Flame of Darkness
By: Starlight-x1

Chapter 3: Reawakened

Heero sat, his face an effective blank. Relena watched him anxiously. Zechs, Noin and Fanr also observed the human mage, but from a distance.

"Heero?" Relena finally prodded gently, trying for some response. This stone faced silence hadn't been what she'd expected when she had informed him of the bond that connected them.

"Can you read my thoughts?" His voice was well contained.

"No." Relena answered cautiously. "Only strong emotions. Of course some elfin lifemates become so close they are able to, in effect, read each other's thoughts."

"Never before have an elf or human been able to create a life bond between them, although some have tried." Fanr had approached and spoke quietly.

Heero glanced up at the healer for a moment before returning his gaze to Relena's face. "So, why did you tell me this?"

"Fanr can attempt to sever the bond between us since it was not knowingly forged." Relena looked down at her hands. He was guarding his emotions well, she could not sense a single thing from him.

"Attempt?" Heero had obviously caught the hesitation in her voice

"The severing of a life bond between elves can be painful and sometimes causes death, depending on how long they've been bonded to each other." Fanr spoke bluntly. "You've only been bonded a few days at the most so the bond itself should be fairly weak and easy to sever without much pain to either of you."

Heero said nothing and Fanr closed his eyes. For a moment nothing seemed to happen, then Relena let out a small animal-like whimper. Heero was silent though his fingers tightened until his knuckles were white.

"Great Elai," The old healer was pale. "I did nothing more then probe. Your bond must've been forged by the gods themselves. Never have I encountered one that grew so strong so quickly. If I even attempted to sever it I would most likely kill both of you. I cannot touch it."

"Very well." Heero seemed unmoved by Fanr's pronouncement. "Leave it alone then. If the gods forged it they may undo it as well."

"And if they don't?" Relena ventured to ask.

"We learn to live with it or die." Heero stood and walked away.

"He seems quite abrupt." Noin spoke up quietly

"He is right. You will not have much choice if the gods do not dissolve the life bond." Zechs touched his sister gently.

Relena accepted the comfort offered her silently, never taking her eyes off the retreating figure of the mage. "He has great strength of will. I have not felt a single thing from him since he learned of the life bond." A light breeze began to blow, rustling through the grass.

"Sally!" Fanr welcomed his daughter with a gentle embrace. "How is the young human?"

Sally's face was somber. "I could not restore his magical power. It was if it had been burned completely out. Perhaps in time it will restore itself, but there was nothing I could do." The half-elf seemed distraught.

"Poor Duo." Relena murmured.

"He'll feel half blinded for a while but he will grow used to it. And, if the gods are kind, his power may return on it's own." Fanr spoke firmly. "Do not blame yourself daughter, you have done what you could."

"Yes, Father, I know." Sally agreed. "Still I feel as though there was some power or knowledge I am missing. There is something more I should know and be able to do."

"That is the burden of a healer. It must weigh doubly on a Life Caller." Fanr stroked his daughter's hair. "Come walk with me."

As the healers left Relena sank down and ran her fingers through the grass, idly playing with individual blades. There was a quiet rustle as Zechs and Noin sat as well. Nearby a bird began to sing. Relena looked up. "Where's Hilde?"

"Most likely with the human swordsman." Noin answered. "She's become quite sympathetic towards him."

Relena smiled. "She's always been free spirited. I'm not surprised."

'''''

"AH YAAH!!" Duo swung his sword in savage arcs, fiercely attacking an invisible opponent and giving vent to his anger and frustration. Sally had not been able to restore his ability to sense other's magical tendencies, even though she had strained herself to the limit. Duo didn't blame the Life Caller, having seen the regret on her face when she had finally given up.

Duo continued his cycle of vicious slashes, stabs and parries.

"Anger can be a powerful tool."

"Huh?" Duo jerked around and blinked at the person who seemed to have materialized out of thin air. He was slightly shorter then Duo and his eyes were kind. What stood out most about him was an unnatural translucence that covered his entire body.

"Who are you and where'd you come from?"

"Channel your anger and your questions into your swordplay. Make your emotions work for you. Don't follow their leading."

Duo stood motionless, sword held limply in his right hand. "Who are you?" He asked again.

"For now you can call me Quatre." The stranger sat in midair, floating comfortably as he looked at Duo.

For a moment they stared at one another. Duo blinked again. "You seem familiar."

"Do I?" A smile lifted the corners of Quatre's mouth. "Good." He turned his head. "Greetings Daughter of Elves."

Duo followed his gaze and saw Hilde standing there staring at the blond floating stranger. For a moment the fire maiden seemed at a loss for words, but then a smile spread across her face. "Hello."

"So, why are you here?" Duo turned his attention back the stranger.

"Straightforward, wonderful!" Quatre looked pleased. "The last hero I had was forever getting his questions asked."

"Huh?" Duo had begun to feel a little lost.

"Sorry, bad habit." Quatre bowed his head in apology and shifted his position, floating back a little from the two watching him. "I've come to help you improve your sword technique and to get to know you somewhat as well."

"Are you a swordmaster?"

"I guess you could say that." Quatre laughed. "Now, shall we begin?"

'''''

She could feel his breath on her skin. His hands were touching her and she was powerless to stop him. "Stop, leave me alone." Dark laughter followed her pleas.

"Beautiful, beautiful Dorothy." He ran his fingers through her hair. "I will never leave you alone." He bent down to kiss her then trailed his lips down her neck to her shoulder where he bit down savagely.

"NO!" Dorothy sat up on her bed, panting. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. Her hands gripped her blanket tightly. Slowly she grew aware that she was in her own room inside the temple. She closed her eyes still hearing the sound of Malak's derisive laughter. Her hands relaxed, releasing the blanket from her death grip.

Ever since Malak had mysteriously left the temple she had been visited by nightmares. Nightmares that had grown unreasonably lifelike. Dorothy winced as she touched the teeth marks embedded in her shoulder. A bruise would soon be evident, just like other bruises she sustained from other nightmares.

Her relief that he had finally left the temple had been somewhat premature. The nightmares were beginning to take their toll. Dorothy left her room in search of the high priestess.

'''''

It was still dark outside. Dorothy turned and faced the temple, her sword held in salute to her goddess and the priestess standing in the doorway. After a moment she slid the blade smoothly into its sheath on her back. To her left Cala finished her farewell salute as well. "Where are we going?" Cala yawned widely as she followed Dorothy down the path, dimly lit by a sliver of the moon.

"I don't know." Dorothy would have preferred traveling alone as she sought out Malak in an attempt to end her nightmares; still the high priestess had insisted she take a companion. Left with no other choice Dorothy had chosen her younger bond sister. Wakened abruptly from a sound sleep Cala was still confused as to the purpose of their journey.

"If you don't know then why are you going?" Cala stumbled on a rough spot in the path. "You could at least wait until daybreak."

Dorothy ignored her sister's ramblings. She did indeed long for the rising of the sun; fearing sleep would again trap her in the embrace of Malak's dark lust.

"Slow down Dorothy, please."

Startled Dorothy looked behind her. Cala seemed nothing more then a dark shape approaching slowly. As she neared Dorothy noticed that the younger girl seemed to be limping. "You may be able to see in this darkness but my eyes are not so well trained." Cala complained as she drew near.

Dorothy felt her anger drain slightly. It wasn't Cala's fault the sorcerer plagued her. It was also true that the younger courtesan was not as well equipped for night travel as she herself was.

"Very well Cala. We'll rest until dawn since it is only a few hours hence."

Cala knelt by the stream, dipping her cupped hands into the cool water and drinking greedily. They had been traveling at a fast pace ever since the pale light of the sunrise had become apparent on the horizon.

Dorothy shifted her feet as she waited for her companion to finish. They were getting closer. She could sense it, the power that had been drawing her inexorably on was getting stronger. One hand fingered her belt pouch, feeling the outlines of an amulet the priestess had given her to block any magical persuasion and slight spells Malak might throw at her. Cala had received a similar gift.

Finished with her drink Cala rose, shaking water droplets off her hands. A sunbeam reaching down through the trees overhead touched the red of her hair and made it shine. She took up her position and waited while Dorothy knelt for her own drink. Her normally clear eyes were stormy as she looked around. The young courtesan had surmised that this unusual excursion had something to do with the sorcerer Malak. Her hatred of the dark sorcerer rose to the surface and she snarled.

"Come on."

Cala looked up to see Dorothy standing impatiently a few steps away. Nodding her head she began to the follow the older courtesan again.

'''''

The life of a Watcher was a lonely one. Not many mortals found it advantageous to climb to the top of an extremely high mountain, especially one that was said to be a doorstep for the gods. Although Trowa had long ago become used to the solitude of his home he did enjoy his few visitors.

He watched impassively as a hawk approached, its feathers gleaming red in the sunlight. It circled once before flying passed him and landing on the floor where it transformed upward, taking on the form of a beautiful woman.

"Trowa." She smiled at him.

"Catherine." He accepted her offered embrace, kissing her softly on the cheek in return. "It is good to see you again."

They stood there a moment before releasing each other.

"Hope has arrived at Eleanon."

"And there it shall stay for a time." Trowa murmured.

"Yes," Catherine agreed. "The Song of the Warrior has awakened."

A gleam appeared in Trowa's eye. "Agnialla will be glad to hear that."

"The Lady Dragon will not be glad about this." Catherine's blue eyes deepened. "Ha'derkaath begins to amass an army, this time of creatures without souls."

"Darkness continues its steady march forward." Trowa returned to his place looking out upon the earth.

"Despair spreads quickly." Catherine came to stand beside him. "Hope must not linger too long at Eleanon, else the world will give up."

"And most of the gods continue to sleep in apathy." Trowa shook his head. "All seems to go Ha'derkaath's way."

"But for how long?" Catherine asked audaciously.

"That is the question of the hour isn't it?" Trowa gave a slight smile to the woman next to him. "You must be tired. Come and rest." Drawing her after him they disappeared deeper within the cave.

'''''

The group was scattered again. Duo was being rigorously tested on sword skill by Quatre. The young man floated in and out of the former Destroyer's reach, while calmly pointing out subtle flaws in stance and attack.

Noin had finally convinced Zechs that his sister would be perfectly safe without his watchful eye on her and the lifemates had disappeared somewhere.

Hilde gravitated between watching Duo train and keeping an eye on Relena.

The two healers continued to keep a close eye on their charges. Both were mystified by the unusual life bond and spent much time in quiet conversation.

Heero had disappeared as well. Through the bond Relena was able to sense sudden magical surges and figured he was relearning his magic.

Relena was alone for the moment, Hilde having wandered off yet again to watch Duo. Deciding to go for a walk she rose and began to wander. The valley was filled with numerous flowering plants and shrubbery and for a while the elfin princess enjoyed the various aromas that mingled in the air. As she began to wander farther she found her eye drawn to a subtle glow within a stand of trees to her right. Curious she entered the wood and began making her way to where the glow originated.

The closer she came the dimmer the glow became until she slipped into a small clearing within the grove. In the middle of the clearing there stood a horse-like creature with a pearlescent horn spiraling upward from its head.

Relena froze in astonishment. The unicorn stared back at her with luminous eyes.

Greetings Elf Maiden.

Relena bowed her head in a show of respect. To glimpse a unicorn in the valley of Eleanon was a rare thing, but to have one actually deign to communicate with you, that was an honor almost unknown.

"And to you, Guardian of Eleanon." Relena felt a wave of serenity wash over her.

You may come closer.

At the invitation Relena took several hesitant steps forward until she was within arms reach of the snowy head.

The unicorn stretched its neck out and seemed to be smelling her. Ah, the Holder of Hope. Have you come for the blessing of Elai?

"Blessing? No, we were desirous of rest and freedom from Ha'derkaath. Fanr advised us to come here." Relena answered truthfully.

I see. The unicorn looked away. You do contain much weariness. Your life bond is a burden to you now, but it shall not always be so. The unicorn turned to regard her gravely. Rest now, for you shall soon have no time to do so. The unicorn began to walk away.

"Please, Guardian, I would seek the blessing of Elai." Relena stretched her hands after the departing creature.

The unicorn paused and turned back. For a moment it stared hard at her. Then it was in front of her breathing gently on her face. Peace daughter of elves, you have already received it.

'''''

Sudden excitement and surprise twisted his stomach. Heero frowned as the delicate magic he'd been conjuring fizzled into nothing when his concentration was broken. Where had that sensation come from? Certainly not from him. His frown deepened as he remembered the life bond. He'd done his best to close himself off from either receiving her emotions or giving his away. Closing his eyes he searched for the mystical link and began following it to the elf. Something wonderful seemed to be happening to her. Her aura sent out messages of joy and slight fear. Then there was nothing.

Heero opened his eyes and considered. That something had happened was obvious. What he should do wasn't so obvious. Trying to return to his magic turned out to be impossible and he at last decided to find the elfin girl. Then at least, he would know what she was doing, and hopefully be able to block any feedback he received from her.

Picking up his makeshift staff he went searching for his bondmate.

'''''

Shaking aroused her. When Relena opened her eyes she found herself looking up into the familiar face of Heero. The human mage sat back on his heels and watched as she pushed herself into a sitting position.

Looking around Relena saw no sign of the unicorn. The grove was completely empty save for her and her human bondmate. Perplexed she looked back at him. "What are you doing here?"

Heero didn't look in a hurry to answer. Instead he appeared to be searching her face for answers to his own questions. When he didn't find what he was looking for he stood up, retrieving his staff from where it had lain on the grass beside him. "You interrupted my magic."

"I'm sorry," Relena had to tip her head back to see his face. She couldn't find the desire to tell him about her encounter with the unicorn; even though she knew it would explain the feelings he'd gotten. Somehow the visit was something much too personal. His eyes seemed to follow the line of her neck before he turned away.

Relena frowned after him. The unicorn was right when it said my life bond was a burden to me. I didn't think any of my emotions would transmit to him; he had such a strong wall blocking me out. Looking away she dropped any thought of her reluctant bondmate and a dreamy smile crept across her face. She had actually spoken with a unicorn.

A few yards away Heero felt unexplainably drawn to look back. Sitting with the sun glinting off her hair, a dreamy look on her face, she seemed extraordinarily beautiful. Magic. His mind reminded him. Right. Turning again he walked resolutely away.

'''''

Malak laughed softly to himself as he looked at the strands of hair laying across the palm of his left hand. Tipping his hand from side to side he watched the blond glint in the light of his candles. He had been lucky enough to obtain some of her hair and now he was able to visit her dreams whenever he liked. Gently the forefinger of his right hand stroked his connection to the head Courtesan. Leaving the temple had been a calculated move. Now she would be forced to seek him out if she wished her nights to be free of him.

They wouldn't. He planned to make her his in body and mind once she arrived. Idly he dangled the strands above a candle, keeping them just out of reach of the flame. She was coming, he knew. Drawn inexorably by the hold he had over her unconscious mind. Just like a moth. Malak's laughter echoed through his dwelling.