Well, Im baaaaaack! Couldnt leave you guys hanging there for too long. ; ) Well, since last chapter was a cliffhanger, and half of you arent reading this anyway, Ill skip right to the important stuff. Thats right. No ramblings from here on out. Starting now.
-Cheetah Goddess
-Serpents-Embrace-....-reading over previous chapter-.....Wow, that was evil of me!...-reading review-....Thank you! It feels good to know that my work is appreciated! : )
-Millenium- OO Wow, that was a long review! ( Not that Im complaining : ) -reading that awesome review of yours-....Lets see, where to start, where to start.......Your first question was: "TŽa's father gave her the option of one year to choose a guy to marry, however he banished her for one year as wellÉwas she expected to find a guy within that banishment timeÉ?" Well, at first, he wasnt going to banish her, he was just going to force her to marry a guy. He expected her to give in. But when she didnt, he lost his temper and banished her. Does that clear it up? Okay..."That fused god thingie really reminds you of Yin and Yang, ne?" Congratulations! You are the first person to notice that! : ) I was wondering when someone would!.....Really?! You love dragons too?! : )..... "I have need you." Yes, that was a typo that I didnt catch. Its supposed to be "I have need of you.".....-blushes- You really think its that good?.....Thank you! I know its early, but happy b-day to you too! : )......About the song, I would gladly give you a translation, but...Im afraid it would give away too much. Sorry....Yeah, I noticed. -- It really gets me down too. I liked my little stars and squiggly lines.........Hehehe, that was a pretty evil cliffhanger, wasnt it? : )
Did that answer your questions? I hope so! Anywayz, thanks for that jumbo-sized review and adding me to your Favorites! : )
-Sylvia Viridian- Really?! Wow, there are a lot more people who love dragons than I thought! : )
-angels-sing-sorrow-There might not be any Yami/Tea for a couple chapters...Sorry...
-roses in bloom- Thanx!
Disclaimer: Do you REALLY think if I owned YGO and its characters that Id be writing this? Ah, no.
Now, here it is: Chapter 9-Betrayal
.....
Narquin watched in sick satisfaction as Seto fell to his knees, eyes wide in shock and pain, his face pale and contorted from the wound. Narquin chuckled and circled Seto so he could face him better. "Weren't expecting that, were you, Mr. Arrogant?" Narquin smirked at his once powerful, now pathetic, foe.
"...Why?.." Seto managed to gasp out. It seemed that the knife had gone farther than Narquin had thought and pierced a lung.
"Why, you ask? Before I answer that, Seto, look long and carefully at my last name.
Vvarmin.......Seto thought, rearranging the letters in his mind. There was nothing that particularly stood out.....Unless..if he..split or connected some of the letters instead of rearranging them....He gasped and managed to choke out, "Warnnin!
Narquin laughed and said, "So, its taken you eight years, but you finally figure it out. Yes, I am Warnnin, one of Xenorocs most trusted servants. And now I will be greatly rewarded for killing two of Lord Xenorocs most hated enemies.
"...Two?..
"Yes, two. At this very moment, one of my Lords minions has reached that little outcrop where Serenity is hiding.
"...But..what about....Rerana?
"Rerana?! You really are stupid! Rerana isnt on your side, as she claims, she is a servant of Lord Xenoroc! In fact," Warnnin paused thoughtfully, " I believe that the whole Council is on the Lord Xenorocs side.
Setos eyes widened. "No!.." He gasped in pain, "...youre..lying..
"Far from it. Xenoroc strike me down if I am.
"..............but..there is..no Xenoroc...only....Xenorith...
"Really?" Warnnin said, amused, "Is that what you pathetic mortals actually believe? Ha! Xenorith? He only lasted a few years before the tension between the two was so great that they split apart into their separate forms, Xenoroc and Leranorith. Xenoroc, however, grew so great in power because of the demons that he was able to defeat Leranorith. If my Lord wished it, he could probably destroy the Nameless One as well!
"....why...are you...telling..me......this?
"Just so you can know in your last dying breaths that your precious world is doomed. Isnt it ironic how everything that you fought for, everything you believed in, has turned against you?" Warnnin smirked and added, "You know, if you had worn those cloaks, you would be living right now. As would Serenity. But," Warnnin shrugged, "its too late now. Youre dying even as I speak.
"First of all," Seto said as he stood up, apparently unharmed, "Nothing is ever without hope." It was hard for Seto to not burst out laughing at this point from Warnnins bewildered and shocked expression. "Second, I dont need your stupid cloak. Take a look at your precious dagger." Seto pulled the dagger out and flung it at Warnnin.
Warnnin looked at the dagger in disbelief. He might as well have stabbed it into a stone wall! The blade was bent and cracked, without a trace of blood on it. "B-but...how?! Y-you were dying...
It was Setos turn to smirk, "Im a very good actor." Seto drowned out Warnnins stuttering with a loud voice, "And third, its not MY world that is doomed.
Warnnin was terrified. He threw down the dagger and began running away from Seto. But before he could get very far, he found his way blocked by a massive white tail, moving sinuously back and forth. Warnnin turned around slowly and found himself face-to-face with a gigantic, brilliantly shining, white dragon with deep blue eyes. The dragon drew in a breath, and before Warnnin could react, shot blazing white lightning at him. The lightning struck, jarring and burning him excruciatingly. He screamed, and then Warnnin, servant and slave to Lord Xenoroc for countless years, knew no more.
.....
Serenity drew back from the dragon, frightened by the murderous gleam in its eyes. She backed up and tried to stay to the shadows, but it was no use. The dragon kept advancing and gaining ground. Serenity could hear Rerana's labored breathing behind her. She was obviously just as frightened as Serenity. Serenity saw a tunnel to her left and quickly leapt inside. Hopefully the dragon wont notice, she thought, without much hope at all that it wouldn't. But, surprisingly, the dragon walked right past the tunnel, intent on Rerana. Serenity wanted to shout to her, but what it would probably do more harm than good.
After several long moments, Rerana was backed into a corner with no way out. The dragon, seeing her trapped, took the chance to speak. "Well, seems that Ive finally found you, Rerana. Or should I say, Pemna?
Pemna, Serenity thought, that was one of the ancient worshipers of the Cult of Xenoroc. The Cult had been a group of humans, demons, and monsters that were devoted to Xenoroc. While there were many members, only the Thirteen have ever been truly remembered. The Thirteen consisted of, obviously, thirteen members. They were Warnnin, Pemna, Archilt, Uverdon, Zernogh, Czarjik, Werederin, Tenebrae, Derrdra, Kealgoi (who is now known as Pegasus), Hisskha, Blordai, and Faerdran. The Thirteen were the leaders of the Cult, but were also known through their savage deeds. The Cult was thought to be destroyed, but some had suspicions that it was still active. Serenity was one of them. And if Rerana was really Pemna, as the dragon said, then those suspicions could very well be correct.
"P-pemna? W-who is t-this Pemna?
"Has anyone ever told you that you are a very, very bad liar?
"What are you talking about?!" Rerana shrieked, her panicked eyes darting around.
"I am talking about the member of the Cult of Xenoroc, who also happens to be one of the Thirteen, that is standing in front of me and spitting out flat lies.
"I am not one of the Thirteen or a part of the Cult of Xenoroc!
"Then why are you wearing the trademark gray dragon skin cloak that belongs only to the Thirteen?
Rerana stuttered, unable to answer coherently.
The dragons voice raised in pitch and his eyes grew more dangerous, if it were even possible. "ANSWER ME!
After shaking under the dragons penetrating stare for several very long moments, Rerana broke down. "I admit it!" she wailed, "I am Pemna of the Thirteen!" She threw herself at the dragons claws and sobbed. "P-please, great dragon, have mercy! Please, E
"SILENCE, COWARD!" The dragon roared in fury, his tail lashing about like an agitated cat. "An apology will not make up for all the terror you have spread, all the lies you have told. The only thing close to mercy you will receive is a quick death!" At that moment, red fire belched from the cavernous depths of the dragons mouth and consumed Pemna. She was not even given enough time to scream before the dragons fire reduced her to ash.
Thus ended the life of Pemna of the Thirteen.
.....
The white dragon looked at Warnnins corpse disdainfully. Or, at least, what would be a corpse had it not been burned to ashes. He thought of what Warnnin had said before he had died, that Serenity was in danger by one of Xenorocs minions. The dragon knew that even if he flew his fastest that he would not reach her in time. Instead of the overwhelming grief that would be expected, the dragon only felt anger. He threw his head back and roared his rage to all who would listen. The black dragons circling the Spire paused momentarily, but continued their monotonous dance in the sky. Had he wanted to, he could have destroyed those dragons and the evil clinging to them. The white dragon, however, had other plans than to attack them. His anger needed to be vented, and who better to be the recipient than one of Xenorocs minions? If he could not save Serenity, he would at least avenge her. The dragon flapped his giant wings, creating a whirling gray dust storm. When he was balanced and ready, he sped off into the sky, a shining star amidst gray darkness.
.....
Serenity stood in the tunnel, trying to stay as still as she possibly could. Yes, the dragon had killed one of Xenorocs servants, but whether it was because of Pemnas evil or an old grudge, Serenity could not tell. It might have been simply a show to lure her out. She knew nothing, and she wasn't about ready to risk her life on a guess. She slowed and quieted her breathing to hardly a whisper in the dank cave air. But it must've not done any good, for the next moment she heard the dragon speak.
"Its all right, Serenity, you can come out.
Despite the potential danger, Serenity found herself stepping into view. The dragons voice was oddly familiar, as well as comforting. The dim gray light that had been there before the dragon came returned as he stepped aside. The light was dismal, and didnt light the cave very well, but it did allow Serenity to take in more of the dragon's features. His scales were a dark, deep black, like an undisturbed midnight sky. Wings of the same black were folded at his side, the dark gray wing membranes barely visible. Dark gray spines ran down from the tip of his snout to the tip of his tail. His claws and teeth seemed to shine with silvery light, so lustrous were they. But all paled in comparison to the eyes. The dragon's eyes were a pure, etheral silver that shone brighter the moon, but with the same sense of mystery and awe. It was then that Serenity felt a memory struggling to surface. When the memory came back, Serenity gasped. "I-it...cant be..
.....
The dragon flew quickly with a determined air about him. He would reach the cave before Xenorocs servant could escape. Nothing barrred his way; the dragons circling the Spire actually avoided him. But whether it was from the aura of light that surrounded him, or the brave and violent gleam in his eyes that repelled them, one would never know.
The dragon saw ahead of him the outcrop that held his target. He began to descend, stretching his wings to their full extent. He flapped his wings slowly as he got closer to the ground, allowing him to land safely. Folding his wings at his side, the dragon stepped inside the cave.
.....
Serenity gasped as bright light suddenly filled the cave. It took a moment for her dazzled eyes to focus and perceive who or what had caused the light. She saw a shining white dragon with deep blue eyes. She gasped in astonishment. "Seto?
The dragon turned toward her in disbelieving joy. He walked over to her and nuzzled her neck, making a strange sound between a purr and a hum while he did so. Then he spoke, his dragon voice a slightly different pitch from his human one. "Serenity, I'm so glad you're safe. Narquin was actually Warnnin all this time. He said that one of Xenoroc's servants had attacked you, and I feared the worst.
Serenity smiled and hugged his neck. "You neednt have. Rerana, or should I say Pemna, would have probably killed me had it not been for Xenorocs Ôservant'." She grinned mischievously and nodded her head to where the other dragon had been sitting.
Seto lifted his head up and stared at the dragon. The dragon seemed so familiar; where had he seen him before? Then, as light caught in the dragon's bright silvery eyes, it clicked. Seto stared, slack-jawed at the incredulity of this new concept. He finally managed to whisper, voice tainted with unbelieving hope, "Ethereshade?
.....
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! Cliffhanger number TWO!
"You are so evil.
I know, Spitfire, I know. Actually, I dont know, that wasnt much of a cliffhanger, was it?
ÔNope!
"Yup, Cresentstars right, it wasnt."
Okay, okay! Sheesh! Well, see you for Chapter 10! DONT FORGET TO R&R!! : ) Byses!
Note: Although many people requested Seto to not die, thats not why I didnt kill him off. His not dying IS an original part of the plot!
-Cheetah Goddess
-Serpents-Embrace-....-reading over previous chapter-.....Wow, that was evil of me!...-reading review-....Thank you! It feels good to know that my work is appreciated! : )
-Millenium- OO Wow, that was a long review! ( Not that Im complaining : ) -reading that awesome review of yours-....Lets see, where to start, where to start.......Your first question was: "TŽa's father gave her the option of one year to choose a guy to marry, however he banished her for one year as wellÉwas she expected to find a guy within that banishment timeÉ?" Well, at first, he wasnt going to banish her, he was just going to force her to marry a guy. He expected her to give in. But when she didnt, he lost his temper and banished her. Does that clear it up? Okay..."That fused god thingie really reminds you of Yin and Yang, ne?" Congratulations! You are the first person to notice that! : ) I was wondering when someone would!.....Really?! You love dragons too?! : )..... "I have need you." Yes, that was a typo that I didnt catch. Its supposed to be "I have need of you.".....-blushes- You really think its that good?.....Thank you! I know its early, but happy b-day to you too! : )......About the song, I would gladly give you a translation, but...Im afraid it would give away too much. Sorry....Yeah, I noticed. -- It really gets me down too. I liked my little stars and squiggly lines.........Hehehe, that was a pretty evil cliffhanger, wasnt it? : )
Did that answer your questions? I hope so! Anywayz, thanks for that jumbo-sized review and adding me to your Favorites! : )
-Sylvia Viridian- Really?! Wow, there are a lot more people who love dragons than I thought! : )
-angels-sing-sorrow-There might not be any Yami/Tea for a couple chapters...Sorry...
-roses in bloom- Thanx!
Disclaimer: Do you REALLY think if I owned YGO and its characters that Id be writing this? Ah, no.
Now, here it is: Chapter 9-Betrayal
.....
Narquin watched in sick satisfaction as Seto fell to his knees, eyes wide in shock and pain, his face pale and contorted from the wound. Narquin chuckled and circled Seto so he could face him better. "Weren't expecting that, were you, Mr. Arrogant?" Narquin smirked at his once powerful, now pathetic, foe.
"...Why?.." Seto managed to gasp out. It seemed that the knife had gone farther than Narquin had thought and pierced a lung.
"Why, you ask? Before I answer that, Seto, look long and carefully at my last name.
Vvarmin.......Seto thought, rearranging the letters in his mind. There was nothing that particularly stood out.....Unless..if he..split or connected some of the letters instead of rearranging them....He gasped and managed to choke out, "Warnnin!
Narquin laughed and said, "So, its taken you eight years, but you finally figure it out. Yes, I am Warnnin, one of Xenorocs most trusted servants. And now I will be greatly rewarded for killing two of Lord Xenorocs most hated enemies.
"...Two?..
"Yes, two. At this very moment, one of my Lords minions has reached that little outcrop where Serenity is hiding.
"...But..what about....Rerana?
"Rerana?! You really are stupid! Rerana isnt on your side, as she claims, she is a servant of Lord Xenoroc! In fact," Warnnin paused thoughtfully, " I believe that the whole Council is on the Lord Xenorocs side.
Setos eyes widened. "No!.." He gasped in pain, "...youre..lying..
"Far from it. Xenoroc strike me down if I am.
"..............but..there is..no Xenoroc...only....Xenorith...
"Really?" Warnnin said, amused, "Is that what you pathetic mortals actually believe? Ha! Xenorith? He only lasted a few years before the tension between the two was so great that they split apart into their separate forms, Xenoroc and Leranorith. Xenoroc, however, grew so great in power because of the demons that he was able to defeat Leranorith. If my Lord wished it, he could probably destroy the Nameless One as well!
"....why...are you...telling..me......this?
"Just so you can know in your last dying breaths that your precious world is doomed. Isnt it ironic how everything that you fought for, everything you believed in, has turned against you?" Warnnin smirked and added, "You know, if you had worn those cloaks, you would be living right now. As would Serenity. But," Warnnin shrugged, "its too late now. Youre dying even as I speak.
"First of all," Seto said as he stood up, apparently unharmed, "Nothing is ever without hope." It was hard for Seto to not burst out laughing at this point from Warnnins bewildered and shocked expression. "Second, I dont need your stupid cloak. Take a look at your precious dagger." Seto pulled the dagger out and flung it at Warnnin.
Warnnin looked at the dagger in disbelief. He might as well have stabbed it into a stone wall! The blade was bent and cracked, without a trace of blood on it. "B-but...how?! Y-you were dying...
It was Setos turn to smirk, "Im a very good actor." Seto drowned out Warnnins stuttering with a loud voice, "And third, its not MY world that is doomed.
Warnnin was terrified. He threw down the dagger and began running away from Seto. But before he could get very far, he found his way blocked by a massive white tail, moving sinuously back and forth. Warnnin turned around slowly and found himself face-to-face with a gigantic, brilliantly shining, white dragon with deep blue eyes. The dragon drew in a breath, and before Warnnin could react, shot blazing white lightning at him. The lightning struck, jarring and burning him excruciatingly. He screamed, and then Warnnin, servant and slave to Lord Xenoroc for countless years, knew no more.
.....
Serenity drew back from the dragon, frightened by the murderous gleam in its eyes. She backed up and tried to stay to the shadows, but it was no use. The dragon kept advancing and gaining ground. Serenity could hear Rerana's labored breathing behind her. She was obviously just as frightened as Serenity. Serenity saw a tunnel to her left and quickly leapt inside. Hopefully the dragon wont notice, she thought, without much hope at all that it wouldn't. But, surprisingly, the dragon walked right past the tunnel, intent on Rerana. Serenity wanted to shout to her, but what it would probably do more harm than good.
After several long moments, Rerana was backed into a corner with no way out. The dragon, seeing her trapped, took the chance to speak. "Well, seems that Ive finally found you, Rerana. Or should I say, Pemna?
Pemna, Serenity thought, that was one of the ancient worshipers of the Cult of Xenoroc. The Cult had been a group of humans, demons, and monsters that were devoted to Xenoroc. While there were many members, only the Thirteen have ever been truly remembered. The Thirteen consisted of, obviously, thirteen members. They were Warnnin, Pemna, Archilt, Uverdon, Zernogh, Czarjik, Werederin, Tenebrae, Derrdra, Kealgoi (who is now known as Pegasus), Hisskha, Blordai, and Faerdran. The Thirteen were the leaders of the Cult, but were also known through their savage deeds. The Cult was thought to be destroyed, but some had suspicions that it was still active. Serenity was one of them. And if Rerana was really Pemna, as the dragon said, then those suspicions could very well be correct.
"P-pemna? W-who is t-this Pemna?
"Has anyone ever told you that you are a very, very bad liar?
"What are you talking about?!" Rerana shrieked, her panicked eyes darting around.
"I am talking about the member of the Cult of Xenoroc, who also happens to be one of the Thirteen, that is standing in front of me and spitting out flat lies.
"I am not one of the Thirteen or a part of the Cult of Xenoroc!
"Then why are you wearing the trademark gray dragon skin cloak that belongs only to the Thirteen?
Rerana stuttered, unable to answer coherently.
The dragons voice raised in pitch and his eyes grew more dangerous, if it were even possible. "ANSWER ME!
After shaking under the dragons penetrating stare for several very long moments, Rerana broke down. "I admit it!" she wailed, "I am Pemna of the Thirteen!" She threw herself at the dragons claws and sobbed. "P-please, great dragon, have mercy! Please, E
"SILENCE, COWARD!" The dragon roared in fury, his tail lashing about like an agitated cat. "An apology will not make up for all the terror you have spread, all the lies you have told. The only thing close to mercy you will receive is a quick death!" At that moment, red fire belched from the cavernous depths of the dragons mouth and consumed Pemna. She was not even given enough time to scream before the dragons fire reduced her to ash.
Thus ended the life of Pemna of the Thirteen.
.....
The white dragon looked at Warnnins corpse disdainfully. Or, at least, what would be a corpse had it not been burned to ashes. He thought of what Warnnin had said before he had died, that Serenity was in danger by one of Xenorocs minions. The dragon knew that even if he flew his fastest that he would not reach her in time. Instead of the overwhelming grief that would be expected, the dragon only felt anger. He threw his head back and roared his rage to all who would listen. The black dragons circling the Spire paused momentarily, but continued their monotonous dance in the sky. Had he wanted to, he could have destroyed those dragons and the evil clinging to them. The white dragon, however, had other plans than to attack them. His anger needed to be vented, and who better to be the recipient than one of Xenorocs minions? If he could not save Serenity, he would at least avenge her. The dragon flapped his giant wings, creating a whirling gray dust storm. When he was balanced and ready, he sped off into the sky, a shining star amidst gray darkness.
.....
Serenity stood in the tunnel, trying to stay as still as she possibly could. Yes, the dragon had killed one of Xenorocs servants, but whether it was because of Pemnas evil or an old grudge, Serenity could not tell. It might have been simply a show to lure her out. She knew nothing, and she wasn't about ready to risk her life on a guess. She slowed and quieted her breathing to hardly a whisper in the dank cave air. But it must've not done any good, for the next moment she heard the dragon speak.
"Its all right, Serenity, you can come out.
Despite the potential danger, Serenity found herself stepping into view. The dragons voice was oddly familiar, as well as comforting. The dim gray light that had been there before the dragon came returned as he stepped aside. The light was dismal, and didnt light the cave very well, but it did allow Serenity to take in more of the dragon's features. His scales were a dark, deep black, like an undisturbed midnight sky. Wings of the same black were folded at his side, the dark gray wing membranes barely visible. Dark gray spines ran down from the tip of his snout to the tip of his tail. His claws and teeth seemed to shine with silvery light, so lustrous were they. But all paled in comparison to the eyes. The dragon's eyes were a pure, etheral silver that shone brighter the moon, but with the same sense of mystery and awe. It was then that Serenity felt a memory struggling to surface. When the memory came back, Serenity gasped. "I-it...cant be..
.....
The dragon flew quickly with a determined air about him. He would reach the cave before Xenorocs servant could escape. Nothing barrred his way; the dragons circling the Spire actually avoided him. But whether it was from the aura of light that surrounded him, or the brave and violent gleam in his eyes that repelled them, one would never know.
The dragon saw ahead of him the outcrop that held his target. He began to descend, stretching his wings to their full extent. He flapped his wings slowly as he got closer to the ground, allowing him to land safely. Folding his wings at his side, the dragon stepped inside the cave.
.....
Serenity gasped as bright light suddenly filled the cave. It took a moment for her dazzled eyes to focus and perceive who or what had caused the light. She saw a shining white dragon with deep blue eyes. She gasped in astonishment. "Seto?
The dragon turned toward her in disbelieving joy. He walked over to her and nuzzled her neck, making a strange sound between a purr and a hum while he did so. Then he spoke, his dragon voice a slightly different pitch from his human one. "Serenity, I'm so glad you're safe. Narquin was actually Warnnin all this time. He said that one of Xenoroc's servants had attacked you, and I feared the worst.
Serenity smiled and hugged his neck. "You neednt have. Rerana, or should I say Pemna, would have probably killed me had it not been for Xenorocs Ôservant'." She grinned mischievously and nodded her head to where the other dragon had been sitting.
Seto lifted his head up and stared at the dragon. The dragon seemed so familiar; where had he seen him before? Then, as light caught in the dragon's bright silvery eyes, it clicked. Seto stared, slack-jawed at the incredulity of this new concept. He finally managed to whisper, voice tainted with unbelieving hope, "Ethereshade?
.....
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! Cliffhanger number TWO!
"You are so evil.
I know, Spitfire, I know. Actually, I dont know, that wasnt much of a cliffhanger, was it?
ÔNope!
"Yup, Cresentstars right, it wasnt."
Okay, okay! Sheesh! Well, see you for Chapter 10! DONT FORGET TO R&R!! : ) Byses!
Note: Although many people requested Seto to not die, thats not why I didnt kill him off. His not dying IS an original part of the plot!