Secrets, part 37
Kavi nervously awaited the return of the dark church's priest. Could he pull off the impossible? Tihanna's spirit had dissipated, leaving him alone in his cell. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm his nerves as the bolt on the door slid open. The old man entered with Yavuz at his side. To Kavi's horror, the latter was covered in fresh blood. Blythe's screams had ceased only within the last few minutes. There could only be one source...
"Reconsidered?", smirked Yavuz, amused by the hate in the dragon slayer's eyes. Reigning in his anger, Kavi lowered his eyes. "Yes", he said as humbly as he could. The old priest stepped close to him, tipping his chin upward with the end of his cane. "Why the change of heart?", he inquired skeptically. Kavi met his gaze evenly and without visible emotion. "As you both said, it's easier this way...I don't want Blythe to suffer any more...Let me convince him to help you...Please", he pleaded, hating each word. The old man grinned faintly with a soft sigh. "So be it", he uttered. "Master of Noctis, take him to the baron to make his case", he ordered. Yavuz glared mildly. He hated taking orders. "Is that wise?", chimed another voice at the open door. Dubhan grinned as he leaned upon the door frame. His father's cold eyes settled over him. "I haven't met a mage I couldn't handle yet", he stated with an icy tone. Dubhan dropped his grin and his eyes. "Do what you want, but it's my turn with Blythe next. Don't forget that. I'll make him scream yet", he said, fading into the shadows.
Yavuz grabbed Kavi by his hair and checked the device that inhibited his magic. "Someone's been tinkering", he observed coldly. The priest stiffened, knowing who it had to be. "We'll keep a closer watch on this one", he said, taking a mental note on his acolytes. Yavuz adjust the device once more, causing Kavi to shudder at the loss of mana. "This is more than enough to walk. On your feet", said the master of Noctis, hauling the dragon slayer from his bonds. Leaning close, his whispered, "You have one chance. Try anything and I won't hesitate to kill you. Seeing you die may be the key to instilling hate in that boy yet." Kavi struggled to focus his vision. His glasses had long been destroyed. "I understand", he replied curtly. Yavuz smirked to himself as Kavi steadied himself on his feet. He hadn't supported his own weight in days. "We'll make this quick", said Yavuz, pushing Kavi passed the priest.
Having trudged weakly down the hall, Kavi was thrust into a new cell. Instantly, his keen dragon slayer senses were overcome by a horrific smell. The ground was strewn with bloodied tools and bandages that begun to rust and rot. Despite his blurred vision, his eyes quickly settled over the disheveled form of his beloved, strung up like an animal in a slaughter house. His clothes were in ruin, torn and covered in fluids. Strips of skin hang limply from his bound arms, seemingly having healed over like tassels on a coat. Kavi covered his mouth as he fought the instinct to vomit. Bits of bone littered the concrete floor. It dipped into a shallow drain new the center. Every fiber of Kavi's being wanted to kill Yavuz right then and there, but he couldn't risk causing further harm to Blythe. Fighting off heaving, he stiffly said, "Leave us."
A swift boot to his back was the first response. He fell face first into a pool of coagulated blood. "I make the rules here, mage", stated Yavuz. Kavi struggled to his knees as his hands were tightly chained behind his back. He looked up at his beloved. Blythe looked unconscious and paler than usual. Yavuz stepped around the dragon slayer beside his son. "Wake up", he said, coldly squeezing a raw spot on his son's flesh that had yet to heal over. Blythe's eyes clenched tightly and a cry of pain escaped his lips. "That's better", grinned Yavuz. Leaning toward his son's ear, he said, "I brought you a visitor." Blythe fought his exhaustion and agony to wake up. His hazed vision settled over Kavi. At first, he thought he was hallucinating, then he remembered his dream meeting with Jasper.
"Kavi...kun...?", he gasped, his voice barely audible. "Listen to what he says. I'll be listening in case you want to try something", stated Yavuz, harshly freeing the chains from Kavi's wrists. He glared at the boys once more before tightly locking the cell and leaning on the door to listen from the outside. Kavi ignored his fatigue and launched himself forward, embracing Blythe tightly. "I'm so sorry", he whispered, over and over. Blythe grinned faintly. "You're so warm", he uttered. His body was cold to the touch despite the obvious signs of various infections that should induce a fever. His magic was getting stronger. Kavi now carefully held his beloved, trying not to cause further pain to him. "What have they done to you?", he muttered against flowing tears. Blythe sighed, relaxing into his lover's shoulder. He really didn't want to know. "Are you...all right?", asked the blood mage. Kavi's heart ached at the concern. Blythe was in much worse shape, after all.
The dragon slayer kissed Blythe's bloodied face repeatedly, affirming their bond. "Don't worry about me", he said softly, between pecks. He held Blythe's face in his hands, offering support to look him in the eye. "It's..not as bad...as it looks...", uttered Blythe, a wan grin on his lips. "You once told me that I didn't have to feign strength when it was just you and me...You should do the same", said Kavi, slightly chiding his beloved. Blythe closed his eyes with a serene smile. "All right", he ceded. When he opened his eyes once more, they had lost the shine he was forcing into them. They looked hollow and very, very tired. "They say...something big...is coming...", he said, forcing the words through pained breaths. Kavi nodded solemnly. "That's why I'm here", he stated grimly. He glanced at the cell door and loudly pleaded, "You have to cooperate!".
Once his words had finished echoing through the room, he once more hugged Blythe, whispering softly, "This is all a show...I have a plan...Just play along. I swear I'll get you out of here." Reluctantly pulling away, he ignored the gore now covering him and focused only on Blythe's weak pulse. "Please, whatever they say, do it. Whatever they want, give it to them", he said, loud enough for the hall to hear. Blythe fought to hold his head up. His neck was sore from hanging there so long. Seeing his discomfort, Kavi again held his chin up and kissed him softly. "Please", he whispered. A moment of silence passed. Finally, Blythe took a deep breath. Kavi winced at the sound of his broken ribs fighting the air. "Yavuz, I know you can here us...", trailed the blood mage.
The door opened and Blythe's father stepped into the cell with a smug grin. "Decided already?", he taunted. Blythe shook his face from Kavi's hands, putting on an air of defiance. "Whatever you want from me...I'll do it...But only if...you release Kavi-kun...", he said weakly. Such a long sentence taxed his bruised lungs. "What?!" Kavi spun around to face Blythe in shock. Blythe smiled wanly. "I had a plan, too", he whispered. "Do you realize what you're saying? The next step may kill you", said Yavuz without emotion. "What are you planning?!", demanded Kavi, gritting his teeth, but too weak to fight. Yavuz grinned to himself. "Hasn't Dubhan told you, dragon slayer? The next step to awakening Blythe's power is rebirth", he stated calmly. Kavi wasn't sure what exactly that meant, but he didn't like the sound of it. A shadow formed behind him, leaning over his shoulder. "Purification", whispered Dubhan, a wicked smile on his face. Kavi shivered, imaging their meaning. "Fire", wheezed Blythe.
"Aren't you the smart one?", taunted Dubhan, poking a healing wound. "If you survive, you may yet claim the throne as blood baron. The last wasn't ready. That's what all this has been for", explained Yavuz. Kavi's eyes widened. They were torturing Blythe to increase his healing factor. That's what Tihanna had meant. They were going to maximize their efforts this time. They had killed the last incarnation, trying to force too much too fast. "You're going to burn him alive?", uttered Kavi stiffly. He felt like throwing up at the mere thought. "Purifying flame, rebirth of the phoenix, burned at the stake...There's lots of ways to say it", supplied Dubhan, clearly enjoying himself. Kavi's terrified gaze settled over Blythe. His face was dark, his eyes hidden behind his blood-caked bangs. "If you keep your word...I'll keep mine...", he said resolutely. "No!", shrieked Kavi. Tihanna's plan was quickly disintegrating. Yavuz smiled widely while Dubhan laughed harshly at the pain in the dragon slayer's voice.
"Release him", said Blythe, staring down his father. "One step at a time, son. You aren't ready yet. Your healing factor has slowed", said Yavuz. "Probably just exhaustion", sighed Dubhan, unimpressed. "Maybe he just needs motivation", he grinned, wrapping his arms around Kavi's shoulders. Blythe's eyes flickered red as his skin hurried to pull together in his rage. Kavi was frozen in shock as Dubhan playfully licked his ear. "Mmm, I see why you like this one. I wonder what the rest of him tastes like", taunted the shadow mage. Yavuz averted his gaze, uncomfortably. "If you insist on playing with him, do it somewhere else", he muttered. "But it's working", replied Dubhan, pointing at Blythe. Even the pools of coagulated blood on the floor were starting to revert to a healthy state and defying gravity as it reached for its master. "Let. Him. Go", demanded Blythe. His tone was cold and one unfamiliar to Kavi's ears. "Or what?", teased Dubhan, snuggling. Snapping out of his stupor, Kavi elbowed his captor in the weakest point on a man's body. Doubling over, Dubhan glared with a terrifying iciness. "You'll regret that", he grumbled.
Some of the floating blood sent Dubhan reeling backward with force as he readied his shadow magic to retaliate. Yavuz sighed at the squabble. "Kids, always doing things the hard way", he mumbled. He stepped forward and held a knife pointed at Kavi's heart. "Enough!", he bellowed. Both mages released their red tinted eyes and their magic fell away. "Don't hurt him", plead Blythe. He could see the device lodged in Kavi's flesh and Dubhan had explained in great detail what he'd created and how it worked. He knew Kavi wasn't able to fight back. "There's the cooperation I was looking for. Here's the deal, once we set the flames, we'll release him in your line of sight. Do we have a deal?", asked Yavuz, cold and calculating. Blythe's eyes flickered between the faces around him. With a heavy sigh, he ceded, "Deal." Kavi tried to struggle, but was quickly shut down. The master of Noctis was no push over. "A contract signed in blood", smirked Dubhan, still nursing his manhood. "Don't do this", pleaded Kavi, staring desperately into his beloved's eyes, but a soft smile was the only response.
Yavuz hauled him to his feet and didn't bother chaining him, simply twisting his arm to near the breaking point as he shuffled the mage back to his cell. That left the new-found twins alone. "I expected more defiance out of you", taunted the shadow mage. "You know nothing about me...or about love...", said Blythe weakly. His previous bravado had taken much out of him. He had little energy to spare from doing so much healing. Still, he could feel his wounds closing faster each time he was 'visited'. Even broken bones were mending within hours now. Dubhan struggled to face his brother. "That was a nasty hit he gave me. Let me pay it back", he sneered, kneeing hardly. Blythe shuddered in pain, but was unable to do anything to avoid it. His limbs were all securely bound. He had no magic inhibitor since they needed him to heal, but even his strengthening power couldn't take away the pain. "We'll continue this later", muttered Dubhan, shuffling from the cell in obvious pain. Blythe watched him go and hoped only that the deal would hold. He would gladly face the flames if it meant saving his one true love.
Back in his own cell, Kavi was quickly shackled into place again. Yavuz adjusted the inhibitor to a higher degree, further weakening the dragon slayer. "You're stronger than you look. I didn't expect you to move so well against Dubhan", he grinned. Kavi seethed in silence, torn over the new development. The priest had gone before they returned. "Don't fret too much. I may be a cold blooded killer, but I am a man of my word. The last thing you will see in this place will be Blythe engulfed in flames. Then you'll be taken the surface and released. It would be wise not to provoke us further", said the master of Noctis. He casually left the cell, having nothing more to say. Once he was gone,a chill took to the air. "Tihanna?", whispered Kavi. he couldn't see her manifesting anywhere, but he could feel her overwhelming sadness. "Please..Don't give up...", she whispered. Then, as quickly as it had come, the coldness disappeared from the cell. Kavi bit his lip in frustration. What could he possibly do now?
In Primrose, the townsfolk had gathered to see what was left of the guild hall. A few members struggled to clean up some debris from the explosion. Even Gray was pitching in. Wendy was left to guard Veda below and Juvia, naturally, followed her love. People had come and gone to gawk, so the fairies paid little attention. However, one person was walking up from the crowd. Gray turned curiously as he felt someone approach. Juvia, too, paused her work. "Gray-sama?", she questioned. "You're a little late", said Gray, looking the man over. He appeared to be some sort of traveling monk. The man's deep orange eyes stared at the guild mark on gray's bared chest. "Fairy Tail? I was looking for Serpent Wing", said the man dejectedly. His deep blue hair hung loosely in his eyes.
"This is Serpent Wing...at least it used to be", offered another voice. The trio turned to find Acheron standing nearby. He adjusted his fractured glasses as he peered at the stranger. "It isn't safe here for citizens. Can we help you?", he offered. The stranger stood there blankly for a moment as if in thought. Then, yet another voice rang out. It was Yung-Li. Koko quickly followed at his heels. "Takeshi?! What are you doing here?", gaped Yung-Li, utterly shocked. The monk smiled shyly. "I finished my training, so I was sent on a pilgrimage. I figured I'd visit those I've wronged...Is Van here?", he asked. Nervous and sad glances were exchanged. "He's on a job", said Acheron, thinking on his feet. He knew the name Takeshi, but this was the first time meeting his guild mate's brother. Takeshi glanced at him in question. "Without his team?", he inquired. "He went with Yona", supplied Yung-Li. Koko nodded in agreement. How could they possibly explain what had occurred?
Grasping the situation, Gray offered a smile. "They won't be back for a while. You can leave a letter if you want." Takeshi sighed, crest fallen. "I really need to see my brother", he stated sullenly. Gray glanced at Acheron who nodded in turn. So that's who this was... Yung-Li looked to Koko in thought. Sure, Van had said to tell Camille he had simply died since the beliefs about spirit back home were so different, but no one had ever expected Takeshi to show up. "We'll tell him you stopped by", ventured the speed mage. Koko tried to smile, but her faltering expression was too obvious to be missed by Takeshi's keen eyes. He'd seen pain in Van's face too many times not to recognize it. He'd caused much of it himself.
"You're all covering...Is he sick or ...worse?", asked the monk, glancing to the face around him. All eyes settled on Yung-Li. After all, he knew Takeshi best here. He sighed deeply. "Come with me", he said, ushering their visitor aside. Koko stared with worry as they spoke in low tones. "Van's brother?", asked Gray, confirming it all. Koko nodded. Juvia stepped close to Gray's side, practically cradling his arm into her chest. Once the duo returned, all stared in silence. Takeshi smiled faintly. "I knew he hated me, but he should still share the good news", he grinned. Questioning looks darted to Yung-Li. He winked at Koko who instantly got his meaning. She conjured up an image of Van and Yona at the altar. Gray stared dumbfounded while Juvia fangirled over thoughts of her own wedding. Acheron simply shied his gaze at the lie.
"I wish I could have seen it...Perhaps Camille will tell me more...Well, when they come back from their honeymoon, please have Van contact me. I've already been home, but he can reach me in Peony, up the coast, over the next few weeks. The monastery has asked me to assist the sick there. Please...tell him I'm sorry for everything..and that I'm glad he's finally happy." With that, Takeshi trudged away, fading back into the crowd. "Married, huh?", barbed Gray. "It was the best thing I could come up with", said Yung-Li sheepishly. It did excuse both Van and Yona's absence. He blushed faintly as he glanced at Koko. Maybe one day he'd have the courage to chase his own dream. Koko, however, was busy dispelling her magic, so once again ignored his bashful behavior. Acheron cleared his throat. "I'm going below to check on Grem", he said, excusing himself.
"At least he's gone and none the wiser", sighed Gray, glad it was over with. Pausing, he looked back to the speed mage. "What about when he asks that Camille person?", he wondered aloud. "Their sister", stated Yung-Li. Koko, too, was curious. "We'll deal with that when it happens. Right now, we have a guild to rebuild", said the speed mage, clearing his mind. True enough, there was plenty to do without worrying about Takeshi.
Down the street and around the corner, Takeshi himself had paused in his tracks. He sighed heavily. "It was nice of your friends to cover, but you aren't away on holiday, are you, Van?...What am I supposed to tell Camille? When your money stops coming in, she'll find out...Then what will you do?" He trudged onward, fulfilling his duties to his monastery, but still, his heart ached knowing he could never truly make amends with his little brother. He'd been so horrible for so many years, then a brief interaction sent him to repent his ways, landing him as a monk. Maybe one day, he'd learn the truth. At least, he hoped.
To be Continued...