Note: This chapter is very strange, the plot finally comes to it's climax. More strange Gas'la, the reason behind the nightmare, and more! But this isn't the last chapter! There will be one more!
Ch. 5-Awakening
Hilde woke up the next morning in Duo's arms. Memories of the night before flooded her mind and she smiled to herself. It had been wonderful. Duo was wonderful. She looked at him, his eyes closed peacefully in sleep. He always looked like a little boy when he slept, she thought as she gave him a quick peck on the lips. All the more reason to love him.
She didn't want to leave the safety of his arms, knowing that Gas'la could be around any corner. That thought alone made her shiver and she pulled herself closer to Duo's warmth, closing her eyes to block out the fear.
The movement woke up and he opened his eyes, looking down to find Hilde curled in his arms. Pride flowed through him. She was his. Beautiful, loving, gentle, caring Hilde was his. And last night, last night was indescribable. He could still feel her. That feeling was amazing. Love was burning in his heart so hot that it almost hurt, but he liked it. He bent down to kiss her forehead, only to find that she was awake. Instead, he grinned and stretched, yawning as he did so.
"Good morning, Hilde," he greeted with a smile on his face as he sat up. "How long have you been up?" He yawned again and picked up his boxers, standing to put them on.
She, too, grinned and sat up, stretching away the slight stiffness in her body. "A few minutes. I was watching you sleep…" she told him, yawning as she stood to walk over to her dresser and grabbing some clothes to change into. "What do you want for breakfast?" She started to put her bra on, looping her arms through the straps and pulling it closer to her chest. Duo walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving," he stated and kissed the back of her neck. "How about we go out for breakfast?" He ran his hands along her waistline and up to the edge of her bra, fastening it for her behind her back. She turned around to face him as she pulled her underwear up to her hips. His hands covered hers and he kissed her again, tasting her once more. He loved that taste.
When they'd pulled away she turned back around to grab a shirt and a skort. "Sounds good to me," she replied simply as she pulled the jean skort up to cover her underwear, fastening the scrap of cloth that covered the shorts. After pulling the floral short over her head she turned back around to give him a kiss on the nose. "You need to get dressed first, silly," she told him and gave him a peck on the lips and pulling away to sit on the edge of the bed, pulling her socks on and then tying her shoes.
He looked down at himself and then back at her, a grin crossing his lips. "You mean I can't go out like this?" he asked jokingly. She giggled and shook her head. "Well, fine, if they wanna be that way I guess I'll go get dressed. Be back in five." He then left the room to let her finish tying her shoes.
The loneliness made her heart race, but she forced herself to calm down and walk towards the bathroom. Closing the door, she went to the bathroom and then washed her hands. Running a brush through her hair she started to hum slightly to herself. She had never been so happy in her entire life. She was with Duo. He was hers. That thought made her smile before she washed her face. Then, drying her face off with a towel she brushed her teeth and stepped out of the bathroom to find Duo waiting there, his arms crossed over his chest.
She blushed and walked out of the bathroom. "Sorry…I didn't know you were waiting…" she told him and kissed his cheek. He shrugged and grinned, kissing her cheek as well and entering the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Waiting for him to come out she stood against the wall, her eyes looking at the floor as she remembered last night.
Duo opened the door, breaking her thoughts and causing her to look up at him. "Ready to go?" he asked simply, wrapping an arm possessively around her waist. When she nodded he walked her to the door, grabbing his checkbook along the way. After he'd closed the door behind him they headed in the direction of the nearest breakfast restaurant. "So, what did you think of last night?" he asked simply, pulling her closer to him. She blushed at the action, he'd never been so possessive before. It was like he wanted everyone to know she was his girl.
"Last night…" she paused as she looked for the right words, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked. "Last night was wonderful. I can't really describe it…" She wrapped an arm around his waist as well when a girl walked by and gave Duo 'the eye'. If she was his girl, he was her guy. She would make sure everyone knew that.
His cocky grin appeared them and he stopped walking, putting both hands on her shoulders. "So, you liked it?" he asked, his voice full of pride. "How about doing it again?" He cocked his head to the side, giving him the fake innocent look and making her giggle.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him. "I would love to," she told him honestly and then kissed him, pressing her body tightly against his. He kissed back, opening his mouth just enough to let her taste him again and wrapped his arms around the small of her back, pulling her even closer. When the kiss was over she pulled away and kept walking, making him hurry to catch up. "I thought you were starving," she joked when he glared at her.
"Yeah…but…" he sighed and put his hands in his pockets. "You taste better than eggs and bacon. But, eggs and bacon don't pull away and run off." He looked over at her disappointedly and she had to laugh at his seriousness. "What is so funny?" he asked in mock annoyance. "I'm trying to be serious here. This is a very serious matter."
This made her roar with laughter and he pulled her to him to kiss him again. He growled jokingly before he kissed her. This one didn't last as long, simply because Hilde was laughing so hard. "You are so silly," she told him as they walked up to the restaurant. "Now, let's eat. I'm pretty starved myself."
Duo pouted, jutting out his bottom lip, but it dissolved into a smile seconds later. "I can go for that!" he exclaimed and then they entered the restaurant. After they'd been shown to their table they sat down on either side and began to look at the menus. He looked at her over his menu and smiled to himself. He really loved her. More than anything. He would die for her, that much he knew.
After ordering, Duo stretched back in his chair and took a sip of his coffee. He gasped when he burned his tongue, almost dropping the mug on the table and spilling coffee everywhere. Hilde cracked up as he guzzled down half a glass of ice water before he could speak again. "Honestly, Hilde, why didn't you tell me it was hot?" he complained, a grimace on his boyish face. That statement made her laugh even harder and he shot a glare in her direction. "It's not funny," he stated with a pout. "That really hurt." He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at his laughing girlfriend.
"I'm sorry, Duo," she managed between fits of laughter. "You're just so stupid sometimes!" She managed to regain her composure and sipped her coffee. He gave her a 'thanks a lot' look just as the waiter brought them their food. He instantly began eating his scrambled eggs and ignoring her occasional giggles.
After finishing those he moved on to the pancakes and sausage. "Stop laughing at me and eat," he stated angrily before he shoved a large bite of pancake into his mouth. The sharpness in his voice surprised her as she started to eat her eggs. For a moment there was complete silence as they ate, but as soon as she'd swallowed her eggs she reached out to touch his hand.
She sighed and lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry…I didn't know it would offend you that much…" she told him honestly. "I won't laugh at you anymore, okay? Just please don't be mad at me over such a stupid thing…please?" She gave him the 'I'm really sorry' look and the tightness in his facial muscles disappeared. She knew she'd won and smiled as she continued to eat her breakfast.
They finished their breakfast and paid the bill; then it was back to the trailer to get ready for work. Once they reached the door Gas'la appeared in front of it, making Hilde jump back into Duo's arms. The grin on his face made her blood run cold.
He sighed and rested back against the door with one arm, his eyes never leaving Duo's. "Hey there, Duo Maxwell," he greeted evilly, his grin quickly becoming a full-fledged sneer. "I see you've been busy…then again, what else is new, right? This isn't the first time, is it?" Duo looked at him in confusion. "Too bad it hasn't worked yet. Though, this one might…" He walked away from the door and towards the couple, making Hilde whimper in fear.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he stated, his jaw line tightening in anger, his grip on Hilde tightening. Gas'la chuckled slightly put his hand on Duo's cheek. Angry, he pulled away and pushed Hilde behind him. "Don't touch me, or her," he commanded, his voice tight.
Gas'la laughed at his actions and disappeared, reappearing behind him and grabbing Hilde by her arms, holding her close to his body. "You're making this too easy, Duo Maxwell," he stated as she struggled in his grasp. "You want you're little girl, don't you?" He brought his lips to a position where they were hovering just above the skin on her neck. "She had quite a fright last night, after all."
Duo clenched his hands into fists and glared at him. "Let her go," he commanded, his voice quivering with anger. "You don't want her, do you? I thought you were after me." Hilde continued to struggle, unable to break free of his hold on her wrists. It was so tight that she grimaced at the pain erupting along her arm.
"Maybe I do want her…" he replied, his voice quiet and silky smooth. "She is a pretty little thing, isn't she? Not bad for a human…" His fingers trailed up her arm, making her skin prickle and her body tense. "But, if you want her back, you're going to have to follow me."
Hilde shook her head, pleading Duo not to follow his orders. "Duo, please, don't worry about me! He'll kill you if you do what he asks!" she cried, trying to pull away again. "I'll be fine, I just don't want you to die!" Tears were trailing down her cheeks again in desperation. She wanted to be in his arms now, like she had been last night.
Gas'la grinned. "You listen to your girl here, and you and her will both die," he threatened. "Just like the others. However, if you do exactly as I say, there is a chance you might live." His eyes met Duo's and he grinned again. "Of course, you don't have to believe me and I can kill her right now. It's your choice, Duo Maxwell." Another thought crossed his mind. "Or, I can give her some more of those nightmares, couldn't I?"
"Let her go. I'll go with you," he conceded, lowering his head in defeat. "Just let her go…" His voice was sad and full of sorrow at his decision. When he looked back up he saw Gas'la grinning that evil grin of his, his eyes flashing evilly. "But, you have to let her go," he stated with surety in his voice.
"Of course," he replied, not releasing his grip on Hilde. "You have to come over here before I let her go. It's only fair." Duo walked over to him and Gas'la released one hand to grab him, then the scenery dissipated before their eyes and changed into a crimson room. Hilde gasped when he released her and she looked around her. There was the upside down cross and the curtains made of blood. It was all too real. She screamed and put her head in her hands, shaking it back and forth. Blackness covered her vision again and she passed out on the floor.
Duo stared at her worriedly and then looked at Gas'la. "I thought you said you'd let her go!" he exclaimed as he tried to run over to her, only to be held back by his grip. "You lied to me, you son of a bitch!" This only gave him one of Gas'la's infamous grins.
He pulled Duo closer to him, tracing his lips with his fingers. "I let her go, didn't I?" he asked, his voice suddenly quiet and gentle. "Please don't be mad at me, Duo Maxwell, you'll be thanking me later…" With that he kissed him. It was slow and gentle at first and then more passionate. Duo tried to pull away, but his body wouldn't respond to his wants and needs. When Gas'la finally pulled away his eyes were shining. "This might hurt a little, I'm sorry…"
A sharp pain started in the center of his back and he felt the smooth blood pour from the wound as Gas'la removed the dagger. The pain slowly spread from the wound until it consumed his whole body. He screamed and fell to the ground, his hands on either side of his pounding head. The screaming continued as he reeled in pain on the floor.
Gas'la simply watched the display, his expression never faltering. Duo Maxwell was definitely the one. None of the others had lasted this long. Agony was all over that beautiful face and filling those indigo eyes that shone with the unusual, love and life.
Slowly the pain started to retreat back to the wound until all that was left was the pain caused by the dagger in his back. He couldn't move, he was frozen in his position on the floor. His body wouldn't register any of the movements he wanted it to perform. It was like he was in a shell and he couldn't get out. He couldn't even tell if his heart was still beating or if he was breathing at all. All he could see was the black ceiling above him.
Finally he managed to twitch his finger and blink his dry eyes. "What just happened to me?" he croaked out, the first sign of life to show itself to Gas'la. "I feel like shit…" He groaned and sat up, reaching back to touch the wound gently. It was pulsing as the body rushed to heal the hole in his body. His heart was beating now and he could feel himself breathing.
"Good, you're still alive," Gas'la stated as he knelt down in front of him. "You are the one I've been searching for…" He placed his hand under his chin and looked deeply into his eyes. "And one with such a beautiful face too…" He kissed him again, causing Duo to tense and try to pull away. But, once again, he was no longer in control of his body. It wasn't responding.
Gas'la pulled away with a genuine grin on his face. "The time has come…" he whispered as he stood, pulling Duo to his feet. "It has finally come…" He ran both hands along Duo's face, his eyes never leaving his.
"What time?" Duo asked frustratedly. "I don't understand what's going on…or what you're trying to do to me…" He tried to pull away, but Gas'la held him in place. "And, what does Hilde have to do with this? I want you to let her go!" His gaze drifted over to see that she was still passed out on the cold floor, unmoving. "Let her go!" His voice was pleading.
To his surprise, Gas'la's expression turned to one of pity. "How ironic that you would fall in love with her…" he stated wistfully as he led Duo over to the upside down cross. "It's sad, really. But, it can't be helped. It will truly hurt me to see you in pain…" They were standing directly in front of the upside down cross now and Duo could look down into the pool of blood, his stomach churning. "I will ease your pain…once all this is over…there will be plenty of time for that…"
The upside down cross started to glow and Duo covered his eyes to block the bright light. Suddenly feeling warmth, he reached out to touch the surface only to find it surprisingly smooth underneath the warm light. Drawn to it, his indigo eyes glowing, he pressed both hands against it an then his whole body.
Hilde grimaced and sat up, her head throbbing. She reached her hand up behind her head and looked around her once again. When she saw Duo with the light and the upside down cross her heart lurched in her chest. "No! Duo! Don't touch the light! You'll get drawn in!" she cried desperately, knowing it was useless to get through. She stood, despite the throbbing of her head, and ran towards him, only to be repelled back, falling harshly onto the ground.
Gas'la turned to look at her, a sneer on his face. "You can't reach him now, Hilde Schbeiker," he stated evilly. "It has begun." He turned his attention back to Duo, who was pressed completely against the upside down cross, his lips pressed against the surface. "Good…very good…"
She sat up and wiped the blood away from the side of her mouth. "Duo…" she whispered sadly, tears filling her eyes as she watched him. "You're leaving me now, aren't you…?" The tears came freely and she didn't even try to stop them. He was leaving her. That thought was too much for her and she felt a sharp pain in the back of her head. Blackness once more formed in the corners of her eyes and she fell onto the floor unconscious.
Duo started to merge with the light. It filled his body and ran along his outline as he kissed the surface passionately. Suddenly the warmth left him cold and empty. He pulled away and stared at the upside down cross longingly. He wanted to fell it again. The warmth, the passion churning through his veins. But, it was gone. He turned back to look at Gas'la, who was staring expectantly at him. Confused, he walked back over to him and let himself be wrapped in the man's arms. Everything was so fuzzy and he couldn't see straight.
Then Gas'la kissed him again, the third time, and this time he didn't try to pull away. Instead he stood there and let him taste him. When he pulled away he backed away completely. This made Duo even more confused and a small throb started in the back of his head. Trying to ignore it he tried to walk towards Gas'la.
"What's happening?" he asked, his voice shaking for no reason. The throbbing was getting larger slowly but surely. "This throbbing…what does it mean? Tell me!" He was begging now as his vision began to get clouded and spotty. The throbbing was so intense now that he could feel it directly behind his eyes.
It was so strong that he fell to his knees, his hands on either side of his head, massaging his temples and closing his eyes to block out the throbbing. It was no use. The throbbing was consuming him. He could see black filling the corners of his eyes and felt his body go limp before complete blackness consumed him.
Visions soon began to replace the blackness that clouded his vision. A scythe, blood, the end of the world, hate. All of it confused him as he fought for his consciousness. The fighting was causing the throbbing to split his head in two. Pain seared through him and he screamed. "Don't fight it…" a gentle voice told him. "Let it happen…it won't hurt so much…"
He sighed and relaxed, trying to let the visions free throughout his mind. Then the last one stopped him from thinking. It was Hilde, nude and assaulted, blood coming from her and forming a pool around her. This made his breath catch in his chest and his heart beat skip. "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" he cried painfully, trying to block the vision. When it didn't go away he screamed again, the sound was full of agony and depression. "No, not Hilde. Anyone but Hilde," he begged nothing in particular.
The vision started to fade and a cool hand was placed on his forehead. "It's okay…you can wake up now…" the voice was so soothing, so full of pity. He opened his eyes to find Gas'la's face only inches from his. "It's over…the time is almost here…soon your pain will be over…" He gave him a brisk kiss and allowed him to sit up and place his head in his hand.
"H-Hilde…she was…dead…in a pool of blood…" he muttered, rubbing his forehead to try and block the image from his memory. "She was nude…what happened to her? Who hurt her?" Gas'la looked at him, his eyes full of sorrow. "Don't look at me like that, answer my question. Who hurt her?" He brushed bangs out of his face and then pulled him closer to him. "Who hurt her? Please…tell me it wasn't me…tell me it wasn't me…" Tears came to his eyes again and flowed like rivers down his cheeks, wetting Gas'la's tunic.
Gas'la rocked him back and forth, soothing him and relieving him of his pain. "It'll all be over soon…I promise…soon…" his voice was quiet and gentle, almost the same as Hilde's whenever he would come in at night after having a nightmare. She would hold him and everything would be alright. He would go back to bed and sleep peacefully. Suddenly the peaceful rocking stopped and Gas'la's body tensed. He looked up at him to see him staring intently at something. When he turned he saw two figures standing on either side of the upside down cross. He looked back up at Gas'la in confusion. "It's time," he explained shortly and motioned for him to stand.
He did, and then turned to face the figures. His body then began to move on its own as it slowly walked over to stand in front of the upside down cross again. The two figures moved to stand on either side of him and suddenly pain felt like it was ripping his body in two. A scream escaped his lips as he felt his skin slash open and blood soak his clothes. He tried to block it out, but it was no use. The pain was too great. As his body bled his mind began to experience a sharp, searing pain that blocked out all his senses.
His screams were bloodcurdling and Gas'la had to turn away, unable to look at the great Duo Maxwell, the beautiful Duo Maxwell, in such intense pain. Instead his gaze fell on Hilde, who was still passed out on the floor, her ebony hair falling around her face and increasing her beauty. He crawled over to her and lifted her into his lap.
"It's time for you to wake up now…" he whispered and she opened her eyes to look up at him. "It is time." Her eyes held both depression and confusion; he could see the tears wetting them and threatening to come out. Duo's screams reached her ears and she turned to look at him.
The sight of his skin being ripped from itself and the blood joining the blood in the pool was too much for her. His bloodcurdling screams made her stomach and churn and she turned her gaze away from the scene. 'Duo…my Duo…' she thought sadly as the tears made their way silently down her cheeks. 'I love you…' Suddenly it became silent and she turned to find Duo collapsed on the floor, his body limp and unmoving.
Her eyes widened at the fear that he might be dead and she ran over to him, reaching out a hand to touch his cold forehead. All the blood that had soaked his body before had disappeared, but he still lay completely still, his chest no longer rising and falling with breathing. She touched his neck only to find that he had no pulse either. "Duo…" she whispered forlornly, running her hand down along his cheek and bent forward to kiss his forehead. "Wake up…I still need you, Duo…you can't leave me yet…you promised, remember?"
Duo's indigo eyes snapped open and he looked at her without seeing her. She backed away with sudden fright as he sat up and stared ahead of him, his gaze going right through her. "Duo?" she asked worriedly. "B-but you're not breathing…y-you have no heartbeat…"
The two figures from before walked back towards them, taking Hilde by each arm and pulling her away from him. "Duo! Wait, I have to make sure he's okay!" she pleaded, turning her face to look after her as they dragged her towards the upside down cross. "Duo!" She struggled, trying to release their grip on her arms only to succeed in hurting herself more. "Please, Duo! Help me! You have to help me!" Tears of desperation made their way down her cheeks as fear tightened in her chest. "DUO!!!" her cry was full of sadness, fear, and desperation.
Gas'la walked up behind Duo and wrapped his arms around his waist. "You've finally awoken," he said gratefully, his voice soft with a hint of happiness. "I thought I'd never see you…" Duo turned to look at him and sneered. "M-Master?" he asked, his voice echoing the confused expression on his face.
"Don't touch me, Gas'la," he commanded and pushed him away. "You've done your job, now go." The command was so cold and heartless that Gas'la felt it hit his chest like an iceberg. He stared at him incredulously, making Duo angry. "I told you to go!" he exclaimed and smacked him across the face.
He turned back around to face Hilde as they pinned her up to the upside down cross. One foot on each arm and her arms suspended above her. Just like in the dream. That fact alone scared her and her breathing started to come out in gasps. Duo was moving towards her slowly, a scythe appearing in his hands. His indigo eyes no longer glowed with the life that was Duo, they were dead and unmoving, they didn't even blink.
"Duo? What are you doing?" she asked, her voice shaking in fear. It was all so real and so like her dream. The figure had been Duo. Her mind wouldn't except the fact and she shook her head to make it leave. "No…no…no…" she murmured over and over again. Then she threw her head back and screamed. "Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
"Shinigami has finally awakened," a voice stated in her head and her eyes widened in fear.