Chapter 12 - Uncle of the year

Diargo and Valor were both silent, a sponsorship was an honor. In terms of a racing career, it was a milestone.

"What have we done to prove that we deserve a sponsorship."

Valor turned to his friend; his amber eyes stared knowingly back at him. "Nothing"

"Before you say anything you'll regret, let me say this." Cameron pressed his fingertips together and looked Valor calmly in the eye. "The OGD has a vision for Domhain, a plan that relies on the strength of powerful Riders. Unfortunately, we lose the proper candidates to the other organizations every year. They are blinded by the same old laws that the OGD wishes to eliminate."

   Cameron's voice had started to rise, "I do not wish to lose you too."

"Old laws?" Diargo sounded cautious, though Valor could feel his curiosity, "What's wrong with the old laws."

"Sounds like the OGD is losing whatever political war their fighting"

"I have no desire to fight a war I care nothing for." Diargo's eyes narrowed. "I just want to race."

Valor stood up in his chair and slowly shook his head, "We don't want to be a part of any political war uncle cam. We came here to race." Valor shrugged his shoulders, "I'm sorry- "

   "Chairman?"

Valor's apology was cut off as a familiar voice could be heard from behind him. His uncle's face lit up in another half fake smile.

"Oh no."

Cameron rose out of his seat, a smirk on his face. "Valor, I would like you to meet one of OGD's finest, Ameera Coplin"

Valor slowly turned his head; there was a feel weird feeling in stomach, a mixture of dread and excitement. Ameera was standing in the doorway, wearing the same form fitted cargo pants and tied off shirt she had when he had first met her. Her hair was tied back in a messy bun, showing off her neck and the long scar that traced down it. The strangest part about her appearance, was the bright smile she flashed him.

"Hey Valor, glad to see you alive."

He stood dumbfounded; he hardly felt his uncle push past him to shake hands with her. He could feel Diargo's consciousness pressing into his and he tried his hardest to ignore it.

"Hey Ameera," Valor cleared his throat, suddenly aware of his arms dangling awkwardly at his side. "You're sponsored by the OGD?"

She smiled brighter and rolled her shoulders back, "uh huh, me and my brother."

"That smile is freaking me out, " Diargo said.

Valor watched as Ameera shook hands with his uncle, "What's wrong with it… I kinda like it."

Diargo rolled his eyes, "That's the pheromones talking… Remember how frustrated she was when she didn't kill you," The ape narrowed his eyes, "Now she's smiling like she wants to mate." Valor certainly did remember. Not killing him couldn't have been that bad. Why was she so disappointed that she had missed?

"So, you're going to get sponsored too? That's pretty amazing, especially off your first race." Ameera's voice was cheerful.

Valor felt his cheeks burn and he smiled despite himself. Her voice was so nice, the way it echoed off the cave walls. He shifted his weight and scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Yeah thanks, Diargo and I are really excited."

"I'm sorry, what?"

Ameera's bright smile never wavered, though her eyes flashed briefly at the mention of Diargo.

"I can see that… and why is he here?" She asked sweetly, her eyes flicking over to the ape.

"Why wouldn't I be here freak" Diargo slammed his knuckles into the stone floor, making her jump. As Valor opened his mouth to answer, his uncle stepped in.

"The Beast made his own way in, I had no other option but to oblige." Cameron's voice was smooth as silk.

Ameera's features darkened for a moment, "Well I left scooper in the Racing quarter's… where he belongs." Her words were quick, almost too quiet for Valor to hear properly.

"Where he belongs, what in the unholy sun does that mean."

Valor didn't reply, he wished with all his might that the pretty girl in front of him, didn't mean for those words to sound the way they did.

"My brother is the only racer that's been offered a sponsorship off his qualifier. It's very impressive."

Before Valor could say anything, Cameron jumped in. "Well, your brother does possess," He hesitated slightly, "a unique strength in galden."

The ape tilted his head slightly. "The giant?"

He really hoped not.

"Speaking off which," Cameron's voice had changed slightly, his pitch lower. "The tasks I had given you two."

Ameera's eyes flashed questioningly at the chairman, her gaze locked securely on his. "Well, the first task failed- "

Cameron cut in, "clearly," his tone was cold as ice, freezing Ameera's smile.

"What about the Machari and his wolf?"

Ameera hesitated, she glanced briefly at Valor. "The Machari runner didn't finish the race, his mount is being dealt with now." Ameera swallowed, "He managed to leave Siliaph."

Valor suddenly felt very out of place. Ameera's discomfort was unsettling enough, not to mention the atmosphere of the room had changed. His uncle had transformed, gone was the politician smile and good manners. His words were like shards of ice, dripping with contempt.

"We have two options Val, I kill both of them or we leave now, I don't like this," Diargo said.

Valor couldn't help but to agree, he managed to build up the courage to jump in, "What do you mean, his mount is being dealt with?"

Ameera flashed another smile, it was weak and forced. "Oh, he's just getting cleaned," Her voice sounded rushed, "when Riders die, the Racers have to go through this whole process- " "The Machari runner's mount is being executed." Cameron's voice cut across the room, silencing Ameera and stunning Valor and Diargo.

"Executed?" Valor felt hollow inside, his mouth felt dry. "Like you…"

"They're going to kill him, the Wolf." Diargo started to rumble, he slammed his knuckles into the ground and bared his massive fangs.

Ameera flinched at the Ape's display, but Cameron didn't move an inch, his face remained impassive.

"Why are you telling me this, I don't- "

"Yeah," Ameera placed her hands on her hips. "Why are you telling him?"

The Chairman considered both, he combed back his hair once more and set his gaze on Valor, his face was like stone.

"The human race has basked in the shadow of the beasts for too long. The harmony that you think exists between us is a lie, outside of the race, humans are slaughtered, eaten, enslaved. It's time for that to change."

Valor took a step back; he was trying to comprehend what his uncle was saying. He glanced at Ameera who was staring at the chairman with admiration in her eyes.

"What are you talking about," he said.

Cameron's eyes shone, "The OGD has been fighting this battle since the birth of the Race. Constantly pushing back on those who want to take control. If it wasn't for us, this world would be overrun, and humanity would go back to being nothing. His voice dropped to a murmur. "Domhain doesn't understand… not yet."

Ameera started to walk towards the chairman, compassion on her features. "you know I understand sir."

Valor watched in horror, he could feel Diargo anger rumbling in the distance, like a storm brewing miles away.

"I know my dear, and I thank you it." Cameron thinned his lips and dipped his head towards her.

"Ho-how is the OGD going to change the natural order of things," Valor asked, afraid for the answer.

"We eradicate them, burn their habitats to the ground, smoke them out. They are nothing but a disease Valor, the Machari wolves…" His eyes wandered over to Diargo.

Valor's heart dropped. Diargo's voice was clear in his head "Don't."

Cameron sneered, "The Trykoori," He spit on the ground beside his desk.

A split second later, the beautifully carved desk was in splinters. The wood was pulverized, broken in two. Shards of wood exploded outwards. Valor lifted a hand to cover his eyes, his hands stinging from the tiny splinters that embedded into his skin. Diargo's entire body was trembling, his fist was in between the two halves of the desk. Great clouds of steam being blown from his nostrils.

"Do you see Valor! These creatures are unpredictable," Cameron was screaming now, "it needs to be dealt with!" His neatly combed hair wild from and covered in splinters.

"No human can compete with this kind of raw strength, and no human can control it, do you see!"

Beside him, Ameera groaned, her face was bleeding in multiple spots, and blood had started to pool at the back of her head. Diargo hadn't moved further, every ounce of his body was shaking, his instincts screaming at him to kill the fat man screaming at Valor. He knew he couldn't, he knew the consequences for killing the Chairman.

Cameron continued, his voice becoming increasingly unstable. "Your father couldn't see it! He refused to see it." Cameron was breathing heavily, his chest heaving. "The OGD approached me, they knew my history. If I could get the great Keenan Knight on their side, then the chairman spot would be mine."

Valor's vision was going hazy, Diargo's uncontrollable rage was overflowing and pouring into him.

"Don't say it uncle cam"

Cameron's upper lip curled, he looked at Valor in disgust. "'Family sticks together' I told him. That bastard looked me dead in the eye, his own flesh and blood brother, he told me that those stupid beasts were his family. HAH!"

Valor started to choke up, "Stop… please."

"I had no choice Valor, your father was a fool, he sided against the human race." Cameron took a deep breath, an attempt to calm himself. "The OGD gave me another option… Keenan Knight could not remain alive; his reputation alone would have been a disastrous enemy."

Valor was crying now, thick tears streaming down his face. Every ounce of his willpower was being spent in holding Diargo back, stopping his friend from snapping his uncle's neck. Valor felt nothing but anger and sadness, he wanted to scream, attack his uncle, run away. But he was rooted in his place, frozen by the horror of his uncle's words. He clenched his fist hard; he could feel his fingernails digging into the soft flesh of his palm.

"He turned his back on family son, but I know you're different." Cameron extended a hand to Valor, a symbol of peace. "Family sticks together."

Valor's fist relaxed; he could feel the blood pooling in his hand. He wouldn't hold him back anymore, Diargo's efforts were too great. The gorilla cleared the distance between him and the chairman in a fraction of a second. He struck the Cameron across his chest, hard enough to launch him into the wall behind him. The force of the impact was enough to tear the fine fabric of the tapestry that hung there. As Cameron slumped to the ground, Diargo picked him up again, pinning him to the now bare wall by the throat. Diargo opened his mouth, a bone chilling roar emanating from his maw. Spittle and globs of saliva flew the ape's mouth and covered Cameron's face.

"I have all the family I need."