Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Escaflowne or The Slayers. I own Hiero and Alessa, Reese, Link, and anyone else not in either series.

Author's Note: I don't know, it's been what 2…3 years since last I posted for this story. You all must be pissed with me, well; I'm pissed with me too. Took me forever just to break my writer's block and reread the story so I'd get back on track. I'm sorry for the wait. I will finish this! Oh yeah, Grego gets even more unappealing in this chapter, so beware.

Chapter 8

Overzealous and Jealous

- 1 Month Later -

Lateni Market Place

Val's steps mingled among the many, his golden eyes thoughtful as he moved through the crowds. The voices of commerce, the merchants and their buyers, the voices in the taverns glided past, dancing amongst the children's laughter and their mothers' scolding. 'Filia…mother…how I miss your smile.' He thought, remembering all the times she'd chased him with her mace for being naughty, mostly with food, or Hiero.

Mostly with Hiero, after so long, they'd almost never grown apart in their friendship, except when Alessa vanished. He understood how Hiero felt. His friend had watched loves die over and over again, now Val and the other angels were watching that occur in their own lives, while Hiero had finally gained a love he'd never have to let go of, the curse of Delphine.

Only to be snatched away. Hiero was made powerless in that one moment, and Val nearly lost his poor friend to insanity and grief. He understood his pain better than the others did. He'd said goodbye to many of his own loves, every single one as wonderful and dear to him as the last. Though, it didn't make it right for Hiero to treat Val like he couldn't help him, like he knew nothing of the ache of loss and death. After all they'd done and been through, he had been shocked his longtime companion didn't trust him enough to lean on him.

'I'm glad he finally came to his senses. It hurts still, but I can forgive him. I die every time I say farewell to a wife…Its unbearable, but I never give up, they wouldn't want me to. Hiero remembered at last.' He thought, marching on.

Hiero was on his mind still, but so was Midori, a true majestic creature he didn't dare think could exist. They'd met so suddenly, so tensely, but what magic he'd felt in his heart, like he'd seen heaven and blinked. It was just too wonderful to describe. He'd given up on marriage after a few hundred years on Gaia, but she changed that, even if their time had been brief.

His eyes lifted to the Mystic Moon, beautiful Earth, her face reflecting back at him radiantly. Val smiled softly. "Midori…" he uttered softly.

Flashback, 4 Months Ago

A night like most others, the slight spatter of rain, Val liked this. It felt very refreshing. He'd gotten Hiero to bed finally and hidden away the vino. He hated to see Hiero act the fool and drunken himself to forget the pain. As giggly and happy as Hiero seemed when he got plastered, it was a fraud. He knew how much Hiero wanted to cry, to scream and hurt himself, but the bottle seemed to comfort him more often than really expressing the heartache.

Val felt better being outside and away from the Vione, though if only he felt assured of becoming a dragon and not being bothered, he'd grace his scales with the cool raindrops. Not so close to the borders between Artemis and Lateni, his sheer size was enough to ruin his walk.

"Get away from me!" a woman yelled suddenly. His golden eyes lifted through the rain as a flash of green went through the darkness. "She went that way! After her!" another woman shouted.

"Give it up and make it easy on yourself, Midori Beval! You can't escape the service of Artemis! Halt I say!" another yelled, a few Artemis warriors shooting past, brandishing spears and swords. 'So close to the border…why are they risking being spotted? Probably something damned important…and anything they see as important, hehe, the Dragon Slayers deem as a problem to be eliminated. So much for a nice boring walk…' he thought and jogged after them, keeping his ears keen to their footfalls. The rain wasn't going to ruin their scent, but the scent of Lateni and Artemis soldiers was everywhere. Sound was more reliable at this point.

"Ahh! Get away…I don't know that name! I'm Midori Suzuki, I'm not Beval, get away from me!" the first woman screamed, the sound of her voice driving him harder. She sounded much angrier than scared, but her stamina high not to sound winded. He had to wonder how long they had been chasing her without all the yelling reaching him. Perhaps she had been trying to stay hidden most of the night and only recently been discovered.

It didn't matter much right now. Their steps and voices were keeping him within range and even if she did tire, it wouldn't take very long to find them. He wasn't worried about fight of three on one for he had thousands of years to back up his skills.

His body jerked to a halt when the footfalls stopped, making himself stoop over and approach where the sounded ended. He peered around a tree, pulling his sword out slowly. The three Artemis warriors had their prey surrounded by a jagged boulder. Val stood up straight, getting a better view of the woman they were after.

He forgot to breathe for a moment, that emerald sparkling green hair sticking to her face, the sweat making it even more vibrant. Her eyes were angry and stubborn, maybe a fighting spirit within her soul clawing its way out. She had deep brown eyes, like pure chocolate, that bore hatefully into the warrior women. As his eyes traveled down, taking in her lovely rain drenched figure, he saw her clothes were not native to this land.

'A Mystic Moon maiden… but why would they want her? Mystic Moon doesn't mean super powered…stupid primitive people.' He thought, his eyes resting on her softly. The rain just accented her innocent, yet strong figure even more. He felt the back of his pants push out a bit, his tail threatening to grow out, but he bit the side of his mouth to quell it. The taste of blood, the rain, and the emerald beauty in his eyes… what a delightful setting.

"No where to run now, Beval, you will serve the Artemis army, or join that bitch mother of yours in the ground for defiance. Either way, we'll have done our job, now choose, fool!" the woman in the center commanded, pointing her blade at the woman.

The emerald beauty shivered in the chill rain, but shook her head. "I said I am not Beval, I'm Midori Suzuki…you're all crazy. Leave me be, I just want to go home!"

The women chuckled, approaching her as they wrung their hands on their weapons. "That sounds like a no to me, ladies." The central woman chuckled.

The other two nodded, smiling sadistically. "Yes, commander, sounded like it…I guess like mother, like daughter. Shame…now we have to stain the poor trees with this traitor's dirty blood." The left one smiled.

The central one grinned widely. "Yes, a damn shame…we'll pray the rain will clean it away…till then, don't be too gentle."

Val growled softly, stepping out of hiding. "Oh yes, aren't you the pride of the Artemis army, attacking an unarmed woman with three armed lunatics. Your mothers must be proud to have raised such moronic…cowards." He taunted.

The women turned and looked angrily at him, the emerald beauty looking worried. Val didn't blame her…she was probably frightened about all of this. Being sent to a strange, foreign world and people attacking her for no reason. It was just pure insanity to anyone normal. "Just to show how…nice I am, I'll give you a chance, your only chance, leave her be or die. What do you say, ladies?"

"Damn you, you're just one of those filthy Dragon Slayers. Horned freak…don't pretend you have any authority over us! How dare you venture this close to our lands…you will pay with your life, dirty male!" the central woman crowed and charged him, her companions flanking her.

"Oh well…" he shrugged, smirking.

Val charged forth, ducking under their weapons quickly. His blade and body whirled and struck the woman on the right in the stomach. Blood sprayed across his face, his body moving at the women again.

Val slashed at the woman on the left, her spear darting forth. It was cut in half, the front end flung by the force into a tree. A quick head butt sent her wobbling backwards, his boot kicking her hard in the chest. Their leader was charging him from the side.

Val growled and his sword met hers, sparks flying at their steel clashed. He moved himself backwards and forwards at his own whim, letting her think she was in control. Her remaining companion had already regained her senses and was running over to their fallen to gather the other spear. "Oh no you don't, murdering bitch!" he growled and thrust his blade forth.

The commander moved to block it, but Val was away ahead of her, twisting his body until his back smashed into her front. She woofed in his ear, but Val never gave her a chance to regain it, hefting her up by reaching back and grabbing her belt. Another twist and he threw her hard into her underling, sending them into the spear pierced tree. The sickening wet crunch of bones and organ meat swam in his ears, the blood leaking out of their mouth and wounds. The underling was hit harder, fully impaled, but her leader slid off, only pierced in the side.

Val shrug and threw his blade at her, pinning her to the tree by her throat. A harsh gag and the red sweet spurt of blood she was gone, the fire in her warrior eyes fading to the lifelessness of a doll's. Val smiled and strode over, pulling his blade out. "See, I try to be a nice guy, and you spit in my face. Some people…" he chuckled, lifting his face to the rain, washing the blood away.

When the slick feeling of blood ran down his neck and into his shirt, slinking its way down his torso, he turned towards the emerald haired woman. She was still in place, one eye covered and her mouth parted slightly. 'Hmm, maybe I overdid it a bit…it was them or me though.' He thought, and gave her a soft smile, walking towards her. She lowered her hand, hugging her soaked form. He wasn't sure what she was wearing. The top was white, like a kimono shirt perhaps.

Lady Hitomi had spoken of some of the traditional clothing to Hiero, and he would tell him about it, even drawing pictures. The bottom half didn't look like it belonged on a kimono. They were more like red pants, very loose and freeing. They were clinging in the rain, and he had to use all his willpower to keep from blushing. She was delicately beautiful, just a hidden strength beneath it all.

When he was at least 2 feet away, she spoke up, her wet shoulder length jerking forward as she pressed to the boulder. "Don't…!" she yelped.

He blinked, stopping. "Don't what?"

"Don't hurt me, please….I don't know what they want…I'm confused…" she replied.

"Mmm...I know, that's why I rescued you, Miss…Midori right?" he said evenly.

She nodded. "Yes…Midori...Suzuki. I'm a shrine maiden at the our Shinto Shrine...I was…with my father…then this light…"

"Took you to the sky…and you wound up in this forest all alone, then those women came around and started chasing you." He finished. She glared a little, but it was brief. "Yes…does this happen often, Mr. Smug…?"

He chuckled. "People coming here has happened before, my friend's mother and wife came from your world…Earth…we call it the Mystic Moon here. Maybe that's why the maggot buffet were interested in you. The people of this world are a bit primitive in their ways, figuring anyone that comes from there is magical," he sighed, holding his hand out to her," Sorry if I sounded the way I did, just don't think we should stay this close to the border of Artemis. If a commander was out here, there are probably more."

"Why should I trust you…? I don't know you anymore than I knew them." She replied.

He shrugged a bit, and gripped his sword belt. A few quick movements and he got it off and held it out to her, sword and all. She looked a bit confused, blinking softly. "If I prove to be unsavory…then kill me. I'd rather you not get tortured to death by those sadists, so if you do kill me, at least you'll have a fine weapon to defend yourself all the way to Latenia. Now, off to a nice warm inn where you can warm up and rest, far from the worry of capture." He said softly. Her hands shook a bit, but eventually gripped the sword and belt and held them to her chest. She gave off a nod and he began to walk back with her in tow.

End of Flashback

Val looked up a bit, seeing the very inn he'd taken her to, bought her food, and stayed with her all night until an hour after she was asleep. He'd gotten his sword back, but visited her at the inn each day from morning till night, giving her money for food and to pay the inn.

Three days, three days of talking to her, blissful company of hearing about her life on the Mystic Moon and the shrine she worked with her father, how much she hated her job of being a secretary at some business office in…her land of Tokyo. Hearing her talk even made him smile, she was so very captivating.

After the third day, the Artemis forces moved and started another battle. Dilandau sent them all into battle hard and violent, itching for combat, while Val only wanted to see his Midori. He'd sent a messenger to the inn to tell her he would be delayed on visiting her due to the war, but he'd never gotten a reply. With the fighting down to a minimum at last, Val felt safe in going to see what held her up. He prayed she was all right, or maybe she'd been taken back to the Mystic Moon, where she'd be safer. Even if being without her was heart breaking, her safety was the most important thing.

He took a soft breath and walked inside, giving a light wave to the innkeeper and his niece, Kiea.- Refugees from the war, nearly the victims of Artemis brand justice. Kiea was cold and tough, but loved children oddly. Her mother had been and Artemis warrior, forcing herself on her father many years ago, but the vile woman had died giving birth. Her uncle found her at age six and kidnapped her, luckily running through the battlefield Lord Dilandau was laying to waste with Hiero and Val, and Hiero forced Dilandau to let him save them. Dilandau made it sound like he was going to punish Hiero, but never really did, and two lives were spared. Kiea learned that the ways of Artemis weren't always right, as well as Dilandau wasn't always right either.

He offered them a smile, getting one from the skinny man that was Kiea's uncle. From Kiea herself was a nod, her slim hands sharpening her blades, wearing the pocket watch necklace her uncle had bought her at the bazaar. It was amazing how much ordinary junk from Earth became fashionable jewelry. He had to blame Hiero for her love of junk. He'd spoiled the girl rotten with things he found and had, even if she never showed a sign of interest facially. Kiea had always played with the items and fashioned them into part of her attire or an interesting toy. A nod was good, very good.

"Can I get into room 5, Yuri?" he asked, setting some coin on the counter. "The man nodded. "Yes, someone's already up there waiting for you. Been here a while." The man said lightly, handing Val the key. Val smiled, hardly able to contain himself. He grabbed up the key and bowed his head to the pair, then jogged up the steps for the room.

He fumbled with the key and threw it open. "Midori, I'm back!" he exclaimed cheerfully.

His smiled fell at the sight of the empty room, the bed a bit disheveled, no signs of the extra clothing he'd gotten her, or even her scent. He took a step in, and then another scent came seconds before her felt a sword to his throat. His eyes grew angry, but he didn't move.

"Hmm…you must be the Val in that letter." The man said. Val moved his eyes a bit towards the voice, green eyes and short brown hair filling his focus. He looked strong and a bit muscular, but his eyes reminded him of Midori, that same perfect emerald color. "Yeah, so what have you done with her?" Val growled.

He felt the blade come away, the man moving towards the bed. He sat down, looking annoyed and broodish, but was making no moves to say he was going to change his mind about not killing Val. "Nothing, I saw you and her in town and I came to speak with her, she disappeared before my eyes…in a pillar of light. The Mystic Moon….took my sister from me again…" he uttered, his expression never wavering.

"Your…sister…who are you?"

"Owen Beval--…I'm her older brother…" the man replied, sheathing his blade. Val blinked softly. "Same last name the Artemis women were yelling when they were chasing her in the forest…so she was originally from Gaia, and forgot?" Val replied, leaning against a wall.

Owen nodded. "Our parents…we lived near the border of Lateni and Artemis, our mother was a deserter of the Artemis army, but they weren't willing to let go. They found us…24 years ago. My sister was only 2 years old at the time and father told us to run and find our uncle in Latenia. We'd barely gotten into the forest when we heard mother screaming…Midori ran back, she wanted mother…but Mother was dead, and they stabbed father as I grabbed my sister up and ran from the house. They'd seen us…they chased…and we got lost…," he sighed, gripping the hilt a few times," The Artemis warriors were still after us, when this light…came and took Midori right out of my arms. She was gone in seconds and I wound up falling in the river. Some Lateni guards found me and got me to my uncle…and I trained with him ever since, hoping Midori would return. And apparently, she has, but to you instead of me."

Val processed all he'd been told, nodding every so often. It was interesting enough and explained why Midori didn't know who they meant. She's been a toddler at the time, witnessed the deaths of her parents and had a hellish time escaping to safety. What memories she had of her true life and family, were tainted with blood and sorrow, washed away by years of the Mystic Moon's embrace. "Hmm, was it her hair…that gave her away? Is that how they knew who she was?" Val asked.

Owen nodded a little. "She's the spitting image of our mother, its hard not to remember that. Mother was a great warrior for them until she met father on the battlefield. Love at first sight, well, he saved her from getting her head cut off and they both ran from the fight, but the sentiment was…there. Its hard to forget someone like that."

Val nodded, thinking of Hiero, how quick their admiration for each other locked their souls together, and how deeply in love Hiero fell for Alessa. Hiero had a big heart, able to see into your heart and touch, crush, or tickle it with his own, and sometimes other hearts made the blue haired immortal's ache and bleed. Such feelings were beautiful and wretched, but love, it was always there. Love for his wife, his friends, but never himself. 'Hiero…you're finally healing now, and most of us know love and its hardships, but Midori…I never got to tell her, never got to know how she felt,' he thought, rubbing his chin,' But the light of Gaia sent Midori back to the Mystic Moon. She's safe…but…will I ever see you again?'

With a deep sigh, he lifted his eyes to Owen, who stared right back. "Midori is out of their reach again, but…maybe she'll come back for you. We can hope as much, right? For Midori's sake…anyway." Val let out. Owen shrugged nonchalantly. "Yes…perhaps, hope is all I have left really. But for now, I lack anything better to do than wait for her return." Owen stated.

Val smiled, pushing himself off the wall. "Not really, you can save your money and stay at the Vione with us, we could always use another swordsman…and it's a lots closer to where I met your sister than here…what do you say?" Val offered.

Owen seemed to consider it, standing slowly. "Like I said, I have nothing better to do…so…sounds good, Val."

Val nodded and led him out and back towards the Vione. Midori was safe, that's all that truly mattered. He'd take care of her brother for her and would keep hoping that she'd come back.

- The Vione -

Reese jogged softly through the halls, bored out of his mind. The Artemis forces had been very quiet lately, and it was making everyone edgy, even uncle. Link and Gatti were sparring non-stop in the training room, and that was from this morning, while the rest were going about their patrols and cleaning their weapons. Migel was probably in town again flirting with Zelda and not uncle. That was kind of creepy, making poor Reese's cheeks turn pink when it was done in front of him. He'd caught them kissing several times, but his poor uncle had been drunk out of his mind each time, sending Reese to get the nearest soldier or Dilandau to break up Migel's obsessive perversions.

Uncle Hiero was more faithful than that, he was just upset and Migel was taking advantage of him. If Uncle liked Migel, he wouldn't need to get so drunk to be so agreeable. Reese himself had never had feelings for anyone. It wasn't because of his youth, the war kept him from socializing like everyone else, so he lived and breathed with the other men, either Link or Grego lately with so many of his good friends falling to the whim of a psychotic killer.

Now here he was, bored stiff and not allowed to leave the fortress at all, running one of his gloved hands through his soft and cherubic cyan hair. Lord Dilandau had ordered everyone except the higher ups to remain within the Vione, though Gatti and Chesta stayed behind. Chesta was probably napping as adorably as ever in his room. Reese pinked a bit, wishing he didn't always think of that word when considering his commanding officer's status. Chesta had such a baby face, like Reese did, his haircut just raising the cuteness a soldier wasn't supposed to have. He had a girlfriend, she loved how cute he was, at least other people saw it, but it was never another guy saying it. It was so annoying.

"Hey, Reese…slow down…!" Grego's voice sounded. Reese turned a bit, offering a slight wave to him. Grego was temperamental and all, but so was Lord Dilandau. A fair build and look to him, but the smile was a bit…feral. It made Reese feel an uncomfortable rustle in his stomach. "Yes, Grego…do you need something?" he asked quietly. Grego smiled and took Reese's hand. "Yes, I do…I need to tell you something very important." Grego said smoothly. Reese squirmed, his eyes traveling to Grego's sword belt. The sword wasn't there and no weapons within sight. The guy wasn't going to force anything on him unarmed, as strange as Grego was, he doubted he was that mean.

"What about?" Reese replied, tugging his hand free. Grego looked at Reese a bit softer, but still, it made Reese uneasy. "It's a secret…I'm embarrassed to talk about it in the halls…if someone were to hear us, we'd never live it down…please, Reese. It'll only take a minute." Grego replied.

Reese chewed on the inside of his mouth slightly, then gave a small nod. "My room?"

"No, that's all the way at the other end of the hall…this room here...No one will bother us." Grego grinned, crouching by a door Reese never went in. It was an old room, where Lord Dilandau told them never to go, but Reese easily picked the lock and pushed it open, the musty smell of disuse wafting over him. The room was dark, dank and had at least a few inches of dust and cobwebs decorating it. Reese gripped the hilt of his blade tightly and stepped in after Grego, flipping on the lights. It looked even worse, gray dust all over everything, the nightstand, the disheveled bed sheets, the overturned picture frames, and wall lamps. It smelled like a tomb, decayed and stagnant. His feet took him by the bed, his fingers straying from his hilt to a picture frame.

It was a hand sized etching on a dull stone, his uncle and woman with a long braid. She was very pretty, but he hadn't seen her before. On the bottom of the picture was," Hiero and Alessa, Forever."

'Alessa…who…'he thought, then his spine felt a chill, a shadow casting itself over him. 'Damn, I forgot about Grego!' his mind screamed, setting the picture down nice and easy as he turned his head. Grego moved closer, pinning him to the nightstand at the hip. The hilt of his sword was pressed to it as well, making movement rather difficult. Grego just looked down at him with that creepy smile, his right arm wrapping about Reese's left arm. "You know, you're really cute…probably as…odd as your uncle…I wonder how odd…Reese, how odd indeed." He said smoothly, tightening his grip.

Reese kept his head up and forced back a gulp. "I am not…what the heck is wrong with you, Grego. Let me go, you're being…"

"Impulsive…or attractive, Reese…? You have such big, innocent eyes, but they wander over us, are you checking us all out? Don't want to disappoint your uncle do you, but you want to…satisfy your needs or you'll just scream." He chuckled.

Reese had to gulp then. 'He's gone crazy…we all look at each other! Dammit, why did I even go with him…he's gone mad!' he thought, squirming slightly, but Grego pressed to him tighter. "You know, fear…and love are very powerful feelings, Reese, you sweat and shake with both, your heart speeds up, and even your loins start to warm and squirm within. Who's to say that...hehe…Fear and Love aren't lovers…so closely entangled in what they do to a body, to a soul…I can feel it taking you over, the pulse in your throat flitting around madly like a bird's wings, the sheen on your small face…and…hehe," he chuckled, letting his hand stray to Reese's hip slightly," Well, let's just say that isn't your sword digging into my thigh."

'Cause I'm scared of what you're thinking, jack ass! I'm about to wet my pants!' his mind shiver, wishing he could cross his legs, wanting to open his mouth so his voice could ring out a cry for help, anything but be torn apart mentally by Grego. Reese moved again, managed to move a bit away from Grego, but he was only yanked back and held tighter, this time by his hair. He gritted his teeth with the first few pulls, forcing his eyes open to keep his sights on Grego.

"Such a good little idiot, not even a peep, think that'll get you on Dilandau's good side of you lick his boots enough and pretend you're a real man? Can't fight what you were meant for, Reese, you'll just wind up going nuts. But me, I'm perfectly sane, I know what I'm doing, to the letter, really," he smiled, and leaned close," Now let's light this candle, blue flower…"

Grego didn't give Reese any time to process before cramming his mouth into his, stealing Reese's first kiss from him. Reese felt sick , like crying, trying to move his legs to kick Grego's feet out from under him, but Grego had them clamped between his own. Reese growled in his mouth and bite on Grego's tongue, feeling triumphant.

Shhkt!

Reese gagged a moment, the smell of blood filling his nostril as well as his mouth. Grego pulled back, smiling. "This was more fun than the others, they never really saw me coming…I just had to see how far I could take this with that bastard Hiero's little pride and joy, hehe…its quick and brutal with stealth, but fear…to hunt and pick you apart a piece at a time till you shatter inside….Mmm, its ten times as thrilling to torture with the hunt." Grego chuckled, twisting the blade in Reese's side.

'Where…his…back…I never looked…Oh…goddess, he distracted me…Ah, Uncle…oh Goddess, Uncle…help…he…lp!' his mind screamed, another stab coming as his wound was allowed to vomit his life out.

- Outside the Vione -

Earlier

Hiero walked along his patrol route, half wishing he'd simply blown Artemis apart and let the royalty of Lateni sort out the mess. Still, he was against such a mass slaughter of life. Not all of the Artemis women were sadistic warmongers hell bent on ruling men, just most of them, but for the few that didn't, he had to fight a war the good old-fashioned way. He'd cut down whoever attacked him till they reached the queen and whoever else was behind the war and end it for everything, then they could move on, away from their greed and have hope for the next generation. Perhaps they wouldn't leave, if the women of Artemis insisted on throwing male children into the river. He'd stay to protect their lives, give them a purpose and the power to protect themselves and the lands they loved.

It was all up to Dilandau really. If he asked Hiero what he'd do, Hiero would stay until the problem was fully solved, but keep an open mind to any other wars or battles that needed to be fought. Maybe leaving a few of the recruits behind to start a sect of the Dragon Slayers in Latentia would be good, if something epic needed handling. After so many centuries of fighting, he wasn't tired of it and he doubted Dilandau would ever miss the heat of battle or the taste of blood on his lips, but it wasn't what he lived for. He had hopes it wouldn't be what Dilandau lived for either with Akiko and him being a couple, all be it secretive.

Dilandau had been very evasive ever since he and Val caught Dilandau and Miss Akiko making out in the training room. They'd kept it to themselves, but the pair did the same. Hiero wasn't stupid, neither was his link to Dilandau. When he felt a burning sensation in his loins and stomach, he knew they were kissing somewhere, which mean he had to have a cold bath for a while. Val and him went on little hunts to find out where they found the time to make out at all without being caught. Dilandau was too distracted by Akiko to be able to block out Hiero, so Hiero found them relatively quickly, but never let them know.

Each time the sensations came, Hiero usually found himself looking at the numerous closets that Akiko used to store the cleaning tools and laundry baskets. It was a good idea, none of the Dragon Slayers bothered picking up a mop as much as she did, so there was very little chance of being caught. They had other servants helping her out, not the soldiers. Once Hiero located them, he'd go back to his room and soak in cold water. If he thought of Alessa, he was doomed.

He didn't feel anything now, and was happy for it, he had a bad feeling about the silence of Artemis. Normally an enemy country to it like Lateni would do the smart thing and send them in to find out what was the cause, or even send their forces in for a surprise attack, but the king hadn't even summoned them.

His trust wore thin with that damn old man, the quiet was too disturbing, from Artemis and the killer. He needed to speak with Dilandau after his shift was done, something had to be done.

Uncle…Help…He…lp!

Hiero stopped in mid-stride and looked back at the Vione. 'Reese…his voice…he sounds terrified…' he thought and ran back for it, wrapping his cloak about himself. With a nod of his head, he teleported inside the Vione and felt for his nephew's mind. "Reese! Reese answer me!" he shouted, praying he would at least still be able to think.

Uncle…oh Goddess…the blood…Help me Help me!

The fear was there, and Hiero felt his way into the youth's mind, images reaching him. That room, he knew it, the one he shared with his darling Alessa. 'Reese...I'm coming, stay alive…just stay alive!' he thought and ran in that direction.

He ran as hard as he could, the room wasn't terribly far, but he saw someone far off down the hall disappearing around the corner. 'No time to chase him...Reese's life is slipping away! Damn you!' he thought, bursting into the room. His heart almost stopped. There was blood spattered all over the nightstand and part of the bed. Reese, poor innocent Reese, was slumped against the nightstand, holding his left side weakly. His armor was littered with stab wounds and they gave more form to the red lake beneath him.

"Oh…Goddess, Reese! Just hold on, son…hold on!" he yelped and put his arms around the young man, teleporting them outside. He tore the armor off the bloodied form, Reese's breaths growing even more shallow and pained. Hiero looked at him painfully, bowing his head to him. "You always haunt me, Delphine, but you're under my control now…Reese will live, damn you! Phase Delphine, overtake me!" he said in a hushed voice and transformed into the beautiful god's form, content with the fact Delphine would never regain control.

"Let my light restore what has been lost, I take from the land and the stars the life of the gods into your innocent blood. Seraph Heal!" He shouted, putting his hands on the youth's wounds. His hands glowed bright, draining the very land and air around them of their own energy, pushing it into Reese. The grass began to die, the trees within a mile of them began to wither and fall to dust, the land itself grew dry and lifeless. The air was cold, thinning with every moment as the wounds sealed, the blood regenerating.

When it was done, Hiero became himself again, panting hard as he gathered the youth into his arms. He hugged him softly, then rubbed his chest, hoping he would wake soon. Reese gave a wheezing cough and a yell, and began to flail in Hiero's arms. "Reese, its ok, you're all right…its over…Its over!" he said loudly after getting a slap in the face.

Reese stilled a bit, looking up at him with those wide, tender eyes. He was still shaking, feeling where he'd been stabbed, scratching at his mouth. He looked ready to cry, to be a child after so long, but he didn't shed a tear, not yet. "Kissed me…then he stabbed me…he tried to hurt me…I…I was so scared, Uncle. He stole my first kiss…and he tried to kill me…the look on his face, he was crazy…utterly mad!" Reese quivered out, spitting to the side. He looked disgusted and unhappy, his once pale dying face now turning a slight shade of green.

"Who did this, Reese…who did it?" he asked, giving the young man a cloth. Reese wiped at his mouth vigorously, tears finally coming as the shaking got worse. "Grego…it was…gkk…Grego…he…oh Goddess, he was going to kill me…" Reese wept, getting sick on the dirt. Hiero let him throw up, his blood boiling with hate and anger. He suspected, but was never able to prove that Grego was up to no good, but murder, and his own comrades. 'Those Artemis tramps…Grego gave in, he betrayed us all for…them. Dammit, they sent a viper into our midst. Damn him…but…he thinks Reese is dead…Hah, he thinks Reese is dead…'he thought, smiling until Reese gagged out more bile.

Hiero let him finish before teleporting them back into his bedroom. Reese looked disturbed to be back in the room, but Hiero gave him an assuring smile. "I'll clean it up after I get Lord Dilandau in here…you are not to leave this room. As long as Grego believes you are dead, we have the advantage on him. Until then, you stay dead by hiding in here…I'll teleport in and our to take care of you…but please, let us handle Grego, my Reese…ok?" Hiero said softly, patting the youth's cheek.

Reese nodded, wiping more tears away. "Ok…Uncle…make Grego pay…make him stop."

Hiero gave him a warm hug and peck on the cheek. "On my life…I'll make him regret he knows how to breathe." With that Hiero walked out and locked the door behind him, leaving Reese to himself.

Dilandau's Chambers

"That traitor, I'll skin him alive." Dilandau growled, throwing his wine glass at the wall. Hiero shook his head. "Then we won't know who put him up to this…its probably the monarchy, but then he might know a bit more, enough to help us get at them perhaps. I don't think…though, that it's wise to discuss anything here. Grego might be nearby and be able to counter us. I think we should keep this between we angels and Reese, no one else. We'll see how Grego likes being hunted. Isn't that a bit more...intimate…?"

Dilandau glared at him, his cheeks burning red. Hiero would chuckle, but he was still angry about Reese nearly being the next victim. He wanted to enjoy Grego's death, picking his guts out of his cowardly chest and ensure he stayed alive. One death was bad enough, but Grego was now attacking his own family, making Reese feel horrible inside before doing the deed. That was for the enemy, who deserved to be punished for their crimes, not an innocent young man and comrade. Morse…Blake, Reese had nearly joined the ranks of the dead.

"I didn't mean about you and Miss Akiko, I mean its more satisfying for us, to avenge Blake and Morse's undignified deaths. They were good boys, strong and full of life. Grego took that from them in cold blood, he has to pay slowly for this. I know that's what you want too. His reasons for what he's done, I want to know why. Then we will see how long his suffering will drag out."

Dilandau angel his silver head slightly, looking annoyed. He saw the point Hiero was making and disliked it, as usual. Better than him denying it and attracting attention to this room. "All right…where do we discuss the matter?"

"We'll use the backroom at Zelda's tavern…all we need to do is come up with a plan to catch the little weasel, then handle what's behind him. Ok?" Hiero said softly. Dilandau nodded, and gestured with his head towards the door.

Hiero winked softly and left the room to make a false grave for Reese. He was all they had now keeping Reese from running back to whoever was pulling his strings. It'd all end soon.

Lantenia

- Half Hour Later -

Grego sat on his dragon, looking at the crowd of Lateni men he'd rounded up after that Akiko woman didn't do as he wanted and survived Lord Dilandau. She needed to die and quickly. Reese was dead, and soon he'd go for Link, slow and steady. Eventually he'd be figured out and that bastard Hiero would try and ruin things. It was all that woman's fault, it had to be, she was irritating Lord Dilandau so much, but he just wouldn't kill the bitch. It made Lord Dilandau too keen, too sharp, and she'd even managed to ruin the destruction of the Vione.

She wouldn't interfere again, and neither would Lord Dilandau. "Now, you want the Dragon Slayers to leave, to never grace your town again, get rid of those they hold high on their shoulder. Lord Dilandau and Strategos Hiero must be killed for this wish to come true. With them gone…this war will end and the peace will be eternal. You all want that, I know you do!" he proclaimed, the crowd cheering.

He grinned wickedly. "If you see them separately…do nothing, they must both be in town. I don't care if they are together or not, as long as they are both in town, catch them and kill them any way possible." He told them, hanging them down sacks of bottles. "These hold a good amounts of our own brand of sleeping elixir, throw it or drug them it doesn't matter, just don't breathe it in. They have to die for you all to be free…" he shouted, lifting his fist to the sky. The crowd cheered and pumped their fists in the air.

"Death to the Dragon Lords! Death to the Dragon Lords! Death! Death! Death! DEATH!" they chanted, Hiero's pride swelling with every shout.

'Soon, bitch, soon, you'll be all mine, screaming my name…No one can save you now…' he mused, licking his lips.

To Be Continued…

Keia -is a name, as near as I can remember because I lost all the information on it, of the character created by my good and very missed friend Mother Love. All I could remember was that the name began with a K, the character was indifferent, and she might have liked kids. I miss you Mother Love, and your beautiful art. Be well.

Owen Beval -- means 'Young Warrior -Owen- Like the Wind -Beval-' in Celtic, according to my friend, Fallon-chan, who created both Midori and Owen. The Midori and Owen plot is for Fallon-chan, I hope she enjoys it, I think I may have screwed it up possibly. I just don't know how many memories a 2 year old has besides burying the traumatic ones.

Teaser: Dilandau and Hiero must discuss the trap to snare Grego, but Grego has his own trap set. More on Midori and Owen. The monarchies suspected of being mingled into the murders, and Grego goes for Akiko for his princess. Time is running out for the Dragon Slayers and Akiko's life.