Love Conquers All Part 14
The first two representatives of Chang's baleful wickedness had arrived close together joining in a sequential conspiracy. The last it seemed was in no hurry to show itself. On the one hand the lengthy lull after the group's victories could prove to be a disadvantage to the final Element as it gave its quarry much needed recovery time. But on the other, the lapse could also serve to wear down the prey, to work on nerves and give fear time to strengthen its tentacular grasp.
Perhaps the Demon's purpose in its delay was to let the warriors believe they would reach the outer courtyard unopposed. To give false expectations only to dash their hopes just short of their independence. There were plenty of places for an ambush, enough hidden sites to block their path as the way had been blocked before. Whatever the Element's battle plan Heero and his comrades moved in a watchful state, ever ready and ever alert.
Touches had been taken up as once more as damp haze gathered along the hall's interior. A quartet of shadows rippled over the dank passageway's stone walls. Each wavering likeness trailed the next copying its host as Decador's playthings traveled, with cautious vigilance, nearer to freedom. Thick clumps of waterlogged moss covered everywhere the torchlight touched. The soggy atmosphere was so concentrated that a watery cloud actually floated above the slippery floor stones.
"Is there not a dry spot in this accursed place?" Trowa wondered aloud as his boots yet again slid on the mossy film.
"We must be beneath the canal." his fair partner supposed carefully avoiding a slimy puddle.
Quatre didn't dare reveal his mind's plain pictures of possible disaster instead he hoped the constant seepage would not choose that moment to undermine the ceiling. Visions of the roof crashing down, trapping them under its considerable tonnage replayed again and again. And if they did survive the crushing weight then it was certain that drowning from the resulting flood as thousands of gallons were unleashed would surely finish the job.
"Canal?" Duo asked then cringed when a large droplet from the regular trickle overhead splashed at the base of his braid. The chilled globule exploded on contact sending the majority of it slinking down his neck. "We are too far above the river for any waterworks to be constructed." he decided pulling his collar up against the liquid bombardment.
Quatre nodded seeming to have acquired a workable knowledge of the castle's aqueduct system. "Fresh water is furnished by a series of canals linking the creek at the rear wall to the inside and judging by the increased moisture I would say we are near the outside source."
"The system connects to a well in the main section." Duo took up the architectural review, "That is where I always fetched water for my Mas..." the rest of the word trailed off as the awful memories of Chang's slavery caused Duo to shudder.
Heero put his arm about his lover's shoulders giving them a reassuring squeeze, "That bastard Son of Satan will never harm you again," he solemnly promised, "not as long as there is breath in my body and fire in my soul."
"Once we find the source," Quatre continued wanting to quickly change Duo's line of thought, "we could wade outside."
"I would prefer to find a door." Trowa announced as his own mental pictures showed green, scum matted water gathered in stagnant pools at the conduit's mouth. Wide places where gaseous bubbles strained at the surface tension until they popped releasing a stomach-turning stench. He also had vivid visions of scaly, snaky ripples under the filthy film and he was not that anxious to find out what creatures made the mysterious ringlets.
Despite the possible inaccuracies of his hazy intuition, Trowa could not help but wonder if some large serpent, no doubt sporting shape claws and long teeth called the decaying canal home. No, wading through the rotten slick secretions that passed as water was not at all acceptable.
The Fair One must have read his Dark Lover's thoughts. He offered a knowing nod to his partner, "But then again wading may not be our best choice."
As if on cue strong swampy odors flowed along the passage affirming the geographical correctness of the aqueduct's location. Ahead the corridor brightened but just a little as a faint natural glow could be seem beyond the passageway's bend. The lapping of water could be faintly heard from the same direction as the increased light. To their left the hall's structure began to change. Now the sides were only about four feet high. At the shorter wall's top an opened archway showed part of the old canal system. More sizeable clusters of green-gray vegetation cling to the slick stones that formed the half-clogged channel.
Other moss-like lichens hung heavily from the ceiling and draped about the archway. Rusty remains of a pulley, with large links of iron chains still strung over equally rusted wheels, was attached somewhere in the stringy overgrowth. The constant dripping from the saturated plants pelted the floor and walls leaving russet streaks and brownish puddles. The drops also plopped into the stagnant water encircling the contact points with ever- widening rings.
"It can't be much further to the courtyard." Duo announced sidestepping a completely unidentifiable chunk of something slimy.
His curiosity finally winning out, Trowa paused leaning over the archway's rim just enough to see a narrow ledge jutting out from the side. Unfortunately the murky gloom wafting above the canal concealed how far the waterline dropped below the ledge. "Where could it be?" The Dark God asked the strange question that seemed to spring from nowhere in his mind.
Heero turned slightly carefully maneuvering over a shallow stream leaking across his path. "What?" he replied sure that the foul environment had finally eroded the immortal's brain.
"The last Element." The green-eyed god clarified.
"You can bet it is nearby," the King's Captain answered with certainty, "Decador might be mad but he is far from delusional. If he says there are three warriors then the last of the vile creatures will soon appear."
"Well don't encourage its coming by talking about it." Duo stated.
The superstitious notion that not acknowledging the Element's existence would keep it at bay, Quatre knew, had no basis in fact. The tightening along his spine that had proceeded the first two creature's arrival had again caught hold. The grabbing, as his back muscles tensed and a tingle crawled upwards, told the God of Light that they were about to meet the final Demon face to face.
"It is coming." Quatre confirmed moments before frightening alterations began in the passage.
A familiar sulfur scent suddenly filled the corridor but this time it was laced with the pungent smell of smoke. This time a reddish fog formed above the floor. But instead of misty clouds floating lazily along the crimson-tinted haze curled in swirling rolls traveling with fearful force. The torches went dark.
The smoke surged forth, the powerful currents covering the four combatants tearing their eyes and clogging their lungs. Everyone took to a fit of coughing as the rank air invaded noses and throats. Eyes burned and watered until all visions were clouded.
Duo swayed at his soldier's side. Heero caught his arm lending as much support as he could considering his own impaired senses. "I don't want to leave you like this." he stated wiping Duo's tear-streaked cheek.
"I will be all right." Duo encouraged his lover to take up his duty, "As I said before we will make short work of Chang's last bastard child and be home before morning."
Trowa removed the last two arrows, handed the empty quiver to Quatre then joined Heero at the point position. Standing shoulder to shoulder they had to question whether the weapon's display would be any more of an effectual deterrent on the third advancing creature. The sword and crossbow had not helped before still they had to at least mount a bluff even if the ruse was all show with no substance.
Just short of the allies' defense line the smoke paused. Again they were left to wonder if the instruments of combat had anything to do with arresting the vapor's progress. Heero shifted his weight leveling his sword. Trowa, too, aimed the arrow taking in a long breath then letting it hiss out between his clenched teeth.
As anticipated the pause with short lived. In much the same fashion as the ice wall had formed, the fog began to bank into a thinly visible wall. In contrast to the Mist Maiden's bitter bite of frost and cold, a rush of hot air fused with the smoke and haze. It was as if the very pits of Hell had been thrown open and had expelled their fiery fury in the corridor's closeness.
However where the Maiden's barrier only blocked the front passage, the hot haze gathered both ahead and behind sandwiching the Demon's prey in between. In such close quarters the temperature quickly built up until the enclosed space resembled an oven. The nearby canal's high moisture content also was warmed causing an immediate rise in humidity.
Along the floor the dampness-drenched smoke began to curve into a cylindrical funnel winding counterclockwise around its center point. The spiral compacted creating a vertical column. The helical shaft sucked in smoke from the bottom pulling it up like a chimney. Quickly the coil grew reaching for the ceiling. Several feet below the top the dense textured pillar reserved its course. With a powerful "whoosh" the returning vapors raced downward slamming to the bottom so hard that vertical turned horizontal in a heartbeat.
From the violent dispersion a four-legged beast was born. The Hellhound, the Element of Fire, measured eight feet at its broad shoulders and at least ten feet in length from its square muzzle to the tip of its bushy tail. Coarse hair made up a saggy coat. A longer silver-gray cape started at the nape of its neck, hanging raggedly from the withers, almost brushing the floor. Large eyes glowed red with internal light like circles of liquid fire. Ears were flattened and lips snarled exposing a mouthful of froth-covered, razor-edged teeth. A guttural growl along with the aggressive body language gave notice that the ensuing battle would test everyone's skills and cunning.
"Who dares enter my realm?" the hellish monster bellowed blowing out fire-flicked sparks with each word.
Heero and Trowa repressed their fear knowing that the Devil Dog could sense it in their mind and smell it on their skin. "We are but lost wanders." Heero declared fighting to keep the tremble from his voice.
Trowa nodded, "We were only seeking a way out." he lied knowing full well that he would not be believed but still he had to try.
The Hound shook his head tossing the mantle of long hair. "My Master told me to be watchful for encroachers." The set of ruby eyes narrowed to better study the strange intruders who had foolishly entered the Dragon's territory.
Now humans and immortals faced the final Element, one borne of smoke and fire, whose materialization was now complete and quite lethal. Heero shielded his face from the sweltering heat as the Hound's snout expelled billowy smoke.
"Do not lie!" it hissed with another sparking puff. The Demon Dog tightened its shoulder muscles and leaned its weight forward preparing at any moment to pounce on its puny prey.
Even at their distance from the malevolent mongrel Duo and Quatre could feel the heat, smell the sulfur-tainted breath and see the eye's scarlet pinpoints piercing through the churning fog.
"By all that is holy." the Light God repeated his favorite phase. Duo quivered beside the Fair One afraid for his soldier and his immortal friend. Clutching the tarnished cross he lifted up a silent prayer for their safety and a quick victory.
"What now?" Trowa whispered eager for any suggestion as to the beast's defeat.
The King's Captain kept the Hound firmly in his sights turning slightly to reply, "We are not going to tarry with this one." he announced, "I have grown tired of Decador's game of fox and geese. This will be finished quickly."
Glancing over his shoulder at Duo and Quatre he trusted the God of Darkness to keep watch, "Move back beyond the archway." he instructed not caring whether or not the beast heard.
"But..." Duo began to question his soldier's intensions.
"That is an order!" Yuy growled out the command as Captain, not lover and friend.
Duo hesitated opening his mouth to protest not the order or the tone but him leaving Heero alone. He did not at all like Heero being so near the fiery foe but he had to trust that his soldier had a plan and right then was not the time for second-guessing.
Quatre, too, hated putting more space between himself and his mate but he knew that Trowa and Heero's attention could not be divided by worry over he and Duo's safety. Quatre took Duo's arm giving a gentle tug to start him in the right direction. "Yes." was his soft reply as he guided the reluctant human backward toward the outside's soft light.
"What are they going to do?" Duo asked after he and Quatre stopped a decent margin from the Hellhound.
Quatre shrugged, "They know what they are doing." he answered once more putting his trust in Heero and Trowa's abilities.
Heero took several steps forward never lessening his concentration. He knew that if they failed to bring the beast down that Duo and Quatre would have no hope of survival. With the Hound's taut posture Chang's Devil Dog could spring into action without warning so he had to be alert and ready.
Trowa, keeping the rear guard, pressed the crossbow's stock into his shoulder. Closing one eye he used the other to help center the beast in the target sight. The junction along the neck seemed to be the slimmest part, the one section most vulnerable to the arrow's penetration.
More smoky haze rolled in. Now the soupy mixture swelled passed the waist. Much to Trowa's vexation the grayish cloud and wavering heat was rapidly rising between his place and where the human held his solitary confrontment with the Underworld's guardian of Hades. Firing the crossbow would be Trowa's last choice. Not knowing Heero's exact plan, even though the target sight was well above Yuy's head, he had no way of knowing where his comrade might end up when he did execute his course of action. Still he could not wait indefinitely. The building haze was swiftly obscuring his sight range.
Trowa knew from past experience how quickly bodies could become a blur of motion once close combat began. The smoke would act to further hinder his already poor vision. "No." he squinted as sweat stung his eyes, "unleashing the arrow would definitely be his last act of interposition.
Chang's Devil Dog continued to growl and snarl shaking his head from side to side. The reddened eyes altered to a deeper shade of intensity. The lips curled back in a sneering "smile" baring the tearing teeth. The full measure of his height was shone as muscles rippled under the disheveled coat. A brownish drool seeped from its mouth's corners as it savored the essence of the weak creatures that would soon be its fleshy reward. A long tongue snaked out licking the thick secretion.
Heero stood firm even though hot breath mixed with the choking smoke made his eyes water and his chest ache. His brave facade held. The steady balance of his sword raised defiantly in opposition did not give away his wildly pounding heart or his trembling limbs.
The beast raised his head. Its mouth widened into a mocking grin. "So you dare to stand alone." the gruff statement echoed along the humid hallway. "I did not know your kind possessed such boldness," he continued, "or is your brazen display merely false courage?"
"I suppose we will see." Heero replied believing that the term "we" also applied to his immortal backup and the pair waiting at the archway's end.
The canine's heavy head reared back. Razor-fanged teeth glistened frothy and slick against its gaping mouth's black hollow. Once more the tongue lapped at the froth. A bellowing roar bounced over the corridor's vacancy as the Hound of Hades leaped forward aiming his pointed incisors straight for Heero's throat.
Double-gripping his sword Yuy dropped the tip then swung upward in an arcing slice. The broad blade struck at an angle ripping a wide gash across the beast's square snout. A sharp yelp confirmed the blow's contact. Spraying blood sprinkled over the wall and the lone warrior standing staunchly in his place.
Heero pushed aside sweat-soaked bangs mopping the smoke-slick film and hefty measure of the Hound's thick blood from his forehead and eyes. Again the blade held a fixed guard between his chest and Decador's firedrake who fiercely shook its head to free itself from the deep cut's stinging pain.
Dark puffs of spark-lanced vapors belched from the beast's nose and mouth. The seething thick smoke formed a curtain around the Hound's head blocking Heero's view of the enraged monster. He tightened his grip on the sword's sweat-slick hilt, shored up his stance and forced himself to take a hard, centering breath.
"Roasted flesh and charred bones will be all that is left of the one alone." the Fire Element hissed as his head raised upright.
The vertical lifting was designed to allow Chang's bastard beast a full intake of sweltering breath as it prepared to carry out a second strike. The powerful inhalation was done solely to kindle the smothering embers deep inside its flammable entrails, to ready itself to expel fireballs meant to envelope the hapless human in searing agony and give him a firsthand taste of hell.
Arching its spine and bristling the thick mantle of hair, the Element of Fire attempted to make itself appear even larger and more menacing. Twin glowing orbs pierced the smoky veil, their increased flare giving Heero but a few seconds warning before a stream of fire boiled out with a deafening whoosh.
"NO!" Duo screamed as the flames engulfing his lover was all he could see, "HEERO! NO!"
TBC...
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