Out Of The Darkness
Chapter 26
Training Harry
Harry stood in front of Savitar, already regretting his decision for training. So far nothing had happened; Savitar was just staring at him, almost judging him. It was as though he couldn't get a read on him, and Harry was a puzzle just waiting to be solved. It was hot here as well; they were on some sort of beach Harry had never seen before. Harry removed his cloak and jumper without his eyes never leaving Savitar. He wasn't a novice, he knew better than to take his eye of the ball. He hadn't won the war sitting twiddling his thumbs. He had scarified his own bloody life to achieve it too, with magic he was at an advantage but with weapons he was at a very serious disadvantage.
"So you going to attack?" asked Harry feeling like a fruitcake just standing there under the blazing sun.
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should," said Savitar mysteriously.
"You're the culprit," said Harry his eyes narrowed, so that's where Ash had gotten that damn saying from. He hated that saying, and he rather hoped the guy wouldn't be saying it to him a lot.
Savitar just smirked at him, before shouting "Takeshi!"
Harry watched black smoke billow from the earth when it disappeared a man in the strangest looking armour appeared. It was blood red metal, blades curved over his shoulders. A neck piece covered the entire lower of his neck, protecting it after all it was the most vulnerable part of the human body - god or not. Nobody could survive having their head chopped off - at least he didn't think so. It certainly would be an interesting sight to see if it did happen. All you could see was his eyes and a red scrollwork tattoo on his forehead.
His black hair was much like Harry and Ash's, it was tinged with red tips instead of outright highlights though. His eyes were slanted exotically; they were fastened on Savitar and were alight with friendship and happiness. Evidently these men got on well, and Harry had to wonder if he to was another god or like Savitar…what had he called them? Chiron? Or something he couldn't quite remember he had been too angry to listen properly.
The metal from his face melted away, as the man spoke; he was not any older than Ash or himself. At least that's how he looked, Harry wondered just how old the man was in reality. "Savitar-San," he greeted "It's been a long time." well if you lived a long time there was no rush to see friends evidently. Harry wondered if that would be him in a few centuries time.
"Acheron-san you too," said Takeshi.
"I'm calling in favour," said Savitar, Harry observed Ash; if he didn't know any better he'd have said he was feeling a sense of Déjà vu.
"Sav, you can't keep doing this. I've definitely run out of places to put the bodies." said Takeshi.
Savitar laughed but it wasn't filled with amusement, evidently it was an old joke between them. "Takeshi meet Harry, Harry this is Takeshi-sensei. Listen to him and he'll teach you to fight in ways you can't imagine." he said seriously, no sign of sarcasm to be heard and Harry didn't know what to make of it. Savitar had always been sarcastic, it reminded him of Snape. A serious Savitar wasn't one he was familiar with…yet.
"Uh-huh," said Harry, staring at them both with wariness his body tensing automatically he had to rein in his magic as well.
"Come Harry-san let's learn the art of war from the one that invented it," said Takeshi. A sword materialized out of nowhere and Harry took it, his eyes observing all his surroundings, as not to be taken by surprise.
"Attack me Harry-san this isn't a dance party," said Takeshi, Harry heard Ash chuckling, it was obvious the guy had said the exact same thing to him when he first started.
The sword didn't feel right in his hands; it felt heavy, awkward and just…not right. When he'd held the sword of Gryffindor in his arms, it had felt right; he had been only twelve at the time too. He was older, more capable so why did this sword feel wrong? He wiped his thoughts from his mind, sighing, knowing pretty soon he'd be flat out on his arse with a sword at his throat. Well here goes nothing, thought Harry, and he swiped his sword at the guy.
Takeshi moved fast, Harry found himself flat out on the sand, before he could stop it; his magic reacted to the threat. Harry bit his lip when Takeshi went flying, falling into the water with a large plop. He looked up, as he got to his feet looking extremely sheepish, it wasn't to be helped.
"Er…sorry," said Harry wryly, trying to stop himself laughing as Takeshi rose from the water spluttering. With his armour on no doubt it would be difficult to get out, still he did it gratefully already dry by the time he emerged. Harry had a terrible feeling he'd pay for it one way or another.
"Again," he said, this time there was no playful look on his face.
Harry picked up the sword, breathing deeply; he swung again, their swords clashed violently against each other. Again and again, clash, after clash until Takeshi had him disarmed. His hand was ringing with the surge of vibrations that had been sent through him. It left it weak, but Harry wasn't about to give in, he picked up the sword and nodded again.
This time he didn't get a single swipe in before he was flat out on his back, breathing heavily and panting he got himself back up again. Damn the guy was fast, if he'd managed to defeat a sixty foot basilisk why couldn't he get one decent swipe to this guy's armour?
"You are good, you have never taken your eyes off me Harry-san," said Takeshi.
"I know better than to take my eyes of my enemy," said Harry.
"You have to work for victory, even now," said Takeshi, "You never know you might surprise me." his words might say that, but Takeshi's arrogant stance made Harry think otherwise. He didn't think Harry could beat him, which fuelled Harry further. "Surprise me Harry-san."
Harry refused to take the bait, he swung, and their swords once again clashed both of them trying to get the better of the other. Harry lasted longer this time, but inevitably he was disarmed.
"This is good, you are not easy to anger either," said Takeshi impressed.
"Trust me Takeshi-Sensei I've heard worse." said Harry seriously, picking up his sword. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his tanned torso displayed as he did so. Ash bit his lip, he wanted nothing more than to just get them the hell out of there and well…ravish him. "It would take a lot of anger me to the point I'd make mistakes."
Takeshi nodded his head in respect, and they fought again, Takeshi struck Harry's arm blood started oozing from the wound. Yet Harry didn't stop fighting, he kept trying to strike Takeshi, the more he did the clumsier his attempts became. The blood was making the sword slide around in his grip. So once again Harry found himself on his back, the sword on the sand.
"I think I'll lie here for a bit and catch some sun," said Harry not even attempting to get up. His wound already healing itself, but it didn't do it like the others, which had Takeshi watching him curiously and cautiously. No doubt wondering why the wound hadn't healed.
Takeshi, Ash and Savitar laughed at that.
"Harry-San, that's the same thing Acheron-san said on his first day," said Takeshi grinning at him.
"I don't blame him, you'll kill me at this rate," grumbled Harry, the sweat was pouring out of him. He was starving and feeling a lot less confident than he had when coming. He wanted to learn magic not how to sword fight, probably why they were doing it first.
"Get up, Harry-san." said Takeshi once the wound had healed.
They fought once again; Ash watched them his mercury eyes twinkling. It reminded him of his own training, but back then it hadn't been swords they used first. No it had been their staff's they'd used. He had bit his lip to stop himself going to Harry's aid when he was cut. Savitar held him back when it was obvious the wound wasn't healing, the blood was still pouring from it. He relaxed somewhat when it finally did; he was beginning to believe Harry when he said his magic was different from theirs. It didn't take them that long to heal.
Harry blocked Takeshi' attack, "Always be the attacker, a defender never wins."
"Not in my opinion," said Harry, remembering Voldemort, he hadn't attacked but he still had won.
"Defenders get their asses kicked," said Savitar, "Trust me; I've got crack impressions on every pair of shoes I own."
Harry laughed, Savitar's humour and sarcasm was funny at times. And only at times. Neither of the others laughed, and Harry realized it really must be all old jokes they shared.
Then they began fighting again, Harry lasted three minutes this time, attempting to attack him with each and every swipe. Then his back was to the sand once more, then Harry thought screw this, and swiped his leg out surprising Takeshi so much that he didn't defend himself in time. He fell with an ungraceful thump to the floor; Harry stood on his sword hand, and placed his own at his neck.
"Well done Harry-San," said Takeshi, impressed, deeply, deeply impressed. "Nobody has ever gotten one up on me on the first day."
Harry removed his foot, and then his sword before standing up, every muscle in his body ached like crazy. In fact he was sore in places he didn't think could get sore. Right now he just wanted a bath, and a long, long sleep.
That was how Harry spent the rest of the day, training with only Takeshi. Savitar and Ash watched of course, lazy sods just sitting in the sun. Takeshi was a hard taskmaster, but Harry wasn't ungrateful about it, if anything he appreciated it. After all he had taken to spending his day teaching a novice how to fight. Although his appreciation became less and less as he felt as though he'd drop down from sheer exhaustion. He was definitely going to brew pepper up potions now. He had a funny feeling he was going to need them if he wanted to keep up.
"Go on home, we'll begin again in the morning," said Savitar.
"What we?" asked Harry sarcastically.
Takeshi laughed "I like him Savitar; he fits right in just like Acheron did."
"Good luck kid," said Savitar, and Harry rolled his eyes, he wasn't a kid…but then again compared to them he was a baby. Didn't mean he had to like being called a kid. He refrained from mentioning it, since they were doing him a favour.
"Thanks," said Harry sarcastically, "Goodnight." he then said respectfully to the two guys.
Ash took his exhausted lover into his arms and teleported them to Katoteros. His mind drifted to what happened to him the night after he was first trained by Takeshi and Savitar. The day he's realized his life was irrevocably changed, and never would it truly be his.
"Ash?" asked Harry his voice soft and hesitant as if he suspected that Ash was lost in horrible memories.
"Sorry," said Ash, smiling but it seemed brittle, forced.
"What were you thinking?" asked Harry, leaning against him his exhaustion apparent, but his need to know Ash was stopping him from just falling asleep wherever his head was down.
"I was just thinking of the first night I came here after training," admitted Ash sombrely.
"What happened?" asked Harry, his fingers lacing with Ash's, giving him some measure of comfort - he hoped.
"Artemis was here, it made me realize my life would never be my own. I would have to see her all the time, feed from her all the time." said Ash his disgust evident, "She had the nerve to say she loved me." he knew now more than ever she never had, how could she? No what Harry showed him was true love; with Artemis it had been lust and ownership.
"What else?" asked Harry having a feeling that Ash was leaving something out.
"She said she wished she had saved our nephew, that she hadn't stood by and watched me die. To change what happened…and that she wished I hadn't been a whore." the word was said with so much self disgust Harry felt his heart bleeding for Ash. He had been so wronged by everyone, for so very long. He honestly wasn't sure what to say, to help Ash understand, to make him let go of his past.
"It was never your choice Ash, any choice you had was ripped away. What they did to you was abuse, the worst kind of abuse in the world. Tell me, if your daughter had gone through something similar, would you let her refer to herself that way?" asked Harry, yes he knew about Ash's daughter, he's spoken about her often enough. He had met her briefly just before the battle in Sanctuary.
"Never," snapped Ash almost violently.
"Exactly, you survived the only way you knew how, as far as I'm concerned there are worst things to be in the world. You have to stop thinking of yourself in such a way; the past was such a long time ago. A life time ago, literally, you died and Acheron Parthenopaeus the god and final fate of the world rose from his ashes." said Harry passionately. "Don't get me started on Artemis," when he noticed Ash was about to open his mouth again.
"What you've done for the Dark Hunters is nothing short of selfless," said Harry, "Look at me Ash," once he was Harry continued, despite his exhaustion. "I'd have done the exact same thing. Never think for a minute I'd change anything about you. I love who you are, your past, your present and probably the future. Sure I would if I could go back and save you from it all, which would probably just bite me in the arse, but it wouldn't be because I'm ashamed of you. It's just because I love you, you would do the same for me wouldn't you?"
"Yes," replied Ash, his eyes were moist as if he was suppressing tears, but that couldn't be…Ash had stopped crying so very long ago. Tears were useless; they just made you look weak after all. To hear his words, made his heart soar further than it had ever done before. Dear gods he thought he'd loved Artemis? No…what he'd felt for her was weak in comparison to how he felt for Harry. So much love nearly overwhelmed the Atlantean as he held Harry close. Like his Ex-Dark-Hunters he'd finally found his happily ever after. It just took…a lot longer to come to him. Perhaps that was to make sure he appreciated just what a gift Harry was.
Acheron Parthenopaeus otherwise known as Apostolos was finally embracing his past and his present fully for the first time. None of his usual thoughts plagued him, and he finally stopped wondering traitorously if Harry was ashamed of his past like Artemis was. Despite hearing Harry defend him to Artemis, it had still remained there niggling away, now it was gone. Harry had been telling the truth, his eyes had never held one sign of a lie or deceit. Perhaps that's why Harry asked him to look at him. Atlantis would never be found, and those that knew would never tell Harry wouldn't, and Artemis would rather die than reveal she'd had sexual relations with a w….him. His secret was finally safe, go figure it would be exactly when he stopped caring about it.
The fates were a bitch.
Acheron couldn't care less though, his thoughts were for Harry, and Harry alone. Unfortunately Harry himself was sleeping, slumped against Acheron a small snore coming from his mouth. He teleported them straight to bed, he knew how it felt; he'd gone through the same thing. He really should be out patrolling, but right now he didn't want to, let the Dark-Hunters handle it - they were paid to. It was time for him to be selfish just this one time, and spend the night with his lover. As he fell asleep his mind drifted towards a wedding, showing the world that Harry was his…he no longer doubted that Harry wouldn't want that. Perhaps that way he could show his love for him, surely Harry had noticed he'd never once said 'I love you' to him. He just couldn't get the words past his throat; he was terrified if he admitted it something bad would happen. It always did in the end. No, he wouldn't allow anything like that to happen. He could just bring Harry back, if the fates tried anything he'd kill them they knew that. Slowly sleep won over and unconsciousness claimed him, curled around his exhausted lover.
All my life
There was just me and my dreams
And the days went ticking by
Like the beat of my heart
Spend my nights wondering how it would feel
When the waiting would end and tomorrow would start
Suddenly I see a light
Out of the darkness I'm coming alive
This how it feels reaching for heaven
Is this how it feels kissing the sky
This what it means touching forever
Like a phoenix rising from the flames
I'm reaching for heaven
All this time
I never knew I was so strong
But you made me find the fire
That was there all along
In your eyes
I can see all I can be
Suddenly I want it all
I know you'll catch me whenever I fall
This how it feels reaching for heaven
Is this how it feels kissing the sky
This what it means touching forever
Like a phoenix rising from the flames
I'm reaching for heaven
You alone have shown me
Shining new horizons
Now for all I owe you
It's my turn to show you
This how it feels reaching for heaven
Is this how it feels kissing the sky
This what it means touching forever
Like a phoenix rising from the flames
I'm reaching for heaven
Reaching for heaven
This how it feels kissing the sky
This what it means touching forever
Like a phoenix rising from the flames
I'm reaching for heaven
Reaching for heaven
Heaven
Reaching For Heaven - Diana Degarmo (its what i based the title from :) the bold bits are the parts that spoke to me (between Harry and Ash) XD whatcha think?
Yes this chapter is very, very different from the last one :( poor Ash has alot of ghosts to deal with unfortunately...but he has been around for a far longer time than Harry his problems wont just fade away becuase harry loves him...he has a lot of shit to deal with and it was never really mentioned in the book once he got with Tory which i found disapointing really so i'm always going to make sure to add it to this one. Good days, bad days sucky days the whole nine yards :D so you all want mpreg huh? *wags eyebrows* most of you want the wizarding world to play a part too okay just a few questions today hermione and ron repentant or not? or will ash chew them out like harry did to Artemis? and then have them come round but be warned even if they do come around they will no longer be a part of harry's life they will still leave its just what terms they part on :) maybe even have ash tell harry their future ;) good future or bad? :P R&R PLEASE GUYS!