Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Maoh or any of its characters
Claimer: I, chop4tess, own this story, its plot and any and all original characters
And the battle continues….
Chapter 14: A fight to save you
Yuri couldn't believe it, he just couldn't. How could Shinmakoku be under attack? They were at peace with all their neighbours and this was so sudden. Yuri stared at Conrad wondering if this was all some elaborate joke.
"How could the city be under attack?" Wolfram demanded, "We would have seen the enemy coming days ago."
"Usually yes but these are …different circumstances." Conrad glanced to the side then back at the royal couple.
"What do you mean by different?" Yuri asked wondering if he was still asleep and this was a weird dream.
"The humans appeared on the plains outside of Shinmakoku through a blue portal." Silence met this as Wolfram and Yuri stared at Conrad in complete confusion.
"A what?" Wolfram asked and Conrad sighed.
"I do not understand it myself but we must act quickly, innocent citizens are dying." Yuri nodded his expression fierce.
"Yes I will help –" Yuri gasped as tried to get out of bed and his stomach cramped again.
"Yuri! Gisela told you to stay in bed!"
"But Shinmakoku is under attack I can't just sit here!" Yuri argued trying to get out of bed again only to be stopped by Wolfram.
"As your husband I will lead the soldiers in your place."
"No!" Yuri and Conrad said at the same time making Wolfram jump slightly. Conrad was the first to recover.
"Wolf you cannot fight in your condition! Think of the baby."
"He's right Wolfram I can not allow you to fight and put yourself and our baby in danger." Yuri frowned when Wolfram shook his head.
"Yuri someone needs to organise things I promise not to leave the castle ok?"
"No not ok!" Yuri protested. Conrad jumped into the conversation before Wolfram could retort.
"Wolfram; Gwendal, Gunter and myself can easily organise the troops around the city. We need you to remain behind to protect Yuri. If the enemy gets into the castle Yuri won't be able to defend himself in his condition." Wolfram opened his mouth to argue but stopped himself. Yuri glanced between the two worriedly. Wolfram sighed in defeat and nodded.
"Ok I will stay here to protect the wimp." Yuri sighed in relief and decided to ignore his old nickname for the moment.
"What is the situation?" Yuri asked glancing at Conrad who rubbed his face.
"I don't know much myself Yuri. All I know is that about two thousand humans came through the gate thing and there are many magic users among them. We are losing men simply because their flow Maryoku is stopped therefore weakening them."
"Damn these humans!" Wolfram cursed his eyes burning bright. "Do we know who is responsible for this attack yet?"
"None of the soldiers carry an insignia." Yuri frowned at his Godfather's comment.
"Isn't that very strange?"
"Yes it is strange but until we capture a soldier we will not be able to find out who sent them or why."
:-:
Sliver dodged a set of arrows flying her way as Alviss leaned over her side to examine the gate. Now he was back in Shinmakoku his powers had been restored to full strength again and Alviss was determined to destroy the gate.
"Sliver blast a fireball at the gate even if it doesn't destroy the gate then it will at least stop the humans coming through!" Alviss yelled over the sound of the battle raging below him. Elvira glanced down at the gate before turning her gaze to the city of Shinmakoku. Smoke rose from the burning buildings and screams could be heard on the wind. It was terrible, like what Elvira imagined hell to look like.
Sliver took a deep breath and shot a fireball at the centre of the gate. The fireball exploded on impact sending earth flying into the air making small fire bombs which rained down on the humans around the gate. Black smoke blocked sight of the gate for a moment. People soon appeared out of the smoke with their clothes on fire rolling on the ground trying to put out the flames. Elvira felt her stomach roll.
It didn't work, Sliver pointed out and Alviss swore. He knew that they had to destroy the gate. At least no more people seemed to be coming through. Maybe the fireball scared them enough to stay away.
:-:
David snarled at the dragon with pure hatred. That dragon was ruining everything! All his plans so carefully planned out over all these years could all be halted because some damn demon children had followed their Prince. David glanced at Ryan. Ryan wasn't looking too good. His skin was pale and even from several paces away David could tell that he was struggling to keep the gate open. David kicked his horse and galloped to the edge of the gate. Fortunately the demon kids hadn't spotted their Prince right under their noses.
"Close the gate and get on!" David ordered and Ryan nodded weakly before letting the magic go. The blue light vanished in an instant. It was there one minute then it was gone. Ryan climbed up behind David on his horse breathing heavily from the effort of keeping the gate open for so long. David kicked his horse and it galloped away towards the battle.
:-:
Alviss blinked as the gate vanished right in front of him. He rubbed his eyes wondering if the lack of sleep from last night was playing tricks on him.
"What happened? Did we destroy it?" Elvira asked also confused. Alviss shook his head.
"I don't think so, wait who's that?" Alviss pointed to two figures on horseback galloping away. "Oh Shinou, its Ryan!" Elvira looked over Alviss's shoulder.
"It can't be him! What would Ryan be doing here?"
"It's him I know it!" Alviss exclaimed. Sliver flew after the horse and soon she was flying above it. Alviss leaned forward at stared at the smaller figure riding behind the taller man. "Yes it is Ryan I know it!"
"Then what the hell is he doing just sitting there?" Elvira asked only to yelp as Sliver shot upwards suddenly. "Sliver what…?" Elvira looked up and saw the answer. Another Night Crawler was attacking them. The rider was different to Yami but he had the same black hair. The beast snarled at Sliver who snarled back the two circling each other like hawks.
"What have you done to the Prince?" Alviss shouted his eyes burning holes into the rider opposite him. The rider seemed to pause as if considering the question. Then the Night Crawler attacked Sliver again aiming for her wings. Sliver spun around to avoid the attack and snapped at the beast as it went past her. Alviss hung on tight and searched desperately for the black horse that Ryan had been riding but it had vanished into the organised chaos of the battle within the city walls. That's when Alviss saw another Night Crawler flying straight for Blood Pledge Castle.
"Alviss can you form a water dragon and get this bastard off our tail?" Elvira asked a hand on one of her swords her eyes fixed on her target.
"Another rider is heading for the castle, we have to stop it!" Alviss shouted pointing at the beast ahead of them. "I can't see Ryan anymore either so Sliver I need you to drop me off on top of a roof somewhere." The beast rushed them again and Sliver waited until the last second before diving out of the way and flying towards the city.
"Alviss you must remember, Ryan isn't acting like himself. Maybe they have him under a spell. I don't want you to hurt him but, just make sure he doesn't hurt you." Alviss glanced at Elvira's serious face and nodded.
"I won't let anything happen to him or myself." Alviss promised.
This is your stop Alviss! Sliver called and Alviss lifted his leg over Sliver's neck and pushed himself off Sliver's back as she passed over the roof of a nearby building. Using his affinity to the element water, Alviss created a slide made of water to cushion the fall. The beast shot past him after Sliver but the dragon could fly faster than the beast could. Alviss watched as the other Night Crawler ahead of Sliver landed on the battlements of the castle. Shaking his head he reminded himself that that was Elvira's job and he had to find Ryan and find out what was wrong with him. There had to be something wrong, after all, there was no way anyone could get Ryan to willingly attack his own home.
:-:
Kage jumped off her beast and glanced over her shoulder. The dragon and the demon girl were flying towards her with Kirai hard on their tail. Kage flicked her hair back and walked to the door and kicked with her foot. The door flew off its hinges and landed with a load crash on the floor. Kage walked forward as if she owned the place and walked down the steps. A soldier rushed at her but Kage dodged his sword easily and shoved her sword into his stomach and out the other side. The soldier crumpled with a groan and Kage yanked her sword out with a sneer. Kage continued down the steps until she reached a corridor. She followed the corridor slicing the head off an unfortunate servant who happened to step in her path. There were few soldiers around here. Kage guessed they must be fighting David's army outside the castle walls.
Kage soon reached her target. A huge wooden double door studded with nails to make it harder to break down. Kage reached out and put her hand against the wood. She closed her eyes and concentrated drawing her magic from within herself. Rider's magic was limited so they didn't use it often but Kage didn't have time to pick the lock right now. The huge blots inside the door turned over just as Kage heard a shout from behind her. She whipped around to see three guards running at her. Kage smirked at them and twirled her sword around her hand.
One leapt at her and Kage ducked under his blow and sliced his stomach open spilling his guts over the stone floor. The other two attacked at the same time but Kage blocked one swing with her sword and twisted to avoid the other. She kicked one guard in the stomach making him double over before killing the second guard and quickly dispatching the first. Kage turned and pushed the huge doors open gritting her teeth as she pushed with all her considerable strength. The doors groaned open as if they knew what lay beyond them. Ten armed human soldiers were hiding in the shadows when the doors opened and Kage stepped out into the sunlight. They ran forward and Kage glanced at them before looking up hearing the roar of a dragon.
The sliver dragon was having trouble fighting off both her beast and Kirai at the same time. Kage smirked turning and walking back inside leaving the doors open. Her job was simple. Find the Maoh and kill him, if he wasn't already dead.
Kage strode down the hallways as if she belonged there with the ten men following her in silence. Kage came to a split in the hallway and glanced at one passageway then the other unsure which way to go. After a moment's thought Kage took the left hand turn and her soldiers followed her. These ten men were not ordinary soldiers from David's army. They had been specially trained to use magic and to fight with a sword. They could render a demon with strong Maryoku immobile then dispatch him. They had been under Kage's leadership for two years. There also used to be 15 of them but the other five had failed to perform to the standard that Kage demanded of them.
Kage didn't know the layout of the castle but when she saw two guards standing outside a room she guessed they must be guarding something important. Kage held up two fingers and motioned with her head. Two of her soldiers crept forward and whispered a spell. The guard suddenly froze in place as if someone had replaced them with statues of themselves. Kage smiled and walked up to guards enjoying the terror in their eyes. She made sure they could see her raised sword before she killed them. The guards couldn't fall even when the life left their eyes as they died. Kage nodded at the two soldiers and they released the spell causing the guards to collapse with a crash of metal on stone.
Kage stepped past them and threw the doors open. A blast of heat threw her back against the wall knocking the wind out of her chest with a whoosh. Her soldiers jumped back one already muttering a spell. Kage stood up her black eyes burning with anger. How dare this pathetic worm attack her? The soldier who had cast the spell jumped forward and shouted the last words of the incantation.
"Wolfram!" A panicked voice called followed by a thud. Kage smiled and walked into the room. The Maoh was dressed in a pair of loose blue trousers and a blue jacket cradling his husband in his arms, the blonds' back against his chest. Kage raised an eyebrow and laughed.
"The great Maoh of Shinmakoku and the human/demon alliance, do you usually great people in your nightwear?" Yuri looked up at the women standing inside his room in anger. Wolfram was unconscious but still breathing yet Yuri was fearful for their unborn baby's health.
"Who are you?" Yuri demanded and Kage stepped forward. Yuri couldn't stop the shiver that travelled down his back. The woman before him walked like a deadly predator that had scented her prey. Yuri watched as she stood in front of him smirking down at him.
"My name is Kage which is all you need to know."
"What did you do to Wolfram?" Yuri demanded again glaring at Kage wishing he didn't feel so weak so he could protect Wolfram from this 'Kage'. At the moment he could barley feel his connection to the elements.
"I see the poison didn't kill you after all." Kage ignored Yuri's question and shook her head. "Ashi will be punished for her failure."
"So it was you and the other humans who planned that! Did you also kidnap my son?" Yuri glared at Kage but she threw back her head and laughed.
"You will never see your son again, that I can promise you." Kage snarled raising her sword.
"Kage soldiers are coming!" One of Kage's soldiers hissed and Kage turned hearing footsteps rapidly approaching them.
"Damn it." Kage cursed and turned back to finish her job only to see Yuri shove his husband into a cupboard next to the wall and get in himself before slamming the door shut. Kage leapt forward and tried to force the point of her sword through the wooden door. She snarled in anger as the tough wood resisted her. The footsteps were getting closer so Kage ran out of the room with her soldiers and ran down the hallway promising to kill the Maoh later.
Yuri breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the woman, Kage, leave with her soldiers. He heard someone calling his name so he pushed open the cupboard door and smiled at a shocked Josak.
"Whoever thought of putting a sword proof cupboard in here deserves a medal." Yuri smiled and then collapsed. Josak jumped forward and caught Yuri in his arms.
"Your Majesty what happened? Where is Wolfram?"
"He's in the cupboard; one of Kage's soldiers hit him with some spell that knocked him out." Yuri groaned as Josak helped him to stand and another soldier reached into the cupboard and picked Wolfram up in his arms.
"Who is Kage?" Josak asked his blue eyes shinning with worry.
"I don't know myself." Yuri muttered.
"Well we had better get you to the main throne room. Conrad and Gwendal are there waiting for us. Gunter is outside someplace fighting off the humans." Josak went to pick Yuri up but Yuri stopped him.
"Josak before we go anywhere I need to change."
:-:
Kage stopped running once she was sure they weren't being followed. She huffed in annoyance and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She needed to kill the Maoh but she only had ten men and he would be surrounded by soldiers by now as well as his pretty husband. She needed an incentive to make them see things her way. Kage was just wondering if she should get the demon Prince when she heard voices. Young male voices, children. Kage smirked as the voices got closer waving a hand at her men instructing them to hide.
"Joey, are you sure about this?"
"Yes Seth as I've already told you I'm sure."
"But I think dad would want us to stay in our room." Kage peered around the wall as two young boys came into view. One had short brown hair and blue eyes and the other slightly smaller boy had orange hair and the same blue eyes.
"Don't you want to know what's going on?" The boy with brown hair insisted as Kage stepped out of the shadows.
"But Joey…" The smaller boy trailed off and glanced around sensing that they were no longer alone.
"You should have stayed in your room." Kage smiled as her soldiers stepped out of the shadows and the boys turned white. The bigger one jumped in front of the smaller one and now Kage could see their faces better she guessed that they must be brothers.
"Stay away from us!"
"Or what pipsqueak?" Kage sneered and flicked a hand at the twins. "Get them."
:-:
Elvira was panting and covered in sweat after battling her way through several enemy human soldiers to get to the castle. It had been impossible to get into the castle the same way the other rider had due to the fact that the Night Crawler left on the battlements wouldn't leave Sliver alone. In the end Sliver had to land in front of the castle to let Elvira off then take off quickly to continue her fight against the Night Crawlers. Sliver had told Elvira that fighting would be easier now she didn't have a human to worry about and Elvira was inclined to believe her. Elvira ran along the corridor towards the main throne room, she had to let the Maoh know what was going on. She had seen several Mazoku soldiers fighting the invading humans so Elvira knew that the Maoh was aware to some extent what was going on but Elvira had details that he needed to hear.
Elvira went to turn a corner when she heard voices. Elvira ducked behind a large potted plant without even thinking about it. She had seen the main doors flung wide open and she had no doubt that the rider was responsible for that. They must also be responsible for the three dead bodies in the doorway as well. Elvira watched as a tall woman with black hair and eyes wearing rider leather walked past followed by ten young men dressed as soldiers. Being dragged along with them were two young children. Elvira bit her tongue to keep herself from gasping. Those were Conrad and Josak's twin sons! What where their names again? Joey and Seth wasn't it? Elvira frowned as the woman stopped and turned to the boys.
"Which way is it to the throne room?" The boys remained silent. Kage sighed, raised her hand and slapped Seth hard around the face. The boy cried out in pain and Joey gasped and glared at Kage.
"Leave him alone!" Kage ignored him and slapped Seth again. Elvira winched at the crack of the woman's hand against Seth's cheek. That really had to hurt. "Stop it!" Joey's voice cracked and Elvira had to hold herself back from charging in and putting a stop to it. Elvira knew she couldn't beat them 11 to one.
"Tell me which way it is to the throne room and I will leave him alone." Kage said raising her hand again. Seth was sniffing trying to hold back tears his blue eyes bright with defiance.
"Back down the corridor and turn left and then follow the corridor till the end." Joey said hanging his head.
"Joey!" Seth exclaimed and Kage hit him again to shut him up.
"Let's go and this had better be right or you little brother will suffer far worse." Kage threatened as she turned and walked back the way they had come. Elvira held her breath as they passed by but none of the soldiers seemed to notice her. Once the soldiers had gone past Elvira slipped out of her hiding place and followed them at a safe distance, she knew the way to the throne room anyway so she just had to make sure that they didn't spot her.
:-:
Yuri was dressed in his usual black outfit and somehow he was managing to stand on his own without any support from Josak who was hovering by his side. Wolfram was still out of it but Conrad had looked him over and said that he looked fine. Right now Wolfram was lying on the floor in front of the throne for lack of anywhere else to put him. Gwendal and Conrad along with 15 Mazoku soldiers were in the throne room as well. The vast majority of the soldiers were out fighting the humans.
"What is the current situation?" Yuri asked and Gwendal stepped forward looking grim.
"We are managing to gain ground now that we know their tactics and I have little doubt that we will win eventually."
"But?" Yuri prompted.
"But the citizens have suffered greatly and the casualties are very high. We were taken by surprise and the soldiers were unable to protect many of the people. Most people have been evacuated to safer areas of the city but the damage to their houses is also great. Many will be homeless after this." Yuri sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose deep in thought. His people were dying and he still had no idea why or who was responsible.
"We still don't know which country is responsible for this attack Your Majesty," Conrad said, "but we have reason to believe that they are outside of our alliance."
"Yes it would be strange for one of them to attack us now when the countries are doing so well." Yuri muttered. Wolfram let out a groan and sat up putting a hand to his head. "Wolfram," Yuri sighed in relief and wobbled over to his husband and knelt next to him. "Are you ok Wolf?"
"Yeah, my head hurts but other than that I am fine." Wolfram looked around in surprise. "When did we get to the throne room?"
"Josak and his soldiers came looking for us and scared away Kage and her soldiers. They brought us here after that in case we were attacked again."
"Who is Kage?" Wolfram asked.
"Yes Your Majesty who is this person?" Gwendal asked and Yuri stood up only swaying slightly as he did so.
"I don't know who she is but she is partly responsible for the attempt to poison me, I think she is also responsible for Ryan's kidnapping." There was a pause and Josak nodded.
"Yeah there are these weird looking creatures flying around, it could be possible that they were responsible for the tracks we found the night the Prince disappeared."
"They certainly could get further away faster if they rode beasts that could fly." Conrad agreed. Yuri clenched his hand and glared over the heads of his friends at the wooden door at the end of the room.
"What did they do with Ryan? Is he still alive?" No one answered and Wolfram reached out and placed a hand over his belly. Suddenly the door flew open with a load bang making everyone jump and turn to look at the door their hands on their swords. Standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips and a smirk on her face stood Kage. She was a beautiful woman Yuri noticed but her eyes were hard and cruel.
"Well hello everyone, looks I guessed right that you would scurry to your position of power." Kage laughed and Gwendal stepped forward.
"This attack will not go unpunished! You have killed many innocent lives and there will consequences of this!" Kage yawned and waved a hand at Gwendal making him tense.
"Yeah whatever but those punishments are only possible if you win the battle; which you won't." Kage smirked and motioned with her hand. Two of her soldiers came into view dragging two young children with them.
"Joey Seth!" Conrad shouted and Josak gasped and glared at Kage. The two boys lowered their eyes unable to look their fathers in the eye. Seth's face was red and swollen from Kage hitting him. Kage's other soldiers fanned out around her in a semi-circle.
"So I was right, these brats have some standing. I didn't realise that they had such important parents though, must be my lucky day." Kage laughed and reached out and grabbed Seth and put her sword to his throat under his chin. "Now hand over the Maoh or the kid gets his head cut off!"
"No!" Conrad stepped forward reaching out as if he could grab his son from harms way. Then he stopped and gritted his teeth as Kage laughed.
"So what will it be soldier? Will you chose your child or your king? Not much of a choice in my opinion. I know who I would choose." Kage smiled and Seth trembled in her hold. Conrad felt himself impossibly torn. He wanted to save his son more than anything but he couldn't give Yuri over to that woman. He couldn't choose between his love for his children and his loyalty and friendship for his king. "I'm getting impatient soldier." Kage warned and Yuri stepped forward.
"If I go with you will you let both kids go?"
"Yuri no, she'll kill you!" Wolfram exclaimed but Yuri ignored him.
"Of course I will, you have my word." Kage watched as Yuri lowered his head in defeat. Yuri stepped forward but Conrad reached out and put a hand on his arm.
"She's lying to you Yuri; if you go with her she will kill my children and you."
"Conrad…" Yuri looked at his friend and mentor sadly and glanced back at the scene in front of him. "I can not let your children die in my place; their lives have only just begun." Yuri removed Conrad's hand from his arm. Conrad reached out again and grabbed Yuri's shoulder.
"And your child has yet to be born! I couldn't live with myself if that child grew up without a father." Yuri looked at Conrad in shock. Kage rolled her eyes and cut Seth's neck just a little so a trickle of blood ran down his neck to his collar.
"I will kill the kid in ten seconds if you don't give me the Maoh!" Kage shouted and Seth whimpered. Joey tried to shout but the soldier clamped a hand over his mouth. "Ten…"
"No please wait!" Conrad reached out for his son.
"Nine…."
"Conrad let me go I have to do this." Yuri tried to escape from Conrad's hold but Conrad shook his head.
"Eight…"
"Conrad I…" Josak looked at his child and lowered his head. He found himself willing to have his king killed to save his son but he couldn't say it out loud.
"Seven…"
"Let those children go now! They have no part in this battle." Gwendal ordered but Kage just smirked at him.
"Six…"
"Oh no you don't!" A female voice shouted cutting Kage off. Kage turned just as Elvira threw a spear that she had found on a dead Mazoku soldier at her. Kage had to let go of Seth to dodge the attack and Seth leapt forward running to his parents. Josak acted fast running forward to scope Seth into his arms and backing away towards the others. Joey bit down hard on the soldier's hand making him curse and slap Joey around the face. Elvira spun on her right foot and kicked the soldier in the head. He crumpled at once and Elvira jumped in front of Joey protecting him with her body as Kage snarled at her in rage.
"You little bitch how dare you attack me?"
"You attacked us first remember?" Elvira smiled sliding her swords out of their sheaths and twirling them around her hands.
"Elvira is that you?" Yuri asked in amazement. She was the last person he would expect to suddenly appear and come to the rescue.
"Yes Your Majesty, sorry I'm late." Elvira smiled still standing in front of Joey. "Do you think you guys could help me out here? I don't think I can defeat all ten of them by myself." Gwendal blinked then smiled.
"Soldiers these people have attacked your country and killed your friends now let's show them our wrath!" Gwendal called to the Mazoku soldiers in the throne room who had been protecting the Maoh. The soldiers leapt forward with battle cries and Kage's soldiers drew their swords and faced them head-on. Kage snarled at Elvira and ran at her. Elvira grabbed Joey by the back of his jacket and ran forward.
"Conrad!" She shouted and Conrad looked up to see Elvira fling Joey at him with as much strength as she could muster. Conrad jumped forward and caught his son before he hit the ground. Josak was standing in front of Seth fighting off one of Kage's soldiers so Conrad put Joey down and joined the fight.
"YOU!" Kage roared and slashed at Elvira's back. Elvira threw herself down on the ground and rolled out of the way. Elvira spun around and jumped back to her feet crossing her blades to block Kage's attack. Kage's sword hit her swords with a ringing clash and Elvira's arms almost buckled but she held firm. "You ruined everything and now I am going to kill you!"
"You can try you old cow." Elvira snarled and shoved Kage back.
"I am not old!" Kage shrieked and charged at Elvira again. The two side-stepped and lunged at each other locked in a deadly dance to the death. Both knew that the other was out to kill and the only way to survive was to kill the other before they could kill them. Elvira felt all the anger that had been inside her for the past five week's surface in an explosion of passion and rage. This woman had kidnaped her best friend and almost caused the death of another. Now Ryan was acting strangely and Elvira had no doubt that Kage was responsible for that too. Kage was determined that this girl would not stop her from reaching her goal. She would kill the Maoh and one girl could not stop that.
Kage sliced at Elvira and Elvira crossed her blades again to block the attack feeling her arms shake from the impact. Kage was strong and Elvira knew that she couldn't keep blocking forever, she needed to end the fight quickly. Kage stepped back and the two circled each other like sharks.
"Why do you fight?" Kage asked and Elvira narrowed her eyes.
"Why do you?" She shot back and Kage smirked.
"Because I love to kill of course, it is what I was designed to do."
"Did Yami feel that way too?" Elvira asked and Kage froze her eyes burning holes into Elvira.
"What do you know about him?" Kage hissed like an angry snake. Elvira smiled.
"I know that he had some kindness in him, kindness I can't say that I see in you. He showed compassion before he died." Elvira dodged Kage's next attack which was too wide. Elvira smirked; good I am making her lose her control.
"Did you kill him?" Kage snarled and Elvira nodded. "Then you shall die too!" Kage jumped forward and Elvira jumped and flipped over Kage's head shoving her blade into Kage's left shoulder. Kage cried out in pain and twisted wrenching the sword out as Elvira landed on her feet her back to Kage. Elvira spun around to face Kage who was bleeding badly.
"Oh sorry did that hurt?" Elvira asked sweetly and Kage snarled and threw herself at Elvira again. Elvira side-stepped her and lashed out with her swords but Kage blocked the attack and launched a flurry of attacks at Elvira putting Elvira on the defensive. Elvira cried out as Kage's sword cut her right arm and blood flowed from the wound. Kage laughed and attacked again and Elvira barley missed being cut in half. Kage spun and kicked catching Elvira in the stomach and sending her flying back. Elvira's back hit the wall with a loud thud and Elvira slid down the wall gasping for breath. Kage laughed and wiped sweat off her brow.
"Looks like you're down for the count." Elvira gritted her teeth and slowly rose to her feet. Kage shook her head and raised her sword to point it at Elvira's heart. "You should have stayed down." Elvira panted harshly holding her bruised stomach. She was not about to let that woman kill her, not when she was so close to rescuing Ryan. She had searched for him for so long she couldn't give up now. Then she heard Kashikoi's words in her head.
"Remember this; the swords were created to protect not to kill." Elvira blinked in surprise when the meaning in Kashikoi's words suddenly made sense to her. If she used the swords to protect Ryan and all those she loved then their power would be stronger than if she struck out in anger and revenge. Elvira closed her eyes and allowed the sound of the battle to slip away. She remembered how lonely she had been as a child, an orphaned human living in the Mazoku kingdom with no friends and no family. She remembered how amazing it had been to be befriended by the Prince Ryan and his friend Alviss. She remembered how much they meant to her, how this town and castle had become her home and how much she would give to protect that.
Elvira opened her eyes. Kage was running at her, her sword out in front of her ready to push through Elvira's body. Elvira raised her swords and concentrated on the feeling of wanting to protect. The blue gems in her swords began to glow and Kage paused unsure of what was happening. The blue light spread until Elvira's skin was glowing as well and Elvira jumped up into the air. Energy in the form of wings spread out from her shoulders and she raised her swords and 'threw' the energy at Kage. The light struck Kage in the chest and threw her across the room. Kage hit the wall and collapsed on the ground. Elvira landed on her feet and stared in surprise at her swords. The light was gone but Elvira could still feel it humming through her veins. Elvira glanced around and noticed that while she and Kage had been fighting Gwendal, Josak and Conrad had subdued or killed the rest of Kage's soldiers with the help of their own soldiers. Out of the 15 soldiers that had been in the room when Kage came in, only eight were left standing.
"Wow that was some display of power Elvira." Josak whistled and Elvira blushed.
"I think it was the swords' power more than mine."
"Where did you get those swords in the first place?" Josak asked looking at the sleek blades. Elvira sighed and examined the glinting blades.
"From a dear friend and ally within the human kingdom." Elvira said sadly. She had a strong feeling that she would never see the old man again.
"Elvira!" Elvira looked up as Seth ran up to her and smiled up at her. "Thank you for saving me and my brother from that horrible woman." Elvira smiled and ruffled Seth's hair.
"You are most welcome." Elvira smiled and winked at Seth making him blush. Joey came up to his brother and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright Seth?" Joey asked eyeing the cut on his younger brother's throat and his swollen face.
"Yeah Joey I'm fine." Seth smiled but Joey looked away his eyes sad. "What's wrong?"
"This is my fault if I hadn't made you leave our bedroom and taken you with me then none of this would have happened!" Joey baled his hands into fists and Seth sighed.
"Joey its ok –"
"No it's not ok! I could have gotten you killed! What kind of older brother am I?" Joey almost shouted looking like he was about to burst into tears. Elvira walked up and put a hand on Joey's shoulder and leaned down so she could look into his eyes.
"You may have made a mistake Joey but both you and your brother are fine so be glad for that ok?" Joey blinked then sighed and the tension left his shoulders. "That's better."
"Thanks," Joey muttered still looking at the floor, "For saving my brother."
"You're welcome." Elvira smiled and winked and Joey went bright red. Josak raised an eyebrow and snickered. Conrad glanced at his husband in silent question.
"It looks like Elvira might have two admires." Josak chuckled and Conrad smiled while Elvira blushed. Yuri smiled relieved that everyone was safe again. Wolfram reached out and took his hand and Yuri turned his head to smile at him when a sudden thought occurred to him.
"Elvira if you're here then is Alviss here too?"
"Ah Alviss I forgot about him! He's looking for Ryan."
"Ryan!" Yuri exclaimed and Wolfram tensed as everyone looked at Elvira surprise. "Ryan is here?"
:-:
While Elvira and Sliver had been fighting off Kirai and Kage's Night Crawler Alviss had been running around the streets of Shinmakoku looking for Ryan. Alviss ducked under an attack by yet another human and shoved a borrowed sword into the man's stomach. After he had jumped off Sliver's back Alviss had quickly taken a sword from the body of a dead Mazoku soldier thinking that it wasn't likely that he would need it anymore. Alviss ran down the street dodging running citizens and rider less horses panicked by the noise and flames. Alviss paused and stood panting by a small square wondering what to do. Trying to find one person in all this confusion was turning out to be nothing short of impossible. Alviss glanced up at the sky hearing the roar of a dragon and briefly wondered how Elvira was doing. Alviss sighed and looked to his left wondering which way to go. That's when he saw him. Ryan was walking through the crowd towards the square as if he was sleep-walking. He took no notice of the panic and mayhem around him but just kept walking forwards. None of the human soldiers attacked him and the Mazoku soldiers recognised their Prince at once and stared in confusion as he strolled past them.
"Ryan!" Alviss shouted and ran forward into the square standing in front of Ryan. Ryan stopped and looked at him and Alviss flinched back when he saw Ryan's eyes. They were clouded and blank as if he was blind. "Ryan it's me Alviss!" Alviss stepped forward and Ryan cocked his side to one side.
"Who are you?" Alviss felt his heart stop in his chest and the world seemed to stop moving around him. Ryan didn't know him? How was that possible? They had been best friends for almost 9 years.
"What the hell does that mean?" Alviss shouted making Ryan take a step back. "I've flown on a dragon half-way across the world and have taken an arrow to the chest for you and all you have to say to me is 'who are you'?"
"Do I know you?"
"Yes you bloody well do!" Alviss frowned and stepped forward looking closer at his friend and secret crush. "We've been friends for almost nine years remember? We used to sit in the royal gardens and tell each other everything. I can't believe that you've forgotten that!" Ryan frowned and stepped forward staring at Alviss as if he was trying to remember where he had seen him before.
"Al-viss?"
"What are you doing?" A voice demanded and Alviss looked past Ryan to see a human man with a scar down his face sitting on a black stallion. "That is a demon, kill him!" Alviss looked back at Ryan.
"Yes master." Ryan answered and drew his sword.
"Ryan what are you doing? Why are you taking orders from a human? He's attacking your home!" Ryan ignored Alviss's plea and ran forward swinging at Alviss's head. Alviss ducked and jumped out of the way. Ryan ran at him again and Alviss raised his sword to block the attack. For a moment Ryan's face was close to Alviss's. "Ryan, stop this I don't want to hurt you." Alviss pleaded but Ryan pushed him away and jabbed his sword forward. Alviss jumped out of the way but he didn't attempt to fight back.
"You should fight if you want to live." Ryan said and Alviss shook his head and looked Ryan in the eye.
"I will not attack the one person I love." Ryan's eyes widened momentarily then he frowned.
"Then you will die." Ryan cut at Alviss's stomach making Alviss jump back and deflect the blow with his own sword. Ryan continued to slash at Alviss but Alviss simply blocked each attack without fighting back. He couldn't hurt Ryan; he just couldn't even if it was to save his own life. "Why won't you fight back?" Ryan shouted and Alviss shook his head.
"I told you, I will not harm the one I love." Ryan snarled and jumped forward cutting the air with his sword. Alviss blocked the attack but he didn't see Ryan kicking out. Alviss gasped and staggered backwards as the kick caught his left leg were a human soldier had cut him earlier. Ryan stabbed forwards and his sword sliced into Alviss's right side just above his hip. Alviss screamed in pain and fell to his knees. Ryan pulled his sword out and raised it to finish it but he hesitated. Alviss glanced up and saw that Ryan's face was white his eyes wide and his body was shaking from the effort of not completing the blow. "Ryan…"
"I – I can't…" Ryan's voice choked and he stepped back lowering his sword. Alviss looked up at his friend from his knees holding his hands to his wound.
"Ryan I know you are in there are you can hear me, please snap out of it! Stop attacking your own home!" Ryan's mouth opened but no sound came out. Ryan shook his head his body still shaking and his breathing unsteady.
"What are you waiting for? Kill the demon!" The man called but Ryan shook his head.
"No, not Alviss no…" Tears gathered in Ryan's eyes and Alviss reached out a hand towards him.
"Ryan, come back to me please!"
"Enough!" The man rode up and pointed a finger behind his saddle. "Get on." Ryan turned and pulled himself onto the horse and wrapped an arm around the man's waist.
"Ryan stay with me, don't leave!" Alviss called but Ryan turned his face away and the man kicked his horse and the animal snorted and cantered away. Alviss tried to get up but his wound tore causing him to fall back down. "Damn it!" Alviss punched the ground in anger. He had run after Ryan only for Ryan to come back home without his help. Yet Ryan was on the human side now and Alviss couldn't help but believe that to be his fault. If he had protected Ryan, if he had rescued him sooner, then none of this would have happened. Tears fell from Alviss's eyes as he hissed in pain from his wound.
I can't stay here, I have to get up! Ryan was still in there I know it! Alviss groaned as he rose into a sitting position. Blood was spreading rapidly and Alviss knew that he had to stop the flow or he would pass out. He shrugged his jacket off then used his sword to tear his shirt into stripes which he used to bind his wound. Alviss pulled his jacket back on and stood up ignoring the pain.
A horse stumbled into the square its head up high and its eyes rolling in fear. Its saddle was empty. Voices reached Alviss and he looked around to see four human soldiers coming towards him. Alviss limped over to the horse which snorted at him in fear.
"Whoa there boy, its ok." Alviss held out a hand and approached the horse slowly. He needed the horse to get him to the castle since walking would require too much energy. The humans were getting closer and it as only a matter of time before they saw him. Alviss reached out and took the horses bridle. The animal tensed but didn't bolt and for that Alviss was grateful. "I need you to get me to the castle ok?" Alviss patted its neck and the horse calmed down and gently nudged Alviss with its nose. Alviss pulled himself into the saddle groaning in pain as he did so.
"Hey stop right there!" Alviss glanced over his shoulder to see the four human soldiers running at him. Alviss gathered up the reins and kicked the horse.
"Ya!" The horse reared up and took off up the street and Alviss hung on for dear life as the horse thundered up the street making people, Mazoku and human alike leap out of its path. Alviss managed to stop the horse's headlong bolt and bring it under control pointing it towards the castle. Another horse appeared, this one with a human soldier still riding it, and Alviss swore colourfully as its rider saw him and drew his sword. Alviss drew his own sword but he didn't slow his horse down.
"Stop!" the human shouted but Alviss ignored him and as he flashed past Alviss leaned form the saddle and cut the other horse's reins making the animal rear and throw its rider. Alviss hissed in pain as the action caused his wound to bleed afresh. The blood was already soaking through his makeshift bandage and Alviss knew that he didn't have much longer before he passed out.
Alviss reined in his stolen horse and glanced up the road that led to the castle. Mazoku and human soldiers were fighting each other along the road but that wasn't what Alviss had seen. He could see a black horse rearing and kicking at soldiers as it fought to get to the castle. Ryan was up there.
Alviss pointed his horse at the road and kicked it again. The animal took off and galloped up the road. By this time Elvira was fighting Kage in the throne room although Alviss didn't know that. Sliver was still fighting with Kirai although she had killed Kage's Night Crawler and Kirai's was getting weaker. Sliver looked down and saw Alviss galloping up the road towards the castle and she saw the block of soldiers wanting to stop him from reaching his target. Sliver glanced up the road and saw a black horse pushing its way through the masses and reaching the top of the road. With the horse were two figures, one was the Prince the other was a human soldier. Sliver narrowed her eyes and flew closer. She thought that she recognised that man. Sliver dismissed it for now as she turned and flew back towards Alviss. She could tell that he was injured and she doubted that he would make it through the enemy soldiers in time.
David trotted his horse through the open gates into Blood Pledge Castle's courtyard with a smile and Ryan followed behind on foot. Now he could put his plan into place. Kirai landed his battered beast a short distance away and jumped off its back.
"Leave your beast and see if you can find Ashi or Kage." David instructed and Kirai hesitated before nodding and running inside the castle and disappearing from view. David turned to look at Ryan. The demon hadn't killed the other boy demon and David was worried that his control over the boy might be slipping. He just needed the boy to kill to Maoh and then he would have no more use for him. David jumped off his horse and walked over to Ryan. Ryan's sword was covered with blood from his fellow Mazoku and David decided that the other boy was just different and not someone to worry about. He had been stabbed in the gut after all; he couldn't be much of a threat now. David was about to give Ryan instructions to find the Maoh when the sky darkened as a huge shape passed over the sun. David looked up to see the sliver dragon fly over his head carrying something in its claws.
Sliver landed in front of the castle making sure not to jostle Alviss too much. He had been badly hurt but he still insisted that Sliver take him to the castle courtyard so he could stop Ryan. According to Alviss, Ryan was under some sort of spell and Alviss was certain that he could break it. Sliver opened her claws and Alviss climbed out and stood upright. Ryan's eyes widened a fraction and David snarled.
"You just won't die!" David shouted at Alviss. Sliver roared and David stumbled back and looked at her. That's when Sliver recognised him. He was the human who had attacked and killed her kin and stolen the eggs, the human whose face she cut.
You! You are the human I've been searching for! You will pay for your crimes against my kind! Sliver snarled but Alviss put a hand on her neck.
"We need him alive Sliver, he can tell us who he works for then you can kill him." Sliver glanced at Alviss then back at David and roared loudly. Alviss limped forward and looked Ryan in the eyes again searching for his lost friend. "I know you are in there Ryan."
"Alviss…" Ryan whispered taking a step forward.
"Kill that demon! Kill them both!" David yelled running for his horse.
You will not escape this time! Sliver took off and snatched David up in her claws and pinned him to the ground. The horse reared in panic and took off back the way it had come. You are not going anywhere. Sliver snarled and David glared at the dragon trying to hide his fear.
"Kill the demon!" He yelled and Ryan tightened his grip on his sword. "You obey me now, do as I say!"
Silence! Sliver roared and David went quiet knowing that the dragon could roast him alive or crush him under her claws. Ryan glanced at his 'master' then back at Alviss. Alviss was beginning to have difficulty seeing straight, he felt giddy and his limbs felt very heavy. He knew that he was losing too much blood so he needed to act fast.
"Ryan you know who I am don't you? Listen to my voice and come back to me! I know you can hear me, fight it Ryan fight it!" Alviss didn't know what Ryan had to fight but he knew that his friend was being controlled and he knew that Ryan could break that control. "Ryan." Ryan shook his head as if confused and suddenly soldiers poured out of the castle and Alviss turned in surprise to see eight Mazoku soldiers followed by Josak, Gwendal, Conrad and Elvira leave the castle and stop when they saw the scene in front of them.
"Alviss!" Elvira called out noticing that something was wrong at once with her friend. He was too pale and his side was stained with blood. He was leaning to the left as well as if his right side hurt him. Ryan was standing there too but there was something wrong with him. His eyes were clouded and filled with pain. He looked like a puppet with some of its strings broken; limp and unsure of himself. Then Yuri and Wolfram left the castle and David saw them.
"Ryan!" Wolfram and Yuri shouted at the same time and Ryan glanced up and met their gaze. Then something changed within him and his eyes became hard and cold. David smirked; this was what the underworld spirit had been summoned for and it would not fail.
"Kill the Maoh!" David shouted and Ryan ran forward his sword held by his side ready to attack. The soldiers were so surprised that Ryan would attack his own family they let Ryan run past them, but Conrad leapt in front of Yuri and blocked Ryan's attack with a ringing clash of steel. Ryan jumped back then attacked again and Conrad forced him back once more.
"Ryan what are you doing?" Wolfram cried out as Ryan cut at Conrad's head almost decapitating him.
"It's no good that demon is under my control and he will do what I command!" David laughed and Sliver snarled at him.
"Then make him stop!" Elvira called out as Ryan came dangerously close to cutting off Conrad's arm. Yet Conrad was a well trained soldier with many more years of experience than Ryan. Alviss had noticed that Conrad was holding back like he did before, he didn't want to hurt Ryan just stop him from killing his own father.
"Ha no chance, you can kill me if you want to but I will not make him stop." David laughed and Alviss glanced at him then back at Ryan. His vision was blurring and he swayed where he stood. He closed his eyes and tried to think of a way to get Ryan to stop. Then an idea came to him. It was stupid and Alviss doubted it would even work but it was worth a try. It worked in all the stories and what did he have to lose now anyway?
"Ryan, stop it!" Yuri begged but his son took no notice as he slashed at Conrad again only to be blocked. Alviss walked up behind Ryan watching for a break in the fighting to make his move. Conrad saw him and shook his head but Alviss ignored him. "Ryan!" Yuri shouted again and Conrad pushed Ryan back making him stumble. Alviss saw his chance and with the last reserves of his strength he jumped forward and caught Ryan in his arms.
Ryan struggled but Alviss pulled him around so they were nose-to-nose and Ryan glared at him and tried to cut at Alviss's side. Alviss grabbed Ryan's sword arm in one hand and wrapped the other around Ryan's waist. Alviss swallowed and prayed to Shinou that this would work and he wasn't going to make a fool out of himself. He leaned forward and kissed Ryan on the lips. Ryan froze as did everyone else in the courtyard. For Alviss time seemed to slow down and the rest of the world faded away until it were just him and Ryan. Alviss put all his feelings into the kiss, all his love that had been locked away deep in his heart for the young Prince. He had dreamed of kissing Ryan for years, he just didn't ever imagine it would be in these circumstances.
Alviss kept his eyes open and he saw Ryan's eyes widen and for a second he saw Ryan, the true Ryan flash through those eyes. For a second Ryan's eyes were clear and Alviss knew that now Ryan had the strength to fight off whatever it was that controlled him.
Then the spirit was back in control and it shoved Alviss back and stumbled away from him. Alviss collapsed on the ground no longer able to hold himself up. He heard Elvira shout his name but his attention was on Ryan. Ryan stumbled back and clutched his head shaking it from side to side. Alviss felt someone pull him up and he glanced at Conrad who nodded at him before looking back at Ryan.
Ryan fell to his knees and screamed still clutching his head. Alviss sat up and yelped at his cut throbbed making him double over. Conrad clutched him then Ryan screamed again and Alviss looked up in time to see what looked like black smoke pour out of Ryan's body and shoot upwards into the air and vanish from sight. Ryan remained on his knees not moving his head bowed.
"Ryan?" Alviss called and Ryan raised his head and Alviss gasped along with the others. Ryan's eyes were clear again but now they were blue. As Alviss watched a shape began to form behind Ryan growing in size until it was almost as tall as the castle. It then condensed into the shape of a giant white tiger with black stripes and red eyes. The tiger roared and the very earth shook. Alviss watched in open mouthed amazement as the tiger spoke.
"Foolish humans who tried to control my power through my vessel, you shall be flung from this land and never return!" The tiger spoke in a male voice that made the air vibrate. The tiger roared and a light shot form its mouth and flew down the hillside and into the town. The blue gate opened once more and Alviss watched as each and every human who was still alive was picked up and thrown back through the gate. David was the only human not taken. The tiger closed its mouth and the gate closed once more. "You shall remain here and be judged for your crimes." The tiger boomed at David who looked like he had passed out. The tiger turned its huge head and looked at Alviss and seemed to smile at him before it faded away and the blue light faded from Ryan's eyes and they went back to their normal green.
"What the hell just happened?" Conrad asked and Alviss shook his head. He had no idea. Ryan seemed to wake up and he looked around until his eyes fell on Alviss.
"Alviss!" Ryan struggled to his feet and ran to Alviss and knelt in front of him his eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry I tried to stop myself but I couldn't! I'm sorry!" Alviss smiled and reached out and drew Ryan into a weak hug.
"It's ok Ryan but if you don't mind I'm going to pass out now." Ryan looked up just as Alviss closed his eyes and let the darkness take him.
*End Chapter*
So Ryan is himself again but what will happen to Alviss? Review!