Warnings: R, 3x4, 1+R, 2+H, 5+S, 13+11, 6+9 - Sap, Angst, Lime, AU
Disclaimer: As always I make no claim to Gundam Wing or any of its characters!
A big thanks to Katie for beta reading this for me!
FALCON'S REVENGE
Part Five - The Dark Goddess
The journey was slow and Quatre could feel his apprehension rising with every step his horse took towards Rebalion. Trowa rode beside him to his left, and even though the ranger said little seemingly content to leave Quatre alone with his thoughts, the lord found his presence comforting and was glad the man had decided to join them.
Wufei rode to the blonde's right, his bearing stiff and his head bowed. Quatre understood the man's dilemma and sought to ease his guilt. 'You could have done little else Wufei. Power you may have but one man cannot prevail against an army, surely you see this?'
The magician laughed softly, a self-mocking sound that wrenched at Quatre's heart, 'I should have died by your father's side my duke, instead I now live on without honour having outlived my lord.'
Quatre moved his stead closer to Wufei's and laid a comforting hand on the man's shoulder, 'My father sent you away because he knew I would need your guidance. Your wisdom far surpasses my own Wufei, you are needed greatly by my people,' Quatre fell silent for a moment before adding quietly, 'and myself.'
The blonde's words seemed to stir something in the magician and the next time the man smiled it was genuine. 'You honour me too highly my lord. I will serve you to the death. I am forever you willing servant.'
Quatre shook his head, startling the Kashion slightly. 'I do not need servants Wufei, I need friends.' The blonde looked out across the vast plains towards the coast. The towering outline of the Winner family's keep no longer dominated the shoreline, only crumbled ruins and rising smoke could be seen from the duchy's capital.
Wufei nodded solemnly placing a hand on the young man's shoulder and murmuring. 'Always Quatre' before both men lapsed back into silence.
Wufei had not been exaggerating when he said that the invading army had burnt the city to the ground. Quatre's party rode into the city through the decimated remains of the Northern gate and were greeted with utter destruction.
The survivors that had managed to escape the city were returning in small groups to search for loved ones and to return to their ruined homes.
Silence fell on the people as the lord's party rode through the gate and Quatre called a halt as soon as they were within the walls. Dismounting Quatre was careful not to overextend himself and risk reopening his wound. Throwing his reigns up to Heero he moved forward into the city, slowly, his eyes missing nothing as he surveyed the destruction.
The others also dismounted, following behind the blonde at a respectful distance. The city folk trailed behind them, more and more people joining the crowd as they wound their way through the ruined city. Quatre paused as he entered the main square, forcing back tears of hatred as he looked down on the remains of his ancestor's statue, which had once stood proudly as the centre of the city.
His eyes narrowed as he bent down the pick up a small piece of the statue. He held it close before throwing it back to the ground.
Wheeling round he turned burning eyes on the crowd of five hundred or so people who stood silently watching him. This was all that was left.his mind screamed at the atrocity. Of a city with a population of over three thousand fewer then a quarter remained.
Climbing up onto the remains of the ruined fountain to give the people a better view, Quatre raised his voice so all could hear. 'My dear people of Rebalion, great evil has befallen our land. An enemy with no discernable reason and no mercy has destroyed our homes and livelihoods and robbed us of our loved ones!' He paused as an angry murmur ran through the crowd.
'I know that when you look around you now all you see is defeat and despair, but I entreat you fair people of Rebalion, do not give up hope, be assured I will not rest until the fiends responsible for this lie dead at my feet.'
Quatre caught the slightly panicked look that crossed Wufei's face but chose to ignore it. 'No Quatre! Anything but that' the magician whispered but Quatre made no indication he had heard the man's words.
Quatre's eyes burned with an unchecked fury as he pulled his sword from its sheath and raised it front of him, the crowd watched him in an awe filled silence, the seemingly quiet and self-effacing young man they knew now stood in front of them radiating command and power.
Quatre raised his voice so it echoed across the square and through the surrounding streets.
'I swear to you my people, with the gods as my witness I make this vow to avenge my father and my people and I pledge my life forfeit if I fail!' Tightening his grip on the sword Quatre held out his left arm raising it above his head so all could see.
'I swear a blood vow against all those responsible for this evil!' In one swift motion the lord brought the blade across his wrist severing the vein, causing blood to fall freely from the wound onto the decimated ruins of the Winner family statue, his voice rising to a near scream as he completed the ritual.
'Never will I rest until all those responsible lay dead on the ground their life blood flowing back into the earth. By the one goddess' will I freely offer her my life and soul in exchange for vengeance against those who do evil against me and mine! I entreat thee one goddess Xenandra answer my call, for my life is now yours!'
His words rang across the city as an eerie silence descended, the sky seemed to darken and a loud rumble of thunder could be heard from above the city. Wufei paled and tried to move to his master's side only to stopped in his tracks as a ring of lightening surrounded the blonde causing a panicked gasp to rip through the crowd.
An echoing voice could be heard from above, a voice both soothing and terrifying, gracious and malevolent, causing a man to want to run away in fear and rush closer both at once.
'Thy heart is true and thy vow noble, young warrior, thou shalt be gifted the power to defeat thy enemies; but remember, always power comes at a great price. Once victory is attained pure one, your life is mine, so Xenandra has spoken and so it shall be. When you have need of me young one call and I will answer thy summons!'
A deafening clap of thunder resounded across the city forcing all except Quatre to their knees. The lightening around the blonde began to spin, closing in on his figure until it converged and Quatre let out a piercing scream of agony as the blots enveloped him before a blinding flash forced everyone to shield their eyes.
As the luminance dimmed Wufei staggered to his feet and ran towards the duke who stood motionless on the shattered fountain, his eyes blank as he stared forward into nothing, Trowa and Heero quickly joined him as the magician sighed and rested his hand on the blonde's forearm.
'Why?' he spat, his anger and frustration clearly visible, 'Quatre why would you do such a thing, there are other things then revenge!'
Trowa frowned at the magician and moved forward to wrap a cloth round the blonde's wounded wrist. 'What was that?' he asked quietly as Quatre began to stir blinking as if just waking from a dream.
'It is an ancient ritual passed down through my people which very few people can use.'
Quatre stopped looking around as if only just remembering where he was. The people looked up at him stunned, their faces a mixture of fear and awe.
Quatre jumped down from the fountain, moving closer to them. 'Do not fear what you have just seen. The goddess has granted me the strength to defeat our enemies and return our home to its former glory. This is my burden to bear and no one else's. No misfortune will befall you for my vow, I promise you this. Trust me in this my people, work to rebuild our city and I will take care or those who have done us this evil. I will make them rue the day they crossed me!'
Silence descended once again before one man who stood in front of the duke lowered himself to one knees and bowed his head. 'Your will, my lord,' he intoned.
Quatre fought back his emotions and remained passive as the rest of the people quickly followed suit and sunk to their knees. Glancing around he saw that Trowa and the others also kneeled with the heads bowed. 'Your will, my lord,' the crowed roared.
'Gods grant mercy to Quatre; Duke of Rebalion!' Wufei called out causing a shout of approval from the people. Quatre smiled and lifted his head to the sky.
'Rest in peace dear Father, I will avenge your death and bring our people back to greatness. I promise!'
TBC.
Disclaimer: As always I make no claim to Gundam Wing or any of its characters!
A big thanks to Katie for beta reading this for me!
FALCON'S REVENGE
Part Five - The Dark Goddess
The journey was slow and Quatre could feel his apprehension rising with every step his horse took towards Rebalion. Trowa rode beside him to his left, and even though the ranger said little seemingly content to leave Quatre alone with his thoughts, the lord found his presence comforting and was glad the man had decided to join them.
Wufei rode to the blonde's right, his bearing stiff and his head bowed. Quatre understood the man's dilemma and sought to ease his guilt. 'You could have done little else Wufei. Power you may have but one man cannot prevail against an army, surely you see this?'
The magician laughed softly, a self-mocking sound that wrenched at Quatre's heart, 'I should have died by your father's side my duke, instead I now live on without honour having outlived my lord.'
Quatre moved his stead closer to Wufei's and laid a comforting hand on the man's shoulder, 'My father sent you away because he knew I would need your guidance. Your wisdom far surpasses my own Wufei, you are needed greatly by my people,' Quatre fell silent for a moment before adding quietly, 'and myself.'
The blonde's words seemed to stir something in the magician and the next time the man smiled it was genuine. 'You honour me too highly my lord. I will serve you to the death. I am forever you willing servant.'
Quatre shook his head, startling the Kashion slightly. 'I do not need servants Wufei, I need friends.' The blonde looked out across the vast plains towards the coast. The towering outline of the Winner family's keep no longer dominated the shoreline, only crumbled ruins and rising smoke could be seen from the duchy's capital.
Wufei nodded solemnly placing a hand on the young man's shoulder and murmuring. 'Always Quatre' before both men lapsed back into silence.
Wufei had not been exaggerating when he said that the invading army had burnt the city to the ground. Quatre's party rode into the city through the decimated remains of the Northern gate and were greeted with utter destruction.
The survivors that had managed to escape the city were returning in small groups to search for loved ones and to return to their ruined homes.
Silence fell on the people as the lord's party rode through the gate and Quatre called a halt as soon as they were within the walls. Dismounting Quatre was careful not to overextend himself and risk reopening his wound. Throwing his reigns up to Heero he moved forward into the city, slowly, his eyes missing nothing as he surveyed the destruction.
The others also dismounted, following behind the blonde at a respectful distance. The city folk trailed behind them, more and more people joining the crowd as they wound their way through the ruined city. Quatre paused as he entered the main square, forcing back tears of hatred as he looked down on the remains of his ancestor's statue, which had once stood proudly as the centre of the city.
His eyes narrowed as he bent down the pick up a small piece of the statue. He held it close before throwing it back to the ground.
Wheeling round he turned burning eyes on the crowd of five hundred or so people who stood silently watching him. This was all that was left.his mind screamed at the atrocity. Of a city with a population of over three thousand fewer then a quarter remained.
Climbing up onto the remains of the ruined fountain to give the people a better view, Quatre raised his voice so all could hear. 'My dear people of Rebalion, great evil has befallen our land. An enemy with no discernable reason and no mercy has destroyed our homes and livelihoods and robbed us of our loved ones!' He paused as an angry murmur ran through the crowd.
'I know that when you look around you now all you see is defeat and despair, but I entreat you fair people of Rebalion, do not give up hope, be assured I will not rest until the fiends responsible for this lie dead at my feet.'
Quatre caught the slightly panicked look that crossed Wufei's face but chose to ignore it. 'No Quatre! Anything but that' the magician whispered but Quatre made no indication he had heard the man's words.
Quatre's eyes burned with an unchecked fury as he pulled his sword from its sheath and raised it front of him, the crowd watched him in an awe filled silence, the seemingly quiet and self-effacing young man they knew now stood in front of them radiating command and power.
Quatre raised his voice so it echoed across the square and through the surrounding streets.
'I swear to you my people, with the gods as my witness I make this vow to avenge my father and my people and I pledge my life forfeit if I fail!' Tightening his grip on the sword Quatre held out his left arm raising it above his head so all could see.
'I swear a blood vow against all those responsible for this evil!' In one swift motion the lord brought the blade across his wrist severing the vein, causing blood to fall freely from the wound onto the decimated ruins of the Winner family statue, his voice rising to a near scream as he completed the ritual.
'Never will I rest until all those responsible lay dead on the ground their life blood flowing back into the earth. By the one goddess' will I freely offer her my life and soul in exchange for vengeance against those who do evil against me and mine! I entreat thee one goddess Xenandra answer my call, for my life is now yours!'
His words rang across the city as an eerie silence descended, the sky seemed to darken and a loud rumble of thunder could be heard from above the city. Wufei paled and tried to move to his master's side only to stopped in his tracks as a ring of lightening surrounded the blonde causing a panicked gasp to rip through the crowd.
An echoing voice could be heard from above, a voice both soothing and terrifying, gracious and malevolent, causing a man to want to run away in fear and rush closer both at once.
'Thy heart is true and thy vow noble, young warrior, thou shalt be gifted the power to defeat thy enemies; but remember, always power comes at a great price. Once victory is attained pure one, your life is mine, so Xenandra has spoken and so it shall be. When you have need of me young one call and I will answer thy summons!'
A deafening clap of thunder resounded across the city forcing all except Quatre to their knees. The lightening around the blonde began to spin, closing in on his figure until it converged and Quatre let out a piercing scream of agony as the blots enveloped him before a blinding flash forced everyone to shield their eyes.
As the luminance dimmed Wufei staggered to his feet and ran towards the duke who stood motionless on the shattered fountain, his eyes blank as he stared forward into nothing, Trowa and Heero quickly joined him as the magician sighed and rested his hand on the blonde's forearm.
'Why?' he spat, his anger and frustration clearly visible, 'Quatre why would you do such a thing, there are other things then revenge!'
Trowa frowned at the magician and moved forward to wrap a cloth round the blonde's wounded wrist. 'What was that?' he asked quietly as Quatre began to stir blinking as if just waking from a dream.
'It is an ancient ritual passed down through my people which very few people can use.'
Quatre stopped looking around as if only just remembering where he was. The people looked up at him stunned, their faces a mixture of fear and awe.
Quatre jumped down from the fountain, moving closer to them. 'Do not fear what you have just seen. The goddess has granted me the strength to defeat our enemies and return our home to its former glory. This is my burden to bear and no one else's. No misfortune will befall you for my vow, I promise you this. Trust me in this my people, work to rebuild our city and I will take care or those who have done us this evil. I will make them rue the day they crossed me!'
Silence descended once again before one man who stood in front of the duke lowered himself to one knees and bowed his head. 'Your will, my lord,' he intoned.
Quatre fought back his emotions and remained passive as the rest of the people quickly followed suit and sunk to their knees. Glancing around he saw that Trowa and the others also kneeled with the heads bowed. 'Your will, my lord,' the crowed roared.
'Gods grant mercy to Quatre; Duke of Rebalion!' Wufei called out causing a shout of approval from the people. Quatre smiled and lifted his head to the sky.
'Rest in peace dear Father, I will avenge your death and bring our people back to greatness. I promise!'
TBC.