Destroyers Of Time
Chapter Fifteen: Secret Unveiled.
By: Efra
The sound of thunder and lightning filled the still night air. The sent of rain hovered. Valkin awoke from his sleep with sharp sudden pains in his stomach. Valkin cringed and held his bleeding stomach. The once pure white sheets were now stained with his blood and it was dripping slowly into the blue glazed tile. Valkin screamed as another wave of pain shot through him. Flashed of the darkened and evil face flashed through his mind. Slowly his eyes began to sting. Maniacal laughter echoed through his mind as his body became cold and numb. His breathing slowed with each breath. Valkin crouched forward his fore head touching the blood stained sheets as he looked around helplessly for his absent sister. Then Albel flashed into his mind. Though his body was numb he forced himself to move. He tumbled off the bed nosily and banged into the wall. The desk rattled and the thick book fell to the ground. Valkin merely glanced at the picture inside it as it lay open on the ground and crawled painfully to the door. When he reached it his breathing had nearly stopped. Cuts had formed on his wrists causing him to bleed more. He reached up and scratched the wood until he found the iron knob. Then he forced himself up using the door to keep his legs from buckling. The pain had worsened to a throb. His short intake of air came out in white puffs as if he were in a terribly cold place. He looked at the knob and turned it his eyes blurring in and out. The door swung open from his weight against it and threw him into the hallway wall with a huge bang that no doubt had woken everyone up now. He slid down the wall to his knees as more cuts formed on his wrists. Blood dripped downward from the wall slowly. Valkin's eyes went from blurry to black and then blurry again.
Slowly he crawled towards Albel's room. His body growing weaker with each movement. More flashed of an unknown man flashed into his mind. His mind clouded with pain and anguish he found himself grasping the doorframe. "Albel…" He whispered helplessly. Hurried footstep sounded loudly in his ears as if his hearing were intensified. He looked up slowly. Into the worried dark red eyes of Albel. Some one was standing behind him but Valkin couldn't make whom it was. Albel was talking to him…but what was he saying to him? Albel then shouted down the hall and a minute later what looked to be Cliff and the small Menodix known as Roger came running down the hall. Valkin felt Albel put his hands on his shoulders. Slowly he looked back to him. Albel's eyes were filled with fear. But was it because he was hurt? Or was it because of his sister's absence? Or was it always there and just covered up by so much hate and selfishness? Valkin stared at those sad eyes. All the pain he once was experiencing seemed to be washed away but regret for a second. A second that lasted for a long while. He saw the tears falling down Albel's face. It was unbearable to watch. Then he felt the ice-cold tears falling down his own face as he watched. Slowly he reached up running his finger gently under Albel's eyes. He wanted to wipe away the sadness and fear. But nothing was that easy.
Why are you so sad? Why do you cry silently inside yourself and not let anyone comfort you? Is it because you don't want to get close to anyone? Is it because you have been hurt in the past that seems so real to you and don't want to experience it again? Why do you hate yourself? And why do you wish to die so badly?
Albel's eyes widened hearing the soft words in his mind. "Valkin who did this to you?" Albel asked in a concerned tone. Valkin wasn't able to hear him but he knew what he was asking and he slowly shook his head. "Not me…" He whispered. Cliff kneeled down and checked his pulse. "We need to get a doctor…his ticker isn't going to last on us." Cliff said suddenly the fear relevant in his voice. Albel quickly looked to Roger. "You go now. Your faster then any of us." Albel ordered. Roger nodded and sped down the hall leaving a small dust trail. Albel gently pulled Valkin against his chest. Valkin was muttering things that didn't make any sense to any of them. Albel's heart was pounding so hard that his chest was screaming for some relief. Cliff then looked Valkin straight in the eye. "Don't talk your going to make yourself worse alright." Cliff said soothingly. Nel was already performing a healing spell. When she casted it there was no affect what so ever. Nel stared in shock and fell quickly to her knees. Valkin then grabbed Albel's wrist forcefully his nails tearing into his skin. Albel cringed and tried to pull away but Valkin remained latched onto him. "What the hell?" Cliff said now noticing the cuts on his wrist. "Is he trying to kill himself?" Nel asked briskly touching Valkin's cheek. She quickly pulled away. "He's freezing…" He whispered. "If he was trying to kill himself why would he come to me?" Albel snapped. Nel looked hurt and turned away. Cliff glared at him. " The least you can do is be nice." Cliff snapped. Albel glared back at him.
"How can you expect me to be nice when one of my friends is dying!" Albel yelled grabbing Cliff by his shirt. Then glared daggers at each other. Nel then spun around. "Knock it off! This is no time to be fighting!" She yelled. Albel and Cliff jumped then obeyed. Valkin's eyes had turned black now. Albel, Nel, and Cliff all stared in shock. "Is he?" Cliff asked. Valkin's gripped then loosened on Albel's wrist and his hand fell to the ground. Slowly he closed his eyes. A trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth and he slowly fell limp. His head turned away from Albel slowly. Albel's eyes widened as his fear level grew to a critical point. Albel didn't feel like himself now. There was something whispering smugly to him but he didn't know what. Cliff looked to the floor and stood up. He walked slowly over to Nel who had her hands over her face and pulled her into a hug. Slowly she wrapped her arms around him crying silently on his chest. Albel slowly shook Valkin he felt his life force slipping away.
Why won't you move? Why aren't you breathing? Why did you half to die in my arms? Why won't you answer me? Why do I even care? What is so special about you that makes me care weather you die or not? Please don't die…
Albel then shook Valkin a little harder. "Why? Why won't you wake up…" He whispered. Cliff looked at him. "Wake up…" Albel whispered again. "You idiot! Wake up now! Didn't you hear me! I said wake up! Do as I say! Wake up now you fool! I'm the only one who is going to kill you! What am I supposed to tell your sister now?" Albel screamed. There was hurried footstep in the hall then and Roger reappeared with a young sad looking woman. "Please step aside sir." She said calmly kneeling next to Albel.
Albel stared at her. His anger boiled inside of him. The tone of her voice… so calm and emotionless. How she merely ordered him to move a side. Didn't she know that Valkin had just died? How could someone be so…so…cruel…so uncaring…to someone who was hurting inside? "Sir please step aside." The woman said again in the same tone. Albel's anger reached its exploding point. He then grabbed the doctor by her throat and slammed her into the wall. Cliff let Nel go in shock. "How dare you order me around like that? You maggot! Do you realize how easy it would be to snap your neck?" He asked coldly. The doctor stared at him in fear. "Albel!" Cliff yelled and pulled him away from the doctor. Albel then spun around and hit Cliff with his clawed arm with such force he fell to the ground. Cliff held his hand over his cheek and stared at Albel in disbelief. Albel then shot over to the corner and grabbed the Crimson Scourge and unsheathed it. Albel grinned manically at the sword blade. To his eyes the blade was stained with blood.
Cliff crawled backwards in attempt to escape Albel. Albel smiled evilly and pointed the blade tip to Cliff's throat. Albel knew this was wrong of him. He knew he was acting like a mad man. But try as he might something else had full control over him. Cliff…I'm sorry… Albel then went to slash downward but there was a soft chiming sound and a small pulsating feeling in his hand and someone who had pushed him into the wall and kissed him that had made him stop. Albel's eyes widened in surprised. The Crimson Scourge pulsated softly glowing purple again and slipped from Albel's hand. Nel pulled away slowly still holding him against the wall. Tears ran down her face.
Pain slowly ran through him as he realized what he had almost done. Slowly he slid down the wall. He stared blankly at the floor then his eyes traveled slowly to the sword. The sword…stopped me from killing Cliff…and so did Nel…but why is it Nel staring at me? Why do I feel like it should be…different? Why? Albel asked himself as he stared into Nel's eyes. Then everything went black. He felt himself fall to the floor and Nel's screams but they slowly faded away into nothing but silence. "Where am I?" Albel said aloud as he lifted himself up. His surrounds then changed to then shrine like appearance in the Mosel Dunes. He found himself rather interested in the mysterious writing of the ancient world. Slowly a figure stepped out from the stone slab. Albel jumped up and reached for his sword. Don't bother. You left your sword in the inn. You have nothing to fear my child. Albel stopped dead hearing the soft voice echo through out the shrine. The figure then stepped into the light revealing a rather pale man with long ice blue hair, small catlike red eyes, and wore a long draping purple cloak and what looked to be a Black Mages hat that was also purple. He stared emotionlessly at Albel. "Who are you?" Albel asked his voice sounding far away as it echoed though the shrine.
You will know in good time. The man replied with out opening his mouth or moving his lips. Albel backed away from him. "How did I get here?" He asked. The man then glided by him floating inches from the ground that sent chills up his spin. I brought you here. Your spirit that is. The mage like man replied. "So your saying I'm dead?" Albel asked putting his hand on his hip. The mage looked slowly over his shoulder to him. Only for the moment. You almost killed your friend…tell me…why? The mage asked. Albel looked down. "I don't know…I couldn't control myself…" He replied sadly. The mage smiled sadly.
As what always happens when a Scipher child dies…the nearest one who that child was attached to emotionally turns into a mad man and usually murders his friends or who ever is with him at the time. Even himself if he is alone. But the Crimson Scourge stopped you and pulled you from your blinded rage. The mage whispered with an air of mystery behind it. Albel looked up suddenly. "How do you know this?" He asked. The mage looked away slowly. A small butterfly that glowed a faint blue with black patterns on it wings then flew up to Albel. It landed on his nose for a moment then fluttered back into the darkness.
You remember my little friend don't you? He's rather mischievous you know. You might want to be careful. The mage said then gave a hollow laugh. Sadness filled Albel's eyes. The mage looked at him intently and glided over to him again. Albel recoiled. "Get away from me you…. you…. whatever you are!" He screamed. You will be rid of me soon enough. But tell me? Can you feel him? Is that why you act the way you do? You feel him on your skin still. All the pain he causes you. It makes you feel defenseless at times. You don't want to be hurt anymore. You wish for blood and torture. Why? Because of all the torture you were forced to live through while in that dark dungeon? The mage asked touching Albel's face with a cold finger. Albel slapped his hand away. "Shut up!" He yelled. "You know nothing you fool!" The mage recoiled slightly. He stared for along time at Albel.
Ah. I see. You feel responsible for Glou's death. That is why you yell at me so. You father was a good man. I'm sure he'd be proud of how far you've come Albel. The mage said gliding ominously back to the stone slab. "You say that like you know my father…you fool." Albel sneered. The mage turned back to him. I do know your father. He was a friend of mine. You don't remember because you were only a small infant when I first laid eyes on you. A very beautiful sight you were…but I suppose that makes you uncomfortable having a strange lost soul admire you so. You have grown into a strong warrior I'm glad. It makes me regret that I couldn't be there to protect you like I promised Glou…The mage said sadly.
Albel stared at him. "Hmph! Don't make me laugh! You honestly think I'm going to believe any word that comes out of your mouth? Or doesn't I should say." Albel snapped and leaned against the wall slowly. I'll leave that for you to decide. You've been blinded by your hatred for yourself Albel…listen to your feelings. The mage said then sunk into the stone slab again.
Albel opened his eye slowly and found himself staring into a pair of green eyes. They belonged to Nel Zelpher. "Your awake…" She whispered relief filling her eyes. Albel sat up slowly looking around the small room. Rain poured outside from the gray clouds that loomed overhead. What the hell?
Albel became lost in thought. Nel stared intently at him. "Albel? Are you sure your alright?" She asked suddenly. Albel jumped a little then looked at her. "Yes I'm fine…what about?" Albel asked looking down to the floor. "Cliff? He's with Valkin in the recovery room." Nel replied and began rewrapping Albel's hair in the white tie wrap. Albel closed his eyes remembering how he nearly chopped Cliff's head off his shoulders, it sent shivers up his spin, and slowly he caressed Nel's face as he sat Indian style on the soft bed. Nel smiled and finished wrapping Albel's hair. "There now you look present able." Nel smiled and met his stare. "Nel…I…" Albel began. Nel blinked. "Yes?" She asked. Albel became very nervous and trembled slightly. "I… love…you…" Albel whispered. Nel stared at him in shock. Albel then felt like he had been stabbed in the back. And worse he also felt as if he had done the stabbing to someone else. Nel then wrapped her arms around Albel and kissed him softly. Albel felt like a two-ton weight was on his shoulders now as he stared at the pouring merciless rain. Black tears of grief and loneliness had set across his heart. He felt strangely lost and stuck in a black hole he had dug himself.
"What strange weather… that last time it rained here was when the prophecy was told. As if the world was sad just hearing how it's time would end if no one would rise to save it… ahh I'll never forget that beautiful Prophet…So wise so caring… if only you were born when he came here." And elderly man said as he walked by the door with his granddaughter as his side. "Where's the prophecy now grandpa?" The young teenage girl asked. "Ahh now one is quite sure… it is said it was sunken into the sands of time…it's probably long gone by now." The elderly man replied. "Oh…so the Prophet you talk about is that who the statue is in the square?" Albel heard the young girl ask as they kept walking. "Yes my dear that was him a very long time ago." The elderly man replied their voices growing distance. Albel then jumped up and fled the room. He ran down the hall and kicked open the door to the recovery chamber. The doctor looked at him with a shocked expression. "Sir…what is it?" She asked hesitantly. Albel ignored her and looked around from ever patient and found Cliff in the far corner snoozing in his chair. Albel quickly walked towards him his footsteps echoing loudly. The bed Cliff was next to was rather messed up. The heavy blanket was tossed on the floor and the sheets were torn. And the pillow was somehow under the bed. "Fittir!" Albel yelled. Cliff jumped awake and fell backwards in his chair. The chair clattered to the floor with a loud bang.
Cliff blinked groggily and looked up at Albel who was towering over him. "What?" He asked groggily. "Where is he?" Albel demanded. Cliff looked around then jumped up. "Whoa where the hell did he go?" Cliff said a little high-pitched. Albel and Cliff looked at each other then to Nel who had just run in. Albel thought about it for a moment then looked out the window. "C'mon… I think I might know where he went." Albel said then glided out. Cliff and Nel followed him outside. The rain pierced through their clothing easily. After five minuets they were soaked to their skin. Albel didn't know quiet where he was going but he followed unknowingly the same path Elvy had the night before. The fog was thick in front of them; it gave off the appearance of a snowstorm. Slowly a figure appeared out of the haziness and so did another. There was a mid sized statue of a man with long hair draped in a cloak and a mage like hat. He stared sadly into the distance strangely with a look of regret but one could tell he was very wise. Though young in age his soul would seem to be old and scarred (He only looks about twenty five.). Albel's eye were set on the very much smaller figure standing in front of the statue. The harsh wind blew around them lifting the figures long black hair and setting it gently back down. Slowly Albel stepped forward extending his arm out.
He set it on the mans shoulder slowly. The man was soaking wet and shivering drastically. His mismatched eyes were downcast as he stared at the engraving on the statue as if hoping for it to turn into something else. "Prophet Magus…" He mumbled under his breath then he looked slowly over to Albel. "Here…" He mumbled to him. Albel tilted his head to the side as he stared. "Valkin? What are you talking about?" Albel asked calmly. Valkin blinked slowly and cringed and covered his cheek suddenly. Albel narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What you maggot?" He muttered. Valkin muttered under his breathe and pushed by Albel forcefully. Albel was freezing now but he wasn't about to show it. Valkin's steps caused ripples in the small puddles as he walked. Cliff stared down at him as he walked his way then back to Albel briskly. Albel followed Valkin in a slow cat like stalking manner. "What the hell is wrong with you already?" Albel snapped. Valkin sighed and spun around removing his hand. Blood ran down his cheek from a small cut across his cheek. "You really want to know? Fine I'll tell you. This is not happening to me it's happening to my sister all right?" Valkin said turning away again. Albel's eyes narrowed and a look of murder crept on to his face. "What do you mean by that?" Albel asked softly. "Oh! I know!" Cliff said pointing up at the sky for no reason.
"Twins are said to be special especially the male and female twins they say when a pair came around they would immediately be put up for marriage in some regions. They also say they can tell what each other is thinking and if something physically happens to one it happens to the other." Cliff explained looking up at the statue. Albel put his hand on his hip still holding the murderous look on his features. "What! Elvy's being hurt! No!" Roger whined. Valkin watched him over his shoulder as a harsh wind blew his hair around. Cliff suddenly put his hands around himself. "It's…. rather…. cold…. out here…." Cliff said through chattering teeth. Nel smiled happily at him. Cliff noticed and rubbed his head and tried not to blush. Albel's murderous look grew more murderous.
"Well sorry to keep you all waiting out in the cold." A blonde haired woman called as she walked up to them. She wore a tight black shirt covered by a small jacket, and black like shorts. Cliff spun around quickly and ran towards the woman. The woman stopped abruptly and stared at Cliff as he approached. Cliff scooped her up in his arms and spun her around. "Hey partner!" Cliff said happily and set her down. Mirage stared in shock as his warm welcome then smiled and turned to the others. "Hello Nel. Roger." Mirage said happily. She stared for a moment at Valkin and he somewhat glared back. Albel could see he wasn't very comfortable around her but it made him worry… if his sister was as unpredictable so was he and Albel didn't know if he would suddenly attack. Albel put on precaution and rested his palm on the hilt of the Crimson Scourge. It whispered malevolently at him but Albel ignored it. Cliff then moved between them and introduced one to the other. Mirage smiled and held her hand out to him. Valkin stared down at it then looked back to Mirage. Mirage blinked and looked for Cliff to help. Cliff suppressed a laugh and gently lifted Valkin's hand and encased it on to Mirages. Mirage then shook his hand calmly and let go. Valkin snapped his hand away and hide behind Albel. Mirage watched him and giggled. "Hello Albel. You look well…. did you hurt your eye?" Mirage said walking up to him. Albel looked down at her with a blank expression and nodded slowly.
Then he moved himself backwards and pushed Valkin into the engraved slab of the statue forcefully. Valkin hit the slippery stone and bit his tongue and glared daggers at Albel who in turn smirked down at Mirage. Mirage blinked and turned away. "What took you so long?" Nel asked pulling off her scarf and wrapping it out Roger. Roger smiled more then happily and hugged Nel as best he could while Cliff and Albel glared. "We had a bit of a run in with the Vendeen but nothing to worry about." Another woman with blue hair that looked frighteningly like Fayt said and she came towards them. She wore and strange black top, a black leather like mini skirt that was connected to a cape like clothing that fell to just inches from the ground behind her, and black stockings. "Maria!" Everyone smiled at her minus Albel and Valkin. Albel was grumbling under his breath as everyone crowded around her as to Valkin had disappeared from behind Albel. Nel then hurried over to Albel.
Nel looked up at him. "Come say hi?" She asked resting her arms on his shoulders. "Was that a request or an order?" Albel asked placing one hand on her hip. "I don't know. What do you think?" She asked. Cliff was watching them while still keeping a conversation with Maria. Albel glanced at him over Nel then looked back to her. "Why don't we ditch theses fools and go off for a while?" Albel asked. Nel tilted her head to the side. "Depends on where you plan to go." She replied slowly. "Hey Nel Albel go get a room!" Roger yelled. Albel and Nel both narrowed their eyes. "I'll kill him." Albel said letting go of Nel and reaching for his sword. Nel grabbed his wrist suddenly. Albel flinched and pulled it out of her grasp. Memories flooded into his mind.
You're not so tough when you don't have anywhere to go…or anything to throw at me heh heh.
Albel closed his eyes and put one hand to his forehead. Get out of my head you sick bastard… "Albel? Albel? Are you alright?" Nel's words pierced through his thoughts. Albel reopened his red eyes. "I'm fine." He said briskly. Maria came toward him a second later Cliff was right behind her. "It's good to see you again Albel. What happened to your eye?" Maria said as she reached him. Albel looked away "Hmph!". Nel smiled and pulled Albel towards the inn. "C'mon guys we're all going to catch pneumonia if we stay out here any longer." Cliff said and walked back to the inn. As everyone left Albel stood staring at the heavens as the cold rain struck his face and dampened the heavy bandages that covered his eye. The wind blew harder and his clothing clinged to him. Slowly he smiled as he stared as a glint of the blackened sun appeared from the gray clouds. Though it still wasn't the sun he was looking for it still lifted some weight off his shoulders only to drop it back onto him again harder each time. Then Albel looked to his arm. The hard metal made a clinking sound as the rain hit it and slipped off to the ground. Albel then looked over his shoulder to the statue. As he stared something caught his eye. He turned back to it and stepped forward. Lying hidden in the grass was a sort of weapon that was bigger then a dagger and shorter then a sword. Albel slowly picked it up examining the purple and red jewel on the hilt.
This is…Albel thought then he saw the twin lying a little farther away. Its thick blade was broken in two. Albel also saw the same blue butterfly resting on the jewel. One of its wings was crumpled. Albel slowly walked towards it but the butterfly took flight and what you could say limped out of sight. I can only hope your alright…Albel thought then turned back to the inn hiding both the twin blades in his clothing. As he walked a bush rustled. Albel tried to ignore it but then he was grabbed and pulled into the bush by Valkin. Nel and Cliff came running out hearing his yells.
Later that day Albel sat with a heavy blanket around himself. Valkin was next to him also with a blanket. They both were glaring at each other. Albel and Valkin had bruised each other's face quite a bit. Nel came over to them with two cups of some slightly steaming liquid. "Here you go." She said happily. Albel took his cup. "I can only hope your feeding him poison." Albel snapped. Valkin growled slightly at him and stared at the pouring rain from the window. Nel giggled and handed Valkin the other cup. Maria resided at the desk where she was typing on a compact computer. Suddenly she jumped up. "I got it!" She said. Everyone made there was to her. Cliff was examining the words on the screen closely. Albel pushed him aside. "This is the writing from the shrine right Traydor?" Albel asked. Maria nodded.
When the world is once again plunged into darkness, the unknown saviors shall rise again. Many battles must be fought,
And much blood shall be shed.
All to save a world that cannot be spared until it lies in complete ruins. Though those who would seem to be responsible for this destruction have the choice to become allies.
An evil of the ancient past shall rise again,
Summoned by one thought to be dead to claim what it shall.
The future of this world lies in the hands of its previous saviors,
By the hands of the Children Of The Gods who powers have yet to manifest,
The evil shall fall.
In the event that any or all of these said Children shall die,
So shall the world crumble into dust,
The Destructor shall return and banish all life to the Nether World with its cursed kiss.
The Five Temples of the Heavens shall once again be opened in order to save and create a new world free of evil and destruction for a time.
But without Luna's words of secret,
This cause can never be fulfilled.
Well I'm am soooo sorry for the wait I was rather lazy in getting this one done. It's so long T.T me so sorry bout that. But hey what do you al think of the font for the last part? I found it in the depths of my computer. Wow this story is one year older then I am…well at least the chapters are. Anyway if you need me I'll be playing in my review pile. I hope for more and I'll see you all next update. See ya!
