Spiral: sigh yet ANOTHER RathxCesia fic. . .they are THE best pairing, man. ((well, actually, ThatzxKitchel is the best, but Rath is my favorite character, so my stories just always hafta be about him)) Anyways, just read, I actually don't have anything to say this time.
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Undying Death
'Heh. . .this time. . .' thought Rath, crimson red hair flattening against his skull as the pouring of rain refused to cease, 'No one's here. . .to stop me. . .Not Crewger, not Illuser, not Lykouleon, and not-' His blood-red eyes saddened as he fought to say his words, 'And not even. . .Cesia. . .' He closed his eyes and quickly murmured to himself, "I knew she wouldn't keep her promise. . .", before letting his fingers slip from the dense rocks of the cliff.
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"Cesia, please, calm-"
"no, No, NO! Be quiet! You're wrong!"
"Cesia, running from the truth will not help! It'll only make it more painful!"
"No, but- I. . .I promised! I promised I wouldn't let him! I. . .I broke my promise. . .I am such an idiot!" Salty, emotion-filled droplets of water streamed down the raven-haired girl's face as she sobbed into the Water Dragon Knight's shoulder. "Rune. . .it's all my fault. . .I let Rath die. . ." The overflow of tears flowing from her violet eyes wouldn't cease. She couldn't stop them. The one most precious person in her life had been taken from her. . .and Rath never knew that he was that precious one. . .
"It's no one's fault, Cesia. Please, stop crying. . ." came Rune's kind words.
"B-but. . ."
"Just go rest for a while. . ."
"O. . .okay. . ."
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Eyelids jolted open as frightening visions filled the young one's mind. Rath moaned as pain obscured his sight and made his stomach unsettled. Was this death? Was he dead? Or had someone yet again stepped in on his chance of death? For this certainly did not feel like death. He thought that it would feel more like floating in a dark abyss of nothingness. But this, this was most definitely not death. What was this? Something. . .something was covering him. . .a blanket? And he was lying on. . .a bed? Did someone take him back to the Dragon Castle? He gave a remark of anger and sat up in the bed. But wait, this wasn't the Dragon Castle. Everything was less . . .royal. . .He was in a simple, normal, common-folk room. No exquisite furnishings, no expensive art or drapes or anything. Many other formal beds were spread out to fill every inch of the room. And. . .everything seemed so much. . . bigger. . .What was going on? He looked to his left and saw a simple bureau, a candle atop it and a small, plain silver cross attached to a plain silver chain. It wasn't his. . .but somehow, it was his. It belonged to this person he was not.
He reached with his outstretched hand to grab the shining glory, but instantly, as soon as it was outstretched, he took it back. His fingers, so small were they. The small, kind fingers of a child, not the long, cold fingers that were his. Same were his feet, legs, and arms. All the small and kind pieces of a child, not of a cold adult. ((of course Rath wouldn't really qualify as an adult. . .)) Quickly, half by instinct and half by curiosity, Rath slid off the edge of the bed and onto the cold, worked, and dusted wooden floor of the room. Over in the left corner, was a tall piece of metal work. A mirror. Rath ran over to it, breathlessly, half tripping on his clothes which were one size too large.
Looking into the mirror, he saw a person not him. Was the metalwork playing a trick on him? His reflection this was most definitely not. Surely, how could it be? What he saw was the image of a young boy. Large, deep violet eyes gazed back at him, and short, raven-colored hair messily jutted out this way and that. He looked not yet past the age of ten, but over the ages of prime. His clothes lingered off the small frame of his body. Clothes one size too big. . .yes, he was this boy. But, how could it be? He was not in death, but was this renewed life? He had been brought back to life once before, but it was not like this. Before he had awoken in his own body, not a new one. And what sort of magic was this? A red hue, a deep, blood lust red, was emanating from the center of his body. But as soon as the light had come, it was gone.
Rath frowned and gave a slight growl as he realized what the red light was. Fire. He had died, yet the Dragon Clan was still clinging on to him. When would they let him go? How many times would he have to die until they would set him free? So, this was it. He had died only to be sent back to the living world as a child. And still, he had the power of the Fire Dragon. And who was this young boy whom's skin he was residing in? His question. . .was soon answered.
"ZOMA!"
Rath covered his small, child ears as a shout bounded off the walls of the room. It was most definitely not a shout of joy, but a shout of anger mixed in with malicious happiness. Suddenly, the old, fragile wooden door was burst open, making Rath take a step backward, only to trip over the excess clothe of his pants.
As he sat there on the cold, dusted wooden floor, the intruder stormed up to him, grabbing him heartlessly by the ear.
"Get up! GET UP!" roared the older boy. He shook the ear forcefully, making Rath yelp out in pain. Yet the older boy took no heed to Rath's outbursts. He simply yanked ever harder. "You're late," sneered the boy, releasing Rath's ear at last. But the pain was not over. Not even a second passed before the orange-eyed boy ruthlessly pushed him to the hard floor. "Hurry up and get to your chores! And don't forget that there's mine to do also." The boy's tricolor hair, one part orange, one part red, and the back hair brown, reflected the sunlight shining in through the window. He sneered once more and continued with torturing Rath furthermore. A kick there, and a punch here, it was all in Garfakcy's daily routine.
And yet, through all the pain and suffering, Rath did nothing. He did not want to do anything. All he wanted. . .was to be gone. To be dead, like he was meant to be. So many times had death escaped him, why couldn't he just get what he wished? And why. . .why was this boy being so cruel to him? He had done nothing, yet he was receiving so much pain. Why?
Garfakcy satisfied himself with one last kick in the stomach as crimson red blood ebbed it's way out from between the younger boy's lips.
"Pathetic loser. . ." mocked the boy, making his way out the door, "Just hurry up and get downstairs. You have things to do." And with that, he was gone. Rath could hear Garfakcy's footsteps clomp down a flight of stairs, and then disappear beyond his hearing.
But. . .after the exit of the older boy's clomp of boots, came the soft "pit pat" of bare feet. Another person. . .someone else was coming. Would he receive more pain? Rath lay in wait curled up into a bundle, not bothering to open his eyes, or even move for that matter. He was drifting off further into the deep dark abyss of his consciousness.
Light flooded the abyss as something soft and warm made its way across his bleeding lips. Vision came back to him as he forcefully opened his eyes. A shape hovered over him. He couldn't make it out at first, but in a few moments, he could tell what it was.
A girl was looking over him. A bright blue towel was gripped in her hands, tainted with the crimson color of his own blood. As he attempted to sit up, she put a hand on his shoulder and said in a worried tone, "Please, don't. You're hurt," clenching the stained towel in her hands even harder.
"I'm fine. . ." mumbled Rath, sitting up despite the girl's pleas.
"But. . ." started the girl, light pink, slightly curly hair dropping down over her face as she looked at the floor. Golden eyes saddened and stared at the pattern of the wood. She couldn't be any older than his own, new age. "Yah. . .I guess you wouldn't want me here just pestering you. . ."
"No, wait, that's not what I meant," said Rath, as the girl gathered her healing kit. He grabbed the kit himself at the exact point of time when she did. His hand nonchalantly fell upon hers. Her cheeks turned a deep crimson as he refused to let go. "Please, I didn't mean it that way. You're very kind to be worrying about me." He got up, still holding the kit that she had let go of herself.
"It. . .it was nothing. . ." mumbled the girl, fidgeting with her hands and hair all the while speaking. "Just. . .just try to not let Garfakcy hurt you again. . .even though he kind of does every day. . ."
"Oh, here. This is yours," said Rath, placing the caring kit in the girl's hands. "Thanks again."
The girl practically ran out the door after she had been given back her things. She thought he was. . .odd today. The Zoma she knew didn't usually talk to her after she treated his wounds. The purple-eyed boy would usually just lie on the floor still while she did her work, and then he would go downstairs, do his chores, and not say a word. He would always have a far away look to him. Always thinking. But still, Hana Kusuku couldn't help but like him.
As the girl's footsteps sounded off farther and farther away until they were gone completely, Rath fumbled into the clothes which were laid out neatly on the floor next to the bed. Since he was in this boy's body, he might as well see where he was, and try to figure out why he was here. He also grabbed the silver cross necklace off the Bureau before heading to the door.
But then, he noticed one thing that stuck out in his mind like a stick in mud. After removing the over large nightshirt, he noticed his bare chest. There was no dragon amulet clinging to him. No necklace to suppress his demonic aura. Did this mean. . .he was through with Illuser?
"ZOMA!" roared the voice of the bully once again.
Rath hastily slid into the rest of his clothes and proceeded to going downstairs. No time to think about that now. He sighed and took in a deep breath. Today was going to be a long day. . .
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Cesia looked into the deep dark depths of the witch's crystal, reading the magical words which flowed from the shining rock, to her mind. Before her sat the Dragon Lord, and the Officers of White and Yellow, Alfeegi and Ruwalk.
"A. . .a new," started Cesia, choking back tears as she spoke the dreaded words, "A new Fire Dragon Knight has appeared." This was it, this single string of words; it carried so much sorrow for her. In order for there to be a new Fire Dragon Knight, there must be the death of the Original. He was gone. The Rath whom she had sought to protect and never let die. . .was dead. How could she have been so stupid? She should have been with him. How could she not know that he would get himself killed? It was simple logic, yet she had ignored it and now he was dead. Never, would she let herself be forgiven.
"Where is he, Cesia?" asked Ruwalk, auburn-colored hair falling to his shoulders. Kind, brown eyes were filled with curiosity and the happiness of living.
"And what is the child's name?" questioned Alfeegi, stern hazel eyes focusing on the girl and mahogany-colored hair tied back into a "hair tail".
"His name is. . .Zoma, and he is residing in. . .West Dragoon, in an orphanage called. . .Shy's Orphanage," she muttered, digging into the witch's crystal for the information.
"Many thanks to you, Cesia. You have done your work. You may do whatever you wish now," said the Dragon Lord Lykouleon, kind golden eyes reflecting the rays of sun, and running his fingers through his equally as golden hair.
Ruwalk stretched out his arms as Alfeegi proceeded to leaving the room. Lykouleon followed Alfeegi, saying one last good bye to the fortuneteller, and ordered Ruwalk to follow suit.
'A new Fire Dragon Knight, eh?' thought the Dragon Lord to himself, 'This shall be. . .interesting. . .'
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Rath, or "Zoma", as he was called, looked about his surroundings. Numbers of children were everywhere. Cleaning this, sweeping that. All of them were doing chores with no complaints. He noticed the pink-haired girl in one of the corners, dusting off the counters. Only one kid was not working. The multi-colored haired bully, Garfakcy. Despite all the children, Rath blinked as he saw two adults walking this way and that, making sure the children weren't fooling off or slacking away. The two adults most definitely were twins, yet one was male and the other, female. Both hand long blonde hair that went past their wastes to rest on the cold, stone floor. Just the sight of them made Rath shiver. They looked so. . .unkind. And what were those things in their hands?
He traced the things with his eyes. Thin, silver strings were attached from the adults' fingers to each and every child. Except for the elder boy, Garfakcy. They seemed to favor him above all else. What were those things-
"ZOMA! Get down here now!" ordered the female adult, pointing a spare finger at him.
Rath instantly lost his breath as a feeling of icy coldness swept over his body. The sensation only took about ten seconds to get used to, but when Rath opened his eyes, the same silver string that connected the other children, was running out from his chest. "Wha. . .what. . .?"
"Shut up and get working!" sneered Garfakcy, he turned to the female and said politely, "Miss Shyrendora, would you be so kind as to-"
"No need to ask Garfakcy, dear," replied the female quickly. She gave a tug of her finger, and Rath jolted forward, pain searing across his chest. "Get working foul brat!"
Rath regained balance and put a hand on his head, trying to calm himself from the sudden rush of pain. Whoever those twins were, he did not know, all he knew was that it was wisest to do what they told him. He didn't have the power to fight back, well, not until Fire awakened. But, who knew when that would happen? And. . .what was he supposed to do? He had only been in this body for not more than an hour, how was he to know what this boy, Zoma, was assigned for?
He looked around for an answer to his question and his eyes fell on the pink-haired girl. He remembered her, she would help. . .hopefully. . .
Not wanting to upset Shyrendora any further, he quickly made his way over to the pink-haired girl. She slightly jumped as he reached over to tap her on the shoulder.
"Huh? Oh. . .it's. . .it's you. . ." she mumbled, twisting her hair with her fingers. "I. . .I'm sorry if I bothered you before. . .but you. . .you should start your chores. . .before they get angry. . ." Twice. . .twice today she was talking to the boy of her dreams.
"Um. . .I just wanted to know. . ." muttered Rath, looking around, ". . .what am I supposed to do?"
"Huh?" questioned Hana Kusuku, ceasing her dusting of the furniture. "Are. . .are you feeling okay?" she asked in a worried tone. "Your jobs are to scrub the floors with the other boys and to clean the windows. And then after that, we just do whatever Miss Shyrendora, Mr. Shydeman, or Garfakcy tell us to do."
"Oh, that's right. . .I had just. . .forgot, but thanks anyways," he said, searching for where the "other boys" were. After finding them, he mumbled a thanks to the girl and ran off to join the boys.
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"Finally Zoma! Geez, we thought you'd never show up!" called a black-haired boy, not any older than the boy Zoma, a little too cheerfully for such a gloomy setting. A barrier of a white bandanna held his mess of shining black hair back. Nohiro cheerfully threw a rag at his comrade and continued with his own scrubbing of the floors. ((okay, so Nohiro ain't really a kid, but I wanted him to come out in this story as one, 'cause he acts so much like a kid))
"You're in deep heat Zoma," said another boy, handing Rath a bucket of soapy water. "The Shys are probably gonna punish you for getting up late. . ." Light green hair shimmered in what little sunlight there was, and equally as green eyes looked stern at his tardy friend. "If I were you, I'd stay clear from their path for the rest of the day. You wouldn't want them to take you to the 'room'."
"What's tha. . .I mean, right," muttered Rath, saving his words before he let them slip. He had to pretend that he was this boy they thought was there friend and companion. If they were his friends. . .
"Geesh, Ringleys, you don't gotta be so serious. . ." said Nohiro, stretching his aching arms, "They wouldn't put him in the 'room' for just waking up late."
"You never know. . .they're capable of doing anything. . ." whispered Ringleys in a low and dark tone. He motioned for both Nohiro and Rath to get closer, which they obeyed. "Someone's missing again."
"What, really?" asked Nohiro, mischievous growing larger with both excitement and fear. "Who? Who was it?"
"It was that clumsy girl, remember her? Her name was. . .Miyabi, I think. She was always messing up, dropping dishes and such."
"Oh yeah, her," said Rath falsely, trying to fit in. His real thoughts were, 'What's going on? Why is a girl missing?'
"Yah. And now her disappearance is getting all the other girls worked up. She's the fifth kid this week."
"The fifth!" whispered Rath a little too loudly.
"Keep it down Zoma!" Ringleys hissed, motioning them to keep working. "Yah, remember? Yesterday was Sansi, before her was Shian, and before her was Kevin, and before him was Ben. That's five people so far for just this week. Usually it's only one to three a week, but it's been five already."
"Wow. . ." added Nohiro, whistling.
"YOU THREE!" came the shout of the female caretaker of the orphanage. Rath looked back just in time to see her twitch her fingers.
All three boys jerked back, clutching their shirts as pain seared through their chests where the silver string was attached to each one of them. Rath forced an eye open to see Shyrendora's dark shadow tower over them.
"If you have time for idle conversations, I am assuming that you do not have enough work?" asked the villainous lady sarcastically. "Well then, more work is what you will get!" She beckoned a finger towards them, and the strings instantly pulled them towards her. "This day shall be quite fun for you three. . ."
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"Argh!" groaned Nohiro, plopping down, hands behind his head, onto the warming comforts of his bed, located to the left of Zoma's. "My arms hurt like hell!"
"ALL of our arms hurt like hell, Hiro, not only yours," grumbled Ringleys, rubbing his own pair of arms as he made his way to his own bed, which was located to the right of Zoma's. "That witch made us wash all 239 windows in this frickin' place! BY OURSELVES!"
"Ow. . ." was all Rath said as he rubbed his arms, sitting cross-legged on his mattress. He had never had to do so much work in his life. Since birth he had always been pampered and given the life of luxury, but now. . .well, now he was living in the exact opposite of luxury. But, somehow. . .it made him feel good. He was finally away from the eyes of the Dragon Clan. Was this how it felt to be a real kid? He smiled at the thought and lay his head down on the soft pillow.
As the sounds of snores and other groans filled the small room, Rath ordered and filed the thoughts in his head. 'Nohiro; the optimist, Ringleys; the more serious one, leader of kids, ((well, not counting Garfakcy)) Hana Kusuku; quiet girl, shy, has a crush on. . .well, me. . .' and on and on he filed his thoughts, until finally, he came to the one thought which had been bothering for a while. 'Why are kids disappearing? . . .maybe I'll take a look around. . .'
Spiral: all for now…