Darkness at Dawn Part 4
"You know that my name is Duo Maxwell, but you know nothing more about me. I was born one hundred and seventy eight years ago in a northern village of my kind called Rinfalin." The Dawnchild paused to let that sink in- the varying looks of shock on his listeners' faces said it all. "Yes- I know I look like a nineteen-year-old of your kind, but I will never age- I will always look as I do now.
"I was only six when the Great War truly began, the war you humans call the Elder Wars. How much do you recall of this ancient history?" Duo asked curiously.
Heero alone answered with a knowing look. Zechs gave a self-deprecating smile. "Unfortunately little, my friend. Enlighten us, please."
Duo suddenly flashed a devilish grin. "Well, there was a girl..."
"Wait- the Elder Wars were fought over a WOMAN?!" Wufei exclaimed.
Heero and Duo both bit back their grins. The angel said, "Not just any woman, Captain. A noblewoman of the Dawnchildren."
Duo winked at Heero. "Right you are, Angel. She was, by far, the most beautiful creature on Earth, with hair like spun sunlight and eyes of azure flame. Lady Iria was rumoured to be the most beautiful creature ever born.
"In the spring of my sixth year, Iria was part of a group to meet with... human nobles. During that meeting, she first met Lord Quazer Raberba."
Zechs' eyebrows shot up. "Raberba? You're joking!"
Duo shook his head. "Unfortunately not. He and the Lady fell in love, and she decided to forsake her people to be his bride. Needless to say, this did not go over well with the ruling Great Council of the Dawnchildren."
He sighed deeply. "The Council split- half of us accepting her choice, as much as it saddened us, the others refusing the match and vowing revenge for the pollution of a Great Bloodline. It was a terribly long argument that ended poorly- the Clans warring and the Council forbidding the use of our magic against humans and, most especially, Iria and her husband."
Duo's eyes smouldered as he continued. "Since the normal magics were outlawed, the Clans refusing the match turned to dark arts, almost forgotten practices that anyone with a working brain avoided. You see, the dark magics granted great power, but they took over the caster's mind. After fifteen years of internal war, the renegade Clans had been forced from the Council. Not that they cared! To them, the only thing that mattered was revenge."
"Revenge against humans for stealing Iria?" Treize asked.
Duo shook his head. "No- only in part. Even greater hatred was directed toward their own kind, towards those who had permitted the marriage." Violet eyes flashed dangerously. "Her family, in particular."
"What did they do to you, then?" Trowa asked gently.
Duo was emoting again- a wave of sorrow washed over them all and shook them to their souls. "Yes- I was Iria's sister's son, still quite a child by our standards. I had been upset that day- most of the noblemen had left with our town's militia for a military council, and I had been left behind, deemed too young to be of true value, as yet. The Dark Ones... they attacked us when we were defenceless and levelled the city. It was in flames, all its inhabitants dead, by the time I got back from my solitary wanderings in the woods."
Heero's heart went out to the slender creature at his side- he found himself reaching to grip the Dawnchild's shoulder, letting his own feelings flow through the contact- It's not your fault! If you had been there, you would have died, too.
Duo resumed his story. "They began killing indiscriminately, to the point that the Council, what remained of it after several years of undeclared war, decided to declare war once and for all, if there was a chance to end it. I do not wish to go into detail about the War and its many battles, not when the Dark Ones are re-awakened. However I will say this- the leaders of the Great Clans performed a great Sealing magic that imprisoned the Dark Ones in a sub-world of their own. The Spell took their lives and the Great Council's power was shattered.
"As for Lady Iria, as far as we know, she lived a great and full life before killing herself over her husband's grave. She could not bear the thought of living without him." Duo fell silent.
Wufei's hushed voice broke the stillness of the room. "You participated in the War."
Duo's smile grew dangerous again at the simple statement. "Me? Yes- I did participate. I was... an assassin, a destructor, and finally a General on the final battlefield. I took another name, though, to protect my Clan's honour in the face of the lives I took. I became Shinigami- the God of Death."
"At the age of twenty-one," Wufei intoned, "there is no justice in that."
The Dawnchild shrugged. "They had been defeated and sealed away- I disappeared shortly after."
"How did the Seal get broken?" Trowa asked.
Duo stared into the fire, eyes reflecting flames and fury. "A blood sacrifice at the New Moon last night. The Dark Ones are free again- and they will come here before they head East to whatever remains of Iria's kingdom."
Zechs finally broke his silence. "King Quatre Raberba- he was crowned mere months ago. He is Quazer and Iria's direct descendant."
Duo's eyes went wide with shock and happiness. "You mean Iria's blood still flows through another's veins? By the Guardians!"
Heero's voice brought their heads around. "The Council can no longer restrict them. They will want to purge the Earth of Iria's bloodline. Friend Duo, can they be stopped?"
Trowa spoke in a low, urgent whisper. "Ye Gods- the dream..."
Duo's melodic voice seemed almost to penetrate their minds. "The four Chosen Elementals- Earth, Air, Water and Fire. There was a legend of them among my kind as Protectors and Warriors. It was said that they would be awakened by the Great Guardian Himself when they were needed. Friend Trowa, am I right to assume that you had a... strange dream, not long ago?"
The green-eyed youth gave a startled nod, and Duo turned to the others. "Captain Chang, friend Treize, you, too?" They nodded mutely.
"So did I, and so did friend Heero. It would appear the Elementals have been summoned, and even given extra help." He smiled into Heero's eyes. "Isn't that right, Angel?"
"Hn," was all the reply he received.
Duo treated them to another beaming smile as his dark mood vanished as quickly as it had arrived. "Well, I must go and retrieve my gear to brig it within city walls. I shan't be long." He stood and walked out.
Zechs turned to Heero questioningly. "Elementals? Strange lad- and why does he keep calling you 'Angel'?"
Heero fought down the urge to smile. "Duo himself is the Fire Lord, Trowa the Earth Lord, Treize the Water Lord and Wufei the Lord of Air. As for the other- maybe he likes nick-names."
He stood, not trusting himself to evade further questions. "I think I'll go with him; it's not safe for him to be out on his own." Heero bowed to Zechs and left quickly, shutting the door behind him.
Duo smiled- he had been waiting. "I was right about you, wasn't I?" he asked in Dawnspeak as they walked out into the morning sunshine.
"Of course you were," Heero replied in the same language. "I would have been disappointed if you hadn't figured me out, being who you are."
Duo's voice shook slightly as he replied, "They don't need to know that yet, Angel."
"How many people do know, Lord of Fire?"
The Dawnchild sighed. "On our side, maybe one or two- no more. Theirs, hard to say. But they will recognise me, I am sure." He pulled up his hood to enter town.
The two immortals slipped through the crowds easily, heading for the town gates. There were people everywhere in the many town squares- soldiers, merchants, thieves, children, servants, peasants... Duo took hold of Heero's hand so as not to lose him. He was silent, though, as they made their way to and through the gates, only speaking again once they had left the crowds far behind.
"How about yourself?" the Dawnchild asked curiously. "Not that I'm complaining, but what part does an Angel play in our story? And one selected and empowered by the Great Guardian himself..."
Heero looked uncomfortable at the sheer number of questions and hastily interrupted, "He- he said that I was to be His hands and His champion..."
"Wow. I mean it- you must be quite something to be given such great trust!" Duo smiled up at the trees that surrounded them. "When you care enough to send the very best..."
Heero spared his companion a look. "You know, I'm not even completely certain what my powers and limitations are in this. I could be useless, like a normal human."
Duo's laugh cut him short. "I wouldn't worry about that, Angel-friend. But I'll give you this warning- humans look at you funny if you slip up and fly."
"You can fly?!"
Duo gave yet another quicksilver laugh. "So can you! Look!" He pointed downwards.
Heero looked and gasped- they were indeed floating high in the air, the tallest trees of the forest dwarfed below them. He turned back to the smirking Dawnchild with wide eyes, but said nothing.
Duo's voice was soft as they began to drift back towards the ground. "You, like the other Elementals, need to discover your gifts and learn to use them. I just wish we had more time to explore them all before the battle."
They continued on in companionable silence.
Two trees loomed ahead, almost like sentinels on guard. Heero felt his skin tingle as they passed them and the Dawnchild at his side muttered something under his breath-
The Angel blinked and gasped as bright sunlight hit his eyes. They had stepped into a clearing that felt distinctly other-worldly to him- he turned to his companion. "Where is this place?"
Duo shrugged. "Nowhere, really, but where I say it is. Like here, for now."
The angel lifted en eyebrow. "But...?"
The Dawnchild smiled sadly. "This haven of mine will no longer be safe when the Dark Ones arrive. I'd prefer to close it off first." He whistled sharply.
There was an answering nicker as a shadow seemed to move. No- it was a horse, a gelding, black as night. Heero watched as the beast approached its master and nuzzled him affectionately. Duo patted his neck and laughed. "I'm glad to see you, too, Shadow."
Shadow whinnied as Heero approached and held out his hand to be sniffed. He nickered and allowed the Angel to pat him, and Duo smiled. "He likes you, angel. He approves."
Heero cocked an eyebrow. "Does it matter that he does?"
The Dawnchild shot him another heart-stopping smile. "Of course, Heero! I know of few others who make such astute character judgements!"
The angel saddled Shadow as Duo gathered the rest of his things, and then watched as the Dawnchild loaded up. He seemed to almost be talking to his mount, a steady stream of horse-like sounds that the beast answered back to.
The angel's eyes narrowed as the Dawnchild slung a clanking bag over the horse's back- he caught the glint of well-polished metal from its interior. He downright frowned as Duo strapped a sword to his back, a silver pommel protruding from a sable black, long sheath. "That's not the same sword you used when you helped us."
"No, it's not," Duo answered. "I haven't used this blade in over 150 years."
Heero was surprised. "Since the War? But General Shinigami was known for wielding a scythe, a charmed weapon."
Duo's smile was suddenly dangerous. "Yes, a scythe, a blade that was never defeated. Deathscythe. I... I swore that I would never use that weapon again... when it was all over."
"Surely you didn't throw it away?! A weapon with its power..."
"Of course not, baka!" Duo interrupted. "But I re-made it into something less... noticeable."
Heero pointed the sheathed sword, and Duo nodded. Violet eyes gleamed dully as he continued. "The time is coming for me to wield Deathscythe again. It scares me a little- it is a difficult blade to use, and they will feel it immediately."
The angel nodded and stood in a fluid motion. "Are you ready, then?"
Duo smiled again. "Yes, we should be getting back, angel." He swung up into his saddle easily and extended a hand to Heero, pulling the other up behind him with no apparent effort. "Hold on now! Shadow is as fast as he is handsome!" With no other warning, Duo chirruped to the horse.
Heero's arms tightened around the violet-eyed creature in front of him as Shadow began to move- it almost felt as though they were flying again! He could feel the elation pouring off of the Dawnchild, along with exhilaration, and he couldn't help feeling the same as he held on tightly to the warm, surprisingly well-muscled form in front of his.
Duo smiled to himself as he felt the arms around him tightening and felt Heero's warm breath on the back of his neck. It felt right in a way that few things had in a very long time.
~*~
Trowa watched the battle practice absently, smiling to himself. After watching for fifteen minutes, Treize had jumped up from his perch and engaged Captain Chang in an amical match.
That had been almost an hour ago.
Lord Zechs' guard had long since given up even the pretence of their training, preferring to watch the spectacle of their Captain against the ginger-haired foreigner. Not even Lord Zechs himself had ever given Wufei such a challenge!
Wufei circled, a small grin playing on his lips as he wiped sweat from his brow with his left shirt sleeve. Treize was good- excellent, even. For some reason, this pleased the Lord of Air- and served to further his fascination with the man. He had been taken in by Treize's seeming perfect control when they first met, and it had only grown since then.
Treize attacked without warning, striking a feint from the right, yet already spinning for the real blow to come. Wufei's eyes glinted in sheer pleasure as he almost danced out of the way, breezing away as though 'fatigue' was something that only happened to lesser mortals.
He struck in turn, hardly surprised that Treize managed to get around him. He was usually far more reserved about putting on such a show in front of the men, but he hadn't enjoyed a fight like this one in so long- so long that he couldn't truly remember.
He abruptly threw down his small shield and drew a second blade, gratified to see Treize mirroring the gesture, a bright sparkle in his cornflower eyes... "Shit!" the Captain gasped as he was suddenly forced into a series of parries and blocks, caught off balance. He cringed at the laughter he heard- it was extremely rare that the men saw him almost fall on his ass.
And yet... there was a sudden flash of understanding in his opponent's eyes. Treize flashed him a warm smile as he, too, slipped and almost went down, giving Wufei the precious seconds he needed to recover.
Trowa felt it as Heero and the Dawnchild rode in together, and did not turn as they approached. He called over his shoulder, "Welcome back! Why don't you join us for the show?"
His eyes widened as he heard Duo speaking in soft, little nickers and heard something replying. Trowa's whole body spun- Shadow whinnied at him in greeting.
The green-eyed youth was on his feet in an instant, a look of wonder on his face. "He... he's beautiful! Duo, is he yours?"
The Dawnchild laughed. "You bet! This is Shadow." He turned to the horse and stroked its head gently. "Shadow, this is Trowa Kushrenada, Lord of Earth."
He tossed his head in what was almost a bow. It is an honour, Earth Lord.
Trowa nearly jumped and turned to stare at the grinning Dawnchild. "Huh- he... he spoke to me!"
Duo chuckled. "Get used to it, Trowa friend! Speaking with animals is only one of your gifts, as part of what you are."
Trowa spared a glance for Heero, who merely shook his unruly head. He turned back to the violet-eyed creature. "But... you spoke to him, as well."
Duo shook his head slowly. "Yes and no. I speak to him in his own language. You can speak directly to the thoughts of any creature."
It was only then that Trowa took in the rest of the scene, the sword on Duo's back, the heavy saddlebags that seemed to be carrying armour. He was about to ask...
"Hold! I yield, Captain!" Trowa spun again, hearing his brother's voice crying out, followed by the cheers of the onlooking crowd.
Treize and Wufei both seemed to be laughing as the Captain hauled the ginger-haired man from his undignified sprawl on the practice grounds. They were still mastering breathing as the other three approached, Shadow following of his own accord.
Trowa gave Wufei a rare true smile. "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear him surrender, Wufei!"
Treize managed a half-hearted glare in his brother's direction before he turned back to the Captain with a smooth smile. "Luck, my friend! Congratulations, but I expect a re-match sometime." Both men leaned wearily on their swords for a moment.
Wufei was the first to straighten. "It would be my pleasure, Treize." Everyone clapped and shouted as the two shook hands.
Wufei turned and gave Duo a long stare. He finally gave a small, tight smile and said, "Please take down your hood, Duo. People must learn to show proper respect."
The Dawnchild was thoroughly surprised as Trowa's hand stole behind him and yanked on the hood- Duo's chestnut braid gleamed in the sunlight...
Duo looked around uncomfortably- all conversation had stopped and everyone had turned to stare at him in open shock. He squirmed and muttered, "Maybe I should tattoo 'I come in peace' onto my forehead..."
The Captain motioned his men in closer- it was time to tell them something approximating the truth. "Alright, men, you deserve to know what we are training for. The approaching enemy... is an ancient evil out of the Elder Wars. It is immensely powerful, but it has been beaten in the past. This person you see," he pointed to the fidgeting Dawnchild, "was there- he was one of the generals on that battlefield. With his help, we might be able to win, as well."
Lieutenant Walker, one of Wufei's best, managed to speak after several attempts. "What chances do we truly have against ancient magic, sir?"
Duo concentrated for a second, only opening his eyes when he heard the startled gasps and yelps of the men around them. He smiled- all four Elementals and the Angel were glowing with resonating power. "We are not lost yet, soldier- there is much power in this place, if we can learn to use it properly," he said.
He released the summoned energy and the glows faded to nothing.
Walker turned to Duo and shrewdly asked, "And how do they compare to you, My Lord?"
The Dawnchild raised an eyebrow at the use of the title, but fell serious again. "They are immensely powerful, but it would be cowardly to run."
Heero added, "We can't know until we try."
Another soldier looked highly sceptical, though. "So the Dawnchild says. And yet an army of his kind is coming. Is he not the enemy, too, then?"
"Watch yourself, Otto," Wufei growled in warning, but it was already too late- the soldier was shouldering past his comrades.
Otto sneered, "He'll ensnare us all and hand Lord Zechs over like a slave!" Leaping under Heero and Treize's lunges to stop him, he launched himself at the braided creature, his fingers curling around the hilt of the sword, still strapped to the Dawnchild's back.
"AAAHHH!" His screech of pain echoed harshly on the courtyard walls- Otto was screaming as though he had been set on fire. Wufei and Treize quickly yanked him away- he collapsed weakly into their arms, a small trickle of blood on his lips.
Duo quickly knelt by his side as the others set him gently on the ground- the Dawnchild was pale with worry as he opened a psychic link with the human. "Guardians! He won't last long..." he muttered to himself, his face falling into a frown.
As men converged on the Dawnchild, Heero and Trowa drew on them. "Keep your distance, or you have been warned," the green-eyed youth growled menacingly.
All eyes were drawn, however, as Duo threw his head back and a blinding glow of white light enveloped his and Otto's still form. Duo's eyes opened, violet gleaming from the maelstrom of purity and white blazing fire-
The glow faded in less than a second.
The Dawnchild sat back, momentarily drained, as Otto began to stir and slowly sat up, clutching his head. Trowa drew a deep sigh of relief as he re-sheathed his sword and carefully helped Duo to his feet. He received a small smile of thanks in return.
Heero's eyes bored in on the soldier's face. "Are you alright, Otto?"
The man nodded to him before turning to Duo. "I apologise for doubting you, Lord Shinigami. But..." His eyes flew wide as his face drained of colour. "You- you're supposed to be dead with the rest of the Council!"
TBC...
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