Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Lol.
Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . meep. . . . . . . . . . . . LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Duo was walking out the door in a desperate need of fresh air. He was about to close the door when something pelted into him right into the gut. Needless to say he flew through the open door and landed hard on his *Ahem* . The bird stood up on his chest and flapped it's wings rather angrily, hopped off Duo's chest and then reshaped into Soa.
"Soa!" Duo yelled out as he stood up. "Where the heck have YOU been?!" Soa sighed.
"A few problems."
"Like being attacked?" A cold voice asked, Heero stood in the doorway staring rather expectantly at his best friend. Well, one of them. Soa sighed.
"Who told you that?"
"Semblance did." Heero replied with a smirk. Soa sighed.
"Dang it, that guy will never leave me alone! He's like a . . . . a-!"
"Little brother?" Duo asked with a grin. Soa looked at him.
"Fuunnnnyyyy." The god replied dully with a frown. Duo laughed. Quatra came walking in.
"Oh! Soa, you're back, are you okay? We heard about the attack and everything." He said a kind smile on his face. Soa nodded.
"I'm okay. How's Garda?" He asked suddenly, his face changing to worry.
"She's sleeping. Though I think she's seen better days."
"Can you take me to her?" Soa asked, his face alight with worry.
~~~
"Poor Garda." Soa muttered as he looked the figure over.
"Poor nothing. Get me out of here." The figure whispered, trying to sound harsh but failing miserably at that. Soa grinned weakly.
"Okay, sorry the visit was so short but I gotta run. The sooner I get her away from here, the better."
"What do you mean?" Trowa asked, he was very curious about the other world.
"In the Elysian lands, or in other words, heaven, it has a sort of aura around it. And mythical creature alive can draw power from heaven, so if I take Garda home, she should feel better soon." Soa informed the others. He slowly picked Garda up and cradled her in his arms, an odd look for the god of destruction, he smiled and the others, and vanished. No poof of smoke, or a special light show, he just disappeared. Duo sighed.
~~~
The woman was working in her house, the plants were calling to her, asking for water.
"Calm down." She said sternly. The voices quieted. She was in the process of watering a tree when a boy suddenly popped out in front of her, he caught her before she fell.
"Sorry about that."
"My boy, you really must stop doing that." Lila said with a grim smile as Soa bowed.
"Sorry mother, listen, where is Alacrity?"
"Somewhere around here. Why? What do you need of her?"
"Well-" He never finished cause at that moment a whirlwind was around him. It stopped and a figure stood there, a girl in a very large white shirt that was held down with a belt and almost covered the black tight shorts she wore. She had large wristbands on her arms and around her ankles as well. A small necklace of silver around her neck, her black hair was done in a messy ponytail and her bangs were impatiently pushed to the side of her face framing her amber like eyes.
"You call Chry?" She asked with a smile.
"Good lord, must you do that every time?" He demanded annoyed as he tried to flatten his messed up hair and straighten out his own thin ponytail.
"Yep. Whatcha want?" She asked.
"Can you take Garda to Lyre? And be gentle . . . . . . she's hurting." Soa said quietly, his face in pain. Alacrity, the goddess of speed stopped grinning and looked at the fairy.
"Sure, I'll be quick and as gentle as possible." The youth said taking the tiny figure. Soa nodded with a thanks. She smiled at him and ran off in a blur of wind. Soa turned to his mother.
"Where is Tern?"
~~~
"You're certain of this?"
"Positive, the cell is weakening." Soa replied steadily. He now stood in the chamber of god, where his father ruled all. His father was happy to see him home, as was all the other gods, but Soa's report had put frowns on everyone's face. His mother sighed.
"We knew this would happen eventually." Lila murmured to her husband.
"I know, but why now?!" He demanded annoyed. Soa shrugged.
"I have to leave, I told Lyre I'd help her with Garda."
"Yes, yes, that goddess can be demanding." Lila the goddess of life replied.
"Go to her realms then, be back soon." Tern ordered.
"I didn't know you cared." Soa joked. Then he left, Tern smiled.
"Of course I do. . . . ."
~~~~
"You are late."
"I know, sorry." Soa said apologetically. The goddess of fairies bristled at his tone.
"Don't get your ego to high up, you forget who you are dealing with."
"Of course." The brown haired youth replied with a mock bow. She sighed.
"Shinigami has been a bad influence on you my nephew."
"Yes Lyre, of course." He replied obediently. She nodded with approval.
"Now, to business, Garda is still very weak, but she has passed the danger of death. By the way Chrysaetos. . . . . . ."
"Yes?"
"What this I hear about you being attacked?" Soa stiffened looked around for anyone who might be listening in and hissed at her when he found no one.
"Who told you that?!"
"Fairies are everywhere Chrysaetos. Of course I would have heard you." Soa sighed and looked away.
"It was one of Jepson's minions." Lyre stiffened and was quiet before asking.
"Who?" He hesitated, then murmured to her a name. She blanched.
"It can't be!" He nodded, she sputtered. "Are you sure?! It couldn't have been him, he died over 10 million years ago!"
"I know that!" Soa yelled out in anger. "Why do you think I don't want to believe it?!"
"But it just can't be. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ." She whispered.
"It can." A harsh and icy voice broke in, both gods spun around to find a cloaked figure. The same one that had attacked Soa only a few nights ago.
"You are annoying Chrysaetos, how is it that I hit you with one of my strongest spells and yet you still live?" Soa scowled.
"Your powers are the same as mine, even if they are stronger then my abilities, they will have little affect, most certainly you will not be able to kill me you traitor!" Soa spat, fury building in his eyes. The figure laughed.
"Such words. There is a human saying, respect you elders. Perhaps it's time I show you why!" He screamed and lashed out with a bolt of dark lightening.
~~~
Duo was walking down a lone highway, hands in pocket and a black cap over his eyes. He felt a little weird, like there was this THING that wouldn't leave him alone, a feeling that was bugging him. He tried to locate it, he kept thinking over things wondering where it was coming from. An image flashed, a park with trees all around it, a circular pavement with benches on all four sides. On one of them was a dark figure, it was wearing some sort of overcoat, a necklace dangling on the side. An arm was hanging over the edge of the stone bench, he saw a curving line of blood dripping onto the ground from the arm. The necklace, it was the copy of Duo's, except the gem was a gold colored crystal. Soa! He ran out onto the street just in time to stop a sports car. He ran over to the window. A woman opened it.
"Are you crazy?! I could've killed you!"
"No time. Listen, where's the nearest park?" She was silenced, this was an odd question. She thought for a moment while Duo impatiently jogged on the spot.
"Roots park." She finally replied. Duo leaned down to talk to her.
"I need to go there, someone's in danger please hurry!" He yelled and ran over to the other side, she flinched, he was obviously in a hurry. Making sure her gun was in place in her pocket she unlocked the door. He stepped in and said in an ushered voice.
"Slam it!" She did so, he put on his seatbelt and watched her maneuver through the traffic. She was no dummy at this, she moved like an expert race driver. Horns honked and people yelled but she ignored them all.
"You mind telling me why the rush?!" She demanded as she passed another car.
"Someone is hurt. Badly." He replied. It was crazy, all he had was a vision, and here he went, panicking. Well, it was times like these that you follow your instincts, that was after all how he's survived the wars and pain. The shadow in his mind was growing larger and deeper. It was scaring him. 5 minutes later she was stopping by the entrance to the park, he jumped out of the car before it had even come to a halt, bolting up the curving walkway he looked wildly around, Duo didn't even notice that the woman was following him. He closed his eyes for a moment when he reached the top, the road split into two directions, to keep going forward, or go right. There! A small light in the distance, it wasn't one you could see, or feel. It was the one only a god or mythical creature could feel and see. The light of life, and this light was dimming really fast. He raced off without waiting for the girl to catch up. There it was, the small cloister of trees, and there was the figure. God, he's hoped it wouldn't be real. Racing over he tore off the cloak. There was Soa face up. His eyes were closed, his mouth slightly parted, a small line of blood trickling down the side of his lips. One hand sprawled across his chest, the other hanging over the edge of the bench. He had small bruises all over his face and arms. Duo hissed.
"Dammit. What happened?" He demanded as he hoisted Soa over his shoulder, his brother didn't reply. Instead he began to whisper about things.
"He's back. He's coming for you Duo." That was all Soa could manage before he began to cough blood.
"Don't talk." Duo soothed. The woman caught up and was gasping for air. She took one look at the boy and her eyes widened in shock.
"You!" She yelled out. Without question she took out a cellphone.
"What are you doing?! This is no time to be talking to a friend!" Duo cursed her. She ignored him.
"Operator? Get me the hospital!" Duo shut up, maybe all girls weren't so bad after all. After the girl made the call she ordered Duo to lie him ease him down on the bench. Taking off her jacket she placed it around the youth's body and then put the cloak on top of him.
"He's lost a lot of body heat." She explained. "If we don't keep him warm he could die of pneumonia." She said. Duo didn't reply, was it possible for gods to get pneumonia? Was it possible for them to even get sick? The ambulance was there as fast as it could, people came running up the slope and laid a stretcher down next to the bench and carefully placed his brother on it.
"Are you related to him?" One man asked as two others wheeled him down the walkway. Duo nodded.
"I'm his brother, Duo Maxwell."
~~~
'His brother?' Rya thought as she rode through the ambulance. So this was Duo Maxwell, the brother of Soa. A man supposedly dead. Wasn't it odd how fate intervened? And how weird was it that Soa was lying in the middle of a park near death? Was he involved with some sort of crime? Why else pretend to be a dead man, and be seriously injured twice? Also, Duo didn't seem surprised by the fact that Soa was still alive. Something was going on, and she wanted to know what. Soa never said anything that made sense along ride. He kept looking a Duo and mumbling 'He's back. He's after you.' The mumbles would be followed by the coughing of blood, apparently one of his lungs had been nicked through a puncture. Even if he was a criminal, she felt sorry for him. He was so young, to have this happen. She shook her head. Still, this little shadow was growing in the back of her head.
~~~
At the hospital Soa was sleeping on one of the hospital beds. He'd had one surgery only with all of his wounds surprisingly. The doctors had told Duo that his wound were healing rapidly and that his pneumonia had barely reached the critical level. He had however lost a lot of blood. Duo was more then willing to give it. He didn't think human blood would mix too well with gods'. In the end, Soa was healing fully and Duo now had a small cut on his arm. Duo pulled the silver rod off his back. He never went anywhere without it anymore, it was kept to his back with a brown leather strap that was more or less like a backpack. He slowly looked it over, Soa had given him this, but what could he give to Soa? Rya noticed the rod.
"What is that?" She asked looking at it. Duo looked at her. Then shook his head and put it away.
"Nothing." He said hastily. Rya stared at him, then sighed. She held a hand out.
"My name is Rya Anon." Duo took the hand saying.
"Duo Maxwell." Rya nodded. Then turned to Soa who fidgeted in his sleep. A nightmare probably.
"So Soa is your brother." She commented. Duo stiffened.
"How do you know his name?" He asked quietly. "Are you a-?" Rya cut in.
"I'm a friend, I helped him recover when he was hurt last time." Rya said quietly. Duo blanched, he was about to say god. Thank the heavens he didn't.
~~~
Soa was running, his chest was burning. He spun around and pulled out his favorite weapon. A twin bladed sword with a bold hilt. Like his brother's, it was only a golden rod that had a pyramid pointed edge of both sides, on command on side would open and the sword would thrust out. The pyramid would stretch off into a point of both sides. The same went for the other side. He kept the sword with him in a leg sheath, it was a three ringed sheath made of belts. A small pocket was on the side where Soa kept it. The figure laughed.
"Do you really think that will help you?" It demanded smiling.
"Leave him alone!" Soa yelled back. The figure laughed.
"And what can you do to stop me?"
"I'll KILL YOU if I have to!" Soa screamed. "Even if it takes me with you, I'll stop you!" The figure laughed.
"Face it Chrysaetos. Shinigami is mine!" He roared and lashed out with fire. Soa woke with a start. Sitting bolt upright in bed he suddenly yelled out at the rush of pain. Duo and Rya ran over to his side. Easing Soa back down onto the pillow Duo stared.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE ELYSIAN FIELDS!"
He shouted. Soa snapped his eyes open.
"Duo shut it!" He yelled out, looking at his brother he looked at Rya, then back at Duo. Duo gulped.
"Sorry. But what happened?!" Soa looked at Rya.
"Sorry, but could you leave us please?" Rya looked at him, then at Duo, then back at Soa. She sighed and nodded, getting up, she closed the door quietly. Soa laid down on his pillow and closed his eyes sighing. He said without looking at Duo;
"Do you remember Jepson?" Soa asked quietly. Duo shook his head. Soa continued.
"Jepson was the former god of death. He was our father's brother. They were twins like us. Jepson ruled darkness while Tern ruled light. In other words Jepson ruled death and the underworld and Tern ruled life and the Upper lands. Now Jepson began to hate his realm, he made demands that he knew the other gods would be unable to fulfill. When they replied that his demands were not possible, he began to scheme with other gods in order to get rid of Tern. A council was held Duo. We were there." Soa said swiftly. Without reply the two necklaces flashed purple and yellow light. Once more Duo was taken into his past.
~ Flashback ~
(A/N: Just a little note, this scene will actually be in my other story. The one of how Duo and Soa fought Jepson and such. Read it when it comes out!)
"Isn't there a spell cast by the great ones that condemns any traitors? I know killing them is something you don't want, but how about banishing the evil ones to another realm?" Soa asked. Duo caught onto what his brother was thinking and nodded at the gods.
"We could send the ones who betrayed you to the Amoral Lands. It's the polar opposite of our realm, the Ethereal Lands." The amethyst eye colored youth suggested. Tern chuckled.
"I had best watch out. You two are getting smarter then we are."
"So who's betrayed you?" Duo asked quietly. Tern sighed and looked to Ana, the goddess of sight.
"These gods have betrayed us. Death obviously. Destruction, Treachery, Dark, Evil, Hate, Spite, Corrupt, and a number of other negative forces." She said ominously. Soa nodded.
"So, thanks to the great ones' spell we can send the lower gods to the Amoral Realms no problem. However. . . ." He trailed off and his brother finished for him.
"It will take more then a spell to send off one major god, much less two. Death and Destruction will not be so easy." Duo remarked and fell silent to let his father think. The great ones were the two greatest powers alive. Fate was one of them. The other was a mystery that none of the gods could solve. Many wondered why Love was the other greatest power. No god could find reason for that complex emotion, but oddly enough it wasn't human love, or that simple feeling. It was known to be a greater strength that they had yet to unravel. Soa sighed.
"Death and Destruction, there are only two ways to get rid of a major god, imprison him, or kill him. . . ." Tern commented softly.
~ End Flashback ~
Duo stared.
"So what happened?" He asked Soa. Soa looked at him calmly.
"In the great battle many gods were hurt. Some were even killed. AS you should already know, when a god is killed by another they are not reborn. The losses were great, Cyprus was the god of destruction before me. We were fighting, his powers were loose and uncontrollable, he would have destroyed everything in his rampage. Meaning we could not imprison him. In the end, we had to kill him." Duo looked his brother over.
"Who killed Cyprus?" Soa sighed.
"I did, and believe it or not I had nightmares about it for weeks after. At least I was alive to have them, I guess. You were the one who weakened Jepson long enough for us to imprison him. Thanks to this fact, we were made the high gods because of our deeds." Soa stopped for a moment to let Duo think.
"The gods. . . . .the ones who were killed. Who were they?" He whispered. Soa flinched.
"The gods killed on our side were Courage, Healing, Impassive, Honor, and Kindness. The ones who took their place was the people who killed their killers. Meaning that whoever killed the god who murdered lets say Healing, would become healing's successor." Duo nodded.
"I get it. So I guess even in heaven they have wars. I always though it was a place for resting and peace." Soa smirked and opened one eye a bit.
"That would be the Comatose lands." Duo growled in frustration.
"How many DAMN lands are there?!" he yelled out. Soa smiled and laughed. Suddenly the door burst open.
"YOU CRAZY PIGHEADED SON OF A B****!! WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!?!?!" Heero screamed at the top of his lungs. Rya walked in and sighed.
"Maybe calling you over wasn't the best idea after all." She muttered, turning to Duo and Soa who were both wide eyed from this surprise stared. "I had to do something, and I thought that your friends might like to know where you are so . . ." Soa nodded smiling.
"Thanks." Suddenly the rest of the group came in. Quatra ran over to Soa's bed.
"Good lord, are you alright Soa?" He asked quickly. Wufei was frowning, the little vein in his temple told the others that he was trying to stop from doing what Heero had already done.
"Sorry we came a little late, but Heero was driving, and when Miss. Rya called he drove like a maniac to get to the hospital and left tire marks on the parking lot. He didn't even shut off the engine, just jumped out the door as the car was screeching to a halt. We had to park that car." Quatra explained.
"I had to stop him from shooting the receptionist when she was trying to find Soa's room." Wufei said grimly. Trowa was silent, face still. Eyes were gleaming a bit. Nothing out of the ordinary for him. He opened his mouth, took a deep breath. And. . . .
"Soa. WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THAT BED I WILL MURDER YOU WITH MR OWN HANDS!" Or not . . . Duo sighed. Soa laughed, then winced.
"Who?" Heero said softly, voice dangerous. Soa looked at him calmly.
"Cyprus." Quatra looked from him to Heero.
"Who?" Heero shook his head.
"Former Destruction." Was all he said. Quatra stared, the clue was enough. Everyone turned to Soa.
"Dead. By me." Soa explained with only those three words. Duo stared. Suddenly what Heero said seemed to sink into everyone else. They all turned to him, except Soa that is.
"You TOO?! You're one too?!" Duo yelled. Heero nodded smirking.
"What?" Quatra asked faintly. Heero replied.
"Courage. Name's Gallantry." He said quietly. Wufei lost all patience.
"WHY DON'T YOU F****** GUYS GO SOMEWHERE ELSE?!!" He screamed and walked out the doorway ranting. Rya stared.
"What's going on?" The other's shook their head.
"You don't want to know." Quatra said sighing.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Can't sleep, reviewers will get me. . . . . . . . . . . .
Lol.
Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . meep. . . . . . . . . . . . LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Duo was walking out the door in a desperate need of fresh air. He was about to close the door when something pelted into him right into the gut. Needless to say he flew through the open door and landed hard on his *Ahem* . The bird stood up on his chest and flapped it's wings rather angrily, hopped off Duo's chest and then reshaped into Soa.
"Soa!" Duo yelled out as he stood up. "Where the heck have YOU been?!" Soa sighed.
"A few problems."
"Like being attacked?" A cold voice asked, Heero stood in the doorway staring rather expectantly at his best friend. Well, one of them. Soa sighed.
"Who told you that?"
"Semblance did." Heero replied with a smirk. Soa sighed.
"Dang it, that guy will never leave me alone! He's like a . . . . a-!"
"Little brother?" Duo asked with a grin. Soa looked at him.
"Fuunnnnyyyy." The god replied dully with a frown. Duo laughed. Quatra came walking in.
"Oh! Soa, you're back, are you okay? We heard about the attack and everything." He said a kind smile on his face. Soa nodded.
"I'm okay. How's Garda?" He asked suddenly, his face changing to worry.
"She's sleeping. Though I think she's seen better days."
"Can you take me to her?" Soa asked, his face alight with worry.
~~~
"Poor Garda." Soa muttered as he looked the figure over.
"Poor nothing. Get me out of here." The figure whispered, trying to sound harsh but failing miserably at that. Soa grinned weakly.
"Okay, sorry the visit was so short but I gotta run. The sooner I get her away from here, the better."
"What do you mean?" Trowa asked, he was very curious about the other world.
"In the Elysian lands, or in other words, heaven, it has a sort of aura around it. And mythical creature alive can draw power from heaven, so if I take Garda home, she should feel better soon." Soa informed the others. He slowly picked Garda up and cradled her in his arms, an odd look for the god of destruction, he smiled and the others, and vanished. No poof of smoke, or a special light show, he just disappeared. Duo sighed.
~~~
The woman was working in her house, the plants were calling to her, asking for water.
"Calm down." She said sternly. The voices quieted. She was in the process of watering a tree when a boy suddenly popped out in front of her, he caught her before she fell.
"Sorry about that."
"My boy, you really must stop doing that." Lila said with a grim smile as Soa bowed.
"Sorry mother, listen, where is Alacrity?"
"Somewhere around here. Why? What do you need of her?"
"Well-" He never finished cause at that moment a whirlwind was around him. It stopped and a figure stood there, a girl in a very large white shirt that was held down with a belt and almost covered the black tight shorts she wore. She had large wristbands on her arms and around her ankles as well. A small necklace of silver around her neck, her black hair was done in a messy ponytail and her bangs were impatiently pushed to the side of her face framing her amber like eyes.
"You call Chry?" She asked with a smile.
"Good lord, must you do that every time?" He demanded annoyed as he tried to flatten his messed up hair and straighten out his own thin ponytail.
"Yep. Whatcha want?" She asked.
"Can you take Garda to Lyre? And be gentle . . . . . . she's hurting." Soa said quietly, his face in pain. Alacrity, the goddess of speed stopped grinning and looked at the fairy.
"Sure, I'll be quick and as gentle as possible." The youth said taking the tiny figure. Soa nodded with a thanks. She smiled at him and ran off in a blur of wind. Soa turned to his mother.
"Where is Tern?"
~~~
"You're certain of this?"
"Positive, the cell is weakening." Soa replied steadily. He now stood in the chamber of god, where his father ruled all. His father was happy to see him home, as was all the other gods, but Soa's report had put frowns on everyone's face. His mother sighed.
"We knew this would happen eventually." Lila murmured to her husband.
"I know, but why now?!" He demanded annoyed. Soa shrugged.
"I have to leave, I told Lyre I'd help her with Garda."
"Yes, yes, that goddess can be demanding." Lila the goddess of life replied.
"Go to her realms then, be back soon." Tern ordered.
"I didn't know you cared." Soa joked. Then he left, Tern smiled.
"Of course I do. . . . ."
~~~~
"You are late."
"I know, sorry." Soa said apologetically. The goddess of fairies bristled at his tone.
"Don't get your ego to high up, you forget who you are dealing with."
"Of course." The brown haired youth replied with a mock bow. She sighed.
"Shinigami has been a bad influence on you my nephew."
"Yes Lyre, of course." He replied obediently. She nodded with approval.
"Now, to business, Garda is still very weak, but she has passed the danger of death. By the way Chrysaetos. . . . . . ."
"Yes?"
"What this I hear about you being attacked?" Soa stiffened looked around for anyone who might be listening in and hissed at her when he found no one.
"Who told you that?!"
"Fairies are everywhere Chrysaetos. Of course I would have heard you." Soa sighed and looked away.
"It was one of Jepson's minions." Lyre stiffened and was quiet before asking.
"Who?" He hesitated, then murmured to her a name. She blanched.
"It can't be!" He nodded, she sputtered. "Are you sure?! It couldn't have been him, he died over 10 million years ago!"
"I know that!" Soa yelled out in anger. "Why do you think I don't want to believe it?!"
"But it just can't be. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ." She whispered.
"It can." A harsh and icy voice broke in, both gods spun around to find a cloaked figure. The same one that had attacked Soa only a few nights ago.
"You are annoying Chrysaetos, how is it that I hit you with one of my strongest spells and yet you still live?" Soa scowled.
"Your powers are the same as mine, even if they are stronger then my abilities, they will have little affect, most certainly you will not be able to kill me you traitor!" Soa spat, fury building in his eyes. The figure laughed.
"Such words. There is a human saying, respect you elders. Perhaps it's time I show you why!" He screamed and lashed out with a bolt of dark lightening.
~~~
Duo was walking down a lone highway, hands in pocket and a black cap over his eyes. He felt a little weird, like there was this THING that wouldn't leave him alone, a feeling that was bugging him. He tried to locate it, he kept thinking over things wondering where it was coming from. An image flashed, a park with trees all around it, a circular pavement with benches on all four sides. On one of them was a dark figure, it was wearing some sort of overcoat, a necklace dangling on the side. An arm was hanging over the edge of the stone bench, he saw a curving line of blood dripping onto the ground from the arm. The necklace, it was the copy of Duo's, except the gem was a gold colored crystal. Soa! He ran out onto the street just in time to stop a sports car. He ran over to the window. A woman opened it.
"Are you crazy?! I could've killed you!"
"No time. Listen, where's the nearest park?" She was silenced, this was an odd question. She thought for a moment while Duo impatiently jogged on the spot.
"Roots park." She finally replied. Duo leaned down to talk to her.
"I need to go there, someone's in danger please hurry!" He yelled and ran over to the other side, she flinched, he was obviously in a hurry. Making sure her gun was in place in her pocket she unlocked the door. He stepped in and said in an ushered voice.
"Slam it!" She did so, he put on his seatbelt and watched her maneuver through the traffic. She was no dummy at this, she moved like an expert race driver. Horns honked and people yelled but she ignored them all.
"You mind telling me why the rush?!" She demanded as she passed another car.
"Someone is hurt. Badly." He replied. It was crazy, all he had was a vision, and here he went, panicking. Well, it was times like these that you follow your instincts, that was after all how he's survived the wars and pain. The shadow in his mind was growing larger and deeper. It was scaring him. 5 minutes later she was stopping by the entrance to the park, he jumped out of the car before it had even come to a halt, bolting up the curving walkway he looked wildly around, Duo didn't even notice that the woman was following him. He closed his eyes for a moment when he reached the top, the road split into two directions, to keep going forward, or go right. There! A small light in the distance, it wasn't one you could see, or feel. It was the one only a god or mythical creature could feel and see. The light of life, and this light was dimming really fast. He raced off without waiting for the girl to catch up. There it was, the small cloister of trees, and there was the figure. God, he's hoped it wouldn't be real. Racing over he tore off the cloak. There was Soa face up. His eyes were closed, his mouth slightly parted, a small line of blood trickling down the side of his lips. One hand sprawled across his chest, the other hanging over the edge of the bench. He had small bruises all over his face and arms. Duo hissed.
"Dammit. What happened?" He demanded as he hoisted Soa over his shoulder, his brother didn't reply. Instead he began to whisper about things.
"He's back. He's coming for you Duo." That was all Soa could manage before he began to cough blood.
"Don't talk." Duo soothed. The woman caught up and was gasping for air. She took one look at the boy and her eyes widened in shock.
"You!" She yelled out. Without question she took out a cellphone.
"What are you doing?! This is no time to be talking to a friend!" Duo cursed her. She ignored him.
"Operator? Get me the hospital!" Duo shut up, maybe all girls weren't so bad after all. After the girl made the call she ordered Duo to lie him ease him down on the bench. Taking off her jacket she placed it around the youth's body and then put the cloak on top of him.
"He's lost a lot of body heat." She explained. "If we don't keep him warm he could die of pneumonia." She said. Duo didn't reply, was it possible for gods to get pneumonia? Was it possible for them to even get sick? The ambulance was there as fast as it could, people came running up the slope and laid a stretcher down next to the bench and carefully placed his brother on it.
"Are you related to him?" One man asked as two others wheeled him down the walkway. Duo nodded.
"I'm his brother, Duo Maxwell."
~~~
'His brother?' Rya thought as she rode through the ambulance. So this was Duo Maxwell, the brother of Soa. A man supposedly dead. Wasn't it odd how fate intervened? And how weird was it that Soa was lying in the middle of a park near death? Was he involved with some sort of crime? Why else pretend to be a dead man, and be seriously injured twice? Also, Duo didn't seem surprised by the fact that Soa was still alive. Something was going on, and she wanted to know what. Soa never said anything that made sense along ride. He kept looking a Duo and mumbling 'He's back. He's after you.' The mumbles would be followed by the coughing of blood, apparently one of his lungs had been nicked through a puncture. Even if he was a criminal, she felt sorry for him. He was so young, to have this happen. She shook her head. Still, this little shadow was growing in the back of her head.
~~~
At the hospital Soa was sleeping on one of the hospital beds. He'd had one surgery only with all of his wounds surprisingly. The doctors had told Duo that his wound were healing rapidly and that his pneumonia had barely reached the critical level. He had however lost a lot of blood. Duo was more then willing to give it. He didn't think human blood would mix too well with gods'. In the end, Soa was healing fully and Duo now had a small cut on his arm. Duo pulled the silver rod off his back. He never went anywhere without it anymore, it was kept to his back with a brown leather strap that was more or less like a backpack. He slowly looked it over, Soa had given him this, but what could he give to Soa? Rya noticed the rod.
"What is that?" She asked looking at it. Duo looked at her. Then shook his head and put it away.
"Nothing." He said hastily. Rya stared at him, then sighed. She held a hand out.
"My name is Rya Anon." Duo took the hand saying.
"Duo Maxwell." Rya nodded. Then turned to Soa who fidgeted in his sleep. A nightmare probably.
"So Soa is your brother." She commented. Duo stiffened.
"How do you know his name?" He asked quietly. "Are you a-?" Rya cut in.
"I'm a friend, I helped him recover when he was hurt last time." Rya said quietly. Duo blanched, he was about to say god. Thank the heavens he didn't.
~~~
Soa was running, his chest was burning. He spun around and pulled out his favorite weapon. A twin bladed sword with a bold hilt. Like his brother's, it was only a golden rod that had a pyramid pointed edge of both sides, on command on side would open and the sword would thrust out. The pyramid would stretch off into a point of both sides. The same went for the other side. He kept the sword with him in a leg sheath, it was a three ringed sheath made of belts. A small pocket was on the side where Soa kept it. The figure laughed.
"Do you really think that will help you?" It demanded smiling.
"Leave him alone!" Soa yelled back. The figure laughed.
"And what can you do to stop me?"
"I'll KILL YOU if I have to!" Soa screamed. "Even if it takes me with you, I'll stop you!" The figure laughed.
"Face it Chrysaetos. Shinigami is mine!" He roared and lashed out with fire. Soa woke with a start. Sitting bolt upright in bed he suddenly yelled out at the rush of pain. Duo and Rya ran over to his side. Easing Soa back down onto the pillow Duo stared.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE ELYSIAN FIELDS!"
He shouted. Soa snapped his eyes open.
"Duo shut it!" He yelled out, looking at his brother he looked at Rya, then back at Duo. Duo gulped.
"Sorry. But what happened?!" Soa looked at Rya.
"Sorry, but could you leave us please?" Rya looked at him, then at Duo, then back at Soa. She sighed and nodded, getting up, she closed the door quietly. Soa laid down on his pillow and closed his eyes sighing. He said without looking at Duo;
"Do you remember Jepson?" Soa asked quietly. Duo shook his head. Soa continued.
"Jepson was the former god of death. He was our father's brother. They were twins like us. Jepson ruled darkness while Tern ruled light. In other words Jepson ruled death and the underworld and Tern ruled life and the Upper lands. Now Jepson began to hate his realm, he made demands that he knew the other gods would be unable to fulfill. When they replied that his demands were not possible, he began to scheme with other gods in order to get rid of Tern. A council was held Duo. We were there." Soa said swiftly. Without reply the two necklaces flashed purple and yellow light. Once more Duo was taken into his past.
~ Flashback ~
(A/N: Just a little note, this scene will actually be in my other story. The one of how Duo and Soa fought Jepson and such. Read it when it comes out!)
"Isn't there a spell cast by the great ones that condemns any traitors? I know killing them is something you don't want, but how about banishing the evil ones to another realm?" Soa asked. Duo caught onto what his brother was thinking and nodded at the gods.
"We could send the ones who betrayed you to the Amoral Lands. It's the polar opposite of our realm, the Ethereal Lands." The amethyst eye colored youth suggested. Tern chuckled.
"I had best watch out. You two are getting smarter then we are."
"So who's betrayed you?" Duo asked quietly. Tern sighed and looked to Ana, the goddess of sight.
"These gods have betrayed us. Death obviously. Destruction, Treachery, Dark, Evil, Hate, Spite, Corrupt, and a number of other negative forces." She said ominously. Soa nodded.
"So, thanks to the great ones' spell we can send the lower gods to the Amoral Realms no problem. However. . . ." He trailed off and his brother finished for him.
"It will take more then a spell to send off one major god, much less two. Death and Destruction will not be so easy." Duo remarked and fell silent to let his father think. The great ones were the two greatest powers alive. Fate was one of them. The other was a mystery that none of the gods could solve. Many wondered why Love was the other greatest power. No god could find reason for that complex emotion, but oddly enough it wasn't human love, or that simple feeling. It was known to be a greater strength that they had yet to unravel. Soa sighed.
"Death and Destruction, there are only two ways to get rid of a major god, imprison him, or kill him. . . ." Tern commented softly.
~ End Flashback ~
Duo stared.
"So what happened?" He asked Soa. Soa looked at him calmly.
"In the great battle many gods were hurt. Some were even killed. AS you should already know, when a god is killed by another they are not reborn. The losses were great, Cyprus was the god of destruction before me. We were fighting, his powers were loose and uncontrollable, he would have destroyed everything in his rampage. Meaning we could not imprison him. In the end, we had to kill him." Duo looked his brother over.
"Who killed Cyprus?" Soa sighed.
"I did, and believe it or not I had nightmares about it for weeks after. At least I was alive to have them, I guess. You were the one who weakened Jepson long enough for us to imprison him. Thanks to this fact, we were made the high gods because of our deeds." Soa stopped for a moment to let Duo think.
"The gods. . . . .the ones who were killed. Who were they?" He whispered. Soa flinched.
"The gods killed on our side were Courage, Healing, Impassive, Honor, and Kindness. The ones who took their place was the people who killed their killers. Meaning that whoever killed the god who murdered lets say Healing, would become healing's successor." Duo nodded.
"I get it. So I guess even in heaven they have wars. I always though it was a place for resting and peace." Soa smirked and opened one eye a bit.
"That would be the Comatose lands." Duo growled in frustration.
"How many DAMN lands are there?!" he yelled out. Soa smiled and laughed. Suddenly the door burst open.
"YOU CRAZY PIGHEADED SON OF A B****!! WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!?!?!" Heero screamed at the top of his lungs. Rya walked in and sighed.
"Maybe calling you over wasn't the best idea after all." She muttered, turning to Duo and Soa who were both wide eyed from this surprise stared. "I had to do something, and I thought that your friends might like to know where you are so . . ." Soa nodded smiling.
"Thanks." Suddenly the rest of the group came in. Quatra ran over to Soa's bed.
"Good lord, are you alright Soa?" He asked quickly. Wufei was frowning, the little vein in his temple told the others that he was trying to stop from doing what Heero had already done.
"Sorry we came a little late, but Heero was driving, and when Miss. Rya called he drove like a maniac to get to the hospital and left tire marks on the parking lot. He didn't even shut off the engine, just jumped out the door as the car was screeching to a halt. We had to park that car." Quatra explained.
"I had to stop him from shooting the receptionist when she was trying to find Soa's room." Wufei said grimly. Trowa was silent, face still. Eyes were gleaming a bit. Nothing out of the ordinary for him. He opened his mouth, took a deep breath. And. . . .
"Soa. WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THAT BED I WILL MURDER YOU WITH MR OWN HANDS!" Or not . . . Duo sighed. Soa laughed, then winced.
"Who?" Heero said softly, voice dangerous. Soa looked at him calmly.
"Cyprus." Quatra looked from him to Heero.
"Who?" Heero shook his head.
"Former Destruction." Was all he said. Quatra stared, the clue was enough. Everyone turned to Soa.
"Dead. By me." Soa explained with only those three words. Duo stared. Suddenly what Heero said seemed to sink into everyone else. They all turned to him, except Soa that is.
"You TOO?! You're one too?!" Duo yelled. Heero nodded smirking.
"What?" Quatra asked faintly. Heero replied.
"Courage. Name's Gallantry." He said quietly. Wufei lost all patience.
"WHY DON'T YOU F****** GUYS GO SOMEWHERE ELSE?!!" He screamed and walked out the doorway ranting. Rya stared.
"What's going on?" The other's shook their head.
"You don't want to know." Quatra said sighing.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
