Darkness at Dawn Part 21
General Ramar nodded in satisfaction as his spies left- the wolf pack hadn't managed to kill any of them, but that wasn't unexpected. It would take more than a few riders and rabid beasts to truly harm an Elemental Lord, and far more than that to kill Duo Maxwell.
The news of Dorothy wiped his smile, though. She had been there. Fighting. For them. "Ungrateful bitch- after all I did for her..." She had always been too curious for her own good, always wanting to know why, always looking for the reasons behind what was going on, trying to figure out so many things, and above all, trying to decipher why so many people would bow their fates to his hands...
Dorothy Catalonia was many things, but a blind follower had never been one of them. She had a mind of her own, and a fiery spirit to go with it. Deep in his heart, Ramar knew why she had stayed at his side. Fear had been a part of it as she got closer to him, but apart from that, she was drawn to the pursuit of power, like a moth to a flame. She had always known that she was not as strong as he was, but she had stuck to his teachings, with the promise that she could become stronger and greater. She, Dorothy Catalonia, could make a name for herself, free of his shadow, eventually.
For some reason, it was hurting him to think about it now. Hurting quite a lot, actually.
Ramar turned to return to the maps on the table behind him, but a small part of his mind was unable to free itself from his musings. I've lost her, too...
~*~
Duo eyed his uncle warily. "You ask a great deal, kinsman. That sort of thing is far more dangerous to play with than you seem to think."
Howard shook his head. "No- I remember well what blood magic did to you, and it is for that reason that I bothered to ask in the first place. There are a few among us here who could do it, but no one with your skill or control. Please."
Duo sighed and hung his head, shutting his eyes tightly. Work a blood magic... but he is fragile, as we all are. What it could do to him... He could fail in the test, just as I did.
"You did not fail boy," Howard scolded him gruffly. "You lost control, but you regained it and you did what was right. You did not fail! Don't let your fear hold you back!"
Duo reached back over his shoulder and slowly pulled Deathscythe from its sheath, swinging the blade around until the tip extended to his uncle's throat. "Feel it, Uncle. Feel what I made. Feel the power it still has, all these years later."
Howard shook as he extended a hand to the blade and touched its cold surface. Emotions and memories flew back in his face from the moment he made the contact, and he trembled, whimpering as the power of the blade slammed into him full force. Duo's voice grew in volume in his mind until it thrummed darkly, "This is what blood magic can do, Uncle. This is what it made of me, and I am strong, stronger than any of us know, by all accounts."
Howard staggered back, releasing the blade almost immediately as Duo extended his control over it and released the older Dawnchild from its spell. His wide, terror-filled eyes met those of his kinsman. "Duo..."
The braided Dawnchild approached him as he re-sheathed the blade. "Do you really think it is worth the risk?"
Howard forced his hands to stop shaking. "Say what you will, young one, he will certainly die without help. Lord Epyon has done a service to our people, and we will not forget it- we will repay him for the blood he lost, whether you help us or not."
Duo felt an irrational wish to hit the older Dawnchild, but he forced himself to control it. He hung his head in defeat. "Fine, then. But we will do it on my terms. If Lord Zechs accepts your offer, he will meet me at the forges tomorrow at Dawn- I will never again work this magic by night. Will that satisfy you?"
Howard smiled at his younger kinsman and readied himself to run. "There, now. That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Chuckling darkly to himself at the string of lively curse words that fell from Duo's lips, Howard ducked the cup that was thrown at him and fled from the other Dawnchild's tent.
~*~
Heller stared at the blond king in obvious concern. "Are you certain you want to do this before they get here, my Lord?"
Quatre nodded steadily. "I am. I have some power in me- it will be enough, I'm certain. It has to be."
Orin shook his huge head. "Listen to us, young one. Blood magic doesn't follow any normal rules. It is harsh and unforgiving. So while it will make you stronger, more powerful, yes, it will also play with your mind in ways we can't predict. It might be better to wait until your cousin..."
Quatre turned angry eyes on the Dawnchild. "My cousin will not be here for a while yet. What am I supposed to do- sit around and wait until then?"
Une rose from her place and put a comforting hand on her brother's shoulder, though her eyes glinted steel at the five Dawnchildren before them. "We cannot afford to wait that long. You know that already. Will you disobey my brother's wishes?"
Gerald sighed heavily. "We will not, if it is what he truly wants. However we will comply with the gravest reservations."
The tall woman smiled harshly. "This topic is not open to negotiation. If there is a way of doing it, we want to know how."
Orin clasped his hands lightly. "He selects the weapon of his choice, and we will bind it to his will and soul, using his own blood. It is a dangerous undertaking, dangerous and not to be performed lightly!"
Quatre paled at the idea of letting these Dawnchildren perform such a spell, but clenched his fists firmly. "Was this not the spell performed by my cousin with his weapon, Deathscythe? And his armour?"
Jareth nodded. "It was, but your cousin is different, as you well know. We have neither his power nor his skill. It is wholly possible that you be killed in this process, young King."
Quatre was silent for a long moment. "But if it works... If it works, we are that much stronger. It is a risk worth taking for my people and country."
Heller pushed back from his place and came to stand in front of the young King, placing his hands on the young man's shoulders firmly. "Lord Quatre, please listen to me. What you are doing... It is the greatest of nobility and takes true courage. But please don't ask us to do this. Until!" he added, as the blue eyes of the young human flashed darkly, "until you are certain why you want to. I sense... I sense that you are trying to atone for the mistake you made during the battle of Sank. But think on this- if something should go wrong with the spell without Lord Maxwell here, the situation will be tenfold worse than it was, even during that battle. We can do nothing but harm if even the smallest thing should go wrong. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
The blond fought back the cry of outrage that had arisen in his soul as the Dawnchild spoke to him. Atoning for my wrongs... I was foolish and stupid, weak... But I can change what is coming, I know I can! I will not be the reason for any more pain to any of them! But... The Dawnchild was telling nothing but the truth. Without someone with Duo's skill close by, working blood magic was asking for trouble as certainly as leaving his gates open to an approaching enemy.
Quatre hung his head. "I feel useless, my friends. Useless and unworthy of the support and care that I know is bent upon me."
Gerald patted the young King on his shoulder in a fatherly way. "You are being forced to wait, while the action continues elsewhere. It is only natural to feel as you do. But think of it this way- you are wise enough to understand logic when it is shown to you. Please try and trust me that you are making the right decision."
Quatre stared long and hard into the Dawnchild's face before he turned to his sister, still hovering at his shoulder. "We will wait, and may the Guardians help us if we run out of time."
~*~
"Don't fear the heat from the forges. It will not harm you," Duo's voice greeted them as they walked in to the forge, Zechs in the centre of the group. The Dawnchild finished removing his heavy tunic and looked up as they filed in- Wufei and Treize preceded the blond human, Trowa, Heero and Howard bringing up the rear. After a second's hesitation at the door, Otto and Walker also walked in, followed by Dorothy Catalonia.
The Dawnchild could feel the power singing in his veins as he called upon it, and he heard the gasps of astonishment coming from his companions. Yes- this is what power feels like at full force. He watched as they struggled not to retreat from the pure energy he radiated, and smiled as they succeeded.
No one had ever seen an individual look so ethereally beautiful before- the glow that lit Duo's eyes was gentler and warmer than the look he had worn on the battlefield, infusing his entire being with the sort of intense heat that left them speechless. Glowing eyes, radiant skin, hair floating on the wafting waves of power around him-
He looked like a God.
Swallowing reflexively, Zechs forced himself to move forward until he was standing only paces away from the Dawnchild Lord. "I am here as you requested, Lord."
Duo cocked an eyebrow. "There is no need for rank among us, Zechs. You are my equal..."
Zechs barked a quick laugh. "I am many things, but I am not your equal. I am a Prince without a kingdom, my people are scattered to the winds, and I am lucky to count upon the allegiance of the few I may call friends. I am Lord Zechs no longer- I am nothing but another soldier."
Duo nodded his acceptance. "Before I grant your request, I will put you to the same test I put to my Uncle last night. Let me tell you something about blood magic. The feelings of the enchanter will infuse his blood, and he will be granted power based on the strength of those emotions and the strength of his will. If you dare to do it," he drew Deathscythe once again, "extend your hand and feel what those emotions can spawn."
Wufei let out a small, distressed cry and made to move forward, but Treize grabbed his arm and held him back. "No- he has to understand it. We cannot interfere."
Zechs' hand shook slightly as he reached out and placed it on the hilt of the glowing sword.
Everyone cringed as they watched his struggle- eyes that had closed flew open in shock and pain, his mouth opening as if to cry out, though no sound came forth. Zechs stood, transfixed, as Duo spoke in his mind. ~Hate, anger, fear, pain... I felt all those things, and in the heat of my anger, I forged a symbol of them. These are strong emotions, Zechs. They can consume you, as they did me, they can shatter your mind. They can kill you. So if you have any thoughts of wallowing in the past, you will leave now. I will not allow you or anyone else to make the same mistake I made, whether due to youth or due to negligence. Feel it, Zechs. This is what real pain is.~
Duo drew a deep breath and harnessed Deathscythe's energy, releasing Zechs from its grip. The man stumbled to one knee, staring up at him with wide eyes as he sheathed the sword.
Zechs' voice fell to a whisper, for Duo's ears alone. "How can you stand to use such a blade?"
Duo put his hands on the man's shoulders and replied, in a low voice, "The power, like the emotions behind it, is mine. Or was. That sword is as much a part of me as my arm or head, and every time I use it now, I am repaid for the chance I took, when I was so much younger. Do not replay my mistake, Zechs. Hatred is a strong emotion, but there are better ones, emotions that will not hurt you every time you are reminded of them."
He raised his voice. "Do you accept this gift from my people, Lord Epyon, White Knight?"
Zechs stood and tossed his hair back over his shoulder. "Yes, I do."
Pure energy glittered in the Dawnchild Lord's eyes as he slowly reached for Zechs' blade, hanging at his side, and drew it from its sheath. His voice rose again, floating to those who watched. "Whatever happens, you must all stay back." Without another word, he began chanting.
The fires in the forge flared to even greater life, sparks shooting out into the air and glistening there like fiery snowflakes. In Duo's hand, the sword began to glow brightly, as though superheated, yet still holding its form.
The song was foreign to the mortal's ears, but it evoked such images in their minds that they could not fail to understand the meaning of. Duo was singing of life, flowing through the veins of the world, in molten lava as in a man. He was singing of the seasons and the endless ebbing and flowing of life as plants grew and died again, buried under winter snows. But most of all, he sang of emotion, and the power locked away in a person's heart. Pausing finally in his song, as the last notes thrummed against the room's walls, he turned glowing violet eyes like stars on Zechs. "Remember it well, Lord Epyon- what you allow yourself to feel right now will define your future. It will shape everything you will become, and the wrong decision will be your undoing, unless you have the strength of soul to overcome it. Choose wisely, and put your hand on the blade."
Zechs trembled slightly as he reached for the blade, his hand hesitating as his eyes strayed to his companions, watching him avidly from a safe distance. He smiled as he met each set of eyes- they were so few, but yet so strong and true...
Steeling himself, he pressed his hand to the blade.
Zechs cried out as the heated metal sliced his skin like a razor, his lifeblood swirling around the blade as it fell in a haze of red, bright against he violet glow of the Fire Lord's aura. He met Duo's eyes and stared as the Dawnchild smiled at him-
And reached up to slice his own palm on the blade as well.
The fire raged to a suddenly overwhelming height as Duo's blood ignited on the air, glittering gold that infused itself into Zechs'. The human couldn't help feeling slightly dizzy as the entire mass began to swirl around the blade, still held safely in Duo's hand, as the song began again, the power in it now beating him back almost brutally-
There was a brilliant flash of light.
The smells of pitch and brimstone lingered on the air as Dawnchild and human opened their eyes again and looked at the sword in Duo's hands. Duo smiled in delight.
Intricate tooling sped up and down the gleaming blade in red and gold, tracing interwoven spells for protection and strength, and in the centre of all the symbols, one word- Epyon. Flipping the blade in his hands, Duo presented it to the speechless human hilt-first. "Your sword, Lord Epyon. Use it wisely."
Zechs' eyes flew to Duo's hand and the wound on his palm. "But why did you..."
"This?" Duo asked, waving his hand in the air. "Call it... adding a personal touch and a sign of my esteem for you. That you had the courage to take such a chance. Take the sword."
Zechs reached out to take possession of the blade, and he felt something like an electric shock run up his arm as he touched it. It felt... disturbingly right, somehow. He smiled-
And promptly fainted dead out at Duo's feet.
As the others began shouting in alarm, though, all Dorothy could do was stare in shock. He had met her eyes for a split second as the spell was woven.
And he had smiled for her. Just for her.
~*~
Rain was pouring from heavy grey clouds overhead, and the small party was thoroughly soaked.
Niles glared over at Treize, who was doing his best to ignore it. "All your power and you can't control a puny, little rainstorm?! You must be able to do better than this!"
The tall Water Lord finally felt his temper snap. He whirled to face the Dawnchild, who wore a smirk despite the chill and damp. "And by doing so, alert every Darkchild in creation as to where we are- brilliant strategy! I must admit that you've out-thought me completely."
Zechs groaned outright as the two glared at each other darkly. "For Heaven's Sake, can't you two think of anything better to do than arguing? It ceased being funny a half hour ago."
Wufei nodded his agreement, water dripping from his soaked hood down onto his nose. "This isn't helping any."
Lucas looked up from where he was leading a sullen, heavily-packed Shadow. "It will only get worse as we get higher into the mountains, unfortunately. It's been long enough since we came this way- I don't even know if the mountain passes are open, anymore."
Trowa paused in his walking to glare at the Dawnchild- he had been against the mountain route to begin with, but the Dawnchildren had assured the rest of the group that this would be the safest way to Sandrock... "We will find a way. Maybe not the way it was planned, but we will get there."
Their leavetaking had been a painful process, made even worse by the fact that Barton's injuries prevented him from leaving with his newly found kinsman. It had taken a true effort on Duo's part to liven the group from the sadness that set in as the Gathering disappeared into the sea of trees behind them.
They had been travelling for over a week now, and it had been raining steadily for the past three days, as they sought to climb into the famously treacherous passes of the Mikar Mountains. While it was true that it was the quickest route from the forest gathering- nearly ten leagues northeast of what was New Port City- to Sandrock, humans had avoided these mountains for well over sixty years.
Trowa was beginning to understand why.
They drew to a halt as Heero, who had been on point, doubled back to them. The angel looked miserable as he yanked off his long cloak and tossed it onto Shadow's burdens testily. "This way leads to another cliff! I couldn't find a way around it..."
Wufei nodded, in complete understanding. "Not in this weather, at least. Is there anywhere to hole up in?"
Heero's tired eyes strayed to the path ahead. "I only saw one cave that didn't look inhabited already. Heaven only knows what we could find up here if we tried one of the others."
Duo chose this moment to join them, from where he had been trailing the group and erasing their tracks. "The other what?"
Trowa recapped quickly, "The path leads to a cliff, but there's a cave up ahead that looks both dry and uninhabited."
Duo rolled his eyes in disgust. "At least it's something. Let's go."
~*~
Fire painted the cavern walls red and yellow- Duo smiled as he watched two sprites dancing in the flames- it warmed both the heart and the body. He flopped down next to Wufei with a smile as he stretched. "This feels good."
"You have a talent for understatement, Duo," Wufei replied, pulling off his sodden tunic and spreading it near all the other clothing. "This feels wonderful."
Heero took hold of Duo's long braid and began wringing water out of it, gently, so as not to snag too many strands. "The path ahead is blocked- we're going to have to head back and take the other route in the morning."
Several people groaned at the very thought. Walker threw one arm over his eyes as he leaned back onto a damp blanket. "The only way over these mountains is in the air, and you know it!"
Dorothy shot Duo a look. "He has a point, you know."
Duo shook his head. "Solo had a hard enough time putting up with me on his back- he'd never allow an entire group, especially a group including humans, no insult intended."
"None taken," Zechs sighed, searching through his pack for a comb or brush. He stopped searching abruptly, though, and turned to look at Duo. "Couldn't your bird friend help us find a path?"
Duo's eyes went wide for a moment before he burst out laughing, a merry sound that made everyone present want to join in. "This, my friends, is what happens when you're too used to magical solutions to your problems! There's nothing like using common sense, is there? Eyes in the sky- great idea, Zechs- I'll call to him in the morning."
Niles rolled his eyes- it wasn't that he didn't trust Lord Duo and his friends, it was just... He should have thought of it, first, and it bothered him that he hadn't.
He went cold as he became aware of a set of eyes on him, and he turned to find the Angel staring right at him, almost as though looking through him. Heero's eyes slowly swung up to meet his. ~We are all tired, hungry and wet. Don't even think of going there! You already knew he was smart.~
Niles bowed his head meekly- he wasn't going to pick a fight with Lord Duo's consort. Not yet, anyway.
TBC...
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