Chapter Ten
Too late came I to love thee,
O thou Beauty both so ancient and so fresh,
Yea too late came I to love thee.
And behold thou wert within me,
And I out of myself,
Where I made search for thee.
-St. Augustine
It was a quiet evening and Usagi was bored. She was getting on everyone's nerves, pacing back and forth across the Great Hall, flapping her arms like a small child. Occasionally she would shoot a secretive glance Averill's way and erupt into peals of her insane laughter. Mostly, he pretended not to notice. He knew it was better not to encourage her.
Usagi was bored mainly because Boss wasn't around to entertain her. He had confined himself to his rooms the last few days in the process of planning a Great Revenge; and Usagi hadn't shown any sign that she wished to be entertained by Averill, so he hadn't mentioned it.
Averill was plotting, too, plotting a way to return her to Mamoru without arousing Boss' suspicions. Unfortunately, as Boss trusted no one, he could scarcely suggest going off for a piss without those dark eyes flashing mistrust. And that left him with little chance for getting Usagi alone.
A great wind blew into the room as Boss entered. Averill couldn't control the shudder that ran through him, not of cold but born from strong dislike of Lord Ahriman. Even when borrowing another's body, he stirred up deep feelings of hatred within Averill.
You'll get your due, Averill thought with quiet heat. In time. I promise you will. For centuries, the dark lord has used him for his own purposes… now that Averill was fully awakened, it was his turn for revenge. Let the games begin.
"There you are," Boss said gruffly and Averill at first thought he was speaking to Usagi, but realized a minute later that his supposed master was glaring at him.
"Here I am," Averill agreed. Boss didn't flinch at his tone. "When are we going to act?" he demanded, trying to sound impatient. "Or haven't you decided on a plan?"
Boss smiled. "Soon," he said simply. Usagi picked up on Averill's false train of thought and skipped towards Boss with a pout.
"I'm not happy," she whined and placed her small hand on his bicep. "It's been days since we've had any fun. Won't you take me out?"
Boss looked at her, and his gaze wasn't fond. "I don't have time," he explained crisply and she jerked away from him.
"But I'm so bored!"
"I don't have time to entertain little girls!" Boss yelled. Averill grimaced, but Usagi seemed pleased.
She giggled. "Boss is angry with me!" she cried and another peal of that childlike laughter escaped her throat.
I'm sorry, Averill thought to the former Usagi buried inside the laughing maniac. I am so sorry. This wasn't supposed to happen. I'll get you back if I can. I promise to try. It didn't seem right to even think of her as Usagi anymore. She had become the demon Boss wanted her to be. She was his Serena.
Her black eyes glittered with demented humor. "I want to go out," she told him loudly and started twirling around the room in a frantic dance. "I want to go out! I want to go out!"
Averill flinched. Honestly, he didn't see why Mamoru and the others had accepted him. As soon as they saw what he'd done to her, they wouldn't be so forgiving. Well, he'd gladly offer his head on a platter if it made his up debt to them.
Boss groaned. "Stop that!" he moaned and his dark eyes flicked to Averill, who was passively leaning against the wall. "Averill, you take her."
"What?" Averill couldn't believe it. Boss of all people was giving him a way out. He could have kissed the man.
"It will be your chance to get her alone," Boss explained, mistaking Averill's surprise for reluctance. Serena looked at Averill and her eyes lit up.
"Fun," she observed and her eyes sparkled with malice. Averill tried to conceal the horror he felt, but every time he looked at her he felt more guilt.
That's about to change, he reminded himself and took a step towards her.
"Okay," he agreed. Serena squealed with joy and stared twirling in circles, around and around until her long hair streamed around her in a long curtain of gold.
"Averill's taking me out!" she cried and raised her hands to the ceiling. "Averill's taking me out!"
She's losing her mind, Averill thought as he watched her gleeful expression. Boss looked as blank as he did. Finally noticing how your spell got out of control? he thought bitterly to the other man. Congratulations.
He started towards her but was stopped by Boss' rough hand on his arm. "Hold it," Boss growled and the blond boy winced. "You've been awfully quiet lately," he accused, his black eyes glittering dangerously. "Have something to tell me?"
Averill blinked. "Like what?"
"You tell me. I feel strong resistance from you, and I don't know if I trust that you are going to stay with us." Those obsidian eyes flashed like a strobe light when he was angry.
Averill almost choked. Almost. Only when Serena waltzed over and stood by him did he gain the strength to say what he needed.
"Leave you?" he smirked. "Why would I leave when I have everything I want right here?" Placing a casual arm around Serena's shoulders to make a point, Averill pivoted and left.
0 0 0
But later, strolling through the quiet of night, Averill was worried. The moon and stars shining down did little to comfort or calm his nerves. He wasn't sure he had the strength to do what he must, even though he knew the creature skipping beside him wasn't his former love. Right now, she was glancing around the park, those dark eyes, so unlike her, glittering hungrily.
"We're in the park," she said thoughtfully and when Averill turned to her warily, she rewarded him with a brilliant smile. "Children play in the park."
Averill couldn't conceal his disgust. "Not at night," he reminded her gently and she shrugged.
"Then we'll seek them out. Children are the most fun to play with. You and me Averill, we'll do it together." She put her arms around him and for a moment looked almost sane. Averill smiled at her sadly. She had said similar words to him long ago, before Darien had interfered.
What would it have been like? he thought suddenly. Could we have been happy together? Could she have loved me the way I love her? She smiled as if hearing his thoughts, and just when Averill was about to count the smile as one of her old ones, she burst into another shriek of that strange laughter.
You'll never know, the voice in his mind said bitterly. You screwed up and nearly destroyed what you loved. Now the only thing left is to save her.
Feeling an overwhelming sadness, Averill reached out and touched her hair, savoring the familiar feeling of silk. This was the last time he could be with her, whatever semblance of her this was. Soon he'd deliver her to the others and she would be in their control. And when she was cured, she was sure to hate him: why wouldn't she? He hated himself.
Unconsciously, his hand slid to her cheek and she leaned against his palm with closed eyes. When she was like this, it was difficult to believe she was anything different from what she always had been. Averill couldn't help remembering that last night in the park when she'd kissed him. For just a moment his world had been right… but it was a lie. When she said she loved him, she was only responding to the suggestions the poison gave her. And if he took advantage and kissed her now, her response would be just as false. There was nothing he could do to gain her back the way she was at the height of their romance, for she didn't love him anymore, and never would again.
Sighing, his hand dropped from her cheek.
"You're not happy, Averill," she observed and stepped away with a little frown. "Do you not want to play with the children?" That estranged smile blossomed.
Averill shook his head. "I'm sorry."
She glowered at him. "I knew you were a softie. You never did have the stomach to destroy things. With the energy we take, we're stronger than others. We're better. We are going to take back the world that should have belonged to us, and destroy anyone who gets in the way. Can't you hear the screams? Or see the blood?" She licked her lips with anticipation.
"Is that what Boss has been filling your head with?" Averill asked, taking a step back in horror. It was ridiculous to hear such a small girl talk that way, but also in a horrible way terrifying. "Have you forgotten that not long ago you were one of those fighting back?"
Serena gave him an oh-come-on look. "And I would have been destroyed. It's better to join the Darkness before it gets you, and if you're smart you'll stay with it. It's boring to always be so pure. Life is better now."
Averill's fingers traveled to his leg and he let them dangle there carelessly. "This isn't you talking," he said, "and if you can hear me, Usagi, know that I am truly sorry."
She laughed sharply and the sound carried through the night. "For what?"
"This." Averill's hand darted into the secret pocket of his jeans and he retrieved a small bat. Serena stared but was only surprised for a moment. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to assess what was happening.
"It's for your own good," he explained through gritted teeth, but as he swung, she leaped out of the way and laughed when Averill turned towards her.
"He does have guts after all," she mused and grinned. "This is going to be fun."
Sweat rolled down his forehead. For a full five minutes they played Dodge Bat, and every time he took a swing, she ducked out of the way, her eyes laughing as if perceiving this as some kind of game.
A game. Of course. Averill smiled then and let the hand with the bat droop. "I yield," he said and copied her dangerous grin. He wasn't surprised when she walked into his open embrace: she had always been trusting, even like this.
"That was fun," she said, nuzzling her small face into his chest. "What do we play now?"
"We don't," Averill said and she jerked her head upwards. "You're going home." He tightened his grip around her and brought the bat up.
"You tricked me!" she shrieked right before it hit her.
"You'll thank me later," he assured her silent form as she slumped against him. "Goodbye, love." He kissed her gently on the forehead, lips lingering for a few stolen seconds, before swinging her into his arms and walking away into the night.
0 0 0
Serena was floating in a grey mist, extremely drowsy. All around her was very calm and peaceful. Usually she preferred action to rest, but this was actually quite nice. She felt she hadn't slept in days.
She yawned and stretched, smiling lazily. She would have happily stayed there floating forever, except that an unpleasant thought was tugging at the back of her mind. There was something she was supposed to be doing… but she couldn't think of anything worth leaving this comfortable grayness.
Whatever. She'd get around to responsibility when she was ready. She closed her eyes and sighed contentedly, ready to lose herself in the silence.
"Please…" The pleading voice was female and Serena opened her eyes in annoyance. Who dared disturb her?
She straightened then and remembered everything. She and Averill had been playing a dangerous game, but she had lost. Didn't matter. Next time she would defeat him. Averill was so funny, slinking around guilty one minute and then getting a dangerous gleam in his eyes and coming after her. Why did he pretend to be so noble when he knew as well as she that there was Darkness in his soul?
He was truly interesting. She would have lots of fun playing with him in the future. But she would also be more careful. Yes. She must never underestimate him. Her plan was to change Averill, to mold him until he realized his true nature and reveled in the Evil with her. Only then could they be together again.
"Leave him alone," the voice insisted and Serena narrowed her eyes. Who dared tell her what to do? She turned and was startled to see… herself… floating several feet away. It was her, except that this other self had hair tied up in those stupid odangos and was wearing a long, flowing white gown. She looked sad with her hands clasped together and soft blue eyes wide. The effect would have been heartbreaking for someone with a heart, but Serena wasn't affected.
Something told her that she had been this pathetic self once. She was struck by the thought, the absurdity of it. Not possible… but somehow this girl's presence eased her mind, chasing out all thoughts of hurting others. Especially Averill. "Please," the girl begged again and Serena pursed her lips angrily. What was going on? Why was she feeling this way?
"Please what?" she taunted and folded her arms, fully aware that her little black dress and unbound, flowing hair were a stark contrast to the other girl's soft prettiness.
Her white shadow floated forward and Serena felt a wild urge to back away as the girl neared. "Leave," the girl in the white dress begged. "Let me return. Please!"
Serena smirked. "No," she said. "I like it here. I like being bad and playing with Averill."
The girl's face changed suddenly to anger and she clenched her small fists. "You will leave him alone," she ordered, narrowing her eyes until they were no longer soft and kind. Serena smiled sweetly at her without comment. Finally, there was a resemblance.
"You can't win," the girl in the white dress continued fiercely. "You aren't real – you're something created. I've had a chance to rest and my will is strong again. I will return and destroy your beloved Boss."
Serena's fragile composure dissolved at that. How dare this little girl threaten her beautiful prince! "Boss will destroy you!" she screamed but the other girl only smiled and shook her blond head.
"We'll see," she said, her form fading away. Serena tried to chase after the girl, to catch her and shake her until she understood that she was nothing but a shade, when another shape shimmered in the grayness beside her and formed into Boss.
Well, it didn't look like the Boss she knew, but somehow she understood that this was Lord Ahriman as he had been in ages past. He had long dark hair flowing over his shoulders and golden hawk eyes that peered at her with disapproval. He was handsomer than ever, and despite his frown, Serena was very pleased to see him.
"You came!" she cried and held out a welcoming hand, but he was shaking his head in disappointment.
"You have betrayed me, my sweet," he said with regret and Serena's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Never," she insisted and tried to kiss his hand, but he waved her away.
"No matter. I have a new champion coming, one who will satisfy me as you never could. You have fulfilled your purpose, Serena, my dark angel, and I have no more use for you."
Boss was dissolving as the girl in white had and Serena leapt after him with a scream. For an instant she was caught in his horrible darkness and found herself wishing only for liberation: she didn't want to be his dark anything, not when to feel his coldness was this terrifying. Fear filled her mind, and she felt a distinct sensation of falling before jerking once and opening her eyes.
The light was blinding, and for a moment it was difficult to focus her eyes. Slowly she blinked until the mass of swirling colors around her sharpened and solidified. She discovered that she was lying on a bed with a crowd of people surrounding her. Her mind was a blob of whirling confusion as she struggled to make sense of her new surroundings. What had happened? Where had the girl and her beloved Master gone? Had it all been a dream?
"She's awake," one of the figures commented. "Averill, is she better now?"
At the mention of Averill, Serena snarled. The girl in white had said to leave him alone, but she was determined to hurt him now, more than ever. She would not lose, and to ensure her victory, she would torture those the girl loved. She would laugh as she squeezed life from their frail, mortal bodies, and the girl in the white dress would weep over the loss of her dear ones. Serena smiled, picturing this, and giggled. She could hardly wait to start.
"No, she hasn't changed," someone said dully and Serena's attention sparked. She knew that voice. It was Averill. Her vision cleared and she saw him standing at the foot of the bed with the dark-haired boy that she knew she hated. Were they working together now? A snarl escaped her lips. Unforgivable.
"She looks like an animal," someone else commented and Serena swung her eyes to a dark-haired girl with purple eyes. She looked scared. Good. Serena wanted them to be scared.
"Look at her eyes," another girl whispered, but Serena didn't bother finding out who. She looked at the dark-haired boy standing next to Averill and smiled.
"Hello, sweetheart," she said cheerfully and laughed when he paled. Averill looked displeased but she shrugged at him innocently, batting her soft eyelashes. She hoped she looked as good as she felt.
"Ami," Averill said without moving his eyes from Serena, "what do you think?"
"I don't know," a blue-haired girl Serena had known once but forgotten said regretfully. "I'm sorry."
"You will all be sorry," Serena growled and several more people paled. A blond girl looked as if she would get sick all over the carpet.
"Anyone seen The Exorcist?" the other dark-haired boy murmured and she smiled at him. He was the only one she didn't currently hate, because he didn't have anything to do with her kidnapping. She knew he didn't have the power.
She noticed Kai standing close to a brunette and scowled. "So, you defected, too. I always knew you were a good-for-nothing."
"Look who's talking," he replied coolly and the girl beside him elbowed him roughly.
Serena smiled sweetly. "Is that so?" She tensed her muscles and prepared to lunge at him, but soon discovered that she couldn't. The fools had tied her hands to the bed posts. How had she missed it before? No matter, this made everything more interesting, more challenging.
"You're all going to get it," she threatened, leaning back. "Boss will come for me." She had conveniently put Boss' visit in her unconscious state out of her mind.
"Let him come," Averill said harshly. "We're ready for a fight, and we're not releasing you until you're back to normal."
"What is normal?" she asked, an incredibly profound thought for one bordering on madness. Her nose wrinkled. "Always being sweet and good like that girl?"
"What girl?" Averill asked, a strange look on his face, and she smiled at him.
"Her. She told me not to hurt you." Serena giggled. "But she can't stop me."
"Maybe not, but those ropes can," the purple-eyed girl reminded her, and Serena frowned. She didn't look scared anymore. "I think she needs some alone time," the girl continued. "We can talk in the other room."
"Go right ahead." Serena glared at her, at them all. "Talking won't help you, because Boss is going to rescue me. He's thinking of me right now."
But the crowd ignored her as they left, and only the dark-haired, blue-eyed boy who had once been important to her looked back.
0 0 0
Boss was indeed thinking about her, but without any intentions of rescue. His eyes blazed as he paced the Grand Hall, and the three remaining generals shrank back from the dark power that leapt from his skin. He was furious.
"Where are they?" he demanded. "I sent them out hours ago. Why haven't they returned? Alexandrite, you look nervous. Spill your mind, boy, before I lose my patience."
Alexandrite did indeed look nervous. He fiddled with his hands and rocked on his feet. "What?" he asked sharply and when Boss glared at him he swallowed, because stalling wasn't going to save him.
"Kyanite and Averill have left," he explained carefully and winced, expecting to receive the full power of Boss' wrath, but to his surprise the dark man was calm.
He apparently didn't understand. "We know that," Boss said coldly and Azurite cleared his throat.
"I think he means that they've left for good. They've betrayed us."
"What?" Boss stared at the blue-eyed general in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what he said," Calcite put in, her golden eyes glittering with suppressed anger. "They're traitors." Boss' face changed then, and all three generals stepped back in fear.
"Boss!" Calcite cried when he let out a deafening howl, and she covered her ears. He swung on her furiously as she shrieked.
"I should kill you all!" he roared and she stumbled backwards into Azurite. He pushed her aside impatiently and looked at her pursuer with cool blue eyes.
"You wouldn't," he said calmly.
Boss moved towards him. "And why not?"
Azurite smiled. "Without us, who's going to fight your battles?"
Boss stopped glowing in anger and his features diminished into a smile, but a chilling one. "True," he mused. "You're a cold Adonis, but you're smarter that I give you credit for. Fine then, we shall wait. Either way, the time for Revenge is soon."
With that said, his laughter echoed around the hall.
0 0 0
Serena tugged on her ropes for the hundredth time and felt them loosen a little more. She smiled in satisfaction - her kidnappers were going to get a nasty surprise when she freed herself. She fantasized for a moment about what she would do to them, conveniently forgetting that she was outnumbered.
It was hot in the bedroom and Serena very much wanted to sleep and slip back into the comfortable grayness. But that would be bad. She had to stay alert and make sure those people didn't do anything to her, like allow the girl in the white dress to come forth. So Serena played with her hands, twisting them patiently, and all the time gained more room to move. Soon. It would be very soon.
The door opened and a dark head poked in. Serena stopped moving her hands and peered at the entrance curiously. It was the boy she liked.
"Hi," he said hesitantly and walked forward. He was carrying a tray with a bowl of steaming food. Serena sniffed. It smelled like rice. She was hungry, but not for that. What she needed was energy. She eyed the boy thoughtfully as he sat beside her on the bed.
"Do you remember me?" he blurted after a pause, uneasily.
Serena thought about that for a moment and then smiled. "Nick."
"Yes." He looked relieved. "Hungry?"
Serena looked at him. "I am," she said. Her gaze apparently made Nick uncomfortable, for he shifted, avoiding her eyes. She laughed softly. This one was easy to unnerve. He hadn't seen the Evil and Death that the others had, but he had promise. Boss had told her about him, and if she wrapped him around the right finger he might prove very useful.
Nick saw the way she was looking at him. "I better go," he said quickly and got up. This annoyed Serena - she had thought he had more guts and was a potential accomplice, but he had proved to be same as the others… a weak, overly sensitive, boring little worm. He didn't amuse nearly so much anymore.
"She's not good enough for you," Serena called after him and he whirled around with surprise.
"Excuse me?"
"But you already know that, don't you?" she added and was pleased to see him squirm. "You were wrong to cross her. She will destroy you."
Nick was looking very white. "What are you…?"
Serena smiled. "I know many things. Boss tells me many things. And when that time comes, no one will be around to save you."
Nick looked positively anemic. "God help you. Someone has to," he whispered and left a very satisfied Serena. She had scared him and it felt good. She continued struggling with her ropes for the next twenty minutes and just when one was about to give, the door opened again and she froze.
The other dark-haired boy walked in. "I just came to see if you need anything," he explained. "Everyone has left and I'm going to bed."
This sounded like a good thing. "Everyone?" she asked casually and he nodded.
"Nick was upset about something, so he's spending the night at the temple with Averill and Kai."
Serena tried to stay calm. She couldn't have planned a better situation! He looked so tired, not physically, but mentally as if he'd aged twenty years in a week. This shouldn't have bothered her, but a tiny voice inside was disturbed.
Ignore it, she commanded and smiled at him.
"Sweet dreams," she said cheerfully. "And they will be sweet compared to when Boss comes after you."
The boy's shoulders slumped, and this didn't bother her at all. "Good night, then," he said politely with a half-bow and turned to go. Serena didn't answer, and spat after him. When the door shut, she continued her mission. Within a few minutes, the rope on her left hand gave. She almost shrieked with joy, but quickly clasped the free hand over her mouth. Better to not alert the boy-that-she-didn't-like.
Quickly now, she untied the other rope and rotated her wrists in circles to test them. Everything worked. With a grin, she leapt out of bed and took a step towards the door, her breaths coming in excited little gasps. The boy-that-she-didn't like was going to get a nasty surprise.