FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Nightborne Estate

Chapter 1 The Heir

A rather out of place car pulled into the backwater fishing town called Mari Port. The silver Maybach Landaulet stuck out like a sore thumb, the million dollar car causing everyone it passed to stop and give it a second glance, and not just because of the car model. The car belonged to Brentor & Associates, easily identified with its black kite shield crest, with a very fancy set of golden letters reflecting the firm's name. Word spread fast as the car entered the port city. Every time one of the company cars came into town, someone often lost everything. It was a small town, but everyone knew the law firm well.

The car continued into the small city, slowly making its way down to the docks before it stopped. Those few workers still on the dock as the car pulled up quickly stopped what they were doing, glaring at the car before getting out of the way as they moved to alert the others as a pair of men got out of the car.

"Such a horrendous town, must we really be here?" One of them asked as they looked around, the better looking of the two in a full suit. "There are gene-heads all over the place, why must I come here?" The lawyer stated looking at the local residents, many of them having some form genetic modification. "The world is such a wretched place with all of these fools around, splicing their heads off. It should have been banned in the first place. If they are going to splice up on animal DNA, they I say they should be treated like animals themselves, locked up and put in cages where they belong."

The lawyer made no attempt to hide his words, and most of those around him just glared, a few baring sharp fangs, while others clenched clawed fists, or slammed their tails down in anger. Still, none of them attempted to get closer to the man, the bodyguard for the lawyer made sure to wear his pair of pistols in clear view of everyone. They knew they already had enough problems and didn't want to make it worse as the lawyer and his body guard moved towards the warehouse office they had pulled up to.

The lawyer made his way into the building, watching his step very carefully as he looked around. "This town is such a mess, you'd think that they would at least try to make this place look nice. I'm surprised they can still convince anyone that it's worth keeping this place alive. I suppose its better this way though, it keeps them out of the way for real people."

The lawyer's bodyguard moved up to the front desk for the warehouses and tapped the small bell twice to get some attention. No one responded at first, but after a second try, a pair of white furred fox ears on a human head slowly appeared from beside them in a large machine, out of a small hatch on its side. "Excuse me, miss?" The bodyguard asked as the head appeared, but didn't come out from the hatch, ducking back down for a few as the body guard called out again.

The person didn't respond though as it stood up, facing away from them, its shirt stained badly with grease and oil, as well as its tail. There was a large tear in the back of its shirt as well, revealing more fur, adding to the image that whoever it was, they definitely spliced a fair deal of fox-serum into their body. The bodyguard called out once more, louder and with a bit of anger, but once more the figure did not respond.

"Why look here you arrogant girl, you speak up when someone talks you. You could at least act like your still human, or have you spliced so much that you've erased yourself." The lawyer snapped at the figure in the machine, finally getting a reaction, its tail curling up a bit in frustration as its ears twitched lightly. "Its no wonder your kind are so hated, you think its so cute to be a little fox girl that you splice up thinking it makes you some sort of ... some sort of lovable creature, but all your kind do are turn yourselves into abominations. You act so high and mighty, but you're nothing more then some little punk who thought that she should be better then a pure human. Well, let me tell you something, pure humans are the real prize on this planet and all you gene-heads and serum-junkies should accept that fact already." The lawyer continued his rant, taking a small breath ready to start again before the figure turned snapped back first.

"Look asshole, I don't care who you are and what you want, but if you don't shut your fucking mouth, I'm going to shut it for you." The figure shouted, having finally turned revealing that he was much a guy, not a lady. "I may not think gene-splicing is the best idea either, but it's a person choice if they splice in the first place. And don't you dare even try to call me some lesser creature. I didn't have a choice. Just because people like my mother spliced up so much even while pregnant that they nearly killed themselves a few times doesn't mean that the rest of them are the scum of the earth." He stated, the lawyer backing up in fear as the fox easily got out of the machine and started following him.

"Xaoto! You leave him alone, he's more trouble then he's worth." Another voice called out before things got out of hand, leaving the fox growling at the lawyer before me moved back to the machine and closed it up.

"You need to learn to keep a better leash on these wild mutts of yours." The lawyer quickly stated to the new comer, a pure human in a set of work clothing. "If he tries that again, I'm going to have him put down."

"You started that fight, don't you even try to deny it." The other human stated taking off his hat. "I don't care about that fancy name of yours, just state your business in my city and get out."

"The nerve of some people. Okay then Justin, I'll make this as brief as possible, I can't stand to stay another minute here if I can avoid it. I'm looking for someone and as small community as this place is, I figured that you would know everyone, being both the mayor and owner of this junk house, the only real place to work here."

"Yeah, I know everyone. And you're going to tell me what you want with them before I even start pointing you in the right direction considering that you nearly killed the last person you asked for." Justin countered.

"How dare you even accuse me of trying to burn down that dog house. My men were well within their rights to enter the house, if he hadn't tried to stop them, they wouldn't have had to bust down the door. If he had just let us in like the warrant stated, then that lamp wouldn't have been knocked over and caught the curtain on fire." The lawyer responded as he pulled a letter out of his jacket. "Now then, you will point me in the direction of one..." The lawyer looked over the letter once more trying to figure out the name. "Gel...vorka B... Beare...nethur Healukasty." The lawyer looked over the letter again trying to figure it out, annoyed at the use of overly complicated names.

The fox man quickly walked right back up and tilted the letter down just enough to see the name on the envelope before grabbing it and opening it up. "Why you little, I'll have you thrown in jail for that disrespect." The lawyer yelled out as his bodyguard quickly went to grab one of his pistols.

"The name is Gelvorci Beronethor Helukasti, got that. Gelvorci, short e, short o, long i. Beronethor, short e, long o, short e, short o. Helukasti, short e, long u, short a, long i." The fox explained making sure to take it nice and slow for the lawyer and his friend as he read over the letter. "I'm tired of all you idiots butchering the name, you can blame a bad translation into base writing for the mix up." Xaoto informed them as he looked over the letter.

The bodyguard merely responded by holding out a hand for the letter and pointing a gun at him. "You put that thing down, you wanted Gelvorci, you got him." Justin told them.

"If that is Gelvorci, then why did you call him something entirely differently?" The lawyer demanded. "I refuse to believe that this thing is the heir to the Kestorathi Melfogunja Estate."

"Yea, that name sounds familiar, its definitely complicated enough to be a supposedly traditional family name." Xaoto continued to look over the papers. "What's this about an inheritance?" He looked up.

"You give that back right now. There is no way you are even remotely related to the great Kestorathi." The lawyer shouted once more. Xaoto merely pulled out his wallet and flipped it open to show his ID, proving who he was.

"I go by Xaoto because it's easier to pronounce and I got tired of certain idiots, namely you in this case. I choose to come to this little town because every time some guy with a fancy name showed up, they wanted money. Money they claimed that my parents had and they were owed. Money that they tried to come and collect from me not two weeks after I lost my parents and was only four years old at the time. So, you'll excuse me for my looks and lack of a fancy suit." Xaoto stated very annoyed as looked at the bodyguard. "Now, I've proven who I am, and the only "pure human" in this city has vouched for me, or should I make a stop by the local clinic, get my medical history, and why not stop at the bank and pick up all of my oh so important identification papers while I'm at it. According to this letter, some guy died, I get his things. Hopefully there is enough there that I pay off all you retarded fools and go back to trying to live a nice quiet simple life. I'm pretty sure that all you're after is your nice fat bonus for getting this job out of the way." He stated pushing the letter back into the lawyer's hand.

The lawyer looked ready to throw a nasty fit only to be interrupted once more. "What's this I hear bout trouble over here." A new voice stated, this one female. The police woman herself was spliced up a little herself, having a few visible bits of fur on her face and hands, going for a nice tiger look. Justin nodded politely as the officer showed up, but her arrival only served to cause the lawyer to scream out.

"Arrest that blasted hideous thing." The lawyer fiercely pointed to Xaoto.

"On what grounds?" The officer quickly shot back at him, just as annoyed herself as she crossed her arms.

"This abomination has stolen private letters, made death threats against me, is in possession of a false ID, and is in the process of trying to steal the Kestorathi Melfogunja Estate. I demand that you arrest this heathen at once, lock him up, and throw the keys out to sea." The lawyer roared out, stomping his foot on the ground.

"How is it stealing if the letter is clearly addressed to me?" Xaoto stated. "You're just too proud to admit that something other then a "pure human" can be named the rightful heir to some fancy house and whatever money goes with it."

"You can drop this ridiculous act. You are not Gelvorka Bearenethur Healukasty." The lawyer screamed once more.

"For the last time, its Gelvorci Beronethor Helukasti." Xaoto growled baring his fangs, but taking a step back none the less as the officer moved between them.

Upon hearing the name though, the officer looked at Xaoto. "Gelvorci? How on earth did someone track you down here? I thought you left all traces of that name behind to get away from this mess."

The lawyer looked at the policewoman and nearly screamed once more as she turned to him. "Let me see this letter." She stated and the bodyguard merely handed her the envelope instead, but that was good enough for her as she looked at the name. "Yes, this letter is very much addressed to Gelvorci Beronethor Helukasti, the man standing right before you." She stated firmly. "Now then, I suggest that you quit trying to stall and hand over anything that properly belongs to Gelvorci or I'll have to arrest you for refusal to give up said belongings. Or, even better yet, I'll call your boss. Since you show up so often in town, we keep a direct line to his personal phone at the company. I'm sure he'd love to hear about your improper conduct."

The lawyer cringed at the thought of his boss being called, but got an even better idea. As much as he hated to do it, he handed the letter back to Xaoto. "Come with me then." The lawyer barely held his tongue in check as he looked over the fox. "Its long ride back to the firm and I'll not have you seating with me though." He looked to the bodyguard. "Gerreck, he'll riding up front with you, after you put that seat cover over his seat. I don't want any fur at all left behind as soon as he's gone, just throw the thing out after we get there."

With those last words, the lawyer quickly stormed back off to the car and got in back. The bodyguard followed behind, along with Xaoto after he thanked the policewoman again.

Just to make sure that he didn't have any other trouble though, he had the driver make two quick stops though. One at his place to get all of his identifications papers, as well as making a second stop at the hospital just to get a copy of his medical records as well just in case they wanted to argue the point again.

~xXx~

It was a rather long and dull trip back to the main offices of Brentor & Associates. The lawyer kept to himself in the back seat, with the dividing window kept up the whole time, but that didn't stop Xaoto from picking up on a few comments, most of them involving the lawyer getting him arrested and making an example of him.

The bodyguard kept to himself as well on the trip, while Xaoto just sat back and rested, until at last they were in some big city. The city was full of people, all doing their daily routine as they pulled up to main offices of Brentor & Associates. They pulled up to the building, where there was already a small group of people waiting for them as the lawyer got out smiling quite happily.

"Is this him?" One of the people waiting for them asked, very well dressed, but not a business suit. Rather, the large man was dressed in what Xaoto could only call some sort of unusual antique religious robe. Mostly a faint purple in color, the robe came down to just over his feet, revealing his chest and the matching shirt underneath it. The shoulders of the robe were somehow held up, nearly as high as his ears with some sort of design on them, with what Xaoto assumed to be a form of imitation bone acting as shoulder spikes. As if that wasn't enough, Xaoto had to note the hilt to some sort weapon on his side as well, the sheath of the weapon apparently woven into the robes and out of sight. And just to further confuse Xaoto, the man appeared to be wearing some sort of shorts that left his legs exposed as well as revealing a pair of sandals on his feet.

"And who are you?" Xaoto asked rather unimpressed, just confused with the odd clothing.

"How dare you speak so rudely-" The lawyer shouted out, only to have the man raise his hand, and the lawyer went silent.

"A man would do well to introduce himself first before requesting the name of another." The man countered, keeping his calm and posture unlike the lawyer.

Xaoto's ears once again twitched as he looked at the man. "And yet you ask for mine."

The man nodded. "I demand nothing but excellence from those I have work for me. I know exactly who I had requested this firm to track down. My question was directed at Keller, and I expected an answer from him. If you wish to answer, then are you Gelvorci Beronethor Helukasti?" The man explained, now looking Xaoto in the eye, giving him proper attention this time.

Xaoto remained silent for a few, before nodding. "Its good to hear someone who knows how to pronounce my name, now why do you know it? Are you here for some money I owe you, and now that I have it, your first in line to get some."

The man shook his head. "Mr. Kestorathi Melfogunja kept very detailed thoughts and records of his 'family' in a series of diaries. He even graded his family members, none of them meeting his expectations, and thus no one received any sort of aid from him. However, you are the only one left of his bloodline, even if it is not a direct relation. It is rather lucky actually that he kept back up his journals within my company. We have searched up all of his other family members, but you are the only one we are able to track down. All the others are confirmed dead."

Xaoto couldn't care too much, but still listened. He never exactly got to know much of his family, and wasn't impressed with what he heard anyway. "So, what all does this mean?"

"My legal name is Gregory Williams, but I actually use several others. If you will come with me, I will explain things in better detail." He told Xaoto as he turned to walk into the building. As soon they were about to enter the building the though, Gregory waved his hand again as the door was about to close behind them.

As soon as the door finished closing, the lawyer screamed out once more. Xaoto turned around just long enough to see him throwing a fit. "You'll have to excuse his improper treatment. Despite his obvious flaws as you've seen, he ensures that everything he is asked gets done and has yet to fail a task. He was the only one with the proper drive to fit your grandfather's needs. I've already taken the liberty of preparing a few things for you." One of the guards brought out a suitcase and opened it up, turning it to Gregory. He pulled out a small folder and opened up it as another guard pulled out a pen and handed it to him. "If you sign this paper, we can get past most of the formalities and we can get the keys to your estate where I can explain things in better detail."

Xaoto was hesitant to sign anything so quickly, doubly so when he knew next to nothing about this man. Gregory turned to face him after whispering something to one of the guards and waited for him to sign the paper. "Is something wrong?" He asked.

Xaoto had already started to read the paper, but there were so many legal terms present, he could only make partial sense of the document. "I'd rather read something before signing it." Xaoto told him.

"Would you like someone to explain the terms of the paper in detail? You have my word of honor that if you are indeed who you claim to be, then you will be in your estate by this evening." Gregory told him and continued to wait for him. After another bit of silence, Gregory called another person over. "Come, perhaps we would do better in a room with privacy." He said, to which Xaoto quickly agreed.

The guard led them down another hallway, before coming to a meeting room where Gregory then had him not only disable the cameras, but actually take them down and out of the room. Gregory gave one more quick go of the room himself after the guard left and smiled, they were now alone. "Very well, you are hesitant. What questions bother you?"

Xaoto just looked at him. "All of this for starters. You make it out that I have some vast fortune, and now its all mine. But I make sure to at least listen to the news, and there have been no major deaths that seem to go hand in hand with someone who could afford this law firm."

"You are right to be cautious, it will help you a lot in the future." Gregory explained. "As for your grandfather, I can sum him up quite easily. He kept to himself, always playing the bystander. That is why no one has heard of him. In truth, he was quite the influential figure, but preferred to gently nudge things his way, while never being seen. He used many alias and 'middle men' to ensure his privacy, but old age finally got to him." Gregory explained as he sat down, but Xaoto could tell that there was more, Gregory was definitely holding back.

Xaoto merely remained quiet in response, expecting more. His silence only invoked more questions though. "Is something the matter?" Gregory looked him over in detail now, as if sizing him up now, definitely searching for something about him. "You are very much free to speak your mind here?"

Xaoto stood up and looked him right in the eye now. "What are you not telling me. Is there something in that document that would screw me over? Perhaps you're just looking for a scapegoat for something, Brentor & Associates seem to enjoy using those from Mari Port for just that purpose and making it stick. Or... is there something else here. You seem rather eager to get my name on this paper and I want to know why."

Gregory only smiled. "All in good time. This whole thing, from the death of Kestorathi to finding you has been nothing but a hassle. My interest in this matter is of a personal nature if you must know. Your grandfather divided his paper assets up several ways, the most prominent being my shipping company in Ulin. He personally funded a number of large and rather risky trades that have paid off. The last however, was not paid off in full. He sent his personal aids to hand check all major shipments before he approved payment for them, but was unable to finish making payment on the last one. Before he died, he owed a large portion of my company, and now that he has died, those specific assets have been frozen, costing me money and a lot of it, in addition to the vast amount of support that went with the Melfogunja family name. You could say that I in fact owe you a lot of money, money that I need elsewhere until this deal is completed and then, if you so wish, we can work out a means to allow me to buy my company back. As it stands, I currently risk of losing well over 20 million dollars in the next few weeks unless I can solve this problem. You would be that solution."

Xaoto looked him over now, and after a few, finally sat back down, he believed him for the most part, but still had this feeling that there was something else. "Let me assure you once more, that I mean you no harm. I've told you my financial interests in this case."

Xaoto looked back down to the paper in front of him and decided at last that he had nothing else to lose. "I'm just going to say this once. If you're setting me up for anything, anything at all, there won't be a power on this planet that will stop me from hunting you down and making you pay." He growled. To his surprise, Gregory actually just the slightest bit worried, and his fox like sense of smell could even smell just the smallest hint of fear from him.

"Gelvorci Beronethor Helukasti. You have my word that I would do no such thing to betray you. I would be a dead man to betray you if you even have the slightest bit of your grandfather's blood in your veins." He stated. While not entirely satisfied, but glad that could actually scare someone of such standing, he sighed the paper and set it down.

Gregory just looked at the paper for a few, confusing Xaoto for a few. He was about to say something, but Gregory stood up first and extended his hand. "Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your new way of life."

"So, I've signed your paper. Now how did you know the old man and how does it concern me. You obviously have a large sum of money riding on this." Xaoto asked.

"How this concerns you is that over 90% of your grandfather's paper assets are spread out among six companies, with the largest share of those assets being part of my company." The man explained extending his hand. "This makes us partners in a sense, as you officially own a quarter of my company. I am here in person to determine the fate of my company, as well as having been asked by the other companies you own large shares of." Gregory told him as he nodded for the men outside to come in for a second. Once more, he whispered something into their ears before they walked off.

Xaoto just had to look at him a bit intrigued now. "Let me get this right? I own part of your company, and just what exactly is this company I own."

"I deal in unique exports from Ulin, as well as many other exotic goods from around the world." Gregory explained. "The problem is that the company is split up in such a way that your grandfather owed rights to all of my more prominent business deals. As such, I'm here to help you shift into your new life." Gregory smiled as the men returned with a suitcase in hand. Gregory took the suitcase and set it on the counter, opening it up and turning it to face Xaoto.

Xaoto looked in the case only to find a small wooden box resting there surrounded by several bits of padding to make sure that the box wouldn't shift around in the suit case. Once more, Xaoto felt uneasy about the small box, it looked as though it had bee charred black, and might just fall apart with the smallest touch. "And what is that?" He asked.

"This is your grandfather's... good luck charm... yes that might be the best way to put it." Gregory told him. "Well, go on, open it."

Xaoto hesitated for a few, but finally reached a hand down, placing it on the box. He jerked around a bit as his hand touched the box, he could have sworn that he had heard a very loud heart beat.

"Is something the matter?" Gregory asked making some sort of hand sign. Gregory thought he was being clever, but Xaoto could just barely see his hand move from over the side of the table. He tensed up a bit, ready for anything that might be in the box hearing that loud heart beat once more. This time, he was partially ready for it, and quickly flipped the box open ready to see what was making the noise.

To his surprise, there was only silence now as he looked into the open box, but there was still something uneasy about what he saw. Resting there in the box was a small celestial like dragon, very dark in color. It was coiled around itself in a large circle, its scales looking old and battered, even with a few nicks in it that Xaoto could only guess were scars on the dragon. It looked straight up at him, with a pair of sapphire eyes, its mouth wide open, but still firmly holding a heart shaped diamond with what appeared to be a ruby sliver inside it. Right beside the dragon ornament was a very long gold chain and it took Xaoto a few to see that he was actually looking at a necklace of some kind. He couldn't help but look harder at the dragon though, even reaching down to touch it. The second he did though, his vision blurred a bit. The dragon, or rather several black dragons all tried to jump out of the amulet, and the diamond heart looked as though it was actually beating for a few before his vision returned to normal, and nothing had changed about the amulet.

Xaoto quickly shook his head as he leaned back. "Is something wrong?" Gregory asked.

Xaoto looked up him remaining silent for a few, before he just took a quick breath. He slowly calmed himself before he looked back at them, but now they were smiling. "No, I... just had a long night, not enough sleep or something."

Gregory just grinned. "Why don't you try it on. Let me get a picture of you wearing it and that will silence most of the people coming after you. You grandfather wore the same thing, called it his family crest a few times when I asked about it, never let me touch it."

Xaoto just sat there for a few, looking back over the dragon. He was just tired or something, maybe he took one too many migraine pills this morning. It wasn't uncommon for some people to reject gene-serums, and his past history with unwanted splicing wasn't exactly perfect.

He nodded though. If just one picture could put a stop to all those people who were still apparently looking for him, then he didn't have much to lose. He already signed the papers, so he was in this now no matter how things went. He reached over, and touched the dragon necklace once more. He could hear the heartbeat once more before things went silent again. He just passed it off as something else though and picked it up.

"Just stand here, put it on and I'll have my friend here take a picture. I can have a nice report written up in a few days detailing everything. I'll even take the risk on my end, pay certain debts with my own money to quiet those who won't back off." Gregory told him as he pulled out a few things from a suitcase.

"And in exchange for this favor?" Xaoto looked at him moving over to the wall, dragon in hand.

"You have already heard my end of this bargain. I seek to ensure my company continues to exist. Your grandfather, as I also told you, had quite a lot of influence. His word alone was enough to convince other companies to share the risks I took, and thus I was able to benefit greatly. What the other companies value are investors, and your grandfather had more then enough paper assets for them to see the long term profit my business ventures would lead to." Gregory reminded him.

"There you go again, saying 'paper assets'. Why do you insist on saying it that way?" Xaoto asked.

"Your grandfather much rather preferred to limit the use of actual money, often accepting payment in goods and services, as well as collecting several other items of substantial value. His favorite method of payment was actually using gold coins, as in real gold coins. I am unsure of his just how much his estate is worth, but I am sure that no one person could hope to spend his vast fortunes in a single lifetime." Gregory explained. "Yes, stand there, nice and straight. Just put the necklace on and you'll be ready for a photo." He smiled as the guard pulled out the camera and prepared for a photo.

Xaoto nodded as he stood there, looking at the dragon one last time before lifting it up and putting it on. He didn't think anything of it until the chain was resting around his shoulders. His ears filled with screams and that loud thumping heart beat was back, his vision blurred and a deep chill surrounded him before he passed out.

~xXx~

Xaoto's head fell forward just a bit, but he caught himself falling over. Somehow he was sitting down now and he could feel some sort of movement around him. He lifted his hand to head and slowly opened his eyes, he is in the back of some sort of car, much bigger then the Maybach Landaulet that had taken him to the law firm in the first place.

"Ah yes, Mr. Helukasti, glad to see that you are awake once more. Are you feeling better now?" A voice stated, and Xaoto quickly looked around. He was quickly aware of his surroundings now, in the back of what he had to assume was an extended limousine. He was in the very back seat, with the person talking to him sitting in one of the side seats. "Why, you're finally fully conscious. So terribly sorry about the incident. You passed out at the firm, we were most worried."

Xaoto looked at the new man as he prepared some of drink from a side compartment he was sitting next to as the car continued to travel. This man was obviously a lawyer, but much nicer then the one who had picked him up before. "Mr. Williams regrets not being able to take to your new estate himself, but he was called out on urgent business just before he could board the plane with us."

Xaoto shook his head and quickly looked out the window, they were in some sort of heavy forest, but there was still some light out. "Please, drink this. It may taste awful, but it has a gene-tonic stabilizer in it."

"Where are we?" Xaoto quickly demanded not taking the drink, quickly undoing his seat belt to get a better look around.

"Oh yes, silly me. We are currently in the southeastern reaches of the United Homelands, not that far from the Great Sungi River actually. It was a quick flight down here, much easier to fly over the river then drive to this region these days. Mr. Williams said that you had wanted to get to your new home quickly, but then you passed out after clutching your chest. You've spent the better part of a day and half in a daze." The lawyer told him.

"What happened to me? Where are going?" Xaoto growled as he suddenly realized what the lawyer had just told him. "What day is it?"

"Please calm down, Mr. Helukasti, you must be weary of your blood pressure right now. It is Tuesday, the fourteenth of July. Like I told you, you were only out of it for a day and half. You were active, but the doctors told us that you should expect some memory loss." The lawyer stated. "Why, now that you're fully aware again, you should start to recall the past day in small portions. The doctors said that as long as you keep up with some gene-boosters, you'll be perfectly fine."

Xaoto just looked at him for a few, letting him talk as he looked for a clock.

"You're very lucky that last attack didn't kill you. You're gene-splicing history is quite a mess, you have my pity. For a woman to splice up so badly while she was pregnant, it was a miracle that alone didn't cause a miscarriage. And then to be caught in that warehouse fire with gene-boosters. Why it's no wonder you had a gene-attack, your spliced genes bonded so very poorly with the rest you." The lawyer told him. "Your heart nearly stopped entirely, but thankfully we keep a medical unit in the firm at all times. They were able to keep you alive long enough for a proper unit to arrive and save your life. Now, how are you feeling? Do you recall your talk with Mr. Williams, and what about the plane? You were conscious, but so very out it."

Xaoto calmed down some. Black outs and missing patches of memory were sadly common with him and the lawyer seemed to have some experience with what all was involved with gene-attacks as they were commonly known as. "I... I recall talking that man... the one who met me at the firm. And something about an amulet... a ... a dragon." Xaoto stated as he calmed down a bit. He could also recall some flashes of a plane and something else, but trying to remember only made his head hurt worse.

"Well, at least its something and not a total black out." The lawyer stated. "I've already taken the liberty of setting up an appointment for you next month with one of the finest gene doctors in the world. I highly doubt that he'll be able to undo the changes, but he can still very much balance things out. Why if it all goes well, you'll never need a gene-stabilizer again in your life."

Xaoto nodded. He would have gone to a doctor long ago rather than put up with all the extra dose of stabilizers that he needed, but he never had the money before. "Where... exactly are we going?" Xaoto asked rather calmly now, looking around.

"We are heading into the Sungi Forest, the southern reaches between the Setting Sun and Dancing Falls branches of the Great Sungi River." The lawyer explained. "Your grandfather had a large interest with the Sungi Empire from back when they were still jungle tribals. We are unsure just which one of the Melfogunja family actually found the mansion, but it's been in the family for generations who made additions to the place, or so I'm told. In regards to the Melfogunja family, Brentor & Associates are fairly new, we've only be working with him for a little over 30 years now. I am unsure who he had hired before us, but he was obviously ill impressed with them." He explained.

Xaoto looked and nodded, before shaking his head some more to try and rid himself of the last of his dizziness. "Look, what you tell me about this place... ummm, what's your name again?"

The lawyer laughed a bit, once more offering the drink he had. "Here, I think you might benefit from it. It won't do much for the memory, but the gene stabilizers will help you get your balance and senses back." He stated as Xaoto finally took the drink. "You may call me Jake Quint. Mr. Melfogunja employed both myself and Hugh Keller as his personal family lawyers. I do so hope Keller will get over his purist ideas though, he is a wonderful man aside from that fierce hatred of those who splice. Ah, here we are." Jake smiled as the car pulled put to a massive set of gates as the car pulled up and started to turn around.

"You'll... forgive me if I don't join you today as you explore the mansion. I have a meeting to attend in the city of Juliesport." Jake pulled out a small suitcase and handed it to Xaoto. "I've included the keys to the estate, as well as a copy of the deed and a few other essentials into the case, along with a cellphone with a direct line to the firm, as well as the numbers for Keller and myself. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call. Mr. Williams said that you might like some time alone in the mansion, and you seem perfectly capable of handling yourself now that you are fully conscious once more."

Xaoto looked at Jake, he could smell plenty of fear coming off him as he watched him. Jake seemed to be avoiding looking at the estate grounds as best he could. "Is something wrong? Why can't you come with me, show me around?" Xaoto asked.

"I... I do not have pleasant memories of this place. Mr. Melfogunja, he was a man of few words, but he did one thing very easily. He could scare people, and I'd rather not explore the mansion right now. He collected things... torture devices, antique suits of armor, weapons. I've been inside the estate a few times, and I always get chills when I'm near the place. I know that some of the staff are still working here to keep the place clean, they were paid well in advance, a few months at a time and so they continue to work to keep the place clean, but even they give me the creeps. I'm told that most of the major staff left though, and I'm not surprised, but I don't know where they went. If you need anything, it's under a hour's drive from where I'll be staying, and a driver will on standby if you need anything." Jake told him.

"I really must be going though. I have to keep this appointment in Juliesport and I wish you the best of luck." He stated as he closed the door and told the driver to go, the limousine quickly driving off leaving Xaoto standing there at the gate, the sun slowly starting to set.

He shook his head as he looked over the gates, very large, old ironwork, obvious signs of decay, some rust and moss, as well as looking as though they were tilted. Xaoto looked over gates for a few, before finding some large iron plate of some kind, pulling the moss of it to reveal another dragon emblem, very similar to the one on his grandfather's necklace. He had to blink and rub his eyes once more looking at the, swearing that they were looking at him.

Xaoto had seen things like this before. The sheer number of things that passed through Mari Port were astounding, even a few statues from time to time. He had seen those fake eyes that were made as though they were always looking back at people, but something about the dragons on the gate, they left him uneasy.

He looked over the gates once more time finding the lock. Like everything else that he could see, it was old, giving it a hard jerk, he actually popped the lock right off the frame. "The guy was some sort of multi-millionaire and I can just rip the lock off the front gate..." Xaoto sighed.

He opened the gates, making a few mental notes about what he saw right off the bat, such things like finding out how to oil the gates, after learning how to clean them, if he didn't just replace them. He walked down the gravel path, looking over the vast amount unchecked plant life along the sides of the path.

He could hardly see why anyone would want the place. It looked as though the place had been left unchecked for at least ten years, maybe longer judging by some of the trees looked, their trunks covered in vines. He could see the edge of the supposed mansion around the next bend, but too many trees were in the way. What little he could see hardly impressed him, like the tress and everything else he saw, it was covered in vines, looked like a mess, and he wasn't so sure that it would stay standing.

Sure the place looked big, but that was hardly worth anything to him. As he walked, the place started to get darker, chilled even. Xaoto was against spending the night in a new place without any knowledge of the area, he thought that he had some time. His memory was still just a tad fuzzy, so he took another sip of the drink. He took a quick breath as he closed his eyes. He was sure that clock had stated that it was still before noon.

He finally opened the suitcase he had been given, it was filled with some of his clothing, as well as a few other things, quickly finding the phone, and checking the time. It just a quarter after eleven, but he couldn't figure out why it was getting so dark so quickly. He could barely even make out the sun now through the trees, as he looked at the clock.

Something was very wrong as he slowed down a bit, looking around as he kept walking slowly down the path. As he walked closer to the mansion, he began to notice more and more things around him, things that seemed out of place.

The biggest thing he noticed, next to the setting sun that is, was a few of the plants. He has seen the same plant come through Mari Port on occasion, anything that needed a quiet delivery often found its way through Mari Port, the small port city a nice and quiet place to ship things without much hassle. He stopped and looked over the small flower patch, and after a few seconds he was sure of it.

The flowers in the small patch were very much out of place, a strange blue arctic blossom that could never grow in the tropics that made up the forests around the Sungi River. He recalled the flowers quite easily, since there were so many restrictions in moving them. As usual with such delicate cargo, someone was present to oversee everything, forcing Xaoto to recheck every container dozens of times.

"Okay... either I'm really out of it, or this place can't be natural." He quietly said to himself as he shook his head once more, quickly downing the last of the drink that he had. He turned once more to the mansion, most of it still hidden further down the path as he kept walking.

He continued to take note of things, finding a few statues now as he went along, barely able to notice them at first beneath the vines and undergrowth, only noticing the first one by the spear that it was holding up. He held his head a bit, feeling somewhat unsteady now. He stopped and took a small breather, looking up at the sky, the full moon suddenly visible now as his jaw dropped just a bit.

"Okay, I just need to find a place to lay down, I'm hallucinating, obviously not as fully conscious as I thought." Xaoto stated taking a few quick breaths. He quickly opened the suitcase up that he had been given and found a notepad with a pen, writing a few things down. He jotted down a few things, namely his talk with Quint, as well as writing down that he was seeing things, and a few other notes he thought would be important later on, when he actually was fully conscious and properly aware of things around him. "I just need to find a bed, make up another drink... maybe double the gene-stabilizers this time... and sleep the rest of this gene-attack off." He told himself as he doubled his efforts to get to the mansion now.

He moved down the path, finally coming up to the turn, seeing the full extent of the mansion now. He only took a quick look though, the massive place easily three stories tall, with what he could only guess to be an easy hundred windows just on the side facing him, and numerous balconies along the front of the house as well. He looked down the path, the mansion just seemed to go on and on, the tree line curving in to meet with the mansion walls hiding just how big it really was as he kept walking.

The gravel drive kept going, before opening up around a large fountain, the decorations strange enough that Xaoto was sure he was hallucinating once more. There were all sorts of statues all around and over the fountain, only a few of them looking human though. He could see a centaur, some sort of giant snake, even a dragon and so many other things, but what really confused him was the centerpiece, raised above everything else.

He paused for a few, looking at the centerpiece to the fountain for a bit. It was some sort of humanoid, sitting on a throne, of what Xaoto could only guess to be made of bones or something similar. In addition to that, it was dressed in robes, Xaoto noticing that while they were similar to those that he recalled Gregory wearing, they were much more... elaborate was the only word he could find to describe them. And finally, resting just about the head of the figure on the throne was some sort of large orb, which he could have sworn looked familiar somehow.

He took a few more steps towards the fountain, the moonlight seeming to focus in on the statue and he could finally tell what the orb over the figure was, it was suppose to represent the moon, but he wasn't sure how he came to that conclusion. He looked over the figure once more, now that it appeared to be lit up, made of marble if he had to guess. He just stood there and stared at the figure on the throne for a few minutes, before the light came into just the right view and Xaoto quickly shook his head.

"Okay, bed... now..." He stated as he quickly made his way to the doors of the mansion. He shook his head quite a bit now, even smacking himself a few times, doing anything he could to try and bring back his senses. For just a second, he could have sworn that the figure on the throne of the fountain had changed, changed to look like himself, ears and fangs included.

He opened up the doors, quickly walking in, not even noticing that several torches lit up to welcome him, or that he wasn't alone. He was looking down, rubbing his eyes a bit as he closed the door before turning.

"Welcome home, Master Helukasti." Xaoto's ears quickly turned to find the voices, making out at least four as he quickly turned, looking up the staircase that took up the middle of the room, four women looking down at him.

He stopped for a few, looking at the women, all of them smelling of fear, but there were so many other scents present as well, he couldn't tell what all was there, but he knew that he could still smell fear. It took him a few to get use to all of the new scents in the house, some pleasant, some not so much.

As he looked up though, he found himself blushing just a bit. The four women that were standing at the top of the stairs certainly had an odd dress code, all four of them lined up side by side. Two of them were dressed in proper clothing, full maid outfits, including frills around their aprons and hats, one in a green outfit, the other black. Even though they were properly covered, their outfits were still of a revealing nature of sorts, definitely showing their figures off. Their skirts were just a bit short as well, standing where they were, he could just barely see their undergarments as well. Xaoto wasn't so much bothered by them though.

The other two women though were another story. The one on the far left of the four wore a similar maid cap to the two that were fully dressed, but rather than wear a maid's uniform like them, she merely wore a large oversized tee-shirt. It wouldn't have been so bad, but the shirt was made of a dark, but still translucent cloth, able to see her skin and both of her undergarments clearly through the shirt. Still, compared to the last of the four women he saw at the top of the stairs, this one was still somewhat properly dressed.

The last of the four women at the top of the stairs was also wearing a maid's uniform, but it had been heavily modified for some strange reason. It was blue in color, with white frills, but what stood out was the fact that it the skirt was very short, just barely able to hide her nethers, not that it seemed to matter to her. The chest of the suit had been cut extremely low, so low in fact that her breasts were completely exposed to him.

Xaoto quickly looked away, only to notice that even more people were present. On his left were two giant suits of armor, both of them kneeling, weapons at their sides, a pair of great swords. "The Master has returned." Two deep monotone voices stated, no emotion, just there like some sort of machine as they bowed their heads, another pair of similar voices coming from the other side of the room. Xaoto shook his head as he looked around quickly, finding the other suits of armor, when something else caught his eye, above him and moving around quickly.

He quickly looked up, searching for whatever was moving, finding it hanging from the chandelier. Xaoto's jaw dropped once more, shaking his head, taking several deep breathes as he looked up, some sort of... dragon, small yes, no bigger then a large house cat, but a dragon none the less looking down at him.

"This... this..." Xaoto was at a loss of words when he heard something else land behind him, something large. He quickly turned once more, finding something that wasn't so small standing there in front of two of the suits of armor.

Xaoto could only look on at the thing before him. It had the rear end and legs of a lion, even walked around like one, with a lion's tail to boot. However, the front of the creature was that of a bird, even if he couldn't tell what kind. It was feathered, with large gray feathers, and its front legs were scaled a bit, with massive talons. Even standing on all fours like it was, it still had a few inches on Xaoto. He looked it dead in the eyes, its beak clicking lightly before it took a step forward.

"Welcome to your new home Mr. Helukasti, Xaoto to the Nightborne Master." It stated.