Author: Tschubi-chan
Rating: PG-13 / going to be R later
Warnings: shonen-ai, death, violence, different timelines and a bit sap
Pairings: Ran/Cain, Ran/Ken, Youji/Ken
Disclaimer: Weiß Kreuz belongs to Koyasu Takehito and Project Weiß sigh. As much as I wish I´d own them, I don't!
English isn't my native language, so be nice to poor old Tschubi-chan!
A/N. The song was chosen to reflect the atmosphere as portrayed in the whole story, but also to imply some of the upcoming events. Future chapters will also contain parts of other song lyrics that fit their respective chapter, but also shall reflect some of Ran´s inner emotions.
**Kronos is drumming
And time is running.
Enter the Aeon
And bring back the past.
Wheel of Fortuna
Dancing with Shiva
Spin to the newborn
Who lived to the last.
The world is changing
And fall apart
End of the Kingdom
And of the heart
The Queen
Now cold and pale
The sun is setting
The night prevail.
But fear not darkness,
It's hidden light
And you will find it
Shining with bright.
The time will running
The flame will burn
When today vanish,
but all return.
The time will come to an end but bring back the start again
Queen of Time will raise again
And bring forth the future.
Wheel of Time will whirl around
And bring back the past.**
(Therion-Eternal Return)
Prologue - Promises"Shi-ne!!! Akuma!! Get away from Cain!" the Duke shouted furiously, his broad sword clashing towards the dark-clothed man hovering protectively in front of his only son.
The slender, red headed man tried to block the move with his own sword, but was stopped by a sudden flash of movement.
/Stop it!/
The frightened shout echoed through the field like thunder and was shortly followed by the disgusting sound of metal slicing through flesh and bones.
The chestnut haired boy who had been standing behind the foreign man jumped in the way in an attempt to stop the fight between the two persons he loved most in this world. He looked in shock at the sword impaled in his chest, blood dripping over cold metal, then took a step backwards. The sword slid out of his body with a heart-wrenching sound and the boy crumbled weakly to the ground.
"CAIN!!!"
The man, who had tried to protect him, ran to the fallen one's side, carefully taking him into his lap. His opponent stared at the blood-soaked sword in disbelief then let it drop to the ground in utter horror.
He looked in shock at the two lovers, all signs of previous rage having left his face. His badly injured son was cradled in the beautiful stranger's arms. His eyes were closed, dark bangs of brown hair obscuring his face, and blood seeped through the horrible wound inflicted by his own father's weapon.
"What have I done?", he uttered.
/I killed my son/
The boy moaned slightly, obviously having trouble breathing properly. His chocolate coloured eyes fluttered open slowly, taking in the sight of his worried lover, then he tilted his head to the side looking sadly at his father.
"Gomen, Otou-sama.", he said, his words barely more than a whisper.
"Beloved!"
Those quiet words made the slender boy look back at the man who was still cradling him like a child. His beautiful, pale face was full of sadness, fear and worry. The anger had left his face, too. Tears were blinking at the corners of his eyes, but refused to roll down.
The injured boy actually smiled.
"Are you alright?" he croaked coughing up blood.
"Hush, beloved. Don't talk! It will only weaken you."
The young man cradled the boy even closer to his body, not caring that the blood soaked his dark tunic as well. The boy coughed again.
"Tell me..."
His words were interrupted by a strangled gasp and more blood spurted from his lips. His father's sword had done great internal damage. He was barely being able to breathe anymore, but tried to speak nevertheless.
"Tell me... do you remember our last meeting?"
"Yes!"
The man's face grew more worried with every passing second. His young lover was clinging to life. There was no doubt that only the wish to talk to him again kept the boy alive.
The boy's lips twitched into another smile.
"I asked you something then. You still remember?"
The man nodded.
/You believe in love through the times, koi?/
"Do you still believe it?"
A sob escaped the man, but he nodded. Something inside him broke.
/ I will return for you then /
"Please, stop talking. I´ll take you through the portal. We can heal you in my world..."
"No...it...is...too late", he said, the small smile still playing at his lips.
"Don't say that..."
The boy didn't respond merely closed his eyes, long lashes softly fluttering closed.
"Beloved!!!", the man cried out.
The boy opened his eyes again.
"You´...ll...pro..mise...to...wait...for..me, ne?"
The man sobbed again.
"Don't..."
"Promise me!"
"Don't..."
"Please..."
He sighed in defeat knowing all the boy wanted to hear was his confirmation.
"I promise, beloved!"
He inched closer and kissed the smaller boy softly on the lips, unaware of the blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth. He tried to put all of his love for him in that single kiss hoping it would make the boy cling to life, but to no avail. The boy answered his desperate kiss for a second then went limp in his arms.
The stranger stopped and looked up. Waves of anguish shot through his body and mind when taking in his lover's still form.
"Beloved?"
The boy's eyes were closed, his face peaceful, the small smile still playing around his lips. He looked almost happy. Beautiful. Death hadn't able to destroy his innocence.
Tears finally streamed down the taller man's face. When he looked up, he saw both his own and his beloved's people looking at him with unshed tears, shock and sadness.
He stood up taking his lover's body up with him. With grim determination he started to turn back towards the caves, but not before casting a last glance at the figure still slumped down on the ground in utter defeat.
Knowing the death of his only son was punishment enough, he walked away shortly followed by his people who had tried to keep the Dukes servants off while he had been trying to protect his lover. Before he entered the caves heading for the portal into their realm, a single word escaped his pale lips.
"...Beloved..."
/Till we meet again. I promise./
-End prologue-