'...' thoughts
/.../ telepathy
Daystar's Prophecy Part 27
As Hilde sat, holding her husband's limp hand, she could not help but think back over the previous weeks and wonder at all the changes that had occurred in her life. From living a monitored life at the elven palace in Shantari to hiding as outlaws in the dwarves' stronghold; it had been quite an eventful time. And the changes themselves had been both for the good; her thoughts drifted to the life now growing inside of her as well as the blue-eyed, human boy that had made Duo so happy, as well as for the bad, visions of the council and Gaison slipped unwanted into her mind. But while she would have gladly done anything in her power to stop some of the things that had transpired from happening, she also knew that without them, they might not be where they were now.
With that thought, her eyes drifted down the line of cots, filled as they were with the other five sleeping forms before finally stopping at the last and furthest from her. She, like Howard, experienced a moment of disbelief at seeing the pure worry and concern that seemed to glow from Jess as the elf leaned over Wufei's prone form, his hand held in her own just as Hilde currently clung to Solo. Just as the other times she had glanced in that direction, she allowed herself a moment to wonder at the relationship between the elven resistance leader and the spry human before her eyes drifted back down to Solo's sleeping face. A heavy sigh drained from her chest as she stared longingly at his closed eyes, something she had been doing quite a lot of since he and the others had fallen unconscious nearly an hour ago. From her vigil seat, she reached forward with her free hand to brush the blonde hair back from her husband's forehead just as the doors to the meeting room were slammed open and an irate Howard came stomping through.
"Fuck." he snapped then turned and slammed the doors shut equally as hard behind him. The dwarf had left the room only about ten minutes ago to check on the rest of the hold and make sure everything was running all right, from his red face and fixed scowl though, she could tell he was not bearing good news. Releasing Solo's hand and rising from her seat, Hilde immediately started across the room, noting out the corner of her eyes as Jess did the same. Both elves arrived at the seething dwarf's side at the same time.
"What's wrong, Howie?" Hilde asked, her face showing her concern and growing apprehension.
"It's the elves." the dwarf growled and pushed past them to begin pacing the length of the room.
"The council?" Jess queried as she moved to give him more room to work off his frustration.
"The whole fucking army." Howard snarled and whirling to pin them both with his angry gaze, one they knew was not directed at them, but at the circumstances. "All my scouts've come in, and I mean all of them, and they're saying the entire fucking bunch of them are only a day's ride from here with the whole fucking council leading them."
"How's that possible?" Hilde asked as she swayed slightly on her feet from the realization of what the dwarf meant. "Shouldn't we've been warned sooner?"
"Sooner?!" Howard howled. "Up 'til this morning, I was still under the impression they were in Shantari, plotting and planning like they always do. How the hell they made it here in such a short time, I just don't know."
"It was Zallithus." a soft voice said from behind them and they immediately turned to find the six sleepers fully awake and sitting up on their cots. Hilde's exclamation of happiness reverberated through the room as thoughts of the approaching army evaporated and she launched herself at her blonde-haired husband, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on for all she was worth.
"Easy, Hil." the green-eyed elf cautioned while pulling his smaller wife into his lap and holding her just as close. "You shouldn't be over doing anything."
Giving the reunion a brief smile, Jess then leveled her sight at Duo, but not before sparing a glance to ensure that Wufei was fine as well. "What do you mean?" she asked the sleepy-eyed fairy.
"Shinigami says that Zallithus probably used magic to increase their speed." Duo explained while standing from the cot and stretching his arms over his head, feeling his back pop.
"We still should've seen them coming before this." Howard protested.
"How far are they away?" Heero questioned even as he walked around the end of the braided fairy's cot to wrap one arm around the boy's waist, his hand gently massaging the tense muscles of the boy's lower back.
"About a day's ride, maybe less."
/He used magic, of course./ A dismissive snort sounded through Heero's head and he had to close his eyes for a moment as a wave of disorientation swept over him. Becoming accustomed to Reestlin's spirit in his mind was not going to be an easy task.
"Zallithus would have used magic to hide them as well." Wufei echoed the spirit's words only a second later.
"Yeah, only letting the spell drop when they were close to scare us." Duo added.
"Wait a second." Howard said, holding up his hand while his face screwed up in confusion. "Who the hell is Zallithus?"
"It's a long story." Quatre offered, earning him a chuck from his tall lover that was echoed by Diadona in his mind. "And unfortunately we don't have the time to explain right now."
"Quatre's right." Heero said with a sharp nod of his head before taking Duo by the hand and pulling him toward the door. "We only a have a day to finish our training."
"Hold on a minute." the dwarf protested as he turned to following the retreating human and fairy.
"Come on, old man." Duo called back over his shoulder with a big smile, he always did like it when Heero showed his strength. "I'll give ya the shortened version as we walk." And a shorted version it was, but by the time they arrived at the exit to the practice grounds, Howard, Hilde, and Jess were at least aware of the highlights concerning the scythe's retrieval and consequential meeting with the spirits.
Once they were actually on the grounds though, all thoughts of playfulness stopped as the six newly made warriors and their bonded spirits started to work. With only a day to complete the physical side of their training, the spirits left them with no room for much of anything else as they coached them from the depths of their minds. Training in both magic and weapon use was the plan for the rest of the day and they took as much advantage of the time they had only falling into their respective beds long after sundown to rest for the following day.
********************
When the next morning broke, it was grey and damp as a storm slowly made its way in over the mountains from the west. What little, diluted sunlight that managed to pass through the thick clouds did nothing to dispel the gloom that hung over the day, only casting everything with a hazy film that seemed to shimmer in lazy circles.
/Magical reverberance./ Shinigami explained softly to Duo where he sat astride Malikai's back. The six of them had been up since before the wan sun's emergence over the horizon and were currently gathered just outside of the dwarves' stronghold with a contingency of dwarf and elven resistance warriors at their back to lend support. The large, stone doors were ready to be closed after them, leaving them to face Zallithus and his army while keeping the remaining residents safe.
"Hn. It's time to move." Heero called back over the front line of warriors only a moment later, raising his hand as well to give the signal. Then spurring his horse, he started them forward, setting a pace that would quickly take them through the narrow pass that lead to the plains bordering the Southern Mountains to the north.
Just as he had been doing since the day before, Shinigami spent the time traveling the pass to coach and reassure the little fairy in the only way he knew how. With words of comfort and mental caresses that were meant to set the boy at ease but, unfortunately, could not completely calm his racing heart. Still the spirit tried, knowing as he did that Duo would play an important role in the upcoming battle and could not be allowed to succumb to the doubt and fear that pervaded his mind. Meanwhile, riding at his side, Heero could sense his lover's distress as well and wished desperately that he could do something to keep Duo from having to face this. He also knew that the six of them would be needed if they planned to win this battle though, so he simply reached over to squeeze the boy's free hand, giving him the physical reassurances that he desperately needed.
Not far behind them, Trowa was currently doing the same for his own little lover. Even though the two of them had already seen quite a few battles in their short lives, it was not something the blonde-haired boy enjoyed. He also knew that the coming battle could not be compared to anything they had already faced and he sought to give Quatre as much encouragement as he could.
"I'm alright, Trowa." Quatre said softly, and turned to give the brunette a soft smile but he did not release the lightly clasped hand.
"I just worry." Trowa replied, squeezing the hand gently in response. It had been decided that Quatre would need his own horse for this just as Heero had been given one too; the risk to both riders on a single mount during battle was just too great.
"I know." the blonde boy smiled yet again before turning back to the path, not far ahead, he could see the break in the rocks signifying the end of the pass. In the next instant, the two allowed themselves to fall into the warrior mindset they had adopted for their own war, only allowing a moment more of lingering touch before pulling away and focusing their concentration of the battle ahead.
When they finally broke from the mountain pass a few minutes later and crossed into the plains, Duo could not help the gasp that escaped his lips. Spread out in front of them was more than a thousand elves, all dressed in full battle armor and prepared to fight. For one sinking moment, the fairy felt hopelessness begin to take over his mind at the thought of their much smaller numbers pitted against such a large army.
/Oh no you don't, little fairy/ Shinigami chided, giving the boy a mental shake. /If you give up now, we're all done. You can't let Zall intimidate you./
/But there's so many./ his barely whispered reply echoed through his mind. /How are we supposed--/
/It's only the council members you have to worry about./ the spirit stopped him, knowing that dwelling on it would only further inflame his doubt. /And if I know Zall, he'll be more than ready to face us head to head by now./
While Shinigami continued his encouragement, the small rebel force continued across the plains. Once they had only traveled a fourth of the distance, a group to the front of the army broke off and headed in their direction. It did not take long for them to recognize the council members leading the group, with Hallion sitting in the very front.
"My, my, my, what a ragtag group you have here, Seeker." the elf sneered once the two groups had met near the halfway point. Duo could not help the flinch that the use of his title caused in him; after spending his whole life at this elf's mercy, it was hard to break those ingrained reactions. Both within him and beside him, his bonded spirit and lover noticed it and each gave a growl in answer. "Or should I say, Shinigami." Zallithus continued without noticing their reaction, proving beyond any doubt just who was in control of the elf's body.
"He's here." Duo answered, surprising himself when his voice came out calm and smooth, while his stomach wanted to jump out his throat.
"Yes, I know." the elf's smile grew even more before he waved for one of the soldiers to come forward. "I hope you don't mind, but I brought you and he a little present. It truly has been too long since I've seen my old friend."
Once the soldier drew abreast of the possessed elf, the others could see a form draped across the back of the horse he was riding. With great flourish, Zallithus grabbed the limp form by the back of the shirt and drug it from the horse's back, allowing it to fall to the ground with a heavy thump where it rolled onto its back. To Duo's horror, he found himself staring into Jeric's bruised and bloody face.
"Oh gods." he breathed and made to dismount, thinking of nothing else but going to his friend's side. Heero's hand on his elbow stopped him though and the dark-haired boy refused to let him go when he pulled at the hold.
"It's what he wants, Duo." the boy whispered while pulling the fairy and their two horses closer so he could try and comfort him.
"He was quite the fighter, keeping your secret to the very end." Zallithus touted with an unholy glee in his eyes. The sight of unadulterated anguish in that heart-shaped face giving him more happiness than he had had in many thousands of years. "But he broke in the end; they always break in the end."
"Shut up you sick bastard." a snarled growl penetrated the stillness that had settled over meeting and Duo pried his eyes from the small elf's body to see Jess making her way through the group toward the front. It was evident from her actions that she intended to retrieve Jeric's body.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the little thorn in the elves' side." Zallithus chucked. "And I see you've brought your little rebel group with you. I should've had Hallion destroy the lot of you years ago."
Instead of answering, Jess merely slipped from her horse once she had cleared their group and stalked forward. Her face showing only determination and rage as she approached the council and elven warriors that guarded their backs before slipping among them and knelling at the small elf's side. To everyone's relief, Zallithus merely sat with a mocking smile on his face and no one tried to stop her as she laboriously draped the limp body over her shoulder and started back toward the others.
When she was only half way back, Zallithus' voice once again filled the quiet. "You thought you could protect him, keeping him at the palace. No one would think to look for him in the stables, right under their very noses. Your precious little brother was perfectly safe, or so you thought."
Those words forced a startled gasp from Duo's lips but Jess showed no sign of even hearing them as she continued walking. However, just as she was about to turn and head for her horse, she looked up and locked her gaze with that of the fairy's and in her eyes, Duo could see the truth; Jeric may have been seriously injured, but he was not yet dead.
Relief like he had not known in a long time flowed through Duo, nearly sending him sliding from Malikai's back. But Zallithus' sneering voice brought him back to the moment at hand just as the dark elf raised his hand to strike at Jess' exposed back. The dark mage did not like being ignored.
Without a second thought, Duo spurred Malikai forward, raising his hand to create a shield of air that deflected Zallithus' blast away from the grey-eyed elf's back. It was as if a flag had been thrown then, Trowa, Quatre, and Wufei moved in from the fairy's right, engaging the seven council members that occupied that side while Heero and Solo charged after the remaining four. Each one calling their weapons to hand as they moved. As had been decided the day before, they would concentrate their attacks on the council members with the intention of injuring, but not killing them. They knew that it was Zallithus' influence over them that had caused their actions in the past so once the dark mage was dealt with, the other members would be free.
Duo on the other hand had a very specific job to accomplish. While the others were busy with the council members, he was left to face Zallithus alone until they had succeeded in subduing them. It was something else that had been decided the night before, much to Heero's protests. But the braided fairy had known from the beginning it would be he that faced the possessed elf and had finally calmed his lover into reluctantly accepting it, even if he still did not like the idea. But the time for discussion was past now and as the braided fairy bore down on Zallithus, he raised his right hand, calling forth the scythe just as Shinigami had trained him to.
His first swipe at the elf was met by the clanging of the elf's sword that fended the attack and left Duo's hands stinging. But he would not give up and pass after pass they traded attacks. Both swinging their blades with precise movements while launching elemental magic attacks, meant to incapacitate the other. Then, something happened. As Duo turned Malikai for yet another charge, his hands nearly gone numb from wielding the scythe, he found himself gifted by Zallithus' soft smile. A look so foreign on that normally hard and cold face caused Duo to hesitate for just a second, but it was all the elf needed to launch a blast of elemental water at the fairy, catching Duo in the chest and knocking him from his horse.
He landed with a jarring thud, flat on his back, which then caused him to drop the scythe and left him gasping to draw air into his compressed lungs. From across the battlefield, Heero's scream of protest at seeing his little lover fall went unnoticed as the two council members he was currently engaging, doubled their efforts at seeing his diverted attention. Turning back to them with rage in his eyes, he once again cursed their decision of keep these elves alive; fighting to injure and not kill was making it all the more difficult.
"You really shouldn't have let him try this, Shin." Zallithus' conceited voice cut through to Duo's pain fogged mind and he forced himself to roll onto his side before trying to push himself up. He managed to reach his knees when Zallithus' arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him up and against the possessed elf's chest. Then the dark mage gripped the small fairy's chin tightly, forcing him to look out across the field that was quickly turning red with the blood of elf, dwarf, and human alike.
"Such a wonderful sight, don't you think?" Zallithus purred in his ear. "You used to so enjoy watching a good battle. Watching the blood spill and coat the ground. Remember, Shin, the feeling of elation at seeing your opponent bowed at your feet just before you ended his sorry life."
"Let me go." Duo yelled even as he struggled to break the elf's hold on him. But the sight before him was quickly draining what little fight remained in him, it was so much like the one he had been forced to watch nearly a thousand years ago.
"It must have been hell, being stuck in such weak bodies." the dark mage continued as if he had not spoken. "But I gave you a taste of what you craved at the end of the last war and now I give you this. This is what you were made for, Shin, this is what you are."
"No." the braided fairy moaned softly as he tried to avert his eyes, but Zallithus would not be denied.
"I see you're still in control, Seeker. But it won't be long before the lure of the darkness forces Shinigami to the front, tearing your pathetic spirit apart. And now that I've shown him what he truly wants, he'll gladly bow at my feet just as he did before that brother of his turned him against me."
"But for now, I have something special for you, little fairy." the elf said softly into the boy's ear. "A nice little show I think you'll appreciate."
With that, Zallithus turned Duo's head until the fairy could feel the muscles in his neck protesting. But the scene before him quickly took his mind from the pain. Solo was currently fighting three of the council members, of which, he had managed to take one down. With a few quickly strikes of his sword, Duo watched as the blonde elf take one more out before turning to face the last.
Behind him, Zallithus watched the fight with mild amusement. The fact that they were trying so hard to keep from killing the other members of the council pleased him to no end, since it was a weakness he would more than happily use. So, focusing his attention on the first of the fallen elves, he chanted the words to a spell, sending only a small amount of darkness energy to the still body. In the next instant, the elf sat up and even though his face remained lax and his eyes remained closed, he stood and hefted his sword. Solo, who was still intent on dealing with the one remaining council member, did not see or sense him. Duo on the other hand let out a piercing and anguished cry at the elf's sword plunged into his brother's back.
"You see, little fairy." Zallithus purred. "I've already won."
********************
Duo was falling. In his mind's eyes, he could still see the sword as it entered Solo's back no matter how hard he tried to block it out. And try he did. To stop the pain, to stop the anguish, to shut out the sight, sounds, and smell of the battle, he withdrew into himself, hiding away from it all. From his place inside Duo mind, Shinigami watched with growing alarm.
"No Duo, you can't give up now." he called even as he felt the boy's consciousness slipping away.
"I can't." came the whispered and guilt-ridden reply, an echo of his words only a day ago and Shinigami knew that the fairy had reached his limit.
"It's alright, little fairy, you rest now." he cooed to the boy's abused and wounded soul. "I'll take care of everything now."
With that, Duo's mind drifted out of the spirit's reach, entering a part of himself that Shinigami could not reach. A place where he would be safe. The spirit of darkness on the other hand, allowed himself a rueful smile. He had known from the beginning that things could go this way, although he had prayed that somehow he would be wrong. But with the moment at hand, he felt his anticipation begin to grow.
"Time to say hello to an old friend." he smirked.
********************
At the sight of the blonde-haired elf collapsing with the sword still embedded in his back, Zallithus allowed a hearty laugh to escape his mouth even as he severed the link he had with his puppet, allowing the council elf to fall to the ground once again. In his arms, he was well aware of the violet-eyed fairy falling limp as well and his smile grew even wider.
Just as he was bending to pick the small boy up though, thinking his conquest was at hand, Duo's hand shot out and grasped him by the arm, hurling him across the small clearing that had opened up around them. For a stunned moment, the dark mage could only lie there and stare at the gray sky. When the fairy's voice reached his ears only a moment later, he felt a shiver pass the length of this spine.
"That wasn't a very nice thing to do to my little fairy, Zall." the boy said and the mage turned his head to see a cocky grin plastered on that heart-shaped face.
"Shinigami." he breathed as he watched the fairy walk over and pick up the fallen scythe.
"The one and only." the spirit spoke, giving his weapon a few practice swings to reacquaint himself with it before turning and heading in Zallithus' direction. "And now it's time for this to end."
TBC...
Back to Gypsie1201's Fanfictions Page