Without a guide or light
than that which burned so deeply in my heart
That fire t'was led me on
and shone more bright than of the midday sun
-Lyrics from 'The Dark Night of my Soul' performed by Loreena McKennitt
Elements of Great Design Part 13
Heero blinked widely up at the redheaded girl that now held his life in her hands. Slowly raising his opened hands, he climbed to his feet as sluggishly as he could manage while staring at the glistening metal tip of the arrow that followed the center of his brow. There was no doubt that the release would send that long bolt through his head in a true shot.
It was a reeling thing for the Fighter, to be at the mercy of a thief when he had single-handedly apprehended many like her during his time as a soldier in Romefeller. But as this girl named Anna had informed Barton, there was much more to her than that that title...
...and that black, growling wolf that now had Trowa pinned under its weight with its sharp fangs revealed and dripping on the stricken Dragoon's neck was only part of why that was the case.
The rest of the puzzle was coming together as the soldier watched her with a new sight.
Swallowing roughly, Yuy stared into those fierce blue eyes that seemed to bore down on his very soul with their intensity. There was much life experiences... so much more brewing in that gaze than any other that he had encountered before. Whatever it was that had put that wild look there, it had to have been something that brought her through hell and back.
"We do not mean any harm," Heero heard himself calmly promise. "We only meant to take back what was rightfully ours." Violet eyes widening beneath his hood, Duo spun his head to lay his surprised expression on the Fighter to show how he had not expected the opening of a discussion to come from him.
Huffing, the redhead replied, "Well, finders keepers is the only law that I abide by. We went through a great deal of trouble tracking you since you set foot into these mountains until the moment I could move in." The corner of her mouth curling up, she said, "But I do have to admit that I am most impressed you found me. No one has been able to track us down before."
'Us.' 'We.' Those words settled into Heero's mind as he looked on the wolf... Wufei. The two were most certainly a pair of sorts if the archer would not use terms like 'I' and 'me.' Strange as their unique camaraderie was, this was not the time to learn more about it.
They simply were what they were together... a thief and her wolf.
Not exactly sure why, the more he got the girl to speak the more Yuy began to like her... that spirit in her.
Becoming more comfortable in talking to a Stranger as he went, he felt compelled to smirk, "Though I wish I could take full credit for that, it would be a lie." Gesturing with his head back to the satchels, he shared, "One of the purses that you took contains the orb of my Fighter armor."
There was a flash of realization and shock in the thief's growing eyes at that. Even the wolf's growling ceased as his head shot up to stare openly at the Romefeller native as though he understood the words. But that moment was fleeting before he resumed his focus onto the teenager beneath him.
Closing her slackened jaw, Anna muttered, "Tracing spell." Under her breath, she hissed and reprimanded herself, "Damn it, but I should have checked what was inside of those casings instead of just assuming there was only coin."
A confused frown marring her lovely face, she slowly scanned the team below her without lowering her bow or slackening the pull on her its string. "A Fighter, a Black Mage, a White Mage and a Dragoon," she tallied aloud in little more than a whisper. When she gazed back on Yuy, she chuckled, "Well, you all make up quite the unlikely lot."
"To say the least," Heero snickered.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to get to the point that he now knew he had been working towards and said, "But one thing that has me perplexed is how you were able to touch my armor satchel without feeling its burn. Only its wielder is allowed to handle it. You should have been screaming, curled up from the intensity of the heat that coursed through you."
Once more, that surge of panic rose back in the thief. Careful to quickly cover it up, she shook her head of brilliant red locks and insisted, "Luck, I suppose. It has been on my side for some time now and kept me alive." Glaring at her target, she warned, "Enough about me. Your armor would do me no good so I may agree to let you part with it, but how do I know that you will not turn after me should I find it in me to release you?"
Shaking his head, Yuy promised in a kind and sincere a voice, "Our fight is not with you, Anna." The use of the girl's name had the effect he'd hoped it would as the redhead blinked in disbelief that a soldier like him would not fall to only calling her 'thief.' There was a slight falter in her grip on the arrow's feathered end.
A knot of nerves tightening in his throat, Heero glanced into Duo's warm violet eyes for help. Smiling in what could only be described as pride, the mage gave him a shallow nod to go on.
With a new-found strength at his friend's encouragement, the Fighter looked back up to the archer and told her, "Our fight is with Mariemaia. We wish to bring her and the army that she has sent into this world down, to end the nightmare that they have only begun."
Though she did not drop her weapon, there was no doubt in Anna's gaze. So much more brewed there, a storm at the name of the young sorceress's name bringing a festering torrent forth. "And you believe that your little band here is enough to save the world?" she asked, her tone bordering on sarcastic. "You have no idea what you are going up against."
"And you do?" Yuy was quick to ask when the opening was made. Suddenly, Wufei released a low grunt and peered up at his mistress. With the back of his furry head turned towards the Alliance, they could only assume that he was growing frustrated at not being able to enjoy a meal of the boy he had trapped.
Not looking back on her animal companion, the thief snapped, "I do not need to be out by that darkness to know that no good will come from going to it. I do not need to belong to a city to hear the rumors that circle around that girl of black magic through the passersby in these ranges. You are mad if you think that you will be able to stop what is happening."
By the defensiveness in her bright voice, the soldier could practically see the bridge that he had begun to build between them coming apart at the foundations. "We are not going to be able to be of any help as we stand now," he responded in a rush. "Our team is not yet complete. We are missing two of the Keepers of the Elemental Stones."
Nodding over to the White Mage, Heero introduced, "Quatre is of Water." A nervous smile brightening the blonde's face, he finally moved the slightest bit to wave up at the stunned girl.
The Fighter gestured to the Dragoon and went on, "Trowa is of Air." Slowly shifting his arm the slightest bit to also wave, the armored youth grinned sheepishly up at the redhead that he had offended moments ago.
Yuy took a deep breath and said of the dark-clad member, "Duo comes from a special origination of his own." On that cue, the gifted reached up to lower his hood. Raising his braided head, he grinned up at their captor to reveal his violet eyes.
Unable hide her surprise, Anna stared at the son of Shinigami with wide eyes and a sharp gasp. Blinking her eyes that seemed to shimmer the slightest bit, she lowered her bow and arrow as she urged softly, "Wufei... stand down."
Not needing to be told twice, the massive beast half-leapt off of Barton and walked back several paces to give the Dragoon space to get to his feet. Sighing deeply in relief, Trowa brushed off the moss from the back of his armor as he gave the redhead a grateful smile.
"And your name, Fighter?" the teenage girl inquired without looking away from Duo. instead of there being fear or disgust in looking on the so-deemed Monster, there was an odd feeling of longing in her blue eyes... a calmness and almost readiness of acceptance in her relaxing stance.
There was no hesitation in his response, "Heero Yuy."
Voice devoid of emotion in its almost cold determination, Anna ordered, "Do. Not. Move, Heero."
Before the soldier could ask the reason for such a remark, she swiftly raised her free right hand with her last three fingers folded to form her thumb and pointer finger in the shape of an 'L'. In that movement, the dying flames of the campfire not only grew, but shot up to be twice as high as the boys standing around it.
Staring up at the crackling fire, that was when Yuy came to realize the danger that he was in by the deafening screech that filled his ears from behind.
He spun his head around to see the opening mouth-within-a-mouth-within-a-mouth that were all lined by jagged and sharp teeth that were flying within inches of biting off his head. From where he stood, he could perfectly stare down the incredibly long stretch of its throat.
It was his first encounter with a real Rapton.
And it would have been his last.... Duo's crying his name in terror would have been the last thing that he would have heard... had the thief not bent her wrist forward to point the flames that she commanded to sail forward and consume the screaming reptile.
The ten-foot, eight-legged, red-scaled creature rolled back in a ball of fire as it thrashed and wailed at piercing pitches until it stilled in its death. Opening and closing her extended hand, Anna remained as collected and focused as she had in her aim in calling off the brilliant tongues to reveal the smoldering remains of the monster.
Gracefully leaping down the limbs of the tree that she was perched in until she reached the ground, the redhead walked past the stunned Dragoon and mages on her way to the stricken Fighter. When she passed Wufei, she ran a hand through the long fur at the top of his head as he leaned into her touch.
Blinking his violet eyes that had watered over in his panic, Duo was the only member of the Alliance that turned his head to meet her gaze. Once more, there was that accepting desire in her as she reached up to squeeze the gifted's shoulder as she moved ahead of him.
With a casual ease, the thief bent at the waist to feel through the satchels that she had collected. Coming to the one she was looking for, she took it up and straightened as she stood beside Heero. his back still to the rest of the lot, his wide and terror-filled cobalt eyes stared at the hideous body that lay sprawled out before him.
Her own gaze on the remains, Anna sighed, "Nasty things, those big lizards. Silent and sneaky right up until the time they strike. I cannot tell you how many Raptons Wufei and I have killed since we came into the Provaka Mountains."
As those soothing words worked their magic, Yuy then noted that he was shaking. Never before had be been so close to death or as vicious a beast at the one that had nearly claimed him. The Fire Keeper rested a steady hand between his shoulder blades to further soothe him and he took the offering readily by sinking into it.
Companionable silence fell throughout the clearing while the Fighter and his friends got their bearings again.
"You knew perfectly well why I did not burn when I touched your armor satchel even before you got to talking," Anna stated softly, a bit of amusement in her tone. "You were just trying to get me to come out and say it."
Finally craning his head around, Yuy took in her smiling face up close. While he was drenched in sweat from the heat of the flames that she had brought on, there was not so much as a drop of perspiration to be found on her.
Huffing out the air that he had been holding, the soldier grinned back, "Yes, but the demonstration was a hell of a lot more impressive than any admission would have been." Giggling, the archer smirked and shrugged, the movement cast the large, round diamond stud earrings that she words to catch the sunlight in brilliant sparkles.
After another brief pause, Heero swallowed roughly and whispered a profound, "Thank you."
Nodding, the redhead removed hand on his back to extend it to him as she replied, "It was my pleasure. And I am honored to meet you, Heero Yuy."
"Same to you, Anna Fraise," he smiled.
* * * * * *
Zechs pushed off of the large rock that he had been sitting atop, enlarged eyes settling on the young men across from him. "You are leaving us to join forces with the retaliation?" he breathed in disbelief. At either side of him, Noin and Sylvia rose with him.
Every Fighter that filled the other half of the tent nodded firmly as Trent voiced for them, "From here out, we know that the leaders of other realms will join the exodus. Only more soldiers will come out of those arrangements. And we know that our first loyalties lie with you, our Sovereigns and our people..."
Frowning deeply, he stated, "However, by not going to face the Dark Lord's army, we are not helping anyone. If there are those brave few that are willing to stand, we can stand as well... We must stand as well, or all of Gaia will fall."
Queen Gloria remained in her 'seat' as she closed her gaping jaw and shook her head, "While I greatly admire what you are volunteering to do, not one of you knows where these rebels are to be found or what they are like."
Unconsciously resting a hand over her abdomen as she would when she was anxious, she warned, "The little word that has spread about them is that they are hardened and none too kind to anyone that they do not know or trust. You could be going to help hostiles... sent away or even killed before you can speak to them of your intentions."
Alex stepped forward with a deep bow at the waist for his highness'.
Straightening, he replied, "With all due respect, majesties, we all had our own preset notions of what the men we now stand amongst were like as well. And we found all of those prejudices to be untrue. We can no longer allow predisposition born out of ignorance and fear to prevent us from joining in the common cause of wanting to preserve life as we know it-"
"Life as better than we knew it," Mueller corrected, a small smile curling his lips. Gesturing to the other soldiers around him, he declared, "I already consider all of these men my brothers and would gladly fight and die alongside everyone of them."
Solemn as their expressions were, the Fighters of three kingdoms chuckled and nodded once more in agreement. It brought tears to all of the Sovereigns' eyes.
Queen Sylvia was the first to close the distance between the royals and the Fighters. Reaching Alex, she wrapped her arms around the Peacemillion representative tightly. "No leader could ever ask for a better army of such brave and selfless men," she breathed as the young man held her back.
Equally moved, King Drake sniffled and roughly wiped away a stray tear. Standing before Trent, he exchanged handshakes with the Coneria soldier as he declared, "You have both my blessing and my immeasurable appreciation. Creator speed to you all."
The remaining Sovereigns moved in to express their gratitude and support through embraces and voiced words of deep thanks.
But staying back a moment to take the scene in, Zechs looked on as his own mind reeled. It was unprecedented how courageous these Fighters were in making what would likely be the ultimate sacrifice. But as they had said, there was little choice in the matter if there was any hope for Gaia and all living in it.
It would take everyone that was willing and able to fight... including those who by the nature of their roles might never be called upon for such task...
...even a King.
* * * * * *
The newly reformed Alliance worked together in setting up camp in the clearing that Anna had begun when they had arrived.
Removing the brush and the body that had been burnt by the Keeper's attack, the small band pitched tents that had been purchased back in Onrac and deemed as unnecessary up to that evening thanks to the caves and such that were found along the way.
Bellies required nourishment by the time night had fallen. While the rations that the young men had been enjoying up until now were satisfying enough, there was another great advantage that they came to know through their association with the thief.
Giggling, the redhead rose from her place beside the campfire. "There's my guy," she praised as the black wolf emerged from the darkness beyond the camp. In his mouth, the predator dragged a hunted down mountain elk.
At the sight of the meat that was just waiting to be cooked, Trowa and Quatre's eyes widened and their mouths watered. Rushing to their feet, they bolted past their fellow Keeper and lifted their meal from where Wufei dropped it.
"Um... thank you, friend," Winner grinned to the liquid, onyx eyes watching them. "It seems like forever since I've been able to enjoy something besides berries, barley bread and the like. This is going to be a real treat."
Grunting once more as though he understood, the wolf trotted over to his redheaded partner as she lowered herself to her knees before him in greeting. Wrapping her arms around his neck, the thief chuckled deeply when he gave her cheek a lick.
Amused by the sight, the Dragoon and the White Mage worked together in bringing their dinner to the fire to begin cutting and spitting the hearty helpings to begin cooking.
Several yards away, beyond the bushes and trees and sitting on the ledge of the long extension of rock, Heero stared out to the northern quarters of Gaia and the star-filled sky above. Try as he might to not pay mind to the growing darkness that blocked out a large ring of those glistening beacons, his gaze kept going back to it.
Breaking from his thoughts at the soft rustling in the leaves behind him, the Fighter heard a familiar voice say softly, "Hey."
"Hey," Yuy replied in kind, leaning back and pulling himself back up to his feet so that he could fully face the Black Mage that had come to join him. It was the first time that the two had had a moment away from the rest of their team in some time... but there was an unsettled nature to Duo's presence that had Heero concerned.
Just when the soldier was about to ask what was wrong, Maxwell drew a beep breath and inquired, "Are you alright?" Pausing, he ducked his braided head a bit and clarified, "I mean *really* alright after what happened earlier?"
Instantly relaxing in now understanding the slight tension in his friend as worry over him, Heero took a deep breath and sighed. Biting his lip, he nodded, whispering, "Yea. I'm doing alright."
Snorting, the son of Shinigami turned his head away when his violet eyes began to shimmer. "Good... 'cause I'm not," he breathed brokenly. "I should have stopped that thing before Anna had to, but I didn't even know that you were in danger. If anything had happened to you, I never would have forgiven myself-"
In a most uncharacteristic move, Yuy quickly closed the distance between them to pull the gifted into a fierce hug. Stunned for only a heartbeat, Duo blinked his enlarged eyes and then settled to return the tight embrace. Only then did the Fighter realize that the contact was just as much for his own sake as it was for his best friend's.
"Don't," Heero urged. "None of us knew what was happening until that Raptor moved in. and don't feel bad about not being able to move because you saw how good I was at protecting myself." He won a snicker for that before Maxwell pulled away and brushed away the tears in his eyes.
Clearing his throat, the Black Mage smiled, "Well, I came out to tell you that dinner will be ready soon." He praised, "I also wanted to let you know how proud I am of you for being the one to talk to Anna. Even though it was something you have not had a lot of experience in, you couldn't have handled the situation better."
The Fighter smiled back, "Thanks. Of course, I have the biggest chatter box in all of Gaia to learn from when it comes to socializing. If I haven't picked up a few things after every agonizing day I have had to deal with you, something would have to be seriously wrong." His head falling back, Maxwell howled with laughter.
Stepping around to stand beside the gifted, Yuy's soft chuckling ended as he asked in concern, "Are you really alright now?"
In the white glow of the full moon, Duo lowered his blushing face, chuckling, "Yea, yea. I'm fine, thanks." That said, he led the way back to the camp where the others were waiting as Heero comfortably settled an arm around his shoulders in a friendly gesture.
It was a great night, the Fighter thought to himself.
There were now five of the six members of the Alliance forged together for the common cause of seeing that Mariemaia's terror was ended for good... the skies clearing in the wake of their hopeful victory so that every star could be seen in the heavens once again.
TBC...
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