Blood Brothers (Flock'⁴⁴)

## Plot

On May 23rd, 1940, 14-years-old Hazel and Laurent engaged in a rigorous knife training session at the Hazelite Mansion in Galveston, Texas on a sunny afternoon. Both fighters were skilled in knife combat, but Hazel was known for his exceptional knife skills, whereas Laurent was known for his speed and agility. The training session was intense, with both fighters showing off their skills and techniques. In the first round of knife throwing, Hazel and Laurent both hit their targets with precision, leaving the audience in awe. The second round was equally impressive, with both fighters tying once again. However, the voters chose Hazel to be the winner as he had shown more accuracy and control in his throws. This decision made Laurent mad, and he demanded a rematch with Hazel. Hazel, being a gracious winner, agreed to the rematch, and the two fighters stepped back into the training room. This time, the stakes were higher, and the tension was palpable.

Hazel and Laurent both threw their knives with precision, hitting their targets with ease. The audience watched in anticipation as the fighters continued their throws, each one trying to outdo the other. As the rounds progressed, the score remained tied, and the voters were unable to decide on a clear winner. Despite the tie, Hazel proved himself to be a skilled knife thrower, impressing his audience with his accuracy and control. Laurent, on the other hand, showed that he was equally skilled and determined to win. Lavoie Bellecourt, Hazel's guardian, approached the fighters and praised Hazel for his exceptional skills, which had helped him win the training session. Laurent, who was still upset about losing, demanded that Hazel engage in an unarmed fighting duel with him outside the training room, Hazel and Laurent stepped into the ring, ready for a long and grueling fight. Laurent used his quick reflexes to dodge Hazel's first attack and used his kicking skills, but Hazel managed to block it. The two fighters engaged in a mixed martial arts battle, with Laurent fighting Hazel back. Laurent used many punches on Hazel, but he missed as Hazel kept his distance, almost touching the line. Hazel tried to use Capoeira on Laurent, but he failed, and he gave up and started using hand-to-hand fighting. Laurent tried to use his Savate on Hazel, but he missed.

Hazel managed to land a punch on Laurent, and he followed up with a shield to cover his face while dodging Laurent's attacks. Laurent continued to take punches and single kicks from Hazel, but he kept fighting back. Hazel then used a Takedown grappling move on Laurent, taking him down to the ground. Hazel used his Muay Boran skills to strike Laurent many times, but Laurent managed to get back on his feet and used clinch fighting to almost hit Hazel on the line. Hazel then decided to change his tactics and started running circles around Laurent, using his kicking skills. Hazel kept using his Muay Boran and fly kicking techniques on Laurent's face, wearing him down. Laurent continued to fight back, but Hazel's superior skills gave him an edge. Finally, Hazel used an Elbow strike and Joint lock, throwing Laurent out of the line and leading Hazel to victory. The fight was long and intense, but Hazel emerged as the champion, having used his fighting skills to defeat Laurent. Despite Laurent's initial advantage, Hazel emerged victorious once again. Laurent harbored hatred towards Hazel for this, and Lavoie Bellecourt, Hazel's caretaker, came to check on him after the fight. Hazel assured him that he was okay and continued his training and rematches with Laurent.

After Hazel's fight with Laurent, Lavoie Bellecourt checked on his progress. While impaling a target with a bayonet knife, Hazel was approached by his trainer, Michael Adam, who congratulated him on his performance. Michael often rewarded trainees with a golden bayonet knife for exceptional performance. Hazel appreciated the recognition, but he remained focused on his mission to fight against the Nazis and their fascist beliefs. He watched anti-Nazi propaganda films in a mini-movie theater. Lee Parker, also known as Lee, congratulated Hazel on his victory against Laurent and mentioned that two new members would be joining the Hazelite Mansion for the Eugenics Program next week.

After the movie theater, Hazel, Lee, and Michael Emmett, also known as Mick, joked about how "Aryan" men were too queer to marry Nordic women, and how Aryeh often married females who were not pale and mutated by the white sun. Hazel even made a joke about the Führer being homosexual and not having kids with his wife, Braun, and wanting to create a gay Aryan race. They all laughed.

They were then approached by four female Aryeh women, Maria Wright, Nova Rossen, Oprah Kennedy, and Caoimhe Banks, who were painting in the living room. Lee and Mick flirted with them, while Maria, Nova, Oprah, and Caoimhe found Hazel cute due to his childish looks. Maria mistakenly thought Hazel was 12 years old, but he corrected her and said he was born in 1926, making him 16 years old, Maria, Nova, Oprah, and Caoimhe kissed Hazel, which embarrassed and annoyed him. Lee and Mick laughed, and Lee even joked that Hazel finally got a kiss from a nice lady. Hazel told them to "piss off."

The day after their breakfast with Bellecourt in Hazel's room, Deerfield called, requesting a meeting with Hazel from the OG Organization. Hazel agreed to go with Bellecourt to the headquarters. During the meeting, Hazel felt worried, but Bellecourt tried to steer the conversation towards positivity. As Hazel spoke with the authorities of the OG Organization, one of them revealed that Anderton was alive and wanted to reunite with Hazel for parachute training in Dallas, Texas. Despite his surprise, Hazel agreed to Anderton's request.

After the meeting, Bellecourt asked Hazel about his concerns regarding Anderton. They conversed over tea, and Hazel brought up Bellecourt's weight problems in a positive conversation. Hazel then tidied up his room and prepared for the following day's meeting. Bellecourt left Hazel's room as he went to sleep.

As Hazel drove to the parachute training, he encountered a parachutist who revealed himself to be Claudius Anderton, Hazel's blood brother from their deadly training in 1938. Hazel was surprised to see Claudius, who had lost his leg due to an ambush.

During their meeting, Claudius offered Hazel a ride in his jeep and explained how he survived despite witnessing the deaths of his troops in 1940. Hazel was relieved that Claudius was alive and remembered him as the only general he had in North Africa.

Claudius and Hazel discussed Hazel's training, weapons, and rewards. Hazel showed Claudius his golden bayonet knife and revealed that he learned to drive at the age of nine, which surprised Claudius.

Upon their arrival at the base, Bellecourt met with Claudius Anderton, whom he frequently saw. Bellecourt had been Hazel's caretaker since he was five years old while Hazel was in France.