I am so sorry guys. I had this chapter finished last night, but I'm having computer issues so I'm posting this from my school laptop (which isn't supposed to be used for this kind of thing *-* but I did it anyway) I just simply could not let this chapter sit un-posted because it is so good and I was crying and *starts crying again* Just-Just go read it. I'm so done. This story is way more intense that I first thought it would be.

Whispers In The Dark

Chapter 11

A Fallen Maou

The night sky continued to get darker as the minutes agonizingly rolled by. Saralegui kept his grip as tight as he could on the rein of his horse as he rode through the night, heading deeper into the forest and closer to the native lands. His heart pounded with worry. He was worried for Yuri. He was worried for Wolfram.

He was worried for himself as well.

To leave the others behind, in the dead of night, with no sleep, is easier said than done as he was riding through the night on horseback, desperately trying to stay awake. He vowed he would not rest until he found the location as to where Yuri and Wolfram were being held. He planned to keep that promise, as he didn't want his allies, his friends, to suffer anymore than they had to.

The rough taps coming from the horseshoes against the dirt floor was all that Saralegui heard in half dazed state. He continued to try and make a grip on the rein of his horse but as the time went on, that grip would begin to loosen.

Saralegui shook his head. He then rubbed his eyes and pushed his glasses back over his face. He was growing weaker. His body was growing more tense. He knew that he needed rest, but he could not, not out here in this forest. It was far too dangerous. However, he knew he would not last much longer in his current state.

A gentle breeze blew over him giving him a jolt. Saralegui took a deep breath. He raised his head once more and looked out ahead of him. He saw the forest beginning to decease, grasslands and homes in just a few hundred feet. He felt accomplished knowing that he made it out of the forest.

His horse began to slow down, feel that its master has reached his destination and needed rest. The horse could feel the weak state that Saralegui was in. A "neigh" escaped its lips as it looked back at its master. Saralegui smiled gently and pet the horse's mane.

"We can stop for a few minutes. You must be exhausted after pushing on for so long." Saralegui mumbled softly to the horse.

The horse led his master out of the forest area and onto the trail towards the village just a few miles away. Saralegui reached into his satchel and pulled out a carrot. He showed it to the horse who ate it out of his master's hand with pride and gratitude.

"Its really late out isn't it? I'd say about almost five in the morning as the sun is beginning to rise ever so slowly." Saralegui said to himself.

Saralegui looked up at the night sky as it was slowly beginning to become lighter in colour as the sun was beginning to rise up from the horizon. He felt something inside of him going off. He felt guilty. But at the same time, he did not feel guilty.

To leave Berius behind, along with Conrart and Lord Gunter, he felt that in itself was wrong, to not tell them where he was going, not even leaving a note, that would be a bit troubling for them when they awoke to find him gone. That made him feel guilty.

However, to stop and rest while the Maou was captured along with his fiance was also troubling to him. He could not sit back and let that happen. He felt it was best to go out on his own and continue on. He wanted to find Yuri and Wolfram as quickly as possible.

He felt he made the right choice, no matter the consequences. He just hopes that the others forgive him for it.

Saralegui led himself and his horse over to a nearby tree on a hill. He felt it was a good place to rest for now. He knew that he needed to press on, but he could not go much further without a few minutes rest. He knew that Yuri was strong, he could hang on. However, he knew that Yuri was in a lot of trouble and most likely outnumbered, not to mention weakened thanks to being on human land. Saralegui tied the horse's rein to the trunk of the tree and then sat down against the tree, his knees to his chest as he sat and relaxed.

The horse rubbed its nose against Saralegui's face. The young king let out a small giggle or laugh as he hugged his horse back. His smile soon turned to a frown as he thought back to his friends. He gave the horse a hug just a bit tighter as their faces flashed through his mind.

"I'm going to get you guys out of there. Don't you worry about that." Saralegui mumbled to himself. He closed his eyes. "You're going to be safe. I promise. No one will stop me."

A shift and a rock of a sake bucket in the alcohol storage room made itself known as it continued to rock and shake until it completely combusted. Bubbly alcoholic liquid and shattered wood scattered and spilled onto the floor. The smell of sake and heavy alcohol lifted into the air. Murata held his nose at the smell. Shouri just rung out his clothes.

"Did Shinou seriously have to dump us in a sake bucket?" Shouri complained.

Murata removed his glasses from his face and looked over at Shouri. "Shinou's power is very low, the fact that he got us on the boat is surprising enough. So please, do not complain. It is, only alcohol." Murata responded. However, he was a bit ticked off that he was going to be smelling of sake for a week because of this.

"Just alcohol. Right. Tell that to my clothes." Shouri mumbled.

Murata rolled his eyes and stood up from the floor. He held his glasses in his fingertips seeing as how he needed a dry and clean rag to wipe off his glasses.

"We don't have time for this nonsense, Shibuya's older brother, we have to find Gwendal." Murata said.

"That's right, we have to find my little brother." Shouri said.

Murata and Shouri quickly left the alcohol storage room and began searching for a crewman to tell them just where Gwendal was. When they did find one, the crewman said that he was in the meeting hall. He also offered to get some fresh clothes for them as he pointed out that they reeked of sake. They accepted his offer and quickly left to find Gwendal.

Once Murata and Shouri made it to the meeting hall, Murata raised a fist and knocked on one of the double doors to grab Gwendal's attention, letting him know that they were coming inside. Murata opened the door and he and Shouri stepped inside. What they walked into was, anything but pleasant.

Lady Cecilie had her head on her son's shoulder as she wept. She had a tissue in her hands as she was constantly wiping her eyes.

"Come on inside you two." Gwendal said waving them inside the room. He moved his head ever so gently to face them as they walked inside. "And why the hell do you two reek of sake?"

"Long story. Have you located my brother's whereabouts yet?" Shouri said, getting straight to the point.

"We have not. And how do you know about it? Did you tell him, your holiness?" Gwendal replied in a tone of irritation.

"Shouri had the right to know that his little brother has been missing for over three days. You would want to know if Wolfram was taken would you not? And you were informed." Murata explained.

Gwendal growled. "Wolfram was reckless. He shouldn't have gone out with Saralegui in the first place. He knew the danger of getting involved without a plan, it was his own fault. Now we have to save him with no trace of where he can be."

"Wolfram is indeed reckless, however, he had the best reasons at heart and you know it Gwendal." Murata responded.

"Perhaps, but I specifically told him to stay back and wait for us to come up with a plan. Going out recklessly may have put Yuri in jeopardy. That is not something we needed. But now, we much work around this flaw and find the both of them soon." Gwendal said.

"Well, if we're still looking for Wolfram and my little brother, then how long until we reach land?" Shouri complained.

"We will get there when we get there. I don't care if you are the Earth Maou and the older brother to King Yuri, you are still a human and for you to be as rude as you are at the moment, is very disrespectful." Gwendal crossed his arms over his chest. "You've been involved with us for quite some time now. You should know how this works by now."

"Well can I help it that I'm worried for my little brother?" Shouri complained.

"And you don't think I'm worried for mine. Wolfram is a brat and always will be, but he is also my little brother. I love him very much and whether I show it or not, he knows that. I will not stop until I find him and our king and bring them home." Gwendal shouted.

"That's quite enough Gwendal." Lady Cecilie spoke. She wiped her tears and stood up from beside her eldest son. "Lord Shouri, I know you are very worried for your little brother, however, you must also remember that Wolfram is my son and Gwendal's little brother. Not to mention that Yuri is our Maou and we want to find him just as much as you do. The people of Shin Makoku depend on Yuri, they respect him and worship him. We want nothing more than to bring him home safe. Wolfram and Yuri have been taken in a twisted fate and they have nothing but faith and love at their beck and call. They are depending on us to find them? Don't you understand?"

Silence.

"I understand what you mean. However,Yu-chan is not just your king, he also my little brother, my family, he's the only one I have. A Maou can be replaced, a little brother like Yuri only comes once in a lifetime." Shouri responded.

"That was very beautiful, Shibuya's older brother. I never knew you were so deep." Murata commented.

"Quiet, friend of my little brother." Shouri commanded.

"I've heard enough." Gwendal said, his voice boomed across the walls. Gwendal stood up from his chair at the table in the middle of the room and turned to face his mother. "I'm going to get some air. Keep those two here. Don't let them leave this room. We'll finish this conversation later."

"Take your time Gwendal." Lady Cecilie said placing her hand on her son's shoulder. It fell back to her side as he walked away. She placed her hands in front of her, she gave them a gentle clench as she felt her heart breaking, cracking just a bit more. She looked over at his holiness and Shouri. "I apologize for my outburst just moments ago, also for Gwendal's attitude. We are just on edge as we are desperately trying to find Wolf." Lady Cecilie wiped her tears away once more. "Wolfram is my precious son. He reminds me of me in so many ways. I want nothing more than to bring him home along with his fiance, your brother and our king."

Murata walked over to her and handed her a handkerchief. She gratefully accepted it, dabbing her eyes with it.

"Lady Cecilie, we understand your distress. We are all upset by this. However, taking out our pain on each other will only cause more problems." Murata took a deep breath. "The best course of action is to calm down, take a deep breath and try to work with whatever knowledge we have for now to try and find them."

Lady Cecilie smiled at Murata. She knew that the wise man was right. He was always the calmest of everyone around him. She knew that she could trust Murata in his advice.

"I understand." She sat back down at the table. She waved a hand over towards the table. "Please sit. I'll have someone make tea for us."

Murata bowed to Lady Cecilie before taking a seat a few chairs down from her. Shouri did nothing at first but accepted her offer and sat down across from Murata.

With that, they waited patiently for Gwendal to return.

It was dawn when Berius made his way to his master's room. He knew from when they had arrived at the inn, that his king was not ready to settle in and let sleep take him, for he wanted to continue the search. But Berius knew that his king needed rest. He was sure that his king would understand after actually getting some sleep and realizing that it was truly what he needed.

However- as Berius stood in the doorway of his king's room, having expected to found him fast asleep, to find it empty, as it was when they had first arrived.

Berius felt everything around him freeze, as if time had stopped. His heart pounded. It raged deep inside his person.

"Your majesty." Berius called out to him. Berius stepped into the room and began to search around the large room for his nephew. But so far came up empty handed. "Your majesty."

"Berius, what's wrong? Where's Saralegui?" Conrart asked from the door.

Berius turned around to face Conrart and quickly gathered his nerves. "It seems his majesty is not here. He must have left the room while we were all resting."

Conrart frowned. "I see. Do you think he's still on the property?" Conrart asked.

"I would hope he is. After all, going off on his own would be catastrophic." Berius took a deep breath. His heart pounding from worry so much to the point he could barely breathe. "However, knowing my master, he took off anyhow."

Conrart placed a hand over his mouth and began to think. He was also beginning to worry. To lose Saralegui at a time like this, was not in schedule nor was it a good thought for the brain. To lose three important people, in less than a week's time, would not look good for them. Gwendal would no doubt lose him mind.

"We should act fast. We only got to this inn about maybe five hours ago. Even if he left not to long after we all retired, he couldn't have gotten far. If we leave immediately, we may be able to find him." Conrart suggested.

"Might is not an option for me. I must bring my master home, his kingdom needs him to lead them." Berius replied.

"That may be true, but remember, he is also your nephew, you need him just as much his people." Conrart said before walking away.

Berius sat down on the bed, his fingers running over the sheets of the bed that Saralegui no doubt sat or laid upon just a few hours ago. He let a frown embed his lips. He felt his worry for his master setting in on his heart.

He was determined to get his nephew back safe at all costs.

"What do you mean his majesty Saralegui has vanished?" Gunter asked with a worried tone.

Conrart had walked into his room just moments ago, speaking of the news he had received from Berius. Gunter felt his heart drop at the thought of the young king being taken as his majesty Yuri had been kidnapped.

"Berius went to go wake his majesty when he found his room completely cleared of his majesty and his belongings. We believe he took off at some point in the night." Conrart explained.

Gunter ran a hand through his light grey hair. "This is not good at all." Gunter mumbled.

"To lose his majesty at this point in the search is fatality we can not afford to have. King Yuri is waiting for us to rescue him along with Wolfram. Every second we have is wasted until we find his majesty Saralegui. We mustn't use too much time. Yuri and Wolfram could be in great danger." Conrart said.

"Then we must leave immediately." Gunter said as he began to gather his things.

"I'll begin to gather the horses. We must leave right away." Conrart replied before walking out of the room and to the horse stables.

Gunter quickly began to gather what little things he could bring with him and headed outside to meet with the others. He took out his key to the room and when he met with Berius, took his as well. As Conrart made his way over with their horses, he found out from Conrart that he had already handed in his key and then went to hand in the two keys he had already on him. After that, the three got onto their respective horses and took off to find his majesty Saralegui.

"Yuri look out, its a trap." Wolfram cried.

The demon king heard Wolfram's warning and took a cautious step back. He looked over his shoulder at the blonde.

"If that is the case, than I ask you this," The demon king looked back out in front of him. "Do not try and use any magic to help me."

Wolfram's eyes widened as he heard those words spoken from Yuri's lips. To not be allowed to help your fiancee in case the worst were to happen, was a horrible feeling.

"Y-You can't be serious-to not be able to help you any way I can in case you get hurt is madness. Don't say that Yuri. Take it back." Wolfram replied with surprise in his voice.

"I will not. You're energy is dangerously low. To use any of it on me, while you are in your current state, would only put your life on the line as well. I don't want to watch you die." The demon king spoke as he eyed the armed men.

"But Yuri-" Wolfram stopped himself there. He clenched his fist and stepped back a few steps more. He felt his heart breaking, he felt like he wanted to cry, but he held it all back, he kept it all bottled up. He had to stay strong. He knew that Yuri was right. Yuri is putting his life on the line to keep him safe, he was going up against many armed men with many esoteric stones burning his body on the inside to keep him back. Wolfram himself could feel the stones effects, but just barely at his distance. However, the stones in his collar still burned at his neck. "Don't do anything stupid."

Yuri didn't hear Wolfram's last statement as he focused entirely on his task at hand. He kept his maryoku stable as he waited to figure out just what his next move would be.

Everything was tense and still. The armed men kept their stances, arrows back and ready to be released when see fit, some with their swords at their sides in case needed. No one dared to make a move.

"Did you not hear me before? I gave you fools an order. Take him down. NOW." Belar's voice boomed from out of nowhere.

Bows began to take aim at the demon king as the order was again worded and the signal to fire was once again noted. The demon king took stance as well.

The first arrow was fired. The demon king quickly dodged it, but it did scathe his cheek just barely scratching him.

After that, the arrows began to fly, all aimed at the demon king. He continued to dodge them, gathering his maryoku on the gravel and the ground around him.

The gravel and the ground all around them began to rise up, the demon king's maryoku quickly raised up the gravel from the floor and the walls and it began to collect all around him. Arrows stopped flying as the archers gazed up at the gathering material with fear.

"I will not forgive those who works for the hand of evil. I take pity on you, but not much else is to be said. For that, you shall all be punished." The demon king spoke. "Justice be done."

The gravel and everything around him that him that the demon king was able to collect, he began his assault on the archers, throwing and even using what he's gathered to crush the archers under all of the rubble to unarm them.

However-

Blood splattered. A flash of excruciating pain ran through the demon king's veins. He looked over at his arm. An arrow sit lodged in his arm, right through one of his veins, blood rolled down, poured and dripped onto the floor below him.

Another and another. One by one, more arrows began to pierce his skin and cause him more pain. One in his leg. One in his stomach. Another went through his hand.

Wolfram watched in horror as his fiancee was pierced by these arrows, one after another. He was forced to stay back. He didn't want to break his promise to Yuri by stepping up and helping him. However, it was growing more and more painful to watch.

The demon king bit his lip. He could taste the blood in his mouth from all of the wounds on his body. His body felt weak. His body shook. His maryoku had stopped all together. The gravel he worked hard to collect has all fallen to the floor in ruin and rubble. He had only managed to take out five of the men. There were still more than half of them left.

"How do you like that Maou? The arrows must feel wonderful pierced through you like that? It must sting with a passion thanks to the poison." Belar said with a cackle.

"Poison?!" The demon king mumbled.

"That's right. I've had my men lace those arrows with a wonderful poison that will circulate through your body and kill you soon enough. So even if we don't get a vital point with those arrows, you'll collapse and die no matter what? So enjoy your last hour Maou." Belar explained, no doubt a large and evil grin on your face.

The demon king clenched his fist tightly as he fought the urge to punch something. He felt foolish. He should have known that Belar would go as far as to lace those arrows with poison. He knew he shouldn't, but he looked back at Wolfram. He saw the horrified and fearful look in Wolfram's eyes.

He knew that if he was going to die, he had to use every ounce of his remaining strength to fight back and get Wolfram out of here. He knew if he died, without getting Wolfram out first, he knew Belar would end up killing him next.

The demon king grabbed hold of the arrow he had in his arm and quickly and fearlessly ripped it out from his arm. More blood would splatter from the force. He let out a hiss of pain, one eye closed, the other open as he aimed. He quickly placed the arrow between his pointed finger and his middle finger and shot the arrow at the man at the three o'clock position from where he stood. He watched as the man went down, he held his chest in pain.

The demon king held his arm after that. He could feel the warm blood rolling down his arm and dripping onto the floor. He knew it was a risky move, to remove the arrow, he knew it would increase the flow of blood escaping his body, but to take another man out was worth it.

Wolfram's body, as if on instinct, took a small step forward. His vision focused solely on the blood that rolled down Yuri's arm, and the arrows that pierced his skin. He felt control of his body lessening, as if something was taking him over.

"Yuri," Wolfram took another shaky step. His emerald eyes shook from fear at the thought of losing Yuri. He had to help him. He didn't care about the promise anymore. He couldn't afford to lose Yuri. He couldn't handle that. "Don't do this."

Wolfram rose a hand out to Yuri. His hand shook as he reached out for his fiance who kept his attention on the archers that were left. Wolfram wanted to just hug Yuri and tell him everything would be alright, that he could help. And another part of him wanted to smack him and tell him what an idiotic and wimpy move he just did. He didn't know which one he would rather do first.

But before Wolfram could reach Yuri-

He was too late.

Another arrow was fired.

Yuri stumbled back, he tripped over his own two feet and he collapsed, his back hitting the hard concrete floor. Yuri's black eyes now dull and almost completely lifeless. He looked up at his forehead. He saw the arrow sticking out of his head. He couldn't believe what had happened. He didn't see any of the archers make a move. None of them launched an arrow. So, where did this one come from?

"Yuri!" Wolfram cried out. Wolfram ran over to his fiance, his daze completely snapped out of as he saw Yuri on the ground, arrow through his head and not moving. Wolfram moved to Yuri's side and held his hand. "You wimp. I told you not to do anything stupid." Wolfram couldn't hold back his tears and they flowed down his face.

Yuri looked over at Wolfram, he couldn't move his head, in fear of causing more damage. He raised a hand and placed it on Wolfram's cheek and smiled at him.

"I'm sorry Wolfram. I wasn't cautious enough. I should have seen that last arrow coming." Yuri said in a hush tone.

Wolfram placed a hand over Yuri's that held his face and he felt his tears rushing faster down his face. "Don't die on me. I can't lose you yet." Wolfram held Yuri's hand tighter. "Greta can't lose her papa. Conrart, Gunter, Gwendal, Mother, your parents, Shouri, his holiness, they're all waiting for you to come back home. Don't you dare die before you can see them again." Wolfram cried.

Yuri gave Wolfram a sad smile. He had tears of his own at the thought of his family, of his daughter back home. He had left her on such bad terms, she must be so worried about him. And then there was his mother, she would be devastated if she found out he was killed. Same for Father and Shouri.

"I don't think I can hold on much longer Wolfram. The poison will continue to circulate through me, even if these arrows don't kill me right away. I'm most likely only still alive thanks to my healing ability of my remaining maryoku. Once that's wiped out, so will I." Yuri stated the ugly truth.

Wolfram gulped and placed his forehead against Yuri's, trying his best to avoid the arrow. "I can't lose you yet. We still have to get married."

Yuri let out a small half laugh. "You're still on that." Yuri closed his eyes. "I'm so sorry Wolfram. But, this is probably this end. I'm sorry it had to end like this."

"SHUT UP." Wolfram cried. His tears continued to spill as he clenched harder on Yuri's hand. "JUST LET ME HEAL YOU. If I heal you,. then maybe you can still make it."

"I already told you. Don't use your energy on me, it will only kill you in the end." Yuri said.

"But its worth a try isn't it. Its already been a little while since I used it. I may have gained a bit of it back. I can help you." Wolfram argued.

"Wolfram." Yuri spoke up. Wolfram fell silent. He just stared into Yuri's eyes as he spoke to him. "If you die trying to save me, then there will have been two great losses. The others don't need that burden. Live on and make sure Greta grows up to be a wonderful and smart girl. And remember, keep her away from boys. They're evil."

"Yuri, this isn't the time for jokes." Wolfram complained.

"I'm not joking Wolfram. I might not get to watch her grow up. There is maybe a one percent chance I'll make it out of this. So, if I do die down here, I need you to take care of Greta and make sure my death doesn't ruin her future. I need you to stay strong, for her." Yuri responded.

"Yuri." Wolfram mumbled.

"Don't die without a fight. Stay strong Wolfram." Yuri said.

"Yuri?!" Wolfram felt his body tense. The hand on his face grew limp and it fell onto his lap. Wolfram clenched his fists as he cried. His chest clenched from the heartache. His body burned from the inside-out. His tears refused to stop.

He stood up from the floor beside Yuri's body. He looked over at the archers who stood in position. They all flinched violently when they made eye contact with the blonde. His eyes were completely dead inside. The eyes of those who have witnessed death.

He took a step forward. And another. And another.

"You're dead." Wolfram glared at them all. Tears still flowed down his face, but he ignored them for now. His mind just rang with those last words. "Don't die without a fight. Stay strong Wolfram." "YOU'RE ALL DEAD."

Wolfram raised a hand and all he could see were the crackling orange, red and yellow flames in his sights.

I'M CRYING RIGHT NOW, I'M DONE. I'M SO FREAKING DONE. *kicks a table and walks off*

Anyways, CAN YOU GUYS BELIEVE THAT I GOT THAT LAST IDEA FROM A NICKJR. A KIDS NETWORK. I SWEAR TO GOD I DID. So, you can thank NickJr for that. But seriously though, I'm crying and this is just not funny and GOD DAMMIT. *kicks a chair*

KICK AND BURN ALL OF THEIR ASSES WOLFRAM *cries* *gross sobbing*