Secrets, part 33

Hours had passed since the raid on Serpent Wing had ceased. Noctis had gotten their target and the remaining agents had been neutralized. Aerona had ceased to be while Wink seemed to have changed sides at a high cost. Veda had ordered the wounded moved to the safety of the sanctum. Now, all of the guild dwelled in the cavern system. Their hall and home above ground had been destroyed. They were down several members, but help was nearby. Fairy Tail and two fey allies promised to make it all right again.

It was utter silence as everyone processed the day's events. Van had essentially come back from the dead, Puck had permanently returned to Avalon, and Kavi and Blythe were somewhere far from home or safety. In the sanctum's meeting chamber, Yona, Veda, Eadmund, and Pax quietly observed Jasper. He was in deep focus, searching for his brothers' dreams. With luck, they could make contact, but there was no guarantee they were asleep. Yona kept a suspicious eye on the fey duo as they stared transfixed on the one they had come for. She was ticked at what Jasper had whispered earlier. Why was it all happening at once?

A faint grin on Jasper's lips set Veda's heart at ease. His eyes were closed and he sat very still. Sighing in relief, she said, "He found one of them." Yona glanced over in question. "Which one?", she inquired. "It doesn't matter. They're likely together...or at least not far apart. Now hush. Let him concentrate", replied the naga. A deep breath signaled that the incubus had made a connection.

Deep in the realm of sleep, both dreams and nightmares ran rampant. Blythe stood alone in a raging sand storm. Despite the blinding sands, he could clearly see the night sky overhead. He stared sadly at the stars and sighed deeply. "Are you all right?", asked a familiar voice. Turning, his amber eyes settled over Jasper. A mix of relief and terror flooded his face. "You shouldn't be here. They'll come for you", pleaded Blythe. "They already know where to find me", replied Jasper, calmly striding toward him. He hugged his new brother, glad he was still alive. "Where are you?", he inquired. "I don't know", said Blythe softly. Releasing his hold, Jasper took a step back. He sighed, troubled. "Your cousin...", he trailed. "Wink?", uttered Blythe, worried. Nodding, Jasper replied, "He defected from Noctis. He's told us where the base is. We're coming to get you back."

Blythe dropped his gaze to the shifting sand at his feet. "It isn't safe for you here", he stated grimly. "It doesn't matter. Family doesn't get left behind", said Jasper firmly. The tone made Blythe glance up to meet his gaze. He remembered Kavi telling him about Jasper's stasis. He smiled faintly, glad Jasper didn't hold the experience against his kin. "I don't know what you can do here, niisan...Just...keep Kavi-kun safe...please...", he uttered, somewhat desperately. Jasper narrowed his gaze. "You don't know, do you?", he said carefully. Blythe's face drained of any color, realizing his meaning. Abruptly stepping forward, he grasped Jasper's shoulders with determination. "Send someone to get him out, but don't look for me. If he's here, they'll only use him as leverage. They want me, not him. You have to take him home!" The incubus was caught off guard. He sighed, lowering the blood mage's hands. "We're bringing both of you home", he stated.

The surrounding sand storm became more violent. The sky cracked in several places and a deafening, dreadful noise overtook the area. Blythe looked to Jasper for answer, clearly worried. Jasper grit his teeth. "Someone's waking you up...Stay strong. We'll hurry. I promise." Then everything went black and Jasper was flung back into his own consciousness.

Yona jerked in surprise as he shot his eyes open with a small cry of pain. Holding his head, he breathed deeply, steadying himself. "You okay?", asked the dragon slayer, reaching toward him. Pax glared at her rival's hand. "Don't touch him. He needs time to recover", she said. Completely ignoring the succubus, Yona got up and wrapped her arms around Jasper's shoulders. "What's happened?", she asked, concerned. "I'm fine...It was Blythe...He doesn't want us to go there", replied the incubus, softly gripping her wrists. Pax turned her head, annoyed. It appeared she'd have to try harder.

"I understand his concern, but something tells me you have other plans, princeps", said Eadmund evenly. Jasper briefly twitched an eye as Yona released her embrace. "Please stop addressing me so formally. I've just Jasper here", he stated. Eadmund nodded curtly. "As you wish", he replied calmly. Yona glanced between them. There was that weird language again. Taking her seat, she asked, "When do we leave?". Veda waited until all everyone had settled their gazes upon her. "You need to rest. Head out in the morning", she said. "Like hell!", spat Yona, slamming her hand on the table. Eadmund raised an eyebrow in interest. "How can you say that?! Do you have any idea what those assholes are probably doing to them right now?!", yelled Yona, mad as ever. Fighting her emotions, Veda held her ground. "Do not forget, I am your master", she stated, almost coldly. Yona sat back down, annoyed.

After a deep sigh, Veda took on a softer tone. "I know you didn't fight much today, but you're emotionally exhausted", she began. Glancing at her son, she added, "Both of you. So, please, try to rest for at least a few hours before you go." A brief silence permeated the room. "We can make an advance party if you wish", offered Eadmund. "I'm pretty quick on the air currents. I'll make a good scout", said Pax, jumping in. once she'd said it, she quickly covered her mouth and lowered her eyes. "Forgive me... I - ..", she stuttered. Jasper offered a kind grin. "Don't worry. I don't even remember what it felt like to have wings, let alone fly", he said. Pax nodded with an awkward shyness. "Shall we head out...Jasper?", asked Eadmund, a slight smirk on his face. Being casual would take practice. "Yes", nodded the incubus. The gargoyle nodded and caught himself in mid bow. Should you need us before we return, make use of this", said Pax, handing Jasper a small lacrima. He nodded and the fey duo departed, silently passing the fairies waiting outside.

Veda looked over her troubled son. Was he ready to assume his old life? Placing her trust in him, she slithered for the door. "I'll let Fairy Tail know the plans. You two get some rest", she said, staring until they agreed with a nod. Once she was gone, the cavern was deathly quiet. Jasper had so much he needed to say, he could hardly contain himself, but was it really the time? After several minutes passed, he quietly called his beloved's name. "Yona...", he trailed. She looked at him with a pensive expression. "Ready to spill the beans?", she teased. Hearing the humor in her voice made Jasper relax. "Who are those two and why won't they talk like normal people?", she said flatly. Jasper stopped himself before a chuckle could escape. She had a way with words.

Sighing, he leaned on the table from his seat. "It's an ancient tongue, a dead language in most of the world...Dad taught us...", he trailed, becoming more serious. "He told me some things I haven't really had time to process myself not long before he - ." He cut off his sentence, clenching his eyes and fists. "...He went home?", ventured Yona. The incubus nodded. Yona squeezed his hand with a soft smile. It was the best she could muster. "I'm guessing one of the things he said was that you aren't the last of your kind, right?", she continued. Again, he nodded. Yona sighed. "So, spit it out! I'm not a mind reader!", she fumed. It was only feign anger, but Jasper understood her frustration. "Apparently I was taken from the 'nocte regni' as an infant. My guardian somehow lost me one day or maybe they died...I don't really know...By then I was old enough to at least walk around on my own. No one's sure how long I wandered the forest before the witches found me. I guess they figured a fey host for Aldegund was too good to pass up...", he trailed, overtaken by dark memories.

Trying to lighten the mood, Yona chimed in, "But then Puck rescued you." Jasper nodded, a faint grin on his lips. "Yeah...I don't remember much of what happened during the first few weeks after that...Dad said Olympus wanted me back..." Yona contorted her face in thought. "Zeus?", she asked. "Yes. The incubus nation is under his rule, just like the elves belonged to Oberon", explained Jasper. "So, what happened?", she prodded, interested to learn more of his past. "The two courts came to an agreement. I could stay here...with my new family...and once I was old enough, they would take me back home." The silence made him glance up. Yona's expression was mixed at best. "Why? Are you someone important or something?", she snorted, half joking. The lack of laughter quickly brought her back to the depth of the situation. "You are, aren't you?", she said skeptically. Poking him experimentally, she teased, "You don't seem any less squishy than you're average citizen."

Despite himself, a small grin appeared on Jasper's face. "Thanks", he said flatly. He then grew very tense. His face was grim and he interlocked his fingers, resting his lips to his hands in thought. "Sooooo...?", uttered Yona. After a long pause, he simply said, "I have to go back. It's my fate." She didn't like the tone in his voice. "So that's it?! You have no free will? You're just going to give up because someone you've never met labeled it your fate?!", shouted Yona. She was furious, nearly shaking with rage. Not like this... She couldn't lose him now. Not after Van. Jasper peered at her in near shock. "You don't understand", he said weakly. "Then explain it to me! What's so freaking important that you're going give up your entire life to take care of?!" Her voice echoed through the chamber. "I never said I wanted to go alone", stated Jasper, staring her in the eye. The sincerity in his voice made her fury falter. Slowly sitting back in her chair, she sighed deeply. "Tell me everything."

Many miles away, Blythe had a rude awakening. "Wakey, wakey", taunted a cracked voice. "Nngh...", he mumbled. "Wake up!", shouted the voice, followed by a harsh slap across his face. A dark being slowly came into focus. Red eyes glared at him like daggers. "...Dubhan?", ventured Blythe. The shadow grinned manically. "You remember me. How kind", he replied. "You don't have to hide. I know who you are", stated Blythe. Dubhan wandered a few paces away. "Do you now? I suppose my master told you?", he inquired carefully. "No, but he confirmed it. Why do you call him 'master'? He's your father, isn't he?", asked Blythe. Dubhan cold grin quivered into a desperate sneer. His dark cloak fell away, showing Blythe his true face. "I've only ever been a tool, a means to an end...Sure, he liked me before he found out your mother lied to him. Once he realized it was you, I was no longer the baron. I was just a disappointment", said Dubhan darkly.

He expected some kind of shock from Blythe, but he didn't get it, not even anger. Instead, a strange look of serenity stared at him and it made him very uncomfortable. "You really do look just like me", said Blythe, grinning softly despite his bonds. "Don't remind me", sneered Dubhan. Blythe stared at the deep bags below his new found brother's eyes. "You look exhausted", he uttered, without thought. "Don't feign concern for me. It won't get you anywhere. I'm here to play with you...just like I played with Kavi-kun", said Dubhan, a sinister smile on his face. He laughed harshly at the sudden change in Blythe's expression. "Do you want to know how much of him is left?", teased the shadow mage. He watched with keen interest as Blythe fought his restraints. "What did you do?!", he demanded. "My my, you have a temper after all", grinned Dubhan, casually setting a lock of bloodied violet hair on the table in clear view.

Leaning casually against the same table, Dubhan smirked at Blythe. "I suppose this is the part where you swear vengeance and say you'll never forgive me", he teased. His smug grin disappeared as his head began to pound. The pressure was intense. He stared Blythe's red eyes down with deadly intensity. "That's it. Use your magic to kill me. Take the next step into madness, dear brother", he sneered, warping the title. Blythe clenched his eyes and turned his head, releasing the power he'd held over his captor. Dubhan chuckled in broken tones as he regained his posture. "You're weak", he stated. "I wonder how strong your supposedly legendary power really is. Let's find out, shall we?", he said, fingering a rusty tool. "If I cut off a finger, will it grow back?", he taunted, pacing before the bound blood mage. "Maybe an arm?...Hmm...No, I suppose I should start slowly. I wouldn't want to shock you into total loss of control. Then you really might kill me after all. Let's do this instead", he said, approaching with a dark look.

Blythe flinched as a strip of skin was slowly peeled away. "No screaming? You're not letting me have any fun", said Dubhan, tossing the blade aside and opting to simply tear off another piece. "Hmm, strong will. You're determined not to let me get to you, aren't you? Have you somehow convinced yourself that I'm a victim too? You did!", laughed Dubhan, reading Blythe's eyes. "In your pathetic little world, you see me as some kid that got whisked off to some cult and warped into something I'm not, but I have news for you...This is who I am", he stated coldly, sliding his fingers into Blythe's exposed muscles with a vicious twist. Still, Blythe kept his silence. He wouldn't let Dubhan hear him scream or see him cry, but how long could he hold out?

Down the hall, Kavi glared as the door to his room slowly unlocked and opened. He grit his teeth upon seeing the face that entered. Yavuz casually set his hat on the counter and spun a chair around backward to sit in so that they could face each other. "I hear you're cooperating so far. I suppose you think it'll help Blythe. That's what Dubhan told you, isn't it?", he ventured. Kavi stared at him with hate in his eyes. He'd been roughed up, but had taken no major damage. True enough, Dubhan had said, "The more you struggle, the more it hurts your precious baron. Get in the restraints like a good boy and we can be friends." He didn't believe the 'friends' part for a heartbeat, but he knew they had Blythe. Yavuz looked him over as he lit a cigar. "Looks like Dubhan went easy on you. Perhaps he's taken a liking to you", he uttered.

"What do you want with Blythe?", asked Kavi, avoiding eye contact. "Why shouldn't I want my own son?", grinned Yavuz. Kavi tensed and Yavuz smiled in response. "His people have been waiting for his return. It's why he was born", he said calmly. That caught Kavi's interest. Peering over, his expression practically begged for more information. "You see, mage, the baron's church contacted Noctis years ago. They somehow figured out that the next generation of my blood line would be the awaited reincarnation, so I put my disgust aside and married a mage to introduce the magic to my DNA, to make the perfect fusion. Sure enough, Blythe is what they wanted", he said, smoking heavily. "Why?", inquired Kavi. "It doesn't concern you", replied Yavuz coldly. His grin had faded and the look on his face was one of disdain.

"Don't get me wrong, boy. I don't care that Blythe chose a man, just that he chose a mage, and a dragon slayer at that...Still, you can be of use. Convince Blythe to cooperate and it'll save you both a lot of pain and heartache. Refuse?...And we'll find another way to utilize you for our efforts. What'll it be?" He stared Kavi calmly in the eye, waiting for an answer. The dragon slayer said nothing, simply glaring back at him. Yavuz smirked. "So that's your choice", he said, rising from his seat. "Fine by me", he uttered as he slammed the chair into fragments on the ground. The look in his eyes could put ice in one's veins. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Noctis' leader paused briefly at the door. "By the way, Dubhan went to 'play' with Blythe, but he'll be back for you", he said, a dark grin on his face as he glanced across shoulder. As the door locked, Kavi shuddered. He couldn't believe someone like that had ever been part of his beloved's life. He knew Blythe would hold on, but he still worried for the torments that were surely occurring. Closing his eyes, he prayed that Oberon could hear him. "Please...send help."

To be Continued...