A/N: As is my custom, I'd like to thank my reviewers for their support. This chapter isn't entirely satisfactory but I guess given the constraints it is all I could manage. Well, back to thanking those who have lent me their support. Devilinn- Reiko, you were among the first few people who lent me your support and encouragement. I'm still working on your dedication and I'm trying to make up for it, as it is the one dedication I've been procrastinating for the longest period of time. Redex, well gal, we go a real long way back considering I only joined last year. You have been there for me so much so that you (in my opinion) wreck your health. I've already expressed my gratitude in the best way I could in that e- mail so I won't be repeating myself. Word of advice though: Seize A Boy. (don't kill me, don't kill me) Platinum Rei, Old friend, old friend! I still have fond memories of earnest and sincere reviews. Well, whether Tala will receive Rei's messages will be decided next chapter. You're going to have to wait. Life Sucks, Get Used to it, well I did spend some effort but nothing more than what is expected. I think it is worth it don't you? Thanks for all your encouragement, you've really given me so many fond memories that still brings a contented smile. Sleepy Sheep Guardian, Another old pal, if I'm not mistaken you wrote Loving Legends didn't you? You have the natural flair of a storyteller. Your continued interest in my work is something that I treasure. You want Tala to go after Kai? Well we'll see . . . Life's a toilet and people are the crap, well you have been a most interesting reviewer. I've made my reply to you in a review of the first chapter of this fic since I had no other way to communicate my thoughts. Here's hoping we'll read more of each other although I must admit you have the advantage since you know who I am but I am still clueless as to who you might be. Would it be too much to divulge your true identity?
And now . . . the feature production . . .
In the web
=====================================
The indescribable agony had subsided to a barely tolerable pain. Bryan winced as his ribs struggled painfully against the cold stone tiles. Overhead the sound of footsteps inspired weak but fervent scrabbling.
"Tell me Bryan . . . how was that little taste of my displeasure?" Borris asked with chilling civility.
"Sir-"
Fresh screams filled the chamber.
"Understand this boy . . . you have failed me once . . . to me you're just rotting meat." Borris continued above the tortured cries in the same tone, pacing around his ex- pupil's convulsing form.
"There is only one way you can possibly redeem yourself."
The casual steps stopped short. Borris released the button and watched emotionlessly as his one- time charge twitched spasmodically at his feet.
"You will do it I trust."
He smiled at the quivering form and hit the button.
=====================================
Kai stood before the full- length mirror gazing intently upon his naked reflection. A gentle tan touched the harsh features and flowed up to his neckline. Beyond that boundary his flesh turned a pale pink, flushed with the rigorous training. Livid scars above his tremulous chest shimmered beneath the fluorescent bulbs. Fingertips traced them lightly as if the touch might reawaken the remembered pain.
He traced them as someone had so many years ago . . . For a moment he was seven again. A figure appeared behind him, young arms tracing each inflamed wound even as Kai gasped as the line of fiery pain crossed his chest. The careful expression as that boy searched across his chest. Pleasure befuddled with pain, the innocently affectionate clasp of fingers.
Kai blinked away the memory.
That part of his life was over now. He had cast his lot with the Blade Breakers. The others . . . they were now just a memory. Certainly they had changed after all these years last he had seen them. The abbey had seen to that. Tala, Spencer, Ian and Bryan. The five of them had always been in the spotlight till the day he had escaped. Always at the head of the line for the best . . . treatment, the abbey had to offer. Without a doubt, the others had continued to receive the express attention of the doctor- priests. Their mechanical and callous behaviour during the tournament had been an unwanted reminder of what he might have become had he remained in the abbey. Not that he wasn't the cold, unfeeling bastard that Tyson called him under his breath. He could honestly say however that he was vastly different from his ex- teammates. For one thing, he could reconcile with the fact, however grudgingly, that he had a soft spot for those irritating and immature teammates of his. He had to be careful to hide it though, he would not tolerate Tyson slinging an arm over his shoulder.
Crimson eyes gleamed bemusedly before they strayed back to the pale white streaks on his chest. Guilt stirred briefly within his troubled mind but he quickly suppressed it. It had nothing to do with him. He wasn't responsible for how Bryan and the others turned out. Although . . . although things might have changed had he tried to rescue them. But he was a kid! How was he supposed to manage that? But he didn't try did he? He hadn't. And his flight from the abbey must have only intensified whatever experiments the other four received.
Kai fingered the scars again. In his short stay he had already been made to bear those painful incisions . . . what the others had to bear was simply unimaginable.
"But they're alright now, they're free." Kai whispered to himself, his words echoing back to him and sounding strangely hollow.
=====================================
He knew what he had to do and he wasn't looking forward to it. How long was it since they had spent time with each other? Tala had definitely changed in all this time. Conscious of the watching priests Bryan refrained from reaching out to touch the unconscious form of his ex- team leader.
"Leave us." Bryan commanded.
The priests exchanged hesitant looks but Bryan as Borris personal disciple outranked them.
"We'll wait outside?" One managed.
Bryan nodded curtly and stood silently as the pair left the room and the door sealed itself. The moment the air- lock hissed shut, Bryan fell upon Tala pale eyes searching. Beneath the dim light he could just make out the pale, Russian youth. Barely healed cuts and gashes streaked angry red across skin that was icy to the touch. Even in a dreamless slumber, red brows furrowed in a look of such determination that Bryan was sure he had put on a fight before they managed to entomb him in this bloody cell. Gently, as if afraid he would wake the red- haired youth, he let his fingers brush against an ugly, purple bruise on a frozen cheek.
Cerulean eyes shot open and Tala bolted up, or tried to. Steel restraints bruised taut sinews.
"Tala, relax." Bryan barked.
The struggling form froze and fearful eyes widened in recognition.
"You?"
For some reason, Bryan felt a lump in his throat. The accusation in that tone . . .
"Listen," he began hastily, "there isn't much time left. You need to listen to me carefully. Can you do that?"
Blue eyes glowed strangely at him and then turned away.
"No."
"Tala –"
"I said no!"
"Shut up!" Bryan hissed, wheeling about half- expecting the door to slide open. It didn't.
"What's wrong with you?" he demanded, rounding up on the red- haired youth.
"They could have heard us!"
Cerulean eyes flicked towards him for a moment before Tala burst out in humourless laughter.
"What's wrong with you?" Bryan demanded in a furious whisper.
"What's wrong with you!" Tala spat vehemently.
"Why couldn't you leave me alone? Why? Why!"
"You just couldn't give up the power could you, huh? You just loved it didn't you. You can have your damn enhancements, BUT WHY DID'YA DRAG ME INTO IT!"
"WHY! I DON'T WANT ANY PART OF THIS! BUT YOU HAD- TO- GET- ME- IN- VOL
VED."
Rage filled every mote of Tala's being and he trashed against his binds eager to lash out at the speechless form before him.
"I'm sorry."
Bryan knelt by the Tala's side, oddly bright eyes level with the other's baffled ones.
"Was- was it good? The life that you were leading?"
Tala gazed into those white jade eyes but he shook his head violently.
"What are you playing at Bryan?"
For a moment, it seemed to Tala that Bryan looked far older and wearier than he should.
"I will tell you."
=====================================
Sorry folks, that's it for now. Tune in next time for the next episode of Messages.
Love,
Porticulis
And now . . . the feature production . . .
In the web
=====================================
The indescribable agony had subsided to a barely tolerable pain. Bryan winced as his ribs struggled painfully against the cold stone tiles. Overhead the sound of footsteps inspired weak but fervent scrabbling.
"Tell me Bryan . . . how was that little taste of my displeasure?" Borris asked with chilling civility.
"Sir-"
Fresh screams filled the chamber.
"Understand this boy . . . you have failed me once . . . to me you're just rotting meat." Borris continued above the tortured cries in the same tone, pacing around his ex- pupil's convulsing form.
"There is only one way you can possibly redeem yourself."
The casual steps stopped short. Borris released the button and watched emotionlessly as his one- time charge twitched spasmodically at his feet.
"You will do it I trust."
He smiled at the quivering form and hit the button.
=====================================
Kai stood before the full- length mirror gazing intently upon his naked reflection. A gentle tan touched the harsh features and flowed up to his neckline. Beyond that boundary his flesh turned a pale pink, flushed with the rigorous training. Livid scars above his tremulous chest shimmered beneath the fluorescent bulbs. Fingertips traced them lightly as if the touch might reawaken the remembered pain.
He traced them as someone had so many years ago . . . For a moment he was seven again. A figure appeared behind him, young arms tracing each inflamed wound even as Kai gasped as the line of fiery pain crossed his chest. The careful expression as that boy searched across his chest. Pleasure befuddled with pain, the innocently affectionate clasp of fingers.
Kai blinked away the memory.
That part of his life was over now. He had cast his lot with the Blade Breakers. The others . . . they were now just a memory. Certainly they had changed after all these years last he had seen them. The abbey had seen to that. Tala, Spencer, Ian and Bryan. The five of them had always been in the spotlight till the day he had escaped. Always at the head of the line for the best . . . treatment, the abbey had to offer. Without a doubt, the others had continued to receive the express attention of the doctor- priests. Their mechanical and callous behaviour during the tournament had been an unwanted reminder of what he might have become had he remained in the abbey. Not that he wasn't the cold, unfeeling bastard that Tyson called him under his breath. He could honestly say however that he was vastly different from his ex- teammates. For one thing, he could reconcile with the fact, however grudgingly, that he had a soft spot for those irritating and immature teammates of his. He had to be careful to hide it though, he would not tolerate Tyson slinging an arm over his shoulder.
Crimson eyes gleamed bemusedly before they strayed back to the pale white streaks on his chest. Guilt stirred briefly within his troubled mind but he quickly suppressed it. It had nothing to do with him. He wasn't responsible for how Bryan and the others turned out. Although . . . although things might have changed had he tried to rescue them. But he was a kid! How was he supposed to manage that? But he didn't try did he? He hadn't. And his flight from the abbey must have only intensified whatever experiments the other four received.
Kai fingered the scars again. In his short stay he had already been made to bear those painful incisions . . . what the others had to bear was simply unimaginable.
"But they're alright now, they're free." Kai whispered to himself, his words echoing back to him and sounding strangely hollow.
=====================================
He knew what he had to do and he wasn't looking forward to it. How long was it since they had spent time with each other? Tala had definitely changed in all this time. Conscious of the watching priests Bryan refrained from reaching out to touch the unconscious form of his ex- team leader.
"Leave us." Bryan commanded.
The priests exchanged hesitant looks but Bryan as Borris personal disciple outranked them.
"We'll wait outside?" One managed.
Bryan nodded curtly and stood silently as the pair left the room and the door sealed itself. The moment the air- lock hissed shut, Bryan fell upon Tala pale eyes searching. Beneath the dim light he could just make out the pale, Russian youth. Barely healed cuts and gashes streaked angry red across skin that was icy to the touch. Even in a dreamless slumber, red brows furrowed in a look of such determination that Bryan was sure he had put on a fight before they managed to entomb him in this bloody cell. Gently, as if afraid he would wake the red- haired youth, he let his fingers brush against an ugly, purple bruise on a frozen cheek.
Cerulean eyes shot open and Tala bolted up, or tried to. Steel restraints bruised taut sinews.
"Tala, relax." Bryan barked.
The struggling form froze and fearful eyes widened in recognition.
"You?"
For some reason, Bryan felt a lump in his throat. The accusation in that tone . . .
"Listen," he began hastily, "there isn't much time left. You need to listen to me carefully. Can you do that?"
Blue eyes glowed strangely at him and then turned away.
"No."
"Tala –"
"I said no!"
"Shut up!" Bryan hissed, wheeling about half- expecting the door to slide open. It didn't.
"What's wrong with you?" he demanded, rounding up on the red- haired youth.
"They could have heard us!"
Cerulean eyes flicked towards him for a moment before Tala burst out in humourless laughter.
"What's wrong with you?" Bryan demanded in a furious whisper.
"What's wrong with you!" Tala spat vehemently.
"Why couldn't you leave me alone? Why? Why!"
"You just couldn't give up the power could you, huh? You just loved it didn't you. You can have your damn enhancements, BUT WHY DID'YA DRAG ME INTO IT!"
"WHY! I DON'T WANT ANY PART OF THIS! BUT YOU HAD- TO- GET- ME- IN- VOL
VED."
Rage filled every mote of Tala's being and he trashed against his binds eager to lash out at the speechless form before him.
"I'm sorry."
Bryan knelt by the Tala's side, oddly bright eyes level with the other's baffled ones.
"Was- was it good? The life that you were leading?"
Tala gazed into those white jade eyes but he shook his head violently.
"What are you playing at Bryan?"
For a moment, it seemed to Tala that Bryan looked far older and wearier than he should.
"I will tell you."
=====================================
Sorry folks, that's it for now. Tune in next time for the next episode of Messages.
Love,
Porticulis