Seven Tasks and Riddles Answered
The friends decided that the sooner they left, the better, so they finished their meal and set off. Zechs and Duo left to seek out the Lady of Summer and the Sister of Autumn while Heero and Quatre went to the Young Miss of Spring and the Mistress of Winter.
Duo clung to Zechs' side as they flew to the Hidden Oasis where the Lady of Summer was said to be found. Zechs was tempted to just stop where they were and ravage the sexy dark angel where they flew, but he resisted. The matter at hand was far more important than sexual desires. Apparently Duo thought so too, because rather than caress the blond angel, he merely held tight to him. The lovers landed a few miles out of the Oasis to catch their breath.
"I forgot how different the air is on Earth." Duo panted and collapsed onto the sand.
Zechs nodded and also sat. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand and sighed. "We should be there within the hour." He said.
Duo nodded. "Do you think this will work? Do you think they'll know what to do?"
Zechs shrugged. "I do not know. It is the only option that seems to make since. If they do not know how to help us…"
Duo crawled over to Zechs and sat in his lap, wrapping his arms around his neck. "Don't think like that. I'm sure they'll know. Everything will be fine."
Zechs smiled and wrapped his arms around the smaller man. "I'm sure your right." He said and kissed the brunette's forehead.
The truth was, Zechs was very worried. He didn't know where he would turn if this quest turned out being a dead end. He wasn't sure he could accept it. With a heavy sigh, Zechs stood up, lifting Duo with him. Duo squealed in shock and looked into the soft blue eyes of his lover.
Zechs smiled and kissed his lips softly. "No use in you getting tired, Love." He cooed and took flight with Duo in his arms.
Duo giggled and cuddled up close to Zechs, listening to the steady heartbeat of the man he loved. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth of Zech's bare chest. He was almost asleep when he felt Zechs land. Opening his eyes, Duo saw a vast ocean of trees. It was like a barrier between worlds. On one side, miles and miles of sand; on the other, Trees as far as the eye could see. Duo wondered how difficult it would be to find this Lady.
Zechs looked down at his lover and smiled. "Ready?"
Duo nodded and Zechs put him down. The tall blond laced his fingers with the braided man and kissed the back of his palm. "Let's go."
They entered the trees and almost immediately were enclosed by them. They turned around and the trees had covered them so the desert had vanished completely. Duo shivered but Zechs tightened his grip on his hand.
"Don't worry. I'm here." Zechs whispered.
Duo smiled and nodded before they continued. The jungle of vines and leaves were thick around them and Duo was beginning to wish he'd brought a knife to cut through them. The going was slow and they could never be sure if they were actually going in a straight line (even thought Duo could swear that he'd seen that tree before).
A rustling in the distance caught his attention and he stopped. There, again he heard it, only closer this time. He gently tugged on Zech's arm and motioned towards the sound. Zechs paused and then he heard it too. It sounded like someone…or something…was coming towards them. They froze, trying to anticipate the moves of the unseen creature. The bushes before them moved and soon a short, stout, bearded fellow appeared before them. He had a warm smile but his eyes were deep and sunken.
"Ahh! Friends!" He cried and approached the angels. Zechs instinctually pulled Duo behind him protectively. Seeing this, the man stopped just short of hugging them. "Ahh, I see. Young lovers." He smiled knowingly. "What is it that you seek in this Oasis? A private getaway? Or perhaps, you fear the opinions of loved ones and wish to hide here."
Zechs raised a brow slightly curiously. "We seek the Lady of Summer. We have a matter or great importance to speak with her about." Zechs said professionally.
The man straightened and suddenly appeared defensive. "The Lady, eh?" He glanced at Duo for confirmation.
Duo stepped forward and straightened his back. "We are the crown Princes of Heaven and Darkness and we must see her." He said officially.
"The young Princes?" The man said and Zechs could practically smell the smoke coming from his ears. "Ahh, very well." He said and his voice deepened as he recited, "From Godly Origins and class, so Godly Trials you must pass. Seven Orders you must face, before the prize you find, your grace. I am a humble man and slave, but next to me there is a grave. Should you fail in your attempt, it will be your home; none are exempt. If these terms agree with you, then travel forth and here's a clue: Keep to the east if you value your life, stray to the west to balance the knife." As he finished the area grew foggy and suddenly the man was gone.
Zechs turned to Duo. "Seven Orders."
"The number of Perfection." Duo nodded. He turned to the forest ahead. "He said…he said stay to the east if you value your life."
Zechs nodded. "And the west was to balance the knife…" He sighed. "To balance is to chance." He squeezed Duo's hand. "I say we go that way. By taking risks, it may impress the Lady and we can enter."
Duo nodded. "I agree."
The lovers turned and began walking down the westward path, heading into what seemed to be an even darker portion of the forest. Duo moved even closer to Zechs as they walked and Zechs draped his arm around the brunettes shoulders for comfort. They were beginning to question whether or not they were going in the right direction when suddenly a bright light appeared in front of them. Blinded for the moment, Zechs shoved Duo to the ground and covered them both with his wings for protection against whatever was attacking. The light died down, and then silence. Zechs remained frozen in place for a moment longer before standing up and looking at the place the light had appeared. Standing before them was a large lion. The beast was bigger then he was and was licking its paw. On closer inspection, Zechs realized that the head was not that of a lion, but of a woman!
"A Sphinx…" Zechs whispered in awe.
Duo rose and stared at the magnificent creature. "I've heard about them…I've never seen one."
Zechs straighten, trying his best to look professional, and moved forward. The Sphinx also straightened and looked down her nose at the tall angel.
"You seek passage to the Lady of Summer." She stated calmly. Her voice was musical and calming.
Zechs nodded. "Yes, My Lady. How may we gain passage?"
The Sphinx remained silent for a moment, no doubt surveying them, and then she swished her long tail so quickly neither angel had time to react and in the blink of an eye, Duo had been enclosed in the strong tail muscles and dangling upside down far above them all.
Zechs gasped when he realized what happened and he glared at the Sphinx but dare not insult her. He had heard what nasty tempers they had.
"Three riddles you much solve. The first controls your passage. The second your friends. And the outcome of the last will decide your friends fate."
Zechs raised a brow, trying his best to remain calm. "But if he dies, then granting him passage has done no good."
"His life is unimportant to me." She answered simply.
Zechs had to agree that if you didn't care, it wouldn't matter what order the questions were asked in. He nodded his agreement and let out a long soothing breath. The Sphinx relaxed herself and lay on the mossy ground while Duo could feel the blood rushing to his head. He was beginning to feel dizzy but he struggled to keep his eyes on Zechs. Finally, she opened her delicate mouth and practically sang the words,
"The man that builds it doesn't use it, The man that needs it doesn't know it, The man that wants it doesn't sell it." She said and then settled back to the ground, resting her head on her paws and staring at Zechs.
Zechs thought for a moment. Who would build something that he wouldn't use? Well, a carpenter is often hired to do another's work, so that wasn't going to help. Who would need something but not know it? Well, often times a sick man needs help but does not realize it. But what about the last one? Of course no one is going to sell what they want. That just doesn't make since.
"I'm waiting." She said and her tail twitched violently.
"Please!" Zechs pleaded. "I'm…I'm thinking." He sat down and furrowed his brow. Who wouldn't know that he needed something…Suddenly a light came on in his brain and he jerked his head up.
"A coffin!" He exclaimed.
The Sphinx smiled and nodded. "Correct."
Duo released the breath he didn't know he was holding. Even if he were to die, at least Zechs could go on. The Sphinx raised her regal head again and spoke,
"What falls but can never break?"
Zechs looked down at the ground. There are several substances that can fall and not break. Such as a cloth or a piece of foam. But no, that can't be it. Those things can tear it enough force if put onto them. What can never break?
Duo gasped as the answer came to him. He opened his mouth to say it but the Sphinx covered it with the tip of her tail.
"The answer can only be given by one. You are not playing." She said calmly, not bothering to get up.
Zechs locked eyes with his frightened lover. He could tell Duo was trying to communicate something to him but with no movements, he couldn't figure it out. Duo kept pointing to the sky with his eyes. What did that mean? The answer came like a ton of bricks and suddenly Zechs felt foolish. He turned to the Sphinx.
"Night. Night falls but never breaks."
She nodded again and straightened. "Correct. Now, for your final riddle…" Zechs held his breath. This was the big one. The one he had no choice but to answer if he wanted Duo unharmed. "There is a common English word that is nine letters long. Each time you remove a letter from it, it still remains an English word - from nine letters right down to a single letter. What is the original word, and what are the words that it becomes after removing one letter at a time?"
Zechs felt his jaw drop to his chin. He wasn't trained in the English language! He spoke the divine language. The only reason he was allowed to speak to humans was by the grace of God. He never even thought about his speech, it always just happened. He looked up at Duo and felt his hope begin to fade. Duo's frightened eyes broke his heart. He wanted to badly to help him but how could he? He didn't know English! He looked down into his lap and did the only thing he could do: He prayed. He prayed for guidance from God to give him the answer.
Duo watched Zechs and he suddenly began frightened. He wasn't afraid of death. Being a Dark Angel that was his duty, but what he saw before him frightened him more than he had ever been before. Zechs was frightened. He could see it in his eyes. Duo began to wonder what the Sphinx would do to him if Zechs answered wrong. Would she kill him? Would she send him down to hell to work for the demons? Would it hurt? Would Zechs be hurt? Suddenly he watched as Zechs jerked up. There was a new look in his eyes; A look of determination that Duo couldn't explain. Had God sent him the answer?
Zechs moved forward to face the Sphinx. "The base word is startling. Remove the "L" and you get starting. Then staring, string, sting, sing, sin, in, and finally I."
Duo froze. It made since. It had to be right. He turned to the Sphinx with scared eyes, hoping for the best. The Sphinx yawned and stood up. Lazily she lowered her tail till Duo was three feet above the ground and then released him. Duo cluttered to the ground in a clump and Zechs rushed to his side.
"Correct." She said and sauntered back into the forest. "Good luck!" She called before disappearing in another bright flash.
Zechs turned away from the creature and looked at Duo. "Are you okay?" He asked pulling him to a sitting position.
Duo rubbed his head and nodded. "I think so."
Zechs pulled Duo to his feet and began inspecting him for injuries, pulling his shirt up and feeling his wings and arms for any breaks.
"I'm okay, Zechs. Really." Duo begged. All of the attention was beginning to arouse him.
Zechs noticed and chuckled. He stood and kissed Duo's lips. "I'm just glad you're not hurt."
Duo smiled and nuzzled his nose into Zechs' chest. "I'm fine." He looked up at him and smiled. "Shall we go?"
Zechs nodded and, after lacing his fingers with Duo, they turned and continued down the path.