Two Lovers Torn Apart

Chapter 1

Stars lit up the night sky as two Echidna’s sat by the grassy plain, One had a golden necklace and a Tiara headband on top of her forehead with a jewel in the middle, four of her dreadlocks and left arm was wrapped with a white bandage she had a peach muzzle, orange fur a small black nose, cobalt-blue eyes, dreadlock-like spines around the sides and back of her head and a medium-sized, tri-crooked tail. She was wearing a tank top-like garment which revealed her midriff and the traditional tribal skirt with beige, green, and red triangular patterns. She was also wearing a golden armlet on her right arm, her white gloves were adorned with thick, cobalt-blue bracelets around her wrists, and she was wearing white-strapped sandals. Her name was Tikal.

Tikal felt secure as she laid her head on the shoulder of another Echidna who had short dreadlocks, wearing a tribal vest that his sister made for him, his fur was red, but his muzzle was peach colored, he wore white gloves and sandals. On his cheek was a scar in the shape of an X. His name was Hunter.

As a shooting star appeared, sailing across the galaxy, Tikal looked at Hunter. “I wish we could have a moment like this again.” She said to the Echidna.

“Who says we shouldn’t?” Hunter asked, he really enjoyed nights like this, it was calm, it was peaceful, there was no fighting or arguing, it was just them two looking up at the night sky and gazing at the stars above them.

“My father, you know how he gets.” Tikal replied.

How could Hunter forget, he had to admit that Pachacamac wasn’t really too fond of him as he didn’t really consider Hunter fit for his daughter, while Hunter was good at fighting, he believed that his parents weren’t the best parents in the world as the tribe would allow their kids to be trained to fight.

But thanks to Hunter’s family interfering he isn’t much of a fighter as he used to be, but Hunter knew that it wasn’t just his family, Tikal was there to show him the light, it took some doing, but she was finally able to mold the warrior into a peace loving Echidna. It didn’t stop there, their love started to bloom from then on.

While Tikal saw the kindness in Hunter, he saw how beautiful and caring that Tikal would be. 

Hunter nodded. “Yeah, that is true.” He said to Tikal. He got up on his feet. “While he is a fighter, he can chew you up and spit you out if he sees fit.” He extended his hand to help Tikal up.

Tikal chuckled as she took Hunter’s hand. She knew it to be true as Hunter has sometimes accidentally let themselves stay out past midnight before heading back to the village, Hunter thought he never would’ve gotten home without an earful.

As they stared into each other’s eyes, Hunter let out a smile. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.” He said to her.

They entered the village just in time as it was almost their curfew, they made it to her hut where she and her father resided. “I guess this is a good night.” Tikal spoke as she started heading inside the hut.

Hunter grabbed Tikal’s hand and pulled her close to him. Tikal’s cheeks blushed a bright red, as she’s never seen him like this before, but she didn’t really want to completely change the Echidna that was holding her close to him.

As Hunter started to lean in, Tikal closed her eyes, hoping that their lips would meet. But before their lips could connect, they heard a voice calling out to them. “You finally arrived on time.”

Both Hunter and Tikal knew who it was, as they distanced themselves a bit. They saw her father, Pachacamac. “I have to say that I’m quite pleased.” He said to Hunter as Tikal started to head back inside the house. “You did good for once!” Then went back inside without saying goodnight.

Am I… Am I going to be like that… When I’m older…? He thought as he headed back to his hut, he didn’t quite understand it, but unlike him and his sister, his parents were banished from the village. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it as he watched his sister fast asleep on her bed.

Hunter knew it was getting late when he heard the sounds of crickets playing their music, reminding him of when he was his sister’s age, recalling that their mother and father would take him out into the woods to find some crickets.

The Echidna knew there was a reason for the cricket hunting, it was to keep his once violent nature at bay plus the sounds were soothing. He could recall when he was young, he was getting into fights with the other Echidna kids, his mother and father weren't too pleased with him.

While Hunter was being tamed, his parents couldn’t tame the beast that was inside of him, the one he had nicknamed a long time ago, but forgot the name when he got older. Hunter saw that the blanket wasn’t covering his sister fully as he walked over to the cot that she was laying on and covered up her shoulder.

His sister had come down sick since their parents were gone and he was supposed to be the one to take care of her. “Good night, Sis.” Hunter spoke. “Please get better soon.”

Hunter: I can tell time by the moon
I can tell time by the sun
No matter how I mark
The hour's light and dark
I tell you your time's just begun
 
It is morning in your life
Day is breaking -- oh, so bright!
You've barely made a start
Just one beat of my heart
Don't sleep away the morning light
 
Please wake up
Please wake up
Leave dark dreams behind
Please wake up
It's your morning golden day to find.
 
Once I had a morning, too
I was young once just like you
It's evening in my life
All I have is the night,
But it'd still be morning for you,
For you.

The next morning, Hunter was whittling some wood with the knife, making some carvings of buildings that he saw in the village and objects that were laying around the village. He would then put them in with the rest of the objects and dust his dirty hands off. If one were to say that he should make a job out of it, he would just say that it’s a hobby that he enjoys doing.

He carried the box filled with the carvings that he made with the wood toward the shop where he meets another Echidna who was working at the shop. He was hoping that he could sell the carvings for his sister’s medication as he walked into the shop.

“Hiiii.” The Shopkeeper spoke.
“Hi Kai.” Hunter said as he placed the box on Kai’s stand. “How’s the business?”
“Oh, you know.” Kai said as he looked through the box. “Same old, same old.”

Kai looked at the carvings, he was impressed with the craftsmanship as he’s never met anyone on Mobius who could carve wood into objects. “These are really good, Hunter.” He said as he placed them on the stand. “I can give you 80 Mobiums for them.”

“I do need the money for my sister’s treatment.” Hunter spoke as he thought about the money that he needs to acquire. 

Kai finished setting the wood carvings on the stand. “Lily-Ann still not feeling well?” He asked.

Hunter shook his head. “No, she seems to be getting worse.” He replied to Kai. “I think it’s because we’re not with our parents anymore.”

“She has been suffering since that happened.” Kai agreed.

Hunter nodded. “Indeed.”

Kai thought for a moment, knowing this is for Lily-Ann, he took out 125 Mobiums and handed it to Hunter. “Don’t tell anyone I’m doing this for you.” He said to the Echidna.

“Kai… I couldn’t… You earned that money.” Hunter spoke.

“Yes, you can!” Kai said as he took Hunter’s hand and placed the money in his glove. “For Mobius’ Sake, it’s for your sister, so just take it and don’t you dare leave that extra mobium here.” Hunter could tell the emotion that Kai was in right now. It felt sad and anger combined into one.

“Thanks, Kai.” Hunter said to Kai as he placed the money in his vest pocket. “I’ll be sure to pay you back.”

“Don’t.” Kai said to Hunter.

“So, I guess, I’ll be seeing you around, then.” Hunter said to Kai as he left the stand.
“How about not…” Kai whispered as he watched Hunter leave. I’m so sorry, Lily-Ann, I should’ve done something.