Destroyers Of Time

Chapter Thirteen: Secrets Of the Mosel Dunes

By: Efra

"Hold still…" Elvy muttered then covered Albel's eye with a thick bandage. "Ow! Watch what your doing woman!" Albel yelled pulling away from her. "Maybe if you stopped moving it wouldn't hurt so bad." Elvy said calmly. Albel glared and edged away from her some more. "You're doing this on purpose." He snapped. "C'mon here little boy." She said sinisterly and climbed onto the bed after him. Albel moved away and fell off the bed and onto the stone floor. "Ow! You did that on purpose!" Albel yelled staring up at Elvy. She stared at him then slipped easily off the bed. She held him still with her leg. Albel struggled. "Don't make me hurt you!" Albel warned. Elvy stopped holding him down. She stared at the floor sadness in her eyes then she stood slowly. Albel watched her with interest. Cliff had come to the doorway just as she was leaving. "Take care of him please?" She said then turned the corner.

Cliff watched her then looked to Albel. "Man you have bad woman skills…and why are you on the floor?" Cliff said walking over to him. Albel glared. " That is none of your business Fittir." Albel snapped pulling himself up from the floor. "Well might as well do as she asked." Cliff then sat Albel down and examined his face. "Well looks like all I need to do is bandage your head…" Cliff said grabbing a roll of bandages. When he went to wrap Albel up Albel grabbed his wrist. "I'll do it just go away." He said snatching the bandages. Cliff looked at him with a shocked expression then did as he was told. Albel then bandaged himself up and looked at his reflection in the Crimson Scourge's blade. First my arm…and now my eye…Vox would be laughing at me now if he were alive…

"Albel?" The young redheaded symbologist called to him. Albel smiled briskly and turned around. There she stood one hand against the frame of the door. "Hello there my beautiful fool." He said sinisterly. Nel blushed and looked to the ground. A sudden sickening feeling washed over Albel as he stared at Nel. He felt as if Nel should be someone else. But he brushed it off and glided over to Nel and pulled her against his chest. Nel stared up at him. Albel felt the feeling worsen. Nel's eyes seemed to be distracted by something and very distant. Albel brushed this off to and kissed her lightly. Nel put her arms around him. Cliff then came in the doorway. "Hey…c'mon you two…" He muttered then left. Albel and Nel pulled away from each other quickly. Nel looked at the ground blushing still then ran from the room. Albel touched his lips softly staring at the ground. Pull yourself together Albel… what is wrong with you?

"Aww did that naughty swordsman hurt you?" Luther asked in a comforting tone to the small little cat girl. She looked at him and giggled. "It's not bad daddy. It'll heal in no time." She said happily. Luther smiled and stood up. The little cat girl hopped lightly onto his shoulder. Luther held her there with his arm. Clous walked in with Layla not to far behind him. "Dad make her stop I'm begging you…" Clous whined and ducked behind him. Luther looked at Layla. "Are you torturing your brother again?" He asked. "I just want to make sure he's alright…but he won't let me touch him." She replied circling Luther as Clous was trying to get away. The cat girl watched them with big eyes. Luther sighed. "Layla I'm sure your brother is fine. If he has energy to circle me to get away from you." Luther muttered watching the redhead go by him once again with Layla not to far behind.

"Oh alright…" Layla sighed then left the room. Clous hugged Luther and exited through the opposite door. "Where's Prea?" The cat girl asked. Luther froze up. "He's…not well Neka…" Luther replied hastily. Neka looked at her father's profile for a long time. "Your lying I can smell it…don't tell you locked him up again!" She said jumping from Luther's shoulder and facing him with her hands on her hips. Luther didn't know what to say. "You know he doesn't like that!" Neka said coldly. "I assure you he isn't locked up." Luther said firmly. "Now go on to bed. You've had a trying day." Luther then ruffled Neka's hair. She turned away from him and glided out with no backwards glance. Luther sighed and pressed a couple buttons on the computer. He walked down the hall. He pushed open a pair of double door and descended that dark stairway the lie behind them. His footsteps echoed loudly. At the end of the stairs he met a couple of guards whom he dismissed immediately.

"Well I was wondering if you were even going to acknowledge his exists today. It's very cruel of you Luther to lock up your own son." A woman said to him from the nearest cell. Luther glared. "Shut up dear sister. Just be glad I've allowed you to live." Luther warned and kept walking. The young short gray haired woman glared back at him while holding onto the iron cells bars. "No wonder he came to me. He wanted to feel loved." She spat. Luther stopped and turned to her. He walked to the cell and stared at his sister. "That may be so Blair but it was because of you that I had to lock him up. Just remember that while you sleep." Luther said coldly and struck Blair through the bars. She fell to the ground unconscious. Luther laughed evilly then went to a side room where a single cell stood.

When he reached the door he saw his son Preatorian by the bed. He was sitting while his upper body was over the bed. Luther noticed his wings had drooped considerable and looked as if they were decaying while his white feathers lie scattered all around him. His head was buried in his arms. His hair also helped hide him from sight.

"Prea? Are you awake?" Luther asked softly. A cut then formed on Luther's cheek. Luther smiled. "You can't still be mad at me can you?" He asked leaning against the bars. Prea moved enough to reveal his face. "Hello handsome." Luther said. "Why not come over here and let me see you better?" Luther asked. Prea glared and flashed him the finger. Luther's smile turned to a grin. "C'mon now do you really wish to stay here any longer? Besides Neka has been wounded you know." Luther said turning away. Prea jumped to his feet and was right behind Luther within a second. Luther turned back to his son and caressed his face through the bars. Prea's dark green eyes were locked on Luther. "Now Prea… I'm going to let you out but you must promise never to go near my sister again or you will force me to kill you." Luther said. A glint of fear in Prea's dark eyes showed Luther that he was hitting the right buttons. "Do you promise?" He asked. Prea looked to the ground. The darkness of the room surrounded him. "Yes." He said quietly. Luther then punched in the code on the small panel near to door and it swung open with various metallic sounds.

"What!" Albel yelled. "Arzei nodded. Romeria stood next to him. "But why would Greeton be attacking?" Cliff asked. "Because they think we are the ones who destroyed their city." Romeria replied. "We need to get everyone to a safe spot then…" Nel said. "But where?" Fayt asked. "The towns beyond the Mosel dunes." Arzei replied sadly. "But how?" Valkin asked. Arzei stood slowly looking longingly at the window. "Crosell has agreed to help us get there. He isn't particularly fond of these new encounters either." Arzei replied sadly. Romeria watched him with a worried expression. "So when do we leave?" Nel asked. "Immediately. Crosell and his dragons are waiting outside." Arzei said. Albel looked around for Elvy but she was missing.

It had taken three days to round up everyone and get them all safely to the towns. Unfortunately Greeton had struck sooner then expected and wiped out Perterny. So far no survivors had been found. Little did they know that the Destroyers were watching every move they made. The four of them stood on the rooftops watching Crosell take flight along with the other dragons. "Prea?" Layla asked. He gave her a sideways look. "Can I have the blue haired one?" She asked. "Leingod?" He asked. Layla nodded. "He interests me…I want him." She said. "Do as you wish." Prea replied crossing his arms. "I want the one with the tail!" Neka suddenly said. Clous looked from each of his siblings and sighed. "I know Nox is reserved for you…and the twins…so I guess I'll take the big oaf and the redhead…" Clous said. Evil crossed Prea's features when those names were said. Crosell was now taking off with Romeria and Arzei. Once he and the other dragons were out of sight Prea looked from all his siblings. "Go." He said softly. They all simultaneously leapt from the rooftops and went separate directions. Cliff glanced over. "Alright here they come." He said. Albel smirked. "Finally time for revenge." He laughed. Prea was the first to hit them.

Albel pulled his sword and so did Valkin. They both glance at each other. "You know if your sister were here this might be more interesting." Albel muttered. Valkin glanced at him. "Well maybe if you didn't upset her she would be." He said. Albel looked at him in disbelief. "Don't blame me!" He snapped. "I never said so did I?" Valkin asked then leapt at Prea Albel followed him. Neka pounced Roger a minuet later they began fighting. Clous landed gracefully in front of Cliff and Nel. He smiled. "Hi there." He said then threw them both back. Cliff grabbed Nel and took the hit against the wall for her. Layla on the other hand seemed to be toying around with Fayt. As the fight continued the brutality level rose. Each time one was knocked down they would get back up with more fury. Neka and Roger had disappeared after a while.

Just when it seemed Albel and Valkin had won Prea bounced back with a new trick. Prea knocked them both onto the ground then quickly chanted something in a language neither of them could understand. While Albel kept running Valkin had suddenly stopped. Albel quickly looked back. "Not the smartest thing to do." Prea whispered. Albel quickly turned back just as Prea had punched him in the stomach. Albel's eyes widened and blood dripped from his mouth. Everything seemed to blur except for the ledge above him and Prea. Albel couldn't figure out why but then there was a silver glitter that flew past Prea's shoulder scrapping it slightly and lodged itself in the stone. Albel recognized the knife and smirked. Prea spun around looking towards the ledge.

Layla then knocked Fayt onto his back and held her sword at his throat. "Give it up Leingod." She said coldly. Fayt glared "Not happening." He replied. Layla narrowed her eyes. "Your will is strong…I guess I'll just half to suck it up." Layla said confidently and lifted her hand. Suddenly she stopped hearing a voice inside her head.

Not so fast

Layla spun around and was immediately thrown off the castle. Clous slid to a stop and dodge Nel and Cliff's double team and went after Layla. Prea had gotten so distracted by who ever threw the knife at him that Albel had been able to land a few fatal hits onto him.

"Flying torpedo!" The little Menodix shouted from a higher part of the castle. "Eek!" Neka screamed and fell over the side. She collided with Prea and knocked him off his feet. Prea cringed as Neka lie unmoving next to him a puddle of blood was forming around her head. Prea quickly put his index finger and middle finger against her neck. Then Neka slowly faded away. Prea's eyes widened "Neka…" He whispered. Prea then jumped to his feet and tackled Albel. Albel fought with all his strength to throw Prea off but to no avail. Albel screamed for help visions of Vox flashed in his mind. Valkin finally broke from his imprisonment and ran to help so did Fayt, Cliff, and Nel. Prea threw them all back and clamped his hands around Albel's throat. Albel grabbed his wrists the nails digging into Prea's skin along with the claw. Roger leapt from the top of the castle and attacked Prea but he hit a force field of some type and was tossed into the air. Someone then caught him and put him safely on the ground. The others were pulling them selves up when Prea then had two identical blades at his throat. Slowly he let go of Albel who immediately took gasps of air. "I was wondering when you would show Elvira." Prea said standing up slowly. Elvy glared at him both of her eyes glowing. "Oh such unfriendly energy from you." Prea said smirking.

Fayt, Cliff, Nel, Roger, Valkin, and Albel looked relived. Albel couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. "Are you going to kill me?" Prea whispered. "No." Elvy replied and shoved Prea to the ground. Prea stared at her with a confused expression. "Why not?" He asked. Albel gave her the same look. She didn't look at him. "Because there's a little girl that belongs to Arzei that you have kidnapped. If I kill you then there is no way of finding her." She said. Prea smirked. "Clever girl…but she isn't the only one we've captured." Prea said. "What…" Albel muttered. Fayt was then jumped from behind. Clous tossed him over his shoulder and jumped into the air. Fayt struggled and screamed but had dropped his sword in the first attack. Albel spun around. "Fayt!" Nel screamed. Clous smirked and disappeared. Prea then jumped up as well. Cliff glared and jumped up after Prea. He kicked him to the ground. Nel ran towards Cliff and knelt by his side. "Cliff…" She whispered. Cliff looked at her. "Hey there gorgeous." He said then fell unconscious.

Prea stared at them. The darkness danced across his face delicately. Then he jerked his head. His hair that fell over his eye flew up with the motion then fell lightly back over his eye. "Until next time." He said blowing a kiss to Albel and Elvy. He laughed as he disappeared in a digital spurt.

Three days later the group found themselves trekking through the wasteland. The sun beat down on them with out mercy. As they all stood around one of the few springs they could find past the Mosel Ruins. Albel noticed that Elvy had walked away from the group. He stood up and glided over to her. "Hey." He called. She looked over her shoulder. "What the hell is wrong with you? You act like something bad happened to you." Albel said when he reached her. He put his hand on his hip slowly. "I could have saved Fayt." She said. Albel sighed and turned her around. "No you couldn't. It's not your fault." Albel said. Elvy pulled away from him. "Why do you even care? Go back to Nel." She snapped. Albel glared and grabbed her wrist. "No I won't not until you quite acting like this." Albel said firmly. "You are so annoying!" Elvy screamed and slapped him. Albel lost his balance and fell into the sand. "Err." Elvy said as she stared down at him. He glared up at her. Elvy then bit her lip trying to suppress her laughter. Albel then felt something move on his head. He quickly gabbed it off his head.

A small green desert imp was yelling at him in it unusual language. Albel stood up staring at the small creature. It stopped it's yelling and bit his hand. Albel glared and threw it as hard as he could. The imp flew out of sight. Elvy was giggling when Albel rounded on her. She immediately stopped and backed away from him. "I don't suppose a heart felt apology would," She said. Albel kept walking towards her doom written in his eyes. "See now you show your true colors." Albel said coldly. Albel could see the small hint of fear in her eyes. Suddenly she stopped and looked over her shoulder. Albel stopped too. There was something black watching them from behind one of the rocks. It seemed to notice they saw it because it retreated. Elvy pulled the Desert Blades and Albel the Crimson Scourge. They both ran simultaneously towards it. By the time they got there it was gone. "Huh…must have been a mirage…" Elvy said. "Hmph! What kind of a thief gets fooled by a mirage?" Albel snapped. Elvy gave him a sideways glare. "You saw it to." She said. Albel froze up blinking several times.

"Bah! Don't try your mind tricks I was only following you!" He recoiled and looked away. Elvy shook her head. "Just admit you were wrong." She said. Albel glared. "Why don't you just make me?" Albel asked coldly. Elvy smirked. "I just did." She smiled and walked away from him. Albel's jaw dropped. "Hey I didn't say you could leave woman!" He yelled. Elvy turned around still walking and stuck her tongue out at him. Albel sneered. "Get back here now!" He demanded. Elvy then looked like she fell down a sand dune. "Whoa! Ahhhh!" She screamed. Albel raised a brow. "How very graceful." He said walking to the dune. There he found a dark hole instead. Albel turned to the others and called for them. Once they were on their way he jumped down the hole. He landed on the ground next to Elvy who was on her knees rubbing her head. "You idiot!" Albel snapped. "I don't even know why I was worried about you it isn't that far down." He added looking up. Elvy looked up. "Well did I ask you to be worried?" She said then stood up. Albel glared once again at being countered. The other's came down a minuet later.

"Well looks like a temple." Cliff said. "More like a shrine." Nel said. Then they all walked inside. The huge room was decorated with golden paintings of very familiar scenes some were from their first mission and others were ones that happened only days ago and then there were the ones that they didn't recognize that would probably happen in the future. On the farthest wall there was a stone slab that had unreadable writing on it but it was faded towards the end. "I wonder what this is?" Nel asked her self as she touched the slab. Albel stared at it. "It's in the ancient language. Valkin looked at him. "Can you read it?" He asked. "Of course not you fool! No one can." Albel snapped. Valkin closed his eyes resisting the urge to deck him in the nose. There was a static sound and Cliff pulled out his communicator. "Cliff…. we're…. Ellicoor…. soon…" Were the words the broke the static. "Who was that?" Albel demanded. "That must be Maria. She and Mirage were on their way here when I left. So that must mean they are close." Cliff said. "Then maybe she can decipher this for us?" Nel asked. Cliff smiled at her. "I'm sure she could."

This chapter took off on it's own… I just went with it. So um yeah here it is and and and ummmm yeah I'm still getting warmed up with evilness. And yes Prea's eyes are green but since it's such a dark shade they look black. But if you shine a light on his eyes you can tell. If he doesn't take ur head off first. Heh heh heh…

Efra