The dog days are over, The dog days are done
The horses are coming so you better run
Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children and your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind you Can't carry it with you if you want to survive
-Lyrics to 'Dog Days Are Over' performed by Florence and the Machine
Elements of Great Design Part 38
Duo sighed deeply in content as Heero pushed himself up and off of him following their intense round of love making.
Three days into their quest for the Air Elemental Stone, the opportunity for some real alone time had finally presented itself when they woke to find that the Keepers were off for an early spar to sharpen their gifts. And they were not about to let the opportunity flit away without using it to its fullest potential.
Chuckling softly as his bare chest was gently cleaned off with a rag, the son of Shinigami settled back deeper into the make-shift 'bed' of pillows and blankets beneath him and his violet eyes drifted closed. "That was all too needed," he smiled wistfully in a soft purr. Humming in agreement, Heero tossed the cloth aside before he lowered himself down onto his side to pull his lover's equally naked body close.
After a long and comfortable silence, Heero brushed the Mage's bangs back and pressed his lips against his forehead. "Promise me you will never scare me the way you did back at that island," he unashamedly begged, his voice soft with pain as well as seriousness. "I do not think that I could bear another close call like that."
His eyes blinking widely, Maxwell cupped the side of his partner's face as he commented softly, "I had a feeling that you were troubled by what happened."
Pulling a sharp breath through his teeth, he shook his head, "Of course you were troubled by it. Hell, I would have been a wreck had our roles been reversed in that situation. We've just never had a chance to discuss it since we picked up the trail again." At that, he propped himself up to press a firm kiss against the other teenager's lips while pouring every reassurance he could into the touch.
Reluctantly breaking away after Yuy had regained his senses enough to return the kiss, Duo smiled lovingly, "There are circumstances that cannot always be prevented. But I swear to do everything I can to prevent an accident like that again, so long as it is in my power."
Snickering, Heero ran a hand through his damp and especially mussed hair while turning his blushing face away out of embarrassment. "I know that you did not purposely try to drown. Everything happened far too fast for any of us to be of any immediate help to you. And I'm sure that there are going to be other close calls for us in the future considering what we're up against. It's just..."
Voice hitching, he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat down and slowly turned his head back to stare into his lover's violet eyes. "I guess that I just needed to hear that anyway," he shrugged with a sheepish grin.
"Understood," the long-haired immortal whispered back, the small smile on his face making it very clear that the sentiment was sincere. Pressing a quick kiss against the tip of his partner's nose, he murmured, "I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you love me as much as you do."
A short huff of a laugh escaped the Fighter and he replied simply, "I would be incomplete without you. In this new existence, I never felt whole until the day that we met." The corner of his mouth curling up, he added, "Even during the times when you frustrated me, I was drawn to you..." Gently running a finger along the gifted's jaw, he grinned, "...my beloved Death."
Stricken by a thought in hearing his true name, Duo huffed, "Yea. About that, I really need to have a word with Shinigami if we ever do meet. For being his so-called favorite son, my father sure has a funny way of showing it with all of the things I have had to suffer in this life when this body and life was chosen for me. About the only joy that I have ever known has come through finding you and the rest of our family."
To the amused chuckle from the other youth, Maxwell waved a hand in the air and pushed himself off the ground to climb back to his feet. "At any rate, we probably should check on our siblings to see how they are fairing in preparing Trowa," he suggested on his way to the pile of clothes by the closed flap of their tent door.
"Must we leave so soon?" Yuy groaned as he rolled on his back and pillowed his head on his folded arms to admire the view of his naked lover walking beyond. The Black Mage's loose, wavy hair swayed back and forth with every step he took to give playful peeks to the perfect rear that they would have otherwise hidden.
Purposely taking his time in bending forward for his black and purple attire, the son of Shinigami smirked over his shoulder, "Listen to you. Any other Fighter would have you stripped of your title for preferring pleasure over duty."
Heero crawled up to his feet with a sultry smirk as he purred, "Well, no other Fighter has you as their lover. If there was a Duo for every soldier, Gaia would be forever damned." Giving a playful swat to his companion's rump, he laughed at the sharp yelp that filled the air along with the crack of his hand and took the half-hearted growl and smack to his leg in good humor.
The banter back and forth continued for a short while longer before the eternal soul mates of Life and Death were fully clothed and emerging from their tent.
Once the especially chilled outdoors greeted them, Maxwell wrapped his arms tightly around himself with a violent shiver. "Fall is coming on fast," he commented. "Good there is another city close by. We'll need to purchase warmer clothes to carry with us. Not to mention the fact that we're heading straight for the year-round ice lands."
Grunting, Yuy nodded. In this life, he had never been this far east in the world. Tales of the snow-blanketed realms and planes were all that he had to appreciate what was now waiting for the Alliance. Because of his experiences leading up to that day, he was more than certain that mere words would not do justice compared to the actual visual.
Lightly patting Wing in greeting, the Fighter stared out into the distance ahead that they would be traveling into. Miles upon miles ahead, Gaia seemed to disappear into a haze of white and silver with darkened rises of what he could only assume to be mountains shrouded in the mist of snow and ice.
"Have you ever seen the forever-winter lands in your journeys?" Heero heard himself ask as his steed lightly nudged his side. Distracted by the unknown that lay ahead, the soldier reached up to resume patting the horse's white muzzle.
Giving Scythe a chuckle while the black beast greedily ate the breakfast he had been presented, Duo turned to focus on his partner. "I have been to a few of the kingdoms short of the mountain ranges," he answered. Smiling, he added, "You are in for a real treat when it comes to seeing some of Gaia's most remarkable natural wonders."
In speaking of natural wonders, the couple finished feeding their steeds and themselves to check on the four more incredible marvels of Gaia in their brother and sister Keepers.
When they found the personified elements a couple hillsides away from the encampment, Trowa was being circled by Quatre and Anna.
Creeping along in a perfect ring outside of Air, Water and Fire remained opposite of each other. Slowly turning himself, the suited up Dragoon managed to keep his peripheral vision on both of his challengers... until his lover managed to slip behind his back enough that he had to shift that much more to keep an eye on the White Mage.
Her eyes narrowed and the corner of her mouth curling up in a vicious smirk, the archer took advantage of her tall brother's momentary distraction. Rapidly firing bolts of flame from her hand that grew mid-flight into massive fireballs, she vanished into a similar glowing sphere and joined the surge for her target.
In hearing the deafening rush that was befalling him, Barton spun towards the attack and spun his reaffirmed staff to deflect the first three orbs that nearly claimed him. Against the wind brought on my the turning weapon, those shots were tossed about until they faded from sight. But soon, the physical presence of Anna wrapped in fire emerged to bring her long knife down upon the rod.
Quatre sprang into action immediately, hurling sharp-pointed daggers of ice for his soul mate's back while Trowa sparred hand-to-hand with the redhead. Between changing the air around him to warm enough that those frozen daggers melted before they could reach him, the Dragoon also split his staff into two long, sharp-edged halves that he used to knock back the gifted's twin blades when Winner joined the fray.
"Dear Creator," Heero breathed, his skin pale and eyes as wide as Duo's while they continued to watch the match. "They're getting stronger. And I did not think such a thing to be possible with what they were already capable of."
Under his breath, the Black Mage murmured, "Yea. Good thing we're on the same side." Peering over to a certain black wolf lying in the grass beside them, he smirked, "I wouldn't want to be Mariemaia Khushrenada or Dekim Barton when they have all of their Elemental Stones." Wufei growled out a chuckle as his tail waved in his clear anticipation for that meeting.
Finally, the violent battle in which the elements were merely facing off in their natural states came to an end when the Keepers materialized once more.
Half-stumbling back, the thief bent at the waist and gripped her thighs to stay somewhat upright. "Actually made me break a sweat," she snickered, reaching up to wipe at her dampened brow. Smiling, she bowed her head to her pleased opponent, "Very nice, Trowa."
"Thank you, Anna," Barton replied, bending at the waist in his own bow to her. Facing his smug lover, he snickered, "And yes, you were very impressive there as well, Quatre. You both gave me one hell of a run." The Dragoon draped an arm around the chuckling Mage's waist and leaned in to press a kiss against his cheek.
"That was pretty incredible from where we were standing," Heero praised as he, Duo and Wufei entered the scene. A sheepish grin making its way across his face, he asked, "But... who actually won that match?"
Winner smiled, "It was a three-way draw, as always. Really, these spars are not meant to have any one of us win or lose. We have them to push ourselves and each other to test our limits." His fellow Keepers nodded in agreement. Shrugging, the veiled gifted commented, "It would only serve us to try and go beyond even what we think we are capable of."
At that, Maxwell nodded, "It was wise of the Creator to design the four of you the way that He had. I can easily see how perhaps the world is not ready to see your full potentials until it is threatened at times like this."
Rubbing her hands together, Anna peered down to the wolf at her side and announced, "Well, I think it is high time that Wufei have his chance at this." Blue eyes settling on her elemental 'brothers,' she reached into the pocket of her trousers. "As the one with the most experience in his powers, he'll be more than a force for the two of you to reckon with," she told them.
Onyx eyes growing, Chang stood on all four paws and wagged his tail excitedly while the redhead gazed to Duo for permission.
With a laugh, the braided Mage stated, "That's a show I wouldn't mind seeing." Moving to flank their sister along with Heero, he nodded firmly, "Ready whenever you are, doll."
Quatre had a familiar white-and-red wrap of clothes ready and draped over the wolf's backside at the same time that Anna threw back the contents of the vile she had collected. Collapsing lifelessly into the careful arms of her protectors, the immortals she left behind watched as Wufei shifted back into his true body. As he righted himself, the raven-haired warrior folded his robe closed and tied it tight against his waist.
Sighing in the content of being back in his flesh, the Chang stepped towards his wife as Heero shifted to take her fully into his care. Lovingly brushing her long, red bangs back, the Monk bent at the waist to press a firm kiss against her cold forehead. Giving Life and Death a deep, hand-folded bow of appreciation for their vigil over his soul mate, he turned to face the two Keepers standing at the opposite edge of their sparring ring.
"I've always wanted the chance to fight with you," Barton smiled darkly as he lowered himself into a crouch, staff tightly gripped in his hand as Winner settled into his own defensive stance.
Wufei grunted and smirked back in kind, "I do hope that you are both rested enough. Because I do not intend to go easy on either of you." Cracking his knuckles, he chided, "It would be a pity for the fun to end before I get warmed up."
* * * * * *
Dekim was not about to stay quiet for much longer. Mariemaia knew that much.
Every day that had passed since the Alliance had recovered the Water Elemental Stone, the old man grew more and more agitated. There was no question in the young sorceress' mind what he wanted. She had stalled the issue as long as she possibly could before her uncle could rightfully question her resolve in what she needed to do.
Now as her dark-robed mentor entered the throne room with rushed, stomping footfalls towards her, Khushrenada knew that he was at the end of his patience.
When he came to a halt at the foot of her raised seat and began to open his mouth to speak, the redheaded child fixed him with a glare, snapping, "I have just sent word to the head officers stationed in our outer flanks to move. They are aware that they are to push on for several cities ahead and to show no mercy in smoking out the rebels."
His narrowed eyes widening, Barton's jaw finished falling open in silent surprise. There was a little enjoyment on Mariemaia's part to have actually rendered the man silent. No doubt he had not expected to hear that she was willing to take such control without his needling her on. But still there was uncertainty. "When do they head out?" he pressed, folding his arms together as his hands were covered by his long sleeves.
"Tonight," the girl answered shortly. "Just before darkness settles so that another late raid can be made. By the time the rest of Gaia wakes, the people living beyond our reach will see that the more of the world is covered by the darkness that will eventually claim them all."
Straightening himself, Dekim paused before smirking, "Well. I am relieved to know that you are not holding back." He raised an eyebrow, adding, "You have had me worried for some time now. There is no time to turn back from what we have started now."
Mariemaia reined in her growing anger. Already more than unhappy at feeling pressured into making the difficult order that she had, the last thing that she was willing to take were his snide comments. "You really should not second-guess me like that, uncle," she warned. "If there is one thing I am well aware of it is that you and I are the only allies we have in this world. I would be foolish to believe that any one else in all Gaia would ever look out for my well-being."
Drawing a deep breath, she concluded, "If there is one lesson you taught me best it is that of self-preservation. Doubt on your part is not only unjustifiable, but it is not the least bit appreciated. If we are to continue to work together, I would like to have a bit more trust from you."
Once again, the girl had drawn a line in the sand and Dekim knew better than to cross it now. She was still needed for so much more. He was not yet ready to take over in her place... nowhere near strong enough yet to eliminate the last obstacle standing in his way of complete power. And so he had to bite his tongue and swallow down the bitter taste in his mouth.
The last thing that he needed now was to have his 'dear' niece turn on him. After all, she was the one in command over the demons brought through the gates of Abaddon's realm of the damned.
But of course the old sorcerer knew that Mariemaia was faltering. The dark circles that were beginning to form under her hardened, heavy eyes that had once been so vibrant and filled with life were proof enough of the sleep that she had lost. More than that, however, was how long it had taken her to make a direct order to have their closest potential dangers removed.
Still... this was not the time to strike. Yet again, humility and patience were required.
In a deep bow at the waist, Dekim frowned deeply, "My deepest apologies if I have ever offended you, child. It is not my intent to upset you in any way. I appreciate the gravity of the responsibility on your shoulders. It cannot be easy on you and I do worry at times that perhaps it may crush one as young as you."
Very slowly righting himself again, the dark-robed man was inwardly pleased to see the sorceress easing. In fact, her eyes had softened to reveal her for the scared young one that she was, desperately searching for both approval and acceptance of any kind.
"You have been handling this brilliantly," Barton praised, forcing as sincere a smile as he could. "I could not be more proud of you." Swallowing roughly, Khushrenada opted not to chance using her voice and so only gave a firm nod of gratitude.
Struggle as he did in doing so, Dekim managed to contain the chuckle that wanted to escape. Folding his hands together behind his back, he stated, "I have been informed that my messenger may soon be able to get close enough to the Alliance to hatch the spell that I will release into the potion that the son of Shinigami is using to defy the curse that you had set upon the Earth and Fire Keepers."
Coming to life at that, Khushrenada leaned forward in her tall throne. "How does the prospect for their success look?"
The sorcerer shrugged, "I was not given many details before we had to sever our contact. But I am certain that we will hear more from them in the day or two ahead." Raising a finger, he winked, "It is all a matter of the right time and situation to arise. We are the ones with time on our side so long as the Keepers do not all obtain their Elemental Stones."
"Yes," the girl agreed, nodding absently. "So long as opportunities continue to present themselves, we do maintain the advantage as they do not know the plan you have set into motion." Rubbing her forehead, she sighed, "If you will excuse me, uncle, I will be retiring to my bed early this evening. It has been a very long day."
And it was his reassuring news that had settled her nerves enough, Dekim was all too aware. Giving her his best warm smile, he replied, "Very well, my dear. I hope that you have a restful sleep." That said, he turned on his heels and took his leave while a sinister grin curled the side of his mouth.
Little by little, the child was going to weaken both physically and mentally at the rate she was going. There might still be more she needed to do for now, but when the time would finally come for him, she would be powerless against him...
...and then not even the Creator Himself along with his four warriors would be able to save Gaia.
* * * * * *
"You really are a persistent one," Meiran giggled. Brushing back her long, dark hair from the sides of her face, she shook her head at the bouquet being held out to her. Lowering her hands from the sheet that she had been hanging over a low tree branch to dry, the lovely rebel accepted the colorful wild flowers with a genuine, "Thank you, Alex."
Unable to contain his wide smile, the blonde Fighter shrugged, "I am nothing if I am not unwavering in my affections." Leaning against the trunk of the tree that was not covered with freshly washed laundry that was brightened by the deep reds and oranges of the sunset peeking through the leaves, he smirked, "Now, why don't you call an end to this 'playing hard to get' and admit that you just might be developing a crush on me?"
With a laugh, the raggedly-clothed beauty finished smelling the flowers to free a hand and swat her admirer's arm. "So sure of yourself, are we?" she huffed. "You and all of the other soldiers should know that I have never had intent on finding love so long as I am a member of the White Fang. None of our lives are promised to survive for one. And for another, I will not allow myself to be distracted from what we are doing here."
Alex pushed himself from his perch and opened his arms, crying happily, "See, that is why you and I are so perfectly suited for each other! Were you not a woman, you would have been made into a Fighter, yourself, between your fierce devotion to serving and your courage!"
Rolling her eyes, Meiran held the bouquet back out to her friend as she sighed, "You would have much better luck trying any of the other young women in the encampment. Mueller certainly does not have a problem testing the waters when it comes to finding a companion."
"I'm not Mueller," the Fighter retorted, stepping back from the gift that he had offered. "I have only one person that I am interested in and if I must survive and wait for the end of the war to win her over, then that is exactly what I will do."
Her thin, onyx eyes blinking widely, the rebel stared at him in disbelief. "I... You..." she stammered. Just when she was about to find the words she wanted and opened her mouth to speak them, there was a low vibration that resonated from deep in the ground beneath their feet.
That low rumble steadily became a clamor that shook the whole ground. Crying out in surprise as she stumbled forward at being knocked off balance, she was held up by Alex's arms when he caught her. Their eyes enlarged with fright, the pale-faced pair met each other's gazes.
Only one thing was known to cause a strange quake such as the one they were experiencing and that was the hooves of hundreds of horses that were charging in their direction.
In a breath, Alex whispered, "They're coming... we're under attack."
TBC...
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