Chapter 4: The dark shadow of the great king

Shinou released a defeated sigh. "You know what? I was afraid that you were going to ask that…"

Yuuri flashed Shinou a confused look.

"Well, baseball kid, you asked for it. Don't blame me when you regret asking for it…" Shinou then opened the nearest door to them and transformed it into a portal.

"Good luck…"

--

A ray of bright light dazzled Yuuri. He was nervous. What had happened to Wolfram? Is he alright? Those were the questions that pondered unto Yuuri's mind.

This was it. The strong ray of light was slowly deteriorating. And then… An unexpected scenario placed him into a state they call…bamboozle-ness?

Yes. His thoughts were right… It was what he least expected to see. He never thought that Shinou can make a very fatal mistake as such…. The portal led them to the….

Girl's Bathroom.

"Shinou, what's all this about? Do you mean to say that Wolfram is now bathing in the Girl's Bathroom?" Yuuri was some how, exasperated.

There he was so anticipative of what happened to his fiancé and then the so-called 'The Great One' here, and his damn portal leads him to the girl's bathroom.

"Well that was stupid." Shinou slapped his forehead. "Tsk…tsk…tsk… This must be the effect of constant usage of my so-little-power to create portals. As what I've told you Yuuri, my powers have grown weaker, I'm telling you, even the 26th maou is much stronger than me now."

'So that's why he created that so-called sanctuary of his ahead of time. It's because he knew that this was going to happen. And I'm the cause of it…' Yuuri thought. Instead of exasperation, all he felt for the once greatest and most powerful mazoku living was sympathy.

Shinou sighed. "I guess we will just have to walk… We better get out of here…"

Shinou then passed THROUGH the door. Yuuri paused. Now that was new. But hell, he's a ghost!

"Hey wait! Shinou-"

"What?" Shinou snapped as his head went back through wall to see Yuuri.

"How did you do that? I mean, I know you're a ghost and I am one too but, how do you do that? Do you say some kind of chant before you go through or something like that?" Yuuri asked.

"You just have to go through like walking in the moonlight. It's chicken feed!" Shinou replied as his head went back through the wall.

Yuuri sighed. "Well, I guess it won't hurt trying. I'm a ghost after all."

Yuuri then closed his eyes and walked straight unto the wall. And he actually went through!!!

Yuuri sighed with relief.

"I told you its easy!" Shinou winked.

"Now come on and take me to Wolfram!" Yuuri demanded.

--

After a few steps, the two reached a certain room.

"Now, do you recognize this room?" Shinou asked.

"This is my room, 'our' room, actually." Yuuri replied.

"Yuuri, before we enter this room. I want you to promise me that you will stay calm and won't get to be all 'Maou-mode' because even though we are ghosts, when we exhibit very strong emotions; 'the living' will be able to sense our presence. And we don't want that to happen because if that happens, we will be attached to the world of the living… Are we clear?" Shinou glared at him, as if trying to make Yuuri swear to death.

Yuuri just swallowed.

"Then I guess that's a yes." Shinou then opened the door for Yuuri to enter first.

The young ex-maou bit his lip with anticipation.

"Shinou, there's no one here."

"Really? Try to look around." was all Shinou's reply.

Then Yuuri tried to walk further unto the room. As he reached the other side of the room facing the window…

--

"Oh on…It can't be… This isn't possible….'

Yuuri was taken aback with what was in front of him, of who was in front of him.

"Wolfram…"

The blond sitting on the floor in his night gown staring blankly at the window; this was not the Wolfram he was expecting to see.

Yuuri then, forced by his sudden urge, knelt beside Wolfram and tried to grab the blonde's hand, but his hands went through. No matter how hard he tried, it didn't work. He can't touch Wolfram, nor is Wolfram even moving a single muscle...

Then tears started to run down Yuuri's cheeks. The young maou then turned to Shinou. "What happened to him?"

"When you died, Wolfram here was really saddened, but he still stood firm and accepted it. He actually handled it pretty well, that's what everyone thought. After a few weeks of Andrei's reign over Shin Makoku, Wolfram accidentally fell off his horse and was severely injured. Everyone thought that he will die, but he woke up. But when he woke up, he was already like this. He won't talk. He won't eat. He won't move. And right now, he's just a doll, an empty shell; his right in front of you but yet his so far. For some reason, he had been like that ever since. Andrei even ordered for Wolfram to be sent back to Biefeld territory to be taken care of, but his brothers insisted that he stay here for them to keep a good eye on him. They all hoped that Wolfram will get better soon. They thought that in a few days he would just snap out of it but he never did. And then days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months and without them noticing, it's already been a year. Many doctors have tried to cure Wolfram but nothing. I guess blonde here lost his will to live when he lost you. This was the reason why Lady Celli took Greta with her, because she didn't want Greta to see Wolfram's situation." Shinou looked away. Believe it or not, Shinou was too overwhelmed by his sympathy to the young lad that he can't even bear to look into Yuuri's black eyes.

Yuuri felt as if his heart was being crunched. "Why did this happen? Why? This can't be happening! Why? Why? Wolfram, why?"

"Yuuri you promised me that you will stay calm. So do it, or else we will be attached. We won't be able to accept that we are no longer part of this world. That's ghost rule no. 1 for you. And even if we don't get attached into this world, we can't do anything to help. Now calm down, someone's coming." Shinou then put his arms around Yuuri and pulled him away from Wolfram.

Moments later, Gisela entered the room.

--

"Lord Wolfram? Lord wolfram, why are you sitting in the floor, again? Let me get you to bed." Gisela then pulled Wolfram unto the bed.

"Good Morning Lord Wolfram! It's a fine day today isn't it? Did you sleep well last night?" She asked but there was no response.

"Everyone had already taken their breakfast, now it's time for you to eat yours." Gisela smiled.

She then fed wolfram and let him drink his medicines. Yuuri watched all this, trying to stop his sobs.

"There, we're all done. Lord Wolfram, I'll just bring this down to the kitchen. I'll be back in an instant." She said as she grabbed the tray and left the room.

"Shinou…was he always left like this?" Yuuri asked as he tried to wipe his tears away.

"Well yes…" Shinou replied.

Then suddenly, Wolfram rose from his bed and went outside.

"What is he doing?" asked Yuuri.

"Leaving." Shinou answered sarcastically. Then he turned serious. "We better follow him."

They then followed the blond silently as he walked through the vast hallways.

"Where is he heading to? He shouldn't be walking around like this! What if something happens to him? He shouldn't be left alone in his situation!" Yuuri complained.

--

Yuuri didn't know what to feel when he realized where his fiancé was heading, in Shibuya Shrine. (It was where his huge statue was placed)

"Wolfram…"

The two watched carefully as Wolfram unconsciously walked closer to the fountain and placed a lily on a paper boat and let it sail unto the little fountain.

Yuuri was bewildered. He didn't know what to do as he helplessly watch Wolfram make a fool of him self. It was too painful to see his loved one like this. "Shinou this is all my fault…"

"Yuuri, we have nothing to do with what happens to the people we love once we die. It's not your fault Yuuri…" Shinou comforted the young ex-maou but it was to no use.

"It's unfair! How come everyone get to recover and live a happy life except for Wolfram! It's not fair!!! They all lived happily ever after but how come it's only Wolfram who gets to suffer like this!" Yuuri was taken adown by his grief.

"You know, Yuuri, it's not only Wolfram who is suffering right now…" Shinou sighed. "There is something that I didn't tell you Yuuri, that I think you deserve to know."

Yuuri glared. "What's wrong? We're you lying to me all this time?"

"Well partly, yes." Shinou replied. "Do you really want to know? Then come with me."

"Wait! What about Wolfram? We can't leave him here!"

"Don't worry; he does this every single day. A guard will see him and bring him back to his room." Shinou assured. "Now let's go." He then grabbed Yuuri by the wrist and took him to the maou's office.

--

"Yuuri, this time, you really have to promise me that you won't get all Maou-centric. Andrei is a kin and very observant man. One twitch of your emotion and boom! He will be able to feel our presence, so keep your emotional-meter down." Shinou stared defiantly at Yuuri.

Yuuri nodded.

They then went through the walls to enter the maou's office. Inside was Ken Murata talking to Andrei about something.

"So Andrei-heika, are you sure you don't need any help in making decisions or something like that. If you do you can always count on me." Murata said as he pushed his glasses up to his nose.

"Thanks for the offer Geika but I'm alright. I can handle it myself and besides Gunter and Gwendal is here. We don't need your assistance here, great sage." Andrei replied with a plastered smile.

"Oh really? Then it's okay. I'm just bored staying in the temple, that's all." Ken Murata replied.

"Bored? Then why don't you try to go back to Earth where you truly belong?" Andrei asked intently.

"That's a very good idea but I think that I am no longer needed there." Murata smiled at Andrei.

"Yes you are right Geika; you are no longer needed on earth, same here in Shin Makoku." was Andrei's boorish reply.

Yuuri cocked an eye brow. He never thought that someone like Andrei could say something like that.

Murata smirked. "Is that what you think so? Then let me remind you Andrei-heika, I am of equal rank to you. And all the power you have over Shin Makoku, I also posses. If you can make the mountains bow down to your feet then I can do that as well. Remember that…"

"Was that a threat, your highness?" Andrei asked back.

"No it's not, it was just a warning." Murata answered back.

"Warning?" Andrei smirked back.

"Yes, but I guess it is not you who needs a warning, it is all of shin Makoku. Am I right, King Andrei Ne'voucce?" was Murata's retort.

Andrei then stood from his seat and crunched his hands into fists. "You don't have any proof!"

"I soon will, your majesty, very soon. Too soon…for you I'm afraid." Murata smiled.

Andrei then sat down again and sighed. "Your highness, I'm afraid this conversation is getting a little out of hand."

"I think so as well. I should be living now or else I might end up like Lord Von Biefeld did." Murata smirked intently.

Yuuri's heart stopped. 'What?'

"What did he mean by that, Shinou?" Yuuri asked, dumbfounded.

"I'll explain to you later. We should leave this room first before I tell you this." Shinou replied.

As Yuuri was about to follow Ken Murata out of the room when Shinou grabbed Yuuri's collar to stop him. "Wait a minute, you got to see this."

"See what?"

"Andrei-heika, it's me, Yozak." The man called from outside the room.

"It's Yozak!" Yuuri shrieked in glee.

"I said listen!" Shinou stipulated.

"Is he gone?" asked Andrei.

"Yes sir, his Eminence is heading to the main gate to go back to Shinou temple." answered Yozak.

The Maou sighed in relief. "Yozak, has the great sage obtained any concrete evidence against me?"

"Oh no sire, he has nothing. All he has are speculations." Yozak assured.

"Accurate Speculations, Yozak. He has accurate speculations." Andrei corrected. "He has figured out every single strand of my plan. There's no doubt about it, Ken Murata really is the Great Sage. That is why he is great threat to my plans!" He concluded.

"But sir, he can't do anything even if he has accurate speculations! No one will believe him without any evidence! I'll make sure that he won't-" Yozak depended.

"Well, you believed him without any evidence, didn't you? How can I be sure that no one else will?" Andrei confronted.

Yozak was left wordless.

"Yozak, are you trying to save Ken Murata? Are you disobeying me?" Andrei asked angrily.

"No sir, of course not, it's just that I-" Yozak tried to depend his side but he can't do anything against this man.

Andrei smirked at him. "Yozak, Yozak, Yozak, let me remind you that I can call my hired assassin anytime to kill Lord Weller, or I can kill himself. Remember Yozak, I have limitless power over everything, even beyond Yuuri-heika's, it's seems that you have forgotten."

"I will bear that in my mind, your majesty." Yozak answered vulnerably.

"Good. Now go to the Shinou temple and tell his highness that you didn't see anything suspicious here in Blood Pledged Castle or any tangible proof to support his accusations, oh and break it to him gently, you might break his heart!" Andrei laughed cruelly.

"Consider it done, sire." Yozak then bowed his head then got going.

"Come on Yuuri, we better step outside." Shinou then dragged Yuuri through the wall out of the office room.

--

"What now, Shinou-heika? I know, you know something that you didn't tell me a while ago!" Yuuri looked at Shinou sternly.

"Yuuri, Andrei is not the person that you think he is. Andrei is not, peace-loving, kind-hearted, or anything like you Yuuri. Andrei is your total opposite. His fairness was all for show to win that silly contest, to be maou, to get what he wants. Behind those agricultural projects that Andrei has is a dark and vicious plan. Yuuri, Andrei is planning to take over the world. To slay all of the human race and let mazokus dominate and rule over this world. His dream is to make us mazokus, the superior race of all living creatures that ever walked on this fertile soil. And his first step to this so-called world domination is to infiltrate the defense of every human country through barter trade of our agricultural products, that's why he paid much attention on the agricultural aspect here in Shin Makoku. And when he has them eating in the palm of his hands, he will threaten them into giving him control over their country. Or else he will put that country under an economic sanction. Right now, Shin Makoku is the biggest source of herbal medicinal plants of many human countries. Yuuri, this is a very serious matter, this could chaos and destruction…And another devastating war." Shinou glared at Yuuri, trying to predict what his reaction would be.

Yuuri remained silent. The young confused lad looked down to the floor. "Shinou, you're joking, right?"

Shinou shook his head in reply. "Wolfram, by chance, found out about this, so Andrei had to do something. While training, he scared Wolfram's horse that caused him to fall from it. No one was there when that happened, so no one found out about it."

Shinou waited for Yuuri's reaction, but the young ex-maou didn't do anything, as if he didn't hear anything.

Yuuri then looked straight into Shinou's eyes. "Why? WWWWWHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYY!!!!!!"

Suddenly, large amount of maryoku started to flow out of Yuuri. "Why are they doing this? When I became Maou, I promised everyone that war will never befall Shin Makoku ever again, so why are they doing this????!!!! It's not fair! I did everything to bring peace but their the ones whose throwing it away! Why????!!!!"

"YUURI CALM DOWN!"

"WHY, Shinou? Why are they doing this!?"

It was actually happening. Yuuri was turning into the Maou again.

And then the ground started to shake. Everyone in the castle braced their selves.

"Yuuri calm down! Your Maou-mode can't do anything to help in our situation! We're dead! If you keep this going you'll just destroy the whole castle! Stop it now! Please…just stop this now…" Shinou beseeched.

Then Yuuri started to gain his composure again. The grounds stopped shaking.

"Yuuri, I know its hard to accept, but we can't help them like this. Perhaps this is our fate. To watch helplessly as Shin Makoku is consumed by Andrei's hatred over humans…" Shinou said as his resentments overwhelmed him.

"Is there really nothing we can do to help?" Yuuri asked to no one in particular, realizing that everything Shinou had said is true.

The Original King didn't have the guts to stare into Yuuri's eyes. The young ex-maou got his sympathy; Shinou knew well how it felt like to be so incapable, watching as his beloved country was being drawn to chaos. No, his own country, creating the chaos itself, and being engulfed by it…

--

After a few minutes the two sat in the hallways staring everyone who passes by.

"What's your plan now?" Shinou asked.

"I honestly don't know." answered Yuuri.

Then suddenly,

"Lady Gisela, Lord Wolfram is missing again! He's not in his room!" shouted one maid.

Shinou and Yuuri looked at each other and nodded.

They then headed to the Shibuya shrine.

--

There they found Wolfram sitting by the fountain, staring at the almost-sinking paper boat.

The young ex-maou then approached the blond cagily. He tried to touch him in the shoulder but his hands just went through.

He then sat beside the blond and tried to caress his cheeks ever-so-gently so that his hands won't go through. Yuuri stared straight unto his fiancé's eyes but all he saw was nothing. Blank. Emptiness.

At that moment, all Yuuri felt was his 'longing' for the blond. Such strong emotions were also the ones that made Wolfram like this.

Then unexpectedly, a tear feel down from Wolfram's left eye. Yuuri did not know what he should feel.

"Wolfram…" Yuuri then tried to wipe away the tear with his translucent hands.

Then he tried to hold the blond's hand and he successfully did!

Shinou was surprised as well. "Well what do you know; a ghost actually touched a living being. I knew that ghosts can touch things of 'The Living' but I never knew that a ghost can touch a living creature. That's a discovery."

Yuuri was unexplainably happy with what happened. It's as if he doesn't want to let go of the blond's hand ever again, he was afraid that if he did, he won't be able to touch it again. He then grabbed Wolfram's hand against his translucent cheeks. Like the way it was before, he's palm was as soft and smooth as ever. For Yuuri, it felt like heaven. For Shinou, it was dreadfully disgusting.

Due to his exasperation, Shinou retorted, "Would you cut it out, Yuuri? It's sending chills down my spine!"

Yuuri laughed at that. Then Shinou laughed as well, and even for a little while, their worries about the kingdom were forgotten.

--

"Come Wolfram, we better take you to your room." Yuuri then grabbed Wolfram by the hand. The blond didn't respond to anything 'yet', at least. But Yuuri was filled with hope.

While they were walking towards 'their' room, the maids saw them, him, I mean.

"Lord Wolfram!" one called.

"There you are. We've been looking for you since this morning. Where have you been?" The other one asked.

"Were you seriously expecting an answer from him? That's ridiculous! You know that Lord Wolfram won't answer! You should have taken good care of him so that you won't lose him!" The third one commented.

Yuuri then gently let go of Wolfram's hand as the maids took him to his room.

For a moment, Yuuri stayed silent.

"What's wrong kid?" Shinou asked.

"Wolfram, I promise, everything will be alright." He said to himself.

"Teenagers, full of hopes and dreams." Shinou sighed. "What are you planning now, 'Yuuri-heika'?"

Yuuri smirked. "By the tone of your voice, it's as if you know something. A solution, perhaps?"

Shinou smirked back at him. "You are very smart, Yuuri."

"So you do know a way!" Yuuri concluded.

"Yes, but it can cost us a steep price." Shinou warned.

"I don't care. I will save Shin Makoku, save Wolfram, no matter what the cost!" Yuuri was determined.

Shinou smiled at him. "Now that's what I've been waiting for you to say."

And that's that! It's all done! Yey me!

Well to all of you who actually bothered to read my fic thanks and sorry if this chap is a bit confusing. Just tell me if you can't understand, I'll explain it to you!

Please review!

Thanks! Happy New Year!