Disclaimer: I own nothing. Good enough?

AN/ Hullo All! I'm here to assure you that despite popular belief, and regardless of what festivities you may have planned, I am still, ALIVE!! And guess what? I'm updating! Part three and perhaps Part four of Dark Paradox will be out sometime this week, if not tonight, and maybe even a new chapter of Open Road! Oh, I know, please hold your applause, just throw money. . .*ahem* Anyway, this chapter begins to earn a PG-13 rating, with all its disturbing Dilly goodness, Yay! Still too short though, ah never mind. . . Read & Review and as always, Enjoy!



Part Three - Vicious

Cut. Thrust. Block. Thrust. The cold steel whipped through the air, its wielder's amazing speed making the lethal blade seem only a blur to anyone watching the incredible display. After the incident in the garden earlier that morning, Allen had strode silently into his large chambers on the upper floor of the Schezar family manor and changed into a pair of simple black breeches and a plain white cotton shirt. Fastening his sword back on its proper spot at his waist, Allen had made his way down the winding stone staircase to the fairly large room on the main floor of the house, which he had designated his for practice. Entering the sparse room, Allen slid his sword quietly out of its scabbard, the soft 'Shwing' of the steel leaving its case a strange comfort in his ear. Placing the scabbard on the lone wooden bench in one corner of the stark room, Allen began his deadly dance. Lunge. Slice. Block. Cut. Thrust. Block. All time seemed to stop, with Allen releasing all of his rage and sadness, all of the negative emotions which had plagued his mind for the past year, into the heated battle with his invisible foe. When he finally stopped to rest, a quick glance out one of the tiny windows in the room told him it was already late afternoon. He had been at this for hours, and now his body decided to prove that to him. As he bent slowly to retrieve his scabbard from its resting place, Allen's muscles screamed in protest, causing a slight wince to contort his somber face.

"I'm not as young as I used to be. . ." He muttered as he trudged slowly back to his rooms, every step sending a jolt of pain to one part of his body or another and causing his sweat marked brow to furrow slightly. "Ugh. . ." He sighed as the oaken door to his chambers creaked open, reveling the surprising simple furnishings within. Dark wooden floors, forest green walls and darker green curtains, with a subdued pattern of golden leaves clearly visible on the latter, set the comfortable, cozy feel of the rooms.

The main, or sitting room, had a large grey stone fireplace against the far wall, and a small bookcase opposite, which was filled with old leather bound books and nicknacks. Surrounding the fireplace was a small cream coloured sofa with a light green pattern of swirling leaves adoring the cushions, a set of two burgundy armchairs with a small wooden table between them, and, slightly apart from the rest, a large, rather worn looking, brown leather wingback chair with a matching ottoman. Removing his sword and its scabbard from his hip and placing it carefully on the stand beside the bookcase, Allen collapsed awkwardly into the leather chair, giving a sigh of relief as he melted into the soft leather seat. Stretching his long legs, Allen kicked of his boots and placed his tired feet gently on the ottoman. Convincing himself that he would only rest for a moment, Allen settled back, and slowly closed his deep blue eyes. . .

----------- Flash -----------

"Brother!" A small voice yelled. Allen turned his head to the voice, only to be knocked to the ground by an unseen force, "Brother!" came the voice again, its source the small girl, looking about fifteen years old, who had pinned him to the grass. Her bright blue eyes shone in the sunlight, and her curly blond hair rustled in the warm breeze.

"Celena," Allen mused quietly as he stared at the young girl sitting on his chest. Suddenly a look of pure joy washed over his confused face, as he embraced his sister tightly. Jumping to his feet, Allen whirled around, continuing the embrace as Celena's joyous laughter filled the quiet landscape. Allen gently set is sister back on her feet, eyes never leaving her smiling face. "Celena!" he said again, a huge grin talking over his features.

"Come on, Brother!" The young girl cried as she turned and dashed through the tall grass and the small blue and purple flowers of the field. The wind whipped her pale pink dress as she flew over another low hill, towards a large ash tree in the middle of the large field. Allen paused only for a moment to stare at the retreating back of the young girl before racing to catch up. Turning once to see her brother rapidly gaining on her, Celena laughed gleefully, quickening her pace as she flew over the last hill toward the lone tree. Allen, seeing her speed increase, pushed himself faster, farther up the hill. He lost sight of her as she crested the bank, but as he crossed the top himself, he realized that he could not see her at all. Eyes darting frantically around the field, Allen felt a wave of panic raise in his stomach and into his throat. He could not loose her, not again. Continuing his frantic search, Allen jerked his head around suddenly to the sound of a woman's scream in the direction of the large tree. Sure enough, there was Celena, standing beneath the branches of the massive tree, not 15 feet away. But she was not alone. Standing there behind his terrified sister, was Dilandau Albatou in his blood red armor. Fierce crimson eyes locked on Allen's horrified face, an evil grin contorting his features, the malicious young man had a long, wicked looking dagger, pressed to Celena's pale neck with one hand, and was gently stroking her soft cheek with the other. The poison in his eyes and the fear in Celena's caused Allen to take a tentative step toward the two, reaching for a sword that was not there. A slight gasp from his sister made him stop suddenly, as he saw small trickle of blood run slowly down her slender neck, staining the collar of her dress a deep vermillion. As Dilandau raised his venomous eyes to meet Allen's once again, a low chuckle emanated from deep in the monster's chest.

"Now, now Allen Schezar," the boy began tauntingly, "Look what you've made me do." Another deep chuckle, as Dilandau turned his gaze to the frightened girl in his grasp. "Hello again. . ." He said, tilting her head with his free hand, causing their eyes to meet, rubies to sapphires, a look of mock concern on his face, "Did you miss me?" he paused, gaze shifting once again, this time to the trickle of blood flowing down his captive's neck. "I've missed you," he continued removing his hand from her head to wipe the dark trail from her pale skin, and then bringing his blooded fingers to his lips, "Hmmmm. . ." he sighed, tilting his head back slightly, his vicious eyes closing for a split second, long enough for Allen to begin a rush forward. Two strides and Dilandau's eyes snapped open, glaring at the approaching Allen. His grip tightened on the petrified girl, causing her to cry out in pain as the blade dug deeper into her soft flesh. "I don't think your brother has learned his lesson my dear," Dilandau said, vile grin returning to his face, "How unfortunate. . ."

Hearing this, Allen skidded to a halt, "No Dilandau. . ." he began, his voice pleading, "Please. . ." Panic began to fill Allen's eyes, replacing the anger that was once there.

"Why Allen, you look genuinely terrified," Dilandau's smile grew as he spoke, making him look increasingly devilish. "I didn't know you cared so much for the little bitch. That will make this a lot more fun!" With amazing speed, Dilandau's head was bent over Celena's forcing a rough kiss on the young girl's lips, staining them with her own blood as the dagger in his hand quickly slit her throat from ear to ear. He broke the kiss with a mad cackle as Celena's life blood gushed down her front, soaking her dress a brilliant crimson. Dilandau pushed her lifeless body forward onto the quickly darkening grass below, his blood soaked hand once again raising to his lips, muffling the insane giggle slowly escaping his throat. With a cry of anguish, Allen rushed forward and knelt beside his fallen sister, Dilandau's spiteful laughter filling his mind as the tears fell freely down his face. Looking up from the limp form in his arms, he met the other man's cruel glare with nothing but hate. It only made Dilandau laugh harder.

Jolting awake, Allen was filled with a sense of overwhelming dread, the distinct taste of bile filling his mouth.



AN/ Nothing to say here, I just like writing these. . . hmmm. . .ok, you can go now.