The legendary stone
Disclaimer: I do not own Shadow of Destiny or any of its characters
I wasn't someone prone to daydreaming but this place really was messing my head up. How could it be that in a blink of an eye my surroundings changed to utterly menacing lava river to the current amazing sight before me? This was the most awesome garden I've ever saw. The instant I put my feet here after crossing the golden heavy two-way door from before I was stunned. Everything was so wholly perfect. To the incessant chirping of birds to the blooming hibiscus scattered on the endless green carpet before me and even the one way road that seemed to be made of pure gold which stretched to some kind of iron gate. Now this is quite a sight! Such a beautiful place is making me think… This meadow… if weren't for my current situation this could certainly be a very romantic place. Then, Homunculus could walk beside me and hold my hand and then perhaps I would lose my balance on an unsuspected rock on this road. He would catch me before I slipped to the ground and our eyes would meet and… his lips would be so close. He could eat the distance to me and we would…
"Are you awake?", a voice snapped me out of my reverie.
"Hmm…I-I… of course. What were you talking about?", I asked trying to disguise my pitiful episode of daydreaming.
"Actually", he replied," it seemed that you were dreaming or under some kind of spell. You had this dumbfounded expression on your face and you were smiling in a strange way. What was in your mind, I wonder", he looked at me and smiled mischievously.
"Nothing very important", I began. "I was just caught by surprise with this place. It's so beautiful", I gazed at the enormous cherry tree beside me.
Homunculus turned to me abruptly and blocked my passage.
"Are you losing your focus now? This can be a deceitful place and the journey has reached an end, it seems", he pointed his hand to the rusty iron gate ahead.
I stared at the gate and I wondered if this journey had come to its climax. If so the hard part of the job was about to begin. My legs moved of their own accord and I had reached the mysterious gate in a stride. In a second he was beside me seemingly waiting for my next move.
I inspected the rusty bars of this barrier and my eyes sought for some kind of lock. I found none. I reached tentatively for the rusted metal and applied a small amount of pressure. The gate opened without a sound. Everything was deadly silent. I swallowed my fear and stepped forward. Nothing came off my trespassing. It was safe enough, I thought.
"No more monsters this time, I guess", I looked to Homunculus who seemed to be hesitant to go through.
"What is it? Are you having second thoughts about this whole ordeal?", I inquired.
"No, but the honor of going first is yours. I couldn't forget that, don't you think?", he motioned to me to go ahead.
Yeah, right. You're probably just trying to avoid whatever nasty thing comes next. As if I wouldn't know. I came to a small corridor filled with torches. It had a curve steps ahead and then we arrived at a sumptuous chamber. This room was filled with many objects apparently made of massive gold. The treasure cloistered here reminded me of Alladin's story. A chamber full of gold to awaken the greed of men and make them fall. A fitting description, nonetheless.
"Well, it looks like our search is over. You have done a good job, Clarice", he said and glanced at something far ahead.
I stared at him and gazed where he was looking at. I immediately was shocked. The stone; the legendary stone we came looking for was only meters of distance from myself. I chanced a look at his direction and I couldn't decode what he was thinking at that moment. Was he happy that at last he wouldn't be so fragile? How I longed to know just a tiny fraction of his thoughts at those moments.
"I think you should do the honor", he looked at me expectantly. I nodded speechless and walked toward the golden pedestal which was placed the stone. Of course, it never occurred to me that the mythical Carmot could be so beautiful. Its beauty was beyond words; the loveliest shade of red and so intricately carved. The stone was so perfect I could see my reflection perfectly on its every face. This was the moment I've been waiting for. All those fightings I went through…this maddening place and its tricks. The last hours were agonizing slow. This stiffness on my body, I'm completely in the border of exhaustion. What was that all for? Why come all the way to such a dangerous place? What kept myself going forward? Was I destined to find this stone? For what purpose, then? Why did I do all that? Well, the answer for all of your questions is waiting somewhat distant behind you at this precise moment.
I stole a glance behind me and I saw Homunculus looking at me sort of anxiously. In those mere moments occurred to me why I did what I did. I couldn't bear the idea of someone as fragile as him. Eternally bounded to grant wishes, vulnerable, trapped in the philosopher's stone forever waiting to someone capable of breaking the seal; grant a wish and then return to a prison. I think his immortality came with a high price. No physical strength to avoid a ruthless master…an immortality devoid of freedom. Slave to human's wishes. What about his wishes? I couldn't bear it… No one deserved to be like that.
I reached for red stone and I recalled my grandfather's words about this predicament. 'The stone can only be used to help another. If you ever try to use it for your own benefit or pretend using it for other's sake you shall be destroyed. The carmot was made for pure hearts, please remember that. How could I forget? I wasn't going to use it for me. Such thing never crossed my mind. But still, I wondered if what I was going to do wouldn't have consequences. No turning back, now. I came all this way and I won't give up. I won't hesitate, I have a goal. Someone is counting on me. I looked at him once more and my doubts disappeared. The moment I took hold of the stone I felt a great surge of energy passing through me. Only then I realized that the stone had a small amount of liquid inside it. What am I supposed to do now?
I turned to him expectantly. "What happens now?"
He ate the distance between us and stared at me.
"I do think you know the answer of that, Clarice."
"It's not like I have done this before. I'm puzzled." I looked at the stone contents and a unexplainable bout of understanding came over me. This stone was the main ingredient of the philosopher's stone according to the legend. However, I didn't think making the philosopher's stone would make him stronger. I was at a loss on what to do. The philosopher's stone is linked to Homunculus somehow. What could possibly the carmot do?
"What is going to happen to you if I give the stone to you?", I asked anxiously.
He tilted his head to one side. "What do you think is going to happen?", he chuckled. "You wanted me to be strong, don't you?"
"Yes. But this is unheard of. What if something goes wrong?", I continued.
He turned his back to me and said.
"Are you having second thoughts about this, Clarice?", he gazed into my eyes. For a moment his look seemed sharp and even menacing but it must had been only my imagination.
"No, I won't go back on what I said before. I really want you to get stronger but I wonder if this doesn't have any side effects. What if it destroys you? I couldn't…", I trailed off.
"The hard part is over, isn't? You humans are so complicated sometimes… What is going to happen it is exactly what you are waiting for. I won't be weak, helpless anymore", he explained. " In fact, perhaps I'll be much more stronger than you, invulnerable even. Who knows? The important thing is that this whole ordeal won't affect our previous deal. You still have a wish to make and I'm tied to you until then. I'm not going anywhere if it is that what is worrying you", he gave a wry smile.
The nerve of this guy. Why do I even care anyways? I looked at the stone in my hands and I decided to hand it to him.
"Here. Take it", I offered the red stone to him. He stared at my hands for a second and slowly took the stone off me.
Homunculus seemed to analyze the beautiful stone for a moment and gazed curiously at the liquid trapped inside. Using the point of his finger he crafted an opening out of the stone. I was too stunned to speak anything. My mind was reeling with all the possible outcomes of this. If only I knew how much I was changing my destiny at that very second.
"How long I waited for this moment. I suppose I must thank you for this, Clarice."
I was shocked that someone like him was really thanking me. He was looking at me intently and I couldn't help but stare. He was so impossibly handsome, so perfect. I felt dizzy and slipped to the ground. I was sure the surge of power which came from the stone was the responsible for my sudden weakened state. Homunculus looked at me puzzled. He seemed to be having an internal battle trying to decipher my feelings at that moment; he looked to me and then to red stone.
"You know, all this time I've wondered trying to find a plausible explanation for your act of generosity, Clarice. The answer has been eluding me since then. So, if you'd like share some of your thoughts with me this is the perfect time", he stared curiously.
I averted my gaze. It seemed that even I didn't have an answer to this question. I helped him out of kindness, yes. But I did have other underlying reasons, too. However, this was something I wasn't prepared to divulge to him, yet. I didn't quite understand myself, either. I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame; I couldn't deny it to myself anymore. The prospective of losing his company at this moment was something unbearable. I hadn't the force to stay away from him any longer. Every second I passed in his company was like torture because of my attraction. How I longed to touch his dark brown hair, to feel his silk tresses between my fingers… how I wanted to see if his lips were so warm as I thought they would be…
I snapped out of it and averted my gaze unable to say anything. I tried to look everywhere and suddenly my feet seemed very interesting. Then he did the unthinkable. He crouched to be level eyed to me and lifted my chin. I gazed embarrassed at his gorgeous eyes.
"Looks like this is something I'll have to figure out myself", he pushed a loose strand of hair out of my face. My heart was beating so fast it seemed like a thunder in my ears.
"Anyways", he turned to his upright position from earlier. " Why are you sitting in the ground?", he asked me.
"I'm very tired. I can't stand right now. If I didn't know better I would say the stone depleted me of my energy", I answered.
"That seems to be the case. No need to worry", he eyed me mischievously.
He gazed once more at the stone at his hands and to my utter surprise he drank its contents. Everything happened so fast I hadn't time to think straight. The same second after he drank the stone liquid a huge white light seemed to engulf his body. I closed my eyes due to the fierceness of the light. It appeared to get brighter and brighter. When I opened my eyes Homunculus was there staring amazed at his own hands. He didn't seemed different to me, although. I wondered what could have happened.
"How do you feel?", I asked.
He closed and opened his hand. He glanced at me then with curiosity in his eyes.
"I guess I've never felt better", he replied.
He appeared to be surveying our surroundings very carefully.
"Did you get stronger?", I tried to sound normal but I'm positive he could read the despair in my voice.
"We got exactly what we came here for. I feel so … this is like a dream come true", he smirked to himself.
Homunculus seemed to be in a world apart. He was so stunned to feel his new powers, I thought that seemed to be in a drunken state. Power drunkenness.
"I guess you could see it for yourself", he came in lowly strides in my direction. What is he going to do? Test his newfound powers on me?
I had many chances to be afraid while I had been in this place but I know that now was the moment to be truly afraid. But I couldn't. I couldn't be frightened of him and I didn't know why. His self assurance only made me feel safe, secure.
He touched the huge golden statue placed beside me and pushed it. It happened so suddenly I couldn't even blink. All I noticed after was the statue lying on the ground shattered in a million pieces. I was shocked to say the least. Homunculus wasn't fragile as before; he was as strong as rock. He could even crush me like he did to the statue. I didn't think any human could match his strength anymore. I just prayed he wouldn't be intoxicated with his own power.
"I think this answers your question. What do you think? Is that what you had in mind when you wanted myself to be stronger or are you disappointed with your deed?", he grinned.
"No, I'm happy", I tried to stand up but to no avail. "I really wanted you to become stronger. Well, I didn't think it would be like this, either. You don't need to be anyone's pet now and…", I averted my gaze again.
"You could be my knight in shining armor now .I feel more safe than never with you.
"…Actually, I feel safer", I said in a very low voice.
"So, do you want me to protect you?", he smirked.
Oh, no he wasn't supposed to hear that. What am I going to say to fix that?
"What I mean is that I'm glad you aren't helpless anymore…", I continued.
He entered my line of vision and bent down to me.
"I could do that. You just have to wish it", he said in a husky voice.
"No, thanks. I won't spend my wish, yet", I tried to stand and this time I found some force to be on my feet. I stepped back far from him.
He diminished the distance between us once more. I retreated further and then I had my back against the wall. I tried to see a place to run to but… Quickly he ate the distance that kept us apart and trapped myself between him and the wall. I was panicking that moment. I didn't know if I would be able to control myself. We were playing a very dangerous game here but I was longing to feel the fire. I didn't think he couldn't see the undisguised lust reflected into my eyes. Because at the same moment I swear I saw something akin to desire cross his eyes for a brief moment.
"You never cease to amaze me, Clarice", he chuckled and approached me even more. I could the faint touch of his lip on the shell of my ear. This sent chilling ripples through my spine. He grazed his lips on my neck and I couldn't help but moan. He stared into my eyes amused. My legs were giving up on me. He gripped my waist and I looked aside. I didn't wish him to see what was clearly written on my eyes. He lifted my chin and made me look into his eyes. Since he was stronger there was nothing I could do. This is the moment I've been waiting. He's finally going to kiss me. Then why I'm so afraid? It doesn't matter I really want this. If he don't do it soon I think I going to burn.
His lips seemed to approach mine. Only inches kept our mouths apart. I couldn't resist the flame burning inside me that moment. I was almost painful.
Something crashed far from me. A huge rock seemingly fell off the ceiling. It seemed the ceiling was getting restless.
"It seems our time here has expired", he said appointing to a falling rock.
There were cracks on the cave's ceiling and one moment I saw a large portion of the roof coming down above me. I didn't even had time to grasp the situation. When I realized what was happening the rock had fell but I was seeing this from far away. Homunculus had his arms around me. One minute we were there underneath a huge falling pile of rocks and now… How did we get here so fast? It dawned on me that moment. Not only he was much stronger than before he was faster, too. So fast that my eyes couldn't accompany his movements. I was speechless.
"It looks we have to go. We can't admire this scenery anymore, it seems", he spoke.
"Then we better hurry to the exit", I tried to disentangle myself from his arms but to no avail.
"You know, I can run", I said in mocked despair. I got free only to fall to the ground once more. No need to say my dignity was forgotten that moment.
"You can't even walk alone and do you want to run by yourself?", he grinned. "We don't have time to play here, my dear."
He picked me in his arms bridal style and started walking calmly to the corridor.
"Wait! You don't need to carry me. I can walk…", I said blushing desperately. I was dizzy and feeling disoriented. I didn't want to throw up on him. What do I do now?
He chuckled again and stared intently into my eyes.
"You have done enough for now. I kind of owe you. Don't worry I'll get you out of here. Wasn't you that wanted me to be your knight? I'll for now", he grinned.
"I-I …", I didn't have words.
"I think I've gained the gift to make you speechless, too", he chuckled and resumed our walking only this time he was running so fast all I could see was a blur. I didn't think it mattered because being in his arms like that made me feel so happy and my body went in a relaxed state. I couldn't fight sleep anymore but at the moment all I could think of was the gorgeous knight who was carrying myself.