Flame of Darkness
By: Starlight – x1

Chapter 8: Reflections

Malak knelt before Ha'derkaath, trembling as he remembered the icy burning pain with part fear, part ecstatic longing. "My lord, I have done as you commanded. The Holder of Hope was hit with your black arrow. She is dead."

Ha'derkaath stared at Malak through narrowed eyes. "How do you know she's dead?" He asked, anger in his voice. "You sat next to her and watched her soul depart from her body, I suppose. Or maybe you felt her heart cease."

Malak pressed his face harder into the ground and said nothing.

"You fool," Ha'derkaath roared suddenly. "She's not dead." He leaned forward on his throne and glared down at Malak. "I would've known the instant she died. Instead she is alive. Can you not do anything I tell you to?"

"I'm sorry my lord." Malak's trembling had doubled. "I was not able to stay to watch the life drain from her body, a dragon appeared and I had to flee to report back to you."

"A dragon?" There was the tiniest hint of curiosity in Ha'derkaath's tone. "It has been a long while since a dragon has revealed itself." He tapped his lip thoughtfully as he looked down to where Malak still cringed before him. "Come here."

Malak crawled forward, his trembling increasing as he drew nearer the god of death and destruction. Casually Ha'derkaath reached down and grabbed the top of Malak's head. The death god's eyes half closed as he sifted through Malak's memories of the battle. When he finally found what he wanted he let out a long satisfied sigh and dropped Malak. "Finally," He drew out the word, sleek satisfaction and greed in his voice. "I have located it. At last I shall possess the key of Justice."

Malak lay crumpled on the floor; drool spilling from one corner of his mouth, his body shaking uncontrollably. Ha'derkaath stared down at him contemplatively. "You do live to serve me don't you Malak?"

Malak made a grunting noise and nodded his head feebly.

"Oh, stop that. It's revolting." Ha'derkaath said. He touched Malak briefly and his shaking stopped. Malak sat up and wiped his face with his sleeve, his body still trembling slightly.

"What do you wish me to do now, my lord?"

Ha'derkaath looked critically down at him. "Nothing for now. Consider yourself lucky that you brought me such propitious news. My patience with your lack of ability has nearly reached its limit. Fail again and you shall find yourself inhabiting a hell I shall prepare specially for you."

"Yes my lord." Malak limped painfully from the room. His entire body ached with a pain that slowly dissipated. He reached his quarters gratefully and sank down on his bed. He no longer needed sleep but enjoyed the luxury of a soft mattress. Lying down he waited for his body to finish recuperating. He closed his eyes recreating the battle scene in his memory. It was sketchy at best. Ha'derkaath's casual sifting of his memories had seemingly erased some of them. He remembered the dragon well enough. A silver scaled beast whose very presence had struck fear into his heart. Superimposed over even that image was a cool eyed courtesan of the War Goddess, Askar. Malak ran a tongue over dried lips. His obsession had not waned with his transformation into an undead mage.

True, his physical desire was no longer present, but the need to dominate her remained. A dry chuckle worked its way out of his throat. He would win their battle of wills. He smiled as he remembered the anger that had blazed in her face as she had cut her way towards him. Such a passionate woman although she hid it beneath a veil of cold contempt. She would be his.

000000

Relena walked along quietly. She shaded her eyes with her right hand and peered up into the sky. The hawk still drifted lazily above them. "It seems we've attracted someone's notice."

Zechs paused long enough to let his own gaze drift upwards. "So it would seem."

"It's been following us for quite some time." Heero said.

"I know." Zechs continued moving forward. "But we haven't been bothered by its presence so I was just ignoring it."

"That bird is one of the Watcher's." Wufei spoke up suddenly. "It will observe our actions and report them to the Watcher."

"The Watcher? I though that was just a story." Duo sounded puzzled.

Hilde laughed softly. "Most stories told are based on some form of reality or another."

"Don't worry about it Duo." Relena hastened to assure him. "The Watcher had become quite a legend among the elves as well."

"What about the dragons?" Duo looked curiously at the Wufei.

"Dragons have long memories." Wufei paused, a slight smile on his face. "Besides, I do not think the Matriarch would ever let us forget one she considered a friend."

"Friend! How can you be a friend with the Watcher? That'd almost be like having a god as your friend." Duo was incredulous.

"Who is to say there haven't been mortals who have been called friends of the gods?" Heero asked.

"It hardly seems possible." Duo insisted.

"Much seems impossible that really isn't." Fanr said softly.

"You would do well to remember that Duo. Especially since our group seems determined to take on one of those things that seems impossible." Hilde said blandly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Isn't the accosting of a death and destruction god generally looked upon as crazy, suicidal and impossible?" Hilde looked at Duo closely.

"I suppose you could say that." Duo shrugged. "Well, if I can get used to a talking sword I guess I can accept the Watcher being real and having the matriarch of all the dragons as their nearest and dearest friend."

Hilde shook her head despairingly and turned away.

Relena looked over at Heero a delighted smile spreading across her face. "You want to laugh. I can tell!"

Heero looked at her, his face as impassive as always. "Hm."

Relena's smile widened but she continued walking without saying anything more.

The silence was next broken by Dorothy. "So, where exactly are we going?"

"To the ruins of a temple originally dedicated to the worship of Ha'derkaath." Fanr answered. "Hopefully we will find him there."

"And if we don't?" Duo ventured the question.

"Then my young friend, we pray that the gods grant us mercy."

000000

They traveled all day unmolested by Ha'derkaath's minions. As darkness began to fall over the land they found a campsite and settled in for the night.

Relena watched Heero slip away from the group. She waited a short time before following him. She found him sitting cross-legged on the ground, his staff balanced on his lap. "What do you need?" He didn't look up.

Relena sank gracefully down beside him. "I just want to know why you avoid me. I do not know why the gods placed this bonding on us, but it would be the utmost foolishness to not use what we have been granted to fight Ha'derkaath." She broke off. That wasn't what she had wanted to say at all. Taking a deep breath she began again, her fingers closing into nervous fists, gripping the fabric of her skirt tightly. "You shut yourself off from me and I feel only half there. You helped me once. Please allow me to help you now." She stared down at her hands. The silence stretched out between them for a long moment.

"You glow."

Relena looked up, startled. "What?"

"Whenever I look at you, it's almost as if there's a light hidden inside of you." Heero turned his head, looking away from her. "You glow."

Afraid, he was afraid of her. Relena felt a sudden shock. No, not afraid of her. He was afraid of himself. She looked at him tenderly. Didn't he know? Hidden deep inside of himself he had untapped wells of strength. "Heero," she began. "There was a reason we were bonded. I am not afraid of what will happen, you need not be afraid for me either."

Warm flesh touched her face and she gave a startled jerk, looking up to see Heero watching her intently now. Her breath caught in her throat and she sat very still as his fingers moved from her cheek to trace the outline of one ear and the down along her jaw line until his hand cupped her chin tilting her face upwards. She stared unblinking into his eyes.

"I shut myself off from you because you were, are," he corrected himself, "so different from anything I've ever known." Abruptly he released her and sat back.

Relena had to take a moment to compose herself. His touch had ignited a fire within her that she didn't understand. "So, what should we do?" Her voice sounded slightly shaky.

"Ha'derkaath is afraid of you." Heero replied. "We must be able to use that against him somehow. The only question is how."

000000

Duo sat rubbing a cloth over the blade of his sword. So much had happened. Unexpected and amazingly impossible things. It was almost a relief to turn his attention to something as ordinary and mundane as caring for his sword. Not that it was a regular sword mind you. No, Song of the Warrior was definitely not an ordinary weapon. It talked and could even manage a ghostly projection of itself in places with great magic. Duo sighed without realizing it.

"What's the matter?" The question was soft.

Duo looked over at Hilde, her face softened by the mix of firelight and shadow. "Nothing, I'm just feeling very ordinary and small right now."

"I feel that way every time I look up at the stars." Hilde confessed.

"Hmm." Duo spared a glance upward. "I guess the stars could do that to anyone they chose." He continued rubbing the cloth over his sword. "Do you think we'll find Ha'derkaath tomorrow?"

"I don't know. Part of me hopes we do. I'm so tired of running and hiding. I'd rather fight and get it over with. But another part of me hopes we don't." Hilde hugged herself and shivered.

Duo balanced his sword on his knees before silently draping his cloak over her shoulders.

Hilde gripped the edges of the garment tightly. She wasn't cold but the feel of the rough wool was comforting to her fingers. Lowering her head she caught the faintest scent of wood smoke mingling with the smell that was uniquely Duo's. "Are you afraid?" Her voice was small. She watched as he gave a final swipe to his sword before slipping it carefully home to its sheath.

"A little." Duo responded quietly. He drew his knees up to his chest and tilted his head back to stare up at the stars. "But you know, I've come to the opinion that fear isn't something to be ashamed of. Everyone's afraid at some point. The thing is, always making sure you don't allow your fear to paralyze you and keep you from doing what you have to."

"I know that." Hilde gripped the cloak tighter.

"Come on over here." Duo patted the ground next to him.

Hilde scooted over and leaned her head against his shoulder. They sat together in silence for a while. "Would you mind if I told you that I like you a lot?" Hilde asked quietly.

"Nah," Duo grinned. "Not if you don't mind me saying I like you a lot too."

"Mmmm, no, I don't mind at all." Hilde stifled a yawn. The warmth of the cloak and Duo's presence had combined to make her extremely sleepy.

"Good." Duo slid an arm across her shoulders and tucked her closer to his side. "Sleep well Hilde."

0000000

Dorothy stood a short distance from the group; with them and yet, not part of them. Her internal clock, attuned to the temple's daily schedule told her that it was time for the evening dance. In the temple or away on an errand of revenge she had sworn to honor her goddess. With that thought in mind Dorothy drew her sword and began her dance, her mind filling in the music, her body falling easily into the graceful movement. Only after she finished did she become aware that someone had been watching.

"Beautifully done young one. You show excellent control over body and soul." Fanr stepped forward. "I have been honored to observe Askar's dance of swords several times in my life. But never have I seen one executed with such passion of spirit."

Dorothy gave a brief nod in acknowledgement of his praise and wiped at her sweaty face with one hand.

"Why do you travel with us?"

Dorothy paused at the question. "I have only one reason. To fulfill my blood right and the oath I swore upon the death of my bond sister."

Fanr gave a nod. "I see. Tis a heavy burden you have taken upon yourself. I pray that it will be lightened soon."

000000

Sally sat, fingers idly stroking over the grass. Life, it held such a delicate balance in this world. She gave a sigh and pulled her hand back to her lap.

"So, you are a Life Caller."

Sally looked up and saw Wufei leaning against a tree. "Yes, I am, and you are the guardian of Justice are you not?"

"I am." He gave a curt nod.

"And you're coming with us to fight Ha'derkaath." She reached up and tucked a strand of blond hair behind one ear. "Aren't you afraid he'll be able to take the key of Justice from you?"

"No." The answer was firm. "The only way he could get it would be to kill me and that's not going to happen." There was assurance in his voice.

"Hmm." Sally went back to running her fingers over the grass. "I wish I could have your confidence." She said softly. "But I've felt life slip away too many times. It is a fragile balance."

"But you have the will to tip the balance." His answer startled her. "So do I. Dragons do not worship or revere any of the gods. They cannot interfere with us as much as they would desire."

"But they can kill you. Weren't many of your clans almost wiped out during the fight to preserve the key of Justice?"

"Yes." There was pain in Wufei's voice. "But they were only protecting it. I am its guardian. There is a difference."

"How so?"

Wufei paused and then gave a slight smile. "It's not something easily explainable, but trust me when I say there just is."

000000

The night was still and quiet. Noin stood in the shadows keeping watch. She gave a tiny whisper of a sigh.

"What troubles you?" A hand rested lightly on her shoulder.

"Zechs." Noin felt the immediate calm that accompanied her lifemate.

"You're thinking that we may not come back alive from this venture." Zechs said.

Noin turned away from him slightly. "Yes. We gave our word we would protect Relena with our lives. But we're going up against a god. The likelihood we will survive is very slim."

"Since when have stacked odds bothered you? You know I will never leave you." Zechs pulled her close. "Whatever happens we will be together forever."

"As long as I can see the sky and know that you are with me then I am content." Noin smiled.

"But just so you know, I'm not planning on dying just yet." Zechs looked up at the stars. "There're too many things I still want to accomplish."

"Mmm." Noin tilted her head back as she too stared up at the sky. "Promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me, after we are finally done fighting that you'll take me back to Eleanon."

"I promise."

000000

Trowa stood outside his cave. The air was still as if the entire earth held its breath in anticipation. Everything was waiting to see how the upcoming battle would resolve itself and who would walk away victorious. "Even the gods watch with bated breath." Trowa gave a half amused laugh.

He held out a hand and watched as a sparrow landed on his palm. The tiny bird cocked its head to one side and let out a chirp as it regarded Trowa with one black eye.

Trowa lifted the bird until it was level with his face. "So, what's your message little one?"

The sparrow let out a series of chirps. Trowa gave a nod. "Thank you." He said gravely. He watched as the sparrow flew away. "Perhaps I will go observe what happens personally."