Sol of Luna: Near and Far

Author: Gakusangi

Author's Notes and Acknowledgements:
RECAP - First we get a brief glimpse into L's shadowed past, on the very day he and Quillsh (Watari) first met, while he was still just a young boy. When L awakens, he goes into the study, where he talks with Watari while they wait for the children to arrive. Watari takes the opportunity to tell L that he believes one of the children is destined to die. L refuses to accept this. Meanwhile, Mello dreams about the time Roger taught him to shoot, only to wake and drift into the study where everyone's waiting. Watari then reveals to them that the spirit of dawn, Sol, hasn't yet awakened, and they therefore have no way of tracking him down. However, since both souls are destined to be together, Watari is confident that the two will meet, so long as nothing happens to Near. The children then, against Watari's warnings, swear an oath of protection to Near, which L sanctifies. Afterwards, when they are alone, Watari informs L that the Daimyo are planning to sneak into the Empire through the Old Kingdom fort, located in the Crescent. If this force isn't met, then the Daimyo will establish a foothold on Imperial ground.

This is a Death Note fan fiction. Many of the characters presented here are not mine, but the legal property of writer Tsugumi Ohba, and artist Takeshi Obata.

Chapter 25: Quiet Before the Storm

"Medics just confirmed heart failure for Gardener." Rester told Mikami. "Heart just gave out suddenly, like the others."

"That makes Conners, McEnroe, and Gardener, all within the last eight days." Mikami said bitterly. "Rumors of some mysterious plague have finally given way to talk about curses!"

"A few of the officers are already turning to the High Summoner for protection." Halle put in. "The rest are blaming her for the deaths."

"Are these the times we live in?" Mikami asked no one in particular. "That rational men should start spouting about magic and spirits, makes me sick to my stomach!"

Suddenly Light came up to meet them. It seemed that all this time out in the open had done wonders for him after years of confinement. The full color had returned to his complexion, his body was toned, and well muscled, his hair no longer had phantom streaks of grey from little exposure to sunlight, and even his once weary eyes seemed well rested, and focused. Yes, the open air had done a lot for Light Yagami…or had it?

"I'm starting to think we're chasing after some serial arsonists, or something." Light told the other officers. "According to accounts, some kids set fire to the street just recently."

"Why?" Halle asked.

"Who knows?" Light replied with a shrug. "But a boy matching the description of the Prince spent some time in a tavern with a red haired boy, and left shortly afterward."

"A tavern?" Mikami repeated in confusion.

"He was definitely there, but they all left in a hurry." Takada's voice drifted to them, icy and smug as she appeared from same direction Light had come. "I can sense his traces there, but they've already moved on."

"Where?" Mikami demanded, and he didn't miss how her expression changed from smugly to annoyed.

"I'll need time." Takada informed the Commander, with biting edge to her tone.

"Well hurry up!" Mikami barked. "The more time you take, the less time the Prince may have!"

(XXX)

Gevanni watched silently, just out of sight of the other officers, though Halle and Rester both knew he was somewhere nearby. He was exhausted, and his mind was clouded from several nights without rest. But he just couldn't figure it out. Yagami seemed so healthy, full of boundless energy. Yet Gevanni couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Light Yagami sleep. This realization had come to the young officer three nights ago, and so he had set himself to watching Yagami more closely. Now, three sleepless nights later, he couldn't figure it out. Yagami hadn't appeared to sleep that entire time, save for his seemingly random meditation sessions, which only lasted a few brief minutes. It was impossible to imagine that those were all he required for rest.

Then there was the matter of Yagami's eating patterns. The problem was…Yagami never ate. For three days, Gevanni had watched the man, and not once had Yagami eaten. Yet standing there with Mikami and the rest - or what remained - of the Command Team, Yagami didn't seem starving or malnourished. In fact, he seemed to look better and better each day. Gevanni wondered if it had anything to do with the visit to the bandit captives that Yagami had paid. But he hadn't been back there to see them since that first meeting. Gevanni silently cursed himself for not being able to overhear what was shared that day, but there was nothing he could do about that now. Still, he didn't understand what was happening, and it was more than a little unsettling for the young officer.

(XXX)

Deus stood without his white armor, bearing the mark of the serpent, his long black hair, normally wound into a tightly braided tail, now draping loosely about his broad shoulders. He was just outside a large warehouse, with three carts being loaded by his men, all dressed in casual wear to avoid any suspicion. He observed a group of armored men - well, three men and two women, one of them in black robes - conversing in the middle of the street. He could immediately identify the Imperial Crest that adorned their breastplates. Since these soldiers were not with the main body of the Emperor's forces, he could guess that they were Kagebannin, the Emperors special ops. But the idea that they would be in Hitomura at the same moment Deus and his men were, seemed too great a coincidence.

"You boys bought out my entire stock." Koren said, coming up beside the Daimyo Commander, though not knowing what he was. "I'll have to let Aeron know I need a new shipment soon."

"Do those antiques you sold us work?" Deus asked without looking at the man.

"I wouldn't sell them if they didn't." Koren replied, seeming a little put off.

Then he noticed that his customer's focus was located elsewhere, and leaned in forward to see what had capture his gaze.

"What's caught your attention?" Koren asked.

"Those men up there," Deus replied, "They're Imperial soldiers."

"What?" Koren said, glancing down the street and spotting them. "Damn!"

He turned to flee, but was caught by Deus and held firm with one hand clamped painfully upon his shoulder.

"Relax, they're not looking for us." Deus assured, still not looking at Koren. "They've been squawking in the middle of the street for a while now. I wonder what they're up to."

"So long as they're up to it over there," Koren began, "I don't have a problem with it."

"Just don't draw attention to yourself, and everything will be just fine." Deus replied, finally releasing the man.

"First kids almost burn down my place, and now Imperials start sniffing around." Koren grumbled.

"Kids?" Deus asked, finally turning to the man.

"Yeah, some blonde brat with a fancy sword, and girl with knives." Koren spat.

"Really?" Deus said, his interest apparently piqued. "Did they travel with another boy? One with white hair?"

"Yeah, you know them?" Koren asked in surprise.

An odd, and very unsettling light seemed to flood into Deus' features, and a wicked smile crossed his face. This was an interesting new development indeed, and he had a feeling why the Kagebannin had arrived in town.

(XXX)

Takada closed her eyes and attempted to focus her mind while the sounds of the others bickering behind her encroached on her concentration. However, since the Prince's aura was potent in its strange way, she had no trouble feeling the swirling energies that surrounded him. But there was something else, something big breaking through, disrupting the fonts and bending the waves. Takada opened her eyes, not her physical eyes that could only see what pathetic human reality allowed her to see, but the eyes of her mind, which saw all things as they were. Twisting, and flowing mightier than any river, the streams arched across sky above and drove downward to…

"What's in that direction?" Takada asked, catching everyone's attention.

They looked where her finger pointed.

"Desert." Mikami answered, seeming annoyed. "Just a long track of nothing."

"No!" Takada said firmly. "There is something there."

"A canyon." Light said suddenly, all heads turning to him. "A canyon that curves, like a crescent moon."

"There are streams converging there." Takada said. "That is where we'll find the Prince."

"You're sure?" Halle asked, seeming a little skeptical.

"She's led us this far." Mikami said, seeming none-to-thrilled to do so. "And we're obviously still on their trail. Call everyone together. We're making for the canyon."

(XXX)

Everyone began to gather themselves up. They were all so weary from travel, so fearful from the mysterious deaths that had claimed their comrades. And it took almost every ounce of Light's will to keep from bursting into laughter. They were all so stupid, so weak. He had picked through them one by one, breaking their chain of commanded, and strengthening himself with the precious golden apples. He no longer needed sleep, nor did he require food, for the souls provided all the sustenance he would need. Soon now, very soon, he would make his move. Revenge would be his.

"Things are starting to get pretty exciting." Ryuk chimed. "I'm happy you're starting to take advantage of the Shinigami powers. I was beginning to get bored."

It has proven pretty effective, but I'm curious about something Ryuk.

"Oh?" Ryuk asked.

What happens if I use my powers to kill someone who's already dead?

"Can't say for sure." Ryuk admitted. "But going to the spirit world with no soul to devour, could prevent you from coming back in. You use the life force to bring yourself back into the mortal world. Technically, you're dead every time you enter the world of souls, so I guess you would stay that way without one to eat."

So my body would remain here, while my consciousness, my soul, would be trapped in the spirit world.

Light managed to suppress a shudder at the thought of this fate. But then something occurred to him.

Ryuk, does the Emperor know about this?

"You'd think so." Ryuk answered.

(XXX)

"We're finished loading the carts, sir." An officer, without uniform, informed Deus.

"Looks like they're leaving too." Deus remarked, watching the Kagebannin pack up and begin to drift off. "To bad. I'd like to follow them."

"Shall we start moving, sir." The officer asked.

"Yes, tell everyone we're making for the canyon." Deus replied.

As the Daimyo forces began to move out, no one noticed the little blonde haired figure that suddenly rushed out of a nearby alleyway, and leapt into the back of one of the carts at the rear of precession. The person ducked behind the crates and barrels, grinning a woefully evil grin with ruby red lips, just below a pair of pitch black eyes.

(XXX)

Naomi sat at what had until just recently been Roger's desk, looking over the field reports Aizawa had sent her. It wasn't good news. Though Aizawa had proven a tactical genius, and though he had staved off attack after vicious attack, he and Naomi both seemed to share the common idea that they couldn't meet the one on the horizon. A massive Daimyo force had been mobilized, a unified army beneath three different banners. Mogi and Ide, who where standing in front of the Guild Master's desk, were sharing the same sentiments, as well as Nancy, who sitting quietly in one corner of the large room. In this grim atmosphere, you could imagine their surprise when Ukita came bursting in with what looked like a hunter hawk resting on his outstretched arm. Naomi frowned and looked at the man questioningly.

"What's this?" Naomi demanded.

"This is a hawk." Ukita said, tilting his head in the bird's direction. "But I think you'll find this much more interesting."

He held out his hand, and Naomi spotted an envelope clutched in his fingers. She took it and unfolded it, her eyes scanning the words written upon the paper. Suddenly she rose from her desk and stepped around it, her wide eyes still reading. Everyone tensed, waiting anxiously for her to reveal the pages contents.

"L says that a small Daimyo force is going to invade the Empire while the Imperials concentrate on the front." Naomi said to the room.

"The main force is just a distraction?" Mogi said in disbelief.

"How many can we spare?" Naomi asked Nancy.

"I'll find out." Nancy said, rising from her seat and rushing out of the room.

Naomi looked at the two men in front of her.

"Ide, Mogi," She said, "I want you to go and assist Aizawa. When you can, send whatever men you can spare."

"Where?" Ide asked.

"Someplace called the Old Kingdom fort." Naomi replied.

"That's in a canyon near the border." Ukita piped in.

Ide and Mogi both nodded and left. Naomi looked to Ukita.

"Ukita, prepare horses and stock a few carts." Naomi commanded. "And then find the fastest course to this canyon. I want to reach it as soon as possible."

"Yes, Guild Master." Ukita replied, and then, with the hawk still resting on his arm, he was gone.

Naomi was now alone. She set herself back behind the desk and began to rub her temples. This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all.

(XXX)

The children had been confused when L suddenly announced their departure, but didn't argue the decision. Watari had led them up and up through the tower, until the walls of smooth crystal gave to rough rock, and they were navigating a vast subterranean cave network. It would have been easy to get lost, if the old man hadn't been so intimately familiar with the underground passages. They soon broke to the surface, the silvery light of the moon stinging their eyes, now accustomed to the gloom of the cavern below, the soft glow of the tower. They were all further surprised to find five black horses, saddled, and reined, ready for travel.

They farewell to Watari was brief, and felt somehow lacking, considering all they'd been through just to see him. But L was set in his decision to leave, and the seriousness of his tone left no room for protest. Something was bothering the guildsman, and the children were all keen to it. They left, their mounts bearing them swiftly through the darkness of the open sand, seeming to know where they were headed. It was a relief since none of them, save for Near and maybe L, could make out much in the seemingly unnatural gloom of the desert. The dry, dusty wind, coupled with the haste of their flight, made it a painful journey, but none of the children complained.

The moon hung above them, pale as death, its glow lighting, but not revealing. It was hard to describe. It gave the impression of illumination, and yet cast shadows that could not be seen through, as though the light it shown was more of a hindrance than a benefit. The air was freezing cold, and with the wind it to augment it the only thing that kept the children from icing over was the complete lack of moisture in the air. Still they trudged on, unquestioningly, their mentor, the legend, leading them to places unknown. That was the faith they placed in him. Where L led, they would follow, and without question. It only served to distress the man further.

It was during a brief period, in which their pace was slowed to allow their horses some much deserved rest, that they were met with a blood chilling sound. In the distance, beneath the ghost moon, scavenger hounds began to howl into the air, a chorus of haunting murmurs, signaling the hunt for sustenance. They all knew that in the deep desert, when the packs were large and thoroughly starved, the hounds could become predatory. In those cases, even creatures as large as horses were viewed simply as possible meals. They all kept close together, their eyes darting about for signs of danger.

It was Near who finally spoke up, startling the others with suddenness of his voice.

"Where are we going?" Near asked in tone that was just as lifeless as L's, belying the boy's sense of foreboding.

"There's a canyon, you can see it in the distance if you look." L replied without turning back to them. "Not far in, there's an old fort, from the times of the Old Kingdom. That's where we're headed."

"Why?" Matt ventured, since Near had opened.

"We should reach it by dawn." L said, not really answering the redhead's question.

"I thought we were done with that." Mello said quietly.

There was brief pause, in which L's shoulders seemed to slouch even more than usual.

"We're going to hold an counter-offensive at the fort, and defend the border from Daimyo invasion." L said at last.

The children, excluding Near, who only curled his hair, looked at each other in surprise.

"It's a small, but formidable force that plans on sneaking in while the main body faces off with the Imperials at the frontline." L explained.

"So, we're going to defend the fort, and prevent them from passing through the canyon?" Linda asked.

"That's the plan." L replied.

"Just us?" Matt asked in disbelief.

"I doubt that." L said, though he wasn't entire sure himself. "I think that reinforcements are already on their way. But they won't arrive until long after we do, and we may have to hold our enemies off until their arrival."

(XXX)

The sun rose, a golden orb that reddened the skies with the light of dawn, but that light would take longer to finally reach the canyon. Still, the tone had changed, and the temperature had gone up considerably as the children, led by L, navigated through the high rock walls. The canyon had a prominent arc, blocking whatever was ahead from view, curving inward, and hiding what lie in wait. Near was already beginning to slouch with morning fatigue, and Linda rode up beside him, ready to move should he lose consciousness, and fall from his mount. Mello was riding beside L, anxious to see the fort as soon as it appeared from around the corner. Matt brought up the rear, and couldn't seem to fight the urge to look over his shoulder every couple of minutes, half expecting Daimyo forces to come riding around to meet them.

When the fort did finally come into view, regardless of its great age, and the state of disrepair it had fallen into during its time of abandonment, it was still a sight to behold. A massive structure of stone brick, faded and worn by desert wind, and sun exposure, smoothing its surface and bleaching it white, like a gleaming castle of salt. It took up the entire expanse of the canyon path, blocking any further progress. It the great wall that they approached had not been long since toppled, entry would have been impossible without climbing great to scale the high walls. L stopped, and the children followed suit, Linda having to rein the Near's horse, since he was only half awake.

"They won't be here until nightfall." L announced. "Before then, we'll have to scope the place out, and find suitable spots to defend from."

"We should take Near inside where there's some shade." Linda put in. "Even though it'll take the sun a while to come of the canyon, the heat isn't much better for him."

"We'll all have to be inside when high-sun comes around." Matt said from the back. "Otherwise, we'll all fry like bacon on a skillet."

"Well put, and agreed upon Matt." L said. "So let's get the Prince inside, and examine these ruins quickly."

They passed under what was left a massive archway, once held by a great iron portcullis, which had rusted, weakened and eventually fallen into ruin like the rest of the stone structure. There were massive columns here, twelve in total, which ran down the length of the main path towards the keep. Many of these columns had toppled over the years. There was one closest to the archway which would have fallen had it not been for the chains, at one point used to raise the portcullis, which were entangled with it, pulled taunt, but still managed to hold it up. A hot breeze passed through the canyon and across the fort, pushing L's raven bangs out of his eyes. This was a terrible spot, more likely to fall atop them than defend from.

They stopped just outside the keep, and tied down their horses. Matt hoisted Near onto his back, and they entered. The inside of the keep was dark, and cool, protected by the tyrannical sun by several feet of bone-white stone. They made their way down a long corridor with various passages branching off of it. From outside, they had seen a rookery nestled in one corner of the outer wall, and there should be a passage leading to it. But they instead chose to see what lie in the opposite direction. What they found was a hallway with several rooms, quarters for the guardsmen that had patrolled the battlements at one point in time, now abandon like the rest of this place. It was in one of these rooms that they set Near, leaving Linda to watch him.

L chose to wander off on his own, leaving Matt and Mello to explore together. It reminded Mello of the many occasions he and Matt had spent together, mapping every inch of the Guild. But where the Guild was awe inspiring and even welcoming, this place was dark, and dead. They took a flight of stairs up into the higher floors, and soon found themselves in a long room with various openings looking out over the courtyard and even over the defensive wall into the canyon beyond. The courtyard, which had been undoubtedly filled with lush greenery at one point, was now just as dry and lifeless as the desert outside the walls of the curving canyon. There were massive pillars that rose from the area, towering over the courtyard, and adorn with intricate markings.

Matt turned, and spotted something that piqued his interest. It was an old cannon, corroded and cover with a thick layer of dust. It looked as ancient as the canyon itself.

"This thing looks old as the hills." Matt breathed in astonishment, laying one hand on the cannon's dusty surface. "And I simply 'must' have it!"

"Focus, Matt!" Mello snapped. "We need to plan the defenses."

"This thing could defend." Matt offered.

"That thing would probably just explode." Mello replied. "It's all rusty, and old. Now come on."

Matt pouted a little, but only in a playful sort of way rather than in real protest, and followed his friend out of the room.

(XXX)

L was standing in the courtyard, looking up at the pillars that overshadowed it. When was the last time anything had grown here? Suddenly he was aware of a tapping sound. After a moment of listening, he realized that it was the sound of horse hooves as someone, or rather a large group of individuals, made their way through the canyon outside. His mind whirled. Could they be here already? He rushed from the courtyard and back into the keep, passing through the corridors and passageways like a pale wind. He burst out the front and onto the main path, expecting armed soldiers baring the marks of the Daimyo warlords. Instead he was met with an all too familiar face.

"You still know who to make an entrance." Naomi remarked from atop her mount.

The Guild Master dismounted and stepped forward. Her sullen expression turned to one of surprise as L threw his arms around her and pulled the woman into a tight embrace. After a moment, she patted him on the back, and he released her.

"You are a most welcome site." L said, and though his tone lacked any real feeling, Naomi could tell that he was greatly relieved.

Ukita came forward and greeted L with a nod. There was a small entourage accompanying the two, but it was still no army.

"We brought everyone we could spare." Ukita said apologetically. "It's not much, but it's better than nothing."

"The children and I were just laying some defense." L said.

"Defending this place is for nothing." Naomi said bitterly. "With these collapsed walls you couldn't keep a cow from marching through here."

"Did you bring any black powder?" L asked suddenly.

"Yeah." Ukita answered.

L turned and looked back at the walls, his thumb finding its way to his lips. After a moment he nodded.

"I think we can blast and few of these walls and seal them back up." L said.

"If we do that, we risk have the whole thing come down." Naomi warned.

"Yes, but it's worth a shot." L replied. "Do we have rifles?"

"A few." Ukita replied.

"We need to move them up." L said. "Place riflemen on the battlements, and they can give anyone on the main path a little crossfire. That should slow them down a bit."

(XXX)

L plotted defenses with Naomi and Ukita until high-sun rolled around, and everyone was forced inside to keep out of the sun, and avoid the extreme heat. Even in the gloom of the keeps innermost bowels, the desolate air weighed heavily upon them all. A sullen silence fell over the room. Linda sat silently near Naomi, Mello having replaced her outside Near's door. Matt and Ukita found a little spot far away from everyone else. Matt began to roll himself a cigarette.

"You got any of that tobacco I sent with you left?" Ukita asked.

"No." Matt replied with a grin. "But I got some more."

He handed the guildsman the cigarette he had just finished rolling, and began on another one. Ukita lit his smoke and took a long drag. Matt gave the man a sideways glance.

"I really need to thank you for the powder barrel." Matt said. "It was 'big' help."

"Hey, I couldn't send you off without your 'fix'." Ukita replied, grinning around his cigarette.

Linda was busy placing kunai in a leather bandoleer, another one already loaded and crossed over her chest. She would check each blade carefully, occasionally running a whetstone over the edge to file down any imperfections her keen eyes detected. Naomi watched on thoughtfully. It was still amazing how capable these kids had turned out to be. They were just as well trained as any of the senior guildsmen, even without the experience. They were smart, and even wise in their way, more than worthy of her admirations. And it was in this moment that the newly appointed Guild Master realized that she would have to work hard in order to earn due respect.

(XXX)

Mello stood outside the room they had set Near in. Linda was with everyone else, so Mello was left guarding the door in her stead. Mello cracked it open and spotted the little, white haired boy lying on the floor, fast asleep. He closed the door gently. Then he pulled a knife from his pack and drove it in the space between the door and its frame, just below the hinges, preventing it from opening, and safely securing Near inside the room. When the fighting started, he didn't want the Prince wandering about, and possibly getting harmed. He was vital to the Empire's, maybe even the world's survival, after all.

(XXX)

High-sun passed, and gave way to late day, when guild operatives came out of the keep and began laying the final touches on their defenses. It was shoddy, mostly improvised, but it was all they had. With a large amount of luck, and fates good graces, they might have a chance of staying the tide, just long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Late day waned on, and passed into sunset, where the skies were painted scarlet and golden-orange, warm despite the intense heat, which would soon plummet to near freezing temperatures. It was this that Naomi and L watched in silence, enjoying what might be the last sundown either of them saw.

"It's beautiful." Naomi said, at last breaking the silence.

"Yes." L agreed. "But the horsemen are interrupting it."

Naomi squinted and soon spotted what he was referring to. Just rounding the curve, the silhouettes of armored men on horseback were coming into view. Their enemies had finally arrived. They were many, far greater in number than the guildsmen who now occupied the dilapidated stronghold. Naomi managed to suppress a shudder. The line of their foes appeared endless, like a great, black serpent snaking through the canyon, moving to devour them all.

"There's so many of them." Naomi commented.

"Yes," L agreed, "But quantity does not outweigh quality. And when it comes to guildsmen, quality is what we value."

"What are our chances?" Naomi asked, though she wasn't really directing the question towards anyone, just saying what was on her mind at the moment.

"Would you like me to give you some figures?" L asked.

Naomi thought for a moment. Long ago, when she and L were working together, Ryuzaki, as the wayward one had been calling himself, would often give out percentages. Naomi had found an odd sense of comfort in the numbers he presented, and so she nodded her head now.

"We have a twenty-two percent chance of making it through this alive." L said quietly with such confidence that Naomi was put a little at ease.

"I hadn't expected them to be so good." Naomi commented.

"That's because I lied to make you feel better." L said before turning away and walking across the battlements towards the keep.

Naomi only watched in silence.

(XXX)

"Would you look at that." Gevanni whispered in astonishment.

He stood beside Lester as he watched the snaking line of armored warriors come before the old fortress nestled between the canyon walls.

"They're Daimyo." Light said grimly as he looked upon the armor crests through a telescope.

"Who are the others?" Lester asked. "The one's in the fort?"

"They aren't bearing the Imperial crest." Light commented. "And they're definitely not Daimyo."

"That means they're mercenaries." Mikami said, looking through a set of binoculars. "Probably Guild operatives from the looks of them."

"What's going on?" Halle asked in wonderment.

"The Prince is inside that old stronghold." Takada said with all confidence.

Mikami nodded.

"The Prince is our priority." Mikami announced. "We'll sneak in when the fighting begins, grab him, and break out."

"What about the Daimyo?" Light asked in alarm.

Mikami fixed him with a hard stare.

"Our mission," The Commander began firmly, "Is to retrieve the Prince, and take him safely back to the Capital. They are 'not' our concern."

Then Mikami walked away from the edge of the canyon to issue orders to the rest of the men. Light gritted his teeth painfully, and offered no protest.

(XXX)

Commander Deus halted his horse, signaling his men to stop with him. He could make out the forms of several figures walking along the battlements of the Old Kingdom fort before them. He wasn't too surprised, but the force was small in comparison.

"It looks like we've been met." Deus remarked to one of his nearby lieutenants.

"There's more up on the ridge." A soldier commented from the back.

Deus snapped his fingers, and his lieutenant handed him a collapsible telescope. He stretched the device's segmented body to its full length, and held it to his eye. The men above, unlike the ones patrolling the walls of the fort, wore Imperial armor, identifiable by the crest on their breastplates. They were, undoubtedly, the Kagebannin operatives from the day before. Deus even managed to spot a few familiar faces among them. But if they were here, that meant…

Deus smirked, lowering the telescope, and his off hand unconsciously falling the ivory handle of the revolver tucked in his belt.

(XXX)

Near awoke, sat up, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Since the sounds of battle were not echoing in his ears, he assumed that it had not yet begun, though it couldn't be far off. Then again, this deep in the bowels of the ancient keep, he might not be able to detect the sounds of steel ringing against the steel. He rose slowly, still a little groggy with sleep, and made for the door. His pale hand fell over the knob, and turned it gently. Near pulled…the pulled again, a little harder. The door did not budge. He placed both hands on the knob, gripping it tightly, and pulled with strained effort. The door held, and Near finally relented, panting with the effort.

Near wasn't, by any means, unintelligent. He knew well what had happened. He was to be locked away, kept safe from the battle that would soon consume the fort. But even knowing that this was probably the best course of action, he was still frustrated by it. He turned around and set himself in the middle of floor, one knee drawn to his chest, held there by his a hand while the other one curled his hair thoughtfully. But then something happened that Near had, by far, not expected. There was a slight, metallic clink, like something falling to the ground outside. Then the doorknob turned slowly and quietly. The door opened with the slightest creak, and someone poked their head inside the room.

At first, Near thought it was Mello, but he soon realized that the face smiling at him, though it bore a striking resemblance to the blonde boy, was actually that of a young girl. Glimmering blue eyes set above shining, ruby lips, all framed by locks of beautiful blonde hair, like strands of golden silk. She smiled, revealing an even set of pearl-white teeth, her eyes twinkling. Near said nothing as she opened the door the rest of the way, and stepped into the room.

"So, you're awake." The girl said brightly. "I'm Kari. Mello asked me to move you to the rookery, just to keep you safe."

Near regarded her silently, curling his hair.

"I came with the others." The girl said. "But the fighting's about to start, and I need to get you someplace safe."

She offered her hand. Near was hesitant, but he took it all the same. She led him out of the room, checking the hall for any signs of danger before taking him down the corridor. Because he was being led, Near never saw the pupils of her bluer than blue eyes begin to expand, until they consumed even the whites, leaving to black orbs set above a malevolently grinning mouth.

To Be Continued…

Author's Comments

The outline for Chapter 26: Men of Action (The final chapter) is already finished. The first note on the page...

(An epic battle ensues.)

...Don't miss it.