The murmurs remained constant over the years, but Dunamis learned to push them aside. He couldn't even take the necklace off. Every time he tried, the curse would whisper enticingly, and he would always end up with it still around his neck. So he kept it beneath his robes and continued his duty as guardian of the temple. He waited...and waited for the time when the star fragment would come. He grew older, taller, and more serious. He looked almost exactly like his ancestor. Still, he waited, watching the sky for a star fragment.
Watching for the star fragment.
And when it came, he would be ready to guide the Legendary Bladers to defeat Nemesis.
But until then, he would wait...
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
A streak of light streamed across the sky. The murmurs grew louder, hissing excitedly in the back of his mind. Dunamis gathered the energy, that had been entombed within the temple, into the beydish. The constellation symbols etched into its curved sides lit up, and he sent it shooting upwards towards the sky.
He watched the star fragment shatter into ten pieces. Nine of them arced across the sky, heading towards the Legendary Bladers.
Soon, they will come, and Nemesis will wake.
He watched one shining piece of the star fragment fall towards him.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
Agony.
He could sense the curse stirring as the screams were torn from his throat. Dimly he could hear laughing from the cloaked person who had attacked him.
...now you shall be devoured...
He was engulfed by darkness.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
Dunamis was surrounded by shifting, swirling inkiness. The pendant seemed to grow heavier and heavier until he fell to his hands and knees. The necklace began to emit an ominous dark aura and the red jewel glowed brightly. The gold pieces began to grow a lot longer and writhe as they wrapped around his arms, tying them together behind his back. He fell forward on to his stomach, crying out as the gold tightened and continued to spread, lashing around his torso and constricting his breath.
He watched, helpless, as the shadows around him seemed to bend outward and warp into a vaguely humanoid figure. The thing stood rigidly, its skin stretching and tearing as it continued to take shape. A dark cloak formed over black pants and a matching shirt. Long gloves covered its arms from knuckles to elbows. Purple-gray hair brushed across tanned skin, and its mouth was pulled into a derisive smirk. Cold blue eyes stared down at the bound guardian.
It is...myself?!
"I am the embodiment of the curse." It sounded exactly like him too. It stepped closer, using one foot to lift Dunamis's chin. "You are descendent of the cursed one? How pathetic."
It laughed mockingly, turning away from him. Its form began to fade as Dunamis felt a numbing cold creeping up his ankles. Twisting his neck around to see, he watched, horrified, as the surrounding shadows twisted and swirled around legs. The oily inkiness slid wetly over his skin, sending shudders down his spine.
"Soon, you will be devoured. Drown in the shadows under the weight of the curse!"
The last thing Dunamis heard before the shadows covered his head was the cruel laughter of the curse. Then there was only bitterness filling his screaming mouth, silence coating his ears, and darkness blinding his eyes.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
He awoke to the sensation of being electrocuted. It hurt. A lot.
Thankfully, despite the pain, it seemed to cause the shadows to recede somewhat. They slipped from his skin, dripping out of his mouth as he coughed.
Suddenly he was in a stone room, clothed in dark robes, with the necklace glinting in full view around his neck. He was currently engaged in battle with his fellow Legendary Blader, Gingka, who seemed to be giving some kind of heartfelt speech.
What just happened?! The curse...it must have been controlling my body! I must warn Gingka!
Unfortunately that was easier said than done, as his body still ached from the electrical shocks it had suffered. Still he managed to gasp out his message.
But before he could do much more, the curse was activated once again. He cried out as the curse expelled a dark fog, wrapping him in its embrace.
...you cannot defy the heaven's will!...the darkness...is your fate!
And then he was falling back into the shadows that writhed and squirmed, latching eagerly on to his body. The necklace was a heavy weight, dragging him deeper into the oily black substance.
No! He struggled, trying to pull himself free of the darkness that crept steadily up his torso.
"Why do you fight this fate?" It had returned, its face still a copy of his own. The imposter sneered condescendingly as the shadows inched up Dunamis's neck. "You cannot defy the heaven's will, and you are too weak to even break out of here."
Dunamis gritted his teeth, straining to keep his chin above the slick, moving mass. He did not want that stuff in his mouth again.
And then he was electrocuted again.
He screamed as electricity shot through him. He could hear it screaming too, as green sparks danced around its form.
And he was back in the room, this time battling Kyoya. Gingka and the mechanic girl stood with concerned expressions behind the lion blader.
Dunamis was barely able to get any words out, the effort leaving him gasping for breath.
Then the darkness closed around him once again, muffling his screams.
The shadows oozed sluggishly around his limbs, its movements noticeably slower than before.
Is the curse weakening?
He managed to tug his arms free of the disgusting sludge with some difficulty. Dull pain flashed through his aching body with every movement. He groaned weakly, becoming limp and sinking slowly into the darkness.
I'm so tired...and my whole body hurts.
The shadows climbed up to his shoulders.
I can't give up now. The Legendary Bladers need me. Nemesis must be stopped!
He fought through the darkness, freeing his arms once again.
Father would not want me to lose hope. I will not be drowned by this curse!
Sparks danced briefly around the necklace. He ignored the pain, pulling himself further out of the shadows.
Abruptly he was once again in the room, staggering back at the sound of shattering glass. The necklace was broken. He was free.
Leone flew back to its master's hand, and Dunamis quickly searched for his own beyblade. Jupiter laid forlornly on the ground, defeated.
Looks like it lost.
But even though he was released from the curse, there were still vague murmurs in the back of his mind. Dunamis ignored them, sure that they would soon disappear. He had the end of the world to worry about.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
The quiet words were there all through the last few battles. He had desperately hoped that the curse would die with Pluto. Outwardly, he had remained calm and fought fiercely against Rago and Nemesis.
In the end, he could only watch as Gingka finally defeated the evil. He listened, feeling vaguely useless as the screams of the monster faded away.
But he was happy. After all, the world was saved.
He returned to the temple with Titi, who seemed to be happy just to be able to battle everyday with someone. Still, even though they had won, why did he feel like he had lost something?
The whispers didn't fade.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
A/N: Sorry for late update. I've been really busy lately. I'm starting to work double shifts at my job, and I have a big project to finish. In short, my updates will probably be few and far between. I'm really sorry.
That aside, this is the longest chapter I've ever written! The beginning is kind of fragmented, but it's supposed to be that way. I hope it wasn't a dull chapter. Reviews are welcome! :)