Even Angels Can Fall
Chapter 5: Protection
GW fanfiction/ fantasy/ Yaoi (6x2) (1x2)
Author's Note: I updated! Here's a longer chapter for everyone to enjoy.
"What do you mean by that?"
The Council of Five, the most powerful enchanters in the world gazed down at the youth challenging them. Pale gold skin gleamed with an almost metallic sheen as the young man stood proudly before them. Slanted ebony eyes glared at the old enchanters with a piercing intensity as he awaited his answer.
"We have decided," Master Enchanter O spoke, "that the prophecy indicted you as one of the key factors in the Choice. You are the Fifth, young dragon."
"Rubbish." Wufei snarled. "I refuse to be manipulated into your game."
"The last of the Proud," Said Master J gravely, regarding the dragon from behind dark lens.
"The Ancient Youth." Enchanter H continued.
Wufei snorted contemptuously, but his eyes reflected a hidden sorrow and pain at the words. The prophecy struck close to home for his comfort, too close to the bloody wound in his heart and soul.
"Heart of Fire," Chided Master S.
"Justice burns bright." Growled Enchanter G.
"The Fifth shall stir forth honor for the Choice." Finished O. He cast a serious face towards Wufei. "Dragon, we do not play around on such a serious matter. There is no doubt on who the Fifth is. Surely you must understand the serious consequences should you refuse your destiny."
"And if I do?" Wufei's voice rose defiantly, but developed a calculated coolness. "I am the last of the dragons, and the vast power and knowledge of my race is within me. Even if the Choice occurs, I can meld my body into the Final World and become one with my people. Death does not frighten me."
"Do you would turn and run like a coward?" The dragon hissed dangerously at the words, eyes narrowing at the insult. "At least your people died honorably defending your ancient land from the Dark Ones, you would leave that land to be destroyed by…"
"No!" Roared Wufei in rage. His hands clenched into fist, the dragon fought to keep the bloodlust down. "How dare you dishonorable curs…What right do you have to even talk of my people! I refuse! I am not the Fifth, and you will not manipulate me into doing it!"
He turned and stalked away insultingly, easily brushing aside the warding spell at the entrance.
"Well." Enchanter G broke the silence. "I think calling him a coward was a bad idea, O."
Wufei ignored the last remark as he threw open the doors to stomp out of the room into the courtyard. Suddenly, he halted as he stared at the battle taking forth before his very eyes.
"By Nataku, what's happening?" He gaped, instantly realizing the bold form of Prince Zechs chasing a fallen angel. He stepped back as he realized Zechs was going to cast a spell at the fallen angel. Wufei noticed, stunned, as the fallen angel formed a shield, one that managed to block the powerful spell. His admiration grew as he noticed that the shield also managed to hold up against a lethal triple-spell combination.
"Who is this fallen angel?" Wufei said contemplatively, tipping his head as he tried to get a better view of the mysterious fallen.
The shield around the fallen angel suddenly disappeared and a sudden pressure made itself known in the air. Wufei had just enough time to throw up his defensive shields before a tremendous, devastating burst of dark energy released from the fallen, throwing Zechs into a building and almost causing Wufei to blow away from the sheer power released in the blast despite his shields.
Squinting, he looked up just in time to see the ebony-winged angel fall from the sky, his body arching gracefully as he fell towards the ground. The dragon raced forward, and caught the delicate form in his arms, a strange feeling of protectiveness spreading through him as he looked at the fallen angel's beautiful and fragile form nestled in his arms. Like a rare bloom, this delicate looking creature looked like it was meant to be protected from the world. Wufei glowered, as he remembered the person chasing after the fallen angel. From Zechs, that sly, arrogant prince…
"Duo? Curses, why is he here?" A push, and Enchanter G was peering worriedly at the fallen angel.
"Duo?" Wufei said, still captivated by the youth he held in his arms. "Is that his name?"
"No, of course not you numbskull." G barked. "I just happened to addressing someone else."
Wufei frowned, but decided he couldn't understand the old enchanter's sarcasm. He stiffened his back, annoyed, as the other enchanters decided to swarm around him, eyeing the fallen angel in his arms. The elderly enchanters' eyes fairly gleamed as they looked upon the unconscious form.
"So he is the Shinigami then?" Master H said, touching a smooth black feather.
"Shinigami?" The dragon sputtered, instantly wary. Was this all part of a conspiracy to make him the Fifth? He almost dropped the fallen angel on the ground, but decided against it when he saw the genuine vulnerability and exhaustion on Shinigami's face. The young fallen angel had evidently suffered a bit of abuse, evident by the way that a soft feathery wing felt in his hands. Just a little bit too hot and swollen around the joint, a feeling Wufei knew by personal experience when he'd tried to fly too early and ended up spraining his left wing.
A shadow flitted overhead, and suddenly another angel appeared, landing with efficient grace to stand next to Wufei. "Enchanters-"
"Heero!" Master J said. "I trust you are aware that the Shinigami is within the heavenly realm?"
The dragon unconsciously clutched the Shinigami closer to his chest, his protective instinct rising as alarms went off in his head. Second Prince Heero was also eligible to claim the frail youth in his arms. Wufei tensed at that thought. Slavery was a horrible notion to dragonkind, and Wufei was educated enough in the Prophecy to understand that Shinigami's fate was to become a slave to one of the two heavenly princes. He knew that he would not even chance leaving the Shinigami with Zechs, but he'd heard that Heero was a emotionless and brutally efficient person. How could he stand letting the young fallen angel break under one of their hands?
Heero noticed the look on Wufei's face and his cobalt blue eyes lowered in a cold challenge. "Not only do I know that Shinigami is here, but I also know that Zechs caught him in the Silver Forest and almost claimed him. It was only by Archangel Quatre's intervention that I managed to stop him in time, before he unfairly claimed Shinigami." His voice was nasal and deep, but emotionless, just as Wufei feared.
"Your brother's unconscious in the Star Temple." J informed Heero. "Here is an excellent chance to claim the Shinigami now, without resistance from your brother or the Shinigami."