*~*

Chapter 28

*~*

Duo watched for a moment, as Quatre and Wufei, aided by their dragons, slaughtered the first onslaught of shadows with barely any effort. The braided angel glanced back at Heero, whose healing magic had used up all of his magical energies, leaving him with strength only to keep on living. The blue angel would heal with time, but Duo would not be here to witness it. He let two fingers brush across his lips, where Heero's gentle touches had sparked hopes, dreams, and questions. Just what had he said while in his trance?

Reaching into his violet her pouch, Duo drew out several light purple petals, sprinkling them in a circle around him, whispering words as he went. They would keep his magic contained, making it easier for him to order about. Throwing back his head, Duo's magical wings unfurled, gracefully, his hands stretched above his head as he beckoned to the heavens.

"Hear my plea." He beckoned, muttering an ancient spell over and over in his mind.

Aihale mune eispel Cain ellwe unie eispel Melwakei ellane eispel Cune sellrooue ain eispel

The words fluttered past his lips as he slowly lowered his hands, bringing them to rest beside his hips, palms still outstretched.

His chin was now lowered, his eyes firmly closed. A question echoed through his mind, and around the throne room.

"Who will be sacrificed?" The strong voice boomed.

"I will not give the life of any other living being. It would not be mine to give. I shall offer only what I have..my own life power, I give it to you." Duo's voice rang through the silence caused by the deeper voice.

Dorothy's eyes were wide with horror as she called her shadows to a stop for the moment.

"So be it!" The unearthly voice replied.

The dark mage gave a cry of fury as she realized what Duo was trying to do. "It will not work!" She cried to the two mages defending the angel. "He will not succeed!"

Wufei quirked an eyebrow. "We won't let you stop him."

"You aren't going to get close enough to touch him." Quatre added, eyes narrowing.

"You underestimate my power!" Dorothy cried, enraged at the trio for being so stubborn. "I will have my revenge! Treize will have his revenge!"

The shadows resumed their attack, strong with the force of Dorothy's anger. Together, they charged at the mages, intent on passing them to get at the angel, as their master had instructed.

Meanwhile, Duo had his eyes closed, completely unaware of his surroundings. The God of Death had accepted his offering, and together, they were opening another dimension.

Dropping to his knees, Duo drew in one breath, and then another, putting all of his energy towards the task at hand.

His mind didn't register the shadow that broke past Quatre and Wufei, it did not see Meiran bravely stepping up to it, Heero's silver cross burning brightly as the shadow engulfed its light, and with a swipe of might, knocked her to the ground.

"NO!" Wufei cried out in agony, blasting a fireball at the shadow just after it had thrown Meiran to the side. He started to move towards her, but Nataku landed in his way.

//The shadows must be stopped// She hissed at him.

"She's dying!" Wufei protested, taking another step towards his childhood friend.

//Even if she is, there is nothing you could do. Your magic does not include healing. Do not let her die in vain.//

Wufei hesitated, putting another foot in the direction of the fallen girl.

However, Quatre's cry of pain brought him back to his senses. Whirling around, he found that the blond had taken a blow intended for him.

"Quatre....." Wufei whispered, watching the blond ignore the pain as he kept on fighting.

"I need your help, Wufei." Quatre called out as he was struck again.

Nataku took to the air, circling the fire mage, and protecting him.

Wufei nodded. "Duo must not be disturbed." With all other thoughts pushed to the side, the weather-fire mage resumed his position at Quatre's side, fighting to save Duo from being interrupted so that the braided angel could save them all.

*~*

"Meiran, No!" Trowa called out as she grabbed Heero's cross and ran to save Duo.

"I have to!" She called back over her shoulder, eyes and expression showing her determination.

The king fell silent as he watched her fall, a grim look on his face. "This is getting out of hand." He murmured, glancing from Meiran to the fallen angel at his feet. Stroking Tenshi absentmindedly, he decided that they needed to get out of the open. With the cross gone, Trowa would not be any use against the shadow creatures. He didn't have any magic to help him.

With a plan in mind, his emerald green eyes searched for a quiet corner where the useless and injured might go unnoticed.

Spotting a hidden corner behind the throne, Trowa carefully lifted Heero from the ground, depositing him behind the throne, making sure his wings were not bent. Ordering Tenshi to watch the angel, Trowa headed out into the open to fetch Meiran's motionless body.

He krept over to her, one eye always on the shadows kept at bay only by the powers of two mages and their dragons. All of which seemed to be nearing their limits. Trowa managed to reach Meiran safely, and he gathered her gently into his arms. Turning to head back to the throne, he averted his eyes from the black creatures for half a second, and it happened.

A second shadow broke through the defenses of the two mages, heading straight for Trowa, who of course, had his back turned.

"Trowa, get down!" Quatre's voice cried out.

The king spun around, dropping to the ground, covering Meiran's body with his own, fearing that he had met his end. He braced himself for unbearable pain.but it never came.

A coldness that only accompanied evil overwhelmed him as the shadow jumped over Trowa, urged on by Dorothy's rage.

It dodged a fiery attack sent by Quatre, heading straight for the braided angel who was lost in his spell.

Alas, it looked as if the end was near. All other motion ceased as time slowed down, Quatre and Wufei watching in horror as the shadow drew closer and closer to Duo, until finally it was close enough to lunge at the angel.

And lunge it did.

*********

* Grins sheepishly * I'm SO sorry for taking so long to update. I really am. If you didn't read the new ending to chapter 27, please go back and do so. I should have the next chapter out within the next week. It's almost finished. Thanks again for all of your support!!

~ Duo's Only Chick and Sherpock (head muse)

(sorry it's so short, but they're easier to post and write when they aren't so long.I might join chapters together when I go through the rewriting process once I get this finished.)