CHAPTER 11 - SHI

                        ##REI POV##

I was filled in thoughts when I heard some footsteps and somebody placed his hand on my shoulder. I stirred and looked around. To my surprise I saw Tala with a small smile at his face.

                        "What are you doing here?" I asked.

                        "I was passing by and I noticed you standing here. Something wrong?"

Man, why does he always know when I'm confused or have problem? I was thinking for a while and then decided to say something.

                        "You see, I was talking with the Almighty for a moment, but he suddenly ran out of the garden. I wonder why he did it…"

                        "Oh, don't worry. The Almighty sometimes acts weirdly. Come on, I will show you some place, which should divert your mind from worries. At least for a while." He smiled.

                        "I have nothing to lose. Ok, I will go with you."

                        #X#X#

After nearly half an hour of wondering around the castle, we approached the biggest door I have ever seen in this place. They were richly engraved with gold and the main board was made with red oak wood.

As Tala opened the door and we came inside, I saw the biggest chamber I have ever seen. Well, maybe the garden was slightly bigger, but this was a real chamber. It was very long, rectangular room, with two rows of columns running at both sides. Everything was made from gray marble - ceiling, walls, floor and columns. It was dark there, but as I looked forward, there was some light at the end of room.

I turned my head to Tala, but he wasn't there. I looked around, but he wasn't anywhere to see. I sighed. He always disappears without warning. I shrugged. Well, I guess, if I'm already here, I can closely visit this chamber.

I slowly strolled towards that mysterious light, silently admiring the sizes of room. Finally, after what seem ages for me, I approached a spot of that strange light. It was coming from above and it had scarlet color. I looked forward and gasped.

There was an enormous figure of some bird. It had beautiful red feathers and light yellow ones on head. It had strange gold crown on head, with green jewel. Its chest had some golden ribs also with green jewel. Its wings and beak were raised up, tail rolled around enormous talons. It looked as if the bird was to fly away with shriek in a moment. 

Finally I tore my eyes from the figure and looked around. I saw an alone silhouette disappearing behind the monument of bird. I hid behind one of the columns and saw that it was Kai. He slowly approached a back of figure and tagged one of protruding feathers. As he did it, a wall behind the bird started to move, raveling secret doors. The Almighty entered it and the door shot close after him. 

After some time of hesitation I decided to go after him. I slowly approached the figure and pulled the same feather. As the door opened I silently entered the secret room and then…

                        ##NORMAL POV##           

He saw an unexpected view. It was a square room without much furniture. But there was something very unique. All walls were covered with paintings. And they weren't trashy. They were wonderful to Rei; it was a secret message from a painter in every canvas as if he filled his soul into all strokes of paintbrush.

Rei approached one wall and looked up at the nearby picture. It showed a cringed person, who was sitting with his back towards the viewer, blood trilling down his necked skin. Two wings were sticking out from his back, but they were stripped of feathers. It was only bare frames of wings. Also there were few arrows in the bones of wings, some of them piercing bones straight through.

Rei turned his gaze at the next painting. It was also an angel, but this time his wings have beautiful white feathers, which were stained with bloody spots. He was chained to the stonewall, many strange wires attached to his body. His chest was ripped, showing few ribs. His once beautiful face was grimaced with a great pain. His wings were pinned to wall with iron nails. Some of the feathers were slowly falling down.

The other one portrayed strange mutated being, crawled on the ground. It had a gray, lumpy skin and its limbs were oddly twisted. There were many tombs around and a gray fog was hovering above the ground. There was a raven flying straight above the being.

There was one paining, which especially attracted Rei's eyes. Single, dark red rose growing at the bare, cracked and dried ground. It was a sad look, but it reminded Rei about something. Kai had told him, that he wanted to grow roses, but in vain.

                        'I wonder why he wants roses. What is so important in them?' he thought.

All pictures were painted in dark, sad colors, showing strange persons and scenes, as if they were taken from the worst nightmares. But they weren't scary; on the contrary, they were provoking into thinking about life and death. It was clear that the painter was very sensitive person and he had his own visions of world.

Rei wondered who have painted all these pictures. He tore off his eyes from the painting of thunderstorm at the desert and looked around. He noticed somebody sitting in front of easel with some canvas. To his big surprise it was The Almighty. Rei quietly stepped forward and looked at the picture, which hasn't been ended yet.

To his amazement it was showing a person looking very similarly to Rei. The person was naked, his long dark hair falling down and covering half of his body. He was standing in a dark room, a ray of light falling down straightly on him from above.

                        ##KAI POV##

##Where is your star?##

I was painting, something I wanted to make for a long time. I was sitting in front of the canvas when something struck me. I turned around and saw my slave staring at the half done painting with a frown.

##Is it far, is it far, is it far?##

                        "And what the fuck are you doing here?! Can't you just leave me alone?!" I yelled.

He diverted his eyes from the painting and glared at me.

##When do we leave?##

                        "Leave you alone?! Look who's talking! You're drawing me!" he yelled at me.

                        "I saw this person in my dream, it's not my fault that he's similar to YOU!" I roared.

                        "Oh really?! In one of those nightmares of yours I suppose. So what was this mysterious person doing?" he asked.

                        "He was kissing me!" I yelled. I didn't realize that I have just told my slave one of my dreams.

##I believe, yes, I believe##

He was looking at me strangely, his lips curved into a smirk, I was slightly afraid of him towering above me like that. When suddenly he bent down, I closed my eyes immediately waiting for who knows what. I felt something soft and warm against my lips. I opened one eye to look at Rei, he was grinning.

                        "Like that?" he asked.

                        "Eee....What do you mean?"

                        "Did he kiss you like that, baka?" he said.

What? A slave's calling me stupid?! Oh I'll show him.

                        "No, not even close, I'll show you..." I said rising up and closing the distance between us.

Then we were face to face. He was a little shocked and I used it. I grabbed his chin roughly and kissed him forcing my tongue into his mouth. Strangely he didn't object, but he grabbed my waist, when I felt my lungs screaming for oxygen I let go and withdrew.

                        "Like that." I said with a smirk, then turned around and started walking back to the unfinished painting. Suddenly I felt strong arms wrapping around my waist and hot air whistling near my ear.

                        "You're not going anywhere..." he said in a low seductive voice.

He started to delicately sucking my neck and collarbone, when I started to enjoy his treating he bit me. I yelled, but not from the pain... it was something else. I moaned when he started to nibble on my earlobe. I could feel a wave of heat and my face was getting red. I shivered slightly.

                        "I see you like it." he laughed quietly.

He returned to my neck again, biting it with those fangs of his. I didn't mind I was in a world of my own. I jumped when I felt his hand under my shirt roaming my chest. He turned me around and pushed my back to the chair in the corner. When I was seated, he started to tear the shirt of me, his liquid gold eyes shining in an unusual way. He leaned down and started to plant butterfly kisses on my jaw, he slowly went down to my nipples and sucked one of them, pinching the other with his other hand, I moaned and panted from his caring.

He went down even lower leaving a wet track because of his tongue. He stopped just before my pants, I moaned to make him do something.

                        "Inpatient, aren't we?" He said.

                        "Oh, go on please..." I pleaded.

                        "As you wish." He smirked.

He started to take my pants off. He was doing it slowly to annoy me! I used the opportunity to take his hair band off, a waterfall of onyx locks were all over my feet.

He finally took off my pants, leaving me completely naked. I could see his hungry, lust filled eyes staring at my erection. He touched it delicately making me moan from pleasure, he brushed his tongue over it. I could feel him picking me. My head shot back and me eyes were half lidded. He got bored of this quickly and took the tip into his hot mouth and started to suck it with passion.

                        "Gods Rei..." I said through my panting and moaning.

I was in a complete bliss; I had no worries at the world. My hands were tangled in his head, trying to push him deeper.

He suddenly throated me deeply, I had to close my eyes from the pleasure he was giving me.

I opened my eyes and found myself in front of the painting, I looked around.

No.... it was just a dream....

I turned my head to the entrance of the chamber and saw a glimpse of raven hair. Rei? What was he doing here? Did he hear me moaning through my sleep?

I ran out of my work room after my slave.

                        ##NORMAL POV##

Kai ran as fast as he could. He burst out from behind the statue of phoenix and looked around. In the darkness of room he saw a distant figure walking at the other side of chamber.

                        "Wait!" the Wizard yelled.

Rei looked back, surprised to see his Master running in his direction. When Kai got near enough to talk to Rei, he started yelling again.

                        "What the fuck were you doing in my workroom?!!"

Rei was shocked by this outburst, he didn't think that Kai would get so angry just for going in there. He was getting mad himself.

                        "What do you think MASTER, I'm your SLAVE, it's obvious I should go anywhere were YOU go! For example to the execution!!" he roared madly.

Kai was speechless, he didn't know what to say, how to answer. A train of thoughts and memories was passing his mind with a outrageous speed. He felt slightly dizzy as he looked with big eyes at Rei.

Rei was satisfied with the effect of his yelling and turned around to exit the sanctuary. He had enough of Kai's mood for today.

He was about to go out when Kai grabbed his hand. Rei looked back and was about to yell again when he saw Kai's face, his Master's bangs were throwing a shadow on his eyes, he looked weak and powerless like anytime before.

                        "Wait… You see, I'm not myself lately." the Wizard whispered, not even raising his gaze.

Rei looked at him strangely.

                        'What next? An apology?' he laughed in his mind, but he was still curious what Kai was up to. He felt Almighty's hand grasping his one even tighter.

                        "I want to say that you were right, it's my fault, I killed them all, I don't have any right to say that I had a hard past..." Rei barely heard this. He was stunned and grasped Kai's hand, as if he subconsciously wanted to comfort him.

Kai turned abruptly around and pulled his hand from Rei's one. Then he slowly strolled away, his figure always so majestic and firm, now seemed to be weak and painfully stooped. Rei was in a complete shock, the great and omnipotent Kai Hiwatari was admitting that he was wrong?! And now, he looked so vulnerably, that was very strange. Rei looked down at his hand and to his surprise he noticed that he was still holding Kai's glove.

'It must remained when he pulled out his hand.' he thought. 'I should return it to him.'

He looked around but Kai was nowhere to be seen.

                        'Maybe he went back to his workroom? I better not look for him, he's in a bad mood' Rei thought exiting the enormous chamber, still holding a remnant of Wizard's presence – the left glove, which used to capture the lack of one of his fingers.

                        ##REI POV##

What a day, I didn't do anything but I'm tired. I looked at the glove in my hand, it was first class leather I was sure of that. I was walking to my room slowly, I didn't want to meet the Almighty again, and I have a feeling he doesn't want to see me for some time. I opened the door to my master's bedroom carefully, I don't know why, I'm sure he isn't  there. I passed his bed and entered my room. Hmmm maybe I could take a little nap before dinner. I don't think that the Wizard will call me for some time so why not use the occasion.

I was drifting into sleep when I suddenly remembered something!

                        ##FLASHBACK##

I was looking at a painting, it looked exactly like me. I diverted my gaze down to the person who started it – the Almighty.

This is bad, if he sees me here I'm gonna get it. I started to back off. When I heard a sound something like a moan. I gazed at the silhouette sitting on the chair. Is it my imagination or did I hear Kai's moan? I walked quietly towards him ready to escape if I had to. I looked at my masters face, it stunned me. He had his eyes closed and he was smiling slightly.

                        "Gods, Rei..." he moaned .

I looked at him with wide eyes, I could feel my cheeks burning up, what is he dreaming about?! I better leave before he wakes up. I took a last glance at him and at the painting and left the room.

                        ##END OF FLASHBACK##

Hmm strange, Kai was dreaming about me... Maybe he likes me? Oh yeah and what else Rei? Don't be stupid. First thing he's a Wizard, you're a slave, what makes you think he'd like you?

But still he was dreaming about me and it sounded as if he was having fun...

Of course he was having fun, he wants you to be his fuck toy. He thinks nothing of you, you're a slave, a rat, waiting to be crushed by him...

No! It can't be true. He isn't so bad, I know he isn't. Why would he paint me then?

Really? Wait and see, your head will be a great new decoration on the castle gate…

I know! I'll just act as if nothing happened and I'll see how he reacts.

I'll have to go to his workshop later to see that picture again...

                        ##NORMAL POV##

Rei woke up a couple of hours later, he was curious that nobody called him through all this time. He stood up, took Kai's glove and tagged it behind his belt.

                        'Ok, lets take a better look at that painting now, I'm sure Kai's busy in the library or something.'

Rei didn't take any chances; he tiptoed through the corridors often looking around to see if the Wizard was coming. He got to the statue without any trouble. He pulled one of the majestic bird's feathers and entered the secret room once again.

He looked around, and thankfully there was no one there. Rei went towards the painting examining it slowly, he was sure it was he. The same hair, the same eyes. Why would Kai paint him? In one second Rei found himself pinned to the wall, he opened his eyes and saw two dull red pulls glaring at him - Kai. He tried to struggle but he couldn't, he never knew his master could be this strong.

                        "What are you doing here again slave?" Kai said in a cold voice.

Rei didn't know what to answer; he couldn't just say that he was curious about a painting, could he?

                        "Well?" Kai said.

                        "I...I just wanted to see that painting again." he answered weakly.

                        "Oh, really?" Kai said mockingly.

Rei had to think something up quickly.

                        ##FLASHBACK##

Of course he was having fun, he wants you to be his fuck toy.

                        ##END OF FLASHBACK##

The situation was getting dangerous, in a desperate act Rei asked.

                        "Why did you paint me?"

                        "It's not you, it's a person I've dreamt about." Kai said but he didn't believe his own words.

Rei suddenly felt sad. The person in the painting isn't him?

Kai heard someone calling him, he looked around and saw Tala panting slightly.

                        "I'm sorry to interrupt you my Lord, but I have an important message for you." the red head said as he bowed down.

Kai let go of Rei, who almost fell down on the floor after losing his master's hold.

                        "What do you want Ivanov?" the Wizard asked.

                        "The merchant we had sent three months ago to Tyr hasn't returned yet, we think that the desert raiders killed him on the way."

                        "I understand. I have known it was a bad idea letting him go alone. Ivanov! I've been trapped in the castle for too long, I'm going to Tyr."

                        "Master you can't! It's too dangerous..."

                        "Nonsense, I want to be sure everything goes as I planed."

Rei was listening to everything,

                        'What merchant? What's Tyr?' he asked himself.

                        "Master please permit me to hire more guards for your trip." Tala almost begged.

                        "I permit. For how long will the reserves of supplies last?"

                        "For about mouth master."

                        "Very good, who are you hiring?"

                        "Shi."

The wizard's eyes widened. Shi was a famous group of four men that did everything for money.

                        "Excellent, when will they come?"

                        "Tonight master."

                        "Very good. Slave" he said to Rei not looking at him "Tell that stupid cook to make a feast."

Rei didn't react and Kai glared at him. Then he noticed something behind his belt.

                        "Oh, and this belong to me." Kai drawled as he abruptly pulled a glove and put in on his hand. "Do what I have ordered you!"

                        "Yes master."

And Rei exited the workroom.

                        ##REI POV##

I'm confused, what were they talking about? Tyr? Shi? Hmmm Shi what does that mean? Maybe Kenny knows? I walked slowly down the corridors to the kitchen. Tyson should be happy, he'll have something to do now.

I was deep in my thoughts that I didn't even see someone standing in front of me.

                        "Rei! Look where you're going please!" Someone yelled.

I looked down, the familiar mess of brown hair and a glass sphere in his hand.

                        "Oh sorry Kenny, I didn't notice you."

                        "Ok, nothing happened, so where were you rushing to?"

                        "Well Master's throwing a feast. By the way I wanted to ask you something. What does 'Shi' means?"

                        "It means four." he started.

                        "Kenny you're forgetting something!" Dizzi yelled out of her glass prison. "It also means death."

                        "Eee... thank you two. I have to be going." I said and walked away quickly.

Death? It means death? The Wizard wants some kind of bodyguards. And he's hiring DEATH? This has to mean something. I'll just wait and see.

I entered the kitchen and saw Tyson and Max having a conversation.

                        "Excuse me for interrupting your little flirt but the Wizard wants you to make a feast." I said with a smirk.

They blushed. And after a minute Tyson said.

                        "You're joking. The Almighty wants a feast? The world must be ending and we are NOT flirting."

                        "Of course you aren't," I said exiting the hot chamber.

                        ##NORMAL POV##

##Hot wind, moving fast across the desert##

The sun was setting down. The dieing red rays were licking the huts and sheds. Slaves were slowly coming back from the tower. They were exhausted, their movements were slow and  weak.

Suddenly something strange started to happen. In the once silent air the wind started to blow, rising the sand and dust from the ground. Judy, who was walking at the edge of town, looked in the direction of desert. In the glare of bloody red sun, she saw four hooded silhouettes. They were slowly strolling towards the town. She felt a big tension in the air and quickly stepped aside to the shade of buildings.

The figures marched in to the city, spreading an atmosphere of fear and enigma around themselves. Slaves quickly ran to the huts, afraid of newcomers. As they were strutting down the main street towards the castle, one of them straggled and jumped into the shadow.

##We feel that our time has arrived##

Judy suddenly realized that somebody pinned her to the wall in the dark lane. She tried to scream, but her voice disappeared. She looked up and saw a pair of red, glowing eyes. Then the long, white fangs flashed in front of her and she felt as they were sinking in her neck. Slowly she became more and more weaker, and she peacefully fell into the endless darkness of death.

##The world spins, while we put his dream together##

The vampire joined his companions and they approached the gate of outside wall in Hiwatari castle. The passed the terrified guards without problem and they came up to the entrance of the main building.

                        #X#X#

A loud knock echoed through the castle corridors and chambers. Someone was walking slowly to open the gate. Another knock could be heard and this time it was louder.

##A tower of stone to take him straight to the sky##

A red haired man opened a little cover in the gate to see who was making all the noise. He saw four hooded figures, their lowered heads made it impossible to see who they really were.

                        "Who are you and what the fuck do you want?!" he yelled a little annoyed.

                        "We are here to see the Master of this castle." one of them hissed.

                        "Yeah, everyone would like to see the Almighty, so better say who you are or fuck off."

##Oh I see his face!##

They all looked up at him. Tala almost froze when he saw four pairs of dead malicius eyes. Red, blue, yellow and green.

                        "We are Shi." they all said.

Tala's eyes widened, he was slightly afraid

                        "Come in, please. The Almighty was expecting you." He said in a shaking voice.

He led them through the long, damp maze of corridors until they stopped in front of a pair of big heavy doors.

Tall knocked waiting for a response.

                        "Enter" Someone said from the inside.

It was a big room, with beautiful paintings on the walls, but the most important feature of the chamber was the gold throne and the person sitting on it – The Almighty.

Tyson excelled himself this time. In front of the wizard stood a big table, covered with pearl white tablecloth, it was bending under the weight and number of dishes and meals. The cook used the richest tableware – porcelain plates with golden encircle, golden encircle and cups. In a few decanters there were a dry and spicy wines.

There were many kinds of meat, roast boars, goose's fricassee, stiffed ducks, chickens, pigs, and many more. As addictives there were fried potatoes, pasta and dumpling, various vegetable and fruit salads.

Big tureens with soups like mushroom, tomato or vegetables one, broth and borsch. Also there was a one with punch. Many kind of cheeses, hams with fresh and crunchy bread.

Many kinds of cakes and pies, with chocolate and fruits, replete with creams and masses. Jellies, pounds cake, and ice creams, even candies – it was all waiting at the table, ready to be eaten.

The four new comers took of there hoods and bowed to Kai. He could finally get a good look at his new guards.

                        "Shi greats you Almighty. We are very happy you chose our service. I am Sanguinex" one of them said smoothly. He had two toned hair, red eyes, arched eyebrows, long fangs and unnaturally pale skin.

                        "I'm Lupenex," the next one said in a harsh tone, his messy gray-blue hair and long side burns made him look hairy.

                        "I'm Zomb," the enormous man said slowly in a low voice. He was very massive and tall. He also had two earrings in each ear.

                        "And I am Cenotaph" the last one said on a low intimidating voice, he was tall and very thin, his whole body wrapped in bandages. His bright yellow baggy eyes were scanning the whole room, remembering every detail.

Kai looked at them with amazement.

                        'These clowns are the famous Shi? Tala must be joking. They look as if they escaped the zoo or something. ' Kai thought.

                        "I see that you do not think highly about us, I can assure, we are the best." The mummy said.

Kai was shocked. Maybe he has misjudged them.

Lupenex laughed quietly and roared.

                        "Can we eat? I'm starving!!"

                        "Behave yourself..."Sanguinex started.

                        "Yes, please be seated, we will talk about business later." the Wizard said.

They sat down, immediately Lupenex and Zomb started to stuff there mouths with everything near, Cenotaph eat slowly with high manners. Strangely the pale Shi member didn't even touch anything.

                        "Not hungry?" Kai asked.

                        "Oh no Master, I ate on the city" Sanguinex said with a smirk.

Rei was running around the table passing plates with food to the two guards, he had to use all his will to restrain himself from throwing up at the sight of their eating habits. It was even worse when Lupenex and Zomb started to laugh at Max's jokes and talk with their full mouths.

Kenny was hiding behind his Master's throne trying to avoid Cenotaphs piercing gaze. Tala was standing on Kai's right side awaiting orders and glaring at Sanguinex, he didn't like him from the start, his smooth talking was making him sick.

Finally, when the guests were full, Kai spoke to them firmly.

                        "We have called you here to discuss the conditions of your work."

                        "We are awaiting lavish payment." Said Cenotaph as he gently wiped his mouth with napkin.

                        "Of course." Said Kai and nodded at Tala. Red head pull out a substantial pouch full of gold coins and put it next to Shi.

                        "This is the first part of payment. I will give you a rest after you do your task to end."

                        "All right." Nodded Sanguinex. "What are you orders, my Lord?"

                        "Well, at first, I must visit Tyr and I want you to come there with me. I will need your protection when I will be traveling back to my castle, because of transported commodities."

                        "The most important task for you, is to protect The Almighty in all possible ways." Tala added firmly, looking at the Shi.

Kai was slightly surprised, but he didn't show that. He knew that Tala used to care for him, but he wasn't supposing that the Commander will be so concerned of Kai's safety.

                        "OK, that's no problem for us. We know a way to Tyr very well and there won't be any problems with protecting all the caravan." Said Cenotaph.

                        "Yeah, if somebody dare to attack us, they'll regret it." Lupenex laughed and licked his lips menacingly.

                        "When we will set off?"

                        "Tomorrow at noon."

                        "Oh, that's good. We will have a time to enjoy ourselves in town." Laughed Sanguinex. "If you excuse me my Lord, we will go now."

                        "All right, we will see tomorrow at noon."

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