Chapter Seven—Labyrinth

Written by Azreal (aka Blight)

pippin_elf@yahoo.com

or

horde_king@yahoo.ca

http://www.geocities.com/horde_king/index.html - This has my creepier stories on it. Weird shit.

OR

http://www.geocities.com/dominus_pestilence/lordpestilence1.html - I got my drawings on this site!

Disclaimer: You know the drill. Blah, blah, blah, they aren't mine BLAH!!!

Warnings: Some swearing, AU, weird shit…

Chapter Seven—Labyrinth

Upon returning to camp, Duo abruptly told the others that they were leaving.

And they were leaving NOW.

"But…what way are we going?" Quatre asked, stunned at the sudden change in his odd friend, who now had a fire in his eyes, a bounce in his step, and an aura that blazed with determination. Heero and Trowa immediately became alert, and watched the braided boy with interest.

"We're going to China," Duo declared as Shinigami shrilled her agreement. "And we're going to find Wuffie's weapon." The abrupt change in Duo was immediately noticed by the others, and caught like wildfire. Heero's eyes gleamed with respect and, for some reason, pride. Trowa's aura changed dramatically from melancholy to pleased and excited.

Wufei's chin lifted and the whining he had previously been engaged in stopped. His back went straight and his shoulders stiffened. "My name is Wufei, Duo," the dark youth said, indignant and slightly annoyed, yet pleased that Duo seemed back to normal, whatever normal was for him. He turned his nose up at the smaller boy. "It would be wise for you to be more respectful to a Prince."

"Last time I checked, you were an exiled Prince whose father wants dead," Duo calmly replied as he walked past Wufei, a smirk on his face. Picking up his scythe from where he had left it before, Duo swung the weapon over his shoulder and leaped on Shinigami's back. The demonicorn whinnied loudly as she pranced about, ready to be off. Duo threw the others a significant look. "Shall we?"

Quatre grinned, leaping on Sandrock's back as the small stallion trotted swiftly to where Shinigami stood. "As ready as we'll ever be!" the blonde replied cheerily. He dimly noticed that the second Duo's mood improved the rest of the boy's collective mood did the same. Not bothering to wonder about that, though, Quatre also gave their companions a look similar to Duo's. "You guys coming or what?"

The other three blinked.

"Hai!" Heero announced, leaping onto Wing's back to follow.

"Yes!" Wufei added, climbing on Shenlong.

'Of course,' Trowa said, as he mounted Heavyarms.

Duo grinned. "Great! Then let's head down to the Labyrinths and get the fuck outta here! I want to get this mission over with as quick as possible." The five steeds and riders vanished into the forest once more, though none of them noticed a deep black, very large crow following closely behind and above them, beady eyes never missing a single movement of any of them.

* * * * * * * * * * *

It was three hours later when the five reached the edge of the forest, and the beginning of Duo's city. The sight of three large, mangy dogs with extremely sharp-looking teeth waiting for them, tails wagging slightly greeted them. Duo's smile faltered for a moment then came back strong. Looking down at the dogs he scratched ones head.

"Hey there, Mishi," he said softly. The dog whined softly, tail wagging even harder. Duo smirked. "You knew we were coming, didn't you?" The dog barked. "You're taking a pretty big risk, you know. Shindoshi could have gotten you." If it could have, the dog would have shrugged insouciantly. Duo chuckled. "All right, let's get down to the seventh level before Freak Boy shows up."

All three of the mangy canines turned and trotted off along the edge of the city, the five boys and their steeds following close behind. They soon came to a set of double gates that looked to be made of iron and stone. Putting his hand on the door, Duo closed his eyes for a moment.

Slowly, the two heavy gates opened, creaking loudly in the odd silence of the deep night that had befallen the world. Dust billowed out in a cloud of hot air, along with a nasty stench that made all the boys cover their noses in disgust. The hallway within was a deep black, and nothing could be seen within except for a soft glow from deep within the belly of it.

Quatre made a face. "We have to go in there?" he asked, disgusted. Duo nodded, wrinkling his nose in distaste.

"Yep. These are the gateways to the Labyrinth, and then we have to go even deeper to get to the seventh level."

"Ick."

"Doubly."

Reaching into the darkness, Duo plucked a torch from a clip in the wall. Closing his eyes for a moment, the torch came to life, a bright orange flame flickering in the thick, hot wind that came from the depths of the cave. The others were surprised, but didn't question the braided boy as he followed the mangy dogs into the corridor, a bright glow from the torch lighting the way. Shinigami was right behind him, wings folded against her body as her cloven hoofs clattered against the dust-covered floor.

Shrugging the rest of the group followed. The gates banged shut behind them, a loud boom that echoed far and deep into the caverns before them in the darkness. Heero and Wufei both had their hands on the hilts of their swords, and were looking around warily. Quatre stayed close to Trowa, who edged closer to Duo and Shinigami, who gave them a curious glance before looking ahead once more. Shenlong, Wing, Heavyarms and Sandrock took up positions around the five boys, almost like honor guards. Their hoofs beat softly against the dusty floor as they walked, human and animal alike warily scanning their surroundings as they moved further and further into the belly of the beast.

And still, none of them had seen the crow slip in right before the door closed, flying above them on silent wings as its eyes bored into them like invisible daggers.

* * * * * * * * * *

Quatre was nervous.

Of course, he had every reason to be.

Beyond the light of the torch was utter darkness, a wall of night that seemed impenetrable, except for where the torchlight cut it like a blade. The floor creaked and popped loudly beneath their feet, and their footsteps (or hoof beats, in their mount's cases), echoed like thunder in the long corridor, which had (some time ago) turned into a twisting stairwell. The horrendous smell of decay and ancient rot grew as they descended deeper into the Labyrinth, and the air grew warmer and drier with each passing step. It was difficult to breathe, and the blonde found himself sweating profusely not an hour into their midnight journey into the deep. Every now and then he heard the odd flapping of wings and low growls, as well as moans, echoing throughout the darkness beyond the torchlight. Not to mention that Sandrock was as jittery as a cockroach, which didn't help Quatre's nerves either. The small stallion was usually as calm and gentle as a summer's day, but the entire time since they had entered the Labyrinth he had been nervous and jumpy.

Quatre didn't blame him. He felt the same way.

Pressing himself up against Trowa's side, Quatre leaned against the taller boy in an effort to gain emotion support, even if it was silent. None of the boys had spoken much since they entered the seemingly forsaken place they were in. It seemed almost…blasphemous, and they were all frightened to some degree.

Looking down at the blonde, Trowa wrapped an arm around his koi's shoulders, squeezing gently. Quatre smiled up at him, and once again Trowa was struck by how beautiful the blonde was. He thanked the gods that he was lucky enough to have survived long enough to meet him. He just hoped they survived long enough to spend the rest of their lives together.

Wufei and Heero walked side by side, shoulders pressed firmly together. Over the time Wufei had joined their group, the two had become extremely close. They understood the way the other worked and thought, and they found comfort in each other. They were both capable warriors, and neither thought the other weak, though they often sought to protect each other from danger for fear of one losing the other. They had much in common, but at the same time they were exceedingly different.

Wufei was a great believer in justice and honor, and while Heero supported both, he was not as bent on them as the Chinese youth. Still, both were content in knowing they both had one other thing in common, besides the fact they were both warriors, Princes, and on a journey to save the world.

They were both extremely attracted to Duo.

Having discussed their feelings for each other once before (on a sleepless night three weeks before having come upon the City of the Dead and the Shi no Senshi), the two had decided upon a slight relationship. Unlike Trowa and Quatre, they didn't believe in throwing themselves into things like love headfirst. They were taking it slow, and had both agreed that if things didn't work out, they would remain friends. However, their relationship had grown in the time they had known each other, even more so since they fought against a common enemy together, guarding the other's back when needed.

Now that they had met possibly one of the most beautiful creatures either had ever seen (besides each other, that is), they were re-thinking their relationship. They still dearly cared for and, possibly, loved each other and yet they were attracted to the braided boy who was a lot older than he seemed. They hadn't had much of a chance to discuss things, but both had managed to communicate with the other one what they wanted.

They wanted each other.

They wanted Duo.

The solution?

Share.

Neither of them had discussed it with the braided boy, but Duo had noticed that the both of them were casting him lustful and longing glances at him, as well as at each other. He didn't know exactly what it was they were thinking, but there was a kindling of hope in his chest.

He had seen Trowa and Quatre together, as in lovers, before. He could tell love when he saw it, and the two had it bad. He also saw it in Wufei and Heero's eyes, but when they looked at him…

Well, Duo didn't really know what to think. He could tell that Heero and Wufei loved each other, but they kept looking at him in a lustful way and he wondered why. The braided boy found both of them extremely attractive, and while he found it incredibly strange that all five of them were homosexual (coincidence? I think not…), he realized that he wanted to be a part of their relationship. He wanted what they had, and it wasn't just because he had never experienced love before.

He wanted them.

He wanted their personalities always around them, wanted their physical forms. Everything about Wufei and Heero, Duo liked. Although he felt that Wufei could tone down on the justice and honor rants a little bit, he liked the dark boy a great deal.

Shaking his head against the rambling thoughts in his head, Duo's sharp eyes caught sight of another door in the wall, hidden in the darkness. He smiled as the dogs moved toward it, out of the light and into the dark. Waving the others over, he stood in front of the small door, the light of the torch illuminating the symbol engraved in the thick wood.

"This is the gate to the seventh level," he whispered to the others once they had gathered around them. "There are a few more after it, and we've passed through a bunch already. So we should be as safe as we can be from Shindoshi if we go through here." He paused, almost nervously. "I gotta tell you guys, though. What you're gonna see in here, isn't gonna be pretty. Everything, and I mean everything that lives, or rather dwells, in the city is down here. From animals to…what used to be humans, among other things that never were human nor animal." He gave the others a hard look as the dogs wilted slightly, whining. "Some of those things will be after your blood. They'll be after mine, too. We have to be really careful in here, and not get caught off guard, or we may as well have waltzed through the city to say hi to Shindoshi face to face. You got me?"

The others nodded, fear in their eyes, yet an explicit trust given to the braided boy to keep them safe. Duo nodded sharply. "Hang on to your horses, because they're good targets too." Each of the mounts all moved slightly closer to their masters, nickering fearfully. Shinigami snorted disdainfully, flinging her head high in defiance, as though to tell them that she had been here before and feared nothing. Duo snorted. "You guys all right?"

Heero and Wufei nodded.

"As right as we'll ever be," Quatre meekly replied, clutching Trowa's arm with one hand, and Sandrock's reins in the other. The taller boy nodded curtly.

'Let's do this,' he said gravely.

"Out of the frying pan and into the fire," Duo muttered as he placed his hand on the door and pushed.

* * * * * * * * * *

The sight that greeted them several hours, four more doors, three sets of winding stairs and several bat-scares later was, to four of the five boys, surreal.

Like some sort of demented slum city, the Labyrinth was nothing like what any of the boys had ever seen in their entire lives. Fifty-foot high ceilings made of crumbling stone and woodwork, spider webs weaved into every possible crevice and hole, broken and decayed flooring that was covered in slimy mould that crawled up the walls like some sort of disgusting plant creature, a scent of decay and smoldering flesh, air so hot and heavy that it nearly knocked all of them on their asses when they walked in, and the continuous rustling of rotted clothes and flesh rubbing against flesh all served to create a surreal atmosphere in which the boys had unwillingly entered.

All of that, and not including the beasts and creatures that shuffled about in the twisting and winding corridors and rooms that could be seen, and even the ones that remained hidden. Malformed, extra-limbed humans shuffled by, casting the boys longing glances before moving along, sunken eyes displaying a misery few have seen before. Animals with limb-less bodies, animals that didn't have fur that should have, humans with fur, humans so malformed that they didn't look human, and creatures that were so far beyond anything they had ever seen cast hateful, longing, baleful or sorrowful looks at the boys and their steeds as they passed through the throng of shifting, stinking, rotten-clothed bodies.

Quatre grimaced, but didn't say anything. The creatures were definitely sentient, and he didn't want to bring the whole place down on them by making a comment about the creature's appearances. So he clung to Trowa while clutching Sandrock's reins in a death-grip. He felt Trowa tense beside him, and knew the taller boy felt the same way.

Wufei wanted to puke. The stench of the Labyrinths was almost overwhelming, not to mention the god-awful HEAT. The air was stuffy and thick with decay, and the nasty rubbing of flesh against flesh as the creatures milled about was beyond unnerving. Shuddering, Wufei edged closer to Heero, whose eyes flickered nervously from side to side, as though expecting an attack.

They moved through the Labyrinths at a fast pace, Duo eyeing the malformed creatures with sorrow and pity. Every so often one of them would approach, moaning at the braided boy in pain and misery. Shinigami would step into its path, snarling, and the creature would back off, whining piteously. Duo would sigh, closing his eyes against the sight of his people turned to such wretched creatures, moving forward and not looking back.

And still, none of them saw the crow that flew above, heavy black wings flapping in the stillness of the air.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The five boys managed to get through the Labyrinth without incident, except for a few of the creatures trying to take a bite out of Shenlong's tail and legs, to which the mare had promptly kicked them. Nothing had bothered them after that.

They came to another set of gates, these ones leading outside. All five of the boys, including their mounts, were exhausted. Going down a flight of stairs was easier than going up, especially when the stairs seemed to never end and went maybe a thousand feet up. Standing before the gates, Duo put the torch he still held into another clip on the wall. He grinned wearily at the others.

"Well, we made it!" he announced, trying to sound cheerful. Everyone else just groaned. Duo chuckled as he placed his hand on the gates, which swung open with loud creaking and a cloud of dust.

Coughing from the dust, the five boys and their mounts left the darkness and entered the night outside, shielding their eyes from the dust and dirt that billowed out. As they left the great corridor, Shinigami abruptly snorted and stamped her feet, neighing shrilly at the sky. Duo looked up, and his eyes widened.

A great horde of…creatures, not unlike the ones that had accompanied Dorothy Catalonia before, stood before them, growling. Their red eyes flashed in the darkness, and their bodies shifted about as they paced, watching the five boys as they hissed and snarled and growled.

Duo, Heero, Wufei, Quatre and Trowa all stared, disbelieving, as a human shape moved forward through the throng of beasts, and a low, sultry chuckle came to heir ears. "I told you I'd be back," Dorothy snidely told them.

Heero sneered. "What a pleasure," he said, sarcasm dripping in his voice.

"It's good to see you," Wufei said. "NOT!" He added.

"I've never been happier," Duo growled. Quatre and Trowa remained silent, though both were glaring daggers at the blonde. Dorothy laughed.

"Did you really think I would let you get away?" she asked, sneering at them. "Of course not! I have been bidden to destroy all of you, and I will perform the wishes of my master!"

"Let me guess, he fucks good and that's why you're fighting us?" Duo snarled, raising his scythe as Heero and Wufei drew their swords, tensing for battle despite their exhaustion. Duo frowned to himself. We're too tired to fight, and she knows it. We can't fight like this, we'll lose!

Dorothy snarled at him. "NO, you fool! He is my master and I do his bidding!" She sneered cruelly. "You're people should know what it's like…"

Duo's eyes flared. "You goddamn cunt—"

Dorothy drew her sword, and pointed it at the braided boy. "Come then, girly-man," she hissed, eyes flashing. "Bring it on."

Duo raised his scythe, forgetting his fatigue the instant she had hit him where it hurt most—his curse, and his people. NOBODY fucks with his people.

Nobody.

The two leapt for each other, eyes blazing and mouth open, feral screams ripping from their throats as their weapons clashed, sending bright sparks of green and red light shattering the air. Muscles bunching and tensing as they fought to gain the upper hand, thrusting their weapons together in fury, the two combatants neither noticed the dark shapes coming up from the corridor behind them, or the crow that led them.

The demons shrieked as began to charge for the remaining four boy, but Shinigami suddenly blocked their way. Screaming monstrously, the demonicorn began to glow the same green as Duo's eyes, and she bared very long, very sharp fangs. Wings spread out and tail lashing the demonic mare lowered her head, pointing her dagger-like horn at the demons, hissing like a snake. Wing, Heavyarms, Sandrock and Shenlong joined her, standing in a row like a blockade to protect their masters and friends with Shinigami leading them.

As the steeds faced off against the demons and Duo and Dorothy battled, Quatre had a suddenly overwhelming feeling in his chest. Gasping, he clutched his shirt and dropped to his knees. The rage and fury he could feel coming from…somewhere, was terrifying. It swelled and beat with a thousand hearts, saw with a thousand eyes, touching with thrice as many hands and wailed from a thousand voices. Anger and fury from thousands upon thousands of creatures swelled and deflated, like the ocean tides, as whatever was coming drew closer with every step.

The blonde was only vaguely aware of Trowa and Heero yelling at him, as he turned his head, the rest of his body following, to look behind them. His eyes grew ever larger and his heart nearly stopped at the sight of…

"Great Gideon!" he whispered, shocked. The other three boys turned, and their jaws dropped open in surprise and shock.

Before their very eyes, filling the gates and the corridor to the brim, were the people of the City of the Dead. The mutants, animals, half-human creatures that were hiding in the Labyrinths from Shindoshi, that the five boys had passed during their trek through the tunnels stood before them, snarling and growling, or moaning in anger. Everything about them was angry, and their auras blazed with pure rage, directed at Dorothy and her demon minions.

The demons halted in their attack as Shinigami and the others moved out of the way, and the two hordes stared at each other, growling and hissing angrily.

Trowa dragged Quatre out of the way, with Heero and Wufei right behind them, swords drawn against both sides. The blonde tugged on Heero's shirt, and the young Prince looked at him, frowning.

"Hai?"

"Heero, they won't hurt us," Quatre whispered, pointing to the horde in the gateway. "I can feel it. Their anger isn't directed at us. Put down your sword."

Heero frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Please, Heero."

The prince sighed, but sheathed his sword. Wufei stared at him. "Heero! What are you doing?" he demanded.

"Wufei, put down your sword," Heero ordered softly, watching as the malformed creatures of the Labyrinth moved toward them, eyes boring holes into the demons behind the boys.

"Are you crazy! We'll be killed!" Wufei snarled, backing away from the creatures. Heero grabbed his wrist as he was about to start swinging his sword, and Wufei looked at him surprised and afraid.

"I trust Quatre. Put down your sword."

Wufei looked from the dark-haired boy to the blonde, who pleaded with his eyes. Heero was asking him to trust Quatre by putting away his sword. If he didn't, the blonde would not trust him, which meant disaster. Besides, Heero was asking something great of Wufei, and the black-haired boy didn't want to let his lover down.

He sighed, shoulders slumping. "Very well, Heero." He sheathed his sword as well, casting a look at Quatre. "But I hope you're right." The blonde smiled.

"I know I'm right," he whispered, watching as the creatures moved toward them, parting into two waves as they shuffled past, growling. Wufei swallowed, pressing his back against Heero, who wrapped an arm around him.

"By the gods," Wufei whispered as the thousands of creatures began to slow pass them, intent on the demon horde of Dorothy Catalonia.

Speaking of which…

* * * * * * * * * *

"You stupid bitch!!"

"How dare you!"

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled as the two teens clashed, their weapons sending bolts of lightning rocketing off the earth when they slapped each other, creating a sickening crack! sound when they impacted.

Duo raised his scythe above his head, and with a battle cry, lunged for Dorothy. She ducked out of the way, cackling madly as she swung her sword, the braided boy barely blocking the attack in time to save his head. Duo snarled. He was tiring, getting weaker by the moment. He wasn't in any shape to battle, not after the non-stop walk through the Labyrinth with little food and no water. Gasping for breath, Duo took a fighting stance again, growling.

"Don't you ever talk about my people like that again!" he snapped. "You don't know anything about nothing!"

Dorothy hissed. "Stupid boy, do you really believe you can defeat me? You are exhausted! I may as well have won this battle already!" Duo growled.

"In your dreams, bitch!" He lunged for her again, and was flung away against the wall. He cried out in pain, grabbing his shoulder and hissing through clenched teeth. Dorothy laughed as she advanced, sword held high.

"Duo!" a voice yelled. The braided boy managed to turn and see who had yelled his name. It was Quatre. "Duo, you have to run!"

"Look out!" Wufei screamed.

Duo looked, and his eyes widened as Dorothy's sword came swinging toward him, intent on chopping off his head. Before he had time to move, or even blink, a black shape came between them, screeching in fury.

GET OUT OF HERE MAXWELL.

Duo blinked. What the—?

FLEE. NOW!

A huge black crow had come between them and was now screaming and pecking at Dorothy's head, wings beating at her mercilessly as she yowled in rage and surprise.

TAKE YOUR FRIENDS AND RUN.

"Great Eurynome," Duo whispered. That voice sounded like…

Duo leaped to his feet, wincing at the pain in his shoulder. "Shinigami!" he yelled, letting out a shrill whistle. The demonicorn screamed, charging through the fighting demons to get to him. Leaping up on the steed's back, Duo laid his scythe across his lap and waved to the other four boys. "We're getting the hell outta here!" he screamed. "COME ON!!"

Heero, Trowa, Wufei and Quatre hesitated only an instant before leaping on the backs of their respective steeds. Wing screamed and spread his wings, leaping into the air and soaring over the battling beasts towards Duo and Shinigami, who was prancing about on her toes, growling. Heavyarms neighed loudly and followed Wing into the air, hoofs sparking against invisible ground. Shenlong and Sandrock both darted and leaped gracefully through and over the combatants like living shadows, weaving in and out of the throng without once touching any of the beasts.

They joined up with Duo as lightning flashed between the beasts, a red mist enveloping the hordes as they clashed. A cacophony of horrific sounds came from their red-lined throats as blood spurted and flesh flew in great clumps all over the dusty ground, dead grass being trampled further beneath misshapen feet.

Shinigami reared back, spreading her wings as she screamed loudly. Duo's voice rose over the bleating, moaning and howling of the fighting hordes, filled with excitement and fear. "We gotta get out of here! Come on!"

Dorothy shrieked in rage as the crow continued to claw at her head. She waved her arms wildly, trying to fight it off as the five boys rode past her at top speed, dust and sparks flying from the hoofs of their steeds, nostrils flaring and manes and tails flying back. They galloped by, barely glancing her way as they headed for the trees surrounding the City of the Dead, leaving behind the demons and misshapen creatures as well as Dorothy.

Not once did any of them glance back. Had they, they would have seen the crow rip off half of Dorothy's face. Yet they did hear her scream of pain and rage, and the crow's triumphant call as they sped through the night, towards Wufei's homeland and the next weapon.

To be continued…

Yes I know, this chapter kinda sucked. But I had to do it, to get them out of the city and through the Labyrinth, not to mention why Dorothy really, really wants them dead later. Also, the significance of the crow, who will show up again later. Confusing, but it will all come around in the end. ^_^ Hope you guys liked it! Drop me a line or review! I thrive on that stuff! Take care all!