Happy New Year everyone! *looks around* Don't kill me yet, the computer was
down... I got many reviews about Marik, and nearly all of them wanted a
different pairing... Oh well, I'll just have to see what I'll manage to
write by myself - and that's a warning. ^.^ By the way, I'm pretty sure I
haven't written a story as long as this before - I guess that tells
something of how much more fun writing is when you get some kind of
feedback on it! Plus I revised the earlier chapters - nothing big has
changed, perhaps some things are clearer now.
Perhaps I should warn you that this is a REALLY ANGSTY/DARK CHAPTER...
I got 22 new reviews?! I cannot believe this! *shakes her head* Thankies to Yami Tsuki Tenshi (I like the two Mariks together, too, just thought I would add something different... Oh well, probably they will be), KawaiiBlackMoon (if you thought that chapter had action in it, then just wait for the future ones...), Silver Dragon (You got PS2? I'm so jealous... You'll find out eventually who the 'unknown' is *grins wickedly*), Renee the Rabid Squirrel (I love the extra time on vacations too! ^^), Synchronized Love (Yugi will feel better soon... Should I say much better ^.^), Lady Kaiba (I'll look forward to your story! *mutters something about crazy, addictive vampire fics*), YuugiLover3 (Yami Marik _is_ a vampire... In this particular story, I wouldn't have it any other way *smiles widely*), Sailor Comet (I think so too... Marik POV is now fixed if you want to read those few sentences I added there...), Dark Lady Setsuna (I think I will put him with his yami...), Naturi (thank you! I cannot believe how many people actually like this), Cyberkat (Good chappie? I thought it to be less than average o.O), highqueenofthegods (... Excuse me?), Jadesaber (Yugi'll find out eventually ^^ He kinda has to), MysticalGal (an occasional critic now and then is sorely needed... ^.^), kiyoko-chan (I think that in a few chapters his identity will be revealed. At about the time he arrives to the same city than the vampires), Silver Lily (this is one story I have decided to finish no matter what ^^), Silverdrake (oh, I'm having fun alright... *cackles*), Diamond (it is getting better? *blinks* what a relief!), Seventh Sage (oooh, you reviewed three chapters! A special thanks to you!). You should all know that without you this would never have gotten so far! *smiles widely*
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 7: Plans in Motion
---Ryou POV---
Opening my eyes to the menacing darkness in my room, I couldn't but shiver at the cool air and the memories flooding my mind. They were overwhelming me... How could I ever have the strength to go on with my life? I didn't think I could, my mind was a mess right now. Perhaps I'd consider it later. But not now.
I made a feeble attempt to draw the blankets over me, to get any kind of comfort I could from them. How could this happen to me? I had never done anything to deserve this... Surely not... I couldn't even cry anymore, I merely felt empty. Lifeless. I didn't react in any way as I heard a little shuffling behind me. _He_ was there. The man from before. Desperately trying to keep him out of my thoughts I started humming softly in my mind. It wouldn't do to actually voice the gentle tune, _he_ might not like it.
I could feel him coming nearer to me, and because of this I managed not to flinch at the touch of his icy hand. Either it was that, or then because I hurt too much to move so greatly.
//Do not think too badly of me, human. I must go now, but you should eat something. The blood loss has left you weak.//
Again that voice in my head, no emotion scarred its icy surface. I heard him get off the bed and move around in the room. All the time I laid there, motionless, empty of all thoughts and feelings. How could I feel so empty... This wasn't natural.
The small noises behind me stopped, the cause of them had ceased moving. Or then he had noticed how noisy he was and decided not to be - I could very well imagine _him_ having such abilities.
//The pain in your body will stop in time. The pain in your mind perhaps never will. If you can forget, you should do it, no use fretting over something that is already past. See you later.//
For a moment I could feel something immensely sad coming from him, then all traces of him were gone. I couldn't sense him anywhere near. Now I was able to relax my abused body, giving in to the tiredness I felt. Giving in to the chaos my mind was.
Through all my self-loathing, my pain, the tears I could no longer shed, one thought kept haunting me, rising to the surface over and over again. I tried to keep it away, but failed miserably most of the time.
How could I feel drawn to him after all he had done?
---Yami POV---
Yugi's tears slowly subsided to small sobs, his warm body pressed close to mine on this strange night of meetings. My second one out of the tomb... Had it really been such a short while when I first opened my eyes to this new time?
I pressed my lips lightly on his forehead, trying to sooth away all his worries, even though I knew I couldn't help him in his doubts. I could merely be there, waiting for him to gain enough courage to accept all that was happening.
His small hands were holding on tight to me, seemingly trying to squeeze me to death - of course, no such thing could ever happen, it was one more of those things humans used in their speech, meaning he held on very tight. Pondering absentmindedly on their oddness, I repositioned my hands a bit higher on his back. The blasted things had slid lower again without me noticing it.
Yugi was falling to silence now, the uncontrollable shaking ceasing - of which I was really glad, it had made me feel... rather uncomfortable. He was now positioned on my lap, I had thought it a good idea at the time. Well, everyone's wrong now and then.
//Ssshhh, little one. Don't cry anymore, it'll be alright. Don't fall to depression.//
/Yami . . .?/
//Yes, it's me. Not to worry. Should I take you home? I wouldn't want you to catch a cold or anything.//
/Home sounds good.../
He turned his face upwards, looking at me with curiosity.
//Let us be on our way then.//
I made as if to rise from the bench, but I was interrupted by the boy's words.
"How...how is that possible? You talked to me, but I could swear your lips didn't move!"
My body tensed up. Again I had slipped... Fate was cruel, she wouldn't let me keep my secrets from this young mortal. As I answered, to my own dismay I could hear my voice was lower and breathier than normally.
"I didn't mean to do that, but do not be afraid. It is another one of my gifts, the one of mind-speech."
Yugi shook his head wonderingly.
"How many of them _do_ you have..."
"It doesn't matter. Let's just get you home safely."
I rose up, and lowered Yugi to the ground. He fell against me, his legs giving way in some bizarre momentary weakness. Catching him effortlessly, I was aware of how disturbingly close we were all the time. This did not bode well for my state of mind...
"Will you be able to walk?"
He turned his face away from me and nodded. Such sadness still in him... I hoped it would cease with time, but for now I was afraid shocking revelations would keep him in this state. Not letting go of him, we began to walk in the direction of his home. The journey was done in silence, neither of us quite ready to talk yet.
I dreaded what would happen when the silence was broken, but it was equally worrying to think what would happen if it wasn't. The house I had visited last night was drawing nearer, I could already see it. Yugi merely walked forward, deep in thought. I glanced at him from time to time, to assure myself that he was really there, for I couldn't really believe it.
Slowly we walked to the front door, Yugi finally raising his gaze from the ground, to stare at the door blocking our way.
"Would you...would you like to come in?"
My breath caught in my throat, I had hoped for this but even now I couldn't truly believe it. Squeezing him tighter to me, I tried to act calm.
"If you want me to."
Yugi laid his head against my chest for a brief moment before stepping forward and opening the door. He looked back at me, red-rimmed eyes pleading for me to do something. I didn't know what, perhaps even he didn't know.
Gathering all the willpower I had left I stepped in and closed the door behind us.
---Seto POV---
Looking at the dark blue sky through the window of this modern office, I marvelled at how the artificial lights could so well cover the natural light of the moon and the stars. So much had changed, even though I had slept for a shorter time than the person who had once been my pharaoh. How confused _he_ must be.
But now wasn't the time to brood on that. It was time to ascertain my own success in these times, that I could go back to the times when I could have anything I wanted, back to the luxury I had always lived in. This time I wasn't going to fail, and the challenge new systems and new, better security sparked my interest. But humans were the same. How much could all the new safeguards protect humans, when they were disabled, by the very same hands they were supposed to protect?
I smiled slightly. Victory was already mine.
And why I had chosen this corporation, among all the others I could have targeted? There is a very simple solution to that. This one caught my attention immediately, because it bears my name. Such a shock to see it, officially written in all the hand-outs and other papers. This truly was destined to be mine.
The door opened, admitting a middle-aged man dressed in a suit, comfortable in his abilities as a businessman and feeling invincible. The leader of this soon-to-be-mine company. He was acting generous towards a man he thought he could benefit from in a profitable agreement, meeting me in person and offering me his hospitality.
I couldn't care less, and after the usual welcoming rituals of these times, we sat down and went straight to business. In other words, _I_ went straight to business - messing up his mind. My goal was to gain control of this rich company, make it mine, snatch it from the hands of greedy mortals.
In no less than five minutes his mind was taken over completely, and he was already signing the papers to ascertain a safe change in the hierarchy. They stated that I was his heir, the one who would take care of everything in the case of his death. The mortal wouldn't live 24 hours after this. And to make sure none would become suspicious of my sudden arrival, the papers were dated a few years back. The witnesses to this contract weren't any harder to convince than the former CEO. And none the wiser, my abilities haven't betrayed me to this very day.
After all was done, I took to exploring my new home, the expensive mansion that was for now inhabited by this man who was dead - he just didn't know it yet. I would need to find a place to sleep during the day, either in here or somewhere else. The dusty tomb didn't satisfy me anymore.
Regal and calm, I haunted the endless corridors of my home.
---Unknown POV---
I stalked the shadows of these ancient buildings, drawing fresh air to my lungs, cherishing every single feeling I was exposed to. The wind brushing past me on its endless journey in the infinite skies, the feel of the sandy rocks under my feet, the smell of burning wood and sweet human blood in the distance, the sounds of the creatures of night going about their daily chores.
Quite surprisingly I came upon one human sitting on top of the age-old rocks, viewing the night-time skies with silent reverence. Watching him from higher above, I was fascinated by his smooth, dark skin and his rich clothes, raising within me a desire for his soul. I didn't really need the energy, but how long had it been since I last feasted on a vibrant soul? Too long . . . I couldn't count the years.
Walking silently to him, I was careful not to be noticed. Mortals always were fond of their lives, the short, miserable existence they were given upon this earth. Was it not only right for me to feed upon them, as a lion feeds upon his prey? This was how it was taught to me, the ancient lore...
Raising my left hand because my right was holding on to one of the precious sacrifices, I concentrated on this feast so conveniently set right upon my path and opened a channel to his energy. Immediately I could feel the soothing feeling of his soul yielding to mine, giving me its most precious - its life.
I absorbed this new force, adding it to mine, and soon the pitiful soul withered away to nothing, leaving only a shrunken figure lying on the ground. Casting on myself the image of this prey, I walked onwards.
My true prey was waiting beyond the seas. Those three had filled their purpose, it was time for them to move on in the great circle of life.
Keeping my steady pace up, I walked through the deserted alleyways. Night was still young.
---
AN: My Yami POVs are getting shorter and shorter... I'll try to fix that in the future, but now I have to get the other parts of the story on the move. Dear god, Seto and Jou haven't even met yet *groans* And that was the first additional couple I agreed on... Tells something of how much I manage to delay things, that part should have been up a few chapters ago. And don't worry too much of the Unknown person. You'll get to know eventually who and what he is. Please review...
Perhaps I should warn you that this is a REALLY ANGSTY/DARK CHAPTER...
I got 22 new reviews?! I cannot believe this! *shakes her head* Thankies to Yami Tsuki Tenshi (I like the two Mariks together, too, just thought I would add something different... Oh well, probably they will be), KawaiiBlackMoon (if you thought that chapter had action in it, then just wait for the future ones...), Silver Dragon (You got PS2? I'm so jealous... You'll find out eventually who the 'unknown' is *grins wickedly*), Renee the Rabid Squirrel (I love the extra time on vacations too! ^^), Synchronized Love (Yugi will feel better soon... Should I say much better ^.^), Lady Kaiba (I'll look forward to your story! *mutters something about crazy, addictive vampire fics*), YuugiLover3 (Yami Marik _is_ a vampire... In this particular story, I wouldn't have it any other way *smiles widely*), Sailor Comet (I think so too... Marik POV is now fixed if you want to read those few sentences I added there...), Dark Lady Setsuna (I think I will put him with his yami...), Naturi (thank you! I cannot believe how many people actually like this), Cyberkat (Good chappie? I thought it to be less than average o.O), highqueenofthegods (... Excuse me?), Jadesaber (Yugi'll find out eventually ^^ He kinda has to), MysticalGal (an occasional critic now and then is sorely needed... ^.^), kiyoko-chan (I think that in a few chapters his identity will be revealed. At about the time he arrives to the same city than the vampires), Silver Lily (this is one story I have decided to finish no matter what ^^), Silverdrake (oh, I'm having fun alright... *cackles*), Diamond (it is getting better? *blinks* what a relief!), Seventh Sage (oooh, you reviewed three chapters! A special thanks to you!). You should all know that without you this would never have gotten so far! *smiles widely*
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 7: Plans in Motion
---Ryou POV---
Opening my eyes to the menacing darkness in my room, I couldn't but shiver at the cool air and the memories flooding my mind. They were overwhelming me... How could I ever have the strength to go on with my life? I didn't think I could, my mind was a mess right now. Perhaps I'd consider it later. But not now.
I made a feeble attempt to draw the blankets over me, to get any kind of comfort I could from them. How could this happen to me? I had never done anything to deserve this... Surely not... I couldn't even cry anymore, I merely felt empty. Lifeless. I didn't react in any way as I heard a little shuffling behind me. _He_ was there. The man from before. Desperately trying to keep him out of my thoughts I started humming softly in my mind. It wouldn't do to actually voice the gentle tune, _he_ might not like it.
I could feel him coming nearer to me, and because of this I managed not to flinch at the touch of his icy hand. Either it was that, or then because I hurt too much to move so greatly.
//Do not think too badly of me, human. I must go now, but you should eat something. The blood loss has left you weak.//
Again that voice in my head, no emotion scarred its icy surface. I heard him get off the bed and move around in the room. All the time I laid there, motionless, empty of all thoughts and feelings. How could I feel so empty... This wasn't natural.
The small noises behind me stopped, the cause of them had ceased moving. Or then he had noticed how noisy he was and decided not to be - I could very well imagine _him_ having such abilities.
//The pain in your body will stop in time. The pain in your mind perhaps never will. If you can forget, you should do it, no use fretting over something that is already past. See you later.//
For a moment I could feel something immensely sad coming from him, then all traces of him were gone. I couldn't sense him anywhere near. Now I was able to relax my abused body, giving in to the tiredness I felt. Giving in to the chaos my mind was.
Through all my self-loathing, my pain, the tears I could no longer shed, one thought kept haunting me, rising to the surface over and over again. I tried to keep it away, but failed miserably most of the time.
How could I feel drawn to him after all he had done?
---Yami POV---
Yugi's tears slowly subsided to small sobs, his warm body pressed close to mine on this strange night of meetings. My second one out of the tomb... Had it really been such a short while when I first opened my eyes to this new time?
I pressed my lips lightly on his forehead, trying to sooth away all his worries, even though I knew I couldn't help him in his doubts. I could merely be there, waiting for him to gain enough courage to accept all that was happening.
His small hands were holding on tight to me, seemingly trying to squeeze me to death - of course, no such thing could ever happen, it was one more of those things humans used in their speech, meaning he held on very tight. Pondering absentmindedly on their oddness, I repositioned my hands a bit higher on his back. The blasted things had slid lower again without me noticing it.
Yugi was falling to silence now, the uncontrollable shaking ceasing - of which I was really glad, it had made me feel... rather uncomfortable. He was now positioned on my lap, I had thought it a good idea at the time. Well, everyone's wrong now and then.
//Ssshhh, little one. Don't cry anymore, it'll be alright. Don't fall to depression.//
/Yami . . .?/
//Yes, it's me. Not to worry. Should I take you home? I wouldn't want you to catch a cold or anything.//
/Home sounds good.../
He turned his face upwards, looking at me with curiosity.
//Let us be on our way then.//
I made as if to rise from the bench, but I was interrupted by the boy's words.
"How...how is that possible? You talked to me, but I could swear your lips didn't move!"
My body tensed up. Again I had slipped... Fate was cruel, she wouldn't let me keep my secrets from this young mortal. As I answered, to my own dismay I could hear my voice was lower and breathier than normally.
"I didn't mean to do that, but do not be afraid. It is another one of my gifts, the one of mind-speech."
Yugi shook his head wonderingly.
"How many of them _do_ you have..."
"It doesn't matter. Let's just get you home safely."
I rose up, and lowered Yugi to the ground. He fell against me, his legs giving way in some bizarre momentary weakness. Catching him effortlessly, I was aware of how disturbingly close we were all the time. This did not bode well for my state of mind...
"Will you be able to walk?"
He turned his face away from me and nodded. Such sadness still in him... I hoped it would cease with time, but for now I was afraid shocking revelations would keep him in this state. Not letting go of him, we began to walk in the direction of his home. The journey was done in silence, neither of us quite ready to talk yet.
I dreaded what would happen when the silence was broken, but it was equally worrying to think what would happen if it wasn't. The house I had visited last night was drawing nearer, I could already see it. Yugi merely walked forward, deep in thought. I glanced at him from time to time, to assure myself that he was really there, for I couldn't really believe it.
Slowly we walked to the front door, Yugi finally raising his gaze from the ground, to stare at the door blocking our way.
"Would you...would you like to come in?"
My breath caught in my throat, I had hoped for this but even now I couldn't truly believe it. Squeezing him tighter to me, I tried to act calm.
"If you want me to."
Yugi laid his head against my chest for a brief moment before stepping forward and opening the door. He looked back at me, red-rimmed eyes pleading for me to do something. I didn't know what, perhaps even he didn't know.
Gathering all the willpower I had left I stepped in and closed the door behind us.
---Seto POV---
Looking at the dark blue sky through the window of this modern office, I marvelled at how the artificial lights could so well cover the natural light of the moon and the stars. So much had changed, even though I had slept for a shorter time than the person who had once been my pharaoh. How confused _he_ must be.
But now wasn't the time to brood on that. It was time to ascertain my own success in these times, that I could go back to the times when I could have anything I wanted, back to the luxury I had always lived in. This time I wasn't going to fail, and the challenge new systems and new, better security sparked my interest. But humans were the same. How much could all the new safeguards protect humans, when they were disabled, by the very same hands they were supposed to protect?
I smiled slightly. Victory was already mine.
And why I had chosen this corporation, among all the others I could have targeted? There is a very simple solution to that. This one caught my attention immediately, because it bears my name. Such a shock to see it, officially written in all the hand-outs and other papers. This truly was destined to be mine.
The door opened, admitting a middle-aged man dressed in a suit, comfortable in his abilities as a businessman and feeling invincible. The leader of this soon-to-be-mine company. He was acting generous towards a man he thought he could benefit from in a profitable agreement, meeting me in person and offering me his hospitality.
I couldn't care less, and after the usual welcoming rituals of these times, we sat down and went straight to business. In other words, _I_ went straight to business - messing up his mind. My goal was to gain control of this rich company, make it mine, snatch it from the hands of greedy mortals.
In no less than five minutes his mind was taken over completely, and he was already signing the papers to ascertain a safe change in the hierarchy. They stated that I was his heir, the one who would take care of everything in the case of his death. The mortal wouldn't live 24 hours after this. And to make sure none would become suspicious of my sudden arrival, the papers were dated a few years back. The witnesses to this contract weren't any harder to convince than the former CEO. And none the wiser, my abilities haven't betrayed me to this very day.
After all was done, I took to exploring my new home, the expensive mansion that was for now inhabited by this man who was dead - he just didn't know it yet. I would need to find a place to sleep during the day, either in here or somewhere else. The dusty tomb didn't satisfy me anymore.
Regal and calm, I haunted the endless corridors of my home.
---Unknown POV---
I stalked the shadows of these ancient buildings, drawing fresh air to my lungs, cherishing every single feeling I was exposed to. The wind brushing past me on its endless journey in the infinite skies, the feel of the sandy rocks under my feet, the smell of burning wood and sweet human blood in the distance, the sounds of the creatures of night going about their daily chores.
Quite surprisingly I came upon one human sitting on top of the age-old rocks, viewing the night-time skies with silent reverence. Watching him from higher above, I was fascinated by his smooth, dark skin and his rich clothes, raising within me a desire for his soul. I didn't really need the energy, but how long had it been since I last feasted on a vibrant soul? Too long . . . I couldn't count the years.
Walking silently to him, I was careful not to be noticed. Mortals always were fond of their lives, the short, miserable existence they were given upon this earth. Was it not only right for me to feed upon them, as a lion feeds upon his prey? This was how it was taught to me, the ancient lore...
Raising my left hand because my right was holding on to one of the precious sacrifices, I concentrated on this feast so conveniently set right upon my path and opened a channel to his energy. Immediately I could feel the soothing feeling of his soul yielding to mine, giving me its most precious - its life.
I absorbed this new force, adding it to mine, and soon the pitiful soul withered away to nothing, leaving only a shrunken figure lying on the ground. Casting on myself the image of this prey, I walked onwards.
My true prey was waiting beyond the seas. Those three had filled their purpose, it was time for them to move on in the great circle of life.
Keeping my steady pace up, I walked through the deserted alleyways. Night was still young.
---
AN: My Yami POVs are getting shorter and shorter... I'll try to fix that in the future, but now I have to get the other parts of the story on the move. Dear god, Seto and Jou haven't even met yet *groans* And that was the first additional couple I agreed on... Tells something of how much I manage to delay things, that part should have been up a few chapters ago. And don't worry too much of the Unknown person. You'll get to know eventually who and what he is. Please review...