sama or are you just pulling our leg cause if ya are I'll be happy to pull your leg off. I'm sick and tired of your little treasure hunts," a man with long caliginous hair hissed as he shifted a few strands from his irritated visage. He scornfully viewed his giddy and idiot leader being bombarded with bar wenches and alcohol. "Are you even listening to me," the man berated as his boss continued to grin foolishly at the women by his side. "Dnarc!"
"Ah, calm down with ya's, Astor, its real alright." the short stubby man croaked as he sucked against the rim of his goblet and continued to allow a cute brunette massage his back. "You shouldn't be worryin' about somethin' that's nothin to worry about. C'mon were in a bar surrounded by beautiful woman, cold mead and ripe meat. Enjoy it like the others." Dnarc crooned as he pronged his finger to the remainder of his subordinates drinking merrily and jesting amongst themselves.
"Keh, even if dat ting is legit what about the swarms of mazoku that will be after us just so they could get their slimy hands on it, huh? Did you think of that, oh great LEADER!" Astor drawled in a satirical tone as he bitterly shooed the scantily clad wench that positioned herself on his lap with the flick of his chained wrist.
The ringmaster of the crew of bandits smiled lopsidedly as one individual of his minute harem rubbed their soft cheek against his bald spot. "Like that lot will know we have it!" he cheered as he took another long slosh from his glass and smacked a waitress on her rear to bring him more mead. Dnarc chuckled softly but frowned when he saw his right wing scowl deeply at him and slide his hands to the hilt of his blade "And if they're stupid enough to come after us it'll be too late," he reminded as he stuffed his gloved hand into his cloak, "I'll have already unleashed The Crimson Eyes of the Dark Mirror!" he announced arousing the attention of a few of his men.
"If dat ting really does have a piece of dat Shabranigdo, and wat are ta chances you'll have him wrapped within your little leash. Wat makes ya so sure he'll lend ya his great powers, hmm oh great leader." Astor glowered as he leant back into the old rickety chair and began to remove his hand from his blade. His boss was annoying the hell out of him and that mirror he held was slightly an eyesore. Not that it was ugly crafted in its three vine link outer rim that shaped a smooth oval; the colour was of a deep black. On the two sides of the rim was an ivory fang. The glass itself was a shimmering black that reflected nothing and had a tendency to emit a glimpse of lush red eyes always watching you as if you were something sweet to eat. The holder placed the mirror away.
"Hehehehe! Don't tell me you're afraid of this little item and the creature it holds inside, Astor. My brains have gotten us this far, kid so no need to worry." he laughed oblivious to the statement his right hand man stated that it was he who actually gotten them this far. Dnarc drained his cup; his cheeks were tinted a rich blush as he looked angrily for the waitress to come back with his drink. "More MEAD!" he bellowed chucking the goblet into the vast crowd of men. THUNK! The leader of the bandits blinked and angled his head to the side as he saw a figure stand up and swiftly turn around.
"Who the hell did that?!" roared a very large and well muscled man. His messy crimson hair was ruffled by his rage and his shirtless chest began to flex in his irritation as he glared heatedly at the crowd gaining everyone's tensed attention. "Dnarc...I should've known it was you," the man breathed as he saw the culprit trying to conceal his face in the bosom of one of his fleeing admirers. "It's time I put you out of your miserable life." he spat as he withdrew the battleaxe that was attached to his hip.
The women that cuddled intimately by the man's side soon disappeared and left him in his lonesome as he tried to establish a calm exterior but was only able to hold a composure that looked like he wet himself; Astor and the rest of his men sighed dejectedly. Dnarc took a large gulp of air and stiffly got up to stand on his two floundering feet. With a smooth exhale of breathe he stiffened his back and smirked, "Heh, like I would ever lose to an idiot like you, Saber," he boasted as he crossed his arms smugly and looked up at the large man stalking towards, "Especially now that I have....THIS!" he bellowed as he plucked the mirror out of its hiding place and shoved it into his oppressor's face.
Saber stopped in his tracks as he looked at the odd object. He blinked again and inched his gaze to the short and stubby brown haired man standing before him with a stupidly grinning visage. "Oh, and what are ya gonna do with that? Help me style my hair or give me a new look?" he guffawed as a few people in the intrigued crowd cackled along with him. "Time to die," he replied in a ragged low tone as he easily twirled the weapon in his hand ignoring the eerie flash of red in the depth of the mirror's glass.
"Wa...wa...wait!" Dnarc shrieked in a shrill voice as he tightened his hold on the mirror and lowered it to his stomach. "Baka, since an ignorant person like yourself has no idea what an item like this can do to you. I'll explain the details to you so you'll know what you're up against." He chattered in a hoarse voice as the man smirked and made a little bow for him to continue. "Ha, well you see this is the Crimson Eyes of the Dark Mirror an actual body fragment of Shabranigdo the Dark Lord, but not only that it gives me the power to seduce the minds of any living creature on this world making them clay in my fingers to mould. I could even make you happily disembowel yourself with a mere thought because of this thing. With this mirror the world can...no will be mine for the taking." he finished as a deadly silence sifted through the air.
...But was soon broken with the merry laughter of everyone in the bar excluding Dnarc's very irritated and ashamed men. Saber clutched his shaking stomach as he placed his axe to rest on his hip once more rewarding his opponent an amused grin. "Ehh, I won't waste my energy killing a dumbass like you, but I will make you wish you were dead. Although...." he contemplated, ".......show me that mirror, show me if it really works." he bluffed giving a silent prayer hoping the item was nothing but another accursed bootleg merchandise.
Dnarc smiled as waves of perspiration trickled down his face and neck. "A....aho," he stammered the corner of his mouth making an irritated twitch as he prepped the device. "I...I shall now release my WRATH!" he thundered as he thrust the mirror into the antagonist's face all the while shutting his eyes in fear. Everyone drew in a sharp breath and stared cautiously at the mirror waiting for something to conduct. Saber's pupils shrunk as he saw the black glass in front of his face....a few moments passed and the man smiled pushing the object away causing the Dnarc to stumble onto his behind.
"Hehehe, feel your wrath, huh. Your no more harmful than the weakest child." he scoffed as the crowd of people erupted into laughter. "What type of fools would allow you to be their leader? Oi, anybody that followed this slug I'd advice you to swear your allegiance to me and join my gang." the man spoke as Dnarc clumsily got to his feet and gave a perplexed look to the mirror in his hands. He turned back to face the chuckling Saber.
"Ha, you are a daft one if you think my men will betray me and jo..."
"We accept." Astor replied as a few of Dnarc's loyal men nodded their heads determinedly and gazed sheepishly at their astounded former leader to their new one. Saber chuckled and sauntered over to Astor and gave him a large slap on the back all the while keeping his eye on the black mirror. "Sorry, Dnarc-sama, but ya've played us fer fools long enough we choose ta join Saber's gang." he hissed as the shocked leader began to back up into the corner stuffing the useless mirror away.
"Now about that beating.....," the scarlet mane bandit trailed off as a crooked grin began to frame on his lopsided lips. He slowly began to stalk towards the cowering bandit who was now utterly defenceless since his ardent men mutinied on him and his unbeatable trump card was a dud.....for now at least. "Heh, I'm gonna enjoy this." the man crooned as he raised his flexed fist trimmed with knuckle bracings and began to inch back his elbow. A devilish glint lit up Saber's eyes as he heard Dnarc moan a small "Mommy," just before he slammed his fist into his face.
"And stay out!" grunted Saber as he wrenched his arms forward and threw the bruised Dnarc onto his stomach out of the bar into the muddy streets of the city. The man looked down at the former leader with disgust as he turned on his heel and bounded back into the rowdy bar and slammed the entrance shut.
The twitching figure that lay on the ground made a hurtfully twitched one of his puffy eyelids open as he stared at the dark and deserted street he now occupied. The man placed his aching palms onto the ground and tried to all his might to push himself onto his feet only to gasp in pain and fall onto his back. His large belly heaved up and down with each seedy gasp of air "Traitorous dogs...," he thought as a wry smile lit on his face, "But ah guess I'd do the same thing," he moaned as he painfully rolled into a dark alley and propped his back against a shadowy wall hidden between a garbage can.
The vermin at his feet twitched their noses apprehensively for a moment and then totally ignored him as they went to scourge for food in the shabby environment. A strained chuckle escaped the man's hoarse throat as he crammed his cracking fingers into his cloak and ripped out his meaningless possession. He glared at the mirror; the dark glass didn't even bother to show his pitiful reflection. Dnarc barred his fangs which showed now that he was missing a few teeth as he saw a glimpse of red streaked across the glass. "You...you...you said I would be able to control others with thi...this mirror, but I was unable to control no one." he stuttered as he began to madly jerk the object in his hand. "Answer me," he growled
A few moments passed.....and nothing happened. The man's bushy eyebrows furrowed as he tightened his hold onto the mirror looking deep into the black reflector. "My men have sworn their murderous loyalty to another, and I was close to death because of you and your promises." he paused waiting for a response...nothing. He licked his bruised lips and went on, "Tell me, you promised me a strong army with this...this thing. You said the world would be mine and all creatures would live under my rule, keh. Empty promises you slug of a Dark Lo..." Dnarc ceased his cursing as he felt an alarming mount of pressure wrap itself around his ruptured jugular.
"Dnarc," a smooth yet low voice breathed as the red flashes on the dark glass intensified until they formed two demonic scarlet eyes that stared at him. The man's eyes bulged as the pressure around his neck increased. "It would be best if you held that beggar's tongue of yours, dear friend. For you see I am not with empty promises. If I may remind you I said after you find me a strong beast that has already passed on then you shall be able to control other creatures, but you weren't listening were you? To busy stuffing your face and chasing after wenches to take heed to my instructions." the voice hissed as the strangling ceased and the brunette's breathing returned to normal.
"Ha...hai, it was totally my fault. Please forgive my stupidity......but after I find this creature then I shall be able to begin my new army to rule this world?" he questioned hopefully as a sinister laugh echoed through the alleyway. The rats scurried into their hiding places within the debris.
"Hmm, this is quite amusing. Look at you, you're no better than these rats feeding and leeching after mere specks of food the occupants of this pitiful town discard of. But yes when you do find the perfect candidate for me your army shall begin." the voice replied impatiently as the two eyes narrowed boring deep into Dnarc's hazel orbs, "I do hope you remember that not just any dead beast will do, but a creature or demon with powerful magical attributes, a mazoku preferably," the voice finished as the man nodded his head and took a cautious gulp.
"Right, but why? Why do you need a dead creature for my possession over others why can't you help me take over this world, now." he whimpered trying not to upset the entity within the mirror. His eyes widened in alarm as he felt something on his neck only to his surprise to see a large rat tugging against his collar looking for scraps of food.
"I see, no matter how many times I explain it you are still too idiotic to understand. I shall repeat I am merely a powerless fragment of my former self. I do not have the energy or magic to help you at this current state. That is why I would need to draw upon the essential properties of the dead to regain some power into controlling humans and other creatures of this world, and as a bonus for your worthless hide whichever creature I pick will rise and join your army even more powerful than when they have fallen."
"Oh, quite right, quite right, you are so considerate, so kind, so generous my dear, dear Dark Lord. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my worthless dark heart, Shabranigdo-sama." he cried spewing out feigned comments of affection as he began to place small kisses onto the rim of the mirror for gratitude. "I...I shall begin my journey to look for this anointed beast of yours and return a helpful sum of your power so you may graciously help me rule all the land."
"Ah, dear Dnarc you are truly a God among insects." the voice claimed in a calm and sultry voice, "A foolish God among insects," the voice whispered to itself his words colder than ice as the two eyes died out. The mirror was packed back into the chubby man's cloak as he grudgingly pulled himself up and limped out of the alley.
"Hmmm, where'd that boy go off to now? I wonder if he's at.....the cliff again?" spoke a shadowy dressed demon priest as he contently sauntered deeper into the lush jungle cropped with overbearing trees and majestic yet most likely lethal flowers and other herbs. The man brushed the wisps of lavender hair out of his face as he folded his arms against the back of his skull slightly raising his closed gaze to stare at the canopy. He mindlessly advanced onward to his destination as the wolves or other creatures of the environment made it good judgement to weave out of his path. "It's been five years since we took him in.....the ascension is nearing soon," he thought with a sigh as he unfolded his arms and conjured a crooked staff into his right hand.
Xellos could see the streams of the sun's rays as he came to the edge of the jungle that led to a peak. The cliff surveyed nothing but the vast blue ocean that seemed to stretch on forever. The mazoku's ears perked as he felt his eyes shoot open. His mind reeled when he heard a soft tenor voice chanting something. Enough with his physical exercise the priest teleported out of the forest and gasped. "I know.... that song, but......how?" he wondered as he viewed his young charge's back accompanied by two wolves. His legs were hanging loosely against the ledge as he continued to sing. The zephyr breeze ruffled his long vivid emerald hair styled in a ponytail at the back.
Might be a love waiting for me
Look me gently
Hug me tenderly
'Til the morning breaks and night fades away
I've spent my time in vain trapped inside pain
Don't let me down, help me see the light
Feeling bitter and twisted all along
Wading through an empty life too long
I close my eyes listen to the wind
Longing to belong to a higher place
Let me hear your voice
Let me be with you
When the shadow falls down upon me
Like a bird singing Like a breeze blowing
It's calling me
From somewhere in the world
The Ancient Dragon ran a hand through his messy hair and tensed as he heard the faint sound of clapping. He quickly lifted his legs up and hastily wheeled his body around. The two demonic dogs at his side mainly stretched from their stationary positions and faced the great priest with honour and respect. The young man opened his mouth and gawked at his intruder, "A..A...Aniki!" he cringed as he began to clumsily stumble towards Xellos, "What...what are you doing here? I thought you were still on a mission Juu-ou-sama sent you on." he gulped as he nervously began to scratch the back of his head.
"Hai, and the mission was a complete success thanks to the aid of an old friend with her fiery temper." he replied tranquilly as he walked up to the dragon noticing in just a few years time his height matched his own except for being an inch or two shorter. Xellos placed his hand on the boy's shoulder and smiled, "So do tell me Val, I'm curious where you learnt that delightful song from?" he inquired a small tone of wistfulness embedded in his voice.
Val flushed as he allowed his gaze to shift towards the dusty ground, "I guess......I guess from myself. Although I don't remember anyone singing it to me, but I just feel like I've always known that song from someone. Not that I didn't trust you Aniki, but I didn't want you, Juu-ou-sama or any beast to hear me singing that," he muttered catching Xellos' fascinated face as he heard the two wolves at his heels yip irritably, "Except for these two of course." he chuckled as he stooped down and scratched their furry black heads.
"So he remembered that song even when he was dormant in his egg. If it weren't for all these misfortune perhaps Filia's happy little family might've worked in the end." he mused as an impish smile tugged back onto his lips. He slowly turned to the light green-haired youth his face stern and his staff gone to allow his arms to cross once again against his chest. "Juu-ou-sama is restless and she bids for the ascension in a few weeks come. No matter how hard I want to, I can't keep his hands clean from the stains of blood forever." he thought as Val stood up and returned Xellos' stern gaze with a cool yet icy stare.
"Val, you should know that your ascension into the mazoku lineage will begin in just a few days, and your initiation into our little pack will be complete." he said trying to numb away the annoyed feeling he felt in his chest raising to escape into throat. "All your training as a dragon is finished, I am quite satisfied with your progress." he went on watching the kid's thoughtful nod for him to continue, "So before the events come to pass I'd like to know if you have any questions or favours to ask. No thoughts of backing out or you will be killed unfortunately by me." he warned cryptically.
Val's mind raced he had many questions to ask, ever since he was just a young hatchling only able to spend his days in his dragon form hiding from the scary lady in the throne room or the savage wolves that snapped at him. He always ran to Xellos when he was frightened and asked him why he felt so alone when the mazoku priest was not around but the monster would only reply it was a secret. "Hai, I do have few questions Aniki, the most important question is will I change if I become a mazoku will the dragon known as Val cease to exist completely?" he asked as Xellos lead him and their furry associates to sit on the ledge of the cliff.
Xellos plucked a small pink flower dangling against the rocky edge and grinned, "Will you cease to exist hmmm most likely," he said ignoring the boy's shocked face and wince which he soon replaced with a frown and a nod, "However there is still a big chance you will have some traits of this life, but your memory will be almost completely blank. The way you think and act will definitely change and mould into Juu-ou-sama's liking." he said releasing the flower into the wind as he took another small glimpse at the distressed Ancient. "Yare, yare no need to look so much in despair....perhaps I might be in the mood to ask Juu-ou-sama if it would be possible to leave some of your memory and identity in tact."
"Thank you Aniki," he mumbled his voice a few tones brighter as he began to swing his legs back and forth allowing the larger wolf to rest its black head against his lap. "I have one favour to ask." he breathed, "I would like you to explain to me how I came to be in my past life: Who was I? What did I do? Who were the people I met? You said I was reborn as a Dragon after certain incidents, and you brought me here under orders." he whispered in a bitter voice while the mazoku mentally cursed and sighed aloud.
"Where would you like me to start?" he chirped wagging his index finger in the boy's face, "But remember you are still five years old a mere child in a mazoku, dragons and a humans eye's I shall choose what of your past life you are ready to hear," he reasoned as he already could feel his trademark phrase dancing on the tip of his tongue if he wanted to know too much about a certain someone.
"I want you to start with the woman with big azure eyes and long blonde hair. Iye, I mean the dragon with that description......at least I think she was a dragon." he mused as he began to tap his chin meditatively narrowing his eyes as he tried to concentrate. "There were other people as well and you were there too Aniki...also I think I saw an image of myself but there were some differences because there was a horn on my head." he reminisced trying to get a better recap into his lost memories.
Xellos drew in a sharp breathe and heedfully eyed the anxious dragon who was raking his mind just to resurface painful memories. "So.....he remembered that much on his own without any interference from me or anything else to trigger his memory....must of grew when he began to sketch those pictures, had a hard time explaining that to him...let's see if I can do better." the mazoku priest perceived as he opened one amethyst eye at the lad. "Val, that woman....er...dragon you described she was...." the mazoku halted as he heard a mental bidding from his creator. "Val, you are to return to the castle immediately and go straight to the throne room," he smiled viewing the boy's baffled and apprehensive look, "Don't worry I shall answer your questions when you return . Just go." he ordered gently yet firmly as his charge irritably bobbed his head and teleported with a muted pop.
The two wolves whined sleepily as they sluggishly trudged into the forest to hunt for a light snack. Xellos sighed thoughtfully raised his closed eyes to the sky, "Filia," he breathed lowering his head to face the ocean. He slowly began to notice for sometime that when the sun hit the ocean just right it shone the same lustrous colours as her eyes.
"Oi, Oji-san." called an agitated voice as a short cloaked man continued to sway disoriented into the frontier going into the forest. "Oi!" the voice yelled as a boy with shoulder dark beige hair ran up to the man who was holding a metal flask wrapped with a piece of tan cloth. The staggering plump man looked up at the youth and tilted his head to the side almost falling on his masked face if the boy hadn't grabbed hold to his arm. "You okay, Oji-san?" the youth asked while he struggled to straighten the cloaked man properly onto his two feet.
"Ahhh, ah'm fine kid. Jus fineeee," he slurred as he took another swig from the contents of the flask. The man let out a contented gasp, "Dat's da stuff," he replied obviously a little tipsy as he wiped a few of the remains of the liquid off his lips and lowered his hood so it covered more of his face. The figure raised a bushy eyebrow from within his cloak and frowned at the tall gangly boy standing in front of him. "So what were you yelling at me for, anyway kid?" he queried getting a little more sober.
The teen narrowed his eyes and frowned, "Ma name ain't kid, Oji-san. It's Rin and ya can start callin' me that instead of kid." Rin smirked as the figure took another gulp from his container and then tucked the flask within his cloak and crossed his arms impatiently.
"Well then, Rin what did ya stop me for before I journeyed through that forest. I need ta get ta the town on the other side, I'm in a bit of a hurry." the wanderer snapped as the boy strictly shook his head and jerked his thumb deep within the desolate forest and frowned.
"Just wanted ta warn ya, that there's a part of the forest ye got to stay out of." he warned as his brows creased. "Lord, knows how many times me and ma buddies got chewed out just fer goin' to the sacred ground....although they wouldn't have found the darn ting if weren't for me in the first place," the teenager countered under his breath as he ruffled his hand through his hair. Rin glimpsed over to the cloaked man who was looking at him oddly; the boy flushed as he crossed his arms behind his head. "Well, ya just keep out of the shrine and sacred grounds and the villagers in ma town won't get all snippy." he said turning to leave.
"Hold on there, ki....er...Rin-chan," the stranger crooned in a sugary voice as he reached out and grabbed the boy's arm, "Just what the heck is all the shrine and sacred ground for...is it a small place just to honour Cepheid or another God of yours, hmmm?" he asked as the boy wrenched free of his grip and whistled on a high pitched tone.
"Ya, have no clue don't ya, Oji-san. Just how far ya been travellin from?" the kid questioned with a raised brow only getting a reply with a timid shrug, "Well five years ago in that there forest a large Golden dragon died. We think something attacked it cause there was a large hole through its chest...blood every.....the grass was stained red for a while until it rotted," he explained as he placed a finger on his chin scratching it gently, "Houshi-sama, said we had to honour its death so we buried it and purified the area hoping the beast's spirit would protect our town and forest."
"A dragon....a golden dragon, no less could this creature be good enough?" the cloaked individual pondered as he patted the side of his cloak where a certain precious item was being held. "So this dragon is definitely dead, right?" he inquired in a serene voice filled with hope as the teen made a small nod some of his hair falling into his face. The stranger bowed; his nose almost touching the ground with his shortness. "Well thanks for the warning Rin-chan," he said ignoring the small twitch the boy made, "I'll make sure to stay away from the shrine and the sacred grounds." he chirped and began to walk away as something slipped out of his cloak. Thud.
"Wat's this.....a mirror, never knew ya were ta type Oji-san," the boy snickered as the drifter stopped in his tracks and turned slowly around. The young man picked up the object and angled his head curiously as he brought the mirror to his face. "Hmmm, wat's ta deal wit this ting its glass is black it can't show any reflection," he said as he looked curiously at the dark speculum.
The cloaked man paled and quickly shuffled up to the boy and wrenched the mirror forcefully out of his grip tucking it back safely into his cloak. "Er....thanks fer yer helpful advice. I'll be on ma way, kid." he muttered as he briskly walked into the forest ignoring the frown on Rin's visage.
The cloaked figure released a hopeless sigh as he looked up at the shifting grey clouds. The sun had already set and instead having a peaceful dark navy night it seemed it was going to be a rain. The man placed a gloved hand on the hood that covered his head and moved it off so his face was visible. The individual scratched a small clump of brown hair he still had left on his head and sighed doubtfully again. "I've been in this damn forest for hours.....just where in the hell is that damn shrine?" Dnarc questioned taking out his flask and pressing it against his mouth....nothing he must've drained it awhile ago. He sourly placed the container into his cloak.
The bandit continued to shuffle his way through the shifty forest as the chilly wind rustled the oak trees and berry bushes. Dnarc gulped fearfully as he decided to steer off the manmade path and go into more rigid areas. With many twists and turn and fearful yelps as he tripped over a ground level tree root Dnarc was able to see something of great importance. "What the...a ceremonial ribbon," he muttered as he pulled himself and noticed the few white and red patterned pieces of cloth hanging loosely in a few trees straight ahead.
The brunette broke into a small jog as he bounded deeper into the heart of the forest stumbling slightly on the ragged earth. Dnarc walked into a clear valley and saw a small little kamidana shrine just a few feet in front of him. He noticed how the small squeaks of the animals slowly died down as if they made it their rightful duty to stay away from this part of land. The man snorted as a small trickle of rain traced down his cheek. "So this is it,....huh, doesn't look like much." he sniffed as he approached the shrine and opened it only seeing a small golden bowl filled with water...perhaps holy water he didn't really care.
Crack! The wanderer jumped a few millimetres of the ground as he looked up at the grey churning sky. Rain was pelting mercilessly against the ground now as lightning streaked the troubled clouds. The man cursed silently as he brought his hood over his head and walked into the middle of the small clearing, nearly slipping over the wet grass. Dnarc frowned down at the ground hoping this dragon creature would be good enough for the cursed dark lord in the damn mirror. "Alright, here goes." He announced in a downy voice as he tugged the object out from under his damp cloak.
Tiny drops of water trickled against the dark glass and dripped sluggishly to the still earth. Dnarc wrinkled his nose in annoyance and stared down questionably at the mirror he held. "But how the hell am I supposed to give the essential properties, to the damn mirror?" he questioned as a streak of lightning licked from above causing the cloaked figure to jump again in fear. His feet landed on the slippery ground with a slurpish thud as he flailed his arms forward and lost his grip on the mirror and fell face first on the earth.
The object whizzed out of the man's clutches and fell softly to the earth on its rim. The mirror didn't stop moving as it began to smoothly glide along the valley floor as if it were looking for something. Finally the item stopped just a few steps away from Dnarc and fell so the glass was know touching the damp grass. The bandit heaved himself up and stumbled his way to the mirror as he stooped down to pick it up. His arm inched slowly towards the device. Crack!
"Giyaahhh!" the man shrieked as a shard of glass ripped through his cheek. Dnarc fearfully stepped back from the mirror as the dark glass shattered into numerous deranged shards that assaulted the earth around them. The cloaked man raised his trembling hand and ripped the glass out of his cheek and threw it onto the ground where it melted into a black mass of shimmering liquid and disappeared within the earth. The brunette blinked curiously and saw just the glassless mirror as the jagged shards sunk within the earth. Quickly he retrieved the mirror and held it to his chest as the rain increased and pelted viscously against his small frame.
Dnarc gulped nervously as he tried to rid himself of the large lump in his throat. The man frightfully pulled the reflector closer to him as his ears perked. He was hearing the strangest noises, some sort of eerie groaning mixed in with the clawing of dirt. The bandit's whole body began to tremble as he looked behind him and saw the minute kamidana shrine erupt into a small blaze and vanish from sight. The plump man wheeled his head around to the ground in front of him where a muffled roar was emitted as ghastly white claws parted the earth.
The small man gasped as he saw the bony claws sprout tendons of bloody flesh that soon shimmered into golden scales. Dnarc winced as he ground his head into his shoulders as an ear shattering roar erupted from within the earth as the behemoth heaved its bony body out of the soil. "Good, God...........is that the creature he chose?" Dnarc breathed as he took a few feeble steps back watching as the dragon's bones were coated with flesh and then covered with muddy golden scales. He wanted to run but couldn't as he felt his body drop to the wet ground. He clenched the mirror closer to his breast.
"Grrrrrrrrr...."
The creature bared its shimmering white teeth as its face was trimmed with the usual yellow scale that it was rejuvenated with. The dragon's snout contorted into a raging snarl as its lush scarlet eyes swept over the area vengefully noticing the cowering man just a few inches from the talons on her feet. The lizard emitted another low growl as it descended its head to lie onto the wet ground.
Dnarc shivered as he saw a large howl in its chest slowly close. His hazel eyes soon decided to scan the full length of the hissing dragon from nose to tail and speaking of its tail it seemed to be decorated with a tattered pink bow. "It can't be female...can it?" he thought out loud as he roughly wiped away the rain droplets that fell onto his eyelids.
"Indeed it is," a low purring voice spoke as Dnarc recognized it to be the one and only master he followed. The chubby man looked at the mirror and frowned the voice was not coming from it. His back stiffened as he wrenched his gaze onto the dragon staring intently at him with dangerous ruby eyes. The behemoth's mouth shifted into a crocodile like smile as a snake like tongue merged from within its jaws and licked it snout. The bandit quivered in his boots much to the beast's enjoyment. "Don't be so easily frightened Dnarc, perhaps this form is a little too overwhelming for one such as yourself," the voice mused as a mass of golden light tarnished with swirls of black and crimson tendrils engulfed the creature. Dnarc closed his eyes in fear as he grounded the glassless object painfully into his chest.
"Is this better, dearest Dnarc?" drawled a husky yet somewhat feminine voice. The bandit tensely opened one almond coloured eye and gasped coughing the few collects of water that splashed in his mouth and now before him stood a woman, a quite beautiful woman, indeed. She had long golden hair that cascaded down her back. The girl's skin was an eerie pale as she ran her right palm over the left side of her chest. It seemed that area was soaked in dried up blood as she calmly brushed her finger tips against the hardened liquid on her clothing. A cavernous hole was in her shirt, probably where the beast was struck with the fatal blow that ended her life. The rain had made her tresses slick so it covered her eyes and half of her face; a crooked smirk was etched onto her cupid like lips. "Like what you see?" she questioned in that deep and rich feminine tone.
Dnarc gaped and crawled cautiously over to the blonde woman, "Sha.....Shabranigdo-sama, is that truly you?" he asked cautiously as the woman erupted in an amused chuckle and began to smooth her damp skirt. The stubby man used his cloaked arm to wipe his eyes to clear his blurred vision and frowned at the laughing woman. The possessed ryuuzoku clutched her stomach with one hand as she allowed the other to travel and swat the bangs from her eyes. The brunette man gasped as he saw the same deep red eyes...it didn't match her delicate face at all.
"Ahem," the dragon in human form cleared her throat and stared leisurely at the shivering bandit, the dragon did not seem to be affected against the cool drops of water. "Well this body doesn't seem to like laughing anymore seems the creature perished with a large amount of sorrow for it to comprehend the action." the girl spoke in a soft voice as her eyes fixated onto the mirror. "Give that to me." she commanded in a rough voice as she opened her palms. The speculum shimmered slightly and disappeared from Dnarc's grip only to fall perfectly into the woman's lap, the glass completely restored.
"Shabranigdo-sama......it is you!" the bandit announced jovially as he scuttled towards the creatures lovely form. He greedily eyed the human guised dragon as though she were his most precious treasure. "Although yer form is quite breathe-taking aren't ya displeased of havin' a female body for yer host? It might not be as strong as we ho..." the man grew silent as the woman in front of him raised her hand for him to be silent.
"Hush, Dnarc, this body is just as good as I ever wanted. This dragon's strength..." the creatures face contorted into a look of pain as he continued, "....Filia UI Copt, is it? Well she is quite strong even for a ryuuzoku. I am even having a difficult time exploring her mind to fully benefit into her prowess. Besides nothing in this world would give me more pleasure than pissing of that Cepheid, surely his tail must be twitching just thinking oft me possessing one of his children." she finished with a smirk as her follower nodded solemnly. "Well what is it?" the woman breathed in a bored tone as Dnarc took a large gulp of air.
"Umh,......well that....... now that ya have what ya've been asking fer Shabranigdo-sama does this mean ya will help me in ma conquest to take over this world and enslave all its inhabitants?" he asked pleadingly as he scuttled closer to the woman his eyes widening in anticipation as the rain began to slow down. Silence. Instead of answering the dragon seemed to be inspecting her fingers making small hmmm noises. "Ah, Shabranigdo-sama...?" Dnarc questioned warily as he began to place a doughy hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Kaah," the man gasped as he saw pale fingers clamped over his neck.
"Actually my dearest Dnarc, I decided there would be a slight change in my plans for your rule over this world." the dragon drawled silkily as her grip began to tighten; the man's eyes bulged from the pressure as the tip of his tongue lolled from his parted lips. "So with my new body I think I will be able to make the slightest modifications in our little arrangement," her ruby eyes narrowed as the smirk on her face widened in delight, "The part where you live." she hissed through clenched fangs as she dug her claws into his neck ripping his throat from his body.
He wasn't able to utter a scream as he slumped to the ground in a bloody heap his eyes nothing but small prick like pupils of fear. The golden haired woman allowed the bloody mass of tissue to fall from her hand as the rain stopped completely the grey clouds parting into the rich dark sky dotted with stars. A sinister like smile formed on the girl's lips as she let out a small shudder of pain and clutched her throbbing head. "What the.....?" she garbled in astonishment as she fiercely closed her red eyes shut and threw her head back in pain.
Her breathes began to turn into ragged gasps as she shakily wheeled her head into a more comfortable position. The dragon's eyes slowly opened to reveal a dazed cerulean colour that matched her form perfectly. The female blinked as her eyes began to focus and become more profound as she huddled her body into a small ball for comfort.
I'm......I'm alive....how?"
Author's note: well what do you think of the third chapter? I hope I portrayed the introduction of Shabranigdo and Val goood, because those characters I'm not too sure about. If you have any suggestions on how I could modify there personalities I'd love to hear them. I'd just like to thank everyone who reviewed so far its really giving me a booster to update this fic. Oh and what do you think of our favourite ryuuzoku's ressurection, I just missed her soo much in the other chapters and now she's back. See what happens next in the fourth instalment of Dancing with the Devils. Don't forget to review I'd greatly appreciate it.
