Wolf Moon Part 36
Sunrise was red.
Zechs stood outside his cavernous sanctuary and gazed north. The forest limited his sight beyond the tree line but he had no difficulty visualizing Hellgate.
A year ago Zechs had accompanied Treize to the primeval fortress, before King Edwin set the wheels of war in motion, before Treize chose darkness over light and Prince Julius died by his sword. Before the severance, the heartbreak, before...Zechs shivered.
Hellgate had been recalled in Zechs' daydreams when countless weeks of solitude caused his thoughts to wander and had been revisited when dark dreaming invaded his sleep. Since the Warriors' arrival the exhumed nightmares had become a nightly occurrence.
"No time for memories." Zechs declared to any creature lurking within earshot.
*********
A square of cotton fabric swiped down Wufei's katana then he held the polished blade up for inspection. Satisfied with a job well done he slipped the sword into its black lacquered sheathe.
Wufei added the cleaning cloth to the neatly folded garments in his travel bag, tied back his hair, put on his plum-colored coat and headed up the corridor to join Zechs.
"Good morning." Trowa greeted as he and Quatre matched the Beast's strides along the rocky passage.
Wufei acknowledged his comrades with a nod. "It's a good day for hunting the Devil."
"It is indeed." Quatre agreed.
*********
Heero secured his dirk around his upper thigh then shouldered the crossbow and quiver, draped his cloak over his forearm gathered up his and Duo's bags and went in search of his partner.
The Tracker's instincts gave him a good idea where Duo would be on their last morning in Deep World. His hunch proved correct when he entered the Temple and paused under the Celestial Archway with the full moon centered on its apex and a procession of stars fanning out on either side.
Although Heero hadn't ascribed to any religious routine since becoming a Demon Hunter, he respected Duo's devoutness and never interrupted his prayers.
Duo appeared childlike as he knelt before the jewel-embellished altar. His head was bowed; his braid brushed the floor. His fingers moved with practiced ease counting off each bead as he recited the Rosary.
There was a peaceful aura surrounding Duo, evident in both his deferential posture and his reverently whispered words and Heero discovered he was envious of his lover's contentment.
Suddenly Heero was aware of the Cross of the Rose hanging around his neck, tucked into the protective folds of his shirt. He set down the bags, laid his cloak, crossbow and quiver on the floor and hooked his finger under the silver chain. The cross snagged on his collar; a gentle tug pulled it free.
Heero's thumb rubbed over the rose forged in raised relief on the junction where the longer and shorter pieces intersected. The metal was warm from his body heat but had lost some of its luster due to constant contact with his skin.
A smile curled up Heero's lips as he remember how his chain and Duo's chain had become entangled the first time they made love. He had suggested they could avoid strangulation if the crosses were removed but Duo refused, stating he never wanted to be without the holy symbol.
*********
Even with his eyes closed, Duo knew Heero was near. He felt his partner's presence, sensed the change in energy flowing over the vaulted chamber.
Heero's scent wafted on the air. Musky. Heady.
"Why does the devil seek to tempt me?" Duo mumbled under his breath.
Heero was closer, confirmed by the rustle of his clothing and his quiet breathing. "I'm sorry to disturb you." he apologized for his lack of willpower.
Duo opened his eyes and offered his lover a tender gaze. "Tis all right." he sighed.
"Is it time to leave?"
"We have a few minutes more. Finish your prayers." Heero urged.
"Stay with me."
Without pause Heero knelt beside his lover and put on a humble attitude. He closed his eyes, clutched his cross and repeated an entreatment his mother had taught him.
In the side alcove the five frescos portraying the Warriors of the Rose watched over the Demon Hunter and the Duel Spirit. Bathed in an amber glow, the statue of the Temple Keeper also beheld Heero and Duo's prayerful petitions and added its plea for wisdom, strength and courage.
*********
Picking a path through the forest slowed the Warriors' pace but they preferred the anonymity. They were not so naive to believe that the main road wasn't being patrolled.
There was still the risk of stalking by a Shadow Spy but being in the open or skirting among the trees made little difference where the vaporous agent was concerned.
Morning took its leave without incident. The journeryers settled beside a gurgling stream to share a midday meal of crusty rye bread, goat cheese, a bottle of red wine and raspberries Quatre had picked along the way.
The food was simple fare but to the warriors' grumbling stomachs it was a feast. Chunks of bread then cheese were passed around and the berries counted out with three to spare. Since there was no fair way to divide the remaining berries, Quatre suggested that a squirrel sitting on a nearby branch would enjoy the surplus.
The Manipulator made a clicking noise in his throat. The gray rodent tilted his head, waggled his tail then eased down the tree trunk and perched on Quatre's shoulder.
As beady black eyes glared at the odd assortment of humans, the squirrel accepted the trio of fruity treats, tucked the berries in his cheeks then scurried back into a tree's leafy shelter for a leisurely lunch.
Craning his neck and squinting to see the squirrel partly obscured by a limb's shady camouflage, Duo commented."Not even a proper thank you for our generosity."
"It's a squirrel." Wufei mumbled through a mouthful of bread. He borrowed the bottle from Heero, took a swig to wash down a few stubborn crumbs then added. "You ought to be glad the critter didn't try to nest in your hair."
*********
Sunlight that had painted vague patterns on feathery ferns, May Apples, pink Lady's-Slippers and delicate violets that mirrored the color of Duo's eyes retreated with the waning day.
Late afternoon shadows tarried longer behind the six soldiers. The woods became enveloped in a blue-purple hue that made it harder to navigate through the undergrowth and exposed tree roots.
"We'll need to stop soon." Trowa stated as he pushed a pine bough aside with his shoulder.
Wufei, whose canine eyesight was better suited to the encroaching darkness, ducked under the frilly branch as it whipped back in place, however, Zechs was not blessed with such keen vision and took the full brunt of the bough across his chest.
Now the Warriors were certainly "men of the world" who had heard, and often uttered, every manner of cursing but once Zechs recovered his senses he unleashed a tirade of swearing that shocked even his comrades' hard-edged senses. In fact it was very likely that many of the irate words and furious phrases were made up on the spot.
Next in line, Duo took several steps backward. The retreat was not to flee the harsh words that were obviously not aimed at him but to avoid Zechs' staff as it was waved about in a precarious manner.
Quatre, Wufei and Heero also steered clear of the former Twilight Priest. While Quatre seemed more concerned about thinking of a way to defuse the explosive outburst, Heero and Wufei struggled to hide smirks that would have added fuel to the fire.
Finally the last string of profanities were hissed with venomous proficiency that would rival any viper. The staff halted its thrashing about. Red-faced and winded, Zechs leaned against a tree until he regained his composure then begged his comrades' pardon.
"Forgive my lost of control. I have no excuse for...."
Wufei's raised hand cut off the apology. "We all are on edge." he spoke for everyone.
"Yeah," Duo chimed in, "Scream all you want, it ain't gonna bother us."
*********
Along the western skyline dense clouds towered in high banks. The wind shivered through the forest and there was a distinct smell of moisture in the fitful air.
"A storm is brewing." Trowa noted as the leaves shuddered overhead.
"There's a cave a half mile from here." Zechs recalled. "We'll shelter there for the night."
The "cave" was actually a deep fissure cut into a vertical face of white and gray limestone. Cascading ivy vines and clumps of wild rosebushes choked the mouth.
Wufei peered through the tangle of vines and vegetation decked out in a profusion of thorny barbs. "How is this hole in the wall supposed to serve our needs?"
"Oh ye of little faith." Zechs admonished the skeptical Beast then addressed the Twilight Priest. "Trowa, if you please."
Trowa extended the Staff of the Rose and touched the bushes. Stems and stalks curled back, thorns retreated in a voluntary yielding to the Staff's bidding.
Zechs waved a hand at the unhindered entrance. "After you." he bade the Beast to enter.
Inside the cave the first thirty feet provided sufficient height to stand upright, after that one had to stoop but the width was more than adequate to accommodate the weary travelers.
Weapons, bags and bedrolls were stowed. Heero's cloak was folded and laid over his crossbow and quiver then tasks to be accomplished before the storm's arrival were assigned.
Foremost on the "to do list" was gathering dried grass, pine needles and twigs to kindle a fire and larger limbs to bank the blaze for the night. Zechs, Trowa and Quatre dispersed into the forest for the firewood gleaning.
Next Wufei dropped his veil and in his true state went hunting for meat for supper. Finally the duty of refilling the water skins fell on Heero and Duo.
*********
The Tracker and Duet Spirit strolled down a narrow trail that meandered beside a stone-strewn rivulet. Judging by the bare ground, the tramping of deer hooves, the "human" footprints of raccoons and the diverse bird tracks, the stream was a popular watering hole but Heero and Duo required a deeper pool.
Further along marshy areas made it necessary to stray from the path. Increasingly the waterlogged ground became soupy and secreted swampy odors.
As sludgy liquid oozed and created a sucking sound with each step Heero announced, "We need to backtrack. Follow me."
Duo pivoted in place and fell in line behind his lover.
The looming storm clouds and advancing night made it difficult to find proper footings, which in turn, impeded Heero and Duo's progress.
Stone to stone. Root to root. Slowly but surely they headed upstream.
"Mind the branch." Heero cautioned before glancing over his shoulder to make sure Duo had heard him.
Inches from Duo's right foot, a root awash in green algae quivered. Heero credited the lack of light, the play of shadows, for the illusion of motion.
Duo took another step. In less than a heartbeat a slimy tentacle coiled around his right ankle.
"What the hell?"
Hearing the bewilderment in Duo's voice, Heero turned to face his partner. For a moment Duo's confused expression puzzled the Tracker then their eyes met and Heero's instincts screamed inside his head.
Heero sprang into action but he was a split second too late. With a sharp yank Duo was unbalanced. With a shout of surprise he hit the ground. With fingernails scraping the soggy soil, Duo was dragged through the brown crust of a stagnant pool.
Duo thrashed about, batting and kicking and cursing. Heero jumped in, reached out his hand...fingertips brushed then Duo disappeared.
"DUO!"
Bubbles and wavering currents were the only clues to the spot where Duo had vanished. Heero parted the water, searched in vain for an arm or a leg or a fistful of fabric, anything to grab onto and haul Duo from his watery entombment.
*********
Trowa added his armload of firewood to the pile inside the cave. Beside him Quatre tottered sideways and his Twilight lover's quick reflexes were all that kept his head from bumping against the cave's craggy wall.
A closer study found Quatre's face pale and his eyes glassy, unfocused. Trowa had seen that reaction before and it always meant something was terribly wrong.
"Quatre, talk to me." Trowa urged.
"Duo." was spoken barely above a whisper. "Help him."
"Where he is?"
"Swamp."
Trowa cut his eyes at Zechs then took Quatre by the shoulders and delivered a shake sufficient to get his attention. "Take us there."
*********
The black water surged. Duo's head popped above the surface. Panic was evident in his wide eyes, foul water gurgled in his throat. Gasping for breath, braid snaked around his neck, he flung his arms and clawed at thin air for nonexistence handholds.
Weighted down by soggy clothing, Heero lunged in slow motion. Once more hands touched but, this time, he managed to hold on.
Fingers entwined in a vice-like grip, muscles burning and joints straining, Heero tugged with all his might. In maddening degrees Duo's shoulders then his torso rose from the water. His left leg bobbed free but his right leg was held fast.
The scaly appendage responsible for Duo's submersion was tenacious in its desire to drown the Irishman. To Heero's horror, a second tentacle snaked around Duo's waist and set about to negate any rescue efforts.
Strangling on a mouthful of muddy water, Duo wheezed then stopped struggling.
"Dammit." Heero hissed as he fought for footing on the pool's slippery bottom.
Trowa, Quatre and Zechs' arrival went unnoticed until the Priest waded in.
"Help him!" Heero begged. "Hurry."
Trowa positioned the Staff's triple rings directly under Duo then chanted in a language unknown to Heero. The crimson center stone glowed, the water started to spin but instead of creating a whirlpool the opposite affect was accomplished.
A waterspout cradled Duo's limp body, levitated his floppy rag doll form but the aquatic creature refused to let go.
"Stop!" Zechs yelled from the bank. "You're going to pull him in two."
"I won't let that happen." Quatre pledged.
With that emphatic declaration the Manipulator straightened both arms and pressed his index fingers together. "I call on the sun. Lend me your power."
The brilliant light that shot from Quatre's fingertips forced Heero to advert his eyes. The fiery stream sliced through the tentacle clasped around Duo's waist then the tentacle fixed on Duo's leg was just as expertly severed.
Suddenly free, Duo began to sink. Heero shored him and, with Trowa's help, dragged him from the foul water.
Heero collapsed on his knees. "Duo can you hear me? Please hear me."
A moan.
Heero propped Duo against his chest. A sturdy shiver lanced through Duo's body. His skin was icy, his lips blue, his breathing shallow.
Quatre squatted beside Duo and laid his hand on his forehead. This time the radiance was a subdued glimmer rather than a blinding flash.
Duo stirred, his eyelids parted to reveal narrow slits of violet. "Heero?"
"I'm here. I won't....." the remaining words lost their strength.
Zechs placed his hand on Heero's shoulder and squeezed. "I'll carry Duo. You're exhausted and if you're not careful the chill will claim you, too."
*********
Flickers of light and the dancing of shadows confirmed Wufei had returned and there was welcomed warmth inside the cave.
While Zechs told Wufei what had happened, Trowa and Quatre helped Heero strip Duo and swathe him in Heero's cloak then a blanket was added for good measure. Next Heero divested himself of his wet garments and wrapped a blanket about his heat-starved body.
Trousers and shirts, socks and breechcloths were draped over rocks near the fire. Likewise two pairs of boot would spend the night drying out.
Heero set his back against the wall, pillowed Duo's head in his lap, unbraided his hair and did his best to fluff the damp strands with his fingers.
The fire crackled. The sweet scent of smoke and the comforting aroma of roasting rabbits filled the cave.
As his lover slept, Heero tucked the cloak and blanket and stroked Duo's cheeks that were slowly returning to their rosy color. He leaned close, whispered private endearments and promises of protection and a petition for Duo's recovery.
When the meat was cooked and leftover bread and cheese divided, quiet conversation mingled with the steady dripping of rain as thousands of droplets trickled over a ledge guarding the cave.
Heero set aside a portion for Duo and ate his supper in silence but he found it difficult to swallow, to force food pass the lump in his throat. His heart was heavy and his mind was fearful. Tears stung his eyes and he gave them free rein.
Hellgate was a day away but Heero's apprehension didn't stem from infiltrating the castle or engaging Septum, Treize and their soulless army.
Images of Duo vanishing beneath the black water, the helplessness, the terror; the possibility of a future without his friend, lover and soul mate was too painful to bear.
As the sky wept and Heero wept the Demon Hunter, who had resolved never to share his heart, made a choice then prayed that when Duo woke up he would find the decision acceptable.
TBC...
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