Note: HEY EVERYONE! Sorry for taking awhile there. I was on vacation and used it to work on my book that I'm writing. It's been going REALLY well. But getting back into the swing of school again was rough. I've got a bunch of jobs that I'm going to be busy for a while. But you guys have just been so awesome that I wanted to make sure to update beforehand so I worked my ass off for you! Please enjoy as I present to you Oath By Blood Chapter 108!
Chapter 108: Oath By Blood
Kaiba disguised as Kenshin thrashed back and forth on the floor, a burning in his chest that refused to cease. The agony taking his body as its prisoner as sweat beat down his face laying in front of the lit hearth. Fighting the urge with all his might to cry out as he grasped Bloom's pendant around his neck until his knuckles turned white. The haunting words which Joey spoke to him in the hospital carried its ominous spell. This unrelenting pain. It didn't matter whether they carried any bit of truth to them or not. He had to endure it. To learn the truth. About his past...his future...and the meaning of that woman's words when she uttered his name on her lips. As Kaiba struggled to get up the CEO vomited up a pool of blood before he was brought back down to the floor. "...What's...happening...to...me?" Kaiba questioned before he paused sensing a presence nearby.
"My, My stubborn to the very end...even when you're in a condition such as this..." a familiar voice echoed as Cellos manifested crouched down beside him. Kaiba only narrowed his eyes. "...Oh, great...you again...what do you want now...? I already thought that I made myself clear...when I told you...I had no intention...of forming...that contract with you...now get lost..." the CEO hissed in far too much pain to even finish. Cellos only pursed his lips. "Oh? Is that so? I would reconsider if I were you. It would prove certainly to be in your BEST interest if you did." the ghoul advised as Kaiba spat out the blood that had collected in his mouth on the floor. "I highly doubt that..." the CEO hissed irritated as he shook.
"Haven't you ever heard Pride cometh before the fall? And you Mr. Kaiba have certainly fallen far indeed." Cellos pointed out as he held one finger up. "Bite me Cellos..." Kaiba growled dangerously. "Oh come now! That's not very polite. Especially when I've come all this way just to help you." the ghoul purred. But Kaiba only turned his head away. "I told you...I have NOTHING to discuss with you..." "AH! But you see I DO Mr. Kaiba. And I REALLY do think you ought to hear me out." Cellos attempted to reason with the CEO. Kaiba narrowed his eyes in return. "If Undine has something she wants to say to me...she can tell me herself..." however the ghoul only shook his head.
"I'm afraid that is beyond the realm of possibility. Undine is a goddess of Neitherworld and therefore bound to a shrine within her respected temple. Unable to depart from it. Why else do you think she has I and Mr. Wheeler acting on her behalf hmm?" Cellos informed the CEO. Kaiba only twisted his mouth. "FINE! THEN GET TO THE POINT AND TELL ME WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME ALREADY!" the CEO demanded to know. "Unfortunately for you, I am not allowed to reveal to you everything as of yet Mr. Kaiba. However, I can enlighten to the situation unfolding as we speak. To put it simply Mr. Kaiba that body of yours is like that of a ticking time bomb." the ghoul explained as Kaiba's face hardened.
"...A Bomb? Ok start explaining NOW..." the CEO spat. None of this was making any sense to him at all. "Well, you see Mr. Kaiba whether you realize it yourself or not you hold a great deal of power inside of you...yes a great deal indeed...in fact, far more than you yourself could possibly fathom...and this in turn...is trapped in your current form. The pain you're experiencing right at this moment is but one of the nasty side effects like so." Cellos told Kaiba as a matter of factly. "I don't buy it, ghoul! If that's the truth then how come this NEVER happened before!?" the CEO snapped.
"Now! Now! There's no need to get all worked up! It's simple really. When you faced against The Wizards Of The Black Circle for the first time something within you that had remained dormant for a long time finally awoke! And although the seal didn't break then and there it has slowly begun to dissipate. Your current body is that of a mortal or human when in fact the power inside you is too great to be contained. Should the problem not be remedied I'm afraid you in your current form would be overwhelmed by it and you Mr. Kaiba will be destroyed...then whom will protect Miss Bloom? Well?" Cellos mused before Kaiba found himself nearly rendered speechless before he looked back up at the ghoul.
"...You...you protected her when I couldn't do a damn thing...Wheeler and the others saw you shield her as the glass was falling from that building...but all I could do was watch her fall..." Kaiba cursed himself. "So you DO remember that night...tell me Mr. Kaiba...what exactly happened?...are you even aware of what it is you witnessed back then?" the ghoul questioned. The CEO paused as he took a moment to think. "...All I recall...is Bloom's voice crying out to me...and then all I saw was darkness...before I saw a Blue Eyes White Dragon hovering above a magic circle...my body began to glow...a light blue...moving on its own into the circle...and I was consumed by the aura...to be perfectly honest...i'm still not entirely certain what transpired that night..." Kaiba confessed as he held his head. "...Wait are you telling me YOU do?!" "As a matter of fact it just so happens that I do. Shall I tell you the tale, Mr. Kaiba?" "...Whatever...do as you like..." the CEO muttered not bothering to argue.
"Very well, you see Mr. Kaiba...you and I are connected in a manner of speaking...in more ways than one if you would...one being which of a particular person most dear to us..." the ghoul began before an anger mark popped on the CEO's head. "I'm going to assume you're talking about Bloom...I'll give you fair warning...if you're after her astral body or not I'll tear you limb from limb..." Kaiba threatened but Cellos only chuckled in response. "I'm flattered Mr. Kaiba but I'm afraid your threats aren't very convincing coming from someone who's coughing up blood as they lay on the floor now are they? Regardless perhaps I gave you the wrong idea. Despite what you may think Miss. Bloom is not the one whom holds MY affections. Adorable as she may be. No, the one I care for is long gone from this world...I cursed to walk to alone without her...however...before she perished...I made an Oath...one in which I swore to protect that which was most dear to her...and that person was Miss Bloom..." the ghoul almost whispered.
"...It was Daphne...wasn't it...?..." Kaiba asked in a hushed voice before he watched as Cellos's face became pained the ghoul bitting down on his lower lip before he finally answered. "...Yes...it is as you say..." Cellos confessed as he shook clutching at his chest yet again. You'd never think someone like Cellos could have even been capable of love. Not that Kaiba thought much different of himself. "Just as Priest Seto...held deepened feelings for Kisara...symbolized by the Blue Eyes White Dragon torn in half by you..." the ghoul pointed out before the CEO's widened. "However...I highly doubt you even know of the reason behind only four blue eyes being created in the first place." "...I always assumed it was because Pegasus only wanted a limited amount of powerful cards..." Kaiba answered but Cellos shook his head.
"Perhaps that was what Pegasus WANTED people to believe. But the REAL truth behind it is...like Kisara there were three other individuals that also possessed the power of the beast...The Blue Eyes White Dragon..." Cellos muttered. "And now Mr. Kaiba...I will reveal to you my TRUE form...one that ceased to exist several thousand years ago..." the ghoul prepared the CEO before his purple hair became silver and his amethyst eyes turned into blue Kaiba could do was stare in disbelief. It was only now that he understood why Undine had wanted him to forge a pact with Cellos. But the reality was far more difficult to accept. "You and I are connected Mr. Kaiba...as I have stated once before...there is no denying that fact...on top of which we both have the same wish to protect Miss Bloom...which is why I have decided to appear before you once more...accept my offer and forge a pact with me...do so and I being a Blue Eyes White Dragon shall be able to act as a vessel in which the power inside you will also enter me as well. Thus taking the heavy burden you now carry off of your shoulders. Plus the added benefits of being able to use MY powers in return...not a bad deal now wouldn't you say Mr. Kaiba?" the ghoul mused. Kaiba only let out a sigh as he averted his gaze for a moment.
Honestly, right now he felt sick to his stomach. Was it the fact that annoying ghoul was right or the taste of blood that still lingered in his mouth? Damn it. At a time such as this, all the CEO could think about was Raeger's voice screaming at him from the past. {I think it's safe to say...that you didn't trust me at all, did you? How can I or anyone else help you, if you don't place your faith in us!?} Kaiba found himself bitting down on his lip. "...So you're asking ME to trust MY life to you...is that it...?" the CEO nearly snapped as he gripped at what remained of his pride. Cellos paused before he took a moment to think. "...Hmm well, I suppose you could put it that way..." the ghoul surmised. "...But answer me this...how can I possible TRUST someone like you when all my life I've been raised NOT to trust ANYONE?" Kaiba demanded to know. "...Not easily I'd imagine...then is that a no...?" Cellos inquired as the CEO groaned and held his head as a silence passed between them before Kaiba finally spoke up.
"...No... it's not a refusal on my part...however...i'm going to need some time...to think it over...understand I'm Seto Kaiba of Domino's City Kaiba Corp. The most successful company in the world...when something needs to be done...I am the one to do it...I don't allow anything to be decided for me...despite the consequences that might follow...that's why...If I choose to go along with this scheme of yours...it's going to be on MY terms...do I make myself clear?..." Kaiba muttered. Cellos only twisted his mouth. "...You insist upon this even knowing time is of the essence?" "...Even then..." "...Very well Mr. Kaiba...however...do take care not to contemplate your decision too long yes? But for now, I shall respect your wishes. And it looks like we have ourselves an unexpected visitor, in that case, I shall be taking my leave now...I bid you good evening Mr. Kenshin..." the ghoul added with a soft chuckled before he vanished as the door opened only for Kaiba's eyes to meet Mallock's glaring ones.
"What in Phoenix name are you doing on the floor? Get up at once and get to bed...we have an early start tomorrow..." Mallock spat before Kaiba forced himself to his feet shaking slightly. "Yes, Father." the CEO managed to utter and slowly made his way to the bed as Mallock put on the candle and to took to his bed. However, that was easier said than done as Kaiba's body tormented him with endless pain that refused to cease. Not mention he couldn't even place his mind at ease after learning what was happening to him from that ghoul. Suddenly the CEO paused as he heard a voice from beyond the wall next to him. Singing a softened yet quiet melody. Closing his eyes Kaiba focused on the singing until it's soothing song lulled him into slumber.
In the next room, Bloom sat near the crackling fireplace beside the bed Roxy had occupied fast asleep no doubt exhausted from the long day. Two plates on left with but a few crumbs from the apple pie they both had enjoyed earlier. The faerie hummed softly the song her mother would sing to her when she was little as she held the sun pendant she had found earlier. Upon the roof above Bloom's window Cellos too could hear her song. "Hmm...hmhm...hmhmhm...hm..hm hm...mhmmm...mmm..." the ghoul hummed in unison as the wind blew against him it taking him back to his days at the palace. Remembering well the song Marion used to sing Bloom whilst she was situated in her cradle. Hearing it through the wall next to him as he grinded herbs for potions. Hearing Cellos's humming a figure ceased movement and turned their gaze upwards. But no one was there.
"...Hmm, perhaps my fatigue is catching up with me..." Oritel sighed as he held his head. He had been nearly everywhere he could possibly think of to locate Lord Loric's daughter but no matter how hard he searched the result was always the same. The king of Sparks had but only one hope left and that was the City Of BlackSteel. The BlackSmith City was not only known just for its weapons and armor but also for the infamous Underworld that lay beneath it known for its nearly infinite information network and its reputation for being able to complete any task that was given to them. As long as the pay was worth their while anyway. And the ones whom ruled this Guild was none other than The Creed Of Hades. If anyone could aid him in his quest they surely could. The problem, of course, was finding them. But, if there was one thing Oritel had picked up during his time it was that the loose lips of drunks were often a most reliable source of information.
As the lord of Sparks entered the tavern a familiar scent of spiced wine and roast boar tickled his nose filling him with nostalgia. As much as he would've liked to enjoy himself he could not. Not after hearing what took place between Solaria and Eraklyon. The very thought of the whole situation made him sick to the pit of his stomach. All this time Oritel had assumed that Prince Sky had returned to his kingdom after Bloom had left him. It turns out that assumption was dead in the water now. Eventually, he'd have to get the story from his daughter himself if she knew anything at all that is. Quite possibly she would have no knowledge of the circumstances either. Which wouldn't surprise him. A sigh escaped him as all these thoughts ran through his mind like lightning before a familiar voice broke the silence.
"You know if you keep that up you'll sigh all your happiness away!" Noah exclaimed as she made her way around the corner before the lord of Spark's eyes opened in surprise. "WELL! What a sight for sore eyes! If it ain't the Lord Of Elementia!" the mage continued. "I could say the same for you, young lady. I heard you left on a journey several years ago and hadn't been seen since." Oritel mused in return. "Yeah, sort of, it's kinda a long story" Noah admitted before she took a seat on the table across from him and waved the waitress over with the spiced wine taking two wooden mugs from her tray waving her off afterward. "Well then, I'd say we would have that in common." the lord of Sparks pointed out."Oh, do we now?" Noah giggled slightly amused by these turn of events.
"I gotta say Oritel I wasn't expecting to find the all mighty Lord Of Elementia wandering around this rough and ragged city all by himself. I thought at the very LEAST you'd have a bodyguard or two accompanying you." the mage confessed as she took a swig of the spiced wine warming her right to her core. "Hmph. I have no need for such when I wield a blade mighter than any mere foe I could encounter." Oritel muttered as he unsheathed his sword before placing it back in its sheath. "...Confident aren't we...?" Noah deadpanned. Men and their egos. That was something she would never understand even after studying them for 1,000 years. "Anyways that doesn't really answer my question..." the mage added.
"It is a matter most delicate. Lord Loric's daughter of ElixeI'mas i'm afraid dissapeared under the cover of night and I nor he or anyone for that matter is aware of her current wareabouts...so..." Oritel's voice trailed off. "You were the one chosen to find her." Noah finished his thought as the lord of Sparks nodded. "It is as you say...I've been to several places but not one trace or lead thus far...all the trails run cold...the only knowledge I have is that she was seen chasing after a young man, Yugi Moto that had been staying at Lord Loric's castle. But I have no idea where he might be either. That's why I'm here in BlackSteel. I heard of a certain famous Guild connected to the underworld...perhaps you've heard of them...The Creed Of Hades..." Oritel narrowed his eyes as he crossed his hands leaning forward on the table. Before a smirk crossed Noah's lips.
"Oh...I see...so THAT'S why you're here in BlackSteel. Well, I CAN tell ya one thing. If you think Loric's daughter is with the kid you're sadly mistaken. It just so happen he's upstairs in the sleeping quarters. For some reason or another, it seems Daunte and Abigail picked him up and now they're all traveling together. Sorry but the princess isn't with them." the mage told Oritel which only a sigh emerged from his lips. "...I suppose that it was too good to be true...however at least I won't have to wonder about that possibility anymore..." "That's one way to look at it! Anyways I think I might be able to help you out." Noah began before the lord of Sparks paused as he looked at her in disbelief. "...You...can...?" he questioned not quite certain if he heard her correctly.
"It just so happens that the leader of The Creed Of Hades owes me a favor for something I helped him out with a while back. One that I haven't had time to cash in yet. So that being said I WOULD be willing to let you use it. "I can hear a but coming...ok how much...?" Oritel asked with a sigh as he waited for her to give him a number. "Smart man, you catch on pretty quick I'll give you THAT much. But what I want isn't money. Instead, I want to propose a trade. In other words a service for a service." Noah mused. It was good to see time hadn't changed the mage he knew. "...Alright then..." Oritel paused to take a breath. "So, what would be the payment in exchange for this little transaction? Hmm?" the lord of Sparks questioned as he raised his brow.
"It's simple really. I'll set up a meeting for you to meet with the big boss man himself of The Creed Of Hades if you in return use your crest of Elementia to get us into the Summit taking place in Emerald." Noah smirked which rather too Oritel by surprise. "...That's...a rather bizarre request...if I should say so myself...at least for you...most of the time only gold gets your attention...or a rare tome or two..." the lord of Spark admitted. "I can see why you'd think that. But I have my reasons for wanting to attend. Even if I am HIS daughter...since I'm not apart of a Royal Lineage or a Guild Master I can't attend even if I wanted to...but I'd have no problem getting in if I were with The Lord Of Elementia..." the mage mused. "...I know I may be repeating myself...but why do you want to attend one of those long-winded not to mention boring meetings...?" Oritel couldn't help but ask out of mere curiosity before Noah's gaze hardened.
"Because...two innocent men are going to be put on trial, currently being imprisoned in Requiem and they stand accused of the genocide of the Vampiric Underground Kingdom Of Dawnshire. It's king and all its citizens...one of them is none other than the son of Nicedemous...a blood magic and vampire...the other the Elven advisor to Lord Emerus..." Noah began as the lord of Spark nearly turned white. "However did this happen...?" he barely found himself able to ask. "The blood fountain built with Elven technology malfunctioned...and when it did Blaire Emerus's advisor attempted to fix it...unfortunately though the moment he stepped away someone tainted the blood and it spread a deadly virus that killed everyone in the kingdom..." the mage murmured softly. {...Crymson...} Oritel thought silently to himself as he took a moment to mourn for his fallen friend. Noah frowned herself.
"Of course it was a huge shock to the system...causing each kingdom to be filled with paranoia and anxiety since the killer has yet to be sentenced...although it may seem like everyone wants justice for the victims on the surface...they just want to put someone on the stake to burn in an effort to quell the fear and hysteria right now...it's absolutely sickening..." "...Yes, it is...such is politics however...it's a twisted game..." Oritel twisted his mouth in displeasure. "But still... I'm not about to give up without a fight...and neither are the others...especially now that we have a new light of hope that was promised to us...I was surprised however at who it turned out to be..." Noah admitted which only the lord of Sparks cracked a smile in return. "...Believe me...so was I..." Oritel confessed.
"...She found the Phoenix's ashes...but so much awaits her...finding The Gems Of Destiny is only the beginning...and speaking of which...I couldn't be certain before but I believe now that one of the gems is hidden inside of Requiem..." the mage spoke up. "...You must be joking surely..." "Wish I were. But i'm dead serious...think about it...it's a prison where no one can escape or enter without special means...so how would that be possible? I'll tell you how, you'd have to have an immense source of power in order to amplify an entrapment spell and or rune crest carved into the ground. That's the OTHER reason I need to attend this Summit. I need to find an opportunity to form a connection with someone in Requiem in order to establish an opening where I can enter Requiem personally and see for myself whether my theory is correct or not..but it won't be easy by any means..." Noah explained.
"...The Gems Of Destiny...in the end, my eldest daughter became one as well when she was killed...I never did find where it ended up though...and I may never know until the end...the fear that I might also lose Bloom is more than this mans soul can bare..." Oritel uttered as he shook. "UGH! YOU GUYS ARE ALL THE SAME! Can't you talk about something else other than gloom and doom?! That depressing stuff gets old real fast! Look I get it. As a father, you can't help but worry. In the end, my old man left to find a way to change my brother's fate although, I never saw him again. But just because something in the past got the better of you doesn't mean that's how it's going to go down got it!? The circumstances back then are different than they were now. If you've got a fighting chance you grab it by the damn horns! If your daughter has that kind of attitude it's gonna be a WORLD of HURT when Chaos's rears his ugly head..." Noah muttered as she crossed her arms causing Oritel to nearly spit out the ale he was downing.
"WHAT!?" the lord of Sparks cried as he choked coughing on the ale that went down the wrong way pounding on his chest. "You heard me. Apparently, Chaos's shrine was broken into and the item he uses as his vessel also was stolen. I even heard that one of the Tomb Keepers was found dead. It's not pretty. And Chaos who's been dormant in slumber is now awake. And BOY is there gonna be hell ta pay for the thief..." the mage continued on. "...Oh, Phoenix I need another drink..." Oritel groaned as his stomach churned and twisted grabbing his wooden mug and downing nearly all of it as the mage blinked her eyes a few times. It was seldom that Oritel drank anything at all since he was such a lightweight. Noah could drink the lord of sparks under the table with ease.
"So...yeah then there's that...that also needs to be investigated. Apparently one of your daughter's friend is from The Ancient Order Of The TombKeepers. So my bet would be on him checking out the place before we even get the chance to. Although...Nah...it's probably nothing... I'm just overthinking things." the mage convinced herself as she took another swig of wine. "ANYWAYS! Back to the topic before. Why are you so hot on finding your little-lost princess?" Noah couldn't but ask, but Oritel only shook his head. "I'm afraid...I cannot say, of course I mean any disrespect Lady Noah, however, I do have reasons of my own why I cannot relent in my research...but it truly is of utmost importance." the lord of Sparks assured her as he bowed apologetically.
"...That important huh? Alright Alright. I won't say another word about it." Noah murmured before she eased herself up from the table. "Then it's settled. We'll set out for Emerald tomorrow morning!" the mage exclaimed enthusiastically. "Tomorrow then..." Oritel murmured afterward. "Oh. And before I forget. Here!" Noah called out as she flipped a black coin with a blue skull bitten into by a three-headed dog Oritel's way. "Take that to the BlackSteel's Merchant shop and tell them you would like to make a special request. A finely crafted blade made with obsidian in blue fire!" the mage instructed before the lord of Sparks caught it and smiled with a nod. Noah shot him a playful wink as she headed for the stairs only to notice Cloud was making his way down past her.
"Cloud? What are you STILL doing up?" Noah questioned the blonde whom only made a face. "Did...you happen to find anything while you were downstairs by chance?" Cloud questioned. "Nope! Can't say I have, sorry. Did you lose something?" the mage asked in return. "Kinda yeah..." the blonde admitted as he scratched at his cheek embarrassed. "It's a special pendant in the shape of a sun..."Cloud attempted to describe it. "Huh...interesting. Well, good luck!" Noah exclaimed as she gave him a pat on the back him only letting out a heavy sigh. "...Yeah...thanks..." he murmured before he began searching the area of the tavern's inn high and low for the missing item. Suddenly Cloud hit something and hard.
"OW! DAMN IT! Why don't you watch where you're going!?" the blonde cried as he held his nearly squished in a reddened nose before Cloud looked up his eyes widened. "...Wait that voice..." Oritel paused as he looked down. It took the blonde a moment before he gasped as he realized who it was. "HOLY SHIT! LORD ORITEL!? W-What are you doing here!?" Cloud cried but the lord of Sparks only continued to stare at him making the blonde rather uncomfortable. "...What with that look? Don't you recognize me?..." Cloud questioned. "...As in...Raya?...Cloud Raya...?..." Oritel questioned taken back. "...That be the one unless you know any others." the blonde dryly chuckled before Cloud found himself in a tight embrace.
"Goodness, It's been ages! I HARDLY recognized you! You're all grown up, it almost makes me sad in a way, I never got to see my little girl grow up into an adult either..." the lord of Sparks admitted. "Though a lot happens when you're trapped in another dimension now doesn't it?" "Ah, so THAT'S where you disappeared to, funny Lord Loric neglected to mention that little detail..." Cloud made a face. "Well, he didn't exactly though." "Oh, never mind then." "...Even so, I do feel that I should apologize to you. Traditionally Sparks has arranged marriages, even my eldest daughter Daphne followed that same tradition. However, my youngest daughter Bloom...well she tends to follow her own heart than being bound by old patterns. I had deeply hoped that my Kingdom and Lord Loric's would have blood ties between them when the time came for heirs. But unfortunately, that is not how things turned out." Oritel murmured.
"Hehe don't sweat it. Although it's such a waste, she IS pretty cute." the blonde grinned before Oritel paused. "...W-Wait! Are you telling me you've already met!?" "Not telling..." Cloud teased the lord of Sparks before he chased the blonde around until he ran out of breath. But no matter where he passed by Cloud just couldn't seem to find his pendant. Oh well, he supposed he'd just give up for the evening and try and look around with a fresh pair of eyes in the morning. The blonde headed back upstairs before he paused as he noticed Bloom standing in front of his room. Nearly out of breath the lord of Sparks followed not far behind. Noticing Bloom make his way over to Cloud Oritel quickly hid as he watched the two of them.
"So, what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" Cloud questioned the faerie as he grinned. "Oh, n-nothing really..." Bloom began as she fidgeted with her fingers. "I just wanted to thank you for helping me and Roxy earlier. That's all." the faerie murmured softly. "Oh, sure. It was no big deal really. It was the least I could do as I said before." the blonde assured her. "And...I was wondering...if this belonged to you..." Bloom asked as she carefully removed a sun pendant from her pocket. Cloud only stared in disbelief. "Oh, I didn't look in it! If that's what you're worried about." the faerie added in quickly. "N-No No! I was just taken by surprise really." the blonde admitted sheepishly as his face reddened slightly. "In fact, I was just downstairs looking all over for it," Cloud confessed before Bloom giggled softly.
"Then I shall return this to you." the faerie murmured as she placed the sun pendant back in the palm of his hands. "Thanks a bunch! Now it's me that owes you" the blonde thanked her. "I'm glad that I could help. I know that if I lost something precious to me I'd want someone to return it too. Be sure to take care so you don't lose it again." Bloom advised him. "Good advice. I'll have to try and remember it." Cloud chuckled. "Right. Well, I'm going to go to bed now...big day in the morning...night." the blonde yawned as he headed off towards his room. "Good night." the faerie murmured softly as she watched Cloud enter his room and close the door behind him. Quietly she crept around the corner as Oritel's focus was focused elsewhere before she playfully hugged him from behind causing the lord of Sparks to nearly jump three feet in the air.
"B-Bloom!?" Oritel cried as she only giggled with a mischievous smile on her face. "You are SO not good at covert dadding daddy..." the faerie teased as she poked at her father's left cheek. "...Fine... I'm busted...and BTW I can explain..." Oritel attempted to defend himself. "Me too but it would take awhile. So it might just be better if we wait until tomorrow. Ok? Ok! Night daddy!" Bloom exclaimed as she hurried and ran back into her room before the lord of Sparks went to do the same with a heavy sigh. How did things turn out like this? Oritel couldn't help but curse the fact that Bloom had fallen in love with HIS son of all people. Lord Loric claiming it was fate at work and there was no denying that truth, but he could neither deny the darkness that would soon follow as a result of it. The very reason why Oritel had chosen Cloud as the one to marry his daughter was because he was born under the emblem of the Sun. The one that would protect the flame that burned within her. But it was too late to turn back now. Even if Oritel himself tried to make his daughter see reason she was too stubborn to listen.
In the next room Cloud laid on his bed gazing at his newly reclaimed Sun pendant. His mind going back to the day he had been in Derrith's castle. Yugi laying in the bedridden with a terrible fever. Him uttering the Raya Oath. And revealing the truth covered. Golden hair and blue eyes hidden from sight. His pendant calling out to its brother pulsing in unison. "...All this time...I had assumed he was dead..." Cloud uttered as his voice shook covering his face with his arm. Slowly going back in time to a village that was consumed in pitch black flames. He remembered it well. The terror that gripped his heart. He had been in Nicodemus's castle at the time. His one and only master. He like many believed the war between the Mage's and the Knight's was over and done with. But it was a false hope. Cloud didn't know exactly how it happened. But the sound of screams shooting through the darkness of night and the smell of smoke.
Alarm spread throughout the castle. Someone yelling to keep him inside his room. Just like now he had been laying in bed looking at the several books that he kept tucked away. But something was not right. He couldn't explain what it was but he had to go see what was going on for himself. Cloud had used the window and opened it before escaping to the outside. It was then he saw it. His village in flames. Bloodied bodies scattered on the hill left from those who attempted to flee in vain. A mixture of shock and grief hit the blonde all at once. It was as if he was no longer thinking clearly as panicked threatened to swallow him. Cloud ran down the hill with all of his strength. All he could see were cloaked figures unleashing sphere's consumed by fire. There was a darkness that was deeper than the blackest night. It was beyond description exactly. But it was terror in physical form. The scene alone was too gruesome to describe. Even as he came to his own house. All he could see was the corpse of his mother holding his younger brother. Just when he thought HIS world had come to an end he heard it. A baby crying.
A single flame of hope through all of the despair as Cloud dropped his knees and saw that the child was unharmed. But there were no time for tears. He grabbed his sword and cleared out the flames before he took the child into his arms and cradled the little baby. Suddenly a horse came near them and without hesitation, he had grabbed a hold of it and mounted the steed before made a break towards the forest yet untouched by the flame. Cutting down anyone that dared cross his path. From the sky, a spear of ice struck the horse as they were running causing the steed to collapse. But still, he made sure he hit the ground rather than the infant. But that hard impact with the ground had nearly stunned him. Unable to move as blood seeped down his face and out of breath coughing from the smoke. Doing his best to shield the baby as well with his coat.
"...So you've finally crawled out of your hiding place...how fortuitous for me..." a cold dark voice echoed nearby covered in a red and black cloak wearing a mask to hide their face. But before the figure could draw any closer a barrier was placed up protecting the two from the fire. A blood crystal barrier. "I will not let you lay a finger on either of them..." another male uttered with long silver hair and blood red eyes. "...You have NOT the Wright to stop me...Nicodemus..." the first figure snarled bitterly. "Nor do you...you lost that privilege long ago...as long as I draw breath...you shall not acquire the blood you so desire..." Nicodemus replied cooly only incurring the figure's rage. "Then I shall take even THAT from you!" the figure spat as he summoned a horde of aura blades each impaling the vampire one after the other. Nicodemus only chuckled as blood poured down his lips.
"Hehehe...old man Loric saw this coming too...and unfortunately for you...I'll be getting...the last...laugh...because...the blood you so seek...will be the end of you...Cloud...I've...taught you...all that I know...the rest...is...up...to you..." "MASTER!" Cloud had screamed out in agony as tears poured down his face only able to watch as Nicodemus fell to the blood-soaked ground. Suddenly found himself moving in a sphere that hurtled them to the forest. However, it only lasted until they managed to make it to the edge of the forest. A black sphere of fire hurtled towards them and Cloud slide in his side to avoid it only to hit his head on a rock and was rendered unconscious the baby rolling down the hill. It was that that bastard's all-consuming flames of hatred that stole everything from him! His home, his master and his little brother.
Ever since that fateful night, he hadn't once stopped blaming himself for his sibling's death. That no matter how desperately he may have tried to save him it was all in vain. His blood on his hands for all eternity. But now, now he knew that he was alive...it hadn't all been for nothing. Cloud couldn't stop the tears pouring down his face as he tried to hide them from even himself. He was scared. So scared that he didn't have a single person left he could call family. Up until just recently, all he had been living for was vengeance. It was for that reason very he joined Noix. Because he promised him the revenge he so hungrily sought. That night that he had lost both his master and his brother he swore on their blood and the rest that was spilled. That he would kill the A.O.J to avenge their death's. And now he wanted it more than ever. He knew just how dangerous that man was first had. However, the BriarBlood's were just as deadly. He understood well Weldon and Derrith's thirst for retribution was. But he wasn't going to allow them to use Yugi as a means to that end. And in that case, there was only one thing he could do.
RATE AND REVIEW! AND MAYBE I'LL WRITE ANOTHER CHAPTER! ;D