A/N: Take note friends, college is a time glutton. Just to give you the heads-up, if I'm late updating, blame college. I'll give it my best to stay on schedule, but you know how life goes sometimes. Please, enjoy the next entry.
One becomes two
Two become one
Only hours left before this night is done
Chapter 9: The Crescent Moon
"Azure Edge!" He cried and sent his attacker through the window. He rushed to the edge of the window and looked out from the bridge connecting the two towers. Eyes focused through the night, he did not see a corpse of his foe, "Escaped?" He looked around questioningly before rushing off to the northern tower.
Below the bridge, the crazed assassin growled as he bit his own hand. "Che," His maddened eyes calmed into indifference, "tougher than I thought." He grinned, "How fun." His eyes dropped to look at his bleeding hand, "Blonde hair, blue eyes, I'll remember it all until the day he dies." With that, he retreated into the shadows.
Above the two towers of the castle, at the apex of sword-like structure, the Commandant waited. His plans have been set into motion, and the first step has been perfectly executed. "Don Whitehorse," Alexei looked skywards, towards the enchanted moon, "he was a good man, and a dear friend."
"Yet you had him killed." The leader of Alexei's dogs appeared behind him. He folded his arms and leaned against the railing of the path.
Alexei smirked bitterly, "An unfortunate sacrifice to ensure a pure, perfect world." He turned his eyes towards his underling, "So Cain, what did you give up to come to this place?"
"My heart." Cain cast an emotionless glance towards the lower towers.
"Ah, a precious treasure." Alexei looked towards the magical sphere that has become his obsession, "I sacrificed all doubts." He spread his arms, "To make a pure world, I have to dedicate all I am to the ideal."
Cain nodded, "Do as you like." He looked to Alexei, "What will you have me and your Hounds do next?"
The Commandant smirked, "Wait," He looked up to the moon once more, "the Nightingale will come to us," He chuckled, "I've made sure of it." He looked to his left and ran his hand over the lifeless statue. He admired its kneeled position, as if in prayer to the moon itself.
"Zagi is on his way." Cain announced after sniffing the air, "He smells of bloodlust."
"And so we prepare for the final act." Alexei calmly remained still, basking in the idea of his dream becoming a reality.
The scene is horrible. Amongst the castle's usual dim atmosphere, corpses are littered throughout the upper levels of the northern tower. Blood streaked the walls and floors, and pools of red stained the floors. There was no fight here, no battle, but a massacre. It was as if a pack of crazed dogs ran through and ripped these noble knights to pieces.
Estelle almost gagged at the sight, her face pale. If not for Yuri's support, she would have fallen to her knees in horror. Many of her books told of such horrible sights, but to see it with your own eyes- it overwhelmed her. "H-Horrible."
Judy gave her a concerned look before returning to her observations. She is no stranger to death, but she felt sorry for Estelle's sake. Her heart is too kind for this type of thing, "This is horrible," She agreed, "but we need to go further."
"Are you alright to go on?" Fen asked Estelle over his shoulder.
"Yeah, I'll be fine, don't worry."
Yuri felt admiration for her resolve, but he frowned a little at her unwell appearance, "Don't push yourself too hard." He secured her against him, "If you feel its too much, just say so."
"Okay." Though happy Yuri is worried for her, Estelle felt embarrassed at being treated like a frail girl. She put on a brave face, "Let's hurry, we don't have too much time."
"Don't forget," Rita was quick to remind them, "we still need to light the statue in this tower." She stepped over the dead knights without a second thought, "We can't spend too much time here."
"Um," Karol carefully started while following the others, "why exactly are you guys looking for the statues?"
Raven folded his arms in a sagely fashion, "Because she is the Child of the Full Moon."
"How did you know?" Yuri glanced at Raven suspiciously.
"Raven has great insight." Karol grinned proudly... then frowned in shame.
Raven had taken Judy's hand and fell to one knee. He motioned upwards dramatically, "Rest assured Judy darlin', I, your humble knight Raven, will not let anything bad happen to you." He pointed forward, "Onwards Child of the Full Moon, let us fulfill your destiny!"
WHACK
Raven went rigid when Rita punched him in the forehead, "Estelle is the Child of the Moon you goof!" She snorted and continued to stomp forward, "And keep your cruddy drama to yourself."
"What do you see in her?" Raven looked back at Fen.
The wolf-eared butler shrugged, "I'm a sap for girls that are hot when angry." His tone made it hard to tell if he was serious, or being sarcastic. Everyone allowed a small smile when Estelle laughed softly. Their unspoken intention complete, they focused on making their way deeper into the northern tower. Fen's ears suddenly twitched, "Hm?"
Repede slowed his pace and listened carefully, also hearing something. He barked urgently before dashing ahead.
"What's wrong?" Karol asked while he joined everyone in following Repede.
Yuri drew his sword and made sure Estelle was close, "Just follow him!"
"Whoever did all of this," Fen continued to rush forward, "is still here." Everyone slowed to a stop behind Repede and looked at the person he is growling at. He was dressed in a dark-blue suit with a yellow shirt underneath. His eyes are also dark and his hold a strange smile.
"Ah," He turned to them and held his scythe behind him, "so zhe guests have arrived." He smoothly bowed to them before leaping backwards. With the same amount of grace, he turned and ran into the dimness of the tower, towards a brighter room.
Estelle, stricken by his unfamiliar accent, could only stare at the blood that stained his scythe. Her vision blurred as the Nightingale appeared before her eyes once more. She heard a voice in the distance and felt a strange pull from within her chest. The feeling made her dizzy, but she has grown familiar with these strange happenings. She steadies her feet and takes a calming breath. Her senses return to the sound of Rita beckoning her to follow.
"Sir Whitehorse!" Their pursuit was quickly cut short when a knight with blonde hair and bright, blue eyes rushed into the room. His white rabbit ears swayed when he looked from one side of the room to the other before resting on a set of black rabbit ears, "Yuri!"
Said swordsman rolled his eyes, "My luck gives out at the worst times."
"Did you do all of this!? Answer me Yuri!" The knight put his hand to his sword, ready to draw it. His blue eyes seemed to burn against Yuri, as if holding a long period of resentment. Estelle, however, could see a hint of sadness.
Yuri turned his back to him, "Not now Flynn, kind of in the middle of something here." He waved over his shoulder.
"Friend of yours?" Rita asked with an annoyed scowl. For some reason, this guy's attitude made her angry.
Flynn stepped towards Yuri, "You can't just disregard your punishment Yuri!" He looked at the ones gathered around him, "And to involve more people in your plot, what are thinking!?"
"I said not now." Yuri's expression took on a mix between frustration and indignant anger. Something about the conversation's direction struck a cord within him. He could feel his companions glancing towards him, a bit confused by Flynn's words.
"Um, what plot?" Karol asked the one question Yuri hoped they wouldn't.
Flynn drew his sword and pointed it accusingly at Yuri, "To slay the king of this castle!" All sadness in his eyes vanished, as a fire came to life in his eyes.
"Man you talk too much." Yuri grabbed Estelle's hand and ran ahead, with Repede close behind. Dazed by the accusation, the others also followed, but not before casting doubtful glances towards his back and amongst themselves.
Flynn quickly gave chase, and kept his eyes focused on Yuri. His attention briefly flickered to Estelle, and his eyes widened a little, "What... what is she doing here?" His look of confusion turned into surprise when he heard a familiar cry of pain, "That sounded like," He paused when he heard another scream, "Sodia!" He easily passed Karol and weaved around Raven to trail just behind Fen.
Yuri released Estelle's hand and attacked the scythe-wielding man to get him away from an injured Sodia.
"Hmm," The strangely dressed man held his scythe behind him when he saw the others rush into the room, "time for me to go." He leaped backwards and stepped up into the open window of the tower, "tah tah for now." He smiled mysteriously at them before falling backwards and into the night.
Fen cursed, "The snake got away."
"Sodia!" Flynn immediately caught her when she started to fall. His eyes stared at the large cut in her side and her sword-wielding arm.
"Captain," Sodia weakly acknowledged him, "I-I'm sorry."
"Tell me what happened." Flynn gently pressed. He never delved too deeply into medicine, but he could tell her injuries won't kill her, "Who was that man?"
Sodia painfully grimaced, "H-He said his name is Yeager," She paused to sink down into a sitting position while Flynn supported her, "he killed everyone, even Sir Whitehorse."
Yuri and his friends watched and listened closely. The appearance of someone that strong only added to the list of people they need to take down. Everyone exchanged looks, silently promising to make sure these people will be punished.
Out of everyone, Estelle couldn't take her eyes off of Sodia's injuries. The concern of this Flynn person and the pain Sodia is going through struck something within her. This feeling, unlike the others, is familiar to her.
Once, she had found an injured puppy in the gardens. The poor thing was malnourished and looked like it had been kicked around. She was a little girl back then, but she still knew that it was wrong to just leave the poor animal to suffer. With the help of some of the maids, she took the puppy into her home and nursed it back to health. Her father was very pleased with her, much to the surprise of the younger servants. The feelings she had for that injured puppy are the same she feels now.
"Estelle," Rita called her from her thoughts, "leave her to them." She nodded towards Judy and Flynn as they moved to bandage Sodia's wounds. "You and I will go and activate the statue."
Her face downcast, Estelle nodded. She cast a fleeting glance towards Sodia before approaching the sleeping statue. It was beautifully affixed into the wall and surrounded by white marble. The white statue seemed to glow in the dim room and bathed in moonlight. Her emerald eyes left the visage of the statue and searched the room. In moments, she spotted the fluttering Nightingale.
It circled the room before landing on top of the statue's head. Beating its wings, it began to sing its enchanting song once more.
Closing her eyes, Estelle focused. She recalled the words of that strange voice and looked deep within herself. Before long, she saw a speck of light. She reached out to that speck of light and embraced it. Her grip was light but soon tightened into a firm hold. The Nightingale's song echoed through the darkness around her. In her hand, the speck of light grew brighter and sent a torrent of warmth through her body.
With this power, bring light to the dim world.
Estelle's eyes shot open. Her head felt light for a moment before she stumbled backwards. However, a pair of arms held her upright. Her cheeks grew red at the familiar closeness, "Y-You again," She spoke breathlessly while her heart's rhythm grew quick and strong.
"Yes it is." Amidst the colorless, motionless atmosphere, the other Yuri held her tight. He smirked mysteriously before gently turning Estelle around to face him, "You're doing great." His smirk faltered when Estelle gently removed herself from his touch.
"Who are you?" Estelle stepped back and kept a good distance between him and herself. She slowly shook her head, "Yuri would never talk to me like that." She bit her lip and looked away from his warm gaze, "He would never touch me like that."
"How do you know?" The other Yuri soberly leaned forward.
Estelle gave him a suspicious look and hugged herself defensively. She felt a tug somewhere within her when his eyes looked a little hurt, "His personality, its so much different from yours."
The other Yuri, the one from her dreams, tilted his head, "Is it?"
"Why do you only appear when I awaken a statue? Why is the Yuri outside of this place so much different from you?" Her voice was strained. It confused her terribly to go back to a Yuri who acts so much different from when she first saw him. Every time she made eye contact, she sees the kisses, the warm embraces, and the soft eyes that don't seem to be his own. It's humiliating when he gives her a confused look, and confusing when he seems to think no more of her than a friend. "Why?"
'Yuri' respected her desire to keep her distance. His eyes softened at her distress. With a gentle voice, he tried to soothe the tears that are building in her eyes, "When Yuri gave up love to come here, he paid a very heavy price."
Estelle's drooped cat-ears perked at his words, "What?"
"Love is the root of a lot of things Estelle." He took a step closer to her. She did not step back, "Without love, we can do nothing more than what we must do." He stepped closer. "Without love, sorrow can easily rule the heart." He smiled and stepped within reach of Estelle, "That's why you are able to see me."
"You're a-"
"Physical manifestation of what Yuri gave up." He leaned down so he was eye-level with Estelle, "You can only see me during these moments because this is when you use your powers." He shrugged, "Heck, you can see the Nightingale, what makes you think you can't see other things?"
"So," Estelle started uneasily, "you are Yuri... in a way?" He nodded. Despite not completely understanding, Estelle smiled. That simple nod was as much as she needed. So when 'Yuri' kissed her, she felt even more warmth than usual. "Wait," Estelle pulled back when another question struck her, "how do you even know me?"
'Yuri' smirked, "Sorry Estelle," He stood up and chuckled, "I can't tell everything this time."
"Why?"
His smirk grew more smug, "I have to give you some reason to awaken the final statue." And with that, the world around her slowly began to move again, and the color slowly returned.
Estelle watched 'Yuri' fade and smiled again. When the strange enchantment faded, her eyes locked with the real Yuri. The moment her emerald eyes met his curious, dark gaze... they were veiled by a thick cloud of smoke. With a loud poof and a flash, the room was filled with smoke. Estelle yelped in surprise when she felt two pairs of arms suddenly grab her.
Rita rubbed her eyes and coughed, "Estelle!" She went to rush towards Estelle.
"Destructive Field!" Yuri's strong cry came before a powerful gust of wind that blew away the smoke. When it cleared, everyone looked at his crouched position, his sword at the center of a shattered tiles. He cursed roughly when he rushed to the window, only to see Estelle being taken away. His eyes focused on the two girls carrying her into the night: one with green hair, the other a fiery red. He cursed again and punched the wall with enough force to crack his knuckles.
Estelle is gone, and with her, the Nightingale.
A/N: Terribly sorry for the late update. I'm afraid updates might slow up now that college is kicking my butt, so I ask for your patience and continued support. Thank you for reading and please review!