Tall. Slender. Blond hair. The pony tail…
Krad?
Pure white wings exploded out of the eternal being's back, spread wide, feathers flying.
What's going on? Satoshi wondered, completely confused.
He looked around for help, but froze. He wasn't in the Niwa home any more. Wherever this was… it wasn't anywhere close to the basement. It was nothing but a shapeless, almost uniformly gray landscape.
He had been here before.
The same landscape as where he had found Krad before. The same eerie feeling of being watched.
The demon snarled, baring his teeth, looking for the enemy. His inhumanly golden eyes narrowed and his wings bristled with power. Fingers flexed. Satoshi remained where he was, stunned and strangely fascinated by his alter ego's appearance. Not just because he wore a different style, but also because of the way he stood over his host. A brief glance was cast his way and Satoshi swallowed at the burning light in those eerie eyes.
Slices of the artwork's power materialized, flying toward Krad. He raised one hand, magic glowing a bright white, and flung the destructive force against the incoming projectiles. Some where obliterated, others completely unaffected. They cut into him, bringing forth exclamations of surprise and pain. Before Krad had a chance to recover, the second and third attack were upon him, forcing him down in a display of brilliant, deadly force, bring forth a scream of agony.
Satoshi stared at the spectacle in disbelief.
The same…
Only that this time it was the demon lying on the ground, about to be cut apart. Weak and without powers… and no sign of Dark. Or Daisuke.
Krad went to his knees, assaulted by the strange magic, feathers ripped from his wings, the white clothes quickly saturating with blood. One large shard of pure energy entered his chest and he threw back his head, crying out in such terrible agony, something inside Satoshi reacted.
"NO!" he yelled and stepped in front of the bent over form.
He felt Krad's waning magic as if it was his own, he felt the stronger artwork's energy as it rippled all around him.
And he saw the magic gather for a new attack. It glowed brightly, deadly, but still so beautiful.
It came towards him with sickening speed.
This was it, Satoshi mused.
The end.
Something curled around his waist. A strong arm pulled him out of the path of danger, wings snapped up like shields. He felt the air move, experienced a rush of power like never before, and he saw the golden magic come to life. Then the feathers enveloped him like a protective shield, the body that had never been real, just a part of him, curled around him, feeling solid and very much real now.
The last strike collided with his protector.
Krad cried out as the electricity shot through him. Satoshi vaguely thought he heard bones snap under the sheer impact of power. Volts and pain seared through his protector.
There was an exhalation that could have been a moan. Something heavy fell on him, pushing him down, holding him tightly, securely. Shields cracked, living, breathing flesh was exposed, and something trickled over Satoshi's neck.
It was over without prior warning.
Silence reigned.
He blinked, looking at feathers. White feathers. All around him. They tickled his skin, his nose, invaded his mouth. Arms were curled around his waist and a warm presence rested against his neck.
Extracting himself carefully from the hold, he crawled away from the fallen form, wide eyes taking in the mess.
"Krad."
The demon lay on the ground, his wings just a shadow of their former splendor. His clothes were ripped, soaked in blood, real blood, and his back was a mass of open cuts. He was hyperventilating uncontrollably, fighting the pain.
Krad… had protected him?
Why?
Mine, the familiar voice echoed in his head. Only mine.
Krad… was outside him… corporeal…
He had protected him.
Satoshi's thoughts were in complete disorder.
Protected…
Mine.
A moan escaped the dry lips and golden eyes cracked open. Their light was dull, filled with pain, and not so much unlike the expression he had worn when they had first met again. A weak smile curled up the lips. It was a far cry from the sardonic, sometimes sadistic one he had had for the boy he had possessed.
"Why?" Satoshi blurted.
The smile stayed, the eyes slid shut, though.
Hikari crawled over to the fallen angel without a second thought, but the hissing of magic coming to life stopped him. The artwork's energy gathered once again, hovering above the two men with deadly precision.
"Go…" Krad whispered, his voice so soft, Satoshi nearly wouldn't have heard him.
"What?" he stammered.
"Go…"
Shaking hands curled into fists and the golden eyes opened once more. Krad turned his pale, blood-streaked face toward the attacker, smiling a little.
"I've enough to hold it off."
"Why?"
"Just go."
"Why?" Satoshi insisted.
Some of the old fire returned to the smooth features, the golden eyes burning. "I said go!"
He squared his shoulders, facing off the creature that had tortured him so much. "No. You've no energy left without me as a source and I'll die just minutes after this thing blows you apart."
Krad bared his teeth like a snarling animal. Rage gave him strength enough to push himself into a kneeling position. His wings drooped behind him, white feathers stained with blood.
"Stupid human!" he hissed in a low, dangerous voice.
"I think the only stupid one is you," Satoshi replied coldly. "We're separate right now. For whatever reason, we exist individually. You cannot last, neither will I the moment this thing is done with you."
The golden eyes burned and at that moment, they could have melted glass. "How do you propose I draw on your own power then?" Krad snapped. "I can't!"
Satoshi smirked. "Maybe it's meant to end this way."
"Hikari-san."
The voice was cool, echoing all around them and Hikari recognized it immediately.
"You," he whispered.
Laughter. "You thought it was over? You really thought I'd let such entertainment go?"
Satoshi got to his feet, swaying a little, looking for the source of the voice, but there was nothing. Just like a few days ago. Just like when he had made the final decision to become one with Krad again.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
"I can offer you your freedom, Hikari-san. I can rid you off your curse forever. I can take this monster and annihilate its form."
There was a hitch in the rough breathing behind him and Satoshi glanced at the bloody, beaten form. There was real fear in those normally so cold and arrogant eyes.
"Your choice," the voice whispered, smooth and enticing.
"I can't let you do that!" he called. "He's part of Dark. Dark is part of him. If I let you kill him, I'll condemn a friend to death as well!"
"But you'd gain your freedom. Forever."
"My freedom means nothing, my life means nothing, when it means killing Dark and Daisuke."
Laughter again. "How noble of you, little Satoshi. But I can restore the balance. I can make Dark live…"
There was such sweetness, such promise in the voice, it was like a silky blanket covering his senses.
"Dark's strength is within his host. Krad's strength is the abuse of you, feeding on your body and soul."
"No," Satoshi whispered. "Their strength is the balance between them. One can't exist without the other. Darkness can never be without light. Upset one side and the other will perish, too."
"So you're ready to shoulder that burden?" the unknown entity asked, the voice so close to his ear, Hikari thought he was standing behind him. "You want to save this monster?"
Satoshi closed his eyes, steeling himself. "I made my decision the first time you brought me here. Daisuke is my best friend. I won't throw his life away carelessly. He taught me that. If it means this… if it means a life with a demon inside me… then I will do it."
"So be it," the invisible voice chuckled. "You chose your destiny, Hikari-san. Your fate, your… death…"
There was a howling above them and Krad roared in denial as the slices of magic lanced toward them.
Satoshi looked at the deadly needles, glistening like made of ice, his death. He smiled dimly. He felt the connection to Krad waver, felt it stretch to the limit, and he felt the magic. A shield rose around them, the last Krad was able to erect.
Then everything whited out.
Daisuke felt a moment of absolute panic, followed by a pain that seemed
to tear his soul apart. He cried out involuntarily, the cry echoed by Dark.
He felt like part of him was cut away, materializing as a separate entity,
and through tearing eyes he suddenly looked into a pair of very familiar,
dark violet eyes.
Dark?!
And then the merge washed over him, bringing them back together, sealing
them in one body, one mind, and he sagged, feeling the weight of… wings…?
…on his back.
When had he grown the wings?
When had he…?
Dark moaned softly and Daisuke could only agree. They lay on the floor,
the stones cold and very solid against his cheek, and there was a strange
hissing and crackling all around them.
Dark? he moaned.
Still here. Shit, what happened?
Dark moved and got to his knees, shaking all over. Daisuke tried to
clear his mind, looking through his alter ego's eyes. Someone grabbed him,
pulled him up, and he staggered.
"Dark?!"
Emiko's frantic voice reached his ears and he winced.
"Daisuke? Dark? Are you two all right?"
Dark nodded. "Fine… What…?"
"A portal." Daikii, brows drawn together, stood over the Wheel of Dagan.
"Something came from inside and used the Wheel as a portal to get here."
"Inside where?" Dark demanded.
"The world that connects all art. Each piece shares a connection, like
a transit system." He smiled grimly. "You've been inside enough of them
to know that there is an infinite realm of possibilities, of worlds."
Dark nodded. "Yeah, been there. So… something got out?"
"Yes, and it took Satoshi."
"What?!" Dark looked frantically around, just now noticing that they
were one person short. Well, two actually. Krad had disappeared with his
host.
No! Daisuke cried.
"We've got to get him out of there!"
"I agree. There's little time before we lose all trace. I think Emiko
and I can open the Wheel again, but not for long. The portal should get
you where Satoshi is."
Dark frowned a little. "Are you sure?"
The old man smiled dimly. "No, but it's the best I can guess."
"Fine. Good enough for me." You ready, Daisuke?
Yeah
Wings rustled as the kaitou prepared himself, then Daikii opened the
portal and in a rush of power, the basement disappeared around them.
"Oh shit…" Dark muttered, feeling his body tense and a cold shower of
fear pass over him.
He had been here before. For endless moments, for what had seemed like
eternity.
He froze as memories rushed at him.
Pain. Agony. Knives cutting into his body, tearing at his skin, his
wings, blood everywhere…
Dark!
Daisuke's presence surged forward, chasing the nightmares away, soothing
him.
Dark? Dark, listen to me! It's okay…
He latched onto the warmth, the reassurance, felt his muscles unfreeze.
They were back where the nightmare had taken form. Why… he
managed.
I don't know, but you can't freeze up!
He shivered, wings hugging the slender form. Dark looked around the
terrifying realm and the horror suddenly returned.
"Krad!"
Sato!
Daisuke echoed his horror, both looking at the two people who had been
one once, lying unconscious on the ground. Above them, something materialized,
evil and powerful. The same thing they had fought before. The very same
thing, just twice as hungry and ruthless.
Dark let his wings snap open.
Not again!
Dark!
He felt his partner's anger, his need to be with his lover, and the
hatred at whatever had done this.
I know. Hang on, Daisuke
Daisuke sent a shiver of worry and fear and Dark smiled grimly. In
a way he understood. Part of him was horrified at what had been done to
his other half. He gathered his magic and flung a first bolt at the enemy,
making the creature whisper and hiss.
Dark stood over the mutilated form of his other self, his magical energies
flowing around him, forming a strong shield that protected the three of
them. He flung his own lances of energy against the needles and knives
and they dissolved.
"Who are you?" he snarled, wings spread and bristling.
A chuckle. "So the brother has come to rescue his black sheep. Tell
me, Dark, do you really care that much about this demon? Wouldn't you rather
be rid of him, be free?"
Dark bared his teeth in a snarl. "I said who are you?!"
"I am what I am. I like to see things happen, see what each player
will do. Krad has been very entertaining, as well as full of surprises."
Dark glanced at the still form, the broken wings, the way Krad was
cradling Hikari who was equally unconscious.
"Will you protect him, even knowing what lurks in his depths?"
Dark, we need to get out of here, Daisuke urged him. Mom
and grandpa can't keep the portal open all day!
I know, he murmured. We will, but not without them
"Will you?" the voice repeated.
"Yes," he answered, a black feather appearing in his right hand. "Yes,
I will."
"You would die for him, the very one who would destroy you without
a second thought," the voice went on. "How noble."
Dark smirked mirthlessly, his face a mirror image of Krad's at the
moment, displaying all the ruthlessness his other half usually did.
Sorry, Dai… this'll be painful
Daisuke braced himself as his partner began to pull energy and he gasped
as thousands of needles seemed to torture his form. Dark channeled all
his energy into the feather, making it glow a deep purple light that was
almost black in places. It soaked up the magic, stored it, pulled more
and more, depleting the host. Daisuke screwed his eyes shut, suppressing
a cry.
Dai…
Do it! he managed. Do it now!
It was time to leave.
Dark grinned cockily. "Noble, hm? Well, that's just me. Sorry now,
gotta go!"
And with that he opened the portal, pulling them all through.