Chapter 28: Something to Return To
"The Crypt lied?" Frey repeated dubiously. "You mean about Ryuu being an aberration? About me being destined to destroy him? What?"
"Unfortunately," Weisser replied, "those must have been the only truthful things among the lies that they told you." He took in Frey's expression. "You look disappointed."
Frey was too tired to disagree. "Yes. I…I don't want to…" He breathed deeply, then exploded, "I don't want to do this anymore! Sure, they will give me another life, but I know without them telling me that at the end of it all, I will have to face Ryuu again. I will have to go through this again! I…" He sighed, deflating. "I…I just don't want to do this anymore…"
"You really did love him, didn't you?" asked Weisser quietly. When Frey nodded, the man continued, "Ryuu loved you too."
Frey shook his head despondently at that. "No, he didn't. He—"
"Killed you?" finished Weisser. "Do you know what that did to him? He didn't want to, but he didn't have a choice."
"What about letting me live?" asked Frey sarcastically. "What about not murdering my family? Aren't those viable choices?"
"Believe it or not," said Weisser, "the answer is no."
"What do you mean?"
Weisser sighed. "Look, the Crypt told you that if you succeed in destroying Ryuu, they will give you another life, correct?"
"Yes," answered Frey. "But what does that have to with everything?"
"That is a lie," said Weisser. "There is no future for you after Ryuu is gone."
"What?"
"Listen carefully," Weisser said, his voice becoming more insistent. "I'll tell you everything, and when the right time comes, you will have to remember…"
Frey stared. "I…I don't follow you…"
Weisser said gravely, "I'll tell you what really happened, but I'll have to take your memories afterwards. I'll return them to you at the proper time, and when that time comes…" He held Frey's astonished gaze. "…you will know what to do."
Frey listened on in silence. Then Weisser said, "The truth is—"
Two more hours.
Yuuri stood in the backyard, eyes closed, feeling the morning air blowing against his face. Two more hours, he repeated inside his head. Two more hours and they could finally return.
"Since when have you started meditating?" Shori's voice came out of nowhere, startling him from the silence of his own mind.
"Good morning, Shori," Yuuri said, cracking open one eye before closing it again in a subtle gesture of dismissal. A signal that he wanted to be left alone. But either his brother failed to notice or he ignored it on purpose. At least Yuuri felt him standing beside him in the next second. Unable to disregard Shori any longer, Yuuri opened his eyes completely and demanded, "What?"
Shori smiled. "You can't get away that easily, you know."
"Huh?"
"Last night, we told you our story," explained Shori, "but you didn't tell us yours."
"I didn't have anything to tell," huffed Yuuri. "Of everyone here, I seem to be the one who knew the least about everything that has been happening."
His brother regarded him for a second before pronouncing, "You're lying."
"I'm not—"
"You met Ryuu at your school campus before everything started, didn't you?"
"So?" Yuuri asked. "We didn't talk about anything. He didn't even tell me his name back then."
"Okay. But what about that dragon attack…?"
"You mean the one that happened by the stables when I was with Murata? Again, nothing happened."
"And what about that incident at the balcony?"
Yuuri snapped, "Wolfram wasn't himself. You heard Damien-san last night. Wolf was hallucinating."
"And what happened afterwards?"
"We fell, and then Ryuu and Damien-san came with a dragon and saved us both." His brother didn't say anything, as if he was waiting for more. Yuuri asked defensively, "What?"
"Why didn't you do anything?" asked Shori.
"I…I…tried…" Yuuri wavered. Then glancing at his brother suspiciously, he asked, "Is this what this is about? Because I wasn't able to do anything?"
"Because you could have done something," Shori pointed out. "So the fact that you weren't able to do anything meant that you couldn't…" Yuuri bit his lip, not answering. Shori continued. "And back at Blood Pledge Castle yesterday, you were just standing there. Why did it take you so long to turn into the Maou…?"
"I was just too surprised, okay—"
"Stop lying!" said Shori harshly, grabbing him by the elbow. "I talked to Conrad yesterday. He said that you hadn't been yourself ever since that night at the balcony. Yuuri…they knew that you lost your maryoku for a time…"
That took Yuuri by surprise. And he thought all along that he'd successfully concealed his condition from his friends. "Everybody knows?" he asked quietly. "Why didn't they tell me?"
Shori released him. "I think they didn't want to offend you. They saw how frustrated you were that you couldn't do anything. And with Wolfram leaving and everything…"
"This is stupid," muttered Yuuri under his breath.
"They respect you," chided Shori. "I hate to admit this but they do care about you."
Yuuri stood motionless, staring into the distance. Then with a sigh, he began, "I lost touch with the Maou's spirit that night. I don't know why. Suddenly, I just couldn't reach him. And then after that, I started seeing him…you know, like a vision…He kept going on and on about stopping Wolfram from doing something."
"Any idea what that was?"
Yuuri shrugged. "He just kept telling me – begging me – to stop Wolf. And then…he kept showing me a…a vision…of Wolfram…" He took a breath to steady himself. "He…he was dead…The Maou kept saying that if I don't stop Wolfram, he would end up dead…"
Shori scratched his chin, deep in thought. "A warning?"
"Perhaps," answered Yuuri. "But it was so vague…I couldn't understand any of it…"
"How long have you been having these…visions?"
"Since that night at the balcony."
"Until now?"
Yuuri shook his head. "It stopped. Since yesterday."
"That's strange…" Shori remarked. "And your maryoku returned just yesterday, too. Any idea why? Or how?"
As much as he would have loved to forget that unfortunate encounter at Bielefeld Castle, Yuuri turned his thoughts back, trying to recall what exactly took place when he felt the power return to him…when he was able to access the Maou's spirit once again…
It was easy enough to remember every detail. Ryuu attacking. The fear that he would soon die right there. Then he sensed Ryuu's strength declining…
…and at the same time, he felt his powers returning…
"Yuuri?" Shori was studying his face closely. "You remember anything?"
"I'm not sure…" he answered slowly. "But…I was able to reach the Maou again when…when Ryuu started to lose…you know, when he started to weaken…"
"Weaken?" Shori echoed. "You're saying that you regained your powers when Ryuu lost his?"
"I'm not sure, but I guess you could put it that way."
"But why—?"
Yuuri said, his patience running out, "Look Shori. I'm not sure okay? I don't know anything so back off already. I'm not a child anymore! Stop hovering! It's not like you can do anything about Ryuu. You also lost to him remember?" He immediately regretted saying those words as soon as he saw his brother's reaction. Shori looked stung, and Yuuri took a breath to calm himself. "I'm…I'm sorry…"
Shori didn't respond right away. After a beat, he said, "I understand. But I'm only trying to make things right. I've made far too many mistakes already."
"You only did what you could," said Yuuri. "I'm sorry for lashing out at you. I'm just worried about returning to Shin Makoku…"
Shori nodded to show that he understood. "Just one question…when you turned into the Maou yesterday at Bielefeld Castle…did the spirit tell you anything before lending you his powers…?"
Yuuri replied, easily remembering the answer to that, "He said that he'd give me power, but that I couldn't defeat Ryuu. He said that Ryuu and I were the same." He added before his brother could ask, "I don't know what that means either, Shori."
Shori nodded once more. "Okay. I'll leave you to…prepare then. I'll be inside."
Yuuri wanted to say something to make things better between them, but in the end, he just watched his brother enter the house, shutting the door behind him.
Yuuri sighed, closing his eyes once more. What a way to start the day. This didn't bode well at all.
Shori found Murata waiting for him in the sitting room.
"How is Shibuya?" the sage asked as soon as he entered.
"Preparing," replied Shori simply, not bothering to go into the details. "Where are the others?"
"Preparing," Murata replied, smiling at him. "Everybody seems so excited to go back."
"Except you," observed Shori. "Not ready to face your beloved Shinou yet?" The sage looked offended at the question, and Shori retracted almost immediately. "I'm sorry. Just not in a good mood today."
"Well," said Murata, "would this put you in a good mood?" He waved a newspaper in front of Shori face, pointing at an article at the lower left portion.
Shori accepted the paper and read curiously. It was yesterday's issue, Shori noted, glancing at the date. School Attackers Still At Large, the title read, Victim Finally Regains Consciousness.
Shori read on, finally realizing that the article was about the attack at Yuuri's high school. It mentioned that the culprits were never apprehended, and that the victim, Sawada Reiko, had braved through a series of surgeries and had finally awoken. The rest of the text was vague – just a standard statement saying that the police were exerting every possible effort to catch the attackers, and warning everybody to be on alert. There was a slight mention of Saiga Amane's disappearance, and a short plea for anybody who had knowledge of her whereabouts to inform the police.
The article ended with an assurance that the school was being closely monitored by the police, and that the school's operations were back to normal. In fact, the celebration of the cultural festival will still be held as scheduled.
"Shibuya won't like the last part," said Murata. "But what do you think?"
"Sawada Reiko…" mumbled Shori. What did Weisser say about her?
"She heard us talking just after I took this body. We just couldn't let her go away with that information, no matter how insignificant she is."
"If she's conscious," said the sage, "don't you think it's worth a try to talk to her? Ask her what exactly she overheard between Weisser and Ryuu?"
Shori glanced at the clock. It was less than two hours before they could return to Shin Makoku. They didn't have time to go gallivanting into town right now. Besides, Shori suspected that Yuuri would return to the other world as soon as the portal stabilizes, with or without them…
Murata seemed to guess what was going on inside his head. "Look, Shibuya can handle things on his own. You don't have to shadow his footsteps all the time."
"I know," said Shori, "but I saw how dangerous Ryuu is. I'm worried okay? I trust Yuuri…but sometimes, he could be so…kind…for his own good."
"Kindness is his asset," said Murata. "It is precisely because Shibuya is so kind that his entire kingdom will protect him. Plus, with his maryoku restored, he can now adequately defend himself."
"So what do you propose that we do?"
Murata's eyes gleamed. "You agreed before that the only way to solve this mystery is for us to uncover Ryuu's identity, right? Well, this is one step to finding out."
"I assume you have a bigger plan?" asked Shori. "Sawada Reiko is just one witness, the only witness actually, as all the other victims were killed."
"The Crypt," said Murata as a reply, "It all started there."
"You mean, go to the Crypt of Souls?" asked Shori. "Do you even know how to get there?"
"I do," said the sage, "But getting there is only reserved for certain individuals – individuals like Shinou, like Bob, and now, you…" Murata smiled. "You are the new Earth Maou, after all."
Shori stopped to think. While a large part of him still longed to accompany Yuuri to the other world, to be with him and protect him, Shori understood that he would be of better help by going with the sage's suggestion. This was something he could do, something that he could contribute to bring about Ryuu's downfall…
After a moment, Shori found himself nodding. "Let's go tell the others then."
It was time to go.
Yuuri looked around him, catching the eyes of Yozak, Conrad, Damien, and Saralegui as they converged around a small, inflatable, water-filled pool – their access back to the other world. His parents stood before them, bidding them all a – in his mother's case – a cheerful but at the same time, teary-eyed, goodbye.
Yuuri turned to Murata and Shori who were watching from the sidelines. "Are you sure you're not coming along? I mean…" He caught his brother's eyes, silently imparting a sincere apology for the things he'd said a moment back. "I mean…I don't mind if you come with us…"
But his brother didn't look like he was mad at him. Shori was even smiling. "We have some things to do here," he answered. "We'll catch up as soon as we're done. So you," – Shori glared menacingly at Conrad and Yozak – "you better do your jobs well and protect my brother, am I making myself clear?" Not contented with that, Shori also eyed Damien and Saralegui fiercely. "And you two better not give Yuuri any trouble, you hear me?"
His brother's antics would have embarrassed him at an earlier time, but Yuuri just felt relieved and reassured that Shori wasn't angry at him. He laughed. "We'll be off then," he said. "Goodbye everyone."
"Yuu-chan!" his mother yelled, suddenly running forward to shove a plastic-wrapped package in his hands. "Give this to Wolf-chan okay? Be careful!"
Yuuri had no choice but to accept. He waved goodbye to his parents and Murata, and then turning to his brother, he said, "Be careful…Shori-niisan."
One by one, they stepped into the pool and vanished within its watery depths. Seconds later, Yuuri surfaced into a larger, rather lavishly-decorated pool. He sighed in relief, thankful that he'd reached the destination he had in mind. After Murata's and Shori's warnings, he knew that he couldn't direct them to Shinou's Temple anymore.
"Where are we?" asked Damien, clambering out of the pool.
"Is this Shin Makoku?" asked Saralegui in turn, shaking the water out of his hair.
"It's the Maou's bath," answered Conrad in recognition, helping Yuuri out of the water. "Good work, Heika."
"It's Yuuri, Conrad," Yuuri answered, feeling oddly buoyant that he was talking to his godfather in that same way again, as if everything was back to normal in the world.
"What? No welcoming committee?" commented Yozak, looking around.
"Of course they wouldn't have any way of knowing that we've arrived," said Yuuri. "Not if Ulrike and Shinou didn't tell them." At the thought of those two, Yuuri's entire body tensed. "Oh no, the others still don't know about Shinou. Come on, we need to find Gwendal…"
Still dripping with water, they all filed out of the bath. Yuuri led the way, surprised to find the corridors empty. There wasn't a single soul in sight.
"Where is everybody?" asked Yozak. "Don't tell me that the castle has been invaded…"
"It's not," Conrad negated quickly. "Everything seems to be in order—"
"I think I just found everybody," Damien called out, directing their attention outside the window, to the castle grounds below.
Yuuri looked out with foreboding. Down at the courtyard, a multitude of Mazoku soldiers were assembled in an obviously military formation. Yuuri realized that they were organized per battalion, judging from the colors of the uniforms that they were wearing.
"What is happening?" muttered Yuuri.
"They're going to war," said Saralegui, and Yuuri realized that the other king was right.
Yuuri watched the battalions with a sick feeling at the pit of his stomach. "How long were we gone?"
"Kiddo, over there," said Yozak abruptly. Following the spy's gaze, Yuuri saw the soldiers parting to make way for a group of people who were approaching from the main gates. A minute later, Yuuri gasped in surprise. The newcomers were a group of soldiers clad in blue. With the dark red bloodstains contrasting with the colors of their uniforms, it was easy to see, even from a distance, that all of them were wounded…or dying. A horse cantered forward, bearing a body hanging limply on its back. As the other soldiers swarmed around the newcomers, Yuuri noticed a flag waving somewhere amidst the commotion…
Gunter's history lessons suddenly popped into his mind. His tutor had once locked him up for an entire day, forcing him to memorize all the crests and symbols of the Mazoku Noble Houses.
"That's…" Yuuri said, turning pale, "…the Bielefeld crest…"
"Yuuri," said Conrad, eyes fixed on the body that the soldiers had just taken down from the horse, "That's Waltorana…"
Yuuri was running in the next instant, and the others, after recovering from their surprise at his sudden movement, ran after him. Frantically, Yuuri passed one room after the other, searching…pushing open doors…bumping into statues…breaking some ornaments in the process…
But Yuuri didn't care. He wanted to know what was happening. He wanted to know, now! Reaching the entrance to Gwendal's office, he pushed the door open, hoping against hope that the general was there.
To his relief, Gwendal was behind his desk, standing against the window.
"Gwendal!"
The man turned in surprise. "Heika!"
Gwendal didn't look any different. Indeed he looked more harassed and haggard than Yuuri remembered him, but he looked just about the same in terms of everything else. Surely that was an indication that time hadn't really passed that much, right?
"Gwendal…" Yuuri panted, "What's happening? What day is it?"
Gwendal seemed to have pulled through the shock of seeing his king again. "Heika, you're back. What about the others?"
As if on cue, Conrad, Yozak, Damien, and Saralegui entered the office too. Gwendal surveyed them all with a calculating expression.
"We were pulled back to Earth, Gwendal," Yuuri explained rapidly, "Shori and Murata came with us but they opted to stay behind." He stopped to catch his breath. "Gwendal, at the courtyard—"
"Sit down, Heika," the man said firmly. "Do calm down."
"Calm down!" Yuuri cried. "The entire army is assembled at the courtyard! I just saw Waltorana being carried off a horse, and I'm not even sure if he's alive—!"
"Heika," Gwendal said. "Take a seat and I'll explain everything."
Yuuri wanted to rant, to explode, to get impossibly angry until everything that he'd witnessed began to make sense. But then logic finally set in and he sighed, following the man's order and settling into a chair. The others followed suit.
His emotions reined in, he asked, "What happened Gwendal?"
The man replied grimly, "First of all, you were all gone for two weeks…"
Two weeks. More or less fourteen days. Roughly half a month.
Gwendal had tried to pull the kingdom together for two weeks, unable to answer questions regarding the Maou's whereabouts, unable to pacify the panicking people, unable to do anything but prepare his country for the inevitable – for a war. The Noble House leaders had been on his case for most of that period, especially after the depressing events at Bielefeld Castle.
Ryuu had attacked everyone, and then had managed to escape. The Maou, the Great Sage, Conrad, and Yozak had disappeared, taking Damien Schwarz and Saralegui with them. All Dai Shimaron delegates who were in the castle that fateful day were killed. And worse of all, there was no way to prove that it wasn't the Mazoku who initiated the bloodbath.
But now…the Maou had returned, but Gwendal couldn't find any form of comfort in that. At that moment, he wasn't even sure if he should be happy that Shibuya Yuuri had returned. From his perspective, the Maou's presence might only lead to more political upheavals, and that was the last thing that the kingdom needed right now.
"Gwendal," said the Maou, "what happened that day at Bielefeld Castle? After we left?"
Gwendal sighed in resignation. Well…this boy was still the king. He was obliged to answer. "Ryuu eluded capture. Apparently, he made his way back to the Dai Shimaron camp and concocted a story about how we ambushed them inside the castle." He pulled a document from a pile on the table and plopped it in front of the Maou. "We received a declaration of war three days after that incident."
The Maou studied the document, passing it to Damien and Saralegui. "It's signed by Ryuu. They just made him king."
Damien cursed under his breath. "What? Those idiots!"
"Wait," Saralegui said, eyes narrowing. "It says here 'Lord John Maximilian Schwarz IV, King of Shimaron.' Don't tell me that…"
"Yes," Gwendal said, confirming the worst. "Dai Shimaron conquered Shou Shimaron. Both kingdoms are now under Ryuu's rule."
"What?" exclaimed Saralegui. "How did that happen? Shou Shimaron couldn't have possibly fallen in a matter of days!"
"It was possible," said Gwendal, "with dragons on their side."
"Dragons?" Damien sputtered. "You mean the Ryuzoku? No, no, they couldn't have followed Ryuu! They wanted to get out of his control. They…they…"
"They might have," said Gwendal, "but if they attempted to break free, they weren't able to do so. However, that would certainly explain the bodies of dragons and dragon riders that we found just outside Bielefeld Castle."
The blood drained completely from Damien's face. "The…bodies…? Dead…?"
"All signs pointed to an internal struggle. They must have fought against each other."
Conrad cut in, "Gwendal, I left a few of my guards to watch over that group. Couldn't they tell us what happened?"
Gwendal replied, hating the fact that all he had to say was terrible news, "They were all mortally wounded. I think they tried to stop the Ryuzoku, but they were overpowered in the end. We couldn't save everyone. We were barely able to escape ourselves."
The Maou frowned. "Escape? What do you mean escape?"
"Heika, Bielefeld Castle was overrun by the Dai Shimaron army by nightfall. And with the Ryuzoku by their side, we were only able to get a few people out…"
"And what happened to the rest?"
Gwendal answered wearily, "All dead. That's why…Waltorana…" He massaged the space between his eyes. "Waltorana insisted on going back to reclaim his territories. I told him that it wouldn't be possible. I refused to give him any of the soldiers from the other squads. But then three days ago, he marched out anyway with what remained of the Bielefeld army…"
"They just came back, right?" asked the Maou. "What…?"
"I received a notice from a scout that Waltorana's troops were defeated. I sent reinforcements but…it was too late."
"He's dead?" the Maou asked, horrified.
Gwendal shook his head. "No…but he is gravely wounded. They're bringing him up to Gisela as we speak. But with everything that has happened, I guess he must be wishing that he hadn't survived. He took Wolfram's…betrayal…really hard…"
At the mention of Wolfram, everybody perked up.
"And Wolfram?" the Maou asked. "Have you sent somebody to look for him?"
"There was no need for that, Heika," said Gwendal.
"But why—?"
Gwendal gritted his teeth. It was very tempting to lie, because he had a premonition that the truth might provoke the young Maou to do something stupid. In the end, he decided to be honest.
"Wolfram…was captured that same day, Heika."
"What?" cried the Maou, standing up. "Why didn't you tell me right away? Where is he?"
The words were almost torn out of Gwendal's lips. "In the dungeons."
The Maou gaped at him in disbelief. "The dungeons? Gwendal, what are you playing at—?"
"The dungeons," replied Gwendal testily, "is where prisoners are held while awaiting trial, Heika."
"Trial? Gwendal, you…you actually arrested your own brother—?"
"Gwendal," said Conrad, also gawking at him in shock, "why did you—?"
Gwendal glowered at them all. "I had no choice. You weren't even there to see Wolfram fight me with everything that he has just so Ryuu could escape." He turned away, pained at the memory. "Stupid brat. He was captured because he expended all his maryoku defending Ryuu. I had to hurt him to make him stop, but he just kept going."
"Gwendal…"
"The Noble House leaders have voted to execute Wolfram," he went on with suppressed rage. "The least that Hahaue and I could do was to persuade the others to give him a trial."
"Take me to him," the Maou said after a moment's silence. "I want to talk to him Gwendal."
Gwendal did not answer immediately, instead taking his time to study the young king's face. The boy looked determined enough. "As you wish, Heika," he said after a while. "But you better make it quick. Word of your arrival might have already reached the Noble House leaders. They would want to have a word with you."
The Maou nodded. "Let's go."
"The Crypt lied."
Wolfram stared at the apparition in front of him, listening intently.
"There is no future for you after Ryuu is gone. Listen carefully. I shall tell you everything, and then when the right time comes, you will have to remember…"
Wolfram leaned forward. What did they want him to remember?
"I'll tell you what really happened, but I'll have to take your memories afterwards. I'll return them to you at the proper time, and when that time comes…you will know what to do."
Wolfram waited with bated breath.
"The truth is—"
There was a clank of metals being pushed, indicating that someone had just entered his cell. Wolfram returned to reality with an abrupt, confused jerk. Wait. Was that it? The end of the second set of memories that Saiga promised? 'But that didn't tell him anything!' Wolfram fumed internally. What was he supposed to remember? What was he supposed to do? What the hell was he supposed to make of that memory? He punched the opposite wall in frustration.
"Oi…careful…"
Wolfram froze. He knew whom that voice belonged to, and he wanted so badly to turn around to confirm. To see with his very eyes…
Yuuri…
But he didn't want to. Wolfram couldn't bear to look into Yuuri's face, to see the anger and condemnation that would surely be there. He wanted his memory of Yuuri to be that of their last encounter, when the boy had looked at him with such relief and joy, when he had flung his arms around him…
"I'm glad that you're back…"
Yuuri had told him that. But he knew that Yuuri wouldn't tell him the same thing again. Not now. Not after the things that Wolfram did.
"Wolfram…"
A hand touched him gently by the shoulder. Wolfram flinched, slapping the hand away.
"Go away," he said, much sharper than he intended.
"Wolfram," said Yuuri firmly. "I came here to talk."
"We don't have anything to talk about," Wolfram answered stubbornly, still not turning around. "I'll answer all your inquiries at the trial but until then, I am not obligated to—ouch!"
Yuuri had gripped him tightly by the shoulders and almost forcefully turned him around, pinning him back against the dungeon walls.
"What are you doing?" he demanded, covering his fear with anger, averting his gaze to the side.
"Look at me," Yuuri commanded.
"No. Go away."
Yuuri's voice softened. "Wolf, please…"
Wolfram couldn't take it. It wasn't right for Yuuri to be the one who had to beg. Yuuri didn't do anything wrong. Reluctantly, he inclined his head to meet the boy's eyes.
Yuuri actually smiled. "That's better. Long time no see, Wolf."
Wolfram hesitated, not at all sure whether Yuuri was just toying with him. But Yuuri looked sincere enough; he didn't even look angry. Not knowing what to say, Wolfram muttered, "You can let me go now. You're hurting me."
"Sorry," Yuuri relaxed his hands, but he didn't let go. Instead, he let his right hand trail down Wolfram's side, eventually grasping Wolfram's hand tightly. Yuuri wrapped his other hand around Wolfram's back, drawing him in.
Wolfram blinked, surprised at the gesture. "What…are you doing…?"
Yuuri grinned at him. "Just making sure that you wouldn't escape. Every time that I try to do something, you're gone in the next instant."
"I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…to cause any distress on your part…"
Yuuri's face turned serious. "Distress? Come on, Wolf. Of course I was worried about you. We all were."
Wolfram squirmed in discomfort. Yuuri was too close, he could just touch him if he wanted to…. But he didn't dare. "You shouldn't. As you can see, I'm fine."
Yuuri frowned at him. "Mind telling me where you've been?"
"Just…traveling."
"Wolfram…"
"I had to go somewhere okay," Wolfram bit out. "And it's none of your business, Yuuri."
Yuuri sighed in disappointment. "Wolf, I know about…about Ryuu."
Silence. Wolfram couldn't think of an answer to that so he let Yuuri continue.
"Damien-san told us everything. About…what Saiga-san has told you…about your past life…about Frey…"
Wolfram couldn't even find it in himself to feel surprised or annoyed. "That idiot," he muttered. "He just couldn't mind his own business…"
"He cares about you, you know," said Yuuri unexpectedly. "I hate to admit this but he…he's not half as bad as I originally thought him to be…"
"You…you were with Damien? Is he okay?"
"He is," replied Yuuri. "We got sent to Earth together. Along with Conrad, and Yozak, and Sara…"
It was perhaps a reflex action on his part, but Wolfram couldn't help but raise one eyebrow at the last name. "Saralegui? You were with him?"
Mysteriously, Yuuri laughed at his reaction. Then without warning, he leaned forward to kiss him – softly at first, then more vigorously in the next minute. Wolfram found himself responding, freeing his hand from Yuuri's so that he could entwine both around the boy's neck.
It seemed to last forever, but then they both had to part to get some air. Still reeling at the suddenness of the kiss as well as the aggressiveness by which Yuuri came at him, Wolfram forgot everything else and found himself reciprocating once again when the other boy planted his lips on his for a second time.
"I'd forgotten how adorable you could be when you're jealous," Yuuri breathed into his mouth. "I missed you."
Wolfram was too stupefied to answer, and the Yuuri didn't give him much opportunity to form a response. Yuuri was kissing him again, becoming less and less inhibited with each round.
This must be a dream, Wolfram decided. This must be another one of those dreams where Yuuri appeared before him and miraculously forgave him for everything…where Yuuri magically made everything okay…
But everything wasn't okay. As long as he was tied to Ryuu, everything wouldn't be okay.
At the thought of Ryuu, Wolfram froze. No, he couldn't do this to Yuuri. He couldn't accept the boy's forgiveness and understanding just like that. He didn't have any right to be forgiven. He didn't deserve to be loved like this…to have Yuuri hold him and kiss him like this…
Yuuri must have felt the change in him, for he broke the kiss to look at him questioningly. "Wolf…? Are you okay?"
"Go away," Wolfram said with a shudder, withdrawing his hands from the boy's neck. "Go away, Yuuri."
"Wolf…"
"I don't want you here. Please leave."
"I won't. I will stay with you whether you like it or not. I love you, Wolf."
"I…I…" Wolfram swallowed hard, finally finding the courage to look into Yuuri's determined eyes. "I think I'm in love with…Ryuu…"
Yuuri stared, unable to believe what Wolfram was telling him. Then he snapped out of it.
"What are you talking about?"
Wolfram averted his eyes. "I…love him. I'm sorry, I…"
"No you don't."
"Yuuri…"
Yuuri said gently, "You don't. Frey perhaps did, but you," – he leaned closer, saying the next word slowly, with conviction – "don't."
Wolfram was shaking his head. "But I—"
"You don't," said Yuuri, forcefully this time. "Wolf, you aren't Frey. You have his memories, but you aren't him."
Wolfram pulled away and started to pace the cramped space.
"It's not that easy, Yuuri—"
"I know," Yuuri replied, watching the boy moving about. "Hey, do you remember that time when we very nearly went to war against Shou Shimaron? Murata came to me and offered his services as a tactician. Said that he had the Great Sage's soul inside him and at least a thousand years' worth of military expertise to ensure my victory in the war."
Wolfram glanced at him, barely interested. Yuuri went on, "But I told him what I am telling you right now. Murata is Murata. He isn't the Great Sage anymore." He smiled as Wolfram finally slowed down. "And you are Wolfram von Bielefeld. Not Frey anymore. You are Wolfram. A soldier of Shin Makoku. My fiancé."
Wolfram stopped completely to stare at him. "Yuuri…aren't you being too simplistic about this?"
"Perhaps," said Yuuri, shrugging. "That's why we needed to talk. Wolf…you're in serious trouble."
"Don't you think that I know that? Don't you think that I spend all my nights wondering what I am supposed to do now? How am I supposed to face you? To face my mother? My brothers? My uncle? Everyone? I can't even look at Greta's face whenever she comes to visit!" Wolfram started to pace again. "I've passed the point of no return, Yuuri. I can't go back now. To everyone, I'm the traitor who sold his country to…to the enemy. And I did. I helped Ryuu escape…and now…Aniue said that he…he…"
"What Ryuu chose to do isn't your fault," said Yuuri earnestly. "And you can't generalize everyone and think that they all blame you for what happened. You aren't a traitor. Certainly not to me."
Wolfram scoffed at that. "Something is seriously wrong with you then. Do you even know what Ryuu is doing right now—?"
"He rallied the armies of Shimaron and combined it with that of the Ryuzoku," Yuuri stated. "He's marching towards the capital right now. I know. Gwendal told me."
"He destroyed Bielefeld Castle," said Wolfram despairingly. "And the soldiers…all dead." He stopped, covering his face with his hands. "It's my fault…and Ojiue…"
"You've heard about Waltorana?"
Wolfram made a sound between a laugh and a snort. "How could I not? With all the guards dropping comments here and there how my uncle went on a suicide mission just to regain the honor that the Bielefeld House lost because of me?"
"Wolf…" Yuuri wanted to reach out and comfort him, but as soon as he took a step forward, Wolfram took a step back, shaking his head as he did so.
"Don't," the boy said, voice muffled. "Go away Yuuri."
"I won't." Yuuri approached, determined to stay.
"GO AWAY!" Wolfram yelled, pushing Yuuri back. "Why can't you leave me alone?"
"I told you, I'm not going away—"
Wolfram cried in outrage, lunging at Yuuri. In the next second, Yuuri found himself pinned against the wall, Wolfram's hands on his collar, the boy's angry face looming before him.
"What is wrong with you?" demanded Wolfram. "You should be angry! You should hate me! Why can't you even have the courage to give me what I deserve, you wimp?"
"Wolf—!"
"I'm a traitor! I betrayed everyone! I don't appreciate you coming in like everything doesn't matter to you! It should matter! It should—!"
"Wolfram, that's enough—!"
"NO! You just couldn't come in here and pretend that everything is okay! Things do not work that way! I deserve to be punished! I deserve to die—!"
SLAP!
Yuuri's hand had moved before he could stop himself. "Enough," he repeated firmly, his palm stinging from that forceful contact with Wolfram's cheek. "Stop looking so pathetic, Wolfram. This isn't like you."
Wolfram only gaped at him, stunned. Yuuri straightened himself. "You made a mistake. A terrible one. Now, the Wolfram I know wouldn't be afraid to admit that and make it right. The Wolfram I know would never give up so easily even when everybody is against him." Yuuri smiled. "The Wolfram I know is a brat…but certainly not a wimp."
Wolfram seemed to be too shocked to do anything. Taking advantage of the boy's immobility, Yuuri reduced the distance between them until he could reach out to stroke the Wolfram's cheek. He said softly, "I know that you feel guilty about everything that happened, and I won't deny that most of it was a result of your actions…but Wolf…you can't give up. If you believe that everything was your fault, then you have to make things right. You have to make it up to the people, to your House, to your family."
"They will execute me," Wolfram said, his voice hollow with defeat. "There is nothing to be done…"
"I won't let that happen," Yuuri promised. "What use is my being the Maou when I can't even save you?"
"I'm beyond saving, Yuuri," said Wolfram in the same desolate tone. "I've done things that led to the deaths of many. Gwendal is right."
"What about Gwendal?"
"Gwendal thinks – and all the Noble House leaders agree – that you should dissolve our engagement," replied Wolfram. "You can't be linked to a prisoner who is going to be executed for treason. The people hate me as it is."
Yuuri stared. "You're thinking of my reputation? You are about to be handed the death sentence and you're thinking of my reputation?" He laughed. "Come on Wolf…"
"This isn't funny!" Wolfram snapped. "You can't be implicated in this. You're the Maou. Shin Makoku is better off with you at the helm."
Yuuri was still grinning. He couldn't help it. Not even the threat of a marching army of men and dragons could make him feel less than lighthearted at the fact that he was having this conversation with Wolfram – even if the said conversation wasn't going towards the direction that he wanted at all. It was enough that Wolfram was there. With him. Even if the said boy was glaring exasperatedly at him.
Yuuri wasn't about to let go.
"Stop grinning!" said Wolfram heatedly. "This isn't a joke, Yuuri. If you won't break the engagement, then I'll do so myself. If I'm going down, I'm not going to take you with me—!"
SLAP!
For the second time, Wolfram stood there, stunned, a red mark starting to appear on his left cheek. "I told you that's enough," said Yuuri sternly. Then he smiled, his voice softening. "And that's also me, proposing again. You're not going to get rid of me that easily, Wolfram."
"Yuuri…"
"And besides," Yuuri continued, "what was it that you said before? If I fall, you'd fall with me." He beamed. "I guess that goes both ways."
Wolfram was blushing. "I…I don't expect you to—"
"If you are 'going down,'" Yuuri said, stressing each word, "I'll do everything in my power to catch you. And if I can't…then I'll be with you all the way down. Isn't that what being your fiancé is all about?"
"It's not—" Wolfram started to protest but Yuuri thought he'd had enough of words at the moment. Leaning forward, he put his arms around Wolfram and cut him off with another kiss.
Wolfram remained frozen to the spot, struggling a little against his grasp. But Yuuri held on obstinately, deepening the kiss, coaxing a response from the other boy.
And then, Wolfram's arms were around him too, and he was kissing him back. Yuuri smiled despite himself, glad that at least one thing came out right in the end. That at least, he had Wolfram back with him in the midst of all these difficulties. He held his fiancé more closely, kissed him more fervently, not wanting to ever let go.
He didn't know then that he would have to let go more quickly than he had ever expected.
A/N: Is this chapter too saccharine and fluffy for anyone's taste? I deliberated about the contents for quite some time, but then I decided that I wanted it to be this way – a bit emotional and heartwarming (I hope) – to distinguish it from the tone of the earlier chapters.
Thanks to those who reviewed. Some interesting ideas there – crazy, yes…but true…? We shall see, won't we? (Cue: More maniacal laughter in the background.)
In particular, thanks to – Darkspider (Yes, I am seriously considering that scene you suggested, but I'm still looking for a proper opportunity. I guess I'm as evil as you are. ^_^), SangLeGuira (I guess I have five or so chapters left…including an Epilogue), ARandomWeirdo (Well, the way I envisioned the Ryuzoku, they would have the same lifespan as humans. In Chapter 1, when Frey met Ryuu for the first time, it was mentioned there that he was sixteen. He died at least close to two years after that meeting.), and lilgurlanima (Better late than never ^_^).
Thanks to everyone for reading.
Next chapter: Ryuu's identity is finally revealed! To be posted this coming weekend.
