Once More Chance - Part 2
By: Teej
The Dark One had spent that evening surveying his target. After he'd recovered his strength and senses more thoroughly, he'd begun to stroll around the perimeter of the facility, making mental notes of the visible weaponry. What few guards that were present paid little to no attention to him, except the few he was certain had been at the club last night. To the few that had given him a wink, he simply blew a kiss at them through the air, and continued walking innocently along the path.
Eventually he began to stray away when he'd finished surveying the area. His mind had grown far too distracted with last night's events to consider destination, let alone a direction. He wandered aimlessly on through the shadows of the trees, what he believed to be his personal domain. There'd been times he'd forgotten how he became the Angel of Death, the mighty Shinigami. Unfortunately, it brought painful memories that he'd always attempted to forget. Obviously he managed to do wonderful, at least until these moments.
Wandering thoughts had carried him deep into the mass of forest, and all the way to the coastline. When he'd been performing his reconnaissance of the surrounding area, this had been one of the strategic points of interest. Why? Well, it was actually a cliff, rock stacked naturally over the centirues, and certainly tall enough to hide a single Gundam behind it if the situation called for it.
It wasn't until he had reached the cliff's edge that he'd been momentarily ejected from the depths of his mind. If asked, he really couldn't say as to why he'd stopped, especially since the distant crashing of waves against the shore tried so desperately to lure him into taking the final step. A rolling pebble managed tobriefly gain his attention, long enough for cobalt pools to take in the sight that was just below him. His mind had become so distant, his conciousness pulled so far away from him that he'd nearly walked over the edge of the cliff. The thought running through his mind at that point, however, was why shouldn't he make that final step?
How ironic this situation had turned out to be. The threshold to death had been placed before him. All he needed to do in order to take his life was to make a single step further to cross that barrier so that death would finally surround him with welcome arms. For years he had felt himself as that threashold, though. So many passed him by, few he deeply cared for, and still no one helped him through. He was ready, and still 'something' kept him from taking that final step.
What was that, though? A familiar presence, one long forgotten. At first it'd only caused his muscles to tense, but within seconds he found his reflexes tossing him to the side. It'd come, the bullet that could have ended his self-conflict on whether or not to toss himself into that void. Damn his survival skills!
Quietly he cursed himself for having allowed his reflexes to toss himself from the path of the bullet. As the blast vinished its vibrationg through the air waves, he folded himself to roll once more, before flipping himself back to his feet. Something managed to soothe him enough not to continue his movements, but instead caused him to look back upon the figure that had fired at him. Movement fully ceased when the pistol was noted to be at the shrouded figure's side. Duo remained almost frozen as he waited to see whether it was trick or truth.
For the short moments he deemed himself safe from the other firing off a second round, he thought it best to measure out his opponent. The task was more than difficult, however, with the concealment made by the cloak surrounding the entity. Because of the cloak, all he could really make out were the crystal daggers, eyes that seemed as though they could easily pierc the deepest of darkness. The glared that they formed easily rivaled Heero's own, let alone any other human being that existed.
Light had fallen over the magnificent form once the darkness was removed in a movement beyond any swiftness and agility Trowa could muster, one that sent the cloth over the rock's edge. With the knowledge of how swift and precise he must be, Duo chose to watch the weapon of death which was still firmly clenched at the boy's side. Only when the clank of metal to rock sounded, signaling that the gun had nestled itself into the dirt upon the ground, did he finally look once more upon the entity that had his mind set in disposing of the one and only Shinigami-kun.
He knew that face! The presence of the soul still eluded him, but he knew the man to be the one from the previous night. The realization tossed him back a step, yet did not cause him to forget a soft growl. There were so many curses he wished to scream, each with hatred of unmeasurable proportions. Why would he do something of that magnitude? Why would he choose to go about the task like that?
"Bastard!" He finally chose the name that came to his tongue. There was no real aim when he dove forward to strike out at the assumed assassin. His aim became a strike of the knuckles across the chin, and though he made contact, Duo found himself upon the ground to the side of where he once stood. His cheek stung as the red rose to it where the mere slap across his cheek to indicate just where the palm had struck him. There was, perhaps, nothing more disrepectful to Shinigami than that.
"Is that all? I hope it's not." The voice was harsh, yet softened with youth. Duo forced himself to his feet, scowling at the entity as he stepped back without even a dare of touching his face. He'd deny the man the satisfaction of knowing about his discomfort, no matter what the level.
It was only then he chose to truly begin sizing up his competition, his challanger. Athletically, he appeared to be perfect. His muscles were built, obviously containing hidden abilities that were soon to become quite evident. All in all, he appeared to have the strength of Heero, indeed the agility of Trowa, and of course the prowess of Wufei. Unfortunately, he lacked the justice and innocence of Quatre. Roughly, he had Duo's size, and about half the hair as what Duo had that seemed to fall about mid-back. It was just a softer tone of hiw own though. His, however, was simply bound into a pony-tail.
The more he thought, the more it seemed like he was supposed to know this boy. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he recognizsed him. Perhaps it was only deja-vue? He couldn't quite place the appearance of that face, but at the moment it didn't really matter. All that mattered as his own survival. His own survival. Now that was a laugh. Wasn't he just considering the idea of suicide? So quickly does one change his mind when such a matter arrises.
"What's your name? I need to add it to Hell's roster before you arrive." Perhaps if he could just place the face with a name, he'd know what he was up for? Maybe there could even be a reason why he was doing this? Perhaps, in all reality, it was simply meant as a hired kill? Obviously there really didn't have to be a reason why. However, it would still be nice to know why only one shot was taken.
"I give you my name, not because you ask, but so you'll understand the deeper meaning. I'm Darien. Incase you don't recall, I was Solo's right- hand before you. Before you came along and stole his eye from me." He seemed surprisingly calm, despite the memory he brought forward for Duo's knowledge. It was almost as if his words meant nothing, and yet everything to him all at once. "Then he died. You had him last, not even a fleeting thought in his mind for me, as there was none for the rest of the kids your mind. You fled after that, and never came back. I did what I could, but it simply wasn't enough. The rest either died, or was caught. Thanks to you. Congratulations, 'Duo Maxwell'. You truly are a God of Death. Too bad you're about to die yourself."
Duo, however, was not so calm. The name, the thoughts, the memories, all reached deep into the darkness of his mind to draw the past out of him. The man himself was vague, but he was there. One of the few visions he received of Darien from the past was the boy staring down over Solo's shoulder, while Solo himself attempted to comfort Duo from the tears. "Is that it? Because Solo actually liked me? You'd kill a man because you're jealous because a dead kid liked someone else more than you?! It wasn't my fault the church grabbed me while I was running neither. They would have taken you all in, but you led them away. So, master assassin, why in this manner?"
Despite the words, and the fashion in which they were spoken, the past itself had affected Duo. Most likely this was the plan of his attacker, because it had indeed drawn a veil of emotion over the cobalt windows. It provided more than enough distraction to give the other the advantage he would probably have needed. Obviously Darien had somehow gained the ability to keep better control over the emotions Duo held. Obviously he had learned how to draw things out of his targets to distract their minds, or even to offer a worse amount of emotion whilst in their final moments of life.
"So you wouldn't die a virgin. Well, and there's always insurance you'd make a mistake in your rage blinded vision. Whichever reason you can consider to come first between the two." The man's body had finally moved yet again. This time, he drew forth a more honorable weapon from his backside. Digits folded themselves about the black hilt of a double-edged blade at his backside. With little to no sound, the sword was drawn from its scabbord. The tip of the blade was soon dug down into the dirt of their battle-ground.
"If you wish to die so badly, then so be it. I'll make sure to lengthen it out for ya, so you can enjoy it longer." Unfortunately, he found he was nothing more than talk at this point. Well, that was until a second blade had been drawn from Darien's back. No, it wasn't to join the first. Much to Duo's surprise, it'd been casted through the air into Shinigami's hand.
"Actually, my skills just need fine-tuning." Explanation given, the tip was jabbed further down into the hardened earth to await its use. He was calm, all the more unfortunate for Duo. A calm, unemotional warrior did tebd to be greatly focused, compared to the things that had begun spinning around Duo's mind. But that's exactly what Darien had wanted, wasn't it? Yes, that was one area in which Duo had to give Darien credit. No matter how horrible his methods had been, the man's strategies had worked rather wonderfully. They had also acquired the desired affect. But would they lead to the desired ending?
Duo planned to give him a little more than credit, though. He planed, and did attempt, to rush forward at the other yet again. So easily his strike had been deflected with the clash of metal. Without truly meaning to, the deflection had caused both blades to be pointed directly out from their sides. Their owners were once more meshed body to body. Duo wasn't entirely stupid though. Leaving no room for any lack of honor to make itself appearant, he quickly withdrew from the position with nothing more than a faint hiss of disastisfaction.
Duo made certain to step back far enough to be out of striking range of Darien's blade. Puff of air given, he brought the weapon fro, preparing for any attacks Darien may be brave enough to take. None came, though. He still seemed quite calm and focused, as if he was waiting. In reality, he basically was. In time, Duo would dash at him. Such a dash would leave an opening just enough to allow the blade to breach the braided-bakagami's body. He wouldn't be disappointed.
Duo charged forth at long last once he tired of waiting for Darien to perform such an attack. It was his great intention to slice into Darien's neck and end the ordeal right then and there. At first, he held the blade as though he were about to attempt another slice into the man's gut. Only at the last second did he lift the blade to allow his intentions to be known, and it was then that Darien chose to begin rotating in a swift circular motion. The blade's point was extended to slip easily through the fabric of the braided-boy's shirt. Dipping lightly into the flesh, a thin line of red was formed over Shinigami's abdomen.
"Nngh!" With a gentle grunt, he fell back a step. The blade was lifted as Darien attempted to introduce a foot to the newly wounded area. The foot was sent off in another direction with the defending blade, only for the show to be repeated by the second foot just as quickly as the first had touched the ground. It's attempted target had been Duo's jaw, only to be ducked beneath by Duo making a diving thrust of the shoulders into the assassin's knee. The desired affect was accomplished. They landed in a rather unruly mess of arms, limbs, and metal.
Though he was slower than he had initially been, Duo managed to roll himself back and away from the mess. By far less than impressive, he rolled himself back to his feet to fall into a quick position of defense in order to await the man's retaliation. It was a wonder why Duo didn't rush forward and strike into Darien's neck then, but that's exactly what the other had wanted. Duo simply didn't trust the other man's blade from slicing or dipping into a certain region of his body.
Though it almost seemed an eternity, Darien found his way to his feet as well. Even then he remained quite calm though. Perhaps he was even more focused than he was before? Sounded reasonable, considering Duo actually managed a grounding shot. So Darien hadn't studied Duo as well as he should have. Then again, who could study him?
For the moment, Duo played it safe by waiting out the other. He felt it easier to defend, compared to trying an attempt at hitting the other. Luck on part of Darien's stubborness gave Duo a chance to regain his breath though. Nevertheless, even Darien didn't have the patience to stand there all day. At first the strike only appeared to be one slash at his body, easily defended against. No, repeated attempts were made to strike Duo in whatever fashion Darien could manage, each amazinly defended against.
Duo would never be able to explain how he kept up with the pace, only to believe that luck and death was behind him in his ability to do so. Numerous times he'd attempted to find an opening to lash out, something to give him a moment to breathe. His abdomen was on fire though! How was he managing this? He truly could not say, and certainly he feared taking the opening if it would ever come. What if Darien staged it for him? The opening came; and he took it.
With what strength he felt he had left, he forced the blades back against Darien's chest in an upright position. He started to force the other into a complete circle, leg extended to bring Darien down to his knees. His objective was accomplished; however, at the same time Darien managed a strike of his own. Thus was unknown until Duo stepped back. At first he thought it to be the wear and tear upon the earlier scarring. What he found when he'd folded to attempt bringing relief to his abdomen had, just the thought itself, knocked him to the ground through pure shock. The blood that soaked his shirt nearly dripped from the fabric, due to the impalement of the blade through the side of his midsection.
The darkness had begun to consume him and to envelope him. His senses were beginning to die. Though the sound reached his ears, he only vaguely realized that two shots had been fired. Perhaps that was it? Perhaps that was the signal he would never wake again? His mind had begun shutting down, so maybe he simply couldn't feel them enter his body? He felt entirely numb as the last concious thought left his mind though. That thought was the slim hope that he would soon be on the other side when he woke. Yes, how wonderful that would be..
By: Teej
The Dark One had spent that evening surveying his target. After he'd recovered his strength and senses more thoroughly, he'd begun to stroll around the perimeter of the facility, making mental notes of the visible weaponry. What few guards that were present paid little to no attention to him, except the few he was certain had been at the club last night. To the few that had given him a wink, he simply blew a kiss at them through the air, and continued walking innocently along the path.
Eventually he began to stray away when he'd finished surveying the area. His mind had grown far too distracted with last night's events to consider destination, let alone a direction. He wandered aimlessly on through the shadows of the trees, what he believed to be his personal domain. There'd been times he'd forgotten how he became the Angel of Death, the mighty Shinigami. Unfortunately, it brought painful memories that he'd always attempted to forget. Obviously he managed to do wonderful, at least until these moments.
Wandering thoughts had carried him deep into the mass of forest, and all the way to the coastline. When he'd been performing his reconnaissance of the surrounding area, this had been one of the strategic points of interest. Why? Well, it was actually a cliff, rock stacked naturally over the centirues, and certainly tall enough to hide a single Gundam behind it if the situation called for it.
It wasn't until he had reached the cliff's edge that he'd been momentarily ejected from the depths of his mind. If asked, he really couldn't say as to why he'd stopped, especially since the distant crashing of waves against the shore tried so desperately to lure him into taking the final step. A rolling pebble managed tobriefly gain his attention, long enough for cobalt pools to take in the sight that was just below him. His mind had become so distant, his conciousness pulled so far away from him that he'd nearly walked over the edge of the cliff. The thought running through his mind at that point, however, was why shouldn't he make that final step?
How ironic this situation had turned out to be. The threshold to death had been placed before him. All he needed to do in order to take his life was to make a single step further to cross that barrier so that death would finally surround him with welcome arms. For years he had felt himself as that threashold, though. So many passed him by, few he deeply cared for, and still no one helped him through. He was ready, and still 'something' kept him from taking that final step.
What was that, though? A familiar presence, one long forgotten. At first it'd only caused his muscles to tense, but within seconds he found his reflexes tossing him to the side. It'd come, the bullet that could have ended his self-conflict on whether or not to toss himself into that void. Damn his survival skills!
Quietly he cursed himself for having allowed his reflexes to toss himself from the path of the bullet. As the blast vinished its vibrationg through the air waves, he folded himself to roll once more, before flipping himself back to his feet. Something managed to soothe him enough not to continue his movements, but instead caused him to look back upon the figure that had fired at him. Movement fully ceased when the pistol was noted to be at the shrouded figure's side. Duo remained almost frozen as he waited to see whether it was trick or truth.
For the short moments he deemed himself safe from the other firing off a second round, he thought it best to measure out his opponent. The task was more than difficult, however, with the concealment made by the cloak surrounding the entity. Because of the cloak, all he could really make out were the crystal daggers, eyes that seemed as though they could easily pierc the deepest of darkness. The glared that they formed easily rivaled Heero's own, let alone any other human being that existed.
Light had fallen over the magnificent form once the darkness was removed in a movement beyond any swiftness and agility Trowa could muster, one that sent the cloth over the rock's edge. With the knowledge of how swift and precise he must be, Duo chose to watch the weapon of death which was still firmly clenched at the boy's side. Only when the clank of metal to rock sounded, signaling that the gun had nestled itself into the dirt upon the ground, did he finally look once more upon the entity that had his mind set in disposing of the one and only Shinigami-kun.
He knew that face! The presence of the soul still eluded him, but he knew the man to be the one from the previous night. The realization tossed him back a step, yet did not cause him to forget a soft growl. There were so many curses he wished to scream, each with hatred of unmeasurable proportions. Why would he do something of that magnitude? Why would he choose to go about the task like that?
"Bastard!" He finally chose the name that came to his tongue. There was no real aim when he dove forward to strike out at the assumed assassin. His aim became a strike of the knuckles across the chin, and though he made contact, Duo found himself upon the ground to the side of where he once stood. His cheek stung as the red rose to it where the mere slap across his cheek to indicate just where the palm had struck him. There was, perhaps, nothing more disrepectful to Shinigami than that.
"Is that all? I hope it's not." The voice was harsh, yet softened with youth. Duo forced himself to his feet, scowling at the entity as he stepped back without even a dare of touching his face. He'd deny the man the satisfaction of knowing about his discomfort, no matter what the level.
It was only then he chose to truly begin sizing up his competition, his challanger. Athletically, he appeared to be perfect. His muscles were built, obviously containing hidden abilities that were soon to become quite evident. All in all, he appeared to have the strength of Heero, indeed the agility of Trowa, and of course the prowess of Wufei. Unfortunately, he lacked the justice and innocence of Quatre. Roughly, he had Duo's size, and about half the hair as what Duo had that seemed to fall about mid-back. It was just a softer tone of hiw own though. His, however, was simply bound into a pony-tail.
The more he thought, the more it seemed like he was supposed to know this boy. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he recognizsed him. Perhaps it was only deja-vue? He couldn't quite place the appearance of that face, but at the moment it didn't really matter. All that mattered as his own survival. His own survival. Now that was a laugh. Wasn't he just considering the idea of suicide? So quickly does one change his mind when such a matter arrises.
"What's your name? I need to add it to Hell's roster before you arrive." Perhaps if he could just place the face with a name, he'd know what he was up for? Maybe there could even be a reason why he was doing this? Perhaps, in all reality, it was simply meant as a hired kill? Obviously there really didn't have to be a reason why. However, it would still be nice to know why only one shot was taken.
"I give you my name, not because you ask, but so you'll understand the deeper meaning. I'm Darien. Incase you don't recall, I was Solo's right- hand before you. Before you came along and stole his eye from me." He seemed surprisingly calm, despite the memory he brought forward for Duo's knowledge. It was almost as if his words meant nothing, and yet everything to him all at once. "Then he died. You had him last, not even a fleeting thought in his mind for me, as there was none for the rest of the kids your mind. You fled after that, and never came back. I did what I could, but it simply wasn't enough. The rest either died, or was caught. Thanks to you. Congratulations, 'Duo Maxwell'. You truly are a God of Death. Too bad you're about to die yourself."
Duo, however, was not so calm. The name, the thoughts, the memories, all reached deep into the darkness of his mind to draw the past out of him. The man himself was vague, but he was there. One of the few visions he received of Darien from the past was the boy staring down over Solo's shoulder, while Solo himself attempted to comfort Duo from the tears. "Is that it? Because Solo actually liked me? You'd kill a man because you're jealous because a dead kid liked someone else more than you?! It wasn't my fault the church grabbed me while I was running neither. They would have taken you all in, but you led them away. So, master assassin, why in this manner?"
Despite the words, and the fashion in which they were spoken, the past itself had affected Duo. Most likely this was the plan of his attacker, because it had indeed drawn a veil of emotion over the cobalt windows. It provided more than enough distraction to give the other the advantage he would probably have needed. Obviously Darien had somehow gained the ability to keep better control over the emotions Duo held. Obviously he had learned how to draw things out of his targets to distract their minds, or even to offer a worse amount of emotion whilst in their final moments of life.
"So you wouldn't die a virgin. Well, and there's always insurance you'd make a mistake in your rage blinded vision. Whichever reason you can consider to come first between the two." The man's body had finally moved yet again. This time, he drew forth a more honorable weapon from his backside. Digits folded themselves about the black hilt of a double-edged blade at his backside. With little to no sound, the sword was drawn from its scabbord. The tip of the blade was soon dug down into the dirt of their battle-ground.
"If you wish to die so badly, then so be it. I'll make sure to lengthen it out for ya, so you can enjoy it longer." Unfortunately, he found he was nothing more than talk at this point. Well, that was until a second blade had been drawn from Darien's back. No, it wasn't to join the first. Much to Duo's surprise, it'd been casted through the air into Shinigami's hand.
"Actually, my skills just need fine-tuning." Explanation given, the tip was jabbed further down into the hardened earth to await its use. He was calm, all the more unfortunate for Duo. A calm, unemotional warrior did tebd to be greatly focused, compared to the things that had begun spinning around Duo's mind. But that's exactly what Darien had wanted, wasn't it? Yes, that was one area in which Duo had to give Darien credit. No matter how horrible his methods had been, the man's strategies had worked rather wonderfully. They had also acquired the desired affect. But would they lead to the desired ending?
Duo planned to give him a little more than credit, though. He planed, and did attempt, to rush forward at the other yet again. So easily his strike had been deflected with the clash of metal. Without truly meaning to, the deflection had caused both blades to be pointed directly out from their sides. Their owners were once more meshed body to body. Duo wasn't entirely stupid though. Leaving no room for any lack of honor to make itself appearant, he quickly withdrew from the position with nothing more than a faint hiss of disastisfaction.
Duo made certain to step back far enough to be out of striking range of Darien's blade. Puff of air given, he brought the weapon fro, preparing for any attacks Darien may be brave enough to take. None came, though. He still seemed quite calm and focused, as if he was waiting. In reality, he basically was. In time, Duo would dash at him. Such a dash would leave an opening just enough to allow the blade to breach the braided-bakagami's body. He wouldn't be disappointed.
Duo charged forth at long last once he tired of waiting for Darien to perform such an attack. It was his great intention to slice into Darien's neck and end the ordeal right then and there. At first, he held the blade as though he were about to attempt another slice into the man's gut. Only at the last second did he lift the blade to allow his intentions to be known, and it was then that Darien chose to begin rotating in a swift circular motion. The blade's point was extended to slip easily through the fabric of the braided-boy's shirt. Dipping lightly into the flesh, a thin line of red was formed over Shinigami's abdomen.
"Nngh!" With a gentle grunt, he fell back a step. The blade was lifted as Darien attempted to introduce a foot to the newly wounded area. The foot was sent off in another direction with the defending blade, only for the show to be repeated by the second foot just as quickly as the first had touched the ground. It's attempted target had been Duo's jaw, only to be ducked beneath by Duo making a diving thrust of the shoulders into the assassin's knee. The desired affect was accomplished. They landed in a rather unruly mess of arms, limbs, and metal.
Though he was slower than he had initially been, Duo managed to roll himself back and away from the mess. By far less than impressive, he rolled himself back to his feet to fall into a quick position of defense in order to await the man's retaliation. It was a wonder why Duo didn't rush forward and strike into Darien's neck then, but that's exactly what the other had wanted. Duo simply didn't trust the other man's blade from slicing or dipping into a certain region of his body.
Though it almost seemed an eternity, Darien found his way to his feet as well. Even then he remained quite calm though. Perhaps he was even more focused than he was before? Sounded reasonable, considering Duo actually managed a grounding shot. So Darien hadn't studied Duo as well as he should have. Then again, who could study him?
For the moment, Duo played it safe by waiting out the other. He felt it easier to defend, compared to trying an attempt at hitting the other. Luck on part of Darien's stubborness gave Duo a chance to regain his breath though. Nevertheless, even Darien didn't have the patience to stand there all day. At first the strike only appeared to be one slash at his body, easily defended against. No, repeated attempts were made to strike Duo in whatever fashion Darien could manage, each amazinly defended against.
Duo would never be able to explain how he kept up with the pace, only to believe that luck and death was behind him in his ability to do so. Numerous times he'd attempted to find an opening to lash out, something to give him a moment to breathe. His abdomen was on fire though! How was he managing this? He truly could not say, and certainly he feared taking the opening if it would ever come. What if Darien staged it for him? The opening came; and he took it.
With what strength he felt he had left, he forced the blades back against Darien's chest in an upright position. He started to force the other into a complete circle, leg extended to bring Darien down to his knees. His objective was accomplished; however, at the same time Darien managed a strike of his own. Thus was unknown until Duo stepped back. At first he thought it to be the wear and tear upon the earlier scarring. What he found when he'd folded to attempt bringing relief to his abdomen had, just the thought itself, knocked him to the ground through pure shock. The blood that soaked his shirt nearly dripped from the fabric, due to the impalement of the blade through the side of his midsection.
The darkness had begun to consume him and to envelope him. His senses were beginning to die. Though the sound reached his ears, he only vaguely realized that two shots had been fired. Perhaps that was it? Perhaps that was the signal he would never wake again? His mind had begun shutting down, so maybe he simply couldn't feel them enter his body? He felt entirely numb as the last concious thought left his mind though. That thought was the slim hope that he would soon be on the other side when he woke. Yes, how wonderful that would be..