Finally the castle gave way! The walls completely crumbled and were swept up into the raging storm above, but the outside world that consisted of the city of Madria and the dead and barren castle grounds were no where in sight, only a raging black void surrounded them! It was almost as if…this power was consuming the World of Shadows!
Krad, not realizing it, was clutching Dark tightly. Daisuke was lying underneath the protecting of large white wings, and barely coming to. The wind was blowing harshly, and the atmosphere was deadly cold, it didn't bother Krad at all, be he knew that against two humans…this temperature was creating a time limit in which to end this battle before they froze. Krad was low on energy, his magical power hadn't fully recovered yet and physical damage looked impossible to inflict as Verruckt's rage was creating a tornado of energy around him!
'Don't worry, Krad! Just keep everyone safe for a while longer!' Satoshi said to Krad as he could sense his doubts about living growing.
'What are you talking about? Sure keep them safe until Verruckt destroys them all!' Krad growled.
'Listen! Zanus and Adel said that once the four of us were together again, they could send us back to our world! Have some patients, they'll pull through!' Satoshi said trying to calm Krad down.
'In case you haven't noticed…I don't trust them very much! Considering they tried to assassinate you and I!' Krad shouted to the young boy in his head and tried to look around for a safe place to hide Dark and Daisuke… which of course there was none…
'Krad trust me!' Satoshi said. Though…he hadn't seen any sign of the mages' powers yet…this in turn, was causing him to worry too.
Krad ignored Satoshi for now; he didn't want to put his hopes on relying on assassins who lost their nerve to murder him in an attempt to destroy the monster he now had to challenge…and win.
"K…Krad…" Dark said still cringing at the pain shooting through his body from his injured wing, "We…we…have to stop this…"
"And how do we plan to do that Dark? In case you haven't noticed…you have a hole in your wing and not really in any condition to fight, and I've lost almost all-magical power! And as we sit here…some how he's getting stronger!" Krad said starring at Verruckt whose power was indeed growing at an alarming rate.
"He…He's sucking in the magic of the world!" Dark said through clenched teeth.
"What are you talking about?" Krad said looking down at Dark who he was holding close to him as he knelt on the ground.
"Th…The wind…haven't you noticed?" Dark asked starring at Verruckt who was looking up into the sky almost trance like. "The…the tornado is pulling everything in towards him…including…"
"The foundation magic of the painting…" Krad finished, "He draining the magic that sustains this world into himself…but this doesn't make our situation better Dark." Krad said looking back down at Dark.
"Heh," Dark weakly said with a smirk. "Or maybe it does…h…how much magic do you think is needed to sustain this world…" He asked.
"To sustain a whole world?" Krad asked in thought, "Nearly all the magic a generation of Hikari's posses." Krad finally replied.
"A full generation of power into one physical being…" Dark said trying to lead Krad into his train of thought, "How long do you think that with last?"
Krad was trying to understand what Dark was getting, "Even demons can't hold that vast amount of energy…Verruckt was made in the same way…I was…so…"
"So it's only a matter of time before the energy overwhelms him…" Dark said finishing his lover's sentence. "Now the only question is, how much longer will that be?"
"No…a better question would be…how much longer can we survive in a world which is disappearing in front of our very eyes…" Krad growled becoming annoyed at the events of one disaster after another.
Dark would have replied with a sly remark, but an abrupt stopping of the wind caused him to quickly turn his attentions to sudden loss of warmth around him. Krad was gone! Or to put in better terms…above him!
"Krad!" Dark called out as he looked up in horror to the image of the king of darkness with a hand wrapped around Krad's throat slowly turning the white angel's complexion into a light shade of red due to lack of oxygen and blood.
Krad had his eyes clenched shut and trying with all of his might to yank the hand around his neck away, it wasn't even until he couldn't breath did he even realize in the first place that Verruckt had pulled him into the air by the throat, it was just so fast!
Verruckt's face was emotionless and upon his back were a newly formed pair of wings! But not angelic wings like Dark or Krad's…but wings that seemed to belong to a demon. Leathery in texture and held two sharp dagger like blades at the tips of them and at the top of where the dragon sized wings would be folded. They were pitch black in color…if it was possible they were blacker then even Dark's wings. His power was incredible…and suffocating…even if the hand cutting off his air way was removed he doubt he would have been able to draw in a breath.
Dark starred up from the ground almost completely helpless. He could sense Verruckt's awesome power and nothing he could possibly muster would stop him…but Krad was in danger…he had to do something! With an unknown strength behind him, Dark leapt to his feet and glared at Verruckt with complete and utter distain and hatred, a look that never played upon the Phantom Thief's face even against Krad during their games of cat and mouse. Lucky for him, in his rage he still had his logic; he knew that magic was useless against the dark king, but his wing was useless and therefore if he was grounded, "DAMN YOU!"
"So Xilef…how does it feel to die twice in one lifetime?" Verruckt asked coldly as his facial expression did not change and his grip tightened.
Krad would have spat something along the lines of, 'I'M NOT XILEF!' but unfortunately he could find no air in his lungs left in which to speak with. He could feel his lungs shrinking and his mind losing control of his senses…unconsciousness? Death? What awaited him if he lost this fight? Certainly not life…but could one not of this world perish with it? Could he even…die? Being never truly among the mortals or the immortals, what awaited him once his breath ceased? Such thoughts coursed through his mind as he felt himself slipping away…and then a voice spoke out from the darkness that began to surround his mind…
'Krad! What are you doing! Fight back!'
'I can't…he's to strong…' The demon replied in a defeated tone.
'So that's it? You're just going to let him reach our world over your lifeless body?'
'Look, I have nothing that I can defeat him with! I've exhausted all of my magical energy and now I can't breath at all! Why can't you just except that for once we're in a fight we can't…' Suddenly Krad stopped himself, we…he had said we…he had forgotten that if he died…Satoshi would die as well. Krad could accept death, but Satoshi didn't deserve it…no matter their differences and past hate for each other, Satoshi would not die. Not here or now! Not to this demon or any other! Suddenly a flare exploded in him, almost like a new desire to fight! A suddenly flash of light came to his vision and he jolted back to consciousness, but he wasn't staring into the blood red eyes of the monster that had tried to strangle him…he was staring up Dark…
Dark was had placed Krad on the ground and had his attentions on a dark winged figure in the far end of the dark plain. Dark was bleeding from his face just bellow his eye, like he had taken a slash to the face, but all in all he seemed all right.
How much time had past since Krad had passed out? And what had happened to Dark…had he saved him from that dark abyss that seemed to wrap itself around him and brought him back to the world of light? World of Light? …The World of Light…wait, now he remembered! The World of Light, their world, the world opposite to this nightmare! He couldn't believe it, but he was actually missing the world in which he had no known existence…here he had his own body, his own soul, and even an identity! But that didn't matter now…what good were these things if you had no life to live them? Dark looked exhausted, but he stood adamant.
"Idiot…to sacrifice one's self to save another? Hmph, sentimental fool…" Verruckt said coldly and glared at Dark who in turn smirked.
"Well, then call me a sentimental fool. But incase you haven't noticed…you're outnumbered." Dark said with a soft chuckle.
Verruckt simply laughed, a laugh that sent a chill up Krad's spine, "What good will a magically drained demon do you? I'd say the two of you barely make up one person…not that is matters." He replied and raised his black demon's sword, "My plans will not be hindered farther…I will enter the world of light, and bring chaos to it…your once safe haven…will now become a burning hell!" Verruckt hissed mockingly, knowing that once Dark and Krad were out of the way he would rein unopposed.
"Dude…like we'd ever let that happen…" Dark spat and clenched his fist.
"Heh, and what do you plan to do about it?" Verruckt asked curiously.
What was he going to do? Verruckt was a million times stronger then he, even in his top condition, which currently he wasn't in, he couldn't beat him. But then again, the great thief always did do his best work when the odds were against him. He wasn't sure how…but he was going to pull this off, Dark Mousy's greatest miracle yet!
"I'm waiting…" Verruckt said with a sneer.
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, Dark saw a glimmer of silver…the Holy Sword! Xilef's sword was lying on the ground about ten yards from him. He was sure it would have been lost in the void that swallowed the castle, but there it was! He had one shot at this and he couldn't let Verruckt know that he was going for the sword, he didn't know why…but this sword seemed to be made of the same properties of Xilef himself…and was able to damage Verruckt's armor. Maybe this sword was his only chance.
Dark took a risk, not that taking risks were new to him, and began to cast a spell. The words were illegible or even tangible, but regardless what the spell was, Verruckt charged knowing that whatever it was…it would have no effect on him. He moved with inhuman speed and brought his sword quickly down in a slash and sliced right through Dark!
"Ah! DARK!" Krad screamed. This was inconceivable; Verruckt's blood red eyes and wicked smile were alight with pure demonic joy…that is until, the split image of Dark smiled back, his reflection to be more exact. Verruckt's face went from joy, to surprise and anger in a flash.
"Looking for me?" Dark asked and brought the gleaming holy sword down on Verruckt from behind. He brought it down fast and hard, it was sure to crush Verruckt's skull and slice him in two, and Dark braced himself for a bloody mess, when he too sliced through a reflection! Air, he'd struck nothing but air!
"Clever…you almost had me…"
Dark barley caught his balance in time and the sword struck the ground causing a fissure of cracks and a hole in the floor. "Damn!" Dark growled and quickly lifted the sword and spun around.
"Did you think that a simple trick like that would fool me? Dark, I am insulted…" Verruckt said hovering in the air far away from Dark, and then landed gracefully on the ground folding his majestic wings perfectly behind him.
'Indeed and Angel of Death…' Dark thought to himself and mockingly put his sword into the ground pointing straight up at him as he cracked his knuckles, "Well, I did always think of you as my opposite…and since I'm so highly intelligent I was hoping you were the stupid one…"
"Oh, come now Dark…not only did I become the one with the handsome features, but I also got the brains. And what does that leave you? Petty spells and shattered wings…I pity you…" Verruckt smirked.
"Hmph…" Dark muttered a curse under his breath and grabbed the sword's hilt again, "We'll see about that." He said pulling the sword from the ground.
Verruckt laughed and pointed the tip of his own blade at Dark, "This is going to be fun, and I think I'll amuse myself before I destroy you, try not to bore me."
"Don't worry, you'll be to busy to be bored…" Dark replied and without letting Verruckt know, quickly cast a spell of haste upon himself, "Ya ready?"
"Only if you're done muttering to yourself." Verruckt retorted and in the blink of an eye stood in front of Dark and just as fast the swords locked, "Magic doesn't work on me…so let's hope your sword fighting skills are better then his…" He said glancing over at Krad who was now on one knee attempting to stand.
Dark decided to save his breath for the fight and not bother blurting out smart comments; he was wise in this action, for even with the haste spell cast, he had trouble keeping up with Verruckt. For now he was holding his own, but soon he would tire, and after that…he could only pray that Krad even stood half a chance to defend himself by himself.
The two were matching each other blow for blow, and even came back ten times harder once one was tired and slowed from fatigue and dropped his guard for only a moment, in most cases this was Dark. The fallen king of light's sword was the only thing protecting Dark from Verruckt's madness, though it didn't seem to be at full strength…something about the blade was being held back…and Dark didn't have time to wonder why.
"You know what I plan to do, Dark?" Verruckt laughed as the swords locked in a tight stale mate, "Once I've thrown that weapon from your dying hands, I'll grant you the mercy of a quick death before I turn my attentions to your angelic lover." He laughed and could see fiery anger building up in Dark's wine colored eyes.
The swords flew apart and Verruckt smiled with all of his malice and wickedness, seeing just how far he could push Dark before he snapped and made a mistake that would cost him his life, "I'll grant you the mercy of being dead and unable to watch as I play with your toy before I drive my blade through his heart…just like I did to Xilef…"
"Grrr, enough!" Dark screamed and lunged at the demon again as the swords came clashing harder and faster. Dark had made a strong trust that should have impaled the dark emperor but only glazed the side of his armor.
"Hahaha, how much longer do you think you can delay the inevitable?" Verruckt asked mockingly with a smile, as Dark's face was that of pure detest and rage, "Don't worry, I'll be gentle…for a while…"
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Dark screamed and lunged at him and the swords clashed again and again. Verruckt's plan was working; Dark was now using up most of his energy on unfocused and blind attacks, but the torture was just too much fun and Verruckt laughed.
"What? You don't like to share? After all, we are like brothers right?" Verruckt said with a smile and watched Dark struggle to hold onto whatever self control he had left.
"Don't ever compare me to a monster like you!" He yelled and stood still trying to catch his breath, while Verruckt didn't look the least bit tired.
"Hehe, need a break? How about an arm…then a leg…maybe your neck perhaps?" Verruckt said with a sarcastic tone, he was relishing every moment of Dark's agony and rage; the suffering behind those purple orbs was delicious. Then he began to muse with the thought of only thrashing Dark enough to paralyze him and let him watch as he "played" with Krad. 'No,' he thought, 'he would just hinder the experience…let his lover watch him die before he sees his own death… at least I owed my pet that', "Hmm…maybe first I'll bind him down with my magic…and then take advantage of him while he can't defend himself…tell me Dark, how long do you think he'll keep me amused before I become bored? And hour…maybe two?"
Dark's anger was breeching it's limits, the thought of this creature even coming with in an inch of Krad made his blood boil! "You'll do no such think…I'LL KILL YOU BEFORE YOU EVEN HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT HIM!" Dark screamed and in an instant was locked in another bout with Verruckt. The Demon King knew this was Dark's last stand, and he was going to make it last. The lust for blood in those violet eyes was to irresistible, and he craved it.
Krad could barley restrain himself, he wanted nothing more then to help Dark, he wanted nothing more then to watch Verruckt's heart freeze in his hands. He wanted revenge, vengeance had sustained the ice demon so long through the centuries and he even drew power from it at a time. Anger, resentment, rage, and vengeance…these were the only emotions his infernal creator…the damned Hikari, gave to him when he brought him into this miserable existence. The lust for blood, and the urge to kill had been his nature…but some how it didn't seem enough…for Dark was always winning, always getting away, slipping through his fingers…why? He had always known these hellish emotions were the very source of his power…yet Dark seemed to draw his from a different…greater power. Excitement, happiness, joy, even love…these were the things that drove Dark Mousy…behind his cocky and carefree façade…were these emotions…the very emotions that Krad was never suppose to or allowed to posses. Yet after all of these centuries…Krad began to learn of these emotions, feelings as humans called them, and slowly he even felt as though they were becoming embedded in himself. Indeed…Dark and Krad were like one being…Krad possessing the negative emotions of life…and Dark possessed the feelings that Krad had longed for.
And now, Dark was once again proving how weak he was compared to him…Krad could barely stand, and there was Dark, fighting hard and gracefully despite his disadvantage and wounds. Why? He was created to be stronger then Dark…strong enough to kill him…yet here he was…being defended by the very being he swore to annihilate. His pride was hurt more so then his chest that had been deprived of precious oxygen for so long, he ached all over, blood finally circulating and pumping lactic acid through his veins causing his whole body to feel like a ton of bricks. But he finally stood, refusing to admit that Dark was stronger then himself, Dark may have had the stamina, but Krad had iron will. And on that will alone was he able to stand, emotions such as anger, rage, fury, and vengeance sustained him once again, and this time no mortal feelings were going to get in the way!
"Forgive me Satoshi…for now I must return to my old self…" Krad said softly, and then clenched his fists, " I must return to the part of me that your cursed ancestors burned into my soul!" He said coldly. The once small and glowing bit of humanity that held in his eyes had vanished, and now only the gaze of a cold-hearted demon could be seen in those golden cat- like eyes. The Krad that had saved a child on the streets of Madria, the Krad that had pleaded with it's master for death to his mortal flesh to save the life of his mortal enemy, the Krad who risked his life to save Dark Mousy's wing master, the Krad that Satoshi had finally begun to trust…was gone, and buried under a mountain of hellish frost and flaming ice…the Krad that had been born from a painting and who had been sealed away behind human emotions stood there now, with a fanged grin and a lust for the blood of another demon…the King of Darkness. This bastard dared to even consider subduing him against his will? This arrogant and poor excuse for a demon dared to even breath the same air as he, even speak his name? These sins…were his ticket straight to hell…
Suddenly, a chill went up Verruckt's spine, fear? Fear? He quickly pulled away from his fight with the exhausted Dark Mousy and gazed down at the golden haired demon below him… 'Was this fear he felt…could it be caused by him?' he asked himself and landed far away from the demon seraph and his malevolent and bone chilling aura. Suddenly he felt cold and could see his own breath, 'had he been concealing such evil within himself this whole time?' he thought. He was surprised by the spark of fear he felt a moment ago and now felt curiosity and anxiety swell within him, 'I may have more fun with him then I thought…'
"I am the only one with the right to slay Dark Mousy…" Krad wickedly grinned and shot a cold gaze at the demon king, their eyes locked, and for the long moment that those demonic eyes looked into his, the greater that spark of fear within Verruckt reignited and grew, "And no one…no one owns me, or can have me without my permission…and last I checked…" Krad said flaring his wings out, sending a mass of white feathers and icy wind, which gripped Verruckt's heart and squeezed it unmercifully, into the air, "I gave you no such permission to even speak," He grinned "Or think my name…"
Notes From The Author:
OMG! Yes I've finally finished chapter 19! WOOT! Go Krad! Kick that sick and twisted bastard's ass!
Forgive the long long long long loooooooooong wait for this chapter to come up…but a lot was happening in my life besides school and family problems…but my Grama had passed away last week and I was devastated and couldn't type a single word…so if this chapter sucks, then please forgive me…it's taken a while to think of something to write. But I made a promise to finish this fanfic and I plan to keep it. Bows Thank you for your comments and reading my story. Farewell for now.