Papercut
A/N: Well, I am absolutely grateful for the reviewers. You all seemed so pleased with chapter 7, which is wonderful because I had the most difficult time writing it. You all make me blush with joy, aw. A big hug to you all!
Response to reviewers:
Lina: Well, thank you very much for another review, Lina! I'm very honored that you're willing to get in trouble just to read my story! I'm really sympathizing with your broken foot. I've broken my elbow and it's such a hassle when it itches and it's trapped within a cast. I hope you heal quickly! Thank you for your compliments regarding how I progressed with Yuri's character even as he's entering an official relationship with Wolfram. The manga has not been officially published in English from what I understand (at least not in the US) but I'm aware that scanlations are floating around. I personally am waiting for the publications of the manga in English! Anyway, I'm glad you're having fun with the characters, including Khalid! A lot of people appear to somewhat like him so that's great! I love Gwendel too so I had to make him an important character in the story. More Gwendel and Conrad brotherly moments with Wolfram to come! I hope all goes well with your injury! Here's an update to bring you some joy hopefully!
whitedreamer: I, as you can see, have not ended the fic there. People really seem to want more and I'm more than happy to respond to all the reviewers out there! Thanks very much for the time you took to review!
Spoilers: none
Warnings: Graphic details, violence, sprinkled with torture
I know Greta doesn't technically address Wolfram as 'papa' but I think it emphasizes their family unit.
Note! When the Maou!Yuri is present or his pure demon powers manifest, I will refer to Yuri as "The Demon King", since I prefer to just use the English version. If I write "the demon king", it is not Maou!Yuri. All three words will be capitalized because capitalization makes words look more powerful…
Get a drink because this chapter is long…
101010
A startled shriek ripped deep from within Wolfram's throat as a firm pair of arms engulfed his upper body, thusly absorbing the impact of the dagger's blow. Khalid growled as the dagger penetrated intensely into his forearm, his eyes narrowing perilously at the attacker. With his unwounded arm, Khalid brutally clenched the small wrist of the masked figure and crudely chucked the body with ease over his head.
"Khalid!" Wolfram gasped, both from shock and distress. "W-Wh…"
"Wolfram!" Gwendel thundered as he entered the scene in the time the masked form twisted its body to propel off a tree, evading a head on collision. The eldest brother's mind quickly soaked in the situation before rushing over to Wolfram as Khalid took the initiative to face their opponent.
Wolfram moaned as his torn side brushed against the edge of the ground once Gwendel gently hoisted him out of the waters. "Brother," he whispered, vision transforming into something rather fantasy-like. "S…Something…"
"Don't move," Gwendel instructed as the others were quick to join the predicament. Regardless of however sleepy Murata and Yuri appeared at first glance, their eyes widened, faces entirely conscious, at the sight before them. Gwendel motioned for Yosak to settle beside Wolfram as he furiously drew out his blade and stood beside Khalid.
Yuri desperately attempted to reach Wolfram but was held back by Conrad's arm and thrust behind his godfather. "Wolfram," he frighteningly murmured, his eyes observing Yosak and Murata kneeling beside his fiancé.
"Something's…n-not…" Wolfram croaked again, hand ferociously clawing at his wound. "I-it…"
Murata narrowed his eyes as he surveyed Wolfram. Cautiously, he managed to pry the blonde's hand away from the wound so as to inspect it further. He released a groan as he witnessed a violet solution trickling from the massive crimson gash.
Murata hissed, "He's been poisoned."
Yosak quickly shifted his eyes to Gwendel and shouted, "We don't have much time! It's poisoned!"
Khalid released an animalistic snarl as he jerked the dagger out of his arm and roughly tossed it aside. "How dare you!" he growled while he leapt at the figure and sliced with his blade.
The figure released a muffled cry as it sprung over Khalid, barely avoiding the attack. In response, Gwendel was swift to charge at the descending form only to discover the figure shit so rapidly that it mimicked a vanishing act. It reappeared behind Gwendel and raised a hand, catapulting a wave of esoteric magic to crush Gwendel's psyche.
Gwendel's distress manifested itself in a quick intake of air, his arms crossing over one another to provide a form of protection. As he braced his body and grunted against the powerful attack, Khalid cried, "Get down!"
Despite the agony that darted cruelly throughout his nerves, the older man obeyed, permitting Khalid to extend his arm and hurl a flame scorching through the air at the form, who was quick to yet again evade the assault with a leap.
"Careful!" Yuri cried, eyes darting between the small battle and an extremely pale Wolfram. "Conrad, let me get to Wolfram. I need to help heal the wound! Please!"
Hesitantly, Conrad grasped Yuri with his free hand, his other hand possessing his sword. Before he managed to lead Yuri two steps closer to Wolfram, an appalling shadow swirled at their feet. Conrad shoved Yuri behind him and took a combat stance as two murky forms coiled, limb by limb, out of the shadow, their body movements elegant and portraying that of a lazy dance.
The masked figure resurfaced behind Khalid. "Let him suffer," it cooed childishly as it raised its arms high above the mask. "Take that one and kill the other!"
A torn cry emerged from Yuri as one of the shadowy creatures ogled him with two blank ruby eyes before moaning and crushing Conrad's body against the hard surface with an abnormally extended arm that employed itself like a rubber band.
"Conrad!" Yuri screamed as his godfather painfully groaned, his body having made a nauseating crunch. The demon king attempted to provide the shadowy form with a threatening glare but could only gasp in horror as it bent beneath Yuri's waist and hoisted him over a dark shoulder. "H-hey! Let me go!"
Concurrently, the other shadowy form released a horrific piercing shriek just before twisting its body to face Wolfram. It stumbled sickeningly and rushed at Wolfram, its two arms extending and morphing into two jagged blades at the end.
Murata's eyes widened and he attempted to call upon whatever magic he maintained to offer them protection, only to have his wrists and legs forcefully yanked by the weeds as they twisted around his body, immobilizing him. He darted his eyes to the side to discover Yosak in a similar situation while Wolfram remained exposed, portraying a perfect target.
"Damn it!" Gwendel grunted, still dazed.
"I'll get His Highness!" Khalid assured and sped off after the shadow just as Conrad shakily returned to his feet, cursing himself before joining Khalid.
With an exertion of extreme effort, Gwendel thrust his body off the ground with enough force to sprint after the second shadow. With a cry, he successfully, but barely, angled his sword to shove one of the arms into the air. However, this still permitted the other blade to strike and Gwendel's brain registered one solution that would prevent it from impaling his youngest brother.
"Captain!" Yosak hollered as he witnessed the shadow's arm extending out of Gwendel's back, generating a hole and a slick sound. "N-no…"
Gwendel hacked, blood splattering out of his mouth and his hand violently trembling before releasing the sword. The shadow's head twisted, as if inspecting the body that currently occupied itself on its arm. It moaned pathetically and glanced back at the masked form.
"No!" the smaller opponent shouted with a stomp of his foot. "Stupid vassal! I wanted the one with the blonde head dead!"
Wolfram shakily made to crawl over to Gwendel, but as his vision darkened and the pain intensified, he collapsed to the ground, paralyzed. "B…brother…"
Murata jerked his head away to avoid visually experiencing Gwendel's body being shoved off the make-shift blade. The man cried out weakly as his body harshly met the cold surface of the ground. The shadow, however, wasted no time as it crookedly strolled over Gwendel's body and leisurely lifted Wolfram by the collar of his shirt, the blades now gone.
Yosak, Gwendel, and Murata could only observe as the shadow tossed Wolfram's body into the air like a ragged doll before slamming its stringy arm so vigorously against him that once Wolfram smashed against a tree, it snapped.
Wolfram screamed helplessly as his bones shattered and nerves tore apart upon the impact. He thought he felt himself internally bleeding. He slumped forward miserably, his ragged intakes for breath generating a wretched sound. His eyes slid up to behold the shadow slithering toward him. He vaguely suspected that the poison somehow prevented him from losing consciousness and he was only capable of emitting a moan of protest as he was sadistically hoisted up by his now bloody hair.
"Don't kill him fast. Make it slow and fun," he masked stranger ordered as it leisurely loomed over Gwendel. "You. I can't have you die. You're still useful."
Gwendel heaved heavily and shut his eyes tightly as Wolfram cried out when his body collided with another thick tree. "Y-you sick bastard," Gwendel hoarsely cursed and he made to thrust his body up regardless of his screaming and objecting nerves.
The masked form lightly pressed a finger to Gwendel's head, paralyzing the older man. "Stay," it soothingly instructed to the three of them just as it sauntered over to the shadow and Wolfram.
The blonde weakly peered up at the masked form, his tears and blood coating his bruising face. Once his screams alone failed to illustrate his agony, the salty solution had began seeping out of his eyes. Said eyes would have widened in terror and fury if he were capable as the shadow morphed one arm into a tremendously razor sharp tool.
"Let's test how many ways you can scream," he masked enemy suggested and adjusted his body to face the shadow.
The shadow twisted its neck to patiently await the orders of its master. It came with a cruel chuckle.
"Skin him."
101010
Yuri grunted as his kidnapper unceremoniously landed upon a branch, faintly jerking Yuri's body in the process. "Stop this! Let go of me now!" he demanded in a panicked shout. However violently and often he struggled, his blows failed to affect the shadowy creature.
"Your Highness!" Conrad hollered, his body struggling to maintain its current speed due to the dull ache that continued to spread throughout his muscles. If his body decreased its speed, he would undoubtedly lose sight of his king.
Khalid briefly glanced at Conrad, noting the man's stress. He snatched the man's wrist harshly and brought their chase to an unsteady halt. "You're no good to His Highness this way," he began thickly, eyes abnormally bright.
"We have no time for such-"
"Stay here," demanded Khalid, his grip tightening. "I'm going ahead of it and it will attempt to backtrack. Get it then with a blow to the face."
Conrad's eyebrows furrowed. "How do you-"
"Trust me." Before Conrad's protest, Khalid sprung into a tree with eerily rapid speed in the direction of Yuri.
With a heavy sigh of exhaustion Conrad concocted no other alternative and thus, remained in his current location, alert and waiting. Khalid's smooth words had pierced his heart and despite his suspicion, his mind harbored no doubt that Khalid would successfully force the shadow to return.
As he prepared himself for the creature, a shrill screech shattered Conrad's silence. His eyes widened upon quickly acknowledging that the sound indisputably tore loose from Wolfram's lips. Brotherly instincts shrieked at Conrad to revisit the area where he had departed, to rescue his brother.
When his mind instructed his heels to shift, the Great Sage's words shattered his possible return. Even if someone screams for help, Shibuya is your only concern.
Conrad tightly shut his eyes and shook his head away from the direction of the screams, his hand so tight around the hilt of his blade that it produced a nasty indentation in his skin. "Forgive me, Wolfram," he quietly said and opened his eyes once more, determined to rescue Yuri first.
After all, Wolfram was a warrior and had been prepared for physical ache while Yuri was their king and his godson. Despite his rationality, Conrad remained torn.
A disturbance in the leaves startled Conrad yet he physically did not react as such. He positioned himself and as he suspected, the shadow groaned as it twisted and spun around the various trees and shrubs. Rapidly, Conrad ran up the bark of a tree enough to clasp a branch before jerking himself atop of it. He lingered for the most accurate moment, just when the creature was a few yards away.
Conrad's impulses overtook as he leapt off the branch, his body propelling the sword to provide it with enough strength. The blade shattered through a large eye, resulting in a vicious roar to erupt out of the creature. After a jerk and a twist, Conrad witnessed Khalid leaping down, plunging his body into the shadow so it released Yuri.
"Conrad!" Yuri happily yelled as his godfather snatched him off of the beast and held him closely. "Thank goodness you're okay!"
"Watch out," Khalid admonished while his hand shoved forcefully into the shadow's body, who gave the impression of submission. A bright glow gradually intensified within the form until the power Khalid called upon produced a massive explosion. Dark slabs of the creature splattered among the many trees and on Conrad, who shielded Yuri with his body.
Hesitantly, the three of them surveyed the area, confirming the defeat of the shadow. Conrad inspected Yuri to assure himself that no harm came to their king. "You alright?" he asked.
"I think so," Yuri panted, hands slightly trembling.
Khalid's cursing tempted Conrad to peek at the man. Before he even managed to question Khalid, however, his eyes noticed the tremulous shadows. The ones residing on Conrad's body slid off onto the ground then proceeded to enlarge.
Yuri moaned in fright as each small shadow increased in size and permitted a shadowy monster to creep out from the deep chambers of where they originated. Some growled while others chuckled upon lazily standing. "Oh no…what are we going to do?"
"Leave this to me," Khalid instructed in a hiss. "You two return to Wolfram. He needs assistance."
Yuri glanced at him. "You're insane to take on all these guys alone!" he insisted as he formed fists with his hands.
"Wolfram will die if you don't get to him," Khalid declared in a mighty voice coated with enough disdain to crumble any other thoughts in Yuri's mind. "And for your records, I never claimed I was not insane."
101010
A ragged sob of frustration escaped Wolfram as the blade barely grazed his forearm. As much as his body wavered from the agony it endured, the reality of his inability to offer a fight to the end, weighed down his mind profoundly more than the pain.
"Oh, come on, now," the muffled voice stated as it analyzed the tiny incision on Wolfram's arm. "It's just a papercut at best. It may hurt a lot but you'll live. Now, regarding a thousand of those papercuts; well you may not last long. I bet that poison is nearly into your heart by now too."
Wolfram groaned and feebly shook his head. The shadow took a crueler grip on his arm before sliding its other arm against Wolfram. The cool edge of the shadow's arm produced a ragged and repulsing sound as it leisurely peeled off the skin, exposing muscle and generating a atrociously disturbing scraping noise.
A torn and furious screech of a sound permeated the helpless ears of the others, who tensed with every yell.
Blood gushed out of the opening.
Gwendel snarled as he commanded his body to wiggle even the slightest but to no avail. He shouted in attempt to shift the attention off of Wolfram, which failed just as miserably with each attempt. Even as he attempted to call forth the particles of the earth beneath him, he already understood that whatever the masked person did to him, it also affected his magic.
"Damn it!" he croaked, eyes shutting as Wolfram's screams became more frequent. Those screams fashioned more pain than the giant hole within Gwendel's body.
With a grunt, Murata violently wriggled and jerked at his restraints, hoping to at least regain use of his abilities. "If I could just…"
Wolfram shrieked once more, a scream that was quickly converted into a croaked cry. His voice endured too much strain and began only offering empty shouts when Wolfram parted his lips. In retaliation, Wolfram managed to twirl his tongue to gather as much blood in the back of his throat as possible. Crudely, he puckered his lips and sent a massive amount of blood catapulting onto the mask.
His tormentor cried out in disgust and screamed, "How dare you! Kill him! Kill him! He's angered me far too much and now he dies!"
The shadow moaned in assent and released the bloody pulp that was Wolfram's arm. It morphed its arm once more into a deadly drill-looking utensil while it harshly slammed its leg against Wolfram's poisoned side, flinging the limp body once more against the unforgiving ground.
Gwendel's eyes slanted before shutting tightly, his mind raging for his muscles to move. A delicate touch alerted his attention. His eyes snapped wide open as a cold pair of tiny lips hovered over his own.
What the…?
Get up.
Something shattered deep within his conscious.
The small masked enemy wiped off the blood from his ceramic disguise, chucking it aside with a repulsed gesture. Just as his head tilted upward, expecting the shadows arm plunging into the depths of Wolfram's body, a furious cry ripped out of his body. "No!"
With a beastly bellow and in an impossible endeavor, Gwendel slithered his arms around the center of the shadow, brutally slamming into it, hurling both of their bodies upon the ground. The shadow groaned and inadvertently sliced Gwendel's arm. The man grit his teeth, eyes narrowing as he struggled painfully against the strength of his opponent.
"Hear me all particles who dwell in earth…" he panted with a raise of one arm. Successfully, the earth around Wolfram trembled and seven powerful spikes tore out of the surface, make-shifting a solid shelter around the boy's body.
With a twist of his arm, Gwendel summoned the earth one more to swirl and begin weaving around the body of the shadow. Consequently, Gwendel rolled off with a groan as the shadow shrieked once it was encased within a mighty cocoon, providing no means of escape.
"No!" cried the masked form. "You!"
"Shut your mouth," Gwendel wheezed, one hand cradling the gap within his body while the other unsteadily rose. His eyes, typically dark in shade, transformed into two brightly lit jewels. The right eye morphed until it became red and slit. "You…can't get away now…"
With a childish cry, the masked form analyzed its situation. Just as it concluded its escape with a leap into a tree, a large boulder originating from the land crushed into its back with a deafening sound. The little body tumbled along the floor, avoiding any permanent damage that his body would have received from the dreadful landing.
"No, this wasn't supposed to happen," it moaned, shakily rising to its feet. "I was supposed to get what I want! You were supposed to-!"
"What, die? It's not likely to happen," Yosak chirped, standing with his blade in hand. Beside him, stood a rather satisfied Murata, hands on hip and eyes powerfully ablaze.
Gwendel and the masked form shifted their attention to a large group of soldiers surrounding the entire district. In an elegant and overly dramatic motion, Gunter tore through the soldiers atop his steed, blade up.
"Gwendel!" he shouted as he leapt off the animal and rushed over to the injured man.
Upon seeing his comrade rushing to his side, Gwendel's eyes briefly softened and darkened once more before rolling into the back of his head, his knees bending while his body descended in utter exhaustion. Gunter grunted as he caught the man and gently lowered him upon the ground. He glided his lightly colored eyes to his right, faintly noting a patch of crimson soaked blonde hair hidden beneath the spikes.
"What happened here?" he whispered before shifting his now furious glare upon the masked form, who was roughly thrown into a reclining rock by the force of Gunter's magic. "Seize him!"
The soldiers obeyed and as they forcefully snatched and bound the small form, Yuri, Conrad, and Khalid tiredly sprinted in. "Gwendel! Wolfram!" Yuri screamed, rushing to the blonde instantly, but unable to touch him due to the protection Gwendel had generated. "Oh no, Wolfram! Get these things out of the way!"
His rage manifested through his magic, partially originating from his alter ego, The Demon King. Water exploded out of his hand temporarily to shatter the dirt barrier then utilizing into a protective blanket over Wolfram to shield him of the scattering remains of the spikes.
Yuri panted and a cry caught itself in the back of his throat. Wolfram's eyes remained opened but currently harbored a departed and murky cloud. In response, Yuri collapsed to his knees beside him, his hand nervously stroking aside the dampened curls, his healing magic sprouting forth.
Conrad was quick to situated himself on Wolfram's other side, his own hands carefully shifting Wolfram into his arms, offering Yuri better access to the wounds that desired more attention. His neck craned as he recognized Gwendel's own body hoisted off by soldiers.
"Gunter," Conrad mumbled, capturing the retired warrior's attention. "You…how…?"
"Now is not the time for things," muttered Murata, lightly inspecting Wolfram's eyes. "I can't tell if the poison has made it into his heart yet…"
Khalid's eyes narrowed as Gunter observed him with shock. He brushed by the man swiftly and approached their captive who sat between five soldiers, its mask still securely upon its head. "You have the antidote," he declared.
A soldier hesitantly nodded at Khalid. "He won't present us with anything. This suit he wears is…strange. We cannot find any pockets or any method to removing it or even his mask," the soldier clarified.
"Give it to me," Khalid commanded in a ferocious growl, hand extended.
Almost instantaneously, the form reluctantly furtively removed a vial. "Here," came the defeated mumble.
After snatching the bottle, Khalid tossed it to Gunter. "Get your best healers on him immediately," he insisted.
Gunter quickly agreed by ordering Yosak to cautiously transmit Wolfram into a tent that was nearly completed. The spy obeyed and accepted the tender package to be transferred form Conrad to his own arms.
Yuri, only after Murata's arms pried him off, allowed Wolfram to be taken away, a bloody trail marking his journey. "What did they do to him?" he whispered horrifically, his head aching horrendously. "His arm…it…"
"Come on, Shibuya," Murata sighed and clasped his companion's arm. "You can help Lord von Bielefeld by getting yourself checked out and staying healthy."
As he, accompanied by Gunter and Conrad, strolled pitifully into the camp, the Great Sage locked his eyes with Khalid's body momentarily.
Khalid glanced at him and recognized that the expression Murata bore was directed at his arm. Understanding that, Khalid glanced at his arm where the dagger had pierced. Although a light crimson gash barely formed, the amount of blood that should have indeed oozed out was abnormal.
The Great Sage briefly met Khalid's face with accusing eyes before departing with the others.
"Wonderful," Khalid uttered cynically as his eyes focused on the moans of the shadow that resided within the cocoon.
101010
Yuri ran his fingers through the dark threads of his hair and took an apprehensive gulp of the tea that was offered to him. "So Yosak wrote you a note concerning Big Cimaron?" he asked, hoping to confirm the details as to why Gunter appeared.
"Well, yes but that is not what brought us here," Gunter admitted, eyes continuously darting back between Yuri and Khalid, who alienated himself by occupying the shadows fashioned by the tree he resided under. "Actually, we were even informed of Khalid's…return. However, what brought us here was none of the above."
Murata sighed and interlaced his fingers. "Someone warned you then?"
Gunter smiled politely at Murata and nodded. "Yes, Your Eminence. A child came in bearing important news according to a soldier. I was suspicious but he appeared to know much about the current situation. He managed to convince me once he threatened His Highness. I was so flustered that I took some soldiers and began giving chase.
I don't think the child was any ordinary child, either. He sort of…morphed into something that allowed him to easily twirl around trees and leap off of them, like he was weightless. He gave us a good chase and once we thought we lost him, we heard screams from what we realized was your campsite."
"Do you know what he looked like?" asked Conrad, beside Yuri.
"I fear not. He had a ragged cloak about his head. His hair was to his knees though from what we noticed. I nearly confused him for a young girl," confessed Gunter, sighing and rubbing his temples. "He claimed that he knew where the campsite was, knew that you were asleep there, and he was going to kill you!"
"You came right in time," chuckled Murata, his light mood irritating Yuri extensively. "You must be exhausted though considering how long that ride must have been."
"I would endure a thousand more just to protect His Highness," Gunter exclaimed, his eyes sparkling at Yuri.
Khalid rubbed his hand over his injured arm, healing it, and inquired, "Enough of that. What of the captive and the other shadow beast?"
"They are currently being sent to Blood Pledge Castle," informed Gunter. "The shadow thing is still in the cocoon, from what Yosak explained, and it will be taken in that current state. We do not wish either of their presences to be a threat to His Highness."
Conrad, using the opportunity, asked Khalid, "I'm curious, Khalid. How did you know how to strike at the shadow?"
The others all fixated their eyes on the man at Conrad's words. Khalid completed his treatment and proceeded to shut his eyes as he reclined his head against the trunk of the tree. "It's not the first moment I encountered these creatures. That is all I can offer for now," he thickly explained.
Yuri's eyes dripped to the ground, his hands tightening around his mug, Khalid's words barely influencing his mind to focus on another subject. "I wonder how Gwendel and Wolfram are doing," he softly said, eyebrows slanting upward to express his depression. "What happened when the three of us were gone?"
Murata released a breath of forced air. "He wanted Lord von Bielefeld dead and Lord von Voltaire managed to use his own body as a shield, which is how he received that hole in his body. Yosak and I were restrained the whole time, unable to use either sword or magic skill.
"If this is what one member of Red Eye is capable of," began Yosak, voice drained of his typical charm, "then we don't stand a chance. The masked guy is the same attacker you faced, right Conrart?"
"Yes."
Yuri moaned and rubbed his face roughly with the palm of one of his hands. His concern for the two wounded siblings prevented his mind from relaxing which in turn, permitted sleep to stay far at bay. Yuri prayed this was nothing more than a cruel dream transforming into a nightmare.
Silently, Conrad shut his eyes once absorbing Yuri's current demeanor. Before he had time to console his godson, an exhausted soldier stumbled out of the large tent where Gwendel and Wolfram resided. At the sight, Yuri bolted up, the mug colliding to the ground with a soft thump.
"Well?" Yuri rapidly asked, approaching the soldier.
The soldier ran a shaky arm over his forehead, collecting droplets of sweat. "Lord von Voltaire is stable and doing remarkably well, thanks to the aid Khalid offered us. We managed to prevent the blood from entering Lord von Bielefeld's heart but he's in critical condition. I hate to be demanding, Your Highness, but the healers we have currently are drained."
"I'll help!" Yuri instantly shouted and quickly, but carefully, entered the ten, with Conrad trailing behind him. His dark eyes noted Gwendel's sleeping form, snug beneath a thick blanket. Closer to Yuri resided a less pale Wolfram, whose eyes darted to Yuri.
"Yuri?" he rasped, vision still partially altered.
The broken voice tugged brutally at Yuri and Conrad's heart. The demon king crept around the various soldiers and comfortable sat beside Wolfram's head. "Hey," he whispered and coyly took one of Wolfram's cold hands. "I…"
Wolfram studied him tiredly and smirked weakly. "I'm not dead, wimp and neither is my brother," he protested. "Don't offer me pity."
"I…When I saw your eyes," Yuri shakily replied, eyes swelling with tears. "I really thought you both were dead. All I could think of was how would I tell Greta."
"You're so pathetic. I'm alive, aren't I?" Wolfram persisted, affirming his statement by dimly squeezing Yuri's hand.
"But you're in critical condition! Look at yourself!" Yuri cried in a low voice, frustrated at how nonchalant Wolfram presented himself. "Don't let your pride hide how much pain you feel!"
Wolfram snorted at the comment and retorted, "It hurts like a fat bitch."
Yuri paused and blinked at the comment. As tears trailed down his face, he broke out into a short-lived hearty laugh, one coated in relief. He sniffed as he gratefully accepted Conrad's handkerchief to wipe away his tears. "At least your mood doesn't match your look," Yuri stated with a tiny smile.
"Mm. The poison kept me awake for whatever reason but at least the potion Khalid created really helped me and Gwendel," Wolfram elucidated and he raised his wrapped arm to emphasize his comment. "The skin is already returning to my arm and my bones will be restored by tomorrow morning."
Conrad frowned. "What kind of potion did he give you?"
"I don't know," Wolfram irritatingly growled, a headache forming wrinkles upon his forehead. "He said it involved a spell. Go ask him if you care. I'm tired and don't know much about Sulterians and their spells."
Yuri's expression slackened at how much Wolfram was capable of speaking. As his concern slowly eased, a yawn escaped Yuri, reminding the king of just how exhausted he truly was. "What a night. Will Wolfram and Gwendel be okay to travel tomorrow?" he questioned a soldier who tended to Gwendel.
The female soldier faintly smiled, her face drained of sleep. "Not to ride horses, Your Majesty. However, we have a couple of carts being delivered as we speak to carry them. They'll be in a stable enough condition to travel that way."
A smile loosely jerked the corners of Yuri's lips. "That's good," he sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Wow, I didn't realize how sleepy I am. We barely slept."
Wolfram craned his neck very slightly and demanded, "Get under the blanket with me. I'm too cold still anyway."
Yuri flushed as his eyes shifted to the soldiers around the tent. "Th-that's okay, Wolf. You need to-"
"Go ahead, Your Highness," Conrad suggested with a coaxing smile, hoping to serve as a catalysts to encourage the relationship between Wolfram and Yuri. "The tent will be warmer for you to rest in anyway."
At Conrad's discretion, Yuri shyly and gradually crawled beneath the three blankets. Conrad provided Yuri with his own pillow and as soon as the double black's head contacted the fluffy comfort, sleep seeped into his eyes. Beside him, Wolfram peacefully released a sigh, despite his aching body.
Yuri clasped Wolfram's hand in an attempt to offer any healing powers he could provide to Wolfram before sleep tempted him out of consciousness. "I'm really glad you guys didn't die, Wolf," he mumbled against Wolfram's hair.
"Mm…me too. I'm feeling sleepy all of a sudden. I guess you know how to use your magic properly at times too, huh?"
"Shut…up," Yuri managed to retort in a whisper before sleep overtook his mind, along with Wolfram's.
Conrad sighed and shook his head at the two. "Thank you," he uttered. "If it weren't for that potion you gave him, Wolfram would be dead, wouldn't he?"
"Most likely," Khalid smoothly responded from his spot right outside the tent, where he had eavesdropped accordingly to the conversation. "Gwendel deserves the most credit, however. From what His Eminence illustrated, he rescued Wolfram twice."
Conrad stepped out of the tent after confirming Gwendel's health and joined Khalid adjacent to the opening. "The spell you used," he drawled out, his mind contemplating on how to appropriately address the issue. "I wasn't aware Sulteri possessed such powerful incantations."
"The scrolls we possess that contain pure spells are not all that powerful alone," Khalid informed Conrad as he flexed his hand and generated a bright flimsy flame. "It's a combination of the stones, accurate pronunciation, and your spirit."
"Spirit?"
"Yes. Those of us who are not gifted with magical abilities must sacrifice a source of energy to execute a spell. Your soul is the most powerful source of all," Khalid stated, crushing his hand and killing the flame. "Those with magic have their souls technically fused with the magic. It does not require a lot of effort normally but with spells, it takes a lot out of you because you are not naturally bound to the magic."
Conrad altered his attention to the others who spoke around the fire. "You were fused with those stones after your….death?" he questioned, mildly rubbing his still partially sore body.
"No."
The way Khalid spoke implied to Conrad that the man was in no mood to discuss such trivial matters at the current time. Within himself, Conrad suspected that Khalid was struggling with Yuri's newly discovered interest in Wolfram, which Khalid most likely was acutely aware of.
"You really care for Wolfram," Conrad uttered gravely and depressingly. "You must understand though that he-"
Before Conrad even could complete his statement, Khalid arose in an elegantly swift motion and strolled toward the lake. "I'll be scouting the area ahead," the bright eyed man bluntly commented, mildly offering Murata a polite acknowledgement before scampering up a tree and vanishing.
Gunter blinked as the man departed and focused on Conrad's form returning inside the tent to care for Yuri. "It really is him, is it?" he asked quietly to Yosak.
Yosak sighed and reclined his chin upon a palm. "Yes but he's not really the same. Things have changed with us, especially now that His Highness arrived. If I was him and still was all over Lord Bielefeld I think I'd…"
"What?" questioned Murata, finishing the remnants of his drink.
"I think I'd rather have died."
101010
"Daddy! Daddy!"
Yuri's eyes enlarged with delight as Greta released Anissina's thin hand and leapt up into Yuri's extended arms. Contently, Yuri sighed against the gentle curls that smelled of a familiar scent. "Oh, Greta," he breathed. "I'm home."
Greta tightly gripped Yuri's neck and snuggled against it. "You're back earlier than I was told!" she cheerfully exclaimed and released him to examine those behind her. "What happened to Papa?"
She ogled an impressively dressed man she never encountered before but she was well known about the young figure he held in his arms. "Why is that man carrying Papa?" she asked in a low whisper, slightly intimated by the man's hard look.
Yuri glanced back to Khalid, who held Wolfram securely in his arms. "Well, Wolfram is just feeling a little sick but he's a lot better. We thought it best that he was carried," he gently explained to Greta who appeared concerned.
"Oh. Did you catch a cold?" she questioned curiously and hesitantly approached the man.
Wolfram's tired expression replaced itself with sincere delight. "Put me down, Khalid. I can stand," he firmly declared and wiggled in the man's arms to encourage the arms in releasing him.
With the delicacy abnormally shown, Khalid lowered Wolfram and allowed the flaxen warrior to shakily stand. Wolfram's legs trembled upon the time Khalid's arm released him and the man was quick to snatch the thin arms, offering his support.
Greta cautiously wrapped her arms around Wolfram's hips and proposed to him a sweet and gentle hug. "You're home now and Daddy and I will take good care of you," she assured and lightly pecked Wolfram's bandaged forearm. "You look like you got hurt by something."
She peered up and examined the bandages around her second father's head and the scrapes and bruises that dominated his typically feminine features. "Does it hurt a lot?"
Wolfram smiled and laced his fingers into her curly hair. "I'll be fine," he pledged. "These things happen."
"Where's Gwendel?" she suddenly questioned as Yuri approached Wolfram and presented his own arm for Wolfram's use. "I haven't seen him."
Conrad glanced to his side and lightly patted her head. "He's being sent to his room for rest. He'll be present at dinner though, alright?"
"Okay," she whispered, partially depressed, her large eyes now focusing on Khalid. "Are you a friend of Conrart's?"
"Ah, Greta," Yuri began leisurely, hesitant to introduce Khalid, "this is Khalid. He's a friend of the Great Demon Kingdom but was away for a long time. Er…Khalid, this is my daughter, Greta."
"Our daughter," Wolfram corrected, lightly squeezing Yuri's arm as punishment.
Khalid vaguely tensed as Greta politely nodded her head. "Hello," Khalid soothingly replied before kneeling respectively, tenderly grasping her hand and placing a polite kiss upon it. "A pleasure to meet the king's daughter."
Greta giggled shyly and glanced into Khalid's golden eyes. "N-nice to meet you too. You're such a gentleman!" she cheerfully exclaimed, a childish blush blanketing her cheeks. "Will you stay long?"
"I've come on official business but will enjoy the time I spend here," Khalid softly replied.
Gunter nodded and added, "Speaking of business, shall we schedule a meeting, Your Highness?"
With a frown, Yuri tilted his head. "I guess so. Later, though. I would like to spend some time with Greta and Wolfram needs rest," he asserted, gazing at Wolfram timidly.
Murata extended his arms, stretching. "Ah, a rest sounds great!" he agreed once settling his hands on his hips. "I'll see you all there, alright? Why don't you have a family reunion?"
"Of course we area," grumbled Wolfram, narrowing his eyes at Murata, who, in response, winked at him. Wolfram's eye twitched but he remained silent.
"Yay! Yay!" cried Greta as she bounced. "Can we go to my favorite spot in the gardens? You can rest there, Papa!"
Wolfram met Yuri's eyes and he smirked. "All right but don't rush ahead of us," he ordered and allowed Yuri to guide him behind Greta.
Conrad smiled and trailed behind them, noting the others sprouting away. Khalid, however, strolled beside Conrad, eyes on Wolfram's hands, which clenched around Yuri's, mimicking the way a bride clasps her father's arm on her walk down the aisle.
"Ah! Khalid!" Gunter called after the man, waving his arm. "I think it may be best if you see Lady Cecile first. She heard of your return and is asking for you."
Khalid paused in his strides and offered Gunter a disinterested glance. "If the Lady insists, I'll go," he uttered and turned back to Wolfram. "Wait for my return, if you please."
Yuri's eyes narrowed at the longing expression Khalid provided to Wolfram and to Wolfram alone. Before anyone had the moment to reply to the tall man, he quickly shifted his body and lightly tread along the cold surface, his boots clicking until they entered the castle.
"Come on! Come on!" Greta moaned, happily grasping Conrad's hand. "Let's go! I want to show you how I make these new flower crowns! Anissina taught me!"
"A-ah, we're coming," Yuri responded, gripping Wolfram.
Once they entered the thickly coated trees and precisely decorated enclosure, Yuri assisted Wolfram in reclining beneath a tree. "How are you feeling?" he asked quietly.
Though Wolfram's countenance expressed no discomfort, the sweat on his brow suggested otherwise. "I'm fine, stop treating me like I'll break," he groaned, bathing himself in the cool shade.
"Hmph. You don't have to be rude about it," Yuri retorted, but his eyes shone with happiness and concern. For Wolfram's benefit, Yuri situated himself beside the boy and gestured for Greta to join them. "So how do we make these new crowns?"
101010
Greta gave a joyous laugh while she waved at an approaching Khalid. "Look, Khalid, I made you a crown too!" she asserted and lifted her flowery project before the man. "Want to try it on? I used Conrart's head as the measurement."
Khalid gazed at the others who bore childishly and feminine crowns atop their heads. He raised an amused eyebrow as Conrad smiled sheepishly. "Well, it appears that you worked hard on it. Would you like to see a trick?"
Curiously delighted, Greta nodded.
"Alright."
After requesting the crown of botany to be held steadily, Khalid brought his hand over it, brushing the petals. Frosty curls crept from the tips of Khalid's slender fingers and they entwined around various grass stands and tender petals, crystallizing them at just the proper angles to fashion a more royal appearance about them.
"Wow," Greta exclaimed in a hushed voice once Khalid completed the task. "It doesn't even feel that cold!"
"Here," offered Khalid and he gently removed the crown from her hands only to gently secure it around her small head. "Now you look like a king's daughter."
Wolfram's lips curled into a grateful smile as Greta rushed at them and presented her new look. "It looks beautiful on you, Greta," he affirmed, eyes temporarily reclining upon Khalid's lonely form. "What did mother want to talk to you about, Khalid?"
With an elegant rise of his shoulders, Khalid shrugged. "It was more of a nostalgia moment we shared. She was just curious to speak to me."
Conrad vaguely frowned.
"What do you think, Daddy?" Greta questioned Yuri, completely oblivious to the other conversation.
"It suits your eyes," added Yuri, although he really lacked any knowledge as to what suited another person's eye color. "You should wear it to dinner tonight! Oh, but will it melt?"
Khalid barely shrugged. "It will not melt until late evening," he assumed, eyes faintly softening as Greta bounded over to him and grasped his hand.
"When I get bigger, we should get married!" she squeaked, her blush returning.
Yuri's eyes bulged while Wolfram's eyebrow twitched. "Er…it's kind of early to be thinking about marriage, isn't it Greta?" he shakily asked with an anxious laugh.
With a pout and tug on Khalid's arm, Greta replied, "But I know he's the one for me! He's just the kind of person I'd marry!"
Vaguely, Wolfram muttered a curse.
"Well, now, Greta," Conrad gently suggested, "if you still feel the way you do when you're older, you can discuss it with Yuri and Wolfram. Sound good?"
Greta paused as she pondered the offer. "Well, okay!" she exclaimed, smiling.
"Why don't you go pick an appropriate outfit to match your crown?" proposed Wolfram whilst his finger bestowed butterfly strokes along Yuri's hand. At this, Yuri's face grew warm and a vivid recollection of a humiliating memory flashed into his mind. More specifically, the memory involving Khalid's 'accidental' stumble upon their kissing.
"Okay! Can Khalid help me pick an outfit?" she questioned, eyes hopeful.
Yuri frowned but quickly replaced it with a gentle expression. "Well, it's really up to him and-"
"I don't mind," Khalid interjected, allowing his hand to embrace Greta's tiny one. "Where shall I take her?"
Conrad lifted his arm and gestured toward the exterior hallways beyond where they sat. "See that maid over there? That's Lasagna. She'll know where to guide you," he clarified, captivating the maid's attention with a charming smile.
Cheerfully, Greta allowed herself to be led by her prince. Yuri finally understood that Khalid possessed a relatively tender aspect to his demeanor even if he lacked a smile to compliment it. He supposed he and Wolfram could salvage some privacy at any rate.
In three strides, Wolfram bellowed, "Khalid!"
Khalid broke his pace and peered back. He smirked as Wolfram provided him with solid yet timid glare. "Thank you for…you know," he murmured as politely as much as a brat was capable of, to which Khalid responded with a kind nod.
Once the two caught up with Lasagna, Yuri released a breath of tight air he scarcely recalled holding in. "He seems to have that affect on people, huh?" he inquired in a defeated voice.
"Yes," grumbled Wolfram, irritated that Yuri was more fixated on Khalid. "But at least Greta likes him. I missed her smile. You may not tell from his looks, but Khalid really loves children."
"Yeah?" replied Yuri, a tranquil sentiment overcoming his body. "I guess so from the way he treats Greta."
Calloused fingers lazily traced the curves of Yuri's leg, leisurely marking their territory with a small compression periodically. Yuri flushed deeply as Wolfram pressed against his side contentedly, reclining his aching body. "U-uh, Wolfram?" he stammered, eyes zipping back to Conrad and Wolfram's body.
"What?" Wolfram growled, craning his head and noting Yuri's dilemma. "Don't be so shy. He knows, you dolt."
Conrad smiled apologetically and recommended, "I'll leave you two to talk. I'm sure you have some private issues that need to be addressed. Rest assured, Your Majesty that I'll be right over there, keeping an eye out."
Yuri itched to grasp Conrad's arm and request his presence but his godfather was swift to distance himself far enough to ensure them privacy, but close enough to offer his protection if need be. "Eh…Conrad knows us well, doesn't he?" he hesitantly said.
"Mm. That's Conrart," mumbled Wolfram, taking the advantage of Yuri's relaxing muscles to plant a light kiss below Yuri's dark eye. "Stop looking at him, you cheat. Your fiancé is over here."
Again, Yuri's body tensed at the unusual physical contact but the tenderness beneath the kiss prevented his flinching. "I-I'm not a cheater! Besides, aren't I….well, you know, aren't we kinda…We're a little more, I guess…"
"You guess?" cried Wolfram, eyebrows slanting to pierce Yuri accusingly. "Are you toying with me? I'm not putting up with your coyness forever, by the way! I want an answer. Do you love me?"
"What?"
"Do. You. Love. Me?"
Yuri gulped and felt sweat forming over his forehead. "U-uh…I…Wh-what kind of question is that?" he responded pathetically.
Instead of harsh criticism, Wolfram narrowed his eyes, more in thought than in fury. His tongue clicked and he reworded his statement. "Do you like me more than you use to?" he huskily asked, eyes pinning Yuri down with a glare that was inescapable.
Yuri swallowed but managed to articulate, "Yes. I-I do. I know that much."
Appearing somewhat satisfied, Wolfram's nose wrinkled and he instructed, "Kiss me then."
"What?!"
"Kiss. Me."
A pregnant pause plugged their conversation.
Accepting the inevitable, Yuri gripped Wolfram's faintly bruised face and contemplated as to whether or not he actually would voluntarily offer a kiss upon those petal lips once again. His resolution came more swiftly than he anticipated as his own eyes grew dim once that rare bravery revisited his conscious. Firmly, Yuri's lips perched atop Wolfram's awaiting ones.
Unconsciously, Yuri's hand outlined the lines of Wolfram's face before it cupped the back of a golden neck, pressuring the intensity of the kiss. Wolfram was quick to silently demand Yuri's entrance into his mouth with a parting of his lips, to which the double black hesitantly obeyed.
As a bashful tongue poked and gradually stroked a more audacious tongue, Yuri recalled the raging heat that emitted from both bodies. It was when a gratifying groan erupted from Wolfram did a loose thread snapped within Yuri's psyche.
Yuri raised his other hand and brought it to press against Wolfram's jaw, prying open the lips farther apart. He ravished the mouth beneath his, growling when he vaguely felt Wolfram's hand jerking on his wrist, indirectly instructing Yuri to release his already bruised face.
"Yuri," Wolfram murmured, jerking his face away, "I don't know what's come over you, but not here where everyone can see."
Yuri, meanwhile, settled upon suckling on the pale neck, right below Wolfram's left ear. He suspected it to be a successful tactic as Wolfram faintly yelped then proceeded to moan as his hands gripped at the king's shoulders.
Wolfram shut his eyes as the heat radiating off of Yuri's body strengthened once the other boy's body crept closer, permitting their clothed thighs to brush. "Yuri…Not…room…the room," he softly suggested, thanking the Great One that the tree they sat beneath was thick enough to prevent Conrad from noticing anything in detail.
Upon absorbing the word 'room', Yuri pulled back, his countenance appearing older and more defined. "Yes," he breathed, voice faintly deeper. "Conrad!"
Upon the king's command, Conrad approached the two and offered them a temporary gaze of amusement. "Yes, Your Majesty?" he asked, noting Yuri's slightly altered appearance.
"I need you to carry Wolfram to our room, please," Yuri instructed, standing shakily, "and quickly."
Conrad lightly bowed and uttered, "Of course, Your Highness."
"I do not need to be carried!" Wolfram retorted and grimaced as he pressed his hands against the ground to propel his body upward.
Yuri narrowed his eyes. "Wolfram…"
"I refuse!"
101010
"You can set him down by the bed, Conrad," Yuri said as he motioned for Conrad to enter his personal chambers.
Wolfram softly whispered a curse to himself as he rode Conrad's back or 'piggy-back-style' as Yuri had referred to it. Once Conrad permitted his muscled to bend down at the appropriate level, Wolfram released the man's neck until his rump bounced upon the mattress. In response, Conrad unclasped his hands from the boy's back thighs and straightened up.
"Is everything all right, Your Highness?"
"Yes, I just want Wolfram to get some rest before dinner. Do me a favor and go check on Greta?"
Conrad nodded and smiled at the two before departing, being prudent enough to shut the doors entirely.
The click of the door's lock activating was the only moment Wolfram managed to relax until Yuri carefully positioned himself over the bandaged boy, mindful of the wounds. "Wolfram," came the grating voice before lips muffled out any other words.
Despite his lack of adapting to this bold Yuri, Wolfram consented to the rougher kiss and interweaved a set of fingers into thick and black tresses. The kiss was pursued by petite, subtle ones along Wolfram's craning neck, which were soon to be replaced by the suckling and nipping that would craft a bountiful of hickeys.
"W-wait," Wolfram mumbled but rather than reinforce his statement, the flaxen warrior dragged his nails along Yuri's arms, encouraging his fiancé.
At Wolfram's movement's, Yuri's body thirst for more physical contact and after he glided his hands up Wolfram's thighs, he harshly grasped the boy's toned bottom and ground his hips against the other's.
"Yuri!" Wolfram gasped, hissing at the recipe of pleasure and damage the motion granted his body. "Yu-Ow!"
Yuri's eyes snapped open and he tore away from Wolfram, eyes bulging. "Oh…Oh my god!"
Mumbling, Wolfram rubbed his sore body and pierced Yuri with a gloomy expression. "What?" he grumbled, slightly miffed at Yuri's sudden halt. "It didn't hurt that badly, wimp."
"I…What the heck am I doing?!" cried Yuri, his stereotypical behavior returned. "I…You and I were…Oh god!"
Wolfram's face remained flushed as he raised an eyebrow. "What are you babbling about?" he demanded, voice still silky. Personally, his bother was far from finished.
Ignoring Wolfram, Yuri tangled his fingers deeply into his hair and tugged.
What the heck came over me? I was totally normal and then I just wanted more and more! I didn't even know I was capable of such things! Why me? Okay, don't freak out, don't freak out…
"Yuri!" Wolfram ultimately bellowed when Yuri refused to address him. "Talk to me! What's wrong with you?"
Yuri raised his arms to access as deep a breath as possible. Regardless of Wolfram's persistent badgering, he gradually counted until his nerve bending panic attack calmed. "Alright," he declared after counting to twenty-six, mostly to himself. "I think I avoided a full fledge mental breakdown."
"What?"
Yuri gulped and timidly met Wolfram's furious eyes, which did little to soothe his apprehensive state. "N-No! It's not like I didn't…want to! I just…I'm not sure. I…I felt like that other part of myself…kind of meshed with me," he humiliatingly mumbled, eyes shutting in shame and at the fear of how Wolfram would respond.
"Come here," Wolfram gently ordered, patting the empty spot beside him.
At least he didn't yell or hit me, Yuri internally rejoiced and maintained a reserved tension as he sat beside his…lover?
SMACK!
"Ow! Wolfram!"
"Wimp," Wolfram accused but angled his head and placed a soothing kiss against the wounded temple. "You know, if you think you were joining with the Demon King, it probably means you really wanted it more than you claim."
With a groan, Yuri shook his head and feebly glared at Wolfram, who obviously took delight in his theory. As he observed Wolfram, however, his glare relinquished. He scanned the fading bruising and scars, the bandaged head and arm, and visualized the many more bandaging that cocooned Wolfram's pale body beneath the garments.
"Wolfram," he whispered, voice slick with sadness. "Tell me the truth. How are your wounds?"
The thickness beneath Yuri's words generated a vulnerable demeanor about Wolfram that frustrated the warrior. His initial response would have involved a layer of hidden discomfort but currently, a lie would not suffice at all.
"It's better," Wolfram insisted in the end, noting the disapproval within Yuri's eyes. "I want to try walking."
Acknowledging Wolfram's reluctance to position himself in an exposed situation, Yuri sighed and crawled out of the bed. He sauntered around the corners until he arrived beside Wolfram. "Here," he said with a faint smile as he offered his hand. "But if I think you're pushing yourself too hard, I'm stopping it."
"Yeah, yeah." Wolfram gratefully grasped the warm palm while his boots met the ground. "Okay, now don't pull me up. Let me do it," he ordered firmly and kept a tight grip on Yuri with one hand.
Yuri barely nodded and Wolfram commanded his muscles to thrust his body upward. He failed miserably and only succeeded in straining them. Wolfram hissed as the bolt of distress impaled his protesting nerves. Before Yuri managed to offer his aid and concern, he waved a dismissive hand.
"Give me your other hand."
Yuri extended his other hand reluctantly and Wolfram clasped it. A few seconds of mental preparation was all Wolfram permitted his mind before he proceeded to straighten himself into a standing position. In a rushed gesture, Wolfram tugged his body upward while clenching at Yuri's hands.
"You okay?" asked Yuri, worry creeping into his mind when Wolfram panted lightly.
"I'm fine! Just…give me a moment."
With the way Wolfram's cheeks retained their pink coloration and how the boy's tongue shifted in concentration, Yuri's mind reeled back into the very recent memory of their grazing bodies. Now that he pondered over it, the heat deep within his stomach still ached for attention. He shoved the thought away as quickly as possible.
Does Wolfram still feel like-Whoa, okay, don't go there!
"What are you staring at?" growled Wolfram as he attempted to guide Yuri back. "Move back a little so I can walk."
"A-ah…right. Sorry."
Wolfram glowered and boldly took a frail step with one leg. "Don't be sorry."
"I just…can't help it when I see the state you're in."
"I'm not glass. I won't break," Wolfram declared, taking scrawny steps as Yuri proceeded to guide him around the room.
Yuri genuinely smiled. "I know that. You're a great fighter and survivor," he added, glancing over his shoulder to confirm that no obstacles prevented his movements.
With a deepening flush, Wolfram muttered, "Of course I am."
A shaky step sent Wolfram hurling into Yuri's arms. "Mm! Damn it."
Yuri lightly chuckled and allowed his arms to envelop Wolfram, his hesitance barely interfering with their cuddling. "Don't strain yourself. You'll make it worse. Khalid said he was going to give you another dosage of the potion and I'm sure he'd be upset if you were worse than before," he explained, discovering a harmonious sensation whenever he held Wolfram.
"Ch'. Whatever," mumbled Wolfram into Yuri's chest. "I'm sure that wouldn't be the only thing he'd get upset over. "
Yuri flushed and dreaded the concept of Khalid bursting in during a gratifying moment like the one they recently experienced upon the bed. "A-ah…Yeah, speaking of which…"
"Don't apologize. I know you're still a wuss when it comes to these matters, although your latest behavior states otherwise," teased Wolfram, lightly licking the rim of Yuri's ear to further intensify the king's body's craving for sexual contact.
Yuri twitched and nearly leapt out form the embrace as a knock broke the seductive silence. "Who is it?" he inquired, adjusting his body to that of something more platonic.
"It's me, Your Majesty," Conrad smoothly replied.
With a relieved expression, Yuri called, "Come in."
Wolfram irritatingly wove Yuri's arm around his waist, implicitly ordering Yuri to openly express their developing affection in front of others. "What do you want?" he grumbled as he gripped onto Yuri's shoulders.
Conrad smiled at the spreading blush Yuri's face harbored as his hand was forced upon Wolfram's hip. "Greta is still deciding on a garment. Lasagna gathered a few other maids and is with her as we speak. Khalid had to attend to Gwendel with Gisela," he reported.
"Alright, thanks. You can go," ordered Wolfram with a flick of his wrist. "We're busy."
Yuri's eyes darted to a dresser to his side so as not to encounter Conrad's smile. Despite how well Conrad portrayed himself before Yuri, the double black highly sensed that his godfather was more than delighted. "A-ah, we're not that busy…"
Conrad tilted his head, recalling a thought. "Ah, yes. Khalid asked me to fetch Wolfram before dinner to have his wounds inspected. He will be waiting in Gwendel's room."
"Gwendel's room?" repeated Yuri.
"Khalid said he would help the healers once we arrived, idiot," Wolfram criticized, faintly glaring at Yuri. "I want to check on brother, anyway. I…want to talk to him."
Yuri recalled Murata and Yosak's tale regarding how Gwendel's impossible endeavor rescued Wolfram twice from death. "Yeah, I want to talk to him too if he's feeling alright."
With a nod of understanding, Conrad shifted his body until his back met Wolfram and Yuri's eyes. He crouched and glanced over his shoulder. "Shall we proceed?" he inquired pleasantly as Wolfram grimaced in protest.
Instead of offering an argument, Wolfram released a rather loud groan and draped himself over Conrad's back. "Fine," he mumbled weakly and loosely clasped his hands in front of Conrad's collarbone. "You better make sure no one sees us this way. One maid already saw."
"You threatened her to never speak of it, though," Yuri reminded Wolfram with a disapproving tone. "You really scared her, I think."
As Conrad lightly grunted while he stood, Wolfram snorted. "I refuse to be seen in such a weak manner," he declared, although silently savoring the childish awareness that the ride produced within him. He hid a tiny smirk behind Conrad's neck, a familiar shampoo scent deriving from the brunette's hair.
"I think you like it, Wolfram," Yuri exclaimed, grateful for the more normal atmosphere as opposed to the awkward moments that have recently increased as of late. "I'm sure you use to carry Wolfram like this sometimes when he was little, right Conrad?"
Conrad chuckled. "I did."
"Shut up you two!"
101010
"Ah, Your Majesty!" chirped Gisela as she observed the others enter Gwendel's room. She leaned back in the seat she occupied beside the large bed. "How are you all doing? I heard what happened."
Yuri laughed awkwardly and shrugged off the memory of the masked figure and his shadows. "Yeah, well, I'm glad you're here to take care of Gwendel and Wolfram. How are you feeling Gwendel?"
Gwendel narrowed his eyes from his spot among the many cushions. The robe he wore partially exposed his wrapped chest. "I'll live," he gruffly mumbled and accepted the drink Khalid presented him.
"Drink it quickly. The taste is powerful," commented Khalid as his eyes languidly analyzed Wolfram. "Sit here."
Slowly, Wolfram, with Yuri's aid, approached the bed and sat before Gwendel's legs. He witnessed his brother gulp the potion down in a rapid motion before a bead of sweat appeared. "It tasted that bad, huh? Can…you walk?"
After clearing his throat, Gwendel nodded as he absorbed the many scratched on Wolfram. "Yes. Gisela instructed me to remain in bed until Khalid conjured up some medication. I'll be fine."
"Knowing Gwendel, he'll be in decent enough shape to fight tomorrow if need be," added Khalid while strolling over to a small table where various ingredients rested and awaited to be joined. "You, however, Wolfram, need at least one more day even with my spells. Your bones and nerves were severely torn and even magic cannot heal it quickly enough."
Gisela nodded in concurrence as he lightly removed the wrappings situated firmly around Wolfram's head. "The power of these spells is remarkable. If Khalid had not been present, Lord von Voltaire would need at least three days to recover," she proclaimed, softly apologizing when Wolfram flinched.
Yuri strolled, curiously, to where the table stood and examined the ingredients. "Hey, you must of known Khalid from before, right Gisela?" he asked and extended a hand to touch an odd flower.
Khalid smacked the hand to the side. "Don't touch, Your Highness."
Gisela removed the bandaged from Wolframs head and arm and offered them to Conrad, who kindly discarded them. "I didn't know him directly, really. I knew who he was but I was not as acquainted with him as say, Lord Weller," she clarified and hovered her hand over the scarring that plagued Wolfram's arm.
"I see," Yuri muttered and frowned at Khalid, who inspected his pendant peculiarly. "What? The pendant?"
Khalid vaguely smirked and commenced with his spell. "It's nothing, Your Majesty," he lightly replied and drew out a thin dagger. He gripped the handle roughly and impaled it deeply into his exposed palm.
"Khalid!" Yuri cried, mortified. "Wh-wh…!"
"Do not be alarmed, Your Highness. The stones have affected my blood and in order to retrieve some of it, the wound must be deep," assured Khalid, jerking out the dagger violently with barely a wince. "His Eminence apparently noticed it when I took the blow from our enemy's weapon."
As Khalid clarified, Yuri analyzed how little blood coated the dagger's tip. The blood was brushed gently among cream petals of a flower, staining its purity. "You need your blood for this spell?" he inquired, eyes hungrily surveying the strange ritual Khalid performed.
"Yes. To heal another, one must sacrifice their own blood," elucidated Khalid, quickly healing his hand before proceeding with the remnants of the spell. "It's complex but I've been studying Sulterian spells for many years. I helped discovered how to destroy the scrolls that Red Eye hunts down."
"Speaking of which," interjected Gwendel, settling his attention on Conrad, who aided Gisela with wrapping Wolfram's arm once more. "What of the shadow and the masked foe?"
Conrad lifted Wolframs arm and informed, "He's in seclusion in the dungeon. When they opened the seal around him that you placed, the shadow was no where to be seen. The captive claims to have called it away."
"Is His Eminence updated?" asked Gwendel, sensing his strength increasing with each passing minute.
"Yes. The meeting is to take place shortly," Conrad responded, faintly smiled when Wolfram jerked away from his aid. "He claims there's something important to be discussed regarding you, actually."
Yuri blinked and turned away from Khalid's gentle chanting. "Something else happened to Gwendel?"
Gwendel briefly glanced at Yuri before shutting his eyes and reclining into his pillows. "I was partly possessed," he grumbled, eyebrows furrowing.
A shattering of glass startled the others and they momentarily craned their necks and adjusted their eyes to focus on Khalid. The man's jaw tightened as he gathered the scatterings of the broken glass particles that once fashioned a vial. "I apologize," he mumbled, almost irritated.
Conrad stood and offered to toss the broken glass away so Khalid could resume his concoction.
"Possessed? When?" asked Wolfram as Gisela completed her ministrations. "What happened?"
"It will be addressed at the meeting," offered Gwendel, hesitant to reveal too much information in one setting.
"Well, I've done all I can do for the moment. I'll be sure to check on you two tonight," Gisela sweetly explained to the wounded brothers. "Thank you again for your assistance, Khalid and you too, Your Highness. I heard you did well to help while out there."
Yuri blushed and nodded politely. "Thanks for all your help as always," he declared and waved as Gisela bowed before them and departed, in need of a respite.
Once Conrad shut the door, he glanced at Gwendel. "So what else is it you wanted to say?"
Gwendel's eyebrow twitched at Conrad's acute perspective. "His Eminence claims I was possessed by someone from Red Eye. My right eye became red and slit," he uttered gravely.
Yuri and Wolfram shared a horrified glance. "Wait," instructed Yuri, "you said you were partly possessed? What does that mean?"
"I knew what I was doing the entire time and I my actions were voluntary."
Yuri lowered his eyes and pondered over a theory. "Is it similar to how The Demon King and I react? I mean, I am The Demon King but it's like an extra push on myself, which gives me more powers and stuff."
With a nod, Gwendel replied, "Yes. It was if someone granted me strength to do as I wished…to"
"…To save Wolfram," Conrad completed the sentence with a sincere expression. "You did well, Gwendel, and I'm certain we'll discover what happened to you."
"Your optimism is rather depressing me," Gwendel grumbled.
Khalid narrowed his eyes. "How were you possessed?"
Gwendel raised an eyebrow and opened his eyes.
"If Red Eye is indeed using Sulterian spells, you cannot possess a living body without a form of contact. You must have noticed something peculiar before," Khalid persisted, face tight and eyes unforgiving.
Wolfram swore he noticed the vein return upon Gwendel's head.
As Khalid offered Wolfram the potion, Gwendel tensed visibly and tore his eyes away from the others, a very minuscule tint of coral coloring his uptight facial muscles. "A…pair of lips touched mine," he quickly added, shutting his eyes.
"…You were kissed?" Yuri speculated.
"No. A kiss involves a form of affection," Gwendel retorted roughly in a manner that threatened the others to even dare pursue the subject. "What I experienced was purely mechanical."
"Regardless of what it is called," Khalid uttered as Wolfram swallowed the contents of the vile to drown his smirk of amusement, "it is a common form of possession. Though it's strange, actually, the fact is that a Red Eye member fought against another Red Eye member."
Wolfram's face crumpled in detest of the repulsive taste. "Maybe they just had a disagreement. God, Khalid, can't you make the taste any better?"
As Wolfram spit, Yuri smiled compassionately. "Well, I think that what happened between the two members…or…the masked guy and Gwendel, is a clue."
"Don't make assumptions, Your Highness," Khalid admonished as he tidied the table of the excess materials. "Often times, things are not what they appear."
101010
"Are you sure you're okay, Wolfram?" questioned Yuri as the golden curls rose and lowered in a nod. Wolfram refused to be cradled by any one, to Khalid's disappointment, and insisted the potion allowed him enough vigor to walk with the aid of Yuri's arm.
Although Gwendel maintained that his capability in walking was much more potent than Wolfram's, ultimately he was doomed to use the aid of a cane, which his aching body appreciated. "Your potion is proving quite effective."
"Of course," Khalid smoothly agreed, trailing behind Wolfram and Yuri, his eyes constantly evaluating their body language. As his expression hardened, he suddenly halted in his steps. "Something's wrong."
Just as he uttered his statement, Gunter's body was viciously thrown out of the large conference room before smashing against the wall. The man groaned and quickly staggered to his feet, body wavering and blood seeping from a gash upon his head.
"Your Eminence!" he screamed, drawing his blade.
"Gunter?" cried Yuri, eyes widening as Conrad leapt before him in a protective stance. "What's going on?"
Gunter's eyes flashed to the group and he shouted, "He's got His Eminence!"
"What?" hollered Gwendel as he secured the distance from the conference room in a few swift sprints, much to his nerve's rage. He barely groaned and unsheathed his weapon upon entering the room with Gunter and Khalid, who kept a slight distance in the rear.
Murata hissed from where he stood and shut an eye tightly as the small blade nicked his throat, spawning a droplet of blood. The masked form laughed from his position on the table, which permitted him enough of a height to viciously clench the Great Sage's locks.
"Murata!" Yuri bellowed as he gripped Wolfram tightly from behind Conrad. "Let him go!"
"Hmm…No. He's very important to your kingdom," the small foe clarified and condensed the tension in the large room by pressing with a faint firmness against Murata's throat.
Wolfram's eyes furiously brightened. "That head…"
The others quickly noted the head that Gunter spoke of in his letter rolling about the table, chuckling wickedly. The nerves slithering from the contents of the opening employed themselves as spider-like limbs that permitted the head to shift upright and crawl over to the masked form.
Though the hollow cavities of the eye sockets were devoid of eyeballs, Wolfram swore the beastly creature bore a gaze into him. It laughed maniacally and maggots rapidly crept out of the mouth, its tongue half eaten and lazily dangling out.
The masked form peered down at his feet to observe the twisted and gleeful head. "Oh that? You didn't like the present I gave you, Wolfram? I thought it suited you just nicely," he cheerfully cooed.
"Bastard!" Wolfram spat, his hand itching for a blade.
"Shut up!" their opponent screeched and jerked at Murata's head.
Yuri shook his head and desperately cried, "What do you want?!"
The mask shifted to Yuri as did the head. "Yuri," he whispered lovingly. "You know, I really like you. I do. You're a good person."
Despite the muffling of the voice, a familiar tone clicked in Yuri's memory. He released a startled breath and quietly inquired, "Is that…?"
"I think you guessed right," the soft voice whispered.
The masked form lightly giggled before momentarily removing his armed hand from Murata's neck to rip off his face. Quickly, the blade was once again squashed beneath Murata's neck as lengthy locks of hair cascaded over the small body.
Namir grinned wickedly at Wolfram.
"Happy engagement, Wolfram."
1010..tbc…1010
I may need to alter the rating to 'M' at this rate or maybe I should have changed it a while ago.
At any rate, leave a message if you're still craving for me, please. I love writing details and I get so flustered when I write sexual scenes. I hope it didn't come out too perverted. Thoughts on that?
Thanks again for the support, especially regarding how some people don't typically enjoy OCs. I always believe they can serve as catalysts for the other characters if executed adequately.
Little evil irritating Namir is back. He was gone for a reason, as you can now understand.
Cheers,
Mirai Kurosaki