Adroit Comics, Crimson Hawk, Hawk's Log, Max Norton

As we sat in front of the burning campfire, I gazed into the dancing flames. The chirping crickets and howling monkeys echoed through the air. For a long whole it stood still, cloyingly warm against my skin. But as Pops continued to share their story, it began to pick up more and more. It was as though the very wind was feeling his pain.

“Things were moving in a wonderful way. Likka and I had recently been married and she was now expecting our first child. As the new leader of the clan, I did my best to make sure everyone was taken care of, and that all of our warriors were training. It was also my responsibility to hold all families of the clan to the highest standard of morals and actions.”

At this point, I could only nod to let him know I was listening intently. I’d never seen this side of the man who had begrudgingly took me in. He was always so stern, serious, and resolved. He continued to speak.

“I knew that we could only continue our legacy if we followed the path ordained by Divinity from the dawn of our creation. But it was not long before the seeds of Chaos began to sprout within our clan.

One day, some years later, there came a challenge. My brother Mako’a had decided that it was unfair for me to be declared the leader over him. Being the eldest, tradition dictated that he should be the leader. That had indeed been the principal tradition. However what he didn’t want to acknowledge, was the fact that the leader must be pure of heart and unblemished in spirit. If it was found by the tribe council that the eldest’s heart held even hint of darkness, he would be disqualified.

My father had already confided in me that Mako’a would be enraged over not being appointed leader, and I knew it would be so. At a very young age, he saw a flame of greed in the eyes of Mako’a. From that moment he knew that it was I who should lead and not my older brother.

He’d warned me about what might happen. I thought I was prepared. But I was gravely mistaken. Our family was growing, our tribe was prospering. Life was good. Perhaps I had been so full of love and joy, that I did not pay enough attention to my brother’s plots and schemes.

On that fateful day he came alone, demanding that I relinquish my position to him. Of course I refused. A terrible argument ensued and it ended badly.

The argument turned into a physical confrontation. I was victorious in battle, but I could not bring myself to kill him. The way he came against me, I should have ended it then. I saw the Darkness in his eyes, but he was my brother. I just couldn’t do it. And that was the biggest mistake of my life.”

To be continued . . .