OMG... it's been what, almost NINE months since this thing last updated? And throughout I've had plenty of support, what with random ya'lls dropping by and asking me to update. Glad to see this thing's not completely out of your minds, thought by all rights it should be, considering how long it's been... :looks away innocently:
Dedicated to all my reviewers who've been faithful, half faithful, or just plain dropped a kind word. Responses at the bottom!
ENJOY- for the last time?
Possessed bya Memory- Chapter 19: Final Finale
The light was falling in odd angles, illuminating the fog that had settled over the ground weakly, like the hope that had managed to remain in Thatz. It was taunting, and despairing, and for the first time, he felt it flickering like a candle in the wind. Throughout it all, he'd been able to maintain some sort of confidence deep inside a corner of his mind. He'd needed to stay strong, allow hope to linger somewhere inside, find some shred of confidence and stability to inject into his voice, for Rath, for Kitchel, for Rune. For himself.
It was fading, leaving swiftly as he saw eyes that were no longer Rath's, but blood-hungry, crimson orbs, shaded with hate.
"It's been a while, since I've been out," the sadistic grin that caused the crimson-haired youkai's lips to curl back send a shiver down the earth knight's back, and he was momentarily immobilized, simply staring in confused, incoherent shock realization of the sight before him.
"Who are you?" A voice that wasn't Rune's, but much deeper and tinged with a metal, cold edge, slid from Rune's lips.
"I'm… Illuser."
Thatz blinked, startled. Wasn't that Rath's last name? His hands clenched as he realized what that meant. He'd been named after his youkai side, a permanent brand, to forever remind him of his past whenever he spoke his name. He now understood the crimson knight's reluctance to ever use his full name. Another dark fact to add to this night of blackness.
"You're the demon that massacred Dusis?" the blonde youkai, once a sensitive, light-hearted elf, Thatz was forced to remember, sneered at the other youkai in front of him, "You're not all that."
"Hm… I haven't dismembered an elf in a while. Much less one controlled by a youkai… I wonder if that makes their screams twice as loud?" Illuser returned smoothly, settling into a confident fighting stance, his immense sword gleaming brightly. It was ironically the brightest thing in the deserted basement hallways.
Rune complied with his request to fight, licking the tip of his lance lightly and Illuser gave an amused bark of laughter. Thatz was reminded of a game of cat and mouse, and he was the inconsequential left over. There was no way he could match either of them, much less now that they were together. Trying to kill each other. And much as Thatz would have liked to be able to do anything, there was no way to stop them. They were much too strong for him. He suddenly cursed his useless human blood, cursed that he'd always been the weakest, most useless one of them, and that now, when it most mattered, after all his promises to protect them, there was nothing he could do. Rath would kill Rune, or Rune would kill Rath, and then they'd all be screwed to hell. The thought made something burn, a hollow feeling of pain, one he'd always managed to toss aside carelessly when he thought of losing either of his comrades. But now it was thrashing inside him, viciously consuming him in string of fear that made his whole body tense and shudder. He couldn't think about losing them. But what could he do about it?
Whatever it was, he had to try—to do anything—he couldn't sit back and do nothing. Not while he watched the bodies of his two best friends controlled, as their conscious selves were thrown back into the deepest most desolated corners of their mind, and let the demons controlling them obliterate each other.
Illuser was the first to move, launching himself with a perverse look of sadistic amusement in eager anticipation of a quick challenge before blood was inevitably splattered on the ground once again.
"STOP!" His paralysis was broken, and without a second thought, the green-haired knight found himself dashing in front of Illuser, blocking his path.
The youkai threw him violently aside to crash against the wall and fall among cold stone randomly spattered with blood. The sharp pain lacing Thatz's head left him momentarily disoriented.
"You're next, human. Don't get in my way."
Had his head been working correctly, he might have been offended by the insulting tone of the word human and the fact that he wasn't even worthy to kill right now. But that may have been the most gracious thing to happen, and he would have realized the stroke of luck that was.
But the only thing that was finally able to creep back in a coherent sentence was I have to save Rath and Rune!
OoO
Kitchel had always liked closed spaces. She liked open spaces too, the freedom and energy they offered, but small, tight spaces had been a favorite since she was young. It was where treasure and food was hidden, and most importantly, they'd provided shelter and a hiding place when she'd been an orphan thief scampering away from the rain and authorities. The smaller and more enclosed the place, the safer she was.
But now, even something as large as the castle hallways appeared suffocating, and she found that her stomach was clenched tightly, as if there was some sort of invisible pressure slowly squeezing it, making all her muscles tense, her breathing quicken.
Oh God, if Thatz didn't make it out of there… she pushed the thought away, refusing to finish it. She'd call him back from the dead, give him a good scolding, and kick him back in. But it wasn't just Thatz she was worried about, it was also Rath and Rune. It would kill Thatz if either of them died, and frankly, Kitchel was dead scared of what would happen if they did. She hated change, deep changes. She liked everything to always appear superficial, light and airy, so no one would have to worry, so no one would have to bear the crushing blow of reality. You could get by life by ignoring the pain and problems, there was no need to dwell into deep painful thoughts. She liked the routine of relationships that stayed the same, that were comforting in their uniformity. The emotional trauma that everyone would go through, the changes in how everyone would act, the depression that Thatz would surely go through… it was enough to make Kitchel want to shut her eyes and scream, if only in a vain attempt to dispel the thoughts.
The sound of their footsteps clapping on the stone floor sounded like the slap of a Darnia's gallop. Ahead of her, Cesia kept up the neck-breaking speed, running for all they knew into the sight of more death.
A shiver passed through Kitchel, and she knew something was wrong. There was an odd feeling in the air, and by the way the purple-haired youkai in front of her slowed down, she knew she'd felt it too. A shadow on the ground caught her attention.
"Cesia… there's something here…" she whispered, pointing to the ground, the fog making the large shape foggy and unrecognizable.
Cesia tensed, holding her hand up as dark magic began to swirl around it. They cautiously approached the large shape on the ground, and Kitchel rather thought it looked like a carelessly thrown clump of something. Sudden fear clutched her as she realized that it could very well be a body, but it was much too large for that… a youkai? There was a metallic sching and a small dagger was suddenly in her hand, withdrawn from the inside of her boot. The golden-eyed fortuneteller beside her hardly spared a glance, her gaze too focused on the shape.
The fog parted away like a veil fading out of sight, only to settle into an oppressing wall around them, revealing what the shape was.
"I… really wish we could just run from death instead of into it…"
Cesia's eyes widened, and she couldn't find the words to agree with Kitchel's nervous, quiet statement.
Alfeegi and Ruwalk lay on the ground, draped in blood.
OoO
Lykouleon watched, horrified, as Tetheus charged into Kaistern, and the ringing of swords reverberated through the room. Raseleane unconsciously clutched Delte's limp body to hers, shutting her eyes, and the Lord of Draqueen couldn't summon the strength to break out of his frozen trance.
Too much at stake… what choice did they have, but to attack Kaistern? He was after Lykouleon, and had done something to Raseleane, and nothing they did would be able to break the Blue Officer out of his possession.
Tetheus' face was pale and drawn, his arm hanging limply at his side and swinging in lifeless accordance to his body's movements as he fought one-handed, blocking Kaistern's savage attacks and trying to launch some of his own. Blood stained his clothes, splattering into a kaleidoscope design on the stone floor.
Taking in a shaky breath as his hands gripped the cold metal of his sword's hilt, steeling himself for what was to come, Lykouleon stood. Tetheus' eyes flickered towards him for a split second, and the blonde-haired man felt guilty for a moment. He knew that he was supposed to stay down, because Tetheus had sworn to protect him, and he would be in danger if he strayed into the fray. But Lykouleon had long ago vowed to himself that he would never let anyone die because of him. He would never be able to bear the guilt that would swallow him alive if he knew that one of his friends had died trying to protect him, just because he was the lord.
He flipped the sword with a quick snap, switching the sharp edge with the dull one as he raised the shining blade. He ground his teeth together, edging forward quietly, hoping that maybe one strike would knock out the Blue Officer, whose head was already splattered with bright crimson. Tetheus' flashing eyes told him that he disapproved of Lykouleon's figure sneaking slowly up behind him, but what more could he do than to keep the possessed dragon's attention on him? His face showed the strain of keeping up with Kaistern's rough fighting as his movements and reflexes became increasingly slower, lack of blood and exhaustion debilitating him.
Lykouleon's arms were stretched out above his head, ready to strike down when suddenly, icy lemon eyes snapped back to look at him. Tetheus' scarlet eyes widened, and he made a lunge to swing at Kaistern. The Blue Officer smirked and sidestepped the other demon's swipe, swiftly bringing his elbow down to impact the back of Tetheus' neck with a sick crack.
Both Lykouleon and Tetheus' swords clattered with hollow rings to the floor as the blonde-haired man dove down to catch the black-clad officer before he hit the ground.
Raseleane's gasp was silenced by Lykouleon's split second glimpse her way, reminding her to keep quiet, to survive, no matter what happened. And also an apology, for what was about to occur, and for all the infinite wrongs he'd ever done her. A husband's last exchange of love to his wife, their last vow of everlasting love that would transcend time, and a promise that he would never leave her inside. Her eyes brimmed with tears that she did not allow to fall, and Lykouleon wanted to smile at her courage. His beautiful queen would be a symbol of honor and courage to him until the very last moment.
It was point blank. Lykouleon stared up the silver hilt of the blade pointed at his throat, Tetheus' weight heavy in his arms. Kaistern flashed a chilling grin of victory, sadist eyes satified.
"Dead end, Your Majesty."
OoO
They stood frozen for a moment, hazel and honey eyes frightened and uneasy, flickering back and forth. The dungeons eerie echoes seemed to turn their heavy breathing into ghostly voices that chanted the deadly spells into the darkness. The mist was like thick, whispering fingers that slung in heavy drapes across their bare shoulders, snaking around their necks and tracing the contours of their bare legs in a unnerving mockery of their lovers' fingers.
"Are they… do you think it was…" Kitchel's voice tried to hold the waver that kept her from finishing the rest of her sentence.
Cesia swallowed, flexing her fingers nervously, and somehow managed to keep her voice relatively steady as she answered both unspoken questions with the only answer that could avoid what she was sure was the truth, "I don't know."
But neither wanted to check. It was like tempting death by straying too close, and the bittersweet scene of the two lovers dead in each other's arms was surreal. Like it was a sick joke, a nightmare of some kind that they had to wake up from. It was easier to think that this was just some sort of illusion, and it would pass, and by the time they realized it, life would be back to normal, and all of this forgotten. They wished. But the crimson splattering the walls and pooling around their feet only sneered.
It was Kitchel who finally stepped forward, her feet almost skidding on the slick ground, and she avoided looking at her feet, where he once brown shoes were now a glistening maroon color. Upon kneeling on the floor, her knee sinking onto the cold, thick liquid, her body shuddered violently. Then Cesia was beside her, face grim, and they exchanged a glance of fortification. There was nothing more valuable than having someone next to you in situations like these, and every move they made was like a repeated reminder that they were next to each other and not alone.
The violet-haired fortuneteller reached out, taking Alfeegi's bloody hand and pressing her fingers on to it. Her panic rose as bile in her throat as she found none, and desperately headed to the spot on the side of her neck. Time ticked by as her fingers skimmed over the clammy skin, searching for any sign of movement.
It took her a good bit of frantic searching, and Kitchel's hand on her arm was becoming tighter by the second, but she finally found a faint pulse, focusing on its unsteady beat. No more than a gentle vibration, that proclaimed its short life, it was nonetheless there.
"…He's… alive," she said breathlessly, and Kitchel's breath came out in a wavering rush. The human held her hand over Ruwalk's mouth, feeling the flickering warmth flickering between her fingers, her other one searching for any semblance of a pulse.
"Oh thank God, he is too," she almost wanted to laugh with relief, and suddenly the atmosphere around them seemed to automatically lift. She Cesia a triumphant grin to belie her insecurity, "So then, what are we going to do? They'll be deader than doorknobs in a bit."
Her friend thought for a moment finally placing her each one of her hands on either officer, "First I have to stop the bleeding. I can do some healing magic, but their wounds are too serious for me to heal the completely," their clothes were saturated in blood to the point were she was sure she could wring out their clothing, and it glistened wetly with the overflowing liquid. It was almost like touching the blood itself woven in thread.
A breeze began to swirl about her, lifting dark hair into a halo about her head, and Kitchel noted the faint tinge of blood that colored Ruwalk and Alfeegi's cheeks after Cesia finished. She only hoped that they hadn't gotten there too late, and they'd somehow be able to save Ruwalk and Alfeegi.
"We can't leave them here."
"No prob, we'll carry them. I'll carry Ruwalk and you can carry Alfeegi," Kitchel winked, regaining some composure by acting optimistic. It was a defense mechanism. Act as if nothing is wrong, and nothing will be. Even if the definition of what could go wrong was lying in front of her.
Cesia mentally thanked Kitchel for offering to take Ruwalk, who was the larger one of the two. Her wind magic was boundless, but only when she used it subconsciously. The act of focusing her energies into specific spells was taxing, and she'd only just begun to learn how to control it. It was possible Kitchel had realized that on her own, the thief had excellent intuition.
"I can use some of my wind magic to lift them up," she said, closing her eyes and muttering a short spell. She carefully slung Alfeegi's arm around her shoulders, lifting the lithe officer in her arms as Kitchel did the same with Ruwalk's tall frame. She couldn't help but wonder if this was to be the same fate Rath and Thatz would encounter if Rune won.
OoO
Raseleane could taste the faint metallic taste of blood on her lips, and with a masochistic streak bit it again. Anything to distract her mind, anything to keep the realization from sinking in. She shook her head, disbelieving, eyes wide as they saw but did not take in the sight of Kaistern, their beloved friend, pointing a deadly sword at her husband.
She hadn't realized that she'd gasped until Lykouleon's green eyes flickered towards her, and then it hit her like a bullet. Her breath hitched in her throat as she just stared, and something within her stirred. In slow motion, with her heart hammering a million beats per second, she saw Kaistern draw back his arm to make the final slash, and her body acted on its own consent.
She dashed forward, throwing her arms around Lykouleon's shoulders, shielding him from the blow.
"Raseleane!"
She hated the fear she heard in his voice, and he tried to throw her off, but she was rooted firmly to the spot, her whole body shaking, waiting for the blow.
"Stupid woman," Kaistern muttered, giving her a disdainful glare, "I don't see why Lord Nadil wants you so badly. I'm not allowed to kill you, but that doesn't mean you can get in my way."
She was wrenched forcefully and thrown to the ground, crying out sharply. Lykouleon made a move to stand, his eyes smoldering with fury, but Tetheus' dead weight on his body prevented him from doing it fast enough, and then the tip of the possessed officer's sword was digging into his throat, a thin trickle of blood slithering down his neck. Raseleane sat up groggily, holding her head, and Lykouleon mentally sighed in relief as he saw that she was alright.
Emerald eyes locked onto Kaistern's void ones, speaking in a voice colder than steel, "What did you give Raseleane?"
The demon smirked noncommittally, and it almost resembled one of Kaistern's smiles, making Lykouleon's stomach twist painfully.
"You know the spell that made your queen infertile?" the smirk widened, "It was only temporary. I had to give her a second does to reinforce it."
He reached down, taking a handful of hair and yanking the blonde's face upward. Lykouleon gritted his teeth, refusing to let his defiant glare waver.
"And now you die."
Kaistern raised his blade, only to plunge it down.
OoO
Cesia sank to the cold floor, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a slightly trembling hand and drawing in a shaky breath.
"Here."
She blinked up at Kitchel's friendly smile and the cool cloth she was holding out to her. The fortuneteller gladly accepted it, wiping her face carefully, glad for the refreshing cool.
"We need Rune," Kitchel muttered, biting her lips as she glimpsed at the still figures lying on the beds, before shying her eyes away. The bed sheets were stained deeper than roses, and she didn't want to look any more than necessary at the gaping hole in Ruwalk's stomach, or the blood that seemed to have almost dyed their skin a washed out crimson.
There was no denying it though, there wasn't much time left for them. Cesia's magic had only managed to stop the bleeding, but judging from the lake of blood that had surrounded the macabre sight of their mangled bodies, they had come too late for that to be of much use. Their pulses became weaker and weaker every time they checked.
Rune's healing magic was their only hope now, and their only hope was currently trying to annihilate his two best friends and release the Demon Lord back into the world.
"Ugh! This is horrible, we're just sitting here while Ruwalk and Alfeegi are dying, and our boyfriends are hacking each other to pieces, or in Thatz and Rath's case, trying not to hack each other to pieces, and we're just sitting here like the world isn't going to end anytime soon! Can we please press the stop button and squash whoever came up with this plotline?" Kitchel stomped angrily and whirled on Cesia.
"I'm going to go check on them. Maybe I can help somehow," She didn't say it, but they knew Cesia would stay, and try to use her healing magic to keep the two officers on the living side as long as she could. She wished she could go, but she only nodded to the pink-haired girl, who winked back and then took off, her footsteps echoing sharply in the never-ending hallways.
OoO
Thatz could see through his hazy vision the glints of Rath—Illuser's— sword, and the metal spear that Rune's possessed body wielded. The clangs seemed deafening and hollow to his ears, as he tried to maneuver his unresponsive body onto an upright position. The rank smell of blood and fear and death overpowered him, contained by the mist that draped over his feet and hands and swirled about him in malicious patterns.
He didn't want to look, he wanted to fall back into the cushioning world of sleep, where he could forget all this and stop time. The sweet refuge that was sleep. But the sick feeling in his stomach told him that he couldn't run away, and this was no nightmare. The only thing worse than nightmares was reality posing as one.
Illuser had the upper hand, and the disturbing smile on his face told that he knew it. Rune wasn't far behind though, and in the short moments that Thatz had been unconscious, they'd managed to accumulate a number of scrapes on each other.
He didn't know what he was supposed to do. He was too weak to enter the battle, but he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. He'd always been a wishful thinker, even if his head had always had a firm foot on the ground, and now was no different. He fervently wished that Rath would snap out of it, and that the necklace would somehow fall, or break. How had things gone so awry?
Illuser would kill Rune, and take Nadil's head. Either that, or Rune would win, and Nadil would take over Dusis. Neither choice was pretty, but one of them was inevitable.
Illuser was enjoying this. It had been far too long since he'd had control of this body, and he was having a grand time maiming the elf. Not only that, but he was putting up a good fight, and it had been even longer since that had happened. He hadn't been in control when Rath had fought the demon side of the girl who always accompanied him, and Illuser had always been bitter about that.
But the elf wasn't anywhere near his level, and he knew it. Illuser smirked, pleased at the effort that the elf was expending just with Illuser's little games. It wouldn't long now. He was beginning to grow bored, even if there had been a couple close calls, and soon enough it would get to the point where he would have to finish the game. He had bigger things, after all, such as taking over Dusis. Nadil's head would greatly assist him with that.
"Sorry, but your time's up, elfie," he sneered, thrusting his sword forward. A sadistic smile played on his lips at the faerie elf's teeth gritting in pain. How he had missed torture and death. They had been his comrades throughout his life, after all. Not even his dragon form had been able to escape that.
He side-stepped the elf's swift stroke, catching him off balance. He swung forward at full force, the tip of the blood-tinted metal aiming straight for the blonde elf's heart.
There was a cry, and Illuser growled in frustration as a figure jumped between him and the elf at the last moment, and the sword plunged through Thatz instead, blood spurting out and flicking a splattered pattern across Illuer's face. But not before the jade-eyed thief's fingers curled over the clasp of the necklace, and the weight of his falling body was enough to break the chain with a resounding crack.
Thatz fell to the ground with a satisfied grin, gripping the necklace tightly before his hand loosened as he passed out.
Rune's spear clattered to the ground, clear blue eyes terrified, his whole body shaking as he took in with a clear mind the scene before him.
"I- I… what…?" his mind struggled to understand the rush of memories that weren't his, but had been done by him nonetheless, and the fact that Thatz was lying on the ground with a sword running through him. Rath's eyes were no longer his, even though his face was still the same, and Rune couldn't comprehend all the scattered pieces of information that were flooding his mind. His mind finally assessed the current situation, which encompassed Thatz's limp body on the ground and Rath's demon side having gained control.
Illuser gave the fallen human a disgusted glare and yanked his sword out, and Rune watched the ribbons of crimson that flittered in the air with a sickening feeling rising in his throat.
"You're no fun, but at least you're easier to kill," the demon licked Thatz's blood from the dull edge of the sword, grinning maniacally at Rune.
"Oh my God… this isn't happening…" his heart felt as if it was beating faster than hummingbird's wings, wrapped in an iron chain. His body felt heavy, warm blood trickling down his face and arms, he could see gashes underneath his torn clothing, and only the pain seemed real. Tears were threatening his vision, and he looked at Rath's face desperately.
"Rath, please, it's me! You're not Illuser, you're Rath! Come back to us!" he pleaded, and a sudden pulse of darkness made him stumble backwards. He realized that he was holding Nadil's head, and after a panicked moment of wondering why the hell he had it, he scrambled for the cloth that lay on the ground. Illuser made a grab for him, but only succeeded in making the faerie slip and fall to the cold stone floor, the hard surface jarring nerves that seemed too sensitive already. Rune reached out, grasping the cloth with one arm, wincing at the pain that laced his torn muscles, wishing that he had the time to heal himself, and Thatz. Swaddling Nadil's head clumsily in the draping folds of the cloth, Rune felt the pressure in his stomach lessen as the dark energy ebbed away to a dull pound.
Illuser stopped, his eyes glazing over as his power withered and faded, and his alter ego fought to regain control. Rune saw the opportunity to get Rath back and shouted.
"Rath! Fight him! You have to save Thatz!" his voice sounded hoarse with desperation and feeble hope, and he was still trying to understand what exactly was happening. If Thatz was gone, and Rath followed him… he blocked the thought from his mind and yelled Rath's name louder.
"No… I don't want to lose control again!" Illuser screamed, holding his head as he fell to one knee, gritting his teeth.
"RATH!"
Illuser gasped, and his eyes blacked out to be replaced with red glass, before shining rose eyes surfaced once again.
Rath stared at the ground, his breath exploding in heavy gasps from his chest, and he slowly raised a violently shaking hand to hold his head. His pale face was slick with sweat, and Rune thought for a moment that he would pass out, like he felt like doing at the moment.
But right now, Thatz took precedence, and Rune struggled up and crawled to Thatz's limp figure, surveying the heavy damage as he placed his hands on Thatz chest, above the fatal wound, and willing all his healing power into it.
The warm glow faded, leaving both Rune and Thatz healed, and Rune let out a sigh of relief. Now, all that was left was a tired ache, but all the pain had disappeared, and That's eyelids were fluttering gently, announcing his eventual awakening. The faerie reached out one hand to stroke the thief's hair, remembering the beginning of this all, when they'd gone to the small town near Chantel, and fought the Minotaur-like beast. Then too, Thatz had been fatally wounded, and Rune vividly remembered the pain, and unshakable panic that had coursed through him then.
A small noise behind him broke his thought and turned his attention back to Rath, who had sat up and was now holding his head with a terrified expression on his gray face.
"Rath," he reached out to touch his shoulder, and Rath turned wide eyes onto him, which promptly slipped past him to stare beyond, at Thatz's still unconscious body.
"I … let him control me again…" the sheer horror was clear in his voice, and Rune shook his head immediately.
"It wasn't your fault."
Rath continued as if not hearing him, "I hurt you, and almost killed Thatz…"
"Hey… kid, you know better than to blame yourself…"
Both Rune and Rath looked behind them at Thatz's shaky smile, "We're all alive, and that's all that matters. What happened in between makes no dif."
Rune noticed the gash on Rath's side, which he was currently gingerly holding, "You're hurt too, here."
Rath watched Rune's healing glow, and felt the warm wave of painless sensation wash over him in sleepy waves, their words echoing in his head. He wanted to believe them, but he'd let his demon side take over, again! That was unforgivable, along with almost killing Thatz, and trying to kill Rune. They were just saying that it didn't matter because they cared for him. But it did matter, regardless of what the said.
The blonde elf took a deep breath before asking, "What happened?"
Both Thatz and Rath hesitated, Rath because he didn't know how to lie, Thatz because he was trying to figure out a way to soften the blow. The earth knight lifted the silver necklace, swinging innocently on its chain.
"This thing. It possessed you. And you came down here to get Nadil's head, and then… well, we came down here and found you. And the only way to get you back to normal was to get the necklace off you," Thatz admitted.
"And then I turned into… Illuser," Rath added quietly.
Rune gaped, "You mean… we were all fighting each other?"
Thatz nodded grimly, his eyes unusually moist, "I hated it, I was sure we were all going to die."
Rath's head was down, and both Rune and Thatz put a hand on either shoulder, knowing how much it ate him up to have let his demon side take control. He looked at Rune, "We're glad to have you back."
Rune still wasn't sure what exactly had happened, but he felt that this had all been his fault. He had been the one who had insisted on having the necklace after all. He looked at the silver chain and hesitated, "Is it safe to touch?"
Rath growled and slammed his fist down, crushing the brittle metal into scattered shards, "No! You're never touching this thing again!"
Blue eyes looked away out of shame and pain, "I'm sorry… this is all my fault… because I was weak, and…"
Thatz could feel his heart swell with love for both his friends, and pulled both of them to him, holding them tightly as he whispered.
"Shh… both of you… if it was anyone's fault, it would be mine because I didn't see it coming when I should have," the other two knights shook their head in immediate refusal, and he grinned softly, "But since we're all admitting faults here, let's just forget them," he kissed both their heads, feeling relaxed for the first time in a long time. Like young children holding onto their parents, both Rune and Rath gripped Thatz so hard he thought he'd pass out from lack of oxygen, burying their faces against his shirt. But it felt good, for the three of them to finally be together after the hell they'd just been through.
"Thatz?"
Jade eyes looked up to find Kitchel standing above them, blinking, her face just a bit dubious.
"Are… are you guys okay?" she asked, eyeing the three of them, two of which had only just looked up and were now sitting back, Rath rubbing his arm embarrasedly.
Thatz nodded and grinned widely, "Yeah. We're all okay."
A huge smile broke out on her face, and she launched herself at Thatz, who fell backwards onto the ground, kissing him. Rune laughed and even Rath couldn't hold back a small smile.
"I'm so happy! We were so worried!" she hugged his as tight as she could, and draped his lips over hers lazily, the full effect of relief making him feel giddy.
"Where's Cesia?" the fire knight suddenly asked, and the urgency in his voice was touching. Kitchel looked up, breaking her kiss, and her serious.
"Actually, we found a little problem on the way—No, she's fine," she added quickly when Rath made a move to stand, ruby eyes wide. She turned to Rune, "I'm really sorry, I'm sure all you wanna do is rest, but we need you to heal Ruwalk and Alfeegi," she bit her lip, "They won't last much longer."
The three knights stared at her, "What happened to them?"
"I don't know. We found next to each other, almost dead," she shuddered a little, and Thatz reached up with one hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, "We really have to hurry, I don't think they can hold on any longer."
The fire and earth knights stood, Thatz holding Kitchel's hand tightly in his, as if letting go would throw them back into the nightmare they'd just endured.
"Rune…?"
The sky-eyed elf looked up at them with an almost apologetic smile, "Can you give me a hand?"
Thatz grinned and Rath nodded with an almost peaceful expression on his face, and they both offered a hand to Rune, who took them both and pulled himself up.
OoO
A child… they could have had a child. The shock of the realization hit Lykouleon only a second before the next—I'm going to die. The blade was only inches from his slicing his head off his neck like a guillotine to a criminal, the point glinting sinisterly in its trajectory toward his throat. Emerald eyes glared defiantly at the sword's wielder, partly because he didn't want to see the blade coming at him, partly as a show of courage.
The slicing, hot pain he'd been expecting didn't come, and instead, Kaistern's eyes widened, morphing into the pale shade of yellow they were familiar with, and he dropped to his knees, breathing heavily.
"Your- your Highness," he choked out, swallowing nervously, "What- what's going on here?"
"Kaistern?" Lykouleon reached out to touch his hand, Tetheus still held securely in his arms, "Are- are you back to yourself?"
Lemon eyes looked confusedly, clearly not understanding what was going on, "Back to myself?" his eyes widened, "What happened to Tetheus? Is he alright?"
Lykouleon grimaced, watching his friend take in the devastating scene around him. But at least things were back to normal, and that was more than enough to make him sigh and his body lax completely. He was exhausted, and every cell in his body ached and protested angrily against the various cuts and bruises on his body.
"What the hell went on here…?" Kaistern's voice was hardly above a weak whisper, holding his temple tenderly, then withdrawing his hand as he felt the slick sensation of wet blood trailing down his scalp. He stared at it blankly, shaking violently.
Raseleane came up behind her husband, placing her hands on his shoulder, "Go to him. I'll take care of Tetheus and Delte."
He nodded, feeling a bit dazed, and started when he felt Tetheus stir weakly. Glazed ruby eyes stared up at him, blinking, before a shade of wariness came over them.
"My Lord…" he sat up abruptly, sliding out of Lykouleon's grasp, and looked around wildly, his sight falling immediately on Kaistern, who was still kneeling numbly on the floor, blank eyes fixed on his bloodied hand.
"He's back, Tetheus."
The Black Officer closed his eyes, holding his injured arm close, "Thank God."
"Are you alright?"
Tetheus nodded briefly, standing up on protesting legs, "Take care of him…" his gaze strayed behind them, where Delte's body still lay unconscious, and he took an unsteady step forward before Raseleane appeared next to him, gently supporting him to the wall, where he sank to the ground, using his uninjured arm to gather the faerie's small body to him.
Her weight safely secured against him, he gingerly fingered the dark bruises around her neck, pressing her just a little closer. He had never been more scared in his life than at that moment, when he'd thought she'd died. She made a small whimper-like sound and stirred, unconsciously gripping his shirt. Half-lidded hazel eyes slid open, blinking slowly.
"…Tetheus…" the Black Officer hated how hoarse her voice sounded because of her mangled throat, and shushed her.
"It's over, you can sleep," he whispered, and she muttered something so low that he didn't catch it, before her eyes closed over once more, and she fell into easy sleep. He smiled softly, leaning down to kiss her pale forehead before he, too, slipped into the blackness of sleep.
"Kaistern…" the Blue Officer only glanced up, gazing at him blankly before settling back on his hand. Kaistern's pale, horror-stricken face told the green-eyed man that Kaistern comprehended the situation better than Lykouleon wished he did. His guilty eyes swept over the ruined room, and across Tetheus and Delte's unconscious bodies before locking onto Lykouleon's emerald eyes, fear jumping out of them like the dark crimson that stained his snow white hair.
"Did… did I do this?" Lykouleon wished that he hadn't jumped to that conclusion so quickly, especially because it was the right one, and he felt his heart twist painfully to watch his friend fight with comprehension within himself.
"You were being possessed, it was Kharl and Nadil's plan," the lord explained, taking Kaistern's hand and wiping it clean with his own sleeve.
"I- I'm—"
"It wasn't your fault at all," he smiled and squeezed his arm comfortingly, "We can tell you the whole story later. You're exhausted," his voice left no room for argument, and Kaistern accepted it wholly, laying his head tiredly on Lykouleon's shoulder.
Well... at least it's not that bad of a cliffhanger. Right? It's been so long, and my style has changed so much (I think?) that I hope I actually lived up to to all your praises. So, uh, tell me what you thought. I wrote this up this weeked, and so... well, it's not been betae'd or anything, sooooo... :pardon the mess:
Anyway... I really hopethis was up to standard, it's been soo long since I've actually meddled with this fic, and this was such a, well, pivotal part of the story I'm afraid I might have screwed it up. Let's hope not :eats cookie:and brownie: Yum. Aren't ya'll glad no one died in the end?
Da responses:
Minea: Or did they die? Hm...
Redangel: Oh yes, those amusing little ending dialogues with random characters. Those were fun to do, but very hard, I'm not good at the at all. Kill Gil! Noooooo! Hey, that rhymes with Kill Bill:snicker:
Elven Fantasy: Indeed, three cliffies? How could I. :runs away from cursed toaster: Is it after me?
Lexzz: Thank you!
Moonwillow:snort: update soon. If soon's your definition of nine months... :hides: I have no shame apparently. Hope you enjoyed it though, and I'm glad I coudl evoke that type of emotion.
AketA: Yup, mood hair. Next chapter, it'll be... :ponders: pink? oooh... O.o GIR!
Zircon: My crazyness over Rune is quite painful for him, isn't it:wince: Less than two months... :apologizes: But, uh, you survived, right:pokes lump: Uh-oh, my procrastination killed someone!
Eikou: Hiya! Yes I am evil, and yes, I did it on purpose :laughs evilly:
Lena: Here's another one! Thank you!
Rune little sister: Cute name! Thank you!
ShadowDown: Have you read the latest ones? I've read up to... 20 I think? I can't wait til Gil and Ram come, and I ADORE Saabel too, so more of him is always good. I got all these scans of the manga and love staring at them for spoilers. Lol.
Aquajogger:glomps: I love you! I gotta dedicate a chapter to you! Your reviews are soooooo funny, I adore reading them, lol. And you inspire me to keep Kitchel lively and up and about. Ringleys... I think I started this when it seemed he was just a side character, or I just totally forgot about him. Have you any idea how hard it is to keep up with all the friggin characters? You're like 'well, if rune's here, then thaz is over there, and tetheus is dancing the macarena off in the conrner with Kaistern, and Lykouleon's in the bedroom with Raseleane, but wait, where's Kitchel? Cesia's sewing Zoma a sweater (OMG I forgot totally aboutnZOma:O) Aaaaaaack. It's friggin hard. lol. Collars, owners, Alfeegi's manslave, RunexKitchel:taps mental images to the subterranean gutter: Woa, wazzever. Anyway, you really make my day when you review, and you're one of my most faithful (do I keep using that word?) reader. Thank youuuu:gives a bag of goooood candy:
PArain: I can't resist the puppy eyes in the end, but it was a good nine months of fighting. Thanks for your support!
Kireina:blush: Thank you, really.
Chris: Well... they're not dead anymore!
Go-Ruden Kiba: Break a leg... I did! Just kidding. Thank you! I'm glad you liked the Ruwalk/Feegi:really:
Now... is this the last chapter? Maybe, maybe not. I might tie loose ends up, or I might leave it at that... :laughs evilly: Nah, I'm writing an epilogue. And it'll take less than nine months, promise. PROMISE!
So, uh, on that note... review! I hope you enjoyed it!