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Chapter 4

Flowers had to be the most annoying things in the entire world Miktes concluded, the same thing went for scented baths and oils too. They were smelly, got everywhere, and made the Verdomian male feel like a complete idiot as he sat there buck naked and submerged up to his chest in water. For the life of him the Verdomian didn't understand how he had gotten into this sort of mess. Being forced to strip down and take a girly public bath in large and lavish bathing chambers that, for some reason were located in what supposed to be the sacred temple of their people. It was ridicules!

Though it seemed that he was the only one sane enough to realize the absurdity of the entire situation. Glancing around himself, Miktes gave a grumpy sounding snort as he watched his fellow warriors; training hardened men lounge around like sissies in the warm flower scented water. Drinking wine, getting massages, and flirting with the male and female temple attendants who were helping them clean up.

The bath was supposed to be one last chance to enjoy the pleasures of being single. A final time at dominate could flirt with an eager submissive and get in a few "accidental" gropes before they became bound forever to their chosen mate. If Miktes had been in a better mood that day he might have joined in on the shameless display of sexual promiscuity. But as it was the only thing he could think of as he was scrubbed and manhandled by the attendant assigned to him, was how his entire life was going to change in a manner of hours. It didn't help of course that his father and younger brother had insisted on coming into the baths with him either. The older Verdomian, dressed in only a simple loincloth giving the attendant scrubbing his son complicated instructions as the nerve wracked boy tried his best to both listen to the chief and do the job he had done a hundred times before.

"No, no, no don't use the crimson bloom oil in his hair that smells horrible! Use the seaside flower!" Daleer snapped. The attendant sitting behind Miktes gave a small sigh and replaced the bottle he had been holding with the one he had been told to use, showing the vial to the chief. "Yes, that's the one. Whoever is chosen for my boy will go wild when they breathe in that sent."

Miktes sputtered and shivered as the cold flowery liquid was pored over his head and then rubbed into his scalp, the fluid stinging his eyes and getting into his mouth as his head was pummeled by rough scrubbing. Miktes didn't really understand why they had to make everything perfect for his unknown mate to be. In fact the idea of actually trying to please whoever he was going to be stuck with was starting to piss him off. In Miktes' mind he really didn't care if he impressed whoever his new mate was going to be.

Noticing his son's surly disposition Daleer sat down at the edge of the tub, giving the younger man next to him a worried look. "Don't be so upset Miktes. Today is going to be one of the happiest days of your life." He said trying to cheer him up. "By nightfall we will have a new member of our clan and you will have someone to love and cherish."

"We both know that ain't why I'm here." Miktes huffed. Frowning the younger Verdomian glared at his half naked father. His eyes telling the older man how much he hated having to go through this. "Your only doing this cause you want some submissive to make me a whipped man." He accused. "Tame me and make me easier to deal with."

"No, no it is nothing like that Miktes, I assure you." Daleer insisted.

The sudden sound of someone laughing loudly broke the father and son out of their conversation. Both shifting their focused towards where it came from and growling for completely different reasons when they saw that it had come from Miktes' younger brother, Peinraal. "You are such a liar papa." The boy laughed from his seat across the room. "You said the exact same thing to mother before we left for the temple this morning."

Daleer his face growing red from being called out on his little white lie stood up and stomped over to his younger son. "Get out of here my son before I tan that green hide of yours." He commanded with a growl. The older man smirked as the youngling jumped out of his seat and hurried out of the room at break neck speed. It was reassuring to know that he still carried some weight when it came to his other children. "And don't let me catch you ever eavesdropping on me and your mother again!" He shouted after the retreating boy.

After watching his younger brother leave the room Miktes looked up at his father with an accusing look. "See... I knew that was the reason you are doing this." He griped. "I swear there are times where I wish you would just leave me alone father!"

Daleer gave his firstborn soon a hurt look. "Miktes... this is about more than trying to find a way to control you." When Miktes' glare only hardened at that the older man sighed. "Ok that is some of it. But I am only doing this because I wish to see you become the man I know you can be."

"And I can only get that way if I'm forced into matting?"

"Don't think of it as being forced. Think of it as being persuaded." When Daleer saw that his suggestion fell on death ears he decided to try another angle. Squatting down next to his son he cunningly whispered into the younger man's pointed ear. "Look at it this way my son. After you are mated imagine what wonders you will experience. You will have someone who shall take care of you, someone who will make you fine meals, And... someone who will be more than willing to entertain you in the bedroom as much as you want."

His father's last sentence seemed to burrow into Miktes thick skull. The ginger haired Verdomian actually cracking a smile at the thought of some nice little submissive giving him regular sex. "I guess that's something." He said petulantly. He wouldn't let his father have his way that easily. "But after this you promise no more ordering me to do stuff."

"Fine son I promise." Daleer said exasperated. He had won that was sure but somehow he still felt that he had lost somehow. There was more to being mated then what he had said, but at least his little fib got his son to agree to go through with his plans. After standing back up the Verdomian chief had to step back as the attendant washing his son finished his job and tried to help his client to stand. Rudely, Miktes pushed the submissive away from him and lifted himself out of the tub, passing by his father with a dismissive snort and going over to where he would be dried. Hurt by the snubbing a little Daleer watched quietly as his son was dried by several other attendants and then spritzed with several kinds of perfumes much to his chagrin. A part of Daleer began having second thought about forcing his son to do something he wasn't completely ok with. True he wanted Miktes to grow. But something about dragging him into it felt wrong to him. He just hoped that when all this was said and done that Miktes and he would still be on speaking terms.

Dry and smelling sweetly of flowers Miktes quietly steamed as his father redressed himself and then took him gently by the shoulder and led him naked out of the bathing rooms. Entering the long and spacious hall of their holy temple the father and son carefully weaved themselves through the crowd of people milling about the area. There were more attendants of course, but there were also a few of the temples stuffy and elderly priests mixed within the crowd. All of them dressed in long flowing robes and strange cylindrical shaped hats. The thing that most caught Miktes' attention the most however was the other young men and women who were at the temple to take part in their own "Rituals of Destiny.". They, unlike himself were a cheerful bunch, chatting either to their parents or to friends as they waited for the turn to enter one of the many, many ceremony chambers where they would be bounded to their one perfect mate. Seeing all these happy dominates as they embraced their new lives only made Miktes grow angry again. The Verdomian not understanding why anyone would be excited to be taking part in the ritual.

{I never really got why everyone was so excited 'bout the stupid rituals and ceremonies held at the holy temple at the edge of my village. It seemed like a waste of time to me to come here and pray to the Strangers. Now here I was walking through it butt naked and following my father to my "destiny". I began wondering again if I should try and make a run for it. But seeing the burly looking guards I knew that'd be stupid. I just wish I knew what the hell I was getting myself into. Would it be like my father had said? I'd have a nice little obedient mate who would wait on me hand and foot? Or would I get someone who would nag and nag until I wanted to rip my own tail off in frustration. If I did get the second one then I guess I'd just have to show the little smart ass whose boss. No one tells Miktes of Hestry clan what to do. Especially some submissive.}

"Y-you are the one chosen for me?" A familiar voice from a room ahead came, breaking Miktes out of his thoughts.

"Yes I saw flowing rivers of wine in my vision along with fried Bahjack." Another deeper voice responded. "I was told it is your favorite dish. It's mine too." There was a small chuckle. "I am pleased that it is you who were chosen. You are quite cute"

Passing an open doorway where the voices had originated from, Miktes peeked into the room beyond and was surprised to see Nyroh standing inside wearing the traditional mating clothing. The chubby boy was standing in front of a strong looking warrior who was dressed similarly, the older Verdomian smiling down at the blushing submissive. Both young men were also standing next to what Miktes assumed were their father's. The older Verdomians watching as the pair made small talk with proud expressions and tearful eyes.

"See my son as I said a happy day for all." Daleer spoke as he watched the couple along with his son. After he had left Miktes yesterday the chief had not so subtly suggested to the wine make that his son should also take part in the mating ritual, the elderly drunk not giving much fight as he agreed to the idea. "And I know you will be just as happy when you meet you new mate as well." Daleer assured his son as they moved on, eventually coming to hallway with many closed doors that bore strange runes that were carved into stone panels. "Here we are the vision rooms."

"What's all this junk about visions?" Miktes asked as he stared at the door in front of them.

"Did you already forget what you learned when you were a child?" Daleer asked. When the only response he got from his son was a shrug the older man shook his head. "In order to find out whom your perfect mate is you must have a vision of them. It's just the Stranger's way of showing us who the other half of our soul is. That we are each important enough in their eyes to be allowed to be happy in this life."

"What did you see during your ritual that made mama your perfect mate?" Miktes asked.

Daleer got a found look on his face his mind traveling back to his own mating day decades ago. "I remember finding myself in a dark room seated at an empty table with my family. Just as I was about to try and leave food begun to appear in front of me along with the sound of your mother's gentle laughter. It was all quite calming and wondrous" The older man gave a sigh so unlike anything Miktes had ever heard him make before. When he noticed his son's stunned expression the Verdomian chief gave a cough and reached over to the closest door, pushing it open and then ushering them both inside.

The room behind the stone door way was dark and windowless, the only light coming from a few torches on the walls and a large hearth that sat in the center glowing with a weak ember. "Creepy." Miktes remarked as his father closed the door behind them. Shivering both from the strangeness of the space and his own nakedness the warrior turned to his father. "What are we supposed to do in here?"

"First..." Daleer walked around his son and dropped down into a cross-legged position on a large pillow in front of the hearth. "...You are to sit here in front of me so that I can paint you."

Seeing no reason for argument Miktes sat down on the pillow opposite his sire and peered over peevishly at the older man. "You're going to paint me?" He asked. Miktes watched wearily as Daleer reached behind himself and produced a small pot which he opened and showed to his son. Leaning forward Miktes took a few sniffs, instantly recognizing the contents of the jar to be the face paint the older more experienced warriors used to make themselves look fierce. "So I gotta wear that stuff?"

"Yes it's essential to this part of the ritual." Daleer said curtly. "As are the words I am about to say to you, so hush." Miktes pouted at being scolded but remained quiet as his father dipped his fingers into the viscous white liquid and proceeded to place it on his fist born son. First the Verdomian chief drew his fingers across the younger man's lips making two vertical lines above and beneath them and then he did the same to Miktes' forehead. "These first four marks I put on you are supposed to represent wisdom of the mind and of the voice, may both be present in you mating."

Miktes cocked an eye ridge. 'As if I ain't smart enough already.' he thought to himself.

Dipping his fingers into the pot again Daleer then painted a circle over Miktes' heart, two wavy lines on his biceps, and another circle on his pudgy belly. "These marks represent strength of both body and soul, and that you'll always have a full stomach." Gathering more paint the older man patted his son's thigh. "Open your legs for me will you?"

"W-WHAT!?" Miktes felt his face heating up at the request. His father wanted him to expose himself to him? "I'm not doing that."

"Don't argue, you were just strutting around naked in the temple and may I remind you, that I also changed your soiled clothes when you were but a baby there is nothing down there that I have not seen before." Daleer chuckled. Miktes hesitated for a few moments but eventually agreed that his father was right, spreading his legs wide and revealing his soft malehood. Daleer's vision briefly flicked down to his son's genitals out of curiosity. The proud male taking a bit of pride in knowing that his good genes had been passed on to his offspring. Then with a stoic reverence for something so obscene he finished this part in the ceremony by painting a line along the length of Miktes' cock. "A-and lastly this final mark is a charm to ensure your virility and the hope that you and your mate will have many years of pleasurable bliss." He finished quickly.

"Are we done now?" Miktes asked face now completely red. He couldn't believe that he had just allowed his own father to touch him down there. "Or do you got to draw flowers or something on my butt next?"

"Thankfully nothing of that sort Miktes." Daleer said relived that the awkward part of the ritual was now over. Raising from his seat the older man walked around his son and pulled out a rather larger basket of leaves, flowers, and roots from a compartment in the wall. "Now for the next part of the ritual. I am about to leave you alone in here so that you can have your vision. When I do take all of this and dump it into the hearth and wait." He handed the wicker item to the younger man. "Your vision should start shortly after that. Just be sure to be careful when you do it though. We once had a young man who ended up burning off all the hair on his head."

Miktes sniffed at the plants speciously. He had never seen any of them before. "And that's it?" He asked.

"That's it." Daleer repeated. Giving his son a nod the Verdomian elder left the room, but only after he turned back around and gave his firstborn son one last look. He knew that the next time he saw him the young boy who he had known all his life would be a changed man. "Good luck little one." He said fondly as he slipped from the room.

Now alone in the dimly lit room Miktes frowned at the basket of dried plants in his hands. "This entire thing is stupid" He mumbled to himself. Knowing that he had no other choice but to begin the grumpy Verdomian shuffled on his knees over to the hearth and turned the basket upside down, its contents falling onto the embers in a heavy clump. For a few seconds Miktes stared down at the pile of leaves and twigs waiting for whatever was supposed to happen to begin. Then growing impatient when nothing did he leaned forward to examine the embers. But just as he moved there was a cracking sound which was followed by a small explosion of intense flames that were a mixture of various colors. Reds, blues, green, yellows, every color in creation was represented in the dancing fire, the light reflecting off the walls in a psychedelic display of light and heat. Then without warning the fire died down and turned into a low and average looking orange and yellow flame.

"Well that was a whole lot of nuffing." Miktes stated, his eyes burning a little and his large nose starting to itch. "I wonder if I was 'spose to see something in the fire or something? Maybe... I... ahhh..." The room around the confused Verdomian male began to spin and distort. The movements making Miktes feel sick and giddy at the same time. Falling backwards onto his bottom Miktes began to chuckle as he glanced around the room. Strangely the various etchings and decorations inside of the chamber had somehow grown mouths and were beginning to twist and grow, smiling down at him from above. His laughter eventually developed into all out giggling as those same items morphed into faces and started to hum a song that he had learned when he was a child. It was all really pleasant he deduced as he laid down on his back. It was just a shame that just as the unusual chorus got to his favorite part of the song that his eyelids started to grow heavy. "Heh-heh, guess I'm gonna take a little nap, yup-a-roonie." Miktes chortled as his vision dimmed to black and the whole world melted away.

***************

The chirping of night birds was the first thing that Miktes awoke to as his senses returned to him with a sudden snap. The second thing he took notice of was the chilly air which caressed his body. Opening his eyes he came to the stark realization that he was outside. "What the..." Clumsily he shifted into a seated position. "How'd I get dressed again?" He asked, looking down sluggishly at his clothing. "Where am I?"

Glancing around Miktes realized that somehow he had gotten himself on top of one of the numerous plateaus that littered the rockier parts of the jungle. How he was able to climb up to the top of one of these massive land structures was beyond him. 'Must've done it in my sleep, heh-heh.' He thought to himself smugly. 'Naw that can't be it. I'm good but not that good.'

Crawling on all fours Miktes made his way towards the edge of the vast outstretch of land and peered down over the steep incline, mind spinning when he realized exactly how high up he was. He couldn't even see the bottom which unnerved him greatly. "'Spose I should try climbing down." He reasoned. "Though I don't know how I'm gonna do it." Miktes was just about to go over to the edge try just that when a flash of light above caused him to forget about climbing and to stare up into the night sky wondering what had just happened. It took him a few moments to figure out what had made the flash but eventually he caught sight of the culprit, having to squint to get a better look at it.

Darting across the starry Verdomo sky was a shooting star, its path erratic and... almost wild as it made its way. The strangest part about it however wasn't the way it moved but the strange color of its light. The comet was almost yellow but not quite. More like a combination of yellow, red, orange, and brown. 'What's that color called again?' He asked himself. After a bit of thought he remembered something his mother had said once about a dress she had bought. It was the same shade as the shooting star. "Yeah that's it! She called it amber, right?" Miktes said out loud.

The young warrior would soon come to regret speaking aloud just then. Because as soon as the words left his tusked mouth the falling star seemed to hear him. The bright object making a sharp turn and plummeting straight down into the jungle below with a mighty explosion. The entire jungle shaking and pulsing like ripples on a pond from intense shockwaves of the impact, debris and flames shooting up from the carnage and into the air only to return to the ground and set the surrounding trees and plants on fire.

Seeing the whole world in front of him burst into hellish flames Miktes staggered backwards his eyes not truly believing what they had just seen. He needed to get away, away from the destruction and death before him. Spinning around he jumped to his feet planning to make a run for it, however as he turned he became dreadfully aware that he was no longer alone atop the mass of rock and earth. Standing a short distance away were three strange figures their features hidden in inky shadows. They were very similar to Verdomians in basic shape but they were the wrong sizes. The one on the far left was a woman he supposed; at least that's what he got from the fact that she had a chest. On the right there was a man, body thin and gangly with eyes that were large and circular in shape, the light of the burning forest reflecting off of them like the sun off of glass. And the last one, much to Miktes' horror was a beast of a creature. It's massive body looking like a shaggy mass of hair and muscle.

Not one to let even an unknown enemy mess with him, Miktes raised both his fists and nudged forward in an aggressive manner ready for a fight. "W-Who are you?" He demanded of the trio. "If ya came all the way up here to fight me then you should know that I don't go down easy."

The three figures cocked their heads at the threat as one and then started to walk towards Miktes, each of them growing in size as they grew closer and closer. Miktes slowly followed their unnatural growth spurt, eyes traveling upward with every foot they rose. It was only when they were about a few feet away from him that he realized that he couldn't fight giants and took a step backwards, falling right over the edge of the plateau's cliff. "AHHHHHHHH!" Miktes screamed as he began to plummet, wind whipping up around him as he spun around midair and watched as the earth beneath him rushed up to meet him at an alarming pace. However instead of becoming a bloody smear on the jungle floor as he believed. Miktes found himself smashing straight through the rocky floor of the jungle like glass and flying out under it into a black starry void.

"What the hell is going on!?" Miktes shouted in a panicked rage as he suddenly became weightless. Wildly the confused warrior waved both his arms and legs trying his best to right himself, but the only thing he succeeded in was making himself spin around in circles. "By the strangers I think I'm going to be sick." He bemoaned with watery belch.

His upset tummy was soon the last thing on Miktes' mind when from out of nowhere a pair of arms wrapped around him and he felt a warm body press up against his back. At first he struggled in his new attacker's grasp, fear griping him. Soon though Miktes grew unusually calm when whoever it was behind him stated to nuzzle his face against the back of his neck and rub the Verdomians churning stomach. Surprised by his own reaction Miktes tried his best to turn around and see who was touching him but when he did he found himself spinning around again, his unknown passenger clinging to his back tighter. "W-who are you?" Miktes finally asked in growing frustration. The person behind him only gave him a tight hug and snuggled closer. "Your 'spose to be my perfect mate aren't you?" He accused finally understanding what was going on. There was a nodding motion against his skin as the person holding him answered. "Well then show me who the fuck you are won't you!"

"Miktes..." His mate said breathily, the voice so distorted that Miktes couldn't whether if it was a male or female speaking to him. "Miktes.... Miktes... Miktess... Miktesssss.... Mik-tesssssss... "

Hearing his name over and over again, the last syllable getting longer with every second Miktes finally had enough and began thrashing about. "Stop making fun of me!" He roared in anger. Whoever this submissive behind him was he wasn't going to let him or her mock him in such a way. "I'm going to give you a black eye if you don't... huh?" Half way through his empty threat the aggravated warrior saw another strange sight. This one topping the others he had seen since he had awoken. Racing towards them at high speed was a long serpentine-like creature, undulating in the weightless void as it came closer to them.

At first blind wonder caused the Verdomian to stare at the creature dumfounded as it closed in. His dazed expression was soon gone however when a sense of intense fear struck through Miktes' body. But this fear wasn't for himself. It was solely directed at the thought of his mate behind him getting hurt by the monster. "Let me go will you we have to get outta here!" Miktes commanded over his shoulder. Whoever it was holding the frightened man from behind only seemed to tighten their grip almost crushing the Verdomian with their strength. "Come on!" Miktes shouted at the top of his lungs "Whatever that thing is over there it's going to get us."

"Miktes..."

"Not that shit again." Miktes growled. Once again he tried his best to get his mate off of him, but once again it proved to be futile. "I said release me!"

"Miktes... ... Miktes... ... MIKTES! MIKTES!! MIKTES!!! MIKTES!!!!"

Miktes felt his head slitting open as his supposed perfect mate began a mantra of his name. Their voice growing louder and louder as he or she went on, to an almost deafening degree. Screwing his eyes shut he felt a sob escape him. They were going to be eaten by the creature heading towards them. Opening them again he was just in time to see the scaled beast open its fanged jaws wide and bring them down on them both, unbelievable pain shooting through Miktes' thickset body.

"MIKTES!!!!!!!"

***************

"Miktes!" Shouted a panicked Daleer as he burst through the doors of the vision chamber room. Coming to a skid he frantically searched around for his screaming son. Seeing him writing on the floor eyes still closed and limbs flailing he rushed over to the unconscious man, got down onto his knees, and began shaking Miktes in blind fear. In all his years of overseeing rituals of destinies he had never heard a youngling scream like the way his son was. The fear he heard coming from his offspring made the old Verdomian's heart wrench. "Miktes! Miktes my son, please calm down!" He shouted above the screams. "Open your eyes! See that you are safe and back in the temple."

Hearing his father's voice Miktes' eyes snapped open, the waking warrior letting out a shuddering groan as the world around him came back into stark focus. Vision falling onto his father's old grizzled face as the older man leaned over him, his features illuminated by the low light of the chamber they were in.

Peering down worriedly at his now awake son Daleer was surprised to see the warrior's eyes beginning to water. Whatever happened it must have been really bad to get him to that point. "Miktes are you-- OOMPH!" The Verdomian father's question was interrupted when Miktes acting completely out of character lunged forward and grabbed of the older man, hugging him fiercely as he shook. Wrapping his arms around the older man with a shuddering breath. "Be calm, be calm." Daleer cooed once the shock had worn off. Miktes hadn't done something like this since he was a small child. "Papa has you little one... you are safe now. There is no reason to be afraid"

At the word "Afraid" Miktes suddenly remembered where he was and why he was there. The information returning to him like a hammer to the head. With a savage growl he pushed his father away and gave him a venomous look. "I ain't afraid of nuffing!" He snapped.

Sitting across from the angry man, Daleer gave his firstborn a dumbfounded look. His mood had changed so suddenly. "Miktes?"

"It's all your fault!" The other man snapped. "Because of you I just went through pure hell! Why didn't you tell me them visions were going to be painful?"

"You experienced pain?" Daleer asked now truly intrigued. No one had ever reported actually feeling any pain. Then again no one else had come out of the visions screaming bloody murder like his son had. Being the concerned parent he was Daleer quickly examined his son. Poking and prodding with little care to the growing look of irritation crossing Miktes' face. "Y-You seem fine Miktes." Daleer finally announced with a breath of relief. Getting to his feet the chief held out his hand to help his son up. "But I am still concerned about the way you woke. I am sorry if any of this has caused you any pain."

"You better be." Miktes pouted. Ignoring his father's proverbial olive branch the warrior quickly lifted himself off of the ground. Glancing down at his hands and taking issue with the way they were shaking the still slightly confused man said. "I can't believe how much it hurt when that monster bit down on-"

"-Stop!" Daleer cut in loudly.

Miktes was taken aback by his father's loud command. He didn't appreciate being yelled at after what he had just gone through. "What?"

"Sorry..." The older Verdomian quickly apologized. "But I am not allowed to hear what you saw until we are before the elders." Daleer hesitantly placed his hand on his son's arm. When it wasn't rebuked he took it as a good sign and took the both of them out of the small room and back into the main hall. "Come along let's hurry and get the next part of the ritual over with shall we?" He waited for a distracted Miktes to nod to his question. "Very well, the sooner we do that the sooner you will be in the arms of your perfect mate. Maybe they will be able to sooth away the memories of what you saw in there. Show you that going through that was worth the fear."

"I said I wasn't afraid." Miktes repeated again with a sulky huff. Daleer only shook his head at his son's words and continued to lead them, the father and son heading towards the elder's chambers. Both their minds occupied with what had just happened and wondering what it all meant.