Summary: See chapter one
Disclaimer: See chapter one
Warnings: See chapter one
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Chapter Four: The Song of our Souls
If Albel had control of his body, he would be on his knees.
He almost laughed at the thought: Albel the Wicked, brought to his knees by an enemy he could not even see. An enemy in his own mind. His soldiers would have a field day with that if they ever found out. Their notoriously fearless captain, reduced to begging. But under the circumstances, he failed to see any humour in his situation. Who would?
"The two of us, Albel, are one of a kind."Nel lay unconscious in the arms of a monster, he was trapped in an impenetrable darkness and seemingly worst of all…
I love you.
He was loved by an entity of pure evil. If someone had told him this was going to happen, he would have knocked their heads off with his prosthetic claw, after howls of derisive laughter of course. And only then admitted that they were probably right. He had always assumed the Aquarians had an evil equivalent of Apris and had supposed that he would be the ideal poster boy. But love?
The idea was ridiculous.
Strangely enough, he was not laughing.
"Do you find it difficult to believe me?" the Voice asked aloud, crouching down to gather Nel into his arms. "I told you before, Albel, you are not evil. Merely… misunderstood."
Albel remained silent, simply feeling numb. Was he already so far beyond his rage, his anger, that he just felt nothing?
No more, he finally said. No more. I want it to stop now.
"Bit late for that, dear heart. Nel will awaken soon, and then what? Will you be able to pretend that I do not exist because she no longer knows?"
Wild hope flared in him. She will remember nothing?
"Yes, but you will remember everything. You are so stubborn, Albel, that I suspect you will try to make it work, but eventually you will drive yourself insane for attempting to drive me out of your mind. Because it is an impossible task. I am so deeply ingrained in you, that you cannot live without me."
You think I won't try?
The Voice smirked at the challenging tone in the voice of his other half and laid the motionless woman on the bed. "You are most welcome to," he replied absentmindedly, all his attention focused on Nel. Holding her firmly by the shoulders, he snapped his fingers once and her eyes flew open with a gasp.
Nel!
Albel clenched imaginary teeth to keep from screaming himself hoarse and watched as she shook her lovely head from side to side, her expression dazed as if she had been dealt a hard blow to her skull.
"…Albel? W-What happened? The last thing I remember was…was…we were on the rooftop arena, and you…" a horrified look flashed in her green eyes.
She remembers what I did!
I think not, the Voice replied smugly.
"You bastard, you stood me up!" she shrieked, pushing him violently away from her. "And what the hell am I doing in your room?"
"Calm down, woman. The heat of the past few days must be affecting you, because you fainted in the arena after you shouted at me for a good five minutes."
Faint? Nel? There is no way she will ever believe that pathetic story!
"Fainted? Me?" she scoffed, her eyes narrowing scornfully. "You must be joking, Albel."
"You were quite frustrated," he replied smoothly. "So when you collapsed, I carried you to my room because it was closer than yours."
Confusion flickered across her features and she glanced around the familiar room before looking back at him. She frowned as she looked him over carefully. "Did you bathe?" she asked, her green eyes taking in the sleek black robe and still damp hair.
"While you rested," he explained. "And since I was late for a dinner date," the Voice added mischievously, "I thought perhaps we could still salvage something of it. Are you upset because I did not wait for you to wake up?"
Nel folded her arms, glaring at him as she remembered the reason why she had been on the rooftop in the first place. "You may think I forgave you earlier, but that was only because you took advantage of me. You owe me for this, Albel. Many times over."
To think, he had actually had the nerve to assume he could win her forgiveness with a kiss! A kiss that was earth shattering, wild, passionate…okay, so perhaps he could, but she was not about to tell him that.
"In that case," he replied suggestively, "why don't I start now? Perhaps with some dessert? Only since I don't think either of us has the patience for the appetiser, or the main course for that matter…" he leaned over the bed, his loose hair falling like a dark fountain above her and he nuzzled her neck gently, his warm breath tickling her skin. "I would not mind bathing again, if you prefer…"
"You may be right," she replied huskily, hating the fact that she was never able to resist him. "But I still don't believe the fainting story."
"Why, Nel. What reason would I have to lie to you?"
She shot him a sceptical look. "Plenty. And this," she said, gesturing to his closeness to her and what he obviously wanted, "is one of those reasons."
He rolled his eyes, his hand lazily stroking the smooth curve of her hip and moving to draw light circles around her bellybutton. "Nel, I did not do anything to you. I know how to get what I want from you without resorting to desperate measures. Bah, those methods are for pathetic worms who have to beg to get a woman into their bed," he scoffed. "Do I look like one of those maggots?"
Oh no, she was not going to admit that so easily. "What, you think you can just snap your fingers and I'll jump into your bed?"
Actually, yes. That could be quite easily arranged.
Don't you even dare make a mockery out of her!
Dear heart, the thought never even crossed my mind.
"Well, would you?" he asked teasingly, his lips nibbling the soft lobe of her ear. "It would certainly be a most entertaining sight."
"You really are an insufferable jerk, you know that?"
"Ah, but Nel, I prefer your feistiness over submission any day. Think of how boring sex would be if you simply admitted defeat, instead of us battling for dominance in between the sheets. You should know by now, that I prefer my women with a bit of spunk."
Nel sighed, leaning into him. "Perhaps I did faint," she said grudgingly. "But I still haven't forgiven you about leaving me looking like a fool."
His flesh hand slid along her shoulders, gently kneading the tense muscles. "Then by all means, allow me to make it up to you."
"Hmm. Perhaps I might," she murmured, relaxing as a pleasant warmth spread from her shoulders to the rest of her body. "You know, it's amazing how you never lose your touch. You always know exactly when and where…" her voice trailed off with a sigh of contentment.
See, Albel? She cannot even tell the difference between us!
Albel shivered under the cold shadow of doubt. That is only because you are acting like me, pretending!
Irrelevant, the Voice said dismissively. It makes no difference. Now, before I begin, is there any request from you? Anything specific that you would like to watch?
If you think I'm going to participate in you sick games…Albel paused as cold fury swept over him in icy waves. I don't give a damn what happens to me, I'll make sure you rot in hell for eternity. So here's my answer, you piece of shit: fuck you.
Watch your mouth, Albel, lest I decide to punish you for your disrespect. I can make you hurt.
And what can you do? Albel challenged.
Would you like a demonstration? As much as I care for you, dear heart, I am not above a bit of discipline. And you do deserve it.
Spare me, he spat in disgust. Like you could do anything to-
The next thing Albel knew was complete and utter oblivion.
Jolts of white hot pain streaked through his mind as he screamed in silent agony, his mental body writhing in tortured pain. It felt as though thousands of poisonous wasps were stinging him over every part of his body, thousands of needles jabbing into his skin. At last it ended, and in his dark room, Albel collapsed, his mental body still shuddering as jerks of pain still rippled through him.
W-Was that… the best… you… could do? That… was… n-nothing!
The Voice smirked at his attempt to brush off the immense pain he had felt, but still felt regret at having to punish his beloved. That hurt me much more than it did you, dear heart. I wish that you would not continue to challenge me so.
Y-You have another thing coming if you think I'm going to be passive through all of this, Albel growled, still feeling tingles of the burning pain.
Of course not. I know you too well for that. Which is why I sincerely regret that you do not want to share in this with me. This was supposed to bring us closer to together, he said peevishly.
Closer together? How could you sleeping with Nel possibly bring us closer?
Calmly, the Voice lifted the scarlet curls to kiss the nape of her neck and responded silently to him. You will see.
"Albel," she murmured, arching into his touch and bringing her hands up to entangle them in his hair. "I still need to know… why did you ignore my invitation?"
This woman never lets anything lie, the Voice said silently in exasperation. I should have locked her memory further back.
"Well…" he began thoughtfully, stroking her shoulders, "It is an interesting story, but also rather a boring one…"
"I have time," she replied sweetly, pulling away from him pointedly. The Aquarian warrior was making it very clear that they were not going anywhere until she was satisfied with an explanation from him. His eyes narrowed but a smirk curved his lips. The gauntlet had been thrown down.
The battle line had been drawn.
What, did you think Nel was going to let me off that easy? My god, you must be a bigger fool than I thought. Actually, in a way, this is worth it. Just to see how the hell you are going to explain this to her. She will never believe another pathetic lie from your mouth!
The Voice only smiled mysteriously. We shall see. Gently, he cupped her cheek in one hand and when he pressed his lips to hers, she did not protest at first but after a few moments, she drew back.
"Don't be so quick to presume that you can get out of answering me with a few mere kisses, Albel." The look on her face was indignant, but also quickly weakening as his lips trailed enticingly across her collarbone.
"It has certainly had the desired effect the past few times," he answered.
"Hmm, I'm still waiting. Don't think you can sidestep my questions with the same bravado you use in battle, Albel." Resolutely, she pulled away from him and stared at him pointedly with her arms folded across her chest.
At this rate it will be dawn before this woman opens her legs, the Voice spat silently in frustration. And I thought you were stubborn, dear heart. She is undoubtedly worse!
Now suspicion was beginning to nudge at her mind and she glared at her lover. "Albel, what really happened in the arena? Tell me!"
I grow weary of this teasing, he announced to his beloved and Albel tensed as he watched his own fingers contort into a spell. Nel is far too inquisitive for her own good.
What are you doing now?
Merely pushing matters along to where I want them to be. Tell me, does it normally take this long to get Nel into bed? I'm a bit curious, dear heart. But I do suppose that it is an acquired skill. You have had much more practice than I have, after all.
Albel ignored him, focusing on the shimmering symbols appearing on the tips of his fingers and watched aghast as the Voice held them up in front of her eyes.
"Albel-? Is that a spell? How-!" she cried, almost falling off the bed in shock. But her words were cut off by a purple haze that hovered like a cloud in front of her face before spreading like oil across her face and eyes, and she collapsed on the soft pillows with a gasp.
The Voice leaned across her prone figure, murmuring alien words under his breath. The runes tattooed on her skin glowed a demonic red for a brief moment as her head lolled to the side and he raised her gently in his arms, his words escalating into a low chant. "Nel…" he finally whispered, cradling her prone form and nuzzling her neck. "Wake up. Wake up for me…"
With a sudden sluggishness, the scarlet haired warrior raised her head and blinked slowly. A purple spot, like she had been pricked with a dart, remained on her left eye. She raised her hand hesitantly to her face, brushing her cheek and lips curiously, as if wondering if it was really her. Nel paused and stared at him, her hand remaining on her lips. He reached out to move a lock of scarlet hair away from her face.
"Who is your master, Nel?" he asked her quietly. She blinked again, tilting her head as confusion reflected itself in her eyes. "You are," she replied softly. "Good…" he smiled, clearly relishing the moment. He may have told Albel that he enjoyed seduction, but in truth it was more dominance that pleasured him. "Now take off your clothes. Slowly," he commanded, motioning her to get off the bed as he settled himself back to watch her undress.
How dare you mock her like this! Nel is not your slave!
Dear heart, do keep your mouth shut. I want Nel and I am going to have her. It is unfortunate that this is the only way it will happen. You know how stubborn she is
If you leave her alone, I'll…I'll…do whatever you want. I will go with you wherever you go, do whatever you do. I… promise. Just… leave her alone. Albel was shivering uncontrollably in his mind room, barely able to withstand the sudden onslaught of emotions that pounded the carefully built wall around his heart and emotions, threatening to smash it into bits. It took everything he had to say those words, to admit that he actually did care for her.
The Voice was barely concentrating on a word that Albel was saying, enraptured at the sight of the Aquarian woman slowly and seductively shedding her clothes. Smiling, he held out his arms, inviting her naked figure to come closer. Hips swaying, the petite runologist stepped into his waiting embrace, lips readily parted.
And now, Albel, the journey begins, he whispered silently, entangling his clawed hand in her hair to jerk her head back, revealing a tempting target for his lips and he eagerly complied, pressing a heated mouth onto the nape of her neck. Soon I'll make all the pain go away.
A wave of heady sweetness swept over Albel and he sank down, struggling to keep his focus on Nel.
Nel… stop. Please…
But she showed no sign of having heard him, not like before. Her hair mingled with his, limbs entangled, lips on fire.
The triumphant smirk that curved his mouth on hers, the hands that eagerly explored her supple, beautiful form…
He fell onto his hands and knees, unable to stop the weakness flowing through his limbs and the shadows clouding his vision.
Nel…
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Albel.The sleeping captain moaned brokenly and shifted, keeping his arms entwined around the slumbering woman beside him and burying his face in her hair.
Albel, you need to wake.
There was no reply from his beloved and the Voice reached out with a tendril of thought, gently touching the mind wrapped in sleep, coaxing him awake. The creature is coming for us at this very moment, you must wake!
A gleam of red appeared where his eyelids opened a crack and then they fluttered shut again.
Albel, wake up.
A jolt of electricity zapped through him and Albel bolted upright, stifling a shout of pain.
Albel, we must leave at once, there is little time before it comes.
But the swordsman ignored him completely.
Tight fists were clenched around the sheet covering him as Albel remembered the events of the previous night with a burning rage. That… that thing… had taken control of him… and Nel…
Nel.
Concern for her immediately overrode any anger he felt and closed his mind to the Voice as he shut his eyes for a precious moment, afraid to look at her. What had that monster done to her? He barely remembered what happened after he had lost consciousness, only snatches of thought: the breathless sighs and moans that had filled his bedchamber, the heated embrace that ended in a blissful crescendo of unadulterated lust…
At last, when he could no longer bear the tension, he glanced at the woman sleeping peacefully by his side. Nel lay with her head resting on her arm, scarlet hair covering her shut eyes in a fine veil. Outwardly, she appeared to be in a perfect health, but Albel noted slight flaws with a frown. She was paler than normal and her usually inky black runes had a faint red stain to them.
Gently he brushed the hair away from her face and his eyes fell on the dark bruise, in the all too familiar shape of his mouth, that marred the pale skin on her neck, just below the curve of her chin. Bile rose in his throat and he fought the urge to be sick.
Albel, you are wasting time. The creature draws ever closer and we must leave this place!
His gaze fixed on Nel and anger boiling inside of him, Albel could barely stop himself from losing all control. How dare you even speak to me after what you did to Nel! I want nothing to do with you, I don't care if I have to kill myself to be rid of you!
I do not think you understand, dear heart, that if you do not flee this place soon, the creature will destroy it and Nel! It is drawing closer every second.
Then stop it if you claim to be so powerful! Albel bit down on his lip in frustration, the taste of the blood oddly sweet in his mouth. He did not stop to dwell on this disturbing fact, focusing all his attention on Nel and her safety.There was a heavy pause before the Voice reluctantly replied. I cannot control the creature, powerful as I may be. There is no stopping it.
There must be a way. Tell me how to stop it!The rooftop arena. If you hurry, we may be able to intercept it.
There was no mistaking the urgency in the Voice and with every fibre of his being screaming at him to stop, Albel flung back the covers of his bed, careful not to disturb Nel and began to dress. Pulling a shirt over his head, he paused to study her serene form. Will she…
The Voice was silent, waiting expectantly for Albel to force out the rest of the question. Will Nel remember last night?The reply was gentle, as if the Voice wanted to reassure him. Like he cared what Albel felt.
Well, he did claim to love him.
No, dear heart. She will remember nothing. Do not fret, she will remember nothing that would sully you in her eyes.
Shoving his feet into his heavy boots, Albel smiled bitterly. You think that matters? What if I cannot forget? You honestly think I will ever forgive myself for what you did to her?
What happened was necessary. I would never have hurt you intentionally if it was not. I will not deny that I enjoyed the deed, Albel. I did, immensely. Although I must admit, I did go a bit overboard with the spell and I apologise for that.
And you think that justifies what you did to an innocent woman. As soon as that creature is dead, you are the next victim to fall under my blade. Even if that means my death.
The Voice was silent and aggravation flooded Albel. You don't care if I kill myself? Fool, it means your death as well!
Oh yes, Albel, I do care. Very much. But tell me, what makes you think I will allow you to kill yourself?
Albel felt a cold shiver of doubt. Damn, he had forgotten about that. It does not matter because I will find a way. Either that, or Nel will put me out of my misery.
Perhaps. But by then it will be far too late, the Voice replied smugly.
Fully dressed, Albel buckled the sheath of his beloved sword around his narrow waist and then paused, drawing the weapon and inspecting the sharp, gleaming edge. So, you would stop me now if I was to attempt to run my sword through my heart?
What do you think?
You should let me die with dignity. I deserve that at least.
And yet it is the one thing I cannot give you. Pity. Now, as delightful as it is to indulge in conversation with you, don't you think we should be going?
Albel grabbed a handful of berries, shoving them into one pocket as he made his way to the door. I'm taking necessary precautions to ensure that I do not die, maggot.
And here I was under the impression that you wanted to die? Yet now you wish to protect yourself.
I have no uncertainties about my death, but I do not wish to die knowing that that creature is still loose in this world and I could have prevented it, he said darkly, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. You have to help me kill this thing.
The Voice was strangely amiable in his reply. Whatever it is that you require of me, dear heart, know that it is yours.
The training facility was empty at this time of morning, as the dawn had yet to break. The only soldiers on duty would be the few patrolling the outer battlements, with even fewer patrolling the passages. His boots clicked on the stone as he hurried through the long corridors, mounting the steps that led to the rooftop two at a time.
But he paused at a sudden thought, his mind grasping onto a strand of memory as it floated to the surface. Albel froze at the realization that he was allowing himself to be lead like a fool to a fate worse than death.
You… you bastard! You're leading me to this thing to do anything but destroy it! You want me to join with this creature!
So you do remember that little detail. I wondered when you would.
You lied to me. And I was fool enough to believe you! He turned to leave, thudding down the stairs, his eyes burning with hatred.
I did not lie to you, dear heart, I only neglected to remind you. And why are you leaving?
You think I intend to submit to your sick game?
The creature still comes. If you do not do something, it will destroy the facility in an effort to find me. The choice is yours: you can escape this place and run for the rest of your life, leaving your men and Nel to a very painful death.
Or you can sacrifice yourself to a life of greatness.
A bead of sweat trickled down his nose and he licked dry lips. "You can't force me to make that choice," he whispered aloud in a hoarse voice. "I refuse."
Then they will all die. Including your beloved Nel. Unless you give yourself to me.
Pain twisted his gut and his fingers curled themselves into agitated fists. "And you knew I wouldn't let Nel die. You knew this from the beginning!"
It is why I brought the two of you together in the first place. You needed to be able to love and Nel was the perfect woman. Love was the weakness that would make it easier for you to submit to me. I helped you to realize that because you were too stubborn to see that she was in love with you.
It was as if his heart stopped beating. For one moment, there was a perfect silence around him. "How much have you interfered in my life!" he burst out. "Why, why me?"
Why indeed. The Voice laughed softly. Listen, Albel. Can you not hear it? The song… it sings the song of our twin souls. Listen to that song and you will know why. We are the only ones who can understand it.
And he could hear it, the beautiful haunting cry that had remained in his mind for hours. The cry of the beast. The memory of the crimson eyes, the burning flame… no, he would not endure that again. But for Nel…
How could he allow her to face the same death?
The woman who had shared his bed yes, but also made room for herself in his life.
Shared his passion, shared her love.
No.
He could not allow Nel to die.
"What is it that you want me to do?" he growled, not lowering himself to admit defeat.
Good boy, the Voice replied affectionately. The rooftop. It will be arriving very soon. Can you not feel it?
Yes he could, the burning pain at the back of his head was evidence enough of that. It was strengthening by the second.
Albel kicked the door open as the dawn was breaking over the mountain, the morning sun throwing rays of sunlight over the arena wall. The scene was serene, the quiet broken only by the soft twittering of nearby birds. All in all, a beautiful day.
The perfect day to begin anew. Don't you think so, dear heart?
"Shut up," Albel replied heatedly. "I don't want to hear anything from you. I'd prefer to imagine that you do not exist."
As you wish. And with that, the two fell silent. Watching the horizon.
Waiting.
To be continued…