"Gwendal, it's it true that Alger Klaus has been imprisoned by the Barron family and sentenced to death?"
"That is correct Heika."
"What happened, you said the conflict was nothing more than verbal sparring between he two families."
"It would seem things escalated, Heika."
"Don't give me that, tell me what happen."
"It would seem that Alger Klaus was more power hungry than anyone knew of. He hired a small army of rouged mercenaries to threaten the business merchants. The merchants wouldn't give him to his demands, so Alger Klaus resorted to violent means. The merchants teamed up with the Barrons to capture Klaus and his hired help. But before Alger Klaus was subdued, fires have already been started on the biggest loading port in the water channel. Due to that, supplies have been slow to arrive in the inland towns. Alger Klaus was comprehended by the Barron army not long after the incident."
"That still does not constitute a death sentence."
"Heika, there were fatalities. Yozak reported more than 50 people are dead; most were trapped by the fire in their ships."
"Yuuri, please you have to help me save father. I know what he did is wrong, but I can't just stand by and let him die. Please Yuuri, I beg of you."
"Gwendal is there anything we can do?"
"The families of the decease are adamant that he pays with his life. If we get involved, it will only make a tense situation worst. We do not have a right to try to stop them. Alger Klaus brought this upon himself. Leave it as it is."
"Adelinda, I'm sorry, Gwendal is right, we can't get involved."
Adelinda couldn't believe that Yuuri would so easily give up her father's life.
"Yuuri, you have no right to refuse my request to save my father. You owe me this much after what you did to me. You owe me; I will consider us even when my father is safe."
Yuuri was shocked that the venom in Adelinda voice. The girl stilled held a grudge against the king for what he did. She had used the wrong he did as a bargaining chip. Yuuri was reeling from the realization that Adelinda has not truly forgiven him. Yuuri almost laughed to himself on how stupid he could be sometimes. Of course the girl couldn't forgive him, he took her by force, no one in their right mind can forgive their violator.
"Gwendal, we will head out."
"Heika, you will help someone who is directly responsible for 50 lives? Not to mention threatening the lives of our soldiers as well."
"You mean, it was him?
"Yes, Heika, he was the one that went after Wolfram. He wanted to capture Wolfram and then use him as a bargaining chip to borrow our strength against his competitors."
Yuuri fisted his hand remembering the fear of losing Wolfram.
"Consider us even Adelinda."
Yuuri only took a small number of soldiers with him. Yuuri did not want to cause more commotion than was necessary. Gwendal, Conrad, and Wolfram were not as all pleased with Yuuri's decision but understood why he had to do it. He owed Adelinda this much. Gwendal made sure to Gunter stayed behind to look after the castle. Adelinda was adamant on tagging along as well. Reluntantly Yuuri let her. It took a little over 3 days to arrive at the outskirt of the water channels. The group decided to wait till daybreak before going to talk to the merchants and the Barrons to see if Alger Klaus life could be spared.
Camp was setup rather quickly. The soldiers were standing guard making sure nothing out of the ordinary would happen. Suddenly a horse galloping was heard heading for the campground. The entire camp drew their sword, readied for a fight. What greeted them was a very intense looking redhead. Jerking the stallion to a stop, Yozak immediately dismounted.
"Gwendal, Alger Klaus escaped out of the dungeon. Apparently he hired more mercenaries just in case he was captured to rescue him. The mercenaries are wreaking havoc to the ports."
"Mount your horses; we are heading into the water channels."
Before Wolfram could mount his white stallion, Yuuri stopped him.
"What are you doing?"
"Wolfram, you will not be going. You will stay here with your soldiers and watch over Adelinda."
"What do you think I am? I am a soldier and not a babysitter. I am going, that is final."
"Wolfram von Bielefield, you will stay here until we return. That is an order."
Wolfram could only stare at the larger group as the rode off. The blond was irate to say the least. He couldn't believe that Yuuri had order him to stay put.
Yuuri and his group arrived only to see mass destruction on the water channels. Numerous fires have been set, mass amount of smoke rising up in the night sky. People were running around desperately to put out the fires. The scene was chaotic.
"Yuuri Heika, I'm Cort Barron."
"What happened?"
"Alger Klaus has gone insane. It wasn't enough for him to escaped, he made sure to destroy the water channels. He said that if you can't be in control, no one can. Heika, didn't you see the mercenary army riding toward you."
"No."
"That's impossible; there is only one way to get to this place."
Yuuri did not listen to the rest; he rode as fast as he could toward Wolfram, Conrad, Gwendal, Yozak and the remaining soldier followed closely behind.
Wolfram, please be safe.
The blonde looked around. He knew he and his troops were outnumbered at least three to one. He can feel the anxiety building up in his men. Wolfram knew they were in a fight for their lives, worst of all he had to make sure Adelinda was not harmed in anyway. Yuuri's decision to bring her here was a big mistake.
"Father what are you doing? Don't you recognize me anymore? It's me Addie. Father please, come back to your senses."
"My daughter would not fail so miserably. Because of you, my plan was all ruin. You couldn't even seduce one man. How pitiful."
"Adelinda, you father has lost his mind. Stay behind me," Wolfram instructed.
The band of mercenary wasted no time in attacking the smaller Shin Makoku regime. Wolfram could here the painful screams of his soldiers be taking down. Several of the mercenaries charged at Wolfram. Wolfram received several cuts in the arm and legs but so far was able to fend them off. Realizing that a head on confrontation with the blond will only cost them, the Alger Klaus spat out his command.
"Go after the girl!"
This was not good. Wolfram is sorely at a disadvantage when it came to numbers, now that they are after Adelinda; he is defiantly fighting with a hand tied to his back. In order to protect the girl, Wolfram called upon his fire element and encased Adelinda in a wall of protective fire.
"Do not move Adelinda, the fire will protect you."
The blond did a quick surveillance of his situation. Most of his troops were either dead or injured. The remaining troops where outnumbered drastically. Wolfram did not know how much longer he could hold out. Constantly blocking the barrage of attacks was wearing the blond out. Adelinda was beside herself. The wall of fire the blond has built up started to weaken with the blonde. The blonde knew he couldn't let her get injured. As an honorable soldier, he has a duty to protect her. Wolfram summoned every last drop of his maryoku, the wall of fire strengthen once more. But Wolfram face became pale, his body has weakened drastically. The mercenaries took advantage of the situation and attack the blond. Wolfram was able to fight off a couple more attacks before he fell to his knees in sheer exhaustion. Panting heavily Wolfram looked up, only to see the derange face of Alger Klaus on top of him."
"Release you fire maryoku, I may spare your life."
"Never, you will have to kill me in order to get to her,' Wolfram hissed.
"Such a pity, a beauty like you dying so young; I guess it can't be helped"
Wolfram used what was left of his strength to stand up. If it was time for him to die, he will not die on his hands and knees. Alger Klaus did not hesitate to lunge his sword directly into Wolfram's abdomen. A sickening sound of metal tearing soft flesh was heard. Alger Klaus let out a sinister laugh while slowly pulling his sword out of the blond. Instantly Wolfram fell to the ground, blood gushing out of his wound.
Yuuri I am sorry, I can't be by your side anymore. I am sorry, forgive me.
NOOOOOOO!
Yuuri and company have finally reached the camp site. Yuuri worst nightmare had come true before his very eyes, Wolfram collapsing lifeless on the ground surrounded by his own blood. Instantly, burning excoriating hurt, rage, anger, boiled in the king. At the moment all he won't to do is kill the person who had done this to Wolfram. Yuuri's maou powers have been unleashed. Every person standing in the clearing can feel the power flowing in the king. Alger Klaus turned in the direction of the Maou. Never in his life has he been as afraid as he is in this moment. The Maou attacked him before anyone could stop him. With on quick thrust of Morgif, the sword went threw his ribcage and right threw his heart. The Maou twisted Morgif slowly to ensure that he felt every second of his lift slipping away from him. Alger Klaus let out a painful scream that shook Conrad to the core.
"How dare you, hurt the man that I love," hissed the Maou. "I will destroy you all."
Sliding Morgif out of the man's chest; the Maou turned, intention evident in his eyes. Anyone the Maou held responsible for the suffering of Wolfram will not live to see another day. All the remaining mercenaries tried to run away, but were frozen in place by the Maou's water tendrils. The Maou was about to rip everyone to shreds.
"Yuuri stop this," Conrad pleaded.
"You dare try to stop me after want they did. There is no punishment worthy of this crime."
Conrad, Gwendal, and Yozak all raced over to Yuuri to try to stop him. When they were within a foot of Yuuri, the Maou's powers flung them off scattering them in various directions.
"You dare stop me. I will consider this treason from all of you."
Yuuri was gone. His was mentally and emotionally gone, only the Maou existed. The Maou was intending to turn this into a blood bath. Someone stop him.
"Yuuri."
The Maou turned around to hear the familiar voice.
"Yuuri, stop."
Wolfram's words were no more than a whisper, but it was enough to bring Yuuri back. The Maou has disappeared. The tendrils disappear, the mercenaries ran for their lives.
Yuuri raced over to embrace the blond.
"Wolfram, hold on, please."
Before losing consciousness, Wolfram quietly whispered, "I am sorry; I don't think I can protect you any longer."
Tears screamed down Yuuri face.
"Wake up Wolfram, you're not allowed to leave. Wake up, this is an order. Wake up!"
Heika, we need to get Wolfram back to the castle. Hastily loading Wolfram into the carriage, they all raced off for the castle. Gwendal and the remaining soldier rode in front clearing the way to the castle. Gwendal was holding onto his reign so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. Conrad, Yozak, and Adelinda rode in the carriage, with worried expressions on their faces. They had bandage Wolfram injuries, but blood was still gushing out of the wound on his abdomen. Something was seriously wrong. Wolfram is a full demon; the wound should have stopped bleeding. Yuuri began to pour his maryoku in Wolfram hoping to keep the blond alive until the reach Gisela. Conrad could see that the black hair boy was becoming exhausted.
"Yuuri let me take care of Wolfram, you need to rest."
When Conrad reached for Wolfram, Yuuri immediately slapped Conrad's hand away.
"Wolfram is mine, don't touch him."
At that moment, Conrad knew if Wolfram did not make it they will lose Yuuri as well. Yuuri did not let go of Wolfram throughout the journey. Steady streams of magic flowed into Wolfram keeping him alive. Yuuri cradled Wolfram in his arms slowly rocking back and forth. Tears streamed down Yuuri's face. "You can't die Wolfram, you can't die, I love you, you can't die." Over and over, Yuuri murmured this into Wolfram's ear. Yuuri almost looked like a madman.
Without stopping for a moment rest, they reached the castle in two whole day, Gisela, Gunter and everyone else was anxiously waiting for their arrival. Once they arrived Gisela immediately examine Wolfram's wound.
"Oh Shinou, what have they done. Heika, please stop and let go of Wolfram, we need to get him to the infirmary immediately."
Prying Wolfram out of the king's embrace, Wolfram was rushed away by Gisela. In a daze, Yuuri reached out to grab hold of Wolfram who wasn't there. Yuuri collapsed.
Yuuri regain consciousness, but was still able to open his eyes or moved his body. He can hear Conrad and Gisela speaking
"Gisela how is Heika?"
He will be fine, just suffering from over of his magic. In a couple of days he will be good as new.
"Wolfram?"
"Lord Bielefield is still unconscious. The sword that stabbed Lord Bielefield was laced by hosenki. Normally suck a small amount would do any harm to such a strong magic user like Lord Bielefield. But speaking with Adelinda it looks like Lord Bielefield used up almost all of his magic to protect her from harm. His body has no defense for the hosenki. It will need to run its course. To tell you the truth this is the first time I have any survive with an injury like this. I really don't know if Lord Bielefield will recover at all. I have managed to stop the bleeding, but without his magic, he will heal like a human and with the hosenki attacking him, I really don't know. It's really a wait and see game. If you will excuse me, I need to check on Lord Bielefield."
After hearing of Wolfram's condition, Yuuri forced himself to open his eyes and sit up. Conrad immediately steadied the wobbling king.
"Heika you need to lay back down and rest."
"No, bring me to Wolfram. I need to see him."
"Heika it will do Wolfram any good if you don't recover."
"Conrad please, bring me to Wolfram. I need to be with him."
Hearing his king begging with him, Conrad conceded.
"Alright Heika."
Conrad had to practically hold Yuuri upright while making their way to the infirmary. Once there, Yuuri and Conrad saw, Cheri holding a crying Greta, Gwendal starring intently out the window. Gunter and Yozak just look intently at the blonde. Conrad guided the king to a chair that Yozak has hastily prepared. Yuuri reach over to stroke the blonde's check. My beautiful prince, please wake up. He so cold Yuuri whispered. Yuuri was so lost without Wolfram.
Gisela came into the room.
"Heika you are supposed to be resting. Conrad did you let Heika come here"
"He was not going to be told no."
"Heika please go back to your room and rest. I will have someone inform you if anything changes."
There is no response from the king. Ignoring everyone, Yuuri continue to stoke Wolfram's cheek
His cheeks should be flushed and warm to the touch. Wake up Wolfram.
Yuuri was exhausted. But he couldn't leave the blonde by himself. Unconsciously Yuuri sat up on the bed, gingerly laying himself next to Wolfram, minding of his injuries. Once comfortably snuggle next to Wolfram, the king immediately fell asleep.
No one dare to interrupt the king when they realized what he meant to do. Watching the two sleep soundly in the same bed made them realize how still incredibly young the two still are.
All but Conrad has retired to their rooms. Gisela came in every hour to check on the two young men. The soft rasping of the door indicated someone has entered the room. Conrad looked up from his sitting position. Adelinda walked to the foot of the bed and stared at the two young men. Tears slowly trickle down her face. Conrad did not move from his chair.
"You know they really are made for each other. I have never seen Yuuri's face so at peace. He looks at Wolfram differently from everyone else. He loves that boy unconditionally. Why did Wolfram do what he did? He could have let them hurt or even kill me, and then everything between the three of us will be resolved. Instead he put his life in danger. Maybe he knew that if he was to sacrifice his life, he would forever have a hold on Yuuri. Is that what you wanted Wolfram. For Yuuri to always remember you, to never let you go. To always feel guilty for hurting you. You are too selfish Wolfram."
Conrad could not contain his anger anymore. Conrad brought his hand down on her right check. Adelinda fell to the ground. For the first time, Adelinda saw how menacing Conrad can be.
Afraid of waking Yuuri, Conrad could only hiss at the falling woman.
"How dare you. Wolfram may be selfish and spoiled, but he would never do anything that will cause Yuuri harm. Since the day you came here, you been ripping them apart. You have never let Yuuri and Wolfram forget that night he took your innocent. Even when we found out what really happen that night. You never let the poor boy forget the wrong he done. You even used it to have us save your father, which led to this. It had hurt him more than anything else to be apart from Wolfram. You never even once tried to leave. Your own self pity disgusts me. Have you truly thought who is hurting the most? It is not you, not Yuuri, but Wolfram. He bottle up his anger and disgust within himself, not once lashing out at either of you. He stood idly, watching you try to steal Yuuri away from him. He never once interfered with your actions. So do not dishonor him by saying he protected you make Yuuri feel guilty. He protected you because he is a proud soldier and his duty to protect you when you were in danger. Adelinda, if you haven't notice, Yuuri will never forget about Wolfram, because Wolfram is his everything."
Adelinda broke down with every word Conrad had said. Adelinda knew it was time for her to give Yuuri back to Wolfram. She has borrowed him long enough. Adelinda has long left Conrad and two slumbering boys alone.
Slightly nudging the brown hair man's arm, "Conrad you should go and rest. You are exhausted and I highly doubt the chair is too comfortable to sleep in."
"Gisela, has there been any change in Wolfram."
"I am afraid not."
"Gisela you must be exhausted to, coming in ever hour to check on Wolfram."
"This is my duty. We can not take any changes especially when two lives are at stake."
Conrad completely understood the meaning behind those words.
"Conrad, I hope you are prepare that Wolfram may never wake up. I said before I have never seen an injury like this. I believe the only reason Wolfram made it this far was due to the Yuuri Heika constant flow of magic giving to Wolfram on the way back to the castle. The injury Wolfram sustained should have killed him."
"I understand, keep this information away from Heika."
Yuuri woke up the next day hoping against all hope that he would open his eyes and see a pair of emerald orbs looking back at him. That was not meant to be. What Yuuri saw was Wolfram's slumbering angelic face. Yuuri eyes began to tear up immediately.
Wake up my prince; please let me see those emeralds eyes again. You can call me a Wimp all you want. I just want you to wake up.
It has been three days since Wolfram's injury. The wound has slowly healed, but still no sign of Wolfram waking up. The black hair king did not leave Wolfram's side except to use the bathroom. Meals were taking to the infirmary. Yuuri hardly touched any of his meals. It even took convincing from the others to have Yuuri bathe. Yuuri stated that bathing will take too long and he didn't want to leave the blond alone in case he woke up. He wanted the blond to see him first. The only reason that convinced Yuuri to maintain his personal hygiene was Conrad stating to Yuuri that if he didn't, when Wolfram woke up, he will be extremely unhappy to have the man he loved smelling unclean. The entire castle felt dead. As more days went by, Yuuri became weaker and weaker, still refusing to eat or leave the blonde.
He will wake up, he will wake up. He has to.