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 35

There wasn't much left of Sarkan's stronghold. Those few men-at-arms that had survived both the coming of Baezrok and the titanic battle between the demon and dragon, had long ago fled into the surrounding fields and further wilderness; stragglers were either dead or wounded so badly that death was inevitable. The stronghold was virtually destroyed. Debris littered the ground for hundreds of feet in all directions, as if the buildings had been blown apart rather than knocked down. Part of one tower remained, yet its supports were all but destroyed. It would be coming down too soon of its own accord, and so would end the last of Sarkan's great accomplishments.

The group of companions gathered themselves together once more. All eyes rested upon the youth with amethyst eyes as he moved to their center, helping Quatre along, as the little mage had used himself up in his spell work. Handing him off, the long haired youth turned a sad visage upon their fallen leader, resting on the ground.

Duo knew exactly what had happened in the end. Quatre's spell had allowed the thousands upon thousands of tormented souls trapped within Baezrok to find the strength to rise up, and free the one among them who could turn the tide of battle. Duo's dragon spirit had risen in song as the phoenix flames mounted to violent life out of his own fiery fury. Heero's soul had flown freely, feeding off both the flames outside and the demon's hell within. He'd burnt away all of the demon's powers, leaving him helpless against the fiery onslaught, and Baezrok had then burned with the fury of two ancient beings bent on his demise.

Breath caught in Duo's throat at the memory. Oh, the sheer joy it had been. After Baezrok's ashes were reduced to nothing, the two creatures had then faced off against each other, each the perfect vision of power.

Phoenix song had streamed through his head, and the two had agreed instantly. There would be no more death. No more destruction this day. The phoenix had then melted away, promising a return before time ended, and the world was no more.

Duo knelt next to Heero's prostrate form, and reached out to brush a stray lock of that unruly chocolate hair from before a stern face that had softened into some kind of peace in death. Tears welled in those ancient eyes, and the youth allowed them to fall. Nothing could have ever hurt so much as having a heart that had seen so many things, broken by death that could never be received.

…

It was a day later that found the group already a great distance from Sarkan's stronghold. The Illians had survived the battle, freeing themselves and running from their building as it collapsed downwards consumed in fire. The fact that they had already been saddled proved even more helpful than had first been planned. They managed to catch the extra horses they needed, and each member had their own steed when all was said and done.

It was with a slow, careful step that Shiroi now pulled his new master's body behind him on a makeshift sledge, wrapped in a spare cloak until they could either burn or bury him, as was proper to honor the dead. The white stallion's sapphire eyes stayed on the tracks of the Illian ahead of him, and he hardly seemed to notice as Murasaki picked up behind and to the side of him.

The others didn't really know what to think. Duo had insisted upon riding with them, when he could have just as easily flown off. Indeed, he had been overjoyed to find that Murasaki was waiting for them outside the stronghold's tilled lands.

It was unnerving for them to think that the black dragon they'd witnessed earlier was still inside the comrade they'd all come to consider a dear friend. It was felt that they should tred carefully around him, as if afraid of waking that which lay within, but Duo very quickly put a stop to that kind of behavior. It was soon seen that he was the same person they knew, just with something more inside of him that lent him that ageless appearance. It was an agelessness that was apparent in Trowa to some degree, both being immortal creatures, and the time spent riding in his presence helped them get accustomed to it.

They called an early halt as Wufei, in the lead, spotted a good place to conduct their leader's funeral. Ahead, the trees opened up onto a tall crest in the land, which was bathed in the last streaming rays of the dying day.

It was decided among them that Heero would have preferred a funeral pyre to being in the cold ground. All but Quatre and Duo went to find the amount of wood they'd need, while the two bent to the task of preparing Heero's body for his final departure.

Duo again wept silently with Quatre as they moved his lifeless love from the back of the sledge, spreading Heero's blanket roll out so he could be laid upon it. It was with gentle hands that they unwrapped him from the cloak, cleaning as much of the dried blood off as was possible with what they had. The longhaired youth was taken aback by just how peaceful their leader's face now rest. Like everything that worried or harassed him in life was now swept away in death. It brought a small, hesitant smile to Duo's lips, as he traced the side of Heero's tranquil face, fingers catching the mussed hair.

And what would you have done if he lived? Shinigami's voice echoed in his head. You would have simply watched him wither away to nothingness. At least this way, your last memory will be of him in the full of his vigor. The dragon's words, though meant to help in what way they could, did little to comfort him.

This was how it had turned out, for some reason. Instead of losing himself completely, Duo and Shinigami now shared the same body, but not the same mind. Indeed, they had come to the agreement which led to Duo's humanity now. Shinigami ruled the dragon half, Duo the human half. They would never be the same again, but the knowledge Shinigami had gained through his human half was a fair trade in his great eyes. The dragon thirsted for knowledge like nothing else in life. As a result, they were the same, yet separate. They both knew everything the other did, to a degree. There were some things a dragon could understand that the human mind would never be able to grasp.

The three gathering wood meanwhile went about their task with a single mindedness that produced good results within an hour. They moved the wood to the rise, and found a large square alter of sorts made of a dark, solid stone that stood some two feet out of the ground, spires of the same stone jutting up and over their heads, a cradle in which to place the wood, and the fallen.

It had not stood there an hour before. Phenris was giving the only support she could, but it was enough.

The wood was piled on top in crisscrossed layers until another three feet was added to the height.

As the sun touched the rim of the world, the funeral began, such as it was, and they carried their fallen to the top of the rise, and placed him on the pyre.

Each of them held a burning brand, but it was Duo who first set the pyre ablaze. After he'd done so, they each lit another area, until the flames rose upward to wrap around the still form, and the smoke and heat flowed heavily into the sky.

The perfect blue heavens gave way to a myriad of colors as the sun finally set, and the blaze grew hotter until all but Duo had to step back. The heat washed over him, but he didn't feel it. The tortured sadness in his eyes reflected the flames with an alacrity that was almost alarming if one didn't know what slept within. He had already gotten his revenge though… why did he still feel so empty? The hollow refused to be filled, whether he fill it with sadness, anger, or despair. It would simply stay empty until something greater came to fill it.

The amethyst eyed youth finally stepped back from the pyre as a brisk wind suddenly threw up embers and ash in all directions, coursing about the flaming altar in a whirlwind of heat and smoke. One last lyrical cry broke the heavens, filling the minds of all with its joy at being free, then was washed away by the whipping winds.

The cry stayed with them all, even as the wind died back down, and the pyre continued to burn, until all that remained was a pile of ash and burnt wood upon the dark stone dais. It was with a heavy sigh that Duo then led the group back down into the area they'd picked to set up camp.

That night was a quiet one as everyone silently ate their dinner of stew and bread taken from the supplies at the stronghold. It wasn't until after the food was cleaned up that Quatre began talking to Duo, gently asking what had happened.

"We thought that you were gone… but after Heero…" The little mage said, faltering slightly upon mention of there fallen comrade. "…After Heero woke you, everything happened so fast. Shinigami woke up, and killed you, but then, I felt you…" Quatre shrugged helplessly in apology. He realized then that now may perhaps not be the best time to broach the subject, but his insatiable curiosity had momentarily blinded his more compassionate senses.

Duo gave him a small, crooked smile of forgiveness.

"To tell you the truth…I'm not all that sure what happened myself…" The long haired youth answered. "The only things I remember are this numb feeling of timelessness, and then I was yanked back into Shinigami's body, and suddenly I was seeing everything through his eyes. Anything before that I only know because Shinigami saw it." At the puzzled look on Quatre's face, Duo remembered he'd not explained this new turn of events, and proceeded to do so.

"… and so we're in the same body now, but not the same person. He gets the dragon part, and I get the human part, but we both have some control over the other. It's pretty weird having another person in here…much less an ageless dragon." Duo said, giving a light tap to his forehead in emphasis. Quatre was staring at him, mouth slightly agape, until he schooled himself, and pulled his reactions back down to earth.

"Well, I guess this is certainly something we didn't foresee happening…" He finally replied, bemused. "Maybe this will be better though… we didn't lose you… " He fell silent.

Duo took in a deep breath, and put on a brave face for the little mage. No need to let him see the pain, the breaking.

"Yeah…I'm glad now that no one else got hurt over me." He said softly, placing a hand on the smaller mage's shoulder in comfort. Quatre tried to flash a smile, but it was flat.

He'll be ok. They'll all be ok. If there is one thing I have learned from my connection with you, it is that your human-kind has a way of persevering, absurd little things that you are. The dragon's voice was somewhat comforting, and, as Duo reflected while Quatre moved to sit next to Trowa, he would never be alone again. He would, however, see all of his new friends wither and die of old age save for the elf, and even Trowa would probably not live as long as he.

The thought saddened Duo, but he tried to not let it get to him. It was natural. Each thing had their time to come and go. Maybe he would live to their next life. That would surely be an adventure. Of course, he still had the hundred or so years with them now, but there was no telling how much of that he'd actually see them. Everything eventually went their own way in life.

Duo took a deep breath, and released it in a puff of air that stirred his bangs. Well, nothing left to do now save sleep. He'd have an eternity to miss everyone, but for now, he was still weary from the events of a day ago. Weary in mind, heart and body. He didn't know if he'd ever be able to recall that juvenile exuberance into life again.

…

It was well into the night when Duo stirred again. His waking was on the tail of a disturbing dream that had left a turbulent mind in its wake. Finding himself unable to go to sleep again, he sat up, and gave a brief wave to Trowa, who was sitting the watch for the second segment of the night. The elf nodded as the braided youth wandered from the circle of firelight into the darkness. He could take care of himself now, more so than anyone in their camp. Trowa wouldn't have to worry about him.

Duo took a deep breath of the cool night air, scenting the lingering traces of smoke on the breeze. The waxing moon sent only the barest hint of light down to filter through the trees as Duo made his way through them. Shortly, he found himself at the foot of the crest where Heero's funeral pyre had burned so readily only hours before.

Wandering up the incline as if in a daze, the braided youth sat hard next to the burnt rock dais, blinking back the tears that wanted to come. His next breath wavered, and he broke down, leaning forward on the smooth rock, heedless of the ash and still warm char he got on himself. Crossed arms supporting his head, Duo's tears drew salty lines down his sooty face, and he barely held back the urge to scream into the night. That, however, would have brought the others at a run, and he wished this moment to be with him alone. He didn't want them to see how his heart was shattered with loss.

A gust of wind puffed around him, stirring the ashes and blowing them away into the night. The self same wind came back for another go, whistling keenly through the trees, and again rounding on the stone dais. More ash went with it, and Duo looked up to see that, for some reason, there was very little char left on the stone. It was being swept away by the persistent wind, taken to be scattered to the four corners.

"Just as my life has been scattered… his ashes… at least he's…" Duo couldn't bring himself to say that which had always comforted the loved ones left behind. It seemed so cliché, and Duo had decided he would live with the full of his grief. It was only fitting.

Pushing off the dais, Duo turned and started back down the incline.

The fire sprang to life behind him.

Whirling in alarm, the youth saw that the entire dais was consumed in flames. Flames hot enough to melt the stone, and char the air. The dais began to melt back into the earth, red hot and hissing as captured air boiled to the surface, almost shattering the stone into a thousand pieces as it vented.

Duo took several steps back as the flames grew into a tower that reached upwards, swirled into a cone by the prevailing winds.

The firestorm breached the heavens, and continued up. It left the ground then, the tail end of it snapping upwards as the firestorm condensed into a ball, and shot off into the sky, towards the stars.

Duo stared wide eyed after it, watching until the light it cast off disappeared into the darkness. The display had left him a bit shaky, and he sat hard on the ground, bringing his knees up a bit so he could lean his head against them.

After a time, he took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh, and then leaned far back to lay down on the springy grass.

Come human child, let's leave this place. There is nothing to hold you to these other mortals now. Shinigami said, a surprisingly gentle presence in his mind. It will only hurt you more to stay with them, and I wish to be upon the wing once again. Let me show you the joy of my existence.

Duo's eyes rested on the stars as he thought over Shinigami's words. The dragon had a point. Any further life with the others would consist of him hiding what he was really feeling. Maybe leaving wasn't the best idea, but the more he thought over it, the more Duo thought it was best. He wouldn't have to see any more of his friends die, and there was always the chance that he could still go to see them while they lived. Taking another deep breath, Duo finally agreed.

"Ok… we'll go. Just…let me tell Trowa first. So they won't think something else has happened to me." He said softly, pushing himself stiffly off the grass. Moving back down the rest of the incline, he made his way slowly back to camp. Entering the fire lit circle, he was surprised to find that no one else had woken, even after the firestorm. However, thinking back on it then, he realized that the firestorm had not made any sound of its own. No usual accompaniment of the roaring that's even present in a bonfire. Only slightly perplexed, as he'd not questioned the initial presence of the firestorm to begin with, Duo moved around the circle to where Trowa still stood the watch, those green eyes focusing on him as he moved.

The two of them were silent for minutes, and simply being in the company of a fellow friend eased the silence into something that was manageable, despite the taunt-ness the elf could feel in the youth beside him.

"I'm…I'm leaving.." Duo finally said softly. Of all his companions, he knew that Trowa would be the best to take it. No begging to stay, no arguments that it was better if they were all together for a while. The elf simply nodded, firelight glinting off his emerald eyes.

"Are you ever going to come back?" Was Trowa's first quiet response, and Duo nodded.

"Yeah.. I've just got.. a lot on my mind." Understatement of the year he thought in silent accompaniment. "I need some time to just sort it out. Why things happened the way they did."

Trowa nodded silently. "You're not going to wake them, are you." He said, a statement rather than a question that Duo nevertheless answered with a brief shake of his head.

"It's easier this way… I don't think I could do it if they were all looking at me… Besides, giving a greeting is much easier than saying goodbye… I'll apologize the next time I see them."

"Then you won't be saying goodbye.." Trowa said in a rare, brief moment of visible emotion as a small smile rested lightly on his lips. "Saying 'see you for now' is easier than goodbye too, I would think…" He added.

Duo couldn't help but smile at the elf, the ache in his heart for a moment all for the friends he would be leaving. Then, he turned back towards the darkness that surrounded the circle of firelight. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked back at the elf.

"Good journey." Trowa said, then released him. Duo raised a hand in thanks, and with a small smile, again turned, and walked out of the camp.

He once more reached the clearing with the dais, as it was the only such one within immediate walking distance that was large enough to take off from.

He then let Shinigami have control.

Immediately, the darkness closed in around him, growing thicker. Duo felt himself growing, but it was in a disjointed way, as if he experienced it within a dream. The darkness coalesced around him, forming limbs that held so much power. Ebon scales glinted in the wane moonlight, sleek as silk. A creature of darkness holding light at its core. This light shone out of amethyst eyes, able to see through any enchantment, far into the distance, and into the hearts of creatures. For the second time, Duo held the sensation of incredible power, and marveled that any mortal man could capture and contain such a creature, mage or not.

The night called its sweet song, the wind swirling through the trees and over his scaled hide, and he threw wide his monstrous wings.

This is what I am, little one. Came the thought. This is now what we are. Let me show you how little you are leaving behind, and how much you are gaining.

With that thought, Shinigami launched himself upwards, pumping down with those wings, sending a clap of displaced air thundering through the night that would surely wake the others. However, it would be far too late when they arrived at the clearing. Shinigami would already have become one with the sky, a black on black shadow blotting out the stars.

Rising easily on the light winds, Shinigami suddenly stalled out, back winging as something streaked past, a bright object that looked itself like a falling star. Turning that great horned head, he watched the thing reach the ground some hundred feet below, blazing more brightly. It had fallen from the sky…

Just what is this? Shinigami mused.

Let's go back and find out… Duo said, something gripping at his heart. The dragon said nothing, just as interested to see what this falling star was, and descended, coming to an easy landing some distance from the blazing point of light that had fallen within a great clearing.

It was huge, whatever it was. Swathed in flames that burned white, it pulsed, as if with some great heart beat. The flames backed down a bit then, and from the very heart of the star, large golden eyes opened, peering out into the world.

It is the firebird.. Shinigami said, head tilted as if he listened to some private conversation within his mind. If Duo had been in his own body, his breath would have caught at the backwash of power the exchange exuded. Even though he shared the same body, he still wasn't dragon-kin. Over time, maybe, they would meld together more, becoming one complete being, but for now, their minds still remained separate enough for him to not understand what the firebird said.

Enough. You know the answers to these questions. Shinigami sent, and Duo felt a shift in control as the dragon receded into the back of his mind. See the boy for yourself. With these words, the change took place yet again, and Duo found himself standing on his own two feet after only a moment of swirling darkness, baffled as to what was going on.

The golden eyes disappeared into the blaze, and it was with some trepidation that Duo waited for what was to happen next.

The fires died back, receding until only a much smaller point of light remained. This point moved forward, towards Duo, and a vague humanoid shape took form, wreathed in flames and white in color. Then, as if cooling in the night air, the white faded into yellow, then red, and finally settling on a color that was not unexpected, but surprising nevertheless.

Pale skin, messy chocolate hair, and cerulean eyes filled with flame stood before a mystified Duo. He just couldn't believe it. Either his eyes were lying, or this being had taken on the aspect of the person he most wished he could see at that moment.

Heero watched him with that oh so familiar stoic expression. His expression, however, softened after a silent moment.

"…Hn… I said I wouldn't leave you, didn't I?" He said softly, as if that explained all. His voice was the same, but held some almost hidden quality of the phoenix's call from before.

Duo's legs gave out suddenly, and he fell boneless to his knees in the grass

, the terrible tension in his heart easing away slowly, leaving a numb feeling behind.

"…it's…it's really you? …you died.." Duo stammered in a lost voice, eyes haunted.

Heero walked over, kneeling just out of reach, and extending an arm in offering. "I'm real, and alive." He said softly, waiting silently after that as Duo looked at the proffered hand, then slowly, hesitantly, reached up his own hand to lightly touch Heero's warm palm. Something in him broke.

It was with a cry of anguish that Duo then launched himself at Heero, toppling the other youth in his exuberance. It was so familiar to that time… so long ago it seemed. Heero gathered Duo to him, and cradled the sobbing youth, who was choking out words in a rush as if keeping them inside would make him burst.

"I can't believe it… can't believe it. He killed you, then the phoenix… it came back, and Shinigami said your spirit helped to defeat the demon…." He took a breath. "…and we burned your body…I couldn't stand it… couldn't stand not having you here… I wanted to lose myself in Shinigami….forever. It hurt so much,…gods, it hurt." His words lapsed into strangled sobs that shook his narrow frame so hard his chest began to hurt. He clung to Heero with both hands, body curled into the hollow the other youth had created with his body, shivering despite the warmth Heero radiated.

"Shhh.. I'm here now though." Heero said in a comforting whisper, so confident in the face of Duo's tears as compared to the first time he'd held the sobbing youth. "I came back… there's nothing to cry over… come now, look at me." He gently raised Duo's chin so their eyes met, and he saw in an instant just how much grief Duo had suffered. It was all over his face, and so much deeper than the simple crying. It would take time for his heart to mend again, though Heero was quite certain his presence would help greatly. For now, all Duo needed was the comfort, just as he'd always needed it.

Heero grunted lightly, pulling Duo to him in a gentle but fierce hug.

"…you're such an idiot…" He murmured into the night air, letting Duo calm down and rest as the night slowly wore on.

He was the only one of the two of them that was aware of their watchers.

Trowa was the one to 'shoo' the others back to the camp site as things began to quiet down. Quatre was crying with happiness, and the elf threw a comforting arm around him. They had all awakened at the sound of Shinigami taking off, and the falling star's light guided them directly to the heart of the matter. They'd come upon the scene as Shinigami's form had evaporated into nothingness, leaving Duo to face whatever had fallen from the sky.

Now, it was with glad hearts that they returned to camp, leaving the two to the night… and each other.

...

Ah yes…. I do so love a happy ending. I had some difficulty coming up with an ending that wasn't overly obvious, and I hope I haven't killed my hard work with a blah reunion chapter.

Well, there's still oooone chapter to go.

OMG, it's almost over! I can't believe it! I'm actually finishing something cough I mean, a long fic brought to an iffy conclusion!

Again, I want to see who would be interested in a sequel. I got a few yes votes, but this has taken so long, I need to hear that people would be interested, because any fic I write is likely to be long, and I already have some unfinished business with a few other projects. I would be totally willing, if people want to read. I think I'd enjoy writing it too… oh, the possibilities are endless!

Soooo, hope everyone has enjoyed so far. If anyone really dislikes this chapter, tell me, and suggest improvements. I don't think I'd be opposed to a rewrite if I got a good enough idea from someone.

Well, ciao for now peeps. See ya in the next, and last installment of Eclipse of Dusk!