CHAPTER 34

(AYATO'S P.O.V)

I looked on in indifference, as Yui hugged Laito and thanked him for his help. "No problem," Laito responded giving her his infamous smile. She then released Laito, and quickly snatched my hand up, as she pulled me along. "I'm so excited Ayato!, I still have to try on wedding dresses…"

As she jabbered on about our future wedding, I remained silent because I wasn't fooled on bit. Something was going on between Laito and Yui. I didn't hear the quiet conversation that they were having, but I certainly saw the body language and facial expression.

Laito's predatory gaze versus Yui's angry scowl.

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN…

Yui would usually tense up whenever Laito would enter the room, or when he stood in close promixty to her. I was so distracted with the preparation of the wedding, I wasn't able to put two and two together on the tension between them. What I didn't understand was why Yui couldn't come to me if she didn't feel uncomfortable around Laito.

Whatever the reason I decided to let it go.

FOR NOW…

There was something more going on with Laito. For instance I remembered him sneaking in one night with an Excalibur box. (The night Laito retrieved the hand of Horus). That meant only one thing:

Laito had some sort of powerful artifact in his possession…

The box was a giveaway. Usually vampires and other creatures from the underworld who had the box in their possession, meant it contained a powerful artifact.

WHAT COULD LAITO BE UP TO?.

Whatever it was I was going to find out. I knew my brother well. To catch Laito you had to be sharp, and lie in wait for your moment. Which was exactly what I was going to do. As a matter a fact from when Ayato Sakamaki was with Laito or Yui, he is the naïve mischievous go lucky groom to be…

(STAZ'S P.O.V)

As I strolled through the empty school hallways, I could feel myself become angry again. All that time Zero and I spent yesterday going through magic books, and we still came up with nothing to get the eye out of me. Time was running out, and we couldn't afford anymore setbacks.

Not even my brother the demon king had any solution to this problem. What if Castell is wrong?. All those things Castell had told me about visions, and out of body experiences, and yet nothing had happened.

My mind wondered to Yui…

I wondered how she was holding up. It's obvious she might be worried, since Zero and I ditched school yesterday unknowing to her. I just hoped she kept focused, and waited for us to tell her her next move.

AND JUST LIKE THAT I WASN'T IN THE HALLWAY ANYMORE…

Instead I was standing on a battlefield of some sort, crowded with men at war. My magic flared up instantly to protect myself, as I walked in a circle to really take in my surroundings. The sound of swords and axes clashing, with the sight of warriors body parts being chopped off, and flying all over the place.

The air was mixed with sweat and blood. I couldn't stop going around in a circle at what I saw.

Castell was right ….

The eye it has… it has…

My thoughts vanished when I spotted a certain warrior.

It's obvious I had never met Ephorus, but I remembered my father describing him. A few yards from me stood a six foot warrior who wielded the sword, against his enemies with perfect precision. His eyes had resembled my brothers, blank in expression, but can become feral in a matter of seconds in a battle.

I watched in total fascination, as he striked down his enemies. Suddenly an enemy from came out of nowhere, and chopped him with an axe from behind on the shoulder.

"NNNNOOOOOOO!" I screamed in fear knowing exactly how this was going to end. I watched in horror, as Ephorus dropped to his knees. Two other enemies appeared as one yanked him back by the hair, while the other pulled his hand back horizontally aiming for his heart.

I was about to attack, when I felt two warm hands clasp my face, and just like that I was standing back in the hallway with Yui clasping my face. "Breathe Staz breathe," she whispered. I finally took a deep breathe. My throat felt dry, I was now completely soaked in sweat from head to toe.

"What happened Staz?," she asked worry etched all over her face. "I-I." I stuttered unable to form a full sentence. "Take a breath," she told me, as I leaned my head against the wall closing my eyes. "Where's Zero?," she asked after a moment of silence. "I left before him. I wanted some time to think," I mumbled.

"I think you should sit down somewhere if you're feeling like this," she stated. I straightened up and wiped my face on my arm, finally feeling like myself again. So many emotions hit me on the battlefield. Rage, fear, and shock all mixed together.

Without warning Yui walked straight into my arms. "I missed you…" she whispered as I slowly embraced her. " I thought you guys were killed, next time get into contact with me stupid." I grinned at her statement, as I continued to hug her.

SUDDENLY A THOUGHT HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS.

I gently untangled Yui from around me, and looked her in the eye. She stared back at me confused.

IT WAS NOW OR NEVER FOR ME TO TELL THE TRUTH…

"When we got to the island called the black hole we found the eye." "So you were successful," she said smiling brightly.

IT PAINED ME INSIDE AT WHAT I WAS ABOUT TO SAY NEXT…

"However your father was after it as well, I had no choice which led me to kill him…"

"I'm so relieved," she responded wiping away a few tears that had formed. "You're not mad at me?," I asked confused. "Why would i?," she answered smiling now. "I wanted the truth about my father, and now I know who he truly is. I can finally let go."

I let out a deep sigh, as my shoulders slumped with relief. "I honestly thought you'd hate me for what I did."

"HE CHOOSE HIS FATE." Yui dismissed.

Even though she brushed it off, I could see the sadness in her eyes.

HOW MUCH MORE PAIN DID SHE HAVE TO ENDURE TO BE RID OF HER PAST?.

SHE HAD ENDURED SO MUCH…

I was about to embrace and kiss her, when this loud mouth chic named Sherry showed up. "There you are!,"Sherry exclaimed taking Yui's hand and dragged her away. "I need your final word on the colors for the bride maids party."

WAIT WHAT?.

"BRIDES MAID!," I exclaimed immediately teleporting in front of them in order to stop Sherry's quick steps. Sherry raised an eyebrow at me, as if I was stupid. "Don't you know Staz?. Yui is getting married within two days to Ayato Sakamaki. You're so out of the loop Staz it's sad." With that she continued to drag Yui down the hallway.

I was at a loss for words…

As Yui glanced back at me sadly, I could see the words "sorry I kept this from you" written all over her face. Her eyes dropped to her shoes in guilt. As she disappeared around the corner, I continued to stare at the empty space in disbelief.

WHY DID SHE KEEP THIS FROM ME?!.

DID AYATO THREATEN HER?!.

Whatever the reason, I was going to face Ayato.

EYE OR NO EYE…

I WAS GOING TO SAVE YUI FROM THIS MADNESS IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO…