Chapter VI
Trips into unconsciousness, and back again.
Disclaimers: yadda yadda, they don't belong to me! Bah.
Spoilers: None that I'm really aware of. But then, I haven't put major
thought into this. You know, the series.
Wait, yes it does. It has lots of spoilers. But I don't make any direct
reference to them. Not in THIS chapter, anyway!
The ghost was amused. When he had been alive, these people had scorned him in life. One group had considered him below them, felt that he was some sort of tool at their disposal, and the other group had invested their resources in trying to kill him. Now he had control of this side of the mountain and the ability that he had had in life was only amplified in death. He now didn't have any problems controlling spirits and assigning them roles as Guardians.
The ghost sat back, watching with barely contained joy as the youngest member of the team called Weiss slowly had his life drained from him. He had instructed the Guardians to go about it slowly, so the boy would realize what was happening to him. Realize that in his time of need he was alone. The ghost mused, realizing he sounded sadistic. That was fine. These people had wronged him in life, and now he was returning the favor.
'Sitting' casually on the rock outcropping at the perimeter where his house had been, the ghost's eyes shifted to the other member caught in the grip of his Guardians. The precognitive was resisting better, and the ghost conceded that this made sense. This was the leader of Schwarz, the most feared group in the underworld. They were known for their efficiency, the cold way they carried out their missions. They were also known to be experts at protecting those who hired them as bodyguards. When sucking life, Guardians operated largely by going through the mind, and because of his powers and the need to protect from the German, odds were the American had a strong wall around his mind. The ghost admired that, but he admired himself even more for allowing the one Guardian to get far enough into his mind to block any visions. It had been so subtle and natural that the American had never suspected a thing.
Despite the fact that Crawford hadn't broken yet, the Guardians were exhorting enough force that the man was using all his energy into keeping him out. However, with the one Guardian already inside his mind and these on the outside, it would only be a matter of time before the wall shattered. Seeing that happen, seeing this great leader fall would make it all worthwhile. Besides, he was dead. He had all the time in the world.
The ghost heard something behind him, and he turned to look just as the Schwarz boy came climbing quickly down the side from where he and the other had been hiding. Damn, he'd forgotten about them!
Just as Nagi ran towards Crawford, Weiss' other member came clambering down the side, sending several rocks bouncing through the ghost. The blond jumped the last few feet, landing a scant foot from where the dead man sat. The ghost watched him race towards his younger teammate. A smile twitched on the face of the phantom as his attitude changed. Moments before he had worried that he was going to lose his fun, but while Schwarz could protect themselves, Weiss could not. It looked like he was going to be able to take two people out during this section of the game regardless. He was confident the others would follow behind.
* * * *
Nagi rushed to Crawford, throwing out his barrier to envelope the man as soon as possible. The instant the barrier grasped Crawford, his face eased and returned to its normal emotionless expression. Nagi looked over at him, surprised at how much the glasses added to his features. Without them, he looked...less hard. There was something in his face, though, the Nagi couldn't decipher.
"We need to save Weiss," Crawford said in the voice he used after receiving a vision. Nagi nodded, knowing it wasn't wise to ignore that.
* * * *
Every step Yohji took was difficult. The way had been easy at first, but as soon as Nagi had gotten to Crawford, moving had increased in difficulty tenfold. It seemed the creatures had given up the fight on Schwarz and had decided to make life more difficult for him. Yohji found it in his heart, however, to appreciate the fact that for whatever reason, the Gaurdians didn't feel the need to subject him to pain, or steal his life. The other side however, was that Omi was definitely struggling. Yohji thrashed his arms, trying to push the creatures away from him. Yohji stretched his arm out, reached to grasp the youngest member of his team...
...But the creatures pushed back, and wouldn't let him go the final two inches he needed to grab his friend. Yohji cursed in frustration. What was he going to do now?
Suddenly, Omi started screaming.
* * * *
Omi's stream of consciousness was random. His heart was beating fast, adrenalin pumping through his system. He didn't know quite what was happening, but he did know he needed to get out of this situation and fast. The blonde let out a gasp of pain as something pierced his mind, and he rebelled automatically as something began stirring up his memories.
Omi found himself quickly getting lost within his mind. As the thing, whatever it was, dug through his head, he began losing grips on reality. Memories swirled through his head at sickening speeds, and he couldn't get them to stop. Slowly they stopped though, and Omi came to the realization that his breathing had slowed and the throbbing of his heart was also slowing.
He was dying!
The realization suddenly hit him, and Omi began his struggle with renewed vigor. He wouldn't give up, not this easily! Just as Omi felt the attacks might be relenting, he felt sudden piercing pain enter his body, as if tiny needles were being jabbed through all his pores. He shot his eyes wide open as he screamed, back arching from the initial pain.
* * * *
Yohji lunged forward suddenly, as the Gaurdians relinquished their hold on him. Damnit Omi, stop screaming! Yohji thought desperately in the direction of the honey blond. What was wrong? What had happened? Yohji watched desperately as his friend writhed in pain on the ground, his eyes wide open, yet not seeing. He reached out, grabbing a hold of his friends and, as if that would help.
It didn't.
"Fuck." Yohji cursed, helplessness filling him. Yohji knelt beside his friend, bringing him into his arms, hoping that it would somehow calm him.
Omi stopped screaming, and Yohji's heart leapt in joy only to have it turn to despair moments later when he heard Omi's breathing, shallow and irregular. Every few breaths a hitch caught in his throat, almost like a sob.
"They attacked his mind," Crawford's voice said from behind. Yohji swiveled his head to look at him.
"What?"
"It's unusual for them to do that, or with such severity," Crawford continued, unwilling to repeat himself.
"Is he going to die?" Yohji slowly made his way up to where he and Nagi had been before, Omi held tightly against his chest. The boy was pale and his breathing scared him. Yohji shot a look over at Crawford. He was precognitive, wasn't he? He should know if his friend would survive. The American didn't answer though, the prick.
* * * *
Schuldich grinned. Nagi had just contacted him with the information that Crawford and Bombay were with them. Bombay wasn't dead, but he probably would be soon. He supposed that he wasn't really telling a lie after all to the broken Siberian. The German chuckled. These sorts of things were always so much fun. Besides, being on this mountain was boring. Harassing Weiss gave him something to do in his spare time. He was glad to have heard from Nagi. Crawford was back, and he felt certain relief at that. He didn't have to pretend to be the one in charge, anymore. He didn't know why Crawford wasn't able to contact him, though. Something he'd figure out when they got to the top, he supposed.
"Walk a little faster, Ken-kun," Schuldich said, using the suffix like dear Bombay did. "All the action is happening at the top." Ken looked at him through swollen eyes. So dramatic! How had any of these guys become assassins? They were so emotional. As he thought back on it, the German realized how glad he was that Nagi wasn't a whining angst-filled teenager. He couldn't have any more of that, really.
Well wait, that wasn't entirely true. Nagi DID whine and he WAS angst- filled. Just not in the same way as Weiss' resident teen. Nagi managed to twist his angst toward hatred of the whole entire world. That was fun.
"I hate you."
"I know, and that's a very good place to start. You know who else you hate?" Schuldich continued on amiably. When Siberian didn't say anything, Schuldich answered himself, "Kase."
"No."
"Ah, you say that, but was he really your friend?"'
"Yes."
"Tch. Think about it!" Schuldich continued the uphill climb as he simultaneously raked through Ken's head and pulled up more derogatory memories. Ken fell silent as he was bombarded with images.
"Get out of my head," he finally gritted out.
"Where's the fun in that?"
"You're a sadistic bastard."
"And I love it."
"Fuck you."
"Mmm, not today. You're still not my type."
Ken fell silent as he continued following Schuldich up. He HATED the man with an undying passion. His cocky attitude, his rude demeanor. The way he was having second thoughts about Kase. Ken had always taken Kase as a friend who'd been mistaken, or misguided, or something. Schuldich, however, had gone through his mind and brought up things he'd forgotten. Things that, when seen a second time, suddenly seemed more sinister then they had the first time around. Schuldich had also but everything in sequential order, so that events that seemed harmless on their own, when stacked up, Ken could see as deliberate acts against him. Ken was seeing Kase play him for the fool.
Damn him.
But whether Ken was damning Schuldich or Kase, he couldn't say.
* * * *
"Aya!" Yohji shouted as Farfarello came in from behind, Aya resting in his arms. Farfarello deposited the redhead ungraciously onto the ground. Yohji cast him a glare before bending down beside the red head, looking him over. His left arm was broken, and there were some large bruises, and a bump that had formed on his head.
"What happened to him?"
"The shadows," Farfarello said shortly, looking at Yohji, his golden eye glittering. "They knocked him unconscious."
"Didn't play with his mind?" Crawford cut in, coming to stand beside Farfarello, looking at the unconscious red head.
"No."
"Did they do anything to you?"
"No."
"Then it was deliberate and they really are being controlled," Nagi cut in, his features tightened as he concentrated.
"So what? We can find the guy who's doing this, can't we?" Yohji cut in, turning around abruptly. "Maybe he can help Omi!"
"Bombay is falling into shock," Crawford informed him calmly. "There's a good chance he's going to die."
"_Fuck_ no," Yohji bit, surging to his feet and grabbing the American's ragged shirt. Golden brown eyes winced in pain for the slightest moment.
"Let go of me," Crawford demanded, teeth clenched.
"I'm not going to stay here, all apathetic and peaceful, watching my teammates die, and waiting until you decide to do something!" Yohji shouted.
"Why don't _you_ do something, then?" Crawford asked coolly, his eyes glinting. "Go ahead, throw yourself down at the shadows below. Put up a fight. You'll die, but at least you'll feel like you did something. Or you could wait until Schuldich is here, since he might be able to contact the shadows, and the man in charge of them."
"Damn you," Yohji cursed, pushing the American away. He noticed, with some satisfaction, the sword wound on the man's shoulder had been reopened, and was slowly seeping blood through the shirt.
Crawford let himself be pushed back, remaining cool throughout the ordeal. The blonde man was nervous for his teammates, and he was almost at his edge. If Crawford was still where his glasses, he would've pushed them up on his nose, giving the image of still being in control. Image was everything. He was leading blindly. He still couldn't see the future, and was unsure of the events going around. He didn't know why they were being attacked, or who was doing it. There was something larger going on here, and he didn't know what it was.
Crawford hated this feeling of uncertainty. He would not admit to it, however. He would not let this weakness known to his teammates. When he told Nagi he needed Weiss alive, there had been no vision. The American frowned deeply. It was becoming of the utmost importance to find out who was doing this.
"This party looks like it needs some life to it," a nasal voice interrupted Crawford's thoughts, and the looked up suddenly.
"Schuldich."
"Omi!" The voice of the ex J-leaguer interrupted anything the German was about to say, as the other man came over the ledge, reaching his friend's side in moments. "You lied," he said, his words dripping hatred.
"Barely. Your friend is going fast," Schuldich informed.
"I'm going to kill you," Ken said through clenched teeth, rising. His ire for the German had reached its limit. He had _believed_ the red head. He had just gone through hell with the man; his faith having been shook in Kase.
The damage was almost irreparable, Schuldich thought with a grin, as he skimmed through Ken's mind. His faith was almost completely gone. Cracks had formed and were already starting to grow as the soccer player made connections and links. Soon he would be questioning all his friends. Who would betray him next? Who could he trust?
"What's wrong with Omi? And Aya?" Ken asked then, turning to Yohji.
"The shadows attacked both of them," Yohji replied, his own eyes smoldering in anger.
"Abyssinian was only attacked physically, but they raked through Bombay's mind," the American added. "Schuldich, I need to speak to you," Crawford said, stepping off to the side. The German nodded, stepping away.
"It's in your head," Schuldich said, his voice low. "When I tried contacting you earlier, it rebounded me, giving me a migraine. It's also why you can't see anything."
"Can you get it out?"
"It will be painful."
The American nodded. "Tonight."
* * * *
They had decided to break the night into watches. Crawford and Schuldich would take the first shift, with Ken and Yohji following them, and then Farfarello and Nagi. After the rest had fallen asleep, Crawford turned to Schuldich. Without saying anything, the German delved into the Americans mind, finding the shadow right away. The Americans barriers were up, strong as ever, but around them was a swirling blackness. The thing was slowly weaving itself into the American's shields, making extraction that much harder. Schuldich frowned, grabbing onto the thing mentally and giving it a sharp tug. Unconsciously, he registered a repressed gasp from Crawford. Damnit! The thing had gotten in pretty far. Slowly, he wrapped his consciousness around the creature, prying into the hooks it had slowly been putting into Crawford's own consciousness.
If this worked, there might be a moment before Crawford got his shields back up. Schuldich reveled in that. Maybe he'd finally see what the American was thinking.
Go Away.
Schuldich started, his mental grip loosening for a moment. ~Who the hell do you think you are?~ Schuldich asked irritably, not taking kindly to the shock the creature had given him.
Go Away.
~Yeah, fuck off. You can't stay here.~ Schuldich replied. He readied his mind, and then gave a sharp tug. The thing resisted, its barbs still tight in Brad's consciousness
Go Away.
~I heard the first time,~ Schuldich 'said' with another tug, this time harder. He felt the creature loosening, and he grinned darkly. Applying steady pressure, he slowly began to tear the thing away. Abruptly, he fell away, much like one who's playing tug-a-war, and who's partner suddenly lets go. Across from him, Brad fell away too, his face twisted in pain, hands going to his head. Schuldich immediately took advantage of the situation, and delved into the American's mind.
~Get out. ~
~Hm. If I didn't know better, that thing is still in there. You guys should've been good friends. You have a lot in common, ~ Schuldich answered light heartedly enough. He watched as Crawford sat down, refusing to show any weakness, but obviously in pain.
"You don't have any of your pills handy?" the dark haired man asked quietly.
"No."
There was a pause, before Crawford spoke again. "We need to get off this mountain."
"Obviously-"
"No. We need to get off now," Crawford added a firmness to his statement that Schuldich knew meant something more. He had seen something. "Wake everyone up."
"What about Bombay and Abyssinian?"
"We have to take them. Try to clear Bombay's mind up. I think his largest problem is hid mind, not his body," Crawford said shortly, his gaze still not quite in the present. Schuldich nodded, going to kneel beside the youngest of Weiss.
It was chaos, inside the boy's mind. Schuldich grimace. He was becoming the local doctor around here. This was the complete opposite of what he normally did! Carefully, he went through and found Bombay's consciousness.
~Schwarz? ~ The boy asked tentatively, grasping onto Schuldich as the only stable thing in the mess that was his mind.
~The one and only. ~ You're in pretty bad shape here, chibi. ~
~Get me out! ~ Bombay pleaded; completely disregarding who it was in his head, and what it could mean.
~Working on it.~ Schuldich raked through the boys mind. Most of the problems the shadows had caused were on the surface. Still, they had managed to get in deeper in places, and that was more of a problem. ~You're one messed up kid, ~ Schuldich commented as he combed through memories. Omi didn't say anything.
~It's all a façade, ~ the German noted suddenly, minutes later having delved into a particular part of Bombay's psyche.
~Someone needs to keep them together, ~ Bombay replied.
~You can't keep it up. ~
~I have to. They rely on me. ~
~Why aren't who you want to be? ~ Schuldich prodded, diverting more of his attention on the conversation. There was a pause before Bombay said anything.
~Because it was easier in the beginning. ~
~And now? ~
~I'm used to it. I can't change. ~ Bombay replied with a sigh. He didn't know why he was telling his enemy all this. It felt good, to tell someone. ~It is who I am, now. Besides, if I acted the way I felt, I wouldn't be able to stand it.. And, I do care for them. They mean everything to me. ~
Schuldich didn't say anything after that.
* * * *
"You're letting that maniac inside Omi's head?!" Ken lunged for Schuldich, moments after he realized the situation. Crawford stepped in to intervene, grabbing the man's shoulder.
"We need to get off this mountain now. Schuldich is helping Bombay. He's helping ground his mind. The fast Bombay is better, the fast we get off."
"He's probably making him crazier!" Ken protested, looking furtively at his friend. Crawford held onto Ken a moment longer before releasing him. He wasn't going to try anything.
"What's happening?" Yohji asked, stepping up next to Crawford. The American cast a glance at the blonde.
"All the things that have attacked us, the Guardians, broken into Elementals and Shadows are all headed by one person. They're preparing for a large attack. We need to get out of here."
"Aren't we safe at this spot?"
"They may not be able to come here, but they can do things around us. The flood and the storm, were both caused by the Guardians."
"Oh."
"Why doesn't Estet know of someone who can control this many?" Nagi asked from where he was wrapping up what few supplies they had. Crawford didn't say anything, unwilling to admit he didn't know. The conversation was broken, with a groan from Omi. Schuldich stood up from where he was, and stepped back. Ken was at Omi's side, helping him to his feet.
"How do you feel?"
"Better," Omi said, plastering a small smile on his face. Ken brought him into an engulfing hug. He cast a glance to Schuldich, who returned it evenly. Finally the German gave an indiscreet nod. He wouldn't say anything.
"We don't know where we're going," Aya said. His arm had been splinted in a crude fashion, honors done by Farfarello himself. The Irishman had been strangely compliant when he had been given the order by Crawford, and Aya, although unwilling to let the madman touch him, had finally relented when Crawford pointed out that he had been carried this far by the man.
"If we start walking down, we'll eventually get somewhere," Yohji offered. Aya glared at him, and Yohji smiled winningly back at the red head.
"Well, shit. How do we get down from here?" Ken said, looking down the side of the mountain in aggrevation.
End Chapter VI!
Well, I finally did it. What happened, you all might be asking it? First, it ended up with Omi almost dead, and I didn't want that! And so the story was stuck, because it was going places where I didn't want, and I was aggravated it. I'm so glad, though, that I finally got it out! (I hope I still have readers!)
Also, this has been a really difficult year for me. I'm failing my pre cal class, and so I spend up to about three hours a night studying, and that detracts from writing. Also, one of my closest friends committed suicide a little more then a month ago, and so my writing suffered from that, too.
Still! I really have no excuse to be so late. I really really apologize for that, and I'll try not to let it happen anymore. I hope you haven't given up on me!
The ghost was amused. When he had been alive, these people had scorned him in life. One group had considered him below them, felt that he was some sort of tool at their disposal, and the other group had invested their resources in trying to kill him. Now he had control of this side of the mountain and the ability that he had had in life was only amplified in death. He now didn't have any problems controlling spirits and assigning them roles as Guardians.
The ghost sat back, watching with barely contained joy as the youngest member of the team called Weiss slowly had his life drained from him. He had instructed the Guardians to go about it slowly, so the boy would realize what was happening to him. Realize that in his time of need he was alone. The ghost mused, realizing he sounded sadistic. That was fine. These people had wronged him in life, and now he was returning the favor.
'Sitting' casually on the rock outcropping at the perimeter where his house had been, the ghost's eyes shifted to the other member caught in the grip of his Guardians. The precognitive was resisting better, and the ghost conceded that this made sense. This was the leader of Schwarz, the most feared group in the underworld. They were known for their efficiency, the cold way they carried out their missions. They were also known to be experts at protecting those who hired them as bodyguards. When sucking life, Guardians operated largely by going through the mind, and because of his powers and the need to protect from the German, odds were the American had a strong wall around his mind. The ghost admired that, but he admired himself even more for allowing the one Guardian to get far enough into his mind to block any visions. It had been so subtle and natural that the American had never suspected a thing.
Despite the fact that Crawford hadn't broken yet, the Guardians were exhorting enough force that the man was using all his energy into keeping him out. However, with the one Guardian already inside his mind and these on the outside, it would only be a matter of time before the wall shattered. Seeing that happen, seeing this great leader fall would make it all worthwhile. Besides, he was dead. He had all the time in the world.
The ghost heard something behind him, and he turned to look just as the Schwarz boy came climbing quickly down the side from where he and the other had been hiding. Damn, he'd forgotten about them!
Just as Nagi ran towards Crawford, Weiss' other member came clambering down the side, sending several rocks bouncing through the ghost. The blond jumped the last few feet, landing a scant foot from where the dead man sat. The ghost watched him race towards his younger teammate. A smile twitched on the face of the phantom as his attitude changed. Moments before he had worried that he was going to lose his fun, but while Schwarz could protect themselves, Weiss could not. It looked like he was going to be able to take two people out during this section of the game regardless. He was confident the others would follow behind.
* * * *
Nagi rushed to Crawford, throwing out his barrier to envelope the man as soon as possible. The instant the barrier grasped Crawford, his face eased and returned to its normal emotionless expression. Nagi looked over at him, surprised at how much the glasses added to his features. Without them, he looked...less hard. There was something in his face, though, the Nagi couldn't decipher.
"We need to save Weiss," Crawford said in the voice he used after receiving a vision. Nagi nodded, knowing it wasn't wise to ignore that.
* * * *
Every step Yohji took was difficult. The way had been easy at first, but as soon as Nagi had gotten to Crawford, moving had increased in difficulty tenfold. It seemed the creatures had given up the fight on Schwarz and had decided to make life more difficult for him. Yohji found it in his heart, however, to appreciate the fact that for whatever reason, the Gaurdians didn't feel the need to subject him to pain, or steal his life. The other side however, was that Omi was definitely struggling. Yohji thrashed his arms, trying to push the creatures away from him. Yohji stretched his arm out, reached to grasp the youngest member of his team...
...But the creatures pushed back, and wouldn't let him go the final two inches he needed to grab his friend. Yohji cursed in frustration. What was he going to do now?
Suddenly, Omi started screaming.
* * * *
Omi's stream of consciousness was random. His heart was beating fast, adrenalin pumping through his system. He didn't know quite what was happening, but he did know he needed to get out of this situation and fast. The blonde let out a gasp of pain as something pierced his mind, and he rebelled automatically as something began stirring up his memories.
Omi found himself quickly getting lost within his mind. As the thing, whatever it was, dug through his head, he began losing grips on reality. Memories swirled through his head at sickening speeds, and he couldn't get them to stop. Slowly they stopped though, and Omi came to the realization that his breathing had slowed and the throbbing of his heart was also slowing.
He was dying!
The realization suddenly hit him, and Omi began his struggle with renewed vigor. He wouldn't give up, not this easily! Just as Omi felt the attacks might be relenting, he felt sudden piercing pain enter his body, as if tiny needles were being jabbed through all his pores. He shot his eyes wide open as he screamed, back arching from the initial pain.
* * * *
Yohji lunged forward suddenly, as the Gaurdians relinquished their hold on him. Damnit Omi, stop screaming! Yohji thought desperately in the direction of the honey blond. What was wrong? What had happened? Yohji watched desperately as his friend writhed in pain on the ground, his eyes wide open, yet not seeing. He reached out, grabbing a hold of his friends and, as if that would help.
It didn't.
"Fuck." Yohji cursed, helplessness filling him. Yohji knelt beside his friend, bringing him into his arms, hoping that it would somehow calm him.
Omi stopped screaming, and Yohji's heart leapt in joy only to have it turn to despair moments later when he heard Omi's breathing, shallow and irregular. Every few breaths a hitch caught in his throat, almost like a sob.
"They attacked his mind," Crawford's voice said from behind. Yohji swiveled his head to look at him.
"What?"
"It's unusual for them to do that, or with such severity," Crawford continued, unwilling to repeat himself.
"Is he going to die?" Yohji slowly made his way up to where he and Nagi had been before, Omi held tightly against his chest. The boy was pale and his breathing scared him. Yohji shot a look over at Crawford. He was precognitive, wasn't he? He should know if his friend would survive. The American didn't answer though, the prick.
* * * *
Schuldich grinned. Nagi had just contacted him with the information that Crawford and Bombay were with them. Bombay wasn't dead, but he probably would be soon. He supposed that he wasn't really telling a lie after all to the broken Siberian. The German chuckled. These sorts of things were always so much fun. Besides, being on this mountain was boring. Harassing Weiss gave him something to do in his spare time. He was glad to have heard from Nagi. Crawford was back, and he felt certain relief at that. He didn't have to pretend to be the one in charge, anymore. He didn't know why Crawford wasn't able to contact him, though. Something he'd figure out when they got to the top, he supposed.
"Walk a little faster, Ken-kun," Schuldich said, using the suffix like dear Bombay did. "All the action is happening at the top." Ken looked at him through swollen eyes. So dramatic! How had any of these guys become assassins? They were so emotional. As he thought back on it, the German realized how glad he was that Nagi wasn't a whining angst-filled teenager. He couldn't have any more of that, really.
Well wait, that wasn't entirely true. Nagi DID whine and he WAS angst- filled. Just not in the same way as Weiss' resident teen. Nagi managed to twist his angst toward hatred of the whole entire world. That was fun.
"I hate you."
"I know, and that's a very good place to start. You know who else you hate?" Schuldich continued on amiably. When Siberian didn't say anything, Schuldich answered himself, "Kase."
"No."
"Ah, you say that, but was he really your friend?"'
"Yes."
"Tch. Think about it!" Schuldich continued the uphill climb as he simultaneously raked through Ken's head and pulled up more derogatory memories. Ken fell silent as he was bombarded with images.
"Get out of my head," he finally gritted out.
"Where's the fun in that?"
"You're a sadistic bastard."
"And I love it."
"Fuck you."
"Mmm, not today. You're still not my type."
Ken fell silent as he continued following Schuldich up. He HATED the man with an undying passion. His cocky attitude, his rude demeanor. The way he was having second thoughts about Kase. Ken had always taken Kase as a friend who'd been mistaken, or misguided, or something. Schuldich, however, had gone through his mind and brought up things he'd forgotten. Things that, when seen a second time, suddenly seemed more sinister then they had the first time around. Schuldich had also but everything in sequential order, so that events that seemed harmless on their own, when stacked up, Ken could see as deliberate acts against him. Ken was seeing Kase play him for the fool.
Damn him.
But whether Ken was damning Schuldich or Kase, he couldn't say.
* * * *
"Aya!" Yohji shouted as Farfarello came in from behind, Aya resting in his arms. Farfarello deposited the redhead ungraciously onto the ground. Yohji cast him a glare before bending down beside the red head, looking him over. His left arm was broken, and there were some large bruises, and a bump that had formed on his head.
"What happened to him?"
"The shadows," Farfarello said shortly, looking at Yohji, his golden eye glittering. "They knocked him unconscious."
"Didn't play with his mind?" Crawford cut in, coming to stand beside Farfarello, looking at the unconscious red head.
"No."
"Did they do anything to you?"
"No."
"Then it was deliberate and they really are being controlled," Nagi cut in, his features tightened as he concentrated.
"So what? We can find the guy who's doing this, can't we?" Yohji cut in, turning around abruptly. "Maybe he can help Omi!"
"Bombay is falling into shock," Crawford informed him calmly. "There's a good chance he's going to die."
"_Fuck_ no," Yohji bit, surging to his feet and grabbing the American's ragged shirt. Golden brown eyes winced in pain for the slightest moment.
"Let go of me," Crawford demanded, teeth clenched.
"I'm not going to stay here, all apathetic and peaceful, watching my teammates die, and waiting until you decide to do something!" Yohji shouted.
"Why don't _you_ do something, then?" Crawford asked coolly, his eyes glinting. "Go ahead, throw yourself down at the shadows below. Put up a fight. You'll die, but at least you'll feel like you did something. Or you could wait until Schuldich is here, since he might be able to contact the shadows, and the man in charge of them."
"Damn you," Yohji cursed, pushing the American away. He noticed, with some satisfaction, the sword wound on the man's shoulder had been reopened, and was slowly seeping blood through the shirt.
Crawford let himself be pushed back, remaining cool throughout the ordeal. The blonde man was nervous for his teammates, and he was almost at his edge. If Crawford was still where his glasses, he would've pushed them up on his nose, giving the image of still being in control. Image was everything. He was leading blindly. He still couldn't see the future, and was unsure of the events going around. He didn't know why they were being attacked, or who was doing it. There was something larger going on here, and he didn't know what it was.
Crawford hated this feeling of uncertainty. He would not admit to it, however. He would not let this weakness known to his teammates. When he told Nagi he needed Weiss alive, there had been no vision. The American frowned deeply. It was becoming of the utmost importance to find out who was doing this.
"This party looks like it needs some life to it," a nasal voice interrupted Crawford's thoughts, and the looked up suddenly.
"Schuldich."
"Omi!" The voice of the ex J-leaguer interrupted anything the German was about to say, as the other man came over the ledge, reaching his friend's side in moments. "You lied," he said, his words dripping hatred.
"Barely. Your friend is going fast," Schuldich informed.
"I'm going to kill you," Ken said through clenched teeth, rising. His ire for the German had reached its limit. He had _believed_ the red head. He had just gone through hell with the man; his faith having been shook in Kase.
The damage was almost irreparable, Schuldich thought with a grin, as he skimmed through Ken's mind. His faith was almost completely gone. Cracks had formed and were already starting to grow as the soccer player made connections and links. Soon he would be questioning all his friends. Who would betray him next? Who could he trust?
"What's wrong with Omi? And Aya?" Ken asked then, turning to Yohji.
"The shadows attacked both of them," Yohji replied, his own eyes smoldering in anger.
"Abyssinian was only attacked physically, but they raked through Bombay's mind," the American added. "Schuldich, I need to speak to you," Crawford said, stepping off to the side. The German nodded, stepping away.
"It's in your head," Schuldich said, his voice low. "When I tried contacting you earlier, it rebounded me, giving me a migraine. It's also why you can't see anything."
"Can you get it out?"
"It will be painful."
The American nodded. "Tonight."
* * * *
They had decided to break the night into watches. Crawford and Schuldich would take the first shift, with Ken and Yohji following them, and then Farfarello and Nagi. After the rest had fallen asleep, Crawford turned to Schuldich. Without saying anything, the German delved into the Americans mind, finding the shadow right away. The Americans barriers were up, strong as ever, but around them was a swirling blackness. The thing was slowly weaving itself into the American's shields, making extraction that much harder. Schuldich frowned, grabbing onto the thing mentally and giving it a sharp tug. Unconsciously, he registered a repressed gasp from Crawford. Damnit! The thing had gotten in pretty far. Slowly, he wrapped his consciousness around the creature, prying into the hooks it had slowly been putting into Crawford's own consciousness.
If this worked, there might be a moment before Crawford got his shields back up. Schuldich reveled in that. Maybe he'd finally see what the American was thinking.
Go Away.
Schuldich started, his mental grip loosening for a moment. ~Who the hell do you think you are?~ Schuldich asked irritably, not taking kindly to the shock the creature had given him.
Go Away.
~Yeah, fuck off. You can't stay here.~ Schuldich replied. He readied his mind, and then gave a sharp tug. The thing resisted, its barbs still tight in Brad's consciousness
Go Away.
~I heard the first time,~ Schuldich 'said' with another tug, this time harder. He felt the creature loosening, and he grinned darkly. Applying steady pressure, he slowly began to tear the thing away. Abruptly, he fell away, much like one who's playing tug-a-war, and who's partner suddenly lets go. Across from him, Brad fell away too, his face twisted in pain, hands going to his head. Schuldich immediately took advantage of the situation, and delved into the American's mind.
~Get out. ~
~Hm. If I didn't know better, that thing is still in there. You guys should've been good friends. You have a lot in common, ~ Schuldich answered light heartedly enough. He watched as Crawford sat down, refusing to show any weakness, but obviously in pain.
"You don't have any of your pills handy?" the dark haired man asked quietly.
"No."
There was a pause, before Crawford spoke again. "We need to get off this mountain."
"Obviously-"
"No. We need to get off now," Crawford added a firmness to his statement that Schuldich knew meant something more. He had seen something. "Wake everyone up."
"What about Bombay and Abyssinian?"
"We have to take them. Try to clear Bombay's mind up. I think his largest problem is hid mind, not his body," Crawford said shortly, his gaze still not quite in the present. Schuldich nodded, going to kneel beside the youngest of Weiss.
It was chaos, inside the boy's mind. Schuldich grimace. He was becoming the local doctor around here. This was the complete opposite of what he normally did! Carefully, he went through and found Bombay's consciousness.
~Schwarz? ~ The boy asked tentatively, grasping onto Schuldich as the only stable thing in the mess that was his mind.
~The one and only. ~ You're in pretty bad shape here, chibi. ~
~Get me out! ~ Bombay pleaded; completely disregarding who it was in his head, and what it could mean.
~Working on it.~ Schuldich raked through the boys mind. Most of the problems the shadows had caused were on the surface. Still, they had managed to get in deeper in places, and that was more of a problem. ~You're one messed up kid, ~ Schuldich commented as he combed through memories. Omi didn't say anything.
~It's all a façade, ~ the German noted suddenly, minutes later having delved into a particular part of Bombay's psyche.
~Someone needs to keep them together, ~ Bombay replied.
~You can't keep it up. ~
~I have to. They rely on me. ~
~Why aren't who you want to be? ~ Schuldich prodded, diverting more of his attention on the conversation. There was a pause before Bombay said anything.
~Because it was easier in the beginning. ~
~And now? ~
~I'm used to it. I can't change. ~ Bombay replied with a sigh. He didn't know why he was telling his enemy all this. It felt good, to tell someone. ~It is who I am, now. Besides, if I acted the way I felt, I wouldn't be able to stand it.. And, I do care for them. They mean everything to me. ~
Schuldich didn't say anything after that.
* * * *
"You're letting that maniac inside Omi's head?!" Ken lunged for Schuldich, moments after he realized the situation. Crawford stepped in to intervene, grabbing the man's shoulder.
"We need to get off this mountain now. Schuldich is helping Bombay. He's helping ground his mind. The fast Bombay is better, the fast we get off."
"He's probably making him crazier!" Ken protested, looking furtively at his friend. Crawford held onto Ken a moment longer before releasing him. He wasn't going to try anything.
"What's happening?" Yohji asked, stepping up next to Crawford. The American cast a glance at the blonde.
"All the things that have attacked us, the Guardians, broken into Elementals and Shadows are all headed by one person. They're preparing for a large attack. We need to get out of here."
"Aren't we safe at this spot?"
"They may not be able to come here, but they can do things around us. The flood and the storm, were both caused by the Guardians."
"Oh."
"Why doesn't Estet know of someone who can control this many?" Nagi asked from where he was wrapping up what few supplies they had. Crawford didn't say anything, unwilling to admit he didn't know. The conversation was broken, with a groan from Omi. Schuldich stood up from where he was, and stepped back. Ken was at Omi's side, helping him to his feet.
"How do you feel?"
"Better," Omi said, plastering a small smile on his face. Ken brought him into an engulfing hug. He cast a glance to Schuldich, who returned it evenly. Finally the German gave an indiscreet nod. He wouldn't say anything.
"We don't know where we're going," Aya said. His arm had been splinted in a crude fashion, honors done by Farfarello himself. The Irishman had been strangely compliant when he had been given the order by Crawford, and Aya, although unwilling to let the madman touch him, had finally relented when Crawford pointed out that he had been carried this far by the man.
"If we start walking down, we'll eventually get somewhere," Yohji offered. Aya glared at him, and Yohji smiled winningly back at the red head.
"Well, shit. How do we get down from here?" Ken said, looking down the side of the mountain in aggrevation.
End Chapter VI!
Well, I finally did it. What happened, you all might be asking it? First, it ended up with Omi almost dead, and I didn't want that! And so the story was stuck, because it was going places where I didn't want, and I was aggravated it. I'm so glad, though, that I finally got it out! (I hope I still have readers!)
Also, this has been a really difficult year for me. I'm failing my pre cal class, and so I spend up to about three hours a night studying, and that detracts from writing. Also, one of my closest friends committed suicide a little more then a month ago, and so my writing suffered from that, too.
Still! I really have no excuse to be so late. I really really apologize for that, and I'll try not to let it happen anymore. I hope you haven't given up on me!