Chapter 14 : The Micarius Spell
"You want to what?"
Satoshi sighed and rubbed his forehead. It was a habit he had whenever he was in and or trying to solve a particularly troubling problem.
"I want to perform the Micarius spell," he patiently explained again.
Dark stared at him, incredulity in his eyes. Beside him, Daisuke was stretched out across the bed, his head lying in his alter-ego's lap. He was curiously watching the two as his hand softly stroked a dozing Wiz's head.
Satoshi himself was sitting in the armchair facing the bed. Krad was standing, leaning against the same chair his host was using with his arms crossed. The blond had been able to come out after Daisuke had taught Satoshi how to use the spell he himself used to allow Dark a temporary body.
Both the thieves had been unsure whether it was a good idea but Satoshi assured them that it was alright. Seeing that the statement came from the boy who had most distrusted Krad, Daisuke had proceeded to explain the ancient spell.
The spell was created to allow a second mind within one to have its own form. However, it was not a body. The second entity could not use any power and its form would be like mere mist if touched by anyone besides the host. It was the perfect thing for them.
They had called out their alter-egos because Satoshi and Krad had wanted to talk to them about finding the killer who had cursed Daisuke. Needless to say, Dark had been less than cooperative when he heard exactly how the Hikaris wanted to find out.
"You can't use the Micarius spell!" the centuries-old thief hissed. "You're crazy to even consider it!"
"I'm not crazy and you should consider it," Satoshi replied, staying calm. Both he and Krad had expected such a reaction.
(( Let me explain when it comes down to it ))
( That might not work )
(( As patient as you are now, I doubt you can stay so for long. I, on the other hand, have that tolerance. Let me do the explaining part ))
( Very well )
"Why should I?" Dark snapped. "That spell has a history. Not a good one in case you've forgotten."
"But it is the only spell capable of what we're planning to do."
"I don't care, I'm not having that spell cast on Daisuke or me." The thief's eyes narrowed threateningly.
"You should think about it," the police officer said evenly. "We've thought this through. And the results far outweigh the risks."
"But the risks pose a greater change than the results!" Dark threw his hand up in the air. "What made you even decide to cast the Micarius spell?"
"Rational thinking," was the cool reply. "This spell is our best chance. If we cast it properly, we won't be in danger."
"Listen to yourse—"
"Excuse me," Daisuke interrupted. "I'm not as studied about this kind of stuff as you guys so can you please explain what on Earth is the Micarius spell?"
Dark blinked and glanced down at his host.
Satoshi sent his boyfriend a small smile, knowing that the need to stop the argument was the true reason for the interruption.
"It's an Egyptian spell," he explained quietly. "It was created by a wizard named Micar around two hundred years ago who named the spell after himself."
"The Micarius spell is used to explore the mind of the subject," Krad picked up as planned. "The difference from other spells is that we can go through memories at will even if the subject opposes it. It allows us to experience the memories without damage and pinpoint small details that the subject finds unimportant."
"What's so bad about it then?" the red-head asked curiously.
"The bad thing is that this spell is dangerous," Dark said, his tone filled with disdain. "Micar didn't finish it before he presented it to his people. According to him, he was on a deadline and was forced to show it when the date was reached even though it was only half-finished."
"People loved it," Satoshi supplied. "They thought it was brilliant. Especially the nobles. So many tried to buy it. But as Micar hadn't finished it, he refused all offers. But all found it almost irresistible and many tried to steal it instead. Quite a few succeeded."
"Like the Hikari," Dark pointed out, earning a glare from the bluenette.
"Why is it such a hit?" Daisuke cocked his head as Wiz stirred. The tiny rabbit blinked its enormous scarlet eyes, looking up at the group. Its owner smiled down at it as he continued to stroke.
"The Micarius spell is unique," Krad said. "It is by far the only spell in existence that it able to connect the minds of the user and the subject completely. Most other spells, curses and enchantments cannot do this; if one is strong enough they can escape. But no one can break their mind free of the Micarius spell until the objective has been found."
"Isn't that, like, a breach of privacy?" the red-head said with a slight frown. Dark's familiar, which somehow seemed in tune with its owner's emotions, kyuu-ed.
"Most definitely, especially since the subject can't break free of at all," said Satoshi. "But the Micarius spell is used to search out only one objective so anything that doesn't have anything to do with the goal will be unidentifiable."
"Then I don't get it. What's so bad about it?"
Dark sighed, collapsing onto his back. "Micar designed this spell because he wanted a way to connect two minds and find out the truth without any shielding or lies," he said softly. "The Micarius spell will bond the minds completely, making both easily accessible."
"And?"
"Because it was never finished, its results are sometimes…not what the users intended." Dark grimaced.
His host sat up, looking down at him in consternation. Wiz 'kyuu-ed' unhappily once it saw Krad but Daisuke held it down firmly.
"Throughout history, it has been used a total of twenty-seven times," the blond said, his delicate features expressionless. "Each time, the minds involved reached their objective…and then were destroyed."
"What?" Daisuke stared at him, jaw dropping open. "Every single one?"
"Every single one," Satoshi confirmed. "Like we said, the Micarius spell was never finished. And everyone knows the danger of using something that was never completed. They all used the spell without taking precautions. The spell became too powerful to control and overwhelmed them."
"So you want," Daisuke began slowly, "to cast on me a spell that has a zero percent rate of success and a 100 percent chance of backfiring?"
His boyfriend sighed, once again massaging his temples. "We have an advantage," he said.
"What kind of advantage?" Dark said, sitting up and eyeing the pair in front of him warily.
"All the times the spell was used, it managed to overpower the mind of the explorer," Krad said. "That was because that mind was too weak and wasn't focusing on controlling the effects of the spell. Our advantage is that we have two minds being used therefore one can obtain the goal while the other can monitor the spell."
Daisuke and Dark stared at their opposites.
//I still don't trust it// the thief said doubtfully.
/It doesn't sound appealing to me either. But what other choice do we have?/
//There must be other ways//
/Maybe but it'd take time to uncover the right one. We don't have that time. If whatever set that apparation on me really is killing just to get our attention, we have to find out who it is quickly/
//But…// Dark trailed off. Then he sighed. //Fine//
Daisuke glanced at him for a moment then turned back to his lover and Krad.
"We agree," he said quietly.
Satoshi smiled at him, though it seemed slightly weary. "I suppose we can start now then."
He started to sit up but stopped when his alter-ego laid a restraining hand on his arm. He looked up at him in slight confusion.
(( Please wait. I have something to discuss with Dark ))
( Is it important? )
(( I would have done this later if it was not ))
( Fine. I'll talk with Daisuke while you're gone then. Fly somewhere private but make sure to remain hidden )
(( Of course ))
"Dark," Krad said, no tone whatsoever in his voice. "Can I talk to you?"
The thief blinked, glancing at Daisuke.
/Go or I'll force you/
"I…sure, I guess," Dark said, hiding his reluctance. He got up and followed as the blond walked out onto the balcony. He heard Wiz twitter, unhappy that its master was leaving with the 'demon'. A second later, the doors slid shut.
Daisuke shook his head. "I hope they'll still have all their limbs intact when they get back," he said, shifting aside as Satoshi settled beside him.
The bluenette smiled for a second before his expression turned somber.
"Are you really ready for this?" he asked. "We don't have to cast this spell if you're not comfortable with it. I'm sure we can find something else."
His boyfriend smiled softly at him. "You know as well as I do that we can't," he replied. "No, I'm not comfortable with the spell. But I don't have to be comfortable to be ready."
"But if you have doubts, it might not work," said Satoshi, his sapphire eyes boring into crimson orbs. "There's always a chance that your subconscious will pull out at the last instant and who knows what the consequences would be if that happens."
"Don't worry." Daisuke smiled and placed a hand on the other's. "I have no doubts. Just feeling nervous, that's all."
Satoshi's answering smile was reassuring as he interlocked their fingers, squeezing gently. "I wasn't lying, you know. I'm sure we'll be perfectly fine. Krad will monitor the effects of the spell while I search your memory. Dark can look out for any side-effects. We'll be perfectly safe."
"I know." The red-head's smile widened. He refused to let any of his unease show. "I know we will."
Why couldn't he convince himself of that?
.x.
They were outside, away from their hosts, in real bodies.
Krad glanced at the other, golden eyes alight with a strange emotion. "Can you still use your real wings?" he asked, almost hesitantly.
Dark was taken aback. He hadn't used his true wings since…the first time he used them after his creation from the Black Wings. The same time he learned that using them caused pain and damage to his host.
But, while this body was not solid, it was real. Could he use his wings? Or would it still hurt Daisuke?
"It will not hurt your Tamer," said the blond softly. "Satoshi-sama told me it had not hurt him when I let out my own wings."
Dark looked up at him, biting his lip. Then he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
It had been centuries since he had let out his wings and so pain filled his back at their return to the air. But coupled with it was pleasure; come from the feeling of finally releasing into freedom.
Lustrous black wings, as magnificent as Krad's majestic white ones, flared into the air shimmering in the black night lighted by the half moon.
Dark's amethysts eyes opened and they were fathomless.
"Come then," Krad said softly, rising into the air.
Black wings flapped experimentally, getting used to the feeling before Dark, too, rose. A look of near-rapture filled his face, wonder mixed in.
The angel dived down towards the ocean and then swiftly changed course to shoot for the sky. With a grin, Dark copied him, adoring the feeling of using his own wings. After circling the hotel, Krad began to move towards the town, careful to stay away from lights.
They flew over skyscrapers and buildings, heading towards a destination Dark had yet to know. Instead, he looked down and enjoyed the view of people and scenery.
Finally, Krad's wings began to beat more softly as he began to slow down. With a last powerful stroke, they brought him to a graceful landing. Dark looked around, following suit.
They were standing atop a cliff, overlooking the sea sparkling with the light of the half moon. Behind them was a forest, cutting them off from the population and hiding them from mortal eyes.
"Why did you want to bring me so far away?" the thief asked curiously.
Krad turned to face him, an unreadable expression on his face. "I needed to talk to you," he said simply. "And it is better to do so in private."
"This must be important, huh?" Dark commented, crosing his arms as he looked up at his counterpart.
"You could say that." Krad turned from him his golden, cat-like eyes roaming the sea. "Will you listen?"
"Would I have followed you out here if I wouldn't?"
The angel sighed. "You're probably not very happy with our current solution," he said after a moment.
"Is it obvious?" the thief said, half-sarcastically, half-dryly. "Of course I'm not happy with it. I'm terrified it might backfire and hurt Daisuke."
Krad glanced at him, noting that he had not said anything about being afraid the spell might affect himself.
"We do have an advantage over the past incidents, you know," he pointed out. "We have four minds. I can supervise the effects while Satoshi-sama searches the memory. You can look out for anything out of place while Daisuke provides the memory itself."
Dark had a worried look on his face. "What if something goes wrong?" he said, holding back the tone of fear that threatened to leak out.
"I destroy the spell," was the sure answer. "A normal user would not have the time as it would be affecting his mind as well. But with the fact that I'll be there, making sure nothing bad happens, it won't have enough time to cause any damage."
"You're sure nothing is going to happen?"
The blond surpressed a smile. "I know you don't trust me," he said softly. "But rest assured, nothing will. At the very least, trust your Tamer's judgement. He trusts Satoshi-sama. Neither of us will allow anything untoward to happen."
"…Promise?"
"What?" The angel blinked, unsure of what the other meant.
Dark took a deep breath. "Promise me that whatever happens you'll get both Daisuke and Satoshi out of danger?"
Krad turned to regard his counterpart who looked away, unwilling to meet his eyes. His gaze softened against his will.
"I promise," he said.
Dark turned to stare at him in surprise. It was obvious he hadn't been expecting a reply. He seemed to take in the words and an almost contented look fell on his face.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
"Shall we go back now?" Krad asked, unfurling his wings. "We can start the spell then."
"Yeah, sure." Dark spread his wings, secretly adoring the feel before rising into the air. "Let's go."
I have a very important question that needs to be answered because it affects the future of the story.
As you all know, I included a crossover from Detective Conan and Magic Kaitou in the last chapter. Only Shinichi and Kaito are the characters involved and I'm not going to add anybody else.
But I do need to know; would you like if they became more involved? It wouldn't hurt the plot either way, just your reading pleasure. Tell me in your review, okay? It really is very important. To me, anyway.
Anyway, sorry (again) for the late update and hope you like this chapter. Enjoy.
Thanks to all the reviewers! Hope I can get to 100 this time! Pweaseeee!