Secrets, part 36
The advance team had kept a decent pace. They'd covered much ground. Resting for a moment, Pax set her sights on Gajeel. Sitting next to him, she smiled with as much charm as she could muster. "Why so glum?", she ventured. Lily glanced at her in question. She'd said little to them so far. "We're not exactly going on a friendly hike, are we?", replied the dragon slayer stiffly. Lily sighed. His partner was clearly concerned for their friends. "What's your name, cat?", asked the succubus. "Lily", he answered. "Why don't you go chat with Eadmund for a bit? You can talk about swords and stuff", she grinned, eying his weapon. "You might find you have more in common than you think", she chimed, trying to encourage him. He glanced toward his tense friend. "Go ahead", muttered Gajeel, staring into the soil as he leaned onto his knees. Nodding, the exceed quietly made his exit.
Pax grinned to herself and scooted closer to her target. "So, you said your name was Gajeel, right? A dragon slayer?", she began. He nodded, paying little attention. "Which dragon was yours?", she inquired, trying to get closer. "Stay where you are", ordered Gajeel. Pax blinked in surprise at the roughness in his voice. "I know what you're doing and I'm not interested", he stated. Pax crossed her arms and tried to pout. "Can't a girl get any attention around here? Eadmund's dead from the neck down. You looked like fun. Can't blame me for trying", she huffed. Gajeel glared mildly without turning his face. "Jasper warned me about your kind before we left", he said, hiding a smirk. "Like he'd even know. He's never been home. He doesn't know what he's missing...Neither do you", she said, pressing herself against his arm.
She stumbled to catch her balance as he jerked away. Now she was annoyed. "What? You have a girlfriend or something?", she asked. Gajeel shied his face before she could catch sight of the redness. "She doesn't have to know", she grinned, coy as ever. "You'll have to find someone else to play with", he stated firmly, thinking of Levy. Pax got to her feet and sighed. "So stubborn!", she said as she briskly walked away. Lily watched her go with a faint grin. He knew she was trying to get Gajeel alone. "Didn't accept the invitation?", he teased. Gajeel sent him a chilling look. "Very funny", he snorted, grabbing his things. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned", taunted the exceed. His partner sent him a grin, instantly transmitting the image of Levy's ire and both smirked. "Come on", said Lily, shrugging off the situation. Minutes later, the group moved on.
A few miles behind, their friends were making slow progress. Bringing Wink along had cost them speed and time. "You're almost as heavy as Lucy", sighed Happy, getting tired of carrying the fallen sniper. "What was that?!", spat the spirit mage. Yona laughed at their antics. It was a nice relief from the tension. "Cats aren't supposed to talk, so quit your whining", retorted Wink. He hated relying on others, let alone those with magic, but he had no choice in the matter. The entire group came to a halt as Jasper, their leader, stopped dead in his tracks. Sensing something off, Erza followed his gaze to the sky overhead.
"What?", asked Yona, bluntly. "Did you see something?", asked Natsu, having missed whatever caught Jasper's eye. "Nothing", said the incubus quietly. Perhaps his eyes were playing tricks on him. He glanced back toward his friends. All three exceeds were accounted for. Perhaps Charle or Lily were relaying messages. It would explain the shadow he'd spotted. "Whatever it was, it's gone now", stated Erza. Jasper's green eyes settled over the sniper. "Set him down. We're losing time", said the incubus. "We can't leave him here", said Rani, confused. Ronen smirked at his sibling's misunderstanding. "Just watch", he grinned. Happy set Wink on his feet just long enough for Jasper to lift him onto his back.
Wink winced in pain at the tug of his burned skin, but more than that, he felt overwhelmingly awkward. "Put me down!", he demanded. "This will be faster", replied Jasper, calming resuming his prior pace. "I'm not my cousin. I don't enjoy being this close to another dude", snorted Wink. Yona stifled a laugh at the barb toward Blythe. Ignoring his blushing reflex, Jasper said nothing. "Put me down, damn it! Being hauled by the flying cat was bad enough. I don't want something like you touching me", said Wink coldly. That statement stopped everyone's tracks. "Something?", repeated Jasper stiffly. Trying to cut the tension, Erza said, "I'm sure he meant someone."
A darkness settled over Jasper's eyes as he stared ahead. Why was he trying so hard to be nice to a man that had already called him a monster before? Someone who had hurt his family? His thoughts were interrupted by Yona's voice. "Look here, asshole! We could have left you back there easily. You were the one who insisted on coming, so shut the hell up and keep your dumb opinions to yourself!", she shouted. A faint grin crept over Jasper's lips. Despite wanting to simply drop Wink seconds earlier, he carefully set him on the ground. "Ronen, Rani, take him back to the guild. Bringing him was a bad idea", he said softly. The twins nodded as readied their wings. "Hey! I'm not baggage that can shipped, you know! I'm the only one who knows the inside of the base. Without me, you're screwed", said Wink stiffly.
"He has a point", ceded Lucy. Natsu snorted in disagreement. "So what? We'll just crash our way through. Never stopped us before", he grinned. "Blythe is MY cousin, remember?", uttered Wink, emphasizing ownership. "He's our friend, too", said Rani, speaking up. "And soon enough, he'll be my brother", added Jasper. Wink shifted uncomfortably and shied his eyes. "You mean he's marrying the dragon slayer?...Is that even legal?", said Wink, thinking aloud. "Blythe is his own person. He belongs to nobody and everybody. We're wasting time arguing...Jasper, the final decision is yours. Are we bringing him or not?", said Erza, taking control of the situation. The sniper glanced toward his incubus foe, somewhat softening his expression. He sighed loudly. "All right, I'm slowing you down; I get it...Go on. Get Blythe out of there while you can...and your brother, too...", he said, accepting his predicament.
Seeing an open hand before him caught him off guard, especially since it was gray. He smirked as Jasper helped him to his feet and supported his weight. "Good call", was all the incubus said. "All right, enough touchy feely crap", sighed Yona. "Go on, guys. Take him home and hurry back, ok?", she said, grinning toward her companions. The exceeds nodded and flew off with Wink in their tiny arms. "You okay?", asked Natsu. Jasper nodded. "I'm not the one we need to be worrying about. Let's go", he replied. Once more, he headed off, only now he didn't restrain his pace. It was exhausting, but everyone kept up and eventually the twins returned. They would save Kavi and Blythe, no matter what.
Miles away, beneath the earth, Kavi hung his head, irritated he'd been brought under control so easily. He only cooperated for Blythe's sake, but he had no guarantee it would help at all. He always knew when Yavuz was trying to 'wake' his beloved. The screams haunted him. "Don't give up", whispered a soft voice. Kavi opened his eyes and glanced around. He'd seen nor heard anyone enter his cell. Squinting into the shadows, he could just barely make out a human shape. "Dubhan?", he ventured, knowing it clearly wasn't. A faint chuckle washed over him, but unlike Dubhan's psychotic laughter, it was gentle and kind. The figure stepped forward, pausing just outside of the low light surrounding the dragon slayer.
"You're stronger than they know. Blythe knows it, too. You just have to believe it yourself, now", said the voice. "Who are you?", inquired Kavi, unable to piece it together. It was obviously a woman's voice, but the only one he'd met was Maria, and it clearly wasn't hers. "A friend", answered the entity. Taking a serious tone, she sighed. "You have to be strong, Kavi-kun. Blythe needs you more than ever", she pleaded. Kavi stiffened once he realized the person speaking to him wasn't physically there. His faint magic confirmed it. The woman had remained hooded so far, but now she lowered the hood covering her face. Blonde curls spilled forth, framing a pale face with soft, blue eyes. Kavi froze, near breathless. "...Tihanna?", he whispered. She smiled softly. "I see you know me...Please don't be afraid. I'm not here to hurt you", she replied. Kavi's expression shifted to something more relaxed. "You're not really here, are you?", he ventured. She shook her head slowly. "Not physically, no...", she trailed.
Stepping into the light, the transparency of her being showed rather obviously. "Once I died, this is where I came. I remember protecting Blythe, then...Then the next thing I knew, I was standing next to a different crying child...", she said, her voice shaking. "Dubhan", uttered Kavi. Tihanna nodded. "I've been trying to watch over him ever since", she said, pain resounding with each word. Kavi paused, fighting the awkward question, but he couldn't keep it in. "Does Yavuz know?" Tihanna's frail essence froze at that name. "Dubhan tried to tell him once, but he didn't believe him. You're only the second person to ever see me as I am", she explained. Kneeling in front of him, she cupped his face in her frigid hands. "Forgive the sins of my family for bringing you here", she said sincerely. Staring into the pale, blue eyes, Kavi calmed despite the icy sensation of her touch. "I cannot set you free, but if I could, I - ...", she trailed. "I know", he said, grinning faintly.
After a brief silence, Kavi sighed as Tihanna's hands fell away. "I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough tn keep Blythe from here", he stated, depressed. "Don't blame yourself. All of this is my fault, but there is hope. You alone can redeem what's being done here", she said. The determination in her voice caught Kavi's attention. he glanced at her in question. "What do you mean by that?", he asked. He watched her rise and pace in front of him, distraught. "You've heard the screams?", she asked stiffly. A chill ran down Kavi's spine and through his very being. He recalled them all too well. "Yes", he uttered darkly. Pausing her tracks, Tihanna threw herself to the ground, embracing him as tightly as she could. He couldn't hear a heartbeat. "Of course not, she's dead", he thought. He could, however, hear her softly crying. "Please, you have to find a way to stop them", she begged. "What can I possibly do?", he asked, desperate to help.
Tihanna pulled away and softly apologized for making him so cold. "Don't worry", he grinned, "I'm glad you're able to touch me at all...Has Blythe seen you?". She shook her head. "It would be too much for him to bear...Please don't mention our meeting when you finally reunite", she plead. He nodded understandingly. "How can I help?", he inquired, resolved to do anything he could. Tihanna clutched her hands together as if in prayer. "You won't want the details, but - ...", she trailed. Closing her eyes, she sighed deeply. "They're planning something worse than what they've done. Everything so far has been to speed Blythe's healing factors. They're trying to give him the best chance they can, even the high cost of torture, but - ...Soon, the church will demand proof. They'll want to see him truly 'awakened'...", she said, tears flowing. Kavi tensed visibly. "What are they planning to do?", he asked stiffly. The reply shook his very soul.
Tihanna's words seemed to echo through the chamber. Now fighting his own tears, Kavi grit his teeth. "How do I stop it?", he inquired. "You're only chance is an unlikely ally", uttered the ghost, knowing he wouldn't like the answer. "Dubhan?", he asked after minutes of pure silence. She nodded. "Why would he help me?", inquired the dragon slayer, unsure he wasn't hallucinating this entire meeting. "There's only one thing he wants", she stated grimly. "Blythe's abilities...But how could possibly be transferred?...", said Kavi, speaking his thoughts. "No...There's no way Blythe would ever willing give someone like that such power", he uttered, quickly adding, "No offense." Tihanna grinned kindly. "None taken...I wasn't able to save them both. Dubhan's suffering, his fractured mind, all of those sins are mine alone...Blythe is right to withhold such a terrible power from him, but it is possible...Only because of their special circumstances", she explained. "Because they're twins?" She nodded. "That doesn't explain everything", sighed Kavi.
A sound at the door announced someone coming in. "Muttering to yourself already? Lost your wits, have you?", teased the hall guard. Kavi grinned sheepishly to himself. The guard couldn't see or hear Tihanna. "It's a steep cliff for all of us. Even you", he smirked, adding to the illusion of madness. The guard shook his head. "Well, at least Dubhan will be happy to see your descent", he mumbled as he locked the cell once more.
"You're a skilled actor", said Tihanna. Kavi blushed faintly at the compliment. If she only knew how little of a stretch it was, maybe she wouldn't pin her hopes on him. "When the time calls for it", he sighed. "Tell me what to do. How can I save him?", he plead. Tihanna's gaze softened further at the desperation in his tone. He truly loved her son. "Blythe chose well when he fell in love with you. Look after him for me, won't you?", she said, nostalgia in her eyes. "I swear it", stated Kavi. "Now please...Tell me how I can help." She nodded and his mind filled with whispers and images. He trembled lightly as the experience ended. When he opened his eyes, she was gone. Her voice lingered briefly, saying, "You know what you have to do...You promised..."
Steeling his nerves, Kavi took a deep breath, preparing for the performance of a lifetime. "Guard!", he called. A slot on the door opened. "What now?!", spat the man. "I wish to speak to your priest", he stated firmly. He could sense the man smirking, even if he couldn't see it. Still, since Tomas adjusted the device dampening his magic, he could use his abilities to map the immediate area even without light. "All right. I'll tell the good father you want to confess your sins. That oughta stir the old man", grinned the guard. The slot closed and Kavi waited. Could he pull it off?
Hours passed. Dubhan stretched deeply with a loud yawn. He sat up in his plush bed and glanced around. That's right, he was alone in his own little world. No Maria, no Tomas, no anyone. He grinned as he remembered times he'd shared here with those two, but they had to pushed aside. He had other, more important, things to do than play with his former lovers. The bags below his eyes were still dark, but he never slept for long. His mind wouldn't let him. Rolling out of bed, he tread down the steps to a vanity mirror. Various objects littered the dresser itself. Plopping into the seat, he leaned on the dresser and looked at his reflection. No Tihanna? Then he was safe.
Sighing, he untied his long hair and brushed it out, smiling faintly at himself. No one could see him like this. No one! He'd tried to hide this side of himself even from his lovers, but somehow they knew. Still, they never abandoned him. That thought both warmed him and sickened his stomach. It wasn't love, it was lust. Everyone had agreed...But then why did they linger after him? Casting the thoughts aside, he slammed his hairbrush down. Tying his hair back once more, he sighed. He glanced at the clothes he never showed anyone, clad on his body. He calmed at the sight of them. His gaze narrowed as his eyes settled over a piece of frayed lace. When did that happen? "Pity...This one was so comfortable", he mumbled. Tossing the garment aside, he dressed in his black ninja like garb. Wrapping his arms took time, but it effectively hid his scars. He didn't want anyone to see them. Then they'd know he was vulnerable, just like the rest of them.
Dubhan paused as he finished wrapping his left arm. He glared at his wrist - the one scar he'd caused himself. Even in that feeble attempt, he'd failed. Why? Why couldn't he ever succeed at what he wanted? Even trying to die had eluded him. Now he took all that pain and hate and pinned one person - Blythe. It had to be someone's fault, so why not the man that had stolen his destiny as blood baron? Sure, Tihanna was partly to blame, as were all the people that hurt him in the past, but Blythe he truly despised. He'd lived a carefree life out there in the real world, free from the chants and the torment. At least, that's what he thought. He had no idea about what Blythe had gone through his entire life. Maybe if he did, he wouldn't hate him quite so much.
He roughly finished off the blackened bandage, covering his wrist. Then, his right arm. Now fully clad in his trademark black clothing, he stared back at the nightclothes he'd tossed away. If he could, he'd wear that kind of thing all of the time, but there was no way he could. Not with his position in both Noctis and the church. People expected too much of him...Yavuz expected too much... So, clinging to his madness, Dubhan put on a broken smile. It was time to play with his favorite new toys again. After all, Kavi and Blythe were waiting.
To be Continued...