Divine Univeristy: Chapter 4

Story by Cathricorn on SoFurry

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#5 of Divine University


Jeebus, it's taken me forever to get back onto my feet into writing this story set up. I've had a massive attack of writers block I just couldn't make up my mind on what I've wanted to write in the past. A lot of it's just been about random furry fandoms, that I've taken into consideration that instead of doing story series, rather do just small one or two chapter stories. Like I said I've been thinking about it.

Reasons

_I was sitting... somewhere unclear... very unclear. _

_ I wasn't sure what was going on or how I had even gotten here. I must have been dreaming... but usually when you said that you immediately awoke. It didn't make sense... when did anything make sense anymore? I had my own other half of me that I could talk to. It was obvious I was starting to go insane--Probably from all of this-- what was my reason for being here at Divine? He tells me to stop pitying myself... but what was the point to not too? I wasn't accepted here. No one seems to care, no one..._

_ Except Astrid... but now that I think about it... maybe he doesn't even care. Maybe he's just crazy... he surely has the appearance of someone who's lost half of his brain due to age... or whatever he spends time with through all those contraptions in his quarter._

_ Laurel had mentioned me being something special... or at least that's what Astrid had thought... but then again it brought back the fact that the man wasn't all there. I just want to leave..._

_ I don't want to be here anymore..._

_ I just want to go home. _

_ _

The sound of Dakota's doors awoke Leander from his strange dream. He felt empty and almost ready to cry as he turned to see the bear enter the bathroom. "That bear didn't care."

Up in the morning and already it's on your mind.

_ "It never left... we're going home today. Let's go."_

_ _

While Dakota tended to his morning ritual of bathing himself for an hour, Leander quickly got dressed in something at least a little more presentable. At least the old man had showed him some respect. If he was planning on leaving the school he would keep it good terms with Astrid.

Departing the room, he made his way down to the lobby where conversation boomed from the bears. It smelt great, the delights of breakfast helped soothe his comfort but it only lasted until he saw the faces of the ursus watching him, reminding him where he really was. Lowly, he crossed the room and grabbing the handle to leave he pushed. He gave a look back at the stairs leading up to his room... to Dakota. Inside he had to admit that the bear was more handsome than any other thing he had seen. The one ugly thing about him was his attitude, the trait that mattered so much about someone. Sighing to himself he turned back and suddenly bumped into the belly of a bear.

"Oh," Leander muffled meeting with the eyes of the familiar bear that had taunted Dakota a few days ago. "Ex..excuse me."

The bear gave one brow to raise and then looked around, most likely for Dakota. Looking back down, he frowned as the boy had already moved pass. "Wait a minute there human."

Leander didn't stop and continued to move forward, hoping to make it into the crowd that was at the center of the University to blend away. The bear was too eager to catch up though and gripped him by his arm and pulled him back, colliding once more with the muscled belly.

"Hey there little man... why the long face? More importantly... where's that white furry friend of yours?" Leander remembered the voice as Glen. He sniffed around before looking back down. "You okay?" A warm paw touched Leander on his chin and lifted to meet eyes. Leander's were heavy and red. "Huh..." The bear grinned. "So you got the warm welcome and hospitality of Dakota did you?" When Leander didn't respond he continued. "Why don't you come with me, we can talk about things?"

"No... I'm leaving." He tried to pull away again but the bear refused.

"Not all of us are as heartless as he. Just give me a chance." He winked at the boy and played a cute bear grin.

Leander stared empty for a moment thinking briefly before gently giving a nod, knowing that saying no wasn't really an option for Glen. He was held against the warm furry side of this bear and as they passed the bar, Glen made sure to swipe something taking it to his own muzzle before offering it down to Leander. The juice had a violet look to it, and thinking to himself nothing to lose, he gave a sip. It had a taste of sweet berries and a little bit of honey as well as the rough taste of vodka adding a twist of burn down his throat. It was almost refreshing as the alcohol warmed his insides... almost. Offered the rest he began to sip, finding that the mug was empty by the time Glen showed him to his dorm. Already one could tell by the exterior of the door that these were not rooms of a Paladin. Gently pushed into the room, the door shut behind showing the small design of the room.

It was a two person room, yet smaller than Dakotas. It had a general room to sit and chat, with a single couch and wide oak table. The couch was made of a dark brown leather matching the black stained table. A room behind Leander figured was the bathroom, and then two more rooms' one on either side of him. They were bedrooms, each with their own single bed.

"Come on." Glen gently patted Leander. "Sit down, we'll talk."

The drink was powerful, he could feel the slowness starting and the weight of his body fell to Glen. The bear gently laughed and kissed him on the side of the head. Guided to the couch, they sat. Glen kicked off his boots and placed them up on the wood frame winking to Leander as he put his hands behind his head.

"So Dakotas run you off huh? Gotten you to the point where you want to leave?"

Leander nodded. "... Why did you take me here?" There was a comforting to his body, but the moment that Glen had given him a kiss it raised suspicion in his mind. He wasn't sure if the bear was really looking to talk, or just wanted something quick.

"Because I'm being an honorable host," He reached his hand out. "Dakota should have done this the moment you walked in."

Leander stared untrustingly at the bear's hand before meeting his eyes which struck him differently. He could see warmth within them, comfort emitting from the moist pupils. Leander's own eyes found the hand again then gently took it. The black paw pads were warm and they lured him into Glens waiting chest, bringing the boy up onto his belly where now joined by its other, slid around his back. Leander muttered a gentle moan when they trickled down the sides of his ribs touching a sensitive part of his body both erotic and ticklish. The paws met at the spine of his back and rubbed gently at the thumbs, pulling Leander even closer, inches away from the bear's snout.

"Let's not talk about Dakota any more... what's done is done with him... He won't care about you or anyone else for that matter." Glen brushed past Leander's cheek and grazed his ear with the end of his nose. "...But I will." He whispered. "I'll protect you from all the fears here at the University."

Leander shivered from the breathing in his ear and sighed again, leaning his cheek into the bear's neck. Glen's paws ran up his back, up his neck and to the back of his head where he lead the boys head to his lips.

Suddenly, a harsh knock came to the door. Both boy and bear took a confused expression and Glen held Leander still, hoping whoever intruded on him would leave. The knock came again.

"Ursus Glen..." The bears face went grave at the High Master's tone. "I require word with Leander please."

Leander continued to stare in utter disbelief. _ "What in the heck was Astrid wanting... and more importantly, how did he know he was with Glen?"_

_ _ "I uh... yeah... Just one moment High Master." Glen choked, pushing Leander up to his feet and quickly rushing to the door.

The bear greeted Astrid with a bow and welcomed him in properly revealing Leander on the couch with a paw. Astrid did not move from the hallway and instead beckoned him with his hand for Leander to follow. Leander and Glen met eyes before he got up from the couch and followed Astrid.

The bear whispered a muffled and reluctant good bye watching the two leave eyes so heavily stuck on Leanders back side. The boy gave a quick look back not sure whether to smile or be frightened at Astrid's bizarre knowledge of his where about.

Escorted first hand to the High Masters quarters, Astrid closed the door behind and returned to his table atop the stairs. It was silent briefly, before the gentle clicking of glass and pouring of whatever concoctions were being used. A grin played across Leanders face seeing Astrid up there, if you didn't know him as the High Master of Divine you could easily pose him as an insane and erratic man.

"...You're here for a reason you know." The old man started.

The bewilderment inside instantly thrashed out at the phrase. "And what reason could that be? I don't belong here... it's easy to see."

If it hadn't been for the strands of hair over Astrids face and the crazed look he suddenly had been given, Leander would have continued. "It's not fair to deceive yourself of where you belong and don't belong before you know the truth behind it."

"...Huh?"

Astrid pressed back the strands of hair and stood up from his table, giving his full attention. "Your past."

Leander fell silent and stood straight before speaking again. "My past... you mean the one where I'm from Rington and was raised by my Aunt and Uncle because my parents abandoned me when I was just a baby? That one?"

"Not abandoned boy... protected."

Leander scorned Astrid with his brows, angered. All his life his Aunt and Uncle had told him they abandoned him, that he was left on the foot of their door step one night because they couldn't care for him. He didn't want to call them his parents... because they weren't. His aunt and uncle were, they were the ones that cared for him all through his life as if it wasn't miserable enough. His bewilderment growled inside. "Protected from what?"

"From Hell... your parents were students at this very school boy... They wanted a normal life for you... not one as this. They left to protect you from the most vile and fearsome of Hell. Diabolus himself searches for you even to this day... and through him his seven demons as well! What your Aunt and Uncle did was keep you from searching for your parents, keep you from being in touch so none of the demons of Hell could intercept and discover your location... why do you think I had such trouble searching for you. " Leander kept silent. "They did this out of love for you. So you could have a normal life the last thing they want is for you to have to join into the madness that they did their entire life... but..." He added a sigh and the old face became honest and sincere. "I'm afraid that it has come down to it."

He remained still watching Astrids magnificent eyes search his own.

"Are you aware of the seven deadly sins?" Leander nodded. "Are you aware of what is beyond each sin?" This time he shook his head no. "Your aunt and uncle hid you well from this... For each sin, there is a demon... each having its own horrific aspect, their way of torture and corrupt. Beyond them they control their own creations of hell." He waved his hand as if he had, had enough of his own words. "I won't go into them now but just know that each demon, is like a fortress. Seven fortress's before the prime evil."

Leander shook his head. "And how does this relate to me at all?"

"Because," Astrid moved from his table and stepped down from his stage. "You're the one that is supposed to suppress the demons from Hell. It is your century to do so, for hundreds of thousands of years Hell has never stopped clinging to us, entering Earth trying to find followers, build up a school like we have done. You're the human, prophesized to fight against Hell. I've been here at this school for nearly a century and only now as I near my death the spoken boy reveals himself to me."

"I just don't want to be with Dakota." Leander quickly blurted out. "The bear doesn't care."

He neared and took his hand gently lifting it. "However Dakota may be neglecting you, you must be brave enough to try. He is a magnificent Ursus, just not a great teacher. There's something between the both of you that only made sense to pair you up with him. You may not see it yet, but deep down in the both of you; you're perfect for each other." The boy argued for only a moment before Astrid hushed him. "Learn the Ursus, before you chose to ignore them and remember one has to show respect, to get respect... You have a choice though. You're wanting to leave Divine and I completely understand, but you've only been at this school for barely a week. Allow more time, allow at least enough time to try out your first contract. To be able to prove to yourself that you're not useless, that inside you are just as magnificent as Dakota, it only takes some time." Have gave the boy a warm touch on his shoulder. "I cannot chose for you though, that's not the point of my teachings, you must be willing to learn and accept harsh realities. The choice is yours."

Leander stood cold for a moment before nodding and turning. As he reached the handle of the door, Astrid cleared his throat. "And Leander," He paused so that Leander would turn to face him. "Do me a favor...If you do decide to stay, don't go searching for a playmate... Glen is notorious at this school for just that. Don't do it out of harsh emotions and depressed thoughts. Wait... the moment will show itself."

Again Leander nodded and departed.

A Word With You

"We've been tracking this damn suspect for hours now Dakota. There's no way he's still here in Rington." Sal groaned, leaning the huge two handed blade on her shoulder.

Dakota sniffed his paw, snuffing in the deadly fragrance of an undead follower. "No... he's here. Somewhere."

She shook her head. "I don't think he is. It makes no sense; Rington is the most untouched isolated towns in the entire province. If there was undead business here, it would have stuck out like a sore thumb."

The people of Rington were staring at the two now, most of them on the polar bear who searched the road ways and alleys. Rington was a city of humans after all, very rare would another species be presented in their city, and if they were they were gone by morning.

"I can't track with all of these smells!" Dakota growled. "I hate these damn smells so much."

"Only because they remind you of your--

"Don't Sal." Dakota shot a forceful glare to his partner. "Do not remind me of that traitor."

She shrugged and proceeded through the city. Two story homes, generally a city of oak and stone, but very intelligent appearing, tall pointed towers, beautiful arches close rooftops streets filled with crowds of people and as always events playing on. Also, to give the city its purpose a priceless beautiful manor taking the fine red wood finish stood at the peak of the hill that overlooked Rington. Inside, their mayor sleeping peacefully while all the others busily worked for ends.

Taking another deep scent in again Dakota let the dark smell arouse and awaken his need to purge. Through his vision, it snaked itself into the crowd twirling and entwining becoming lost within a few yards because of the exotic smells. He felt himself getting frustrated and clenched his fist, forcing himself through the crowds in order to guess where the scent would go, Sal apologetically following close.

He was lead into alleyways, circled backs of homes through the marketplace of the city and finally back where he had started. "Face it big man." Sal began, returning her blade to her sheath. "We're going in circles, there's nothing here, not anymore."

The bear growled and looked around the dying crowds."The scent is so fresh; he has to be around here."

She shook her head. "Maybe you really do have a hard time with humans, I've never seen you unable to track."

The comment made him flinch. He shot a glare back to Sal and gave her a growl threatening her attempt to jeopardize his ego. She only shrugged in return.

Giving his full attention he stood up strong and tall, staring up into the approaching night sky and powerfully inhaled, ignoring the scents of all the others. The poison swirled in his head, painting a picture of the target clouded and foggy but once he opened his eyes it vanished and the trail returned to its snake like features. Bringing his eyes level, they stopped at the manor atop the hill. Still and silent for a very long moment, Sal curiously walked in front of him, searching for what he saw. Giving her a quick glance, he grinned. "I know where it is."

She turned to the manor and raised a brow. "The manor... your trail never even lead us there."

"Exactly." He muttered following his instinct.

"...Clever." She smiled. "That's the big man I've been waiting for."

Atop the hill and before the two giant manor doors, Dakota and Sal stood. Taking a big paw to the wood they knocked. From inside the scuttling of small feet approached. Locks unhinged and the door opened, a tiny fragile old woman standing before them.

She pulled her neck back as far as it would go to look at Dakota, squinting her old big eyes. Her head bobbed back and forth while she stared at the two and before long an awkward silence invoked. Sal looked to Dakota who looked back, unsure if they were expecting an introduction and impatiently Dakota started. "Excuse me," He grunted shoving his way past the old woman. "We're here on official Divine terms we must speak to--Dakota's nostrils flared as the dark and tainted scent of hell found him. He pursued without looking back, following the trail up and around the manor, climbing sets of stairs until he came to the hallway, which dreaded the awful scent. Sal was right on his tail, ready for a fight; hand on the hilt of her blade and a stance of a focused warrior.

To an ungifted character, the hallway would have appeared to be nothing more than just that. But to Dakota and Sal, Paladins of Divine, demonic worship crawled from underneath the door, enflamed reds and purples stretching up and out as if they were trying to escape from Hell. The two paladins watched as the presence grew more, and the spirits clawed and grabbed even further.

Dakota took a step back to a readied and powerful stance. He withdrew his pistol from his left side, holding it at his right clenching the handle as Ursus rage broiled in him. In his left paw, he unsheathed his weapon from Divine, a steel hammer woven into heavenly appeal from ancient Latin terms used for God's will. Old symbols glowed on the flat sides of the hammer, most illuminant where the steel would meet the body of his victims.

The crisp sound of blade leaving sheath came from Sal, her Divine blade, sang from Heaven's vows and curved into unnatural ways so that it may rend the flesh of Hell and those that follow. Latin terms followed up her blade as well, adding bright tones of blues and strong hues of a deep cobalt blue. Together they both looked unified, too powerful followers of Heaven up against what Hell may have sent from below.

Soft steps behind, Dakota took a glance to see the old woman. She too glowed with hellish flames, her eyes black as night and still baring the crazed look. It fit her all too well now, and with instinct as a Divine student Sal took to Dakotas back. The fight now became even.

The moments of battle trickled ever so slowly through time, never isolating a single tick, each one having its precious concert. Like the single beat of a drum starting of a composition. The three waited patiently with one another, Sal and Dakota still curious what was beyond the door.

"Two students of Divine," The old woman began. There was deepness to her voice now, the demonic spirits controlling the poor withered body. "What an interesting surprise you two have given us."

Neither Dakota nor Sal spoke, only glanced at each other knowing the next move. Dakota swung forward for the woman, hammer flashing as it by passed the woman, he took a quick two steps to the left and dodged. She snickered and raised her bony hands, no longer rattling from old age. "Silly bear." As the energy warped around her, another quick slash of silver and divine light blew past, but this time, it was through her. The old eyes went wide and the ancient body collapsed, dropping into two onto the floor. It squirmed, bounced around on the floor while withering away and finally having silenced its movements became still.

Dakota flashed Sal a quick glance, but only briefly as the creak of the doors behind them began to open. Quickly returning formation, they stood back to back: Sal with her blades hilt rose next to her head and Dakota with his pistol and hammer crossed at the wrists in front of him.

It was pure darkness inside the room as the doors seemed to reveal nothing. However to Dakota and Sal, children of Divine something clearly remained. Then a shadow took a step forward, and another, and another. Before long the figure was revealed and indeed was whom Dakota had expected. The mayor himself of Rington.

"Ah... Students." The corrupted voice, welcomed arms opened wide and presenting the pale lifeless face of a man who had used to be so trusting. "Welcome to my manor...then again... You did barge in on me so I'm not sure if a proper introduction is in order."

"As members of Divine," Sal started. "We're here to return the spirit and the body into rest. By rights of the Heavens themselves we here by encourage you to give yourself up and we will make a clean death of you."

Even from their distance, Dakota and Sal could make out a pale grin. "And if I deny your request?"

This time Dakota growled. "Then you give us no choice but to handle the situation accordingly, and in turn force you to submit death!"

It was silent for a moment. "Then so be it!" A dark force touched both Sal and Dakota as a rift from Hell opened up to service the dark soul. Appearing in its hands were two sharp scimitars, blood red shined. He twirled them like a master, cluing the two that this demon was no acolyte; it was clearly a messenger of Diabolus himself.

"Eyes open, ears sharp Sal. This one's not like what we usually find." Dakota warned.

Then it was upon them, cutting into the wind, forcing the two to separate onto opposite sides of the room. Dakota saw the demons intent for separation and looked to Sal cautioning another careful. She took the gaze, and stood up putting herself into a defensive stance.

Wild and cunning as the Ursus, Dakota dove into battle against the demon, striking blade against blade and even using his pistol to fend off the demons off hand. They fought equally together, stepping in and stepping out of one another's movements, side to side, back and forth and parrying and countering the others blow. They danced, with vengeance and purpose with different opinions, twirling and catching blades, returning with each of their own devastating attack. Each side opened blood, small cuts and fresh wounds only igniting the fight between.

Sal struck forward in Dakotas aid, finally seeing an opening in the enemies attacks. While Dakota threw a heavy blow, it would force the demon to block with both blades and in turn create a longer reaction time. She found the pale flesh of the demons side, and sliced it clean beneath the arm, splitting the deep tissue and muscle of its pectoral, just in the pit of the arm. The strike was enough to affect the entire use of the demons right arm and all it was capable of was to defend attacks from above.

In fear, the demon vanished in smoke, cowering back to his doorway and fleeing into the master bedroom.

"Synergy!" Dakota growled, aiming his pistol toward the fleeing victim.

Sal immediately understood, and brought forth an immense power deep in the soul. The feeling that only Divine students ever felt, it's what gives them the ability to sense other dark beings, a holy essence that when combined with another can produce a massive attack. Her inner soul shot forward into Dakota and through Dakota the power soaked into his pistol. The barrel of the weapon glowed with heavenly appeal and a bright flash exploded through the hallway. The sound of the explosion was unlike any other explosion, it carried a serene yet dangerous noise. The screeching of a high powered whistle mixed with the explosion of gunpowder was the closest description anyone could give it.

Firing toward its victim, the bullet penetrated the fleeing demon and through the rest of the manor itself firing off into the dark of night, leaving behind a streak of glowing white. Weariness took over Dakota and Sal, but the blow was enough to leave the demon stunned and helpless now constrained with heavenly threads.

The two approached the laughing demon, hearing the maniacal laughter of hell. Kneeling down, Dakota thwarted the demon on the top of its head with his finger. "Now... before I have you properly executed, tell me why and how are you demons finding your way back onto Earth? Where's your rift?"

The Mayor did nothing but laugh. "Tell you one rift... there are already hundreds of rifts... There's no way you can stop us!" He sputtered blood over his carpet, and at Dakota who returned with a harsh kick to the side. "You... you students of Divine, have no idea what Astrid is getting you into... The old man will die soon!"

"Wasting your time, preaching to me about Astrid, demon."

"By the time, Astrid passes," Sal began. "A new grand master will have presented themselves to the school. Astrid will make sure of it, and whoever it will be, will be just as viable as Astrid!"

The demon only laughed in mockery again. "Like I said... you have no idea what you're getting into... my master already has a plan... There is someone new to your school." A dark smile curled onto the dying face. "A new someone, who has never been through the wars of heaven and hell... a mind so fresh and easy to manipulate, so pure and innocent, that with the smallest of twisting can be transformed."

Dakota grunted. "Unlikely." The bear raised his pistol. "Demonic victim of Hell, let your--

"In fact... I have a message for Divine University." He strained his neck until it cracked and smiled seeing the pistol the unnatural movements. "From Diabolus himself." Both Dakota and Sal waited for the information they seeked. "....He will be a vessel!" The demon croaked, paying no attention to the barrel of the pistol pressed to its forehead. "He will be ours, the young human child." Dakota froze up to this. "Such a vessel of raw power inside your human child... the young boy... so unaware of his potential." The demon cocked his head. "... Leander."

The sound of the pistol exploded inside the manor, echoing through the city of Rington and off into the dark night.