Author's Note: WOW this chapter really was interesting ^_^

Disclaimer: Own Nicholas Von Voltaire, Wulf Von Bielefeld, Cilia Von Bielefeld, Cadmir and Reichen.

Covenant Castle, The Great Demon Kingdom

Shadows.

Wolfram's green eyes blinked slowly, his hand lifting to rub at his face and felt the edges of the scars that radiated outwards from his eyes where his father had pressed a hand to them and burned him. His vision was nothing more than a mix of colourless shadows and shapes that swam across his field of view indistinct and fuzzy around the edges.

"Your sight will return, my Lord, there is no lasting damage that time won't heal."

The voice of the doctor off to one side made his head turn, his lips forming a grim line as he nodded shortly, not trusting his own voice to stay strong and steady when inside he was shaking so badly he could barely breath. Hands clenching into the fabric of his blankets, he swallowed hard around the lump that had lodged itself squarely in his throat. The question spinning around and around in his mind what would happen if his vision didn't clear? If he was left in this eternal world of blurred shapes that held no recognition to his mind.

"I will leave you to your meal, my Lord." The doctor bowed once, before quickly retreating from the room, his accented tones coming weakly from the other side of the door where someone spoke to him, before his footfalls echoed down long the all and silence came all together.

"I am fine, Mother." He knew Cecilie Von Spitzweg was standing in the doorway, could hear the soft sob as she caught sight of Wolfram's face. Though the burns were mostly reduced by both healing magic and medicines that had been applied to it, he still knew that his beauty was marred by the long lines that streaked across his forehead, down around his eyes and across the bridge of his nose. He knew in time they would fade, he had seen scars on Yuuri and Conrart, the silvery lines that showed where wounds had healed over time. He would bare them.

"Wolfie…"

Wolfram lifted his jaw, feeling the muscles clench slightly as he did so, shaking his head slightly when he knew his mother wanted to do nothing more than hug him and tell him everything was going to be as it was. "No." He might still be young by Demon Tribe standards, but he had grown a lot in the space of a few weeks, grown on the inside and knew he needed to stop being whiny, the insolent brat that got under everyone's skin and rubbed them the wrong way. Letting out a slow breath, his hand lifted again to touch the still raw marks, choking down the bile that wanted to rise into his throat at the feel of them. "I will recover, it may take me time, but I will be well again."

A soft sob escaped the woman who had made her way over to the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping as she sat, her long golden curls falling forwards over her face as she couldn't help herself and did reach out for Wolfram. Her slender arms curling around his shoulders and tugging him from where he was resting in the sheets, Wolfram attempting to prevent the wince from showing when she jostled his burnt shoulder.

Lifting his good arm up, he wrapped it around her slender shoulders and hugged her gently, stroking her hair and being grateful when he heard the soft boots on stone to the other side of his bed. A smile immediately graced his face, even though the action pulled at his fresh scars, he couldn't help the warm bubble of emotion wrap around his soul to know Raven had come to see him.

"Father." He greeted softly, almost wanting to laugh in relief when a hand gently ruffled his hair, avoiding his scars and injured body. Though he knew Raven would probably be the only one he allowed to treat him like that in future, the emotions he felt towards the man warmed him as he softened towards his mother, hugging her a little closer. Family. Even if he might be partially blinded because of the duel, he had found something that couldn't ever be replaced, justice for both him and his sister and a father that cared for him. "What…?"

"He's gone, Son." Raven's tone was quiet, but affectionate, not attempting to do more than offer silent reassurance.

Wolfram blinked at the word, then at the comment, slumping back against the headboard and pile of pillows behind him in relief, his green eyes drifting closed, relaxing. "Where…?"

"Out of the Great Demon Kingdom, he was banished by his brother and then by your mother for his disregard for everything. His wife was cast out with him."

"How is Cilia?" He had been worried for the girl, but knew it was best until this moment that she remained with Cecilie, Wolfram looked far better than he had.

"Frightened, though she is sleeping now in my chambers. I'll have her come see you when she awakens."

"Thankyou."

Exhaustion tugged at his senses, his body dropping back to rest against the pillows and his head tipped back as his eyes closed again against the flutters of pain that ran up through his shoulders, neck and face. "Could I please be alone?"

Cecilie let out a muffled sound, but she was soon being gathered into Raven's arms, the man gently guiding her away from the bed and Wolfram, knowing that the boy did need space with all that had happened. "If you need either of us, just call."

"I will, Father."

"Can I not protect my own children?" Cecilie's voice cracked as she shattered like fragile glass in Raven's arms, her face buried into the crook of his neck while she was being slowly rocked, a warm steady hand brushing against her hair, smoothing it down and away from her face. "Am I… so weak that I cannot protect…?" The sight of Wolfram's face, the scars that would forever be etched into the beautiful features, the green eyes that now held a look of someone who had lost what innocence he had once had.

"Your marriage to a human commoner was a mistake and it shows just how truly indecisive you are as our Maou. And producing a child…"

Raven's grey eyes burned with cold fury at those words and focused on the man who stood in the hallway watching them with the same stone cold arrogance that had marked Wulf and his wife even as they had been driven away from all they had once squandered.

"You should have listened to Stoffel about the humans." A sneer entered his voice, lips twisting into a look of utter disgust at the word. The man's grey-blue eyes and dark charcoal hair reminded them both that this was the nephew of the once proud man, Nicholas Von Voltaire and held the same outward stance towards humans. "They amass at our borders, they threaten our people and you do nothing to quell them."

"They have not struck out at us and there is a very good chance that they will not do so in future." Raven responded, his eyes narrowing, knowing exactly what Geigen Huber was attempting to do, goad Cecilie into declaring war against the human countries.

"And you would risk your people on that belief."

"What are we if we cannot trust in our feelings?" Cecilie whispered softly, green eyes lifting from where they had been pressed closed against Raven's neck, allowing the man to ease her pain over what had been done to her youngest child.

"Your so call feelings have left us here." A finger pointed towards the ground with irritation and indignation flaring in his features, unafraid of the fact that he was actually addressing their Maou. "Your half-blooded son has caused trouble in human territories with that uncontrollable human-raised whelp, who is no better that dirt for all his appearance. Not only that, but he has allied himself with humans and has gone to Big Cimaron without any care or regard for this Kingdom. His loyalty is clear. He is…"

There was a slight shimmer in the air just behind Raven and Cecilie, just before the portraits of the Great Sage of Double-Black and the Great One. A figure slowly began to form, solidifying slowly, blue eyes narrowed on Geigen Huber with such cold menace that the full blooded demon actually recoiled in surprise and muted shock.

"Do you challenge my choice of Maou, Griesela Geigen Huber?" The low purr of words seemed to lower the temperature in the hall significantly, blue eyes were glacial in that moment as they pinned the man in place. It was only through the borrowed power from Yuuri that Shinou had been able to appear in physical form once more, but he knew this threat to his chosen Maou and also his replacement needed to be headed off before it could cause that very war they spoke of.

"Shinou…" Geigen Huber backed up a step, fear and awe warring in his bright teal grey eyes. Instantly his knees gave out under him sending him crashing to the floor, his body trembling with shock and disbelief. "My…"

"Silence!" Shinou strode forwards, feet moving silently over the stone, cloak sweeping about one shoulder elegantly, his jaw clenched tight over the entire situation. "Do you presume to know what is best for this Kingdom?"

"No… Sire…"

Shinou stopped abreast of Raven and Cecilie, giving both a small smile, though one hand reached out to lightly touch against Cecilie's cheek softly as if in quiet apology. "I am sorry, Dear Lady, for what I have done." His blue eyes softened, the cold ice melting into brilliant azure pools of quiet affection. "But the Keys were needed also to be here when the time came." His steady gaze swept over Raven, clearly finding what he was searching for in the man's features and actually looked quite approving of Raven Eichel. "As it was meant to be, good. I had worried it would not occur…" He almost looked pained at that, deeply apologetic for causing both such pain. "But you must understand they needed to be born, and I could not see the Laurence's line vanish from this world…"

Cecilie's mouth opened slightly, surprise on her features as she turned her head from Shinou's face to that of Raven's, sudden understanding appearing in her eyes. Her destiny had been changed by Shinou's hand so that she would have her three sons, that each would be born into her family as Keys to three of the Forbidden Boxes. Raven. Her green eyes lingered on his handsome features and wanted to say something to that. She was meant to be with Raven? Yet, she could not regret the past, even though parts of it pained her, the agonising loss of Dan Hiri and also the collapse of the relationships with both Nicholas Von Voltaire and Wulf Von Bielefeld, she could feel no anger because she had been left with her three beloved sons.

"I am happy." Green eyes glanced upwards into Raven's grey eyes and smiled at him sweetly.

Shinou's attention returned to Griesela Geigen Huber with an almost thoughtful look, his lips pressing together and knew that things had to be addressed now when it came to the Demon Tribesman before him. "Your path would have taken you into pain." Blue eyes actually softened as they regarded the man at his feet with an almost thoughtful look. "But you would have grown from it and found true love."

Grey-blue eyes widened sharply, the man's head immediately dropped, his gaze still settled on the floor. Love? His heart ached a little at that, love had always escaped his grasp, fleeing before him like a startled bird.

"She is human."

"Never."

"Do not question me." Shinou snapped with a touch of impatience. "You are blind, Boy." Lips pressing together, a sudden rather mischievous glint flickered in his eyes.

"Shinou."

Azure blue eyes blinked slightly at the sound of his name spoken allowed like that, his head twisting around to regard the Double-Black standing only a few feet from him, though a brow raised slightly at the fact that Yozak was hovering protectively over him and clearly not wanting to lift his hand away from the sword resting at his hip.

"Are you meddling again?" A raven brow lifted in bemusement.

"I just might." The blonde shrugged slightly, good humour returning to him even though the entire situation was as taut as a strung bow string through the entire corridor. "Griesela Geigen Huber, you have mentioned the fact that there are issues with humans along our borders, I have decided, with her Highness's permission that you will be dispatched to liaison with the surrounding human countries."

Everyone was shocked silent by the pronouncement, though Shinou looked rather pleased with himself.

"Humans stood beside us when we fought against the Originators. They remain there to this day, a part of this beautiful Kingdom we all wish to protect. They are our brothers-in-arms longing for the same peace and happiness that we ourselves do." Shinou's hand lifted to his hidden arm, his fingers tightening slightly around it, a flutter of pain darkening his eyes. "You have fallen under the spell of pride as Wulf Von Bielefeld fell. You can be a far better man then you are now, you have time and chance to change yourself."

"Would you deny yourself a chance at happiness?" It was Ken Murata who spoke, his dark eyes filled with understanding, the back of his fingers lightly touching against Yozak's tenderly. "Are you willing to see others die for want of your pride?"

"Don't let it blind you completely." Wolfram stood in the doorway to his room, his hand resting against the wall to steady himself and also so that he didn't trip. "I know what pride can do." Wincing slightly as he shifted forwards on bare feet, his green eyes glassy and mostly unseeing as he came to stand behind Griesela Geigen Huber. "I was like you, Geigen Huber. I was just like you."

"Wolfie." Cecilie looked at her son and saw the change in him brought about by the last few weeks, the change for the better in his opinions and actions.

"Someone wise once told me that your fortunes could change in a single moment and you have one right here. I had one, I could have allowed my father to continue as he had been… I could have not challenged him as I did for the right to the guardianship of my sister. I could have continued to… hate my own brother because he is born of a human father." A bitter laugh escaped Wolfram's throat, green eyes turning down to regard the man kneeling there before him with quiet hope that this man would not make the same mistake he had. "Do you know what my pride, my vanity would have cost me? It would have cost me the love of my brother. Cost me the love of a man who is a father to me. I would have lost my very sister and in the end all self-respect for myself."

Grey-blue eyes shimmered with emotions, running from anger, irritation, rage and then into confusion and then to understanding as the man suddenly gasped softly, his entire body stiffening with realisation.

"What would you have lost, Geigen Huber, if you had convinced my mother to go to war? Would you have felt pride when you looked over the bodies of your fallen men and the slaughter brought by your own blade?" A hand lightly rested against the man's back, touching it softly and just standing beside him. "She's out there waiting for you. Shinou himself said it. Happiness is out there."

"How can you… believe that?" The man's voice was so soft as he glanced into Wolfram's damaged face, taking in the grievous injuries that had been dealt to him. "Your face…"

"I'm still alive. I'm still here. I might never recover completely, but I am not alone in my fight against it. I have those around me that love me, I have friends who care. I won't stop fighting this. I have so much to live for and so do you."

"Well said, Wolfram Von Bielefeld." Shinou regarded the blonde youth with clear pleasure at the boy's growth as a person. "Will you change your ways, Griesela Geigen Huber?"

"I will, Sire." His voice was hesitant, caught in the moment, before he slowly straightened from where he had been kneeling, looking around at all the faces of the people who believed in him. "I will do as you have commanded, it will be my honour to serve." Bowing deeply, he suddenly felt a wave of relief flare through his chest at his own agreement, an odd weight shifting from within him and slipping away, leaving him feeling surprisingly lighter inside. Hope fluttered like a fledgling in his heart, a promise of something much greater in the future. These people wanted him happy. How can one be blind to that?

"Shinou…" Ken Murata looked almost stricken, his dark eyes taking in Shinou's appearance. "…I…"

"I will be fine, my old friend." Shinou's blue eyes however spoke of something far different. "The darkness embraces us… but the light is already growing."

"Yuuri…"

"And Conrart Weller." A little smile touched the corners of his lips, knowing that every one of the people around them had stiffened at the mention of the two missing friends that were somewhere out there in danger. "I have faith in those I have chosen."

"Shinou." But when Ken reached out towards the man, he had vanished as quickly as he had materialised, leaving them all a touch bewildered by the sudden and quite unexpected appearance.

Mansion, Caloria

"It is beautiful." Delchias whispered softly as he stood quietly beside his sister's chair in the library, his hand reaching out to lightly brush against her hair softly and linger there, hoping to ease the slight discomfort Julia was experiencing without either Adalbert or Yuuri present to act as her eyes. Delchias had to admit, he missed his adoptive brother's abilities to be able to act with Julia as she needed him to act and wished he had the same ability.

Shori stood in the shadows against one wall, his lips pressed sharply together, fingers tugging at the edge of the clothes that he had been practically forced into so that he didn't stick out like the proverbial sore thumb. Though his eyes frequently flickered towards Julia, unable to completely draw his attention away from the beautiful woman who sat quietly, her expression soft, but hinted at the deep concern she felt for Yuuri.

"My Lord…" Baker bowed deeply upon entering, his shoulders stiffening slightly as he took in the two individuals seated by the fire, surprised by the fact that they weren't exactly what he had expected either. "My Lady."

"Yuuri was here…" It was Julia who spoke, her voice soft and almost distant as he turned her head towards the sound of Baker's voice. "Tell me he was here… please."

"He was, my Lady, for only two days."

"Yet, its as if he were here for a lifetime." A small smile touched her lips as the thought, her hand closing around her brother's tightly and squeezing it, feeling Delchias shift in closer. "Yuuri has that affect on people. I have always been grateful I was given the chance to remain so long with him, that he would come into our family. My dear brother, Yuuri… everywhere he goes, he changes people for the better, brings sunshine back into the world."

"Indeed he does, my Lady." Baker relaxed, knowing that these people meant no harm to Caloria. "He has given our people hope that we may once again have our freedom and security. We have seen in his actions in defence of our people that we have gravely wronged those to which this land rightfully belonged." Brown eyes softened slightly, looking almost thoughtful. "I…"

"We are happy." Delchias interrupted softly, dropping down to one knee beside the chair his sister rested in, his face relaxing as the tension went out of him. "The Von Wincott family is happy that Caloria has thrived as it has beneath the Gilbits, we only hope that in the future our two families may share a friendship and continue to see Caloria shine."

"I am sure that will happen, Master Norman is extremely fond of Lord Yuuri Von Wincott and also of Lord Weller." Though his expression paled sharply as he turned and caught a glimpse of Shori, the man wore a glower that could only express his dislike of the entire situation. "May I be introduced to…"

"This is Shori Shibuya." Delchias offered, grimacing slightly for a moment. "He does not know our language unfortunately."

"He bears a striking resemblance to Lord Yuuri…"

"He is his older brother by blood."

"Why are we here?" Shori gritted out addressing Delchias with anger blazing in his eyes as his hands clenched, dark eyes sparking with emotion. "We should be searching for…"

"I have news of some importance." His lips pressed together and he drew an envelope out of a pocket and offered it to Delchias, holding his breath slightly. "Caloria returned its Box to the Great Demon Kingdom after we had determined that it would remain safer in the hands of those who understand it and prevent it from being used against other human countries in the future. However, we have been privately searching for the other three Boxes, I received word that one has been found to be in possession of the King of Fransia."

Both Julia and Delchias were stunned by the news, both of them paling at hearing that a Box had been found, both knew that their family line contained a Key, their father had spoken that it was to the Bottom of the Mirror. Julia's head twisted slightly to regard Shori Shibuya where he hovered in the shadows of the room.

"We have received word from Reichen that he has reached Lambeil and met up with Lord Yuuri, who has been joined by Lord Von Voltaire and Lord Von Christ." Bowing his head slightly, he pressed his lips together and looked a touched troubled about the entire situation. "He is well… but… the Box… I do not know…"

"We will handle the Box." Delchias straightened, feeling a sense of resolve overcoming him, they were there for a reason and this was one that became clear to them. "We will retrieve it for Yuuri."

"As you will it, my Lord. We would be happy to supply you with horses and whatever you may need for this and we will send you any news about Lord Von Wincott as soon as there is more."

They were too far behind Yuuri to get to him before their brother again moved location, all they could do was this for their brother and hoped that maybe with the Box returned to the Great Demon Kingdom, another shadow might be lifted from their world.

"Do not ignore me." Shori snapped. "I need to get to Yuuri."

"Lord Shori, Yuuri is safe. We have an important task given to us by fate, one we cannot ignore. Shinou brought you to us. I ask that you aide us in this."

All Shori answered with was stone cold silence.

Royal Palace, Lambeil, Big Cimaron

"Conrart?" Yuuri was gripping his lover's arm tightly, tugging at the man and attempting to stop him from taking another step forwards, his brows pressing together and clearly not liking the way the situation was starting to turn out.

"I would never do such a thing, Adrianus." Shaking his head slightly, he swallowed hard as he felt Yuuri's fingers curling tightly around his sleeve keeping him from moving forwards. "You were always a good man… I knew you." Confusion flickered across his features and he took another step forwards, unable to stop himself as he saw in the face of the old man the young boy who had been such a friend to him despite who and what he was. "You knew who and what I was… yet you never used our friendship to gain… what others of your family have taken." Control of the Key to the End of the Wind.

Yuuri saw the two men, one on either side of the old wizened King, both looked remarkably like the man, both like the monster that had slaughtered Kord Weller's family and stolen his son to be used as a pawn some centuries before. Belar was the one to the right, his long mane of brown locks framing a face so similar to that ancestor, the slaughter Belar the First, there was cruelty in the set of the man's mouth as he regarded Conrart with distain.

Tugging harder on Conrart's sleeve, attempting to prevent the man from striding towards the dais, his obsidian eyes met that of Gwendal and Gunter and he shook his head sharply just once, telling them to remain out of this. "Conrart, please stop."

"Adrianus… I did not realise you had become King."

"Fate was kind to me." The old man's lips turned upwards into the barest hint of a smile, though his brown eyes flickered to the two younger men on either side of him, hesitating, knowing that Belar and his half brother, Lanzil, the two most prominent claimants to the throne of Big Cimaron, both Adrianus's nephews. "As it seems to have been to you, my dear friend."

Yuuri's blood was burning, like embers had been dropped into his blood and he could feel the darkness, feel the shadows creeping out from the floor, seeping through every surface behind Belar and Lanzil. Yet, Conrart couldn't see it… couldn't see the pulsing rush of darkness, his body being drawn in by the Box. Oh… god. The Box was there just behind the throne, half hidden by the wood and flowing robes of the King, is lid thrown open.

"CONRART!" Yuuri was moving around to stand before his lover, his obsidian eyes wide at the haunted expression that was on his lover's face as his body was jerked forwards again by invisible strings. "No." It was only then that he caught sight of Gunter dragging Gwendal back, the man's face a mask of agony as his hand clutched desperately over his left eye.

"Its calling…"

What would happen if two Keys came into contact with an open Box?

Fear burned through Yuuri like a firestorm. His head lifting as Cadmir appeared on the overhead balcony, three dozen archers lining the upper level, bows loaded with deadly bolts. It was clear this night was intended to be a slaughter, that any morality that should have been present had been stripped away and left the entire situation bare to the world.

The old man's body trembled and twitched where it sat, the warm brown eyes morphing into the dark slits of night that he had caught a glimpse of in the forest. It was clear now that the King had been possessed by the spirit of the Originators, it was the old man's body they had used as a vessel for all of their dark intentions. It was just like Marcus Fairholm and the Wraith, the Originators could only possess… not create life as Yuuri had when he had freed the Wraith from the dead body of the slain man.

Yuuri should never have allowed Conrart to come with him. The man was being drawn forwards, unstoppable in his movements, dragged forwards by invisible strings. There was only one thing he could do in the face of the trap they had been lured into, one set for Conrart, but now had cornered him.

"Adalbert!" Yuuri's voice called out into the hall, knowing that the man would do this… trusting desperately that his one request would be granted. They had spoken quietly the night Conrart had gone out to the horses at the Inn, Yuuri pleading with Adalbert to take Conrart if the situation got too heated… if things cracked open and spilled out the darkness that had been growing for so many millennia.

And suddenly a blonde man burst forwards, powerful frame slamming into Conrart from the side, knocking him down and away just as the windows on the upper floor exploded inwards with the rush of heated flame as the Wraith bellowed its rage and tore into the hall distracting the guards enough that Conrart Weller could be literally carried away over Adalbert's shoulder.

People were screaming as they fled, escaping as glass, stone and wood rained down across the hall. The space soon emptying out and into the surrounding grounds.

Suddenly the hall was plunged into darkness as the cold winter wind swept through the windows, slowly a blue glow began to radiate out of Yuuri as he stood there in the centre of the hall, his hands clenched as he confronted the enemy.

The Esoteric stones glittered around them, shimmering with the soft response to Yuuri's power, each pulsed once, as if attempting to strangle the strings of magic that weaved themselves throughout the hall.

"Stand down, Boy. You will not be able to resist our will here." Cadmir appeared beside the dais, his lips turning upwards into a smirk as he moved forwards, his features were still bruised and beaten from the last encounter they had had.

'Do not dismiss me, Cadmir.' His features had sharpened, magic pulsing like a living thing from his very skin, his eyes darkening to pools of starless night, which narrowed on first Cadmir and then on the King who sat watching them with icy calm. 'You have threatened what is mine.' This time there was no stopper on the bottle, there was no way of stopping Yuuri as Conrart was being carried out of the palace and towards the waiting horses that Reichen had kept waiting.

"Maou." Adrianus stood, his features beginning to morph into something horrifying, the dark energies beginning to slowly seep out of him, being drawn from the open Box resting behind him. "Do you think to challenge me?"

'Yes.'

And all the Esoteric stones imbedded in the walls shattered like so much glass, falling to the floor, swirling around in the fierce wind that sudden exploded outwards from the powerful half-blood.

'You have been manipulating us from the start.' Yuuri's body moved forwards, the ground beneath him beginning to tremble with the first swellings of water that was rushing upwards through the earth to answer Yuuri's call. 'From the day I met Conrart, you have been manoeuvring us to your gain the ends you desire.' Taking a step forwards, his jaw clenched tightly, water beginning to seep through the tiles beneath his feet, spreading outwards from him like a slow tide, spreading until it lapped at the boots of the humans that thought they would find shelter with the darkness. 'It wasn't enough, was it?' A slight smirk touched the corners of Yuuri's lips as he strode forwards, his shoes splashing slightly in the water. 'The Key you found wasn't strong enough anymore to open the Box fully. You needed the new Key for that, you needed Conrart.'

"Clever boy."

'Marcus Fairholm and now Adrianus.' The Maou's expression darkened a touch with sudden understanding. 'It must be willing. The bearer of the Key must be willing to release you for you to manifest with a body of your own.'

Adrianus actually stiffened at that ever so slightly, regarding Yuuri with a look of pure hatred. "Come then, Boy, face me."

And Yuuri took a step forwards, as water erupted from the ground beneath the dais.

Tomb Of The Great One, The Great Demon Kingdom

And in the silent darkness, the Box began to rattle.

I hope people like the plot of this! XD 333333 It just seems to come out of me.