Dawn


by: Asurahime


~*~*~*~*


Disclaimers: I do not own Saga Frontier, I never have and I never will. If I did own it, Ciato would be locked in an airless/escape-impossible/anti-magic room with an EarthDragon in constipation as a companion; White Rose would not wear a cauliflower on her head *smirk*; and Ildon, Zozma, Rouge, Silence, Rastaban, TimeLord and Virgil in spandex would eternally be my and Asellus' personal servants. *evil snickering* This part is up top the castle and on to dear ol' daddy. I'm making this part the longest of them all 'cause my Muse, Hideaki, is just behind me threatening to tickle me to submission if I don't do some damage right here, right now. Read and review minna!! Second to the last one!!! *actually I thought this would be the last section, but Hideaki is being forceful and withholding Ildon from me unless I make another part to prevent confusion and... simply because he's always right and he'll go on strike and never let me finish 'It's Only Forever' if I don't...*


Another thing, someone sent me an e-mail stating that I'm not exactly going by what actually happens and what is actually said during the events of Asellus' quest. My answer to that is...


*****


Asura: *points wildly at Hideaki * It's his fault!! It's his fault!!!!


Hideaki: What do you mean it's my fault!? You're the one writing the fanfiction!!


Asura: But you're my Muse!! You're the one giving me crazy ideas!! You're the one who keeps on threatening me into submission by taking Ildon away from me!!! *bursts into tears* And another thing is that I really can't make my poor little Rasta-chan look like a bad guy. Be scared that I might replace you with him, Aki-chan!


Hideaki: *hits her with a paper fan* I'm not afraid of you!!


Asura: *blows a raspberry* As if I'm scared of you!! Maybe I should also ask my new friend Shinigami *waves to the God of Death* to be my Muse instead!!


Hideaki: Fine!!


Asura: Fine!!


Hideaki: Fine!!!


Asura: FINE!!!! *very sharp mystic fangs are shown*


Hideaki: FI--you don't really mean that, do you, Asura-chan? *gets all teary to the point that Asura can't resist him*


Asura: *glowers, snatches Ildon back, and retracts her fangs* Nah, I'm too used to you as my Muse, 'sides, you're cute.


Hideaki: *knows he's kawaii* That's good, now can you please answer the question at hand?


Asura: Oh... sorry, I forgot.


Hideaki: *double-take and sweatdrop, snow swirls around and covers him*


Asura: Gomen, Aki-kun.


*****


..... that's why this thing is called a 'fanfic'. The author controls the storyline and adds on to the story as he/she/it sees fit. That's why some of the confrontations you have seen and have yet to see will be different from what they actually were in the game. *bows* There, that should be enough. On with the fic!!!


*****


Hideaki: *mumbles* About time...


Asura: Be quiet or else I'm not taking you out for ice cream after this.


Hideaki: ................



~*~*~*~


Bitter cold hit the companions like a painful slap on the face, unexpected and stinging. Nevertheless, everything seemed quiet save for the light haunting melody which constantly wove itself throughout the dark chateau. There was something different about the strains this time around... it was almost as if they were being created by someone immersed in utter grief.


Opening the door at the summit of the winding path, Asellus felt some slight sense of caution remain with her, so she tightened her grip on her crimson Asura. Hopefully, she would be ready if any physical danger tried to overwhelm her by surprise--not that this was likely, given the fact that she had seven plus one companions who were willing to walk from one edge of the ocean of stars to the other and back before they voluntarily allow any sort of harm to be inflicted upon her. They all entered into the eternally blooming flower garden inside the castle and made their way through the doorway to their right without so much as a word or glance back.


Second thoughts brushed at the half-mystic like doubting fingertips, but she ignored them. She felt confident, fueled by burning rage and the readiness to face what lies ahead because of her immense trust in her choice of friends.


"Hey," mumbled Zozma, blocking the door before Asellus could enter. "it's almost time... if--no--when this is all over, what do you plan on doing?"


The half-mystic walked past the door and rebel mystic, joining the rest of the team just below a set of stairs leading to the first of three platforms. "There is no simple answer," replied Asellus over her shoulder, "but this region has been immersed in eternal darkness for far too long. I'll figure out what to do with my life if Fate decides to let me live."


"Aa..."


Someone... or something laughed at the moment. A sound like wood against sandpaper which came from the center of the first platform. "A blood price must be paid." said a crackling inhuman voice. A familiar voice which they have no heard for some period of time nor wish to ever hear again. "You are all that I need to return to life. When I finally gain Orlouge's blood from you, I may turn to proper retribution."


This was not something that the tired group needed at the moment, but they faced the inevitable.


Just as they thought, it was Ciato. He apparently had lost most of his mystic-like features upon death, for he looked more like a bat. The Hunter Knight has disappeared to make way for the Bat Knight and his lackeys. Eyes burning with red fire, a mouth adorned with twin fangs and lined with a red as dark as the color of rust or drying blood, and the weapon of the scythe like the escort to Death--the Bat Knight is definitely a being to be feared.


"Ciato!! What have you done!? You are not longer a soul but a true vampire!" shouted Ildon as he, Zozma, Silence, and Rouge formed a semi-circle of protecting before the half-mystic.


Asellus silenced him by gently pulling his katana from his grip and exchanging it with Asura; then, she walked up to the center of the platform at a distance of two feet before her enemy. She adjusted her grip on the SilverMoon, keeping her dark glare on the dark vampire at all times. "I have destroyed your plans four times, yet you still stand before me."


Ciato smirked in contempt and swung his scythe, making a shallow cut on the girl's left cheek. "You should know by now that I will keep on returning no matter how many times you kill me, my dearest." His smile widened when he saw that Asellus paid no heed to her wound. He raised his weapon one more time and slowly sliced another line on the pale face perpendicular to the first one he made until two lines formed a violet 'x' on a white background.


Asellus' company hissed with growing anger while the vampire's blade drew blood and their fury only intensified as he cut deeply into the girl's arm, forcing her to drop the katana.


"Scatter!!" screeched Red Turnip's voice as he jumped out from behind the blue-haired musician. Since the others had been so transfixed by what was going on before them, they could not see that several SonicBats have chosen that moment to ambush the group from behind.


"Everyone, 'ware!!" shouted Lute, raising his CometBlade to block one of the bat's attempt to scratch his face.


Zozma and the others broke off viewing the scene before their eyes and rushed to draw the other bats away from Lute and the mandrake.


"Why are you not fighting me!?" yelled Ciato, beginning to grow impatient and unnerved with the silence as the half-mystic did nothing but stare at him with dark, blank, lifeless crimson eyes. "Stop looking at me!" He screamed as he viciously tore the scythe from her skin, causing more blood to flow like a river on to the floor.


But Asellus' gaze never wavered from his own. "If you want to take my life so much, then why don't you just take it?" she whispered, her voice soft and dangerous.


The mild query was answered by a snarl of hatred. "Fine! I will!!"


Everyone heard the ferocious cry and immediately slew the SonicBats that each of them were matched up against. They turned to face their leader and were horrified to see twin scythes buried deeply into the girl.


The Bat Knight cackled his triumph. "Your blood is mine!!! Never a--no!!"


That was the last sentence that he will never finish for the girl before him faded and a silver katana shattered his weapon and source of power. "Sometimes, it is necessary to be willing to shed your own blood to pay for taking the life of another. Rest in peace, Ciato."


Ciato fell to the ground as Asellus materialized behind him and gently removed Ildon's SilverMoon from his corpse. The humans were surprised to see that the weapon was completely clean, but their questioning looks disappeared as Ciato's body touched the floor and faded without a trace.


Princess Rei approached the girl and grabbed her shaking hands. Her ruby gaze was stern but confused and concerned as well. "Asellus, how did you know about forming a power-infused simulacra that only high-ranking mystics are supposed to be able to use? No normal spell can create such a perfect image... yet it was capable of bleeding... how did you..."


Tear-streaked crimson eyes met hers with great hesitation as green strands moved back to show a lavender stream still making its way down from a cross. "It was not as perfect an image as one would think..." The girl raised a hand to capture some of the brilliant drops as they fell, staining her palm a vivid purple. "Well, I should say that it did not come without a price."


"My dear..." whispered Ildon, cupping the girl's face and raising a finger to heal the double tears that would should not have been there had the image been complete. "Ciato really did mark you."


To his utter surprise, she batted his hand away and flinched under his gaze. The Black Wing was truly hurt by the rejection of his capability of healing the rends, but he didn't show it too much. His eyes spoke volumes enough. "Wait, you can't--"


Seeing the pained look in Ildon's midnight-colored eyes, Asellus shook her head and interlaced her pale fingers with his glove-covered hand. "I really appreciate the concern my friend, by you need not waste any energy on so slight a matter. My injury is moderate and is going to be all right, they don't hinder me at all! I can barely feel any pain."


Does she know that she's babbling a bit? Rouge raised a cautious hand to try and wipe away some of the blood. That was when he and the mermaid noticed that Asellus' lips were set in a grim pale line and her knuckles were white as she returned Ildon's weapon for her own. The magician's and Mesarthim's faces darkened slightly when they realized that Asellus' new mark affected her much more than she wants to show.


"They are nothing. You do not have to worry about me." murmured the green-haired girl.


"Too late..." Rei smiled as she searched for a MaxCure in their inventory. "What do you think is our utmost reason for being here?"


"You have come, Lady Asellus." floated a leonine voice from above. The Lion Princess stood on the center of the second platform, sword drawn and eyes closed. "I was wishing desperately that you would escape from this way of life and not confront my Lord. I never wanted it to have to come to this."


Asellus rushed forwards upon hearing the statement, but dropped Asura upon seeing who was blocking her path. She fell to her knees in shock before her next adversary, but the gold-armored mystic knelt down before her as well.


"Please understand, I cannot disobey Lord Orlouge." said Golden Lion with painful remorse present in her amber-colored eyes. Whether that repentance was for Asellus or something else, no one could tell. Lion raised a gloved hand to the deep scratched on the girl's face and sighed in sympathy.


The half-mystic shook her head, tears once again starting to fall. She winced sharply at the burning pain which shot through her as her tears met her wounds. "It's nothing..." She replied as she slowly got back up on her feet. However, she spread her hands before her and made no move to retrieve her sword. "I will not fight you."


Sighing with resignation, Lion Princess stood raised her sword on guard position. "Your hands are stained with blood, yet I see that all of it is your own. Wishing that things did not have to be this way is futile. You know that there is no other way. I have pledged eternal servitude and loyalty to my Lord. I would rather die than betray him!!"


The others have been watching the exchange in silence; wanting to speak, yet not daring to. It came as a surprise when Lion Princess raised her sword over the unmoving girl.


Time seemed to stand still as Asellus locked gazes with her friend/enemy. "No, I cannot--will not--be the cause of another unnecessary death. Especially someone who White Rose considered as her sister!!" Asellus raised her face to look at the mystic, her eyes bright and wide with tears and hope, pale cheeks flushed an intense violet, and voice breaking as she tried to make a final desperate plea.


"You are wrong..." whispered Golden Lion, backing away slightly at the intensity of the girl's words. "You are too young and too innocent to be caught up in such a terrible game that is being played in this life. For the sake of everything you must defeat my Lord Orlouge, and to accomplish that, I must be slain. That is the only way you would be able to bring Princess White Rose back and be free. You must retrieve the life that had been stolen from you... you must..."


The sword descended.


"DO IT NOW!!!"


"I WON'T!!" cried Asellus, waiting for the blade to strike her down as unconsciousness started to take over. It wasn't until she felt the sensation of being pulled away that she realized that the painful deathblow never came. And that the cry which sounded out in agony wasn't her own.


Zozma held on to the girl protectively as Silence and Mesarthim struggled to find a potion to heal the girl quickly before Asellus could react. Lute and Princess Rei stood in front and protected the four of them from the sparks of a WheelSlash attack. "Asellus! Lord of all Mystics, never do something like that again!! The Lioness was really set on killing you if you didn't notice. Princess Lion is that loyal to Orlouge."


The girl opened her eyes and quickly got to her feet. Pushing past Rei and Lute to stand next to Rouge, Asellus finally saw the reason she escaped the Princess' blade.


Ildon had taken the blow for her.


The half-mystic quickly rushed to the heavily-bleeding-but-conscious Ildon's side to support him off the ground, but before she could say anything else, SilverMoon glinted once then was covered in blue blood--mystic blood. Regardless, more startling is the fact that the one to hold and direct the katana for the kill and the one who had been impaled by the weapon was one and the same.


Golden Lion grasped the hilt of the katana with one hand and threw off her battle helmet with the other. With a small smile to Asellus, she then used both hands to drive the weapon until part of the blade protruded on her back. "Ildon... you haven't changed at all... or maybe you have. Risking Lord Orlouge's wrath to help one whose humanity has been taken away from them, that's not something that the "Prince of Darkness" is famed for." Lion staggered forward to whisper something into Ildon's ear. "But learning to love someone enough to pull them out of the way and take the brunt of my sword instead... that is the Ildon that I remembered from before."


"Princess Lion... why..." asked Asellus as she tried to cast a healing spell at Lion Princess before a hand closed over her own, ruining her concentration. "But..."


Lion shook her head, coughing slightly, causing a line of blood to run down the side of her mouth to join the pool of blue already on the floor. "No, save your strength. I chose this path of my own free will. You refused to kill me and I would have killed you had Ildon not pulled you out of the way and taken the attack in your stead. Thus, this is my punishment for not being able to do what I know was right. I cannot disobey my Lord, but this is the least I can do. If you must heal someone, heal Ildon." murmured Lion as she saw Asellus' tears intensify, but was relieved when she saw that Asellus followed her order and went to heal the winged mystic.


Smiling sadly with regret, Ildon let Asellus heal him, but kept his gaze on the dying Princess Lion. "You are not the only one who has regrets, Lion. And I am not the only one who has changed."


"That is true. I don't have much time left, but please get Princess White Rose back, Lady Asellus." sighed Golden Lion as her eyes started to close with eternal sleep. "Please live--live on with no regrets of anything. Life comes and life goes, and I feel the sunset of my life upon me. But Asellus, your life is just beginning. Don't let your sacrifices be in vain..... midnight settles upon me, but dawn will always be just a short eternity away......"


Golden Lion's body was then replaced with a radiant white light, and she was no more.


Ildon, I am counting on you to bring all of this to a happy ending. Both of you have suffered enough, and I believe that you will triumph over Lord Orlouge. I have spent all of my mystic life in servitude of a tyrannical King and I have met my end with my chains still on. Someone like Asellus only comes once an eternity, do not fail me for I am counting on you....


"Goodbye, my sister...." whispered Asellus. "Why....."


She suddenly found herself in an unbreakable embrace, thankful that Ildon was strong enough to hold her up. Asellus knew that should he let go, she would not be able to get up. Another life has been lost, her promise from before broken, and Ildon has been wounded because of her. All that remained of the Princess was her golden sword which still shone bright enough to cut through the darkness of the rose-entwined castle.


"Do not blame yourself, Asellus. This was what Lion Princess wanted." Rei walked up to the girl and healed her injuries before the half-mystic could protest. "You heard what she said, didn't you? 'Live on with no regrets' that is what she said."


The rebel mystic of the group rested a hand on the green-haired girl's hair and slightly mussed it. He looked at Ildon, his form radiating uncertainty and a little jealousy. "With Lion's death, no one else stands in our way to reach Orlouge. Unless your friend the Black Knight just happens to--"


His face twisted into a slight frown as Ildon ran a hand through his charge's hair to bring it back into order. He would not like to have to fight his best friend, but after what Rastaban had done to Gina, he wasn't sure of the Black Knight's motives any longer. The coup had gone according to plan, but nothing in their goals had anything to do with the abduction of an innocent tailor girl. ".............."


A soft voice drifted down to the team from the third and final platform. "Lady Asellus, have you returned to claim your rightful place as ruler of Facinaturu? The time has come for you to defeat Lord Orlouge, then nothing shall stand in your way."


Ildon lessened his hold on the girl by just a fraction, not much, but enough to enable the girl to address the eccentric mystic who was speaking to her. Rastaban may be his best friend, but he promised six beings that he would do anything in his power to teach and protect the half-mystic. He will abide by that pledge even if it costs him everything he knows. "Why, Rastaban?"


Turning around to face the mystic, Asellus' eyes darkened with a bit of doubt and anger. "No Rastaban, I have come to defeat my father, but not to take over the throne of Facinaturu. I have accepted what has become of me and am content with my life."


Rastaban's tone became inquisitive as he stepped down from the platform and raised the girl's face to meet his gaze. "If you have come to accept your life as a half-mystic right now, then why have you returned to destroy Lord Orlouge?"


"Rastaban--" growled Ildon warningly, not liking how the knight was toying with his charge. "Don't you try to--"


A small smile stopped him from speaking further. "I am not toying with your... student, Ildon. I just wish to hear the truth from her own lips." Ildon detected the indecisive innuendo at the word 'student', but he did not reply that he noticed.


Asellus' gaze met Rastaban's dead-on and didn't waver at all. "I don't want to let anyone down anymore, I did not come here for personal gain as you may be. White Rose is trapped within the Dark Labyrinth because of me and I have sworn to get her out. Defeating Orlouge just happened to be the only way to accomplish this, and that is the truth. Now," Asellus wanted to know. "why did you kidnap Gina?"


Not bothering to hide his smile, Rastaban placed a light kiss on the girl's left cheek, right above where Ciato's marks had been before Rei healed them. Then, he leaned closer to whisper what he had to say so that no one else but Asellus and Ildon could hear what he had to say. "Forgive me, but Charm Lord was not the only one who has been stalking you. I learned about your friendship with that tailor girl just about the same time Lord Orlouge did. When you both disobeyed him, he ordered me to go down to Rootville and to dispose of that young girl as revenge for what you have done."


"So that is what happened... you locked her into that Griffin because you could neither defy Lord Orlouge nor do away with that girl. She would be out of the picture, but she would not be dead... And since Charm Lord would not bring himself to search psychically into such 'useless and insignificant' creatures that monsters are, you managed to deceive him into thinking that you had truly done away with the tailor's maid." murmured Ildon, relief washing over his features at finally understanding that Rastaban had not betrayed them after all.


"Rastaban, thank you..."


The Black Knight grabbed her hand and softly kissed it. "I wish I could have been of more help, but I believe that your companions have gotten you through any lingering problems. However, I may be too forward to ask, but Lord Orlouge's remaining ninety-seven princesses still need to be liberated. I will need help to free them, yet most of the servants of the castle have already fled to seek sanctuary in the residence of the Eternal Flame."


"Rouge, Lute, Mesarthim, and I shall come with you. It is the most we can do right now, for the downfall of Orlouge must truly come from those whom he has wronged." Red Turnip grinned up at everyone before making his way in front of Rastaban. "Not all monsters are 'useless and insignificant' as your master says, and the five of them should be enough to take down that Lord of yours."


Rouge, Lute, and Mesarthim all nodded in assent before Rastaban teleported them into the rooms of the sleeping princesses. They each wore expressions of worry present in their eyes, but they knew that the Red Turnip was right. The only thing they could do is hope, pray, and believe that their companions would be successful in their quest. "Take care and may the gods be with all of you."


"Y'all better come back or else we're goin' to go come lookin' for ya."


"My Lady Asellus, please be careful. Lord Orlouge is an extremely powerful mystic, and if anything happens to you... Oh, I don't know what I would do!!!"


Asellus smiled as the five vanished to help revive the princesses remaining in their contained slumber. The five of them remaining walked the short distance to the balcony in front of Charm Lord's portrait room and private quarters. Nothing else stands before them, and the last objective is to defeat Lord Orlouge. "Let us rest here for a moment to regain what strength we have lost." A Sanctuary Stone was set up in the center of the balcony as they all regrouped and tried to calm their nerves before confronting their greatest enemy yet.


While Silence, Zozma, and Ildon went over their remaining reserves of medicine, Asellus and Princess Rei went to take a last glimpse of the current state of Facinaturu. If anything, the region had grown darker and more forbidding since the last time that either of them had set their eyes on it. Yet this is what they are fighting for; not only their freedom and that of their friends, but also the liberation of an entire oppressed region besieged in eternal night.


"So this is the result of such a despotic rule by Orlouge. If anything, I'd say that this reflects how horrendous a person he really is. To force two races to live in total darkness without ever seeing the sun is just abominable. Escaping was the most intelligent act that anyone in this region and predicament could do; thus, that was what I did." Rei shook her head, causing her violet locks to stir softly against the light breeze blowing through the top of the castle.


Interrupted out of her reverie, the half-mystic sighed and rested her chin on her hands as she surveyed the town of Rootville below the castle. "I should be worried about the danger that we are about to face; but for some strange reason, I feel... strangely decided. It's almost as if facing Orlouge is just like facing another Ciato or monster. I don't even feel any reluctance that I did during the battle against Lion Princess. My anger's just.... empty."


Rei reacted at what Asellus said. "In all seriousness, I can't say that I am that surprised." She smiled as the other fixed questioning vermilion eyes at her. "You have already suffered through so much and feel there is not much else to lose. What is anger and hatred when one has already been touched by such painful sentiments as loss, guilt, doubt--"


"I'm not feeling entirely pessimistic at the moment, Rei..." started Asellus, starting to turn away.


However, Rei was not finished. "--hope, trust, courage, sacrifice, and love."


Silence stretched between them, as Asellus fought to keep from either replying or bursting into tears. Finally, she choked out quietly, "I don't know what you are talking about."


Looking back at the three men to make sure that they were still preoccupied, the princess grasped a raven feather that was caught in the railing and showed it to Asellus. "You know quite well what I am talking about, my dear. No one, not even you can ignore everything that goes on around you. I have experience what you have gone through and am not about to let you lose something so important when it is right before your very eyes."


Asellus became whiter as she saw the black object on the princess' hand. "No, I wish to keep everyone well out of a potential danger. I can't. I won't be able to handle it if someone else is lost to me."


"You are not losing anyone, child. Thank you for finally granting me the answer to a question that has been on my mind ever since we left Kyo." Rei placed the dark feather into the half-mystic's hand. "At least I now know that his feelings are not unrequited."


"... cannot...."


For a long moment, she did not reply. When she spoke, her voice was very low. "You can stare at Death in the face, bring up your sword and battle it without any second thoughts, but when Love appears in front of you and tries to enfold you into its arms, you instantly drop your sword and run away. I though you were stronger than that, Asellus."


"I am!" The red-clad girl whispered fiercely. "I am. But--" What can she say? She knows quite well that Rei has made her point and made her point quite well. How can she explain that it was cowardice and fear that prevents her from accepting the truth? Now, she can no longer deny it to someone who already knows her. She can only face it, admit she feels the same way, accept the consequences, and try to repair whatever damage is made. "Please, later. I'll settle this later."


The sound of Zozma's voice caused the two women to break off their conversation and look back at their companions. Three mystics peered back at them with curious gazes, but they said nothing as the two approached. "Everything is ready, and we have already used up the Sanctuary Stone. There is nothing else left to do except the encounter."


Ildon transfixed his gaze his ashen ward and rested his hands on her shoulders, forcing the girl to look into his eyes and nothing else. He will never admit it, but he was frightened. Frightened that this was all a mistake, frightened that they would not be able to defeat Charm Lord, frightened that his feelings are frightening him, and frightened for the green-haired girl's life. And yet, there was nothing else that any of them can do about it. That above all, that impression of utter helplessness made his blood run like ice through his veins. He compelled himself to stare back at the girl despite the fact that his desire to kiss her was almost overwhelming. Somehow, the Black Wing found the strength to suppress the longing to do so and addressed Asellus. "Orlouge is just behind this door. Once in, leaving before his defeat will be a trying and difficult task. But we all know that there is nothing else we need to do. Thus, we all need to know and hear you say it yourself, Asellus."


To be free--finally free, Asellus thought wistfully as she looked past the blue-armored mystic prince at the set of stairs leading to Orlouge and her destiny. To never need to worry about anything, to go where I wish and not have someone hunting me down at every turn, to be able to close my eyes and not be compassed by nightmares and dark memories. Should I face Orlouge, win or lose, I would still be free. Yet there is more at stake now than there ever was... and people are counting on me. There is no turning back.


"This part of it is settled, there is no turning back. Therefore, I must go."


"To the ends of the world, my Lady."


~*~*~*~


Asellus grasped the hilt of Asura gently with her right hand and closed her eyes as she rested her left hand on the railing at the very summit of the castle. She recognized the land before her, yet no stars graced the everlasting night with their presence and light. Through the haze of her disconcertion and fatigue, the half-mystic was astonished to see the figure of a robed man, alone with his back towards her. She had expected to see at least a few mystics to be present to protect him.


"My beloved daughter... have you returned to devote yourself and show reverence to your Father? I have waited for far too long for the moment that I see you rule by my side as my heir." The voice which addressed her was deep and rich and comforting, but had an undercurrent of satisfaction present in the words. "I knew that you would return to me one day..."


Asellus slightly coughed and averted her gaze. Who does Charm Lord think he's fooling? "I am not your daughter. I never have been and I never will be. All the same, you are not my father. A father is someone who cares about his children, risking everything to make sure that they are safe, unharmed, happy, and loved. I know one thing for certain, that does not apply to you."


Orlouge whirled around and floated until he was scant inches away from the girl. He raised her chin with two fingers and bent his head to stare into her crimson eyes, snapping with with indignation and filled with spirit. "I have waited for a long time, yet somehow I expected that you, my darling, would turn on me like this. Have you any idea who saved your life as a wretched human by giving you his own blood? Have you any idea who made you his daughter despite the fact that you are still a half-mystic? Have you any idea who turned the world upside-down to search for you!? I have given you everything anyone could ever wanted and offered the world to you. Even so, how do you repay me? You repay me with disobedience!! Now isn't that generous?"


Charm Lord's eyes bored into her own, slightly disconcerting her because they were so much like her own. Still, anything he does can no longer affect her. "I did not say that I am ungrateful. However, you never asked me if I wanted to be revived simply to be cast into a world in which I don't belong. I did not know what I was, humans feared me and mystics loathed me because my blood was mixed. The best gift that you had given me was White Rose's friendship, yet you tore that from me as well by imprisoning her in the Dark Labyrinth. She, Ildon, Rei, Zozma, Princess Lion, Rastaban, and all the rest of my companions are the one who accepted me despite what I am. Your words means nothing to me anymore."


Mesmerized by the courage of the girl before him, Orlouge wrenched his hand away from her face and backed away a few steps. The slight anger which the impertinent half-mystic managed to stir in his heart dissipated and shifted into thoughtfulness. He cannot let such a beautiful and fiery creature escape his grasp even though her blood is tainted. Never in his dreams has he envisioned himself growing utterly fascinated by any creature, yet here is living proof before him. Perhaps he should first defeat her in battle to erase all defiance...


His thoughts brought an evil smile across his features which Asellus found discomforting. It was as if he was playing with her. "Enough of this, Charm Lord!"


"Maybe it was a mistake for me to save a miserable human life." Orlouge's voice mocked as his form began to vanish into the air. "Let me put you out of your misery."


The temperature seemed to have significantly dropped as soon as the statement faded away, leaving Asellus standing frozen where she stood. Her delicate hold on Asura's hilt had tightened over the conversation, causing her knuckles to turn white with effort. In an instant, she ran back past the door of Orlouge's balcony and surrounded herself with the soothing presence of her four companions, who had abided by her will to speak to Orlouge alone. "This is the end."


Five mystics ascended the flight of stairs leading to the final battle with Charm Lord, ready and waiting for the battle to commence and the end to come.


~*~*~*~


"My beautiful Rei... you have returned." drawled Orlouge as the first of his Three Mistresses transformed and appeared at his unspoken command. "I suppose that you are also here to contribute to my downfall?"


Rei's face was dark with an indiscernible emotion, but she raised her hands to the sky and sent another Reaper spell towards the mystic. This surprised the mystic, for she had drawn first blood. "You are finally learning, Orlouge."


"Silence!! Zozma!! Watch out!" shouted Asellus as she hurriedly stepped out of the way and swept Asura in a reverse crescent, severing off several ornaments from Orlouge's robe and slicing through silk and satin to draw more blood.


A sudden cry was ripped from Zozma's throat as razor-sharp blades of air ripped through him. Silence followed as a tornado thrashed him about, leaving him as a crumpled form on the floor. With those attacks, it mildly astounded Charm Lord that the two was still capable of getting up.


The second of the Three Mistresses replaced the other with another unspoken command.


Ildon and Rei quickly cast healing spells in their directions before other ill could befall the two. Then, Ildon swung SilverMoon in a crescent mirror-image of Asellus' attack. The strike cut into Orlouge's left side and another cut appeared as the knight reversed the angle of that same attack.


"Zozma and Silence. I expected both of you to be accompanying my daughter here, but you traitor..." hissed Orlouge, pointing a talon-nailed finger in Ildon's direction. "Of everyone I least expected, the Prince of Darkness was one of them. Treacherous vampire that you are!!"


"Don't you dare call Ildon such a thing!!" cried the half-mystic, deflecting a Silf attack and rushing at her opponent. "The only treacherous vampire present is you! Bring White Rose back!" She dashed at Charm Lord with a sword charged with electricity, sending the mystic back a little.


The silent mystic of the group reached a hand to his belt and tugged out a Hand Blaster. Setting the gun to create a laser-sword, Silence slashed at Orlouge just in time for Rei and Zozma to execute a combination of PainDoubler and Nightmare. "Thanks, Silence!"


Growling in indignation, Orlouge sent forth another unspoken command and reverted back to the first mistress.


"Rei, move left!" shouted Asellus as Ildon tossed a MaxCure in the princess' direction. Her warning just came in time, for a javelin just embedded itself on the ground where Rei had been standing. In retaliation, she jumped impossibly high into the air and split into five images. A split-second later, four of the images touched down and surrounded Orlouge while the fifth impaled him from head to toe with a blade charged with holy energy. The light created by the images seemed to have formed a cross as they all joined back into one figure.


Charm Lord yelled defiance at the attack and raised both of his hands to the sky, calling forth all three of his Mistresses at once. These traitors have caused enough damage and must be taught to never challenge his will again. If eliminating them all is the only way to discipline them, then so be it. "Die, you infidels!" The Three Mistresses descended on the party.


The five companions suddenly fell to ground as cries of extreme agony were extracted from them. It felt that knife-edged flowers were blooming in each of them, causing damage which caused pain not only physically but also mentally. Of the five, only two were left standing as the attack ended and subsided.


"Well, well, well. All that is left are the two 'princes'," came Orlouge's voice, thick with rage and incredulity. "but that is not going to last very long. The others of your team have already fainted, and both of you are in critical condition. It will be a pity killing the both of you."


Charm Lord staggered towards Asellus and grasped her by her hair, twisting her face up until he could look down at her. He could see that she was bleeding profusely, but still continued to struggle. Such an obstinately fascinating mistress she would make. All he had to do was finish what he started. "Don't bother struggling, or else your precious Ildon dies."


The Black Wing struggled to raise himself up to his feet, but went rigid when he found a diamond-edged partisan pointed towards his throat. The weapon moved closer until it barely touched his neck, making a small nick from which dark blue blood trickled down. Still, the prince refused to be exploited and glared back at one of Orlouge's mistresses darkly.


His eyes never leaving Asellus', Orlouge warned Ildon. "Try anything suspicious and my mistress will make sure that you will never be able to set your eyes upon my daughter again, Prince of Darkness." Charm Lord then raised a finger to the half-mystic's face and traced her eyes then lips. He then moved it down until it rested over her heart before making a form of a cross over it. "Cross your heart and then to die... such a promise, isn't it my dear? Too bad. You have fought well--the closest that anyone has ever come to beating me. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, my love."


The phrase continued to repeat itself in Asellus' eyes, and she saw the blood-red color of Orlouge's eyes stifling, blinding, binding her. She wished to be able to do something, but she could do nothing that would not endanger Ildon's life. "If you want to take my life so much, then why don't you just take it?" The very same words which she used during the fight with Ciato sprang from her lips one more time, but against Orlouge.


"No my dear, I have absolutely no intention of taking your life. Never have I seen anyone so spirited that they would willingly defy me just to get someone back. No, I plan on having you rule by my side for all eternity. No other one will do, for you fascinate me with your bravery and fidelity beyond belief." The mystic smiled as he ran a hand through the girl's disheveled hair. "You will learn to love me one day. Freely or as my one-hundred and first mistress, I couldn't care less."


To everyone's surprise, Asellus' face broke out into a smirk. "Regrettably, most of your mistresses have already been liberated. Despite what happens to me here, Rastaban and the others must have already taken your mistresses into Kurenai's dwelling. They are beyond your reach now."


"You..." Orlouge's voice became suddenly anxious, his fury could no longer be contained. However, he looked at Ildon who was still in the mercy of one of his remaining mistresses and he smiled. Turning back to Asellus, he smiled charmingly. "My love, that matters now. I could always rebuild by taking more girls. You on the other hand are irreplaceable... I shall start with you."


"Leave Asellus alone!!" shouted Ildon, heedless of the fact that the blade of the partisan was still on his throat.


Rapidly, the robed mystic grabbed the girl and turned her around to face the struggling Ildon. "Beloved, how much time do you think your darling Black Wing has left to live?"


The two green-haired mystics locked gazes and sensed a mutual thought in the other's mind. They each saw not only worry and despair, but also a deeper emotion that the other tried hopelessly to conceal. However, the most important factor was that there were three of their friends who are helpless on the ground, five who are risking their lives to save others, ninety-seven whose lives were taken from them, one who is still trapped in a dark prison, and countless of others who will suffer or continue to suffer unless the two of them do something to stop the source of the problem. It's now or never, there is nothing left to lose... besides our lives... Just one last clean strike...


//Don't let your sacrifices be in vain..... midnight settles upon me, but dawn will always be just a short eternity away......//


That was enough....


Orlouge didn't even have time to make another statement before blue, green, and white flashes of lifeforce began to emanate from the half-mystic and mystic. No one, not even Charm Lord or the most powerful beings on land, sky, or sea can avoid or deflect a combination attack. All he could do was fling out his arms as Asellus and Ildon vanished out of his clutches. They reappeared behind him with weapons drawn and faces as inexorable as ice and marble. "How could you two--"


The half-mystic, although grievously wounded, smiled like one who has been possessed. "You asked me how much time do I think Ildon has left to live..." She evanesced then teleported until she was scant inches from the Mystic Lord. "... the answer is 'forever'."


As the magispheres of Arcane Magic encircled the winged mystic, the girl stepped back and cut the air before her in a upward vertical slash. Ildon then threw a Tarot card which materialized in his hands and an immense tower formed about Charm Lord just as a blazing wheel appeared when Asura reached its maximum height. Lightning struck the top of the tower countless of times and when it finally stopped, the stone foundation fell on the Mystic Lord. As the tower fell, the fiery wheel stopped spinning as it tore through Orlouge's guard struck the mystic at full force with no defense to soften the blow.


Finally when the sparks stopped flying, the two remaining friends witnessed the result of their desperation attacks. One by one, the Three Mistresses all dissolved into nothingness, their souls freed from the bondage which Orlouge kept upon them. The Charm Lord himself dispersed his life into small rose petals which lasted for a few seconds then wilted and floated away, never to be seen again.


"What happens now?" asked Ildon after a long period of extended silence. What indeed... with Charm Lord gone, what is the first thing that must be done?


Asellus didn't reply but instantly ran through their resources, searching desperately for a Sanctuary Stone to revive her companions. "Ildon! We still need to revive Rei, Silence, and Zozma! Where are our Sanctuary Stones? We must still have at least one or--"


Ildon reached a hand in a compartment which Asellus just searched seconds ago and pulled out one of the rare items. Ignoring the mildly irritated glare the half-mystic shot to him, the mystic set up the stone and returned the other's glare with a true smile of his own. "We do have one."


Sighing with weariness, the half-mystic stayed in the vicinity of the stone just long enough until the worst of her wounds were healed. Then, she noticed that there was something different about the quality of the light which streamed through the door leading to the former Charm Lord's private quarters. Rushing down the stairs and through the door, the girl was dumbfounded at the sight which met her weary vermilion eyes as she leaned on the railing. "What on--"


To her surprise, strong yet gentle arms encircled her in a warm embrace as another came out to watch the scene unfold before them. Ildon rested his chin on the girl's silky hair as he felt a sense of pure serenity, comfort, and security in the likes of which he never felt before. And they all radiated from the small figure enfolded in his arms and the vision which continued to develop before them. "Charm Lord's end is truly over and this phenomenon itself serves as the evidence of a new beginning for Facinaturu. I don't believe that something like this has occurred in countless of years..."


Leaning back into the security of her friend's embrace, Asellus' eyes widened at the sight which greeted her eyes. "It's beautiful, Ildon..."


Her companion nodded and smiled softly, never realizing that such an ordinary event anywhere else could make such a significant impact on the desolate Mystic region. The undeniable perfection of such an event made his throat catch and his heart beat faster with anticipation.


The two of them smiled as a ray of soft white light pierced through the veil of eternal darkness which enshrouded Facinaturu for thousands of years. This was followed by another and another until the heavens shone the most heart-lifting sky blue touched by the tender beams of the early morning sun.


"Yes it is... the effect of the first coming of dawn..."



~*~*~*~


Asura: I'm sorry if there were a lot of errors you guys. Hideaki was in such a hurry to have me post up this thing that I didn't have that much time to have a third go-over on it.


Hideaki: Sure, blame the Muse... hey, can we change that name?


Asura: No! *glares* besides, it's your fault that I didn't have enough time to go over it again.


Hideaki: *points* You are paranoid.


Asura: So what!? I didn't even get to read it out loud, and that's what a good essay/writer should do with her work!


Hideaki: Have you been listening to that English teacher of yours again?


Asura: What's your point?


Hideaki: Never mind. *looks at the fic* Wow, you sure made this part long... compared to 'Twilight', this part is *whistles*


Asura: Hey, a promise and a warning is a promise and a warning. Besides, that thing with Orlouge sure tired me out.


Hideaki: What is going to be the actual title of this fic anyway? 'Twilight, to Dusk, then Midnight, until Dawn, as far as Awakening? That's crazy.


Asura: *snickers* No, although it would be an interesting thing to do just to irritate the heck out of you should you want to say the title.


Hideaki: Just shorten the stupid fic title already!! Why don't you just shorten it to 'Awakening' when you finally bring yourself to finish writing that part?


Asura: *thinks it over* See, you're not so strange sometimes, I'll do it. But after the last part.


Hideaki: Good, you're actually listening to me.


Asura: *smiles* Me love Aki-kun! *kiss*



~*~*~*~


To be continued in: "Awakening"