Note: This story is a spinoff in our “The Negative One” universe. In the timeline of that trilogy this one comes after the second volume and discovers the origins of the Trivium demon protectors. Enjoy!

Fandoms: Trivium, Slipknot, Tool.

Characters: Matt Heafy/Corey Beaulieu, Paolo Gregoletto, Maynard James Keenan, Corey Taylor/Jim Root, Jay Weinberg, original characters

Rating/category: R (explicit), supernatural AU, action/adventure, slash, M/M, alternate dimension, drama, romance, coming of age, rites of passage, hurt/comfort, angst, dark, torture, violence, demons, witches, magic, shamanism, prophecy, tribal life, mating/bonding, rough sex, some (kinda manly) fluff.

Summary: The Jukai protector’s trio is a mysterious one. There was a legend or prophecy that said that the land of Jukai always has to have four of those protectors in each generation. They would have to dedicate their life to protect the land and its inhabitants, even at the cost of risking their own lives or dying for the cause. It was to keep the balance. Everything was really about that in life.

Disclaimer: This is a product of our imagination and was written only for entertainment and fun. We don’t profit from this fanfiction and we mean no harm or disrespect against any real person, culture or custom that might appear in the story.

  Full-sized illustrationby Useless-girl

The Negative One
Trivium
By S.M.A. & Useless-girl

Chapter 1

Present day

It was a bright and sunny morning in Jukai. It was also unusual. The large dark thick ocean that kept the few pieces of land floating around and above its surface was usually hid behind heavy clouds of fog. The far away dimension's twin suns weakly shining through the gray smoggy skies.

Matt, the leader of the group called Trivium, stood at the edge of a cliff and couldn't help but smile. Without the thick fog the planet revealed its gorgeous nature. Below laid the great dark water humbling. Not far one of the islands, or as they simply called it: lands, was floating with rich rainforest-like vegetation and was escorted by a pair of flying whales, their singing echoing as a welcome to the morning suns.

It was only a few days ago that the demon trio of this world had found the three beast demons teleported from Earth to be trapped here. Still, it turned out those strangers were really more at home than any of them would have ever thought so.

Corey, Jim and Jay from Earth were not much different than the trio of the protectors. For one thing, the positions were the same. Corey a shaman, Jim a warrior and Jay a guard. Like with them: also with the name Corey for his mate, the shaman. He, Matt was a warrior and Paolo was the guard. Under the surface even their personalities kinda fitted with the "from Earth" demons. Well that could be because all of them descended from Jukai. Their guard Jay was even the very one who was taken as a child and that happening left Trivium with a curse.

And the red beast Corey seemed to fulfill a prophecy and fix the balance in this dimension with his mate, Jim. Matt just smiled and shook his head. He, himself started to feel like by then they were all living in one great legend.

Although the fact that the Earthly demons didn't know yet how to fully use their powers when they got to Jukai made things a bit complicated at first. Especially when the short red-haired Corey was being kinda messed up from this land's vibes and well... he was stubborn too for a while.

Visiting the high shaman of the lands, Maynard definitely helped in awakening their powers and starting to get used to them. But what intrigued Matt (and the other two Trivium demons) even more was awakening Jay's powers. Since the long-haired younger man was supposed to grow up with them but was taken from them before his powers could fully awaken, it made Matt curious how things would change for Jay and them. After all, the drummer's life and destiny was entwined with theirs and Jukai... More than they first let the Earthly demons know.

But to fully understand that, one should start the story from the beginning...

Some decades ago…

Before even the demons of Trivium were born, Jukai was filled with magic, but in a different way. All the parallel dimensions were connected on this planet. Like one big central station to change one’s way in traveling. The strong magic was made to use and controlled by the red shaman beast clan. Only they had the natural strength and skills to use that magic and keep open all the portals between the dimensions.

But as always, nothing good lasted forever. And greedy witches from Earth made a pact with the higher demons that claimed the right to rule that planet and took advantage of the open portals. Hundreds of demon toddlers and young children were taken to Earth to be slaves. The red beasts had enough of that. They shut down the portals and only opened it when it was needed. Their guilty conscious about all the damage led them to go over to Earth and try to free and keep safe those poor children from slavery. Sadly, all beasts became enemies in the higher Earthly demons’ eyes – especially the red ones. So they made sure that all of them were executed. Funny that it was that blind greed of slavery that saved the life of the last red shaman beast, Corey from Earth.

Although he was conditioned to be a bloodthirsty beast, a killing machine in order to survive (and entertain those who bet on these illegal "gladiator" fights), his red shaman beast powers were still in him. But sadly after he was saved by the Gray beast clan on Earth, there was no other red shaman beast left to teach him how to fully unlock those powers. But it was no coincidence that his destiny took him back to Jukai and in the path of these three special demons, the protectors of this magical land.

But as some witches (with great difficulty) still could open portals to Jukai from Earth to fill the slave markets, the roles of the protectors grew even more serious and each generation became more and more powerful.

There was a legend or prophecy that said that the land of Jukai always has to have four of those protectors in each generation. The new ones would be born when the present ones were coming to the end of their lives (let it be at the end of a long or short life). They would have to dedicate that life to protect the land and its inhabitants, even at the cost of risking their own lives or dying for the cause. It was to keep the balance. Everything was really about that in life.

On an unusually clear night when the fog was blown away by some strong yet warm wind, a baby was born at the end of a couple of hours long labour. As the newborn boy drew his first breaths, it became evident that he was a special one. A future protector. The fourth of that generation. All the signs were there under the twinkling stars and the two moons on the sky. Just like the shamans had told. These young ones had a special aura and each was born with a tattoo-like, always moving sign on their skin.

This fourth boy became Jay.

Outside of the hut where he was born, two five years old (Matt and Paolo) and a seven years old boy (Corey) were sitting by a bonfire, looking at each other with small smiles on their faces. They could feel it already. Their number was finally complete.

 ***

The new protectors of the land learned fast. Even little Jay seemed to become a good guard and drummer for the band the boys have formed. All went as it should be. Until one night.

It was unusual that such big clans were attacked. The witches probably ran out of prey to kidnap. One night in the darkness silently portals opened and many Earth demon warriors and witches sneaked through them towards the small huts.

Of course when little Jay got taken the brave protectors tried to save their band and group’s important member. Being too old for that raid to be taken, they tried to use their powers to track and take Jay back. That's when a witch elder noticed the special force and with a spell tore the invisible ties between Jay and the other little protectors. The loose power suddenly hit the three older boys, splitting into three ways and filling them equally. The power of four demons in the trio. And long after it was split among the three, that power didn’t really like to welcome any new members trying out for the band.

They thought they'd lost Jay for good and it weighted on the remaining young protector trainees on many levels. They didn't lose just another protector and their drummer, but also their close friend. Since there were only four of them in their generation, they could understand each other (and their teachers, the protectors until the kids come to age) the most. Not to mention that they were already a close-knit little unit.

But after Jay was taken, they had to stick even closer and like to many, music seemed to be one of the best remedies. The other was getting themselves back into their training even more. The training of the protectors (because of their strong powers too) always started at an early age. They were no exception and with their resolve to stop such further attacks in the future, they worked extra hard towards that goal.

The spell that separated Jay from them also became a curse. After a few years getting more into music, the boys formed the band they have started to build before the attack. And for their special case named it Trivium. The ancient trio of knowledge to perceive, understand and use ratios for their mental growth.

 ***

"Don't leave your side unprotected. Focus, Matt!" the taller and older man said after Matt got a punch to the mentioned part of his body.

Muffling a moan he grunted and got back into a defensive stance, refocusing on one of the current protectors who was training with him in hand-to-hand combat. The young ones first didn't see the importance of that since they knew they could rely on their magic most of the time, but since then they had learned that a protector has to be always ready for anything. Plus better safe than sorry, as they say.

"Yes, master," he added, ready for another attack.

They fought for a minute or two until Matt's focus shifted again and found himself lying on his back in the dust.

With a sigh his teacher, Jaxton straightened up and frowned lightly. "You might as well come out from behind that tree, Corey. You are only distracting Matt. If you already have his attention, you could teach him how to do this exercise properly."

As Corey stepped out from behind a nearby tree with a small smirk, the "defeated" teen pressed his lips into a thin line and ignored the slight coloring of his cheeks for being busted.

Being a few years older was an advantage in their tender ages for Corey. He clearly could feel all the scents and unconscious signals Matt gave off when they were together. Which was like almost all the time. Being a shaman also made it all special. The shaman power always chooses a mate that will complete it and unite into an even greater power. And his started to get interested in Matt’s forces. As he could measure it up, Matt felt a bit similar too.

All this went through the teen shaman's head as he walked closer and stood before the master.

Jaxton gave them both an all-knowing long look then shook his head, giving up. "Alright. I leave and you, Corey train Matt in one-on-one combat. I will know what you two used the time for," he added with a raised brow and left the teens to be.

Matt got up from the ground, dusting himself off more or less, pretending that he had no idea what Jaxton meant by that. Of course he'd noticed his slowly changing feelings towards Corey whom he considered his best friend. They have been practically inseparable since they could walk and were closest to each other among the four protector trainees. But maybe Matt got a bit scared or worried about those new strange feelings he always felt nowadays when he looked at the older boy.

Trying to ignore them, he told him that Corey was nothing but his best friend and tried to focus on their task at hand.

Getting into a defensive position again, he focused his being on the long-haired shaman. It wasn't a hard task to do since his reddish powers wanted to do that anyways. "Whenever you're ready, buff guy," he smirked confidently.

"Are you sure, tall guy?" Corey smirked holding up his firsts and started to circle around the younger boy. His own powers started to reach out for Matt's, making his smirk grow bigger from sensing how the reddish force welcomed his.

Suddenly striking from the left, he got a clean hit around Matt’s ribs. Making the leaner boy bend down and fall into Corey's arms, moaning from the pain. "Defend yourself, Matty," Corey whispered into the pointy ear from close.

Matt gritted his teeth together from the pain, but said nothing and tried to fight off both the throbbing on his already bruising ribs and the effect of the whisper that sent a nice shiver down his spine.

Pushing away from the bigger guy, he got back into position, letting his powers seep out some more. "Trying..." he grunted and didn't notice the double meaning of his words.

But this time Matt was the one who attacked first.

And his choice to tackle down Corey was to dash toward head first. Then swing in from the right, getting the shaman trainee so good and surprising him that Corey fell back, blinking up at Matt. "Good one," he laughed when he got up and pounced onto the leaner boy, pushing him back down onto the ground.

"Could say the same," Matt grinned up at him, trying to push the other off him, but Corey realized his intention and blocked him. Not that it meant that Matt would give up. On the contrary. They soon found themselves in a wrestling match, like they did so many times before.

In a few minutes the dusty boys ended their little match with Matt sitting on top of Corey's back, twisting a hand behind his back to keep him down. "I win," he announced with an ear to ear grin, although he wasn't entirely sure that Corey didn't let him win.

"Yeah you did. Fair and square!" Corey laughed bucking the lighter boy off his back and sat up with a smirk. "Are you excited about meeting the high shaman?" he asked what has been on his mind for the past few days.

Chuckling Matt sat up cross-legged too, getting opposite his friend. He licked his lips as he thought for a moment then nodded. "Oh yes. We'd only heard stories about him and his powers. I'm curious. You think he'll like us? And will we feel just how big his powers are? I've been thinking about these since Jaxton and Atari have announced the visit. What are you most curious about Maynard?"

"I think about what he will say about the fact that there are only three of us instead of four. And how he will feel our powers," Corey said grinning in his excitement. By then everyone have been talking about how special the trio was and how powerful their unusual power is that merged the fourth member’s in an equal share between them. "Also, I can't wait to go on patrols on our own."

"Oh yeah, absolutely. I hope he won't see a problem with us," he hummed, straightening his back with a sigh while getting lost in his thoughts for a moment. "I can't wait those patrols either. Finally just the three of us and the jungle. No more supervision," he smirked then his smile faltered a bit. "I just wish Jay could've lived through these things with us. I still miss him," he admitted, looking back into the well-known eyes.

"I know. I miss him too. And Paolo as well. We can feel Jay in our powers all the time. Even if he was too young to have his force fully awakened and strengthened. He is a part of us, Matty," Corey smiled back into the dark eyes. Only he called the warrior boy 'Matty' and was allowed to do so. It was another sign in the shaman’s eyes that what his powers were trying to tell him with pulling him towards Matt in a romantic way was right and something that should happen. Maybe Matt would want him too....

"Would you want me?" he blurted out, so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even realize the direct question coming from out of the blue.

"Yeah, I can feel him too. He's still alive, just... in another dimension. I wonder where fate took him there. I sometimes imagine different scenarios, but usually have to stop myself, because most aren't such a pretty picture..." Matt added, feeling a bit warmer inside from the nickname Corey's been using for years now. From him it didn't sound weird or bad.

"Wait... what?" Matt asked thinking that he understood the question wrong and although his expression stayed calm and more or less neutral, he couldn't fight off his cheeks and even his pointy ears turning beat red.

"Errr.... Sorry. Just was thinking… It's too early…" Corey stood up and cleared his throat. "Sorry. Maybe we should get back," he added blushing hard too and avoiding looking at Matt. He just felt stupid.

The awkwardness was suddenly thick in the air as the older and younger teen got up from the ground where they've been sitting. Matt suddenly felt like a coward for shying away from this conversation, but Corey was probably right (as usual) about it being too early. Truth be told, the inexperienced boy has only started having... strange, unknown feelings around the older one a little while ago. And those feelings were still too messed up for Matt to know what they meant.

Did Corey mean wanting him as... as more than just a friend? That's how it sounded and what the slimmer boy's instincts told him. But if not and it was all a misunderstanding then he'd probably mess their friendship up. He wanted to tell Corey that he was his best friend, but wisely chose to stay silent, feeling that it would probably come out wrong and hurt him. That was the last thing Matt wanted to do. Maybe he should sort out his feelings first.

 ***

The first day of the trip when the three boys would be escorted to the other clans and the high shaman too by their protectors had finally come. It was barely dawn when the little group got on their way. Jaxton and his mate Atari, the remaining of the four current protectors have explained to them the importance of being introduced to the other tribes and the high shaman, and the boys couldn't wait for this exciting adventure, because it meant they got one step closer to taking their masters' place.

It also meant that they can travel with the flying whales. And Corey used that fact and excitement to distract himself from Matt. And from what he did a few days before. It was really too early. He should focus more. After all, he IS a shaman. Only hours away from officially taking over Master Atari's place. He should focus more not to get distracted by Matt or accidentally force the younger boy into thinking about things that not yet meant to be there... Or at least it seemed like it was not the time yet.

Riding the back of those majestic creatures was overwhelming and fun. From their backs they could see more of Jukai, the place from that day they will have to protect with all their powers.

By the afternoon the three boys started to get tired. They’ve been visiting all the tribes and of course they’ve been celebrated as the new protectors with feasts and a warm welcome. Around late noon they stepped onto the ground of the highland where the lair of the high shaman was. That was it. The Trivium boys smiled at each other as they walked towards the short bald man.

Needless to say, Matt was just as taken with all the new experiences that they had in store for them. And now the big (and a bit scary) moment of meeting the high shaman was upon them. Focusing all of his attention on that (instead of the lingering thoughts of Corey), he stood at the front of the trio as they stopped behind their teachers.

"Greetings, Maynard. It's good to see you again and well. We brought you the three new protectors to introduce them as it is custom," Atari smiled as he and his mate stepped to the side so Maynard could take a closer look of the boys. "Meet Matt, Corey and Paolo."

"Oh yes, I've been waiting for this day to come," he said on his soft deep voice as his nearly black eyes sized the boys up.

"Come closer protectors," Maynard said with a small smile. His own powers checking out the three boys’ forces as he hummed to himself.

"Matt, you are a strong warrior with slightly red power. The way the fourth power is working in you makes you wise and reasonable. Well... You will be," Maynard winked at the teenager. "You are the leader," he added.

"Corey, a wise and calm awakened shaman. Your powers will need a pair. But that is in progress anyway. Very good."

"Paolo," Maynard turned to the shorter boy "your eyes are sharp and nothing gets by you. Your instincts developed well to scan everything and everyone. A great guardian for the other two. What we all need in the protectors is in you three. I'm pleased with the choices of the magic. Now follow me into the cave," he bowed before the trio and turned around to lead the way to meet the spirits.

The mated teachers both had a satisfied expression on their faces as they watched the boys. They were obviously humbled and honored by meeting the high shaman and were hanging on his every word.

When Maynard was talking to Corey, Matt couldn't stop himself from instinctively glimpsing at his best friend. Then drop his gaze to the ground as the tip of his ears started to burn. Was the high shaman talking about... 'them'? Was it so obvious that... something was there?

As he glimpsed up, his eyes met Corey's for a long moment then they curiously followed the man with the indigo aura into the cave, not knowing what would happen next.

Next chapter

Súgó Még nincs hozzászólás.

Új hozzászólás Frissítés