Papercut
A/N: Wow, a huge thanks to those of you who have kept with this fic. I'm sorry it took so long but it is not forgotten. I just felt like I was rusting the story about but since you reviewers told me to keep going, I'll do what I can to wrap it up legitimately!
Okay, I tend to forget where things are going but thank goodness for notes, yes?
Response to reviewers:
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chocolate: Thanks very much for reviewing and I did read the entire review. I always read the entire review! You took the time to type it up for me when most people don't so of course I would respond with the same consideration! Your assumptions are amusing but I can't confirm nor deny them! Just read and maybe you'll see you're close to one! Thanks so much for the review! Don't feel obligated to write a short one. It can be as long as you desire. Thanks again!
TIFFANY: I don't mean to crush you (maybe a little)! I'm not sure if I was hard this chapter but that's really up to each reader but I hope you enjoy it either way! Thanks for taking the time to review! I appreciate it!
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luz: You're not a pervert, no worries. I can understand why you felt that way but for certain reasons, I did not do that (though I may have wanted to heh). Thanks so much for reviewing! I appreciate it so much! Oh yeah, I'm really looking forward to the OVAs!
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Reviewers, thanks so much. This is for you!
101010
Wolfram felt his head cave in as he made the false move of peeling back his eyelids too hastily. The sudden brightness of the sun's rays burned and he groaned in objection. Tossing an arm over his eyes in a mockery of protection, Wolfram hissed.
"You're awake. Good."
Khalid's voice shattered any discomfort from the sun and Wolfram snapped his eyes open. He rubbed them when the uneasiness returned but he still managed to grumble, "I'm really tired of waking to your face."
"So kind, as usual," murmured Khalid, shifting on Wolfram's bed. "What do you recall happening?"
"Huh"? Wolfram asked, now peering at the other man with a perplexed expression. "You infuriating me is all I tend to remember these days!"
Khalid brushed aside the bite behind the remark and pressed, "After I left, I meant?"
Shrugging with a slight air of irritation, Wolfram huffed, "I slept, I suppose. What the hell does it matter?"
"I see," Khalid whispered, stroking his chin in thought while staring at Wolfram.
Wolfram glared.
"Seems the spell I had upon you has worn off completely. I see hate in your eyes. Well, I suppose it's no surprise. Its power can do that."
Flicking his hair from his eyes, Wolfram presented Khalid with a large amount of scorn. Whatever sympathy the Prince of Sulteri had had before, it was rotting away to reveal utter repulsion. "I'm getting sick of your babble. If I really have this power, why can't I-"
"Get dressed," Khalid interrupted. "His Highness will arrive shortly."
Wolfram's eyes glistened. "Yuri," he barely whispered and he swore his heart somersaulted. "He's coming?"
Khalid stood and marched toward the door. Before he shut it, however, he glimpsed back at Wolfram and warned, "He's not here to rescue you so I suggest you don't do anything foolish."
Not allowing for a response, Khalid exited and roughly shut the door.
Outside, a guard frowned at Khalid's grim countenance. "Your Majesty?"
"He does not remember what happened," Khalid muttered with a sour tone. "Keep an eye on him and get a servant to dress him."
The guard bowed in respect and obeyed. As the soldier took his leave, Khalid took heavy strides through the hallway, heading into a secluded room that was concealed by the various draping of silk curtains.
Khalid gently peeled back the drapes to grant himself access. In the center of the space, resided a statue. It was small in size and resembled a face of familiarity. Its lips were parted in a silent scream and its eyes were wide with terror.
Khalid let go a breath of constrained air and stroked the statue's face. "Though you can no longer hear me nor will you ever hear me again, I apologize. If it weren't for Wolfram being here, you would have expired in the most tragic way."
Kissing the statue's head, Khalid added with a soft voice, "If there is a place for us to reside after death, then rest there in peace…Namir."
101010
Yuri inhaled a large breath of air, hoping the extra oxygen would shove out the doubt in his mind so that he could at least convey a collected demeanor. Despite his efforts, the demon king grasped his hands and began fidgeting in his seat.
The party had entered Sulteri with Khalid's directions and encountered no difficulties. They passed through the gates and were kindly escorted into the palace, where they currently resided in a room. Though the room was furnished well and splattered with antiques, its brilliance did not comfort anyone.
"It will be fine, Shibuya," Murata reassured with a smile, detecting Yuri's apparent hesitance. "We've made it this far so we got to stick to it through the end."
Yuri nodded and convinced himself in a low voice, "Yes. We'll get Wolfram back. I don't doubt that. I'm just concerned on what happens after that."
Sagira, dwelling within the confines of Gwendel's mind and body, glanced down at the demon king. "As long as we can get Wolfram to my original body, I can handle Khalid. We'll need to move swiftly and don't fall for Khalid's words. His threats won't do us any good."
Yuri nodded in agreement and inquired, "Sagira, how's Gwendel doing? This isn't going to leave any permanent damage on him, is it?"
Gwendel's lips curled into a smile, an image that did anything but reassure Yuri. "Gwendel is just fine, Your Highness. He can hear what you say and if he has anything to add, I'll be sure to tell you."
"Besides, we're already this far, Shibuya. Just focus on the goal," Murata murmured quickly as the doors to the room creaked open.
A guard bowed before them courteously and motioned for them to exit. "Please, this way. His Majesty waits."
Yuri stood up a bit too eagerly and he was the first to step out of the lavish room, with Conrad on his heels. Regardless of his attempts to do otherwise, it was obvious that the double black grew excessively anxious with each step.
Everyone else composed themselves and held their chins high as the guard guided the group through the halls of painted portraits.
Perhaps it was the apprehension toying with their concept of time, but the trip to the throne room was cut much shorted than anticipated. Their steps lessened in swiftness as the room's glory rendered their thoughts silent. As expected, at the center, there reclined an intricate and large throne that carried a formally clothed Khalid. The King of Sulteri, in turn, carried a grim expression that coiled the corner of his lips into a frown.
Beside the large chair there existed another albeit smaller one. Long trails of layered robes of Sulterian colors spilled over the seat. Beneath the garments, two feet cradled in royal ballerina-type shoes poked out. Yuri's eyes, however, settled upon the illuminated curls of gold belonging to the owner.
"Wolfram," Yuri mumbled, eyes still swallowing the majestic sight that was Wolfram von Bielefeld. Woven into Wolfram's locks was a crown of sorts that accentuated his prominence in this country. Chained beads hung loose from the crown and flowed over Wolfram's shoulders, creating the illusion of strands of hair.
However royal Wolfram was dolled up by Khalid, the metallic chains on his wrists implied he was also a prisoner. The chains connected to the bracelets were tightly locked to the chair that Wolfram presided in. It was obvious that Wolfram was not behaving according to Khalid's demands.
Wolfram's burning eyes also suggested his lack of interest in the ritual as the boy screamed with joy, "Yuri!"
Making the false move of forgetting the chains caused Wolfram to grunt in pain. As he had made to leap into Yuri's arms, the chains protested and violently jerked him back into his seat, rendering him nearly immobile.
"Welcome back, Your Highness and company," Khalid smoothly stated as he stood and greeted them with a respectful bow. Ignoring Wolfram's blasphemous threats, Khalid inserted, "I'm glad to know you accepted my invitation."
Yuri's face remained calm yet his hands clenched. "Why is Wolfram chained up like some wild animal?" he demanded with as much authority as he was capable of mustering.
Khalid responded calmly, "When one behaves like a beast, one must be treated as such. He broke three of my best men's noses just a few moments ago."
"It's not my fault they did not dodge," Wolfram muttered then snorted, pointing his nose up high in the air to reveal his amused smile. "Maybe they need better training."
"Of course," Khalid uttered with a disinterested tune to his statement. "Enough of that. Shall we move to a more comfortable setting to discuss the contents of my letter?"
Murata raised an eyebrow and Khalid swore he detected a smirk. "You mean the treaty?"
This perplexed Khalid and he made it apparent for a brief second. "While that may be an idea to ponder on, that was not the top priority," the king replied, eyes shifting over Yuri's party. "Did you not read the letter?"
Gwendel's muscles stiffened.
Conrad responded.
Like a bolt of lightening, Conrad tackled Gwendel's body with enough of an impact to pitch the larger man off balance. Caught in shock, Sagira collided roughly into the ground with Conrad crawling on top of him.
Wasting no time, Conrad used a technique to effectively trap Gwendel's body beneath his own. Digging his knee into the small of his brother's back, Conrad hollered, "Your Eminence!"
Murata nodded and to Khalid he stated, "I suggest you guide us to safety before your brother gets out of Lord Weller's grip."
Khalid's eyes widened and his lips formed the words, "Sagira…"
"Get off me!" Sagira seethed. "What the hell is going on?!"
"Don't play coy," Murata admonished as he rushed over and assisted Khalid in breaking Wolfram free from the chair. "We know you're up to something and frankly, we're not taking the chance to find out."
Wolfram, free from his bonds, grasped Yuri in a powerful hug. "Oh Yuri! What's going on?" he asked when they parted and observed as numerous soldiers attempted to cast spells on Gwendel. "Brother!"
"Murata, what the heck's going on? I'm just as lost as Wolfram!" Yuri confessed, unsure as to whether or not he should be frightened.
"Sneaky bastards," Sagira sneered and with a free hand, he pressed it to the cold patterned tiles beneath him. As he did, the ground swayed unsteadily and the earth below struck out and rid the soldiers of their weapons. "I'll kill you!"
Conrad, abruptly caught off balance, was tossed back until his back connected with the shaky palace floor. "Sagira! Stop this at once!" he commanded as he made to draw out his blade.
"Enough, Conrart! Guards, guide them to the back gardens!" Khalid ordered to which the soldiers complied without reluctance.
Conrad's eyes narrowed as Gwendel and Sagira's fused power slammed the guards a distance away. With priorities set in his mind, Conrad offered his skills to ward harm away from Yuri. "Khalid," he began as he began to escort his godson, Murata, and Wolfram out.
Khalid interjected, "Don't think I'm returning Wolfram. I'll catch up later so go! Leave Sagira to me!" the king persisted.
Wolfram's gasp of fright snapped Khalid to better attention. With lustful eyes, Gwendel was charging right toward his prize and was approaching like a mad beast. "Sagira?! What are you doing?!" Wolfram spat, his muscles preparing to return the attack.
Khalid's body flashed before Sagira's path, startling the others. Khalid snarled as his hands collided with Gwendel's and the sound of the impact resembled that of mighty thunder. The clasped hands shook and glowed with brimming power as the two brothers struggled for dominance. "You sick bastard!" Khalid seethed, eyes brightening with each second. "I'll rip you to shreds! Release Gwendel!"
Gwendel smirked and Sagira spoke on his behalf, "I miss you, little brother. You're as keen as ever. How about a brotherly kiss?"
"Vile beast!" Khalid yelped and sent Gwendel's body hurling toward the wall. "Get the Prince out of here immediately! Get His Highness to safety as well!"
Murata snatched Yuri's arm and jerked the Demon King out of his daze. "Yikes, looks like things aren't going too smoothly," he observed with sarcasm. "Come on, Shibuya! Lord von Voltaire will be fine!"
Yuri blinked rapidly but nodded. "O-Okay. Let's go, Wolfram," he said with a gentle touch to the blonde's hand. Their fingers intertwined and Yuri applied a comforting pressure. "I'll be here the whole time."
Tearing his eyes away from Gwendel's battle with Khalid, Wolfram added, "I won't leave you either."
With a final glance back, Wolfram took off in a run with Yuri toward the guards.
"He's MINE!" Sagira howled, sensing Wolfram's distance from him increasing. By using a combination of his and Gwendel's energy, Sagira effectively summoned the walls to rattle and creak. Various decorations collapsed and shattered in response, spraying particles of glass and ceramic over the floor.
The intense rumbling caused those within the room to lose balance and the soldiers were rendered useless for combat. Seizing the opportunity, Sagira snarled and sprinted after Wolfram while muttering another spell.
Khalid groaned as a wave of power crushed him into a wall. Blinking reality back into focus, Khalid caught Gwendel hunting after Yuri's party. Panic and rage bolted through Khalid and the king was already hot on Sagira's heels before his brain even caught up with the action.
"No! Get away from them!" Khalid demanded in a booming voice. "Sagira!"
Before Sagira managed to escape the large space of the room, Khalid leapt from behind him and crushed Gwendel's body into the highly valued table. "Release Lord von Voltaire's body!" Khalid commanded as he struggled to maintain an effective grip on Gwendel's body, which was physically mightier than his own.
Sagira screamed in protest and fury. "Gwendel is mine already and soon will Wolfram!" he growled, slamming his head into Khalid's. The King of Sulteri cursed and reared back in an involuntary motion. Gwendel's leg rose and he sent the heel of his boot crushing against Khalid's skull, successfully hurling the King away.
Head snapping up, Sagira scanned the palace with his sixth sense and grinned upon sensing Wolfram. He took off.
101010
Panting, Wolfram jerked up his robes with his free hand and cursed the limitations of the garment. If he were clad in one layer he could freely twist and leap about but the multiple adornments weighed him down. He lacked the time to shed his clothing, however, he reminded himself. He clutched Yuri's hand tightly to convince himself that Yuri's presence was not a mere illusion.
"What's…going on?" Yuri asked through gasps of breath. He swore he never ran more quickly in his entire young life.
Murata leapt over a crumbled statue and said, "We're not entirely sure. I suspect-whoa, nearly slipped there-that Sagira was going to betray us in some form. His manipulation over Lord von Voltaire confirmed that. Thanks to Lord Weller, who's familiar with his eldest brother's behavior, we spotted something amiss."
Growling, Wolfram pressed, "Why did you bring that psycho here then if he really is a threat?! I thought Sagira has been trying to save me!"
"He wants you for himself and his childish behavior back in the room proves that," Murata replied. "Look, all I can say is that from a political point of view, Khalid would not have just sent us a letter to discuss a treaty like that. The circumstances wouldn't add up to that."
Conrad added from behind, "If anything, His Excellency suspected Khalid would want to discuss something of greater importance. Possibly to temporarily join forces to stop an evil threat."
Frowning, Yuri inhaled some air to ask, "How could you have guessed such a thing, Murata?"
If Yuri had taken the moment to look, he would have noted Murata's lips curling into a satisfied smile. "Khalid is not the only one who's studied Sulterian history and legends."
Unmoved by the enigma of the statement, Yuri decided to drop the subject on one condition. "You better later explai-ack-"
"Less talking, more running, Yuri!" Wolfram scolded and tugged on the double black's hand. "Hey! You, guard! How much further?"
"It's just over here," the guard informed and he glanced back. His eyes scanned pass Wolfram onto something that rendered them wide and overflowing with horror. "Oh no…"
The declaration halted everyone in their steps and eyes shifted to look back. A massive crack had sprouted at the end of the hall and was rapidly stretching toward them. Blasts of esoteric magic popped out from the depths of the crack and Wolfram damned his inability to summon an inferno at that very moment.
Yuri sensed that whatever or whoever was causing it was purposely targeting them. "It's coming faster!" the double black yelled, his voice brimming with fear.
"We can't avoid it," hissed Murata.
A guard's eyes darted around "The windows!" he shouted. After grasping a piece of demolished marble, he pitched it straight into the window's center. For a brief moment, the sun's rays bounced off every splintered fragment, sprinkling the party's current and dreadful situation with some splendor.
The crack's groan obligated Conrad to leap out of the window, cautious of the jagged edges. Yuri's godfather used a disregarded stick to quickly smooth out the edges to allow for a safer passage. "Hurry!" he hollered, tossing aside the stick and stretching out his hands.
Yuri and Wolfram both grasped a single hand and the guard propelled them from their bottoms until they were out. "You next," he instructed and repeated the motion with Murata.
"Hurry!"
The crack had reached the guards and a massive explosion mingled with screams echoed, signaling the end of the soldiers who had accompanied Wolfram and his party.
"Get down!" Conrad cried, shoving Yuri and Murata down.
The booming sound reverberated throughout the air as the debris flew over the ducked individuals. As the ringing decreased in power, Wolfram blinked through the smoke and cleared his throat.
With shaky arms, the Prince of Sulteri drove his body into a kneeling position. "Yuri!" he half cried, half coughed, waving a hand to dismiss the smoldering scent. "Are you alright?"
When no one responded, Wolfram panicked and rose to his feet. "Yuri!" he shouted again and kept still, fearing that any movement would produce a sound that could bury Yuri's response.
"I'm here! We're okay! Where are you?" Yuri's voice inquired, voice suggesting he was not as close as Wolfram had initially thought.
As Wolfram released a relieved breath of air, a powerful arm caught him from behind. Startled, Wolfram's training overtook his fear as he made to hurl the assailant over a shoulder.
"Wolfram, it's me!" Khalid hissed, grasping one of the blonde's arms.
Peering up into familiar eyes, Wolfram glowered. "Khalid…"
As the smoke thinned and allowed for a better visual, Yuri easily spotted Khalid's form. "Khalid! Let him go!" he shouted, hands forming into fists.
Khalid snorted. "Shut it! We've no time. Sagira is only occupied for a short while. I noticed what happened but don't' worry. It was a weak attempt to catch you guys. If we don't hurry out of here though, he will get out and he'll catch Wolfram," the king replied with an authoritative voice.
Conrad stepped in front of Yuri to prevent his grandson from nearing Khalid. "So you're coming with us, just like that, Khalid?" the soldier inquired and one could nearly detect the bitterness of the question.
Khalid matched Conrad in renown.
"You'll get all your answers if you allow me to guide you with my troops. Or at least, what's left of them."
101010
Sagira reclined back into the throne with a ferocious growl. Boredom had long glazed Gwendel's eyes over as the spell trapped him within the confines of the room. Raising a large hand, Sagira flexed each finger as if playing an invisible musical instrument.
"This is taking too damn long. I should have been in my body by now. Oh, I'll be sure to treat that Great Wise Man with some hospitality, the sneaky wretch…"
Finally, Sagira's boredom was alleviated as a hand tore out of the tiles in a solid and powerful motion. Sagira sat up with irritation and excitement as a moaning rotting corpse slithered out of the newly fashioned hole. Its head rose, revealing maggot plagued eye sockets but they were clearly directed at Sagira.
"What the hell took you so long? I've been here for hours!" Sagira spat, leaping from the throne. "Well, what's done is done. You know where they are?"
The corpse's head nodded yet the motion was too intense for the decaying nerves and they snapped. The head rolled off and rotated repeatedly on the torn ground until it bumped into Gwendel's boot.
Sneering, Sagira shook his head in disbelief. "Honestly, what am I to do with you? I'd crush your head if I didn't require my powers to rest within you."
Snatching the head up, Sagira tossed it up and down like a toy. The head released groaning sounds of discomfort and Sagira was nearly amused by the concept. Instead of grinning, Sagira balanced the head in one hand and gazed into those dark sockets.
"So, then, my precious slave, enough time has been wasted. Where is the one I seek?"
101010
Gunter scanned the contents of the thick book he grasped. "Yosak, how much longer do you predict?" he asked, turning a page with a thin finger.
"Soon," Yosak responded as he diminished the fire with his foot. "We'll be progressing in a few moments. The supplies have been stocked up."
Nodding in approval, Gunter murmured, "Yes, we cannot afford to enter this battle with little supplies. I'm certain the worst is yet to come."
"You want to run by me again exactly what 'the worst' is?"
Gunter furrowed his eyebrows as his finger traced a diagram. "There exists a manifestation of the purest form of magic and the darkest form of magic. The dark magic happens to reside within Wolfram, yes?"
Yosak nodded, "Yeah, I got that."
"Yes, but, according to Sulterian documentation, the first fusion of stones to a body possessing no magic became so erratic and tainted, that it is said to have transformed into a tiny fraction of the darkest form of magic," Gunter trailed off, tapping his chin in contemplation.
Somewhat confused, Yosak added, "From what we now know, that would be Sagira. His power, or at least a portion of it, is the same as the one inside Wolfram…"
"It seems so. Now, it also states that black magic in itself is not evil while within the host. However, if the host manipulates it so, it can be used for bad deeds," Gunter continued and his voice grew quieter as he connected the two facts for Yosak.
When the man only blinked in response, Gunter spoke again. "So what if Sagira gained his original form and was capable of manipulating the power within Wolfram?" Gunter questioned for Yosak, already aware of the answer.
Yosak cursed. "His Excellency can just be used as a weapon for Sagira's amusement," he muttered. "But can't His Excellency fight back? He's not the most docile push over you would have met."
Gunter hummed in response as he pondered over it. "I'm more concerned with what will become of Wolfram if the power within him demands to dominate him in exchange for…something of value to him."
"What do you mean?" asked Yosak, frowning.
"The power does not wish to be within someone, you understand. It would prefer to be unleashed yet that would cause utter chaos. There is a legend though on how it would soothe its host into trusting it. It would offer immortality, treasures beyond imagination and so forth in exchange for partial domination of the body that the power resides in," Gunter elaborated. "At which point, the world was plagued by the black magic."
"What the hell could It offer His Excellency? He may not be the most mature of the bunch but he would not fall for such tricks," Yosak insisted.
Gunter pierced Yosak with a knowing gaze. "What is the one thing Wolfram desires more than any other thing or person?"
Eyes widening with understanding, Yosak acknowledged the severity of the situation. "His Majesty…"
"You understand now, don't you?" Gunter said. "It's not Khalid and Sagira that exist as the threat. No, they are minor inconveniences at this stage."
Yosak set his eyes downcast and he clenched his fist brutally. "It can't be…"
"Yes, it is Wolfram who we will fear."
As if to rub away the disturbing image, Yosak massaged his forehead with a hand. "Wait a moment, then. Wasn't this stuff somewhat recent? How do we have documents on Sagira's fusion?"
Gunter reluctantly said, "That's quite a question. In fact, the first time I noticed this book was only months ago when His Excellency the Great Sage was skimming it. I don't recall how we obtained it though."
At Murata's mentioning, Yosak caught Gunter's eyes with a suspicious glare. "You don't think that…His Eminence the Great Wise Man…"
Shutting his eyes slowly, Gunter let loose a distressed sigh. "Oh, Your Eminence…"
101010
"Oh, Brother," Wolfram muttered while pressing his face into Yuri's welcoming shoulder. "I cannot believe Sagira…all this time…"
Khalid snorted from his spot away from the others.
Yuri threaded his fingers through Wolfram's locks while tightening the embrace. The crown decorating Wolfram's head had been tossed aside as were a few layers of clothing. Grateful for the closer contact that the lack of clothing permitted, Yuri patted his fiancé's back. He was well aware of the turmoil within Wolfram at the moment, including the unhealthy mixture of remorse and rage.
"It's going to be just fine, Wolfram," Yuri whispered in a soothing voice into the other's ear. "I'm here now."
Responding to Yuri's warming touch, Wolfram sighed, "I'm glad that you have a stroke of luck, you wimp. Otherwise, you'd probably be dead by now."
Murata's face tightened and he was obligated to break his gaze from the couple. Focusing his energy on Khalid, he declared, "So then..."
"Yeah, what now, Khalid? You know Sagira better than we do," Yuri stated. "You owe us an explanation too, especially to Wolfram."
Khalid shrugged. "We're prolonging the inevitable," was all he uttered.
"Inevitable?" repeated Conrad. "You're giving up, Khalid? That does not suit you."
Snarling, Khalid jeered, "Well, thanks to you morons, Sagira has come into close contact with Wolfram. That's all he'll need to forever trace It inside of Wolfram. It's just a matter of time until he gets what he wants. Not only that, his fusion with Gwendel offers him an advantage."
Murata reclined his chin on a palm of his hand. "So you're going to just sit back and let your brother walk you all over you?" he asked, aware he had hit a sore subject when Khalid visibly flinched.
"You don't know Sagira the way I do. He's going to promise us a torturous death," Khalid grumbled, his crimson eyes sliding to Wolfram. "He'll be sure to officially sign you into Red Eye's pact so that you'll retain your youth for eternity. Who knows what he will do or what he's already done to Gwendel."
Wolfram's emotions flared at the prospect of someone harming Gwendel. "So then, Your Majesty, why is it that I am the one he wants? Is it because of this cursed power within me that you claim I possess?"
Khalid viciously returned, "Only you can successfully serve as a catalyst to return him to his original body."
Yuri grasped Wolfram's hand tightly in an unconscious attempt to relax his mind. "This power is the life source of Sulteri, right? Can't it just be removed?" he asked with desperation. "Or can it even be eradicated?"
"I'm afraid such a thing is not possible, Your Majesty," Conrad said, eyes downcast. "It's the principle of ying and yang. Without chaos, there is no peace. Without dark magic, there is no light magic. It will always exist."
"Yes," Murata concurred, "and it can only be removed from Wolfram's body once his spirit separates from his body, in which case, he dies. That's what I would assume anyway."
"I suppose," Yuri confessed. "We'd be sending a nation to death practically if we remove Wolfram though, no? And how come we never knew about this power inside of him before and why now?"
Khalid chortled bitterly. "Yes, my country will rot away if Wolfram leaves for too long. Regarding the black magic, the origins of the the magic is said to have been in Sulteri. Wolfram would have lived his life not really knowing it existed. However, our country is starving and only its original life source can bring us back to glory. I had to bring Wolfram back. I knew Its power resided within Wolfram the moment I laid eyes on him because It speaks to me."
Murata raised an eyebrow. "Can you communicate with It now?" the Great Sage asked, glancing at Wolfram.
"No. I can never speak to It. It speaks to me," Khalid explained. "It does what It desires, which includes protecting Its people. However, Sagira is aware of how to kill the undead so…"
The trailing sentence hinted at something depressing and deadly. "There's something else, isn't there?" Wolfram whispered while he straightened his back as if to assert his confidence. "I remember something vaguely, now. Something happened last night, didn't it? That's why you pressed me about it."
Yuri leaned forward to examine his fiancé's countenance. "What?"
Khalid shut his eyes tightly and through grit teeth he muttered, "Last night, N-"
The spasm and stiffening of Khalid's muscles became the only forewarning of a threat before Wolfram's guttural cry split the air in two. The fingers of Gwendel had snaked around the pale neck with ease and now held Wolfram in a grip that assured strangulation.
In unexpectedness, Yuri gasped and it took his brain a few seconds to register that somehow Sagira had emerged from nothing and was standing before him. Luckily, Conrad's reflexes had smacked Yuri out of his senses when his godfather jerked him a distance away from where Gwendel stood. "Careful, Yuri!" Conrad growled, tugging the double black to his feet and behind his body.
"Wolfram!" Yuri shouted as he stretched his hand out in a futile attempt to save the struggling blonde.
"No!" Khalid screamed but as quickly as Sagira had formed before their eyes and snatched Wolfram, Gwendel and the blonde's body were swallowed whole by the earth beneath their feet.
Despite what Khalid had previously stated about their exercise in futility, determination crossed over his features again. To Yuri, he demanded, "Where did you stay with him? Chances are high that his body is there as well."
Murata stood upright and addressed the soldiers as Yuri spoke to Khalid. "We'll travel together but only the four of us will enter the underground village," he commanded before settling his attention to Khalid once more. The man seemed satisfied with Yuri's response.
"You sure you do not want to sit back though?" Murata asked.
Inspecting his hand, Khalid murmured a quick incantation. The space around Khalid twisted and swirled around him, generating a deranged and unsteady feeling around the area. Murata noted that the incantation was the one which altered the affects of time. Most noticeably is how rapidly Khalid had memorized it after executing the spell only once. Keeping silent about it though, Murata nodded in acknowledgement to Khalid's suggested plan.
In response to Murata's question, Khalid glowered.
"Sagira isn't the only one thirsting for blood."
101010
Wolfram huffed as he was plopped unceremoniously upon the cold surface of the underground village that Yuri and the others had been in just last night. "Sagira," he hissed. "You're below scum! Khalid was right about you!"
Sagira scoffed and approached his original body. "Yes, yes, poor little Khalid. He's not match for The Bad, the big brother who had his way with that pathetic excuse for a warrior," Sagira falsely whined, ending his sentence with a hearty and distorted laugh.
"You're…" Wolfram breathed, unable to complete the sentence on his first attempt. "You…did those horrible things to Khalid when he was younger. You! You're The B-"
"-the one who will be in control now, Wolfram."
Clenching his fists, Wolfram continued, "What have you done with my brother? Where's Gwendel?!"
Sagira chuckled and pressed an index finger to Gwendel's forehead. "He's here with me. He's very stubborn and wants to fight me. Unfortunately, I'm indulging in the violation his mind. His pain is delicious."
Wolfram screamed in fury and struck Sagira with his body. The impact was not powerful but Wolfram compensated with sudden intensity and speed. It caught Sagira off guard, nearly sending him crumbling. As Sagira regained balance, a quick tug to the dirtying curls was enough to jerk Wolfram away .
"I bet your pain is far more delicious," Sagira moaned and presses his lips to Wolfram's exposed neck.
The sensation of Gwendel's lips upon him in a not so brotherly fashion sent a repulsed chill scorching throughout Wolfram's nerves. "I'll kill you," he promised with a voice that did all but betray him.
Amused, Sagira released Wolfram. "What if I were to violate you using your brother's body? It would be so much fun."
The slightest indication of the action painted Wolfram's face an unhealthy color. Sagira laughed but did not pursue Wolfram. "A pity I have no time for such antics. What I need is for you to return me to my body," the madman explained, his attention concentrated on his original body.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm not anyone's pawn," Wolfram snarled, standing upright again. His stand against Sagira gained him no rewards, however. Instead, Sagira lightly shifted his heels to confront Wolfram.
"Let's do this the more fun way, then."
Wolfram narrowed his eyes and backed against a rocky wall, aware that the exits were sealed to prevent his escape. As he contemplated his options, his emerald eyes observed black smoke loitering around Gwendel's arm.
It released a hissing sound as it crept up the length of Gwendel's left elbow. The now black hand rose and stretched out toward Wolfram. Sensing the presence of dark magic, Wolfram's breath hitched.
He bolted toward the body.
Sagira cursed at Wolfram's agility and speed. "Get away from it!" he snarled spitefully and sent spikes firing upward, halting Wolfram in his quest.
"Damn!" Wolfram swore but quickly returned his focus to Gwendel's approaching body. As the hand shot out toward him, Wolfram leapt over it and used Gwendel's arm to propel himself over his foe.
His landing sent him crashing but Wolfram angled his body to roll safely away. Leaping to his feet, Wolfram ran as far away as the small area permitted, which lead him into another rocky barrier.
"What are you attempting to do, boy?" Sagira inquired with a crude gesture. "There's no escape. You can't run away."
Panting, Wolfram retorted, "I'm not running away."
"Then what is it that you-"
The wall that hindered Wolfram's escape rumbled and exploded into dust particles. At the sudden force of the detonation, Wolfram covered his head unconsciously for protection. As the ringing ceased, he peeked beyond his arms and he smirked.
"I was waiting for that," Wolfram clarified, pointing to Khalid and the others.
Yuri grinned at Wolfram's unharmed appearance. "You got to stop getting yourself kidnapped, Wolfram," he said in a poor attempt at light humor.
"It's over, Sagira," Murata claimed, stepping from behind Conrad. "You lack the time to execute what you have in mind now that we're here."
Yuri nodded and said, "Yes, thanks to Khalid's use of black magic we stand a chance against you."
Sagira frowned. "Hmm. No doubt Khalid would have tagged along. Quite wise, Wolfram, yet you all forget one thing. In this territory, I am a god."
Moans demanded everyone's concentration. Behind Yuri and his group, those who occupied the underground village swarmed toward them with crazed gleams beneath their eyes. Their right eyes became the customary scarlet shade and the pupils, as expected, slit.
"Careful, Your Highness!" Conrad shouted and he thrust his blade deeply into a villager. There was a slick sound of flesh tearing but the villager only shrieked with mad fits of laughter.
Not expecting the response, Conrad made the attempt to draw back his blade. The villager clutched it with a hand, pulling the brunette closer. In a flash, the villager raised his head and clamped his teeth onto Conrad's shoulder, gnawing and ripping the blanket of muscle and nerves.
Conrad cried out and Yuri drew out Morgif who moaned in fright at the sight before him. "Conrad!"
Wolfram cursed and dashed toward his companions only to witness decaying hands tear free from what was once solid ground. Disgusted, Wolfram took a step back as various human remains and limbs crawled out of the surface, like ants emerging from their colony to gather food.
The sudden connection startled Wolfram. He whispered, "The pit of bodies…"
"Yes, that was my doing," Sagira said and before Wolfram registered the proximity between himself and Sagira, agony bolted throughout his body.
Not even capable of screaming, Wolfram croaked and doubled over as much as he was capable of in Gwendel's arm. He never even witnessed Sagira appearing before him nor the black hand sheathing itself in the pit of Wolfram's stomach. Though no blood spilled, Wolfram sensed his being shredding from the inside out.
A gasp of protest escaped Wolfram as his eyes widened even more. Beneath the veneer of Sagira's sadistic gaze, resided a torn Gwendel demanding to be released from the confines of his own mind. The sight of his eldest brother ensnared and helpless brought a crushing wave of sadness over Wolfram, overriding the physical agony.
"No!" Khalid shrieked but, like the others, was overwhelmed by the undead foes to reach Wolfram. When a limb or particle of flesh was ripped off, it too gained the ability to move freely and attack. Like a hydra, the more that was sliced off, the more foes that would accumulate.
Wolfram cringed as Sagira's mind breached his own, fusing it with sinister images and thoughts. "N-No…" the Prince gasped and with whatever will power remained, Wolfram commanded his trembling hands to grab the blackening arm.
Sagira scowled at the bold move. With determination, he propelled Gwendel's arm further into Wolfram, demanding entrance into the boy's physical body.
In defiance, Wolfram screamed and their conflicting waves of energy manifested into bolts of static electricity. Faintly in the background, Wolfram could make out his friend's cries of horror yet their yells grew fainter and fainter.
"Yes, let me in, boy. You're the only one who can place me into the original body I once had and you WILL do it," Sagira heaved with excitement.
I'm slipping…I…can't…
Wolfram, despite his endeavors, felt Sagira dominating his unconscious mind as it teetered over the edge. Every second exhausted his energy while it strengthened Sagira's, giving the crazed man the advantage. With a final thrust of power, Wolfram's mind was slammed into the caves of oblivion and his body grew limp.
Yuri ducked, dodging an arm, and he shouted for Wolfram. He managed to distinguish Gwendel's form collapsing to the ground. The black hand remained within Wolfram serving as the catalyst to transfer Sagira's spirit into the Prince.
With Sagira's spirit encased within, the black hand vanished. Wolfram's body arched, his body bending like a bow, and a breath of chocked air caught itself in the throat.
"No!" Conrad roared and sliced away at his opponents, the pain in his shoulder throbbing with each movement. "We have to get to him before he reaches the body!"
Wolfram continued to croak even as his murky and lifeless eyes settled on Sagira's original form, hanging limply and desiring for a spirit. Wolfram's body danced to Sagira's tune as he took one step in front of the other, drawing near the body.
Khalid bellowed and shoved aside a woman. "Wolfram!" he called out as the shadows overtook Khalid's body, disintegrating it. Carrying Khalid, the shadow slid around the walls and settled before Wolfram's feet.
The shadows pieced back together Khalid and he pointed his blade at the blonde's chest. "Another move, Sagira, and you'll regret it," he panted, dried blood still coating his face where Gwendel's boot had made contact.
Wolfram howled like a beast. The sole intensity beneath the scream sent Khalid colliding into the opposite wall, allowing Sagira extra time. He wasted no seconds as he demanded Wolfram to scurry over to the body with quicker strides.
Somewhere within the cages of Sagira's ensnarement, Wolfram heard Yuri screaming for him to stop. Whatever Wolfram felt within though, his body responded like a stringed puppet, twitching whenever Sagira jerked at the intangible strings. Wolfram's hand finally rose and stroked the cold cheek of Sagira's old body in a mocking display of affection.
Leaning forward, Wolfram's lips trailed a ghost-like kiss near frozen lips and that was all Sagira deemed necessary.
A light radiated, blinding and stilling all things underground. The battle ceased and Murata glared through the oppressing rays to notice Wolfram's body crashing to the ground below. What was mostly emphasized was the twitching body that once hung limp, its muscles flexing and chest heaving with renewed life.
Khalid groaned as he erected himself upward. "N-No…we're too late…"
Wolfram's eyes brightened as he escaped from the cage within his mind, which ached horribly as he regained dominance over his body. From his crumbled state, his gaze landed upon Gwendel's unmoving form. "Brother," the tired blonde breathed.
The entire world quivered and rumbled, sending the underground into a state of demolition.
With feeble movements and despite the prominent light, Wolfram clawed his way across the ground, slithering up to the fallen Gwendel. Draping his upper body over Gwendel's stiff face, Wolfram shifted so that he sat up. With a forced amount of exertion, the youngest brother dragged over Gwendel's upper half. Once the comfort of Wolfram's lap cradled Gwendel's head, Wolfram employed his body as a shield and endured the plunging rocks and pebbles.
Wincing, Wolfram pressed a bruised and scratched hand against Gwendel's cheek. "Gwendel, forgive me…" he weakly offered. Aware that the worst was yet to arrive, Wolfram braced his body until the vibration subsided.
Amidst the pandemonium, Yuri fought against Conrad to reach Wolfram. "Wolfram! Please, Conrad!"
Khalid acknowledged Yuri's frantic calls and the dark haired man was quick to respond. Extending his hands, Khalid's eyes shut and lips parted to cast a spell. The spell reflected that of the one performed in the Demon Kingdom that had prevented the ceiling from crushing him before.
"…Still!" Khalid finished and the plummeting wreckage halted in midair though the world continued to tremble as if fearing its own demise.
As the spell took hold of the ruins, the patronizing light dimmed and the silhouette of a lean man stood shakily on two feet. There was an enormous breath of air released and the area returned to its original state of gloominess.
Cautiously, eyes were shifted to settle on Sagira, who stood upright and lacked any modesty to his nudity. His pair of bloody eyes consumed his surroundings as if the very use of sight was a new concept to him.
"Sagira," Khalid hissed just as he gently set down the rubble.
Brushing aside everyone's terror, Sagira scrutinized his arms and hands. His head snapped up in a quick and fluid motion. Eyes settling on his undead minions, Sagira extended a finger and generated a bead of black to trickle from his fingertip. It twirled downward in a lazy motion until it lightly made contact with the ground.
As the drop made contact, the minions shrieked in what could only be assumed to be anguish. As quickly as they began to holler, they erupted from the inside out in a flash, a sparkling array of particles becoming the only remnants of their existence.
Wolfram covered his mouth in disbelief at the power and his stomach flipped twenty times. Everyone too experienced the uneasy sensation of helplessness and fear as Sagira proceeded to laugh hysterically, a noise far too perverse and cruel.
Satisfied with the authority and extent of his capabilities, Sagira's lips quirked and spread to plaster a sinister grin upon his features. Fixating his attention on Wolfram, Sagira offered a deadly promise to the startled Prince of Sulteri.
"Oh, yes. This is going to be fun."
1010…tbc…1010
Thanks to those of you who reviewed again. It got me to write.
NOTE: In case you didn't read the note in my profile, I have a LiveJournal account that I activated after many years. You are welcome to view detailed updates on the stories there (click on my homepage from my profile). If you want to comment, add me as a friend, that's all fine too. I only post entries to update you readers. It's just more efficient that way for me (in case isn't working/etc), thanks!
Mirai Kurosaki