Dark Fascination

by Asurahime

~*~*~*~

Chapter Eleven

~*~*~*~

Time. What is it about this word which appears so final and complete? Not much can be done to control such an entity when a region of darkness forgets all sense of memory. Nothing can mitigate the rage that has blossomed and razes the land. Nothing except for a blue the color of sun-kissed azure. Quicksilver glints in my peripheral vision, a fierce, obstinate presence. Crimson rakes through me like sharp nails, branding trails of fire which continue to smolder and burn with every step and with every glance.

Life. Another word which holds little command in a banished citadel that is a mirror of the lowest level of Hell. Life and death shift in an unending cycle which cannot possibly be understood. A demon's inexorable claws can end one's life just as easily as its tainted kiss can bring about a soul's revival. Either way, nothing is as it was before and there is no more reason to pretend that everything is as it should be.

I have learned how love is easily mistaken for lust and passion. Perhaps all of these are not mutually exclusive after all. However, a great sense of desire which overpowers the mind, the senses, and all reason, is nothing short of bordering on obsession. I am obsessed with finding my identity, finding the truth of what all of this means. So far, I have not received answers, but more riddles and falsehoods which further taints my identity everywhere I turn. What once was shall never be again and what the future holds is irrelevant. Without the passage of time, there is no way of discerning past, present, and future. All lie between an instant and eternity, for nothing exists to separate the two.

But still, the suffering continues the longer I keep away from the mysteries which serve to bind me. I would rather be a doll broken than a consort who conforms to the whims of another. How long will the oppressing Lord, my unwanted Sire, lust in the thought of possession of me? Time may stay stasis, but there are many fates that are far worse than death.

It is harder to live.

~*~*~*~

Crimson eyes stared into a white flame as the image of a sleeping black-haired young man appeared in its heart. Pale lips tightened as the figure raised a white, manicured hand towards the image, eyes burning with an almost obsessive lust. A hiss of pain was torn from his kips as the fire seared his skin, marring the smooth surface with ugly burn marks.

"You escaped me once. I will not give you a second chance to do so again." He raised the injured hand to his lips, watching the sapphire liquid course down. Licking at the blood, he kept his eyes fixated on the flame before him. He could not stifle a groan as the half-mystic among the flames opened his evergreen eyes, causing the figure to bite his finger to draw even more blood. Blue tainted his thin, cold lips as the cuts and burns healed quickly.

Laughter echoed through the darkened room, as harsh as sand paper rasping through metal. "Charm Lord has changed you, the Black Wing had instructed you, the Strategist and the Arch-Princess follow you, there are those who protect you, but who will love you? How much pain are you willing to let these people suffer in vain until you finally realize that only I can give you love?"

White fire turned dark, but his eyes continued to burn with an unholy light in the shadows. "I have all the time in the world, love. How much are you willing to sacrifice to escape me? But before that, I will enjoy watching you break to my will. Mystics are not capable of true tears, but I am satisfied with watching you bleed."

The fire completely burned out, but the image still lingered. "My precious doll, you will dance, sing, cry, break, and die for me and for me alone. I will destroy anyone who would dare to challenge me."

~*~*~*~

Soft, golden-white tinged sunlight shone through the windows of the Ravenclaw, soothing the tired mystics as they arrived in the region of Kyo. The land of eternal autumn greeted them with hues of orange leaves and calm waters. Oriental homes occupied the region, giving a peaceful, delicate feel to the land.

''Welcome to Kyo. I have to say, it's not a very exciting town like Manhattan, Koorong, Shrike, or the Magic Kingdom, but it's still one of my favorite regions. It's a lot like Owmi or the quieter parts of Devin, so it must be the food that makes me keep coming back," said Terry with a smile, his amber eyes glowing in the bright light.

Ron grinned tiredly. "Owmi was plenty exciting for us, thanks."

One could just see the question marks emanating from the Ravenclaw's pilot as Hermione and Harry laughed at the Strategist's comment. "Owmi? Exciting? I suppose it does have its moments."

''It was certainly one of those moments," replied Hermione.

Harry's laughter subsided as his eyes narrowed ruefully. What am I going to do now? Mystics hate me because I'm half-human and humans fear me because I'm half-mystic. Is there no medium in this? What on earth am I?

A sharp clap brought the half-mystic out of his reverie. Terry gave a short laugh after slapping his knee, winking at Harry with mischief twinkling in his eyes. "We're about to land on Kyo, highness. There's a place here which used to belong to my master that is empty now. It's not that extravagant, so it's probably not going to be what you are used to. But it is a comfortable and quiet place if you are looking for somewhere to rest."

Green eyes stared back into amber. They didn't have the same bubbling quality, but they were far from the dead jade eyes they had been. "Quiet and rest sound like a very good idea right about now."

''I second that," added Ron as he watched the airship land on the region. "Where is this place anyway?"

''When you go out of the port, follow the path and make a left on the first intersection. You will soon see a large garden across a bridge that is surrounded by a still stream. The house nearest to that garden is my master's Kyoinese home. If you get lost, just listen to the wind chimes and follow the sound. It will take you there."

The two young men descended from the airship, but Hermione looked back at Terry with a confused glance. If anyone needed the rest, it was the magician, for taking them everywhere. "Aren't you going to come with us? You've been so kind as to bring us--"

Quickly, Terry raised a hand to stop her speech. "Princess, the Ravenclaw is my home and has been for the last five years since I left the Magic Kingdom. I would not feel right leaving her all alone and I need to stock up on materials."

''Aren't you ever lonely?" asked the Arch-Princess, her empathy reaching out to the teal-haired young man.

Thin lips parted to show pearl-white teeth. ''With such good people relying on me, how could I ever be alone? I do ask one thing."

''Which is?" Hermione blinked at the suddenness of the question but was slightly relieved to find their pilot and friend not as the inhuman creature who lives by adrenaline and magic alone.

Terry's grin simply grew wider. "Could you bring me some of those tea cakes and mochi that they sell here? My sweet tooth is getting the better of me."

A light chuckle was her answer as Hermione walked down to join her other two companions. "Certainly." Tea cakes? Mochi?

Harry looked up at the descending Hermione with a questioning look on his face. "Isn't Terry also coming with us?"

Shaking her head, the mystic started following the two others down a leaf-covered path. "He wishes to stay in the Ravenclaw, but he asked us to bring him back some tea cakes and something called a 'mochi.' Apparently, these are dessert specialties that are being sold here."

''How did you find that out? Did he say that?" inquired the Strategist.

''He said that he had to satisfy his sweet tooth or something of the sort," laughed Hermione. "He kind of reminds me of you."

''Really? How so?"

''Well, you're both simple and sweet."

A wide smile broke through Ron's face. "Oho, am I now? Well, when you put it that way..."

The half-mystic sighed with slight exasperation at his companions' obvious-yet-unobtrusive flirting. He continued down the path by himself, knowing the others would follow him once they came to their senses. The solitude allowed Harry to fully take in his surroundings as the cool, crisp, and slightly spicy winds of autumn attacked his senses. His boots strangely made no noise even as they trampled on dried leaves the warm colors of reds, yellows, and oranges which seemed to extend to the red-gold-tinted skies of Kyo.

Despite the warm colors which pleased the eye, Harry felt the hint of death around him. The land of eternal fall, no matter how lovely, is closer to death than it is living. The leaves which constantly rained down and the still waters represented a stasis which does not exist with life.

After all, everything is most beautiful before death. Everything has the most meaning when the meaning is about to be lost. An entire region is this way just as much as it is to a life.

~*~*~*~

Looking down on the silent water, Harry was reminded of another by the flecks of silver and golden light upon the expanse of midnight blue. For a long time, the green-eyed young man had put off rationalizing the subject of the proclaimed Prince of Darkness. Even now, he was confused as to why Draco had acted as he did. Actions said one thing, but the platinum-haired mystic's eyes were saying something totally different.

Harry noticed that Hermione and Ron were no where to be found as of yet, apparently still attempting to clash wits that would end up in Hermione's favor. As always. If only Draco was as easily predicted. He sat down beneath a tree next to the water to wait for the other two, but his eyes were drawn to the water once more.

''There's one thing I do know, I can't trust him just yet... if at all."

''Can't trust who, kitten?"

Harry quickly looked up, gloved hand already drawn Asura half-way out of its sheathe before he found himself pinned hard against the tree. Try as he might, his attacker's reflexes were better and more finely honed than his, preventing any attack or possibility of escape as Asura was forced into the sheathe once again. "Who in the hell--"

Amber eyes curtained by crimson-streaked dark blonde hair smirked down at his prey, smile becoming more and more predatory each second. "I am not about to let you off that easily, Prince Kitten."

Rage practically radiated from Harry as he tried to brutally shove the other away from him. "Get off me, you son of a--"

Seamus' eyes narrowed with mischief and something slightly darker. "Now, now, Lord Harry. Listen to me and don't be rash—"

''I said let go of me, you bloody basta--"

The look on Seamus' face faded from mischief to a darker intensity. ''I tried warning you, but a tongue as sharp as yours should be silent." He shoved a surprised Harry even harder against the tree, not relenting in his pursuit as he pressed his lips upon the other's.

Almost automatically, Harry's lips slightly parted with shock, just barely allowing the split-second window for the mystic to slide an agile tongue into his mouth. Although the half-mystic did not respond, the other's attention made up for his state of petrification as Seamus' tongue stroked his roughly, not a kiss containing romance, but a plunder of the senses. Ravenous teeth and the skilled tongue pushed apart pink lips further as the attack relentlessly continued, taking everything that was not freely given.

Seamus continued, eyes darkened with desire and Fascination as he locked his heated gaze with the frozen jade eyes of the Heir. Long-nailed fingers were quickly inching into the half-mystic's robes, quickly undoing silver claps as the other hand held his victim's chin, softly stroking the pale skin. He knew he should stop, but as far gone as he was, he no longer could. The scent of roses were pushing Seamus further than he knew was appropriate as he removed the hand from Harry's chin to remove the crimson ribbon binding the other's hair.

Harry stayed frozen, locked in an inward battle of terror and rage. He could feel the other's tongue caressing his lips and wreaking havoc to the inside of his mouth. He could also feel the last clasps of his outer robe unfasten as long-nailed fingers raked down his chest through his thin inner robes. There was no reply from him, but when the frenzied mystic had pulled firmly at the hair at the nape of his neck to expose his throat, Harry finally had an inkling of what is going on.

There were several strong scents assaulting his senses, but there was one that stood out that most that he had not noticed before. Charm Lord Severus reminded Harry of roses, perfume, and the current of magic and power he wore like a cloak. However, there was also a bitter taste of something akin to how suspicion and hate would taste. Ron was of warmth, life, and fierce protectiveness. Hermione was akin to light, white roses, and a taste as sweet as honey. Ice, darkness, and black lilies were reminiscent of Draco with a touch of poisonous mercury. Seamus gave off the scents of spices, hyacinths, incense, fire, and secrets.

But Harry... he could only sense the heady smell of roses and the sharp taste of blood. Emerald eyes lost the frost in them as Harry bit down sharply on the offending intruder, raven-jade hair falling around his pale face as the taste of mystic blood erupted in his mouth. The strangest thing was, the taste of blood was not unfamiliar to him and he accepted it... for now.

Seamus jerked back at the sudden pain, a line of blood streaming from the wound on his lip even as it immediately began to heal. But most importantly, the dark intensity in his eyes dissipated into confusion. Looking down at the rumpled Harry, he shook his head and quickly helped to re-clasp the Prince's crimson robes closed. "Prince Kitten, your Fascination is getting out of hand, you know?"

The look Harry turned on Seamus was more exasperated and irritated than angry. "Don't you think I can figure that out for myself?"

''..... Sorry, but I'm not going to bloody apologize for that."

''You just did, but did I say that I expected you to?" asked Harry, a scowl on his face as he retrieved his ribbon and tied his hair once more. "I should get angry at being jumped on by everyone, but sadly, I am finding myself used to such occurrences. And don't call me Kitten."

''Why not?" asked Seamus, slowly licking away the last traces of blue blood from his lips.

A sharp, cat-like glare from Harry prevented the other mystic from speaking further. "Don't try my patience, Seamus."

''Ah, so you bare your fangs to me once more. If you don't want me to call you 'kitten,' don't give me a reason to." The easy-going smirk straightened to a strangely serious line. "Enough, I still haven't told you why I'm here. Even after such a warm welcome."

Harry swung his right arm, intent on decking Seamus at his face, but his arm was caught by the stronger boy. "Shut your mouth and let me go."

''As I speak, another Shadow approaches you. Honest to say, this one is much stronger than the Red Sage that you fought from before back in Shrike. I would keep my eye out. That's all I came here to tell you." At that, the leather-clad mystic released Harry, turning around to make his exit.

''Why didn't you just tell me that in the first place before you start playing your mind games?" shouted the crimson-robed boy. "Why do you have to tell me what I already know?"

Seamus slowly turned around, giving a close-eyed smirk at the Heir. Sharp, white fangs gleamed in the orange sunlight as he began fading away into the trees and shadows. "Why do you taste like nectar and blood? Answer that and I will answer all of your questions."

''You're a monster."

''No, I'm Charm Lord's former Assassin." Then, he was gone.

Leaning tiredly against the tree, Harry once again looked at the still, silver-kissed mirror of water and waited for Hermione and Ron to finally make their appearances. As his eyes fluttered closed, the last thing he saw were ripples in the water as a vermilion-colored leaf fell upon the water's surface.

~*~*~*~

There were not too many people aside from a few white-robed monks with yellow hats and staffs who smiled congenially and bowed as they passed the three mystics. Harry, Ron, and Hermione could do nothing but stare at the strange people who greeted them so familiarly before walking towards the house nearest to a vast garden.

Both the Strategist and the Arch-Princess could barely hide their distress in finding that they had lost track of their charge because of their negligence. This was not the time to be letting down their guard when Charm Lord could be at every corner, just waiting for the optimal time to strike.

Looking back at his two errant companions, Harry pursed his lips to a thin line. He was not irritated at them even through they seemed to believe he is. In fact, the scarred half-mystic was only too relieved to find that they had not arrived earlier. He simply did not want to have to explain his disheveled state because of the unpremeditated attack of a Fascinated former Assassin-turned-Rebel.

Looking at the sliding paper door that served as an entrance to the house, Harry pulled aside the shoji and stepped inside. He immediately collapsed near the window, just barely sparing time to separate his sword from himself.

''Harry?" quipped Hermione, eyebrows slightly coming together in concern. "Did we upset you?"

Harry looked at the two before him before attempting to plaster a smile on his face. He did not seem to be too pleased with the outcome, but the others seemed to be fooled. There was still the acrid hint of blood in his mouth. "No, I'm just a little tired."

Silence reigned for about the next half hour before Harry finally turned his face away from the window, hands slowly clenching into fists. "What do the two of you know about a mystic named Seamus?"

That was the last question the other two could have expected. Ron exchanged glances with Hermione before staring back bemusedly at his other friend. "Seamus? What in bloody hell have you been associating with, Harry?"

''What's wrong with him?" remarked Harry, inconspicuously biting his lower lip in irritation upon remembering the molestation he had gone through. "And I haven't been 'associating' with anything." A twisting of the truth, considering I was associating with a someone. Gods, what I would give to deck that git right on his smug face to wipe off that smirk. Come to think of it, it would make me eternally happy to be given the chance to do the same to Draco.

Hermione leaned against the wall next to Harry, slightly pulling on a stray lock of his hair. ''Charm Lord Severus has many spies, informants, thieves, and assassins under his command. Of the lot of them, former Lord Seamus excelled in all matters concerning espionage, stealth, deception, and flawless assassinations. Thus he was labeled with the title Assassin or Illusionist just as Ron is labeled with Strategist, Draco with Messenger, Blaise with General, Cedric with Knight, and Marcus with Artisan."

''Assassin is too good for Seamus. Perhaps Court Jester would have been more appropriate," said Ron in a mocking voice.

Harry couldn't quite stifle his laughter at Ron's comment. "Friends, aren't you?"

''Got it right in one." The flame-haired young mystic grinned brightly, verdant robes swaying slightly as a cool wind gently blew in through the open window. "Seamus was never boring to be around even though he was exasperatingly reckless."

''What did you think about Seamus, Hermione?" asked Harry.

There was not even a pause before the rose-crowned girl answered. "Profane, puerile, and perverted."

Ron and Harry stared at her as her quick answer surprised them. "You've thought about it a lot, haven't you?"

''Yes."

Ron smiled a wicked grin. "Shows you how much she likes him. Nice alliteration, Hermione."

''Certainly," replied Hermione sharply. "But honestly now, what are we going to do? A life without a purpose in the outside world is the same as a life within Facinaturu's walls."

''I don't wish to go back there, I just want to live a normal life." Green eyes misted over but did not shed tears. "Frankly, I could care less whether I live life as a mystic or a human as long as I am with the two of you."

Strategist and Arch-Princess drew the half-mystic tightly into their arms in a firm embrace. "We have forever, but if we stay in one place for too long, Charm Lord will definitely find us."

''There is going to come a time when I can't run away any longer."

Hermione sighed and drew away. Walking towards the door, she slid the paper door to the side. "I suppose we can discuss this issue in depth later. While we're here, I might as well go and find those tea cakes that Terry wanted. It's the least we can do after traipsing around and dragging him into this."

Harry followed her out of the door, but Ron stayed inside. "In that case, I'm going for a walk to try and calm my shot nerves. I'm thinking of walking in that garden if either of you need me."

''And my lazy self will be here to catch up on a bit of sleep," answered the verdant-robed young man who situated himself on one of the futon before falling asleep. "Just call me if either of you need any assistance."

The green-eyed half-mystic softly slid the door closed before making his way towards the gardens. "Shall we meet again later?"

''Yes, please be careful. Even the most beautiful flowers have their thorns."

~*~*~*~

White petals fell gently, raining like snow on the half-mystic. However, they disappeared before they every touched the ground, an illusion which kept with the falling bronze leaves of the eternal autumn region. The entire region was peaceful, set apart from the rest of the world by the ancient religion which binds itself to the roots. In truth, every leaf holds a mystery, every building holds a history, every petal is a life, and every tree contains a corpse. This once war-torn region is now a utopia for a pacifist, and the magic which grew from the bloody past is considered one of the strongest in the world.

The solitary crimson figure walked through the vast garden, like a knight without a quest. However, his is far from errant. Error finds the young half-mystic, despair not far behind, but as natural as the changing of the seasons, the young prince adjusts. Loneliness is not the best companion, but solitude was sometimes welcome for the slightly introverted young man as he walked deeper into the deserted garden.

Harry raised a hand, catching a flower before it could descend into a nearby stream. He no longer felt tired, but he felt an insistent tension in the air. The answer came much quicker than he expected.

_Even the most beautiful flowers have their thorns. Did not the Arch-Princess say that to your highness?_

Sighing deeply, Harry turned towards the origin of the voice. "Are you the next one?"

_Prince Harry expected me to be here? It is regrettable that the Prince of All Mystics must now die here when your highness' mystic powers are beginning to flourish._

''Answer my question!" hissed Harry, emerald eyes flashing amber. "I may have been stupid before, but I know enough when someone warns me. Seamus may be an arrogant git, but a warning is still a warning." Drawing Asura, Harry was once again engulfed into a mystic rage. However, this rage is much stronger than the first. The raven hair that framed the half-mystic's face rose with the static with came before the MysticalChange, becoming streaked with emerald green. Asura burned white-hot in Harry's hands. "Show yourself."

_As your highness wishes._

Water rose from the stream and collected to form a tall mystic in elaborate blue armor. Strings of pearls were hung from the mystic's helmet and as the sun hit the armor, Harry could clearly see that the entire thing is made out of tiny scales. The BlueSage's raiment glittered like blood-stained metal against the dying light. An evil blade was clutched in his left hand, its edge was serrated like the edge of a leaf. He bore no resemblance to the RedSage except for a pair of glittering crimson eyes, too bright and intense to be human.

''Who has sent you? Don't you dare harm Hermione and Ron!" questioned and threatened Harry.

_I hold no allegiance with Charm Lord. Nor do I have any intention of returning the Strategist and the seventy-ninth Arch-Princess to Facinaturu. My orders were explicit: to find your highness, alive or dead, and bring your highness back to my lord._

''And who is this lord?"

_Enough of this, my prince. Time means nothing in Facinaturu, but my lord's patience is one which easily wears thin._ Before the BlueSage could speak further, Harry had already disappeared. A quick slice in front of the knight told him that he had let his guard down. Pearls fell upon the ground, as worthless as the fallen leaves in this time of battle.

''As of now, I could care less whose orders you follow." The half-mystic's grip on his sword tightened as he held in like a spear in front of his body. "However, leave Ron and Hermione out of it. If you do not, not even the Lord of All Mystics will be able to stop me."

The BlueSage quickly pivoted and jumped into the air, steadily gathering light and moisture around him. His blade quickly absorbed all that he gathered and suddenly disappeared. As he descended right on top of the half-mystic, Harry leapt back just in time to see a slash upon the earth he had just been standing on. Looking up, he saw the sun shine upon a thin—but sharp—blade of ice.

''Water's your element, I see." Harry's eyes narrowed into jade chips upon his pale face. "I don't have any time to spare for you." He thrust Asura on to the ground before him and held up both hands over his head in the formation of a cross. His eyes narrowed upon the charging Sage.

the Demon of an earthly realm

strident cries by a dark fallen angel

called upon by the mark of the rose

to quench all false light

to true stasis

_I have seen the Arch-Princess try this spell. It cannot possibly work on me! Give up now!_ snarled the BlueSage, reaching forth to snatch the half-mystic.

''I am not as kind as Hermione or Ron. Do you actually think that I would allow you to tear us apart?"

PhantasmShot

As before, the earth before the Sage blossomed before he managed to reach the half-mystic. However, unlike Hermione's white rose, a dark red rose flowered. It was beautiful, a velvety crimson color which matched the color of the last drop of blood in one's heart, with tips a violet so dark it was almost black. A strange creature burst forth from the center of the rose, scattering the petals like fallen red rain upon the orange leaves.

A sharp scream erupted from the throat of the creature, which looked similar to a silver-grey phoenix. The cockatrice's dark green eyes fixed themselves upon the BlueSage as the creature's cries grew higher and more painful. As quickly as it came, it disappeared into thin air, leaving a stunned knight in front of the Prince of All Mystics.

_Lord Blaise! _ shouted the BlueSage as he found that his entire body is petrified. A screen of steam still hid him from the half-mystic, but he knew that he was gone.

Blaise? Harry's eyes widened with surprise, but his body seemed to move of its own as he pulled Asura from the ground again. He raised the sentient sword horizontally before him, only half-aware of what he was doing. Quickly burying the tip of the sword upon the ground, the half-mystic rushed at the mist, his path ignited into flames by the friction of Asura against the dried leaves. Reaching the BlueSage, Harry twisted Asura so that the flames were directly underneath the knight and jumped.

The BlueSage's crimson eyes momentarily locked into the frozen amber eyes of the half-mystic before he was thrown into the air with a brilliant column of hellish flames. As the rise reached its peak, Harry took the serrated sword of the BlueSage and his own Asura, igniting both against the scale armor. The result was an explosion which brought people running to the site, Hermione, Ron, and even Terry included.

RisingNova

_Amber... eyes...?_

The mist intensified, seeping through the trees and the water, masking the sun in its obscurity. When it all faded, all that was left was the elaborated pearl-studded helmet against a tree and a soaked half-mystic. Tiredly, Harry turned around and gazed blankly at those before him.

''Harry?" asked Ron, rushing forward as his companion collapsed on to the ground. "Why didn't you call me? You know how much danger we're in these days! What in the bloody hell were you thinking, mat--"

Ron was cut off short as topaz eyes gazed into his, quickly reverting back to a deep green. One last sentence went past the half-mystic's lips before he succumbed to unconsciousness. "That is neither the first nor the last corpse a tree will ever hold."

Silence reigned before there was a flurry of activity. Several of the monks and Terry brought Harry back to the house, but Hermione and Ron stayed back a little.

The Arch-Princess' voice was at a whisper as she turned to her companion. ''Ron, what just happened?"

Ron shook his head slowly. "I'm not certain, Hermione. But it's clear that Charm Lord attacked again. My question is what happened after. You heard what that blue git said, didn't you?"

Hermione gave Ron a pained look. "I thought that this place would be safe, but it seems that nowhere is. Now, even Harry is changing."

''It's his choice, Hermione. Just as I will interrogate him when he wakes up of why he didn't call for us."

''Still, I would do anything to stop that rush of gold. It's foreboding. He is quickly learning the magic without instruction, Ron."

The Strategist hugged the Arch-Princess tight against him before they ran to find their Prince. "Nothing in this life is simple, Hermione. But as I said, we can't interfere."

''Harry..."

~*~*~*~

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

''Hello, Time Lord. I am surprised that you managed to rouse yourself this time." Sirius smiled with a little warmth as a pale, lanky man with platinum grey hair appeared before him and returned his smile. "I never did understand why you would keep yourself within the confines of your region at all times, Remus. How are the monthly changes going?"

''As always, like clockwork." Remus' smile fractionally widened. "That is never a problem, Sirius. Otherwise, time really would be a concern for all mystics. Thus is the fate of the Lords of Time. It is a thankless job, but it is one that I have had the pleasure to enjoy for centuries without having to harm too many people. I like the silence."

Ring Lord's reply was filled with wry humor. "You are quite possibly the most introverted mystic there is."

''Draco."

Sirius rose from his throne and poured himself and his companion a cup of wine. "Yes, I had forgotten about that most renowned Prince of Darkness, haven't I?" He took a sip and handed the other wineglass to Remus. "What is your business, Remus?"

Time Lord took the wineglass, crimson eyes taking in the darkness of the wine before taking a sip. His white robes and silver and black armor caught the flames beyond the windows of the Mosperiburg castle, contrasting with the absolute stillness of his own region. Time Lord Remus' realm is a place where light and shadow alternate and where the stars shine in stasis in the dark blue sky. It is a stone road with many winding paths, protected by the signs of the Zodiac and of time, even to the legendary Serpentarius. A great Hourglass stands in the middle of it all, like a lookout tower, constantly pouring fine amethyst and diamond colored sand in the passing of time. In contrast, Ring Lord Sirius' palace is similar to an austere mansion of glass, gold, diamonds, and fire. Although it is almost as silent as Time Lord's realm, the constant flickers of fire and the reflections of light and darkness give an eerie, ghostly feeling that there is a presence in each room. There is no semblance of time, but there is a semblance of fear.

''Sirius, someone has managed to infiltrate my region. Whoever it was can only be a mystic and they have broken the Hourglass," informed the mystic darkly, his schooled features betraying no emotion. "Something is coming, Sirius, and I am not looking forward to this prelude to whatever battle is brewing. It does not feel that much different from when Severus had overthrown Orlouge centuries ago."

Throwing his glass of wine to the fireplace, Sirius quickly whirled to face his long-time friend. "The Hourglass is broken, and now time is flowing. Destiny is following the predestined path, and that is all because of my godson."

''Your godson?" asked Remus, sleepy eyes immediately becoming sharp and alert. "What does this have to do with Harry?"

Sirius sat down gracefully yet tiredly on his seat. "You have been asleep, so it is understandable that you do not yet know. Harry has been turned--"

''What!? Who had done such a thing!" yelled Time Lord, enraged.

''Is it not obvious?" Long, manicured black nails created a crimson rose and raised it for Remus to see before crushing it. "It is clearly neither you nor I. Hell's Lord is missing in action and Space Lord cannot leave his region. That leaves only one other possibility."

Sharp fangs elongated from Remus' canines, showing an anger the rest of his body did not show. "Charm Lord."

''Harry was not fully turned. He remains a half-mystic and is at least not turned into a clone of Charm Lord Snape. If it was the other case, nothing would have stopped me from running him over with a carriage." Sirius sipped another glass of wine slowly, reflecting crimson flames into his eyes. "If he wasn't immortal, I would not hesitate into killing him myself, but I cannot interfere with what I am not directly involved with."

''You are missing a few things, Ring Lord." Remus slightly smiled, a gentle but dark smile, filled with secrets. "Whoever had broken my hourglass is clearly a mystic who has been there before, for no other race can enter or leave my realm without your consent for guidance. Even mystics who do not know the location cannot enter. No one else knows about this except for a few. There is only one reason for the breaking of the Hourglass which controls and halts the passage of time in the Mystic Realms and in Mystic Life."

Sirius' eyes narrowed darkly. "The assassination of a Mystic Lord by confusing the passage of time. What is going to happen? Did you see who broke it?"

Remus shook his platinum head. "I remain asleep when my region is and awake when it wakes. This happened before I had woken. However, I know one thing, the target Mystic Lord can only be Severus."

Slightly amused, Sirius glanced at Time Lord. "Oh? How so?"

''Had the person wanted to kill me, that time was when I was at my most vulnerable. Ring Lord's position can only be taken by a human through killing the current Ring Lord, and this person is quite obviously a mystic." At this, Sirius gave a slight, appreciative smile at the other's knowledge. "No one can access the region of Space Lord, for the region is currently closed off from everyone, even mystics and other Lords cannot enter. Hell's Lord is only accessible to the dead mortals, for mystics are absorbed when they reach their 'death'."

''And all of that leaves only Snape as the target."

''We cannot interfere," warned Remus wisely. "No matter how much you despise him and how much he hates you, we cannot interfere with fate." He soon started walking towards the back of Sirius' throne.

''Are you leaving now?"

Remus nodded slightly. ''Yes, I must find a way to fix the Hourglass. My region depends on it, so it does not count as interfering. I will see you again soon, Sirius. Watch over Harry."

With that, he touched a dark circle and disappeared from sight. Sirius' crimson eyes narrowed before his lips curved into a dark, secretive smile. He raised his goblet to his lips and touched a mirror which appeared before him. Harry's sleeping face appeared in the mirror, for once peaceful and untroubled by nightmares and long, suffering dreams. Ring Lord lovingly traced the curve of the cheek of the image of his godson, his eyes softening slightly before hardening again. "Don't worry, Time Lord. I won't let anything happen to Harry."

''I WILL NOT ALLOW FOR IT!!" Sirius shouted, throwing something towards the mirror and shattering it, causing the shards of glass to fall like diamond rain.

A blade-tipped black rose rested among the broken glass, absorbing all light as the glass reflected them.

~*~*~*~

Cedric smiled slightly as he danced, tearing his MysticSword through a Basilisk. Then a three-headed Chimera. Then throwing his black roses at the throat of a Siren, silencing her cries forever. Then at a ThunDragon. Finally, he sliced through a half-woman, half-snake Lamia. He jubilantly waltzed in the training grounds of Chateau Aiguille, pleased with the silence that was only broken by the death cries of his victims.

The Black Knight raised his once-white gloves to the level of his corundum blue eyes, amused by the way the blood seeped through the white cloth, making its way down the sleeves of his orange Victorian robes. He let out a soft, slightly maniacal laugh as he waved a hand, getting rid of both his MysticSword and the blood which covered his pristine robes.

''Lord Harry, when will it be that you will change this eternal region? I am tired of the constancy. The eternal night. The petty power of the current Charm Lord who does not use his power other than for his own narcissistic pleasure." Cedric gazed fondly at the corpses on the floor. He took out a bladeless black rose from his robes and kissed its petals before scowling, crushing it into silvery ashes. "You are not a rose as you said, you are an amaranth. You are the legendary, undying white flower to bring power to this dormant region that I have been searching for all of this time. I will not settle for anything other than you. I am waiting for the day that you lay waste to Charm Lord as I have lain waste to these creatures."

He spun once more before waving his hand again, ridding the floor of the gore, the blood, and the corpses of the dead creatures. "You are the devilish angel, who the unbalanced harmony of endless insanity worships. The devilish angel of whom through an illusion, a myth is created. Is it not too late for me to compose a requiem for our sad fate? Your smile is only meant to sunder and our loneliness is beautiful."

''I never realized that you would drop to this despicable level, Black Knight." Blaise materialized ten feet from Cedric, leaning slightly on his scythe and the imposing figure of collectedness in comparison to the seemingly deranged Cedric. "Do you not know, or do you not care, that you are speaking such treasonous words in the stronghold of the one who owns you completely?"

Cedric's poise was regained, but the bright look of enjoyment—or madness—never left his eyes. "How could you speak of treason when the only lord I acknowledge is not here right now? He has not yet returned, but I am awaiting for the sun to also shine at night."

Blaise's eyes narrowed with suspicion as he swiftly brought his scythe down, cutting through the floor of the training grounds where the viridian-haired knight was standing seconds before. He swept the blade to the side, cutting clear through a pillar of dark marble and roses. "You have gone mad, Lord Cedric. Charm Lord has no use for the insane, especially those who are insane and traitorous."

''Did he tell you that himself?" glared Cedric, the mad light in his eyes still there as he kindly smiled at Blaise. "Or is some rat who was tossed around like a stepchild trying to delude himself that that is true? I think that you are the one who needs to conform before practicing hypocrisy, Blaise."

The smile on Cedric's face remained sweet, but the glare in Blaise's face darkened along with his temper. "I have had enough of you! Charm Lord or not, your power is mine!"

Cedric slitted his eyes, a complacent smile on his face. "Try if you can, Hunter Knight. If you can't kill me, I swear upon my amaranth that you will die a final death."

''Shut up!" Blaise raised his hands over his head in the formation of a cross, fixating his crimson gaze on the man before him.

in a city stained with greed

the offspring of greed and chaos rise

called upon by the mark of the rose

prayers remain unanswered

Reaper answers all

A dark yellow rose formed before Cedric, but the mystic merely raised up a hand in which a green flame had started to form. The rose quickly enlarged before turning a dull grey, fading into mists as a figure appeared.

PhantasmShot

The figure wielded a scythe larger than Blaise's wearing grey robes approached Cedric swiftly from the mists, intention clear as a skeletal face screeched. The scythe ascended then descended quickly, aiming for the Black Knight, who merely smiled a close-eyed smile. The eyes soon opened to reveal dark crimson eyes where sapphire blue eyes used to be.

everyone is like roses destined to travel forever

afterlife is a mystery death is more peaceful

DeathCurse

Tiny pinpoints of light tore right through Blaise's Reaper and surrounded the knight himself. The pinpoints of light turned into strange rune formations before burning themselves upon the ground, about to crush the mystic's soul before they were all blasted away with a strong mystic energy.

Cedric's eyes widened when he saw his spell fail, freezing in place as Blaise's smirking face descended upon his neck, sharp fangs fastening upon his veins and drawing out his blue, mystic blood. "How could I have—"

Blaise momentarily ceased his feeding, giving the stunned knight a malicious smile. "You underestimated me, Cedric. I knew that you are much stronger than me, but I realized that if I absorb your power, I could easily defeat that little minx of a half-mystic. So I absorbed the power of several other mystics before I came here. With your blood, I will grow stronger and I can finally enslave the Prince of All Mystics."

''You bastard... Don't you dare touch hi--" hissed Cedric, slumping against the ground, conscious but almost completely drained. The outlines of his body was slightly blurred, as if about to fade. "This can't be happening..."

''I respect that you have lasted this long. I have drained more from you than I had the other mystics, but they had quickly disappeared to signify their 'deaths'." The Hunter Knight pivoted and walked away from the collapsed form of the Black Knight. "I'll tell that half-mystic rogue that you send your greetings... that is, if I don't tell him that you have already disappeared. After all, your power is mine now."

Mocking laughter echoed back to Cedric as his gaze became a blank crimson. The last he could do before falling into sleep for the first time, was to teleport to Kurenai's Sanctuary, dropping a single blade-tipped rose into the fiery depths of the cavern.

Twinkling electric blue eyes were dimmed from their normal state as they gazed upon the sleeping mystic knight. "You are not wrong about the Prince of All Mystics, Black Knight. At least not completely wrong even if you are slightly radical and misconstrued in your thinking. The false light is disappearing. The true light is born.

''Despair and hope are the same in a mirror, but this is only the ending of the prologue."

~*~*~*~

to be continued...

~*~*~*~

Disclaimers:

Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and SaGa Frontier belongs to SquareSoft. I hold no claim on anything.

Notes:

~Sorry for taking so long to update again, but college has been hectic and I had been on a slump. Thank you to Catzi, capitulatedDream, and Lady Jam, whose sudden reviews got me off said slump. Great job on guessing on who Time Lord is, capitulatedDream!! Silence's character is a bit more vague to guess. It's not Neville, though that would be a good guess.

~There are several forms of PhantasmShot, for those who are wondering at why the spell incantations are different but for the same spell. So far, you have seen the forms of Nightmare, Cockatrice, and Reaper. There are other forms that I may or may not use. This is a Mystic Magic spell, but they also appear in Mirage Magic, a type which another character uses later.

~I promise Draco in the next chapter.