And I'm following the normal timeline for a while, although I do plan on changing some things to better fit the AU. I want to thank all of you who are sticking around, especially those who don't like Mpreg but are staying around anyway. I feel so loved.

Okay chapters might end up being more spaced out from now on, because I'm almost to the end of my finished chapters and I'm trying to get a job. Compile that with my family responsibilities and such and I don't have as much time on my hands as I used to. And I usually have time at the oddest times, like the middle of the night. Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate it, and I apologize for the wait.

Title: Into the Indefinite Sky
Author: S.P. Kathrine
Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: AU, Angst/Drama, Romance
Pairing: YuurixWolfram
Rating: M (R)
Chapter: Chapter 10 -10of?
Warnings: Angst, Non-Consensual Sexual themes (referenced/implied), AU, OOC Wolfram, possibly OOC, and now that it's out there, MPreg
Summary:
Wolf had spent his life believing that he was meant for servitude. His master was strict, and often cruel, but he never thought he could be anything more than what he was. One night changes everything and he is thrown into a world that he knows nothing about and given a life he never thought he could have. But a secret he keeps could only throw his life into further turmoil and not to mention the Demon King…

Chapter 11 - Onslaught

His workload was considerably lighter now that the Maou had returned. Wolf was not expected to take on the more serious of duties for the Ball and so he was allowed to spend less time with Günter. At the same time, Gisela had suspended his sword training with Conrad until after the banquet, which would give him the time to recuperate, both from his exhaustion and from the potion he would take that night. Neither she nor Cheri-sama tried to dissuade him from his course of action, as they knew it would simply be brushed aside.

He still had three hours of lessons in the morning, but after that he was given free reign of his time. He walked the gardens often, watched over Greta. The more he was with her, the more he saw her as his own child. Even though he did not agree with his engagement to the Maou, he would admit-if only to himself-that having Greta as his daughter would have been no hardship whatsoever. But there were times when he watched her and could almost picture other children playing with her, even though there were none in the castle. It during these times that he would leave abruptly and seek solitude in his room for hours on end.

He avoided the Maou almost completely, which was no hard task, seeing as he spent much of his time preparing for the Ball. Four days after his reappearance, delegates began to arrive. Yuuri was constantly greeting a new emissary or group. All the things that Wolf had been pressured into preparing for were now thrust onto the Maou, who had less time to work through all of it than he did. The blonde almost felt sorry for him, until he reminded himself that it was the wimp's own fault for returning so late.

The Ball was only the next day and both he and Yuuri had been sent into the courtyard with Conrad to practicing their horse riding. Wolf could honestly say that he could ride a horse perfectly well now on his own. He didn't understand why he was being forced into spending time with the Maou; what he did know was that Conrad had something to do with it.

Greta was on the other side of the yard, picking flowers from the plot that carried Cheri-sama's most precious creations, including the one that Greta herself had helped cultivate. She had been a bundle of nervous excitement all morning, because she knew that Beatrice and her father, Hristo Cruyff-third son of the King of Cabalcade, would be arriving at any time.

"Why do I have to practice waving?" Yuuri gave a small whine.

"Probably because they know you'll fall off your horse during the procession if you don't," Wolf huffed. "You don't pay enough attention to what you're dong and where your going at the same time."

"Why are you so mean?" This question sounding even more like a childish complaint.

"I'm not mean," Wolf stated, "These people just go too easy on you. I won't pamper you just because you're the Maou."

Yuuri frowned, but then his eyes took on a distant look, as if recalling some memory. The blonde frowned at his absent-mindedness. He lightly pressed his knees into the sides of his mare-whose name was Kin-and pulled along side the daydreaming boy. With great finesse, he flicked the other boy's ear, causing him to yelp and almost lose him balance.

"Gyah!" he cried out, one hand going to hold his ear. "What was that for!"

"For not paying attention to what you're doing and where you're going at the same time," he replied. "And quit whimpering like a wounded pup. It couldn't have hurt that much."

"I could have fallen!"

"Heika!"

Their attention was grabbed by the guests standing on the porch near the garden. It was a man with rather pale blonde hair and a young girl with hair of a slightly purer color, blue eyes smiling politely. Just then, the man bowed and removed his hat, which in turn removed all of his hair at the same time, leaving a shining bald scalp to gleam against the sunlight. Wolf stared at him, shocked and fascinated at the same time.

"Hristo Cruyff-san!" Yuuri called back. "Beatrice!"

"I have come to play, Yuuri Heika," she told him.

"Welcome to Shin Makoku," Yuuri greeted them both.

So this is Beatrice, Wolf realized. She was a young girl, about Greta's age if shorter, wearing a simple dress and shawl. But her smile was genuine and he could see Greta moving towards them, the small bouquet of flowers behind her back.

"Oh let me introduce you!" Yuuri beamed while still atop his black stallion, Ao. "Greta, this is Beatrice. Beatrice, this is my daughter, Greta."

Both girls stared at each other for a moment, Greta's stance awkward while Beatrice appeared curious. Finally, the caramel-haired girl gave a small smile and pulled the bouquet from behind her back. Beatrice's smile grew wider as she took them.

"Come here girls!" One of the maids, Doria, called to them.

Another who stood by her side-Sangria, he knew even though he found it hard to remember which name belonged to who out of the three cohorts that were always together-coaxed, "We have lots of treats in the kitchen for you!"

This seemed to please both of them instantly, as they took each other's hand and hurried off to the maids for whatever sweets that had been prepared for them. Wolf watched them leave with a sigh of relief he would not release. He had been worried about what could happen if Beatrice did not like Greta for some reason. The princess has been so worried about it and such a outcome could have left her devastated for quite some time. She truly needed some other companions her own age. There were none in the castle. The closest person to her age was Eru, which was an explanation in and of itself.

"And who might you be?" The man was staring at Wolf.

He almost didn't want to answer, knowing the reply he would have to give, but he bowed as politely as possible while sitting on a horse and said, "Wolfram von Bielefield. A pleasure to meet you, Cruyff-san."

"The pleasure is mine, young man," he stated, tipping his hat-and-wig one more. "I must go pay my respects to Sir von Voltaire. I will see you again later, Heika."

"All right, 'bye," Yuuri waved to him as he left, although he was giving Wolf a curious look. "Why did you introduce yourself as that name?"

"Because for all reason and accounts of diplomacy, I am Wolfram von Bielefield," he replied, eyes refusing to meet the ones staring at him. "'Wolf' is not even a full name, let alone one of nobility. I cannot use Gaven, as I gave up right to that name when I chose to remain here in Shin Makoku. These people did not know Wolfram and so they cannot know that I am not him."

Yuuri didn't seem satisfied with this answer, but he let it go. Then he turned to the man standing beside his horse. "Conrad, I want to take a break. I want to see how Beatrice and Greta get along."

"I guess it was inevitable. All right, Heika," the chestnut-haired man nodded and balanced the boy-King as he began to get down from his horse. Suddenly, a look of distress passed across the man's face and Yuuri let out a surprised cry before falling to the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Wolf immediately got down from Kin-with much more carefulness than Yuuri would have used-and moved to the raven-haired boy's side. "What happened?"

Yuuri had a look of pain on his face, one hand immediately going to his rear end. "Itai…" he whispered.

"I'm a very sorry, Heika," Conrad kneeled by his other side. Both Yuuri and Wolf looked at him, only to notice that he was holding his left arm.

What is wrong with his arm? Wolf wondered, not realizing he was asking the question aloud.

"It's nothing," Conrad told him. "Just a battle wound that flares up every once in a while." He then passed a glance to Yuuri, who had a slight frown marring his features.

"Why don't you take Heika to see Gisela and make sure that nothing was injured?" he suggested. "It would be best for him not to get hurt the day before the Ball."

He's hiding something… "Yes, sir," Wolf nodded, helping the other boy to his feet. "Come, Your Majesty."

"Quit pulling so hard!" Yuuri cried. "I'm coming. And stop calling me 'Your Majesty', I told you my name is Yuuri!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Wolf nodded, obviously not caring. He was too busy trying to figure out what Conrad was holding back from him. There were only certain times that Conrad ever showed the 'flaring of his old wound', and most often it was when they were visiting Ulrike and the Palace of the Original King. That meant something. Something important that they didn't want him to know about. He just needed to figure out what.

It wasn't until the hours later that he had finally had enough. More and more ambassadors were arriving and Wolf felt as if he was being suffocated by the amount of people. Yuuri had been deemed perfectly fine by Gisela, only to be whisked off by Günter the next moment. Their tutor had asked Wolf to remain in the throne room with Yuuri and himself during the traditional greetings, so that he could learn them through observation. And he complied, for the first three hours. After that he could no longer stand the amount of people that were conspicuously passing him glances.

They were obviously fascinated by Shin Makoku itself, but didn't know how to curb their curiosity. He was not dressed as a guard, or as a statesmen. His clothing was a elegant suit of blue that reminded him of the uniforms worn by the squadron of younger soldiers that he saw training on the grounds every once in a while, but it was also distinctly different in the silver, rather than gold, trimming and emerald-jeweled brooch he wore over his white cravat. It had been Cheri-sama's addition to his wardrobe. He did look the part of nobility, but everything else was vague. He also believed that his stoic presence to the side of the Maou's throne had been inquiring factor.

And so he had politely excused himself as he had been taught to do, and went off in search of Greta and Beatrice. The young girls had fallen into a quick friendship and had not left each other's side since their meeting. What he hadn't expected was to find them both in the kitchen and then to be subsequently thrown out by both them and the maids seconds later. Whatever they were working on, they did not want anyone else to know.

And so he had gone to the stables to visit Kin. He had neglected her over the past few weeks due to his rigorous lessons in diplomacy, and had sought to spend more time taking care of her since he'd been relieved. Taking her from her stall, he led her out into the sunlight and procured a few brushes to rub her down with.

"I'm sorry I left so abruptly this morning," he apologized. "I should have come back to make sure you were settled properly." The horse neighed lightly, bringing her head up to sniff and nuzzle his face. He laughed, "I know. It seems as if everyone has gone mad. Even Greta has been pulled into it all."

He brushed her neck before moving to her shoulders, following the stroke patterns he knew would best leave her coat shining while also relaxing her. "Everyone is so set towards making sure tomorrow is a complete success," he whispered. "They have forgotten about all of their other troubles just to make sure nothing goes wrong." He set the brush down on a low bench outside the stable and ran his hands over her neck. "They all want peace, to stop the wars. I was so caught up in my own situation for so many years that I barely paid any mind to the fighting that was going on. What type of person does that make me?"

The horse didn't reply. "But that will change soon," he went on. "After tomorrow I will dedicate myself to something. I have to be talented in someway. I'll find it and devote myself to it just the same way everyone here has. Maybe then I'll finally be able to-"

/ It was foggy. He couldn't see through the misty smoke. His body felt light, as if it was air, and yet his limbs moved as if they were under water. He turned his head about, trying to find out where he was, but no clues came to him.

What's going on? he wondered. He tried to call out, but his mouth wouldn't open. Help, please… I…can't get out. Help.

He continued to call out in his mind, unsure if that was how thing worked in this strange place that he found himself in, but no one answered him. No one came. As he waited, he noticed how the fog grew thicker, his body heavier. Something was happening.

He tried to fight the pull and the white transformed to grey and then black around him. The area was dissolving into the darkness and he couldn't even run.

Someone! he continued to call out. Please help! But it was getting harder to compile his thoughts as his franticness built. He didn't know what to do. The air was being sucked out of him, his body falling. He couldn't fight it. Couldn't fight it. It was too late.

"Wolf!"

Where…? Where was the voice coming from?

"Wolf, wait! Stop for a second!"

Yu…Yuuri… /

"Wolf, answer me!"

And suddenly he was staring at the raven-haired boy who was bracing himself by the knees and gasping for breath. "Ma-Majesty?" he spoke in bewilderment.

The Maou stood up straight and frowned at him in return. "Why didn't you stop when I call you the first twenty times?" he asked. "Where are you going?"

The blonde looked about him in confusion. Where are the stables? he wondered. How did I get out here? He turned around and was greeted by the foreboding form of the Palace of Shinou not even one hundred yards away. H-How…?

"Wolf?" Yuuri called him again. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," the blonde stated before turning around. "We need to go home, please hurry, Your Majesty." With that he was off back the way they had come down the road, Yuuri trailing behind in silence.

The Ball was a rather extravagant affair, with the village celebrating the Harvest Festival and the palace teeming with energy and activity. Wolf could hear the voices coming from outside his room, even though the walls were rather thick. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, seeing the painting that was in the corridor leading to the Great Hall now more than ever. He had cut his hair much shorter than it was now, only his hair had always grown quickly and so now it passed his ears and curling towards the nape of his neck.

He had donned a suit much like the one he had worn the day before, only today it was blue with a silvery-blue trimming that seemed to sparkle in certain lighting. He put on his cravat and the brooch that Cheri-sama had gifted him with before strapping his sword to his waist. He knew that he was not adept enough to use it as it should be, but Conrad had seemed more pleased with him lately over his improvement. That day is was simply ornamental.

A knock came to his door and he called out for the person to enter, turning around to greet them. He was not surprised to find that it was Cheri-sama.

"You look so handsome!" she squealed. "I can't wait for everyone to meet you! My brother, Stoffel, should be coming in late and I hear that Raven might even bring his niece! Such a sweet girl…"

"Will everything be ready for tonight?" He did not want to waste words when he knew why she was truly there.

"Yes," she confirmed. "Gisela has all of the ingredients and it will only take an hour to make. She'll leave it in your room for when you decide to leave the party."

"Perfect," he gave her a brief nod. "Anything else?"

"She wanted me to warn you about the consequences," the voluptuously endowed woman stated.

"I already know the risks."

"Not if you wait too long."

"Explain."

Cheri-sama sighed, turning to stare out his window, the curtains of which had been pulled back to show a view of the sunset. "Because of how far along your…condition is, you only have a brief window that you can use this brew in."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You have only a week," she informed him. "After that, the child will be rooted to your maryoku and even attempting to abort will most definitely lead to death, for both you and the fetus."

"What does that matter?" he asked. "I'm taking it tonight."

Cheri-sama still had not twisted back to look at him. "It means that if you should think very carefully about the choice you make tonight," she said. "I understand perfectly why you want to do this, but if you do not fully understand what you might be giving up, I would suggest you wait and think more on it. I don't want to change your mind, just make sure you don't live the rest of your life with regrets."

She then did look at him, and her face looked so much older and wiser than it should. "I know what it is like to wish something could be undone, that you just had more 'time', or had done something differently. I would wish for you not to live with that."

He didn't know what to say at first. He didn't want to tell her that he had tasted his first bout of morning sickness that morning, or how he had hid away in his room until noontime. She most likely already knew from speaking to someone else, probably a maid. When he had finally felt well enough to go to lunch, he written his less than composed morning off as nerves. It was also a likely explanation. This would be his first Ball and it was far more pressure than the Baby Celebration could ever hope to be.

"I know the choice I need to make," he told her. "I understand your concern, but frankly, you could never understand how I feel. My position is the same it has been from the beginning."

"All right then!" Cheri-sama was once again the smiling enchantress. "You shall be my escort for the first half of the night. I have people I want you to meet, but I also have a 'friend' that will be joining me later. And I know he'll be pleased that I look as beautiful as always."

She spun, displaying her stylishly simple white gown to him, the slender straps coming over shoulders already covered by a long-sleeved lace blouse of a pale lavender color that glittered in the light as if it was covered in stars. He smiled at her, not saying that she looked magnificent or anything else. She stopped, staring towards his bed. "You never put it back on," she pointed out and he knew then what she had noticed. His necklace, the piece of Houseki, remained in the same place on his night table where Gisela had set it when she removed it days ago.

Wolf didn't follow her line of vision. He knew it was there, spent many days avoiding looking at it and unable to even think of putting it back where it belonged. He couldn't understand why he felt such apprehension now that it was no longer on him, but it was something that he tried not to question. He wasn't sure if he would appreciate the answers he found within himself. It was more than just the guilt of removing it after so many decades of holding to his long ago vow.

"It's best that it remains there for now," he said.

"No," the blonde woman disagreed, in one of her rare moments of assertion over his decisions. She then walked over to the nightstand, lifting the delicate stone pendant into her hand. Turning around, she moved back to him. "This is a night to represent who you are. Not just what others want to see."

He didn't speak, simply staring at the stone that gleamed a strange orange color in the candlelight. Cheri-sama smiled as she leaned forward, tying the rope securely around his neck. "There," she smiled. "Now you are ready."

Wolf lowered his eyes, one hand going to lift the stone so that he could see it better. It seemed as if it had never left his neck to begin with. He felt suddenly lighter than he had in days. With great reverence, he tucked the necklace into his shirt, away from prying eyes before giving the blonde woman before him his attention. "Now let us leave. I'm sure your admirers are waiting on baited breath."

Cheri-sama winked. "You wouldn't happen to be one of them?" she inquired coyly. "You have been cozying up to me quite a bit lately."

Wolf forced the blush away from his cheeks and frowned. "Isn't that what you wanted of me?" he asked. "I thought-"

"That isn't the reason why you've been so close to me lately," the woman said flippantly. She then gave him a brief hug. "But I am glad that you feel you can come to me when you need it." After pulling away she took his hand and led him out of his room. "Come Wolf-chan! We have much circulating to do tonight!" He tried not to be swept away in her vivaciousness.

And circulate they did. Cheri-sama pulled him along through the throngs of people and he had to be careful not to bump into them, especially those carrying food or drink. They were welcomed by many people that she recognized and she would introduce him as 'her son', which tended to confuse some of them until she said that he was her 'baby' that had been away for some time. Then they would politely acknowledge him and he them in return. It was a cycle of 'how do you do's, 'pleasure to meet you's, and 'you look so much like your mother's-he tried to ignore the jabs to his masculinity. It was maddening just how mundane the pleasantries became after a while.

Finally, Yuuri entered, waving and greeting people, thanking them for coming to the Ball. He managed to break away from Cheri-sama to go to him, as she had come to spot her 'friend' of the evening. The Maou noticed him and put his hand up in the air as a signal that he had. The raven-haired boy was dressed in his customary black suit with a mantle wrapped about his shoulders, held together with a golden chain and clasp embedded with a red jewel that was too bright to be a ruby.

"You look great tonight, Wolf!" Yuuri complimented him. He suddenly realized his folly when someone gave a gracious chuckle-Wolf had a strange feeling that it had been Conrad. A slight blush crept up the blonde's neck.

"W-Well…I mean you looked great yesterday too!" he stumbled. "It's just that you don't look like you usually do…"

The blush was gone instantly. "What is that supposed to mean?" he growled.

Rather than dig himself a grave he could not crawl out of…Yuuri changed the subject. "I want you to meet Flurin-san!" he stated, motioning to the woman by his side. "She is the ruler of Caloria."

She was beautiful, that much was obvious. Her hair was a silvery pale blue and her eyes were like turquoise gems. The gown she wore was elegance to its fullest. The multi-layered skirt was pristine white as were the sleeves that were cut so that shoulders remained bare. The addition of the pale blue satin that came from below her bosom to drape like a skirt over the primary one was just the touch to bring out the flecks of green in her eyes. Wolf could not deny the flawless image that she and the Maou made together.

It actually made him somewhat bitter, even though he did not let it show. He was the Maou's fiancé and yet neither one of them had gone into the engagement willingly. He was not even introduced as Yuuri's intended, no matter all of the things he had gone through because of said title. There was no love or friendship to base their relationship on. Why would he even try to work it out when it is obvious that he has much more attractive-and beneficial-options open to him? She could be nothing less than the queen that she is, I can tell just from gazing upon her. I am nothing more than a fraud posing as nobility.

And yet he still kept him calm appearance and bowed to her. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty," he addressed her. "I am Wolfram von Bielefield."

She curtsied in return a smile on her face. "It is very odd to hear myself called that," she said, voice as soft and melodic as he had expected it to be. "Could you please just call me Flurin?"

"As you wish, Flurin," he granted.

"Heika, is there somewhere we can speak privately?" Flurin turned to Yuuri.

"Anou…yeah, the balcony," he nodded.

Flurin turned to Wolf and then those behind them in turn, "Please excuse us, then, Sir Wolfram, Conrad, Sir von Voltaire, Sir von Christ." With that Yuuri led her away, only taking the time to give a brief wave to Wolf and the others as they departed. Wolf watched them silently.

"Oh Heika!" Günter let out a tearfully dramatic sigh. "They seem so…right and yet that would mean that Heika was already spoken for! All these years of service and not once…"

Wolf froze at his words, which seemed to fade as he lost himself in his thoughts. Is he not already spoken for? he asked himself. We are engaged, even if it was not intentional! Could he not wait the few months it will take to annul our commitment to…to flirt with others? Or at least have the decency not to do so where others see him? I have only started to cleanse my honor! How can he so carelessly throw such dirt on it?

"Inconsiderate philanderer," he huffed under his breath.

"Wolfram?" He turned to the man standing by his side, the only one who called him by that name. The others had moved on and Conrad was not even looking at him, merely standing in his proximity with a drink in his hand while surveying the on-going celebration. "It is all right to feel the way you do. I would have been perplexed if you did not. Particularly after Günter's rather tactless statement. Forgive him. He always becomes like this when concerning Heika."

"What are you talking about?" he frowned. "I am fine. Now excuse me, I want to search for Cheri-sama." And with that they parted company.

Sometime later they were still out on the balcony. Wolf watched them from a secluded corner near the tables. It seemed that no one truly thought to bother with him and so he was able to lean against the wall and observed them without interruption. He was not close enough to hear what they were saying, but he did have an unobstructed view to watch them through one of the large windows.

It seemed as if they were simply talking as their backs were both to him, Flurin standing still in a modestly noble way, although Yuuri did moved about quite often. He finally settled beside her, staring out into the magnificent view of the city below. After some time she leaned into him, as if whispering him a secret and Yuuri looked back at her, hand going behind his head in the telltale way of showing his shyness. Wolf couldn't understand the tightness he felt in his chest as he watched them.

"Wolf-chan."

He blinked and gazed about him in confusion. Who had called him?

"Wolf-chan, down here!" The voice was soft, but urgent. He looked down and founded two small figures bundled under the table a foot away from him. Greta and Beatrice.

"What are you two doing down there?" he asked them. "Where have you been all day?"

Beatrice had a finger to her lips and Greta looked about, as if to see if anyone else was listening in, before whispering back, "We need your help!"

Within minutes of hearing what the girls wanted of him, he was exiting the ballroom onto the same balcony Yuuri and Flurin conversed on. The raven-haired boy turned around and gave him a questioning glance. "What's wrong?"

"I am very sorry, Miss Flurin," Wolf bowed, "but His Majesty's presence is required elsewhere immediately."

"What?" Yuuri's eyes widened. "Where? What happened?"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," he stated, "but this is not something I am allowed to discuss in the presence of others. I was sworn to secrecy." He then grabbed the Maou by the arm and pulled him towards the doorway. "I will return him to you later, Miss Flurin."

Yuuri protested, no doubt not agreeing with parting from his 'precious' company, but Wolf ignored his words. He was completing the task set to him by Greta. At the same time he couldn't deny that he was very grateful that she had asked it of him.

They entered the kitchens and were shocked to find a very unique and elaborate cake, covered with white frosting, strawberries, and what looked to be small people, sitting on the large round table.

"Wha?" Yuuri leaned in closer to look, only to be taken aback by Greta and Beatrice jumping out from beneath the table cloth.

"Surprise!" They cried.

"W-What?" Yuuri regained his balance, a hand to his chest.

"Happy Father's Day!" They exclaimed.

"F-Father's Day?" Yuuri repeated.

"Yes!" Greta clapped her hands together. "You told me that your other world had days to celebrate moms and dads. And Beatrice told me that Cabalcade and all the other countries have them too! So I decided to have a Shin Makoku Father's Day!

"We made the cake for today ourselves," Greta explained.

"Really?" Yuuri asked.

Beatrice nodded happily, "Doria and the others taught us how."

"Come see!" Greta beamed as the two girls moved to the table. "Look! This one is you, Heika!"

And it was indeed and small figure of candy made to look like the Maou, with black clothing, hair, and eyes. The girls went on describing the different 'little people' on their creation while Yuuri beamed and applauded them, tears filling his eyes. Wolf stayed back, a small, sad smile coming to his lips as he watched them. It was a beautiful, thoughtful gesture of a young girl to father. He didn't know why it made him feel so…so lost.

"Look Wolf!" Greta was suddenly at his side and pulling him into the group. She pointed to a small shape with bright yellow hair. "This one is for you! Even though you're not my actual dad, you spend time with me and do things with me just like a dad would."

"Greta…" he whispered, unable to deny how touched he was. Whatever pain he felt was replaced by the swelling of pride and affection he had for the little girl. Without reserve he bent down and gave her a hug, which she happily returned with the same fervor.

The cake was cut and each person was given the slice with their 'image' on it. Just as they each were about to indulge themselves they were rocked by the sound of explosions. Wolf and Yuuri rushed to the window, eyes staring in disbelief at the sight of the orange-red light and smoke of a fire within the city. The girls rushed between them and opened the window.

"The sky is so red!" Greta exclaimed.

"It's fire!" Beatrice pointed out. "The city is burning!"

"We need to go back to the main hall," Wolf insisted. "They'll know what to do there.

"You're right," Yuuri agreed. "That would be the smartest thing to do."

The turned and found themselves face to face with a group of men in purple and green suits, all identical to each other in every way. They pulled their swords and Wolf pushed Yuuri and the girls behind him.

"Who are you!" the Maou demanded.

None answered as they rushed towards them in an attack formation. Wolf shoved the others to the side and dodged as well just as one of the men slashed downwards with his sword. The girls cried out in fear and Yuuri sheltered them. Wolf took his feet as quick as possible, pulling his sword from his sheath.

What do I DO! he thought frantically and the men spread out, ready to strike once more. I'm not good enough with a sword to do this! At the same time he knew that Yuuri had no knack for swordplay as he did and would be of no help. The raven-haired boy's mystical sword, Morgif, made a noise, ready to fight, but the blonde knew that the Maou would not be able to.

I have to protect them, he decided. I have to use what Conrad has taught me to protect them.

One of the men rushed forward and Wolf could see the pattern in his head.

Parry. Duck. Thrust.

Just when he was within range, the blonde swung his blade to the left, effectively knocking his opponent's own to the side. He then ducked while pulling his sword back before thrust forward and jerking his strike north. It went straight through the man's chest and ripped upwards. He pulled the blade out and jumped back so that he could fall to the ground.

I…I just killed someone…

The shock did not have the chance to settle into his system as the others threw themselves into the fight as soon as their comrade fell. He was locked in a battle with multiple opponents, something he had only touched on a few times during his training. He kept his eyes open and felt everything around him so as to discern who might come at him next.

Strangely, after watching his first opponent fall, it became easier to not think of what he was doing. All he could concentrate on was the act of fighting, of staying far enough away from their swords no to be seriously injured. He couldn't afford to lose.

He was caught in the shoulder-the newest of many close-calls now littering his body-only to slash through the same perpetrator's stomach in a diagonal arch. He fell and Wolf stood, breathing deeply, sweat trickling down his face. Then he blink in surprise at the realization that all of the intruders were on the ground, each one cut open or ripped apart in some way.

I…I did it…I…

The strangeness of the situation did not escape his fatigued body. The bodies looked odd. Wait… Where is the blood?

Simultaneously, all of the bodies began to shake and quiver, strange cracking and creaking noises coming from all of them. Within seconds each one was standing, swords ready, as if nothing had transpired before.

Where are their faces! Wolf stared at them in shock.

"Your Majesty!" he shouted, trying to keep his eyes on all of them. "Take the girls and run!"

"But Wolf-!" he started.

"DO IT!" the blonde ordered him.

"Wolfram…" Greta cried, tears in her eyes.

"Go! NOW!" he yelled at them.

The raven-haired boy reluctantly nodded to him just as the men-without-faces extended their free hands at the blonde they surrounded. At strange swirling glow was emitted from their hands, the energy a bizarre silver.

Wolf twisted about in confusion, only to feel his body growing heavy. His eyelids drooped and he could feel the graying of his vision. No… he thought. Wh-What…are they…doing? I have to…protect…

And he was falling into the darkness, his mind trying to grasp madly his last thought.

Greta… Yuuri…

Yes, one of my favorite episodes. Now if you want to see what happens next...you'll just have to wait.