He stared at what little stars he could see through the trees above him,
willing himself to fall asleep, but sleep never came. He knew he needed his
rest, and by all rights he should be tired, after explaining everything to
Feral and Dian, but he wasn't.
He was missing something and he knew it. He was missing Dark.
He sighed and rolled over onto his side, the grass below him tickling his nose. He had been offered a bed inside, but after spending so much time wandering, a bed wouldn't feel right. He would also feel its emptiness more clearly.
"Strange how a human can have so much power over me, make me go through all this to be with him." He laughed quietly when he tried to picture the expressions on another elf's face if he told them what he had done. "Choosing the sword was the first sign of my difference. Dark was the second." The last came out a whisper and he curled up tighter. He finally fell asleep like that, wishing to be in the arms of the one he loved.
Dark paced his room, as he had been doing almost every night since Celtic's departure. He was constantly worried about the elf and always felt the guilt that came with that worry. He reached the end of the room and turned back.
"If it wasn't for me, then he wouldn't be out there!"
"No. If it wasn't for 'me', none of this would have ever happened." Dark turned in surprise to see the Pharaoh in his doorway, arms crossed and red eyes nearly glowing. He quickly bowed his head, but the other stopped him.
"Those formalities aren't necessary. Not between us." He moved into the room and over to the window on the other side. Dark, after a moment's hesitation, joined him and they stood side by side staring at the stars. Finally the Pharaoh broke the silence.
"Do you ever hate me for choosing you to be in my Deck?" The question caught the Magician off guard and he had to think about it for a moment.
"No." he said slowly. "I never hated you. At first I was just glad I would have a place to be useful and then I knew Gaia and I felt a bit of regret and sadness, but never hate. Not even when I met Celtic and accepted him." He grinned slightly. "Although I admit I was tempted to."
"I can see why. Celtic is a rare find and I don't just mean as a Card. It's not often you find such a strong spirit and heart in one so loyal." Red eyes studied Dark, but he didn't turn to them. "You miss him dearly, don't you?" The magician could only nod. He felt the other's smile, but still looked out at the stars. "Then I think it's only fair if you two see each other again, but just for a few hours, that's all I can manage."
Dark turned in surprise, but all he could see was a symbol glowing on the other's forehead before he was surrounded by light. When he could see again, he found himself in a forest.
"What am I doing here?" He turned around and that's when he noticed a very familiar figure lying in the grass, looking comfortable there as only an elf could. He felt himself smile and moved over to the blond, lying down so that he was facing him. For a few minutes he just took in the other's presence, content to merely watch him sleep.
The moon caused his hair to glow and cast a silvery sheen to his skin. He moved in closer and lifted one hand to the other's cheek, smiling when he automatically nuzzled into it. The other hand moved underneath both their bodies and brought the elf as close as possible to him.
"It seems almost cruel to destroy such a scene, but it would be even crueler to never let you know that I'm here." He leaned in closely and softly kissed his elf's ear, smiling at the shiver he felt run through his body. He did it again, this time letting his lips follow the length of the ear right up to the tip.
The shivers grew and then Celtic started to stir and Dark moved down and captured soft lips with his own. He felt the other sigh and watched as red eyes opened and looked into his own violet. The surprise could easily be read within them, but neither moved away, both fearing it was a dream, but finally they had to breathe.
"You're really here, aren't you." It was a statement and Dark only needed to nod.
"Yes. It seemed the Pharaoh didn't think we should have to stay completely apart."
"Or else you were whining too much and Gaia finally complained." The elf smirked.
"Hey! I'm not that bad. No, don't even start." He placed a finger to the other's lips, stopping any comments before they started. "Just let me hold you for now. It'll be nice to finally sleep properly."
"I'll second that." Celtic wrapped his arms around Dark and the other tightened his own grip. "Just know I'll still miss you in the morning."
"As will I." They fell asleep in each other's arms and remained that way for a few more hours.
"Hey elf, you smell like someone else?" Celtic blinked and opened his eyes to meet Feral's curious gaze. He smiled as he remembered last night and silently thanked Yami, whatever his reasons.
"I do? Well, maybe it's just something out here, that's fooling your nose." The other looked slightly offended before shrugging and bounding off towards the edge of the clearing. He turned back and seemed to be waiting for Celtic to join him. Curious Celtic walked over to him. "What?"
"Me know where your friend is. Dian found out last night."
"Where?"
"In the Castle." The imp shivered as he said that. Suddenly Celtic had a very bad feeling about this.
"Where is this castle? Who lives there?" Feral seemed to shrink into himself and looked around nervously.
"It's called the Castle Of Dark Illusions and is home to all the Powerful Fiends. It is also the home to the Beast of Talwar, the greatest swordsman among the Fiends." Feral looked up at him. "Do you still want to try and save your friend?"
Celtic didn't hesitate, he nodded his head yes. "Silver Fang is my friend and has helped me on this journey. I won't leave him now, nor ever."
"I can see why you will be accepted into the Pharaoh's Deck. You are strong, but not like any other I've met." He nodded, almost to himself. "Me will go with you, to help keep you alive."
He was a bit surprised at the offer from the Imp but he smiled all the same. "Thank you. It'll be nice to know I'll have help in there." He looked around at the forest, which seemed slightly darker this morning. "So which way is this castle?"
"This way." The Imp started moving south and Celtic followed, but before he left the clearing he turned to the hut and saw Dian standing there. He bowed his thanks to the Cure Master before leaving and saw her wave in return. As the forest swallowed him up, he thanked whoever was responsible for giving elves remarkable eyesight, there was very little light among the branches and if he were human, he would have lost his guide.
'Dark, wherever you are now, I hope you'll continue to watch over me.'
"Master Talwar, there is an elf headed this way." The Fiend looked over at the blond Phantom and nodded his head once.
"See that he arrives here in one piece." The weaker fiend bowed before leaving his Master alone. The Beast stared out across the forest from his place on the Tower and smiled. It had been too long since he had had any fun and elves always were such beautiful slaves.
"I hope this one will be harder to tame than the last one." His smile grew as he made plans for his 'guest's' arrival.
He was now sure that he was being watched. Before it had just been a nagging little feeling, but now it was getting very hard to ignore. He turned to the Imp in front of him.
"Do you smell anyone nearby?" He saw the green furred head nod.
"Yes, they have been watching us for awhile, but they haven't done anything to harm us and me thought it would just be best if we get to the Castle as quickly as possible." Celtic nodded.
"Good idea. How much farther is it?"
"Not much. Once we on top of this hill we shall see it." They continued on and the imp had been right. There was a break in the trees and looming high above them the black Castle stood silent and watchful. It was Celtic's turn to shiver and he quickly looked away from the castle to the forest around.
Through the branches and near the ground fog's played with each other, chasing and hunting the creatures that resided amidst the trees. He wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. Fiends and elves did not mix.
He turned back to Feral, but the Imp wasn't there.
"Feral, where did you-" His sentence was cut short when two long blades came crashing down in front of him. He backed up quickly with a startled yelp, only to run into something, or rather, someone. He looked up and met the glowing yellow eyes of the Beast of Talwar. He tried to move away but two dragon-like wings enfolded his body, pressing it close to the Beast.
"So nice of you to pay us a visit, young elf. I'm sure I'll enjoy your stay." Celtic shivered as a clawed hand caressed his cheek, just before something knocked him unconscious.
He was missing something and he knew it. He was missing Dark.
He sighed and rolled over onto his side, the grass below him tickling his nose. He had been offered a bed inside, but after spending so much time wandering, a bed wouldn't feel right. He would also feel its emptiness more clearly.
"Strange how a human can have so much power over me, make me go through all this to be with him." He laughed quietly when he tried to picture the expressions on another elf's face if he told them what he had done. "Choosing the sword was the first sign of my difference. Dark was the second." The last came out a whisper and he curled up tighter. He finally fell asleep like that, wishing to be in the arms of the one he loved.
Dark paced his room, as he had been doing almost every night since Celtic's departure. He was constantly worried about the elf and always felt the guilt that came with that worry. He reached the end of the room and turned back.
"If it wasn't for me, then he wouldn't be out there!"
"No. If it wasn't for 'me', none of this would have ever happened." Dark turned in surprise to see the Pharaoh in his doorway, arms crossed and red eyes nearly glowing. He quickly bowed his head, but the other stopped him.
"Those formalities aren't necessary. Not between us." He moved into the room and over to the window on the other side. Dark, after a moment's hesitation, joined him and they stood side by side staring at the stars. Finally the Pharaoh broke the silence.
"Do you ever hate me for choosing you to be in my Deck?" The question caught the Magician off guard and he had to think about it for a moment.
"No." he said slowly. "I never hated you. At first I was just glad I would have a place to be useful and then I knew Gaia and I felt a bit of regret and sadness, but never hate. Not even when I met Celtic and accepted him." He grinned slightly. "Although I admit I was tempted to."
"I can see why. Celtic is a rare find and I don't just mean as a Card. It's not often you find such a strong spirit and heart in one so loyal." Red eyes studied Dark, but he didn't turn to them. "You miss him dearly, don't you?" The magician could only nod. He felt the other's smile, but still looked out at the stars. "Then I think it's only fair if you two see each other again, but just for a few hours, that's all I can manage."
Dark turned in surprise, but all he could see was a symbol glowing on the other's forehead before he was surrounded by light. When he could see again, he found himself in a forest.
"What am I doing here?" He turned around and that's when he noticed a very familiar figure lying in the grass, looking comfortable there as only an elf could. He felt himself smile and moved over to the blond, lying down so that he was facing him. For a few minutes he just took in the other's presence, content to merely watch him sleep.
The moon caused his hair to glow and cast a silvery sheen to his skin. He moved in closer and lifted one hand to the other's cheek, smiling when he automatically nuzzled into it. The other hand moved underneath both their bodies and brought the elf as close as possible to him.
"It seems almost cruel to destroy such a scene, but it would be even crueler to never let you know that I'm here." He leaned in closely and softly kissed his elf's ear, smiling at the shiver he felt run through his body. He did it again, this time letting his lips follow the length of the ear right up to the tip.
The shivers grew and then Celtic started to stir and Dark moved down and captured soft lips with his own. He felt the other sigh and watched as red eyes opened and looked into his own violet. The surprise could easily be read within them, but neither moved away, both fearing it was a dream, but finally they had to breathe.
"You're really here, aren't you." It was a statement and Dark only needed to nod.
"Yes. It seemed the Pharaoh didn't think we should have to stay completely apart."
"Or else you were whining too much and Gaia finally complained." The elf smirked.
"Hey! I'm not that bad. No, don't even start." He placed a finger to the other's lips, stopping any comments before they started. "Just let me hold you for now. It'll be nice to finally sleep properly."
"I'll second that." Celtic wrapped his arms around Dark and the other tightened his own grip. "Just know I'll still miss you in the morning."
"As will I." They fell asleep in each other's arms and remained that way for a few more hours.
"Hey elf, you smell like someone else?" Celtic blinked and opened his eyes to meet Feral's curious gaze. He smiled as he remembered last night and silently thanked Yami, whatever his reasons.
"I do? Well, maybe it's just something out here, that's fooling your nose." The other looked slightly offended before shrugging and bounding off towards the edge of the clearing. He turned back and seemed to be waiting for Celtic to join him. Curious Celtic walked over to him. "What?"
"Me know where your friend is. Dian found out last night."
"Where?"
"In the Castle." The imp shivered as he said that. Suddenly Celtic had a very bad feeling about this.
"Where is this castle? Who lives there?" Feral seemed to shrink into himself and looked around nervously.
"It's called the Castle Of Dark Illusions and is home to all the Powerful Fiends. It is also the home to the Beast of Talwar, the greatest swordsman among the Fiends." Feral looked up at him. "Do you still want to try and save your friend?"
Celtic didn't hesitate, he nodded his head yes. "Silver Fang is my friend and has helped me on this journey. I won't leave him now, nor ever."
"I can see why you will be accepted into the Pharaoh's Deck. You are strong, but not like any other I've met." He nodded, almost to himself. "Me will go with you, to help keep you alive."
He was a bit surprised at the offer from the Imp but he smiled all the same. "Thank you. It'll be nice to know I'll have help in there." He looked around at the forest, which seemed slightly darker this morning. "So which way is this castle?"
"This way." The Imp started moving south and Celtic followed, but before he left the clearing he turned to the hut and saw Dian standing there. He bowed his thanks to the Cure Master before leaving and saw her wave in return. As the forest swallowed him up, he thanked whoever was responsible for giving elves remarkable eyesight, there was very little light among the branches and if he were human, he would have lost his guide.
'Dark, wherever you are now, I hope you'll continue to watch over me.'
"Master Talwar, there is an elf headed this way." The Fiend looked over at the blond Phantom and nodded his head once.
"See that he arrives here in one piece." The weaker fiend bowed before leaving his Master alone. The Beast stared out across the forest from his place on the Tower and smiled. It had been too long since he had had any fun and elves always were such beautiful slaves.
"I hope this one will be harder to tame than the last one." His smile grew as he made plans for his 'guest's' arrival.
He was now sure that he was being watched. Before it had just been a nagging little feeling, but now it was getting very hard to ignore. He turned to the Imp in front of him.
"Do you smell anyone nearby?" He saw the green furred head nod.
"Yes, they have been watching us for awhile, but they haven't done anything to harm us and me thought it would just be best if we get to the Castle as quickly as possible." Celtic nodded.
"Good idea. How much farther is it?"
"Not much. Once we on top of this hill we shall see it." They continued on and the imp had been right. There was a break in the trees and looming high above them the black Castle stood silent and watchful. It was Celtic's turn to shiver and he quickly looked away from the castle to the forest around.
Through the branches and near the ground fog's played with each other, chasing and hunting the creatures that resided amidst the trees. He wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. Fiends and elves did not mix.
He turned back to Feral, but the Imp wasn't there.
"Feral, where did you-" His sentence was cut short when two long blades came crashing down in front of him. He backed up quickly with a startled yelp, only to run into something, or rather, someone. He looked up and met the glowing yellow eyes of the Beast of Talwar. He tried to move away but two dragon-like wings enfolded his body, pressing it close to the Beast.
"So nice of you to pay us a visit, young elf. I'm sure I'll enjoy your stay." Celtic shivered as a clawed hand caressed his cheek, just before something knocked him unconscious.