Love Conquers All Part 11

The Great Room's heavy door slammed shut. The terminal tenor of its closing exploded in a deafening report echoing down the dim corridor. The soldier, his lover and the immortal Priests stood together. Heero raised his sword angling it across his chest then reached back to take Duo's hand. Trowa checked the crossbow making certain the arrow was firmly in place and the trigger set engaged. He handed the quiver of arrows to Quatre.

"Well this is it." Trowa declared as he lifted the crossbow and sighted down the shaft.

Quatre shivered as he felt as though a thousand eyes were peering from the hall's gloomy expanse. He took in a deep breath using its tension releasing energy to focus his intuitive insight to its most heightened levels. His physical instincts were, with sure evidence, being touched by something unseen. Some transcendental link had been made. The resulting connection was troubling and carried with it a real danger.

Beyond the arched passage's black edges an almost transparent silhouette, more shadow than substance, crawled along the wall. The God of Light sensed its approach but when he turned to look the invisible "tracker" quickly scaled the rough stone. Its elusive shaped blended perfectly with the dim shade where the wall's angle met the ceiling. Two pinpoints glowed red as the creature's eyes watched the soon to be combatants below. Then with swift and silent flight Chang's Shadow Spy went ahead to ready the element warriors for their upcoming contest.

*********

As the Sorcerer's objects of sport gathered their wits Heero paused a moment to get his bearings then took the lead. Duo and Quatre made up the small group's nucleus with Trowa acting as rearguard. Steadily but prudently they advanced. After Decador's quite graphic demonstration of his powers, as Yuy's blistered hand ached and the sword's blade bared the discolored scorches of heat, no one doubted that the deranged wizard could produce Chang's three Dark Element Warriors as promised. Quatre's failure to heal Heero's hand was further proof that the Dark Lord did indeed rule over the Dragon's domain.

Where would the damnable devils be waiting? Would they strike as one or would each, in turn, choose the time and place for their battle? What personal means of vicious and ruinous devastation could they, like their mad Master, invoke?

Those bewildering questions groped inside everyone's thoughts. The terrifying puzzlements attempted by pure horror to drive the hapless victim's minds into a state so fearful as to cause them to jump at their own shadows. Human and immortal alike knew they had to guard their minds and hearts for if the evil essence of Decador's influence was allowed to take hold each knew they would be beaten before they began.

Each person trusted that they could count on their comrade's strength and purity of heart, that not one of them would fall without the other's intervenient force to save them. And if the courage was not sufficient they all would, if necessary, resign themselves together to death's icy entombment.

The corridor curved to the right, dark and dank, the way ahead melting into the murky gloom. An odd noise like stone scraping on stone cause the gathered guardians of both realms to freeze in place. But as quickly as the strange sound began it fell suddenly silent leaving only an eerie quiet. Heero stared into the blanket of shadows and angled his sword to intercept any forthcoming threat. Trowa moved beside his human counterpart his crossbow held at the ready.

Gradually a solid shape towering well above the cautious group filled their path. The "human" outline was at least ten feet tall with shoulders so broad that they brushed against the walls. A gray face with skin rough and cracked glared down from the corridor's dim obscurity. One eye shone with a dull amber glow. Its optical partner, almost entirely covered over with jagged thick scars, appeared all but useless. The way the large form tilted its head, aiming its left eye downwards, further confirmed the lost of sight on the right side.

Heero had no intension of giving the first of Chang's challengers a moment to prepare for battle. He raised his sword in a double-handed grip. Jumping forward he swiftly struck the figure's middle. The heavy blade bounced off a hardened surface. The resulting shockwave traveled through the hardened steel. Yuy's hand shook, the strong quivering nearly causing him to lose his grip as a nerve-biting tingle coursed up his arm and shoulder.

The hulking form never flinched offering no noticeable reaction to the well-aimed thrust. From the darkness a huge hand swept across. The powerful swipe hit Heero's upper body from stomach to head sending him sprawling at Trowa's feet. Wheezing from having his air expelled the King's Captain pushed up on wobbly arms shaking his head to halt the woozy images swirling behind his eyes.

Again the outstretched arm snaked down this time reaching for Quatre. He backed away gasping with a startled intake of air. His withdrawal was too late. The Rock Giant, the Element of Earth, folded a massive hand about Quatre's head. Stony gray fingers wrapped well around his temples meeting at the back. The Fair One's fists flung wildly beating at his captor's crushing grip but none of his frail blows made a difference.

"LET HIM GO!" Trowa shouted stepping past Heero who with Duo's help was just managing to sit up.

The Dark God threw up the crossbow until the arrow's steel tip came into line with the Giant's craggy features. "Let him go or I will fire." Trowa hissed steadying up his aim.

An amused grim followed the crooked lines etched around the Giant's mouth, "I think not," the stone Demon declared with a sneer, "not unless you want the boy to die."

Trowa set his jaw, "I WILL kill you." he promised trying to ignore the pleading in his lover's frightened eyes. He could not allow anything to distract his attention; too much was at stake.

"Well immortal let us see if you are fast enough to stop me before I crush his skull." the demon challenged Trowa's skill as he lifted Quatre off the floor.

Quatre continued to lash out at the granite beast. His fists struck solidly with no results than to bruise and bloody his knuckles. The monster, its pleased smile expanding to expose a mouthful of smooth pointed teeth like stalactites in a great carven, increased the pressure. Slowly Quatre's punches lost their power, his strength failing as his weakened body gave into the crippling vice-like grip. All at once his struggling stopped. Arms flopped hanging limp at his side. Shallow raspy breaths were all that showed he was still alive.

"QUATRE! NO!" The crossbow rose higher.

"Your pitiful weapon will have no affect on me; you would have more success attacking a mountain you foolish creature. And your magic has no power here."

The hulking form leaned closer displaying a murderous scowl, "I can end it now or you can surrender." the earthen devil announced, " If you yield I might just take the boy's spirit and leave the rest. Of course in that case you would only have a shell that breaths but the choice is yours. I would rather enslave you than kill you that is if I can convince the Dragon that you are worth the trouble."

Trowa's eyes narrowed sighting along the arrow's shaft. His finger tightened on the trigger set until the bowline quivered from the tautness. His arm muscles also quivered as they maintained the proper firing level.

"If you try to destroy me," the beast declared sensing Trowa's readiness to deliver the arrow's death sting, "you will surely end your lover's life."

"You release Quatre now," the Dark God ordered, "or you both will die. Either way he will be free."

"But you would not sacrifice your mate?"

Trowa swallowed hard trying to force down the lump clogging his throat so it no longer blocked his trembling breaths. Willfully he summoned up the last of his waning courage and prepared to do what he had to. The decision was the hardest one he ever had to make but for Quatre's sake he had to follow through.

"If his living means his soul would be forever under your evil sway I will not hesitate." he proclaimed, "Quatre would be dead to me whether he surrendered his spirit or his life."

From Heero's lowly position by the gargantuan's stony feet its ankles and shins were the only body parts he could see. Gently touching several sore knots on his face Yuy found no part of his jaw or chin had been spared from the Rock Demon hand's contact. "His whole body is made of rock." He whispered to Duo as he knelt by his side.

"Every part cannot be invincible." Maxwell reasoned, "He has to have one vulnerable spot. Everything does." he added knowing that nothing in nature was perfect.

"Everything we have knowledge of." Heero countered Duo's assessment of the huge demon's physical qualities. "Stay here." he ordered getting up on his hands and knees. "Guard this until I return." he requested handing his partner his Father's beloved present.

Duo nodded, "Be careful." Heero smiled squeezing his lover's hand then brushed his lips across the same hand's pale palm. "I will." he promised determined that he and Duo would have the rest of their lives together.

With the Giant's limited sight focused on Quatre as he swayed like a rag doll in his grasp and his concentration divided by Trowa's bold efforts to save his lover, the human soldier had all but been forgotten. Likewise his auburn haired partner, viewed as a small speck of humanity, had been deemed no threat at all.

As Heero crawled towards the two stone pillars that passed as the Giant's legs he craned his neck trying to estimate the demon's full height but his sight ran out long before the enormous head and one glowing eye could be seen.

"There has to be way to bring him down." Yuy insisted to himself.

By gradual degrees Heero's soldier's instinct that served as his soul's council spoke with assured clarity. Its message was gratefully accepted as it offered a clear direction. Heero smiled with relief knowing at last how to overcome the Rock Demon.

He inched forward pausing by Trowa. "When I tell you to shoot for his eye." he instructed. A slight shift in his immortal allies' stance told Yuy that Trowa heard and understood.

Now marksman's skill not magic was Quatre's redemption. The Dark God held his breath putting all his attention into assuring that his shot would hit the single small target and create a mortal wound. One chance was all he had. If the Giant was not immediately disabled, if the shot was anything but fatal, the pain the Earth Demon would suffer and resulting anger would surely mean his lover's end. If the arrow's deathblow was instantaneous perhaps the clasping fingers would become frozen. Maybe then the deadly grip would be broken and Quatre would be freed.

*"If not?"* a haunting voice asked inside Trowa's mind. "It will work." he insisted ignoring the disturbing question, "It has to work."

Making himself as compact as possible Heero crept up to the stone demon. Carefully he raised up on his knees reaching for Quatre's dangling legs then his hips before finally slipping one arm around the Fair One's slim waist. Just as cautiously Yuy slide the other arm about the sagging body and ever so slowly stood up. This was one instant that Heero Yuy was glad he was an insignificant human.

Steadying his balance Heero took a deep breath and screamed out Quatre's means of deliverance. "TROWA DO IT NOW!"

The order echoed along the walls. The reverberative words caused the supposedly infallible beast to tilt his head in an inquiring manner. Unfortunately for the Element of Earth the angular repositioning directed its one good eye exactly where they wished it to be. Trowa's practiced skill centered his target. His finger finished the pull. "Die you seed of Sheol!" the God of Darkness yelled releasing the arrow's tension and sending it on its deadly mission.

At the same moment of Trowa's damning cry the arrow's steel-tipped end bore into the Giant's eye spewing bloody fluid everywhere. Its powerful flight did not end until it became embedded deeply enough in the Rock Demon's skull to plant its entire shaft into its brain.

Heero jerked Quatre down and backwards seconds before long stony fingers curled into a tight fist. Scrambling for a foothold on the damp floor Yuy dragged the Fair One's lax frame to the far wall. Gathering up his comrade Heero pivoted using his own body as a shield. Protectively cradling Quatre between himself and the wall he watched in horror as Trowa's skillfully executed shot started a chain reaction.

A howling shriek resounded as the Giant's agonizing screams bounced again and again over the bare corridor. Great stone hands clawed at the blood-soaked shaft with only the feathery end protruding from the blinded socket. The anguished wails rattled along the hall until the death throe cry's volume faded away into silence. A guttural growl shook in the Giant's throat then a gurgle then nothing.

The Earth Element stiffened, its rigid posture taking on a quite convincing imitation of a statue as blood stained hands dropped swinging loosely at his sides. The crimson flow continued unchecked gushing out of the mangled eye socket running with rapid speed over its craggy features. Large droplets gathered on its chin until their union merged and gave into gravity. Their condensed dripping, like scarlet rain, splattered on the gritty floor in a wide overspread. Then a long creak gave the only warning that the battle was over and the Chang's first warrior had been defeated.

Wrapping his arms and legs around Quatre, Heero rolled to the side. Just as quickly Duo dropped to one knee, threw out both hands and pushed in the opposite direction. Trowa barely had time to jump away before the Rock Demon's wavering form began to pitch over. A shrill grating, followed by a sharp pop told everyone the towering Giant's joints were coming undone. Like a felled tree the massive stature of now petrified stone toppled forward the entire body stiff and erect.

Trowa crossed his arms over his head, closed his eyes and prayed that he had moved far enough to avoid the crushing colossus falling straight for him. Walls shook, the floor vibrated as the mammoth stone form crashed with deafening thunder. The body seemed to explode breaking into pieces ranging from large boulders to pulverized pebbles. Then a tense silence enveloped the corridor. Thick clouds of choking dust saturated the hall. The sifting concentration covered everyone and everything. Not one of the scattered group was untouched by the fine powder.

Trowa slowly relaxed squinting through the gray haze left behind in the fallen Demon's wake. He tensed once more as he realized a huge and quite heavy section of torso laid only a foot or so from his own prone body. Another lesser piece but one still large enough to crush bone was actually touching his right leg. Eyes watering and head throbbing Trowa planted his hands on the powder strewn floor and started to sit up. A raspy wheeze shook in his lungs stinging his insides before two ponderous breaths caught in his chest.

The God of Darkness' partners in the Rock Giant toppling adventure were also, by a sluggish process, restoring themselves to some measure of normalcy. Like Trowa's harsh breathing, a fit of coughing erupted from each of his shaken comrades.

"Is everyone all right?" Duo anxiously asked shaking the whitish grit from his hair and clothing. It seemed from his initial observation that all of his brothers in arms had indeed come through the ordeal with bodies in tact if not a little worse for the wear.

Heero sat up holding Quatre against his chest. His head lopped on Yuy's shoulder but a low moan and quivering limbs told Heero that he was alive, however in what condition of body and mind was not immediately clear. Duo joined his soldier giving him a quick kiss before leaning himself and the sword against the wall.

Trowa knelt by his mate's side using soft words and gentle touches to encourage him awake. Fluttering eyelids fought the heaviness still in force from the Giant's squeezing assault. More encouragement from his partner and Quatre's lids rose giving him a marginal view of his dusty surroundings and his equally dusty comrades.

Heero shored up Quatre's weighty posture straightening his back to aid his shallow respirations. No doubt the powder-polluted atmosphere was not helping his struggle to suck in one good inhalation. Another moan, louder and stronger, showed he was winning the battle to come around. Trowa quietly called his lover's name using trembling fingers to wipe away the sandy grit coating Quatre's nose and mouth.

Finally the Fair One's eyes opened but their weak gaze still searched for some focal point, some steady sight to guide him to full awareness. Trowa took his hand rubbing more grainy residue from his skin. "Quatre my love I am here." he called adding his own brand of encouragement.

The God of Light shifted his sight following the sound of his name spoken by a familiar voice. Then he looked up into Trowa and Heero's dirt streaked faces.

"Trowa." he whispered still gazing somewhat unfocused into the settling gray haze.

"I am here." Trowa repeated tightening his hold to emphasize his promise that his mate was not alone. He pushed stray hair from Quatre's wandering eyes leaning close to allow his partner's blurred vision to better see him. "We are all here." he stated blinking back his tears of relief.

Quatre tried to sit up bowing his back against Heero. Yuy tightened his hold helping to add more stability to his friend's slumping posture. "Be still." he urged, "Don't move until we are certain you are not hurt."

"What happened?" he asked in a confused tone. Then the picture of a jagged face and a glowing amber eye returned suddenly. The alarming scene was flawlessly reproduced with frightening clarity in Quatre's mind. "NO!" he screamed throwing his arms up in front of his face attempting with terrified panic to hide from the horrendous features invading his mind.

Heero wrapped his embrace tighter to bind up his flinging arms rocking Quatre's shivering body to counteract the dreadful vision. Trowa caught his wrists not wanting his lover's wild waving about to cause any further injury. "Quatre please, it is all right." he coaxed keeping his gentle but firm restraint in force.

"Shhhhh." Duo whispered stroking Quatre's silken hair as he, too, wanted so desperately to chase away the mental demons.

"Let me have him." Trowa said. Duo helped Heero with the transfer. Holding his lover close, Trowa placed his hand under his mate's chin guiding anxious azure eyes in line with his green centers of sight. "Look at me." he ordered raising his voice to get his attention, "Quatre I said look at me." The Light God's widened pupils continued their unfixed wandering, "Quatre." Trowa repeated.

Little by little Quatre's sight locked onto Trowa's face. Gradually his quaking gave way to lesser tremors until the panic melted away into a limp release of tension. Gentle sobs helped to carry away the remaining anxiety. Finally the Fair One settled down completely exhausted from his near-death encounter. "Rest now my love." Trowa urged hoping that the two remaining demons would not launch their challenges just then.

Heero in a much similar fashion held Duo who, in his own way, was recovering from the frightening contest. The King's Captain would not have readily admitted it but he, too, needed time to restore his own rickety composure. He tried to relax as best he could as Duo snuggled against his chest but a firm grip on his sword, watchful eyes, keen hearing and his instincts all served to remind Heero Yuy that freedom was far from being a reality.

As much as Heero wanted to give his comrades sufficient recuperative time he knew besting the first of Chang's unnatural trio would most likely bolster the remaining competitor's thrust for blood. By their victory he supposed the worthless humans, perhaps in the demon's simple minds, might have been elevated one step beyond soulless animals. If so, the degree of their mortal humanity might have also been raised bringing the entire human race a bit closer to the immortal's superior plane.

Whether or not this trivial promotion would lend them some advantage was not known. It could very well work against them serving to deplete the legion's already short supply of patience with the lesser beings called humans. If the successive Elements believed the mortals were any threat at all to their supremacy what tiny measure of mercy the human warriors might have hoped for would surely now be null and void.

*********

Trowa helped Quatre to stand. The God of Light took in a deep cleansing breath. "I am all right." he announced despite his wobbly wavering. With a determined focus of mind, body and spirit he drew strength from his internal fortitude and his lover's magical kiss. Heero also pulled Duo to his feet grasping his sword in one hand and Duo's hand in the other.

Trowa picked up the reloaded crossbow attaching the quiver to his belt. Quatre paused to steady his gait then started forward, "We need to go." he insisted as his "second sight" sensed a strong presence nearby. "Our next rival is coming."

The castle's clammy dampness had been a constant companion since the brave group's expulsion from the Dragon's Great Room. The chill had continued to doggedly pursue the strangers traveling about its interior. But now something more foreboding had been added to the bone-bare cold. A frosty coating began to glisten along the passage. Sharp spikes of icicles hung from the ceiling. The dropping temperatures caused muscles to ache and joints to move with alterative stiffness. Expelled breath hung in icy clouds further demonstrating the declining warmth.

A blue-white mist had begun to swirl around their feet, the blanched stream seeming to gush up through the floor's crumbling mortar seams. It's soundless drifting created a hauntingly eerie, but somehow beautiful, effect. Everyone stopped short as the raw frigid fog elevated higher covering their boots, clinging to their ankles and finally reaching their knees. A lancing bitterness permeated every inch of the corridor's glacial environment biting the skin and chilling the lungs.

Duo leaned over studying the strange wispy haze. "I don't like this." he declared with an involuntary shiver, expressing the other's physical and mental discomfort with the pervasive mist.

Quatre shook his head in agreement, "I believe we are about to meet our second foe."

TBC...

 

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