And so it's there my homage's due Clutched by the still of the night
And now I feel you move Every breath is full
So it's there my homage's due Clutched by the still of the night
Even the distance feels so near All for the love of you.
Lyrics for -The Mystic's Dream' performed by Loreena McKennitt
Elements of Great Design Part 24
Mariemaia bellowed out a frustrated scream when the shifting image from the Tonberry disappeared in a bright light.
Pacing the floor of her bedroom anxiously, she growled and panted through her building fear. "Why could they have not mentioned more of Howard before that messenger was discovered?" she hissed through her clenched teeth.
Not only had the sorceress not heard all that she'd wanted to hear, but she had a demonstration of what she might eventually be up against.
Of course the only real power that she had the chance to witness through the Tonberry's eyes was that of the Earth Keeper, but that was enough to reveal just how very capable he still was in his talents even after being under the influence of her spell for nearly five years.
...In fact, he had grown stronger since the last time that they met.
That passion and fury in his onyx eyes had only intensified since the final moments that they had set on her.
Sweat beading her brow, Mariemaia breathed, "I should have killed him when I had the chance. Uncle Dekim was right." True as her words may have been, she silently loathed herself for thinking them, let alone speaking them.
But such was the way of the world that she had brought about. Might as well live in the mess that she was responsible for.
"I need to find that Elder," the child told herself when she finally stopped her measured steps. "Those Keepers cannot be shown the way to their Stones. Not even Uncle knows where they lay so that I can have them defended. I cannot chance their hands ever touching those weapons or they will surely lead to my demise."
Running the back of her arm over her damp brow, Khushrenada muttered, "I found the Alliance once. Surely I will be able to locate an old man. There will just need to be more eyes and ears to do so. I will have those spies spread out from the cave where those travelers last set up their camp. They'll lead the way right to Howard for me."
Slowly but surely regaining her confidence, she giggled, "Through him, I will learn of the Stones' lairs so that I might claim them before the Keepers will ever be near them." Rubbing her hands together, Mariemaia laughed, "Then his life is forfeit, along with any of my other enemies that my followers can take out."
Her head of short, red hair nodding, the sorceress mumbled to herself, "Yes, yes. This is good. and it will greatly make up for the terrible mistakes I have committed in allowing those two Keepers to live. Dekim will not be able to deny the brilliance of this strategy."
Wincing, Khushrenada sighed deeply, "At least, that is when I actually discuss what has come to pass with him..."
* * * * * *
The Alliance stopped to set up camp out in the open, even though there were forests and nooks around in which they could hide.
After the experience that they had had with the Tonberry, no one was particularly interested in having another demon sneak up on them when they were vulnerable. It would likely be a while before the travelers would be able to sleep peacefully in what should have been a safe haven of cover.
"Nasty little things for something that seems so harmless," Anna shuddered as she appraised the black-hilted weapon strapped against SandRock's saddle. Now caught up in the whole story of what took place while her soul was in Duo's care, the thief could not help but want a look at the weapon that had previously eluded Wufei for years.
Smiling widely down at her partner, she beamed, "You are one of the very few in this world to ever have claimed a Chef's Knife, love. I am so proud of you."
His tail wagging excitedly, the black wolf stood up from his sitting position to nuzzle her leg with a low rumble of appreciation. Giggling, Fraise patted the top of his head and bend at the waist to hug his neck.
Yuy cleared his throat as he approached the pair. Bathed in the same gold-orange-and-red as the sunset-hued sky over them, he held out a neatly folded series of leaf papers to the redhead as she straightened to meet his gaze.
"Wufei asked me to give this to you once we were settling in for the evening," Heero said quietly. "He had spent some time last night writing what he had be wishing to say to you for the last few years." Smirking to his furry friend, adding, "And even then, he did not have near enough time to put everything down."
Gasping, Anna blinked her blue eyes as they began to shimmer. Across the top of the letter was the perfectly neat, cursive writing of her lover's hand to spell out 'Firefly'.
A large tear rolled down the archer's cheek, her body shaking and a soft whimper escaping her as she reached a trembling hand for the letter to hold it against her chest. Looking to the rest of her team, she murmured, "Would you all mind if I... ah..." She gestured to the open field behind her and asked, "Take the first watch so that I may read this alone?"
Her 'brothers' never hesitated in nodding, small smiles on their faces that told her how they were more than happy to grant her that wish. Matching their grins, Fraise bowed her head deeply and hurried off to find a lone perch that she could take up.
Wufei stayed back to watch her retreat with a wistfulness in his liquid onyx eyes. Slowly turning to face Heero, he grunted softly as in appreciation. The Fighter squeezed a strong shoulder and returned to the ring around the campfire along with Chang so that they could indulge in the fresh meat that was cooking on the fire.
Trowa had the spelled map of Gaia unraveled and sitting in his lap for an assessment. Whistling through his teeth, he shook his head, "When Hilde said that Howard travels widely and quickly, she was not kidding."
With a soft sigh, he shook his head, "Since we've set out this morning, the light that represents him has crossed along Epyon Ridge's ledges pretty rapidly for great lengths. I wonder if moving like that is just his nature or if he is purposely trying to keep from staying in one place for very long."
"Well, considering our close call with a likely spy of Mariemaia's, I would sooner assume the latter," Quatre frowned deeply as he peered over his lover's shoulder to see that at last the golden beacon had come to a stop for the night, just as they had.
Shuddering, the White Mage wrapped his arms around himself and rested his head on his lap. "If he is able to guide us to the Elemental Stones, we cannot chance our being the only ones who are looking for him."
Once again, another reality that had Heero's blood running cold. If they were being followed... watched even then by creatures that they could not see...
In little more than a breath, the Fighter thought aloud, "We could very well be leading Mariemaia right to him. If that Tonberry was any sign of how easy it is for Abaddon to fall upon us, we really have no way of knowing what else might be lurking around us at any moment. We could not only be jeopardizing the Elder's life, but our own and everything that we need to win this war."
Duo chewed on the inside of his cheek and muttered, "I think... that Howard is already aware of that. As an Elder Mage, he has powers similar to that of the Oracles along with countless other abilities. He must know we are coming and sees what may or may not be coming with us, but is willing to take the risk either way."
"He makes a strong point there," Barton agreed. Rubbing the back of his neck, he shrugged, "One as gifted as the old man wouldn't exactly be an easy mark, even for Mariemaia. To be completely honest, I am surprised that Howard and the other Elders of Gaia were not destined to drive the darkness from this world. Their powers would be matches, if not superior to a sorceress of dark magic."
Wincing at how that sounded, the Dragoon met his friends' gazes and smiled sheepishly, "Not that I have any doubt in the Creator's faith in us. Clearly, there is a reason he made it known that we needed to assemble and strike against his adversary's army. And I am not about to hesitate in what we have been charged."
Quatre loosely held onto his partner's arm, smiling, "Nor will any one of us."
His braided head nodding firmly, Duo tossed a large pull of deer meat to Wufei. The wolf easily caught his dinner to devour it in a few chomps from his massive jaws. "So, we keep to the plan," the Black Mage smirked.
Wiping his hands clean in the grass at either side of him, Maxwell rose to his feet and moved for his tent. "I'll take next watch when Anna is back, so I am going to get a few winks in," he called to the others.
Silently watching his best friend step away beyond the swaying flap that hid him away from his sight, Heero sighed to himself. When he looked to his side at the low grumble that filled his ears, he took in the frustrated expression on the animal's face beside him. "I know, I know," the Fighter growled under his breath.
A deep, resonating chuckle rose from the Earth Elemental as he rose onto his paws. Taking what was left of the roast from the fire into his mouth, he ran off after Anna without another look back... he had made his point.
"Now I just need the courage to do something about it," Yuy groaned softly, cobalt eyes settling back on the Black Mage's tent.
* * * * * *
"This is all so surreal," Noin breathed, her skin pale and eyes wide as she stood still as a stone in the middle of what should have been a crowded and busy street....
...Instead, only the low and hollow whistling whine of the wind blowing through the abandoned shops and residences could be heard over the sound of armored feet walking through the empty marketplace.
Along with the already eerie scene of empty stands, carts and facilities, the encroaching dimness brought on by the sunset only added to the unnerving surroundings.
From Karnak to Misidia and Baramekia, the cities that the recruits had reached were still filled and thriving... just as was expected for the people of Gaia who were afraid to leave everything familiar to them.
But what waited for the soldiers in Salamand was a stark difference in every way.
The unusual quiet and lazily flapping tarps, window shades and the occasional drifting papers from the sale announcements that had fallen from the beams that they had been hung against made the whole city seem little more than haunted remains.
Shivering against a cold chill that had settled in her, the young Queen of Coneria muttered, "At least the people here got wise to the thought of escaping before the darkness reached them." From where she stood, she could make out the starting line of those looming, spelled clouds in the heavens directly north. "Considering the rate that Mariemaia's influence is spreading, it will only be a day or two before this land is claimed."
For days of traveling on foot and horse now, there was the complete acceptance for the danger that lay ahead for the troops.
However, actually being this close to the threat, tension and anxiety were growing rapidly... and with good reason. This was the last safe haven of a kingdom that they would encounter before coming face-to-face with the belly of the beast that was slowly but surely swallowing the world whole.
Zechs approached his wife, the armor that he wore shimmering in the last rays of daylight that they would be standing in. "Do you suppose that the Sovereigns here came to the same conclusion on their own that it was too risky to chance having everyone stay here, or do you think that they may have been swayed?" he asked, working the theories out in his own head.
Such a thing-- like an entire city of Gaia being abandoned was still a mind-numbing concept to behold.
Lucrezia met his gaze and shook her head, sighing, "I do not know. Which ever of the two possibilities is true, I am just grateful for their sakes that they got away with their lives before it was too late. And I shall pray that they and the others that we managed to talk reason into journey safely."
The corner of her lips curling up, she shrugged, "If nothing else, it does my heart good to know that not every land will share the same terrible fate as our beautiful home."
Merquise cleared the lump as the back of his throat and nodded in agreement. Before his emotions caught up with him, he took a deep breath and watched the Fighters making their way through the marketplace.
"Pack up any provisions you can find," he called to them. "And stay in pairs at the very least if you wander too far. We are too close to the darkness for my comfort to want anyone taking unnecessary chances that all is fine here."
Voices rose to reply with 'Yes, Sire' and 'It will be done, Highness.' Satisfied with that, the King and Queen moved together in search of whatever food, clothing or other necessities they might come across. There were a few discoveries made in supplies, but for the most part what was left behind had been well picked through already, just as they had discovered in the more populated residential parts of Salamand.
Thankfully the Sovereigns of the other three kingdoms had been more than generous in seeing the reinforcements leave with as much as they could carry for their excursion. When such fortune would come about again was a frightening uncertainty. But they could make do with what they had for weeks at the rate that they were sparingly using everything for the time being.
A knocked over crate that had been partially smashed near the end of the marketplace caught Noin's attention.
Smiling to herself in seeing what she believed to be a brilliant hue of red between the gaps in the wooden holder, she patted her distracted husband on the arm, announcing, "I believe I may have discovered some apples. They may still be good enough to eat if the townsfolk left recently enough."
Her partner in tow, the young woman bent at the knees to reach out and turn the box over when an arrow whisked through the air to imbed itself in the wood with a loud thunk between where her thumb and pointer finger rested.
Gasping sharply as she scrambled backwards and onto her feet. Wide-eyed and just as pale as his bride, Zechs pulled her into a protective embrace while scanning the area around, shouting, "Where are you?! Who shot at the Queen?!" Instantly, the Fighters around were alert and arming themselves in a nearly deafening clamor of bright rings and cracks from their magnitude of weapons.
Eyes narrowed to stare intensely at the allies, back stretches amongst the shops, up to the windows and roofs overhead, the entire strength of the reinforcements had stepped back to make a large series of rings around the their leaders. And once again, that chilling quiet fell.
...Then...
"What is left here is for the White Fang!" a female voice shouted, echoing through the barren tunnel of a street.
Armor clanging in their stepping out, the Fighters craned their heads and eyes around in a desperate attempt to find the source of that warning. "It will not be long before the demons come for this land! Leave what little remains for those who need it most so that they may continue to fight!"
Under her breath, Noin muttered, "The White Fang?"
Inwardly breathing a sigh of relief at the realization that they were dealing with a rational person, Alex was the one to speak up, shouting, "We have no qualms with fellow mortals! We came to join the rebels raging against the darkness! If that organization is the White Fang, we are here to enlist!"
There was a long silence to follow.
Swallowing roughly, Zechs kept one arm wrapped around his wife's waist and his free hand tightly gripping his long sword. Likewise, Lucrezia held the hilt of her large double-edged axe so that it was at the ready. Around them, they could feel the soldiers closest around them slowly creeping their backs closer to them.
Finally, the stillness was broken with the bang of a house's door being kicked open to crash against the wall that met it. Jumping, the army turned, blades lifted, to watch as a teenage girl with shoulder-length hair stepped out into the open.
Wearing a long cape of deep green with red fur that covered her shoulders, her brown eyes sparkled with wonder as she smiled in taking in the uniformed men before her. "Well, I never thought that we would see the day when we would actually receive volunteers to join our forces," she stated in the same alto-timbre that had greeted them.
A hand reaching up to her lips, she pressed two fingers against her mouth and let out a sharp whistle. Come on out, everyone," she announced loudly.
From quite literally every possible nook and cranny that had not been inspected appeared an armed man or woman from their physical late teens to their far more advanced ages highlighted by silver hair. Atop the roofs, archers with their arrows still nooked and ready in their bowstrings stepped up to their ledges. Through the windows, heads peered out and from the alleys, even more scaled up and down from their hiding places.
"D-dear Creator," Alex breathed, blinking his wide eyes and lowering his own weapon along with his fellow Fighters as they stared at the masses that outnumbered them ten times over. Even if they were in need of attacking, they would never have stood much of a chance of surviving the lot that they were certain only consisted of a handful of people.
The boastful assuredness that the soldiers had projected had completely washed away and their shoulders slumped heavily at their sides.
Stepping closer to the first line of guards, the brunette kept her focus on the King and Queen in the center of the cocoon and introduced, "My name's Leslie Grada. And we can take you to our Commander, Firion." [1]
* * * * * *
Night had completely fallen by the time the Fire and Earth Keepers returned to camp at the end of their watch. Duo was their only teammate outside of his tent, sitting by the fire pit when they arrived.
"Hey, Anna... Fei," the braided teenager greeted with a wide smile as he got to his feet, laughing at the wolf's growl to the nickname. Noting the redness of his 'sister's eyes in the flicker of the flames, he imagined that her tears had flowed quite freely in reading the first real words from her soul mate in five years. Rather than dampen the mood by bringing it up, he announced with a jovial, "I'm up."
"And you be good out there," the redhead grinned back in a playful way that also had a clear air of concern. Maxwell winked a violet eye then exchanged a kiss to the cheek and a tight embrace with her.
Following their time together- Fraise as a soul in the care of her Death protector, their bond had grown considerably through coming to know one another on such an intimate level.
Against the thief's ear, Duo replied softly, "No need to worry about me, little sis. You should feel bad for anything that tries to give me trouble." Giggling, Anna pulled back, nodding. Lightly hitting the son of Shinigami's arm as they parted ways, her hand lowered to run a hand through her lover's fur.
Checking over her shoulder to see that the son of Shinigami was well away, the redhead bit her lip and walked purposefully into a tent that was not her own. In finding the resident wide awake and on his back as he stared at the 'ceiling,' she smirked, "I had a feeling you would still be awake."
Heero sat upright in a bolt, blinking widely and their noses nearly touched at their close proximity. "Anna?" he frowned. W-what are you-" He stopped himself short when the thief lifted the folded letter before him.
Drawing a deep breath, Fraise said, "Wufei told me about his heart-to-heart with you." She gestured to the flap at her back, suggesting, "You have a chance to talk to Duo alone, so I suggest you not waste the opportunity. The Creator only knows how many more you may have, so get to it."
Shock gave way to elated relief that only revealed itself in a rare smile that spread across the Fighter's face. Chuckling softly, Anna punched his arm, ordering with a smirk, "Go." She laughed quietly at the quick kiss that was pressed against her cheek just before Yuy scrambled to his feet and hurried out into the night.
There was no more second-guessing... no more fear or confusion for Heero when it came to what he needed to do. He was never one to be great with words. However, he always did well in making his feelings and thoughts known through his actions.
Every step was measured and sure, his body rigid in anticipation and his gaze fixated on his target.
And so when Duo spun around to face him when he heard him approach, his unique eyes blinked in surprise as he stammered, "H-hey, 'Ro-"
Not about to let another moment pass by, Heero reveled in the sharp gasp and violet eyes that grew when he suddenly cupped his best friend's face in his hands. Closing his own eyes, he leaned in and poured out every last word in his heart by leaning in and pressing their lips together in desperate kiss.
TBC...
[1] I am not planning on using many characters that are actually from Final Fantasy, but I like this guy's look and character design: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Firion&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1R2ADFA_enUS349&tbm=isch&tbnid=EqzqyvnKo2SjyM:&imgrefurl=http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Firion/Dissidia&docid=CXN7xTbEC1NOIM&w=500&h=724&ei=egdTTqGjJuTi0QHKguyiBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=736&vpy=226&dur=1797&hovh=270&hovw=186&tx=126&ty=172&page=1&tbnh=139&tbnw=96&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0&biw=1280&bih=603
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