Well now, I'm quite sorry for the delay in posting this. My muse decided she wanted to take a vacation on me and only came back at around 3:30 in the mornings.
Kalika - It was the time zones...
Platinum - I'm sure you lazy piece of...
Kalika - gets up and acts as if she'll take off If you continue that sentence I'll take of again and leave you as an uninspired lump for chapter 5.
Platinum - sulks Your always so mean to me...
Kalika - pats Only cuz I know you need me.
Platinum - glare
Anyway, Please enjoy and review. I'm very skeptical about this chapter and any comments would be highly appreciated. Enjoy!
Rae's thoughts
Eclipse's thoughts
Eclipse's naughty inner voice
Chapter 4 - Starlit Savior
Eclipse ran as if his very existence depended upon the speed he could muster - and something in his heart told him that was true. The branches rushed past, catching on his cloak, as he concentrated on the image of Raenef in his mind, confident the Search Spell he cast would lead him straight to his young lord. This would be so much faster if I could just teleport to him, but without a definite picture of the area I'd - You'd probably end up teleporting into a tree. Will you just - Oh, never mind. I don't have time for you. The voice laughed at the brush off and faded away, but Eclipse was beyond paying attention to it.
He had come to a stop amongst a small grove of trees, trying to hear the voices up ahead over the sound of his own rapidly beating heart. The sweet sound of Raenef's voice, sharpened by fear, made his blood turn to ice in his veins. He was about to start off on his run again when laughter, cold and scornful, came to him.
The Demon Lord of Tareth will pay if he harms Lord Raenef. I will make sure of it personally. Eclipse thought pitilessly, lengthening his strides to more swiftly follow the path the spell had set for him. Go get him, Tiger! Urg!
- - -
Raenef pressed himself against the rough bark of the tree listening intently. The footsteps that had been hounding him seemed to be quieting, as if they were moving away. He relaxed slightly as he dragged in a ragged gasp. I wish Eclipse was here. I could never take this guy on my own.
His whole body felt as if it would soon give up on him. His legs could barely hold him up after all the running and his lungs and throat ached with the strain of each breath. But the worst of all was the pain in his heart, a wrenching so strong he was sure this was the meaning of utter agony.
Another furtive glance around the tree offered up nothing but deep stillness. The kind of quiet that permeates everything around it.
I think I lost him. Rae thought, relief washing over him. He sighed and stepped away from the shelter of the tree to continue on his journey.
"Good evening."
The man stood calmly in Raenef's path. His smile widened as Rae took a hurried step back and tripped over the roots of a tree, grasping out to catch at the trunk.
"Who - who are you?" Rae demanded, startled, from his place on the ground. The man stepped forward out of the shadows and Rae finally got a look at his hunter. He wore black pants and a shirt that was ribbed in red and a crimson cape that brushed the ground around his ankles. Rae caught the flash of a sword hilt at his hip and the golden pendant around his neck sparkled with blood red gems. As he bowed elegantly to Raenef, his smooth vermillion hair fell about his face. He looked up and smiled pleasantly, piercing the younger demon lord with bottomless black eyes.
"I am Kadrik, the Demon Lord of Tareth, and I have come to claim your realm."
"My realm. . . ?" Rae stared at the man, a quizzical look working into his already scared expression.
Kadrik sighed disgustedly and straightened, crossing his arms and eyeing Raenef. "I'd heard you were an invalid, but this is surpassing pathetic. Fight me, you sniveling blonde twit." An edge of anger was creeping into his already icy voice.
"But, I don't want to f-" Rae mumbled.
"Then die in the cowards way - " Kadrik drew the rapier and lunged at him. "At the end of my blade!"
"Ah!" Raenef yelled, bringing up a skinned and bloodied hand to shield himself. I knew it! He accused himself. I should have stayed for Eclipse to protect me. I - no, I can do this! At least, I think. Quickly summoning the mezraez he shouted, "Dark Arrow!"
A silence fell in the darkness. Raenef opened his eyes to look about and found Kadrik staring at his hand as if he'd broken a nail. His sword lay amongst some ferns about 6 feet behind him.
"So that mockery of a demon, Eclipse, has taught you some magic." Kadrik laughed absently, still eyeing his hand.
"He is not a mockery!" Raenef yelled, climbing to his feet. For some reason it was easier to defend Eclipse's honor than it was his own. "He's more of a demon than you'll ever be!" [1]
"Is that so?" Kadrik looked up at Rae and the moonlight flickered off a deep flame in his eyes. Suddenly, he seemed as if he disappeared and re-appeared directly in front of Rae.[2] "I'll teach you to respect your elders!" He hissed in the blond demons ear and slammed a black gloved fist into Raenef's stomach.
Rae sunk to his knees at Kadrik's feet, clutching his stomach and gasping for air. The tears were back in his eyes, but not only from the pain. How could I have ever thought - I need Eclipse. Without him I'm -
"Worthless." Kadrik criticized scornfully, looking down disapprovingly at the miserable pile of Raenef at his feet. "What a sorry excuse for a Demon Lord. Such a poor specimen."
He's right. Raenef cried, bringing his bloodied hands up to cover his face. I'm worthless!
Kadrik glared down at the sobbing demon. "I can't tolerate any more of your incessant whining. It's time I shut you up!" He began to summon the mezraez, forming a ball of energy in his right hand which he held up as if displaying it.
The Demon Lord Raenef looked up at the forming orb of power and knew that his own rapidly approaching death was entirely his own fault.
Nothing could save him now.
- - -
Eclipse's silent strides ground to a halt at the scene that appeared in front of him. His beautiful Raenef was collapsed on the ground, his hands were over his face, where tear-like trails of blood spilled down his cheeks. His body shook violently with the force of his broken sobs.
His first urge was to run immediately to his Lord but he quelled that as he realized there was another man there.
He was dressed in blood red and black and he stood over the small figure of Raenef on the ground, brandishing a ball of white hot energy.
The blinding fury that took over Eclipse was instantaneous. Within seconds he found himself moving silently up behind the other Demon Lord.
I will kill him for wiping that happiness from Raenef's eyes. You go, knight in shining armor!
- - -
"Look at me when I kill you!" Kadrik yelled grabbing the blonde hair and forcing the boy's head up. He had no time to register the shock that shone in the blonde boys eyes because soon he was mirroring the expression himself.
A hand of alabaster tightened around his wrist, choking off the flow of mezraez to the orb, making it dim and vanish. An icy voice issued from the darkness behind him. "No one shall harm Master Raenef as long as I am breathing!"
Kadrik glared at the darkness over his shoulder, a man with raven hair and a starlit complexion was emerging from the shadows. "Harm him?" He jeered, wrenching his hand from the steely grip. " I wasn't going to hurt him. I was just going to show him a good time." He sneered crudely. "Unless of course he likes it rough then it might hurt a -"
- - -
Raenef watched in dismay from the ground as Eclipse's face took on an eloquent smile, a chaotic fire shining in those normally impassive violet eyes. He gaped as his mentor summoned the mezraez and focused it into Kadrik. The Demon Lord of Tareth stumbled, that devilish smile faltering, a shadow of pain crossing his face.
Eclipse, for his part, was smiling ruthlessly, watching as the power he sent damaged many of Kadrik's internal organs. The Demon Lord of Tareth fell to his knees. The screams of agony became a joyful song.
Rae struggled to his feet and hurried up beside Eclipse. He tugged lightly on the sleeve of his dark robes, scared to draw those frightening eyes his way. "Eclipse?" Not even a flicker in those midnight violet eyes. "Please, Eclipse. . ." He tugged harder becoming frantic as the screams reached a new level. "You've got to listen to me! He's not worth it. Eclipse! As a... as your Demon Lord, I ORDER YOU TO STOP!"
The screaming stopped.
Rae breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at the other demon lord. Kadrik had collapsed a couple of feet away, his face hidden from the moon's glow.
"I'm sorry, Master Raenef."
Rae turned back to Eclipse and stared up at him shakily. "It's okay..."
"You were hurt and I..." Eclipse said stiffly and shook his head, not meeting Rae's eyes. His hands were clutched into fists at his sides. "There is no excuse for my behavior."
"Your right." Kadrik hissed, coming to his feet, his face twisted into a malicious smirk. "You shall pay for attacking a true Demon Lord! Dark Flare!"
The moon's silvery glow died in the wave of dark energy that enveloped them, emanating from Kadrik. It crackled around Raenef and Eclipse.
Raenef threw his hands up to shield his face and felt the wave hit. Everywhere it touched pain erupted. Within moments he could feel blood running in rivulets from scratches all over his already abused body. He couldn't help the scream that fell from his lips. It feels like I'm being sliced to pieces!
Abruptly the torturous wave lessened. Raenef opened his eyes to see Eclipse's cloaked back in front of him, shielding him against the other Demon Lord. He's protecting me. Raenef wondered, astounded. But he'll be hurt! "Eclipse! Please, you've got to stop!" I'd rather deal with the pain then have you hurt on my account.
But Eclipse wasn't listening. He was concentrating hard, trying to alter the magical torrent, forcing it back on it's creator.
The two older demons each held their ground for a moment, the wave held menacingly in the middle. Raenef watched uncertainly from behind Eclipse.
- - -
Just a little more ... Eclipse struggled, pulling the strands of magic he was using to rein in the flare. He could feel the Demon Lord of Tareth forcing more energy into the wave and knew his minor defenses would snap soon.
You could always push back... Hmm? Ah, I see what you mean. He strengthened the strands and gave them a shove toward the other demon. Now you got it! Thrust!
The idea worked. Sort of.
Instead of rushing back upon the other Demon Lord, the Dark Flare changed, becoming a mass of deep amethyst and bold crimson whirling energies. The magics mingled a moment, leaving each demon wondering what would happen, before exploding in a circular flood.
Eclipse whipped around and gathered a startled Raenef into his arms, as close as possible, determined to shield him from the brunt of the devastation.
[1] My Eclipse can beat up your Eclipse any day! Teehee!
[2] I'm sorry that was kinda Saiyuki inspired. I apologize if it doesn't go but please keep in mind I've never seen a demon lord to demon lord fight and I'm improvising.
Well, that's it for this chapter. I hope you liked it. Now that you've read you might as well review huh? I'm so happy cause my DD4 is coming in this wednesday! Huzzah! Well, goodnights!