Hey guys, just a quick heads up that I'll be going on vacation next week for a while and I won't be be posting much, if at all. I hope you'll continue to read this fic and enjoy! Till next update, ja ne!
Warnings/Disclaimers: Yaoi, het, torture, sex references
"You're late..." Lloyd sighed as Zelos walked towards him.
"Sorry," Zelos said with a yawn, "I had the world's weirdest dream last night, and I feel like I didn't get any sleep at all."
"You... don't seem to sleep very well." Lloyd observed. "Why don't you ask a doctor about it?"
"Mostly because I know what they'll say," Zelos replied, "Nightmares are a result of stress, and I can't be gallivanting off on a tropical vacation right now. Besides, last night's dream was... different."
"Different?" Lloyd echoed.
"Um, yeah," Zelos said, suddenly a little uncertain of how much he should tell Lloyd, but after all the Aurions were good at keeping things under wraps. "Um, I have a weird question," he said, "Does 'where the light stands, the false goddess sings, and old angels weep' mean anything to you?"
"Um... not particularly." Lloyd said. "Why?"
Zelos sighed. "You aren't going to believe me..." he said hesitantly.
"Try me." Lloyd said with a raised eyebrow.
Zelos bit his lip a little, then nodded. "Well, see... I talked to Yuan last night in my sleep, and-and that's what he said when I asked him where he was," he told Lloyd, "It sounds crazy, I know, but... I swear, that's what happened."
Lloyd gave him an odd look that was somewhere between utter bewilderment and complete disbelief. "Would you swear on that?" he said, voice and eyes quite serious.
Zelos hesitated just a moment, a bit intimidated by the younger man's demeanor, then nodded once. "Yeah," he said, "I-I would. ...Is this where the men in white coats come to take me away?"
"No... but I think you and I should have a chat with my father." Lloyd said with a sigh. "Also, I want you to meditate today... and practice with the dummies, all right?"
Zelos took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "I will," he said, "Do you... know something about what's going on? Yuan said some stuff, about me 'awakening' or something..." he shook his head, "There's so much lately that I just don't understand at all..."
"It's... okay Zelos..." Lloyd answered. "Just practice for now."
Zelos looked him in the eye with a penetrating stare for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "Fine," he said, "You don't have to tell me anything ...I'll be here practicing." He moved over to where the practice dummies sat, drawing his sword and focusing his energy as he did so.
Lloyd pulled out his comm as soon as Zelos was out of hearing distance. "I need to speak to my father... now."
-
That night, Raine sat on her bed, wondering when her life had gone so strange. Not a day after she had promised herself to be more careful about trusting Regal, he'd gone and undone it all. As she remembered his words, her chest ached, and she realized that it was too late to go back. Given the way he treated her, she supposed it shouldn't be a surprise ...she'd fallen in love with him.
But what was she to do now? There was more at stake than just her own future. There was Genis to consider, and their fate if they were to become citizens. It truly could put all their lives in danger, if Regal went through with the plans he'd made. The man was unbelievably sweet and gentle, and Raine feared that this left him unknowingly blind to the darker nature of people's souls.
"Miss Raine..." One of the maids called to Raine.
"Ah!" Raine cried as she whirled around, startled out of her thoughts. When she saw who it was, she calmed a bit. "What is it, miss?" she asked humbly.
"Lord Bryant wishes to see you." The maid said, then went about her work again.
Blushing scarlet at the mere mention of Regal's name, Raine bowed deeply to the woman, then hurried off toward his office. When she arrived, she took a moment to regain her composure, then knocked twice on the door.
"Enter." Regal replied.
With a deep breath, Raine opened the door and stepped inside delicately. "You... wanted to see me, sir?" she asked.
"Ah! Yes, I needed your help sorting through these files." Regal said. "Also, how is your brother? We'll be taking him to the beach tomorrow and I was wondering if either you or your brother had the proper attire."
"Genis is ...as well as can be expected, sir," Raine replied diplomatically. Her brother had, in fact, been sulking in his room all evening. "You did give us a bit of a shock," she added with just a faint blush, then continued quickly, "And... what do you mean by 'proper attire'?"
"A bathing suit." Regal answered.
Raine shook her head. "I've never owned such a garment," she replied, "and neither has Genis."
"I thought so," Regal said, giving his chin a thoughtful stroke, "I will need to get your brother's sizes as well."
Raine nodded, "Very well ...I'll let him know. ...Shall I get to work on those files, then?"
Regal nodded. "Yes... and Raine... have you consi..." Suddenly an urgent knock interrupted them. Regal sighed then answered. "Enter."
The door opened to show a messenger. "Duke Bryant... this is an urgent message from Lord Wilder of Meltokio."
Raine immediately stepped aside and turned her eyes to the floor. She waited patiently for the message to be delivered, paying careful attention.
Regal held out his hand to which the messenger handed him a letter. "You may go, thank you."
The messenger bowed and left, closing the door on his way.
Regal quickly read the message, eyes widening as he carried on. "My Goddess!"
"What is it?" Raine asked concernedly, "Has something happened?"
"Lord Zelos' house was struck... Yuan is gone!" Regal exclaimed.
Raine's face paled. "Oh, no," she murmured, "Yuan..."
"It seems the rest of the household is alright however." Regal said with a sigh of relief. "This is most unfortunate... poor Yuan..."
"Do they have any idea where he might be?" Raine asked softly, her distress clearly indicated on her face.
Regal shook his head. "I'm afraid not..." He looked at Raine. "I'm sorry... he was your friend..."
"I owe him so much..." Raine murmured, "I wouldn't be here with you today if not for him... and now..."
Regal sighed sadly. "I will see if my resources can find anything..."
Raine looked up at him and attempted to smile, but it twisted badly. "Thank you, sir," she whispered.
Regal looked hesitant for a moment, before slowly embracing her. "I'm sorry..."
Raine gradually relaxed into his arms, leaning against him slightly. "Life is never fair," she murmured, "I've known that for a long time. Those who suffer the worst ...always continue to suffer." She shook her head, "He deserves... so much more. I know that I'm not the only one he's helped, but no one could ever help him."
"I will try my hardest Raine... and I'm certain that Lord Zelos is doing so as well." Regal said, rubbing her back. "We'll save him."
"I hope so," Raine murmured in reply, laying her head against his shoulder, "I haven't found a way to repay him yet."
"You could help me convince Lord Zelos to go along with my plan to free half-elves." Regal suggested.
Raine looked up at him, a slight frown on her face. "I'm afraid ...I don't see how I could
be of help in that," she replied.
"This situation would have never happened if half-elves weren't treated as they were." Regal said. "You already know this however."
Raine nodded, "Yes ...but what makes you think anyone would be more likely to listen to me than to you, sir?"
"That was a joke." Regal smiled lightly.
Raine smiled back, faintly. "I still don't understand what help I could be," she told him, "but if you desire my aid, I will be there."
"Be there for him... I suppose." Regal said.
Raine nodded, "That's right... he would be distraught, wouldn't he? When we were there ...he seemed surprisingly attached to Yuan."
"I think... he may love him." Regal observed.
Raine looked skeptical. "We'll see," she murmured.
"Do you think it's impossible?" Regal said, tilting his head.
Raine hesitated a moment. "I don't know," she admitted softly, "A few weeks ago I would have said 'of course' ...no, I wouldn't have said it, but I would have thought it. I would never have been so bold as to say it. Now... I don't know. I don't find it very likely, but..."
"It is odd, and I do not think that Zelos realizes it himself," Regal explained, "but he followed Yuan into danger without a second thought. That is not something someone just 'does'."
Raine nodded, "Yes... yes, you're right." Her face bore an odd expression as she murmured, "I suppose... that would be the best explanation. Protecting one's property only goes so far... I've never known a human who would go to that length for a slave before... not until recently."
"Falling in love... it's something humans do without thought," Regal said with a smile.
Raine looked up at him, a hint of nervousness in her demeanor. "No one can control their emotions," she replied softly, "Their reactions to them, yes, but not the emotions themselves. Logic, rationality ...these things have no impact on people's hearts."
"That's true..." Regal said, slowly leaning down to her. "One can not... control their hearts."
Raine felt her cheeks growing warm as his face moved closer to hers. She couldn't speak; only her eyes betrayed the nervousness and longing she felt.
Regal slowly descended on her lips, gently kissing her. He pulled back not a moment later, to allow her to react.
Raine closed her eyes instinctively as she felt their lips touch, blushing still more deeply as she enjoyed the sensations. She opened them again when he pulled back, her gaze full of wonder. "S-sir..." she breathed, "I..."
"Regal," Regal said with a smile. "My name, and may I call you Raine, Miss Sage?"
"O-of course," Raine stammered, her fading blush returning full force, "of course... R-Regal."
"Thank you." He said, bringing up her hand and kissing it.
Raine smiled up at him, still blushing deeply. "You're welcome," she murmured.
"I will ask you again my question... but this time I want it to be more formal..." Regal said, then pulling out something out of his back pocket he keeled before her. "Raine Sage... will you be mine to hold and cherish? Will you marry me?"
Raine felt as if her face were on fire. "Regal, I..." she hesitated indecisively for a long moment, then swallowed firmly and nodded once, "...yes. Yes, I will. Oh, Regal..." She knelt and threw her arms around his neck, tears inexplicably springing to her eyes.
"Thank you..." Regal said, sighing contently.
"Genis isn't going to speak to me for a week, when he hears," Raine mused, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
"I will try to show my good intentions to him." Regal replied. "Also... about the citizenships... I will get those for you once you think it would be wisest."
Raine nodded, "Yes ...perhaps sometime once these attacks have been resolved. As things stand now... it would be extremely foolish."
Regal nodded. "I will abide by your judgment."
Raine smiled at him in amazement. "It feels like a dream," she said softly, "I'm almost afraid I'll wake up someday and be back in the labs..."
"Never." Regal said firmly. "I will fight the king himself in order to protect you and your brother."
Raine nodded, her gaze full of trust. "I know," she replied quietly, "Thank you. For everything you've done so far, for wanting to do even more than you already have ...you have my gratitude," She blushed again and turned her eyes down shyly as she added, "and... and my love."
"That's all I ever wanted." Regal said with a smile.
Raine smiled back shyly. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she leaned in and quickly, before she could lose her nerve, kissed him gently.
Regal seemed shocked at first, but then gently kissed back. "Raine... you are so... perfect he whispered into the kiss.
Raine shook her head in denial, blushing deeply. "No, I'm not," she murmured, lips still brushing his, "but you are."
"I think the game of 'you are, you're not' shall be saved for another day." He laughed. "You're perfect for me, I love you."
Raine smiled back at him. "And I love you."
-
Mithos tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the others to arrive. He glanced over at the chair beside him, and smiled at the sight of Yuan sitting there. At last, his son was by his side, and soon their plans would be complete.
Yuan's vacant eyes stared out into the mock throne room that he was held in. He couldn't feel anything... not the cold, or heat, or even pain. Now he couldn't even sleep or eat as well... and little while ago his voice died. He felt like he was dead without dying.
"Do not fret, my son," Mithos purred calmly, "Very soon, everything will be all right. We'll show those wretched humans what true power is."
Yuan tried to give a reaction, anything, to the comment but nothing came out.
"My lord..." Kvar's voice echoed through the darkness.
"Ah, Kvar, you've finally arrived," Mithos replied, "Come forward, please. Have you brought the others?"
"Yes my lord." Kvar answered, coming into the light while bowing. "Lady Pronyma... Lord Forcystus..."
"Excellent," Mithos purred, "You have been doing well, all of you, and soon we will deal the final blow to this city of corruption."
"My lord... will the others be here soon?" Forcystus asked.
"Yes ...they should be arriving any moment." Mithos replied with a nod.
"Then that is... him?" Pronyma asked, eying Yuan.
"Yes," Mithos said, smiling proudly, "This is my son, Yuan, who is the key to all our plans."
"Is he truly the holy angel of Kharlan?" Forcystus said in bewilderment.
"Do you doubt it?" Mithos asked, far too sweetly.
"N-No my lordship! If you say it then it is true!" Forcystus answered quickly.
"As I thought," Mithos replied, smile never faltering, "At any rate, once the other two arrive, I will explain what is to happen next." He looked around impatiently.
Just then, there was a rustling from the darkness, and two more figures emerged into the light. "Sorry we're late, my lord," the red-haired one said in his rough voice, "Had to drag this damned idiot away from one of his 'projects'."
"Ah, Magnius, Rodyle," Mithos purred, "At last, our gathering is complete."
"My lordship... about the project... 'Kharlan'... I may have found another angel..." Rodyle said in a creepy voice.
Mithos looked at him with interest. "Another angel?" he asked, "Tell me more about this."
"I saw someone connect to and interact with the plane between." Rodyle said.
"Did you indeed..." Mithos murmured, "Can you tell me who it was, or why they were there?"
"...I'm afraid not my lord... there was another who... blocked me." Rodyle said with a wince.
"I see..." Mithos mused, "You did well, at any rate. Perhaps we should delay our plans, rather than risk damaging this new specimen..."
"They were a holy one... as your son is... that much I could guess..." Rodyle said.
"...Indeed?" Mithos replied thoughtfully, "Such an individual would be quite an asset to our cause, if they were suitable..." He fixed all of them with an intense gaze, "I want this person found. Seek them out and report back to me on their identity and whether we may be able to recruit them for our plans."
"Yes lord Yggdrasil!" The five shouted, disappearing again.
Mithos turned toward Yuan, beaming at him with an almost childlike smile. "Soon, you may have a playmate, my son," he told the other, "Won't that be wonderful?"
Yuan once again remained silent, eyes unfocused and devoid of all thoughts and emotion.
-