Author's note: I am so sorry that this story went AWOL for over a year. A lot happened in my life. I have a seizure disorder brought on by stress and previously undiagnosed hypoglycemia/pre-diabetes and struggled with deep depression (complete with suicide ideation) that robbed me of any and all creativity. The good news is I'm slowly regaining my love of writing and fanfiction and am determined to finish this story and start some new ones.
Thank you to my readers and those of you who have followed my work and continue to follow my work. You've been an inspiration and motivation. Thanks so much!
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Memories of Sand Chapter 11: Escape!
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"We need to escape…" Conrad's urgent voice cut through the heavy silence.
Murata stood up from Yuuri's side, looking for any escape route. He could feel the vector spell dissipating into the abyss. The remnants still hung in the air and over the minds of those trapped under Saralegui's control for so many years. They might have a chance. The guards would be slow and disoriented. But so were they. He looked to Gwendal and Conrad. The two men were conscious but nowhere near the level of alertness usually seen in them. Thin sheens of sweat glistened on their faces as they gathered their weapons, ready to defend their king as best they could. Murata looked down at Lord Bielefeld, who had just defied every expectation possible. The third prince was close to collapse. His hair hung in sweat-drenched locks, his face was pale and dripping with sweat, his breathing came out in heavy pants. He had pushed himself to his limit.
They were at a huge disadvantage.
'Sage…'
'Shinou?' Murata sent into the spiritual abyss.
'You need to leave now…' Shinou urged. 'The spell has left everyone dazed. Saralegui's soldiers are of little threat if you leave now. If you can get to the courtyard, I can transport you to the harbor through the fountain. Leave now!'
'How can…'
'No time!' Shinou interrupted. 'Just take Yuuri and the others and run! I will lead you!'
Murata turned to Conrad. "Weller! Are you strong enough to carry Shibuya?"
"Yes," Conrad said determinedly, though he still showed fatigue. He fell into instinct and dropping down to gather Yuuri into his arms. "What are we doing?"
"We're making a run for it," Murata explained. "Do not stop for anything or anyone. Just follow me to the courtyard." Murata looked at Wolfram and Gwendal. "Everyone got that?"
Gwendal was breathing heavily. His hands searched for his sword but found nothing, he looked to his brothers and the sage with stark confusion. Murata could still feel the last vestiges of the spell fading from him. The eldest ex-prince was in no condition to fight.
Wolfram looked to Gwendal and then back to Murata. Without speaking, they both knew they were the only ones capable of defending their group - though barely. But they would have no choice but to break for the courtyard and hope fate would favor them.
"We will fight," Wolfram said in grim resignation. They would have to.
They were stopped when a group of soldiers appeared in the doorway, blocking their only escape.
"Don't you dare!" came a hiss from behind.
Saralegui stood, disheveled and bloodied. "I will have all of you slaughtered! None of you will leave this place alive!"
They were trapped.
"Everyone stand back…" Wolfram said suddenly, hands held out in front of him and palms up.
"Bielefeld," Murata wanted to warn him. To summon a large amount of magic after using it to the extent he already had would be dangerous at this point.
Without further hesitation, Wolfram summoned his fire magic through the esoteric miasma as Murata gathered the others and readied themselves for their escape. The room began to heat up and the flow of energies sped up as the fire demon summoned his magic.
"Spirits of fire, I summon thee…." Wolfram's voice resonated into the spirit realm.
Murata didn't hear the rest as a wild torrent of flames burst from the thin air. It was uncontrolled as it tried to direct itself at the soldiers and Saralegui. Murata and the others had to duck as they ran towards the newly opened escape route. The flames licked at their faces and the smoke made them cough as they ran into the hallway, leaving a screaming human king behind as he summoned his soldiers.
"They've kidnapped the demon king! Assassins! Kill them!"
Murata only glanced once to make sure his ragged group was behind him. Turning back to the lead, he ran down the opulent hallways of the Shou Cimarron palace as alarm bells rang and the sounds of soldiers gathering echoed. He had no idea where they were supposed to go, he could only guess where the courtyard was from his brief memory while he waited for Shinou's command.
He led them down what he hoped was the eastern hallway that he recalled was near the courtyard. Murata nearly stumbled when a rush of hot air and screams came from behind him. He spun around to see castle guards frantically trying to stop their clothes from burning. Some were gripping their bare faces and hands in pain. Wolfram summoned another flame and threw it haphazardly towards the soldiers, setting the carpets and curtains on fire.
'Sage!' Murata heard Shinou's voice echo in his mind. 'Keep going!'
"Don't stop!" He shouted at them and continued to run down the hall. They came to another hallway that split in two directions.
'Left!'
"This way!"
They turned down the hall, Saralegui's men still in pursuit. Murata glanced behind him. The demon lords were struggling. Conrad carried Yuuri over his shoulder, face beet-red from the strain. The king bounced and swung like a ragdoll, but there was no time for gentleness. Yuuri was so close to death it almost didn't matter at this point. Gwendal ran behind Conrad, still drained from being caught in the spell. And Wolfram...Wolfram was ghostly white and sluggish, barely keeping up with the rest of them. He would slow down to make sure they weren't being pursued and then struggle to catch up. He had summoned his magic too much. If he tried to summon his fire again, Murata didn't think he would be able to keep up with them and they couldn't take the risk of saving him.
'You're close!' Shinou urged him. 'Turn right and head straight!'
They reached the end of the hallway, made a sharp right, and the hallway opened into a covered walkway surrounding the courtyard. Right in front of them was the very fountain Shinou promised and the glowing, swirling waters that would get them to safety.
"Get in the fountain!" Murata ordered and pointed to the portal. "It's our only escape!'
The three men just looked at him and then back at the hallway and the sounds of their enemies encroaching.
"There's no time to explain!" Murata was well aware it sounded crazy. "We'll die here!"
"Will the king be safe?" Conrad asked.
"He has a better chance of living if we go through the portal!" Murata urged.
Conrad was the first to move, his eyes showed recognition at the churning water. He gripped Yuuri's body tighter and carefully stepped onto the fountain's edge. He only hesitated for a second before stepping into the water and being swallowed - king and all - by the glowing waters.
When arrows started shooting at them, Gwendal was next and quickly followed by Wolfram. Murata waited until all were safely transported before he jumped in and allowed the water to take him away.
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Wolfram remembered this sensation from the many times he had visited Yuuri's world.
It felt like somersaulting under water over and over again. Disorienting. Confusing. Nauseating for those first few times he made the trip from Shin Makoku to Japan. He would always have to take a few minutes of just sitting in a bathtub or kiddie pool just to regain his sense of balance before attempting to stand and greet his future in-laws.
He burst through the surface with a choked gasp. The familiar lightheadedness was worsened by his already overburdened body. But he would push through it. He would make sure Yuuri and his family were safe before he allowed his body to give out. He had to.
People were looking at them in shock. It certainly wasn't normal for five grown men to burst out of a small fountain. It certainly wasn't normal for them to jump out without hesitation - one barely dragging a seemingly lifeless body with him - towards the royal ship of the demon king.
"Lord Weller! Lord Voltaire!" the ship's captain exclaimed as they came to the ship. "What the hell is going on? What happened to the king?!"
"His majesty has been attacked!" Conrad exclaimed. "Prepare to set sail now! Call for the healer!"
The captain could only sputter as Conrad pushed past him to move up the ramp to the ship past the confused soldiers who were transporting supplies into the ship for the sail home that wasn't for another week.
"What of your entourage?" The captain asked, completely flabbergasted. "We're just resupplying!"
"We need to make it to sea!" Gwendal jumped in, helping Conrad carry Yuuri onto the ship. "Our enemy is behind us!"
The captain gathered himself and nodded, turning to his crew. "You heard them! Prepare for sail! Arm the cannons!"
The world exploded into a rush of movement and indiscernible shouts through the heavy haze that had fallen over Wolfram as he made himself follow his brothers and Murata to the royal cabin. He heard Conrad demand the healer again and this time, someone appeared dressed in the standard naval healer uniform. He was roughly shoved aside when the healer, Murata, and Conrad rushed into the cabin. More orders were called out as they laid Yuuri down.
Yuuri wasn't moving. He didn't appear to be breathing. Soaked and dripping from the water, he looked like some worn mannequin being fussed over by the three men fighting to save him. Wolfram worried that it hadn't been enough. His magic hadn't worked. It wasn't strong enough on human lands for such a complex and experimental spell. What if he had done more damage than good?
That couldn't be it! Not after all they had done to save him.
The floor was shifting. His body felt heavy. They were still looking over Yuuri. Conrad backed away, looked at Yuuri for a moment before rushing past Wolfram to the deck to ensure they were setting sail. Murata was explaining something to the healer, who only nodded and continued to administer aid to Yuuri. Murata pushed the man aside after a couple of minutes, sighing in frustration. He held his hand over Yuuri's forehead and the other over his heart, eyes closed in concentration.
His body felt heavier. Wolfram leaned against the wall, still staring, waiting, hoping. His arms and legs were shaking. His eyes were closing but he forced them open. He couldn't! Make sure Yuuri was alive!
HIs knees gave out and he kneeled on the floor, still leaning on the wall. Everything sounded like it was far away. He could hear the muffled shouts of the crew above them.
Yuuri was seizing. His body shaking violently on the bed. Murata didn't remove his hands. The healer unbuttoned Yuuri's shirt so he wouldn't choke himself. Yuuri continued to shake. Murata didn't flinch. Wolfram tried to feel with his own magic to see if he could sense what Murata was doing and immediately regretted it. His body revolted with a wave of nausea and dizziness that made him crumble even further into the floor. His head fell into the wall with a dull thump. He watched through ratty bangs. Their voices sounded even further away as his consciousness finally left him.
When he opened his eyes again, he was lying on a narrow bed in a dimly lit room. He stared blankly up at the ceiling for a long time, trying to recollect where he was. He tried to roll over to his side. His body felt like it had been beaten with bricks. He groaned with the effort and just laid there blank-minded and exhausted.
"Wolfram?"
Wolfram shifted to see Gwendal sitting towards the foot of the bed, watching him.
It felt so strange. This was his brother sitting before him after years of separation and forgetting he even had brothers. Gwendal looked the same as always, though drawn, likely fighting his own weakness after being torn from the spell's net. Wolfram felt the odd disorientation and familiarity as his brain conjured random memories to confirm that this was indeed his brother.
"How are you feeling?" Gwendal asked, moving to get Wolfram water from a nearby pitcher.
"How long have I been asleep?" Wolfram asked, still trying to orient himself.
"Two days…" Gwendal replied, dragging the chair closer and handing Wolfram the water. Needing something to hold onto, Wolfram took it and slowly sipped.
"Yuuri?"
Gwendal looked away for a moment before answering. "He is….stable. They were able to resuscitate him. His Grace told us what you did and it allowed the healer and his Grace to bring King Yuuri back from the brink of death."
Wolfram released the breath he didn't know he was holding in relief. The last image in his mind was of Yuuri's lifeless body on the bed and it brought him some level of peace to know that their rescue wasn't in vain...yet.
"How is he now?"
Gwendal sighed. "Very weak. He is still unconscious. His Grace said the closer we get to Shin Makoku, the easier it will be for his life force to recover...However, we won't know the extent of his condition until he awakes."
"I see…." Wolfram muttered, looking at his reflection in the water. He reached up to cover his scarred eye when he realized it was missing its usual bandana. But upon looking at his reflection, he could see the damage.
He looked like a completely different person. The scars across the right side of his face were an ugly contrast to his untouched left side. If he covered it, he looked like his old self. But uncovered, he looked like the street rat he had become over the past four years. It was like having the memories of another person - and personality. He wished he could call it a bad nightmare but the scars on his face and body proved otherwise.
"What happened to you, Wolfram?" Gwendal concerned words broke Wolfram out of his thoughts. Gwendal looked at him with unmasked worry, lips pursed in an effort to maintain his usual stoicism and control any other emotions he was having at the site of his baby brother's condition.
How much did he want to tell him? The scars were fully visible. He couldn't ignore that. But what of everything else?
"It's...still coming back to me," Wolfram answered in a raspy whisper, idly tracing the scars as his mind drifted back. "But...Saralegui captured me...I don't know where he kept me, but it was for weeks...in the dark...He tortured me...Had his soldiers beat me…"
Gwendal watched him, not moving from where he sat. Every muscle in his body was tense and his expression remained stony, but Wolfram could see the turmoil behind his brother's blue eyes. As the memories returned, Wolfram had to break the stare and look at the wall. The shame that had been growing underneath surfaced when faced with Gwendal's discerning gaze.
"What else?" Gwendal prompted after a long silence. "How did you escape?"
Wolfram shook his head, dissipating the images. "I don't know….I woke up next to a road and didn't remember who I was. I became a thief to support myself all this time - until his Grace found me and restored my memories."
"Is that all?" Gwendal asked when Wolfram failed to continue.
"Yes…" He couldn't tell his brother what else happened. What he did to survive and inadvertently help Saralegui further disgrace him.
"I doubt it," Gwendal said suddenly. "Why won't you look at me?"
"It was a difficult time," Wolfram said finally, brokenly. "I'm still...trying to accept it all... Make sense of it…"
Gwendal looked down. "I see…" After a long pause, Gwendal gestured towards Wolfram's covered feet. "And what of the pustules on your body?"
Wolfram felt sick, looking at his feet hidden under the covers. Words left him. "I don't know.." he said weakly.
Gwendal leaned forward, pinning Wolfram with his gaze. "When the healer examined you, he saw them. They are worse on your feet, but he showed us that they were appearing on your back and shoulders. He said you had rotten blood...Lues. How did you get it?"
Wolfram just shook his head in growing despair, trying to keep himself collected. "I don't...remember." It was somewhat true. Wolfram had no idea how or from whom he contracted the illness. Which one of his clients gave it to him.
"Don't lie to me!" Gwendal snapped, his stoicism cracking. "Did Saralegui give it to you?"
"I don't know...I don't know," Wolfram said, voice breaking. The memories of his assault from Saralegui's soldiers and his nights as a prostitute were fighting for his attention. But he couldn't bring himself to tell his brother. He was too afraid of what a confession would do to him. This illness… it would make him an outcast. It would bring shame to his family. The nobility would say he deserved it for selling himself. He would no longer be worthy of the Bielefeld name. He would be disowned and driven even further away from Yuuri and his family.
Gwendal slouched back into his chair, exhausted and disbelieving. "The disease has progressed too much. We can try to keep it a secret until you recover...but that's if we can get you treatment."
"There's no point," Wolfram said in a despairing whisper. "They'll notice my absence and it's only a matter of time before they find out the truth."
"His Grace told us everything," Gwendal said vehemently. "What Saralegui did. We are all at shame for allowing such a deviant to bring down the strongest country in the world. We let a little shit take over our homeland. We have all brought shame to ourselves and to the crown. Wolfram...you are not alone. If we were to disown you then it would make us hypocrites. Conrad and I won't abandon you."
"And what of Yuuri?" Wolfram asked.
"You and I both know he would never blame you." Gwendal was absolute.
Wolfram stared into the distance. "We can never be together...I'm...unclean…"
Gwendal shook his head. "His Majesty will find a way. No one, absolutely no one, can doubt his love for you."
"Can I see him?" Wolfram dared to ask.
This time, Gwendal hesitated. "I don't know of that. It's safer that you remain as far away from the king as possible."
Wolfram slumped back into the bed. He wasn't surprised. Even if he sought the treatment from Earth that Murata spoke of, he would still no longer be allowed near the king.
"But," Gwendal continued after a pause. "As long as you don't touch him or go near the bed...I will bring you to him."
"I won't," Wolfram said quickly. "I'll stand in the doorway. I just need to see if he's alright."
"Very well," Gwendal looked to his brother with unhidden sympathy. "Let me talk to the healer…In the meantime, you need rest. After all, you saved the entire kingdom. We can give you this little thing."
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After a time, Gwendal left Wolfram to continue resting. Wolfram fell into an uneasy sleep brought upon by his struggle to confess the extent of his sins. When he awoke hours later, Gwendal appeared again with food and water. He ordered Wolfram to eat and drink and afterwards he would take him to see Yuuri. Though he didn't have much of an appetite, Wolfram obeyed and consumed the food. Once finished, Gwendal helped him to the royal cabin. Everything was eerily quiet inside the ship, the crew was on deck going about their duties while only those absolutely needed remained below deck.
The inside of the royal cabin smelled of medicinal herbs. Wolfram looked at Conrad, Murata, and the onboard healer, a grayed man with a gentle demeanor, huddled around Yuuri's deadly still form on the large bed. The three of them looked up at the two men. Wolfram dutifully stayed in the doorway as Gwendal entered the room completely.
"How is the king?" Gwendal's deep voice broke the uneasy silence.
Murata looked down at the wilted king. "Same as before. He is stable and holding up well, but no sign of consciousness. The effects of the vector spell and breaking him from its clutches have drained him."
"Will he live?" Wolfram's voice quivered. Yuuri was incredibly pale under a mountain of quilts.
Murata nodded. "He will...thanks to you. What you did back there was incredible. I've never seen a demon utilize their magic like that. I think you've invented an entirely new technique for healers."
A wave of relief came over Wolfram. He completely made up the use of his magic, inspired by the odd machine Yuuri showed him. Forgetting himself, he tried to move closer to look at Yuuri better, to see for himself that he was truly okay.
Instantly, the healer raised a hand and chastised him gently. "Lord Bielefeld...I'm sorry but you must remain distant. The king is too weak and we can't risk infection."
Both Gwendal and Conrad gave the healer harsh looks. "He saved King Yuuri's life and he is his fiance! Can't he be near him for just a moment?" Conrad demanded on his behalf.
The healer looked between the three brothers sympathetically, but didn't budge. "I understand. I truly do. But until we truly know the extent of the damage, it can't be risked."
They all looked to Murata for confirmation and the sage sadly waved it off. It wasn't worth the argument.
Murata turned his attention to Wolfram. "How are you feeling, Bielefeld? I'm surprised you're able to stand."
"I feel like I weigh a ton," Wolfram answered, eyes never leaving Yuuri. "It's difficult to move or think. I've never felt this drained."
"That's not a surprise," Murata said. "You used quite a bit of magic. It was through pure will power alone that you were able to summon your fire magic and fight. That was absolutely commendable. It'll take weeks for your body to fully recover. I strongly suggest no use of magic for at least a couple of months from now on. You need rest. If you try to use your magic again, it will only worsen your condition."
"Will Saralegui come after us?" If he couldn't use his magic, how else could he help defend them against the evil king?
Murata sighed. "He likely will. Saralegui doesn't like his power threatened. He won't let us get away that easily. He just needs to regroup and I'm sure he'll try something."
"What can he do?" Conrad interjected. "An entire country is left disoriented from the spell. Those under his control are now free. He no longer has the Shin Makoku army at his disposal."
"Saralegui is a master manipulator," Murata continued. "He may not have the reach and strength of the vector spell, but he can easily cast his signature hints or convince Shou Cimarron's allies to unite against us. I do not doubt that he is desperate and angry and will be driven to destroy us."
"We are two weeks' voyage from Shin Makoku," Gwendal added, his eyes cast down deep in thought. "It will take several days to prepare our own military and inform our own allies."
"We are also dealing with the aftermath of the spell," Murata pointed out. "Those affected need to recover. Saralegui enslaved the entire country with effects on the surrounding areas. But this is to my current knowledge. I don't know the true extent of the spell's influence, but the most affected will be Shin Makoku and that will slow us down in utilizing the army."
"What do you think of the extent?" Conrad asked.
Murata thought for a moment before answering. "The most common side effect will be disorientation and confusion. The vector spell was used to make people forget the truth. It didn't erase or alter memories. My hope is that it won't take too long to mobilize our army and prepare for Saralegui's counter attack - if and when it comes."
"Right now, the best we can do is get to Shin Makoku as soon as possible and prepare," Gwendal finished. Murata nodded in agreement.
Gwendal, Conrad, and Murata delved into deeper discussions of strategy and informing their allies. Wolfram drowned them out as his attention went back to Yuuri, who was little more than a doll, as they discussed war and defense over his body.
He wanted so badly to hold him. He needed to be near him to bring himself some peace and to make everything feel more real. Yuuri hadn't moved once since he arrived. Wolfram couldn't see if he was breathing or not for the covers were too heavy and his breaths were shallow. He wanted to be closer to feel Yuuri's breaths against his skin and feel the warmth of his body so he could prove he was still alive. Murata and the healer's words wouldn't mean anything until he could see for himself that Yuuri would survive.
But he stayed put. He didn't want to further endanger Yuuri from his uncleanliness. So he just watched as he barely listened to his brothers discuss matters of war with the sage. He watched as the healer, having gone silent, tended to Yuuri. He watched the healer hold his hands, both aglow with the blue healing magic, over Yuuri to check his life energy. He didn't miss the worried frown on the man's face when he straightened up and stared down at the king.
A painful knot grew inside Wolfram's throat. 'Please, Yuuri. Fight…' He prayed silently.
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Later, they had somewhat of a plan to defend themselves against Saralegui's wrath. Because Saralegui no longer had control over Shin Makoku and its army, Murata surmised that he might try a more underhanded move. He doubted Saralegui would try to instigate a full out war, with his power so weakened. Their best bet was to get back to the kingdom as soon as possible and mobilize the aristocrats and their allies in defense. Perhaps once faced with the powerful Demon Kingdom and its own allies, Saralegui would retreat. They would only act in defense, but avoid war.
Wolfram contemplated their course of action while he rested back in his own cabin. Saralegui would only act if he was absolutely convinced he would win. He was not a warrior or a military general. He wouldn't outright face an enemy in battle. He previously depended on the support of Dai Cimarron, and, until now, he relied on Shin Makoku's. But now that he was essentially alone, he shouldn't act aggressively.
If everything went perfectly, it would be an easy win for them.
A knock on his door broke him out of his thoughts. "Who is it?"
"Sir Ben, my lord," came the voice of the healer through the door. "I've brought you a salve for your rash."
Wolfram bristled. He didn't want to listen to the healer's judgment or be reminded of the lurking illness that was slowly killing him.
"It will help, my lord," The healer added, his voice was gently insistent.
"Fine, enter." Wolfram said gruffly.
The door creaked open to reveal the old healer holding a tray with the salve and a bowl of soup and bread.
"Thank you," Sir Ben said setting down the tray on the small table. "May I take a look at the rash?"
"Why?" Wolfram eyed him suspiciously.
"I've encountered lues many times during my career," Sir Ben explained. "I haven't been able to properly assess your condition yet. If you let me, I can give you a better idea of your condition and what treatments are needed."
Thinking of Murata's promise, Wolfram reluctantly agreed. "Fine, then."
The healer immediately got to work, kneeling to examine Wolfram's already bare feet. He asked all the expected questions; how long had he experienced the symptoms? Does he have any idea who he might have gotten it from? Had he been intimate with anyone else in the last few months? Wolfram answered all the questions to the best of his ability and with cold efficiency.
"How bad is it?" Wolfram asked when the healer finally stood up.
Sir Ben sighed. "It's...quite advanced. Lues is a human disease introduced to the demon people during the last war. Because of this, it's very difficult to treat with traditional means. It's resistant to healing magic...not immune - just resistant. We try to catch it as early as possible because it makes treatment more effective. But if you haven't had any treatment at all..."
"Am I going to die?" Wolfram whispered.
"No," Ben said with a reassuring smile. "Once we get to Shin Makoku, there will be better means of treating the illness. The Academy has made great progress in developing treatment for lues. Their healers should be able to help you better than I can."
"Can it be cured?" Wolfram dared to ask.
Sir Ben thought for a moment and then sighed. "Maybe….it will take many months. Until then, no intimacy with anyone."
Wolfram nodded sadly. "I know…"
"The king -,"
"I don't need you to tell me!" Wolfram snapped.
Sir Ben looked at Wolfram, wizened grey eyes sympathetic. He reached into one of the deep pockets of his coat, pulled out a dark bottle, and handed it to Wolfram.
"This is all the mercury and holy wood I could find on the ship. Drink two sips every day. One in the morning after you wake up and one in the evening before bed. It will fight the infection and buy us time until we can get you to the proper facilities." He stood up to leave. "Just be careful. Don't let it linger on your teeth."
With a brief bow, Sir Ben excused himself and left Wolfram alone with the medicine. The young lord only stared at the bottle before setting it aside and collapsing back into his bed with a tired sob.
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The ship was silent. Everyone had turned in, except for Wolfram. He just lay under the covers, staring at the medicine that sat on his side table. The sounds of the ship moving through the sea creaked and groaned, lulling him into a blank consciousness.
So many emotions warred for his attention. Anger. Vengeance. Sadness. Shame. All battled as his memories reconvened and settled themselves back into his psyche. He found comfort in the memories of time spent with Greta and Yuuri in the gardens and traveling with Yuuri across the continent . He thought of his graduation from the military academy and the pride he saw in his family as he was handed his medals and given the title of Captain. He drifted back to the first time Yuuri said 'I love you' to him while they were on Earth. He recalled their awkward first kiss after Yuuri gave him a heart-shaped box of candy and bouquet of roses, telling him it was traditional earth gifts one gave to a lover. Wolfram remembered being ecstatic and nearly dropping the gifts when he grabbed Yuuri into a passionate kiss.
For the first time, a small smile came to his face at the memory. When they returned to Shin Makoku, Yuuri made the announcement to their family that they were now officially courting. Greta and his mother squealed their delight and immediately began discussing wedding preparations. Gwendal looked relieved. Gunter cried. Conrad grinned. He and Yuuri had decided to postpone their engagement so they could properly court and take away the pressure of having to marry so soon. It hadn't worried Wolfram at all. Yuuri's loving kisses and touches outweighed an accidental engagement.
Those were the happiest days of Wolfram's life.
Someone knocked at his door. Wolfram turned to the closed door in confusion. He wondered if it was the healer again, but this late? Sighing, he sat up not really wanting to deal with others at the moment. "What is it?"
The door creaked open, revealing Conrad with his usual gentle smile. "Did I disturb you, Wolfram?"
"No…" Wolfram said carefully, not really getting why he was there. "I was just...thinking about things."
"I can imagine," Conrad nodded. "How are you feeling? Can you walk on your own?"
Wolfram gave a half-shrug. "A little better. I can walk just fine - why?"
"I've come to take you to Yuuri," Conrad replied matter-of-factly.
Wolfram hesitated. "Why?"
"Because you deserve to be near him," was the simple reply as Conrad gestured for Wolfram to follow him.
"But I can't," Wolfram said, not moving from his spot. "Sir Ben already made it clear I'm not to be near him."
Conrad paused and then explained. "Syphilis - Lues, is transmitted through direct contact with chancres or pus leaked from the abscesses. You currently don't have those other than the rashes on your feet. As long as you don't lick, spit, or get any bodily fluids on or in Yuuri, then you can be at his side. Here…" Conrad reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of thin gloves. "I brought you these."
Wolfram slowly took the gloves, still cynical. The gloves were of a soft, beige cotton. They were less fine than the white silken gloves worn by nobles, but decently made.
"Come on, little brother," Conrad bid lightly. "You've earned this more than once today. We can at least let you have this."
The younger brother looked away in doubt, gripping the plain gloves. He wanted to see Yuuri so badly, just to ensure himself that his fiance would survive. Even if they just let him into the room, he would be grateful. After another moment of contemplation, Wolfram put on the gloves and slowly got up from his bed to follow Conrad, who looked at him with a comforting smile.
"How are you feeling?" Wolfram had to ask as they made their way to the royal cabin.
Conrad gave a tired sigh, keeping his gaze forward. "My mind is still trying to make sense of it all. It's as if I've lived someone else's life for the past few years...like I was pretending to be another person. It's like waking up from a dream and trying to shake away the malaise. I can't for the life of me remember the exact moment everything happened. It was so seamless…"
"I know. It was similar for me," Wolfram couldn't remember the very exact moment he forgot everything and became the delinquent William - as he had decided to call his nescient self. He just...forgot everything and became another person.
"We would've been Saralegui's slaves forever if not for you and his Grace," Conrad added as they came to the royal cabin door. Conrad gave a tiny knock before opening the door and stepped aside to let Wolfram enter first.
The cabin was as it had been the last time he saw it. It was warm and lit with dim candles. Murata and Gwendal sat on either side of the still-unconscious Yuuri, looking at the two men as they entered into the room. The healer was nowhere to be seen.
"Hello, Bielefeld," Murata was the first to break the silence. He got up from his seat and bid Wolfram to take his place. "Come and sit here."
"Are you sure?" Wolfram couldn't help himself. Once again presented with Yuuri's unmoving form made him doubt the wisdom of bringing his deadly illness so close to his vulnerable lover.
"Yes, we are," Murata didn't hesitate, still beckoning Wolfram, who awkwardly obeyed. Murata noticed Wolfram's gloved hands. "What're these for?"
"Um...to keep me from infecting Yuuri?" Wolfram answered hesitantly.
"Get rid of these!" Murata huffed. "So stupid. That's not how lues is contracted!"
The three brothers looked at him in confusion. "But if his Majesty…" Gwendal started.
"Do you have any open wounds on your hands?" Murata interrupted him, looking at Wolfram, who shook his head nervously. "Then you're perfectly fine! Just don't have sex with Yuuri until we can get you cleared up!"
"Oh…." Wolfram said slowly, wondering where the sage got his medical information. He took the gloves off.
"Can we trust you to not have sex with Yuuri for the time being?" Murata asked bluntly, smirking at Wolfram's surprised expression and immediate blush.
"Of course not!" Wolfram said quickly.
"Good," Murata moved away, but turned with a mock-suspicious gaze. "Because ya'll were all over each other. Gwendal should remember an incident in his office. Right, Lord Voltaire?" He gave the eldest brother a mischievous grin.
Gwendal cringed and looked away. "I'd rather not…"
Murata chuckled. "We were discussing his memories when you two arrived." He addressed them all. "I'm assuming everyone has had the majority of their memories restored?"
Affirmative nods. Murata smiled again. "Great..based on my research, you all should be back to normal in a couple of days."
Wolfram turned his attention to Yuuri. The king was still as stone. His black hair splayed out on the pillow like a halo around his peacefully sleeping face. Dark eyelashes contrasted beautifully with pale skin and full, slightly parted, lips. Yuuri looked like a doll tucked underneath the covers. Wolfram dared to tuck a loose piece of hair behind Yuuri's ear, just to feel the reality of being near Yuuri again after the chaos of the past few days. Yuuri didn't react at all to the touch, still lost in the abyss the vector spell had sent him to.
"He is better," Murata said, watching Wolfram. "I could sense his life force slowly rebuilding itself. Your energy gave it the strength it needed to survive the spell breaking."
"Good…" Wolfram whispered, taking in Yuuri's peaceful face.
"What you did was amazing…" Murata said. "No other has been able to use their magic in such a way and in human lands, no less. You tapped into the natural flow of spiritual energies to essentially jumpstart Yuuri's life force. You brought him back from the dead."
"When will he wake up?" Wolfram watched Yuuri for any sign of awareness and found none.
"I honestly can't tell you," Murata said disappointedly. "It really depends on when his life force will gain enough energy to restore consciousness. Looking at it now, it might be a few days."
"What if I gave him my magic? My energy?"
Murata gave a noncommittal shrug. "Possibly...But don't push yourself. You've already given too much energy and need to recuperate."
Wolfram wouldn't be able to recuperate until he knew Yuuri would return to them - to him. He couldn't rest until he could look into Yuuri's awakened eyes and see the recognition in them. He had to see Yuuri be alright before he would allow himself to take ease.
"Wolf! I'm fine!" A memory came up from the depths.
"Hush!" Wolfram ignored his fiance's protests as he helped him dress for the night.
"You really don't have to. You're in worse shape," Yuuri pouted.
"I've had worse," Wolfram muttered as he buttoned Yuuri's nightshirt and ignored the sharp pains in his chest.
It had been a routine trip through the mountains. They were making their way through a cavern when a sudden landslide came upon them. It felt as if the entire valley was collapsing on top of them. Rocks as big as grown men's heads fell down amidst dust and sand, blocking their vision as they ran for dear life out of the gorge. Yuuri was hit with several smaller rocks, barely making it out when a rock hit him square on the head, nearly knocking him out. It was pure luck he only suffered a minor concussion along with bruises and two broken ribs. Wolfram, on the other hand, suffered a concussion, a dislocated shoulder, several broken ribs, and a fractured tibia.
"No, you haven't" Yuuri said with a huff. "Take care of yourself for once!"
"You're my fiance and king," Wolfram explained for the millionth time. "I will rest once I'm sure you're taken care of."
Yuuri reached out to cup Wolfram's chin, making the older man look him in the eye. "You're my fiance and future consort," he countered. "Let me take care of you."
Wolfram's reply was silenced by Yuuri's kiss that lingered long enough to make his point. When Yuuri pulled away, he added "that's an order, Lord Bielefeld."
An order was an order. Wolfram allowed Yuuri to help him dress, take his pain medicine, apply the salve to his wounds, and then tuck him into bed.
"Always so difficult," Yuuri mumbled, though his chide was more affection than chastisement. He gathered Wolfram into his arms.
Wolfram could only smile. "I can't help it. I have to know you're safe."
"Same," Yuuri said with a kiss.
Wolfram ran his fingers through Yuuri's hair, smiling at the memory. "I can't help it. I will give him whatever he needs to recover. My well-being doesn't matter."
Murata looked upon him with understanding and smiled warmly at him. "Ah...Shibuya was right when he told me your love was so intense he worried for your well-being."
"That's just how I am," Wolfram muttered, tracing Yuuri's jawline. "He got used to it after a while."
"Sure," Murata smiled and then turned to the waiting Gwendal and Conrad. "Why don't we leave them alone? Maybe having Wolfram near him will help bring Yuuri back."
Gwendal and Conrad merely nodded and followed the sage out of the room, fully understanding the bond their youngest shared with the king.
"Casual contact is allowed," Murata suggested as they stepped outside. "It might actually help."
With that, he was left alone with his lover.
It wasn't until their footsteps faded away completely that Wolfram shifted closer to Yuuri. He took Yuuri's hand into his own, stroking the king's fingers and his hair with the other hand. It was here that he could finally let go and let his thoughts and feelings have the floor.
"I've missed you so much," Wolfram whispered. "Even when I didn't remember...I still missed you."
How many times in a drunken stupor did he dream of being in the arms of the one he loved? During the worst of his poverty, Wolfram often imagined a faraway place where he was engaged to an exotically handsome king and go on amazing adventures through the land. Every time, he imagined dark hair and eyes. He thought it was the alcohol and opiates meant to dull his hatred at his own lot in life, but now he knew them to be fragments of memories fighting against the vector spell. Those same memories fought when he took in another john for the night, but he let drugs and the need for money shove them away.
"Can you forgive me, Yuuri? For selling what was rightfully yours?"
Wolfram shifted so that his head rested upon Yuuri's chest. He felt relieved when he could hear the breathing and steady heartbeat. He let himself be soothed by the sounds, holding even tighter to Yuuri's cold hand between both of his own.
"Won't you just wake up?" Wolfram begged. "I have to know you're alright."
His Grace said not to push...but maybe…
"Come on, wimp," Wolfram muttered, summoning his raw magic to the surface of his palm and gently pushing it into Yuuri's heart. It took some extra effort and the fatigue of his earlier exertion made itself known. But it didn't matter. If it meant saving Yuuri, then nothing mattered.
He found the tiny center of blue magic - Yuuri's life force did look and feel better, but it still needed help. "Don't you dare leave us like this."
* * * * * * * * * * * * MOS * * * * * * * * * * * *
He was floating in absolute darkness...not really...it was darkness but within it there were sounds, voices, feelings, thoughts, visions, and memories he never saw before.
Actually, he had seen them before. He had lived them! But where did they come from? None of it made sense. What was he looking at? Who was he looking at?
Conrad, Gwendal, Gunter, Mom, Dad, Shouri, Murata, Greta, Ao….
Wolfram?
How….how did this happen? The visions he saw - he remembered them but why did they not include his best friend and fiance?
He remembered everything. But Wolfram was missing. He remembered falling into Shin Makoku. Becoming the king. Promoting peace among the human and demon tribes. Mastering his water magic. Learning to fight. Learning to be a healer. Forming alliances. Dealing with Dia Cimarron. Meeting Saralegui. Rejecting the other king's persistent advances because he had a fiance. He had Wolfram.
That's where it hurt. Where it tore at his already compromised sanity. Guilt. Disgust with himself. Always so stupid! Always so naive! Couldn't Saralegui take the damn hint? And yet, he still maintained a friendship with him. It made sense at the time. Even when he outright rejected the other king, he thought the issue was over with and done. They had their official alliance. The papers were signed and they would have a large party to celebrate. He would happily await Wolfram's return that afternoon so they could both get ready for the ball.
Saralegui came for him when he was on his way back to his office to finish some small things before getting ready. They were just talking. He felt dizzy.
These memories weren't his. They were someone else's. Someone who looked, acted, sounded like him. Someone who was also named Yuuri who was from a world called Japan. Someone who had friends and family with the exact same names and faces as his own family and friends. This wasn't him. He wasn't engaged to Saralegui. He wasn't romantically interested in the king one bit so there was no way this could be him!
William...no, not William. But who else could he be? The beautifully rough thief that appeared in his courtyard - saved Greta from the crazy horse. He knew William from somewhere else. Somewhere far away in the depths of his mind. He felt an attraction to William he had only ever felt for Wolfram. But he wasn't Wolfram. Wolfram didn't exist.
But Wolfram did! He did! So where was he?
They were the same person.
Where there should have been Wolfram, there was William. Yuuri knew that fiery spark in those sharp green eyes. That same crooked smile only he saw when Wolfram - William - felt shy or embarrassed and tried to hide it. He knew that - knew them. William and Wolfram. Both the same. But they couldn't be. It didn't make sense.
So tired. What was wrong with him? He was still stuck in the abyss with all the jumbled memories of himself and this other Yuuri….there wasn't an 'other Yuuri'...that was him.
How did I forget?
Come on, come on! Get it together! Put the memories where they belonged. They were all his memories - all of them. Each one fit perfectly into the other, even the ones he didn't think should be his. He could finally see a way out...
When the dizziness went away, he woke up with a naked Saralegui in his bed. They were engaged.
Where the hell had everything gone wrong?!
Please forgive me, Wolfram.
He could feel. He wasn't floating anymore. He was lying on something soft and warm. He could smell herbs and incense like an infirmary. There was a weight on his chest. Someone murmuring against him. A familiar, long-missed voice.
"Can you forgive me, Yuuri? For selling what was rightfully yours?"
Selling what? There was nothing to apologize for. He was the one who should be asking forgiveness.
"Come on, Wimp! Don't leave us like this."
I'm not leaving! Where are you?
His body felt like lead. His limbs weighed a ton. He couldn't move. It was like his brain didn't know what arms and legs where. He felt unbelievably exhausted. He had never felt so physically weak in his entire life.
Wait...there was another presence. Another energy that lent itself and made the feeling return to his body. His eyes, that he didn't realize were closed, started to twitch. It wasn't endless darkness. He was just asleep.
He concentrated enough to open his eyes. Light cracked into his vision. After a moment, his eyes cleared and he could see a room. A cabin. There was someone resting on his chest.
William…..Wait - wait. No. No. No. Wolfram laid on him, eyes closed in concentration, hand splayed over his chest, above his heart.
Green eyes met his. They widened in surprise and hope. A shaky smile made them light up.
"Yuuri?"
Yuuri had to recall how vocal chords worked so he could properly greet the one person he just remembered was the love of his life.
"Hey there...haven't seen you in a while, huh?" Yuuri's raspy voice drawled. "Missed you…"
* * * * * * * * * * * * MOS * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 11!
The hopeless romantic in me took over for those last scenes. I just love writing Yuuri and Wolfram's relationship. It's my favorite way to forget I'm horribly single AF. UGH! Can someone say 'fantasy fulfillment'?
Yuuri's final line went through several revisions. I wanted Yuuri to say something unique and reflective of his goofy nature. He strikes me as someone who wants to say or do something uplifting, so I finally settled on that final line. It was cute to me. :)
STD Facts:
1. Lues is an old term for syphilis (pronounced lou-ease)
2. It was highly stigmatized during the 18th-19th century. It gave rise to the concept of the femme fatale or "poison woman" as it was thought to be spread by prostitutes.
A sincere apology to those of you who were left hanging for over a year. I'm healing from a very dark time and am slowly getting my shit together. Thankfully, I have the love of family and friends to get me through life and make things more tolerable. I've finally recovered my creativity and plan to use it to finish this damn thing in a way that is sensible and does justice to the premise I set up so long ago.
Thank you for reading my fic and thank you for reviewing. I'm so grateful to all of you for your enthusiasm and love for this story and my other works. It's great hearing from all of you.
All the best,
EB
