Shadow Souls Chapter 11: Darkness and Light, a shadow hearts fanfic

Disclaimer: Don't own Shadow Hearts. Don't sue me, because I am absolutely bankrupt. Well, unless you want fifty-some pennies.

Yuri: She's not lying, people.

A/N: Really quick, the view is going to be changing a lot of times in this chapter. Yes, it's very confusing, but just remember to check under the asterisks. If you see []s, it's first-person (either Yuri or Alice, it'll tell you). If you don't see anything, it's third person and will tell you soon enough who's in the scene by saying their names. Except for one, which is easy enough to figure out.

[Yuri's POV]

Am I even going anywhere?

That would really suck, if I had been walking for so long, to find out I hadn't been moving anywhere at all. But that's what it seemed like. Nothing was changing, there was still no light.

Although…I'd been able to see those other "me"s before. And I could see myself, when I looked down. So maybe there was some kind of light, but I couldn't tell where it came from. The fact that there was still only black around me seemed to indicate there was nothing to be seen. Even if the sun gave light here, I would still see nothing but black.

Damn, now I was getting myself depressed with this.

The other "me"s…when the others had talked, I felt that I was them. Like I was in millions of bodies. Or if the others…if "I" had been right, an infinite number.

Migraine. Massive migraine coming on. Time to stop thinking about that. It didn't make any sense at all.

Then I realized where I must be. The only place I could be in was the Graveyard. It was the only place where something that bizarre could've happened.

Now the problem was, where in the Graveyard was I? There hadn't been any place like this before…at least, I didn't think so.

I stopped walking. This was getting me nowhere. I simply sat down and waited. There had to be something here.

Unless I was dead.

Now there's a depressing thought…I wonder if I did die?

You're not dead.

My hand flew up to my chest as I felt a tight pain there. "R-Regina?" I gasped, recognizing the voice. But there was no one around.

The amount of energy was simply too much a strain on your mind. I didn't expect that.

"To err is human," I muttered. Somehow I knew that would irritate her.

I suppose it is. That won't be a problem for you much longer, she said.

What did she mean by that?

You'll see.

And how the hell can you read my mind? I thought.

Pan is a Dreamer. He can read people's minds when they're dreaming.

"How reassuring," I said aloud. It was too confusing to think and have her answer my thoughts. "I'm just dreaming. Okay then, I want to wake up." When a person realized they were dreaming, usually they could wake themselves up just by thinking they wanted to. But it didn't seem to be working.

You're in the Graveyard. While similar enough to a dream, it's not. You'll have to leave the usual way.

There were actually two ways. First, someone else could wake me up, usually by yelling or hitting. Not pleasant, but better than being stuck here. Since I was still in the ruins though, probably no one was planning on waking me up. "So where's the door?"

First, see my proof.

I sighed. The proof thing again. "Where is it?" The second the words were out of my mouth, I saw a large gate appear ten feet in front of me. Past the gate, it was night, and I could make out a grave. "The grave?"

You'll see.

Great. No straight answer. Oh well. Just walk in, see what was on the grave, and get out. How did she think this was proof anyway? No matter who was buried there, it couldn't change my mind.

I stepped up to the gates and walked past after they opened. This was it. The end of quite a crazy week.

This is just the beginning.

As I walked closer, I realized that the grave was unmarked, just a slab of stone placed to mark where a body laid. There was no inscription to tell who lay here, but I still felt a stab of sorrow. What had happened here…it was all her fault…

Her?

Yes, her. I turned around and looked out over the land, unmarked by any boundaries. This was the agreed spot and time. This is where she would come.

Where'd the gates go? What's happening…I feel…different…

Oh yes, she would pay, for everything she'd done. Just like she had planned to do to me, I would do to her. She would see the truth now. Nobody could try and manipulate me, or there'd be hell to pay.

As for her…should I surprise her? Make her think I was still clueless to the entire charade?

Why do I feel so much hatred? What's happening to me?!

Yes. She would think she had won, only to find out the bitter truth. No one could defeat me. I was the Overlord. In anticipation, I began the fuse, making it subtle. Just enough that I'd be able to use Czernoborg's magic, but not enough that she'd be able to tell I was fused--until I wanted her to know.

Joshua stared at the arm, not sure what he was seeing at first. "Yuri can't fuse, right?" This was directed to Halley, who sat on the floor next to the table, looking a bit tired.

"Right, he lost his--" Halley stopped his explanation as he actually looked up at Yuri and saw the arm. "Guys, look at this!" he yelled at the others, getting off of the ground to see Yuri better. After a half-hour of watching Yuri and Alice 'sleep', they had scattered around the library. But at Halley's call they came right away to see what was the matter.

"He's fused?" Margarete said, looking confused. His upper arm looked normal, but at the elbow made a smooth transition from human to monster. She'd never seen Yuri do that before.

"One of the Dark class," Zhuzhen said, seeing the dark, leathery skin. "He's got all of them back," he said, recognizing the difference in aura. But when had it happened? They hadn't checked in a while.

"Well, if he can fuse, he must be alright," Margarete said, looking relieved. She stood next to the table. "They'll probably be waking up soon then."

Joshua was crowded around the table by the adults and felt annoyed. After looking at Yuri's arm one more time, he went upstairs. Sharon had already gone to sleep, and he was feeling pretty tired himself. Besides, they'd said Alice and Yuri were going to be fine. They had to be right.

"Regina, she's in there," Pan said, opening his green eyes a crack. His tone made it clear who 'she' was.

"I see. Then the masks took me up on my offer," Regina said, looking pleased. "This will be even better now."

"How so?"

"First, she'll be able to assure Hyuga this is not just a dream. Also…I'm almost certain she's Sarah. So she'll be taking her place."

"Almost certain?"

"Persephone was right. Her power and appearance…she really is just like her. No, no doubt at all."

"What if she remembers?" Pan said curiously.

Regina's brief reply: "She'll be dead first."

The Dreamer raised an eyebrow. "I don't think Pers would like that job…you're sending Syth?"
"I might not need to send anyone."

Pan was silent as he shifted through Yuri's mind, checking if the girl had stumbled in on the dream. But she hadn't and finally he said, "He's different. Things have changed."

"No. Perhaps on the outside, but he is still the same. I still recognized his soul the moment he returned. His soul…his soul awakened me. And in return, I will awaken him. Now concentrate. The timing must be right. I will see if I can lead her to her…lover," Regina finished, with a sarcastic edge to the last word.

[Alice's POV]

I was so far from the door, and I still hadn't seen Yuri. The temple was actually much bigger than I thought, and who knew how big it actually was?

Turning back, I saw that the door had shrunk to roughly the size of a coin. A small coin. There was no other light to go by but the dim, bluish light it let in. What was the point of going further if I wouldn't be able to see Yuri?

But…despite the dim light, I could still see myself perfectly. The Graveyard was a spiritual place, so maybe it didn't matter whether there was light or not.

"Yuri?" I called. "Yuri?" No response came and I looked around anxiously. What if the masks had been lying and he wasn't in here, or they'd been telling the truth and he couldn't answer? "Yuri?!"

I flinched as a large fire appeared at eye level. At first I wasn't sure if it was fire, because it was blue. But it seemed like fire, dancing around lazily in a figure eight, like it wanted to make sure I noticed it. Then it flew off into the darkness.

When I didn't move, it stopped and then came back, circling my head. "I'm supposed to…follow…this?" I said aloud.

Somehow I got the feeling it wanted to help me find Yuri, and knew where he was. Even though I was still confused about what it was, I told myself that I'd just have to stay on my guard. This time when it flew off, in the same direction as before, I followed it. It moved so quickly that I had to run after it. As I ran closer I could make out the dark sky of a dawn that had not quite begun. Under the dark sky, there was a grave--and Yuri.

At first I was a little afraid that he was burying his own grave, but there was nothing that he could have dug it with. The body beneath was already buried and covered with dirt anyway. The only question was--who?

Yuri had changed. He was completely clothed now, in a loose black coat and pants that seemed designed for fighting. I shook my head at the alteration and stepped forward. His back was turned to me, but he seemed to be aware that I was here. Why didn't he turn around then?

"Yuri?"

He turned to show his profile, looking at me. He was smiling.

Something seemed familiar to me about the whole situation. A meeting before dawn, when night turned into day and darkness became light. I'd been so worried that he wouldn't come though--that he would change his mind, that she would convince him not to come--

But here he was, at the agreed time and place. I'd been right to place my faith in him.

This…happened before…

Then I noticed a brooch that he carried. It was a red stone that glowed like fire. I'd never seen it before. "Hyuga, what is that?" I asked.

Hyuga? And how does he have the Flare Brooch? It's inside of him!

"Oh, this?" He looked down at the brooch, then looked at me. "It's a brooch Regina made for me."

"So…she approves?" After all, it looked new, and if she'd made it for him she couldn't possibly be angry with him.

His smile became wider. It was a like a smirk now. Something was wrong with him. I approached him. "Hyuga, what's wr-"

"Revelation," he said in a harsh whisper, and I screamed in pain as the spell hit me.

Everyone gave a start when Alice suddenly cried out. "What's wrong with her?" Margarete asked, bending over her.

"She's weaker, but there's no injuries." Halley said. "Maybe magic."

"I'll wake her up." Margarete was about to try the water trick again when Zhuzhen stopped her.

"No, not yet. The kid must be fighting with her if he's fused. They'll be fine. And they probably have a good reason to be fighting."

"Like what?"
"Remember malice?"

Margarete rolled her eyes, muttering "there is no more malice" but she didn't try waking Alice up again.

"Look," Keith said simply, watching Yuri. The fusion was quickly spreading up Yuri's arm onto his chest, transforming him into Czernoborg.

"That's not all," Halley said, his eyes narrowed. He pointed to Alice's neck.

Four drops of blood began to trail down from tiny wounds.

[Yuri's POV]

Alice? What's going on--what am I doing?!

"Hy-Hyuga…"

I loved it, that weakness in her voice, just what I'd wanted to hear. She was getting a taste of her own medicine now, and she obviously didn't like it. I squeezed just a little harder on her neck, drawing more blood with my claws and eliciting another cry from her. The fusion was complete, since there was no more need to hide it anymore.

"Hyuga…" her eyes were wide with fear and surprise. That probably would've been my reaction if she'd caught me in her little game. "Please…"

Tears. Yes, now that was pleasing. She deserved this pain. It was all her fault.

My body…I can't control it…why…who's controlling me? If this isn't a dream…no, it's too real-then what the hell is this?! Regina?

[Alice's POV]

Even as I stumbled back after the attack, Hyuga was prepared and quickly grabbed me with his right arm. It was formed like a monster's, Czernoborg's, and he lifted me by the grip on my neck. The hidden fusion was already spreading across his body, turning him into a monster. I could barely breathe, but still, I tried to plead. "Hyuga…"

Yuri…no, this can't be Yuri, he'd never do this to me! The masks must have done something…or Fox Face…?

The grip only tightened and it became almost impossible to breathe. My eyes began to tear. Why was he doing this to me? We'd agreed…

"Hyuga…please…" Tears started running down my cheeks. Everyone had been right, and I'd refused to listen to them. I'd brought this on myself…

It's not Yuri! It's not Yuri, so…

But then, he was just like all the rest of them. Just like the rest of those traitors. So...

I won't regret attacking this thing…

I won't regret attacking you…

I gathered my strength and quickly raised my hand so it was in front of his face. "Blessed…Light."

[Yuri's POV]

I cursed as the attack hit me, directly in the face. That little… In my pain, I let go of Sarah, letting her drop to the ground

Sarah? But she looks just like Alice…

I scowled as she quickly scrambled away. Idiot. She was trying to get away from me? No, no, I wasn't going to allow that. She had wanted me to come close, come close so she could use me--and now she wanted to get away? A low growl escaped my throat in anger.

Then again, this might be fun. How fast could she run, how much faster could I be? The fusion came undone and I stood for a moment in my human form, watching her.

Human form?

Ah, Seravi. In an instant, I gained wings and sharp talons. Talons that would be drawing blood soon.

Can this really…be me? But I wouldn't…I'd never want to hurt Alice…

Maybe it's not her…Let this be a nightmare, please…an illusion, anything…just don't let me hurt Alice!

Margarete blinked as they were now looking at one of Yuri's Air forms. He didn't use them as often, so she wasn't sure which was which, but she was willing to bet that it was Seravi. "Why's the kid fusing so much? That's not a good idea."

Zhuzhen nodded, contemplating. Both Alice and Yuri had gotten hurt, but Alice by a Darkness attack and Yuri by a Light attack, which seemed rather odd. Luckily the claw marks on Alice's neck had disappeared, suggesting she'd healed herself. Watching the two while they in the Graveyard was bizarre. They could tell that they were being hurt, but couldn't tell what they were being hurt by.

And it was odd for Yuri to go in and out of fusions like that. Usually he chose one element and stuck with it for a few days, until he got bored of it or found one that was better suited for the monsters in a particular area. Sometimes he'd choose more carefully, for monsters that looked tougher, but switching elements in less than two minutes…

What was going on?

[Alice's POV]

How stupid of me! Those masks were lying to me…Yuri must be within the Gate of Self. I have to get out of here now… But where's the gate?!

Everywhere I looked, it was just rolling land. There were not many places to hide. If I didn't get out of here soon, Hyuga would attack me again.

The betrayal still hurt, even though I'd healed the physical wounds. He had said…he had said…

But Yuri would never betray me like this. It's just Fox Face. Or something like him, at least…

"It doesn't matter what he said," I whispered softly to myself. "He's just another devil…no, he's even worse…"

Without slowing, I looked over my shoulder. I couldn't see him. I slowed down, just the slightest bit incredulous. Hyuga had lightning reflexes, and my physical strength and speed were not my best points. How was it that he hadn't caught me yet? I should've been attacked by now.

She's right…or is it me? These thoughts and feelings…they seem just like me…

Why hasn't that lookalike attacked yet?

I stopped for a few seconds to catch my breath and again, survey my surroundings. I couldn't see him…but then I had the suspicious feeling that he was closer than I realized…

And that was when he struck. Sharp claws ripped into my robes and back, the force behind the attack knocking me down to the ground. I lay in the early morning dew, my heart beating quickly. An aerial attack…one of his Air forms…

I should have known he wouldn't let me escape. I'd have to fight him if I were to escape. But without weapons or armor…

I stood up on shaky legs, knowing I was at an extreme disadvantage. A brief plea to God escaped my lips as I tried to gather my energy. "Gospel," I said in as firm a voice I could manage. I felt the power within me increase, aid to my defense. Inwardly I was relieved. I'd been unsure if God would still answer my prayers.

God forsakes no one…why should I worry?

Looking up, Hyuga was circling in the increasingly lighter sky, both reassuring and worrisome. Reassuring part: I could see him. Worrying part?

He could see me.

It was amazing that as large as he was, Hyuga in one of his aerial forms could fly just as well as any bird of prey. He folded his wings, or arms, entering into a swift dive directed towards me.

Oh no you don't.

"Blessed Light!" I yelled as he unleashed another magical attack. Advent would be useless against him, as fast as he was moving, so I was stuck with the less powerful of my attacks. The bright flash blinded Hyuga, used to the dim light, but I didn't flinch, knowing what would happen when it hit him. His attack still came through though, a powerful gust of wind that flung me through the air and into a nearby tree.

I-she needs to heal herself now…

The blow stunned me and I slid down to my knees, my vision dancing in dizzying blurs.

No! Get up! What…what will happen to me if we lose? Why can't I help?

"Her head's bleeding, and it's pretty bad," Halley reported, looking anxiously at the injury. He tried healing it, but the magic couldn't work while she was in the Graveyard. Another one of the complications of the Graveyard, and he was getting more and more frustrated with it. "Come on, let's wake her up at least, Zhuzhen."

Zhuzhen nodded. "Doesn't seem like the kid's too bad off." Yuri had a light burn near his chest, but it seemed like he had gotten off easier.

"I wonder what exactly they're fighting," Margarete said. Something that could use magic, she knew, but not much else.

Keith thought about this, then said, "It must be different monsters. After all, Alice got attacked by a Dark class first and then an Air class it seems, and Yuri's been attacked by a Light class."

"Oh, shit," Margarete whispered, looking pale.

"What's wrong with you?" Zhuzhen asked.

"I just put two and two together," she said. She started shaking Yuri, trying to wake him up. "Kiddo, come on! Keith, wake Alice up!" When the vampire didn't, she gave him an evil eye. "Keith, think about what you just said. Alice got attacked with Darkness while Yuri was Czernoborg, the Air while he was Seravi, and he's been getting bashed with Light!" Their faces lit up with understanding, but she voiced her conclusion anyways. "They're not fighting with each other, they're fighting against each other!"

Pan cursed as he felt something distract Yuri from the fight. Someone was trying to wake him up. Quickly he increased his hold on both the Harmonixer and the girl with him. There was a time, soon enough, when both could be waken up. Until then, Regina wanted them to both see the show.

[Alice's POV]

"Come on Sarah," I heard a taunting voice say. "I thought you were better than that." He stood by me, towering over me.

"Hyu…Hyuga…" my tongue seemed thick in my mouth, the words confused as they came out. "We agreed…we agreed to make peace here…why are you continuing the fight now?"

"Why do I have to answer to you?" he asked. "You're just like the rest of those hypocrites. You never meant anything you said. Never…she was right. You would have done the same, if I'd given you the opportunity." His voice was bitter. He bent down so that he was level with me and forced me to look at him. "Tell me Sarah, what do you think of me? Do you still think that I'm a bastard?" The grip on my face became harder; he obviously didn't want me to answer, but to listen.

What is he talking about?

"Do you still think of me as nothing…but a beast?" Hyuga gave a hollow laugh that sent a chill through my soul. "No, no, don't say anything. I already know what you'd say, and I don't like your pretty lies anymore."

Pretty lies? I hadn't lied to him…why was he saying that?

Something was wrong. Something must have happened after our last meeting, something to turn him against me like this.

He began a fusion again, back to Czernoborg. This was my last chance. I twisted out of his grasp, falling down to the ground, but it didn't matter. Darkness was weak against Light and I let loose my best spell.

"Final Judgment!" I yelled, focusing all my power into the spell. It was a spell to destroy those who had evil in their hearts. It would mean Hyuga's total destruction, but…I shouldn't regret that. A huge wave of light went out from my hands, passing over Hyuga's body. In moments he would be nothing, but…

Nothing's happening…

It didn't affect him at all. He smirked at my astonished expression. It had done nothing, even though other demons had been completely decimated by it. Now that I had used the spell though, I was powerless, all my energy gone. My mind was still racing for some sort of explanation as Hyuga wrenched my arm with his claws.

And then I hit upon it.

It didn't hurt him because he's not evil…

"Alice! Wake up!"

"Kiddo, you too!"

"Come on!"

His arm lunged forward, aiming for my face--

"Now!"

"Wake up!"

Yuri's head snapped up at the command, just in time to catch Margarete's face. Both used a stream of colorful words, Yuri rubbing his forehead while Margarete massaged her chin. Beside him Alice also woke up with a jolt, her hand moving to her eye for some unknown reason. She put it down and turned, looking at him. "Yuri, was that you-"

She was stopped as Yuri suddenly hugged her. She blushed as he was doing this in front of everyone, but realized it shouldn't be embarrassing--and blushed even more, embarrassed by the fact she was embarrassed.

"You're alright," he murmured, obviously relieved. But when she winced as he held her, he noticed the blood showing on her back and head and his heart sank. Just like in the dream…or whatever it had been. "Zhuzhen, can you heal her?" Yuri said.

"Sure," Zhuzhen said, moving closer to Alice. He slowly began healing her, careful to do it right.

Alice also realized that Yuri had to have been the person she'd fought. Even though he hadn't acted at all like himself…but I wasn't able to control myself either, she reasoned, watching Halley heal Yuri. It must have been the same for him.

"As for you, kiddo," Margarete said, still rubbing her sore chin, "You've got some explaining to do."

Yuri looked around wildly. Oh hell. He hadn't realized it before, but he was in Roger Bacon's house, surrounded by his companions, instead of in the ruins with Regina and Persephone. That had not been planned. What exactly had happened?

"Um…I sleepwalk?" he suggested.

Margarete glared at him. She was in an extremely bad mood and this was not the kind of answer she wanted. Yuri sighed and said, "I know, I know. I was planning on telling you tomorrow-"

"We can hear it right now," Alice said, her tone making it more than a suggestion.

Okay…where to begin…?

Author's Note: Okay, okay, I know I have some explaining to do.

First of all, with the temple:

Um…The idea I'm using for it is kind of based off of the hyperbolic time chamber (at least I think that's the name) in Dragonball Z. If you haven't watched it, um…how to explain…the hyperbolic time chamber has an entrance which looks kind of like a house, but beyond there, it's just blank white, and there doesn't seem to be a limit to the place. So really the temple is kind of like that where it has a (semi)-normal entrance, but beyond that it's pretty much…unlimited.

About the others being able to see Yuri's fusion and the injuries…that was taken off of the fact that the damage you take in the Graveyard follows you back to the real world. Yes, I know this is assuming a lot. But, unless the damage all of the sudden appears the moment you wake up, which would probably have caused a few scares in some cases…it just seemed to make sense to me that the damage would appear as you are getting injured. The fact that the others can see Yuri's fusions, is just taken off the idea that if injuries would show, a fusion would probably show as well.

About Halley's magic not working…think of it as that your body doesn't really have those injuries until you actually do wake up. Like if Yuri turned into Lobos and healed himself in the Graveyard, those injuries would disappear and his physical body would be healed as well. The injuries wouldn't be there when he woke up. And you can't heal what you don't have.

Yuri: You can tell she's a nitpicker, can't you?

::sweatdrop:: I'm trying to write a story here! Go away. And also, the fact that Margarete, Keith, Zhuzhen and Halley didn't catch for quite a while what was going on…no, I'm not trying to make them look stupid. Once again, even though they can see injuries and fusions, there's still a lot they're missing out on. Also, the possibility that Yuri and Alice were fighting each other would be about the last thing they would think of. Since they didn't expect it, they didn't realize it.

Uh, the whole fight?…I can't explain that right now. ::grin::

Yuri: I want a new writer.

Reviewers:

Delka: Thanks. Most people agree it's bluish somehow, so I put it as the blue light from the Graveyard in here. ::thinks:: At least I think I said that somewhere…

The Matriarch Mavina: Nope, I don't mind at all. Glad you like it so much.

Gutterfiend: I seem to be doing a lot of odd things right now. ::sweatdrop:: thanks for the information. I didn't know there was a Judgment Ring. Maybe I could add something about that later…

Nights Mistress: …

Yuri: Um, are you going to answer her review?

DARN IT! You're not supposed to guess right!

Yuri: It's not completely right…

Well, yeah, like the 'gods' thing…I think I said something about that in one of the early chapters. Probably chapter one. But actually, you are kind of close. Except for a few things, like about-

Yuri: AEGIS! No spoilers!

Can't I? But the thing you're 100% right about is-

Yuri: Aegis…

But Yuri and Alice aren't-

Yuri: That's it! I'm answering reviews now!

Greyfriars:

Yuri: Hmm…::looks over at Aegis:: What should I say…

Mmph! ::looks very pissed off, as she is tied to the chair with her mouth covered in duct tape::

Yuri: Hey, this is for your own good. You would have spoiled it otherwise. The infinite me's thing was actually more of symbolism than anything else. I mean, nobody can duplicate me!

Yuri: Aegis manages to update this so often because she set a goal for herself to update once a week, for fear that if she didn't this fanfic would go the same way as her Breath of Fire IV novelization. It had a great start, then she had a major problem with formatting and the fanfic was neglected until she had to delete it because her sister was planning on selling that game.

Yuri: Of course, she would be updating this more often if she wasn't such a hopeless solitaire addict!

::Aegis closes her eyes and an imaginary setup of cards appears in her head:: (red 5 on the black 6, what's under the 5, ooh, ace!)

Yuri: ::sweatdrop:: We're not even getting into that.

Tiger5913:

Yuri: What?! I am not going to be saved by Alice! I refuse!

…::scrapes her chair over to Yuri and kicks him in the shins::

Yuri: ::glare:: Now I'm going to tie your legs together too.