A/N: Heylo all and welcome to my ficcy! -takes a bow- Who here loves Dragon Knights? Well hopefully all of you seeing as though this ficcy is in the Dragon Knights section. Who likes yaoi? -raises her hand- Ok! Well for any of you who happen to be clueless as to what yaoi is...well let's just say if you like male/male relationships you're in the right place! And I don't mean as friends either...-wink- Kids under 13 shouldn't be here cause I don't want your mommies and daddies to yell at me! The first chapter will mainly follow the events of books 11 and 12. After that, its anyone's guess (as well as mine!). Now enjoy the ficcy!
"speech"
[flashbacks]
thoughts
::Dragon speech! (think of the little cards Fire is always holding up)::
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I was running through the labyrinth-like hallways of the Dragon Castle with as much speed as my legs would allow me. My vision was still blurred with unshed tears. Trying to navigate my way through the endless corridors was hard enough without looking through what seemed to be a sheet of melted glass. How long had it been exactly? Time seems to run together after a while. Until today, when everything I once knew and held dear became twisted, deceitful and sorrowful. The time which used to flow so smoothly from day to day like a peaceful stream grinded to a screeching halt. From the second I saw him there on the floor covered with blood, everything stopped. At least that was how it felt to me, for if time had actually stopped I might have been able to save him. One more minute was all I needed. You couldn't hold on could you? Everything always had to be done your way didn't it Alfeegi? Are you happy now?! You're dead! I became angry at myself for saying that Alfeegi was to blame, but I simply was not ready to admit that I could have done more to insure his life. It didn't matter now. Lykouleon was in trouble. I would have to grieve later. I'm sorry Alfeegi...sorry that I couldn't do more for you. Later, I would give him a proper burial and say my final goodbyes.
Lykouleon's aura was getting stronger as I ran through the castle. On the way I saw Kaistern heading for the weapons cellar. Where is he going? There was no reason for him to be going down there right now; not while we were under attack by Nadil's army. Unless he was gathering swords for an upcoming fight. A fight in the Dragon Castle...that would be most inconvenient for us. I ran down the stairs to the basement just in time to see Lykouleon teleport away along with Rune, Thatz, Tetheus and Raseleane. His aura was moving farther away from me.
"Dammit Lykouleon!" I cursed angrily. It took long enough to find him the first time. What caused him to teleport in the first place? A sudden uneasy feeling came over me. The entire basement was absolutely filled with demon aura. The air was so thick with it that I could barely breathe. A deep fear gripped me, almost freezing my body to the spot. I caught a horrid glimpse of Rath's head rolling on the ground and Nadil's head upon Rath's body. Nadil had been resurrected and was inhibiting the body of the Fire Dragon Knight. My muscles freed me after what seemed like an eternity, though it was probably only a few seconds, and I ran. The only clue as to where they might have gone was Kaistern. He had been running towards the weapons cellar earlier. It was possible that Lykouleon told him to go there and meet him. I had to take the chance. Besides, I needed to talk to Kaistern immediately and I at least knew that he would be there.
[He looked so weak and vulnerable lying there in my arms. Two words I never would have thought to use to describe Alfeegi. "Don't speak Alfeegi! Just save your strength. I promise to be right back with the doctor."
"Wait..." Alfeegi panted helplessly. "I need to tell you something...its about Kaistern."
"Save it! You need medical attention now Alfeegi!"
"I might not be here to tell when you get back Ruwalk. Listen..."
I lowered my head towards his so that he could whisper his message into my ear.
"Kaistern...his left arm is decaying. It was infected by revival water before he returned to the castle. It needs to be looked at right away," he whispered.
My eyes widened as I gasped in shock. "That doesn't make sense. Wasn't it his right eye?"
"No..." Alfeegi said on the breath of a dying man. "Left arm...don't forget."
"I wont," I gently released my arms from around his body. "You're going to be ok Alfeegi. Just hold on!" I yelled to him as I ran in search of the doctor. Alfeegi was not breathing when I came back and his body was cold. My first and best friend through my years at the Dragon Castle, dead.]
I came into the weapons cellar to find no one in sight. The hidden door that led to the room below the castle was wide open. Could he have gone down there? But why? When Alfeegi and I had first explored that room with Raseleane I had felt a strange presence. I didn't like the place much, but it was the only place that Kaistern could have gone.
Slowly, I descended the stairs to the hidden room. On the way I met up with Thatz. "What are you doing here Thatz? And what the hell is going on out there?"
He continued to run as he spoke to me. "Tetheus and some of the Dragon Warriors are holding off the demons upstairs. He told me to come down here to get Cesia before the demons break through and take her away again."
I quickly picked up my pace in order to keep up with him. "This isn't good..."
Thatz flashed his signature cocky grin at me. "You have a gift for understatements don't you Ruwalk?"
I couldn't help but smile. As stupid as the remark was, the entire situation we were in made it seem hilarious. "Let's go!"
There was an eerie silence in the room as we entered. At first I thought no one was there until Zoma ran up to me. He silently tugged at my arm, though with a sense of urgency, to pull me forward. Cesia was standing by the coffin. Once empty, it now held Rath's unconscious body. My eyes drifted to the form slumped over the side of the coffin. I let out a loud gasp and felt tears sting my eyes once more. It can't be...God no! Leaning helplessly against the coffin was Kaistern.
"Kaistern...gave up his life for Rath?" I heard Thatz utter in shock beside me.
"How could I be so stupid? I should have noticed sooner!" I cried out as I walked towards Kaistern's lifeless form. Kneeling down beside him, I reached for his hand. The revival water had decayed it so much that it snapped off of his arm just as I touched it. "You just had to be the hero, you selfish idiot!"
Thatz stepped closer to me. "Cut it out Ruwalk! Kaistern is dead and nothing you do can bring him back now!"
The Earth Dragon Knight seemed angry with me, but I could tell that he was deeply sorrowed by this as well. My God! If he gave up his life for Rath...how will Rath react to this when he wakes up? We would all find out soon enough for it was now that Rath opened his eyes. He glanced around blankly, apparently unaware of where he was. Thatz and Zoma helped him to his feet and started to walk towards his bedroom. Cesia approached me at Kaistern's side and placed a hand upon my shoulder. There were tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry Ruwalk. I know that you two were good friends. Even though Kaistern told me to take his life, I still feel as though I shouldn't have done it. I feel responsible for your pain," she said as she knelt down beside me.
A deep and saddened sigh escaped me. "Its not your fault Cesia. I knew he would eventually give the ultimate sacrifice for Rath. It was a matter of time. And with the revival water..." I lowered my head as a tear started to roll down my cheek. "...Kaistern was dead anyways."
Cesia stood up silently. "Would you like me to leave?"
I nodded. "Yes please. Just so I can say goodbye to him."
The young wind sorceress bowed slightly and left the room leaving me alone with the motionless and cold body of Kaistern. All of the years we spent together Kaistern...its all come to this. With no one else around, the tears could flow freely now and choked sobs escaped my body. "Kaistern..."
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It was later in the evening when I buried both Alfeegi and Kaistern. Everyone in the castle was so busy that no one noticed the absence of my presence. It was probably for the best. I buried them next to the grave of the Light Dragon, Shin. I stayed outside by myself for a few minutes to say my final goodbyes.
"Alfeegi...I know we fought a lot," I laughed a bit. "Especially over your expense reports Kaistern. But I know that I would have given anything for either of you. I wish we could have seen this to the end. You guys were my best friends. And Kaistern..." I was interrupted by the rustling of the bushes behind me.
"They were more than just friends to me. Kaistern was like my brother...and Alfeegi...I'm sorry Ruwalk. I shouldn't have intervened," the Dragon Lord said as he emerged.
"My Lord?" I said. "No it's quite all right. If you don't mind my asking...what about Alfeegi?"
He lowered his head shyly. "Its not important. But what were you going to say about Kaistern?"
"Oh...nothing..."
He smiled at me. "Well I shall leave you to your goodbyes now," he turned to the graves. "Goodbye Kaistern. Goodbye Alfeegi..."
He seemed a bit sadder when saying goodbye to Alfeegi, but I didn't think to question it. I said my final goodbyes to my two best friends and followed Lord Lykouleon back to the Dragon Castle.
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A/N: Woot one chapter done! See? No surprises there...everyone that read books 11 and 12 pretty much knew what was coming. The next chapters will be different I swear.
Ruwalk: Why? Why did they both have to die? –cries-
Cesia: I'm so sorry!! I still feel so guilty!
Lykouleon: Well it was your fault Kaistern died so you should!
Cesia: Waaaaaaaahhhhhh!!! -runs off in tears- You're mean Lykouleon! I'm going back to Nadil! -stomps off-
Lykouleon: Wait! I didn't mean it! -watches her walk away- Damn...there goes my insurance...I mean! I don't need her! I can beat Nadil all by myself!
-Nadil appears, kicks Lykouleon in the nuts and disappears-
Lykouleon: Ahh!! -falls to the ground in pain- You'll pay for that! If I can get up...