Chapter Twenty-Four: Yuri's Tale
Fire was everywhere Yuri looked, licking at his skin as he stood against a wall. Wails and screams assaulted him from everywhere, but he could not see where the source of the screams was coming from.
"H-Help…me…" a pained voice called from next to him.
Yuri quickly turned, slowly backing away. A burning corpse was walking towards him, arms outstretched with patches of hair falling off its head as it came ever closer.
"G-Get away from!" Yuri screamed, kicking the corpse away. However, the corpse did not go flying; instead it stood stock still like a rock, its lifeless eyes staring at him before morphing into something else. Soon the horrid corpse was a beautiful brown skinned woman with long black hair and light brown eyes. She smiled coldly, her fangs gleaming in the fire.
"Did you miss me, Yuri? Are you ready to go to hell?"
Yuri screamed trying to run away from the woman. He did not want to see her! He wanted her to stay dead! However, he did not get far before his arm was grabbed in a vice-like grip.
"You can't get away. You're going to burn for what you did to me!"
"N-No! Leave me alone, Rana!" Yuri said, trying to get out of her grip, but Rana simply grinned.
"Leave you alone? Why would I do that?" she said.
Soon out of the fire more corpses came, but these corpses were dressed as clergymen, their robes horribly burned in places.
"N-No…" Yuri whispered, shaking. "Get away from me!"
The corpses reached for him, their sightless eyes empty and dark. Yuri tried to run, but Rana's hand did not move from his arm.
"You're not getting away, Yuri."
Yuri screamed as the corpses grabbed him, begging for his help.
"Get away from me!"
"Yuri, wake up!"
Yuri felt something wet on his cheeks as he opened his eyes, shaking, and breathing hard. Memories were such a troublesome thing; dreams were even worse. When you mixed those two together, sometimes a horrible monster could get created out of it.
Gentle blue eyes gazed down at him, concern shining in them.
"A-Abel?" he said, unable to stop his eyes from watering.
"Yes…yes it's me, Yuri…" Abel replied softly, his hand caressing Yuri's cheek as he reached for a wet washcloth and cleaned away his tears.
"What…when…?"
Abel smiled. "Did you have a nightmare?"
"How…"
Abel gently put his hand on his forehead, and then slowly moved it away. "You should go back to sleep. It feels like you're getting a fever…"
"Am I dead?" Yuri asked, looking around. No…he couldn't be dead, right? Dead people were perfectly healthy in heaven or wherever the hell people go when they die.
Abel chuckled, moving his hand to his cheek again. "No, you're not dead, Yuri."
"So…that means what happened did actually happen…"
Abel was quiet when he said that, his gaze falling elsewhere as if ashamed.
"How is it you're still alive, Father? I saw you get eaten…" Yuri said, trying to sit up. If he continued to lie down, he would just end up passing out again before getting his question answered. Besides, he…did not want to go back to sleep after that dream…
"Uh…w-well, what happened was…" he trailed off, still looking somewhere else.
Uh…it's a long story really." Abel was silent for a while, gently pushing him back down. "You really should sleep more. You had some awful wounds. I was scared I was going to lose you…"
"Don't do that, Abel…" Abel looked at him with confusion. "Don't try and change the subject," Yuri growled, forcing himself to sit up despite his body's protesting, and Abel's hand holding him down.
"Y-Yuri stop!" Abel said, moving his hand away as if afraid he would hurt him.
Yuri ignored him, adjusting himself into sitting position, his back pushed painfully against his beds headboard. "Explain."
Abel looked away. Yuri was confused as to why the priest was so upset about having to tell what happened, and that made him a little nervous. "Did you…see anything peculiar?"
Yuri was unsure of what Abel meant by that question, before a memory flashed in his head. That monster… "I saw a Crusnik…or at least that's what that creature called itself."
Abel still refused to look Yuri in the eyes. "Uh…well…" he trailed off.
"What are you afraid of, Father? Is that creature you, by chance?" Yuri had only been joking, but the look in Abel's eyes told him otherwise. "It was you…wasn't it."
Abel hung his head down, staring at his hands. "Yes…I was afraid to show you that form…afraid that you would only push yourself farther away from me…"
Yuri closed his eyes. Push himself farther away? Why would he…oh yes, earlier when he had hurt Abel… "I wouldn't do that, Abel. We all have our secrets after all." If Abel had been any other person, then yes, he would have run away. However, the priest put his life on the line to save 'him,' a murderer, an inconsiderate selfish, spoiled bastard.
If Abel was comforted by his words, he did not show it. He only continued to stare at his hands with his head hung low.
Yuri did not know what to say. He was not good at comforting people. His mother had always scolded him for being too harsh with his words…while his father would nod in approval. He never did not know which way to go. Should he follow his father, or his mother?
"I will admit that I was frightened, to say the least. I was actually more scared of what you were than I was of dying, or even Gabrys." Abel's shoulders tensed and his hands gripped at his robes. "But…" Yuri hesitated.
"But what?" Abel said, his voice cracking slightly.
"But I have no reason to be afraid because I know you would not harm me. If you wanted to, you could have done it a long time ago, regardless of what form you took. I mean…it's not like I was nice to you very much anyway…"
Slowly Abel lifted his head like a timid child. "You mean that?" He looked so tired…so much so that Yuri felt horrible. It was his fault all this happened; his fault that Abel had gotten hurt---wait a minute…he wasn't hurt from what Yuri could see. So, did that mean…that that form healed him? Yuri didn't ask.
"I…all of this is my fault. I should have never come here…"
Abel shook his head. "Nonsense, Yuri. I…" he stopped, changing the subject. "You've been a big help to us. Thanks to you, we may be able to stop Fleur du Mal."
"Heh…you all could have done that regardless of my help."
"But it would have taken longer."
Yuri stared at Abel as if seeing him for the first time. A waterfall of emotions hit him at once, annoyance, happiness, and…something he could not quite understand. Abel was alive…he was alive…
Yuri's eyes watered again, and he looked away, staring at nothing in particular.
"Yuri…" Abel whispered gently.
"I…I was scared…" he admitted reluctantly, not sure why he was telling Abel something as personal as his own feelings. Dragons usually always kept their feelings to themselves, but here he was, telling Abel that he had been scared. "I had never really been in situation like that. I've never had to really fight anyone."
"I know…" Abel said softly.
"If you had died…I…don't know what I would have done. I would have given up, or…I might have lost myself to rage…"
Abel was silent.
Yuri bit his lip, and did something that would shock anyone who knew him; he hugged Abel. That seemed like the right thing to do. It was uncomfortable, but at the same time it wasn't. It had been a long time since he had hugged anyone. Usually someone else initiated it, and he was forced to do it out of sheer good manners.
"If it wasn't for you…I wouldn't be here right now."
Abel tensed, but then slowly hugged back, his chin resting on the top of Yuri's head.
Yuri wanted to break away when he felt those arms wrap around him, but he couldn't. He was still a bit uncomfortable, even more so now that Abel was hugging him back, however, he felt…oddly happy. He had never showed his true feelings to anyone before. His father had taught him to never show anyone a weakness…not even to his own family. Now Yuri understood why his mother was always so melancholy. She was lonely, and he had not been able to comfort her because…because he did not know how.
"I'm…sorry…" he choked, biting back tears that threatened to spill. He hated this weakness of his.
Abel moved his head a little. "Hmm?"
Yuri wasn't sure he could force those words out again, but he tried. "I said that I'm…sorry…"
"It's all right, Yuri," he said, rubbing his back.
Yuri closed his eyes, feeling exhaustion began to weigh him down. Abel's arms were warm even through his black robes. It was relaxing…
"Yuri…there was something I wanted to tell you before…but you were gone when I woke up."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Abel's arms tightened around him, making him wince slightly. Right then and there, Yuri realized something…Abel had bandaged him. "Um…n-nothing…"
Yuri closed his eyes, deciding not to push Abel. He was tired, and honestly was not in 'I'm going to drill answers out of you' mode.
Abel let go reluctantly, moving back towards his chair.
Yuri was slightly disappointed that Abel wasn't hugging him anymore, but did not show it. His face was as blank as he could make it.
Abel looked at him square in the face and smiled. "Please rest now, Yuri. I know you're a dragon and that your people heal very quickly, but you're hindering the healing process by staying awake."
Yuri nodded, feeling the warmth that had radiated from Abel slowly leave him. He wanted to ask Abel questions, like what had happened after he passed out? How Abel knew where he was? And what it was that he had wanted to say? But…those were questions for another day. He would have plenty of time tomorrow when his energy was completely back and his injuries had healed.
"Will…will you tell me about everything that happened tomorrow?"
"Yes, I promise," Abel replied, nodding.
"Very well…" Yuri, with the help of Abel, lied back down on his bed, and closed his eyes slightly. "Abel…"
"Hmm?"
"Are we back at the hotel?" he asked. The room looked a bit different, but Yuri had not really had a chance to explore the hotel room when he had had a chance. As soon as he had entered it, he had gone to sleep…or pretended to at least.
There was a second of hesitation before Abel spoke. "Yes. A friend of mine I have not had a chance to really speak to very much helped me bring you here. She was pretty worried…"
"Ahh…I see," Yuri said, not really listening. If he had, he would have definitely been asking questions. "You should head back to your bed and get some sleep, Abel."
"No, I'll stay here and watch you."
"How creepy, you're going to make me feel like a stalker is watching me sleep."
Abel laughed, shaking his head. "I'll probably end up falling asleep too later, so no worries."
"Hmph…whatever, Abel." Yuri closed his eyes.
"Uh…Yuri…"
"Hmm?" Yuri opened one eye.
"Thank you…"
"For what?"
"For…not running away from me, and for trusting me again."
"I've always trusted you, Abel. Even though I was wary of everyone else, I did trust you. Don't listen to all that nonsense I screamed earlier. I was just angry."
"So, you did not mean any of that?"
Yuri closed his eye. "No. I wanted to tell you that, but…well, you know how I am. Apologizing has never been something I've been good at."
"Yes, I can tell. It's nice that you did apologize though. You honestly didn't have to."
"Hmph, don't make me regret it, Abel."
He heard a soft chuckle, and felt a hand clasp with his. "If you get another nightmare, remember I'm right here. I'll protect you, Yuri."
Yuri blushed slightly. Abel was so kind, that it made him feel like he was the worst scum on earth. He had never really treated the priest well. He was wary of anything he did, and thus often ended up saying cruel things to him…but Abel had always spoken to him gently, even when they argued. He even listened to what he had to say, despite the fact that usually what he said was sarcastic or just rude.
"You are really something. You must be a glutton for punishment if you're willing to protect a monster like me," he whispered.
"You're not a monster, Yuri."
This time, Yuri opened both of his eyes, fighting off sleep as if it was some type of wicked monster trying to bring him down. "I killed everyone, Abel. Everyone died because I lost control."
"Yuri…"
"You don't know what really happened. You only know what those old bastards tell you."
"Then help me. Tell me what happened."
Yuri hesitated, looking away.
"You don't have to tell me if it bothers you so much…but sometimes it's good to let someone else know a bit about your past. It makes it easier to keep going..."
Abel spoke as if he had experience. For all Yuri knew, he probably did. Right then and there, Abel seemed much older than his appearance; as if he had seen centuries of conflict and carnage. "You're right, I should talk about it again…especially since you've beared with me for so long." Abel's hand tightened slightly. Its warmth was reassuring.
"Have you seen any files on a Methuselah named, Rana?" Yuri asked.
"Rana?" Abel looked up at the ceiling in thought for a while, and then nodded. "Yes, I've seen her file. She…um…she was quite a character."
"A nut job you mean."
"Well…if you must put it that way, yes, she was a bit…different."
Yuri laughed. "You're too nice, Abel. All that aside, Rana was my partner for our…uh…massacre I suppose you could call it. That's the only word I can use. She was supposed to simply aide me in killing a high ranking priest in this country. Um, if my memory serves me right, his name was Adriano Crescenzo."
"Adriano? Why would Fleur du Mal want you do kill him?"
"Who knows? I just followed orders. That was my first mission where I had to kill. Usually I simply gathered information for the organization and let everyone else do all that dirty work…considering they all enjoyed it for the most part. Anyway, we were just supposed to get rid of him, and I kept telling Rana that…but she was psychotic, and as such you cannot reason with a person like that."
Abel nodded.
"I grew tired of trying to convince her not to kill any of the priests and nuns in the area, so I left her alone…that was until she got a little too carried away and tried to kill some children."
"She tried to kill children?" Abel exclaimed.
"That's right. She was sick…and I hated being around her. I tried to stop her…but…"
"You lost it…"
"That's right…I don't even really remember what happened. All I know was that everything was burning…" Yuri's voice began to crack. He hated talking about this. It made him sick just remembering.
"Yuri…" Abel said, trying to comfort him.
"I could hear people screaming. It…was horrible." Yuri turned his face away from Abel's staring out the window. Morning was coming soon. The sky was already starting to lighten.
Abel's thumb caressed his hand, neither saying anything more until a few minutes later, Abel spoke up. "Don't hate yourself, Yuri. It was an accident."
"I don't hate myself, but I do hate what I did. It was an accident that should have never happened. After that…I realized something…people---humans, were the same like me and everyone else. That night opened my eyes. I suppose you could say I grew up…but it was a bit too late. After everyone found out what I did for Fleur du Mal, they all hated me, and wanted me to be executed. Due to my actions, relations with the Vatican were all but a dream for a very, very long time…"
"But you've changed. I'm sure when you go back everyone will realize that."
Yuri chuckled, slowly closing his eyes again. "Dragons remember for a long time, Abel. They won't care about who I am now; they'll only remember what I did. I don't comprehend why Lucyna is doing this, but I suppose I'll have to trust her judgment…" Yuri did not want to talk anymore. He had fought off sleep long enough, and now it was coming back with a vengeance.
"I'll let you sleep now," Abel said as if understanding that's what he wanted. "Tomorrow, we'll talk about everything."
"You better…remember…" Yuri whispered, finally drifting off.
"I will…" Abel whispered back. He watched as Yuri peacefully went back into dreamland, a small smile on his face. It was rare to see Yuri so happy, just seeing him like that made Abel's heart swell with joy.
A soft creak of a door opening tore Abel's attention away from Yuri instantly. Acting on reflex from years of fighting, he reached for the gun in his robes, but stopped when he realized who it was that was entering the room.
"Whoa, relax, Father. I just came to check on you two," Julianna said stepping closer to the bed so quietly, that it was no wonder Abel did not notice her presence before.
Abel breathed a sigh of relief, cupping Yuri's hand in his again. "I'm fine, Yuri's still a bit weak, and he has a terrible fever."
Julianna ran a hand through her reddish hair. "No worries, Father. When we dragons lose too much blood, instead of getting cold we just get really hot. It…well…it doesn't make sense scientifically really, but I suppose nothing in our world really makes much sense anymore."
Abel chuckled, having to agree with that.
"Yuri must be really tired if he's not drilling you."
"Yes…he is. If he was, he would have noticed this isn't the hotel room."
Julianna nodded, looking down at the younger dragon. "He's such child sometimes, though he does try to act older. You must really love him, Father."
Abel blushed slightly, looking at his hand. "Yes…I do."
"Have you told him?" Julianna said, crossing her arms.
"No, I haven't. I plan to do it by tomorrow…though I'm nervous about how it will go."
Julianna smiled. "You shouldn't be. I think you will be good for him. He needs someone with your patience."
Abel blushed furiously, coughing in his hand. "W-What did Lucyna say? I know that's one reason why you came in here."
Julianna's smile dropped slightly. "Yuri is under my jurisdiction, Father. If he is hurt like this again, I'll be the one getting in trouble. His protection is highly important. The Elder does not want him involved in this mess anymore. He is to come back as soon as he is able. Fleur du Mal is in Rome now…and as such, the Elder is afraid that the senate will use this as an excuse for Yuri choosing to come here."
"But he would never go back to them," Abel said, his voice raising a little. How could those people believe that Yuri would do that? After hearing Yuri's story, he knew that the dragon would sooner die than do something like that.
"I…I understand, Father. You know that, and I do, but we…we have to think of this situation like a politician. I'm sure Lady Caterina would understand as well."
Abel shook his head. This was so stupid… "When are you going to take him?"
"I told the Elder that I would bring Yuri back tomorrow…but well…maybe…" she trailed off, tapping her chin with her index finger.
"Maybe what?"
"I suppose I could help aide you in this problem, Father…along with Yuri when he feels better. Doing this may increase relations with our country and this one. Besides, if those senators see that Yuri actually had a hand in destroying the organization of Rome, they would think hard about executing him, or sending him to jail for that matter."
"Are you sure? Won't you be going against your orders?"
"Yes…but…well…I'm tired of hiding in the background. As a soldier under the banner of the Great Republic, it is my duty to help. Just leaving you all to this problem sounds a bit rude. If I am able to help Rome become peaceful again, then perhaps…just perhaps this will add to Yuri's 'good' file." She smiled widely when she said this. "I'll just make up a lie saying that I was sent to give aide to the church as a friendship gesture."
Abel's lips tugged into a large smile. "Thank you, Julianna."
"You're welcome, Father. Please take care of Yuri. If you need anything I'll be right next door." She waved, and left the room as silently as she came in.
Abel still could not get rid of the goofy grin that was on his face as he slouched in his chair, his hand still connected with Yuri's.
"Ah, they know now?" Kämpfer said, putting out one of his many cigars in a crystal ashtray.
"They should…that is if Ashton did not die. I did wound him pretty bad."
Kämpfer shrugged. "If he's dead, he's dead."
Deon bit his lip, wanting to scream at Kämpfer for being so heartless…but he had no right to talk. He had killed a comrade. God knows there were only so many werewolves left…and he had just killed one.
"It must have been hard," Kämpfer said, leaning back in his leather chair, his long hair cascading over it.
"No, not really."
"Oh, is that so? I heard you hesitated a little."
Deon tensed. "Well then, whoever told you that is a liar."
"Oh? I'm sure Dietrich would not like being called such."
Deon wanted to back away and run, but knew it would be stupid to do so. "So…are you going to kill me?"
Kämpfer laughed, turning his head so he could properly see him. "Why would I do that?"
"I…I'm not sure, sir."
"If you're not sure, then neither am I."
Deon remained on guard. Kämpfer was messing with his head. He may not have been as sick as Dietrich, but he still was a member of the Orden. "Mister Kämpfer, this would have been easier if you just had me give an anonymous tip to the Vatican concerning the organizations location."
"And where would the fun in that be, Mister Peterson?" Kämpfer turned his dark eyes towards him.
"T-There wouldn't be any," Deon replied, unable to keep himself from stuttering.
"That's right. My Master wants a good show, so I'm giving him one. It sure is taking you a while to understand that. Is something bothering you?"
Deon shook his head. "No, sir."
"Are you sure? You can tell me," he purred, smiling.
Deon was no idiot. He was walking a fine line here. "You didn't hurt Patrick did you?"
Kämpfer's smile grew wider.
"Y-You killed him?!" Deon backed away, shaking his head.
"He knew too much. Besides, he was highly unstable. If the Inquisition went to his house tomorrow he would break and ruin everything."
"Y-You sick---."
Kämpfer raised his hand, a smile still glued on his handsome face. "Don't say anything you'll regret, Deon. It would be a shame if I had to kill you."
Deon shook, more with rage than fear. He knew Patrick would die, but hearing his fears confirmed… "What about Bella? He was close to that woman! She'll wonder where he is!"
Kämpfer shrugged, an uncaring expression crossing his face. "I don't care."
Deon wanted to cry in frustration, but he was a professional and had seen worse than this. He had to continue to act that way. "Forgive me, sir. I was in the wrong for speaking to you in such a manner." He bowed completely, placing his forehead on the floor. It was a dangerous thing to do, but he felt it was the only thing he could do.
He heard Kämpfer's boots hit the ground as he stepped closer to him. "That's a good little hound," he said, running his hands through Deon's short hair. "You're dismissed, Mister Peterson. When I need you I'll send word. It seems things are going to be a lot of fun soon, and I do not want you to miss out."
Deon nodded, standing up and bowing deeply before he quickly left the room. He had to send information to Lucyna about what had happened…but how? It was becoming more and more difficult to send her letters now. Julianna could help couldn't she? But that was risky. He sighed, not sure what he should do. He adored Lucyna, but now he regretted signing up for this job…and all for a little dough.
This whole mission is suicidal! He thought fiercely. He did not know what sick game the Orden members were playing with him, but he was going to be even more alert than he was before now that he was being watched…
"I'm not a dog…" he whispered to himself.
Author note: Whew, Yuri sure has changed a bit. The Yuri at the beginning of this fanfic would never let Abel anywhere near him without carefully thinking it out (in otherwords, making up an excuse as to why he couldn't do it). Some of you may like "changed Yuri" some of you may not. xD I know I still love him either way.
