Duran: [Sharpening sword]

ChibiRaye-chan: Thanks, Duran ^^

Duran: You asked, I do.

Angela: What about the other plot fic?!

ChibiRaye-chan: I got blocked.

Angela: But, you had it written!

ChibiRaye-chan: Doesn't mean I liked the way it came out!

Angela: [pouts]

ChibiRaye-chan: oh stop it! So far you've been the star of all the serious SD3 fics I've written!

Angela: [points at fic] what about that?

ChibiRaye-chan: SERIOUS FICS, Angie. Not pathetic attempts at humor.

Angela: o.o() right. Sorry.

A/N: this is sort of an AU, which branches from… After they defeated the seven God Beasts, looking for the Mana Stone of Darkness.

Touches of evil

He watched the fire dance before him, the light dancing on his surroundings and his friends. His gaze lingered on his female companion, and he allowed himself to reach out to her. He gently shifted a lock of lavender from her eyes and smiled warmly as she pouted and turned away in her sleep.

He yawned openly and stretched when a hand on his shoulder got him to turn around.

"Hey. My turn."

The young Beastman said plainly and sat next to the fire. The young swordsman looked at him, slight annoyance in his eyes.

"Are you sure? Got enough sleep?"

"Yep. Go sleep, we go soon again."

Duran nodded and turned to his sleeping bag.

"Hey, Kevin?"

"Yeah?"

"Look after her, ok?"

Kevin looked at Angela and smiled as he found her sucking her thumb.

"Ok. Night, Duran."

Duran laid down, but by no chance was going to sleep. He had too much on his mind.

'Father… I'm sorry…'

It has been three days since they met Loki and PRINCE Richard in Pedan, and although Angela had told him this over and over and over again, he still believed he could have done SOMETHING to stop his father. To keep him from sacrificing himself to stop the Dragon Emperor. An Emperor which was apparently alive and well.

'I was there. I was there, I told him not to go, and yet he did. How could I have been so stupid?! I should've just stopped him right there by force if I had to!'

/So you should've. But you didn't. How sad./

"Er, Kevin, did you say something just now?"

"No, me not bother you to sleep."

Duran sighed and turned the other way. He needed his sleep.

'Angela was right, I am losing it.'

"HELLO, EARTH TO DURAN, EARTH TO DURAN, COME IN!"

After giving up on waving her hand before his face, Angela resorted to shouting in his ear.

"Why'd you do that for?!"

"We need to know what weapon suits you best!"

Angela held up two swords which just sprouted from two Weapon and Armor seeds.

"Er, I donno. That one?"

Angela sighed in frustration.

"Duran, you're not even trying!"

Which was true. Duran couldn't care less if any of the swords fitted a Sword Master. He was too preoccupied. So Angela slapped him.

"WAKE UP, DAMMIT!"

Kevin looked away, not knowing what to do or say to help the situation. Duran glared at him.

'Sure, look away.'

"Oh, I give up!"

Angela dropped the swords to the floor and took out two more seeds. She then sat on the floor, exemaning the two staffs that appeared. Kevin sat down next to her and tried to bring up a subject for a conversation. Soon it was just Angela going on and on about something, Kevin trying to laugh at the right moments and nod, or shake his head.

'Pathetic.'

Duran thought and looked at the two with disgust.

"I'm gonna take a walk, ok?"

"Right now. In the Jungle of Illusions?! You're out of your mind, Duran. DURAN!"

Without giving the Grand Divina's words any weight, Duran left the inn at Pedan. He walked back into the armory.

"Oh, hello again, sir. Is something the matter? Do you wish to sell anything?"

He looked around the shop, praying to the Goddess that from somewhere, somehow, his father will emerge along with Prince Richard and say that he listened. That he quit his heroic suicide mission. That he'll go back home.

"No, sir. Just looking around. Good day."

"Good day indeed, sir! And good luck on your journey!"

Duran left the armory to find Kevin waiting for him, his arms folded before his chest.

"Where you go? Angela worried. Me too."

'As if'

"I said I was just going for a walk."

"This not like you. Just up and go."

"I just need some time off. To clear my head."

'Besides, like you care…'

"Then not go like that. You left this behind."

Kevin handed Duran a sword which the young Sword Master recognized as a Ragnarok.

"No weapon… BAD in this area."

Duran grabbed the sword from Kevin's grip, and smiled faintly when his friend held his hand in pain. Several drops of blood fell to the floor from the blade.

"Why'd you do that for?!"

A pretty deep cut appeared on Kevin's hand and Duran smirked.

"Never hold a sword by the blade."

"Then offer blade to you?! Real smart!"

"Well, then, smart was never a word which described you, now is it?"

Kevin showed his fangs and Duran had to laugh out loud.

"Well. The Beast man finally shows his true nature. Bring it on."

"STOP IT! STOP THIS AT ONCE!"

A staff came in between the two and they both turned to look into Angela's glaring eyes.

"Have you two completely lost it?! What's gotten in you two?! And… Dear goddess, Kevin, you're bleeding!"

Angela held Kevin's wounded arm and Duran gritted his teeth.

'Sure, go to him, you always do…'

"But how…"

She looked at Duran's sword and her eyes widened.

"I'll assume this was an accident."

She said in a stern voice and looked straight into Duran's eyes. He smiled at her, yet she only glared harder.

"Come on, Kevin, let's get this thing bandaged."

"Fine."

"Huh?"

Duran turned around and began walking away. Angela hesitated and started to walk after him, but he only ran full speed. Angela tried running after him, but she knew it would be suicide to run into the Jungle like that since she was mentally exhausted, so no magic for her. That and her immediate concern for Kevin made her sigh and turn back, guilt eating her heart.

"Stupid sword, stupid jungle, stupid Kevin, stupid God Beasts, stupid…"

"Stupid Duran, perhaps?"

Duran turned around, his new sword ready in his hands. A sick smirk appeared on his lips.

"I've had a really bad day, you ass hole, and knocking you out will make it all go away."

The young wizard laughed and jumped from the tree top.

"Believe me, Duran, when I'm done with you, you won't only never want to insult me, but you'll owe me so much your soul won't do."

Duran laughed at Koren's words.

"What do you have that can possibly interest me?! You're nothing but a lying, cheating…"

"Duran…"

"Un trustworthy…"

"Duran."

"Insane…"

"DURAN!"

Duran froze and the sound of the voice. Koren smirked; He knew Duran recognized the voice and that it had the desired affect.

Duran turned his head slowly and looked at a black shadow. The Darkshine Knight stood there, his sword out of reach.

"Who are you? Where did you bring that voice…"

Duran grabbed Koren by the collar and held him tight.

"WAS IT AN ILLUSION?! HOW DARE YOU!"

"Duran, it wasn't an illusion!"

Duran dropped Koren to the ground and looked back. The Darkshine Knight slowly took off his helmet, and Duran felt as though he was going to be sick.

"So, tell me, Sword Master from Forcena. Does THIS interest you enough to listen to my proposal?"

Duran stood there in utter shock, unable to move. Only say one word.

"Father?"

A/N: I know, not much of a cliff hanger, but still!