A\N: IT'S OFF HIATUS! FINALLY! *FIREWORKS A'SPLODE IN THE SKY*

Alright! Honestly, I don't have much to say other than the end is a little sloppy on my part because I was just SO anxious to get it done! After today, updates should be regular! Thank you all for waiting so patiently for me to find my muse again! I love you all! Mentions will be in the next chapter!

ENJOY!


"Second verse, same as the first, I'm Ghira the eighth I am, Ghira the eighth I am, I am. I got married to the General next door, she's been married seven times before. And every one was a Ghira—Ghira! She wouldn't have an Aluf or a Kore—no sir! I'm her eighth old man I'm Ghira, Ghira the eighth I am, I am. Ghira the eighth I am!"

Qyroi looked up from his bandaged knees and smiled widely at the duo singing. If he could have, he would've started singing along. Link and Ghirahim laughed insanely, falling over each other as they walked in the hot sun. Link actually snorted once, and that made Qyroi laugh.

He liked the sound of his laugh. It was… familiar. Not being able to speak was becoming harder with every passing minute but at least he could still laugh. He could still smile.

"Cherry child, please keep up. We're going to lose you."

Qyroi jumped at the demon's voice, nodding his head and speeding up quickly.

Qyroi was terrified of Ghirahim. Even before he had cut his tongue out, Ghirahim had always appeared… threatening, to Qyroi. His tall stature, his confidence, his skill, his power… it was all just terrifying. And it made Qyroi wonder how a gentle spirit like Link wound up with the white-haired demon lord.

Ghirahim and Link continued to walk, and Link held out his hand for Qyroi to take, pulling him up beside them so they were all walking in a line.

"So, Ghirahim, tell me more about this friend we're going to see."

Qyroi glanced up. He was also curious about this friend… and he could only hope it was another nice friend.

Ghirahim tossed the white satin out of his eyes, glancing at the sky in a moment of reverie. "Where do I begin? Well, you should know he's a friend from a very important time in my life." Ghirahim glanced around, lowering his voice, and Link and Qyroi both leaned in.

"High school."

Link laughed. "No way! You went to high school?"

Ghirahim nodded, laughing to himself. "And this guy. Augh, we used to get in and out of so much trouble together. He was always cool under pressure, and he never got caught, but I had a lot of learning to do. Back then, things between Master and I were…" His eyes wandered, as if he were reliving a memory. "Good. He was kind to me… provided for me… rarely lost his temper…" He sighed, shaking his head. "Anyways, that's not the point. The point is, I learned almost everything I know from this man, and if he is willing to be an ally… we can attack the castle. And actually win."

"Really? You learned everything?" Link asked, his eyes wide.

Ghirahim chuckled, smiling at the sky. "Everything. Including how to get a girl to fall in love with you and get your tongue stuck to a frozen pole simultaneously."

Link stared for a moment and then stuttered, shaking his head as he mouthed the question that was on the forefront of Qyroi's mind. "How do you do that?"

Ghirahim laughed, turning down a narrow path cut into the mountainside. "I'm not entirely sure I remember, but that's the kind of boy he was. He could utterly humiliate himself, and still win the masses without missing a beat. As a teenager I was… how shall I say it?"

Qyroi had a feeling he knew the word, but he didn't know how to sign it, and he wasn't sure he would have even if he could. He didn't particularly want to lose another body part.

"I was a tad insecure. This crazy, insane, heedless boy gave me a lot of confidence."

Link smirked, placing his hands on his hips. "Ah, so he's the reason I have to put up with your cocky nonsense."

Ghirahim gave Link a playful shove, smiling a real, genuine smile. "Yes, he's the reason. You can let him have it when we meet him. If you don't pee your pants first."

"Huh?" Link frowned. "Why would I do that?"

"He was a very athletic boy in school, and he could beat almost anyone at wrestling. He didn't show off much, but everyone knew even the school principle couldn't take him down. If the world ever comes to an end, and there's a last man standing, it will be him." Ghirahim nodded, confirming this statement as fact. "But he was also kind enough to make the cruelest of the cruel change their ways. Unfortunately… I've heard rumors. And I'm worried he may not be the man I grew up with."

Link said nothing at that, but Qyroi felt several chills go down his spine. He didn't want to meet this person at all! But… he supposed he didn't really have any say.

In retrospect, he should have known better than to lie to Ghirahim. Anyone who lived in Axialis for any period of time knew Ghirahim had no tolerance for lying. It was one of his many pet peeves.

It's my own fault…

Still, he had only been following orders. When it came down to the wire, to blame Qyroi wasn't really fair. At least he didn't think so.

They were very specific about what I was to tell him…

He knew something with the Senate wasn't right, but he wasn't quite sure what. They were getting more secretive, but the wars in the far south were flaring, so that didn't really seem out of place. But the way the leaders acted when they spoke of… him. That strange man who lived in the wilderness. They got this… lust in their eyes. Lust for power.

No, something wasn't right. Something was definitely not right.

Qyroi just didn't know what it was.


Kanji stumbled into the kitchen at roughly 6 pm, his legs shaking as he made his way over to the dinner table in the servant's quarters. Kamani looked up at him upon his arrival, letting out a quiet gasp that was no doubt directed at his appearance.

"Wh-what happened to you?" She rushed into the back room without waiting for a reply and then re-entered the kitchen, sitting him down on one of the stools and looking over his body in a frantic attempt to figure out where she should start.

"I… I suppose Lord Azan doesn't like my as much as the previous lord did…" Kanji chuckled softly in an attempt at humor, but the girl only seemed to worry more.

"Here… let… let me start with your back…"

She poured antiseptic over a white cloth and began to dab the oozing cuts on his backside. Kanji hissed, arching away from the pain instinctively.

"Sorry!" She tried again, being as gentle as possible. "There… how's that?"

He grit his teeth, nodding slightly. "It's… better, thank you."
"What happened?"

Kanji sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Lord Azan gave me a list of chores that I couldn't complete in time... this was my punishment."

She winced, shaking her head. "Ouch…"

He opened his mouth to reply, but froze at the sound of footsteps down the hall. Kamani's hand hovered over his backside, both of them waiting with bated breath.

"Kanji, you're here earl—oh." Shai walked into the room, stopping just inside the door. His eyes wandered over his little brother's body, rage visibly taking him over. "Kanji, what happened to you?"

Kanji glanced away, not wanting Shai to do something rash because of his protectiveness. "It… it was just a little chastisement…"

Shai moved closed, looking over the wounds with well-trained eyes. His red eye continued to scan Kanji's backside while his purple eye focused on his brother's face. "Kanji… was there any way to avoid this… 'chastisement?'"

Kanji shook his head. "No… it was impossible."

Shai frowned, his eyes coming together and focusing on the ground in front of him. "I see." He jumped, looking at Kamani as if he just realized she was in the room. "Oh, hello! I don't think we've met…"

Kamani smiled, blushing lightly and holding out her free hand. "Kamani."

"I'm Shaika, but everyone calls me Shai." The raven shook her hand, and then let her get back to what she was doing. "I… thank you for caring for Kanji. Are you a medical demon?"

She shook her head, her long, white braid falling over her shoulder. "No, I'm the cook. But I've dabbled in a lot of miscellaneous jobs."

Shai smiled. "I see. A jack of all trades. Or rather, a Jill of all trades."

Kamani laughed softly, nodding. "Yeah, that's right."

Kanji smiled to himself, listening in as their small talk continued over his head. It sort of helped him to cope with the pain a little. It was so nice to see Shai relax a little, and Kamani was so obviously infatuated with him. It was just perfect. Of course, if Kanji had never endured such a harsh whipping, this conversation never would have happened.

Oh, what would they do without me?


Ghirahim glanced over his shoulder once more, sighing when he saw how far behind his two companions had fallen. He looked forwards and saw a large column of rock rising up from the ground, the sun setting beside it. It was the only noticeable landmark seeing as they were in an ocean of sand.

I knew this was going to be difficult for them, but at this rate we won't get there for a week. I expected Qyroi to fall behind, but even Link is flopping around like a fish out of water, and I need him in order to win this.

Sighing, Ghirahim turned in a slow circle, taking in his surroundings. Link and Qyroi came to a stop just a few feet away, and Link instinctively put his hand on his sword.

"What is it? Do you sense something?"

Ghirahim shook his head. "No. We have a different sort of problem." He paused, turning once more before finally facing them. "Don't take this the wrong way, but the problem is you two. You're moving entirely too slow, and we're never going to make it in time. So! Here's what we're going to do…"

Link and Qyroi both got closer, waiting for further instructions.

"When I summon potions and weapons, they don't just appear out of thin air. I have reserves back at my castle where I pull things from. However, these rooms can be blocked off with spells and magical seals, which is what I imagine the new lord will do as soon as he has the time. Since I still have access, I'm going to summon as many potions and weapons as we can comfortably carry, and you two are going to drink potions even when it's not necessary in order to keep your strength up." Ghirahim paused, watching their body language to make sure they understood before continuing. "By doing this, we not only make a dent in the enemy's supply—a small dent, but a dent nonetheless—but we also will increase our travel speed. The downside to this is that you may get used to functioning in his dangerous land with ease. This will not only cause you to drop your guard more willingly, but when we are cut off from supplies, it may be a little more difficult than it is now to travel."

Link waved it off. "We'll be fine."

Ghirahim looked at Qyroi, who was staring at the ground and fidgeting nervously. "Well, cherry child?"

The boy looked at him with fear in his violet eyes, and he made a few incomprehensible sounds before hanging his head in a simple sign of submission.

Link nudged him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll take care of you."

Qyroi didn't respond.

Ghirahim snapped his fingers, a large stockpile appearing on the ground between them. He knelt down, quickly cutting the pile into segments.

"Stamina over here, health over here, weaponry over here," he said, pointing to each pile.

Link sat down, picking up a stamina potion and downing the whole thing in thirty seconds. Ghirahim picked up one for himself and started to chug, glancing at Qyroi out of the corner of his eye. The bottle was soon emptied, and Ghirahim dropped it to the ground, picking up another potion and walking towards the ginger.

"Qyroi, you should drink some as well."

Qyroi looked up at him, eyes wide. He shook his head slowly, backing away.

"Now, Qyroi, I already explained the plan to you. This is not a trap. I would love to do this the peaceful way, but I'm afraid I don't have time to sit here and gain your trust. We have to drink these and get back to travelling as soon as possible." Ghirahim had continued to walk while he spoke, and Qyroi kept backing away, so now they were about ten feet away from Link. "Qyroi!"

The boy flinched, but looked prepared to run at any moment.

"Let's go back where Link is, and then you need to drink some of these."

Qyroi whimpered, drawing his legs up to his chest.

Ugh… I do not have time for this!

Ghirahim reached down, grabbing the boy by the arm and dragging him back across the sand to the area when Link was. Qyroi shouted his protest, pulling hard on his arm.

"Qyroi that is enough!" Ghirahim sat down, pulling the boy onto his lap.

Sighing heavily, he forced the boy to straddle him, ignoring the frantic screams and unintelligible sounds coming from his mouth.

"Calm down." Ghirahim kept his tone commanding, but the boy was still trying to get away.

Link was still making good work of the potions, and he had started to look over the weapons as well. He was content to leave Ghirahim to the act of handling demon child. Ghirahim sighed.

Wrapping an arm around the boy's waist to hold him still, he popped out the cork and lifted the bottle to Qyroi's lips.

"If you spill this, you're in big trouble."

Qyroi trembled silently before taking the rim into his mouth and starting to drink. Ghirahim tilted it slowly, paying attention to his body language in case Qyroi began to choke or ran out of air.

Soon the elixir was gone, and Qyroi was sitting in petrified silence, biting his lip and trying hard not to cry. Ghirahim reached for another potion, popping off the cap and handing it over.

"Will you drink this one by yourself?"

The redhead watched him for several moments, and then he took the drink and brought it up to his mouth.

"Hmm… I can tell you are slave material from your mannerisms. What I don't understand is why they would bring you along." Ghirahim paused, watching the boy very carefully.

Even though he knew Ghirahim had given him permission to drink, he was still shaking with fear, and his stomach and chest rose and fell sporadically with terrified pants and gasps. His exposed belly had several hairline scars running this way and that, and it made Ghirahim wonder what kind of master he had. Despite the fact that he was a slave and had most likely seen a lot of hardship, his eyes were wide and innocent. He was focused entirely on his bottle, oblivious to the world around him even though he was in horrendously dangerous territory. Naivety was the word that came to mind.

"How's it taste?" Link asked, wiping his mouth and downing a fourth potion.

Qyroi nodded, looking over at his friend.

Well, at least he's docile for the moment.

Ghirahim reached over and grabbed another for himself, trying to draw a map of Axialis in his head.

If we keep heading west, we'll pass that rock and then we should be… about one hundred miles from Shakai. We'll have to make very good time tomorrow and the day after if we expect to get anything done… Teleportation would make this so much easier, but that kind of magic will be sensed by all sorts of creatures, and… He shuddered. No, we definitely can't teleport. But we really can't stand to travel on foot all of the time… I wonder if we'll hit some horses after we get out of the desert…

Ghirahim slid Qyroi off of his lap and stood up, stretching. "Alright, let's keep drinking while walk and see how far we can get by sundown."

Qyroi jumped up, grabbing another potion and watching Ghirahim for the command to go.

He's getting a little more obedient…

Link got to his feet, a saber strapped to either hip and several knives tucked into various parts of his outfit. "I'm ready."

Ghirahim nodded. "Good, let's go."

The trio started to walk, wind sweeping sand over the tracks they left behind them as the sky faded from pink to red to dark, navy blue.


Shai sat straight up in bed, a strangled scream escaping his lips. He panted, looking around him frantically, sweat pouring down his face. His fingers curled around the burlap sheet, chest heaving.

He lay down slowly, staring up at the ceiling and forcing himself to calm down. Heat radiated from his body, and he sprawled out, desperately wishing for a cool breeze to come in somehow.

Screwing his eyes shut, he finally managed to level out his breathing and get a grip.

It was that same dream… I haven't had it in years.

A shudder tore through his body and he rolled over, staring at the wall through blurred vision.

Will he do it again? Will I let him? Could I go through that again for the sake of my country?

A sick feeling started to form in his gut.

I bet he will. He enjoyed it so much last time… that twisted grin on his face… the way he spoke to me the whole time…

Shai sat up again, holding his head.

He scarred me forever. He did it for fun. He ripped away my innocence.

Shai jumped, letting out a muffled shout as a hand closed over his shoulder. Whipping his head around, he saw Tovi sitting on the bed with him, a worried expression on his face.

"What are you doing up?" Shai asked, hand pressed against his chest from the mini-heart attack he had.

"You were having a nightmare." Tovi blinked a few times, watching him. "Was it about… Lord Azan and what he did to you when you were younger?"

Shai felt his cheeks heat up, and he looked away, grumbling. "Yeah…"

Tovi lay down on Shai's bed, nodding. "I see…"

Shai looked over his shoulder, staring at the redhead for several minutes before laying down next to him. He rolled over and faced the wall, trying to get his thoughts on a new topic.

Any topic is depressing… master, friends, family, past, future, chores, tomorrow, yesterday… all the things I would normally think about are only going to make me feel worse.

Tovi grabbed his hand, rolling over and moving a little closer to Shai. "You should go back to sleep."

Shai stared at the wall in front of him, gripping Tovi's hand for all he was worth. "I know…"

"Goodnight, Shai."

Shai closed his eyes, focusing on the feel of Tovi's hand in his own. He focused on his sense of touch. He focused on the present—on the current moment.

"Goodnight… Tovi…"

The heat in his body slowly began to recede, and Shai pushed all thoughts of the dream from his mind. Still clutching his brother's hand to his chest, he faded off to sleep, and silence blanketed the room once more.


A\N: Okay, yeah, it's official. That time in Fabulous, Shai was raped. I decided.

Also, the song Ghirahim was singing is called "Henry the VIII". Patrick Swayze (Sam) sings it in the movie 'Ghost'.

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