or at the very least guide it toward the enemy.
Charr found Red at 11:30, near the well.
"Hello Red." Charr said through Red had his back turned. Red was sharping his blade looking down the well at the water.
"You are Charr right? Come to fight me or to ask me something I presume you wouldn't be here unless you had to, you have more important things to do than gawk at me." Red replied with a strange calmness (For a Blood Warrior) in his voice.
"I came because we have something in common and I want to be sure that the upcoming battle won't destroy the town if you get involved. I wanted to let you know that you can aim your anger even when you are in blood." Charr said,
"Control the blood rage? That is impossible it hasn't ever happened and never will. When it starts it can't be stopped before it runs its course." Red said.
"Yes it can" Char said before being interrupted.
"NO IT CAN'T YOU KNOW NOTHING! HOW WOULD YOU KNOW? HOW CAN YOU UNDERSTAND? YOU CAN'T AND NEVER WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS IN BLOOD RAGE!"
"I know more than you think. Let me finish. It can be controlled. I am born in blood just like you. I have stopped it once and every other time I aimed it, you can control it with practice I know you can because I have aimed it and stopped it so yes I understand blood rage." Charr retorted trying to make a point.
Red just turned around now facing Charr. "Really now would you put this village on you being able to stop it again?" Red said smugly.
"No I wouldn't I haven't mastered it. I have limited control, not complete.
"Then how would I be able to control it if you haven't mastered it?" Red asked.
"Because the time I stopped it was the first time it happened. Nothing is impossible." Charr said.
"How many times have you been in rage?" Red asked.
Before Charr could answer Dave ran around the corner.
"Charr the empire is preparing to attack sound the alarm if we want to set our plan in motion we need to go now!" Dave said quickly as he turned to leave.
"Red, follow me!" Charr yelled back chasing Dave.
"Wait for me," Medi yelled, "Charr, Joe is coming here she should be in the city by now but I don't know where or if she really arrived yet."
"Medi go find her!" Charr yelled back. "I don't have time right now; I will join you after the town is safe."
"How will I know who she is? I haven't ever seen her!" Medi yelled following the group.
"Orange with a cream under-belly burn scars on her torso, back and face, but she is probably in armor you can't miss her also she is very sensitive about her burns don't ask her about them. Now go find her keep her safe also if Cass is awake don't let them kill each other!" Charr yelled.
"Cass is stable and will live but is still unconscious; she awoke briefly to tell me about Joe." Medi turned and ran down a side street and yelled back, "I'll keep Joe safe for you but watch my brother!"
Charr, Dave, and Red ran to the northern wall that had been built before the empire had come to Artis. Charr and Dave beat their wings and flew to the top, and then realized Red can't fly.
"Need some help?" Dave yelled down to red.
"Fuck you both I'll clime it." Red yelled back clawing his way up the wall.
"Wow, that's not something you see often." Charr laughed.
"What?" Dave asked.
"A dracogin climbing, we usually fly but he can't so he developed a skill most don't need." Charr said.
"Fuck you both." Red said now at the top of the wall but still hanging off the edge.
"No thanks I have a mate." Charr laughed at Red. This was obviously making Red quite mad.
"Charr it's time for the speech." Dave said.
"Your time not mine I'm here if it goes wrong not to give the speech." Charr stated.
Dave took a few deep breaths and addressed the army, "Brothers and sisters hear me now. To defeat YOUR enemy you must know your enemy. I ask you now WHO here knows why Artis is revolting. I know why they fight and I must convey to you, that you have been deceived and I will show you the TRUTH about the empire. The empire tears you from your families. Now the resistance they fight for their children, the young and old alike they fight agents the Empire's lies and agen-"Dave was shot by the crowed and fell hitting the ground with a sickening crack.
"DAVE!" Charr yelled jumping and gliding down.
"DIE TRATER." a feminine voice screamed.
"Bring her to be but don't hurt her please I need to tell her something." Dave said in a weak voice coughing up blood.
Charr looked up and saw Red jumping down and running into the army. "Okay I will, if only for a dying friend.
Charr charged into the army that was now distracted by Red.
(Red's POV First person)
Rage, it had overcome me it was time for blood. I Jumped off the Cliff and lost myself to my other half. I saw as I ran past Charr and Dave, I wanted to help but my other half had control. Blood would flow I know it. Throwing my sword it impaled the first mech's pilot housing it missed the pilot but scared the shit out of hill literally. I heard the pilot's screams as I pounded at the glass. I lost vision and drifted into sleep just like every other time. I lost control to my other self.
I AM RUBRUM MORTIS THE UNSTOPABLE RED DEATH! I screamed as the glass broke. I tore the pilot's chest open enjoying the sound of rips breaking I then gaged him with his heart and strangled him with his intestine. It took minutes for him to die.
"John what happened? Are you okay? John, speak to me! JOHN!" the radio yelled out. I picked up the sender and turned it on.
"He can't talk right now it is kind of hard to do when I strangle you with your guts, hahahahaha." I stood up in the small cockpit. Drenched in blood I looked like a demon. Wrenching my sword free I charged into a group of soldiers. The first one tried to kick me. I tore off his leg and beat him to death it stopping only when I heard the shin break I discarded most of the leg and stabbed his buddy in the eye with the broken shin bone. Blood had squirted everywhere. I jumped onto another mech.
"Shit!" was all the pilot said before I tore the class covering out and disemboweled him then threw him out like the trash. I turned the mech and quickly opened fire; most of the army was fleeing already. I jumped out when the mech ran out of ammo and engaged in hand to hand with the empire's remaining forces. I stabbed a guy in the eye with my wing spike, and ran to two of his buddies with swords in their hands. Swing my right leg I roundhoused the swords away and picked them up by their necks, dropping my own sword. I squeezed until their heads popped off drenching me in blood. The remaining forces retreated shouting in fear one figure did not. He proceed toward me his red and orange body rippled with muscle. Something stirred in me and awoke my other half, tried to call his name 'Charr' but couldn't.
"Stop Red clam down!" Charr command.
"Red's not home," I replied, "I am Rubrum Mortis the Red Death."
He tacked me and I started to lose my edge as my other side came back more strongly. I couldn't kill either of them one was me and didn't want me to kill the other. I gave in sparing the lives of the remaining army.
( Charr has captured the women and has let her to talk to Dave, he left shorty after dropping the female off.)
"Sarah I," Dave began.
"YOU BETRAID ME!" Sarah screamed.
"Yes I did long ago I ask you now to listen so I may confess the truth." Dave said weekly.
"I will listen but I will not promise anything." Sarah said coldly.
"That is all I ask. First remember how we met?" Dave asked.
"Yes my brother had been killed." Sarah said.
"I'm telling you now that I lied, but I cannot explain it to you in detail. In my mech are the files you need, read them and take this book and take my place, don't let him get in your head." Charr said handing Sarah the hit book. "Also your brother is closer than you think." Charr took a shallow breath and yelled, "Subject Seventeen I know your close, the files will interest you as well, protect your-"were his finale words as his inner fire faded and Dave was no more. Charr had left, to stop Red's rampage.
A Figure appeared suddenly Black scales four arms six wings and bladed forearms, wings spiked knees elbows and back, and a scar on his surprisingly thin neck. The figure was bowing in respect, showing the scars of battle and medical reasons alike.
"Seventeen what could he have been saying?" Sarah asked.
The figure just looked at her clearly wanting to speak.
"I know you don't talk but I wonder why one to sixteen can and so can eighteen to twenty, so why can't you?" Sarah asked, oblivious to the fact that 17 was mute.
Seventeen just looked to her then looked up and pointed at his neck. Sarah didn't understand what seventeen was getting at but how did Dave know he was close to hear him? He had been invisible and completely undetectable, even with thermal imagining.
"Charr I found Joe! Charr, Dave, Red where are you three?" Medi screamed.
Seventeen disappeared as the figure appeared at the top of the damaged wall.
"DAVE?" Medi screamed gliding down, "Dave what happened to you?" Medi said knowing that Dave was dead.
"He is dead." Sarah said coldly.
"I know I'm a healer it was a rhetorical question." Medi said landing next to her, "Who did this?"
"I did." Sarah said.
"He was still alive and died talking to someone, killed by long-range fire," Medi said to himself," how did you get here so fast?" He asked turning to Sarah.
"A red and orange dracogin caught me and left me with him then Dave told me things I need to get his mech do you know where it is?" Sarah asked.
"I do not; do you know where my brother is? He has red skin and blue scales that are spread far apart and is missing his right wing." Medi asked
"He charged the army; the red guy went after him a few minutes ago." Sarah said clutching the book closer to herself.
"That is Charr I must find them before this gets out of hand!" Medi said running in the direction of his brother and Charr.
"Charr?" Sarah said to herself looking at Dave's lifeless body, "Dave just what happened to Change you? What could Charr have possibly said for you to actually oppose Malum? Why do I feel like you planed this?" She finished with tears in her eyes, bent over and started to cry.
"Charr, Red where are you two?" Medi called out.
The response was quick, "Over here Medi!" Charr called to him.
"I thought you would be dead, and this battlefield it's not that bad for his standers." Medi said, "Did you see him?" Medi asked unsure if Charr had seen his brother's other blood-thirsty side.
"Yes, I saw the Red Death, why didn't you tell me sooner that he has a split personality?" Charr asked.
"I know he had a 'different' side but I thought that was common on blood warriors." Medi said.
"It is but I haven't ever heard one that progressed so far as to establish a name for its self." Charr said getting off the now unconscious Red.
"What do you mean by that?" Medi asked.
"All blood warriors have a 'blood' side but mine is nothing more than a raging monster, Red's was capable of higher thought, tactics, and showed intelligence, that is much stranger that any blood side I have encountered or heard of." Charr said.
"Let's get back to Artis, Dave is dead he needs to be taken care of, I found Joe, and Cass has awaken." Medi said wishing that the fighting wouldn't have to continue.
"Okay ill carry your brother." Charr said turning to Red.
"Don't burn yourself Charr." Medi said.
"I will not or rather cannot, I'm a Warrior of Blood to so while you can't move him to me he is no different than anyone else, and except for he is a little warmer."
Medi laughed and stated, "His tail is melting the sand into glass and he is 'Just a little warmer' Charr I didn't know you were such a funny guy."
"Let's get Red into the medical ward, for once he will not wake up in a crater covered in blood. I maybe he will remember something. He really did control it to an extent I'm happy for him maybe someday he can use his power without losing control." Charr said.
"What about Dave?" Medi asked.
"There is nothing that we can do for him he had a plan and until I know more about it we leave his body alone so the empire can confirm his death, But go fetch Faber for me, Red needs the rest of his gear. I'll put him in the same room as Cass so you know where to drop off his things." Charr instructed Medi calmly.
"Okay." Medi replied as he turned to head to the blacksmiths forge. The walk too several minutes and all he heard was the town's people talking about a lone warrior forcing the Empire's army back. Why are they talking about Red? Some are afraid some are happy and some females are asking where to find him. I shouldn't tell them but they derisive to know about him. Medi thought, I'll ask Charr about it, the entire town is asking questions but only me Charr, Faber know about him. Just then his thought was cut off by a young looking dracogin. She was pretty, tall, blue eyes with long tail. Her green hide shined in the light and she took good care of herself. He couldn't place it but she seemed familiar.
"Where is he?" She asked.
"Who?" Medi asked deciding to play dumb.
"I know you know him," She said spreading her wings around Medi and dropping her voice, "he addressed you as 'Brother' and you did the same. I'll ask you again, where is he?"
Medi shifted his weight and pulled the female closer warping his wings around her. Their faces were now inches apart he dropping his voice to a whisper, "If you know what's good for you don't chase my brother, understand me? Have a good day." After his speech Medi withdrew his wings and continued to the blacksmith's shop. The female however just mingled with the rest of the crowd.
Finally arriving at Faber's shop Medi rang the bell twice as Faber showed up.
"You here for the rest of your brother's custom equipment?" Faber asked.
"Yes I am my brother would get it himself but he is injured." Medi said.
"Don't lie to me I know he is fine. I wouldn't have pegged him for being one with blood through." Faber said putting the false wing on the table along with what looked like a small shield. It had a complex design and spins when you grabe it a certain way looked like it was meant to hold things too.
"Thank you and how did you know about my brother?" Medi asked.
"When you get close to someone that is one with blood you tend to pick up on that type of thing, don't tell me you didn't know about Charr." Faber said.
"I had a hunch but he told me about it when he learned of my brother." Medi replied.
"Interesting, so I saw what happened with your brother. Never saw the empire run away so quickly, I'm guessing the first person he took out was the commander." Faber said.
"Sounds right but we don't know all we know is the empire ran and my brother didn't kill everything. I have to go please don't tell anyone about my brother." Medi said.
"No problem and what did Flower want from you?" Faber inquired.
"Don't know who that is, Faber." Medi responded.
"The female that was talking to you her name was Flower." Faber responded.
"Cute name but I have more important matters than to flirt with pretty females." Medi retorted.
"Goodbye Medi." Faber said turning and flicking his tail to dismiss Medi.
"Goodbye to you to Faber." Medi said as he turned and walked to the medic camp.
Medi reached the medic camp and nothing aside form talk of the stranger that drove bake the empire filled the streets. They talked like he was a hero. Rumors spread. One said that he came into town and had already left. But another rumor said he was dead. Still another said that he was hiding in town. This town is nuts calling my brother a hero. I guess he could start over if he follows his current path, Medi thought to himself. As Medi approached the medical rooms he felt an ash fall onto his snout, and smelled something being burnt. Looking around there was no obvious sign that anything was wrong. But the ash and the smell meant something was burning. Looking up Medi saw 'The blue one' on the flag pole the strange being had his tail wraped around the pole and his wings tucked firmly agenst his body, he was burning the empire's flag. After a brief moment he tore it into small pieces until and bunched it into his hands he breathed fire upon it once more and scattered the ashes.
"Good evening Medi, I trust that coming here has produced a preferable outcome." The blue one said.
"I have yet to see, but if my brother continues this way I will fell much better for him. Bye the way, what is your name you have yet to tell me." Medi yelled up at the blue one.
"My name is Tidaka." Tidaka replied.
"Why did you give me this?" Medi asked pulling out his string of blue runed beads on a chain that was about 2 feet long and connected at the ends into a circle that he had only used once.
"You used them to save Cass, Correct? Tidaka asked.
"How do you know these things?" Medi yelled wondering how Tidaka disappeared so quickly last time leaving only instructions and the beads behind.
"I saw things that most cannot in ways that most cannot comprehend." Tidaka replied.
"What do you mean 'saw'" Medi questioned.
"I cannot do those things any more, I sealed my power." Tidaka said
"Why can't you?" Medi questioned.
"I am not longer what I once was I have become mortal." Tidaka replied.
"So do you fight with Charr?" Medi asked.
"I fight for those who feel strongly so at times I may." Tidaka said in a flat tone.
"Thanks for answering my questions!" Medi yells as he walks away. He talks in circles and doesn't give any answers Medi thought to himself. It took Medi another hour to reach the medical ward.
Medi walked into the medical room where his brother was being held. Looking over Red was still unconscious lying on a bed. Medi set the false wing and shield at the corner of the bed and lay in the corner, taking time to look around Charr, and Joe had fallen asleep alongside each other's backs Cass was on the bed across form Red according the life support she was stable. In the corner by the door even Tidaka was sound asleep but his wings were folded across his chest and it looked as he was trying to hide something he was holding. Deciding to peek at what the blue one was holding Medi advanced toward him. Grabbing the end of Tidaka's wing he heard a long drawn out hiss that seemed to strike him with icy spikes. Medi quickly took several steps back away from the noise. Whatever it was sounded dangerous and defensive. What kind of thing could that be? I don't know of anything that can make such a profound hiss and still be so small. Medi thought to himself deciding to let Tidaka's secrets stay to him. Looking at Tidaka once more he wondered what color his eyes were, earlier today he was too far away to tell. Medi walked to the bed furthest away from Tidaka that wasn't occupied, the one by Cass. Laying down he drifted into a restful sleep hoping that he would awaken before his brother.