Sword of the Stars Part 22
Cause and Effect
The birds' chirping woke him up. He opened his eyes and looked around. He was in a medium-sized room with a minimum of furniture. His armor and shirt were on the table, along with the Star Sword. The shoulder Heero's twin-blade had gone through was bandaged tightly. All things considered, he felt much better. He pushed himself up and sat back against the pillows, fingering the medallion around his neck.
"You're awake?"
Duo looked up. Quatre was standing in the doorway. "Quatre... how's your leg?"
He came in, limping slightly, and sat on the edge of the bed. "Wufei had his work cut out for him, so I told him to leave it be. He mostly healed it in the battle, anyway, so I'm all right."
"Where is Wufei?"
"Resting. He's exhausted from all the healing he's had to do. And Yohan's magical powers are almost spent, too. He's relaxing and letting them recharge before he loses them for awhile."
Duo frowned. "Are we still in Triantia?"
Quatre nodded. "In the Palace."
"Does that mean...we won?"
"Kind of. We have the Palace, so in a way, we did win. But there are a lot of negotiations to be made. And making them will be hard, now that Triantia has no heir to the throne. The people will have to select one soon."
"Hopefully the next ruler won't share Grantis' views."
"I don't think so. The soldiers we took as prisoners said they were tired of the war, too. I think the Great War is over. Lukin is currently running things."
"It's not over yet," Duo said. "Heero...the Dark Lord is still alive."
"I know, Duo" Quatre began studying his jeweled armlets.
"How long have I been asleep?" he asked, changing the subject.
"About a day and a half. Lukin gave you and the rest of us our own rooms. He'd like to see you when you feel better. I think I think he wants to talk to you about Heero."
Duo nodded. "I think so, too." He threw the covers off and stood up. He pulled on his shirt and armor, and attached the Star Sword at his waist. "Are you coming?"
Quatre nodded. Together, they made their way to the throne room. The soldiers who saw them bowed to them, with murmurs of "Prince Quatre" and "Lord Duo". At the latter, Duo glanced questioningly at Quatre.
"Everyone knows you're the Warrior now, Duo," he replied. "Word that the Warrior has come again has spread."
Duo scowled. "I don't want fame...I just want this all done with."
Quatre studied him wordlessly. "That's the sign of a true hero," he said at last. "You don't want to be praised for what you've done."
"I am not a hero, Quatre," Duo snapped. "I'm just doing what has to be done."
Quatre smiled, but said nothing. When they arrived at the throne room, they found King Lukin talking with Yohan and Wufei. The Cleric smiled at Duo.
"There you are! Feeling better?"
Duo nodded. He studied the throne room, empty except for the five of them. "What's going on?"
"The Triantians have surrendered," Yohan explained. "With Grantis gone, they can finally halt the war. They will select a new ruler from Grantis' relatives, and then the peace negotiations will begin. As far as we humans go, the war is over."
"But where the Netherworld is concerned" Lukin didn't complete the sentence.
"I'm sorry," Duo said, lowering his head. "This is all my fault. I couldn't stop Heero. He got away."
"Don't blame yourself, Duo," Wufei consoled. "It wasn't your fault at all."
"Yes, it was," Duo insisted. "I could have killed him. He was weak. I could have beaten him if I'd been more aggressive...but I couldn't do it. Not to Heero."
"Regardless of what happened," Yohan interrupted, "the fact remains that the Dark Lord--now at full power--is free to begin his reign of terror."
"As soon as the vortex to the Abyss is fully open," Lukin added, "the Netherworlders will come for us all. No army will be able to stop them."
"Then we must stop the Dark Lord before that happens!" Quatre cried. "After all we've been through, we can't lose now!"
Duo felt so lost. This was all his fault. If only he'd killed Heero when he'd had the chance. Now the Netherworld's seal would be broken and the monsters from the Abyss would come. Unless.
He took a step forward. "Where is the vortex to the Netherworld?"
The others stared at him curiously. At last, Yohan answered. "On a small island in the middle of the ocean. Safely away from any human."
"No one can get there?"
"Not by any mode of transportation we have," Yohan replied. "Coaches and horses are out, of course. And due to the tall, sharp rocks in that area of the ocean, ships cannot go near it either."
"No one in their right mind would want to go there," Lukin said pointedly.
"I do," Duo said.
The others stared at him, aghast. "What?!" Lukin exclaimed. "Are you mad?! You wish to walk right into the Netherworld? That is simply handing yourself over to the Dark Lord! No one stands a chance in the realm of darkness!" The king took a moment to regain his composure. "Lord Duo," he continued in a calmer voice. "That island is no place for any human. It is the entrance to the realm of pure Evil."
"I have to go. If I can defeat Hee--the Dark Lord before he begins building his own world, this will all be over and we'll be safe."
"And if you don't defeat the Dark Lord?" Wufei countered. "If you walk into the Netherworld and die? What will we do then? We won't have a Warrior to defend us, and the Dark Lord will win."
Duo shot the Cleric an angry glare. "If I don't go and put an end to this, the Dark Lord will release his demons into our world and kill us all. I have to strike before he does. If you have a better way to this, Wufei, tell me."
Wufei opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Quatre put a hand on Duo's shoulder. "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?" he asked quietly.
He ignored him and turned his gaze to Yohan. "How long before the Dark Lord can open the seal?" Yohan hesitated. "He's had almost two days to regain his strength. It won't be long. But, Duo, surely you cannot be serious about going there?"
"I am very serious. I have to end this before it gets worse. Going to the Netherworld and striking first at the heart of the evil seems like the only choice to me. Do you know of a better plan?"
Yohan shook his head. "No, Duo, I don't."
"Then surely you understand why I have to do this."
The mage straightened his robes. "You are right. There is no other way. I don't like it, but I'll concede to it."
"Thank you, Yohan."
Yohan held up a hand. "As long as you know what you'll be getting yourself into. The power of the Star Sword can get you into the Netherworld, but once you're there, you will be in the Dark Lord's territory. The Dark Lord will have the advantage there, Duo. Not you."
Duo nodded. "I know...but there's no other way. Where is the island?"
Yohan shrugged. "Miles off the west coast. That much I know. Where, exactly? I don't have a clue."
"That's all right. I'll be able to see it from where I'll be." He turned on his heel and started to leave the throne room. "I'll eat something before I leave." He looked at the others over his shoulder. "Thank you, everyone. You've all been a great help. Now it's up to me. Wish me luck...I'm going to need it." He could feel their eyes on him as he left the room, shutting the doors behind him.
~*~
It was nearly an hour later when he was prepared, both mentally and physically, to set out. He exited the Triantian Palace and made his way to the tall gates. Cloud walked over and nuzzled his palm.
"I'm sorry, Cloud," he said to the horse. "I can't take you with me. Not where I'm going. But I'll be back for you. So you and Bolt wait for me, all right?" The horse snorted and laid his head on his shoulder. "Good-bye, Cloud."
He pulled away from the horse and signaled for the guards to have to gates opened. They complied, and Duo left the Palace. He unsheathed the Star Sword and held it in front of his face.
"It's just you and me now," he said to it, walking away from the immense palace.
"Does that mean you don't want me to come?"
With a start, he spun around. Yohan stood there with his arms folded. Flanking him were Quatre and Wufei. Duo shook his head.
"Oh, no," he said. "No, no, no. You are *not* coming!"
"Really?" Quatre mused. "And since when do *you* decide what I can and cannot do?"
"You can't come!" Duo pressed. "It's too dangerous! We could all be killed! I can't let that happen to you!"
"You're going to need help," Quatre retorted. "You can't face the Netherworld on your own." Duo opened his mouth, but Quatre went on. "I'm going with you, Duo. I want the Dark Lord destroyed as much as you do, and I want to help you do it."
"And I am your guide," Yohan added. "I will not be leaving your side until your task is finished. And besides...I have grown fond of you. You're like a son, almost. I won't stand by while you face the Netherworld on your own."
Duo pressed a hand to his forehead. "Why do you always insist on putting yourselves in harm's way?" He glanced at Wufei. "So what's your reason?"
The Cleric laughed and patted Duo's cheek. "Come now, Duo. How many times have I saved the lot of you from bleeding to death? I'm coming to keep you all alive, of course."
Duo smiled in spite of himself. It felt...nice...to have such loyal friends. "I... Thank you."
Quatre ruffled his hair affectionately. "Don't worry about it. We're friends, remember?"
"That we are," he replied, fixing his hair. "Are you ready to go?"
"Whenever you are," Wufei replied.
"How are we getting there?" Quatre asked.
Duo studied the Sword as he replied. "I was thinking of flying on the winds again but I think the island will be too far away. I wouldn't be able to do it. So, I'm going to try something else." He raised the blade above his head with both hands and closed his eyes. He reached out to the Sword's power and gave the blade's magic a mental command. He heard the humming of the Sword beginning to glow, and felt the mark on his forehead begin to shine. In his mind, he summoned the Celestial Dragon. Immediately, a dome of white light burst from the Sword and expanded. As it spread, he could feel the shadowy form of the dragon rising from the blade and spreading its wings. Then, it faded away. The light from the Sword dimmed. Duo lowered the weapon and opened his eyes. Quatre, Wufei, and Yohan uncovered their eyes and stared at him expectantly.
"Well?" Quatre asked. "Where is it?"
Duo smiled and pointed to the sky. "It's coming."
They stared up at the vast skies and waited. From high above the clouds, they heard a distant roar. Moments later, the large, glowing white dragon dived through the clouds. It flew toward them without hesitation, making several impressive turns along the way.
It landed almost right in front of them. It stared directly at Duo and bowed its head. Wufei backed away from the large beast. Quatre looked more than a little uncertain, and Yohan was simply staring.
Duo felt no fear, and no uncertainty. He felt as though the dragon had been with him all his life. He looked up at it. "I want you to take us to the gateway to the Netherworld."
The Celestial Dragon stared back at him and spoke with a familiar voice. <<You go to face the Dark Lord, yes?>>
Duo nodded. "Yes."
The dragon stretched its great wings. <<I will take you there, Duo, if it is your command. >>
"It is." Duo turned to the others. "Let's go. The dragon will fly us there."
"We're going to fly there on a dragon?" Wufei asked. "Isn't it a little...big?"
"Big...?" Duo gestured to the dragon. "I asked it to come in a smaller form. The dragon is much larger than this. Come on."
He walked toward the dragon. It bent sideways and laid a strong wing on the ground. Duo stepped on it and motioned for the others to do the same. They complied. Then, the dragon lifted the wing and held it straight, allowing them to climb onto its back. Duo saw that the dragon wasn't as solid as it looked. It was nearly transparent.
Duo settled down close to the neck. Quatre sat behind him. Wufei sat behind him, and Yohan was at the back. Duo put his hands on either side of the neck and held on. He felt Quatre put his arms around his waist. When they were ready, Duo sent a mental message to the dragon for it to fly.
It spread its wings wide and was air-born with one flap. It began to soar across the skies at incredible speed. Duo glanced down at the land whipping under them. It was amazing.
<<It will not take long to reach the island you seek, Duo. Are you prepared for what you will face?>>
"As prepared as I'm ever going to be." No one else spoke as the dragon flew them onward.
TBC...
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