Eclipse of Dusk
By: Hseru
Warnings: Shounen ai 1x2 3x4 5xM
Disclaimer: I own not Gundam Wing, but I do own the world the G-boys traverse. Fear my god power
Chapter 33
The silence was shattered by another vicious, growling roar from Shinigami. The dragon's glowing eyes were centered on their immediate target; the demon. A dragon's rage is more than most wish to ever witness, much less stand against.
Baezrok's yellow eyes gloated over how easily the soldier had died, for the moment completely ignoring the raging dragon at his back. Even in death, the soldier's soul fought him, clinging to the body still in the demon's grip. It was a simple matter, breaking the hold between the two, and it was mere moments before the soldier's soul was dragged into the demon's vortex.
That done, the demon shucked the youth from his claws, tossing the limp body to the side to land in a lifeless heap. Bringing his claws to his lips, he licked the blood from them as he turned to Shinigami.
"So, Beast. Have you anything worthy of my time?" The demon asked, eyes gleaming in the red light streaming from the heavens.
"I'm sure the soul of one of the old ones would be a delectable treat." Baezrok purred, burning the rest of the blood from his claws in a wash of power.
The bolt of black dragonfire was his answer, engulfing him in dark flames for a moment before the demon jumped from the blaze, landing a few feet away as the fires died. A look that spoke of some sourness rode the features of the demon.
Even a High Demon was subject to duress from dragonfire. It burned even the air for a time, such was its fury. Nothing could escape it, and none could tame it save for the dragon that spawned it.
Said dragon now launched forward, a furious wall of spines and claws that glittered wicked red in the light from overhead. A roar accompanied its movement, and it had crossed the long courtyard and was to the demon before anyone could move from its path. Anyone still in his way was crushed, or swept away by the angry tail lashing behind the beast.
Ebony claws lashed out, and the demon made a hasty retreat, those dark wings bursting forth from his back to aid in maneuverability. Winging upwards, a quick sweep in the air had the demon dodging another burst of fire.
"Come, surely you can do better than that, beast." Baezrok easily dodged the spouts of fire aimed at him as he spoke, winging this way and that overhead.
A serpentine head whipped upwards at the jibe, releasing another bolt of fire before Shinigami launched his lithe body into the air. Yet possessing his base abilities, Shinigami's broken wing flared out, having healed in the time between its injury and now. Sweeping downwards, the strong pinions grabbed the air and cupped it like water, letting it spill out in the upwards beat, only to be filled again in the strong downbeat.
It was amazing that such a monstrous thing could fly, much less rise so quickly and effortlessly. In seconds, Shinigami arched after the demon, spewing a rain of fire in his wake. The size difference alone made it look like a great hawk chased a gnat.
…
The five on the ground paid almost no attention to what went on overhead. The awakened Duo, and the crumpled figure that lay across the courtyard were enough to occupy them for the immediate moment, however every other person still alive had once more resumed their dash for freedom and escape as the two titans fought their winged battle.
Duo's sudden re-emergence from his coma like state had shocked everyone. It had heralded the awakening of Shinigami
And the death of Heero.
Now, violet eyes were latched onto the crumpled figure so far away in disbelief. He had come back to himself just in time to watch the person he cared about the most killed, just like that. It had been so sudden, so quick, and now, so overwhelming.
What about his promise?
"Duo? Duo, look at me." Quatre kneeled beside the long haired youth, trying to keep himself from crying for their 'leader' as he worked to keep Duo with them. Gods, how much more would they all have to suffer before the end? Who was going to be the next one to die?
Duo turned to look at his friend, violet eyes filled with pain, both physical and psychological.
"Why…why did he do that?" The youth muttered, eyes overshadowed with grief. Quatre knew he wasn't talking about the demon.
Wufei, as the only one capable, went the short distance to where the soldier had fallen, and with a wordless expression of pain, he carefully picked up the limp body, noting how light it seemed, as if Heero's soul was what had weighed it down.
"Why would he go and do something so stupid?" Duo's words were strained as Wufei brought Heero's body back to them, laying him on the ground. "What was he thinking?" Duo's words began to grow heated, and louder with each new question.
"Did you think you could kill that thing by yourself?" Duo grabbed at the front of Heero's shirt, heedless of the blood that coated his hands.
"What's wrong with you? Don't you know that even you…have….your limits…" Duo broke down as it sunk in, tears stinging his eyes as his words grew choked, and faded away.
"…why…" He hunched over, sinking down to lay his forehead against his bloody hands, still gripping the front of Heero's shirt, heedless of the arcane markings carved into his chest, the bleeding from those all but stopped. Sobs began to wrack his thin frame, and he was moments away from giving voice to a scream.
"Do you…wish…for revenge….dragon child?" The voice that spoke so close to the group was familiar in a wicked way, and Duo jumped as he looked to its origin, his mourning interrupted.
"Sarkan…." He breathed as the sorry sight met his startled, red rimmed gaze.
Wufei jumped up first, bringing one of his swords to bear against the pale neck of the broken sorcerer who had crawled, unnoticed, over to their group during the struggle in the middle of the courtyard.
Sarkan was a mess. His robes were tattered, and the front was covered with the blood he'd coughed up, blending into the wine color. His deep blue eyes were drawn, and despite the loathing each of them felt for this man, some deep sense of pity began to form.
The sorcerer glanced up at the young warrior, heedless of the sword's razor edge a mere hair's breadth from his throat..
"Do you wish to win, or not?" Came the simple statement, and it took Wufei slightly by surprise, not to mention the rest of the group.
Struggling to get a good breath of air with one punctured lung, Sarkan turned his attention back to Duo, and steadfastly ignored the others.
"I asked you a question, dragon." The sorcerer wheezed. Duo blinked, realizing what the sorcerer was offering. He then nodded affirmation.
"I will give you the key to regaining your body, if you will do something for me once you are again whole."
"What the hell are you trying to pull here?" An incredulous Meiran spoke up. "You kidnapped, and tortured Duo, and now you are asking for favors?"
"Be quiet Meiran." Duo said then, suddenly no longer the whimpering, mourning youth of mere seconds before. An opportunity was being offered. He would have been a fool to not listen to the older man's stipulations in return for the way to kill Baezrok.
Heero's murderer.
"Name your price, sorcerer." Duo then said quietly, yet distinctly. Meiran held her tongue for the time being, backing off of the subject in question.
"After you are again one with Shinigami... I want you to kill Solo." The sorcerer said, hesitatingly only slightly as he named his price.
Duo was taken aback by the sorcerer's request. He had not seen the changes that had been wrought over the feline youth, and the request seemed to be completely irrational.
"Why do you want me to do this?" Duo asked quietly. "Solo seems to be the only thing or person you hold close to you."
"Which is why I ask this of you." Sarkan said, meeting that harsh violet gaze with his own deep blue view.
"Solo was killed…instead of you, and the Mast….Baezrok… took him for his own use, instilling a soul tainted with his power." Sarkan seemed to be deeply wounded by what had happened. "Solo is no longer Solo…and I know that he wouldn't want to live this way. I ask only that you free him. Cleanse him with your fire; make him pure once more."
Duo was silent as Sarkan finished, and simply looked over at the sorcerer as he quickly thought over their options. His violet view landed on his lifeless love.
"Very well. I will make sure to kill him quickly." Duo said, the words sounding so alien and harsh coming from such a normally cheery and kind person. It was just so…wrong, …and there was no time to worry anymore whether he'd still be Duo after the merging.
A small, grim smile crossed Sarkan's lips.
"Thank you.." He whispered.
Sarkan then began digging slowly through his robes, finally finding the pocket he wanted among the tattered and partially burnt cloth. From the pocket, he drew a black leather pouch, and handed it over to Duo, under the watchful eye of the others.
"Take this. It will be sufficient to bind… the two of you together." Sarkan said as Duo opened the bag and poured its contents into his hand. There, on a silver chain, was the onyx pendant Phenris had given him in a time that seemed so long ago. He picked it up, and without a word, placed it about his neck.
"What do I need to do?" He then asked,
"You must call Shinigami to you. " Sarkan began, pausing as a fit of coughing came over him, bringing up more blood to stain his hands. "The beast ...knows nothing,… and will resist. He will… attack you, and you have to allow him… to kill your mortal body." The coughing fit left the Sorcerer gasping for breath that didn't come immediately.
Duo glanced over at the crumpled form, looked down at the pendant that lay gleaming from his neck, then angled his gaze back to the recovering sorcerer.
"Very well…" He answered again, much against the almost immediate protests of his friends.
"You have no reassurance that this will work." Wufei said tersely, sword still at the ready.
"There's no telling what would happen, if anything." Quatre added.
"I have to do this." Was the youth's reply.
"How do I call Shinigami?" He then asked in a tone that brooked argument from none.
Sarkan noted the very obvious change from the frightened and confused boy of before, to the stern and sure youth who stood before him. He didn't know whether to be reassured, or afraid.
"Reach out…with your mind. You are the soul… you can control the body." The sorcerer said, his breath again running out.
Duo nodded silently.
"…Duo?" Quatre spoke up, and he cringed inwardly at the look in those violet eyes. Duo had finally snapped, and it was all too evident.
Those eyes softened for a moment however, and then he was gone, walking away from the group so they would not be caught in the crossfire.
The monumental battle being fought overhead had reached a feverish point. Shinigami had been able to catch the demon with several bursts of dragonfire, and Baezrok had started retaliation of his own, shooting bolts of lightning towards the winged black death. Even then, the demon threw an arch of lightning towards the pursuing dragon, which Shinigami promptly dodged, a stray spark striking along his wing. Shinigami let loose with a feral roar, angling off for a moment before continuing his attack.
Violet eyes now followed the dragon's trail, as Duo has staked his place in the center of the courtyard.
Come Shinigami Duo thought, raising his arms towards the red heavens.
Come to me
In the sky, the dragon twisted suddenly, as if being jerked to the side from his forward flight. An enraged scream left the dragon's maw, and it's eyes blazed as it searched for that which tried to control it.
Come to me!
There! The mental urges were being sent from the small being on the ground. How dare it? That puny thing thought to control the might of a black dragon. Let it learn the penalty of such.
The dragon suddenly dove, cleanly slicing pursuit of the demon as it roared down towards the human on the ground. Baezrok followed, eyeing the dragon's target. Yellow orbs narrowed. There was something about this human that spoke of …more. He then realized what was happening, and threw a hasty bolt of lightning towards the dragon's downward retreating form in an effort to turn it away.
Shinigami gave loose another roar; it seemed there were many things seeking his attention, and death.
To me, Shinigami!
Again the call came, and the dragon was lost in rage, ignoring the demon on his tail like a mosquito buzzing in one's ear. Baezrok was a minor hindrance when compared to this boy.
Duo watched as the dragon dove, feeling only the slightest tremor of doubt and fear worm its way through his mind before he hardened his resolution, and called once more.
Come to me, dragon
Come and burn away this body
Shinigami leveled off, eyes of blazing crystal piercing all. From his fanged maw, a rolling wave of flame spewed forth towards Duo, who welcomed it with open arms. The flames wrapped around him, the extreme heat blindingly painful at first, then numbing as Duo watched in morbid fascination as his skin melted away, momentarily exposing bones and tissue until that too was burnt to ashes and nonexistence.
Then Duo was gone.
It was weird, viewing the world from the other side of death. Everything was different in shape and color, and lines of energy ran everywhere, connected to all.
Duo floated in this limbo for only a second though.
He began to feel a tug on his being, like someone had a string attached to him, and he was drawn upwards into a living breathing darkness that wrapped around him almost like a warm, comforting blanket of familiarity. A strong, steady beat pulsed in his mind, and he came to feel the things around him again. The rush of wind in his eyes, over his body, whistling as it caught and ran through his scales and was cut by his monstrous wings.
Shinigami roared in delight as his telescopic vision took in all again. He was restored! No more was the black dragon an unthinking beast of rage and flame. Now, he had his mentality back. An age old mind that had seen more than most even dream about, and learned more than any book had to offer.
Shinigami's spiked crest rose in challenge to the world, and his great pinions flared out to encompass all of the crimson sky in their glory.
A deafening roar was ripped from Shinigami's throat as the ebon dragon spiraled upwards, momentarily heedless of everything as the overwhelming joy of being back in his body took the great creature.
"Dragon! Come and face me!" Baezrok howled upwards at the blazing behemoth, his eyes burning yellow. This was not supposed to happen. He needed to destroy the beast before Shinigami regained all of his former strength.
Shinigami halted his upwards progress, and glared downwards at the demon.
Think you to call me, demon? The dragon queried, slowly floating down as he spoke. The voice of the ebon creature was overwhelming, coming to life within the minds of all as the equivalent of the clangor of great bells, musical yet discordant in nature.
You are nothing but refuse to me. How are you able to gather the nerve to even speak in my presence?
It was obvious just how much of a difference there was between these two super-powers. Baezrok was now nothing more than a stain in Shinigami's sight.
And the demon began to laugh.
"There is more to me than meets the eye, dragon! I did not come this far only to be sent back through the ninth gate of Hell!"
Baezrok's form began to melt into a blackness that absorbed him, and began to grow. It was mere moments before the pulsing blackness peaked in size, then began to dissipate, leaving behind a version of the beast that had first appeared in the sky.
However, this time, the demon's size was almost that of Shinigami's. Wicked razor claws scythed from hands on four arms that had sprouted from a wide set chest, all covered in harsh, rangy fur. Wide, dark wings pinioned behind the large beast, now half feathered, and half naked leathery skin. A long, scaled tail ended in a nasty looking scythe-like sting, much like a scorpion's, and sliced angrily through the air behind the demon.
The demon's head was similar to before, with a second set of horns bursting forth from his temples and wrapping around the first pair. A long, wide muzzle was heavy set in a wide face, and filled with vicious teeth, a double set of canines coming down to hang over the bottom lip.
This was an unexpected turn of events. Now, the demon appeared to be on the same playing field as Shinigami, and that was not something anyone wanted.
The ebon dragon floated on the smallest of breezes, barely working his wings at all.
You think revealing your true form will help you? The dragon asked, contempt coloring his words.
I shall burn your wretched body until nothing is left but ashes to scatter upon the wind.
"You are welcome to try, dragon." The demon ground out, flexing foot long claws.
If dragon's were capable of smiling, a wicked grin would have wound about Shinigami's mouth. As it was, his laughter floated through everyone's mind.
So be it.
And the fight for the world began anew, each contestant now at their maximum strength.
Below, the disheveled group watched at the two titans bowled straight for each other, meeting with a crack, claws skittering across scales with a sound of metal rending, flames burning fur, and both creatures clawing at the other in the most base form of fighting.
They had all experienced the sound of Shinigami's voice in their heads, an encounter that had left many stunned.
Quatre now looked upwards, fear for his friend written all over his face. He'd heard it… in the dragon's voice. Heard that which they had all hoped would not be the case; the horrible truth.
Duo was gone.
Aiyaaa! Another chapter down, and lots more to go! I might be going for a record here
I'm as excited typing this up as I've heard that you guys are reading it. I do hope that I'm keeping you all entertained enough.
Again, thanks for the reviews, and for those of you who were with me since the beginning. The story is reaching it's ultimate climax, and who knows just what will happen? I know I don't XD
Ciao, and keep those reviews coming. The more reviews, the faster I write!