CHAPTER 1: At the End of a Faraway Sky

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The night was upon the Viper Manor. The air smelled faintly of sea salt and the plant life that grew in the gardens and by the sea cliffs while the sky remained clear and star-filled with the moon showing fully overhead. Karsh sighed as he leaned against the railing of the walkway which lead to the library, surveying the grounds of the manor that were in his line of sight. Flower gardens that Lady Riddel took care of so much and various trees that suited the scenery perfectly. Everything about the manor seemed wonderfully silent and peaceful, against the usual clamor that was abound in the place.

The ghost of pain caused him to instinctively clutch his shoulder. It had been about two years since Karsh had assisted Serge in his mission to save the world from the Time Devourer and he thanked the gods that he wouldn't have to go through a battle like that ever again. He'd been sore for weeks from the spell damage the monster had caused him and he was pretty sure the same went for the rest of Serge's friends who helped. Sometimes the old battle pains would return and Karsh would request to be alone until they subsided. His fellow Devas, Lady Riddel and Lord Viper would simply nod and leave him be until he showed up again.

A gentle breeze rustled his lavender hair, cooling his skin and somehow dulling the old ache and replacing it with an empty dull feeling. Karsh was familiar with the feeling, but didn't know weather to be thankful or resentful for it. It usually wasn't in his nature to let little things from the past affect him seriously, but he couldn't help but reflect on it. Too many good things had happened to him during his adventures with Serge that he had a hard time letting them go and moving on.

Am I going soft? he thought to himself as he brushed some of his pale hair out of his face. I just can't forget...

Golden eyes slid closed for a moment, remembering the rescue of Lady Riddel from the Porre forces who occupied Viper Manor at the time. His most frequent memory was of that time, when they were escaping and they were forced to fight one of Porre's employed assassins who would later join them.

I first saw him on the battlefield. My first impression of him then was a fierce fighter with no mercy. But...after he joined our cause, I found I could look past his exterior...and then he was beautifu-

Karsh roughly shook his head, as if to dispel the very thought from his mind. He had to forget! The past adventures were all over and he had to move on, just like Serge and the others did...just like he did...

"Hey, Karsh." a male voice spoke from behind him. The Deva warrior, surprised by the sudden and unexpected sound of another's voice, spun around quickly and grabbed the other's neck in a choke hold. A man with dirty blond hair, slightly younger then him, gasped for air and tried in vain to pry Karsh's hand off of his throat, fixing at him with shocked expression. Recognizing the visitor, Karsh let go of his neck and leaned back against the railing, giving the younger man a stern glare.

"What do you want, Glenn?" he asked, his voice laced with ice. The younger Dragoon knight rubbed his throat, which had slight bruising on it due to Karsh's grip.

"I only came up here to tell you that Orcha has made dinner. I figured you'd want some so-" Glenn began, retaining a defensive stance just incase Karsh decided to attack him again. The older warrior snorted disdainfully.

"Leave me alone. I'm not hungry." he answered, curtly and turned his gaze back out at the view below the walkway. Glenn, however, made no move to depart from Karsh's company.

"My friend, what's wrong? You've been unusually quiet recently. Please tell me what troubles you." the young man said, concerned written on his face and evident in his voice. Karsh said nothing in response, which angered Glenn. "Karsh! Tell me why you're being like this! It's not like you!"

"Shut up!" Karsh shot back without bothering to turn his head to face Glenn. "What part of 'Leave me alone' don't you understand? Isn't Lady Riddel missing you by now?" he finished sourly.

Glenn's eyebrows shot up at the mention of his lover. Since the end of the Time Devourer, he and Riddel had become very close and she had finally ended her mourning of Dario's passing and moved on. Glenn had even been planning on proposing to her but was trying to earn enough money to buy her a ring. The tone Karsh used in reference to Glenn's relationship with her aroused the young Dragoon knight's curiosity and made him suspicious.

"Why the bitter tone, Karsh? Are you after Lady Riddel's affections?" Glenn asked, deliberately baiting the Deva to get an answer out of him. Karsh, on the other hand, chuckled scornfully and shook his head.

"If an answer will give me back my privacy, then no. I admit I did have a crush on her when I was younger, but it kinda tapered off...Damn...why can't things be simple anymore?" his voice was quiet and the laugh he finished with was filled with sadness and pain. Glenn took a step foreword and placed a hand on the Deva's shoulder.

"Karsh..."

"No...forget it, Glenn. It's my problem."

Glenn removed his hand from the lavender-haired man's shoulder, and moved to stand next to him, trying to look into Karsh's face. He knew Karsh was in one of his 'moods', but it had never been this bad before. It was usually two or slightly more hours of solitude then Karsh was be back to his grumpy, bad-mouthed, overly disciplined self. This time, however, something more specific then just the adventures and battles they had been through two years ago was involved...and Karsh was almost entirely absorbed in it.

"No, I'm not going to forget it, Karsh. What's making you so mopey like this? Please tell me. You can't let things fester inside of you or you'll end up destroying yourself."

Karsh was silent for a moment, thinking about what Glenn said. It's my problem...not Glenn's. It's not his business that I'm in love with....

"Please go away, Glenn." Karsh said, his voice regaining it's stern commanding tone that Glenn recognized right off the bat as a defense method that deva used all the time.

"Who is she?" Glenn blurted out, hoping his wild guess was right. He had known other members of the Arcacian Dragoons to act similar to this when they were pining or lovesick. What else could it be..?.

The speed of which Karsh turned his head to look at Glenn and the mix of anger and surprised on the older man's face confirmed Glenn's suspicions. "You're in love, aren't you Karsh?" The Deva frowned at him and looked away, but Glenn continued, "There's nothing wrong with that! Just tell her how you feel. The worst she can do is say no and I highly doubt any woman would refuse your advances." Glenn nudged Karsh's side playfully, but backed away at the murderous side glare that the older warrior had aimed at him.

"Lemme give you some advice: Shut your mouth before I shut it for you! You have no idea what you're talking about!" The tall Deva snarled with his usually animalistic anger flaring up. Glenn had no right to attempt to understand his situation with what little he knew.

"You know something? You're right, Karsh. I have no idea what I'm talking about and I won't until you tell me! Stop trying to be a lone wolf! You never know, I actually might be able to help you. You don't know and you won't know until you decide to open up and let the weight off your chest."

Glenn fixed his eyes on Karsh's, silently letting the other man know that he wasn't going to leave until he knew what was wrong. Karsh sighed and looked forlornly at the manor grounds below, which were painted in silver light by the two moons. He had to hand it to Glenn, the kid was relentless and persistent. Karsh was getting tired of Glenn interrupting his time alone and he was positive the younger Dragoon wouldn't leave. He looked over at Glenn, who simply looked back expectantly, and Karsh couldn't' help but smile. What would the look on Glenn's face be if he told him the truth? The very idea was almost enough to convince Karsh to say 'Screw it' and tell Glenn just for the reaction. But that wasn't an idea in his best interests.

"Karsh?"

Pulling out of his thoughts at the sound of Glenn's voice, Karsh looked back at the younger man, who had a look of concern on his youthful, scarred face. He was genuinely concerned for Karsh's welfare, the long-haired man knew that. Glenn had always been the one to go to Karsh for advice and help when they had been younger. Perhaps now Glenn wished to return the favor.

I'd love to give the kid the chance but... Karsh paused his thoughts. But what? Glenn's right, I can't go moping around every time I think about him...it'll eat me alive... he sighed and met Glenn's eyes in a serious but non-defensive look. I need to get this off my chest...and Glenn just so happens to be here.

"Alright, alright, Glenn." the Deva sighed, rubbing his temples to relieve some of the tension that liked to start up when he got into one of his 'moods'. "I'll admit you've got a point that I can't spend the rest of my life doing this, but are you sure you want to be the one that hears this?"

Glenn's eyes lit up in triumph as a huge grin spread across his face. Finally, Karsh was opening up, if only a little bit, but he was now willing to talk about it. "Yes, of course." the young Dragoon said, his grin changing to a pleasant smile, obviously in efforts to make Karsh feel more at ease. "I'll listen to whatever you have to say. No matter what it is."

That didn't help Karsh's uncertainty about telling him, but since the pale- haired Deva had already agreed to spill his guts, there was no turning back.

The worst he could do is faint... Karsh thought humorously then spoke. "Yes, Glenn. You were right. I'm in love and that's why I prefer to be alone when I get all nostalgic about the events two years ago."

Glenn nodded, understanding the nostalgia Karsh felt. He, too, would get that way at times. Only, he had Riddel to be there with him and to comfort him if any memories became too overwhelming. Likewise whenever she had unwelcome flashbacks of the adventures two years ago. Karsh, on the other hand, had no one to relate to...or, more specifically, no one he wanted to relate to.

"So it was someone who traveled with Serge?" Glenn asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Karsh nodded and Glenn folded his arms, turning the new information over in his mind. At least that narrows the possible people down. he thought, then spoke to Karsh, who was no longer looking at him, possibly out of embarrassment.

"Who was it?" Glenn asked, trying to revive some sort of conversation on the subject at hand.

Hearing this, Karsh remained silent and simply stared at the manor grounds with a light pink tinge staining his cheeks. Getting the idea that Karsh was uncomfortable to just come out and say it directly, Glenn took the silence as an opportunity to guess.

"Is it Lutianna?" the young man asked, speaking the first female name that came to mind, which happened to be the eccentric scientist of Viper Manor. Karsh chuckled lightly and shook his head, shooting Glenn an amused look.

"If I was attracted to her-- which I am not-- I would have sliced my head open with my own axe. You've got to be kidding me!" Karsh turned his head back out at the view of the land and continued quietly. "No...the only person I want I'll most likely never see again..."

Glenn frowned at the sadness in Karsh's voice. Why was he so certain that he would never see the one he loved again? Hopelessness just didn't suit the tall Dragoon Deva. "You'll see her again, Karsh. I'm sure of it."

"Hm..." Karsh hummed, letting Glenn know that the young man still held part of his attention, but the tall Deva knew that his smaller friend wasn't helping his situation. "Glenn...I know you're trying to help me but you should stop. Now."

"What?? Well, you're not exactly helping me out here, Karsh! The least you could do is tell me or give me some sort of hint!" Glenn threw his arms up in exasperation. There were times Karsh was so impossible that Glenn wanted to scream.

"You want a hint?" the pale-haired Deva challenged, glancing sideways at the young Dragoon.

"It would be nice!" Glenn's annoyance was visible in his voice. Karsh smirked and avoided Glenn's glare.

Here comes the bomb... Karsh thought humorlessly and spoke, "It's not a girl."

A breeze blew, rustling their hair as it passed them. Neither said one single solitary word. Glenn was too busy looking at Karsh like he had just grown a second head and Karsh calmly waiting for the younger man to speak.

"It's...a man?" Glenn managed after a few more moments of deafening silence. Karsh nodded in response and Glenn swallowed nervously. He never suspected a man as stern or masculine as Karsh to take such an interest in men. Now it was clear why the taller man had been so reluctant to speak with him about it. Karsh already suspected that Glenn would not understand. I won't allow him to believe that! Glenn thought sternly, forcing all the queasiness to leave his stomach, Karsh trusted me with this much and I can't back down now and hurt his feelings just because the idea doesn't appeal to me.

"If you wanna leave now, you can." Karsh's now dull voice broke the silence. Glenn started but stayed put.

"I'm...n..not going to." he stated, trying to keep the nervousness out of his voice. "I don't care if you love a man...I came here to help you and I will!"

Karsh chuckled somewhat mockingly at the smaller Dragoon. "You're not doing a very good job Glenn, but I appreciate your concern."

"..and I'm trying to help you, Karsh. Stop treating me like a child! You wouldn't speak like that to Zoah or Marcella, would you?" Glenn shot back, the pouty look on his face showing clearly that he felt insulted by Karsh's manner towards him.

A sigh, "Alright, alright. I'm sorry for offending you, SIR Glenn. Would you like me to clean your armor to make up for insulting such a high ranking Dragoon knight? Please don't tell General Viper about this or I'll be flogged for sure!" the thick sarcasm in the statement made Glenn's frown deepen.

"This is the thanks I get for trying to help out a person I consider a friend; a second brother practically!" Glenn slammed his fist on the stone railing, his temper flaring up. "I came up here, concerned for your welfare and you treat me like an imbecile! You won't even let me help! The least you could do is tell me his name before you sink back into the little hole of self-pity you've dug for yourself!!"

Exhausted from his outburst, Glenn leaned against the railing and folded his arms, his angry glare fixed on Karsh, who's surprised look made the young Dragoon smirk in satisfaction. Never in his life had Karsh seen Glenn blow up like that. The apocalypse must have been nearing if Glenn decided to throw all safety to the wind and go off like that to the same man who used to keep him in line by promising bodily harm when they were younger.

The tall Deva sighed and turned away from Glenn, looking torn between telling Glenn and staying silent. The sandy-haired man's frown melted back to the concern that he held when he first arrived on the walkway.

"What's wrong? It is that hard to tell someone a name..." a sudden frightening idea popped in Glenn's head, "...it's not me, is it?" he asked nervously.

"Hm..." Karsh breathed, giving Glenn a smile that only one who had been battling with their feelings for far too long could manage. "No...and for the record, I've never thought about you like that...Dario, yes. You, no."

Glenn let out a sigh of relief louder then he had meant. He could gratefully exempt himself from the list of possible Karsh love interests and even though the idea that Karsh had once felt for Dario unnerved him, Glann thought it best not to pursue the subject in too much detail. "Then who is it? Surely it's not still Dario."

"No. My feelings for him died with him. I can move on with my life after deaths."

"Then who?" Glenn waited for a response and finally heard Karsh mumble something. "Beg your pardon?" the young knight said, his manners with conversation shining through, "Mind repeating that?"

Karsh coughed then stood silent for a few moments, as if debating weather to honor Glenn's request, then spoke, loud enough for the other man to hear. "Gyadarun."

Glenn blanked, not comprehending. "I beg your pardon?"

"Gyadarun." Karsh repeated, tiredly. "You asked me to just tell you and I did. Happy now?"

Glenn could almost feel his jaw hit the walkway floor. Had he heard correctly? "Gyadarun...you mean the Porre cyborg assassin Gyadarun?"

Glenn got a severely annoyed glare for his question, "No! Gyadarun the midget trapeze artist! Why did I even bother telling you anything?" Karsh responded harshly. His eyes reflected chips of the coldest golden ice as he turned to leave. Glenn, who was still recovering from hearing about it and remembering something, quickly grabbed his arm. Karsh's head snapped around, coldly glaring at the younger Dragoon. "Let me go."

"No..." Glenn said, firmly. "I told you I would help you with your problem and I will. You're pining for him, right?"

"I prefer to call it 'dwelling upon'" Karsh corrected, not wanting to sound like a sissy by calling it 'pining'.

"Alright, 'dwelling upon'. But you think you'll never see him again." At Karsh's annoyed nod, Glenn's face broke into a large, smug grin.

The Dragoon Deva eyed him suspiciously. "What are you so smug about all of a sudden?" he asked, not used to seeing Glenn look so sure of himself about something.

Glenn tried hard to hold back laughter. "Go visit Lutianna's lab, Karsh." he said, grinning from ear to ear.

Karsh sweatdropped. He really wasn't in the mood to put up with Lutianna's obnoxious accent and disturbing methods of conducting research. "I think I'll pass." he said, smoothly, easily pulling his hand out of Glenn's grasp.

"Come on, Karsh!" Glenn insisted, grabbing the Deva's hand and pulling him toward the manor entrance. "Gyadarun is down in Lutianna's lab."

The lavender-haired Deva's eyes widened in surprise and, after a moment, narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "If this is a joke, Glenn..." he growled in a threatening tone. Glenn immediately let Karsh's arm go and held up his hands, showing a face of pure innocence.

"I swear on my family's honor!" he said, seriously. "I don't know what he's doing here or why. All I can tell you is that I saw him in Lutianna's lab an hour or so ago."

"Hmph....did he say anything?" Karsh asked, sounding a little more interested then he had meant to.

"Nothing I could hear...but he was gesturing at his mechanical arm. I don't know if he's still there but it's worth a try, isn't it?" The dark blond boy answered, suppressing a smile at Karsh's eagerness.

"Thanks...." was all the tall Deva managed while pushing past Glenn and practically running into Viper Manor. Glenn simply looked after him, smiling. He was glad he had gotten the Deva to allow him to help.

After all, it wasn't every day Karsh was in love.

TBC