Chapter I
_Standing his Ground_
He gazed out at the crowd before him through half closed, ghost blue eyes.
I can see…
When you stay low nothing happens…
Does it feel right…?
He closed his eyes as the thick rope was wrapped loosely around his neck. He could hear the three guards around him snickering underneath their masks and he saw as the announcer had a fresh smirk coming onto his face. 'You laugh now…wait until your time comes…' he threatened in his mind before gazing out at the crowd again, hiding his eyes with his silver colored hair, 'I hope they're alright…'
Late at night…
Things I thought I'd put behind me…
Haunt my mind…
His eyes managed to single out another pair from the crowd and his blue eyes locked with bright brown ones. His eyes widened and his lips parted in shock, 'No…why did they come….?' He looked down and shook his head, 'If I didn't know any better; I'd say that they thought that they could save me and try to get me out of this…pray to Odin I don't think any better…'
I just know there's no escape now…
Once it's set its eyes on you…
But I won't run; have to stare it in the eyes…
"This man is tried for rebellion against the crown. He has been caught working with a small fleet of bandits and other imbeciles that think that they could kill our king! They've been plotting to rid us of our royal leaders! This man…" he blocked out the rest of the lies by listening with his eyes. The male speaking was a short, bald male. Whose face was red with sweat and heat screaming off to the crowd. This disgusted the bonded male. 'I wonder where they pulled this bullshit out of…I would never want to hurt the king…not even after he killed my parents…' he thought whilst leering at the ground. "This ex-knight will serve justice by being hanged. Let this be a warning to any of you that try to commit treason against the crown." The rosy man proclaimed with a smirk. Several gasps were heard followed by murmurs from the useless bystanders.
Stand my ground, I won't give in…
No more denying, I gotta face it…
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside…
If I don't make it, someone else will…
Stand My Ground…
The former knight looked at his feet in anger. His ears perked when he heard as the drums at his side sounded. He could feel his bottom lip quiver and he bit it harshly; drawing blood. 'Why am I so scared…? I'm…being pathetic…I've been ready for death since childhood…why is this any different….?'
It's all around…
Getting stronger, coming closer…
Into my world…
"Because…" the ex-knight muttered hanging his head down in guilt. Thoughts of everyone he was about to leave behind crossed his mind.
I can feel…
That it's time for me to face it…
Can I take it…?
"I can't…" he said closing his eyes.
The guard raised a brow, "Can't?" he repeated with a small frown. The knight's eyes shot up to look at the guard with pure determination.
"I can't die yet!" he shouted through closed teeth and the guard's eyes faltered.
"The hell…?" the soldier muttered with a growl.
"You're a coward," he smirked, "Proclaiming that you're making me serve justice…for something I didn't even commit…and what are you doing about it? Breaking my neck with a rope?" he leered with confidence, "Doesn't get much weaker…"
"H-HOW DARE YOU!" the guard shouted at the top of his extent; pulling out his sword and slashing it down towards the tied up male. The knight acted quickly and twisted his body upwards; flipping and grabbing hold of the rope that held him around the neck with his legs and allowing the blade to slice through the bindings on his wrists. In another swift movement, he loosened the tie around his neck-freeing himself-and landing on his feet.
"Pity your intelligence is as weak as your courage…" the knight said standing with a smirk. The guard's eyes widened and he flinched back.
Though this might just be the ending-
Of my life I held so dear-
But I won't run, there's no turning back from here…
The guards rushed towards him with exposed blades. They surrounded him and pointed them at the knight. The combatants stepped closer to him and in one swift movement, he kicked the guard behind him and managed to get his blade out of his hand and knock back the warrior off of the stage. The knight gripped the sword and looked at the other two, "Now…who's first…?"
Stand my ground, I won't give in…
No more denying, I gotta face it…
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside…
If I don't make it, someone else will…
Stand My Ground…
Blood dripped from his sword and he stood panting before the crowd of shocked people. Blood splatters on his face and chest plate made some of them uneasy. A large wound at his side made it hard for him to breathe. Most of the citizens had already run away from the execution. "People of Althea…your kingdom is in danger…I am neither against the king's crown…nor the princess or prince's either, but the queen shall fall by my hand. The king is under control by this wench! Brothers…sisters…I ask for your help…the rebellion of Sovereigns. I ask you…rise up…stand against this new threat. I have been working close to the royal family near enough to analyze her actions. The poverty you all live in…these poor excuses for guards…" he muttered looking down at his fallen once comrades, "They harass you…they take away your lives…all due to her. They take advantage of you…all due to her. I ask you…brothers…sisters…STAND YOUR GROUND WITH ME!" Some cheers called out in the crowd and the knight could feel his heart rise up slightly. An involuntary smile spread onto his lips, "I know you're scared….I know…how much you may be risking…but…you can never know how grateful I am to know…that you stand by my-no…Althea's side…"
All I know for sure is I'm trying…
I will always stand my ground…
"Can't believe you did that…" a male said walking besides the knight. The warrior paid no mind and shook his head tiredly.
"Arthur…you'd be surprised what these people would do to save their homes…and the lives of their families…" the knight said with a small smile.
"And I would be even more surprised to see how far you'll go," the boy chuckled, "Stupid kid…" he muttered shaking his head. The knight closed his eyes tiredly and the soft smile never disappeared. He held his hand against a wound that one of the guards managed to give him at his side. He managed to keep it hidden from the others' perceptions. "Light…?" the knight looked back at the male, "Are you alright?" he asked.
"…" he paused, "Of course." He said closing his eyes.
Stand my ground, I won't give in…
I won't give up…
No more denying, I got to face it…
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside…
If I don't make it…someone else will…
He was brought into an embrace and hissed in pain lightly due to the girl hitting against his wound. "What's the matter?" she asked pulling away with widened eyes.
"Nothing, nothing Brittany…" he said covering his wound and sending her a fake smile. She frowned and shook her head.
"You're lying…" she said looking back at Arthur.
"He managed to "recruit" so-…a lot of new members." Arthur said with a small smile. Brittany and he looked back at the civilians that followed them there. Brittany's eyes widened
"A-all of these people?" she said almost falling back, but something managed to catch her from behind. She looked back and saw a male that looked exactly like the knight in front of her, only he had a darker based form of the twins. Unlike his brother, he had crimson eyes and black hair.
"Looks like he did well this time…" the darker male said in a monotone voice.
"How did your recruitment search go, Shadow?" Arthur asked the new male.
"Pretty well…I managed to recruit some aces…" Shadow replied motioning towards a group of people at his side.
Arthur and Brittany looked in the same direction, "Aces…at what exactly…?" Arthur asked raising a brow.
"You'll find out soon enough…we all will…" Shadow replied crossing his arms.
Stand my ground, I won't give in…
No more denying, I gotta face it…
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside…
If I don't make it, someone else will…
Stand My Ground…
Chapter II
_Assassin of Sorrow_
Shadow gazed after his brother as he led the group to a different part of the forest. Arthur stayed behind and stood by the other half.
"Have you even noticed that he was wounded…?" Shadow asked looking back at the younger male at his side. Arthur grew surprised and blinked, glancing over at the crimson eyed male.
"What-when-how did you know?" the male stuttered.
"Hand trying to cover his wound on the bottom right side of his torso, turning paler by the second, cringing when Brittany hugged him…looking like he's about to fall over at any moment…kinda hard not to notice…" Shadow replied with a bored sigh, "Better go catch him before he falls…" he walked away deeper into the forest and closed his eyes; syncing with his inner thoughts. Arthur watched after him for a few seconds before rushing after the others.
The child without a name grew up to be the hand…
To watch you, to shield you, or kill on demand…
The choice he'd made he could not comprehend…
His blood a grim secret they had to commend…
His ears sharpened when he heard shuffling behind him. He turned his head and glared. He reached back and pulled out a thick blade, "Show yourself before you get killed…." No reply. He sighed in aggravation before disappearing from sight. The hidden person's eyes widened, "And you are…?" the person looked forward and saw the tip of Shadow's blade in his face.
"S-Shadow! It's me!" Shadow studied the male's features and his crimson optics slightly widened.
"...Anderson…?" he raised a brow and lowered his sword.
A bright smile came up on the male's face, "You remember me! Please, you have to help me, they have my sister…" he said switching to plead.
"Who does, Anderson…?" Shadow asked sheathing his blade.
"The queen…" he muttered looking down. Shadow's face betrayed no emotion, but his heart tore in half. Just thinking of his friend's sister in prison…it was…painful…
He's torn between his honor and the true love of his life…
He prayed for both, but was denied…
He glared at the castle with glowing crimson eyes. His emotions all shifted to one: pure anger. "Stay here…" Shadow said turning slightly to look back at the worried male behind him.
"Shadow, I can't do that…." Anderson said with eyes of determination.
"You're going to have to…I can't risk your safety as well…if it was just me, I'd be able to get in and retrieve her…" he sighed, "Anderson…I'm asking you as a friend…if Säde were ever to find out that her brother died in here…" he looked down, "I see her as much as a sister as you do…allow me to do this for her." He finished before disappearing into a shadow.
So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed…
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind…?
So many years have passed, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified?
He raised his sword half way out of its shell to block the sword of another knight. Once the hit was blocked, he slashed forward, slicing the other male in half, and managing to keep his blade stainless. He stepped over the body and rushed down the hall. His vision was in thermal and his mind at ease and focus. His eyes managed to catch glimpse of someone coming up from behind the next wall. He brought out his blade again and prepared himself. 'Whoever this is…they have a strong power…' he thought with a leer.
Inch by inch…brought his heart racing faster. He stood beside the wall with his sword ready before him. Finally, the person turned the corner and he shot his blade forward and held it at the person's neck. Shadow's eyes widened and his eyes faltered.
"Xander…?" the male remained calm and looked at Shadow through half closed, calm grey eyes.
"Hello again, Shadow. Nice to see you after all of this time." The black haired male said with a smirk.
"Where…where is she…?" Shadow growled leering at the male before him.
"Hm? Who…?" Xander asked raising his brow and crossing his arms.
"Don't play stupid." Shadow said nearing his blade next to the other male's neck.
"Please, Shadow…you're the only one "stupid" enough to actually think we have Säde…and to think: you actually left our group just to join those idiots…" Xander said pushing away the blade from his neck with a bored look.
Please forgive me for the sorrow…
For leaving you in fear…
For the dreams we had to silence…
That's all they'll ever be…
Still I'll be the hand that serves you…
Though you'll not see that it is me…
He could only watch as the blade was pulled out of his torso and he fell to his knees. "Dear…dear Shadow…toying with you seems to have lost its touch…you seem to have gotten weaker as well…used to take…seven point five seconds before…but now…it only took two point six…" Xander sighed before closing his eyes and crossing his arms, "What happened to you…?"
"None…of your…business…" Shadow said between breathes. Xander sighed again and shook his head.
"Shadow…you're weak…" the standing male said raising his blade over the crimson eyed male's head. Shadow struggled to keep his body level, "Don't bother getting up…you'll go back down in just a bit…" Xander smirked.
"Xander…you…" his sentence faded as he passed out before the male. Xander only stared down at the male with an unemotional gaze.
"When did you get so weak…? You and I used to fight each other when we were children…now look at you…nothing more than a weakling now…" he muttered lowering his blade to his side, "You need to get stronger…you…" he sighed closing his eyes in aggravation, "Why…why did you even leave…? The queen…she…of course she hurts everyone…but…" he stopped and closed his eyes, "You'll come back…she says…they always do...if only she was right…"
So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed…
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind…
So many years have passed, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified?
He shot up and looked around himself. He was in his room, sitting up in his bed. He looked down and saw blood stained bandages wrapped around his chest. He looked outside his window and sighed lightly, 'Wonder when we're going to fight again…'
Chapter III
Remenissions of an assassin
He viewed through his scope and glared at the people he was able to view through the small window. He targeted one of the loners away from the others and smirked, 'And I get paid to do this?' he thought firing his sniper. The black bullet darted towards the vulnerable male and once it was about to make contact, the bullet disappeared into smoke. The man's eyes widened before he fell back. Dead. The assassin smirked and looked and saw another susceptible man. Again, he aimed and fired. Another man fell. Three more. Then added more until he made his twelfth kill. He was about to go onto his thirteenth, but a loud outburst interrupted his aim. He looked back at the spot where he killed one of his first and saw a woman on her knees; eyes full of tears and shaking the fallen male to get up. He frowned as others found the ones that he had already sniped.
"What's going on here?" he looked towards one of the tents off to the side and saw a brown haired male walking towards the woman that had screamed.
"My Husband! He's not waking up!" the woman sobbed rocking back and forth with him in her arms. 'God…I should shut her up too…' he thought rolling his eyes.
With this ink in our skin we've sealed our fate,
And the axe comes early…
So what does it matter?
There's a bed of skeletons waiting for me,
On the other side…
"Who are you?" the assassin closed his eyes with an annoyed sigh. 'Great…' he thought. He turned his head back and opened his optics and saw a brown haired girl.
"None of your business…and you?" he asked raising a brow. The girl glared. He raised a brow, "What, did I say something wrong?" he asked with a smirk, 'Time to make myself known…' he thought deforming his sniper into a trail of dust that wrapped around his wrists to form metal bracelets.
They're waiting for my next move…
Human lives to me seem so unreal, can't see through the fog…
See past the stereotype…
Belief, structure built up in you…
I'll tear you down and the one who created you…
"Who are you…?" the brown haired male from before asked as he pushed the blade more against the assassin's neck.
"Didn't your colonel ever teach you manners…?" the assassin mused pushing the point of the blade away from him.
"Stop Stalling!" the boy said positioning his blade back.
The assassin sighed, "My name is Fury Remenission…I was hired by the queen to assassinate you all. You caught on faster than I had predicted…" he said closing his eyes.
"And how much did she pay you…?" Arthur asked glaring down at the hired gun.
The shooter raised a brow before replying: "Nothing."
If they didn't have one, how would the act?
If we didn't have hope, how would we behave?
Would they still feel remorse,
If they slaughtered innocent beings?
Or is hope the only thing that keeps you sane?
"You monster!"
"Kill him!"
"He deserves to rot in hell!"
"What are you waiting for?"
Arthur cringed, "Shut up!" he shouted to the out bursting audience. He looked down at the assassin again. His eyes were glued to the young lieutenant's shoes. The assassin finally looked up at Arthur, meeting his eye from below. His silver optics bore into the boy's brown ones with such hatred that the boy had to look away. He thought fast though, "Colonel Light…is he up yet?"
Brittany looked down, "No." she replied, "His wound was too severe…colonel Shadow as well…" Arthur looked back down at the murderer that was chained up on his knees, only gazing back up at the youthful lieutenant. 'Then what should I do…?' Arthur thought with a frown.
"You should do as your people wish…Lieutenant Arthur…" the assassin smirked. Arthur glared at the male before him, "I can get a lot out of wandering thoughts…" he said as though predicting what Arthur was about to say.
"All we need…." Arthur said sarcastically rolling his eyes.
[You should guard your little friend there…] Arthur's eyes widened slightly and he frowned, '...what for…?' Arthur asked in thought. The assassin smirked, [If she were to fall, your colonels in there will be devastated. You? Not so much…but they do care enough to keep you as a higher ranking officer…but is it really higher ranking when all you're doing is babysitting for them? All of these people looking up at you just for their next meal…or when there's a shortage in idiocy and they try to get more out of you…some job you have lieutenant.] The assassin replied into the boy's thoughts. Arthur couldn't help but put some of these…(words/thoughts) into consideration. '…' the lieutenant remained silent; both physically and mentally. Fury smirked and the chains around him, along with his bracelets dissolved into dust and swirled in the air around him. Arthur's eyes widened and he immediately went to Brittany's side and stood in front of her defensively. The dust around Fury swirled into smaller amounts and churned into small spikes. Fury smirked and the thorns shot out into the crowd of people. Dozens of people fell as the thorns went through their hearts. Arthur blocked off the ones that went towards him and Brittany with a yellow aura. Fury stood and looked at the struggling boy. He smirked and held out his hand at his side. Dust formed around his hand and remade itself into a sword. He tightened his grip on it and made his way towards the duo.
A good friend once told me you are our memory…
Without them we equal nothing…
And all I can see is the place I wanna be…
Suddenly my life was so free…
The spikes continued to drill into the shield and Arthur's feet started to slide back due to the extreme force. Suddenly, a blade went up through Arthur's stomach and pierced completely through the shield along with his body. The lieutenant's eyes widened and blood had already started to stream down his mouth and trail down his neck.
"A-Arthur…" Brittany stuttered in disbelief. The aura shattered and faded away. The blade was pulled out of Arthur and he fell to his knees. Fury gazed down at him with an odd look in his eyes. Arthur looked back up at him through one open eye, closing the other to try and ease the pain.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance." Fury said holding the blade in the palm of his hands and twisted it between his fingers, admiring the blood stained sword with his silver eyes. He blew his grey colored hair out of his eyes and looked at Brittany with an unpredictable gape. Then after a few seconds, he closed his eyes, "Brittany…is it not? Tell me…can you do me a favor?"
"What do you want?" Brittany snapped with venom in her tone.
"Tell your little colonels in there…that they don't have a chance." Fury said changing to an unemotional gaze as his sword disintegrated into dust once again. The remnants of blood fell through the dust and dripped onto the ground. Brittany glared at him and in return, he only smirked, "Was it something I said…?"
Leaves at my feet, blown to the ground…
Their echoes are reaching my ears…
Nights coming fast, suns going down…
But keep away from me…keep away from me…
"You…bastard!" Brittany shouted, revealing her blade and lunging towards Fury. The silver eyed male smirked before manifesting a brand new blade of his own. Just as the blades were about to lock, a third blade cut in between them. Fury glanced over at the wielder and his eyes widened.
"Y-you…" Fury muttered grinding his teeth together in frustration. The new swords master glared at the other boy before slashing him away with ease. He then turned back to view Brittany.
"Go get Arthur to the infirmary…quickly."
"Right away, sir!" she said with a quick nod, bending down to retrieve the fallen lieutenant. As she rushed off, without looking back, the new male raised his blade to block off the other's blade effortlessly.
"Well, well…you've sure sharpened your blade over the years, Shadow." Fury noted with a smirk.
"And it seems as though yours has only dulled." Shadow shot back. Fury jumped back from the connection.
"Ouch…worse than any wound you can give there, Shadow." The silver eyed male said faking and injury.
"Shut up…" Shadow said with a death glare.
"Lighten up…" Fury said losing his smirk.
"How can I? You've killed all of these people. You deserve death…take that as mercy…" Shadow growled.
"As greatly as I appreciate that…I'm going to have to pass…sadly…" Fury said losing all of his emotions.
We may have created the beginning, mentally…
We may have created the beginning, physically…
To the end of our human existence…
"Colonel, allow us to let you witness our potential." Shadow glanced back and saw one of the aces that he had scouted for from before. Shadow's eyes faltered for a split second.
"Leave him alive... scarcely." Shadow ordered darkly.
"Of course." The young boy saluted and looked over at Fury with his aqua colored eyes.
"You think you can beat me?" Fury taunted the young recruit. The brunette male didn't do anything to counteract the insult. "I doubt you'll pose a th-" he stopped in midsection with widened eyes. He jumped back, just in time to dodge a giant blaze that grew in the spot that he was in before. 'Damn.' He thought leering at the flame.
"You were saying?" the boy questioned tilting his head. Shadow, who was now watching from the side, held a cold exterior now.
"Are you ever happy…?" he glanced to his side and saw a young girl watching the battle with the same unemotional gaze.
"How can I be?" Shadow asked looking back at the battle, "Failure ended up killing all of these people…" he said gazing over the bodies that lay scattered over the field.
The girl hummed before pursing her lips, "I don't think that that's his name." Shadow blinked before looking back at her.
"What are you…" he heard Fury scream in pain, "I wasn't talking about Fury…" Shadow said crossing his arms.
"Oh? Then who?" the girl countered.
He swallowed the lump caught in his throat, "Me…" he muttered closing his eyes, suddenly, he felt something on the back of his head. Not painful, but something to make his lips part in surprise. He rubbed the back of his head and looked at her with surprised eyes, "What…what was that for?" he found himself stuttering.
"Hm? What was what for?" she asked tilting her head. He gawked at her for a few more seconds before looking down, his gloved hand still pressed to the back of his skull, "Oh! The smack? Hm…I saw your senses coming out. So I smacked 'em back in!" he glanced back at her through the corner of his eyes and saw her widely smiling back at him.
A sudden burst of flame made him block his face out of the heat that radiated from the battle.
I see through you…
The fear that's in your eyes…
He reopened his eyes and saw that Fury was locked with the side of a gun on one side and a blade on the other. The gun wielder brought out a second gun and shot Fury. The eyes colored silver widened before the male fell to his knees. Shadow looked back to where the girl stood, only to see an old oak. His eyes visibly saddened and he closed them to hide his emotions.
"Sir…?" Shadow looked at the young ace that appeared before him with a cold look. The young boy looked on with an emotionless stare, "What shall we do with him?" he asked motioning towards the other two standing behind him.
"…" Shadow only paused for a few seconds, "Kill him."
A good friend once told me we are our memory…
Without them we equal nothing…
And all I can see is the place I wanna be…
Timeless my life was so free…
As the flames grew behind him as he walked into the medical wing part of camp. He walked through the opening and saw some nurses rushing around the room, some others at the bedside of Arthur, and others pinned to the wall of the room with the thorns from earlier. He couldn't help but cringe lightly.
"Colonel Shadow, your brother and Lieutenant Arthur are going to be fine. You should rest yourself." A blue haired nurse said walking up towards him. Shadow looked at her with unemotional optics.
"I can't do that quiet yet…" Shadow said with a monotone voice.
"Sir, your wound can't heal with you walking around like you are." The nurse said placing her hands to her hips.
"Ma'am…I could care less what happens to me. All of these people just died for no reason. The least of my problems is spouting a leak." Shadow said with a warning glare. The nurse seemed unaffected and frowned up at the colonel.
"Under strict regulations, sir, if the colonel is wounded-which would be you," she said poking at the bandages around his chest. He flinched lightly due to the sensitive area, "The medic-which is me-is in command." She acknowledged with a wide smile. He blinked with a frown.
"You have to be kidding me…" he muttered with a growl.
"You want me to bring your father into this?" she asked tilting her head. His optics slightly widened before turning into a dark leer.
"You wouldn't…" he mumbled darkly.
"Try me." She challenged. He glared at her a few seconds more and she motioned to a bed at the far corner next to his brother's. He sighed in defeat before walking towards the single bed with a few grumbles under his breath.
Leaves at my feet, blown to the ground…
Their echoes are reaching my ears…
Nights coming fast, suns going down
[What to do with such a weakling…?] Shadow shot up in cold sweat. 'What the hell…?' he thought shaking lightly. He looked around and he could see the flickered through the tent's flaps. The only things that he could hear were some distant calls from different animals, the gentle breeze from outside, and the calm breathes of the ones next to him. [You keep thinking about her…] he knew exactly who was talking now. 'Fury…' he thought with venom. [Well, you sure haven't lost your perceptiveness…but still, that'll never get you closer to getting Säde back…] he leered at a spot in front of him. 'Take note of this, if you EVER do anything to hurt her…in ANY way…I will personally find you…personally make you grovel at my feet…and personally…rip your heart right out of your chest…' Shadow retorted the thought dead male. It went silent after he said this. Only the nature around him responded him. He didn't go back to sleep. He was waiting for Fury's counter.
I don't know the answers…
But neither do you…
Chapter IV
_Perfect Fool_
He could remember the days as though it were yesterday. Everything so clearly that it hurt him. Everything she was was only a lie. But, what about what he felt?
Perfect by nature…
Icons of self indulgence…
Just what we all need,
More lies about the world that…
He held out his hand for her to take it, she took it gently with a smile. Her brilliant green eyes glimmered through the mask and bore into his violet longing optics. The smile reflected off of his own lips as he led her out to the ball floor. As soon as they made it to the middle, he twirled her so that her back met his chest and his arms gently caressed her frame. He smiled gently at her and she looked up at him with a blush dusting over her cheeks.
"Are you having fun, your highness?" he cooed nuzzling the front of his mask into the crook of her neck. She giggled and made a weak attempt to make him stop this action.
"Gabriel, you're too much." She commented resting back in his arms. Slowly they began to move with the rhythm of the music. Through the black mask on his face, he watched her with caring eyes. She looked up at him through her pearl white mask and her chocolate curled hair brushed back towards him. The sweet smell of althea made his senses null.
"My queen, you're smell is intoxicating…" he murmured to the back of her head, kissing it gently at the same time. Her white dress made it slightly difficult to let him get closer to her, "If only…" he stopped and closed his eyes, hiding his face with his black hair and the dark top hat that rested on his head.
"If only what, Gabriel?" she asked pulling away and turning slightly to see the well groomed male that was next to her.
He looked at her through half lidded eyes and took her hands gently back into his, "If only this moment could last forever…" he replied with a sad smile.
Her smile fell, "Gabriel, I can't-"
"Radiance…" the call made him leer to his side. She put a finger to his chin and turned his face so that he viewed her.
"Thank you sir for the dance…" she said sending him a small curtsy before walking towards her king. He stared after her with the same hungry eyes as before.
Never was and never will be…
Have you no shame? Don't you see me?
You know you've got everybody fooled…
He rested his head in his clawed hand closing his eyes and hiding his face in the shadows of the same mask and hat that he wore on that day. His other hand shuffling a deck of cards with occasionally some cards flying out of the deck and resettling itself back into his hand. He crossed one of his legs over the other as he sat in the stone throne of his empty prison. 'I can change the fate of others…but…however many times I try…I can't change my own…eternal life…trapped in my own prison that I have put up for myself…'
"Sir…" his dull violet eyes opened half way to view the male that had entered his rundown castle.
"What do you want…?" he asked in an uninterested tone of voice.
"S-sir…" the man stuttered. The masked male closed his eyes in annoyance.
"If you have no business here, then you should leave now."
"No! Please, sir! My wife…she's…" the man stopped and looked down. Cold sweat was running down his back.
"Dying?" the male seated on the throne asked with an unchanging jaded tone.
"Yes'sir…"
The masked male sighed reclosing his eyes, "No one ever comes here to say hello anymore…" he muttered standing up and looking down at the trembling male, "Let me go over the rules of this trial. You pull out a card and whichever symbol it has, decides your fate, understand that so far?" the male below nodded, "Hearts equals to your life, but losing that that is of most value to you. Spades results in your pathetic happiness…for a few years at least…" the sadistic male said taking note at how old the man was, now the thoughts of how the man got there made the dealer curious, "Clubs results in your wish being granted, but you must remain here, stuck in a void of which you can never escape. Then finally, diamonds…" he paused and his eyes glimmered with a small amount of sadness, "You must witness the death of your wife….and you remain locked here evermore…do you wish to continue?"
Look, here she comes now…
Bow down and stare in wonder…
Oh, how we love you…
No flaws when you're pretending…
But now I know she…
"Of course…" she replied with a soft smile. He looked down, feeling nervous. There was a long pause, "Gabriel, I thought you were going to ask me something." She said as she tied up her hair into a loose ponytail.
"I-I was…but…" he closed his eyes, cursing at himself mentally at how pathetic he was being.
"Well?" she asked glancing at him through the mirror of her vanity. He pulled off his mask and looked at her with sincere optics.
"Come with me…" he softly said. Her eyes faltered and she turned back to view him completely.
"Where Gabriel?" she asked confused at his sudden request.
"I'm not sure yet your highness, but one thing that I have certain is that I will stand at your side for as long as you want me to be." Her eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat.
"Gabriel…" she couldn't say anything else. His violet eyes bore into hers with such determination that it brought tears streaming down her cheeks. It hurt him to put her into such a conflict, but it hurt him more to see her in the arms of the king…
Never was and never will be…
You don't know how you've betrayed me…
And somehow you've got everybody fooled…
The cards twisted around the male. Both sides of the cards were of an odd design and he gulped a growing lump in the back of his throat.
"Pick your card…" Gabriel said watching the man with a cruel gaze. With trembling fingers, the man reached up to grab a card to his right. The dealer remained with an unchanged emotion. As soon as the card made contact with the man's fingers, a symbol appeared. The old man's eyes widened in horror and a red symbol made itself before him, "Diamonds…"
Without the mask, where will you hide?
Can't find yourself lost in your lie…
"Really…?" he questioned looking down at the necklace that he was handed.
"If you don't want it, then give it back." She huffed with a pout. He closed his hand over the diamonds and nodded.
"Any gift from you, my queen, will be cherished." He said with a sincere smile.
"Gabriel, you mustn't do that. It's creepy." She joked closing her eyes with a smile still on her lips.
He raised a brow, "How, my queen…?" he asked with a small frown.
"Just…when you…doing all of this…" she sighed, unable to find the right words, "Just pretend I didn't say anything."
He remained silent for a moment, "As you wish your highness."
I know the truth now…
I know who you are….
And I don't love you anymore…
"No…please…NO!" the man shouted as two giant cards held him back as he tried to rush forward with no success. A scythe was pressed against his wife's neck. Her eyes bore into Gabriel's with horror. His were staring back with pure viciousness that it was overwhelming. He glanced back at the man. Heavy tears poured from the man's eyes. Gabriel then lifted the scythe into the space above him and brought it down.
It never was and never will be…
You don't know how you've betrayed me…
And somehow you've got everybody fooled…
He stepped back in fear and stumbled over his own feet. "Your highness!" he shouted at the demon manifesting itself in the area where the queen once stood.
"G-Gabriel…" her voice was faint coming from within the beast.
"Gabriel is it?" the voice laughed, "You stand no chance boy." His teeth gritted and he pulled out a card, "Plan to defeat me with a car-" the voice stopped when something went through it. In place of a card, there was a blade. "What?"
"I always have a card up my sleeve…" he growled pulling out four more cards out of nowhere. Suddenly, one of the demon's whips lashed around Gabriel's wrist, pulling him towards it. He was about to throw the cards, but another whip came and wrapped around his other wrist, binding both of his hands.
"Hm…how should I finish you…" the whips of the creature stretched Gabriel's limbs in opposite directions and he let out a loud groan. He reached into his sleeve and managed to get out one last card.
He was about to throw it, "Gabriel…" the queen and the monster's voice were merged. His eyes widened as the creature began to get smaller, but the wraps were still fastened around his wrists. The creature shriveled down into his queen and he watched with pure confusion. "You're not making this easy for me…"
"Your…highness…?" he solicited in a low murmur.
"You can't love me anymore." This is where his heart started to ach, "Because I don't love you…I never have and I never will." One last whip went through Gabriel's torso and blood streamed from the side of his mouth. The queen had an aggressive smirk and she lifted her hand to pick up his chin so that he was looking at her, "It always belonged to me…right…? So it's alright if I take it now." She said as she placed her hand over his chest and dug her nails into flesh and bone. He hissed in pain and cringed. She pulled back and through half open eyes, he saw that she held his heart in her hands before his world faded to black.
It never was and never will be…
You're not real and you can't save me…
Somehow now you're everybody's fool…
He removed his mask from where the woman's face used to be and put it back onto his own face. He threw the scythe into the air and it came back down as a card. He caught it and it disappeared, along with the body of the woman and the two cards holding the man back. He walked towards the man and took off his hat.
"You should've kept your fate as it was…" he said bringing out one last card. He threw it at the man and instantly his body vanished. Gabriel sighed lightly and walked back towards his throne, with steady steps. 'I'm without a heart…and yet I feel like this…' he thought seating himself back on his stone bench. "Why…?" his voice echoed in the empty castle.
Chapter V
_It ends with Two Knights_
"You were up all night…?" Light asked sitting up in the bed. Shadow glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
"And you were asleep all of yesterday? Hmpt…you missed the chaos." Shadow countered with a leer.
Light tensed, "Chaos?" he repeated with worried eyes.
"Didn't notice that I stuttered." Shadow resorted looking forward again.
"Must've been bad…"
"You think?"
"What happened…?"
"…" Shadow remained quiet.
Your subtleties…
They strangle me…
I can't explain myself at all.
And all the wants,
And all the needs,
All I don't want to need at all.
"Shadow." Light called sternly. Said male's eyes closed.
"Most of your recruits…died last night." The black haired male said. The blonde shot up and looked at the other male with widened eyes.
"What?"
"They. Died." Shadow replied slowly, glaring back at his brother.
"By who?"
"An assassin named-"
"What's this I hear about you two letting one guy kill off hundreds of people?" both blue and crimson eyes widened and both stood quickly, saluting and straightening themselves.
"Sir!" they both greeted, cringing lightly due to getting up so fast and their injuries still tolling on them.
"At ease…just like the corpses resting outside of this tent." The commander said with a grim look on his face.
The walls start breathing…
My mind's unweaving…
Maybe it's best you leave me alone.
A weight is lifted…
On this evening…
I give the final blow.
"Sir, we tried to go out and help them, but our wounds wouldn't-" Shadow started.
"And whose fault was that? Hm?" the commander asked turning towards the crimson eyed male. He received no reply from either of them, "Exactly, little Shadow and Light tried to play hero and where did it lead? Shadow almost killed by his old friend after trying to save a girl that wants nothing to do with him anymore! And Light getting himself captured and showing everyone where our base is located! Am I wrong?" Both brothers looked down, shocked at what was said to them.
"N-no…sir…" Shadow stammered before swallowing. They both closed their eyes in defeat as the older commander continued to glare at their forms. He brushed back his silver hair from his golden eyes with a heavy sigh.
"You both are colonels now…how do you expect to save anyone else…if you can't even save yourselves?" the commander asked waiting for an answer. Shadow opened his mouth to say something, but his voice got lost as it tried to manifest itself. Light looked down, depression behind his eyes as the words struck him like swords. "Well?"
When darkness turns to light,
It ends tonight…
It ends tonight…
"Commander DayBreak, we have some important intelligence from the scouts in the lieutenant's team." The man talking to the two boys turned to view another male. The young male had grey eyes and light brown hair.
"What is it cornet?" DayBreak asked crossing his arms and closing his eyes.
"The assassin, the one that attacked here, he is the one that you're searching for. The ones that have attacked him said that they have slain him, but a couple a little while out of this camp were found dead. Our forensics led by lieutenant Dusk said that they were most likely eradicated after Fury Remenissions' attack here." The young boy said standing straighter after he finished.
Reopening his eyes and glaring down at the two colonels, "Fancy that."
"Well…" all four males in the tent turned to see the staggering form of the colonels' personal lieutenant trying to sit up with some difficulty, "That man…Fury…he's powerful…when I battled him, he managed to break through my aura…he managed to make small splinters go so fast with so much momentum that they managed to kill off those people. Don't blame my colonels. If you should be pointing any fingers, they should be towards me…I was the one put in charge of them when the colonels were wounded." Arthur said cringing lightly.
The commander glanced back at the two colonels that also met his gaze, "Who is this?" he asked.
"Our first lieutenant: Arthur." Shadow replied.
"Ah…" the commander said stepping towards the other wounded soldier. He stood at his bedside with an indefinable look on his face, "Arthur…can I call you Arth?" he asked tilting his head slightly. Before Arthur had the chance to answer, "Stay out of this." Arthur's eyes widened and he gawked at the male; blinking.
"S-sir," Arthur shouted sitting up even against his pain, "You don't under-"
"Listen here, lieutenant. You have no word here that will make me consider that these colonels can do anything right.
"Sir, I will not stand down! They didn't when I needed them and I won't when they need m-"
"Shut it! The commander told you to silence yourself!" the cornet said stepping towards him.
"You silence yourself right now cornet. Arthur is a lieutenant. A higher rank than yourself so it will be remotely close to treason when you order him to silence." Light leered at the second-in-command. The cornet automatically suppressed himself, "And Arthur, I appreciate that you're trying to help us, but our father is stubborn as a jackass. He won't listen to you."
The commander's eyes widened, "WHAT?"
"Oh? Something actually seeped in?"
"Oh, you're asking for it, Light."
"Light, shut up now…" Shadow muttered to his smug twin.
"No."
"Now."
"No."
"Light…"
"No."
*Smack*
They both rubbed the back of their heads and cringed lightly.
"Alright…" Light muttered in defeat. Shadow sighed and closed his crimson optics.
"What do you want commander…you can't be here just to condemn us about our failure…" Shadow said lowering his arm crossing both over his wound.
"Oh? Why not?" the commander asked.
"It's not like you to care for anyone else…except Dusk and Dawn of course…"
A falling star…
Least I fall alone.
I can't explain what you can't explain.
You're finding things that you didn't know…
I look at you with such disdain.
"…" the commander couldn't counter what was just said. A few seconds later and he sighed heavily, "You remember that old lullaby your mother used to tell you both…the one about the fate changer…?"
Both of the colonels blinked and furrowed their brows, "What about it?" Light asked a bit surprised by the question.
"Well, let's just say it wasn't so much as a lullaby so much as it was a true story." DayBreak said with a frown.
"And what do you want us to do about it…?" Shadow asked again glancing back at his father out of the corner of his eyes.
"Investigate. What else?"
"And if he is real…what are we to do?" Light questioned.
"We need him on our side…" the commander smirked.
The walls start breathing…
My mind's unweaving…
Maybe it's best you leave me alone.
A weight is lifted…
On this evening…
I give the final blow.
"So how does this lullaby of yours go?" Arthur asked walking besides Shadow. The crimson eyed male glanced back at the lieutenant and looked forward again.
"I'm not sure if I remember it…" he lied.
"Come on, you can try, can't you?" Brittany asked at his other side.
"Tears for his fallen, eyes burned and swollen. He changes their fates, then sits there and waits. His mask rests with a gleam, his eyes watch with keen. He silently mourns, kills and scorns. He remembers love. It was never enough, always wanting more, but remaining happy, evermore. Living besides lies, blinded by his eyes. He remains locked away. Silently the people he slays. Trapped in his world, even after warning he told. Blinding greed, the evil seed, consume the mind, they become wild swine. Wishing self-seeking, his power the opposite of weakening. He waits for his pray, mere child's play. Through death, there is life. Through life, there is death. He is the master of judgment, the changer of fate. He rests there and waits, until his queen returns his steady love…" Light rehearsed with a frown.
"Wow…" Arthur and Brittany muttered in awe.
"And supposedly now, it's a true story…" Shadow muttered from ahead.
"It says he was trapped inside his world…and locked away…by what exactly?" Brittany asked.
"Nothing keeps him bided to the castle he chose as his prison. He chooses to stay there after the queen nearly destroyed him." Shadow replied coldly.
"That queen of ours really needs to die…" Arthur said leering at his feet.
"Agreed." The other three said as they continued to walk forward.
"WAIT!" they looked back and Shadow growled slightly in annoyance.
"Not you again…" he muttered.
"Yup!" the nurse from before said happily bowing. Her crimson eyes locked with his.
"What do you want…?" he asked with a bored look.
"I'm coming with you." She replied.
"And you are…?" Arthur asked crossing his arms.
"My name is Zulona."
When darkness turns to light…
It ends tonight,
It ends tonight.
Just a little insight won't make this right…
It's too late to fight…
It ends tonight,
It ends tonight.
"Why…?" the male asked closing his eyes from the new group.
"Because, our father feels that you may be able to make our odds even if you were to join us." Shadow replied with a small bow.
"Your father's wrong…" the male replied in monotone.
"How do you come up with that…?" Light questioned raising a brow.
"I won't even them…I'll make your side stronger." He replied hiding his face with his hat.
"Then please, for the sake of the people, join us and help us take down-"
Gabriel looked at Brittany with a menacing look and made her stop midsentence, "The people you say…what have they done for me? They've all been consumed by greed…darkness in their hearts is the only thing that resides inside a man now."
"That's not true…" Zulona said with a frown.
"Prove me wrong…" the masked man challenged.
"Why would we be standing here, risking everything to ask for your help, to save those people that are living in hell because the queen is draining them of their lives?" Arthur said stepping forward. The masked male's eyes faltered.
"…who is it…that's asking me…?" he murmured.
"The commander…" Arthur replied crossing his arms.
"Who is it that's being judged…?" Gabriel asked making his voice return back to monotone.
"I-"
"I will." Shadow spoke up holding Arthur back. The brunette lieutenant's eyes widened.
"Sir, no…" Arthur said looking up at the older male with plead. Shadow only looked forward, not listening to what his lieutenant said. Shadow stepped forward but he felt himself being held back.
He sighed in aggravation, "Let go of me now…that's an order…" Shadow said releasing himself from their grasp and continuing his way forward.
"Very well…" Gabriel said standing up and walking off of his pedestal completely. He stood in front of his throne and brought out his cards, "There will be six symbols that you could choose…hearts…you survive, but the one you care most for will parish. Spades…you get what you're after. Clubs, you'll receive what your eyes tell you. Diamonds, before losing your comrades before your eyes, you will remain here in eternal suffering. There is a scythe card. Whatever you go through is decided whether you flinch or not…and finally, there is the joker card. You get what you've came for, but you will be judged another day…" Numerous cards surrounded Shadow and he remained calm. "Choose your card." Shadow quickly glanced around himself and involuntarily swallowed. He reached towards one at his right and brought it between his fingers. He slowly twisted the card and looked at the symbol that decided his fate.
Now I'm on my own side…
It's better than being on your side…
It's my fault when you're blind…
It's better that I see it through your eyes…
The twisted curve and then the long rod made Shadow's heart skip a beat. He looked through the glowing scythe that laminated before his eyes. Gabriel tightened his clawed hand without anyone noticing. The others behind him held their breaths, anticipation killing them as they waited for the next thing that was going to happen. Cards flew towards Shadow at amazing speeds and he only watched them as they neared his body.
"NO!" the four shouted from behind him as they stepped forward. Just as the cards were about to go through him, he closed his eyes, waiting for the fatal strike. The cards stopped as they were about to pierce his body and everyone froze. Shadow reopened his eyes and looked over at the card dealer and he looked as if he was contemplating amongst himself.
"You're…against the crown…?" Gabriel asked looking at the crimson eyes through his violet ones.
"Yes." Shadow replied.
Again, for a few moments Gabriel remained silently pondering as the cards steadily remained stationary in front of Shadow, "Alright…" Gabriel muttered looking up at the other black haired male. The cards dissolved and Gabriel stepped towards Shadow. The quick steps over stone echoed through the room and once he stood in front of him, he pulled out a final card. The picture of the twisted man made Shadow raise a brow. "You will be judged after all of this is over."
"…very well."
All these thoughts locked inside…
Now you're the first to know…
"Sir, would you like us to search the outer perimeters as you are away?" the leader of the small band of elite asked the crimson eyed male.
"If you wish to." Shadow replied waving them off as he prepared his swords.
"What are your names anyways?" Arthur asked crossing his arms.
"My name is Hirusuke Nomaniki. I specialize in close combat and aerial attacks." The leader replied. He had charcoal colored hair and dark grey eyes.
"First lieutenant: Nagasaki Hittoran. Infiltration and gun specialist." The one next to him said. He had darker hair than the first male and he had golden eyes.
"Second lieutenant: Aminiki Syyuke. Specialize in elements and assassination." The female of the group said. She had alluring gold hair and bright green eyes.
"Sorry I asked…" Arthur muttered uncrossing his arms and holding onto his belt.
"…" Hirusuke gave Arthur a look before switching his gaze to Shadow, "So, sir?"
"Go ahead."
When darkness turns to light…
It ends tonight,
It ends tonight.
Just a little insight won't make this right…
It's too late to fight…
It ends tonight,
It ends…
"Off to the right just past the brook." Nagasaki said pointing towards a nearby stream.
"Alright. Scout forward and see if you notice anything else." Hirusuke ordered. With a nod Nagasaki disappeared in a dash. "Aminiki, I want you to see if you find anything to the south of camp." He said turning to the girl behind him.
"Right." She accepted disappearing like the male before him. Hirusuke looked towards his left and saw a single flower at his side. Its stem was broken as if someone had stepped onto it. He frowned lightly and leaned down to pick up the broken branch. Vines from below the dirt came up and wrapped themselves around the flower. Letting it stand upright. He smiled to himself before leveling himself and walking off in another direction.
"HIRUSUKE!" he flinched at the sudden outburst and turned towards the shout.
"Aminiki…" without hesitation, he ran towards the shout.
Blood fell off of the armored male's sword and Nagasaki fell forward. "Well missy, looks like you're pretty popular." The guard taunted. Aminiki growled through clenched teeth and glanced down at Nagasaki with pained eyes. The male struggled to stand but he only managed to get on his elbows and knees.
"Ami…run…go get…Hiru." He said as blood started to stream down the side of his mouth.
"Shut up!" the guard kicked him in the ribs and a loud crack was heard. Nagasaki was sent to a nearby tree and as soon as his back met with bark, another loud snap of breaking bones was heard. He fell forward on the ground and coughed out blood. It hurt him to breath and it hurt him even more to hold it in, but he still managed to look over at the shocked female.
"G-go!" she dashed off with tears escaping from her eyes.
"Always have to play hero…I hate you kind of guys…but then again, they always die." The guard said walking over towards the injured male. He pulled up his claymore and examined the bloodshed blade. "Pity that I won't get two birds with one stone though." He sighed before plunging the blade down into the center of Nagasaki's chest. He shouted in pain and hissed when the guard twisted the blade in his torso. "This will teach you to go against the crown."
"Aminiki! What happened…?" Hirusuke asked as he found her.
"A guard! T-they have Naga! We need to go help him!" she said pulling at his arm. They both rushed off towards the area where Nagasaki and the guard were left.
The guard had him by the neck, gasping for breath and the armored servant only smirked. "Too easy to get rid of you."
"Let. Him. Go." Hirusuke said sending a glare at the armored male.
"Hm? Oh! My pleasure." The guard smirked as he released Nagasaki. In return, he thrust his knee up to meet the injured male half way and kneeing him in the chest. More blood fell onto the ground as Nagasaki was thrown to the ground beneath him.
"STOP!" Hiru shouted with a snarl.
"Or what…?" the guard questioned with a bored look.
"I'll rip your heart from your chest…" he replied darkly.
"Will you now?" he asked again, another fresh smirk coming onto his lips. He lifted his foot over Nagasaki's head and the other two members glared at the guard, "Well, seems like you won't even move when you know your friend's in danger. What a waste when you fully know he won't even survive through this."
When darkness turns to light…
It ends tonight,
It ends tonight.
Just a little insight won't make this right…
It's too late to fight…
It ends tonight,
It ends tonight…
Gabriel gazed up at the sun with hidden astonishment. He was able to see the great kingdom he once called home as well. The tanned walls that surrounded the castle made him frown a bit. 'How long has it been…?' he asked himself.
"How long has it been?" he looked at his side and saw the brunette cornet at his side. He blinked at the girl changed to an unfeeling gaze.
"Since…?" he questioned.
"Since you've seen the sun." she replied. He couldn't help but be surprised by that response. He looked down at his three clawed, left hand and sighed lightly, folding it into a fist.
"…I've…lost count of years…" he responded.
Tonight…
Insight…
When darkness turns to light,
It ends tonight.