Hello again!!! In answer to midor318's question, who said Leon and Krystel's love life was gonna be that easy?!?!? He he!!! Just you wait and see!!! Anyways, in this chapter Dezir makes an appearance, and '??????' comes back too, so that Merle can have a little fun!!!! Well, then – Lights, Camera, Action…

1 Chapter 13: Love and War

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Another three days past, and Krystel finally had enough strength to walk again. She decided to take a stroll in the gardens. She did ask Leon, but after staying awake so long when he was looking after, he was dead tired, so it looked like it was just Krystel and the trees. Or so she thought.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Walking slowly through the orchards, Krystel came across a small path that she hadn't noticed before. Curiosity taking the better of her, she followed it. Krystel could soon hear the gentle trickle of a stream, but as she got closer, she heard another sound. Crying. Someone was sitting by the stream crying softly to themselves. It sounded like a woman. Millerna maybe, or even Hitomi. Who else could it be?? Krystel thought to herself. But as she got closer, the answer was clear. It was Merle. Krystel was about to step out and comfort the poor feline, but suddenly someone else appeared through the trees -Dezir. Krystel darted behind a nearby boulder, crouching low in fear of being seen. Merle looked up at Dezir.

'Who are you??' she said bitterly. Dezir crouched down, a smile on his face that didn't reach his violet eyes.

'Why, I've come to help you.' he said, his cold voice soothing her.

'How could you possibly help me? You don't even know me.' Merle turned away from him.

'I know what you want. You're lonely, and need someone to care for you. Well, I can get that someone, anyone you want, in exchange for, say, a little favour.' Merle's ears pricked up, and, noticing the reaction, Dezir smiled evilly at her back. 'Now, who, oh feline one, who will it be?'

'Well, there was someone.' Merle turned to face Dezir again. ' But he died ages ago. I was only young, but I loved him so. He had a thing for cat- women too!'

'Name him and he's yours. No matter what. As long as you stick to the deal of course.' Dezir said. Merle opened her mouth to say something, but Dezir already knew what she was going to ask. 'And he'll love you as soon as he sees you, so no worries there, hey!!' Merle turned away from him, looked up at the clouds, and sighed.

'Folken, bring me back Folken Fanel.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Krystel had followed Dezir and Merle as they walked away through the woods. Keeping her distance, she flitted from trees to bush to tree, doing her best to stay silent and unseen. Once she had almost tripped, snapping a twig in her wake. Dezir had whipped his head round, but presumably he hadn't noticed. They had continued along as before. Soon, the two companions up ahead stopped, and in front stood a high cliff face with a large boulder lent against it. Dezir stepped up to the boulder and shouted out.

'Scaloss, it is I, Dezir. Open up, I have a task for you.' he commanded, and the large boulder slowly rolled out of the way, revealing a vast cavern. It was too dark inside to see it in any detail, but there was no missing the tall, spindly figure that emerged from the cave. Dressed in a long robe of black and deep red, flowing about his black pointed shoes, with a tall, black pointed hat perched on his head. He had straggly, raven- coloured hair, which reached down to his red belt, and his beard and moustache of the same pitch black, hung drooping from his wrinkled face. His hands were ivory white, long and bony, and held together in such a way that only his fingertips touched. The mysterious figure spoke.

'You called, oh Master?' his voice was calm, yet laced with mockery, as if calling Dezir 'Master' was simply done to humour him.

'Yes, Scaloss, I did. Come, inside the cave, we will talk there.' Dezir replied, with the slightest hint of impatience. Scaloss bowed, and the three characters entered the cavern, the boulder rolling back over the entrance behind them. Though the entrance was sealed, Krystel, having crept up to the cave, could hear every word spoken inside. It was like the walls were made of paper. Perhaps it had something to do with her being a Draconian. Krystel didn't know, but had more important things to think about right now. Ear pressed to the stone, Krystel tried to concentrate on what was happening inside. She could hear Dezir explaining to Scaloss what he wanted doing (resurrecting Folken) and Scaloss murmuring his reply. Suddenly, a chanting began. Krystel wished she could see what was going on in there. The chanting continued followed by a very loud bang, which made Krystel jump about a foot in the air, and a bright purple light. Then she heard Merle gasp, utter 'Folken', and another man's voice reply 'Yes Merle, it's me. I'm right here, don't cry.' Dezir spoke again. This time it was to Merle and her new lover.

'Remember, no one must ever know of this act. If anyone asks you, just say he never died in the first place.' Dezir paused, and continued. 'Well, I've kept my side of the bargain, now for yours. I have given you all you have ever wanted, love. But I need something in return.' he said, the edge to his voice sending a shiver down Krystel's spine.

'Yes, Dezir, anything. But what could I possibly give you??' Merle asked, a little afraid of what he might ask, yet too overwhelmed to really care.

'Something very special indeed. Or should I say, someone. I want you to give me……Krystel.' Merle gasped, but Krystel made the biggest mistake of all. She yelled.

'Noooo!!' she shouted. She clapped her hand over her mouth, realising her mistake. She got up, backing away from the entrance, as the boulder rolled over to reveal an angry Dezir and a very distraught Merle, who was hanging on to an extremely good-looking man, with spiky, sticky-up slivery-grey hair, no top (oooo), black trousers, and no shoes. But what the newcomer looked like was the last of her worries. Dezir looked as if he was going berserk.

'You!! I'll get you. Spying on me!! You little-' he screamed, and broke off as he ran towards Krystel. She grabbed her dress, lifted it up, and started running back to the palace. Then she remembered she didn't actually know the way. Running for her life, she carried on, bushes and branches lashing her face and tearing her dress. Suddenly a low thorn branch whipped at her face, and cut her pale right cheek. She cried out in pain, but kept on running, knowing that Dezir grew closer all the time. Blood dripping down her face, and her lungs and legs straining from the effort of running, Krystel was about to collapse. Ready to give up, thinking sadly of all she had just gained, that she would lose. Her parents, her friends, Leon. A tear slid down her left cheek. But then she saw light. A gap in the trees ahead. A path. The castle! Maybe she would make it after all. With the very last of her strength, she dashed towards the opening. She glanced back, and could see Dezir though the trees, his eyes glowing with fury, sweat pouring down his face. But suddenly Krystel crashed headlong into someone. A boy. Krystel looked up, and laughed in delight, despite of her pursuer. It was Leon. She hugged him tight, but then remembered her predicament.

'Leon. You've got, got to help me. It's Dezir, he's after me. I d, don't know what for, please, please you've got t-' she panted, and collapsed in a dead faint in her fiancé's arms. Leon lay Krystel down on the grass, just as Dezir came out of the woods.

'Leon Shezar' he said with disgust. Leon straightened up and turned to face his assailant.

'Who the hell are you?' Leon asked, looking the newcomer up and down. The figure straightened with importance.

'Dezir, Prince of Mauvais.' Leon recognised the name. This was the guy that was trying to get Krystel. He drew his sword in a flash, standing and ready to fight. Dezir eyed the weapon cautiously, unsure what to do. Suddenly, he heard a noise to his left. Dezir could just see the palace patrol guards walking round the corner, marching like some type of idiotic army men. But with the spears they had in their hands, Dezir didn't want to risk it. He turned back to Leon, glanced at the unconscious Krystel, and said-

'Leon, this isn't over. This means war.' And with that, her fled back into the shadows.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Meanwhile, just outside of Fanelia, two figures ran together, holding each other's hands. Folken and Merle, running as fast as their legs would carry them to the cliff face, and they jumped. Folken's wings spread out above him, and he held tight underneath him his new found love. Tears poured down Merle's cheeks, knowing what she had done, knowing she could never face Krystel or the King and Queen again. Together, she and Folken eloped to Zaibach, never to be heard of again.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Well!!! How was that for a long chapter!!! Took me 6 A4 pages on Microsoft Word!!!! Anyway, what do you think??? Have you any suggestions?? Please right them in your REVIEWS *hint*hint* if you have!!! I'm not sure if you'll ever here from Merle and Folken again, but who knows?? Great Destiny War 3 (or 2, I can't remember!!) is about to start!!! Well, keep reviewing!!!! ^_^ lol!!!