The Inner War
Chapter 1: Fireworks
PG (Angsty)
By Muhsaysthecow
Siegfried/Raphael-ish
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Author's note: I like the begining of this story. :P If I wrote like this more I would have a book published by now...
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There is a battle going on below us. In Wallachia, an army has gathered to fight against a man and his daughter. It's only a small squadron, with only one true general and many inexperienced foot soldiers. But the fact they sent anyone is enough. They know this is dangerous. They know something is coming from that supposedly deserted castle, where at night faint lights flicker and sometimes the shadow of a human passes by the window. Supposedly, things live there, things that are infected with a sickness that is spreading.
They do not want to knock down the castle. It is black, and crumbling, and it is cursed; there are things that happened there, murders and conspiracies. Nobody remembers the details anymore, but the old tales of the wandering ghosts and being possessed by the vampires keeps the young Calvary at bay. They will not storm the place, not now, not ever, unless the King himself forces them to enter the castle that they fear so much.
So they will bide their time. There are only two demons in there, a man and his daughter. Even though some men will wake up the next day with holes through their bodies and blood seeping from their mouths, they will bide their time. They are more afraid of the fiction that is the wives tales then the fact that is Raphael Sorel and his daughter Amy.
The army shoots rags covered with strong oil, lighting it on fire as the spring is sprung and the ammo is sent flying through the air. They hit the walls of the castle with sick thumps, sliding down and catching whatever is flammable on the ground. The army prefers to use these mostly harmless things the most against a stone castle. The sky is never dark in Wallachia because of them.
Raphael says these are his fireworks. He says it as he stands on the balcony of his castle, sweeping his hand out towards the forces. "They are just for me, and you, and Amy." He says, walking toward the edge. "And they, they are the ants, waiting to be squashed by me, mindless and dull ants."
"They have minds, like you or I." I tell him, quietly watching as a rag sores above our heads. "They are not ants. Humans, just like us."
"What do you know?" He replies, but I know he is bothered. His red eyes glow in a vicious way, but they belly the fear that is lurking within him. Raphael thinks he is a better breed then the men down below; but what is he if he is not a human like everyone else?
A demon. He fears the demon inside him, yet nurtures it and encourages the sadistic tendencies. He says he does this for Amy, but that too is a lie. She is a girl, too young and too deprived of world sense to know that her Father is doing wrong, yet she senses that he is doing this for ulterior reasons. That he does not want to just change the world, but conquer and control it.
I am quiet as I seat myself on the edge of the balcony. Raphael sits next to me, elbows on his knees as he watches them move down below.
"Siegfried, if they are human, then why are they attacking their own brethren?" His question is quiet, a slow whisper over the cling and the clang of war.
"They are not attacking me, Raphael." I say, all too quietly, even more softer then his question. I do not look over at him, just watch the fireworks, because I know I have wounded him more then anyone could with a blade.
"You are stupid. You do not see their density, but I have seen how they mill around, only here to kill and destroy. You only see the goodness in everything. Too optimistic." His voice is harsh and thick with emotion.
I bite my lip, and I look over at the blonde haired demon, his eyes locked onto the flashes of light. He knows what I have to say before I even say it.
"What would I see in you if I were not optimistic?"
"A wonderful man-"
"You should have rid yourself of that sword."
"I should have rid myself of you." He hisses, standing and walking away from me. His steps are heavy against the stone, and my eyes follow him until he disappears down the stairs, down into the castle.
I turn my back against him, my eyes once more on the lit rags flying through the air. The fireworks look awfully pretty, reflected against the armor of the ants.
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This is going to be more then a one part story, that's for sure. I'm not sure what, or when, I'll be adding more chapters, but I have at least four more chapters planned. They will all be short and done in the 'one-shot' kind of manner I wrote here. Whenever I get the inspiration, I'll write them, I guess...
Want to roleplay Sieg/Raph or any other pairings I write? Email me at moosaysthecow at comcast dot net, or just review.
-Muh