Here we go, chapter 6! Thanks for all the feedback everyone! :) Let me know what you think at purplejubilee17@gmail.com
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After Earth Went Dark: Chapter 6
"What? Why?" Kara demanded. "How does that help us get to Uncle Mark's?"
Elliot thought that she had a point. Their entire goal had been to just get to their uncle's farm upstate. This seemed uncharacteristic of both their mother and of Tyr.
"Maybe I could explain a little?" The man called Rob asked, then continued after receiving a nod from their mother. "In the world we have today, everyone is so caught up with survival, and rightly so." From the get-go, Elliot noticed the cadence and tone of Rob's voice. Young as he was, he was able to recognize a salesman when he heard one. Nonetheless, the man had an amiable air about him that made it hard not to pay attention.
"It's a tough time to be alive, make no mistake." Rob said, as if agreeing with himself. "But, the Tournament is a way for people with certain skills, like your big friend here..." He patted Tyr on the shoulder. "to take the question of survival completely out of the picture. Even winning the smaller, less dangerous events come with substantial rewards that can give you quite the boost in todays harsh world."
With a hand gesture to Rob, their mother stepped in. "Your uncle and I have never been... on the best of terms."
Elliot knew this was true. In his entire life, she had only ever spoken of him in the context of his `eccentricities' in preparing for the end of the world. He had never actually met the man.
"If we show up with nothing, begging for his help... He will help us, but we'll always owe him something. Your Uncle Mark isn't the type to forget a debt, not even from family." She paused then amended, "Especially not from family."
Rob picked up where she left off. "But, if you roll in with your pockets full of silver, ammo, and maybe even a working car..."
Kara voiced what Elliot was thinking. "But if Tyr was in the Tournament, that'd all belong to him. Not us."
"I don't need it." Tyr said quickly.
"Then why do it?" Elliot asked. He knew Tyr cared about him, and he knew that he had come to care about his family; but going out of his way to face danger in the pursuit of profit did not seem like Tyr's style.
All eyes turned to Tyr. He looked like he was going respond but then stopped himself. It was several moments before he finally spoke. "I'm... looking for someone." He said quietly. "The Tournament seems like a good place to start."
"Who?" Elliot asked before he could stop himself. Tyr was a mystery, but Elliot thought that maybe the closeness they had experienced might give him a peak behind the curtain.
Immediately though, Tyr dispelled that hope by shaking his head. "It's not important. We've discussed it and we think this is the best way forward." He looked to Elliot and Kara's mother who backed him up with a nod.
"So..." Elliot cast a confused look at Rob. "Is he going to fight with you or something?"
Rob laughed. "No, no. I'm not much of a fighter. I'm a sponsor. I'll find a fighter to support and pay their way into the tournament."
"And?" Kara asked, knowing there was more to it. "You don't do that for free probably, right?"
"A couple of smart children you've got here." Rob said to their mother with a chuckle. "Not exactly for free, no. I'll end up taking fifteen percent of anything Tyr wins."
"But..." Elliot looked up at their tall protector. "Isn't it dangerous? Couldn't you die or something?" He knew Tyr was skilled but was still concerned.
Tyr noticed the genuine distress on Elliot's face and his hand twitched toward Elliot's shoulder. He stopped himself before the motion became obvious though. Opening his mouth to respond, Rob started in before he could.
"Actually, only a few of the events are to the death. There's risk involved with all of them of course, and the Jackson brothers that run the show sometimes get a little carried away with their gladiator schtick, but all in all it's not much more dangerous than wandering the countryside these days. The Tournament wouldn't draw so many if everyone got killed off, would it?" Rob assured.
Worried, Elliot turned his attention back to Tyr but didn't say anything. He had more faith in Tyr's abilities than anyone else in the group, but nonetheless the idea of his ever-present guardian endangering himself like this was not a pleasing one.
Kara broke the stand off after a moment. "Well, alright then. If that's what you want to do. Especially if it means staying in a town and not sleeping on the ground. I could get used to that."
A grin spread on Rob's face. "Oh, it's better than that, dear. The Jackson's have a special hotel set aside for competitors that pay their way into the tournament. Entry for many of the events is free, but for the big rewards you pay into it... Or find a sponsor to do it for you. If you think Fitz's is nice, wait until you see the Jackson Hotel. You four will be spending those days enjoying the best this new world has to offer."
In spite of himself, Elliot was intrigued. The little inn inside the school had seemed to him like a paradise. To hear that there were even nicer accommodations, and that they would have access to them was definitely alluring. He scowled, determined not to let that influence him. His care for Tyr came before fancy rooms and running water.
Finally, Elliot shrugged. Looking at Tyr again he tried to emphasize his worry without making it too obvious to those around them. "I don't know, but... If you're sure about it..."
"Great!" Rob spread his hands in an all-encompassing gesture. "From what I saw of your friend's talents," he said to Elliot, "he's got a decent chance of winning the whole thing. Let alone a few brawl matches to make it worth my time."
Rob seemed nice and enthusiastic, but Elliot did not trust his motivations. It was hard to voice his concerns though without making his feelings for Tyr apparent. He decided that he would wait until he had a chance to talk privately to Tyr and maybe then be able to get him to reconsider.
It wasn't long before the clanging of the dinner bell came. It wasn't the school bell, which had run on electricity and now lay dormant, but a simple large brass bell that rang out the meal time announcement. Elliot's stomach grumbled loudly. The small meal they had saved him had done little to quell the appetite that he had worked up over the long night.
"We can talk more over dinner." Their mother motioned with her head in the direction of the cafeteria.
Dinner consisted of simple roasted chicken, boiled potatoes with butter, and greens with a vinegar-based dressing. It had been so long since Elliot had eaten seasoned food that he could scarcely believe how good it tasted. Such a simple meal seemed like the most luxurious feast he'd ever had. As they ate, Rob explained the ins and outs of the Tournament.
The Tournament lasted two weeks and was held twice a year. There were innumerable small events and competitions, ranging from feats of strength, to unarmed brawls, to fights with animals. Rob told them that there were even reenactment-style battles based on events in history, but those were more theatrical and often blunted weapons were used. They were still dangerous, but not as deadly.
Elliot was amazed that such a thing could exist. His parents had done their best to educate him growing up; teaching him to read and write and giving him some basics of history. He knew that in ancient times there had been competitions like this, but the idea that it had been revived, and that he might get to see it, was riveting.
The main event of the Tournament however, was a ladder-based competition that spanned the entire two-week period. Fighters participated in varied types of battles ranging from cooperative fights to free-for-alls to objective based clashes. According to their performance (and survival) in these specially marked events, fighters advanced their position in the ladder. This all culminated in the final event, a one on one duel between the two highest ranked competitors.
Every event had a reward for winning or for performing well, but they all paled in comparison to the reward offered for winning that final duel. Rob told them that the exact reward for the grand champion was never revealed until the day of the last event, but past rewards had included the champions weight in silver, a virtual arsenal of guns and ammo, property in Clearview, working vehicles, livestock, and other valuable bounty. Rob went on to say though, that winning events was only one way to earn money and rewards from the Tournament.
"The Jackson brothers are a dramatic sort." He told them with a knowing smile. "The whole thing is decked out in that Greco-Roman style and they love a good show. Spectators are encouraged to give tribute to `their' champion. Play to the crowd and indulge the brothers' taste for pomp and fanfare and you'll leave the events with a nice bit of coin, even if you don't win."
Tyr frowned at this but said nothing. Elliot knew that, despite his almost super-human skill, Tyr was not much for flashy displays and showing off.
"When does it start?" Kara asked, finishing her meal.
"Three days from now." Rob replied. "That gives us just enough time to get there if we leave tomorrow. I was starting to think I was out of luck for this season since I hadn't found anyone to sponsor. Now I'm glad I waited." He grinned, slapping Tyr's shoulder.
"Have any of the people you've sponsored actually won?" Elliot raised an eyebrow.
The grin faded from Rob's face. "You mean, won the entire Tournament as the grand champion? Well... No. But most of them walk away with more than they had."
"Have any of them... Died?" Elliot finally voiced the concern that had been troubling him.
Rob sighed. "I can tell you care about your friend here. I'll be honest with you, a few of the fighters I've sponsored in the past didn't walk away from it. It's rare though. In all the time I've been sponsoring, only three of my champions have died."
That didn't sound like a lot, but Elliot still did not like the sound of it. Rob could tell that Elliot wasn't buying it and continued.
"Look. The world is a cruel place these days. There's entire cities run by bandits and raiders. Thugs roam the roads freely. Surviving every day out in the wild is more difficult than surviving the Tournament. The Jackson brothers are... eccentric... but not overly bloodthirsty. Of the two to four hundred entries into the tournament, there's usually a maximum of about thirty deaths. Sounds like a lot, but that's only about one in every ten. And from the little bit that I've seen of Tyr, he seems like he's faced far worse odds."
Elliot had to admit that Rob was right. The feats he had witnessed from Tyr were by any standard, amazing. He took a deep breath and forced himself to think about it rationally. Tyr knew best in these situations, Elliot was well aware of that; and Tyr was confident enough to be on board with the idea. With reluctance, he sighed and looked at the handsome face of his guardian. As always, Tyr kept his emotions closely concealed and Elliot could read nothing from him.
"Ok, fine." He conceded.
Around the table it seemed like a collective breath had been let out and Elliot realized he had been the only one passionately arguing due to his worry for Tyr. He hoped he had not been too obvious with his feelings but was also a little disappointed that his sister and mother were not as concerned for their protector as he was. After a moment he recognized that it was only natural considering his attachment to Tyr, that he was more worried than the rest. They all thought of him as a grim, emotionless, and seemingly invincible warrior. Elliot had seen another side to him. Small as it was, this glimpse told him that there was much more to Tyr than any of them knew, and he very much hoped to some day break through the hardened shell. Sending Tyr off to compete in dangerous games for money didn't seem like the best way to accomplish that.
Even so, he knew there was no getting around it, and that he had no real reason to object. They concluded their meal after finally reaching an agreement and all returned to their rooms. Rob had recommended that they leave at first light, with the hopes of making good time to Clearview.
Elliot was not tired at all. He had only woken up a few hours before. Changing again back into the comfortable robe and sliding into his bed with a yawn had all been an act. Once he was sure that Kara and their mother were asleep, he slipped quietly out of the room and across the hall.
Once again, he could see that the light was still on in Tyr's room. When he knocked softly it was almost instantaneously that he heard the lock of the door slide open, as if Tyr had been waiting for him.
Inside, he found Tyr seated on the edge of the bed. Closing the door behind him, Elliot wordlessly moved to sit beside the large figure. The two sat in silence for a time before Elliot slowly leaned in and laid his head on Tyr's shoulder. Tyr put a comforting arm around him gently.
"Are you really gonna do this?" Elliot asked, trying to keep the worry out of his voice.
Tyr looked down at him and squeezed his shoulder. "I'll be alright."
Elliot put his arms around his protector tightly. "I just... I don't want you to..." His mind flashed back to the forest, with Tyr leading his family out of the bandit camp. His father crumpling to the ground after being clubbed mercilessly. Tears welled up. "If something went wrong I..." He shuddered noticeably and buried his face against Tyr.
Turning to face him, Tyr pulled him in protectively and lay back with him on the bed. "Elliot." He rumbled softly, causing the boy's tear-stained face to look up to him. "Nothing will happen. I'll be fine."
Elliot sniffed. "I don't understand why you have to do it though."
"It will give you and your family an advantage when you arrive at your uncle's property. And, if something has gone wrong there, it will give you a chance to start fresh." Tyr said quietly, stroking Elliot's back with one hand.
"That's not why you're doing it though." Elliot answered with a hint of frustration. "Don't lie."
He felt Tyr's powerful chest rise and fall in a sigh. The hand caressed his back softly. "You're right. There are other reasons."
"What are they?" Elliot demanded.
Sighing again, Tyr moved Elliot back further onto the bed with him into a more comfortable position. "I told you. I'm looking for someone. This Tournament will help them to find me."
"But who?" Elliot practically begged. "And why?"
Tyr rolled over onto his back, bringing Elliot on top of him and holding him tightly. "Just something I have to deal with." He replied cryptically, but then offered a trace of a smile that was the extent of the emotion Tyr usually showed. "It's touching that you're so worried."
Elliot scowled at Tyr's obvious attempt to change the subject; but feeling Tyr's warmth underneath him and looking down on the handsome face with just a hint of humor in it, he found it hard to remain upset. "I still don't like it." He said, "But I guess it's ok if you have to do it."
There was a low rumble deep in Tyr's chest that Elliot realized was a single amused chuckle. "I'm glad I've got your permission." Tyr looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.
Only then did Elliot let a smile of his own slowly cross his face. Cheekily, he leaned down and kissed Tyr quickly on the lips before pulling back.
Tyr grabbed him, gently but firmly and drew him back in for another kiss, longer this time. The tentative uncertainty Elliot had seen the night before was gone. In a sudden twist, Tyr rolled once again so that Elliot lay on his back on the bed. Only allowing part of his weight to press down on the smaller boy, Tyr supported himself on his elbows, while giving Elliot another long kiss. Elliot whined in appreciation.
Pulling back finally, leaving both of them breathing heavily, Tyr looked down at Elliot, half laying half sitting on the bed. The mood had changed, Elliot now felt the tension in the air and knew that he was the object of Tyr's desire. Slowly, Tyr opened Elliot's robe at the chest, feeling the smooth skin underneath and gently hitching his hands under Elliot's arms. With one knee, he pinned the hem of the robe against the bed, then easily lifted Elliot out of it through the top, leaving him naked on the bed.
Elliot blushed, but made no attempt to cover himself. He let Tyr stare. The feeling of being so exposed was both frightening and arousing. He studied Tyr's eyes and saw the primal hunger there, but he also saw that same flicker of uncertainty return. It was then that he realized with some surprise that this territory was as unfamiliar to Tyr as it was to him. The idea was strange, that someone as handsome and quietly confident as Tyr would be inexperienced, but the evidence of it was staring him in the face. Elliot had no idea what to say in light of this realization.
Eventually, Tyr broke the impasse. He came back to kneel over Elliot, his hand moving across the boy's smooth body. He leaned in next to Elliot's ear and whispered. "You are beautiful."
The words made Elliot shiver. Tyr's strong hands pinned him to the bed as they began to kiss again, more passionately now. Elliot felt Tyr's tongue move between his lips. It was an awkward and experimental movement, but Elliot let it happen and soon Tyr's tongue probed his mouth, wrestling Elliot's own tongue as they made out desperately.
Tyr's hands moved downward and traced the perfect globes of Elliot's ass, grasping them gently and causing the smaller boy to gasp involuntarily. Elliot wanted more and was operating entirely on instinct. Growing up in a world where survival was uncertain meant that his sexual education was severely lacking. Once again, Elliot wasn't exactly sure what he wanted Tyr to do, but he knew he wanted to be close to him. To be a part of him.
One hand slipped quickly between the two mounds that Tyr was massaging. Elliot squeaked in surprise at the new sensation. Tyr's hands began to probe his most intimate areas and Elliot immediately knew that this was what he had wanted. One hand began to stroke him softly, drawing quiet whines of pleasure. Elliot twitched underneath Tyr. He had touched himself before, but with Tyr doing it, it was much different. He gasped as the pace quickened.
Kissing him deeply while continuing to rub him, Tyr moved his other hand up to wrap around Elliot's back and pull him in. Elliot began to thrust into Tyr's hand, becoming further aroused by the second.
The feeling began to rise within him. It built up like wave, gaining momentum as intense pleasure jolted through his body. It was familiar but different. He knew what it meant and tried to hold on longer. He moaned as Tyr again pushed his tongue into his mouth and returned his hand to grasp Elliot's ass tightly. The eroticism was too much. Elliot squealed loudly, and his small body convulsed. He thrust his hips into the air as sticky ropes shot out into Tyr's hand and down Elliot's leg.
Releasing the tension he had been unconsciously holding in, Elliot let out a breath and sank back down to the bed. Without a word, Tyr used part of the robe to clean off his hand and clean Elliot up, then tossed it into a corner. Elliot brushed the hair from his eyes and smiled up at Tyr, his smooth chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.
"That was... amazing..." He said timidly. The ghost of a smile touched Tyr's face as he spoke.
Tyr rolled into the bed and pulled Elliot close to him. Elliot loved the feeling of Tyr's arms wrapped tight around his naked body and he snuggled contentedly against the powerful chest. Despite having slept for so long the night before, Elliot realized that after that, he was feeling sleepy again. With a happy sigh, he surrendered to it and drifted away with Tyr's hands stroking his body gently.