Disclaimer: I do not own anything of The Slayers or Escaflowne, nor do I own Metallica's awesome Master of Puppets song. I do own Hiero, Raven Ai, Lacey, the new Slayers, and the new countries. Review and read my other stories, please….REVIEW!!!!
This is dedicated to the reviewer MOG, who begged so cutely for me to get this out. Thanks MOG! Still dedicated to you!!
Chapter 2
Masters of Puppets
~ Artemis Royal Palace ~
- Torture Chamber -
"Talk, you sorry excuse for a man! Or I just might have to be even more gentle than before…." General Raven Ai shouted at young Grego. The youth had been most stubborn, despite being beaten, whipped, flogged, nearly drowned, and threatened with pokers. He was soaked in blood, bruises and cuts, but still, he stayed stone cold. He shivered briefly after each torment, but then it fled him like a ghost. Raven had grown bored with those silly tortured and went right for the rack, stripping the boy of his precious armor, leaving him only his pants.
Her sword was itching to cut him open and be done with it, cut off his loins, but the queen requested that be spared if she could help it. The seed of a Dragon Slayer was valuable. It wasn't very often that a woman of Artemis got one in bed, or anywhere for a bit of nocturnal enjoyment. Then again, this whole war was a farce just to get them either dead or as man-servants, it didn't matter. They'd be under their heels for all of eternity soon.
The King of Lateni drove a hard bargain with their queen, but to get rid of the human men that brought their floating mountain here and employed filthy half-breeds once and for all was worth working with a feeble and imperfect man.
She grinned a bit, the gesture sick with war and anger. Men had taken her sister away to that stupid male and female kingdom and turned her against her heritage. Now she was a loving housewife, wanting to be with a man for more than just children. It sickened to know her sister thought she was in love with such cattle. Men were a disease that needed to be controlled by those of Artemis. It needed to be begun with young men, then that dream would be all the more realized. They had unjustly robbed her of her mother and taken her away, but she learned quickly how to kill, to avenge her death since he sister was unwilling to blame men rightly for their mother's murder. Men were worthless monsters.
'Except one man….Dilandau Albatau….there's a human I can sink my teeth into.' She thought with deep, maddened smile. They'd been fighting the Dragon Slayers for some time now, always searching for the hearts of the group, the spines that held this deadly band together, their general Dilandau and his lovely Strategos Hiero Vendetta. Both were rumored to be very strong and powerful, brilliant minds of war. She didn't believe it until the first battle. Her entire regiment was nearly exterminated by those things that followed their insane leader.
She didn't see Dilandau or the rumored beauty of a Strategos until the fourth battle, and hadn't been too impressed by them physically. They both wore armor, the Strategos like a normal Dragon Slayer and Dilandau in red, the color of blood as it flowed towards the Walk of the Dead. Dilandau struck her as too pretty to even be a fighter worth her time, the same for his Strategos. They were both far too well endowed in their facial features and soft hair to be considered threats of any kind, like weak boys. They even looked like teenagers.
Raven looked at her right arm a moment, the armor of black over it, her reflection staring back at her with her own eyes, dark and hurt. Dilandau had ruined this arm fully. Her hand could no longer grip. She was thankful her left arm was not her sword arm, but she did use this one for spears and her private torture chamber here. It was his fault, for being so pretty, so innocent and young looking from a distance. When she rushed him, he knocked her flat on her back with something bright and that smelled of cinders, before she could get up she was kicked in the face.
End of passion play, crumbling away!I'm your source of self-destruction!
Veins that pump with fear, sucking darkest clear,
Leading on your deaths construction!
"Get up, weakling….so I can kill you for being in my way correctly." His cold voice had let out, like an arrogant youth, sort of seductive in the murderous way he said it. She scrambled back, pulling out her blade as she stood and finally saw him up close, the Strategos watching only a few feet away. They were both smirking at her, double colored eyes of sapphire and jade laughing at her and the crimson garnets of the general aching for bloodshed, her blood. She stood fast in place and went at them both, a mistake she'd regret always.
Both moved away quickly and came round behind her. Then she felt some slash through her left arm, severing the nerves and some muscles. Her arm fell uselessly at her side, but she turned again, blocking Dilandau's blade from severing her head. She slashed back at him, but didn't come close. He was sidestepping each cut for several minutes as their swords met, the Strategos doing nothing but watch with an annoying grin.
She'd finally had enough of Dilandau toying with her and socked her foot in his groin. His eyes pulsed with rage at the same moment, holding himself tightly with his free hand, the other waning on keeping her sword away. She'd almost had him, cheap shot or no, but that Strategos ruined everything. He came out of nowhere lightening-quick with a ball of energy, sending her flying a mile away.
Taste me you will see,More is all you need….
You're dedicated to
How I'm killing you!
Her soldiers found her unconscious in a ditch and carried her back the palace. But she had heard Dilandau yelling at the Strategos before she blacked out. "I could have taken her! I don't need you always defending me, Hiero!" Dilandau had screamed. Raven smiled at that then, Dilandau always had his Strategos with him. Now she knew he had a possible weakness without him. He was as hot-headed as she was in battle, and it could be taken advantage of next time.
Coming back to the present, Grego moaned as her soldiers tightened the rack another notch. 'Who better to defeat you, dear Dilandau, than your equal? Well, we will be equals until I enslave you and make you my permanent man servant….Let's see who writhes and begs when it is you flat on your back for all eternity in my grip. No one clips the Raven and doesn't answer for such an atrocity.' She thought with a grim smile, stepping up before the young man, cutting his left thigh open upwards. It wasn't deep, but enough to hurt and bleed.
"Now I ask again….boy, where are the Abyss entry ways?! We know its near Lateni in their mountain range, so you better tell me where how to get in or really soon…." She quipped darkly," You'll be a woman."
She tapped a small dagger right on his loins, and watching him sweat over it was enjoyable, but it was so terribly brief. His resolve kicked in and he was stone cold once more, but still, she could smell the fear on him, see it in his eyes. He wasn't strong in the mind. He figured she was bluffing at best, but Raven Ai never bluffed.
"That's enough, Ai, he's ready for me." A lovely, haughty voice let out.
Raven turned slightly, seeing the elder princess standing in the dingy doorway of the torture chamber. The tall blonde royal stepped in, her topaz colored dress a beacon in the dark room. Grego even lifted his stubborn eyes to her, the pain ignored in his mind. It was admirable, as bloodied as he was, to see he was still able to process things.
Come crawling faster!!
Obey your Master!
Your life burns faster!
Obey your Master!
Master!!
Ai looked him over, and saw a bulge forming in his leather pants. She smirked a bit. Their princess was a notorious mystic charmer, one of many elfin women who could act as sirens to men just with a look, and arouse them. Though a half-breed, he was still a strong slayer. His seed would create many a fine warrior, or breeding grounds. He was obviously not very good at hiding his lusts.
He was making it obvious to anyone that looked at him. He hadn't seen many women was what it said. Ai was different, she was considered the enemy, a solider, but the princess was royal beauty, not a warrior, only a temptress to a repressed little boy wanting to show he's a man.
"Yes, my princess….if you believe so….though I was just getting warmed up with this strapping….little boy." Ai said whimsically. Grego shot her a glare and struggled, the arousal gone, now it was rage against his manhood being challenged.
"Lousy whorish dog! Say it when I'm not chained up and we shall see how brave you are, bitch!" he shouted at her, his voice a bit coarse.
'Oh please….so easily set off when a woman or your dick is involved. He deserves to die.' She thought angrily, taking out her blade.
"General Ai, halt!" the princess shouted, her green eyes angry. Ai stopped a breath from Grego's groin with the tip of her blade, then grunted at him. "Next time, boy….you'll be a girl." She growled and stormed out, her soldiers with her, leaving the prisoner alone with the devil charmer woman.
~
Grego was thankful his manhood was spared again, but still, Lord Dilandau would punish him greatly for being kidnapped and botching up the kidnapping. He was ready to scream when he felt a hand on his cut thigh, some cool liquid poured onto it. He looked down and his jaw nearly came unhinged. The princess was attending his wound, not only the recent one, but the rest as well. She was touching him, it seemed so innocent, but it was attention he had never experienced. It felt…addictive. Those green eyes locked with his own, as if saying she would be with him. He looked her over a bit, best his eyes could manage locked in such a stare. She was very well endowed, the cleft of her breasts in the tightly fit dress setting his groin nearly ablaze. He'd never been so close to a woman this beautiful.
He knew her name. He'd been briefed about the occupants of the palace. This was the elder princess, Princess Lacey Artemisu, heir apparent to the throne. 'And drop dead gorgeous….all the other higher uppers get girls, why not one of us grunts? Why….it wouldn't hurt….would it? She's taking care…of me…Oh, nice." The thought, the wounds healing warmly, her hand still in the former slit on his thigh. He could feel her warm fingers on his skin, slipped into the slit of the pant leg.
"Would you like to go home?" she asked, her voice sounding so beautiful and almost everywhere. Those eyes captured him again, and he felt lightheaded. "No…I want to stay with you." He blurted out. She smiled, almost satisfied. He smiled back, she was approving his answer, how kind. He sucked in his breath and her hand move all the way in and rubbed his thigh lovingly. It felt so good, his eyes couldn't shut, still with her as she touched him, a woman touching his skin. So freely and innocently, and it was driving him crazy.
"Why not go home? Your fellow Slayers are there. Even your precious Lord Dilandau is waiting, my handsome Dragon Slayer, correct? Don't you want to return to them?" she asked plainly.
"No….they give me…ugh, no respect." He said, feeling a bit dizzy, but to see her still watching him with those darling eyes, he didn't care. Her hand darted higher, arousal coming again. Beatings he could take, but this felt too good to be able to control. He was trained to be soldier, not a lover, but he wanted love, a woman to call his own.
"Why not? You're strapping, handsome man…you deserve, nothing but respect." She cooed softly, the finger still moving up, one flicking the clef at where his groin met his thigh. His eyes nearly rolled back it his head, his pants going tighter with lust as his hips bucked at the touch. She was teasing him, but so close. He could break the bonds and snap her neck, yes, but why? She was so warm, so beautiful, so gentle….if he did break free, he might just make love to her instead. He wanted her more with each subtle graze of her fingers, staying in place.
He had little time for girls with Lord Dilandau always hounding his ass about nearly every little thing. He wasn't fast enough. He didn't have permission to beat this boy up, he had no right to speak against the Strategos. The Strategos….Dilandau, they always hindered him. He could be one of the higher-up's if not for them, for the others. Reese, he was always spoiled with attention, with outside interests by his uncle, that damned Strategos.
Not Grego, never Grego, he was always working, always training, always being lectured. The others had it better, even Link, that damned playboy. Link was the one with great looks, he was allowed to fool around not Grego. Grego got nothing but grunt work. Last night was supposed to be his big break in the ranks of dragon slayers, and it was ruined in a second of curiosity. No, it wasn't his fault, it was the others, they weren't fast enough, and he was only making sure the guards weren't listening. He was being a good soldier, strong. He was the strong one, not them.
Master of Puppets, I'm pulling your strings!!
Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams!!
Blinded by me, you can't see a thing!!
Hiero and Lord Dilandau, they simply left him here to be Ai's whipping boy, they abandoned him. He would not be rescued, they just left, and Dilandau didn't even utter a word. Hiero just stared at him before he was knocked out, then he found himself being whipped, shirtless and hanging by his wrists in manacles. They left him to die, he was nothing to them, so they were nothing to him. They had to pay, yes, it made sense. They'd pay for leaving him behind. She wouldn't leave, she'd stay, she was with him, caring and loving….so close to his special place.
He groaned a little, the teasing getting too great. If he wasn't satisfied soon, he'd burst in his pants. Then she'd laugh, saying he was weak, couldn't hold his lust in for shit. No, he'd be strong, for her now, his princess. He felt dizzy as he considered it, but it made sense. He'd gotten nothing but his skills from Dilandau, then nothing but abuse and being cats aside once he got there. Why work for those who didn't appreciate him, when he could be with someone who did.
"Yes….they left me here, they don't respect my skills, my strength. They….are jealous. They have to pay for what they've done to me….love." he uttered, smiling at her grin.
"Then I shall help you, dearest….all you have to do is look in my eyes, and know….what I say, is what you think. I will be yours….mind and body," she said, her hand flitting up and squeaking his balls gently. He nearly went off on her hand at the touch, making him writhe, to be freed of the lust by giving it to her," Don't you agree, soldier?"
He nodded lucidly. "Grego…my lovely Lacey…." He sighed, his mind all hers. He frowned a bit as her hand pulled out, even the slide of her hand on his skin making his manhood throb dangerously. 'Torture, but I like this as compared to Ai's. Oh love….' He thought brightly, smiling to her.
She smiled back. "Are we feeling better now, beloved?" she asked, her voice so careless and deep. He nodded, though his lust was still obvious, and showing he was in need. She smiled, running her hands over his legs and then the bulge in his pants. He shivered as the zipper sounded, cool air rushing into the claustrophobic heat within. "Now….do you really….love me, dear?" she smoothed, the zipper coming down slow for him. He held onto to his resolve, but….she was still rubbing his leg, a finger teasing at his strained boxers.
Just call my name, `cause I'll hear you scream!
Master!
Master!
"With all my heart, Lacey. I'd die for you, I'd do anything." He spoke lovingly, as if he knew it to be true and right. It felt right, yes, he loved her, why wouldn't it? She was so perfect, she hadn't hurt him, she'd been nothing but good to him since they met.
"Can you do something for me….so we can always be together, Grego….and your nasty leader can't take me away….hmm?" she said, coming closer, leaning over a bit. With that, his resolve broke, as did his manhood break free of his bonds, standing at attention to her, simply begging for affection. She smiled deeply at him, teasing little licks coming across the tip, sending him over and over through heaven's gate. "Ah….yes, anything, my love, please…." He begged.
"Kill the Dragon Slayers…all of them, for me, so we can be free of this horrid war. Kill them all, and then drag you leader here so he can know what it feels like to lose respect. Let him suffer in your beautiful place….can you do that for me, lover?' she sighed out, the tip in her mouth a moment.
His eyes bulged and he nodded. "They'll die for you, then we'll be together, beloved. Please….now…please….I'll kill for you, and we'll be happy. Ungh…" he groaned.
Just call my name, `cause I'll hear you scream!
Master!
Master!
With that, Lacey took him in her mouth and sucked and lapped his heat away. He started to scream then, and the whole castle heard his ecstasy, and they all knew, the plan was in set motion anew.
~ Throne Room ~
- Hour Later -
Lacey was drinking fine glass of white wine as she entered, a grin on her lips. Raven just sneered. "Sickening display, my princess. Did you honestly have to put his thing in your mouth?" Raven sniffed, the portly queen sitting on the throne beside her fanning herself, letting out a warbling, scratchy gasp.
"A dragon slayer's seed is a strong line. The spell may have faltered if he through he'd get nothing. He's mere cattle for breeding and slaughter, and under my spell. He looked at my eyes long enough to be taken. My magic has done its work, and I got a little treat out of it. It tasted good, as if you'd know….no man goes near you and lives." She chuckled deeply. Raven wanted to throw up and rip the brat apart. Raven simply had no time for men or women except to fight by or with them.
The princess used her hypnotic power on any man she thought she could use to get ahead in pleasing her greedy mother, but this wasn't the first time she went down on one. She'd never slept with any of the suckers, but none of them were like the Dragon Slayers. More or less, Dragon Slayers killed so many of them.
She knew the princess, even though Raven was loyal to the royal family, the girl was a harlot and as greedy as her mother. She was better looking than the rotund queen of Artemis. It didn't matter that the woman was fat and ugly, her greedy made it stand out and grow. Still, the queen and princess were in charge, not Raven. She could live with that as long as she fought for the glory of their race.
"I care not for his flavor….is he under your spell fully and truly?" Raven sniffed, grumbling as the princess licked her lips. "Quite so….it took some sly negotiations to get there, but in the end, he was just a repressed young man. He has deep resentment of his peers, especially Dilandau and the Strategos that injured you, general. Tasting him was a perk still. This plan has been long in the making to destroy those humans, and me to get a nice strong child inside me from one of them. I'd rather it be the Strategos or Dilandau, but sadly, they're too human. You can have what's left of them. At least this Grego has stamina. He was easy to control, and he'll get easier to give me more of what I want….," the princess glimmered, rubbing he stomach, still teasing," The plan must reach fruition before my stomach. He has the plans in his head now mother. Shall we wait a few days before we set him loose?"
The queen nodded, and let out in her bloated, burbling shriek of a voice. "Yes, my dear, he'll wipe out our enemies for us, then give you an heir, though I am displeased you giving him so much attention. He best give you a female, then we can kill him all the sooner."
"I don't mind trying again, Mother." her daughter grinned. Raven rolled her eyes. The queen nodded, frowning. "That's what worries me, but at least it's well aimed. Yes, we wait a few days. Raven, you will drug my other daughter so he can find her and bring her back with him. Let them think they have the upper hand, then they'll never know what hit them. Then we strike back. It is brilliance….our fake war to eliminate the human filth, once and for all." She snorted with laughter.
"Go see to it Raven, make sure its slow acting…so it will be easy for him to grab that useless child." The queen added, fanning herself again.
"Yes my queen, it will be done." Raven replied heatedly, refraining from turning her nose up at the princess, who downed the wine sweetly. Once out of the room, she smiled, glad to be away from the pig and the slut, back in her own thoughts. "Soon, dear Lord Dilandau….you'll be all mine to torment. I wonder how good you'll beg, how you'll writhe when its my blade to your neck….Ooo, to hear your screams, it'll be a pure symphony. Psychotic music to my ears. Get ready, pretty boy, Raven's coming for you." She glowered, chuckling darkly as a she worked her way through the halls.
~ The Abyss ~
- Three Days Later -
Hiero stood absently next to Dilandau. The master Dragon Slayers was sitting with a scowl on his face for two days now, angry Grego had been caught. He was angry with Grego for being so stupid and for his plan falling to pieces. He detested failure, and decked Migel in his frustration. That was days ago, but one thing Dilandau did better than kill and destroy perfectly was holding a grudge, mean ones. Hiero had grown quite used to it, watching cheek after cheek nearly split open from slaps, even for slight things. Dilandau wasn't the sanest man in the room, though he was saner than Hiero was indefinitely.
He sighed a bit, which seemed to make Dilandau grind his teeth at the noise. "Be quiet!" Dilandau growled. Hiero frowned a bit, and turned his head off to the side to mouth,' Well excuse me for breathing.' Then game Dilandau banging his hand on the throne arm. "Don't makes excuses, be quiet!"
Hiero didn't jump, just stared dumbfounded at him for a moment, jade and blue eyes locked with boiling reds. 'Boy, are we ever tense.' He thought sourly, then came a sharp strike across his scarred cheek.
'Didn't I say be quiet twice already?!' Dilandau's mental voice shot into Hiero's brain, the red eyes screaming with hatred at Hiero. The general was up now, clenching his fists tightly, and snarling, like he wanted to kill something, right now.
Hiero felt his scarred cheek tick a bit, so he struck back, knocking Dilandau back a few feet. "That tears it, Dilandau. Grego has been gone for nearly three solar days. I am not Grego, dammit. I promised nothing but loyalty, but there are points in my service where I fucking detest being treated like a grunt. If you're so pissed off, why don't we just go back for him…then you can slap him around for ruining our mission. Grow up!" Hiero snapped, his fists clenched now in anger.
He was depressed, true, he missed his wife, damn true, but there were only so many hits he could take in a few days over something he didn't do. He was still insane about his free will. He'd fight when he felt like it, teasing the other boys was fine, but being a slap target got old after a few centuries.
Dilandau's hands flamed up a bit, like he wanted to fight. They fought a lot, mostly out of childish desire to kick something's ass. However, mostly it was during training and sparring matches. Now, it was anger of failure with Dilandau and anger of being abused for now good reason for Hiero. Dilandau sent the flames at Hiero instantly, pulling out his blade seconds later. He charged then, following the pure flame that raced for Hiero's body.
He snickered a bit and sent an ice lance into the flaming serpents, then neatly jumped over him, his blade drawn in an instant. As he landed, they were locked in battle by their blades. "You always were…. ngh…stubborn, Hiero. You always give me a run for my money, but its annoying how much you fight back sometimes." Dilandau grunted, thrusting backwards on the blade, sparks raking across the silver sheen and their armor. Hiero backed off as well, his cloak swirling with him, his hair flipping up and about with the force of the breeze they made. They clashed again, Hiero and Dilandau grinning darkly at each other.
"You know me, I'm a trouble maker….Dilandau. I love to simply make you act like a man instead of a childish, brooding brat!" Hiero yelled, his dagger joining the fray with a shimmering silver twirl. The dance of steel and electric shards spilled across their blades, Dilandau using his armored left arm to deflect the blows of the dagger, the slashes careen off with clangs and tings that filled the air.
Dilandau grinned. "Good….I need a target. You always come through for me." He glowered, slashing out again.
"Glad to oblige, don't go bleeding on me so soon, precious." Hiero giggled, blocking another blow of the blade, but not a roundhouse kick to his face.
Needlework the way, never you betray!
Life of death becoming clearer
Pain monopoly, ritual misery
Chop your breakfast on a mirror!
Hiero lost his sword, but
countered with an uppercut to Dilandau's face. It struck in the chin, but
Dilandau made it through without a bit of crimson flowing. Hiero came again
with his dagger vs. the blade, holding back and managing to slash up his
superior's armor good. He had no intent to kill Dilandau, Dilandau was one of
the few things in life he loved that was still with him. Dilandau blocked with
ease, the fist and kicking attacks making it through at his gut and ribs.
Hiero finally came hard at Dilandau, ducking under the swipe and ramming his head in Dilandau's stomach. With a woofing sound, Dilandau lost his blade and fell back as his breath left him. Hiero went with him, pinning his superior under him tightly even before the sword clattered to the ground. Hiero grinned down at Dilandau's frustrated face. "I'm ahead again, 201-200, Dilandau." Hiero grinned.
Dilandau sniffed a bit, then grinned up at Hiero sharply. Hiero blinked a second before Dilandau's armored knee cracked into his groin, the pain shooting into his brain like an electric shock.
"Ooomp…." Hiero groaned, slumped on top of Dilandau. Dilandau rolled them over, so he was on top, the victor lain across the loser. "Correction, pretty boy, its 200-201. I win, Hiero." Dilandau smirked right close to his face.
~
"Ahem…." A soft voice uttered. Dilandau froze a bit and slowly turned his head. From how he and Hiero looked on the floor, he had to gather whoever was looking at them was blushing.
As he turned his head, he saw it was Chesta, who was pink in the face, startled and nervous. Dilandau stayed where he was, annoyed his subordinate would do such a thing. "I'm sorry….you….um…sorry. I'll let you two be alone." Chesta squeaked out, knowing he was pressing his luck by speaking.
Hiero groaned loudly from under him, which made Chesta pink deeper. Dilandau rolled his eyes as he started to get up Hiero yanked him back down and kissed all over his scarred cheek. "Oh Dilandau, honey! Kiss me, you sexy silver angel. Oh, you're so cute when you're angry, lover!" Hiero exaggerated out, giggling. Dilandau swatted at his hands and face to get free, getting his lips smeared with the teasing actions, and Chesta's sudden giggling made it worse.
"Oh cut it the hell out, Hiero, or I'll cut your balls off." Dilandau threatened, finally scrambling off Hiero and back onto his feet. He rubbed his cheek off hard, growling at Hiero, who was still giggling as he stood up, smirking at Dilandau. "Oh, no more? You tease." Hiero chuckled, making grabbing motions with his hands at Dilandau.
Dilandau simply just frowned, grabbing his sword up and raised it. Hiero snickered, but stopped. "If you're through making an ass out of yourself, Hiero…I win the match. Do that again and I'll slice all your favorite parts off….a lot. Bad enough I suffered for centuries feeling you fuck your stupid wife."
Hiero frowned a bit at that. Dilandau didn't regret it. Hiero pushed it too far with the teasing. It came randomly, sometimes he'd close himself off completely, but with Dilandau, something seemed to spur Hiero on to tease him or push him into things. Mostly about love. 'Such a petty emotion. Who needs love when you have power? Hah, what's so great about love when it makes a man depressing when the moment matters and a joker the rest. I don't get him, its never going to happen to me. Love is a joke, just like he's becoming. Can't believe one stupid jinx can turn the perfect chaotic soldier into the perfect manic depressive.' He thought angrily, putting his blade away.
'You would just have to have mentioned her, huh? I think you just act like an unfeeling jerk just so you won't have to understand why I hurt. I was just trying to have a little fun. Take a little teasing, Dilandau.' Hiero thought back, making Dilandau growl again, at Chesta now.
He turned to Chesta with a snarl, the young Dragon Slayer stiffening in place, nervousness returning a ten fold. It didn't matter how many years Chesta had been slapped around, he still feared his master. "Now what do you want?!" Dilandau growled.
"Its Grego….he's come back. He says he escaped….and he….he…." Chesta tried, but at the mere mention of Grego's name, Dilandau's temper flared up. The slap came and sent Chesta sprawling onto the floor. Hiero shook his head a bit, tutting Chesta slightly, his moon depressive and stiff again. It was bothersome to see what the loss of that jinx had done to Hiero. He never wanted to feel such weakness of a loss. He'd already lost his mother, Guimel, Dalet and Viole. He adored Hiero's style and talent and beauty, but to see him ruined like this over a woman, one woman. He didn't understand it and he didn't want to.
"He what, you idiot!? Spit it out or you'll join him in his punishment for failure!" Dilandau yelled. Chesta bowed his head quickly, begging forgiveness in his own way. "He kidnapped the princess for us…we put her in the dungeon, chained up good and tight, my lord. He was beaten terribly already….he's all bruised and cut." Chesta finished quickly.
Dilandau grinned a bit, nodding. "Fine then, I'll just punish him a little more for ruining the plan in the first place and getting caught. He'll know not to do it again. You are dismissed, Chesta. Go inform the king the job is done and get our next mission. NOW!" Dilandau let out tightly, then turned to Hiero," You may go as well, Hiero. Get into town, my Strategos, and find our new cook by the time the sun rises….I tire of roast ikrin* and doves roasted over a spit. Get moving."
Taste me you will see,
More is all you need!
You're dedicated to
How I'm killing you!
Chesta was already out the door, but Hiero took his time, pulling his cloak closed and hood up. "Whatever you say, Dilandau. Wouldn't dream of annoying you so soon." Hiero blandly stated, walking out quiet as death. Dilandau just shook his head a bit. As sarcastic and carefree as Hiero had once been, before Alessa and with Alessa, that's how it had been. Now, his friend was suffering over her disappearance. It sickened him to see his best solider barely holding onto what had seemed like controlled insanity.
Hiero was still falling apart, his personalities assaulting him with his weakness, his grief. "I'm never going to let it happen to me. Even if I lose someone, I'm not going to feel that way, it'll never be me." He said to himself, then briskly left his throne room to attend to Grego.
~ Training Room ~
- Hours Later -
Morse Reichert set his armor away in his locker, dusting it off neatly. Link snorted at him as he chattered on about him finding Grego on his way to town for supplies.
Come crawling faster
Obey your Master!
Your life burns faster!
Obey your Master!
Master!
"And then, you see, he was limping and such, and the dragging the princess like a sack a potatoes, you know what I mean. Like when Hiero drags Grego and you around when you lose a fight with him. You're all unconscious and drooling and stuff, but anyway he was coming up the road as I was going down it so I gave him a lift and carried the princess. She looked like she was drugged, kind'a drunk like the girls you date and stuff, Link. She even giggled liked your last date, bigger chest that your last date, I could see right down to her panties, they were pink and all. Like that last one that giggled and never…." Morse chattered on before Link sighed harshly.
"Shut up." Link let out dryly. Morse stopped a moment, and pinked. He tried his best to control his fast talk, but his voice and emotions got away with him. He loved to talk, but sometimes he'd dominate the conversation with useless things. He felt silly sometimes, but it was a talent to get messages out fast and furiously to the king of Dilandau or Hiero. Link though was a bit of snot, so when Morse lost control of himself, Link would either hit him or yell at him.
"Look, Chatterbox, I've got a date tonight, and she's not to be kept waiting. I don't need you to talk my ear off and bore me to death about old Grego. He's still sore from the beating Lord Dilandau gave him. Why don't you shut your mouth for once and go give some girl some lip service, as long as it's not one of my lovelies. Anything so you'll be too busy kissing with your mouth to speak. You could bore the god of death himself to hysterics. Go talk to mirror if you can't find some girl, anything, just don't talk to me." Link sneered.
Morse nodded, shrugging a little. "I'm sorry, I forgot Hiero kicked your butt again." Morse let out, feeling stupid afterwards. He felt dumber when Link slapped him, knocking the poor boy into his locker. "I said shut up, chatterbox. I can beat that prissy, ass-kissing fruitcake any day of the week. You just wait and see. He can't be Lord Dilandau's favorite forever. I'll make him pay for getting lucky." Link sniffed.
"Three times…oop." Morse let out, covering his mouth quickly. Link growled and slammed the locker closed on him, trapping the boy inside. "Sweat out your flapping lips, Morse. You're more useful when no one sees you. You're worse than some gangly, loud-mouthed woman! Have a nice cramped night." Link snickered, leaving the room.
Morse struggled as the footsteps got farther and father away, the lights dimming dark in the room. "Hey, Link, let me out come on! This isn't funny. I'll report you…again!" Morse shouted, but got no response. He pounded around frantically, the walls of the locker of metal feeling so hot and tight, the air seeming to leave rapidly.
Master of Puppets, I'm pulling your strings
Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams!
Blinded by me, you can't see a thing!
"Link! Please….let me out or I'll report you! Oh gods, somebody let me out please! I can't breathe! Help! I'll do latrine duty for a month, I swear it, just somebody let me out!" he screaming, coughing, the air feeling so thin and lost inside the cramped darkness.
Then he heard a click, someone was unlocking the locker. He nearly breathed in relief, what was left of the air. "Thank you, thank you…." He stammered, the pale light of the outside rushing into his eyes, the air in his lungs, and a pain in his stomach.
It started to hurt worse, his air slipping away, his shirt growing wet, his legs slick with warm fluid. Morse looked down, his hazel eyes shivering back at him in the silver blade embedded in his gut. The blood was trickling down his stomach and legs, dripping across the floor slowly. The blade pulled out with a violent jerk. Morse felt blood fall from his quivering lips, feeling his stomach acid flood his body, poisoning him, killing him slowly. He lifted his head weakly, feeling his body start to quake with fear, to die the ultimate horror, to die such a death as murder. His glazing eyes met with deep browns, hate in them, and Morse almost cried with the betrayal he felt as his bowels released down his legs, the warmth of death fade with the wet smell of acid and blood.
Just call my name, `cause I'll hear you scream
Master!
Master!
"Grego….?" He
said, pity and fear in his eyes, hurt overwhelming his heart as it weakened and
simply crawled into death. Morse had a weightless sensation as his body
couldn't stand up anymore. He couldn't see, but he heard one last thing, before
his eyes awoke to the Walk of the Dead. "You're just the first. I'll kill
you all….weaklings." Grego uttered, then nothing.
Just call my name, `cause I'll hear you scream
Master!
Master!
~
Grego grinned down at Morse's corpse as a pool of blood and urine spread about the boy. Grego stepped back and left, not wanted to get any evidence on his boots. It had been convenient for him. He'd wanted to take out Link first. Link was the strongest really of the Dragon Slayer subordinates next to him, it would be smarter to get rid of the strongest first then to the weakest, that being Morse, but Link had been with Gatti and Trova after peering out of his room. He bragged about locking Morse up in the locker for annoying him, to which Gatti forced him to his own room for attacking one of the others again.
He took the time that it would take Gatti to get the uncooperative Link to his room and ran out to get Morse. It was a good a start as any. He took the long way back, going around where Gatti would be on his way to unlock poor little Morse. 'What a surprise you will get, dear second in command brown-noser. I'm too smart for all of you, for my beloved Lacey, you'll all suffer. For my pain, you'll get it a ten fold.' He thought wickedly
He made it to his room without being seen, hearing Gatti shout. 'Guess she found my present. Enjoy fear, Dragon Slayers. Enjoy my pain. Beat me up will you, I came back, didn't I? Even if I'd have killed you all anyway, Dilandau had no right to harm me. I'm so much better than him. He can barely hold his temper or kidnap some stupid brat princess. But I did, my love set me free against her mother's wishes and her sister fell right into my clutches. I'm so perfect. Heh, suffer, you fools! I will be the last one standing, and I will control the future generations, not some psychotic castrated vain glory and his arrogant, worthless Strategos.' He thought, rinsing the blood off in his sink throwing the bloody rags into his fireplace. They burned nicely, the blood boiling across the once white cloth.
He'd save Dilandau and Hiero for last, just to laugh in their faces, to show them who was the boss. He'd show them both who was the best, no, who deserved the best, who deserved everything to share with his beloved princess. He rubbed his bruised cheek a little, then tugged off his armor and set it and his blade aside, nice and neat as if it had been there the entire time. He snarled at the bruises all over his body, the cuts. He'd heal them up with some herbs and such later. They'd stopped bleeding long ago. Grego just tightened his lips a bit and he took off his boots and pants, then slipped under his covers. The dim lighting of the room made for a good sleep, it would sooth his mind a little for what Dilandau stole.
He could still hear Dilandau yelling at him, calling him a failure, a worthless, childish wretch, blaming him for the mission's failure. Migel and Gatti had brought him in, the cowards. He got the princess after all and suffered at the hands of Raven Ai and what did he get, another beating. He wanted to attack Dilandau, but then they'd know his beloved's plan. He took the pain, the slapping, the kicks, the beating all through and through, pretending to cower. He was not afraid anymore, only hurt in his heart. He was a Dragon Slayer supreme, he was better than all of them put together, and Dilandau humiliated him in front of them all. Dilandau's force was a lie, a bunch of sniveling cowards slave to a spoiled brat.
Master, Master, Where's the dreams that I've been after?
Master, Master, You promised only lies!
Laughter, Laughter, All I hear and see is laughter!
Laughter, Laughter, laughing at my cries!
Grego sneered and he pulled his covers up, trying to relax himself, but the anger persisted in his mind like festering wound, eating at his mind endlessly. He wanted to see Dilandau suffer for all he'd taken from him. He wouldn't be Dilandau obedient little toy, going the way Dilandau wanted. Soon, he'd be I charge and Dilandau would be the slave of death. Grego would not be left behind this time. Soon, they'd all be dead and he would be with his darling princess.
He'd play the good soldier as he would hunt them all down one by one. They'd never see it coming. He'd yes them to death, agree until they choked in his sincerity and obedience. Control was within his reach, he merely needed to be patient
Hell is worth all that, natural habitat!
Just a rhyme without a reason!
Never-ending maze, drift on numbered days
Now your life is out of season!
'Yes….soon, she'll be in
my arms and you'll all be in your graves. You'll never hurt me again, Dilandau.
You are undeserving of everything, including love. I hope you see how weak you
really are not to be able to grasp it. I'm going to make you feel my pain for
all you've done. Then, we'll see who's begging for mercy like whipped pup. I'm
going to destroy everything you have touched.' He thought, his eyes drifting
shut with false sleep. Grego knew he'd enjoy hunting them all while pretending
he respected them, that he was as weak as thy were.
Soon, he'd be the one on top, enjoying every moment of the power he so richly deserved. Nothing would stand in his way, nothing. Sleep then took him finally, a grin on his lips, dreaming of loving his Lacey in all the way he could only wish for.
I will occupy!
I will help you die!
I will run through you!
Now I rule you too!
To Be Continued….
Teaser: Grego's mad plot goes on, but Hiero, in his own accidental way shall bring a change of fate to his Master Dilandau. A new girl from the Mystic Moon crosses Hiero's cook venture, never to go home, and now directly in Dilandau's path of fate. Survival of the fittest begins.
