Disclaimer: DGM is rightfully owned by Hoshino Katsura. I only own this fanfiction and my OCs.
Six long months had passed since the events in Perchélles had unfolded. The New Year's cold weather had not lingered with March's arrival – Europe was instead embraced by the warmth of spring.
During this time Lavi found himself out in the field on Bookman business, rather than in the library of the Black Order. Despite this, he was still filling out papers and researching numerous ambiguous events in history – only in a different surrounding.
Lavi didn't mind however. In fact it was an opportunity he welcomed. Headquarters was small and the novelty of living side by side with your colleagues wore out very quickly. Though the tasks would often be short errands, things too small to assign to a fully qualified Bookman, they gave Lavi an outlet – an opportunity to experience the world as it was, not the world that he saw from inside the Order. Even if it was only ranging from a few days to a week it gave the junior bookman a chance to spend time with Kiyre.
He often found that she was never far away; as he had suspected in Perchélles, she had a knack of being able to find him. Whether it was because of her animal senses he didn't really know; he hadn't learnt much more about her kind in the six months preceding the Perchélles mission.
Lavi had found it somewhat odd that dragons had not made it into the hidden records. No matter how many documents he scoured through, there was not even a single mention or slight recognition of their existence.
The truth was, he never really knew whenever she was close by. Often disguised in clothes closely themed to the locals, Kiyre blended in relatively easy. If it weren't for the subtle hints she gave out, he would never have noticed her. Then again, it was to be expected. Hiding among the citizens of a foreign city was an easy task in comparison to her escape from the Order.
Kiyre's actions had made her an enemy to the Black Order. After what she had done to break out, it was clear she would receive no sympathy from any of the other members. To them, she was no better than a Noah. With this in mind, Lavi had to pretend he felt the same whenever he was back at headquarters.
It was a confusing and certainly difficult situation he was in. His true feelings towards Kiyre were, in fact, the opposite.
Gliding amongst the silver clouds, Kiyre waltzed within the night's bitter embrace. The moon was at its peak in the sky; it's dim light illuminating the valley landscape below. It was the instinctual desire of any dragon to soar through the air; to not feel the earthly chains bind them to the ground like it did many land bound creatures.
However, on this night the exhilaration flight often brought her, could not be felt. Since the early hours of the previous morning, her head had been clouded by thoughts. Arguments between Kiyre and her other self were common – though few had ended in extended periods of silence.
The longest she could recall had been for no longer than a week; her other self was not one for isolation. Even when Kiyre had tried to rid herself of her bothersome persona, Fidelia always managed to crawl back into the corners of her mind.
Perhaps the quarrel that night really was the last.
"Do you take me for an idiot, Kiyre?" the displeased expression on her reflection's face was enough to give Kiyre a chill. "Quit dawdling and carry out the mission!" Fidelia barked. The puddle rippled slightly – Kiyre's gaze locked with that of her reflection's.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Kiyre attempted to discard her other's affront. Fidelia's eyes narrowed into a scathing leer; the level of rage that she felt was immeasurable.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," The puddle rippled a second time. "Even though we have the perfect opportunity to destroy that exorcist, you proceed to delay your actions. If you won't carry out the mission, then I will." Their eyes met once again.
"How many times have you proposed that you would do it yourself?" Kiyre shot back. "That aside, why are you insistent on killing the one who made us believe?" Fidelia's brows raised; her demeanour that of taking offence from Kiyre's words. Her brief moment of shock vanished as her fury soon returned. Stifling her crazed laughter Fidelia retorted.
"I didn't believe anything. You were the one who believed. You were the one who grew weak." She spat. "You grew weak because you got caught up in this human disguise – this illusion – and you've surrounded yourself with people who couldn't even begin to understand the truth."
"He was able to understand." Kiyre muttered. "They'll all be able to understand." Fidelia chuckled at the response.
"You can't be serious. They don't feel an ounce of compassion for you. Your 'friends' are the enemies – you always forget that." The words she spoke were like acid. Everything was hurtful; said without respite or remorse. "You're so caught up in this delusion you don't know what to think."
Kiyre fell silent for a moment, as she contemplated her situation.
"What about you, Fidelia? You refuse to hear the other end of the story – to see through the eyes of another. You never think outside what you've been told. Ignorance and naivety, that's weakness," Kiyre shrugged off Fidelia's verbal strike, returning with her own. Her other self burst into a fit of hysterical laughter. She could've sworn there was a psychotic glint in her other's eye.
"Risking one's own life, one's own free will? Is that strength? Or is that a misguided attempt at defending that which you love...?"
"Have you ever thought that what our family told us was wrong? That we have been tricked into thinking that their ideals are the right ideals?" Fidelia's laughter died down after hearing Kiyre's follow-up.
"Remaining faithful to one's family isn't weakness, Kiyre." Their expressions were even – how a reflection should be. "That's what sets us apart. Faith and love are two completely different things. I do not love the Noah, but I am faithful. I know my place in the world, and I'm committed to staying there... you however"
Fidelia's image was distorted as Kiyre swiped her talons through the puddle. Her mind became silent.
Kiyre's scaled brows furrowed slightly – eyes staring off into the distance. It was amazing how the misunderstanding of another's views could become so destructive. At first, she thought it was something only humans did; fight over trivial and meaningless things.
Looking back at her mental skirmish, she now saw that she was no different. Was this an adaptation taken from the minds of the humans she had been surrounded by – to fit in as one of them? Had Fidelia been right? Had she gotten too caught up in a life that wasn't her own?
Despite her best efforts Kiyre couldn't remember when her admiration had become such a strong emotion. Even if she could trace her feelings back to a certain point in time, it would not help to answer one of the many questions that dwelled in her mind. Why did this feeling make her feel so ill at ease?
Her ears perked as they picked up a sound in the distant skies. She needn't turn her head, for she already knew what she had heard. With a brief side-long glance, Kiyre dove from the sky – shooting down below the cloud line in an eye-blink.
Stretching out her wings she broke from her dive, speedily gliding over the tree tops. Sighting a clearing in the woodlands, Kiyre began to slow down – legs extending to touch the ground beneath her. Cantering around to face the direction she came, her eyes narrowed as she watched her pursuer close in.
Heavy wing beats ruffled the surrounding trees – the earth shuddering under the landing beast's weight. A wry grin pulled across Kiyre's face as she examined the other dragon.
"Well, well, look who it is."
A sigh escaped Lavi as he held his face in his hands. It was late – 12:50 to be exact – and he was yet to complete the log that his superior had asked him to write. He had spent the past four days within the Germanic city, researching and collecting data. Though it wasn't the amount of reading that worried him – but the fact that everything he did read, he had either forgotten or couldn't write down.
Rubbing the temple of his forehead, he placed the quill to the paper once more as he tried to project his thoughts into writing. Though, it was difficult to write one's thoughts when they're clouded with an irrelevant topic.
This wasn't the first time he had trouble with his log writing. In fact it was becoming a regular occurrence. Lavi's mind was awash with emotion – his judgment and capability shrouded by his inner thinking.
The emotions he felt, he knew weren't to be felt by a bookman. It was wrong and strictly against their code. Despite his constant reminders, Lavi found himself forgetting his lessons, teachings and beliefs. Every passing glance, every leaving embrace that he shared with Kiyre – even if it was only for a second – made his mentor's words harder to hold onto.
He couldn't get Kiyre out of his mind. Given any amount of time with the brunette, Lavi was unsure if he would be able to keep his emotions stabilized.
In the crowded streets of a town or city, Lavi would occasionally spot Kiyre among the masses as she flashed him a grin. She blended in with the crowds – often changing disguises from city to city. Sometimes she'd sneak up on him; briefly taking a hold of his hand before letting go and vanishing once more.
Even on longer distance errands Kiyre would travel close by – and when he was alone, she was by his side.
There was always the risk of being seen and getting caught, but against his will as a bookman, each and every one of their reunions left him wanting more. He wasn't even sure what he meant by that, either.
Dropping the quill onto the desk, Lavi ran his hand through his hair as an exasperated sigh escaped him. The more he thought about his distraction the more he became side-tracked and off topic. It was a vicious circle that was taxing on his concentration, patience and energy.
"What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Lavi?" The red-head asked himself; gazing up from his hands and at the empty wall.
"Truth be told, Eerios, I already knew I was being followed." The black dragon's eyes were narrow – an expression of all seriousness across her complexion.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Kiyre. You can't expect them to play tag forever." Eerios warned. "For the sake of your safety, and Lavi's, you must leave."
Kiyre snorted in response; long tail flicking about in reflection to her agitation. Diverging her gaze from the olive dragon, she paced back and forth within the forest clearing. "Why are you even telling me this information? Surely in doing so, you yourself will get into trouble." Kiyre barked back. Eerios was becoming both impatient and desperate.
"I can't stand idle if a death is preventable." He growled in a low tone. Kiyre's aggressive stance weakened; Eerios's reply surprising her. "If you can't part yourself with the exorcist, then at least explain to him the situation."
The two dragons fell silent – only the sounds of the woodlands could be heard around them.
Kiyre hadn't anticipated what Eerios had said. She hadn't considered the consequences to be so grave. Though Eerios had told her that she would be hunted for her connection to humans, she couldn't fathom how the council could have found out. She had her suspicions, but no definite answers.
"I'll tell him." Kiyre murmured; lifting her head to look at Eerios.
"Take care," The olive dragon bowed his head; his wings unfolding from his back. "And farewell."
Kiyre watched as Eerios took off into the night sky; her head filled with yet more concerns. With the other dragon out of sight, Kiyre gathered her bearings before taking off herself. Circling in the sky above the woodland clearing she steered herself to face her destination.
"If a death is preventable." Eerios's words haunted her. She wouldn't leave Lavi's side – against the olive dragon's recommendation. No matter what, she couldn't lose what she had sought for so long.
It was decided that a late night stroll would help to clear his thoughts – or perhaps it was just wishful thinking. Wishful that he would encounter Kiyre? Or that he would be able to rid himself of the useless emotions that he felt, whether through the tranquillity of the stroll or an unexpected battle with an Akuma. Either way, Lavi knew it was better than moping around in the room – restlessly trying to fall into slumber.
The moonlight illuminated the empty cobblestone streets, reflecting off the closed windows of enclosing buildings. Lavi was walking without direction, not caring which way he went or considering where he would end up. Eventually his directionless saunter brought him to the town's edge – the paved road turning to dirt as it weaved into the countryside.
Although the moon was bright, Lavi hadn't expected it to have lit up the whole of the surrounding landscape. The rolling hills, the vast woodland, a nearby lake and neighbouring village – all revealed under the moon's silver light.
Lavi felt safe and at peace, which was incredibly rare for an exorcist. Working for both the Order and the Bookman clan left little time for relaxation. He knew that it was these brief moments that he should treasure – after all, it was a war he was participating in.
Lavi lifted his head as a dark shadow came into his line of sight. He smiled rather simply; he knew the shadow well. It was a welcomed presence he felt and not a feared one. In months past, Lavi would have clawed at his side – reaching for some form of defence for what could have been an incoming Akuma.
Lavi watched as the black dragon cantered to a halt before him; shaking her mane free of the midnight dew. He reached forward to her lowered head – his hand touching the tip of his friend's snout. Kiyre quickly withdrew – her head swaying slightly from side to side.
"We have to go Lavi. I'm taking you back to the inn." Before Lavi could even begin to understand, Kiyre took a firm hold of his body within her talons. In a blur of black and red, they lifted into the sky over the city walls.
Clinging to the dragon's hand that encased him, Lavi looked up to her concerned face.
"What do you mean 'we have to go'? Go where?" He questioned. Kiyre ignored his inquisition; eyes shifting from building to building as she glided over the cityscape. "Kiyre, what's going o-"
Before Lavi could complete his sentence, Kiyre tilted upwards before landing roughly on the cobbled roads. Letting go of Lavi she gave a firm gaze in hope that he would heed her words.
Reverting into her human form, Kiyre hastily followed Lavi to the inn – her motive still unclear to the junior bookman. Her eyes remained fixated on the room's window; shifting constantly as if to try and spot something in the distance. Her unease brought concern to the red-head.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on, Kiyre?" He prompted. Her eyes remained on the window as she approached him.
"There are so many things in this world that are stopping me from being by your side…" Kiyre started; her words barely breaking above a whisper. "There are so many things that stop you from letting me…That's why I…" Lavi watched as Kiyre's hands began to ball into fists.
"I'm asking you to come with me." She held her gaze as she continued. "We can leave everything behind – everything that has burdened us so that we can, for once, be free." His mind felt detached; the bookman half of his mind clashing with his own emotions.
"You expect me to abandon everything – my friends, my duty – in a moment of madness?" Lavi's instinctual thoughts flew out of his mouth without restraint. Seconds after his outburst, Lavi realized that his hands were seized against his friend's shoulders. Releasing his iron grip, Lavi distanced himself from Kiyre.
Kiyre's face was riddled with countless of feelings – so many that even Lavi couldn't recognize them anymore. The mess of emotion and sentiment that Kiyre showed, reminded the junior bookman of how he felt. It was like looking into a mirror.
"You should go." He murmured; turning his head away from the brunette. "I can't discard everything, Kiyre. I can't go with you." Lavi felt Kiyre's fingers locking with his own as she took his hand. He could feel his pulse increase as the girl pulled herself into his full view.
"I've told you countless times that I can't leave your side." Kiyre's stubbornness shone through her tone of voice. Her persistence tried his patience – his ability to maintain control of his emotions. No matter how many walls Lavi put up, Kiyre would break them down. It was the kind of stubbornness that Lavi both hated and admired.
"If you won't come, then I will stay here. No matter what, I will not stray from your side!" Her determination, her devotion – the burning desire in her heart had poured into every one of her words. They were words Lavi couldn't ignore – emotions he couldn't discard.
Lavi's arm wrapped around the back of Kiyre's body, pulling her in close as he pressed his lips against hers. Paralysed where she stood, Kiyre could only cling to Lavi's body as she gave in to the kiss.
His bookman instinct had been overpowered, defeated. His morals thrown straight out into oblivion.
Running his tongue along Kiyre's lips he enticed a soft sigh from her – granting him further access. Kiyre held tightly to Lavi's shirt; her body shivering with each sensation she felt. She hadn't expected their meeting this night to have gone down this path. Though she had always wanted to bring herself closer to the exorcist, she had never thought she would experience anything so wonderful in her life.
This bliss that they felt – the passion that they shared – there was no doubt it was wrong. It had been wrong the whole time. Though while lost in the feverish atmosphere that had formed, neither one of them would think further of it.
When a wounded dragon begins to fly, it does not soar straight away. It'd spend weeks on the ground, walking before it even begins to use its wings again. Eerios was not exception; he was no longer the creature he had been before Perchélles. That encounter – with both Akuma and exorcist – had changed him, both in his mind and body.
Never before had he witnessed a dragon fight so devotedly to a human cause. It was odd and deeply perplexing to the olive dragon. And when things don't balance in a dragon's mind – it's not long before it has repercussions.
During the cold winter, Eerios had found himself calculating the situation. Kiyre had fought strongly against the demons – stronger than he had in many ways. Even though she was far younger than he was, Kiyre had seen more of war's destruction than he had. That was not healthy for a dragon, or any animal for that matter. The council knew it had adverse effects.
Perhaps that was the reason Kiyre was the way she was. She was obsessive to the point it had become destructive.
Eerios drew his attention back to the world around him – his glassy stare finally focusing on the surrounding nightscape. With the night's air beneath his wings he could stay in flight for hours. Though wounds didn't heal from it, a long and basic flight was sometimes what a dragon needed.
However the serene peace of Eerios's flight was soon disturbed. The calm airs he soared through suddenly became turbulent as a trio of large shadows flew past. It wasn't long before Eerios recognized the silhouette's to be of other dragons; and not just any dragons either. He could tell by their flight patterns that they weren't just passing by.
Watching as the three dragons circled around – Eerios made a steep dive for the ground. If he had any hope of escaping them, it would be concealing himself within the woodlands. As he closed in on the earth below, he soon discovered that the ground would hold little refuge. It had been a miscalculation on his part – had he have been paying attention he would have noticed the forest peel away into a vast valley.
Despite his hasty descent the trio of dragons remained in hot pursuit. He could only hope that his body was fit enough to outlast his pursuers and that they would lose interest; give up the chase. Much to Eerios's dismay, giving up was not an option.
In a sudden burst of speed the pack flew past the olive dragon before creating a formation which blocked all of Eerios's escape routes. Trapped with a dragon on both sides and above – Eerios was unable to avoid the crippling strike the pack dealt.
Ahead of Eerios's flight path, the earth began to rupture as boulders burst from the ground. Flying so close to the ground, Eerios attempted to escape his entrapment – forcing himself upward to avoid the emerging boulders. Blocked by the dragon above him, Eerios's body struck the top of the rocky surface, pulling him out of flight.
Tumbling off the stone mound and onto the grassy fields, Eerios lay motionless as he watched the other dragons circle around. Feeling the earth tremor slightly as the beasts landed close by, Eerios tried to lift himself from the ground. His limbs gave out within a few seconds – body still in shock from the crash.
A dragon with claret scales present itself in front of Eerios's feeble form – pale yellow eyes staring into copper ones. He was a sizeable male; his head crowned with broad darkened horns. Blackened spines riddled their way down the dragon's back – his tail tipped with an impressive arrowhead.
"My, my…" The dragon started; voice deep and robust. "You put up a good chase, despite being at a disadvantage." The claret beast eyed Eerios's scarred limb.
The olive dragon snarled viciously; vines and roots breaking from the soil to entangle the other dragon's leg. Without so much as a flinch, the red dragon's scales shimmered with a burning light. The plants that Eerios had called to ensnare the dragon burned up as the waves of light and heat passed over.
Holding his defiant expression, Eerios watched as he received a dark stare from the greater beast.
Eerios was no match for him – not only due to his injuries. It was considered madness to challenge anyone from the dragon council, let alone Grualonan. For a dragon in possession of a fire blessing, a forest dweller was no contender.
"Why don't you make it easier for yourself?" Grualonan proposed – taking slow strides towards his grounded foe. "It isn't in my nature to engage in a conflict over something as small as this…although," Grualonan's gaze hardened as his form towered over Eerios's; the olive dragon no longer feeling as audacious as he was before. "An exception can always be made."
He knew too well that a struggle with Grualonan would end in disaster; but he knew that he couldn't stand idle if saving a life or two was achievable.
Eerios could only pray that Kiyre had set aside her desire and heeded his warning.
He had no choice but to yield to the council's demands and give them what they wanted.
Author's Note: Previously, I thought death by writing was impossible. Guess it's not. After dying and going to heaven twice – this chapter is finally done. Bah, that one particular scene took way too much time to write that necessary – not only that, I don't think it's that great either. Sorry to disappoint.
And so a new character is introduced as the plot extends into its final stages. Grualonan sounds like a bit of a jerk, huh?
Once again, I am so sorry for taking forever to update this. I will try to get the next chapter written and posted in less time than it did this one.
Thank you to all my devoted readers who are still sticking around; and thank you to my beta's who have been patient with me and my endless ranting. You all mean a lot to me.
Have a lovely week
KHue*~
