25. The Trust
"On three we blast the door down," Lance instructed as they stood before the door they had last known Voltron's head to be behind. "One...two...three!"
A barrage of ice fired at the door followed by two powerful streams of fire that rocked the air around them. There was a clicking sound and then the bent door lifted up halfway before short circuiting.
Keith slowly bent down to peer into the room. "I don't see any soldiers. Lance, do you want to do your spike trick?"
"I'll do it on the ceiling, as to not pierce any of the equipment" Lance said and placed a hand on the floor letting trails of his frost creep into the room, eyes closed. When they opened again, the room was suddenly filled with spikes of ice careful not to hit the crystal that held Voltron's head.
"I didn't hear any dead guards," Pidge said. "I'll go in first to make sure."
The Green rider crept slowly to the half open door and slid her smaller body under it while pointing the small guns out at the room in front of her. It was a moment before she gestured the others to follow.
"It really is the Head of Voltron," Pidge said once they were all filtered into the room with a couple members of the fleet standing guard outside.
"Yes, Zarkon has had it for almost six years," Thace said. "We Blade of Marmora and many Galra do not worship Voltron so it was of little interest to us. We were raised knowing only that it was a weapon that once belonged to us. Zarkon wanted it back to once again re-slave the world. It was said that we held a whole planet under our rule. I wonder if perhaps it was another planet altogether, but that was many millenniums ago."
"We came here to retrieve the head, Thace," Keith said. "For our people, it means a lot more. Voltron saved us, or so that's how our stories go."
Thace shrugged. "We have no qualms against you elementals taking it if it will stop Zarkon. We do have other bases farther west, but this is our home base and where Zarkon moved most of his power to. Without it, he will be weak. And without him, the other Galra will lose interest in continuing his expansion. We have far superior technology, but it came with a far worse price than any on this side of the ocean could imagine. I don't think Zarkon can even imagine it. He has erased most of our history, the parts that don't please him, but the Blade of Marmora remembers."
"Lord Lance," Shiro spoke up, "did you figure out how to disconnect the head from all this tubing the last time you were here?"
Lance moved over to the machine then shook his head. "My plan was to just cut and go. Pidge, could you have a quick look at it?"
The Builder moved to the machines and everyone fell silent for a moment before she suddenly started to unplug cables and flicked switches. "Keith, put your hand on this screen. I'm trying to do a safety removal. I think it is DNA based. I've been looking into Galra technology with the help of Ulaz and the rest of the Marmora people and a lot depend on quintessence."
Keith placed his hand on the indicated screen and there was a whirring noise before everything in the room went dark. Shiro and Keith both immediately lifted a hand of fire to light the area.
"You elementals do have some useful tricks," Thace said.
"Pidge?" Shiro asked.
"We're good, no alarms should go off if they weren't already broken. Start pulling the tubes and we can begin the process of getting out of here. Since Keith is supposedly Zarkon's nephew, I figured his DNA might be linked in with the safe lock as long as his mother was."
"Good job Pidge," Lance said. "Alright men, let's move out."
Keith kept to the edge of the room peeking out at their fleet outside for any signs that Galra guards were coming. It was oddly quiet. They were relatively far into the castle so hearing any of the fighting outside might be difficult, but there had been fighting above them not long ago. There was a sudden shake that had Lance cursing the fleet to be careful as they lifted the giant crystal from its base.
"Okay, so here's the real question: How are we getting this thing out of here? It takes ten of us just to carry it," Lance asked.
"We were just going to walk out of the door with it, but it's jammed," Shiro said.
"The tunnels are big enough for it," Keith said, "but you would have to blast a hole large enough to lower the crystal."
"Can you and Pidge take care of that?" Shiro asked.
"I have explosives," Pidge said.
"I can make a big enough fire, but Black might still have to dig you out. I can't promise that the tunnel hasn't been caved in," Keith pointed out.
"I would suggest the tunnels," Thace said. "If this Black is a dragon large enough to dig you out then you would be safer trapped down there than in the castle. I fear it is on the verge of collapsing. And the factories are more than likely empty at this time. Half of them were already being abandoned since it has been harder to collect prisoners to use as quintessence without taking stock from workers."
"Then the tunnels it is," Shiro said. "The fleet outside will guard us and we'll leave a couple here. Fifteen minutes after we've gone through, the inside fleet follows and fifteen after that, the outside fleet and retreat however they deem safe. Keith, Pidge, set it up."
Pidge moved over to the grate in the floor and started to place small mounds of pressed dust on the ground in an area large enough to lower the crystal through.
"Stand back," Keith said once she was finished and his body went up in flames before the flames moved to concentrate in his hands then he threw it. A large explosion burst forward and they ducked, coughing as dust filled the room.
"Alright, quickly," Shiro commanded.
"Not so fast,"a voice said from behind them.
Keith turned just as the half opened door to the room was rammed full of bullets and then blasted open. Behind it stood Prince Lotor, Grand Master Haggar and her druids, and a group of Galra guards.
"Ah, it seems we've caught three little princes this time," Prince Lotor said. "Your queen will have to agree to a marriage if we have you all hostage."
"She'll never agree to such a thing," Lance yelled. "She'll never marry a perverted prince like you who leaves someone else's husband naked and chained up for hours, you sick monster."
Prince Lotor laughed. "So this is my cousin's mate, he's much more my taste."
Keith immediately moved forward and brandished his flaming sword. "Lotor, you have no chance against us. I don't know what you did to our soldiers outside, but I'm not letting you stop us now. By now you're far too outnumbered and we're not even done yet."
"Outnumbered? We've got vast lands behind us with more Galra soldiers," Lotor said. "And we have the technology. We don't need to rely on an old machine for protection no matter how much my father wants it. As for your soldiers standing guard, you'll find out soon enough what we did to them. Haggar!"
The Grand Master moved forward and threw out a blast of ice. Immediately, Keith put up his own wall of fire that simmered as the ice melted passing through. The other druids stepped forward brandishing their own weapons of ice and a couple even had hands of fire. Keith couldn't tell if they were traitors like Haggar or hybrids like himself with how low their hoods were pulled over their faces. Even if they were traitors, Keith had the Blade of Marmora on their side. The ice druids would be easy enough to get through as long as Keith didn't get touched by Haggar. The fire druids might prove more difficult, but Keith thought he might be able to take control of their flames if he could concentrate hard enough. There weren't many of them. If the rebels and what remained of his fleet stayed with him, the rest could continue on.
The castle shook and debris began to fall around them. They needed to leave now if they wanted to get far enough into the tunnel for the castle not to collapse on top of them.
"Lance, put up a shield, now!" Keith yelled.
Suddenly, a thick barrier of ice moved between them and the Galra at the door. Keith turned to Shiro first.
"Commander, you have to get down there now. I'll keep my fleet with me and the rebels, the rest of you go. It's a straight walk. You'll probably have to fight your way out of the factory if you make it there before the tunnel collapses, so you'll need most of the soldiers with you."
"Wait, are you staying?" Lance asked.
"Yes. I can fight through these guys and lead my fleet back to the arena, I've already made a path of fire that'll listen to me. Most of my guys have Reds and Greens, so their dragons will fit in the arena to pick them up and there should be enough dragons to pick up the rebels as well if they don't have dragons of their own."
"I'm staying with you then," Lance said.
Keith was about to protest when he heard the ice of Lance's barrier begin to crack as Lotor's group started firing at it. "No, you can't. You have to go with Shiro. You're the Heir Prince and my husband, I'm not going to risk you getting hurt. Besides, if there is a cave in, you have the strongest ice powers here, you'll have to put up a barrier to make sure no one gets hurt while you wait to be dug up. And once you're airborne, they're going to need your arrows to keep people away. I'm better at hand to hand combat, I can deal with Prince Lotor."
"What about Haggar?" Lance asked.
"I know her tricks now, Lance, I won't be caught off guard this time. You have to go with them, you have to protect Shiro in my place and the head of Voltron."
"I know that, but," Lance started then winced as a hole was finally made in the barrier of his wall. They ducked down and the soldiers continued to pull the crystal into the underground tunnel, Shiro and Pidge hanging at the edge waiting.
"Lance, we need to go," Shiro called. "I think Keith has a good plan and we should follow it."
"Keith," Lance said, teeth clenched and eyes desperate. "Come with us, the rebels can handle this."
"But I can handle it better," Keith said.
Lance looked away, his shoulders shaking. "I hate this. I've been so scared ever since they took you. I shouldn't have left you alone and I did. I cried myself to sleep every night and then you were gone again for a whole month. I've never missed someone this much. This whole battle I've been fighting with myself on whether I should stay close to you or not. I love you, Keith, and I'm scared to lose you."
Keith smiled softly and lifted a hand to Lance's face making the other look at him. "Lance, I already knew that. And I love you, too. I've been at the front lines of so many battles when all I had to protect was a promise and a duty, but I have so much more to protect now, so I need you to trust me, Lance, can you do that?"
Lance pressed his lips together then suddenly leaned forward, his lips pressing hard to Keith's before pulling away, his hands coming to hold Keith's head between them making them look eye to eye. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid."
Keith laughed. "I can't promise you that. I can't fathom what you think is stupid. I'll promise to see you again."
Lance didn't seem happy, but sighed and moved his hands away. He stood and stared down at Keith with blazing eyes. "I trust you, Keith. I trust you more than I love you, but that doesn't mean I'm not scared."
Keith was scared, too. He was terrified. "All I ever wanted was for you to trust me, Lance."
Lance nodded, gave Keith one last glance, then hurried over to the hole jumping in with Pidge right behind him.
"Shiro," Keith called as more holes were blown through the wall.
"Don't worry, you're still holding to your vow," Shiro said smiling softly.
"Shiro, protect Lance, please," Keith said.
Shiro looked surprised for a moment, but then his soft smile returned. "You're not breaking that vow either, not if I can help it."
A moment later, Shiro jumped down the hole and it was suddenly covered with a thick layer of ice. Keith moved back, sword at the ready, body already covered in fire. Unlike when he was in Ko-gane, his fleet now only contained non masters and Ice Masters and then there were the rebels who were all poised with him.
"Men, keep us covered," Keith instructed. "Marmora Blades, raise them if you are willing, we aim for the druids. Don't let them touch you. Prince Lotor might be skilled, but leave him to me."
When the wall fell, Keith ran full force at the group of Galra soldiers. They flinched seeing a human shaped fire charging at them and Keith managed to whip quite a few with his flames as he slashed his sword at the nearest druid. They dashed away and suddenly Haggar was before him holding a staff made of ice. Keith was reminded of his fighting practice with Allura and took up a different stance before whipping out his sword. It cut through the staff easily, but he heard the simmer of fire being put out and glanced at his shoulder to see it soaked. Keith took a few steps back and looked to see Haggar now floating water about her hands though it was a small amount. She was a Grand Master after all. Keith knew Lance had some control over none solid water particles and it appeared Haggar did as well, but not much. It was her work with teleportation that gave her her Grand Master title not her waterworks. Still.
"Stupid boy, do you think I wouldn't have learned how to fight a Fire Master?" Haggar asked. "Ice isn't so weak as to melt, ice is just water."
"And water isn't easy to control. It's like fire, it moves and weaves with its own will, I'm more than aware of that," Keith said. "But I can already tell you have little connection with water. Water shapes the earth, not the other way around. It won't bend to someone who forces it."
"I'll show you who bends," Haggar said and forced out two streams of water.
Keith dodged one, but the other caught him around the ankle pulling him to the ground. Perhaps Haggar was a little more proficient with water than Keith had given her credit for. However, she was underestimating him far more. While preoccupied with pulling him in with her water, she was wide open for another to attack.
"Thace!"
The Galra rebel was on the Grand Master a moment later, sword slashing one of her arms. Keith rolled away and shook his leg. It would be awhile before he could go full fire again, but he had other tricks to use.
"I'll keep her occupied, you go after Prince Lotor. He's not unskilled, but he is weak minded. We can't let them get to the others underground," Thace said.
Keith nodded and quickly looked around. He saw the prince off in a corner laughing while two guards shot guns at anyone that got close. Keith wasn't sure if Lotor was delusional or if he knew something they didn't, but Keith wouldn't stand around to find out. He pulled two throwing knives out from his thigh belt in one hand and threw them, hitting the guards while they were distracted. One lodged in the neck while the other got the guard's shoulder. Keith jumped onto that guard immediately, letting his sword fall against his neck as he stood up to face Prince Lotor.
The Galra prince looked at Keith with surprise then disdain, eyes narrowing and he pulled out his own sword that lit up similarly to the Marmora blades. "You have always looked better fighting than chained up, cousin. You're much more attractive covered in blood, but still not my type I fear. I would have no fun with you."
"We could have been allies," Keith said. "You want something different than your father, but you are blinded by power and can't see that you should want more changes. Having a mate is truly amazing, having love. I'm sad you won't live to know that feeling."
Lotor laughed, but there was a sharpness to it. "It makes people fools, love. That is why my aunt no longer walks with us. You won't change my mind, Hybrid prince. I've seen how powerful the Galra are. We won't fall anytime soon."
"Maybe not all Galra, but you will," Keith said and rushed forward.
Prince Lotor was ready for him, but not ready for the flames that licked out catching on the ends of his long white hair. The Galra prince patted at his hair and glared. "How annoying. This is why I had Haggar immobilize your insufferable flames. You'll never grow as a society relying on magic."
"And yet you had to turn to magic, but I'm done talking. I've never been much of a diplomat," Keith said twisting his body as he dodged Lotor's blade and swinging his around, but he felt himself twist too much, water beneath his feet causing him to slip. He barely caught himself, but felt Lotor's sword slash his arm. He pulled back and held a hand over the wound.
"You aren't much of a fighter, either, to get so carried away," Lotor laughed and held his sword up, red dripping down its blade.
Keith glared and looked at the floor. There was too much melted ice to fight properly. The castle shook again. There wasn't enough time to fight properly, either, but he couldn't let Lotor and Haggar alone. To one side was one of the druids with fire, the other was on the ground bleeding, body still burning from his own flames. Keith stood straight and pressed his hand against his wound before spreading them wide, blood spattering along the ground.
"Come at me, Lotor, I'm ready," Keith taunted.
"You're too cocky," Lotor said and charged, sword ready as if waiting for Keith to swing his as well.
Instead, Keith closed his eyes and searched around him, letting the fires in the room that belonged to him call out and seduce any fire close by into his control. When Lotor was too close to turn back, Keith called the fire to him. It came in on all sides avoiding only those he could sense on his side.
"Prince Lotor, wait!" Haggar screamed as the fire caved in.
There was a sudden yell and Keith opened his eyes just in time to see Lotor rolling on the ground, fire licking at his body.
"My prince!" Haggar yelled hurrying over only to receive Thace's sword through her chest when she turned away.
Keith did not call back his fire, but took a step back urging it to burn hotter. "Don't hold back, we have to leave soon," he called.
"Lord Keith, we need to go," one of his fleet called after taking down two guards.
Keith agreed. "Thace, bring your men, we're retreating."
"I agree, let's retreat," Thace said.
They hurried into the hall and started on the path back to the arena, Keith's men in front and Thace and the rebels behind. Suddenly, there was a yell and Keith turned to see Haggar bent over reaching out to them with ice on her hands. She must have teleported. There was frost running along the ground and it reminded Keith of Lance's spike trick.
"Run!" Keith yelled.
They hurried away, but when the spikes came, Keith turned back. A few of the rebels had been caught by the tell end of the hall length ice spikes and then there was Thace, a hand reaching out for one of his lost rebels. He had one of the spikes through his right arm, more towards his chest and other in his thigh.
"Lord Keith, do not stop for me. The druid may still have more in her, but she will die soon. She is not Galra and our weapons are poisoned."
Keith stood there, fists clenching.
"Lord Keith," one of his men called out to him.
Keith growled. "Clear the path, I will join you in a minute. One of you help me with the rebel."
"Young prince, you shouldn't waste your time with me," Thace said as Keith approached him using his fire to melt the spike.
"You'll live, I just have to get you out of here."
"I'm not young and these wounds are far too big," Thace said coughing, blood on his lips.
"Galra must not be very advanced in medicine if you think these wounds are too big. I'm not saying it'll be easy, though," Keith said. "Just bare with it."
With the help of one of his soldiers, Keith pulled Thace away just as a screech could be heard from the other side of the hall. The soldier was taller than Keith and so they piled Thace over his back.
"Why?" Thace asked. "It's my job to help get rid of the Galra Empire, I should die in that service."
"If I'm going to see my mate than so are you. You helped me escape," Keith said.
Thace chuckled. "If only Prince Lotor had such compassion, we could have saved this empire."
The castle shook more and Keith could hear parts of it crumbling behind them.
Maybe it was more than mating Zarkon had outlawed. Maybe it was compassion or maybe something more than love and more than trust.
The arena was empty when they made it through the rubble of the falling castle to its open space. There were still a few Galra in the benches that seemed loss as to where to go. They must have not been important enough to Zarkon to explain where they needed to go in such a situation. Perhaps no one was. Keith doubted Zarkon would leave his people because he didn't have the foresight to see an attack. Keith wasn't sure what to do about them. He could leave them here and they might die or try and convince them to come. He gestured one of his men to send a message to them through the small gap that separated the resistant glass from the caved in ceiling. If they were willing to come under Altea or Ko-gane's rule than they were welcome in either kingdom.
Red was quick to come for Keith. She let him place Thace over her back and took Keith in her claws rising to the air as the rest of the rebels and Keith's' men followed out. The sun was bright in the sky and Keith knew it was past noon. He looked around using his bond to tell Red where to go. There weren't many soldiers fighting at the doors of the Galra castle, but there were still Builders chucking what they could at the building. Far off, Keith could see groups of Galra fleeing, workers, Keith guessed, as they wore no armor or anything flashy. Keith wasn't sure if there was a hierarchy in the Galra empire or if it was just Zarkon and whoever he favored. Closer to the woods, Keith noted bands of prisoners fighting off a few soldiers and prisoners who favored Zarkon's rule or were too scared to leave as they were escorted to safety. Most of the knights were still fighting the Galra flying machines and enhanced creatures. Keith hadn't realized how many of those the Galra had under their keep.
One side of the Galra castle suddenly crumbled completely. Keith watched as the dust started to clear and noted the lines of underground tunnels it showed. There were so many more than what Thace had shown him, more than he probably knew. Who knew how many military leaders had gotten out. Had Zarkon? It would be a shame if they couldn't get the emperor himself now, but their main task was to get the Head of Voltron from the Galra grasp.
"Where's Black?" Keith asked.
Red growled softly, her eyes becoming Keith's as she showed him where the Large Black dragon was on the ground fighting off a large group of Galra soldiers and their weapons. They were tipped with dragon glass, chains connected to them, and they were buried in Black's skin forcing her to the ground. Other dragons were trying to get close, but more of Haggar's druids were forcing them away with their magic while archers shot arrows with the same dragon glass at them. Keith wondered if the Galra knew about dragon glass, they must seeing as they had caught that Red and all the dragon eggs they plundered.
"If Black is there, where is Shiro and Lance?"
Keith continued to survey the area. He saw Blue above one of the factories fighting with the druids as well trying to get to Black. There were other soldiers fighting below them. Keith narrowed his eyes to get a better look. One of them was Shiro and he was clashing swords with a heavily armored Galra.
"Is that Zarkon? Red, drop me off there then take Thace to a medic. Come back after, understand?"
The dragon made a reluctant sound, but quickly flew towards the battle at the factory. She swooped down low spitting fire at anyone close to Keith's landing spot then let him drop. She was gone before anyone could shoot at her and Keith immediately threw his sword looking around. He found Shiro and immediately started running towards him.
"Shiro!" he yelled throwing off a soldier that approached him.
"Keith, stay back," Shiro yelled as his sword clashed with Zarkon's, a heavy ugly thing that glowed the the Marmora blades. "This is a one on one battle, just have my back."
"His soldiers will immediately attack us if you come any closer," Shiro explained. "Just make sure none of his guys try and cheat."
"Lord Keith," one of the soldiers holding off a Galra called. "Zarkon was waiting for us outside the factory with all this shearer equipment to bring down Black. He challenged Shiro to a battle for the dragon and the head."
Keith pressed his lips together. Of course it was the commander's job to take on such a battle, but it was Keith's job to protect Shiro. However, he trusted Shiro's skills. He'd fought bigger and better men them himself before. His sword was no more clean than Keith's.
"Where's Lord Lance?" Keith asked the soldier.
"I'm not suppose to say out loud," the soldier said looking uneasy.
That didn't please Keith, but he nodded. His husband was up to something, but Keith trusted Lance. "Alright, let's keep any Galra from cheating and make space for the head. If you have a dragon, set it on the Galra holding down Black."
"Already on that and a few have gone to get more knights from the other areas of the castle," the soldier said.
Keith did one more look around the battlefield. Lord Pidge was nowhere to be seen and Keith took that as she was in on whatever Lance was up to. It made him feel easier about whatever the prince was doing. He then turned his back to Shiro and Zarkon and held a stance glancing around at the Galra soldiers fighting theirs. He ran at one that got too close, slicing them quickly with his sword. When he noted one of their soldiers having trouble, he threw out fireballs to help. He didn't glance behind him to see how Shiro was fairing, but he kept his ears perked up listening to the sounds of their swords clashing, narrowing in on them.
Off in the distance, Keith could hear the dragons still fighting off the druids in an attempt to rescue Black. If it took much longer, the large dragon might attempt to simply breath at anything before her. It would cause causalities for their side as well as the Galra. Keith would advise against it, but it would be Black's choice ultimately as her need to protect her rider grew. It was luckily not long before Keith felt Red's presence nearby going to help the other dragon to release their alpha. He swiped at more Galra soldiers trying to get close either to help their emperor or to get into the castle where they were still trying to escape with the crystal. His muscles ached with each swipe of his sword and he wanted to switch to just his fire, but it wouldn't be as fatal and the magic would drain his energy quicker. They needed to finish this soon and retreat, but with Zarkon right here, it would be even better to finish him off now.
Keith pushed his sword through a soldier's chest then kicked him away before finally glancing back at Shiro's fight with Zarkon. It felt like it had been hours, but only a few minutes had gone by since he'd joined the fray. Shiro seemed tired, but there was a glint in his eyes, something between the ghosts Keith had seen pop up here and there on occasion and the look he got when he was forced to make a difficult decision in battle. He must know this was their chance to take out Zarkon. Keith was unsure if Lotor was alive or not in the castle, and with how badly damaged Keith had left him, he most certainly would not be inclined to the favors of the Masters, but Lotor would be nothing more than a face for any Galra supporters looking to continue Zarkon's line of tyranny. Without Zarkon, their claim would be cheap.
They had to kill him.
Zarkon's moves were slow, but he was calculating. Keith could tell watching him now that the Galra emperor was no amateur to the sword. But, that sword was strange. The shape of it was different than the ones the other Galra soldiers used in close range combat. It was much like the Marmora blades. If that was true, then it might hold to the same principles as the Marmora Blades. If Keith could get close enough to it, he could try and tame it. He might be able to wield it as well being Zarkon's nephew. Keith didn't see a Black's scale on the blade, but he did see multiple fossilized scales of other dragons. Either, if he could get that sword away from Zarkon, it was worth a shot to try.
Keith couldn't do it, though. If he took a step too close, the Galra soldiers around would shoot him down and Shiro. And if Shiro managed to strike a blow, he would still be gunned down. Unless he could get a killing blow, it wouldn't be worth it. Keith had to get the guards around them out of the way first. Why had Zarkon challenge Shiro to a one on one battle? Was he really running out of ideas? Or was he too proud? Maybe it was both. Without the enhanced Red and Voltron's head, what did he have? His castle was already crumbling and from what Keith understood, they had ripped through all the land on their way here.
Zarkon had to defeat Shiro or else he would be in a place he could nevercome back from.
Keith called out to Red. He needed her. He set her quick thoughts and she immediately began to fly to other dragons so they could relay the plans to their riders and the other soldiers. He needed short ranged archers and anyone who could pick up and use one of the fallen Galra's forgotten guns. He needed to change the focus of the Builders onto freeing Black so the dragons could help guard the factory. And Keith needed Red to cover him.
It all happened in the span of only a few minutes and then Red was flying above them spitting out fire. The Ice Master soldiers around them put up blocks to protect themselves from the blazes while the other Fire Masters urged the Galra away so the ice breathers could have their shot. When the circle around Shiro and Zarkon had widened, Keith again turned to look at Shiro. He was sweating and there was a cut on his arm bleeding heavily above where his metal arm connected to his real skin. If Zarkon cut any major arteries or cords in that arm, it would be useless and Shiro had grown accustomed to favoring that arm in battle with all of its enhancements. It had been his favored arm before the kidnapping as well.
"Shiro, the sword!" Keith yelled.
"Keith!" Shiro warned, but he glanced around finally noticing the change of pace and gritted his teeth.
"You are foolish if you think I can be out done without a sword. Rid me of it if you like," Zarkon said. "Those enhancements were only tests for myself. Your arm is weak and so are you."
"You're right," Shiro agreed. "I can tell you're hiding technology I can not understand beneath that armor or perhaps it is the armor. I can not defeat you myself without risking my own life."
"So risk it. This is a one on one battle."
"I agreed to a one on one battle and I'm sticking to that promise, but others have made promises to not let me die. They have sworn on their very lives."
Zarkon pushed away frowning. "You have no pride then, no dignity as a warrior. But, I shouldn't have expected any better from the champion of my arena all those years ago."
"Then I suppose we're even on that. However, I am not alone in my fight. If I fall, others will take my place. Our loyalty runs deeper than fear. We each decide our own morals here. I'll take my risks, but I take them on a firm foundation."
"You are a fool. I will kill you first and then that nephew of mine," Zarkon said and swung charging at Shiro.
Shiro took up a stance holding his sword ready to block the attack and moved his other hand to hold onto the wound on his arm. It was coated in blood and Keith held his breath. Zarkon's sword came down hitting Shiro's and forcing the commander to crouch. Shiro gritted his teeth and lifted his hand away from his arm to hold it against Zarkon's blade. It cut into his hand adding to the blood already on it and began to travel along the blade of Zarkon's sword. When it touched his hand, fire exploded and Zarkon was pushed back. Shiro let his sword fall away and crouched down before kicking up hitting hard against Zarkon's hand forcing the emperor to let go of his sword. The blast caught the attention of the Galra soldiers around them and Keith knelt down pressing his hands to the dry savanna grass lighting it up with a high and hot flame that spread around them in a circle and then he swept in. He immediately grabbed onto Zarkon's sword. It shifted into a sword barely smaller than Keith's own Marmora blade when activated. Keith wasn't sure if the sword would react to him, but he wasted no time in taking it up as any old sword. It was long enough to work whether it was activated or not even if it stung his hands to hold. He was right about it being made of similar magic. It was rejecting him.
Bullets started flying at them through the wall of flames, but they flew blind and off the mark with the dragons beating their wings above them. Shiro stayed low and grabbed his sword from the ground as Zarkon roared in anger as fire crawled up his arms to his armor that burned red hot from the flames, but they didn't grow anymore.
"Do you think I would be unprepared for fire?" Zarkon asked as he reached down to grab Shiro.
Shiro swiped at him, but Zarkon's armor pulsed with light and he withstood the pain of the slash grabbing Shiro by the neck and lifting him into the air. Shiro dropped his sword and clawed at Zarkon's hand before activating his Galra arm so a large dagger slid out and he stabbed it into Zarkon's side.
Zarkon only laughed.
The laugh was cut off shortly before it began and Zarkon's yellow eyes widened in surprise, his hand loosening on Shiro's neck dropping the commander to the ground.
"Did you forget I was here, too?" Keith asked in a low growl standing behind Zarkon, the Galra's sword stabbed through him. "I vowed not to let Shiro die before me. I won't let you change such a plan."
Zarkon growled and turned his head to look at Keith. "You would stab your own family in the back?"
"Like you care for family. You may be my blood, but my family are those who love me and you love no one," Keith said.
Zarkon chuckled. "It hurts, but that sword won't listen to you. I can fight through this injury."
Keith bet he could, but it would cost him. However, they didn't have time to wait around for Zarkon to bleed out.
"You'll die here and now, Zarkon," Keith said.
"Attachment is what will get you killed," Zarkon said. "And I am not alone."
"Keith!" Shiro yelled.
Before Keith could even turn to see where Shiro was looking, he felt something cold pierce his right side. Looking down, he saw the tip of a melting ice spike poking through his abdomen and he coughed. The taste of iron spilled from his lips and landed on his hands were he was holding Zarkon's sword. It stung his already burning hands and made the hilt slippery. The blood moved down the hilt and along the dragon gems lining the blade as Keith unconsciously began to pull it out as he fell backwards. There was a sudden warmth as his fire sprang forth in an act to protect him and whipped up the blade. And then there was a shredding sound and a gargled gasp came from Zarkon before him. Keith got one look as blood gush out from in front of Zarkon and then the glint of a sword much longer than the one Keith had put through him.
The stinging in Keith's hands had stopped. He noted that before feeling the ground beneath him.
"You've ruined everything," a haggard voice said from over Keith.
His vision was blurry, but he could make out the hood of a druid. The front of their cloak was soaked in blood.
"The Galra were my ticket to getting rid of you Fire Masters once and for all," Haggar growled as she held another spike of ice above Keith's head, but no sooner had she raised it was she falling to the side, eyes wide and lifeless, an arrow through her head, it's blue feathered tip singed from the fire wall Keith had surrounded their area in.
Keith looked around, but all he could see was the fire and the blue blue sky filled with multicolored dragons that blurred the more he looked at it. He turned his head to the side and saw Shiro getting up with a sword in hand approaching the collapsed body of the Galra emperor. He grabbed Zarkon by his head and held it up as Zarkon held a hand to his wound still trying to fight through the pain of it. There were sparks around the metal of his armor. Shiro ignored it and held his sword to Zarkon's throat.
It was an easy and pitiful death for someone that held so much threat to them. Keith almost wished it could have been more spectacular, but they had to be efficient. Besides, it wasn't as if Keith would get any better view if this continued, his vision was already turning black.
Waking up was a strange sensation. Sometimes it started with a slow arousal, ears alert followed by blinking soft eyes taking in the area around brought into the world of the awoken by a sound or a bright light or something deeper and unseen. Other times waking up came with a jerk of one's body and a startled scream or groan like falling through cold water into a bit of fire as nightmares became distant dreams in the sight of a familiar space. Keith woke slowly. First, he heard sound, a silent sound of a still room and then he smelt the tang of medic gel. The familiar smell brought his attention to his skin that felt sticky and cold and then to the numb pain in his side. He shifted softly hissing as if to try and get away from something that was no longer there.
"Shh, don't move you'll make the stitching break."
Keith stilled immediately hearing the familiar voice, soft and deep. He turned his head before opening his eyes. They were met with a pair of tired blue orbs staring down at him. At first they were concerned and then grew wide.
"Keith?" the voice asked.
A groan escaped Keith as he tried to move. His body ached all over, but he forced himself to move an arm and reach up to touch the tanned face hovering over his. "Lance."
Lance's hand moved up to cup Keith's, holding it against his skin, turning to kiss his sticky salve covered hand. "You woke up. I'm so glad. They weren't sure if their ice based salve would work."
"Lance," Keith repeated. He felt weak, not enough energy to talk.
"You're tired. It's alright. I'll get you some water and then we can start cleaning you up. I can't let you fall back to sleep again. You've slept for two days."
Two days. It had been two days since the raid on the Galra castle then. What had happened? He only remembered plunging Zarkon's sword into his back and then something cold. Everything after that was blurry and felt like a dream. Haggar had appeared and then there was an arrow through her head. Then Shiro had finished Zarkon off. He didn't voice his questions, though.
Lance was at his side with a glass of water moments later and helped him sip it then there were medics in the room draining the dub Keith had been half submerged in. They had put him in one of the full bath rooms where Lance had been put after the Balmera incident. That seemed like it had just been yesterday, but it was a whole year ago. Keith noted a chair beside his bath where he guessed Lance had sat at his side. He wondered if his husband had stayed there the whole time. It made him feel warm to think so. The Altean prince stood in the doorway watching Keith with a stern but concerned look as the medics bandaged Keith up spitting off lines about his vitals and how Keith was lucky he was a Fire Master and so his body temperature was warmer or else Haggar's ice dagger would have been big enough to pierce major arteries, but his body had melted it enough there was little life threatening damage, but added with all the other damage Keith's body had taken that day and the fall to the ground, it would have been a risk not to get him into a bath of healing salve as quickly as possible even if it was one made for Ice Masters.
Keith didn't pay much attention to them, though, he just kept staring at Lance.
They moved Keith to a private room with a bed to rest. He limped there with the help of the medics, his side still aching badly, but the medics said he was just catching up to the pain in his body and he would be able to ignore any discomfort soon. When they left, Lance finally walked in.
"Lance," Keith said.
His husband didn't reply, just shut the door behind him before stomping over to Keith's bed side, anger in his brilliant blue eyes. Keith had never really seen Lance angry, not since their fight in the training yard, but that had seemed more like betrayal. This was different and Keith wasn't the least bit scared or anxious.
"Quiznak, you're worse than a honey rodent during mating season running in and trying to get yourself killed," Lance yelled. "I told you not to do anything stupid."
"I never promised I wouldn't," Keith pointed out and settled into the bed.
Lance shook his head and pulled a stool to the side leaning his elbows on the edge. He lifted his hands and rested his head on them looking quizzically at Keith. "I know you didn't. And I know you would stay alive, but did you have to ruin yourself so much? I trust you, but you scare the ever loving shit out of me, Keith."
Keith chuckled softly. He could hear the relief in Lance's voice. It made him happy.
"This isn't a laughing matter. It was sickening sitting at your side for two days straight knowing you would probably wake up, but not knowing when."
"Try doing that for a week straight not knowing why you're doing it," Keith shot back then swallowed harshly.
Lance sighed and grabbed another cup of water from a table beside the bed helping Keith take a sip. "Yeah, and if I remember that was also because of your rashness."
"You didn't have to follow me," Keith reminded, a faint sense of guilt still lingering from then.
"Yeah, I know, and I also didn't have to climb up to the top of a factory and station myself as a sniper with Pidge just to make sure Shiro didn't get himself killed going one on one with Zarkon. Then I ended up having to save your sorry ass, too. You're both crazy. I guess it's a Fire Master thing."
"It was your arrow?" Keith asked.
"I am the sharpshooter of this great kingdom. I already knew you'd do something stupid and then Shiro did, too. What was I supposed to do. Just be grateful I had your back. Grand Master Haggar could have stabbed you through the head even if she was already half dead."
"I am thankful," Keith said smiling softly. "We make a good team."
Lance lifted his hands in the air. "Of course we do. I wouldn't be able to love you so much if we didn't."
Keith's smile lifted more. "I like that you can say that so freely now."
Lance's face suddenly reddened and he lowered his hands. He looked to the side then down at Keith and leaned in placing a soft kiss to Keith's lips. When he pulled back, his voice was soft. "I like that it seems to make you happy when I do."
"I don't need to hear it, but I like to. I love you, too."
"I know. It's not like you look at anyone else the way you look at me," Lance said and grinned. "I'm just that special."
"Yeah, you are," Keith agreed.
Lance's grin widened, but then dropped suddenly. His eyes roamed over Keith's body now bandaged and dressed in a simple gown. "They didn't give you the full run down and I know you weren't listening to half of what they said. You just woke up. They just have to make sure your side wound doesn't get infected and that using a cold salve instead of whatever you use in Ko-gane isn't going to have negative effects so you'll have to stay here for a week. I'll stay with you as much as I can. But...they're worried about your hands."
"My hands?" Keith asked. He lifted them noticing the bandages the medics had wrapped them in. He hadn't been wearing them when he was in the bath. At the edges of the bandages were red marks. The sting from Zarkon's sword must have been bad. He lifted them and touched them together. They hurt, but it was a familiar pain. The damage probably looked worse than it actually was. "Did you know that any Fire Master who is going to be worth their salt gets third degree burns when they're a child from their own fire? It's the worse pain imaginable to be burned by your own flame. It's like a deep rejection deep within yourself."
"That...sounds awful," Lance said eyebrows furrowing. "We prick ourselves a lot with ice, but only really stupid children get frostbite from their own ice."
Keith nodded then folded his hands together. "This is nothing. They sting, but I can feel them. I can move them. They'll heal."
"I'm glad to hear that," Lance said and reached out for Keith's hands holding them in his. "I didn't know...I wasn't sure how to console you if you couldn't use a sword again. I really didn't. What kind of lover would I be if I couldn't console you properly?"
"You're a fine lover, Lance. I don't need consoling. I can still fly whether I can hold a sword or not," Keith assured, but he felt bitter fear at the edges of his mind. He wouldn't let a few scars on his hands keep him from a sword.
"That's true enough," Lance said and brought Keith's hands up to his lips to kiss them. "Still, I'm glad you're safe."
"Me, too," Keith said with a sigh. He had never felt so relieved to be out of a battle as he did this one. Every battle with the Alteans had been like a chore, but this had been a real effort to pull off. It was a turning point that they couldn't afford to lose. And there was so much they were going to lose during the fight itself. "Did Thace get treated?"
"Thace? Oh, the Galra soldier that helped us out?" Lance asked. "What happened to him?"
"Haggar did your spike trick," Keith said, his stomach suddenly dropping. Had it been too much for Thace? Or had someone refused to treat him because of his Galra uniform?
"He's at the Marmora Blade's hideout. Ulaz is nursing him," another voice answered from the doorway.
"Oh, Ulaz's mate. Yeah, he's not half as bad as you right now," Lance added.
Keith nodded and turned to the voice at the door. Shiro stood there tall with a few plasters on his face. There was a bandage around his hand and around his right arm. The stump of his right arm. Keith's eyes widened and he tried to get up from the bed to go to Shiro.
"Woah there, Hot Pants," Lance said keeping Keith pinned to the bed. "I'm not letting you up unless you need the privy."
Shiro chuckled and moved into the room letting the door shut behind him. "I told you I should wait until he's feeling better to visit. I knew he'd be surprised."
"Yeah, but he would know something was up if I avoided telling him how you were doing," Lance shot back. "He didn't fall for me because of my conversational skills."
Keith ignored their banter and continued to stare at Shiro. "What happened?"
Shiro moved to Keith's bedside and reached out his good hand to push back Keith's bangs. Keith swatted his hand away and glared.
"I'll go see if I can get you a meal," Lance said standing up from his stool. "I won't be gone but a few minutes so don't get too comfy you two."
Shiro sighed and moved to occupy the seat Lance had abandoned. He placed one hand on the bed's edge, the stump of his other arm moving as if pantomiming the movements he would have done with his other hand. "That's the first time that boy has left your side since we got here. He let Allura stay with you for a few minutes to relieve himself and that was it. I think that's why you slept so soundly."
Keith nodded. He wasn't concerned with Lance at the moment. They loved each other, but Keith knew what was a selfish action and what was an action of duty and staying by his side was both as they were married. But knowing what happened to Shiro was Keith's duty.
"Who hurt you?" Keith asked.
"Zarkon," Shiro answered. "It was he cut from Zarkon's blade. It cut a lot deeper than I thought and hit a few of the cables in my Galra arm. Also, the pison didn't help. The Marmora engineers and the Builders that helped alter it thought it was best to remove it encase the prosthetic self combusted until they could repair it. They're going to try and build a temporary, just one that can move, but without quintessence, I don't think they'll be able to build one exactly like that."
"Does...does it feel strange?" Keith asked, his chest clenching.
"Lighter, but it wasn't as if I could feel anything I touched with that Galra arm either," Shiro said.
"What...what are you going to do now?"
Shiro let a small smile tug at his lips and he looked away, a nostalgic gleam to his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but the door cracked open and Lance stuck his head back in.
"I know I said I'd be a few minutes, but some guards just handed me this," Lance said walking in with a large sword covered in cloth. He brought it over and laid it across Keith's lap.
"This is Zarkon's sword," Keith pointed out staring at the large weapon, not as large as it was activated. His hands stung being near it. "Why is it here?"
"It's a trophy of sorts. Since Zarkon is dead, we're on a roll to win this war," Lance explained.
"If it is a trophy then it should be given to the queen or the Prince Commander," Keith said.
"They did give it to the Prince Commander," Shiro said, a meaningful look in his eyes.
"Me?" Keith skin tightened with nerves at the thought.
"Technically, me," Lance corrected. "I see you two didn't quite get to that part before I came back in. However, I've decided to gift Zarkon's sword to the best swordsman in my ranks which happens to be my husband. Also, you're the only one that can wield it. Others tried while examining it and it stung them a lot worse."
Keith stared down at the sword and let his fingers drag along the cloth covering the metal. "Shiro, are you stepping down?"
"Keith, as soon as my engagement with Allura was cut off, my being the Altean Prince Commander was going to be a short term thing. I can still wield a sword with my left hand and I can still command a dragon, but with an army so young and small as Altea's, I will just be holding them back. I'll be going back to Ko-gane and you have to stay here."
"We tried to get the court to agree to it," Lance said. "They tried to appoint someone else while I was here at your side, those slimy worms, but the best Allura could do was appoint me. You'll basically be the commander since I have to do all the heir stuff as well."
Keith's hands gripped hard at the fabric of the sword. "I can't lead Altea's army. Shiro, what about my vow?"
Shiro reached out and gripped one of Keith's hands forcing him to look his way. "Keith, you will be a great leader. You're rash and make difficult split decisions that hold a lot of backlash if they go wrong, but you're brave enough to do it and you trust others will have your back. I understand you made that promise and it means the world to you, but I've said before that you'll make promises that mean more and you have."
Keith glanced over to Lance, guilt suddenly filling the emptiness in his chest. Lance was looking down, teeth biting his lower lip.
Shiro's hand moved from Keith's hand to his head finding the familiar spot behind one ear. He pulled his head forward and leaned his head against Keith's. His words were soft when he spoke them. "You are my brother, Keith. Your vow has meant the world to me when nothing else made sense. I thank you, but it is time to put that aside. There are going to be many more battles before this war will come to an official close. We don't know where Prince Lotor is and we don't know about any possible generals that could rally the same respect. I won't be at the forefront of any of those battles, though. It's time for you to devote yourself to selfish things. You have a real family here, Keith, protect them."
Keith pressed his lips together and lifted a hand to place on Shiro's good arm, squeezing. His face felt hot and the guilt in his chest now felt like something much heavier. "I promise."
"That's my boy," Shiro chuckled and moved to place a kiss to the top of Keith's head.
"Alright, that's enough," Lance interrupted. "If I knew you two were going to be mushy, I would have stepped out of the room longer."
Keith turned to Lance to see his husband standing with crossed arms, a frown on his face, but his eyes looked concerned. Keith laughed. Then he groaned and touched his side.
Shiro chuckled and stood up from the stool, his hand slipping from Keith's hair. "Don't make him laugh too much, Lord Lance. Anything too strenuous right now would be a bad idea."
"Yeah yeah," Lance said glaring at Shiro and waving him off. "I know, I know. Go back to your own room. Matt and Pidge are so excited about building you a new arm."
Shiro left with a quiet shake of his head.
When the door closed, Keith went back to looking over Lance. "Where you actually jealous?"
"He kissed you," Lance pointed out. "He kissed my own husband in front of me."
Keith leaned back into the sheets of the small bed in the medic bay. It was more comfortable than the tent he had slept in, but nothing like his bed back in Ko-gane. But it was the bed that he shared with Lance that he missed the most. It had been a whole month since he had laid in it.
"You get jealous, too," Lance pointed out.
"I don't care if you flirt, really. I know it's advantageous. But, your hands," Keith said and reached out for one of Lance's hands. Lance immediately put it in Keith's and Keith brought it to his face letting the callouses from pulling arrows rub against his cheek. "Your hands are mine."
Lance chuckled. "Are you still fascinated about my ice fingers?"
Keith smirked up at Lance. "I've heard its an experience to be had."
"I'll make sure it is something you experience a lot once you're better," Lance said then groaned moving to take back up his stool. He moved the sword from Keith's lap and plopped it leaning on the side table before replacing it with himself. "I wish you were better now. I miss you so much."
Keith moved his hands to comb through Lance's short brown hair. I felt like it was getting longer.
"I miss you, too, Commander," Keith purred.
Lance turned his head and glared at Keith. "Don't make that a thing in the bedroom."
Keith made no promises.