BowSong : The Diary of the Star Archer part 11
Rubeus stood in his chamber of mirrors, upon his replaced ship, gazing at the hideously burned scar on his face. He ran his fingers lightly across it, a scowl appearing on his face, slowly replaced by a wicked smile. He knew the man who gave him the scar would never again harm him, never again stand in his way. Rift MoonDrake had fallen in battle.
A hand falls on his shoulder, from out of the shadows, startling him from his introspection. It is clad in a black gauntlet, with great claws coming from the fingers and knuckles, the back covered with thousands of tiny meat hooks, generally the palm as well, but not now. As Rubeus turns around, he's met with burning red eyes, and a wickedly cold face, his mouth a faint line, upturned in a smirk.
"Rubeus, must I always clean up your work after you? I tire of playing babysitter. But, this changes as of today. I have been ordered to proceed with my plan. Your orders are to stay here, and contemplate your failure."
"Very well, Bloodling. I eagerly await to hear of your failure, as you surely will. Your plan works off of uncertainties, and luck. Lady luck may smile upon you for a time, but she's sure to turn away eventually, and you know it."
"Enough. I tire of this, I have to finish my preparations. Farewell, failure."
And with that, the figure disappears back into the shadows. A faint hint of the scent of blood pervaded the air, alongside a cruel laugh, sourced from nowhere, and everywhere at once.
Edward had left nothing to chance, despite what outward appearances had shown.
~~~~~~
I got out of bed, one of the few nights I actually slept in my regular bedroom, simply out of respect for my sanctum, now renamed the Hero's Tomb, by myself and Exor, the only living souls to have entered that room, aside from Rift in his earlier state of villainy. I began my morning ritual of stagger out of bed, stumble around, eyes half-closed until I find the pot of coffee I had made the night before, and left to heat. Drain the pot, and go to train myself again.
I entered the Tomb in silent reverence to the fallen soldier. Taking up my blade, I offer a salute to his statue, and take my beginning position. I had done this for a week now, since summer vacation had begun. This morning, I was fortunate to be quick on my feet, for just as I took my stance, I noticed the statue begin to spiderweb with cracks, which slowly spread across the arms, the torso, and finally, the whole body, as the stone shattered, falling away from... flesh?
Rift lunged forward, blindly, still thinking he was faced off against Rubeus. I barely deflected his sword away, but still grazing my arm, he began with a flurry of cuts and slashes, all I could do was try and avoid them. I was still grazed on the forearm a lot, probably from being used to the bracers on the Archer's armor, but I finally managed to stop his blade, by diving out of the way as he buried it into a wall. That's when he finally seemed to wake up to where he was... sort of.
"What the... where am I? Where did Rubeus go? What happened, Gary? And why are you bleeding?" Rift honestly looked confused, though the situation seemed to warrant it. "And why the hell am I so hungry?" I facefaulted.
"Come with me, Rift. There's a really good buffet right down the street, we'll talk there." We left my sanctuary, and went down the street to the buffet, to descend upon it like a pair of hungry wolves... though how true that statement is for one of us, anyways.
~~~~~~
Rift and I began eating, both as ravenous as the other. The only difference is, as I started to slow, Rift started to gain. Plate after plate disappeared, before he finally settled back for a break to talk.
"I know what you're going to ask, Gary. How I fit into the power play between the Princess and our enemies. After that betrayal by Rubeus, I can assure you that I am your friend and ally, and will remain so. I was, or rather, still am Prince Rift MoonDrake, adopted son of Queen Serenity, and therefore brother of the Princess, Usagi.
"I can tell you this much about the leader of our enemies. His name is Shiranai, and he has great power within him, but he hides it well, even from someone like me. The other two generals under his power, you know. Rubeus is the general he utilizes more often, as he is the more reliable. Even Shiranai knows better than to trust Edward with any great undertaking, he seems to only run on his agenda, and you appear to be written all over it, Gary.
"Perhaps some other time, we can talk of the past in greater detail. As for now, I feel drained, but a lot better, now that I've eaten. And I will feel better still after I have some more of this, and go to sleep."
I almost did not believe him when he said he was after more, until I saw him appear back at the table with another 4 plates worth, pack them away, and repeat this process five or six times. You would never assume that he could eat all of that food, from his physical appearance.
When Rift stood up to leave, I finally got a good look at his physical features. He looked to be a few inches taller than me, so he was probably about six and a half feet. His eyes were a very pale, pale color, that looked to match some of his hair, which seemed to be shifting from stark white to... platinum? The oddity of it was, he looked like he might have barely tipped the scales at 160 pounds. He looked as if he was left on a rack somewhere for a few years.
~~~~~~
When we got back to my house, I showed him to my room, where he passed out on the bed almost instantly, which was good, since I was supposed to meet the scouts in a bit. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I scribbled Rift a quick note, letting him know where I had gone, and ran out the door.
I got to the meeting with about a minute to spare. That is, I got there about five minutes before we started, since Usagi was late again, but not nearly as late today as normal. Which in itself is unusual. We glanced around, trying to see if everyone was here, but it appeared not. Minako was missing. Usagi really looked confused, when she turned towards us.
"Have any of you guys seen Mina? We were supposed to get together earlier, but she never showed. It's not like her, to miss an appointment," she said, sounding only the most concerned for her friend, but she was answered by a farmiliarly obnoxious voice. Mitaiyoko.
"No, it's not like her. Usually, you're the one who misses appointments, twit. I have to report that Sailor Sagittarius is also missing. She also didn't show at our meeting. Maybe they're together? Try them on a communicator."
Everyone went fumbling around looking for theirs, as I calmly pull mine out, and start trying to lock in on Mina's. All I got was a screaming hiss of static. It sounded like something had knocked out her communicator, which started setting off all sorts of mental alarms, but I ignored them, thinking she may have fallen on it.
"Oh well, she didn't show. Let's not worry about it, let's just all make sure we're keeping our eyes open, and pass the word on to her when you see her next, that's really all this meeting was about." At that, we all seemed to part to our separate ways, for the time being.
Upon returning home, I found the house was empty. Rift had left his own note, simply stating he had some things he had to try to find, and would return only when he had. That left me home alone, so I did some more practicing, watched some TV, and fell asleep on the couch.
I awoke to the phone ringing. On answering it, I found out that it was Hikari on the line. She was trying to find out if I had seen Sailor Pisces at all, since she wasn't at her house. Now things were really starting to not sound so kosher, but I kept my thoughts to myself again. I decided that we should meet, and see if the feeling was mutual.
At the meeting, we appeared to be all there, except the three that hadn't been around recently. Nothing really had been covered, except that everyone was required to keep communicators on and in general contact with everyone, at all times. This wasn't a problem, and meant that if something was going on, it would be known about immediately.
That night, I started praising my intuition, when I was awakened to one hell of a racket over one of the channels. There was an odd sound, halfway between a struggle, halfway not. Two voices sounded clearly through. One was Ami, the other one...
Edward was in her room with her. Now, the half-struggle made sense. He was trying to vampirize her. Good thing that her communicator was on, we'd never have known otherwise, he was using hypnosis to keep them quiet. As soon as I was conscious enough, I started calling over the communicator for him to stop. All I heard then was laughter, and static, as her transmission was abruptly halted.
I raced to get ready and get on my bike. In a matter of minutes, I was there, about two or three minutes before everyone else. We arrived, to find the scene empty of anything, living or undead, though we expected as much. All we really found was a scrap of paper, with a still-et challenge written on it, in blood.
Author's Note: This chapter has been long in coming, I am aware. I have been busy... so very busy... but anyways, I wrote it. This chapter ties in very closely with the next two to come, so stay tuned. My usual disclaimers still apply, so don't even think of bugging me about them. Until next time, ja ne!
~Gryff
Rubeus stood in his chamber of mirrors, upon his replaced ship, gazing at the hideously burned scar on his face. He ran his fingers lightly across it, a scowl appearing on his face, slowly replaced by a wicked smile. He knew the man who gave him the scar would never again harm him, never again stand in his way. Rift MoonDrake had fallen in battle.
A hand falls on his shoulder, from out of the shadows, startling him from his introspection. It is clad in a black gauntlet, with great claws coming from the fingers and knuckles, the back covered with thousands of tiny meat hooks, generally the palm as well, but not now. As Rubeus turns around, he's met with burning red eyes, and a wickedly cold face, his mouth a faint line, upturned in a smirk.
"Rubeus, must I always clean up your work after you? I tire of playing babysitter. But, this changes as of today. I have been ordered to proceed with my plan. Your orders are to stay here, and contemplate your failure."
"Very well, Bloodling. I eagerly await to hear of your failure, as you surely will. Your plan works off of uncertainties, and luck. Lady luck may smile upon you for a time, but she's sure to turn away eventually, and you know it."
"Enough. I tire of this, I have to finish my preparations. Farewell, failure."
And with that, the figure disappears back into the shadows. A faint hint of the scent of blood pervaded the air, alongside a cruel laugh, sourced from nowhere, and everywhere at once.
Edward had left nothing to chance, despite what outward appearances had shown.
~~~~~~
I got out of bed, one of the few nights I actually slept in my regular bedroom, simply out of respect for my sanctum, now renamed the Hero's Tomb, by myself and Exor, the only living souls to have entered that room, aside from Rift in his earlier state of villainy. I began my morning ritual of stagger out of bed, stumble around, eyes half-closed until I find the pot of coffee I had made the night before, and left to heat. Drain the pot, and go to train myself again.
I entered the Tomb in silent reverence to the fallen soldier. Taking up my blade, I offer a salute to his statue, and take my beginning position. I had done this for a week now, since summer vacation had begun. This morning, I was fortunate to be quick on my feet, for just as I took my stance, I noticed the statue begin to spiderweb with cracks, which slowly spread across the arms, the torso, and finally, the whole body, as the stone shattered, falling away from... flesh?
Rift lunged forward, blindly, still thinking he was faced off against Rubeus. I barely deflected his sword away, but still grazing my arm, he began with a flurry of cuts and slashes, all I could do was try and avoid them. I was still grazed on the forearm a lot, probably from being used to the bracers on the Archer's armor, but I finally managed to stop his blade, by diving out of the way as he buried it into a wall. That's when he finally seemed to wake up to where he was... sort of.
"What the... where am I? Where did Rubeus go? What happened, Gary? And why are you bleeding?" Rift honestly looked confused, though the situation seemed to warrant it. "And why the hell am I so hungry?" I facefaulted.
"Come with me, Rift. There's a really good buffet right down the street, we'll talk there." We left my sanctuary, and went down the street to the buffet, to descend upon it like a pair of hungry wolves... though how true that statement is for one of us, anyways.
~~~~~~
Rift and I began eating, both as ravenous as the other. The only difference is, as I started to slow, Rift started to gain. Plate after plate disappeared, before he finally settled back for a break to talk.
"I know what you're going to ask, Gary. How I fit into the power play between the Princess and our enemies. After that betrayal by Rubeus, I can assure you that I am your friend and ally, and will remain so. I was, or rather, still am Prince Rift MoonDrake, adopted son of Queen Serenity, and therefore brother of the Princess, Usagi.
"I can tell you this much about the leader of our enemies. His name is Shiranai, and he has great power within him, but he hides it well, even from someone like me. The other two generals under his power, you know. Rubeus is the general he utilizes more often, as he is the more reliable. Even Shiranai knows better than to trust Edward with any great undertaking, he seems to only run on his agenda, and you appear to be written all over it, Gary.
"Perhaps some other time, we can talk of the past in greater detail. As for now, I feel drained, but a lot better, now that I've eaten. And I will feel better still after I have some more of this, and go to sleep."
I almost did not believe him when he said he was after more, until I saw him appear back at the table with another 4 plates worth, pack them away, and repeat this process five or six times. You would never assume that he could eat all of that food, from his physical appearance.
When Rift stood up to leave, I finally got a good look at his physical features. He looked to be a few inches taller than me, so he was probably about six and a half feet. His eyes were a very pale, pale color, that looked to match some of his hair, which seemed to be shifting from stark white to... platinum? The oddity of it was, he looked like he might have barely tipped the scales at 160 pounds. He looked as if he was left on a rack somewhere for a few years.
~~~~~~
When we got back to my house, I showed him to my room, where he passed out on the bed almost instantly, which was good, since I was supposed to meet the scouts in a bit. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I scribbled Rift a quick note, letting him know where I had gone, and ran out the door.
I got to the meeting with about a minute to spare. That is, I got there about five minutes before we started, since Usagi was late again, but not nearly as late today as normal. Which in itself is unusual. We glanced around, trying to see if everyone was here, but it appeared not. Minako was missing. Usagi really looked confused, when she turned towards us.
"Have any of you guys seen Mina? We were supposed to get together earlier, but she never showed. It's not like her, to miss an appointment," she said, sounding only the most concerned for her friend, but she was answered by a farmiliarly obnoxious voice. Mitaiyoko.
"No, it's not like her. Usually, you're the one who misses appointments, twit. I have to report that Sailor Sagittarius is also missing. She also didn't show at our meeting. Maybe they're together? Try them on a communicator."
Everyone went fumbling around looking for theirs, as I calmly pull mine out, and start trying to lock in on Mina's. All I got was a screaming hiss of static. It sounded like something had knocked out her communicator, which started setting off all sorts of mental alarms, but I ignored them, thinking she may have fallen on it.
"Oh well, she didn't show. Let's not worry about it, let's just all make sure we're keeping our eyes open, and pass the word on to her when you see her next, that's really all this meeting was about." At that, we all seemed to part to our separate ways, for the time being.
Upon returning home, I found the house was empty. Rift had left his own note, simply stating he had some things he had to try to find, and would return only when he had. That left me home alone, so I did some more practicing, watched some TV, and fell asleep on the couch.
I awoke to the phone ringing. On answering it, I found out that it was Hikari on the line. She was trying to find out if I had seen Sailor Pisces at all, since she wasn't at her house. Now things were really starting to not sound so kosher, but I kept my thoughts to myself again. I decided that we should meet, and see if the feeling was mutual.
At the meeting, we appeared to be all there, except the three that hadn't been around recently. Nothing really had been covered, except that everyone was required to keep communicators on and in general contact with everyone, at all times. This wasn't a problem, and meant that if something was going on, it would be known about immediately.
That night, I started praising my intuition, when I was awakened to one hell of a racket over one of the channels. There was an odd sound, halfway between a struggle, halfway not. Two voices sounded clearly through. One was Ami, the other one...
Edward was in her room with her. Now, the half-struggle made sense. He was trying to vampirize her. Good thing that her communicator was on, we'd never have known otherwise, he was using hypnosis to keep them quiet. As soon as I was conscious enough, I started calling over the communicator for him to stop. All I heard then was laughter, and static, as her transmission was abruptly halted.
I raced to get ready and get on my bike. In a matter of minutes, I was there, about two or three minutes before everyone else. We arrived, to find the scene empty of anything, living or undead, though we expected as much. All we really found was a scrap of paper, with a still-et challenge written on it, in blood.
Author's Note: This chapter has been long in coming, I am aware. I have been busy... so very busy... but anyways, I wrote it. This chapter ties in very closely with the next two to come, so stay tuned. My usual disclaimers still apply, so don't even think of bugging me about them. Until next time, ja ne!
~Gryff