NOTE TO READERS: SORRY! SORRY! I AM SOOOO SORRY! I know I said I was going to be updating more frequently but I've REALLY been putting my nose to the grindstone on this book i'm writing. About 75% done woohoo! So I apologize to everyone who's been waiting a long time for me to update. I've also been going through a lot of physical and emotional problems.
So it took me awhile to mentally prepare myself to write this Chapter Warning now, Have your tissues ready. Even I cried writing this. I wrote a good length chapter since it's been about two months or so since my last update. So Grab your junk food and prepare yourself for Chapter 112: Tears Of Twilight.
Chapter 112: Tears Of Twilight
Each House took their respective seats as Lord Emerus the Lord Of Emerald took his own at the head of the table. The inside mainly consisted of gold and white which included the chairs and the table. Upon the table was a golden tree just like the one painted on the door. Once everyone was seated Lord Emerus cleared his throat as the trial commenced. "As you are all aware The Kingdom Of Dawnshire recently experienced a mass genocide that we have evidence to support that the crime was indeed premeditated...death by means of poisoning the Blood Fountain which was created by Eleven technology. On that particular day we of Emerald's Highland received a letter of request to fix the fountain as they claimed that it had ceased functioning." Lord Emerus begins.
"As such I sent my Advisor Blaire to tend to the necessary repairs...however, because the fountain was revealed to have been tampered with he is one of the ones brought under suspicion...within the fountain was black crystallized poison made to appear as blood crystal to the untrained eye...therefore there is no doubt that someone placed it there. Despite this horrific tragedy one single survivor among the deceased still yet draws breath. A half-breed known as Xuri Bloode...he too is also a suspect in question...several also claimed that Prince Bright too suspected his involvement as well." Lord Emerus continued before Bright stood up from his seat with narrowed eyes enraged by the accusation.
"I DID NO SUCH THING! IT WAS A TRICK BY ONE OF OUR ENEMIES!" Bright cried out upset before Lord Emerus turned towards him. "Prince Bright I must insist you refrain from such outbursts. I assure you that you will get your chance to speak...now please sit back down..." Lord Emerus muttered before Bright reluctantly eased himself back in his chair Ruby only looked at him worriedly. "As I was saying...I was informed by Lady Derrith that share bared witness to this...as such I will allow her to begin..." he muses. "...As you wish Lord Emerus..." Lady Derrith replied simply in return.
"Indeed, I did bare witness to a confrontation between Prince Bright and Xuri Bloode. However, I do not believe that their encounter serves as evidence to connect the vampire to the crimes the tragedy that took place in Dawnshire..." Lady Derrith began. "For you see, Prince Bright at the time was attending to Princess Bloom of Sparks The Keeper Of The Phoenix's flame whom due to certain circumstances she was quite ill, laid up in the prince's room. As such, that argument tis of no benefit to those whom would base Xuri Bloode's guilt upon this..." Lady Derrith begins.
"After all...the Aurian Knight's didn't even hesitate when it comes when it came to arresting and dragging Xuri Bloode away without even so much as word to anyone else. Or confirming whether or not that twas actually Prince Bright for that matter...almost...as they didn't want to to be caught...tis a cowardly really...and that is all I will say in regarding this pitiful farse..." Lady Derrith concludes as Bella offers her a glass of red wine from a tray. Weldon only smiles with a twisted grin. "And whom am I to ARGUE with my DEAR sister?" the briarblood told Lord Emerus. "Lady Derrith..." Yugi murmured softly with a smile as he is taken back with her choice to defend Xuri.
"Very well..." Emerus then turned his gaze towards The Black Family. But that wasn't the only thing that caught his eye as Yugi also caught his attention."And whom is this accompanying Lord Black and Lady Abigail?" Lord Emerus inquired before Yugi stood up and bowed respectfully to Lord Emerus. "O-Oh! I'm actually Yugi Moto sir...of Domino City from Earth ... I apologize for not introducing myself earlier...but I asked Lord Black and Lady Abigail to allow me to accompany them as an eye witness to the events of Dawnshire..." the scarlet eyed male murmured before all of the world leader exchanged glances and whispered amongst each other. "I see...would you mind clarifying the meaning behind your words young man?" Lord Emerus asks him.
"Well...i'm not sure that I could put it into the best words but i'll try...basically in order to fulfill Bright's birthday request on behalf of Mirai one of his Knight's me and my friends went to Dawnshire in order to locate Xuri and bring him to Aura. However, once we found him a heated argument broke out between them about the party...but then we heard something so I and Xuri rushed towards the noise which he noticed was seeming to come from the fountain. Yugi begins.
"It was then that Xuri told me that he wanted to inform Lord Crymson the Lord of the Vampires of the situation. I followed him inside the castle only to hear Princess Amourette scream. Quickly we rushed to her side only to find Lord Crymson had already succumbed to the poison from the fountain...there was nothing we could do..." the scarlet eyed male murmured sadly while Amourette frowned as she folded her hands squeezing them slightly merely recounting that particular memory as tears rim in her eyes. "It's true..." the blunette "Both Yugi-Kun and Xuri-Kun were both there beside me..."
Amourette murmured as tears fell down her face. "Then...we left the castle...and found that everyone was dead...the image still haunts me...but I can say that Xuri was with me the ENTIRE time. He never left my side." Yugi swore to the elven king."Lord Emerus with all due respect." Abigail interrupts. "My brother and I have been traveling with Yugi for awhile now and I believe we can trust him. He is a decent, kind and heartwarming person. We should take what he says into consideration." the princess suggests. "...And tell me Lord Black what in your personal opinion...?" Lord Emerus questions. Daunte let out a sigh as he folded his arms.
"Honestly I don't have a damn clue whether Xuri killed all of those people or not...however...certain individuals don't give a shit if someone is innocent or guilty...as long as they fucking get what they want they don't care who they screw over..." Daunte spat as venom dripped off his every word making eye contact with Lord Mallock who in turn glared right back at him. "You'd do well to keep that tongue of yours in check Black..." the lord of Juniper snaps at Daunte before he turned his attention towards Yugi. Both Abigail and Daunte narrowed their eyes. Neither of them were pleased seeing that Mallock was going to go after Yugi next.
"Unlike the Black Siblings I see no benefit upon relying on this child's testimony...he knows nothing of the affairs pertaining to our worlds...further more his outlook is bias being that he is a friend and companion of the accused...with all due respect...Lady Amourette also falls into that category as well..." Lord Mallock muttered before Yugi got up from seat unable to contain his anger. {Careful Yugi...these are dangerous people you're dealing with...} Kaiba disguised as Kenshin thought silently to himself unable to voice his own opinion on the matter. "HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY SAY THAT!? AMOURETTE LOST HER HUSBAND TO THE MONSTER THAT DID THIS! SHE WOULD NEVER DEFEND THE PERSON WHO WOULD DO SOMETHING SO HORRIBLE! WE ARE TELLING THE TRUTH! XURI DIDN'T KILL ANYONE! Yugi cried out. "Thank you... Yugi-kun..." Amourette murmured softly as Raeger placed his hand on hers and gently patted it, in attempts to comfort her. Lord Mallock only scoffed.
"You think so do you? Listen boy...in order to commit such an atrocity motive is a driving force and Xuri Bloode had plenty of it...as one whom is cared for neither by Vampires or Mortals alike it wouldn't be too far reaching to assume that the half breed harbored a grudge against those that scorned him for merely being alive...and that grudge transformed over time into an unquenchable thirst for revenge...and who other than a Vampire knows an Vampire's greatest strangthe...along with their weakness..." Lord Mallock muses before Bright narrowed his eyes unable to control the anger that was building up inside of him and lunged at the lord of Juniper without restraint.
"YOU BASTARD!" Bright cried out as Ruby gasped as she watched her brother. "BRIGHT!" Ruby cried out as she watched the guards quickly rush over to the table and restrain him. Lord Emerus only let out an exhausted sigh. "...Despite Prince Bright's disagreements, Lord Mallock's point is valid...Guild Master Raeger you've been awfully silent...do you perhaps have anything you would like to say on the defendant's behalf?" Lord Emerus questions him before the guild master turns to meet his gaze.
"Yes sir..." Raeger begins. "Although it was unfortunate that I was not there...Blaire nor Xuri strike me as being ones to capable of committing an act of murder. I believe that someone set the two of them up...and should this trial be allowed to proceed...one of two innocent men will die for a crime that NEITHER of them committed! And those whom did condemn all of Dawnshire to death will STILL be walking among us...which will result in only another tragedy." The Guild master exclaimed before Lord Loric clapped softly in agreement. "Well said Guild Master...after all is said and done...can anyone at this table offer any bit of proof that one of these young men that stated accused is guilty...or even innocent mind you?" the lord of Elixer questioned in return.
"The young lad and Lady Amourette both offer an eyewitness testimony where as no one yet has offered any evidence that would counter their story. Doesn't one require an innocent or guilty verdict beyond a reasonable shadow of doubt hmm?" Lord Loric mused before Tybolt opened his mouth to speak next. "Exactly...if Lord Mallock was seeking to make this all about politics then I believe he will be SORELY mistaken..." the black haired male muttered darkly as his eyes met with the Lord Of Juniper's. "I agree with both Lord Loric and Lord Tybolt..." Oritel followed. "If there is no evidence of certain guilt or innocence we should place this trial on the table until we actually have reasonable leads to go on." the lord of Elementia suggests before a smirk crossed Noah's lips.
"Well, looks like everyone has made up their minds...not exactly the outcome you were hoping for now was it Lord Mallock...?" Noah mocked before Lord Mallock narrowed his eyes in response. Kaiba didn't like the look in Kenshin's father's eyes either. This wasn't over. "...Well then...I hearby declare this trial null in voi-" Lord Emerus paused in mid sentence as Requiem Knight busted into the meeting room just as Bright freed himself from Emerald's guards. Noah's smile faded from her face almost instantly. Oritel only bit his lips. It would seem that Noah was right all along. The lord of Emerald rose up from his seat and looked at The Requiem Knight with his eyes narrowed in anger.
"What is the meaning of this? Can't you see we are in the middle of a meeting here?" Lord Emerus spat angrily. "Our apologies Sir but we have terrible news. It would seem by some unknown means Blaire one of the prisoners has escaped! We feared the other prisoner would as well so we apprehended him and brought him with us...BRING IN THE PRISONER!" The Requiem Knight called out to the other beyond the door before they dragged him inside the meeting hall. Xuri's hands and ankles were bound with chains. Cuts covered almost every inch of his body along with bruises tattooed on his neck and wrists from the chains.
"XURI!" Bright, Ruby Amourette and Yugi all cried out. The worry was plain on Bright's face. "...What did they do to you...?" the blonde questioned in disbelief. It was more than he could bare to see his best friend in such a state. Mallock only grinned. "Well Well...isn't this interesting...so Blaire escaped...and yet you're still here...and in one piece...not many who are thrown into Requiem survive without losing themselves completely...it's got me thinking...what if our young prince here got a hold of a certain object in order to do the impossible...all so Prince Bright could get revenge for his precious vampire from being ridiculed and rejected...and then afterwards he ensured that both the accused could escape without any conviction...why else would Xuri remain behind? I'll tell you why to make it look more convincing..." Mallock begins.
"Did you know that one of the objects of power was in Dawnshire...? It holds the power to allow one to see into the past and the future...and who else showed up after the death of the vampires other than Prince Bright...to collect the blood of the vampires in order to use the object...a set of goblets that the Aurian Council upon investigation found in Prince Bright's room...you can even ask them yourselves..." the lord of Juniper mused as the members of the council entered after the Requiem Knights and showed them the silver and black goblet as the evidence. Almost everyone in the room was at a loss for words knowing that this whole thing as Raeger had said was a set up. But...there was nothing they could do. Raeger knew. He just didn't want to admit it. Everyone knew damn well Bright didn't kill anyone. But it was clear from the look on the blonde's face. He was willing to take the fall if he could protect the person dearest to him.
"Heh...i'll admit you're more clever than I gave you credit for..." Xuri broke the silence as he smirked. "Unfortunately however you're pointing fingers at the wrong guy. You're assumption was right the first time...it was me...and ONLY me...after my father Nicedemous was poisoned by those who feared his power I decided it was time I return the favor...seemed only right after they treated me like I was NOTHING! So I took what they depended on the most...all I needed was a little time...after all a crystallized poison takes time before it starts to break down into liquid form..." Xuri begins.
"I was already far enough from the scene of the crime before it took effect...seeping into the flesh of all who consumed it...and I SAVORED the sight of every corpse that lay at my feet...bathed in their own damn blood...afterwards I helped myself to the kings blood that gave me the ability to use the goblets...it was easy to use blood magic combined with the goblet to make another me within the prison while I waited for the perfect opportunity to help Blaire escape to make HIM look like the guilty one...and the planted the goblet in Bright's room for safe keeping...AND THEN I WAS GOING TO SEND EACH AND EVERYONE OF THE AURIAN COUNCIL STRAIGHT TO HELL! FOR ALL THE SHIT YOU GUYS PUT ME AND BRIGHT THROUGH!" Xuri cried out as he tried to lunge at the Aurian Council violently before they forced him down on the table.
"XURI STOP THIS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Bright screamed out before he found himself restrained again by force. Even Yugi was beside himself by what Xuri was saying."Xuri...why...?" the scarlet eyed male asked in a whisper. {...Because Yugi...he wants to protect the one person he cannot live without...and this is the choice he has made...} Atem murmured softly. Yugi wasn't the only one as Kaiba disguised as Kenshin couldn't bring himself to look away in disbelief at what was happening right in front of him. Nor could Lord Emerus but his hands were now tied as he paused for a moment of silence.
"...In light of Xuri Bloode's confession...there can be no more room for doubt...Xuri Bloode...for the murder of The Lord of Dawnshire and all of its people...I hereby sentence you to death..." The Lord of Emerald delivered his final verdict as he took the hammer beside him and brought it down on the table before The Requiem Knight's slammed Xuri's head on the table before Lord Mallock pulled out a vile of black liquid. "...I believe there is only one punishment suited for your treachery Xuri Bloode..." the lord of Juniper mutters before he pops open the grabs Xuri by the chin forcing his mouth open as he struggles against him. "NO! LEAVE HIM ALONE!"Bright screamed in hysteria as he faught with all his might as the other Requiem Knight restrained the prince as he kicked and thrashed wildly in desperation in several attempts to free himself before he heard Xuri let out a pained gasp.
Xuri felt pain shoot through his body as if someone was stabbing him over and over again unable to suppress his cries of agony before the vampire began to vomit up blood violently not able to stop before Xuri collapsed to the ground writhing in pain as blood dripped down the side of his mouth and his eyes experiencing the same symptoms as those whom drank from the well. "XURI! LET ME GO DAMN IT! LET ME GO!" Bright cried out as he was only able to watch before he shook violently. "...I-I'm... BEGGING you...please..." the blonde choked out as tears began to pour down his face. Almost everyone else in the room was able to watch as Bright looked directly at Lord Emerus with his pleading eyes. The lord of Emerald looked at the guards and nodded towards them before they finally released Bright from their hold.
Without any hesitation Bright immediately ran over to Xuri's side as he laid there on the floor in a pool of blood. His once bright red eyes now faded as they looked back up at the blonde's teal eyes. "Why!? Why did you do this? It was supposed to ME...you could've lived...you...you could have been free..." Bright asked Xuri though his sobs. But Xuri only shook his head. "They wan...wanted me...but they al-also wanted...you...thi-this was...the on-only way...to protect you...I wasn't go-goin to allow you...to fall...into...the-their trap..." Xuri choked out through the blood pouring down his mouth as he reached up and gently touched Bright's cheek. "...B-But...I-I don't...h-have an-any...re-regrets..." Xuri coughed as he cracked a weakened smile.
"This isn't fair..." Bright sobbed. "...You always...leave me behind...you asshole..." the blonde cried as he placed his hand on Xuri's blood stained one. "...Heh...I know...i-i'm so-sorry..." Xuri apologized it getting more difficult for him breath before Bright carefully sat his best friend up and held him in his arms. "...Xuri don't do this...i'm begging you...you just can't...I never even got to tell you...how much you mean to me..." the prince's voice cracked as he gently pushed the hair out of Xuri's face and leaned into kiss before Xuri stopped him.
"...You can't...there...is still...poison...in by blood..." Xuri struggles to utter before the tears overflowed in Bright's eyes as he broke down unable to stop the tears falling down his face. "I know..." the prince weeps uncontrollably. "I...know...this...this is selfish...but...can I...ask you...for one last...thing...?" Xuri asked as his body trembled. "...Anything Xuri..." Bright answers him feeling his best friend's skin getting colder by the second.
"...Do...you think...I c-could...l-listen...to...your...h-heart b-beat...just...until...until...m...mine...st-stops...?" he asked before Bright pulled Xuri as close as he possibly could allowing him to rest his head on his chest. He didn't even need to answer. He bit his lip as warm tears trickled down his cheeks and closed his eyes feeling Xuri's heart beat weakly against his before finally it was over. Bright felt Xuri's body go limp in his arms before the blood crystal with cherry blossom sealed inside of it shattered. "...I love you..." Bright whispered in Xuri's ear although he knew he couldn't hear him and held Xuri tightly as he broke down screaming and crying his heart shattering into pieces. Yugi couldn't hide his own tears as he mourned for the both of them before Lord Mallock walked over to the scarlet eyed male and stopped facing the opposite direction.
"...Let that serve a lesson of how powerless you truly are..." the lord of Juniper muttered before he began to make his way towards the door as Yugi in turn fell to his knees in despair. "Now that my business here in concluded I shall depart...Kenshin...I leave you to what you will...perhaps it will give you some time to reflect on your own behavior and choices from the point on..." Lord Mallock muttered before he left the meeting hall. "You're heartless...and cruel..." Abigail muttered through her tears as Raeger tried to console Amourette next to him. "I'll go get the carriage...and we can go home..." the Guild Master whispered to the blunette before she shook her head through her sobs. Daunte only narrows his eyes.
"The Aurian Council and that prick are damn fucking monsters..." Daunte muttered enraged as he turned his attention to Kenshin whom's hair concealed the expression on his face before the blunette rose up from his seat without a word and left through the door. Concerned the brown haired male followed after him. "KENSHIN! WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!" Daunte called out after him before Kaiba disguised as Kenshin stopped in his tracks. "Look...I don't know what the hell is going through your mind but get whatever it is OUT of your head...I know you better than anyone when shit happens like this...you close up and try to keep me at a damn distance..." the brown haired male muttered before he let out a sigh.
"How many times have I told you? It doesn't matter what happens to me in the process...I WANT TO BE WITH YOU...Yugi is going to help me find a way to free you from that bastard's grasp...I made you a promise...and I intend on damn well keeping it..." Daunte tells Kenshin before he finally looks at him. "...I don't know who's sappier...you or Kenshin...I hate to break it to you Daunte but in case you haven't notice i'm NOT Kenshin." Kaiba told Daunte. "I've only been pretending to be him as a favor since he's helped me on number of occasions..." the CEO confessed. "And before you freak out demanding to know where he is...he's resting at his clinic...you see he received a letter to this trial and couldn't attend since he fell and was in by no means in any condition to travel anywhere...especially not with his father how horribly he treats Kenshin..." Kaiba muttered a bit too darkly. Daunte only makes a face.
"...Well...that would explain...a lot...still you could have fooled me...so...how is Kenshin?" the browned haired male questioned the CEO before Kaiba shook his head. "Honestly I can't say...I put him to bed before and gave him his medicine before I took off...I was kinda in a hurry...however...despite the circumstances he's faced with...the guys pretty tough...I doubt something like that will keep him down for long...he has something that makes him stronger than most people...i'll leave you with that...think about it..." Kaiba muttered to Daunte before he continued walking slowly and reverted black to normal.
{...But what happens...when you lose that person that made you strong...in the first place?...} the CEO thought to himself before he entered in Raeger's carriage waiting outside. His hair continued still to hide any expression on his face. The Guild Master paused as he watched Kaiba enter before Bright slowly made his way towards them as he carried Xuri's body wrapped in a blanket. His teal eyes were almost lifeless as he took a seat across from Kaiba. No one exchanged any words even as Yugi and Amourette got into the carriage. Afterwards Raeger pushed the horses on wards and drove until they passed through the gateway.
Back In Covenant...
Flora hummed as she placed a red ornament on the Christmas tree whilst the rest of the party was working on decorating the rest of the house. The faerie of nature squeaked as the red ornament she just placed slipped and fell onto the floor. "Oh no not another one...that's the tenth one this evening!" Flora cried out upset before she noticed the other box was further away. "Cupid. Do you think you could get that box and bring in over here for me?" the faerie of nature asked the redhead whom was nearly being choked to death by the tinsel he hung on the wall. Luckily he managed to get it to release him.
"Coming right up my cute little blossoming flower!" Cupid purred before he went to retrieve them. Suddenly, the red head snagged his foot on the wire both Carlos and Joey were stringing popcorn. Neither could open their mouth fast enough to warn him before Cupid tripped over it and slipped landing at the ornament box. After he pried himself off the floor he offered the box to Flora as the room was still spinning. "Oh! Cupid! Are you alright!?" the faerie of nature cried as she hurried over to him. "...Ugh...why does it always end up like this...?" the red head asked himself before he got his feet and shook it off and handed Flora the box. Accidentally Flora let a giggle slip out before Cupid pouted but it quickly melted as the faerie of nature gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you, Hey I have an idea, why don't you help me decorate the tree now that you're finished with the tinsel?" Flora suggested as Cupid's face was beat red from earlier. "Uh...sure why not..." the redhead laughed nervously afterwards as he scratched as his cheek. "Man he sure is one heck of a clumsy goofball OW! Meh finger!" Joey cried out as he pricked his finger on the pointy end of the string in attempts to place caramel popcorn on his end. "I told you to use regular or cheese popcorn you doofus! The caramel popcorn has a harder surface so its not as easy to place on the string!" Carlos told Joey whom only pouted in return.
"Yeah well...at least i'm not da one with cheese powda all of meh hands!" the blonde fired back before Granny Emiko placed slow cooker on the table protected by a stove pot holder. Inside of it was a delicious spiced punch that she had made herself since everyone was growing tired of the same hot chocolate minus Joey and Carlos the two bottomless stomachs. Raeger's grandmother placed the cups placed beside it to pour it into as the scent of fruit and spice wafted through the air. But, that wasn't the only thing, the spiced punch was accompanied by soft ginger cookies. And of course Layla was the first to grab one.
"I better give these a taste test...just to make sure they're alright for consumption." Layla exclaimed before Roxy popped her head out of the kitchen as she holds a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon working the batter of who knows what concoction she was preparing. "AND JUST WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?" Roxy cried out before Bloom placed her hands on Roxy's shoulders. "Calm down Roxy." the redhead giggled. "Layla just wants a freshly baked ginger bread cookie BEFORE anyone else. WELL more like Joey and Carlos..." Bloom explains. "HEY!" both of them cried out with popcorn stuffed in their cheeks.
"And we DESERVE it for finally decorating the inside of the cabin along with the outside!" Stella adds in before she spots the mistletoe hung above the Christmas tree. "OOOO! Look who's standing under the mistletoe! Helloooo Flora! Cupid! I'm talking to you over there! And you know what that means!" the blonde exclaimed before both of them pause and look upwards only to find that she's right. "W-What the...who put that up there!?" Flora cried out as she looked at Cupid blushing who only shook his head in response. "COME ON! DON'T BE SO SHY YOU TWO!" Stella tells them and tries to push Flora towards Cupid. "S-STELLA!" Flora cried out in protest as she felt her face only turn redder than it was already was as was Cupid's. Cellos only chuckled as he manifested on the couch nearby helping himself to the spiced punch.
"Oh Stella, you are a naughty naughty faerie." the ghoul snickered before Stella turned towards Cellos. "Oh? Are you going to give up a lump of coal?" the blonde asked playfully before Musa made her way over to the tree with a stocking in hand. "Stella stop torturing them and come and help me already! You were supposed to help me put up the Christmas stockings!" the faerie of music exclaimed. "Oops...whoopsie daisy...sorry about that must've slipped my mind." Stella giggled before she came down and followed Musa to the fireplace and helped her hang the stockings one at a time.
"Better late than never huh Musa?" Techna teased her before Katori next to Techna offered a smile. "Everyone's so lively and seems to be in good cheer too. I'm glad. I feel relieved that The Phoenix is among such vibrant and unique people." the princess of Elixer admitted as she handed Techna some punch as well. "Oh I don't know about that. It can get PRETTY crazy around here." Bloom added afterwards before she paused seeing Pit look around. "Something wrong Pit?" the red head questioned him before the brunette only let out a sigh. "Have you seen Christy anywhere? After I fell asleep she just disappeared." Pit asked Bloom.
"Last I saw her..." Yuki began as he reached for a cookie and took a bite out of it. "She went upstairs not too terribly long again...i'm sure if you wait awhile she'll come back down...eventually anyway..." he told Pit before the brunette plopped down next to him in defeat. "Oh look here comes someone." Layla points out before she saw it was Marik. The darkly skinned faerie eased herself up and hurried over to him before she paused seeing that he was white in the face. "...Marik...what's wrong?...you look like you've seen a ghost..." Layla asked the tomb keeper before Marik only blinked. "...If it was...it was the ghost of Christmas present..." he joked dryly leaving everyone confused.
"Uh it's an Earth joke..." Roxy tried to explain before she opened the door for Akiba with his hands full of firewood. Afterwards he placed the new logs on the fire Bloom coming to help him. "Here let me help you with that." the red head offered before she noticed a few other people were missing. "By the way Akiba, where is Selina and The Professor anyways?" Bloom questioned Akiba. "Oh them? They're outside training. Taku-kun is trying to help Selina to reach her faerie form. But something seems to be interfering and to be honest we're trying to figure out what that something is exactly." he told Bloom before her eyes lit up.
"Selina a faerie?! That would be AMAZING! I still remember when I first got my wings...that is something you NEVER forget. Hopefully she can discover her faerie powers soon. We need every person we can in our fight against not only The A.O.J but the evil spirit possessing Bakura too!" Bloom exclaimed before both Roxy and her noticed the carriage that pulled up in front of the cabin. "RAEGER!"Roxy cried out excited as she rushed out the door. "R-Roxy! Wait!" Bloom called from behind her and followed after the overly excited faerie neither bothering to grab a coat. Roxy hurried towards the carriage with Bloom behind her before the faerie of animals stopped dead in her tracked as she saw Bright emerge from the carriage holding Xuri wrapped in a blanket.
The prince's eyes held no light in them reflecting the brokenness of his soul as he entered the cabin making his way up the stairs in silence. Yugi's and Amourette too seemed devoid of all hope as they followed Bright inside. Bloom opened her mouth but was rendered speechless as Kaiba emerged from the carriage last his hair still hiding his face. Gently Kaiba placed a hand on her shoulder as he passed her. "...I'm sorry Bloom...but...I need some time alone...please...I don't want you to see me the way I am right now..." the blue eyed male pleaded in almost whisper as he trembled. "...I understand...take as much time as you need sweetie..." Bloom murmured to him softly as he watched him make his way into the cabin. Slowly Raeger looked towards the girls trying to hide his tears.
Like a puppy Joey popped up excitedly as he saw Yugi in the window ready to pounce on him as soon as he came through the door but Duke quickly grabbed him by the collar of his shirt when the dice master sensed something was wrong. "YUG! I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT Y-" the blonde paused as Yugi passed right by him. It was as if he didn't see him there at all. But just as Joey was about to try a second attempt at gaining his best friend's attention the scarlet eyed male made his way up the stairs passing Christy in a rather questionable out fit.
"YUG HOL-HOLLY JOLLY STRIPPER!" the blonde cried out as he jumped back in his pursuit of Yugi only to find himself face to face with Christy in sexy Santa lingerie. "MY EYES DEH BURN!" Joey cried out before he turned around. The blonde paused as Amourette quietly walked into the cabin catching Flora's eye as well. The blunette slowly made her way over to Joey. She opened her mouth but nothing came out as she was on the verge of tears once more. Quickly Flora hurried over to Amourette and took both her and Joey out into the hallway.
"Joey I think you should go and take Amourette somewhere more private...away from everyone else...i'm not sure what's going on but I do know that she needs you right now." Flora suggests to the blonde. "...Got it..." Joey murmured before they took Amourette to a room downstairs near the kitchen. From there Flora could hear Christy's yelling from down the hall as she made her way back to the living room. Unfortunately, she couldn't hide the worry and concern on her face even with Christy's comedy relief.
"Hmph! I want you all to know that I went through ALOT of trouble to pick this out! I'd appreciate it if you'd stop laughing!" Christy cried out as Pit only sighed in response. "Leave it Christy to pick the worst possible moment..." "At the worst possible time..." Yuki finished as Flora walked to the couch and sat down. Cupid poured some of the spiced punch into a cup and offered it to her. The faerie cracked a soft smile as the tears rolled down her cheeks. The red head's eyes widened in concern and gently wiped the tears from her face. "...Flower what's wrong...why are you crying...?" Cupid asked Flora as she only look at him. "...Oh Cupid...it's terrible...I was trying to help...Joey and Amourette find a room...and...upstairs when I went to grab some tissues...I saw Bright in Raeger's room...and...Bright was crying over Xuri's body..." the faerie sobbed before she clung onto Cupid and he held her in return.
"I-I know how much Xuri meant to him...he told me shortly after Xuri was taken away to Requiem...I found him in the Christmas tree...crying all by himself...he was afraid...that his feelings wouldn't reach Xuri...so I told him...that as long as they always thought about each other...their hearts would be connected...and seeing Bright so broken up like this...it's just too painful..." Flora choked out as Cupid gently rubbed her back. Cupid knew. He could feel it. Like his heart was shattered like glass.
"You're not wrong..." Musa tells Flora softly. "When my mom died I missed her like crazy. She used to sing this song to me when I was little...and i'd listen and when I sung it, it felt as if she was still there with me and she'll always be right here in my heart..." the faerie of music murmured softly as Stella felt her own tears surface before Cellos gently patted her hand in attempts to comfort her just recalling what happened to Brandon. "But, the MOST important thing." Layla began.
"Is to never forget the memories you shared...the good times and the bad...even so...the others need time to work through their feelings and figure them out on their own...so for now let's try and give them some space." the darkly skinned faerie murmurs to the party before Raeger finally came in along with Bloom and Roxy. "Granny...i'm home..." the Guild Master informs her before Raeger's made her way into the living room and greeted him with a smile. "Welcome home dear..." Granny Emiko welcomed him as Roxy and Bloom both sat back down. Roxy took a minute to look around.
"From the looks on your face...i'm guessing you guys already know what happened...Raeger told us everything..." Roxy murmured softly before Pit pounded on the table with his fist a pained expression on his face. "Damn it...I should've been there...I could have done something! Anything..." the brunette muttered bitterly. "...Doubtful...I don't think even my presence would have made a difference..." Yuki speaks up. "...Unfortunately...Yuki-Kun is right...even I couldn't have stood up against Lord Mallock...despite our connection with the Juniperian royal family..." Christy added. "...Honestly I can't take ANYTHING you say seriously in THAT outfit..." Duke deadpanned.
"Either way i'm MORE concerned about Yugi...he looked SERIOUSLY messed up...I don't think I've ever seen him look like that..." the dice master admitted. "Well? What did you expect Duke!?" Bloom asked him. "Yeah! Yugi's got a BIG heart and losing a friend who he could relate to on a personal level is a BIG deal for him!" Roxy exclaimed before Bloom frowned in response. "I'm also really worried about Kaiba...I think i'm going to go upstairs and just check on how he's doing..." the redhead murmured before she got up from the couch and headed towards the stairs. Afterwards Grabby Emiko and Akiba called everyone to help them with the baking that needed to be done. Just to keep the rest of the party good and busy.
Upstairs in his bedroom Yugi heard Bright's cries echo through the wall as Raeger's room was right next to the one he was using and Lord Mallock's words haunted him. "...To think my being there as an eye witness would actually make a difference...I feel so stupid..." Yugi sobbed as Atem leaning on the door across from him with a pained look on his face. Slowly the pharaoh walked over and sat next to Yugi wiping the tears from his eyes. "No you're not Yugi...the fault does not lie with you...but with the twisted system that dictated their so called justice..." Atem began softly.
"Listen Yugi...Bright meant EVERYTHING to Xuri...he knew that if he didn't take the blame...they would've killed Bright instead...so Xuri made a choice...to sacrifice himself...he did what he believed in his own heart was right...he would rather die...than have to live in a world where Bright didn't exist..." the Pharaoh murmured before Yugi burst into tears as he looked up at Atem. "HOW CAN THIS POSSIBLY BE RIGHT ATEM!?" the scarlet eyed male cried out as he shook before the Pharaoh took Yugi and pulled him into his arms. "...How? How can it be right...when now Bright has to live in a world where Xuri doesn't exist? I...I Just can't...I still remember how painful and lonely it was when you left...I don't want Bright to experience that kind of heart break..." Yugi wept as Atem only held him closer until Yugi cried himself to sleep in the Pharoah's arms. "...Tell me...just what am I supposed to do...Daphne...?" Atem asked in almost a whisper before he closed his eyes as he leaned against the bedroom wall.
Downstairs in the room that held both Joey and Amourette, Joey stood on a small balcony watching the snow fall. Amourette had changed into her blue and white nightgown before she walked over to the blonde and stood beside him as the wind gently blew against them as there was silence. Slowly Amourette opened her mouth to speak. "Joey-kun...do you remember...the first time we talked by ourselves like this?" the blunette asked the blonde softly as she looked up at the snow falling from the sky. "...Well yeah...I was so worried about Yugi...that I couldn't sleep...not even a wink..." Joey murmured in return. "We talked about da Phoenix...our diffrent colored hair...but...dares one ting dat I remember ya sayin that always stuck with meh...even now..." the blonde admitted.
"Eventually...all living things die...dats what ya told me...and since den...i've done ALOTA tinkin about it..." Joey admitted. "Honestly...I was afraid you's were gonna dissapear as well when ya said that...expecially...well... when ya brought up Lord Crymson...ya would try so hard ta smile...ta put on a brave face...but inside...I dunno...I just...could feel deep inside meh...dat you's were heartbroken...so...in return I did meh best ta try ta get ya ta laugh...even crack a smile...ya see except duelin bein a goofball is the only ting i'm really good at...but...I probably just made tings worse..." Joey forced out a laugh but Amourette only shook her head.
"...I was happy...when you talked to me that night...but...still...I couldn't help feeling guilty...in more ways in one..." Amourette confessed as her eyes filled with tears. "...After all...Crymson's last words to me as I held him in my arms...were that he wanted to see...the smile of the woman he loved before he died...so I gave him one...to thank him for everything that he gave me in return...and then...he told me that he would seach for me...in his next life...but...I...but I just couldn't do it Joey-kun..." the blunette sobbed unable to stop the tears falling down her face as she held her hand over her mouth.
"I couldn't...because...someone shortly after found their way into my heart...without me even knowing it...the one person who could make me laugh...when I felt like crying...it...it felt like I was betraying his feelings for me...I knew though...I knew he wasn't mine from the beginning...I tried to stop myself...from loving them...but the feelings kept piling up like frozen snow...I have to wonder...if it's ok...to love someone other than Crymson..." Amourette choked out as her whole body trembled. Joey only looks at the blunette taken back. Hearing that she liked someone else was hard. But if she was this torn up about it. What right did he have to push his feelings onto her?
"...I'm sorry...i'm sorry ya had ta go through all dat...but...I tink dat Crymson would want ya ta be happy...don't you? Joey asks the blunette softly. "If you like dis guy then just tell him...who knows...love works in pretty odd ways...just look at Flora and Cupid. Two flowers in a pod! Wait...is dat right...?" Joey asked himself as he paused to think for a moment. "Ah! Bud! Two Flowers in a bud! Dats it!" the blonde exclaimed as he pounded his fist into his palm. Amourette only cracked a smile through her tears before she began to giggle. "Hey! What da heck is so funny!?" Joey questioned as his face reddened slightly. But Amourette only kept on laugh smiling more as she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes before she finally looked at him.
"Joey-kun...?" the blunette spoke up as Joey paused. "...Hmm?" Joey tilted his head curiously. "...Will you promise...to ALWAYS make me laugh Joey-kun...?" Amourette asked him softly before his eyes met hers. With a sweet smile Joey answered. "Always...in this life...and the next..." he promised her as the wind blew against the two of them. "...And also...can I cry in front of you? Without a smile...just...for tonight...?" the blunette choked out as tears trickled down her cheeks her smile fading. "...Yeah...but only...if i'm allowed... ta cry too..." Joey almost whispered as he pulled Amourette into his arms both of them shedding tears for the friend they lost.
Upstairs Kaiba himself was mourning as he sat in the corner of a room alone in the dark. The blue eyed male was unable to shake the events of that day from his mind as he recalled his own words to Xuri from the past left behind.
{BUT SEEKING OUT THEIR PERMISSION TO LIVE IS NOT THEIR CALL TO MAKE!}
The CEO heard echoing in his head before Kaiba saw the door crack and turned his head as he watched Bloom slowly enter the room as tears escaped down his face unable to hide them from her. Not saying a word the faerie eased herself down next to him and gently pulled him into her arms. Suddenly Bloom paused as she heard Daphne call out her name. "Bloom..." {Daphne?} the faerie questioned before she was taken into her mind traveling to lake Chrysalis. Ahead of Bloom was a light that appeared to be coming from ahead. Slowly the faerie followed the light to the inside of a cave that she had been there many times before. Inside was Daphne looking into a large bubble before the nymph turned towards her sister.
"Hello little sister..." Daphne murmured softly as Bloom made her way over to Daphne. "Hello, Daphne. Did you call me?" the faerie asked the nymph. She wondered why she looked so sad. "Yes...I did..." Daphne nodded. "Please...take a look inside this bubble Bloom..." the nymph requested before Bloom peered into the bubble. Her eyes widened as she saw Bright within it crying as he draped himself over Xuri's lifeless body. "Daphne...I don't understand...why are you showing this to me?..." Bloom confessed to her sister as she looked back at Daphne confused as to what the meaning behind her actions were exactly. A moment of silenced passed between them.
"...Pain doesn't discriminate...when a loved one dies...there is always grief...and that grief can eventually turn into hate..." Daphne murmured to Bloom before she in turn reflected on the truth to the meaning behind her sister's words. The Earth Faerie's pain and despair from having their wings taken from them along with their freedom by The Wizards Of The Black Circle. Wanting revenge not only one the Wizards but the humans as well whom they also blamed. Along with Layla's sorrow when she lost Nabu as a result of Ogron stealing the black gift from her and the rage and anger that came afterwards. Even Bloom and the rest of the girls when they believed they had lost Techna because of Baltor.
"It is difficult to overcome...when one believes that there is no tomorrow beyond a tragedy...but...even in the deepest darkness...there is light..." Daphne told Bloom softly. "...The Light Of Hope...Artemis Moon mentioned that...The Phoenix is the light...but Daphne...even with the Phoenix's flame...my powers are still not complete...not until I can find The Phoenix tablet...its out there...somewhere..." the faerie frowned. "Fear not little sister, for there is an Gem Of Destiny that I placed all of my remaining power in when I died...however...I was afraid it would fall into the wrong hands so I placed it in Draconia. The World Of Dragons." Daphne began.
"Within Draconia there is a temple with a gateway that leads to other parts of the planet each one guided by its own unique element...the Firelands, Waterlands, Icelands, Shadowlands, Thunderlands, Prismlands and Skylands...and each one of them harbors a flame you must acquire in order to enter The Draconian Ancient Library...inside sleeps a Gem Of Destiny...it contains the last remnants of my flame sealed within it...it alone has the power to restore what has been lost..." he nymph told Bloom before her eyes widened. "Daphne...are you saying..." Daphne nodded her head softly in response.
"Yes Bloom...the flame breathes life into whomever It was placed it...and unlike The Black Gift from the Ethereal Faerie's it cannot be taken away...however...this quest will not be easy...but it is necessary...for you will need Xuri's strangthe to brave Requiem Prison in order to recover the Gem Of Destiny that hides within...and Bright's when the time comes..." Daphne began. "Each and every companion will be tested in ways that they cannot possible imagine...you must prepare your mind and body...as well as your hearts...for the enemy yet still lurks in the shadows...and take great care..." the nymph tells Bloom before she nods.
"Whatever it is we have to face...we'll do it together...I'll use my new powers and make you proud Daphne...I promise..." Bloom told her sister before she turned around to leave. Suddenly the faerie paused and looked back at the nymph with a smile on her face. "And Daphne...thank you...I know this will mean so much to everyone...especially Bright...I have to go and tell him..." Bloom smiled before Daphne smiled sweetly back at her little sister in return. "Please...be the one that puts a smile back on his face..." "...I will..." he faerie promised before she bursted into sparkling light. "I'm counting on you...little sister..." Daphne whispered softly before she looked back into the bubble. "I promise...everything is going to be ok...my little one..."
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