In this proud land we grew up strong. We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail... No fight left, or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I changed my face, I changed my name... but no one wants you when you lose
-Lyrics to 'Don't Give Up' performed by Peter Gabriel and Paula Cole
Elements of Great Design Part 40
Webbed hands sifted through the large pack sitting on the floor of Wufei and Anna's room. Finding the dozens of vials that it was searching for, the scaly demon's gold eyes widened.
Moving quickly, it followed its Master's instructions to the letter in methodically opening every glass container to add a drop of magic conjured by Dekim Barton. Every tube softly glowed a bright red at the addition of the counter potion before the contents within returned to its dark origin.
Careful and silent in its work, the Tonberry occasionally looked over to the pair nestled closely under the covers of the bed on the other side of the hotel room.
The Earth Keeper never stirred while his cold Fire Keeper would remain still until her soul was returned to her body. If all went well this night, she would drink from the next bottle inflicted with Barton's poison to never wake in the world of the living again.
But there were so many vials... far more than the beast had thought to encounter.
While there was more than enough serum to be added, there might not be enough time to see the mission through. The green cave creature knew that it had been sent alone to not trigger any alarm in the Alliance as they slept unaware of what was happening. But while that was working to its advantage, there would be no hope in it being able to defend itself against the warriors that were able to fight.
Faster. It needed to work faster. Only a couple dozen bottles had been contaminated with more than three times that amount yet to go.
A wave of panic washed over the Tonberry at the tingle of the entity entering its mind. Dekim was watching the world through its golden eyes now. The sorcerer was looking in to be certain that the task was carried out. Failure would not be tolerated by the old man. Perhaps the kind Mistress would have been forgiving, even reasonable. But every beast of Abaddon's Lair knew the vile monster her uncle to be.
Faster... it needed to work faster yet with more than half of the pack's contents remaining...
In its haste, the creature's webbed hand shook and lost hold on the glass container it had begun to lift from the case. With a soft chime, the vile rolled into the rest waiting below.
The sound was quiet enough that it would have gone completely unnoticed were it not for the fact that everything in the room was as silent as the dead. Instead, the subtle ring might as well have been the horn of an alarm blaring to alert a city of an imminent threat.
Glowing eyes widened as far as they would round, the Tonberry's head snapped back to catch the Earth Keeper mumbling in his claw out of his deep sleep. Frantic to escape what would certainly be a quick end to its existence, the green creature held an opened, three-fingered hand out to the floor at its feet and called upon a black pool that swallowed it whole.
By the time the portal vanished as quickly as it had appeared, Wufei pushed himself upright in a rush. Blinking his enlarged, onyx eyes, he scanned his surroundings with his vision quickly adjusting to the dim light of the moon peering through the drawn curtains. A deep frown marring his face in finding nothing out of the ordinary, he focused on his lover's body to see that there was no sign of change in her.
Quickly climbing to his feet, the Monk closed the distance between the bed and the traveling pack on the other side of the hotel room. Lowering himself to a knee, he peered inside to assess the containers within. The confused frown on his face eased with a relieved sigh when everything appeared perfectly fine.
"And I could have sworn that I heard..." cutting his murmured thoughts off, Chang shook his head and ran a hand over his head of loose hair.
He shrugged to himself, "This abandoned city must be playing with my nerves." As he straightened himself up again, he turned towards the bed and began to take a step towards it when he stopped himself. Biting his lip, he peered over his shoulder to the carrier and paused a moment in consideration before he took it into his possession.
With ginger care, Wufei secured the pack under the covers just behind Anna. Already feeling better at having the vials so close by, the Earth Keeper settled himself back down and pulled his wife close.
Kissing a cool cheek, he half-yawned-half-whispered, "Better safe than sorry." Those words no sooner left his parted lips before his heavy eyelids closed and slumber called him away once more.
* * * * * *
Bodies... so many bodies.
That was the only thing that set in for Firion as he scanned the grounds around him. For as far as he could see through the tree-covered plane that had gone unscathed by the fire that had wiped out everything for dozens of miles, the injured and dead that had been brought to safety lay strewn about.
Blood poured over the grass to coat it red almost everywhere the Healers and able walked. Moans and sobs from those hanging onto their lives by threads filled the chilled early morning air. Though the smoldering remains from the flames were on the other side of the wide lake that the survivors had crossed, the sickening stench of smoke was still thick.
It had been a night of hell... far worse than the fall of Paramecia, Coneria and the dozens of others that had been claimed by Mariemaia combined. The little witch's monsters attacked with ruthless purpose to wipe out every rebel they could find. And when their tireless brutality was not enough, they set the forest that had been the White Fang's home for weeks ablaze to kill as well as to demoralize.
A message had indeed been intended with the ambush. And its warning was more than clear- resistance was not only intolerable, it was a death sentence for any who continued to mount against the Queen who was growing more and more likely to claim all of Gaia.
"Retreat!" the silver-haired officer recalled screaming so loudly over the noise of the fight around him that his voice cracked. The command was one that he never thought he would give when it came to dealing with Mariemaia's forces. But he bellowed it at the top of his lungs that night without a moment's hesitation and without pause... "Retreat! Retreat!"
Subconsciously, he wiped at the blood running from the long gash across his forehead into his eyes for most of the onslaught. Only now when he looked down at his hand, there were no traces of crimson to be found. His nostrils burned with the choking levels of smoke that he and his comrades had endured in the thick of the fire. And in his ears, he could hear the desperate pleas for help and the pained cries from the fallen.
When it had become clear that every civilian who was unable to defend themselves had made it across the lake safely, so did the Fighters follow. Shedding their armors to the orbs so that those who could swim were able, they ran into the cold water.
After the incisive struggle to stay alive, the chilled waves were almost welcomed until they began to set in and freeze the survivors to their cores before they finally reached the other shore... fortunate to have managed the distance in their conditions.
Crude rafts had been made to float those who could not pass the lake on their own will. Those who were too afraid to wait for assistance drowned in their attempt to escape the horror that was closing in on the burning northern beaches. In the light from the flames and the moon, the red blood of the wounded could be made out in long swirls carried in the water.
And finally... the dark, looming figures that had come through the night to unleash their wrath came to a stop when they reached their edge of the lake. Oh, they could have crossed easily. But they stood on that distant shore with their glowing red eyes and vicious, gleaming smirks as they watched the rebels in the utmost satisfaction.
They had accomplished what they had been charged. So they would remain where they were until it was time to move again... without any opposition most likely, thanks to their efforts.
Firion found a tall rock to all but collapse back onto as perch. Slouched forward, he reached up to cover his face with his hands just as the sting of tears came on. And he cried.
Slowly approaching the Commander, Treize winced as his wrapped left shoulder decided to give a sharp throb in his movement. Allowing his long-time friend a moment to allow the night's events to catch up, the King took a deep breath and urged, "You do not hold any responsibility for what happened. Not one of us could have predicted that sudden and tremendous of an assault."
Hesitantly lowering his hands to reveal his shimmering eyes, Firion gazed up to his ruler. "I know," he frowned deeply. Shaking his head, he all but whispered, "It is just hitting me that we do not have a prayer in stopping Mariemaia now. Even with the reinforcements that are coming, more demons will be summoned until we are all pushed back and destroyed." A bitter laugh escaping him, he smirked, "We are all doomed."
Treize's hands clenched unconsciously at his sides. "It would be best to not say such things too loudly around the men," he suggested, working to keep his voice as calm as possible, knowing the great toll that their losses had taken on the Fighter. "They still have their hope that we may come out of this war yet. And as you have preached to them, better to fight and die than to lay down our swords."
Wincing, the silver-haired young man raised his head and nodded, "You are right. Please forgive me, your Highness. We have just never faced such an offensive attack before."
The King shuddered and replied, "I know. Lady Une and I pray that such a maneuver came more from Dekim's influence than from our daughter's wishes. We still hold out faith that our little girl might somehow be saved from this, might repent for her part in everything that has transpired." He lowered his head a moment to clear his throat from the lump than forged in it. When he peered back to his friend, there were tears in his eyes as he breathed, "She is still our child and we cannot give up on her."
And those words were enough to steady Firion's resolve once more. Rolling his shoulders back, he pushed himself up to stand straight and tall. "You are not the only ones who still believe in Mariemaia. And for that, we will continue to hold off Abaddon's forces for as long as it takes for her to be graced with the Creator's guidance once more."
Letting out a shaky sigh, Treize brushed away a stray tear and smiled sincerely, "Thank you." Their hands clasped in a firm handshake that spoke of a promise to never forget what they had set out to accomplish.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Deeper within the haphazard encampment, Trent panted heavily as he maneuvered himself through both trees and bodies as best he could. "King Zechs!? Queen Noin!?" he called over the terrible sounds coming from his injured comrades all around. Fortunate enough to have escaped with little more than a few nicks and scrapes from the attack, the Fighter was now beside himself in trying to find his Sovereigns.
When last he had seen the pair, he had worked along with Alex and Mueller in urging them to swim across the lake while he held off their immediate threats. Now the young guard was desperate to know that they had made it to the shore safely.
No doubt every other soldier from Coneria still standing was now in the same frantic search. Drawing a sharp breath when he caught the glimpse of a fellow Fighter with only half of a face in tact, Trent looked away just as two Healers rushed in to treat him as best they could.
"Quinze!" a voice shouted off to the right.
Instantly recognizing the voice shouting his last name, the warrior spun towards the source and sagged heavily in relief. Keeping every bit as close as they had during the whole of the ambush, Zechs and Noin both appeared to be physically fine spare for a few bleeding cuts and bruises on their faces, hands and exposed extremities that had lost their armor.
Breathing a sigh, the Queen smiled tiredly, "Thank the Creator you are alright." The first to reach their soldier, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. "We would not have made it out of there had it not been for you and your friends," she whispered by his ear. Pulling away, she stepped aside so that her husband could exchange a one-armed embrace with the brave Fighter.
A concerned frown marred the King's face as he scanned the forest around when he straightened himself. "Have you seen Alex and Mueller?" he asked with no small amount of worry. "They had been injured before we reached the lake..."
Nodding, Trent reassured, "A few of us pulled them across on a raft. I just left them a moment ago to search for you. They were being seen to by Lady Une and a Healer and will be just fine, so I had been promised."
He had left out just how bad their more horrific wounds had been- for Mueller a deep arrow slice in the side of his neck that narrowly missed arteries that would have had him bled out in seconds and for Alex a lance stab that could have ruptured his heart. It was troubling enough for Quinze to deal with those close calls as it was.
The two Peacemillion Fighters had become like brothers to him in the weeks that they had been friends. All that mattered was that they reached the care that they needed in time.
Wrapping her bandaged arms around herself, Noin commented softly, "More good news when there is so little to be found at this time. We will be certain to thank them for their selflessness in seeing to our protection before their own." Zechs nodded firmly in agreement while draping an arm around his wife's shoulders to pull her close against his side in an effort to have her as near as possible after their horrific night.
Trent bit his lip and stared at the ground at his feet, muttering, "I just wish that we could catch some kind of a break."
Little did he know that such a 'break' would be arriving soon.
* * * * * *
"Oh, this coat will work," Heero thought aloud as he pulled his arms through the sleeves of the silver fur that he had found.
Fitted with a billowy hood of the same animal skin, the cloak was heavy enough to keep him warm while not being so thick that it would make defending himself in it difficult. A couple trial stretching and twists of his body proved just how easily he could maneuver should he and his 'family' come into a struggle.
In the same row of warm coats, Wufei eyed a hooded fox skin shroud. Taking it up, he turned it for a close appraisal as he smiled, "Anna would not necessarily need this since she is her own heat source, but she would look lovely in it. And it would be best for her to keep up the appearance of a mere mortal."
Duo was on the opposite side of the covered table buttoning a brown bear fur around his body, nodding, "Not a bad idea. The less that anyone we may come across knows that you are the Keepers the better."
Lost to his past, he trembled. "Humans are capable of terrible things when they are desperate enough." Yuy was at his side to rub soothing circles along the Mage's back and was reassured by how his lover leaned into his touch.
Each carrying packs brimming to the seams over their shoulders, Trowa and Quatre appeared. "We found enough food and drink to hold us over for a month," the Dragoon announced with a wide smile. "And not a moment too soon as our rations were becoming quite meager." Gesturing to Chang, he said, "I doubt there would be much in the way of wildlife to hunt out in the Ice Lands."
"Good thinking," the Earth Keeper nodded firmly. A thought crossing his mind, he frowned as he glanced back at his sleeping lover comfortably stretched out on the table of plush blankets behind him. Slowly approaching the large pack at Anna's side while the others finished sorting through the wares at their disposal, he called, "Heero."
Blinking in confusion, the Fighter neared his friend with a polite, "Yes?" His cobalt eyes grew further when the case carrying the vials holding Duo's potion was set into his arms.
Chang fixed Yuy with a grim expression as he requested, "If ever there is a time when Anna or I cannot protect this, I hope that you would take up the responsibility of seeing that nothing happens to it." Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he murmured, "I have had a very unsettling feeling since last night and I would feel much better knowing that you will look after this. We may become preoccupied at times of obtaining the remaining Elemental Stones and-"
A reassuring smile tugged the corner of Heero's lips as he cut the Keeper's words off to promise, "No need to explain as I understand." Gesturing to the pack in his care, he declared, "And I will be more than happy to take extra precautions in seeing that nothing happens to this magic for Anna's safety."
Breathing a deep sigh of relief, Wufei grinned back and nodded firmly, "Thank you."
Duo stepped into the scene, a concerned look in his violet eyes as he looked to the traveling case. "If you have an uneasy feeling, let me just have a look inside for a moment to make sure everything is fine."
Instead of actually opening the tied seal of the burlap, he rested his hand over the material and sent a surge of his power to inspect for any possible tampering.
Had it not been for Mariemaia, the dark sorcerer Dekim would never have learned how to cover his tracks when it came to leaving traces of his gift. But as fate would have it, there was nothing that the Black Mage could sense and so the contaminated vials went completely unnoticed.
Satisfied with his findings, Maxwell pulled his fingerless gloved hand away. "All good," he announced cheerfully. At that, Yuy pulled his arm through the pack's straps to sling it over his shoulder. Bowing his head in appreciation to his 'brothers,' Chang stepped aside to finish gathering the last of the supplies that he and his wife would need for the remainder of their journey through the cold, barren lands that awaited them.
Quatre finished buttoning his spotted leopard's hide cloak tightly against himself and reached for one of his heavier coin purses at his hip. Removing the whole bag, he moved for the front counter to leave it behind when he heard Trowa chuckle behind him, "You did read the sign on the door, right, love?"
Just to emphasize the point he was trying to make, the Dragoon had a finger raised to point at the scroll hammered to hang from the window portion of the door that had been left open.
His aquamarine eyes narrowing as he glanced over his shoulder to give his soul mate a frustrated glare, the White Mage paused a moment to appreciate how handsome Barton looked in the tan lion hide complete with a mane hood.
Determined to not be distracted from his irritation, he huffed, "Of course I read it. Those signs are everywhere in the marketplace. But that does not change the fact that I still do not like how this feels like stealing. Everything that the merchants sell keeps a roof over their families' heads and food on their tables."
For the remainder of the team listening in, they were also well aware of the signs plastered on the fronts of nearly every closed up shop. In bold black letters, the message was the same from door to door, 'TO THE POOR SOUL READING THIS -- TAKE WHAT YOU CAN AND MAY THE CREATOR HELP YOU!' Eerie as the words were, they were also a solace in knowing that even in the time of their desperate flight from their homeland, there was still kindness to be offered by the peddlers.
Unable to fight their amusement, the eavesdroppers snickered along with Trowa as he closed the distance between himself and his lover. "I know," he smiled kindly, his voice sincere. Pressing a soft kiss against the Water Keeper, he smirked, "I may tease, but I think it is a very sweet and thoughtful thing of you to look after people that you have never met before."
"Well, that is what we are doing out here out here on this mission for the Elemental Stones in the first place," Winner reminded, his brief moment of agitation passed and a slight blush pinking his cheeks. "We have to look out for those who cannot look out for themselves and right now that involves every soul in Gaia."
Heero patted the White Mage on the back as he walked past, grinning, "You are right about that, Quatre." Stopping in the doorway, the Fighter stared out to the deserted streets stretched out before him.
The howl of the wind blowing through sent a chill down Yuy's back more for its hollow sound than for the actual cold bite in it. "While it was nice to have a real bed to sleep in, I must admit that this place is beginning to get to me," he frowned while pulling the hood of his coat over his head. "Let's not take much more time than we need to. The more daylight we have to travel by the further the distance we can put between ourselves and this shell of a city."
More than happy with that suggestion, the rest of the Alliance worked quickly to fill their packs with everything that they could comfortably carry. Within the hour, four mounted horses and a black wolf trotted along a winding path that led into the heart of the white-and-silvery world stretched out before them.
* * * * * *
"He did everything that he could, uncle," Mariemaia half-spat out at the old sorcerer looming over a cowering Tonberry. When she had heard Barton's shrill screams of demands for explanations to why the mission that the beast had been sent on was not completed, the girl hurried into the throne room just in time to prevent the raised hands from unleashing a spell that would no doubt have ended the existence of the scaly, whimpering messenger.
Glaring heatedly at his niece, Dekim straightened himself from his crouch over his target and snapped, "You of all people should know how I do not tolerate failure when it comes to what must be done! I gave a direct order and it was not carried out to its fullest! Now we may never have an opportunity like the one we had last night to rid ourselves of the Fire and Earth Keepers!"
Khushrenada hurried to stand over the sniffling Tonberry that quickly clung to her right leg. "The fire wielder will eventually drink from one of the vials that was inflicted," she insisted up to the stern glare boring down on her. Folding her arms across her chest, the sorceress stated, "Besides, we cannot expect to have very willing soldiers if we were to turn on our own when they have done everything they could to obey our wishes."
That point was what truly hit Barton hardest. Already well aware of how he was not respected by Abaddon's hoard nearly as much as their Mistress, he was not about to chance causing any further reason for them to not trust him. Deflating with a deep sigh, he growled under his breath at the shaking creature huddled close as possible to the girl. "Very well," he relented, calm and accepting of the situation. "I suggest you keep a close watch on this one so that he does not make another mistake."
Spinning on his heels, the dark sorcerer stormed from the throne room with the red eyes of every guard flanking the space following him until he disappeared. Once her uncle was no longer in sight, Mariemaia sighed and lowered herself to sit beside her trembling servant. Watery, golden eyes watched her closely, unblinking and filled with profound gratitude. "It will be alright," the child smiled sadly. Opening her arms, she could have sobbed at how nice it felt when the Tonberry hurried into her lap and clung onto her neck.
How long had it been since she was embraced? She could not remember.
Lightly patting the creature's back, Khushrenada wiped at her glistening eyes. "You know..." she began softly, slowly while she tested the notion in her mind. Pulling back to meet her gaze, the scaly beast chirped in question. Grinning her first real grin in ages, the gifted said quietly, "I could really use a friend. Would you be willing to be that for me?" Another bright chirp escaped the Tonberry and he nodded enthusiastically.
Ignoring the tears that rolled down her face, Mariemaia smiled and hugged the first being that she could actually consider a friend.
TBC...
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