It was your fault that he died.
Lies. It was all lies. It had to be.
It grinned, its lips stretching inhumanly wide in a smile that looked far too out of place on Dunamis's face.
I had been sleeping… I had been so tired, so weary, drifting and feeding in a prison of gold and scarlet. Until I came into contact with you.
You, who had been destined to be devoured. Your soul seemed so youthful, so bright. Because of you, I awoke. And I had to feed even more, even faster.
But his body couldn't sustain me.
He died because of you.
No. No, it wasn't my fault. You were the one who killed him.
Ah, but he had been trying to save himself, to have a longer life. Didn't you ever wonder why he kept pushing you away. He knew that you would be his end. If you had gotten the message and stayed away, maybe he would still be alive today.
He never loved you.
"Stop it! It's not true! I-"
He hated you for being a reminder of his coming death! Dunamis's reflection snarled, one hand lashing out to strike his face. With a gasp, the Jupiter blader reeled back on the hospital bed, hands flying up to his aching cheek. And his doppelgänger continued its verbal attack, eyes flashing triumphantly.
He hated you. After all, his wife died because of you.
What? Mother is not dead! She left the temple because that was what the heavens decreed. That's what father always told me!
You don't believe me? Fine, I'll just have to show you.
It threw his head back and laughed. Almost instantly, shadows exploded from below Dunamis's feet, swallowing him. The last thing he heard before he succumbed to the darkness was the curse's mad cackling.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
The sound of slow, painful breathing filled the room, echoing off the stone walls of the temple. Dunamis stared at the scene, bound in place by a web of shadows.
A woman, with lavender tresses clinging to her sweat-dampened cheeks, laid on the bed. The woman's eyes were half lidded, revealing a fever-bright glimpse of green eyes. Dunamis's father sat next to her bed, gripping her limp hand. Worry and fear showed plainly in every crease and furrow lining his face.
"Astraia, please hold on. Our son needs you to live on." He hesitated before murmuring,"I need you to live on."
"Will you name the baby Dunamis? As a dying wish for me?" She laughed quietly.
The man angrily dashed away the tears that had gathered to his eyes, glaring at the woman as if daring her to comment. "This isn't a joking matter! You aren't dying."
Astraia smiled weakly. "You know as well as I did that I wouldn't be happy, even if I lived."
The guardian sighed, his head bowed. "Because of him?"
The room was silent.
Dunamis's father turned around, his eyes glassy and his face sallow. "Do you see the pain that you caused?" He snarled in the curse's raspy voice, his face contorting in rage before he was disintegrating into sparks and fine ash that stung at Dunamis's face.
And he was burning, burning, and it hurt so much...
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
Dunamis's eyes snapped open. He stared at his smirking reflection with horror.
My mother...she died when I was born? She died, because of me?!
His copy laughed. How does it feel, knowing that you killed both your parents and that neither of them ever loved you.
I-I didn't k-
Do you deny what I've just proven to you?
With a choked sob, he threw off the covers and staggered a few steps before falling to the ground.
The room was spinning. His head was throbbing, and his arm stung where he had ripped out the IV. But nothing could compare to the agony that was tearing him apart from inside.
It's okay, the curse crooned. It crouched down beside him, one hand cradling his head and the other carding through his hair. I'll make everything go away.
Dunamis cried out, clutching at his head as darkness seeped over his clothes, spreading like ink stains across the fabric of the hospital gown. A dark purple miasma flickered about his form and thickened into a writhing mass of shadows. His screams cut out abruptly.
There was nothing left of him to save; he was already broken.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
Dunamis stood, his face blank and his eyes empty. The hallway was long and winding, shrouded in darkness and receding into the distance. There was something important at the end, of that he was sure. A door perhaps? He didn't know anymore.
His footsteps were silent.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
It grinned, feeling muscles stretch and pull the skin of his cheeks. It felt wonderful to be grounded in a body once again.
I wonder how long this flesh will hold me.
It straightened up fluidly, catching an answering motion from the corner of its eye. It turned and found its image reflected in a glass window pane.
Dunamis stared back at him.
No matter, it mused idly. I can just find another body after this one dies.
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
"Do you live here alone?"
"I'm never alone. I have the stars watching over me."
"That's still sad, to not have a friend to play with you or to make you smile when you're sad."
"It's my duty, so I'm fine."
"I was by myself too... I think nothing makes it okay to be lonely."
"...It's impossible for everyone to be happy."
"We can be friends! You won't ever have to be alone again!"
That was the first time I'd felt this emotion since I'd lost him. But in the end...you can't fulfill that promise, can you?
...~*~...~*~...~*~...
Long, apologetic A/N: Soooo... Long time no see. *sweat drop* I'm not going to go in detail, but I've had a lot of health issues lately, and my schedule's just been hectic.
Thank you to anyone who's reviewed, followed, favourited, or even just decided to give this fic a chance and read it! Special shout out to gocty for PM-ing me and making me feel especially loved! :)
So, Dunamis's mom died during childbirth, which isn't too surprising, considering that there wouldn't have been a doctor up on the mountain.
Here's my little head-canon for how the Guardians work: a blader of the opposite gender would make it up to the temple, the guardian would have a child with him or her, and then the person would have to leave without the baby. This is how the Guardians would continue to watch over the temple, generation through generation. Of course, living alone is a dusty temple probably impairs your emotional and social development, so there wasn't much love involved in the whole process.
Dunamis's father told him that mother had left, but she had really died after having him.
Astraia is a Greek name meaning "starry one." In mythology, this is the name of a goddess of justice.
The next chapter should explain more about his father's death. I can't promise when I'll update, but I hope it'll be soon.
Virtual cookies for anyone who can figure out the people who are talking at the end. Hint: Don't think too hard, it's actually very easy.
Next chapter: Chains
Edit: There is a poll on my profile concerning the ending of this story. Please vote!