RENEGADES - Horizon's Story

[MysteriouslyMaple]

RENEGADES

CHAPTER FOUR

    Despite his heart still racing, Horizon forced himself to leave his father's Throne Room. The devil shakily got to his paws and starting exiting the door, his ears pricked for any noises. The one sounds he heard were the sounds of murmuring animals towards The Arena, almost as if the visitors were cheering for something. Even though his mind screamed at him to go to his room, the devil found himself slinking towards The Arena. This isn't one of Caesar's... Trials. Horizon noted to himself. Although he really hadn't noticed it at the time, he realized now that there had been nobody else at the Trial other than Caesar, him, and his two closest members of his Court. Is it one of the Arenas? Honestly, considering what happened, Horizon wasn't sure if he wanted to attend anything that Caesar hosted.

    The cheering got louder as Horizon neared The Arena and he noted that there was light still shining through the hallway, proving that Caesar only blocked off the area during his Trials. That makes sense. After all, nobody could enter The Arena from the outside; the one way was through The Temple. Since Caesar murdered the poor canine at his last Trial, Horizon suspected that was something he did often and honestly that made his heart sink. "I know what's best for the Kingdom." Caesar's words went through Horizon's mind and the devil bit his lip slightly at the memory of that statement. Was he truly doing what was best for the Kingdom? From the way it seemed to Horizon, his father had been killing an innocent - something Horizon would have never imagined his own father would have done. Before, Caesar seemed like a kind and just leader, always keeping an eye on what happened inside of his territory and ensuring that his Kingdom was safe. But how was he doing so, if he was killing somebody who had done nothing wrong?

    Horizon wasn't a stranger to death despite his young age. A couple days after he had been weaned, his mother had been killed. The devil vaguely recalled being with his father that day and Foxgaze running up to the both of them, saying that something was wrong with Mayla, Horizon's mother. Both he and Caesar followed the slender she-cat through The Temple, eventually finding themselves in The Forest. Horizon barely had any time to react before he caught sight of his mother, her body a mangled mess. The older tasmanian devil's throat was ripped open, her blood covering the ground beneath her, and her eyes glossed over. Her mouth was gaped in a silent scream, but the worst thing of all... was the wound on her stomach. Mayla's stomach was torn open, her intestines splayed out in front of her. Horizon recoiled back, bumping into Foxgaze as he stumbled backwards. The she-cat wrapped her tail around him protectively while Caesar examined the body of his mate. Foxgaze had licked the top of Horizon's head, as if she was trying to calm the shivering devil pup at her paws. Horizon remembered that her attempt didn't work, his body trembling as he watched this scene unfold before him. He was crying terribly and that was, honestly, the last thing he remembered.

    The sound of loud cheering snapped Horizon from his thought, causing the devil to jump in surprise. The crowd was louder than they previously had been and not just because he had ventured close to the opening of The Arena, but because they were excited over something. He could practically feel the crowd's energy from where he crouched, though he couldn't see anything from the current angle where he was at.
    "Well, well, well!" Horizon's head snapped to look back at the person who greeted him, his eyes wide with alarm and shock. Foxgaze stood behind him, her muzzle twisted into a smile and her orange tail flicking behind her. "Come to see what the hubbub was about, Horizon?"
    "I-" Horizon stammered out but was quickly interrupted as Foxgaze shoved him forward with one of her paws.
    "Aw, don't be such a pussy, Horizon!" Foxgaze laughed in response, causing chills to go down Horizon's spine. The way she spoke was almost condescending and he didn't enjoy the way her voice sounded at all. "You're welcome to watch! Your father will be pleased."

    No no no! Horizon pleaded mentally, though found himself unable to just turn around and run off from the she-cat. He was indeed curious as to what was happening but he didn't want Caesar to know he was watching. Unfortunately things were clearly not going the way he wanted, and he couldn't exactly run off now if he wanted to. If he did, he knew for a fact Foxgaze would say something and that was something Horizon didn't want to deal with. Especially considering Caesar's reaction to him being uncomfortable and upset with the way he did his Trials.
    "Caesar! Look who joined us." Honestly, this was the first time Horizon ever heard Foxgaze purr and it was quite alarming to hear at first. The male blinked up at her in surprise before letting his gaze slowly travel to his father. Caesar was looking back at the two of them, his tail tip flicking. Horizon couldn't tell if he was amused or annoyed by the fact that his son had decided to come here and he didn't want to ask.
    Soon enough though, Caesar smiled and beckoning Horizon to sit next to him with one of his paws. "Come along, Horizon. This person is somebody I've been trying to find for a long time." He said before turning his attention back to the sandy floor in front of him. Once again, Horizon was nudged forward by Foxgaze and practically forced to sit next to his father.