Secrets, part 35

Kavi watched Dubhan skeptically. He'd retreated to the far end of the cell, muttering to himself over an hour ago. Now he just huddled in the corner, occasionally twitching. A sudden shout caught the dragon slayer's attention. "Shut up!", screamed Dubhan, clutching his ears. Seemingly angered by whatever voice was whispering to him, he sent a sharp glare toward his captive. "Don't you judge me", he sneered. Kavi simply stared back, unmoved, but curious. Dubhan lunged at him, throttling his throat. "I can see the pity in your eyes! Stop it!" Kavi held his intense gaze despite being strangled. His scales prevented any deep damage to his windpipe. Finally, Dubhan released him. He just stood there a moment until a dark grin crept over his face.

"Do you want to see Blythe?", he asked, his eyes hollow. Kavi coughed briefly, then glared. "Your games won't break me", he stated firmly. Dubhan lilted his head to one side. "I wonder...I took of his little finger, but it had already started growing back by the time the master returned. Do you suppose an entire limb would regrow?", he said, his voice swinging wildly in pitch. He leaned close to Kavi's ear. Whispering, he taunted, "Perhaps I should cut off something more important." He grinned wickedly at the horror on his captive's face. Kavi shuddered with rage. "You sick bastard", he seethed. "Your anger is delicious. I like it", grinned Dubhan, licking Kavi's ear. "Show me more", he whispered, eager to see how far he could push the dragon slayer.

"Enough!", boomed a voice from the door. "To your chambers, false prophet", ordered an old priest. Dubhan froze. He sneered viciously at the man. "We need this one alive. Your master's orders. Now go", said the priest. Two young acolytes stood behind him, their gazes lowered to the floor. "Please, Dubhan...For your health", said a girl in a low tone. The other, a man, added, "You need your rest." To Kavi's intrigue, Dubhan didn't show the same disdain toward the pair as he did the old man. "Still concerned for me, Maria? How touching", said Dubhan in a lackluster tone. "Tomas, you've been slacking. Look how sad she is", he sighed. The duo shuffled nervously. "To your chambers", repeated the priest.

The shadow mage begrudgingly stepped away from his newest toy and quickly faded into the darkness, bypassing the acolytes. "Forgive his behavior. He gets testy when he doesn't sleep enough", sighed the priest, setting a tray of food on the table. Kavi squinted in thought. Those bags under eyes said that he never slept much. "He must not sleep too often", he said coldly. The old man chuckled in response. "I see you're already getting to know him", he replied. He stepped close to Kavi, inspecting the minor wounds that covered his body. "He's going easy on you. Still, we need you in tact if you're going to help us. You see, young man, you're our last bargaining chip with the baron. Having you in hand ensures his loyalty once his mind begins to break", he said. After a dramatic sigh, he turned and shuffled for the door. "Ensure he eats and treat his wounds", he muttered. "Yes, high priest", said the duo in unison.

The door closed and the two came close. The one named Maria knelt sadly before the bound dragon slayer. "I'm so sorry...Dubhan's not a bad person, you know...", she trailed. Kavi doubted his ears and the girl's sanity. Slowly cleansing the marks on his face, she continued, "He does bad things because he's hurt and scared. If you got a chance to know the real Dubhan, you might just be friends", she said, a fallen smile on her face. "You love him?", ventured Kavi. He ignored the sting of the antiseptic, knowing she meant no harm. She nodded shyly. Tomas brought the tray of food over and offered a slice of apple. "We both do", he stated. Kavi glanced between them. Something wasn't adding up. "Unlike you, Dubhan has no preference of the gender of his companions", said Maria, blushing faintly. "He used to lie with both us, sometimes at the same time", added Tomas. Kavi flushed red at what he was hearing.

Deflated, Tomas set the apple back on its plate. "He hasn't been the same since he learned he wasn't the baron", he sighed. "He became fixated with Blythe, swearing it was all his fault. He became a different person...Sure, he'd always had a dark side and some odd tendencies, but - ...", he trailed. Wrapping Kavi's arm, Maria filled in, "Believe it or not, he's never killed anyone...He's just trying to seem intimidating because he thinks that's what Master Yavuz wants." Silence fell over the trio. Tomas again held food out. "Please eat", he said sincerely. Begrudgingly, Kavi accepted the sustenance. He needed his strength. Once he'd been fed and treated, the duo prepared to leave. Maria paused once more as she lifted the tray. "He's not what he seems. If you ever see his room, you'll understand", she said softly. Then, she left. Tomas stayed behind. Kavi glanced at him in question.

"I know you have no reason to believe us, but we're not bad people, either. We were born into this cult. It's all we know. As kids, Maria and I were delighted to be friends with the one we thought was our savior. Even when we learned Dubhan wasn't the blood baron, we still loved him." The dragon slayer kept his silence, unsure what to believe. Tomas smiled faintly. "Maybe this will earn a little trust", he grinned. He quickly traced a symbol in the dirt, leaving just long enough to be recognized before erasing it. Kavi's eyes went wide. "I thought you said the cult was all you knew", he said skeptically. Tomas grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, but my mom came from 'outside'. She told me all about it and made me swear to never reveal her teachings, bu I recognize the same touch of magic in you", he explained. Kavi was torn now. The acolyte had drawn the crest of Avalon in the dirt.

Leaning close, Tomas whispered, "You are touched by Oberon, aren't you?". Kavi quietly nodded. The acolyte grinned. "I'm glad to know there's more than this dank church out there...Mom never explained where she came from, but, for lack of words, she smelled of Avalon...The church holds nothing against mages. Only Noctis does. The partnership was brokered before I was born, so I can't tell you the details, but - ...If you can destroy this place, please do it. This religion is better off a memory. Still, I only ask one favor...Please don't kill Dubhan...When the time comes, I'm begging you to spare him." He kneeled with his forehead to the ground before the dragon slayer. "Your friends are coming. I don't know how, but I can feel it. Maybe it's Oberon's whispers in my dreams. You just have to stay strong. They are coming. I've seen them - fey and humans alike. I've never met a fey, but I know that together, you'll have the power to wipe this place off the map. Maria doesn't know I'm telling you this. She has no idea about Avalon, but she does know that I'm begging on both of our behalf. Please spare Dubhan...Please..."

The desperation in his voice tugged at Kavi's heartstrings. It also made him think of Tanya. "I have no interest in killing another Sandrunner", he said sadly. Unsure of his meaning, Tomas raised his face in question. Still in a groveling posture, he said, "If you take Dubhan away from here, put him in the light away from Yavuz, he may come back. Please, I'm begging you." Despite his hate, Kavi found himself nodding. "I can't speak for my friends, but he won't die by my hand", he stated solemnly. Tomas smiled weakly. "I suppose that's more than I expected from you...You have a big heart...Thank you", said the acolyte. Reaching around Kavi, he did something out of sight, but the instant sensation rushing over the dragon slayer told him exactly what it was. "I've adjusted the setting on your magic destabilizer. You should feel a little stronger now", he stated. Kavi grinned in genuine appreciation. "Yes. Thank you...You'd better go before they catch you", he replied. Tomas nodded and slowly got his feet. Keeping a low bow, he backed his way out the door.

Once he was gone, the locks could be heard sliding back into place. Kavi sighed deeply. What was he supposed to do now? His friends were coming; He knew they would...and of course Jasper would be foolish enough to come in person, but surely Veda would stay in the sanctum...Right? Maybe the tone of 'fey' was misinterpreted. Maybe Tomas had only meant one fey - Jasper. That had to be it. Still, Yona would undoubtedly be with him and that gave the dragon slayer a little comfort.

Elsewhere in the massive underground complex, Dubhan materialized in a dark room. It was small and strewn with research and odd objects, but no bed was anywhere in sight. He sighed as the shadows fell away. "Those idiots", he growled. Why did they still care? Hadn't he cast them away? Knocking several vials to the ground, he shivered as they shattered. A tall mirror stood at the far end of the room. He slowly crept toward it, almost cautiously. Leaning against the frame, he rested his head on his arm. He was so tired.

"It's all right. Go to sleep", whispered a voice. His eye twitched in response. He glared at the mirror, another figure behind him. "You again", he sneered. An ethereal hand rested on his shoulder. "Please rest. Your mind - ", plead the spirit. "Fuck you!", spat Dubhan, spinning around. As always, the entity was nowhere in sight once his gaze left the mirror. "Damn it, Tihanna! I'm not your son! You abandoned me to save that - that - THING!", he shrieked, angry as ever. "You're no mother of mine. Go see your precious Blythe. Maybe he'll care that you're lingering", he said, carefully checking the room for any trace of her ghost. "She's in my mind. Ghosts aren't real. It's just a hallucination from lack of sleep. I should go to bed", he said off kilter, almost laughing.

Once more seeping into the black, his shapeless form slipped into the cracks behind the glass into another hidden chamber. This room was sealed and few knew of its existence, even in the church that once worshiped him. Taking on a solid form, he let the darkness fall away. Taking a deep breath, he sighed happily at the sweet scent in the air. In stark contrast to his previous surroundings, this room was large and quite colorful. He dropped his black robes to the floor, exposing his pale, severely scarred skin. He'd gone through much as a child as the church tried to 'awaken' their savior's powerful blood magic. That, too, he held against Blythe. Still, no one could see the deep scarring here. Once he'd hanged, he strode up a platform on collapsed into a large, luxurious bed. The sweet aroma of the room lulled him into a deep sleep. The few hours he slept, there was no waking him. Even those who knew where to find him could not stir him once he was out. Perhaps one day Kavi would find this place and find out exactly what Maria meant, but, for now, Dubhan's secrets were safe.

Back in Primrose, Yona and the twins were readying their gear. The accompanying members of Fairy Tail stood at the ready. Several yards away, Jasper and Veda spoke in hushed tones. Yona turned just in time to see the naga hug her son goodbye. Surely Veda was worried sick. A fey heading into the heart of Noctis was suicide, after all. Even Wink was hiding emotions he'd long forgotten at the scene. "You sure you can travel?", snorted Yona, "You look like hell." Wink grinned with the good half of his face. "I can't move too well, but that's where your pets come in", he smirked. "We are NOT pets", glared Ronen. Rani sighed. She'd recovered thanks to Wendy, but she was nervous about taking this trip. There was no guarantee it wasn't a trap, especially being directed by an ex agent of Noctis. "Sure, whatever", sighed Wink, ignoring the exceed's fiery eyes. "If you don't want to carry him, we can build a stretcher", offered Erza, trying to keep the peace. "I'm not carrying his ass", stated Yona bluntly.

Rani grinned politely in contrast. "It's all right. Between the three of us taking turns, it won't be so bad. Right, Happy?", she beamed. "Aye!", chimed her fellow exceed. Jasper approached the group. He'd overheard the exchange with his keen ears. "I can carry him if need be. I'm stronger than I look", he said bashfully. "If you're carrying anyone, it'd better be me", stated Yona. He blushed, shying his face from the group. "What?", supplied Yona at the mixed expressions, "He's allowed to touch my ass. Hell, he should do it more often!" Red as ever, Jasper avoiding facing the assembled team. Ronen cleared his throat. His partner was truly hopeless. "Let's just go", he sighed. "Let's", replied Erza, glad to have a change of subject. As they set off, Jasper glanced back one last time to his mother. She was wearing a brave face with Tepin perched on her shoulder in animal form, both waving, but he knew it killed her to let him go. Still, they had little choice. They had to take Blythe and Kavi back.

As the group faded from view, Gray stepped beside Serpent Wing's master. "They'll be all right", he stated, staring after them. Juvia nodded in agreement. "Thank you...I'll be all right. Please, help the others. I need to check on some things", she said in a low tone. The pair watched her slither off toward her room. Wendy stood nearby with Charle in her arms. "Must be checking on that egg again", ventured the sharp exceed. "I hope they all come back all right", sighed Wendy, concerned for her friends. Gray offered a kind grin. "Natsu can be reckless, but he come through when it counts", he said. noticing the looks he was getting, he quickly shifted demeanor. "I mean, Erza's there to keep him in line right?" Seeing the girls wouldn't let it go, he sighed, "Don't tell anyone I said that...Ever." Juvia chuckled. "Gray-sama is so adorable", she beamed. Ignoring her love stricken eyes, he walked passed her. "Come on, we need to make medical rounds", he stated. Wendy nodded and followed suit. It was their job to make sure the guild got on its feet again.

Team four had been treated for their physical wounds. Now only the mental scars remained. Ahiru sat on her knees, cradling Grem's sleeping face in her lap. She stroked the loose strands from his face and sighed. "Cheer up. Hell wake up sooner or later", grinned Hantu. Ahiru nodded, but said nothing. Grem had been out cold since they'd dug him out from the guild's rubble. A few feet away, Acheron pensively stared into the distance. Something was bothering him, but he had yet to share it with anyone. Sighing, he got to his feet and meandered away.

"Are you all right?", asked Wendy, seeing his grim expression. He jumped in surprise that he was even noticed. Most people simply tuned out his sulking. He put on an awkward smile and tried to appear sincere. "I'm fine; Just thinking", he stated. "Liar", said Charle, suddenly appearing on his other side. He glanced at the exceed in speculation. "You came from Edolas, right?", he ventured. Both Charle and Wendy seemed taken aback. Crossing her tiny arms, Charle, replied, "What of it?". Acheron smiled faintly. "What's it like?...I can't remember", he said a little sadly. The girls exchanged glances. "You're from Edolas?", inquired Wendy. He nodded shyly. "Not many people know...even here in the guild...", he trailed. Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his glasses. "Please tell me about it", he asked. "Okay", nodded Wendy, hearing the need in his voice.

They sat away from the others and spoke for some time. Once her tale of Edolas had ended, Wendy waited for a reaction. Acheron seemed to grin to himself as he clutched his knees to his chest. "I see", was all he said. "Have you met your counterpart?", asked Wendy after a brief silence. The smile fell from his lips. "I think so", he replied quietly. "You did. That's why you were asking questions", observed Charle. He nodded, seeing no reason to deny it. Wendy glanced around the scattered mages. "Are they here?", she inquired carefully. Acheron shook his head. "Not any more", he said glumly. Charle sent a questioning look to her partner. Could it be?...

To be Continued...