Love is torment, its absence is hell.
Pain. The reaction rippled through him, forcing a distressed groan through his clenched teeth. His hands instinctively tried to clutch his throbbing wounds but to no avail...he was restrained. His eyes shot open in panic and he took in the all too familiar location; lavish decorations surrounded him and he felt the soft bed wrap around his sore muscles, sending pleasant tingles through them. The Dark Ace's attire...or should he say lack of it-save a pair of grey briefs, left him feeling cold and in agony. The Crystal Witch sat at her study, examining a viridian coloured crystal and humming to herself. Dark Ace gulped; he was now in the spider's web...and he was going to be bitten.
Already his body began calling to her, desiring her full attention for his throbbing wounds and his lack of heat. The words 'please help me' danced on his tongue and thrived to be free, however that would be exactly what she wanted-he was not in here on good terms. He flinched nervously as she got up and began walking over to him-the spider was closing in. Her slender body gracefully shifted forward with unrefined elegance and beauty. She was still in the hooded and caped battle attire he last saw her in...Right before she claimed her prize. Dark Ace took solace in the fact that he was beaten by Cyclonis rather than one of her Talon thugs.
He winced as his discord heartbeat sent a rush of blood through his body, reminding him of his wounds that still beaconed for attention...her attention. She quietly knelt next to him on the bed, there was time enough for him to smile; she was so light that if he hadn't have seen her on the bed, he wouldn't have noticed. Dark Ace cautiously eyed the crystal that she held in her small palm. Her concentration seemed entirely on the facetted green stone, he could only imagine its horrific uses.
Dark Ace's lips trembled and his breathing hastened as Cyclonis held the crystal over the wound on his stomach. She gently placed her other hand on his abdomen for stability. His thoughts went foggy when her fingernail began tracing along the plus sign that segregated his hardened muscles. He had acquired his physique from fighting for her, day and night.
He looked up at his Master but her focus was still on the crystal as it began to produce a dim ray of light onto the wound. He shuddered in relief as he felt the muscle weave mend itself and the skin closed over to form a pale scar. He secretly frowned when she moved onto his next wound; he shouldn't have but he was really enjoying her smooth fingernail exploring his flexed torso. He could smell her now, that rich lavender scent he adored-intoxicating his lungs.
The crystal; which he now accepted as a regenerating crystal and not a torture device-hovered above the puncture on his shoulder. His Master's free hand began to follow a contour on his right arm. Involuntarily he flexed his bicep and he beamed with pride as she ran her hand over his impressive physical strength. Cyclonis' body was stretched over his and he leeringly traced his eyes along her curvatures. The crystal finished its restoration and once again he felt disappointed that she could not dote on his strength for longer.
Then the realization conjured itself in his mind; she was waging war on a psychological level...smart girl. He knew that he could resist the temptation with his mind but his body ached for her touch and her warmth against him. Therefore Cyclonis was attacking his mind through his body, secretly complimenting his strength so his inflating ego shut down the defences that safeguarded him from defeat.
The oxygen supply to his lungs stopped as she sat on his concrete stomach and leaned in her face beside his to heal the wound on his neck. Her free hand tilted his head to the side to expose the cut. Her soft fingers felt strange against the fine and spiky stubble on his jaw, he hadn't shaved in two days so there must be a shadowy pigment there by now. He grated his teeth at the tempting desire for Cyclonis to be sitting just a few inches lower.
Dark Ace felt the tingling sensation once more as the flesh mended itself into a near invisible scar. Cyclonis had fixed him but whether it was just so she could break him, was yet to be seen...
The silence was deafening; to her it must have seemed like he rejected her, tried to give her to someone else and then tried to run away from her. Dark Ace was no expert on women but he could only imagine that it would have been heart breaking. Guilt plucked its manipulating harp in his mind. She pulled her weight back onto his stomach and teleported the crystal back to its apparatus on the desk. He felt her body shift-she was going to move away. His selfish body willed...no throttled his mind to interrupt her.
"Master" He gasped. Success; her eyes widened and she seated her lovely warmth back on his stomach, sending pleasant ripples of heat throughout his torso. It was more of a desperate plea then a formality but she seemed to understand what he meant. She leaned in so her forehead was against his, her cool breath taunting his lips, forcing him to shudder violently as the repressed lust flooded his body with passionate heat.
"You have been very disobedient Dark Ace" His eyes widened with déjà vu; a few months ago he had a very naughty dream with her, which involved the whispering of that exact phrase. His lips parted as he felt himself harden with nostalgia, while his cheeks felt hot with embarrassment.
"Therefore you must be punished" His vision went out of focus for a few seconds as his eyes dilated at Cyclonis' suggestive words. She gave a triumphant smirk at his bashful reaction. This wasn't how it was meant to be, he was The Dark Ace-why did he get all giddy when Cyclonis whispered a few dirty words to him. The massive amount of control he was surrendering to her was becoming aggravating yet also appealing. Fortunately for a brief moment his willpower managed to overcome the screaming protests of his body.
"I...don't love you" He pathetically proclaimed. Truth was that he wanted her to claim victory over him again...and again...and again.
"Oh really?" She asked curiously, drawing her face back from his and tilting it on its side-eying her prize.
"That's right, it will be easy resisting someone I don't love-" Her finger pressed against his lips and he ceased his rambling. He was now terrified, her facial expression didn't change from its smug tone-she could see straight through his mask of lies.
"Why do you lie to me? Do you wish to be in more trouble?" She inquired with curiosity, drawing a pattern over his heart as it fluttered in his chest.
"I...I am not healthy for you" He answered, listening to his body fume in anger at his minds betrayal.
"Is that so? Then define what 'is' healthy for me" She requested while admiring her violet fingernails. This wasn't a good sign; whenever Cyclonis examined her fingernails it was her way of letting you know that she was winning the argument.
"Aerrow" He answered, almost biting the words as they left his mouth. To his bafflement a mischievous grin appeared on her face.
"Ah yes, Aerrow. I must commend him for teaching me how to pleasure a man, I just wish he wasn't so rough about it" She casually remarked to herself, looking up at the ceiling and appearing to smile as she recalled what they had done together. Dark Ace felt his blood boil and his face turn from an excited red to distressed pallid.
"WHAT!" He roared in disbelief and anger. His mind-as always had to have a little stab at him. 'This is completely your fault! You gave her so many opportunities to stray from you and below and behold-she slept with Aerrow. Well done you Dark Moron' His teeth made a violent crackling noise as they grinded over each other.
"Don't worry Dark Ace. Remember; you're the one who said he would be good for me so I gave him the chance and one thing led to another..." She trailed off with a happy sigh, seeming to once again reminisce of what she and Aerrow did together while he was unconscious.
"I...I don't...I don't believe it..." He stammered absolutely devastated and riddled with regret. There was nothing in the world he could do to change this heartbreaking fact; his beloved Master had...shared...herself with his ultimate enemy. Now he really relished the idea of suicide-Aerrow had taken his will to live.
"You don't have to believe it but you will appreciate the wide variety of 'practiced' skills I now possess when I use them on you" She gleefully remarked. The fact that she just offered to pleasure him didn't even faze him one bit. He was too morbidly shell shocked to even maintain his once fiery erection. He just lay there, deathly still and eerily silent for a few moments. He felt like a ghost. He decided to confirm the nightmare once more, he did not know why but he couldn't bite his tongue.
"So you lost your virginity-" He tried to ask but he was interrupted.
"Virginities" She corrected. His heart twinged painfully and his left arm went numb. 'So this is how it ends...' He thought. All his hopes and dreams shattered right before he died, how tragically dramatic. Shock wore off and spiteful rage took its place.
"To Aerrow the Sky Knight!" He clarified as if trying to make her understand how wrong that was. The pain in his chest became more agonizing and he could no longer feel his left arm at all.
"Yes" She calmly answered, a little spark of worry flickering in her eyes as his left chest began to twinge with each spasm. Dark Ace was confused; why was she wearing her poker face? His vision began to distort but he decided that he wanted to go out with a final curse of revenge on Aerrow.
"I'll see you in hell Aerrow. Muhahahahahaaa WE WILL HAVE SOOOOOO MUCH TO CATCH UP ON!" He screamed sadistically, tears falling down his cheeks on a peculiar angle from the demonic smile he wore.
"No need" Those words seemed to make time stand still. 'No need?' he repeated in his head. He put his heart attack on hold for a moment as he searched Cyclonis' eyes for meaning. He sneered with assumption.
"Oh let me guess! You let him return to Atmosia to prepare for the wedding!" He snapped sarcastically, smirking at his wit but also crying at the tragedy that was unfolding.
"No-Aerrow is still crippled in the infirmary" She mused. Dark Ace felt a little bit happier on the inside 'ha, that scar will be there forever-as a reminder of who the superior opponent was' his mind jested but there were still parts of this situation that were left in the dark, what was even more confusing is that he was able to stall the Grim Reaper himself while he put the last pieces of the puzzle into place.
"Then how-" He began, not really sure of the direction he was heading but she seemed to understand the concept as she nodded in compliance.
"I lied." The words 'I lied' had never tasted so sweet, even if her words were lies themselves-he still liked the idea of her not being with Aerrow in any way.
"I made you admit how much you love me through your passionate display of jealousy and envy" His beloved Master once again had him stunned with bewilderment. Feeling to his left arm restored and his heart slowly began to beat at its normal love smitten rhythm. Hope encouraged him to speak.
"...Wait...so are you telling me that you and Aerrow never...?" He didn't know how to finish that question but she understood. Her answer literally held him on the brink of life and death.
"Yes" She answered never breaking eye contact. Either this was the most beautiful lie Cyclonis had told him or that he never expected the truth to be so soul quenching. Her face was kind and sincere-hell if this was a lie then it was one he enjoyed clinging to.
"So your still a...? He asked albeit shyly, it was an awkward question but he wanted to know, as any other male in their right mind would-it was the fool proof way of knowing.
"Yes" She answered. Honey. that was the taste of her words. They were so sweet and pure. He closed his eyes and sighed contently. A tear of joy slowly rolled down his cheek. She had told him everything he wanted to hear and know he was finally going to profess everything to her and offer her his heart; no matter how childish it sounded, he knew it was the right thing to do. He cleared his throat and opened his eyes, meeting her excited and patient purple irises-she knew this was the moment she had been waiting and fighting for. They had been through so much together and they both knew each other like the back of their hands. She was the Master, he was the Servant...for so long that boundary kept them apart but now it was wavering under the power of love. It was time.
"Master Cyclonis; I love you with all my heart-I always have. When this war is over, no matter who wins-I will ask you for your hand in marriage. Should you accept I will be yours forever, I will always be faithful to you and I promise to love you in sickness and in health and when we are ready I will love our children equally as much-until death do I part from you" The barrier-was broken and in its shattered wake was an opportunity for happiness.
SMACK! Being a man who respected power, Dark Ace could not help but feel awed at how hard the teenage ruler could slap his face. 'Well that went well...' He cocked his eyebrow in confusion at the angry Crystal Witch.
"Master...I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear but I couldn't live life until you knew...and now you know-I will be content with your choice regardless of what it might be" He offered sincerely, feeling the skin on his cheek flare red with her handprint.
"You made me wait so long for that...then you tried to reject me and even after that you tried to run away...I feared that I wasn't ever going to hear those words" She admitted, beginning to tremble. He sighed in relief but also in sorrow, he had no idea that Cyclonis had cared for so long, possibly even as long as he had.
"I love you" He repeated, savouring the satisfaction of those words-after 22 years, to finally say them...words failed to describe the sensation. His soul was soaring with bliss as he relinquished the secret he had clutched to for an eternity. He felt tears welling in his eyes as his heart melted. Cyclonis' trembling became more unstable; tears cascaded down her milky cheeks. Joy shook her whole frame and she collapsed into him sobbing 'I do' multiple times as tears burst from her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and exposed her emotions for the first time in years.
Dark Ace rested his head on hers as she flooded his chest with warm tears of overwhelming happiness. Dark Ace had made his Master happy by forgetting that she was Master Cyclonis and accepting her as a beautiful young girl who was experiencing irrevocable love. He closed his eyes and when he opened them again, they were ablaze with her violet aura. Of all the cute things she did, this was the pinnacle; uncontrollably engulfing him with her mystical powers. Glimpses of her fond memories with him flashed before his eyes, making him sincerely smile. It was truly a commendable achievement on Cyclonis' part; making a man who lived to kill-smile.
The aura burnt brightly as she clung to him and released her reserved emotions out. Dark Ace knew that this was a monumental moment in the girl's life where she was finally loved and cared for rather than lonely and despised. He had broken the sacred covenant between Master and Servant but he did not care about Cyclonia, he cared for Cyclonis. Her crying slowly came to its gentle stages where she was just sobbing quietly. He chuckled as he felt Cyclonis' logic try to regain her composure. Her head shot up in surprise to where she was and what she had just done. Her breathing became rushed as she tried to conjure a reasonable explanation for her display of feelings.
"I-I'm so sorry. Please don't see me as less of a ruler now" She pleaded, vulnerability swimming in her wide amethyst eyes. That desperate plea for his respect was beyond cute, it was adorable and above all-innocent.
"I gave in, its time you did as well" He whispered, confidence lacing his tone. She nodded inconspicuously and rested her head on his heart, letting the last of her emotional cyclone slow to a halt. They lay there for a few more moments while Cyclonis calmed down, almost seeming to purr into his heated chest. Dark Ace shuddered as her soft fingernail began writing letters on the hard chest muscle that covered his heart. He mentally recorded her patterns and smiled when he realized that she had spelt 'I love you' they both shared a smile.
Her next pattern caught him off gaurd. He carefully recorded each letter in his head while furrowing his brow in concentration. 'Do you want me?' His heart started racing when she drew the dot of the question mark. The time for being selfless was over-he wanted to be greedy, he wanted to make her his. The amethyst flames had faded, which meant Cyclonis' mood had changed to either spite or mischief and judging from her prior pattern, he would have laid money on mischief.
"Yes...badly" He whispered, the latter word just slipped out. She giggled and heat flushed through his body in excitement. Today was a good day; Aerrow was crippled in the infirmary, he was going to make love to Cyclonis and all of Cyclonia was supporting them-it was surreal.
"Dark Ace you are being very, very bad-you know you can't have your Master. Any book in the library will tell you that" She whispered into his ear, sending goose bumps down his neck. 'I don't care if you execute me afterwards but this is going to happen-my lovely Master' His mind mused with determination.
"I may 'accidentally' carry down a box of matches, then 'accidentally' set fire to those books and then 'accidentally' hide the evidence" He answered with obvious sarcasm riddling his words. Cyclonis chuckled seductively into his ear.
"I would have to punish you for that as well" She mused. She had already started tracing her finger along the pathway that separated his abs which he was flexing for her benefit.
"Consider it burnt then" They both laughed. Cyclonis bumped his ear with her nose in a warning gesture.
"Dark Ace, are you underestimating my resolve? Perhaps I need to exercise my control over you" She whispered. Dark Ace smirked; the teenage Crystal Witch punishing him has always been his favourite fantasy. She shifted herself upright upon his stomach and looked down upon her prey.
"You can try young one but I doubt you will extract a plea for mercy" He taunted, barely able to control his broadening grin-this was a game he really wanted to play. Her right eyebrow raised in an intrigued manor.
"Challenge accepted" She chimed, excitement and danger coating tone, sending slivers of hot ice down his spine. The passion play had now begun...